[Apologies once more for the delay. This is really just a filler chapter. ;)]
When Olivia and Alex stumbled back to their room in Alex's childhood home that night, giggling and dizzy with excitement and sated lust, it was almost 2am. "So," Olivia grinned as she held Alex in her arms, feeling her damp hair against her. "I think maybe you have some new memories of that pool house now, huh?"
Alex looked at the woman holding her, and her heart almost burst with pleasure. Olivia looked so young and beautiful tonight, relaxed and full of fun. Alex placed her hand on Olivia's bump, and stroked it tenderly. "The best," she whispered, as she captured her lips in a deep kiss.
Olivia smiled. "Time to get you to bed, counselor," she teased lightly. "We have a busy day tomorrow. What time are you and Carolyn meeting the architect?"
"He's coming over at 9.30am," Alex groaned as she looked at her watch. She had never been a morning person.
"Well, we'll leave you two to it, and we'll entertain the kids while you do your thing. Casey is still coming with Wheels, right?"
Alex nodded.
"Looks like we're on for some baseball, then. And we can all swim in the afternoon. The girls are so excited," Olivia yawned.
Alex smiled and touched her cheek with one finger. "You need your sleep too, my darling. You and Baby Benson," she caressed her belly again.
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Alex startled awake at 5.38am, aware that she was alone in the bed. The sound of deep retching propelled her out of bed and, within seconds, she was at Oliva's side, her hand on her back. Olivia was white and shaking. "M'okay," she gasped, as she gripped the bowl once more.
Alex knew that there was little she could do. This pregnancy continued to be hard on Olivia. Sometimes she lasted a whole week without a difficult episode. Alex thought back, and realized it was five days since she had last held Olivia as her body betrayed her. Olivia calmed, and she took several deep breaths. She reached up and flushed the toilet, and allowed Alex to help her stand.
Alex closed the seat of the toilet and helped Olivia sit. With ease borne of too much practise, she ran a warm washcloth over Olivia's face, and passed her her toothbrush.
Just a few minutes later, Olivia sat, defeatedly, on the edge of the bed. "Arms up," Alex said softly, as she peeled off Olivia's damp singlet. She rubbed a soft towel over Olivia's skin, smiling as her hand skimmed over her breasts. They were even fuller than usual, her beautiful nipples a shade darker as pregnancy worked its magic on her fertile body. Alex slipped a warm, baggy t-shirt over Olivia's head, and guided her down onto the mattress.
"Kinda killed the romance," Olivia said miserably.
Alex smiled, and slid into the bed next to her. She brushed the hair away from her forehead, and kissed her very softly on the lips. "Just relax," she whispered, glad to see Olivia's eyes already closing.
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"Morning, munchkin," Alex slipped into the room that Lily and Maisie were sharing, a bundle of clothes in her arms. She melted at the huge smile that the nearly six-year-old Lily gave her, and couldn't stop herself laughing when she saw Maisie in her bed. As always, regardless of the temperature, Maisie had kicked off her covers, and was sleeping on her back, her arms and legs spread like a starfish.
"Maisie's sleeping," Lily said quietly.
"Let's go to the big bathroom down the hall and get dressed, shall we?" Alex held out her hand, which Lily took eagerly. Once they got to the bathroom, Alex helped her take off her pajamas and put on her usual attire of jeans and t-shirt. She was so much like Olivia, and looked more like her every day, that Alex could hardly take it.
"Where's Mama?" Lily wanted to know.
"Your Mama's asleep," Alex told her. "She's real tired from the baby. So I think we should let her sleep this morning, don't you?"
"Is Mama okay?"
"She's fine, peanut. Truly. It's just having babies can make you feel a little unwell and tired sometimes. She'll feel much better if she gets some sleep. And she'll want to swim with you all this afternoon, so she'll need lots of energy for that."
Lily nodded. She was sad, as she had been looking forward to spending time with both of her mommies, but she wanted her to be okay above all.
Alex kept talking to Lily as she took a swift shower, and got herself ready for the day. She applied a light make-up, though she let her long, blonde hair dry naturally around her shoulders. When she and Lily returned, they found Maisie sitting up, blinking. "Hey doodle," Alex sat next to her on the bed, and pulled her into her lap, smiling as the toddler slowly woke. "You wanna come with me and Lily to get some breakfast?"
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Casey looked down, and was dismayed to see that her hand was shaking.
"You don't have to do this," Wheels reached out and placed her own hand gently over Casey's, giving it a light squeeze. "We can stay here. They'll understand."
Casey took a deep breath. Only the day before, she had been given the date for Charlie's trial, which was due to take place two months hence. Part of her was grateful for the time she knew she would need to prepare for the ordeal, but the other part of her knew that she would not even start to heal properly until it was over, and she did not relish spending the next two months in a state of high anxiety. She shook her head. "I want to go," she said. "I want to have fun with our friends, and with your beautiful grandchildren. And Tommy wants me to see his new baseball glove. It'll do me good," she squeezed Wheels' hand gratefully. "I can't let this take over my life. I want to enjoy myself."
Wheels looked at her closely. She admired Casey so much for wanting to get past the horrific trauma, but at the same time, she didn't want her to over-stretch herself. She nodded. "I'm driving," she said, firmly, putting up a hand in protest before Casey spoke to object. She touched the dark circle beneath Casey's left eye, looking sadly at its twin. "You didn't sleep, did you?"
Casey shrugged.
Wheels stood. "You're an amazing woman, Casey Novak. Never forget that," she put out a hand, and was grateful when Casey let her pull her into a hug.
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"Not in there," Alex spoke more sharply than she meant to. "Sorry," she smiled at the startled architect. "My wife's asleep, I don't want her disturbed. But that corner is an exact mirror-image of the one opposite, so you don't need to get in there right now, do you?" she looked anxious.
Burt Davis smiled. "No, not right now," he said. "If you'll just show me the attic, I think I can get started on some proposals. We'll meet again in a month, if that suits you both?"
Carolyn nodded. "We'll email to confirm dates," she said. "And I'll try and get Graham to come too," she looked out of the window, laughing as she saw their brother running with Tommy on his back, as their friend Casey pretended to chase them.
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Olivia awoke at 12.20pm, feeling much refreshed. She saw a note by the bedside in Alex's elegant handwriting.
There's a plate for you in the kitchen. Sorry we left Wiggle here, but he wouldn't leave without making a noise. I think he wanted to protect you. Take it slow, baby. We'll see you when you feel ready. Love you. A. xxx
Olivia smiled, as she looked down at the small, silky mongrel, who was on his feet and watching her quizzically. She reached down and fondled his ears. Right from when he was a tiny puppy, he had always camped by the bedside of any of them that were sick. He had barely moved from Maisie's bedside a couple of months ago when she had had the chickenpox, only allowing them to take him out to pee. "Sap," she said fondly to him, watching his tail wag.
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Olivia let Wiggle off the leash when they got outside. The grounds were secure, and she knew he couldn't wander far. She carried her towel and bathing costume as she made her way to the pool house. She smiled fondly, as she remembered their exploits of the night before. Alex had been so beautiful, so playful, so goddamned hot, as she guided Olivia to the bench in the changing room where she had lost her virginity to her first girlfriend. She had looked bewitching in the half-light, and as she had undressed teasingly, Olivia's mouth had gone dry. "It was right here," Alex had smiled. "I couldn't hold back," she had groaned as Olivia flung her own clothes aside and stood before her, her full breasts glinting in the moonlight, her pregnant belly making her utterly irresistible.
It had taken only two swipes of Olivia's tongue to bring Alex to her first shuddering climax; over the next three hours, they had bucked and panted and writhed under each other's touch, laughing, crying, every emotion explored as well as every inch of their bodies. Finally, they had shared a shower, bringing each other to completion one final time, before heading back to their room, more in love with each other than ever. Olivia could feel her center pounding anew as she opened the door to the pool house, just the smell of the chlorine evoking even further the memories of the night before. She was grateful for the warm jacket she was wearing, as it would hide her rock-hard nipples, which tightened further at the sight of Alex in a bikini.
Alex smiled widely, and came over to her. She touched her face, and leaned in for a soft kiss. "You okay?" she tried to keep her voice even, not wanting to irritate Olivia was her concern.
"More than okay," Olivia smiled. "Too okay. You know what that smell of chlorine is doing to me?" she teased.
Alex grinned, relieved above all to see the spark in Olivia's eyes. She knew, intellectually, that episodes of sickness were nothing to worry about – Olivia's OBGYN had made that very clear – but she still hated it when it happened. But Olivia looked good now, and if her hand that had moved surreptitiously to Alex's breast meant anything, she was feeling good too. "Liv," she whispered urgently, guiding her hand away before anyone saw.
Olivia winked. "I'm gonna get changed," she headed toward the changing room, waving at little Maisie, who sat on Jay's shoulders.
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Sunday 9pm
Olivia smiled as Alex snuggled into her on the couch. She held her close. "You were amazing," she told her. "I know going to your old house was … emotional," she chose her words carefully. "It was your childhood home. But nobody would have guessed," she kissed her softly. "My brave, beautiful wife."
Alex smiled. "It wasn't too bad. And it was nice, in a way. I mean, if we really do go ahead, and make it into a rehab center, that will sort of … balance out any bad memories."
Olivia nodded.
"And," Alex grinned, as she took Olivia's hand gently. "It wasn't all bad. There were some good memories," she kissed her fingers. "And we made some really good memories, too," she laughed. She turned in Olivia's arms, and faced her fully. "You were spectacular."
Olivia grinned. "You were pretty good too, counselor," she teased.
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"Amy?" Robyn went out onto the small balcony. "It's freezing," she said gently. "Come inside." She saw the look of anguish on Amy's face. "Baby, what is it?"
Amy turned, and saw the face of the person she loved more than anyone else in the world. She reached out and took her proffered hand. "I love you," she said simply, allowing Robyn to draw her into the warm living room. She moved into her embrace. "I love you."
Robyn rocked her. "That's good," she said lightly. "I love you too, honey. I always will."
Amy looked up into her eyes. "I want you, too. I want you to touch me."
Robyn nodded, nervous of where this would lead. She had finally gathered the courage to talk to Amy about their sex life, which had dwindled to nothing, apart from the occasional time when Amy would demand to come – would beg Robyn to take her, hard and fast, and she would buck against her forcefully, almost making her hurt her in a desperate move to feel. Amy always fell apart after these encounters, and Robyn had finally persuaded her that she couldn't do it any more. She would not – could not – be the cause of such pain to her girlfriend, even if she begged for it.
"I know what we said," Amy said in a whisper.
"I can't do it," Robyn's voice cracked. "Last time … last time," a tear trickled down her cheek.
"I know," Amy said, so quietly Robyn wasn't completely sure she had spoken. "Before … before all this … it was so good. You are amazing. So gentle. So considerate. So beautiful. I hate what I'm doing to us."
"You're not doing anything to us," Robyn said softly. "And we're going to be okay. Together."
"Can we make out? Maybe …," Amy fingered the top button on Robyn's shirt.
"We can do whatever you're ready for," Robyn said, smiling as Amy pulled her hand to her breast. She thumbed Amy's hard nipple through the material of her shirt and bra. "And if you need to stop … just say."
"I love you," Amy said, her voice cracking.
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Monday morning
"Mama Jay?" Tommy looked nervous.
"Yes Tommy?" Jay turned round from the drawer, triumphantly holding up the blue t-shirt that had become his favorite.
Leaning on only one crutch, he came over to her, and obediently put his arms in the air as she pulled the t-shirt over his head.
"Will they make me stay?" he looked panicked.
"Oh sweetheart," Jay's heart broke. She sat on the chair in the corner of his room, and pulled him into her lap. She pushed his hair back from his eyes. "They aren't gonna make you stay. Today," she touched his stump gently. "Today, we're going to get you to try a prosthesis. You know what that is?"
Tommy shook his head glumly. He didn't like where this was going. He was so happy in his new home, he was terrified it was all going to be taken away from him, and he couldn't bear it.
"It's a new leg, Tommy. It won't feel exactly the same as the other one, unfortunately. But they're going to put a big sock here," she touched the stump again, "and then, over that, they're going to put a bit of leg on there. It's made out of a sort of plastic material, and it'll be the same size as your other one. So, if you like it, and once you've had some practise, you won't need to use your crutches any more. But we don't have to go, if you don't want to?" she saw the fear in his eyes.
"Where will I go after?"
"After they fit the prosthesis?"
He nodded.
"Well, then you'll come back here. With us."
"I can stay?"
"Oh baby boy," Jay hugged him. "Of course you can stay. We want you to stay for ever."
"For ever and ever?" he looked anxious.
"For ever and ever and ever. You're our son, now, Tomász. Mine and Mommy's. We both love you so much. You want to stay here, right?"
He nodded, and started to cry.
Jay held him close. She knew that, for him, anything to do with the hospital, or sickness, signaled uncertainty. That had been made clear to them just over a month before when he had caught a bug at daycare, and the terror in his eyes when he had started throwing up had shaken them both. But then they had realized that, the last time that had happened to him, his whole world had changed.
They now knew that any change unsettled him, and understood that they would have to be extra reassuring to him, until he realized that he was safe.
Jay held him tight. "If you don't wanna go, we won't go," she whispered.
"Will Mommy come too?" he hiccuped.
"We'll meet her there, she's taking a long lunch. If you want to. Don't you think it would be kinda neat, to be able to walk again?"
He nodded. "You won't leave me there?"
"Never," Jay promised. "Never ever."
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Sarah clapped with excitement, as Tommy took his first steps, holding on to Jay's hand. He looked over at her and gave a wide grin. It felt a little sore, but the nice doctor told him that would get better.
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Wheels was stony-faced. "She doesn't want to see you," she said, icily. "Christ, can't you just leave her alone? Don't you think she's been through enough?" she looked worriedly over the woman's shoulder. Casey was due back from work any time now, and this was the last thing she needed. She was doing so well, being so brave, this could really set her recovery back.
"Please?" the woman said. "Just let me explain?"
"Three minutes," Wheels opened the door fully, and beckoned her into the apartment. She prayed that the traffic was bad. She wanted her out before Casey got back.
"I know what he did," the woman said. "I know it was … bad," she swallowed.
"Bad?" Wheels tried to contain her fury. "Your son raped that beautiful girl, and you say it's bad? Are you kidding me?" her voice rose.
"I'm sorry. I'm not making much sense. It wasn't just bad. It was horrific. Unbearable," tears sprang to her eyes. "Unforgivable. I know that. And I'm more sorry than you will ever know," with a shaking hand, she wiped tears from her face.
Wheels' heart softened. She seemed genuine. And she felt sorry for her. What must it be like to have given birth to a rapist? She shuddered at the thought. But her responsibility was to Casey, and she would protect her, at all costs. She knew Casey wasn't her daughter, but she couldn't help thinking of her as such.
"I went to see him. And I told him. I told his straight. He cannot make this worse for her. It's not fair. So," the woman's voice shook. "He's done the right thing at last. He's admitted it. All of it. There won't have to be a trial. So she won't have to go through that. The DA reached a deal – twenty years, no parole. He knows he has to face up to what he's done."
"Thank you, Judy," Casey's voice was barely more than a whisper. Neither Judy nor Wheels had seen her enter the apartment.
"How much did you hear?" Wheels asked.
"Enough," Casey was white. She reached out a shaking hand and placed it on Judy's shoulder. "Thank you," she said again. "I know none of this is your fault."
Judy started to cry. "I had no idea. I mean … we all knew he was sick … but this," she put a hand to her mouth.
Casey sat next to her and took her hand.
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"When?" Sarah asked excitedly as they lay together in bed that night.
"Next month," Jay smiled. "Tommy's doing so well in daycare, and he's happy to go three days a week. And I can study in the evenings, too."
"So, soon we'll have a fully qualified plumber in the house!" Sarah laughed.
Jay's eyes rolled. "It won't be soon," she said. "I need to get an apprenticeship, and then a year's experience, as well as passing all the exams. It's going to be hard work."
"You've never minded hard work," Sarah said. "Oh God, Jay, this is just fantastic. Tommy's settled. And you're both healthy," she took Jay's left hand between her own, kissing it softly. "Tommy's doing really well with his prosthetic leg. And you," she grinned as she folded her hand between her own, "you have definitely regained full dexterity," she slid Jay's hand under her own nightshirt, smiling as Jay took the hint and grasped her breast gently.
"You wanna put that to the test?" Jay's eyes twinkled.
"More than almost anything," Sarah's voice cracked with excitement.