Thank you for beta'ing, MsSchneeheide!

On Friday, Blanca jumps when there's a clattering and swearing in the backroom. "Come on, move it or lose it!" Claudette lectures either Gina or Norma. "Now, you've got to clean that!" They scowl as they follow her out about five minutes later.

"Yo, serve me first, my birthday was yesterday!" Pidge exclaims as she catches up to Zirconia and Ouija in line. "Z, you walk way too fast for me! I'm four feet eleven and my legs are much shorter than yours!"

The women give the students their macaroni and cheese. "You gonna hook up with Eddy again, P?" Ouija asks. They take their food while grinning, flashing the rocks on their teeth.

"Duh! Of course I am, fool! He loves the smell of my roll-on deodorant and he just got me some new headphones!"

"Sweet!" Zirconia and Ouija comment at the same time.

"What's up, Peejee?" Flaca asks, glancing between Pidge and Ouija.

"That's not our regular nickname," Pidge says in an annoyed tone. "My mom slapped my dad to wake him up this morning…" she tells her friends as they walk away, cackling. The ladies go on to give the next bunch of kids their lunches, including Flaca and her friends.

"I already don't think much of 'em, but they remind me of myself as a teenager," Aleida grumbles, referring to Ouija, Pidge, and Zirconia.

"That's kind of why I wanna do something to steer 'em on the right path," Gloria says. "I don't like some of the people they roll with, and I'd prefer Elena and Ceci not hang around 'em too much."

"Same here, about Maritza," Blanca murmurs.

"At least Ouija and Pidge apologized for calling me a bossy twatwaffle," Gloria mutters. "Probably 'cause me and Diane once saved her and Pidge from well-off men who were harassing 'em on the street late at night. We were like, 'oh hell no', and helped the girls! Ouija said she didn't need it, saying it was just a joke, but we knew better!"

"It's a wonderful thing you both were there for them, then. Maybe get them into a sport or activity, like dancing, singing, or acting…anything to keep them out of trouble!" Red suggests.

"They just had the worst role models for parents and don't respect adults…they just go by their own rules, that's the issue," Blanca points out and lowers her voice. "I don't think they'd listen to any of us. They act like complete hoodlums!"

"They don't even use their real names, Carmen, Ramona, and Irene," Claudette states. "It's not their biggest problem, but what job interviewer will take them seriously in later years?"

"Who cares about that? They could take up cooking," Aleida says. "Ouija would probably be into acting because of her perfect impressions…she says holy ravioli in Lorna's exact accent, for example! She also imitated Nicky and Red perfectly! We could talk to Berdie Rogers about that, get her into drama class. Berdie's got a degree in cosmetology so she could also help Ouija do her makeup…she's the production manager and maybe Ouija could be in the next play."

Pursing her lips, Blanca spots Ouija, Pidge, and Zirconia chatting with Maritza, Flaca, and Maria across the crowded cafeteria. "If she's even up for it, of course."

"You sure you don't want my money from when I committed WIC fraud?" Ouija asks.

"Nah, you shouldn't do that anyway," Maria tells her.

"Mm-hm," Flaca and Maritza respond in unison.

"Dumbass. Y'all are crazy!" Ouija rolls her eyes and Pidge and Zirconia laugh.

"Maria, you should stand up and change things at the school, and even take the good teachers hostage with the bad to teach 'em a lesson and be a role model to their kids since people are listening to how horrible we're being treated, have your kid look up to you!" Ouija insists.

"Hey, chill out! It ain't even that horrible here anymore, Piss-cuntella was fired!" Maritza informs her. "Don't be a bad example for your son."

"Yeah, Miguel is super sweet, you don't wanna turn him evil. He loves us as his babysitters!" Flaca pipes up.

"You're tellin' me you don't wanna rip the bad guys' eyeballs out?"

Maria spins her shrimp-flavored ramen around on her fork and blows on the hot bite. "I want a massage. I'm seriously tired of trying to fight assholes who ain't even bothering us no more. They were banned from this school for a reason. Probably in prison, too."

Pidge shrugs. "I prefer knitting to violence nowadays."

"The teachers here are hella fine now…especially Luschek, he's a wimp, but it's sexy!" Zirconia grins. "Pidge encouraged me to wear light pink lip gloss, but not mascara since eye makeup gives me allergies and I get itchy."

"I don't think he'd be that into you, not since you mooned the camera…plus, you look like a boy," Maria says, and Flaca and Maritza nod in concurrence.

Zirconia's jaw drops and she glares at them while linking arms with Pidge and Ouija. "Well, fuck you three, then!" she hisses and then they stomp off.

Maria shrugs. "Guess they're too stupid."

"Mm-hm," Flaca and Maritza agree.

"Anyway, this idiot Randolita spread a rumor that Beyonce is comin' to this school, but don't believe it!" Maria lets them know.

Flaca scowls. "I won't, she's a mentirosa."

Liar

"How dare she spread such bullshit and get our hopes up!" Maritza sighs sadly.

"Fuckin' Random-lita," Flaca says, making the others giggle together. "Hey, I heard that Cindy likes her eggs over easy, but that Nazi cunt Sankey thought it was disgusting, so the lunch ladies cooked her eggs over easy every time she was racist or talked about Cali Skins, Idaho Klan, and every hate group in the world in fact!"

They all cackle hysterically and Flaca and Maritza grab each other, still shaking with laughter.

"You girls okay?" Karla asks as she comes up to them.

"Yeah, we're fine," Flaca tells her through a giggle.

"¿Qué pasó con tu novio?" Karla asks, her questioning gaze fixed on Maritza.

What happened with your boyfriend?

Maritza gives a nervous laugh. "Oh, mi novio...we broke up just before I had to leave for a while. I got Flaca now, though, so I'm happy!" Their kiss is short but sweet, and Karla smiles.

"Oh, okay. Well, congratulations to you two!"

"Graaaaciaaaas," they sing in unison.

"Why'd you tell her you had a boyfriend when everyone knows you so didn't?" Maria raises a skeptic eyebrow.

Maritza tries to keep her face calm, although her heart is hammering fast inside her chest at the moment. "I dunno, it was after my first time, I needed to tell someone, and I didn't want it to sound like I had a quickie in the auditorium, so I pretended I stayed with him for a while."

"That's hella weird."

"Oye, calláte, leave her alone, you can't even pick one dude to fuck," Flaca mutters. She waves at the rest of their friends coming over to join them at the table.

Maria appears to be exasperated and she leaves with her food. Maritza relaxes instantly and leans up to kiss Flaca's cheek. "Muchas gracias, princesa."

"De nada, mi amor."

That night is the football game and Diablo buys churros for himself, Blanca, Maritza, Raiza, and Laronne. Blanca takes a bite of hers, and then another. She moans at the sugary goodness and closes her eyes for a second. "Mmm! So delicious!"

"Yummy!" Raiza pipes up through a mouthful while perched on Diablo's shoulders.

"I haven't had these since I was fourteen! That wicked Dean wouldn't let me get 'em because it 'sounded Mexican'." Blanca puts air quotes around the last two words.

"That racist son of a bitch can go right to hell, Mami…and he's totes missing out on this sweet-ass flavor!" Maritza says.

"His loss," Diablo murmurs. A sad look crosses his features and he presses his lips to Blanca's temple. "Pero lamento mucho que te lo perdieras, entre otras cosas mientras estabas con él, mi amor." He starts munching upon the treat.

But I'm so sorry you missed it, among other things while you were with him, my love.

"Yeah, these things are amazing," Laronne chimes in. He's half done with his. "Daddy gets 'em for us every time we go to sports games, the fair, or flea markets!"

"That's great! I don't expect anything less from your papa." Blanca ruffles the boy's hair.

"It's just food! Your ex is an idiot."

Blanca rolls her eyes. "I know."

During halftime, Blanca watches on proudly as Maritza cheers the team on with the rest of her squad and does a cute dance to "1, 2, Step" by Ciara. She claps and shares a smile with Diablo and their other friends.

"Go, Mari!" Raiza squeals.

"Yas, chiquita, damn!" Flaca adds as she stands up with her and Maritza's crew. Maritza waves at them all while beaming with delight.

The football game itself isn't quite as entertaining in Blanca's opinion, but the men and some women and students are enjoying it. She's sitting between Diablo and Gloria with Raiza snuggled in her lap. They're all eating hot dogs and nachos and sipping on soda and water. The night air is chilly, so they're bundled up. Elena is admiring Sergio on the field with stars in her eyes, wolf-whistling and screaming his name happily whenever he gets a touchdown, steals the ball, or throws it to another teammate.

"Our daughters are so in love, it's adorable," Gloria points out.

"¡Lo sé!" Blanca exclaims. "It's a rare thing to find the one in high school, but I guess we did, in our hearts at least! Espero que nuestras chicas también lo hayan hecho."

I hope our girls did, too.

"Yo también."

When the Bumblebees win, everyone rises from their seated positions, clapping and cheering. It was definitely a fun evening.

"To be perfectly honest with you, I don't wanna be near the construction at all since it traumatizes me and the kids…all the banging…even though I know Fahri and the other guys are just doing work. I took the boys to Astoria Park last time so we wouldn't have to hear it," Gloria explains as she, Blanca, Karla, and Aleida make their youngest kids pasta. It's Saturday afternoon and they're hanging out at Gloria's house while their boyfriends are working. Elena and Ceci are out with their friends.

"How could you and the kids handle Leon making their bunk beds?" Aleida wants to know.

"I had the television turned up loud," Gloria responds. "Plus, the door to their bedroom was closed."

"Oh, okay! Do you chicas ever play-scare your little ones?" Karla asks.

"We started to when I finally felt comfortable enough to date Fahri one on one! That was a sign I wasn't feeling scared anymore."

"Yep, and we didn't see each other's mommies as strangers!" Benny pipes up on the other side of Gloria. He and Julio both get out napkins and silverware. Raiza, Laronne, Benji, Christina, Eva, and Emiliano help them set the table.

"That's wonderful!" Blanca comments.

Karla pours orange juice into plastic cups and puts one in front of each child. "It really is!"

Gloria and Aleida nod in agreement. As soon as the adults serve the kids their meals, they get their own food. "Fahri construyó esta mesa larga para mi familia y para mí," Gloria informs the ladies as they walk to the long table and sit down. It fits twelve people. "Mis amigos y sus niños también, of course!

Fahri built this long table for my family and I…my friends and their children too

"Oh, cool! It really helps to have a man who's got skilled hands…we would know." Blanca gestures to herself and her other friends and they all giggle together.

"¡Ah, sí!" Karla says happily.

"Yummy pasketti!" Benny says through a mouthful.

"Yaaaaay!" the kids chorus. Already, they all have rings of tomato sauce around their lips.

"Hey…" Across from Benny, who's trying to eat, Gloria picks up his fork and spoon, holding them out to him. "I'm glad you like your comida, pero por favor, mijo, use your utensils, you're not an animal! You know better." She taps his cup. "Also, drink your juice before it spills, Benito."

"Okay, Mama," he says reluctantly.

Everyone eats their scrumptious meals as Benny continues to chatter away excitedly as he bounces up and down in his chair. "There's another teacher in my class named Lauren and I wanna marry her because she's so pretty!" he gushes. "Or you could share Uncle Leon with her, Auntie Lei! She can be my other cool tía! She'd make a nice one."

"I don't think Aleida nor Leon would go for that, squirt," Gloria tells him in an amused voice.

"Damn right we won't!" Aleida says sharply.

"Why?" Raiza asks.

"Mommy can be selfish," Christina mumbles and Eva purses her lips while wagging her finger at their mother. "Shellfish!"

"Sel-fish. Mommy isn't a food!" Emiliano corrects his younger sister.

Aleida just glares until they shrink back into their seats. "Basta ya, niños. I ain't lettin' my man be with nobody but me. He ain't fuckin' other bitches, that's Cesar."

Gloria, Karla, and Blanca exchange incredulous looks.

"I thought sharing is caring!" Julio puts in.

"Me, too," Laronne adds.

"Sí, with your toys and books, they have no feelings, but usually, when two personas love each other very much like your tios, they don't want to kiss other people," Blanca explains.

"Exactly!" Karla says with a gentle smile.

"Am I wrong for having sex fantasies of Blanca climbing on me while naked and sweaty and I'm strapped to a leather chair?" Diablo wonders aloud. "I keep having wet dreams and I feel awful about it, like I'm some kind of pervert!"

"No, of course not, it's normal…she's your girlfriend and you genuinely love her. Mine starred Aleida and I, but she was cool with it, even after all that she'd been through," Leon tells him.

"Same here, about Diane," Charles adds.

"Sí, y yo he tenido sueños sexuales con Karla," Ramón puts in.

Yes, and I have had sexual dreams with Karla.

Diablo relaxes instantly at their assurances. "¡Oh, bueno!"

"Well, I was supposed to go to lunch with the girls and shower before…it's my day to, and my hair's dirty!"

"It's beautiful," Diablo counters her.

"Thanks…I'm just not up to doing anything right now…lo siento, I'm not feeling well, I've got my period!" Blanca groans at her agonizing cramps. She's laying on the couch with her head on Diablo's knees as he strokes her hair and rubs soothing circles on her back. It's been one hour of relaxing with her boyfriend and watching television, but the Advil still hasn't kicked in. "I thought it was just that I ate too much for breakfast, along with the coffee…now I don't wanna move." She whimpers as another jolt of pain shoots through her belly.

"Take it easy, baby, I'll take care of you," he says sweetly, much to her pleasant surprise.

"Wow, really? You don't mind, you're not disgusted that I'm…menstruating?"

"No, of course not!"

She smiles up at him. "I don't even know why I'm shocked. You held my hair back from my face as I threw up in the toilet that time I was high, drunk off my ass, and couldn't see or think straight. Mi Diablo, the most courteous gentleman ever!"

"Pero por supuesto." Diablo beams at her. "Te amo mucho, mi corazón." He leans down to press a gentle kiss to her lips and she giggles.

But of course. I love you so much, sweetheart.

"Te amo mucho también, cariño. I took medication, but I'm still gonna feel lethargic later…I should cancel, unfortunately. It's just too bad, I promised Maritza a mother-daughter shopping trip after her outing with Flaca."

"I'm sure she'll understand!"

"Yeah, she will, it's just…I always seem to disappoint her. Sometimes I wonder if she ever regrets me adopting her, bringing her into that life with Dean."

"Oh, I seriously doubt that…I can tell she loves you a lot and looks up to you, like Raiza…although Dean was horrific, both of your niñas are thankful for you, darling."

"Really?" Blanca feels tears come to her eyes and she beams.

"Sí." He nods. "Nothing he did was your fault. Your daughters don't blame you, I promise. Our friends and I don't either. It was a dangerous situation and hard to get out of. You were brave to leave him."

"I did it for them…Mari and Raizita. They made me tough." Blanca sighs, suddenly realizing something. "You probably saw the scar that night..."

"Hm?" He raises a questioning eyebrow at her.

"When I took off my shoes and socks that time I was out of it completely…um…Dean didn't like the fact that I used to have six toes on my right foot…so he cut the extra one off," she mumbles as she covers her face. She peeks out at his reaction through her fingers. He appears to be sad and horrified at the same time. "It was just an extra toe...it doesn't matter..."

"Yes, it does...he cut off a part of you!" Diablo places a pillow behind her head, stands up, and moves to the other end of the couch where her legs are curled up and her feet resting on the ottoman. "Let me see." He sits there, removes her slipper and sock on her right foot and then just holds it for a moment before kissing the scar. "Y yo amo cada parte de tí."

And I love every part of you.

"Gracias," Blanca murmurs, allowing herself to just be happy and relaxed. His presence is so calming and she's even forgetting about her cramps-or maybe that's just the Advil finally working its magic. She doesn't need to skip out on her time with her friends, but she'll just have to go with messy, grimy hair and body odor. She'd normally take a quick shower for ten minutes, but because she's a bit weak and shaky on her feet, it may take her longer.

That's what she thinks until Diablo, in nothing but track pants, washes her unruly curls using shampoo and conditioner and massages her body with a soapy loofah and steadies her under the running water so she can rinse off. He always makes her feel loved, but while he's holding her like this, she's melting into a puddle and he gives her a slight orgasm without even meaning to-he was only trying to wash her nether regions. He muffles her moaning with kisses since Raiza and Laronne are playing together upstairs.

"Your fingers feel good inside me," she mumbles against his mouth, excited sparks exploding throughout her whole body. "Ohhh…"

A sexy, low chuckle rises from his throat. "I'm glad you like me rubbing your pussy, but I won't go farther than that if you don't want me to."

"I think I'm good with you finger-fucking me for now," she says just before he captures her lips between his again. She squeezes his hand between her legs for emphasis.

"Alright, mi reina." He continues circling her wet center with his fingers.

"Are you sure you ain't cold?"

"This is warming me up plenty, no te preocupes, my love."

"Okay!"

"Have you ever had a nightmare about losing Diablo?"

"Glo, I don't wanna think about something so morbid…but no. I guess my subconscious blocks out the possibility. I can't even…I don't want to imagine it…remember, my abusive ex is still out there…willing to kill anyone who gets in his way of getting to me. I bet you anything he got out of prison and is now back on the hunt." Blanca sighs sharply. "¿Por qué?"

"I had one last night…when the right man finally walked into my life, that asshole Aydin decided to shoot him dead, and I woke up so devastated!" Gloria tells her.

"Charles said if I passed away since I'm at risk for having an aneurysm, he'd feel like half of him was gone," Diane says.

Blanca gasps worriedly. "I really hope that doesn't take you, because you're an awesome friend!"

"Aw, thanks, you are too!" Diane grins, and Blanca does as well.

"My other biggest fears are rats and being confined to solitary, if I was ever arrested," Gloria mutters. "Dixon raped me in high school and he's been the monster in my bad sueños, along with Arturo. Aydin only shot Fahri, my man didn't die, igracias a Dios!"

"Sí, good thing!" Karla exclaims and the other ladies agree.

"I remember getting takeout, like Hot Cheetos from the school's vending machine and you encouraged me to go into the cafeteria and eat, Glo."

"Oh yeah, I wasn't gonna let a few mean bitches bother us, just for being pregnant teens. I was tired of being cooped up in my car and hiding."

"Believe you me, I was too, minus the car part! I was about ready to smack someone, but I couldn't risk getting hurt since I was pregnant."

"I honestly assumed your slight belly was just from eating a lot of candy, until you showed me the picture of the fetus as proof. My bad."

Blanca scowls. "It was Halloween, don't blame me!"

"I didn't! Sweets are delicious."

"Anyway, how the fuck did you even get away from Dean at that time?" Aleida wants to know. "I thought he didn't let you chill with nobody but him at lunch!"

"He was more passive-aggressive when I started to be with child…like asking me not to speak Spanish in front of him. I had a fifteen-second-long conversation with Gloria…he showed up right after I let her know I really was pregnant with the evidence."

The other women stare at her incredulously. "Excuse me?! How did you not drop his lousy ass after that? So god damn disrespectful…" Karla trails off bitterly.

"Lo sé, lo sé," Blanca mutters. "I guess I thought since I knew how to speak English, we didn't need to use Spanish and he had no interest in learning for me…who was I to pressure him to? All I said was ay dios mío, though, and he couldn't even understand that!"

Gloria exhales loudly while rolling her eyes. "Oh, wow!"

"Dumbass motherfucker," Aleida chimes in.

"That's basic, holy shit!" Margarita points out.

"Honestly, he probably knew what you meant, but he wanted to exert power over you. He got off on it," Diane murmurs.

Blanca nods glumly. "Mm-hm. He liked me speaking Spanish for his own sexual pleasure, though. It was hella nasty and I felt so dirty after."

"Eeew!" her friends cry in unison while making disgusted faces.

"That's on him, though, not you, querida," Gloria assures her.

"Lo sé este ahora. He's the exact opposite of Diablo, who just took care of me this morning because I was powering through period cramps that took a while to go away with Advil."

I know that now.

"Well, sí, and the good news is, you have a much better man now! We all do," Margarita states.

"Cheers to that, ladies!" Karla announces, and they clink their glasses of orange soda together.

"I love the glow balls and lava lamps that Gloria and Diane have, for the aesthetics," Flaca comments.

"Yeah, same with me! Lourdes has 'em in her office, too. It provides a calming atmosphere."

"Mm-hm."

Just then, Taystee walks into Starbucks, wearing a dark purple blazer over a black blouse with small fuchsia flowers paired with blue jeans. She's linking arms with Clarence. "You know she don't love you, right? Plus, she's a stanky bitch who's afraid of skeletons, smoked crack instead of meth, then downed four shots of Everclear and ate cat shit! She and her lousy friend Leanne sniff bleach just like her mom and even though she doesn't know her dad, it doesn't give her an excuse to be such a horrible person! She so stupid she thought Milton Mouse was Mickey at Defunctland or somethin', and she racist, too, since she trusts Norma's magic more than Gloria's! She can go back to Boston for all I care with her witchy aunts who probably can't even hold a candle to the Charmed Ones!"

Clarence laughs. "I know, and she was using me all along! You're pretty special, Taystee…I think I'd like us to be together."

"Sounds like a plan, man!"

Then they kiss, and Flaca and Maritza squeal together, happy for their friend. "Yay!" They run up and hug her on either side.

"So cute!" Lorna gushes from a table over, and Taystee smiles. "I'm excited for y'all! I adore love!"

"Thanks!" Taystee and Clarence say at the same time.

"Oh, that reminds me…I plan to have six bridesmaids except my bitchy cousin for when me and Vinnie get married!" Lorna chirps. "Our wedding is gonna be so romantic! You're all invited, of course! I'll ask Nicky to be my maid of honor…oh, I can't wait 'til I can see her again! I heard she gets out of rehab very soon…next month!" Everyone smiles at this and Lorna's is the widest.

"Mhm, good!" Maritza comments. She hopes she doesn't sound too excited, but she's bursting with joy inside. Nicky was one of her favorite co-workers.

"Yeah, that's awesome!" Flaca states, and Taystee and Clarence nod in agreement.

"We have vodka and misery, that's a Russian proverb," Red lets Shani know, making the younger woman laugh. A guard checks them over to make sure they don't have drugs and alcohol with them, and then they're able to approach Nicky. Happy tears shine in their eyes and Nicky feels herself about to cry as well. Her jaw goes slack as she stares at them. They all hug and it's like she's finally home now.

"Oh, malyshka, I've missed you!" Red pecks both of her cheeks and squeezes her tight.

"Ma…same here."

"I'm so happy we can see you again!" Shani chimes in.

"Me too. I love you both!" Nicky embraces each of them again. "So, how are you, otherwise?"

"I'm doing well," Red informs her.

"Me too! I got a job working at your mom's Russian Market," Shani lets her know.

"Wow, congratulations, that's fantastic! What's new with you, Ma? Salon du Chocolat still running smoothly?" Nicky wonders aloud, referring to Red's sons' chocolate truck they drive around at night.

"It is! Besides preparing for Lida and Vasily's wedding and your return home…nothing much. My family doesn't feel complete without you."

"Aww…at least I'm almost there!"

"Yes, true! My sons used to go to Coney Island and ride the spinning rides…Tricia wanted to go there as soon as she heard the stories, but I told her we should wait for you."

"Yeah, you definitely should! I love me a good view on top of that Ferris wheel."

"I know, my girl." Red chucks Nicky's chin fondly. "I'm gonna go get some coffee. Would you girls like any?"

Nicky shakes her head. "Nah, that's alright."

Shani grins. "Maybe later, but thank you for offering."

"You're welcome."

Nicky and Shani then kiss passionately, spinning around in a circle. Red gets coffee for herself and sits down on a couch. Another visitor engages her in conversation.

"I haven't seen you since last night," Nicky whispers in Shani's ear while standing up on her tiptoes. "In my dirty dream…" They both smirk while giggling. "You snuck in my room…because there's no way you'd ever be caught dead with drugs."

In the PolyCon kitchen, Nicky steps up behind Shani as she does dishes. Shani turns, smiling. Later, Nicky sits beside Shani on her bed. Smiling, Shani shrugs and Nicky glances away contemplatively. Shani looks down to find Nicky's hand on her inner thigh. Meeting Nicky's gaze, she takes the blonde's hand and slides it down her glance at a guard in the bubble who works at a desk. Nicky holds a collage she'd made in front of them, shielding their laps from view. She grins and stares into Shani's eyes.

"Well, I'm here in person now, baby." She twirls Nicky. "So, let's dance."

"Here? We're being watched like eagles!" Nicky says, but she loves the romance that Shani is showering her with. "Plus, no music."

"Yeah, but you missed Valentine's Day and I don't mind making up for it."

"Same here, actually." Nicky sighs with a giddy smile as Shani dips her. They're getting a few weird looks, but Nicky doesn't care and Shani doesn't seem to either. "I did research on how to make you feel good, even after FGM. I want you to be happier while we're…ya know."

Shani's face brightens as she touches Nicky's cheek fondly and kisses her temple. "Aw, you're too sweet!"

"Yeah, I kinda just asked around…thankfully, albeit sadly, there are some women who have had it and they told me how their partners pleasure them in full detail. It was a great lesson."

"I'm glad!"

"So am I, sweetie." Nicky plays with Shani's hair a little. "The ladies said you should go to therapy for your traumatizing experience…I know you said it's your culture, but you're allowed to feel pain about it. Female genital mutilation isn't even considered legal here. It's been that way for a little over a decade."

"I do now," Shani tells her solemnly. "That was horrifying. You were the first I opened up to about it. I can never mention it without wanting to cry, though." She sniffles and swallows what's probably a lump stuck in her throat.

"You can always show emotion with me, darling." Nicky cups Shani's face and leans up to press her lips against her girlfriend's.

"That's what Lourdes always says. She's amazing and non-judgemental."

"She sounds it."

Nicky hums softly and then Shani joins in as they sway together gently.

"So, I get out in a month! Ninety days is the minimum time to relearn habits and shit. I mean, since it's not court mandated, I could've stayed for just thirty and been kicked out for breaking the rules; there's a lot of 'em. I've been a good girl, though, I promise!"

"You always are."

Nicky grins. "Yeah, I know…except in the bedroom." She winks at Shani, who giggles.

"I was waiting for that one!"

"'Course you were. Anyway, it's not recommended to leave early, as I'd be more susceptible to relapses. I'd need a day pass to go to Lorna and Vinnie's wedding…'cause obviously, she'll have it sooner rather than later! She's not said a date yet, which is surprising. I can't get drunk, not even slightly buzzed, but I can have apple cider."

"Yeah, it looks like champagne, at least!" Shani points out. "Plus, you'll be hanging out with all your loved ones again!"

Nicky beams. "Exactly!"

Thank you for reading and reviewing, MsSchneeheide and Juliette45!