III
Early February, 2001
Remarkably, some way, Jo and Blair had found a day off together in their busy schedules. It was a Saturday, which was a day Jo rarely had off, what being one of the younger members in her Precinct. It was such a rare occasion to have a day off, the two women went out to one of the dozens of great Italian Restaurants in New York.
After arriving they ordered their first rounds of drinks-Blair having a Merlot, her favorite wine, and Jo always enjoyed having a beer with any dinner when they were out. It always amused Blair that the wine/beer disparity summed up the debutante/city girl disparity between she and her lover.
"So anything new going on in the Ivory Tower downtown?"
Blair laughed at Jo's nickname for the Warner Building. "Something's brewing, but Daddy hasn't let the cat out of the bag-not yet, at least. I know there's a bunch of study groups meeting about something, but Daddy's keeping the list of who knows what to only a few people."
"Loose lips sink ships", Jo opined, Blair looking at her questioningly. "What I mean" she said with a smirk, "is that the fewer people who know, the less of a chance that it gets to the ears of one of your competitors."
Blair nodded at that comparison. "Good point, although even I think secrecy can get to the point of being anal sometimes."
Jo practically spit her beer out, then laughed, keeping her voice low. "Jeez, Blair, you pick wonderful times to go neanderthal on me! I mean, what if someone had heard ya?"
Blair grinned. "And what if they had?" She couldn't help but laugh. "Are you going to say I'm wrong?"
Jo wiped her face with her napkin, making sure no beer was still present. "No, you won't get me to say you're wrong, Princess, 'cause I agree. I just can't believe you said that word."
"You've rubbed off on me over the years, Polniaczek", Blair said with a cheeky grin.
"Now, wait a sec, Blondie, I don't recall using that particular slang for that...orifice", she said, almost strangling on the word, making Blair cackle a laugh.
"See, I've rubbed off on you as well. Using the word 'orifice' in place of an..."
Jo stopped her. "Oh, no you don't, Warner", she said with a stern voice, but the grin betraying her true feelings, "I ain't gonna let you lower the level of this conversation while we're at a fancy Italian diner."
"Oh, Jo, It isn't like you and I have never..."
Jo gave Blair a warning glance, even with the hint of laughter on her lips. "We certainly ain't going into...that while in public", she said in an exasperated whisper. "Jeez, I've created a monster."
Blair knew she had teased Jo enough, and knew that her girlfriend could get upset if she went any further. But the blonde couldn't help an unbidden smirk that crossed her lips.
"Eat you veal parmigiana, Blondie", Jo said. "Maybe if you behave, I'll let you get some Tiramisu later."
"Yes, dear", Blair said, fluttering her eyelashes, Jo rolling her eyes and giving her an exasperated look.
Jo found herself later that night breathing hard and nearly collapsing from the pleasure that Blair had just visited on her. Before she and Jo were lovers, Jo had enjoyed casual sex with a few girls or women around her age, who had previous experience in lesbian love. But she had been pleasantly surprised the first night that she and Blair had made love at how comfortable and...well, talented, her blonde Princess was in the art of lesbian sex. She had never shown any hesitation for giving Jo pleasure. And truth be told, the other women who had the experience before Blair couldn't hold a candle to Blair's talents.
Blair was slowly sliding up Jo's sweat-covered body, a feral grin on her face as she saw Jo still looking at the ceiling, panting. Finally, she was face-to-face with her lover.
"I didn't tire you out, Joey, did I?"
Jo wasn't buying the innocent look on her face. "Usually, I'd come back atcha with some snarky remark, Blondie...but yeah, you freakin' wore me out tonight." That made them both giggle, which turned into extended laughter as the blonde kissed Jo on her lips, Jo tasting her own essence coming off of Blair.
"You're getting positively civilized in your advancing age, Polniaczek", Blair replied, which made Jo suddenly turn Blair on her back, Blair's eyes going wide, but still giggling.
"Advancing age? Remember, Princess, you're about eight months older than me, so if anyone is in the advancing stage it's you."
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about, Jo", Blair said in what Jo called her "hoity-toity" voice.
"Uh-huh", Jo snickered, "sure you don't. Well, let me tell ya something Warner, the only advancing I'll be doing for a while is this." Jo's left hand deftly touched Blair's side, sending shivers of pleasure through her Princess. "And I'm gonna keep advancing this hand", she purred, "until..."
Blair gasped as Jo was able to put her hand between then and slip two fingers inside of the blond.
"Hmm", Jo grinned, "from the sound I'm getting from you, I think you kinda like this kind of, ahem, advancement?"
Blair moaned as Jo found that perfect spot inside her. "Oh...oh God, Joey...you can advance on me like that...oh lord...anytime."
Jo kept...advancing on her Princess until Blair surrendered to the cataclysm that enveloped her.
May, 2001
Jo was working all weekend in mid-May, and Blair, with nothing else to do, hopped on a two-plus hour flight from New York JFK to Fort Lauderdale to visit an old friend. She had thought up her brilliant idea that Monday, and Jo was all for it, since she was picking up extra work at the Precinct until her day off the following Monday.
Landing in Fort Lauderdale, Blair had only one carry-on bag and medium-sized duffle bag that she borrowed from Jo-her days of packing everything in sight for a weekend trip were long gone.
A familiar face met her at her arrival gate.
"Blair!" Mrs. G virtually bounded toward the younger woman as she deplaned. "My goodness, it's been a long time!" They two women wrapped each other in a tight, long embrace.
"Mrs. Garrett", Blair said, tears filling her eyes. "I've missed you so much."
"Let me look at you, Warner", the redhead said with an impish smile. "As beautiful as ever", she chuckled, embracing the blonde once again.
"As long as Jo continues to think that, Mrs. Garrett, I'll be happy."
"How is my favorite brunette, by the way?"
Blair smiled. "You know Jo-she has to stay busy, always picking up shifts at the Precinct."
"She truly loves being an officer, doesn't she?" The two women began walking toward the airport terminal exit.
"I was never going to talk her out of being a cop, Mrs. G", Blair reminded her. After years, Blair had finally become comfortable using the nickname for her former house mother.
"You can take the girl out of The Bronx, but you can't take The Bronx out of the girl, Blair."
Blair snorted a laugh. "My Joey to a tee."
Edna's husband was out of town to visit family in Texas, so it gave the two women the entire weekend to catch up. After a twenty minute ride to Mrs. Garrett's condo, they freshened up, then immediately went out to dinner at a beautiful, quiet French restaurant.
"Retirement is agreeing with you, Mrs. Garrett", Blair said approvingly after they were seated and had ordered drinks.
"Blair, are you ever going to simply call me 'Edna'?" She gave the blonde a playful smile.
"It took me fifteen years to start calling you 'Mrs. G', like Jo, Tootie, and Nat do. Give me another fifteen years to work on that." They both laughed delightedly.
They continued to talk throughout their leisurely dinner, Blair updating Edna about her father, Edna giving her the latest on Tootie and Natalie, whom she talked to every week. Hearing about the younger women, whom she would treasure forever, did make her a little melancholy. With the schedules she and Jo had, they didn't get to talk to their "little sisters" as much as they would have liked.
"It's been so long since I've seen either one of them, Mrs. Garrett", Blair said wistfully. "I'm so proud of what both of them have become, but I'd give anything-sometimes", she said with a rueful grin, "to have the Four Musketeers together."
"I'm sure you don't miss their 'Snoop Sisters' roles?"
Blair laughed. "Actually, sometimes I do, believe it or not. I think back on all the trouble they got into because they were so snoopy." Blair couldn't stifle another giggle. She then smiled. "But those were some of the best days of my life."
"The four of you have such a special, strong bond, Blair", Edna reminded her. "It wasn't just one of the best things to happen to the four of you", she continued, putting one hand over Blair's, "but believe me, it was one of the best things that ever happened to me as well."
"You pointed me in the right direction, Mrs. Garrett", Blair said sincerely. "You made it so that when Jo came into my life, I was able to eventually figure things out. I can never repay your for that, my friend."
A tear escaped on of the older woman's eyes. "You were my girls-the daughters I never had. And you and Jo did the work-and the fighting", she added, making Blair roll her eyes. "But by the third year Jo was at Eastland, I could see the change in your relationship. I didn't know how deep it would become, but, mercy, you two were meant for each other."
"You know I love her so much, Mrs. Garrett", Blair confirmed. "Although right now, we're so busy that it's hard to find time to just relax together, and enjoy a few days off. Work's been insane-Daddy and the upper brass are cooking something up that I think will become public late in the Summer, and with Jo, like you said, she love that work, but our 'us' time has become less and less."
Edna Gaines nodded sympathetically. "Unfortunately, the Honeymoon, as it were, doesn't last forever, my dear. The real world has come 'a-calling, and the responsibilities of being productive adults in society has become the new reality for the two of you over the last few years." The older women smiled. "Every couple in the history of mankind has had to deal with that transition."
Blair flashed her friend a rueful smile. "True, but it was so much more fun when Jo and I were just starting out."
"Life can't be all going out to dinner every night, going on exotic vacations often and...well, other activities", Edna said with her own smirk, making Blair blush.
"You've become positively incorrigible, Mrs. G", Blair said with a laugh, "but I wouldn't have it any other way." She sighed. "Jo was excited about my visit down here, but I can tell you that it bothers her that she hasn't seen you in so long."
"I feel the same way, Blair", Edna said sadly. "But Jo and I will find our time to get back together. Life won't always be this hectic."
"Maybe someday all four Musketeers could get together with our favorite dietitian."
Edna laughed. "Oh, Blair, nothing would make me happier, than to have all four of my girls together again."
They spent a lovely weekend in the Ft. Lauderdale area, visiting the beaches, shopping, and simply reminiscing about their times together in Peekskill.
Blair had asked Jo to call her when she left work Saturday night, so she could fill her lover in on her time with Mrs. Garrett. It was about 1am when Jo finally called.
"Hey, Princess", Jo said, her voice sounding tired, but happy to hear from her lady. "How's south Florida treatin' ya?"
"Hi Joey", Blair s said happily. "It's treating me quite well, thank you very much. Although I miss not being with you, honey."
"I know, babe", Jo responded sadly, "but I'm so glad you got to see Mrs. G this weekend. How is my second mother, by the way?"
"She's wonderful, Jo", Blair assured her, "and she told me that she sends her love to you, and really hopes she can see you soon."
Jo sighed and closed her eyes briefly. "Yeah, me too, Blondie. I shudder to think where I'd be without having met her-or you, Blair. The two of you saved me."
"Maybe we pointed you in the right direction, Joey", Blair offered, "but you are the one who made yourself into the women I'm in love with, and always will be. Besides", she added, "you saved me as well. I can't imagine the person I would be today without you."
That made Jo smile. "Well, Blondie, when you got it, ya got it."
Blair laughed. "That's my barbarian. But you certainly have all the 'it' I'll ever need."
"When will you be home tomorrow night?"
"My flight lands at JFK about 9pm. I wanted to spend as much time with Mrs. Garrett as I could, so that means I'll be home sometime after ten, if all goes well."
"Well, I'll be home to greet ya", Jo reminded her with some sultriness in her voice.
"Oh, you better be, Jo. I have plans for us tomorrow night."
"That's what I wanted to hear", her lover replied, making them both chuckle. "I hate to cut it short, babe, but while it wasn't a bad shift today, I'm pretty beat, so I'm gonna head to bed."
"You and me both, Polniaczek. I'll leave a message on your cell phone just before I leave Ft. Lauderdale. I'll see you tomorrow night, love."
"Can't wait, Princess", she said with a grin, then became more serious. "I love you Blondie. Always will."
"I love you, too", Blair said tenderly. "Get a good night's sleep Joey. Sweet dreams."