Chapter 26: Sparks

A heavy thud jerked Daria from her slumber. She sat up on her elbows and looked at Jane, who was miraculously still asleep. Then she heard the telltale snick of her eight-and-a-half-months-pregnant sister opening the fridge. Daria slid back down onto the bed and wrapped an arm around Jane. As she was breathing in the sweet scent of her hair at the back of her bob—something like sage and lily—Daria suddenly felt her stir, snuggling backward until they made a perfect crescent and a smile lit up Daria's face in the dark.

Thump. The cupboard door. Jane sighed quietly and rolled over to face Daria. She rested a hand on her girlfriend's hip and whispered, "I swear to god, if those are my Crispy Sergeant Cheddars…" Crinkle. "Oh yeah, it's totally them."

Daria placed a feather-light kiss on the tip of Jane's nose. "I'm sorry, honey. It's like having a bear in the apartment. I'll try to be a better park ranger."

"It's not your fault, babe. I'll just build a personal snack hoard in my underwear drawer."

"Ever resourceful." They heard Quinn's bedroom door close. "It shouldn't be much longer until she moves out, though. Her apartment is supposed to be ready around the time she has the baby."

"Then we just need to find adequate supervision for her girls' nights with Stacy. Who knew fat-free, salt-free popcorn was so flammable?"

Daria nestled her face in the hollow between Jane's neck and collarbone. Jane kissed the top of her head, then slowly ran her hand over Daria's hip and up to the place where her ribcage met her breast. Then down again, and down, until she was gently cupping her bottom. Daria moved in closer and traced the line where Jane's underwear hugged the smooth skin of her belly, and then she whispered, "You know, we're going to need to free up as many pairs of these as possible if you want to hide a truly magnificent snack pile."

"Mmm, best to take them off then."

Starting with Jane's lips, Daria left a trail of lingering kisses all the way down to the place where she hoped to spend the rest of her night.

. . .

October leaves burned gold and red in the kitchen window behind Quinn as she tapped away at a laptop in the morning light. Daria had been shocked the first time she'd seen her glasses, which she only wore when it was far too early or late for contacts, and she was still getting used to it now.

Jane shuffled over to the coffee pot, disheveled hair falling in her eyes, and flipped on the tap. Daria valiantly fought off sexy flashbacks of the delightful things Jane had done to her the night before with her black hair falling in just that way. With a conscious effort, she directed her gaze at Quinn and asked, "Uh-oh, are you writing another email condemning the limited maternity styles in our mall? We've already been blacklisted at two stores."

Quinn smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Ha. Actually, I'm applying for hygienist jobs. Do you guys know any ugly dentists? You know, so I can just focus on teeth this time."

Jane shot an amused glance at Daria and replied, "We'll be on the lookout for a hunchback ringing a bell and advertising orthodontic services."

Quinn typed in silence for several more minutes while Daria and Jane poured coffee, started the toaster, and sat down at the table. She pressed one final key with a flourish and closed the laptop. "There! One more application in. Oh right, I almost forgot—I have news. About Stacy."

Daria took a sip of coffee. "Is she training as a firefighter to prep for the next episode of Incinerate Your Kitchen With Stacy and Quinn?"

"No, but I'll let you two know if she ever launches a makeover show for the fashion incompetent. Anyway, Stacy and Upchuck—I mean Charles—are getting married next summer."

The toast popped up. Jane and Daria looked at each other. Quinn sighed and went on. "I know. I don't get it either, but she seems really happy. And I'm her Maid of Honor." She gave a small shrug, then a smile dimpled her glowing cheeks.

Daria suddenly remembered how sweet Quinn could be. Well, sometimes. She chimed in with affection, "Maid of Honor. So you get to plan the bachelorette party."

Oh yeah!" Quinn giggled. "That's the part I'm most excited about. Maybe I'll get her strippers!"

Daria cracked a smile and tried to fight off the mental image of three dancing Upchucks with dollar bills in their tighty whities. "Are you sure? We know what she's into."

Quinn paused, holding up a finger. "Good point."