The Cruise Companion - Sabrina

The Cruise Companion - Sabrina

The Conclusion

By Aoife

A/N - While browsing my favorite cruise line message board, I came across a post titled 'Seasoned Cruiser Needed.' Curious, I read through it, and soon my imagination took off.

This series features a Sapphic theme and introduces Dr. Julie Anders. This chapter is the last in The Cruise Companion series. I do suggest you read from the beginning. It will make sense that way.

All characters, names, and events in this storyline are purely fictional. Any resemblance to real life is purely coincidental and unintentional.

Thanks to Nicole for her editing and suggestions during this series.

~~~

Her head fell to my chest. The world felt too loud, too sharp, and she felt unbearably small against it all. Her body swayed slightly, the weight of the shock making her unsteady. She tried to fend off the sudden rush of tears, but it was useless. Her breath hitched, each one a reminder of how her world had unraveled in an instant.

I held her as the tears flowed. I was certain she was on the edge of fraying; her reality crushed.

The elevator doors opened, an elderly couple asked if we were going down. I smiled and thanked them, explaining we would get another elevator.

I am not certain how long we stood there, it didn't matter. All that mattered was I would take care of my baby; the center of my world.

Maddie wrapped her arms around me and took a deep breath then exhaled.

"Gawd Mom, love sucks."

"Let's get you home my baby. Let's take you home baby."

~~~ End of Chapter Four ~~~

December - Four years later

I stood patiently waiting, well, we stood together amid the bustling baggage claim area of Philadelphia International Airport. My right hand gripped the strap of my leather purse, slung cross body over my shoulder, while my left hand held hers. I could feel the sweat on my palms, but it wasn't the heat inside the terminal; it was the anticipation that was killing me.

My eyes locked onto the arrival board. The bright digital display flickered as flights updated in real time. I found the one I was waiting for: Flight 278 from FLL.

My heart pounded, each beat stretching time unbearably. Every second felt elongated, every flicker of the monitor testing my patience. Then, instantly, the status changed from On Time to Arrived.

A surge of energy shot through me. "They're here." I nearly shouted in her ear with excitement.

~~~

Present Day - November

After the drive from the Philadelphia Airport back to my house on Summit Avenue, I pulled my SUV into the garage, and the near-winter air was already wearing on me. The chill hit harder after a week in the Caribbean. What did I expect?

I closed the garage door and stepped out of the car. I had dropped Madison off at her place down the street and returned home with Tasha.

"We can grab the luggage in the morning, unless you feel up to it now," I said, more a statement than a question.

"Miss, I will handle the luggage. Please change into warmer clothing. I'll be right up to assist," she replied.

I smiled, climbed out of the SUV, and entered the house through the garage. First, I bumped the thermostat from its vacation setting of 65 to my preferred 68 degrees.

Upstairs, I pulled on a pair of sweatpants and my favorite long-sleeved Penn shirt from the dresser. As I finished, I saw Tasha walking down the hallway with our two small suitcases. She placed them on the bench at the foot of the bed and turned to me.

"With your permission, I would like to dress warmer, Miss." she said.

I pulled her into a hug and kissed her cheek. "Yes, of course, Tasha, dear."

I was cautious with the term Pet. We were home now, and I wasn't sure what she sought from me. The cruise was over. It seemed Claire was no longer part of my or Madison's life. But what did Tasha want?

"I'm going to head downstairs and start something light for dinner," I said as I turned to go. "Maybe some soup. Maybe I'll roast some vegetables."

Down in the kitchen, I turned on the oven and checked the pantry for bone broth. I had some frozen chicken and figured that with a few cut vegetables, I could whip up something simple, not perfect, but healthy enough.

I tossed some frozen broccoli, cauliflower, and squash onto a tray and slid it into the oven. Then I heated the frozen chicken and bone broth on the stove, added some onion and herbs, and let everything begin to simmer.

I grabbed my phone and sent a text. 'Love on the high seas drowned Maddie, will explain later. We are home safe, talk tomorrow, I miss you. ???? ????'

I sent a second text: 'Come over. I have soup on the stove. Ten minutes. Shower, dress, and come for food.'

I knew Maddie wouldn't have any food in her house. I knew she worked tomorrow, but she needed this. She was pretty good when I dropped her off, but I was still in Mom mode.

When Tasha came downstairs and stepped into the kitchen, I immediately noticed she was warmly dressed. What caught my attention even more was the collar she carried in her hand. I paused what I was doing and walked over to her, pulling her into a firm but affectionate hug.

I leaned in and whispered, "I've sent Maggie a text inviting her over. If she comes, I expect you to remain calm."

I kissed her cheek softly and said, "We'll talk privately later tonight or tomorrow." Another kiss to her cheek, I turned back to the stove without another word.

As I pulled the roasted vegetables from the oven and began plating, I heard the front door open and close quickly. I didn't need to look. I knew it was Maddie. A small, satisfied smile formed on my lips.

I pointed to the cabinet without saying a word. Tasha saw the gesture and retrieved a third-place setting, setting the table without hesitation. I served the soup and the vegetables and set out some thin crackers. Maddie came to me, hugged me, and kissed my cheek with a soft "thank you."

We sat together, the three of us, simply sharing space. I allowed the quiet to stretch for a moment before I spoke.

"Tomorrow is a new day," I said, looking at Maddie. "And tomorrow, your heart will begin to mend."

She tried to smile, and I could see how hard it was. I knew the pain was fresh.

When it was time for Maddie to leave, I hugged her tightly. Tasha was already at the sink, washing the dishes. I watched Maddie as she walked away. Her posture was stronger than I expected. She was going to be fine. I locked the door behind her and made my way into the kitchen.

"I'm going upstairs for a shower and then to bed. We may talk once we're settled and in bed."

I turned on the balls of my feet and headed to my bedroom. This was intentional. I wanted to see how Tasha responded to the quiet directive and what she would do about it. Her actions now, at home, would tell me everything.

When I entered the bedroom, I saw my luggage already unpacked, dirty clothes in the hamper, and my toiletries laid out neatly on the vanity. A folded pair of panties as well as sleep pants, and a long-sleeved cotton shirt sat waiting on the bench.

There was a gentle knock at the door.

I turned. Tasha stood there, head bowed, chin to chest, hands clasped in front of her.

"Come in, dearest."

She stepped forward slowly, raising her eyes but not her hands. "Miss, I'm here to serve you. I hoped that was clear. If that's not what you want, I can call for a ride and leave."

I crossed the room and took her hands in mine. "We'll shower. The weather calls for clothing now, but I will not have you for warmth tonight. I am suddenly tired.

Tomorrow, everything will be finalized between us, and I will choose your attire. Failure to follow that will have consequences. We'll establish a system. We'll get into the details tomorrow after I return from campus."

I paused for emphasis. "As on the cruise, you'll be responsible for dressing and undressing me. Unlike the cruise, we'll now bathe together."

A small smile crept across her lips.

"Is this what you want?" I asked.

Her eyes glowed with hope. "I would love to serve you, Miss. To do as you wish, no matter the task."

"Very well, kitten. We begin now."

I smiled as she stepped forward, lifted the hem of my shirt, and pulled it off carefully. She was gentle and mindful not to stretch the collar or disturb my hair. She knelt to untie the drawstring of my sweatpants and slid them down, exposing me completely.

Then she rose, took my hand, and led me toward my bathroom. She turned on the shower, checked for a fresh razor and gel, and only then returned to me. I stepped into the large, glass-enclosed space, smiling.

Kitten followed, stripping and closing the door behind her.

I adjusted the water, took her hand, and guided it into the spray. She whispered, "Yes, Miss."

Turning to face her, I let the water run over my back and guided her hands to my chest.

"You'll use the loofah for my entire body, except my face, breasts, womanhood, and ass. For those, you'll use your hands."

She nodded.

"I wash my hair in the morning, and I wash it twice. You'll need to grow your nails a bit."

I leaned in, kissed her deeply, and wrapped my hands around her, cupping her ass. Then I pressed a finger lightly against her puckered star, breaking the kiss only to whisper her responsibilities clearly, one by one.

I turned abruptly. She didn't hesitate. That pleased me.

Once she'd finished washing me, I moved to the small bench and spread my legs.

"Turn off the main shower. Hand me a towel. Get a smaller towel for yourself and the handheld."

She obeyed. I wrapped myself and set the small towel on the floor.

"Kneel. Groom me. Be gentle. Leave my tuft, but clean it."

She obeyed, carefully. Her fingers explored me delicately, confidently. When she finished, she asked if I wanted my legs shaved.

"No. It's late, and I shaved just before the beach yesterday."

"Let's dry off and go to bed. I've changed my mind. I don't need clothing tonight. I have you."

After drying me with care, she followed me to the bedroom. I pulled down the comforter, the blanket, and the sheet. I curled into bed, warm and waiting.

A few moments passed, then she appeared at the side of the bed.

"Miss, may I join you?"

I lifted the covers. "Yes, kitten."

She crawled in, pressing close. Her breasts were pressed to my side, her hand across my stomach, her head resting softly on my chest. Her lips brushed the swell of my breast. It was nearly perfect.

"Miss," she murmured, "I like being called kitten. It excites me. Thank you, Miss."

I wrapped her in my arms and held her close.

"My alarm is set for five-thirty. We'll talk more in the morning."

I closed my eyes and let the day come to an end.

~~~

I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder and a soft kiss on my cheek. "Miss?" The touch became slightly firmer. I could tell she wasn't lying beside me.

"Why are you out of bed, kitten?"

"Miss, it's five-thirty. I have your coffee and a robe for you if you'd prefer to sit here and enjoy it."

I smiled, wide and warm. Goodness, she really wanted this. She was moving with such eager momentum.

"Kitten," I said gently but clearly, "I would prefer you crawl back into bed and sit here together while we enjoy our coffee."

"As you wish and if you will, allow me to retrieve mine," she replied. I nodded.

Within a minute, Kitten returned and slipped back into bed, sitting upright beside me, the sheet and blanket pulled just above our breasts. We sat in silence, slowly waking. I let the quiet stretch for a while, then broke it.

"I won't force you to work. If you choose to, that's fine. But by living here, you agree to follow my rules. I want you to think about that today. When I come home, if you're still here, your decision on those two matters is final. I won't influence you."

I took a sip of coffee and continued, "My rules are simple. First, you must earn your keep, whether working or doing chores around the house. Second, I will love and protect you, but also correct and punish you if needed. Soon, we'll discuss a list of known and potential infractions."

I paused, letting the weight of my words settle. "Third, if I arrive home this evening and you are here, dinner must be served within thirty minutes of my arrival, unless I've stated otherwise."

I finished my coffee and added, "If you decide to stay, we'll review the rest of the rules. I'm going to use the bathroom and shower. Afterward, I'll do my makeup and get dressed. We probably don't have what I need for breakfast, so I'll eat out this morning."

This was a test for her. I wanted to see how Kitten would respond. I handed her my cup and pulled back the covers, walking naked to the bathroom. After I relieved myself and gently patted my nearly throbbing pussy, I flushed and turned to the shower only to find her standing there.

"Go on," I said. "I will not close the bathroom door, and from here on out, neither will you. No door will be closed in this house. You no longer have privacy."

She started my morning shower. It's always a bit longer than the evening one morning when I wash my hair. It's been my habit for years. Kitten washed my back, front, legs, and hair. I stepped closer, pressing my breasts softly against her. I looked into her eyes with intention, without masking my desire, and gave her a slow, deliberate wink. Then I leaned in and kissed her, softly.

"I will be home later, and we'll begin your true submission to me."

I stepped out of the shower and waited for her to dry me and help me with my robe. At the vanity, I completed my makeup and hair. When I was ready, I slipped on my bra and panties. She knelt quietly in the room, watching me, as I had instructed. I dressed in my slacks and blouse, then checked my hair in the mirror.

"My watch and diamond studs are on the dresser. Bring them to me."

She obeyed. I turned slightly to the left so she could put in the first earring, then to the right for the second. When she was done, I held out my wrist, and she fastened my watch.

"Let's go downstairs," I said. If she genuinely wanted this, I intended to push gently to test her willingness, especially if this was to become something we shared long-term.

In the kitchen, I asked her to make me a fresh cup of coffee. While she did, I unplugged and unlocked my phone.

I sent my usual morning text to Sabrina: 'Good morning, dearest love. I'm leaving shortly, if you want to chat while I drive to work.'

It was time for firmer instruction.

I turned to Kitten, letting my gaze linger. "You'll clean the bathroom, make the bed, and start the laundry. As for my lingerie... you'll handle it delicately, exactly as it deserves. If you're unsure, you'll do the research. If you ruin it, there will be consequences. I expect nothing less than precision. I'll call you at lunch with a shopping list. Be ready."

I finished my coffee and placed my cup on the counter. "Before I leave, listen carefully so there will be no confusion."

While you complete your tasks today, you are to wear something warm and a pair of warm socks, just because it is winter. I expect you to feel every movement, every bend, every step, aware of your place and purpose in this home."

I continued as my hand reached for her ass, cupping it. "When I return this evening, you will be dressed for me, something warm, soft, and sensual. Nothing overt or vulgar please, I want you to be comfortable, warm, but undeniably mine.

When you go out to shop, you will dress modestly, nothing that draws attention. Your submission is for me alone, not the world. Is that understood?" Kitten nodded.

"I expect full obedience. There will be consequences if I return and find otherwise."

I turned my cheek toward her, allowing her to kiss it. Then I walked toward the garage and left for campus.

As I eased out of the driveway, I instinctively called Sabrina. Her voice greeted me. It was a warm, sleepy melody that wrapped itself around my chest.

"Good morning to you, too you my dear t's five forty-five here in Colorado... and your voice is the most amazing alarm clock."

I couldn't help but giggle, the sound laced with longing. "And how is the most attentive long-distance lover this planet has ever known?"

"Mmm, stop... you make me sound so perfect," she murmured, playfully bashful.

But I couldn't let her deflect. "But, Sabrina, that's how I feel... and I miss you," I exhaled slowly, allowing the truth to weigh heavily on my breath. God, I missed her.

"I'm not trying to pressure you," I continued, my voice softening as I rolled to a stop at a red light, "but I wish things were different."

Her voice dropped into a whisper. "Well... they can be."

My heart froze mid-beat. Every nerve in my body lit up like fireflies on a summer night, electric and alive.

"Don't you dare tease me," I gasped, giddy like a girl caught in the pull of first love.

Then... silence.

"Sabrina?" I asked, almost trembling. "Please don't tease me. What are you saying?"

"I'm saying... Dawn and I have been talking. And... well, we think we want to try. Really try."

The word lingered in the air, hanging like a promise I hadn't dared dream about.

"Try?" My breath hitched as my excitement clouded my awareness. I barely caught myself before rear-ending the car ahead.

"Shit!" I slammed the brakes, horn blasts erupting behind me.

"What happened?" Sabrina shouted in alarm.

I veered off the road, letting my hands fall to my lap as I tried to catch my breath. My heart was racing, not just from the near-miss but from this possibility.

"I'm okay I just pulled over. I... do not want to be late for my lecture, but... Sabrina, are you really saying this? You want to give us a real chance?"

There was a pause, then her gentle affirmation: "Yes. But I don't want to make you late. Let's talk more tonight, during our call?"

"Okay." I whispered it like a vow. I needed time to process it anyway. Her words had cracked something wide open in me.

Back in traffic, I made my way to campus, going through the motions of my day like I was suspended in a dream. By lunchtime, I was at my desk, the craving for control and connection settling into me. I picked up my phone and sent a text.

'Kitten, I'm putting together a shopping list. There's cash in the blue sugar bowl. Take care of the shopping and dinner. I'll text when I'm leaving campus. My clothing tonight will be the same as last night. Reply with questions or confirmation.'

Seconds later, her reply came through like clockwork, obedient, elegant.

'Yes, Miss, no questions.'

That subtle thrill of power and tenderness coiled in my chest. I texted Sabrina next, letting her know I couldn't wait for our call. I meant every word.

~~~

After a mentally draining day, I finally slipped into my SUV, heart fluttering. I sent a final message to Kitten.

'I'm leaving campus now.'

As I pulled into the driveway and the garage, anticipation swept over me. I didn't know what exactly I'd find when I walked into the kitchen, but I felt certain it would be beautiful.

I stepped through the mudroom and into the kitchen. And there she was my Kitten, bare but for an apron and socks. The sight of her was a quiet symphony of submission and warmth.

"Good evening, Miss," she said, stepping forward. "May I take your jacket, purse, and briefcase?"

I smiled, indulgent. "Yes. Thank you." I handed her my things. "Have you ever been asked to decant a bottle of wine?"

"I haven't, Miss."

"Then put those down on the hall table and come back."

When she returned, I showed her the three decanters and explained their use. First, I explained the importance of aeration and the beauty of separation. As I poured the wine with deliberate elegance, I shared the second reason: sediment. I taught her to watch closely, to see the tiny minerals that might cloud a perfect glass.

And finally, the third reason, simply appearance, delicacy, the ritual of it.

"With a proper decanter and fine goblets," I murmured, "we celebrate refinement. It's not just about wine; it's about elevating the evening, the company, and the mood."

I leaned in and kissed her softly, a quiet claim. "Much like a rare vintage... the elegance and presence of a beautiful woman can make everything... perfect."

We kissed again, deeper this time.

"Now, I'm going to change for dinner," I said, pulling back just enough. "And then, my call with Sabrina. You'll stay with me for that, curled at my feet. Understood, my sweet Kitten?"

She nodded, and I turned, my heels clicking softly on the stairs as I made my way up to change.

There would be a punishment. Kitten didn't assist in changing my clothing, and I was slightly disappointed.

When I returned, dinner was waiting. It was exquisite but straightforward: light pasta, freshly made Alfredo, rich with garlic and affection. Kitten had poured the wine.

"You will be punished before bed. I was made to undress and dress myself. That is our responsibility, kitten. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Miss, of course, Miss."

My phone chimed, five minutes to my call with Sabrina.

I poured another glass, heart pulsing, and went to the living room. I settled in, tablet in hand, just as the call notification lit up green.

I giggled, a flutter of nerves dancing through me as I slid the dot and opened the screen.

There she was, Sabrina, she is more beautiful than ever. Her green eyes sparkled, her smile radiant, her hair cascading in waves I longed to tangle my fingers through.

Tears welled in my eyes the moment her voice cracked.

"Hi Jules... God, I've missed you."

I brushed away a tear and whispered, "I've missed you too, Sabrina, oh so much."

We talked, caught up, and let ourselves fall into the rhythm of each other again. I nearly forgot where I was until Kitten quietly curled at my feet.

My gaze flickered as my eyes dropped to look upon Kitten at my feet.

"What just pulled your attention away from me?" she teased. "Is your other scantily clad girlfriend keeping you company?"

I laughed a low, delighted sound. "She is. And she hasn't been quite attentive tonight. She will be punished later."

Sabrina's smile deepened her voice husky. "Well then... maybe I'll have to compete for your attention, Jules."

"I highly doubt that, Sabrina. Kitten will be here for both of us. She has shared her desire to serve us, should you want."

Her eyes shifted. Her face lit up, and she smiled that smile I love so much. "Really now?"

And just like that, the evening unfurled into something electric, full of possibilities, longing, and promises waiting to be fulfilled.

It was getting late for me. Kitten had started stroking my leg like it was her favorite toy. Her touch was soft and teasing, slowly drifting higher up my thigh. But then, I yawned involuntarily.

Sabrina chuckled, her voice wrapping around me like warm silk.

"Oh, Jules, dear, I'm sorry. It's later for you. But listen, I need your attention for one more thing."

I smiled widely, heart already fluttering just from her name on my lips. "I swear Sabrina, anything, anything for you."

"You mean that, Julie, don't you?" It was both a question and something more than a hope, a prayer.

I paused. My heart pounded, my brain firing faster than I could speak. A shiver ran through me, and I smiled even wider.

"I would give you anything. Whatever you and your daughter want, need, or even dream of. My dream, my real dream, is to walk with you hand in hand from this room to our bedroom, and sleep beside you for the rest of my molecular days."

A tear slipped from the corner of my eye, trailing slowly down my cheek. Even with Kitten at my feet, I was undeniably drawn to her, caught up in the lust and play. I knew the truth was profound in my heart: I was falling completely, undeniably in love with Sabrina.

Sabrina's voice softened. "Okay then, maybe soon you can explain what molecular days are, but Jules, we're coming."

I blinked. "Coming?"

"It's time we could get away. It might sound strange, but Dawn and I... we're coming for Christmas week."

I started weeping not a quiet little tear, but full, shaking sobs. It was joy overwhelming, breathtaking joy.

"You're coming for Christmas?" I nearly screamed. "There's no way I'll be ready! I need everything to be perfect, I need... "

And then I felt it. Kitten's gentle, grounding touch on my arm. But more than that, I heard it. Sabrina's voice was calm and loving.

"Jules. Jules, love. Breathe. Please, just breathe. You don't have to do anything special. Wouldn't it be more fun if we did it all together? We could cook, decorate, laugh, and Maddie must also come. Dawn would like to see her, but you can't tell her; swear you will not tell her. Dawn has asked that she surprise Maddie."

I took a breath, then another and another.

And from the most honest part of me, I spoke.

"I just want it to be perfect, Sabrina. I want you to see what this could be, what we could be. I swear, I'll make it the best week ever."

She smiled, God, that smile, and I could see it even through the screen.

"Okay then, we're set. I'll check flights in the morning. We'll talk again tomorrow like usual."

We exchanged sweet, lingering goodnights. As the call ended, I set the tablet aside, my heart still racing, hope singing in my veins.

Then I looked down. Kitten was curled beside me, her head resting in my lap, her eyes soft and adoring.

"Kitten?" I asked gently. She blinked, waiting.

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Absolutely, Miss," she said without hesitation. "I'm so excited to serve you both."

She rose slowly, taking the tablet and then reaching for my hands.

"Come, Miss. Time for your punishment, shower, and then bed. You've got a big day tomorrow."

Once up the stairs, Kitten was bent over the bed and received ten swats with my paddle. This was to remind her that she will always dress and undress me.

~~~

Thanksgiving was quiet this year, just Kitten, Maddie, and me. The three of us shared a midday takeaway meal, which was warm and straightforward, with no fuss. I was grateful for the calm. After we ate, Maddie and I drifted into the living room while Kitten cleaned up. I poured myself another glass of wine, even though I probably didn't need it.

I sank into the sofa, the kind that hugs you after a big meal, and glanced at Maddie.

"Have you spoken to her?"

She didn't answer. Just stared ahead, her wine glass cradled in her hand.

I tried again, gently. "Are you going to want to see her? Or... not?"

I tossed the question into the silence like a pebble into a still pond.

"You know you two had something fun... something interesting."

That got her attention. Her head snapped toward me. The scowl, the look on her face, and her eyes closing as if she were throwing darts at me with her superpower.

Her voice trembled slightly, uncertain but firm. "If I'm spending Christmas with you, like I always do, then yes, mother... it looks like I'm going to have to see her."

She pulled her legs beneath her, curling up into herself on the couch, like she was trying to shrink from the weight of what she was feeling.

"I doubt she wants to see me anyway," she mumbled.

I leaned toward her. "Maddie, what does that mean?"

She didn't look at me right away. "Mom! She hurt me when she decided I couldn't give her what she needed."

Her voice caught on the edge of something deeper. Pain, maybe. Regret. She looked like she wanted to say more, but the words just sat there in her chest.

"Well, let me tell you a secret. I am not supposed to tell you she is coming. She wants to surprise you."

I took a slow breath. "Maddie, I'm sorry. But I need Sabrina in my life. We're not making promises yet, just... seeing if this could be real. Suppose she might move here soon. But I don't want you hurting. I don't want this to be hard for you."

She stood abruptly, brushing it all off with a forced calm. "It's fine, Mom. It's in the past now." She stood and walked toward the kitchen.

"Maddie, wait!"

Before I could follow her, I saw Kitten reach out and gently take her hand, stopping her in her tracks. She leaned in close and whispered something in Maddie's ear that was too soft for me to hear. Maddie stilled. Her shoulders relaxed. Whatever Kitten said, it worked.

Then Maddie smiled that real, hard-earned kind of smile. And she kissed Kitten on the cheek before returning to the couch. Kitten, ever attentive, refreshed her wine and then curled up on the floor at my feet, pulling a soft blanket over herself.

I wanted to ask what had been said, but I didn't. Maddie was smiling. That was all that mattered right then.

The night quieted down after that. Maddie eventually yawned and announced she was heading downstairs to her old bed. Kitten stood, helping me up like always, and walked me upstairs to my room. We curled up together, warm and close. I thought about asking her again about what she whispered, but I didn't. I let it go.

The next morning came too early. Kitten declined the trip to the mall, saying Maddie and I needed mother-daughter time. She would stay here and, as she called it, prepare for Christmas. I blinked at her, a little thrown. I hadn't told her much about Christmas plans. How did she know?

But I didn't ask. I just nodded, and Maddie and I set off.

Hours later, my mind wandered as we walked out of Nordstrom and headed toward the coffee shop, when Maddie bumped her shoulder against mine.

"Hey," she said. "Wake up. I've been talking to you, and you're totally somewhere else."

I stopped dead in the middle of the crowded mall. The crowd's noise faded behind the rush of guilt in my chest.

"Damn it, Maddie, I'm sorry." I turned to her, voice shaking. "Let me cancel this. I'll call Sabrina and tell her to come another week. This is too much for you. I can't ask you to... "

I turned away before finishing the sentence, walking faster toward the café. I found an empty table and dropped into a seat, burying my face in my hands. My throat tightened. The wine from last night, the stress, the excitement, the fear, everything swirled inside me.

Then I felt her hands on my shoulders: her warmth, her breath by my cheek.

"Mom," she whispered. "Please don't do anything silly. I'll be okay. I'll be fine with Dawn coming. You need Sabrina in your life. I see it. I feel it."

I looked up into her eyes, so full of something I wasn't expecting: compassion. I knew she would support me, but I was surprised.

"I swear," she said, smiling gently, "Kitten and I will make this the best Christmas ever, for you."

"I know, Mom. You always make everything perfect." Then she whispered, "Who knows, maybe Dawn and I could become friends."

And at that moment, I believed her. Because love isn't always easy, but sometimes, when it's real, the people around you find a way to hold that special feeling for it as well.

We sat in the food court for half an hour, surrounded by the noise and chaos of holiday shoppers, trying to figure out our next move. My sharp, insightful daughter Maddie finally broke the silence.

"Mom, I wish you'd start worrying about yourself for once. You haven't in a long time."

I blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean? I do things for myself. I'm not like that, Madison."

Her eyebrows shot up at the use of her full name. "Madison? Wow, I must've hit a nerve. Forget it, let's just go. I have two more stores to hit, and then I'd like to go home."

She stood, tossed the last of her coffee into a trash can, and waited for me. I got up and followed her through the mall, trying to shake off the heaviness settling over me. I'd finished my shopping anyway, and honestly, the holiday cheer was starting to feel more like static noise, grating and hollow.

Maddie's comment rattled around in my head as we walked. In the middle of the crowd, I grabbed her hand and gently pulled her to the side.

"I'm not feeling well," I said. "Finish your shopping. I'll wait in the car."

Before she could respond, I let go and went through the maze of shoppers, desperate for air. I cranked the engine in the car for warmth and let a soft piano concerto fill the silence. I closed my eyes, trying to make sense of what Maddie had said.

It wasn't long before the passenger door opened and Maddie slid in. She didn't say anything at first; she just reached over and took my hand.

Then, softly, she said exactly what I didn't know I needed to hear.

"Mom, I love you more than anything. I wasn't trying to upset you. I just want you to be happy, really happy. You have so many good years ahead of you, all I want is your happiness."

She kissed my cheek and whispered, "I'm sorry, Mom."

"I love you, too, Maddie. I'm just... not feeling myself right now."

I pulled out of the parking lot and started the drive home. The car was silent, but my mind was loud, looping Maddie's words over and over.

What did she mean exactly? Was I really neglecting myself? Was there even an answer to this, or a hundred tangled answers?

I wasn't sure. All I knew was that I had to start figuring it out for the first time in a long time, not for anyone else, but for me.

I dropped Maddie off at her house, watching her disappear behind the door before I pulled away. The very short drive home was a blur, wet pavement, and the low hum of the engine.

When I finally pulled into the garage, I sat there momentarily with the car still running, staring at the dashboard like it might offer me answers. It didn't.

Inside, the house felt too quiet. I barely made it through the mudroom door before Kitten appeared, warm and efficient as always. She smiled as she took my shopping bags, purse, and coat like she was lifting a burden I didn't even realize I was carrying.

"Miss, I've laid out some relaxing clothes for you if you want to shower and change," she said gently.

I tried to return the smile but couldn't quite manage it. "Tasha, thank you. But I think I'm just going to crawl into bed. I'm not feeling well."

She opened her mouth, and I already knew the question was coming. I cut her off with a slight shake of my head. "And no, my dear, there's nothing I need, just some rest."

Rest. The word felt foreign, like a luxury I hadn't earned.

I went through the kitchen and up the stairs, moving on autopilot. Upstairs, the flannel pants and long-sleeve shirt Tasha had laid out waited for me, simple and soft. I changed slowly, the weight of exhaustion sinking deeper into my bones with every movement.

Sliding under the covers, I stared up at the ceiling.

The house was still, the way it always was this time of day. But inside me, nothing was still.

Maddie's words circled back, threading through old doubts I thought I'd packed away years ago.

Had I really forgotten how to take care of myself? The questions pressed down like the heaviness in my chest. I closed my eyes, but sleep didn't come. It was too early in the day, so I just rested.

The knock was soft, almost hesitant. "Miss?" Tasha's voice slipped through the crack in the door, sweet, careful, waiting for permission.

I didn't speak, but I turned my head slightly toward the sound. That was enough.

The door opened a little more, and Tasha stepped inside, closing it behind her with a soft click. She moved across the room, slow and graceful, like a whisper. In the dim light, she looked almost fragile, but I knew better. She was only ever this soft for me.

Without a word, she knelt by the bed, her hands resting lightly on the edge waiting.

I let her stay there a moment, feeling the weight of her submission, the way it soothed the restless ache inside me. Then I reached out, threading my fingers through her short curly hair, pulling her closer.

She made a small, almost inaudible sound, her soft exhale of need. She pressed her cheek against my thigh, nuzzling in, offering herself with that quiet, desperate devotion only she could give me.

"You shouldn't worry so much," I murmured, my voice low, threading control through every syllable. "But you do and continue to do since we met."

"I only worry for you, Miss," she whispered, her breath warm against my skin.

I tugged her hair gently, making her lift her face to meet my eyes. Even in the dark, her pupils were wide, her lips parted slightly, waiting, needing.

"Strip and get in bed," I said my voice firmer now.

Tasha stood gracefully. Her eyes never left mine as she started peeling off her top and then her slacks. When she was naked, she pulled back the covers and slipped in beside me. Her body molded to mine instinctively, back arched slightly, offering, needing that closeness. I let her settle before draping my arm over her waist, my hand splayed flat against the soft plane of her stomach.

She shivered under my touch, but didn't move away. She never would.

I murmured to myself. "See, I do things for myself. I have you don't I?"

I let my fingertips trace lazy, possessive circles under her ribs, feeling her breathing hitch.

"You're mine, Kitten," I whispered against her ear, my voice a low promise.

"Yes, Miss," she breathed, the words threading into a moan.

I kissed the nape of her neck, slow and claiming, feeling the way her body melted under me, soft, pliant, safe.

This was me assuring myself I had my Kitten, my pet.

I felt like screaming, 'I do things for myself.' Yet I felt admonished and fearful. It was about reminding her and myself that even in the aching silence, even in the broken places, she belonged to me, and I would always take care of her.

Tasha shifted, pressing herself closer, her body seeking permission, seeking more. I smiled against her skin, savoring her need and how beautifully she gave it.

"Slowly now," I ordered softly, my hand tightening slightly around her waist. You'll need your strength. Later, you'll be mine, but now I want to rest."

She whimpered a sound of pure need but settled against me, utterly at peace.

I held her tighter, letting her warmth anchor me. The steady pulse of control and devotion between us settled the restless storm inside my chest.

I was so conflicted about Sabrina and Dawn. Could Tasha be enough for me? Was it enough just to have her here, wrapped in my arms, exactly where she belonged?

~~~

I had rested just thirty minutes when the rumble of my stomach stirred me awake. I glanced at the clock; it was well past two in the afternoon. Tasha lay curled against me, her head tucked into my neck's crook, breathing slowly and steadily.

"I'm going to get up and go downstairs," I murmured. "You don't have to come. You can stay here if you like."

She lifted her head and pressed the softest kiss to my cheek.

"Miss... my place is by your side," she whispered, voice laced with devotion. "unless you wish to send your Kitten elsewhere."

I smiled faintly and slipped out of bed. As I padded downstairs, I heard her moving behind me, slower, more careful. She must have stayed to straighten the sheets and tidy the bedroom. When she finally came down, she knelt beside my recliner, her head resting delicately on the armrest. Her fingers lightly found mine.

"Miss Julie?" she asked her voice small but sure. I turned my gaze to her.

"May your kitten... ask a few questions?"

I smiled, threading my fingers through her hair. I loved how her curls played between my fingers, and how they gave way to the sleek, shaved sides that framed her face so perfectly.

"You may ask anything, my dearest Kitten," I said, my voice low and warm.

She sat back on her heels, spine straight, her eyes lifted to me with such careful reverence.

"Why... why are you so troubled, Miss?" she asked, stroking my forearm with tender fingers. "I only wish to bring you comfort. To bring peace to your home... not burden you further."

I closed my eyes, unwilling or perhaps unable to answer. I heard her breathe in, then her voice, softer still:

"I will serve you... and Miss Sabrina... in whatever way you wish. I know where your heart truly lays, Miss. I would never pretend otherwise."

My eyes snapped open, my mouth parting to speak, but I stilled when she continued, her voice a mere breath. "Maddie told me. I see it more clearly than you realize. I am your Kitten, your submissive. That is why I seek to please you, nothing more."

Her words clung to the space between us, both heavy and delicate. I was still trying to find the right words when my phone chimed.

Tasha looked up at me, concerned, flickering in her soft eyes.

"You should check it, Miss," she said quickly. "Allow me."

Before I could object, she rose gracefully, retrieved my phone, and placed it into my hand, head bowed slightly.

I unlocked the screen and glanced at the message. My brow lifted.

"Did you know she would text me?" I asked, studying her, "Or was that just a guess?"

"A guess, Miss," she said, voice sweet with humility. "I'll make coffee for you while you talk."

Without waiting for approval, she drifted off toward the kitchen, her movements fluid and quiet. She left me with my thoughts and my heart beating a little heavier than before.

I didn't reply to the text, I pressed the call icon and held the phone tight to my ear.

She answered immediately, and my heart started aching just from the sound of her breathing on the other end. Even without words, I could feel Sabrina's uncertainty stretching the distance between us.

"I'm scared, Jules," she finally whispered. Her voice cracked just a little, and it tugged hard at my chest. "Moving... leaving everything we know behind. It's not a small thing."

I closed my eyes, willing her to hear everything I felt.

"I know, baby. I know it's huge," I said softly. "But what we have is worth it. You're worth it."

There was a fragile pause. I pictured her sitting somewhere quiet, maybe twisting the hem of her sweater the way she always did when her heart was torn.

"Dawn's excited," Sabrina said her voice a little steadier. "She wants a fresh start. She commented about seeing Maddie and her friends; she's ready." There was a beat of silence. "But me... leaving Colorado Springs, leaving what's familiar, it's hard, even when I know where my heart belongs."

My throat tightened.

"Sabrina," I said, low and certain, "your home isn't a place. It's with me; it's where we can be. If I could leave Philadelphia and come to you with a position like the one I have, I would."

She let out a shaky breath. I heard it her heart leaned toward mine even when her mind hesitated.

"I just... I don't want to make a mistake," she said. "I don't want to hurt you, or Dawn... or myself."

"You're not making a mistake," I said, my voice full of the love I refused to let her forget. I needed to reassure her. "You're making a life with me."

There was another long pause, and then she whispered, "God, I love you so much, Julie."

Tears pricked at my eyes. "And I love you," I said, my voice thick. "More than you know. Come here, my love, come Christmas with me. Bring Dawn. Just come... and let's see where life takes us."

I heard the smile in her voice when she answered. "Alright, Jules," she said. "We'll come. We're coming for Christmas for nine days if that is still okay with you."

My heart soared. "That's all I ever wanted, my love," I whispered. "You and I together, come give the city a chance."

~~~

Thanks to Kitten, I managed through my lazy day and the weekend. On Monday, I woke up and realized I had just nineteen days until Sabrina and Dawn would arrive. I also realized I had just two and a half weeks of classes and labs until the holiday break; my last lecture was the morning of December 17th. Sabrina and Dawn were scheduled to arrive two days later on the 19th. Suddenly, I was crazy excited, but I needed to focus.

This semester's lecture mainly concerned ethics, molecular genetics, and biology. Thank goodness for Teacher Assistants.????

December 19th

The terminal bustled with holiday chaos. The holiday travelers were coming and going, heading to family gatherings, and children were running wild with excitement. The sounds of holiday music filled the air as decorations of garlands and snowflakes were strung from every beam and pillar. All I could hear was my heartbeat, loud and ragged in my chest. They were arriving, I was at the airport, watching the monitor to see the aircraft information change from 'On Time' to 'Arrived'

I clutched the handle of my coat tighter, my breath unsteady as I stood in the baggage claim area at Philadelphia International, nerves sizzling under my skin. The last time we saw each other... was it three months ago? Four? It didn't matter. The months had passed, and sure, technology kept us close; it wouldn't replace this, the real feelings.

Speaking of feelings, those haven't changed; they have only gotten stronger. Our love wouldn't vanish with time. It waited and endured. It burned quietly in the corners of my life, never forgotten.

It flashed, flipped, and changed, whatever phrase they used in the tech world, but it was posted as 'Arrived'.

I shivered and smiled so hard inside that I nearly started crying. I moved and walked to the bottom of the escalator, knowing full well that it would be at least fifteen of the longest minutes of my life until I saw her.

We had talked about this, and I jokingly told her I would rush through the crowds to greet her. She begged me not to embarrass her or Dawn. I agreed, but still told her I wouldn't be calm at all.

Goodness, then I looked up, and there she was. I saw her first. She was saying something to Dawn, who had a different hairstyle. It was now parted off center, and she looked... mature.

Sabrina's hair still looked as amazing as possible, though it looked lighter. Oh, how cruel Mother Nature can be! I was giddy seeing her eyes finally searching for mine, then her smile broke, and she grabbed Dawn's hand. Could she be just as excited to see me?

They reached the bottom of the escalator, the crowds passing in front of us, but then my world blurred. She wrapped her arms around me, purse and all. The moment I felt her in my arms, I melted into a blubbering mess of tears and incomprehensible words.

Her tears soaked into my collar, and mine into hers. I don't even remember what we said. The words were immaterial, as the feelings shared and felt inside, at least by me, were all that mattered. It was us, again together, Sabrina and Jules. That was enough.

Dawn stood at her side, and as we separated, I smiled widely and hugged her as well. She did look older than the last time I saw her.

"I like your hair, you appear much more mature." I kissed her head and moved my mouth to her ear. "Thank you for bringing her, and no, and she knows."

I pulled back, and her eyes flicked briefly toward the terminal doors, as if expecting someone else. For the first time that day, I felt a new edge of tension.

I pulled back and winked. "Merry Christmas," I said to her.

"Hi, Jules," she said softly, returning the hug. "It's... really good to see you again."

Just then, the conveyor belt alarm sounded, and the noise ramped up even more. I took Sabrina by the hand, walked to turnstile six, and waited.

~~~

Traffic was traffic. WRTI, 90.1, the classical radio station, had a Boston Pops Holiday concert playing. I held Sabrina's hand as we weaved our way through. We enjoyed some light chat about how they were, how they had been, and the few ideas I had planned for this week, including dinners in and out.

"Dr. Akers?" Dawn's voice was soft, uncertain, from the back seat.

I caught her eyes in the rearview mirror, wide, searching. A tremble in her voice rubbed against something raw in me.

"And since when am I Dr. Akers?" I snapped the words out before I could stop them. My tone carried more edge than I meant, than she deserved.

Sabrina's hand slid gently over mine, gripping the gearshift, her touch calming. She gave me a look; eyebrows raised, a subtle tilt of her head, and raised one finger to her lips. A quiet request, hush and then a wink, a promise that this mattered.

I exhaled and nodded, swallowing my pride. "Dawn, I'm sorry," I said, my voice lowered. "That wasn't fair. You never need to be formal with me."

She hesitated, then said, with surprising firmness, "I think this time I do. If you'll let me explain, please Dr. Akers."

I flicked my eyes to the mirror again. Her face was tight with emotion, drawn, pale, but behind that tension was something else there was something softer. I recognized it, love maybe regret and hope.

Sabrina squeezed my hand gently, and I felt the faintest tremble in her fingers. We were both holding our breath.

"Dawn, baby... what is it?"** I asked quietly.

Her breath hitched, and then came the flood.

"I haven't dated. I can't date. I've tried. I've met people. Good people. But she..." She stopped, her voice breaking under the weight of her own words. "Maddie ruined me, in the best possible way."

I heard the sharp intake of Sabrina's breath beside me.

"She is the most amazing woman I have ever known," Dawn continued, her voice rising through the tears. "Smart, patient, fierce... she made me feel seen. Like I was worth something, all the way down, I thought I couldn't meet her needs, she is so much more of a woman, let alone a more successful woman, than I am.:

There was a longer pause. "I told her I had needs she couldn't satisfy, but that was a lie, a coward's lie. The truth is I couldn't handle the distance. I thought if I ended it on my terms, I could protect her."

She paused, and the car filled with quiet grief. The windshield wipers ticked back and forth, a soft rhythm beneath her tears.

"But I only ended up hollow and realizing I hurt her. I miss her every single day. Her laugh, the way she always looked people in the eye. The way she challenged me to be braver. She's in every part of my life now. And I don't know if she could ever forgive me, but..."

She swallowed hard. "Dr. Akers, with your permission, I'd like to try. I want to be with Madison. Not casually, not for fun, if I move here and it seems I am, I want to love her as honestly and as fully as she deserves."

My throat tightened. I felt Sabrina's hand trembling now, too, still wrapped around mine. I glanced at her, and she was already looking at me, eyes full of tears and pride. Her daughter, sitting behind us, finally cracked open.

I pulled the car over slowly to the shoulder, needing to see Dawn face-to-face. I turned around in my seat, reaching back to take her hand. She was crying freely now, cheeks blotched red, her entire frame trembling with sincerity.

"Dawn," I said gently, voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for telling me the truth. I can't speak for Maddie... but I know my daughter. She loved you. I saw it every time she said your name." I paused, squeezing her hand. "I don't know where this will lead. But if your heart is really in this, you have my blessing to try."

Sabrina reached back, too, her other hand joining mine on Dawn's, three women. One unspoken prayer, held tight between us.

~~~

I pulled down the street and pressed the button to open the garage door, hiding us from the snow that had just started falling. Once inside the garage, I pressed the remote to close the door again.

"Kitten will get the luggage. Let's get you inside and let you get comfy from your travels," I said, turning to Sabrina and smiling.

I opened my door and stepped out. Sabrina came around, and I took her hand, walking her into the mudroom, which connected to the kitchen.

Kitten met us as we walked into the kitchen. She was dressed immaculately. I looked at Sabrina, and she smiled.

"Kitten, see to the luggage. Dawn is the red suitcase. It will go into the basement apartment first. Then you can bring Miss Sabrina's to my room. Unpack for her, and then tell her where she can change."

I reached the china cabinet and pulled out my favorite decanter. "Dawn? Would you prefer a red or a white wine while we wait for dinner?"

I wanted her to feel welcomed, and I needed her to know I sought her input and thoughts.

"I have come to enjoy a nice white, not sweet, but whatever you feel is best, Jules."

I smiled and turned to Sabrina and then to Dawn. "Sweetie, come with us and let's chat for a second." I held out my other hand silently, asking her to take it. I walked with her into the living room and sat with her on the couch, Sabrina on my left and Dawn on my right.

"Dawn, sweetie, if you move here, and I hope you do, this is your home until you find a home or an apartment or whatever. I want you and your mother to know whatever I have is yours, within reason, of course." I paused.

"My point is dear, I want us to be a family, I want that more than you realize. I want your thoughts and opinions, it isn't whatever I feel is best. Alright?"

Tears flowed from her eyes, and she wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly. Finally, she murmured, "I am so appreciative, Jules, I have been struggling and haven't known how to say anything after realizing how much I love her."

Just then, I heard the basement door open. "Miss Dawn, your suitcase and clothing are unpacked. Miss Sabrina, I will tend to yours now."

They both turned to me. "Dawn, dear, why you don't go take a shower." I looked at the clock on the wall. She would be here in about 90 minutes. If you want, take a nap, and we will wake you up. You had an early morning."

She smiled and stood. "Thank you, Jules." She kissed her mother who was in tears, and turned to walk down to the basement apartment.

I turned to Sabrina. She was smiling, and tears were rolling down her cheeks. I brushed her tears with my thumbs and kissed her softly. "I love you more than you know. And that love extends to your daughter, to care for her and to love her as she needs."

"Oh Jules!" Sabrina hugged me tighter. "Now you see why I can't live without you?"

~~~

We sat for a few moments, and when Kitten came back down, Sabrina and I were cuddling on the couch. She was really resting. I knew she was tired and emotional from an early morning as well.

"Pardon me, Miss Sabrina, you are unpacked, Miss. I have selected some options for your clothing. Should you care for a shower, I have prepared the bathroom." Tasha turned to me. "Miss, I can assist as you direct or start dinner."

I kissed Sabrina on the cheek. "Take Miss Sabrina, help her shower, give her a nice massage." I turned to Sabrina, "Dear, close your eyes for a bit, take a refreshing nap. I will come to wake you for dinner."

"Kitten, see to her needs, then come down and assist me with dinner."

Sabrina looked at me. "Trust me, my love." I winked.

Kitten Tasha walked back into the kitchen a few moments later, and I was washing some baby new red potatoes. She stood by my side, waiting to assist.

"Kitten, is something the matter?" I asked with a bit of concern.

"Miss Sabrina allowed my assistance in her shower, but not for her physical needs, she... Miss, she told me no. I hope my advances didn't offend her. I just wanted her to nap happily."

I smiled widely, "Oh, dearest Kitten, this is all new to her. We will discuss lines and allowances in due time. Now let's clean these potatoes and let them soak. Then we shall enjoy a glass of wine and start dinner in about an hour."

When we finished, I walked into the living room, bringing Kitten Tasha. "I would like you to tell me your desires for Miss Sabrina."

"Miss, it is simply service to her as she is your lover. Therefore, she is my responsibility as well."

"I see, is it for your sexual gain as well? Or are you wanting this for her pleasure alone?"

"Miss, if this were for my pleasure and in doing so without permission for my orgasm, I would expect you to punish me. This is truly for Miss Sabrina and you."

Just then, I heard the water running upstairs. I kissed her cheek. "Please go prepare the chicken breasts, I am going upstairs to see my lover and girlfriend please decant a white and a red wine. Dinner will be in an hour."

~~~

I made my way up the steps, and while doing so, I slowly removed my blouse and started to unbutton my slacks, just the top button.

There was something sacred about these small rituals regarding Sabrina: the shedding of layers, our clothes coming off. There was always tension, which became its own kind of offering. Each movement from her or me was deliberate, a silent offering. I wanted nothing between us but skin and time.

My bedroom was dimly lit, washed in the honeyed hush of late afternoon light bleeding through the curtains. I saw her there, back in bed from the bathroom, her eyes fluttering, unsure if she wanted to nap longer or not.

Kitten had dressed her in one of my old T-shirts, the neckline slipping from her shoulder, her hair a tangled halo against the pillow. Even sleep couldn't steal her elegance; she breathed like a poet, slow and careful, like each exhale meant something.

I padded across the room and sat on the edge of the bed, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. Her eyes opened, soft and warm, and when they settled on me, I felt the whole world fall back into place.

"Hey," she whispered voice thick with sleep and affection.

"Hi," I replied, unable to keep the smile from my voice. "I heard you up."

She reached for my hand, lacing her fingers with mine. "How long was I out?"

"Not long, thirty minutes, maybe. You needed it." I leaned down and kissed her forehead. "You've been carrying the weight of this relationship, haven't you?"

She closed her eyes again. "It's lighter now."

I stood and let my slacks slip from my hips, stepping out of them slowly. Her gaze followed every movement, not with hunger but love. I wasn't trying to entice; I just wanted to be known, truly seen. And with her, I always was. I debated slipping out of my panties.

"Take those off as well and join me, it's been too long since we have cuddled naked." She winked.

I removed my panties and my bra as she pulled my old shirt from her body and smiled wider.

"Who would have thought, two sixty year olds being so free and loving."

I climbed in beside her, wearing nothing, and let myself melt into the mattress, into her. We shifted without thinking, instinct guiding us into a tangle of limbs and quiet sighs. Her bare leg slid between mine, her hand splayed gently over my stomach.

I rested my cheek against her collarbone and closed my eyes, inhaling the familiar scent of her skin--lavender, warm cotton, something purely Sabrina.

"I missed this," I said softly.

"I missed you," she answered, whispering into my hair.

We lay like that for a long while, letting silence speak for us. Our bodies did what they always did: They remembered the intimacy of the past and the desires of the future, reaching for the comfort they knew. Her thumb made small, slow circles on my hip. I traced the lines of her ribs and the slight rise and fall of her breath. Nothing rushed. Everything was sacred.

"When was the last time we had this?" I murmured.

She shifted slightly, nudging her forehead against mine. "Too long. That's all I know."

"I counted," I said, barely audible. "It was three months, two weeks, and five days. Since I last held you like this."

She stilled. "Jules..."

"I know. I sound dramatic. I just..." I paused, trying to keep my throat from tightening. "I got so used to waking up alone, to waiting to kiss you good morning, to kiss you good night, and never again a kiss goodbye."

"I miss you every day," she said. "Between flights and my empty bed, I thought about this about us."

I lifted my head to look at her. Her eyes were glassy, but steady. "Did it ever scare you? How much we love each other?"

Sabrina nodded, and then reached up to cup my cheek. "It does and still does but not as much as the thought of losing this."

I kissed her palm. "I don't want to do long distance again. I'm tired of filling silence with distractions and pretending it doesn't ache."

She nodded. "Neither do I. That's why we are here, to try. I started thinking... maybe it's time for something different."

My heart caught. "I will give, and you can have whatever you need?"

"I've got to find a job and then I can come home to you and you to me."

I stared at her, searching for the catch. "Doesn't that sound lovely?"

She smiled the slow, vulnerable smile she saved just for me. "Hmm. I didn't want to say anything until I was sure. But I am. I want us."

Emotion flooded through me too fast to process, relief. Joy, something close to disbelief. "Sabrina..." I choked on her name, then kissed her, just once, soft and trembling.

She kissed me back, her hand slipping to the nape of my neck, anchoring me to her. It wasn't a hungry kiss. It was a promise.

When we parted, she tucked my hair behind my ear. "This right here? This is where I breathe."

"I don't know how I got this lucky," I said. "You, this sometimes feels too much like a dream."

"Then don't wake up," she whispered. "Let's stay here for a while."

I nodded, curling into her again, our foreheads touching. "Tell me what you missed most."

"Easy," she said. "The way you wrap around me in your sleep, like you're still choosing me."

I smiled. "I do choose you, every night, in every dream."

She brushed her fingers down my spine. "Even with all your lover, the Kitten downstairs? The young, tight bodied girl you seduced?"

I nodded. "I have kinks, needs, but I have you, and this is the new beginning," I admitted, pressing my moistening womanhood against her.

"I missed your voice, our laugh. The way you talk." She pressed against me now.

"And I missed how you say my name," she said. "It's like a caress."

I drew lazy patterns on her shoulder. "Sabrina."

Her breath caught slightly. "Just like that."

We fell quiet again, like lovers do when words have done enough. My legs tangled with hers, our breathing synced. I listened to the steady rhythm of her heart beneath my ear and felt the tension of the last few months ease from my bones.

Sadly, outside the walls of the room, the world continued. I heard the very faint ringing of a cell phone. "That's me ringing," I whispered. I love you so much, Sabrina, but we should dress, discuss dinner, and decorating for Christmas. I want you to have it all," I said.

She didn't flinch or hesitate. "I love you, too. Always." Infect her inhale. "Can we talk about Tasha?"

I pulled the blanket up over us and kissed her lips. She wrapped both arms around me, holding me tight, and returned my kiss.

And in that moment, the ache of distance, the months of waiting, the quiet longing dissolved. We were here, naked and real and holding on to something rare.

"We can, but she is ours, our Kitten. It's what she wants," I kissed her deeper when I pulled back. She will serve you as well, my lover."

There was a soft knock at the bedroom door.

I didn't answer right away. Instead, I turned my head, letting my eyes find Sabrina's. She gave me that half-smile I knew so well, amused and a touch curious. I leaned in and kissed her gently, a whisper of affection, then murmured against her lips, "Trust me, please, my love."

Her smile deepened. "Come in, Kitten," she called, to my surprise and obvious delight.

The door opened with a gentle click, and Kitten, our Tasha, stepped inside. She moved with quiet grace, head bowed, and knelt beside the bed, positioning herself just behind me and in Sabrina's full view.

"Miss," she said softly, "forgive the intrusion, but dinners in the oven. Maddie's due within ten minutes."

I nodded, feeling Sabrina's gaze on me as I considered the timing. She didn't speak, but her fingers curled slightly against my side, a silent note of patience.

I pressed a kiss to her shoulder, and then spoke calmly. "Our clothing, warm layers. No undergarments needed tonight."

Kitten Tasha gave the slightest nod, awaiting further instruction. "See to Sabrina first," I continued. "Her comfort, her needs, she needs to be shaved and her tuft trimmed. You are aware of what I want, Kitten. Then you will see to mine, but first, I must call Maddie... there's something special I want to ask of her."

I kissed Sabrina again, lingering just a moment longer this time. "Trust our Kitten."

Then I shifted, rolling onto my side and facing Tasha directly. "No touching Miss Sabrina in a sexual way, not yet. Not unless she asks for your tongue herself. Understood?"

"Yes, Miss," Kitten replied with reverence.

I pulled the blanket aside and rose from the bed, letting her take in the sight of me fully nude, unapologetic, in complete control. I caught Sabrina's eye and winked. Her lips parted slightly, but she said nothing. Just watched me, equal parts amused and aroused.

Then I turned and walked from the room, my bare feet silent on the stairs as I searched for my phone.

~~~

We walked down the steps and into the kitchen. I saw Kitten and Dawn working together on the island. They seemed to be connecting well, and I smiled at their ease. The table had already been set, five places, each thoughtfully arranged.

I walked around and gently placed my hands on Kitten's shoulders, leaning down to speak softly.

"Please see to Maddie when she arrives. She'll be carrying a bag and may need assistance. She'll let you know."

Kitten nodded silently and turned to leave.

I slid my arm around Dawn's waist, my hand resting lightly at her side. I needed to guide her, distract her just long enough. I turned her toward the living room, gesturing casually, though I could feel the timing aligning. Then I heard the soft chime of the electric lock.

I caught Sabrina's smile across the room and winked at her. "Dawn... there's something else," I said, turning her slowly, leading her gently toward the hallway and the front door.

And there she was.

Maddie stood just inside the foyer, snow melting on her coat, her cheeks flushed from the cold. She hadn't even spoken yet, but I already knew. When their eyes met, I felt something raw and familiar blooming between them. I shivered slightly as I let my arm fall away from Dawn's waist.

Maddie's expression, which expressed unspoken longing, hope, and history, said it all. The bouquet she held made it even more vivid: red roses, baby's breath, and a few delicate pink blooms tied together with red and white ribbon. A silent offering, it was a true declaration.

I stepped back, retreating quietly, giving them the space they needed.

I didn't hear if they spoke. Maybe they didn't need to. Something deeper passed between them, beyond words, beyond even time.

About five minutes later, they walked into the kitchen, then into the living room. Kitten Tasha was finishing the last touches of dinner, placing the serving dishes on the table. Dawn and Maddie sat on the couch. The tears streaking Dawn's cheeks said more than anything she could have spoken aloud.

There was something thick in the silence, maybe regrets, apologies, questions, and echoes of laughter from another life. The past wasn't a ghost haunting the room but a presence, alive, breathing, wrapping it around them. The weight of it, and the grace. All that had gone unsaid now hung there, until it quietly dissolved into the simple truth of being near one another again.

"Miss Julie, Miss Sabrina, Madison, Dawn... ladies, dinner is ready," Kitten announced gently.

Maddie stood, and then offered her hand to Dawn. "Would you please sit with me, please?"

Sabrina's hand found mine beneath the table and squeezed, holding on as though anchoring us both. Outside, the snow had begun to fall more earnestly, brushing the windows with a soft, delicate hush. Inside, something had just started again.

The soft glow of candlelight bathed the dining room in warmth, flickering gently across the faces of the five women gathered around the table. A tender smile played at my lips as I looked around at them, Sabrina beside me, her fingers brushing mine now and then beneath the cloth, a silent expression of our deep connection.

Across the table, something unspoken passed between Dawn and Maddie, a crackling, hesitant current. Kitten sat at the far end, ever watchful, her quiet care extending over us like a gentle blanket.

The comforting aroma of baked chicken, seasoned potatoes, and roasted root vegetables filled the room, a perfect backdrop for the emotions swirling quietly around us. It was everything I'd hoped for when I began planning this night.

There were moments when Dawn's gaze lingered a beat too long on Maddie, her eyes reflecting something more than nostalgia, my hope, something was blooming. Maddie, usually so composed, flushed faintly now and then, aware of every glance, every almost-touch.

"You know, Dawn," I said with a playful grin, raising my wine glass, "there's no reason you can't hold her hand in front of us."

Maddie turned crimson. "Mother..."

Sabrina's laugh sparkled like bells, and she turned to Dawn. "Remember that slightly lopsided star we found last year?"

Dawn nodded her smile small and shy. "Of course."

Maddie glanced over at Dawn. "We could decorate tomorrow... here," she offered gently. "And maybe... you could help at my house afterward?" Their eyes met briefly, a shared memory flickering between them.

Kitten quietly refilled our wine glasses.

"I'll take care of the dishes tonight," she offered. "You ladies have some catching up to do."

"No," I said with a smile. "Maddie and I will help. Won't we, Mads?"

Dawn reached across the table as I spoke, her hand hovering a breath away before finally resting on Maddie's. Maddie turned her hand palm-up, their fingers intertwining with slow tenderness.

Kitten gave them a knowing smile but said nothing. "These are the moments," I murmured, lifting my glass again, "just us... the ones that make the holidays sacred."

My eyes lingered on Dawn and Maddie for a second longer before settling fully on Sabrina. I leaned over and kissed her, slow and soft.

Later, we drifted into the living room. The love in the room was almost tangible, not loud or grand, but deeply present, stretching beyond the comfort of familiarity. Between Dawn and Maddie, there was something delicate and blooming again, a spark finding oxygen. It felt like a promise, whispered in silence beneath the scent of pine and the hush of falling snow.

Sabrina curled against me, her back to my chest, her hands gently clasped over mine where they rested on her stomach. The fire crackled low. Her breathing slowed as I pressed my lips to the top of her head.

In that moment, there was nothing but calm. Love and the fragile, shimmering hope of permanence.

~~~

The house had settled into a quiet hum as evening came upon us. Dawn and Maddie lingered by the doorway, a fragile energy between them. I watched from the kitchen as I cleaned the wine glasses. Maddie's hand tentatively brushed Dawn's arm, then cupped her cheek.

"I work in the morning, then on the twenty-first, I am off the twenty-second through Christmas Day. I work from the twenty-sixth through the thirtieth. Then off until the third, I took time to spend when I heard you were coming."

I walked away wanting to give them privacy; that was enough of my voyeuristic tendencies.

Dawn's breath hitched; her eyes glistened with the weight of everything unsaid as she fell onto the settee.

"Are you okay?" Sabrina asked. "That seemed like a positive step forward."

She smiled, "Yeah, but I am still head over heels in love with her. I can't ruin it, I can't jinx it, I can't..."

I had to interrupt. "You know, the fact that she brought you roses should say something, and invited you to her house tomorrow night to decorate, should be a pretty indication."

I heard Dawn sigh as Sabrina hugged me tighter.

"I think I'll retire for the evening to the quiet of the basement apartment. I have a feeling things are going to get vocal up here."

She giggled and stood. I saw Dawn pause at the top of the stairs, shoulders lifting in a slow breath, the tension of the evening folding gently into something softer.

Sabrina's hand found mine, grounding me. "Let's take Kitten upstairs," she said, her voice low but charged.

I nodded, feeling a pulse of anticipation coil tight and sweet in my belly. We led Tasha by the hand through the dim hallways to our bedroom, the air thickening with every step.

Sabrina's gaze hardened with delicious authority when the door closed behind us. I saw the flicker of nervous excitement in Tasha's eyes; this would be new, exciting, raw, and deliciously sexual.

Sabrina's voice dropped an octave as she spoke, a command that sent a shiver racing down my spine. "Kitten, undress for us. Slowly show your devotion to Miss Julie."

Kitten Tasha obeyed, fingers trembling slightly as she peeled away my layers beneath Sabrina's unwavering gaze. Every movement was an offering, a surrender wrapped in eagerness.

I reached out and caressed Kitten's cheek, my fingers lingering. "You're ours tonight," I murmured. "To cherish, to guide, to love."

Sabrina stepped forward, circling Tasha with an owner's grace. "And you will obey. You will please us both. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Miss Sabrina," Tasha breathed, voice barely above a whisper.

As I stood naked in the center of my room, I smiled wider. "Go on, Miss Sabrina can be undressed now. And when you finish, you will undress and kneel at the foot of the bed until called upon.

I initially needed to make love with Sabrina; after all, it had been months since we had been together. I needed her to know this was what I wanted as well; I wanted Kitten Tasha to serve us both.

I pulled Sabrina into a loving hug and kissed her deeply. Her hands softly caressed my body, leaving nothing untouched. As our bodies melted into each other, I felt the long-missed and needed touches.

There was a sudden shift in her, something filled with a greater need as she moved against me. As our kisses deepened and her hips raised to meet mine, I felt strongly what I had missed between us, and that was the immediate sexual and thrilling connection that perfectly matched lovers have.

My orgasm was near instant when with Sabrina, the mental and physical stimulation broke anything I had ever experienced. I flexed my hips up, and I pulled her closer. I shivered inside as I kissed her now sloppily.

"Goodness, Brina, I love you." I shook, allowing my orgasm to overtake me.

After a few moments of soft kisses, I pulled her to my side, slowly rolled, and snuggled with her, her head to my chest and her lips to my skin.

I admitted, "I am a selfish lover. I am so focused that I failed you, my dearest Sabrina."

She hugged me closer and whispered in my ear, "my orgasm was just as powerful, and do worry, we will have hours and hours in this bed over the next days." We kissed softly.

"Kitten, come cuddle behind Miss Julie, we are tired and will rest for the evening. In the morning, we shall have coffee in bed."

I felt Kitten curl behind me, her breasts pressing against my side. "Brina?"

"Hmm?"

I could tell she was drifting off. "I love that authoritative voice of yours. Good night, my love."

My mind continued to stir for the next ten minutes. I could hear Kitten Tasha purring quietly behind me, still pressed up against my side very slowly and very carefully. I rolled Sabrina to my left. This freed me from our snuggle and my mind started to race with everything I needed and wanted. I felt the Kitten move as well. A little bit further to my right, I waited until they rested for a few minutes, then set up and gently made my way out of bed.

I wrapped myself in a robe and quietly closed the bedroom door as I went downstairs to find my laptop.

Christmas Morning

I opened my eyes, realizing it was still dark outside, but I smiled. I was giddy with anticipation of the morning. To my right, Kitten Tasha had her right arm across my stomach, thankful I slept on my back. On my left, my lover and girlfriend, Sabrina, slept curled closer to me, her head resting on my chest. Her warm breath teased my naked nipple.

A wave of warmth, deeper than any blanket, enveloped me as I realized their hands both moved, teasing my skin. This was our very first Christmas morning as a complete family. Well, Maddie and Dawn were down the street at Maddie's house. I had wanted them to stay the night, but they had other plans. A quiet, joyous hum filled the space, a symphony of love and pure exuberance as kisses started to cover my cheeks and chest.

"You girls best behave or I will double the coal in your stockings."

I felt Sabrina kiss my cheek, and then the bed shift. She kissed me and continued until our tongues were slowly swirling around each other in a significant and noticeable expression of what she wanted.

I felt her breathing increase as she moaned into my mouth. I pulled back from our kiss, and she moaned deeper and grabbed the sheet and my arm.

"Hmm, Kitten, thumb her star as well. She loves that!"

"Oh gawd Julie I am going to cum on her!" Her hand slapped the bed, and she squeezed my arm with the other.

I teased her and lowered my mouth, cupping her nipple and closing my teeth on it. I heard the increased hum of our vibrator and then the squeal as it must have been applied for her pussy.

"Fuck!" She squealed as she came, her breathing ragged and deep, her moans grateful of the wondrous cunnilingus being performed.

I moved up, kissing her deeper and wrapping my arms around her. I hugged her. As I closed the kiss on her soft lips, I whispered, "Good Christmas morning, my love!"

Her breath was ragged, but she rotated her upper body, her cheeks pressed close to mine. She scooted closer as our breasts came into contact with each other, pressing firmly. She kissed my lips. "Merry Christmas, love!"

~~~

We showered, the three of us tangled in the gentle steam and the soft hush of morning affection, before padding down to the kitchen wrapped in our flannel pajamas and quiet smiles. There was something different about the pre-dawn chill of this Christmas morning. Even tucked inside my well-insulated house, I could feel the cold biting at the edges, as if winter itself wanted a glimpse of our joy.

Then came the soft click of the electronic lock. The front door opened, shut again with a rush of air and snow, and I heard the familiar sound of boots stomping off slush.

Outside, the world was hushed and dusted with new snow, the serene stillness only a fresh blanket can bring. The sun had just begun to stretch its fingers over the horizon, and the sky was blushing pale blue and pink through the windows.

Maddie and, dare I admit it, say it out loud, her girlfriend Dawn arrived in perfect harmony with the holiday spirit. They stomped off the snow and stepped into the kitchen's warmth, cheeks pink from the cold, eyes lit with something more profound than just the season. I laughed outright when I saw their festive flannels: Maddie in a classic red plaid speckled with tiny reindeer, and Dawn in a riot of candy canes and snowflakes. It was absurdly perfect.

Inside, the contrast was striking: all warmth, light, and the comforting crackle of love that has settled in. I sank into the living room couch with Sabrina curled beside me, her body warm against mine. I wore my Christmas-themed flannel pajamas with the little dancing gingerbread women that Sabrina pretended to hate, but I think she secretly loved. Sabrina, always the simpler dresser, was in her red and green plaid set, her dark curls still slightly damp from the shower. She looked utterly beautiful.

Kitten Tasha, glowing in her crisp white pajama set, the fabric luminous against her rich skin, moved quietly and efficiently. She filled five mugs with hot, fragrant coffee and started a fresh pot without being asked. Then she brought the tray into the living room like a holiday angel in satin. We each took a mug, the warmth seeping into our fingers as the aroma of roasted beans and a hint of cinnamon filled the air.

And there we were.

The lights on the tree twinkled softly, casting glimmers across the floor and onto the gifts nestled underneath. A hush fell over the room again, the good kind made of comfort, closeness, and that rare stillness that only comes when everyone is exactly where they belong.

It was time for the sweet, chaotic, paper-flying mess of unwrapping presents together for the first time as this new shape of family. The first of what I hoped would be many annual rituals, filled with laughter, love, and stories retold over cocoa and later in the day, a bottle of wine.

Though one gift wouldn't be wrapped at all, well it was sort of wrapped.

It was tucked inside my stocking, an envelope with four folded slips of paper, addressed to the people who had brought this year to life in ways I hadn't dared dream. That moment would come later. For now, I held it quietly in my heart, watching them, loving them, knowing this Christmas had already given me more than I thought possible.

The soft buzz of lingering joy and laughter filled the room as the last gifts were unwrapped, admired, and lovingly passed around. Tissue paper fluttered like snowdrifts across the floor. Bows clung to pajama pants. Mugs were half-full and steaming gently, the scent of coffee and cinnamon lingering in the air. Kitten, always attentive, was already tidying up and offering refills, flitting between the kitchen and the couch like the most elegant Christmas elf.

But I wasn't quite ready to let the moment pass. There was one more gift to give, one I'd been rehearsing in my mind for weeks, dreaming about, second-guessing, and finally surrendering to.

I stood, stretching gently, brushing flannel wrinkles from my thighs. Then I walked toward the fireplace, the thick envelope in my stocking crinkling under my fingers as I pulled it free.

"Kitten," I called gently. She turned, perfectly poised. "Would you please bring me a box of tissues from the powder room?"

She nodded immediately, already halfway to the hallway. I added, "Then come sit with Miss Sabrina for a moment. You'll want to be close."

I held the envelope in both hands, returning to face them. My family and my whole heart were arranged across my living room.

"Okay, listen closely. There are a few rules. Rule one: Do not open your letter until I say so. Rule two: no wild reactions, seriously, it's not that dramatic or fabulous."

I gave Sabrina a pointed look, my smile crooked with mischief. "And rule three: no arguments. That includes you, my love."

Sabrina narrowed her eyes and smiled warily, sensing something coming. I winked at her.

"Rule four, ah, wait, hang on." I turned back to my stocking and retrieved the second item: a small, crushed velvet box in deep royal purple. My hand trembled slightly as I cradled it, the way you hold something sacred.

Turning back, I walked toward Sabrina slowly, carefully, feeling my heart swell with every step. "Rule four," I said again, softer this time, "the gifts inside this envelope are only valid..."

I dropped to one knee in front of Sabrina and took her hand gently in mine.

"If you say yes."

The room was immediately filled with gasps of joy. I looked up at her, locking my eyes with hers. Time slowed. My voice caught, but I spoke through the warmth building behind my eyes.

"Sabrina," I began, "from the moment we met, from our first kiss, our first laugh, I knew there was something radiant and rare about you. You have been my constant through the times we were together and the times we were apart, through the tears and the quiet nights and every breathtaking kiss."

Tears were already flowing down her cheeks. I felt mine spill, too, but I kept going.

"You are my light, my best friend, the ember to my fire. The one I want beside me every morning and every night."

"Yes!" she cried suddenly, choked with emotion, hands clasped over her heart. "Yes, yes!"

I laughed, breathless.

"Mom!" Dawn's voice broke through the moment, half-laughing, half-scolding. "You can't answer until she asks!"

Sabrina let out a tearful laugh. "Okay! Okay! Ask me, Jules, please, just ask me already!"

I smiled through my tears. "Sabrina, will you do me the immense honor of becoming my wife?"

"Yes, my lover," she whispered, her voice cracking. "Absolutely yes, I will marry you."

The room erupted in joyful chaos, cheers, clapping, laughter, and loud sobs. I leaned forward, kissed her softly once and again, and as I pulled back, whispered, "I love you. I always will."

I slipped the ring onto her finger. It sparkled perfectly against her skin, catching the glow of the tree lights. She looked down at it like it was made of stardust. We held each other for a long moment, wrapped in silence, warmth, and the kind of magic that can't be faked.

After a few more kisses, a very tight group hug involving Kitten, and a few joyful tears from Maddie, I somewhat sheepishly remembered that I wasn't quite done.

"Wait, oh, the envelope!" I said, standing again. I reached for the thicker envelope I'd stashed nearby and took a steadying breath. "Okay, remember the rules."

I opened the envelope and passed to each of them a folded piece of paper: one for Maddie, Dawn, Kitten, and finally, my fiancée, Sabrina.

"All right," I said, heart still pounding. "Maddie, when I say go, everyone can unfold the paper, but Maddie, you're reading yours out loud."

She held hers like it was made of glass, eyes wide. I nodded. "Go."

She unfolded the paper carefully, and then her eyes flew open wide.

"Madison Julie Anders is confirmed on a nine-night southern Caribbean cruise aboard the... Mom!" she cried, holding the paper with trembling hands, turning to stare at me and then at Dawn. "You can't be serious!"

"Oh, I am," I said with a shrug and a grin. "Sabrina, my plan was to get married in early spring and take our whole family, all five of us, on a honeymoon cruise in late April. But if we need to reschedule, or if it's too soon..."

"Too soon?" Sabrina was on her feet again, arms around me, before I could finish. "It's perfect, Jules. It's so perfect. Yes, yes!"

"I know it'll take some planning," I said, hugging her tightly. "Maddie will need to get time off. I know I'll have to shuffle some patients around, but we'll make it work. If you're all in?"

Around the room, I saw nods, laughter, wide eyes, and one stunned Kitten blinking through tears.

I grinned, holding back a wave of emotion. "Okay, then. Merry Christmas!"

I turned to the kitchen. "Kitten? Maddie? There's a bottle of champagne chilling in the fridge. Pop it. It's time to celebrate."

~~~

After a wonderful New Year's celebration and more than a week together, my fiancée and her daughter boarded a flight home to Colorado Springs to meet with a realtor and pack their house, moving to Philadelphia.

Chapter Two

March - Sabrina

The wind in Colorado Springs always carries a particular sharpness in winter, not cruel, just honest. It sweeps through the pine trees behind the house and whispers through the cracks in the siding I always meant to fix. As I taped shut the last of the kitchen boxes, I paused, fingers resting lightly on the cardboard, and looked around the room that had held so many quiet moments of just us, me and my girl.

Dawn was in the hallway, wrapping her cd's with that careful precision she got from her uncle before he passed away. I watched her momentarily, not the little girl with scraped knees and Kool-Aid mustaches anymore, but a woman. She was now an independent, stubborn, funny, God, so funny, the kind of funny that could save your day when everything else was falling apart.

She saved me a few times when she was little and has continued to save me plenty over the years as an adult.

That night, sleeping on an air mattress, Dawn and I told stories about this house, this life that had been ours. We laughed until the wee hours of the night, but when we wished each other a good night, we knew it was an early day with the movers arriving.

I woke in the morning, reflecting even more. After the divorce, after the disillusionment, this is where she and I rebuilt our lives. Here, in this house, I learned how to braid hair, patch drywall, fix a leaky faucet, and remove the broken end of a light bulb from a lamp. Where I cried in the laundry room the first night she went on a real date. Where she sat at the kitchen table with her first heartbreak, and I tried to explain, gently, that pain is just another kind of love stretching its legs.

Then the day I saved her from herself, when she cried for hours, not understanding how she could feel that she loved another woman. Then, on the day I admitted to her that the last three dates I had gone out on were with women.

Then, there was the cruise, on which she blossomed into a flourishing woman as a girl, and on which we met Julie and Dawn.

I wandered into her almost empty room, just shadows and echoes. I ran my hand over the wall where her posters used to hang, remembered the smell of her lavender shampoo after late-night showers, the way she'd curl up on my bed with popcorn to dissect some ridiculous rom-com. It wasn't perfect, but it was ours.

"Hey," she called from the living room. "You okay?"

I turned, smiling. "Just saying goodbye."

She nodded her eyes soft. "It's weird, huh?"

"It is but a good weird." I hugged her, holding on longer than usual, but she let me.

We're not running from anything, not anymore. We're moving toward something, toward someone.

Dr. Julie Anders. God help me, I never thought I'd fall again like this. Never thought I'd let myself. But she's... she's my solid ground. That rare kind of woman who sees me, truly sees me, and somehow doesn't flinch. I've spent so long being the careful, the planner, the mother, the patch-it-up-and-carry-on woman. With Julie, I can be all of that and still be held. But most importantly, be loved.

And Dawn, she's not just along for the ride. She made her choice, too, to start a new life. Yeah, the basement apartment will be hers, and Maddie will be nearby, and we'll learn how to navigate this strange, beautiful constellation of a family we're becoming.

I can't pretend it's not bittersweet. This house watched us grow up together, my daughter and I. But homes are just containers for love. We're not leaving that behind. We're taking it with us, every inside joke, every sleepless night, every triumph and scar.

"Ready?" Dawn asked, zipping up the last duffel bag.

"Yeah," I said. "Let's go to our new home."

I looked out the front door and watched the moving van pull away from the building that nurtured and sheltered us, heading towards a new life. The reflection of the bright white SOLD sign diagonally across the For Sale post, yep, it was time to go.

We hit the road after spending at least six hours before finally agreeing to stop. Dawn, my daughter, was co-pilot, playlist curator, snack warden, and most trusted soul on this planet. The car was packed tightly, with some essentials in boxes in the trunk and the rest in the moving truck, at least a day or two behind us.

"I made a driving playlist," she said, flashing her phone. "Twenty-eight hours of tunes, you drive slower than I do. It's a masterpiece."

"Please tell me it's not wall-to-wall Taylor Swift," I said, merging onto I-70 East.

Dawn gave me a mock-offended look. "Excuse me, Taylor Swift is modern poetry. However, I also included Fleetwood Mac, Carly Simon, Bon Jovi, and Bonnie Raitt and a little harder rock, for your sake."

I laughed. "Then I stand corrected. That is a masterpiece of a list."

"Oh Gawd, mother!" She grinned.

We drove, making our way through Kansas, wide open plains. Grain elevators rising like cathedrals out of nothing. I'd always found Kansas strangely comforting, empty, yes, but full of sky. We talked about everything and nothing, the way you do when the road stretches endlessly ahead. We played "Would You Rather" until it became nonsense, then switched to "Name That Song" and lost the score count.

Around hour six, we stopped for gas near Salina and grabbed greasy burgers that tasted better than they had any right to.

"Okay," Dawn said as we settled back into the car this time driving, "I've been holding this in for too long. I cannot wait to see Julie's face when she sees you in that wedding dress."

"Dawn..."

"Don't 'Dawn' me. You're going to be stunning, Mom. Julie's going to cry, guaranteed. Full ugly cry. And I will be sobbing right beside her."

I smiled, keeping my eyes from leaking too much. "I still can't believe its happening. Me, getting married again."

"It's not 'again,'" she said gently. "It's the first time with the right person."

That hit me hard. I reached across and squeezed her hand.

By dusk, we made it to Columbia, Missouri, and checked into a modest roadside hotel: nothing fancy, just a clean bed and the promise of sleep. After we dropped our bags, we went down the street to a diner called Mike's Place. Pancakes for dinner, because why not?

"Okay," Dawn said between bites, "I need to finalize the seating chart for the reception. Maddie wants to make sure her coworkers don't sit alone."

"I don't blame her."

We talked about everything and laughed out loud, crying so hard the waitress gave us a look. We tipped her well.

Back in the room, Dawn curled up with her tablet while I scrolled through photos Julie had texted: paint samples for the guest room, new sheets for the master bedroom, and a shot of her holding a bottle of wine with a caption that read, "Hurry!"

God, I loved that woman.

The next morning, we set out again, coffee in hand, with refreshed playlists. We were crossing the Mississippi River at St. Louis when my phone buzzed on the dash.

Julie. I answered on the speaker. "Hey, baby."

"You two alive?" she asked, voice warm and teasing.

"Barely," Dawn replied. "Mom sings harmonies to every song. It's a lot."

"She's lying," I said. "I've been blessedly silent."

Julie chuckled. "I miss you both. The house feels too quiet without you being here."

We promised to check in later and hung up just as the Arch came into view, silver and gleaming against a pale sky.

"Look at that," I said. "Gateway to the East."

"Gateway to the rest of our lives," Dawn said, mock-dramatically, then grinned. "Sorry, too corny?"

"Just the right amount."

Illinois and Indiana passed in a blur of snow-dusted farmland and old barns leaning like tired men. That night, we pulled into a little Airbnb outside Dayton, Ohio, a cottage with creaky floors and a fireplace that refused to stay lit.

Maddie FaceTime us after dinner.

"Ladies," she greeted, grinning widely. "Still speaking to each other?"

"Barely," I said. "Dawn made me listen to Phoebe Bridgers for two hours straight."

"I was curating a mood," Dawn protested.

Maddie blew her a kiss. "One more day and you'll be here."

"You better be at the door," Dawn said. "I want hugs the second I get out of the car."

"Hugs, huh?" Maddie sounded surprised.

I watched them, my daughter and her girlfriend, with their shy smiles and that tender, sweet gravity young love pulls around itself. My heart ached with joy and maybe just a little fear, not of Maddie, never of her, but of how fast time was moving, of the quiet house I would leave behind as they moved forward with their own story.

That night, Dawn and I shared a bottle of cheap red wine and played cards until we were too tired to keep score.

"Are you nervous?" Dawn asked me as we crawled into our beds.

"A little. But mostly excited."

"Julie's the best thing that's ever happened to you," she said, voice thick with sleep.

"She is," I said softly. "And you."

She didn't answer, but I heard her breathing slow, and I stayed awake a little longer, listening to the silence. I was grateful.

Our final stretch was quieter. We passed through Pennsylvania with the mountains rising around us, the trees nearly bare, and some just starting to blossom. We talked about logistics, unpacking, grocery lists, and when the movers would arrive. Where would we put all the furniture? But we mostly sat silently outside her music, letting the road carry us.

"I can't believe I'm going to be your Maid of Honor," Dawn said, somewhere around Harrisburg.

"You earned it."

"I already wrote my toast."

"Of course you did."

"I'm going to make everyone cry."

"I'd expect nothing less. Please don't embarrass me."

"Come on, Mom, let me have some fun." We giggled a bit more, but the road was getting the best of us; we needed to settle.

Soon, Philadelphia appeared on the horizon just as dusk started to fall, the skyline lighting up like an invitation. My chest tightened. This was it our new chapter, a new home, a new us.

Dawn called when we were minutes away. True to their words, they were both waiting on the front porch when we pulled in. Julie was wrapped in a long cardigan and holding two mugs of something steaming. Dawn jumped out before the car stopped moving, flinging herself into Maddie's arms with a cry of delight.

I stepped out slower, taking in the house, my house now. Julie came toward me, mug held out.

"Hot cider," she said, smiling. "Welcome home, love."

And that's what it felt like. It was not an ending, a beginning, or a continuation. I took another magnificent step forward in my life. I couldn't wait, and yes, I welcomed everything about it.

~~~

We woke the next morning, cuddling with my head on her chest, my arms wrapped around her. Julie was my new security blanket until I found my footing. More importantly, there was peace and comfort here; she believed in me, and yes, I believed in myself.

I felt the bed shift and heard the door close. It wasn't that I was still getting used to Tasha--well, I was--but it was strange how she wanted to do everything for Julie and me. It was a dynamic I hadn't fully understood yet, but I had accepted. I hoped that Tasha and I could get to know each other better until I found a job I had been searching for and applying for.

"What are you thinking about?" Julie kissed my forehead and softly stroked my back, asking me.

I hummed in pure satisfaction. "I can't lie, I am curious about my dynamic with your Tasha."

"She isn't just my Tasha; she has said several times that she wants to serve you as well."

I took a deep breath. "Jules, I have never had anyone care for me like that. I... I just don't know what I would want to do." I rolled to my side and pulled away from Julie. I rested up on my elbow to look at her.

"Listen," Julie spoke softly. You just got here last night. There will be some changes; I am aware of them." She bent forward and kissed me softly. "I told you she needed to be rescued. I took her in, and now, I love having her around."

I lay my head back down and then cuddled with her for a few more moments. There was still uneasiness about this, but I would figure it out. There was a soft knock on the bedroom door.

Jules responded, telling Tasha that she was welcome to come in. As she came in, she was carrying three cups of coffee, one for each of us. "Good morning, Tasha," I spoke, thanking her for the coffee. The three of us sat up in bed, Julie in the center, I still on her left, and Tasha on her right, slowly waking up.

"Sabrina, I have a lecture this morning, but I would like you and Tasha to take Dawn and have a relaxing lunch, maybe do a little grocery shopping, and spend time together."

I would love it if we could finalize the wedding details over dinner when I come home. We are three weeks away, my lover."

I turned and kissed her cheek. "Of course, that sounds like a fabulous idea. I will also take some time to review what jobs I can find with your local banks." I kissed her again, and then nuzzled a bit against her soft skin.

~~~

April 19th

Saturday morning, I was up early. Dawn and I spent the night in the Marriott grand suite down the street from the chapel. We came here after the rehearsal dinner. It was nice, the dinner that is. There were just about fifteen of us.

So, here I am, sitting and waiting for what will be a fantastic day. I have my in-room coffee; I was hoping for some tea, but a girl can't have everything, can she?

"Mom?" Dawn came out of the bathroom in her robe, freshly showered.

I smile. "Good morning, baby." She made her way over and sat next to me.

Hmm, my baby, my thirty-year-old daughter, yes, she is still my baby. She found a position as an Office Manager for a rather large dental group. There are five practices in and around the city. They graciously gave her time off when she explained that we were taking a cruise as a family for our honeymoon.

"Hey!" she nudged me, "What are you daydreaming about?"

I smiled as I looked at her. "I am so proud of you, and one day, when you are ready, I will be here to make sure your wedding is just as special and spectacular as you have made mine."

She hugged me, "Well, don't get me married yet. I need to complete yours first. I need to make sure you do not run away from Julie." She kissed my cheek. "After all, I am living in her basement. I don't want to be homeless."

We both laughed, enjoying the few moments she gave to me before she announced it was time for me to get my "old butt in gear".

~~~

I don't usually get nervous. I over prepare. I make lists. I compartmentalize.

"Calm down, I don't need you stroking out now!" She wrapped her arms around me carefully to avoid ruining my dress.

I took a deep breath, but as I stood in the back of this chapel with Dawn, it felt like I was about to parachute out of a plane. My stomach was doing something awful and Olympic. I knew this was what I wanted. I know Julie is who I wanted. I just needed to believe in myself.

"What if I fail in this marriage like I did with your father?"

The glare on Dawn's face was one Medusa would be proud of. "You are fine, you didn't fail, and he left not only you but also me. He left his 7 month old daughter and ran, never to be seen again. Fuck him Mom."

I smiled. She laughed, "Maybe I shouldn't have sworn in the chapel. But you know it's not too late to fake an ankle sprain," she whispered, trying to make me smile.

I laughed. "I'm not backing out."

"I know." She softens. "You just look like you might pass out."

I exhale through my nose. "I feel like I might."

The air in the back room is warm, scented with leftover baby's breath and some kind of citrusy candle someone lit too early. I can hear faint music, a soft piano that sounds like the start of something. Maddie texted Dawn, 'Guests are seated. Julie's in position. We're a go.'

Now it's just a matter of waiting for the knock. The knock that means this is it.

I look at Dawn, my Maid of Honor, my rock, when he left; her and me together! She's wearing a slate-blue dress we picked out in a haze of wine and sarcasm. Her hair was pinned up. Her eyes are misty. It's happening.

I adjusted my dress. It was clean, white satin, simple, fitted, with no lace, no fuss. I loved it the moment I put it on. Julie's is different. It's flowery, a little vintage. But we both picked white, separately but knowingly, and when we found out, we laughed. We're different like that. But we fit.

And then, three knocks. Dawn squeezed my hand one more time. "Let's go get you married, Mom."

The door opens, and light spills in. Maddie stands there, giving a thumbs-up like it's a school play. We step out.

Maddie walks down the aisle and takes her place opposite Julie.

The chapel isn't huge. Maybe fifty people, our neighbors, friends, coworkers, are there. Everyone is close enough to matter. The pews are packed but intimate. Some folks are standing in the back. The flowers are wild and imperfect, tulips, daffodils, and snapdragons, donated from gardens, not stores. Someone plays the piano at the front, soft and steady.

I wait, as if I can't feel my feet. Not in the dramatic fainting-bride sense, just this floaty, dreamlike thing, like I'm gliding. My heels are doing the work, I know they are, but I'm somewhere else entirely. Somewhere between that little white chapel echoing with soft piano music and a memory that still makes my heart backflips.

I smile wider than I have ever smiled. There she is, my Julie.

She's at the end of this aisle, standing with her hands clasped, her smile doing that quiet thing it does when she's trying not to cry. God, she looks beautiful.

No veil, no fluff, just us. I breathe in. The place smells like old wood and wildflowers, and some of our neighbors brought hand-tied bouquets from their gardens. Maddie's up there with Julie, chin high, beaming like she's trying to hold the sun in her mouth. Dawn walks in front of me and then comes to her spot, stopping and turning, giving me a wink.

It all started on that holiday cruise. The empty seat next to her, the wine I sent her, the offer she accepted, the cruise I wanted to go on and spend time with Dawn before she started high school.

The one where I needed to "relax" after the promotion and whatever else was hanging over me. I remember boarding the ship irritated, arms crossed, already checking how far I'd be from the Wi-Fi dead zones.

And then suddenly, it was midnight, and we were the last two on the upper deck, the ocean black and loud beneath us. The air was salty, soft, and a little cool. We walked in slow loops under string lights, talking about everything and nothing. I remember smiling so much that my face hurt.

She told me I talked with my hands. I told her she squints when she's trying to read people. We laughed. I think we clicked in a way that made me feel like someone had taken my bones out and replaced them with music.

Right now, that same music is swelling, and I'm halfway down the aisle, trying not to cry, staying in the moment, and swimming through every second of that cruise. Every text after. Every visit, even the short ones. Every "I miss you" turned into "I love you."

I shook my head, waking from the daydream. I watched as she blinked, only once., slowly.

I don't believe in fate. But I do believe in her. And I think in this, walking toward something that feels exactly right. No fireworks. No drama. Just a Saturday in April, fifty people, a simple chapel, and the only yes that's ever mattered.

Julie was standing there as if the world had just stopped moving. She looks up the aisle at me, and everything, every nerve, evaporates. Now, here we are.

I finally reached her. Julie takes my hands, and her thumb brushes over mine like a silent "Hi!".. She leans in and whispers, "You came."

"Wouldn't miss it," I whisper back.

The officiant clears her throat. She's a retired judge who lives two doors down from us. We bribed her with cookies and wine to get her to do this.

"Dear friends," she begins, "we gather here to witness the joining of Julie and Sabrina in marriage."

Julie goes first. She pulls a folded paper from her pocket but barely looks at it.

"I knew you were important the moment I met you. Not because there were fireworks or fate or any of that stuff, though maybe there were, but because talking to you felt like breathing. You've made me braver, softer. You are my home. And I promise to keep building that home with you, brick by brick, laugh by laugh, for as long as I'm alive."

My turn. I hold her hands tighter.

"I didn't believe in 'the one.' I thought that was marketing. But then I met you, and more importantly, got to know you. And you didn't complete me, you didn't have to. You challenged me, grounded me, made me laugh when I didn't want to, and listened when I didn't know how. I love you for who you are exactly and promise to choose you. Every day. On purpose."

Julie blinks fast, trying to keep the tears in.

The ceremony is short. That was the plan. There will be no readings or religious rituals, just vows and the truth.

"By the power vested in me," the officiant says, "and the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I now pronounce you married."

I barely heard it. I was already leaning in.

And when we kiss, our first kiss as wives, it's soft, slow, and completely quiet, like the chapel is holding its breath.

Then the cheers explode. Maddie whoops. Someone in the back whistles. The piano kicks up something joyful and offbeat. And we turn, hand in hand, toward the rest of our lives, and our reception.

Outside, the spring air is crisp, the sky soft with clouds, the dogwoods blooming along the chapel path.

We step out as one, and this is it. This is how forever starts.

The reception wasn't grand, and that's exactly how we wanted it. The chapel had a little garden behind its stone path. Thin, tall heaters provided what we needed inside. The tents were set nicely, and the far sides were pulled down for privacy with a small dance floor. The folding chairs were mainly comfortable. I insisted on the strings of lights blinking on just as the sun dipped low. The air still held the day's warmth, with that first whisper of night coming in. Fifty guests, five tables, no fuss.

At the head table, it was just the five of us: Tasha, Maddie, Julie, me, and Dawn. Plates cleared, champagne half-drunk, and our shoes kicked off beneath the table. My hand stayed on Julie's knee, mostly for balance, emotional, and other reasons. We were both still floating. Maddie kept trying to start a toast, but whenever she stood, someone made a joke or refilled her glass, and she sat back down laughing.

Dawn stood and quietly took the microphone. Her short speech made Julie and I cry. But then Maddie stood and was handed the microphone.

She started with a giggle. "Let me tell you about this girl I met on a cruise. She was sent over to babysit me while her mom tried to sweep my mom off her feet."

There were a few giggles, and then there were tears as Maddie recounted the times she and Julie cried, laughed, vacationed, and struggled. Maddie spoke of Julie being a single mother at nineteen, and she said that life would have been different without the love of Julie's parents, who are sorely missed.

Then a broken pause, Maddie sniffled and paused again.

"And Mom, if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a damned thing." We all cried harder. She walked to her mom, and they hugged, the perfect end to a perfect Best Woman's speech.

When Maddie returned to her seat, I saw her first walk over to Dawn and whisper something in her ear. I saw Dawn's reaction and was curious about what had been shared. I would hopefully hear later; we rarely shared secrets.

Tasha was our quiet anchor, smiling in that low-key way she does, watching it all like a proud older sister. Dawn leaned in close and whispered commentary about everyone's outfits, as if we were at a fashion show, and Julie kept glancing at me like she couldn't quite believe this had happened either. We were just celebrating and shining as we grew minute by minute deeper in love.

Then came the bouquet toss.

We didn't even have a proper bouquet, just a handful of tulips and baby's breath that I held during the ceremony. But when it was time, I turned my back to the crowd, raised my arm like I was about to launch something Olympic, and flung it without warning.

It went wide.

Madison lunged, more out of instinct than ambition, and missed. Dawn stepped back with perfect comedic timing, hands in the air like "No Thank You". The bouquet hit the ground. Everyone laughed, a big full-bellied kind of laugh, and even Julie doubled over, gasping, "Symbolic, much?"

It felt like us, easy, unrushed, ridiculous in the best way.

As the sky began to bruise into evening, guests trickled out. There were more hugs and laughter. Someone started passing around containers for leftover cupcakes. I didn't realize how tired I was until I looked at Julie, and she looked at me, and we both just nodded.

Tasha offered to drive. She doesn't drink, is always prepared, and holds the keys like a guardian angel in a tailored blazer. We slid into the back seat, my dress bunched up, Julie leaning her head on my shoulder, both of us quiet now.

The chapel faded behind us, and the string lights disappeared. We drove into the soft dark of a Saturday night in April, married, barefoot, tired, and completely, wonderfully full of love.

Our Honeymoon, a nine night cruise

The humid Miami air hit us like a warm embrace as we stepped out of the airport shuttle, our excitement practically buzzing in the tropical breeze. After months of planning, we were finally here, Julie, Maddie, Dawn, Tasha, and I, ready to embark on our nine-night cruise tomorrow morning. The anticipation had been building for so long that seeing the gleaming towers of downtown Miami felt almost surreal.

We checked into our hotel overlooking Biscayne Bay, and I couldn't help but grin as we gathered on Dawn's balcony, watching the sailboats dot the crystalline water. Our room was ceremonially reserved for just us. Tasha would be sleeping with Maddie and Dawn this evening. The last few days, she had been in the spare bedroom, which was in the other room, and would remain there until we returned from this trip.

"Misses and ladies," Tasha said softly, "Miami awaits."

We spent the early afternoon exploring Bayside Marketplace, the open-air shopping center that stretched along the waterfront like a colorful ribbon. Maddie immediately gravitated toward the art vendors, her eye drawn to the vibrant local artwork. At the same time, Dawn and Tasha disappeared into a boutique filled with flowing resort wear and statement jewelry.

Julie and I wandered through the marketplace hand in hand, stopping at the various kiosks selling everything from handcrafted leather goods to tropical-scented candles. The live music drifted from the central amphitheater, where a Cuban band's rhythmic beats seemed to pulse in harmony with the gentle lapping of the bay against the seawall. We bought matching coral bracelets from an elderly artisan who told us they were "blessed by Miami magic," which made us laugh, but we wore them anyway.

For dinner, we decided on Rusty Pelican, perched right on the bay with panoramic views of the Miami skyline. As the sun descended, painting the sky in shades of amber and rose, we settled onto the restaurant's waterfront terrace. The conversation flowed as freely as the wine, filled with discussions about the cruise itinerary, speculation about tomorrow's embarkation process, and endless laughter.

When dinner ended, the others decided to head back to the hotel for an early night, but Julie and I weren't ready for the magic to end. We strolled along the Bayside promenade as the evening settled around us, the warm breeze carrying the scent of saltwater and night-blooming jasmine. The boardwalk stretched before us, lined with swaying palm trees and dotted with couples and families enjoying the perfect Miami evening.

We found ourselves at Bayfront Park, where the towering palm trees created natural archways overhead. The Amphitheater's evening concert had begun, and the sounds of Latin jazz floated through the air, mixing with the distant hum of traffic and the gentle splash of water against the marina docks. Julie squeezed my hand as we walked past the illuminated fountains, their water dancing in choreographed sprays that caught the colored lights.

"I can't wait for tomorrow; it is finally here!" she whispered, her voice filled with wonder as we paused by the railing overlooking the bay. The empty areas were where the cruise ships occupied those spaces for a short time in the morning.

"Nine days of paradise," I replied, pulling her closer as we watched the city lights reflect off the water in shimmering columns of gold and silver. The night felt infinite with possibility, and as we stood together, surrounded by the vibrant energy of Miami, I knew this was just the beginning of something extraordinary.

When we settled back into our hotel room, just the two of us, there was something special as the city lights glowed from the window, illuminating it and adding just a touch more romance.

As my beautiful bride and I cuddled, I lay my head on her chest and whispered that I could not wait to lie like this with our balcony room door open and listen to the ocean breeze rock us to sleep.

She chuckled slightly, "What?" I asked. "I was being absolutely romantic and loving, and you laughed."

"I wasn't laughing at what you were saying, but I have a significant surprise for you and the girls tomorrow morning."

Julie kissed me softly and helped me tighten. My mind started wandering, and I could only imagine what was stirring in her brain.

~~~

Checkout was a blur. Five of us were rolling luggage over polished tile, sunglasses on, one with coffee in her hand, still half-running on wedding adrenaline and little sleep. The hotel lobby buzzed with the sounds of Sunday checkouts and elevator dings. Julie handled the desk because she was calm under pressure and charming when she was tired.

Tasha tipped the bellhop as he assisted with our bags, including carry-on luggage. Dawn misread the coffee sign and realized she was drinking decaf; we all laughed at that. Maddie and I giggled through it all like hungover bridesmaids, even though I was technically the bride.

The van was waiting out front, white in color and slightly dented, with a "Lucky Star Transportation" decal peeling on the window. Our driver, Ralph, had the energy of someone who'd already driven three families to the airport and wasn't here for small talk. We piled in, bags shoved in the back, AC blasting on high. Holding her hand, I sat next to Julie and tried to let my brain catch up with everything that had happened in the last seventy-two hours.

About twenty minutes in, Ralph glanced up in the rearview mirror and asked, "Which ship are you ladies headed to?"

Julie didn't even hesitate. "Icon of the Seas." The van went dead silent.

Maddie turned to look at her like she'd misheard. "Wait, Icon?"

Julie just nodded, totally casual. "Surprise."

Tasha blinked. "Miss? You mean?"

"Nope, not kidding, nine-night Caribbean, balcony room for you three; we are in the adjoining cabin. However, the adjoining door will not always be open."

Maddie turned to her mother, "Mom?"

"Madison? What is the issue?" Julie looked at me and smiled.

"Madison?" Maddie balked! "Wait, what's going on? You never call me Madison unless I am in trouble."

Julie shrugged. "Dear, my wife and I will enjoy a bit of privacy on our honeymoon."

Ralph, our friendly van driver with a thick Miami accent and a thicker mustache, glanced at us through the rearview mirror and said, "Ladies, we're just a few minutes out. Where would you like me to drop you off?"

Julie sat up straighter, practically vibrating with excitement. "Ralph? Sir, will you please drop us off at the Suite Guest check-in area, please?" she asked, her voice a mix of gratitude and glee. Then she turned to me and held up her phone, pulling up a message.

"Ivanka, we will be pulling up in a white van and will be at the Suite Guest entrance," I read aloud, feeling my eyebrows knit together.

I glanced at Julie curiously, and that's when she flipped to the app and showed me her Sea Pass card. "This is why I haven't allowed you all to see anything. It was a secret." My wife added some dramatic flair, revealing some sacred scroll.

"What is the Sunset Corner suite, Jules?" I asked, tilting my head.

Her eyes sparkled as she leaned in and kissed my lips softly. "It's my wedding gift to you, my love."

Time slowed. I was still holding her hand, still in awe, when I turned to Dawn and mouthed, 'Sunset Corner suite?'

My face must've looked like pure confusion and amazement because I just shrugged. But Maddie caught it. Oh, Maddie saw everything. Her eyes widened, and she pointed an accusatory finger at me.

"No, you didn't! Dr. Anders, how dare you not tell us this was the level of boujee we were walking into!"

Dawn's laugh bubbled up before she slapped a hand over Maddie's mouth, leaned in, and gave her the tenderest silencing kiss I'd ever witnessed in a moving vehicle.

"Hush," Dawn whispered her voice low and sultry. "It's their honeymoon. Not ours... yet."

"Yet?" I repeated my head whipping toward her.

Dawn gave a little shrug, her lips curving into the sweetest, most hopeful smile. "A girl can dream, can't she?"

And the way Maddie looked back at her, I mean, the energy between them was practically humming, I decided to mind my business... for now.

That's when Ralph called out again, "Alright, ladies! We're almost there."

Then it hit me this was it. The van suddenly felt like it was lifting off the ground, and excitement pulsing through us. The next two minutes were an absolute blur of gasps, glances, and gleeful squeals. My heart was pounding. My brain was struggling to catch up. This wasn't just a ride to the port it was the kickoff to our honeymoon, the beginning of our first family vacation, the start of something ours.

Julie leaned into me, her voice warm and teasing in my ear. "Thought it might be fun to go back to where it all started."

I laughed and kissed her right there in the van. "We didn't have a suite, babe. You had a suite. My daughter and I had an inside cabin, if you recall?"

She grinned wickedly. "Yes, but tonight? You and I have a date in the Schooner Bar. And then, I'm taking you back to my suite."

I kissed her cheek, feeling every last flutter in my chest. "I can't wait."

Her phone buzzed in her hand, and we both looked down, caught between the past, the present, and the incredible journey about to begin. And just like that, the van rolled to a stop. I looked out the window and read the sign. 'Suite Guest and STAR Check-in'.

I smiled widely and mumbled, "Let the adventure begin!"

~~~

There's this thrill that washes through every cell in my body when I finally let go, like truly letting go of the stress, the weight, the noise of the world. And right then, in that moment, standing hand-in-hand with Julie at the cruise port, I felt that release. A long, shaky breath escaped me.

"Whew..." I whispered, my voice carried off by the breeze curling through the terminal.

We moved through the suite guest queue with a kind of unhurried grace, Julie confidently leading the way, as if she had done this a dozen times before. And maybe she had. But for me? This was brand new. The last time I boarded a cruise, it was more chaos than care. But this? This was intentional, thoughtful. The staff greeted us like we were old friends, not just passengers.

I barely had time to process the elegance of it all when I heard a voice calling out crisp, melodic, and touched with a European lilt. "Dr. Anders!"

I turned to see a striking woman, impeccably dressed in a purple suit, tapered and thin-waisted, elegant and divine, making her way toward us. Her posture alone radiated capability.

Julie waved me over with that giddy grin I adore. "Sabrina, this is Ivanka. She's going to be our Genie for the cruise." Genie, what a magical word.

Ivanka dipped her head slightly, her eyes warm and kind. "Sabrina, ladies, it is an absolute pleasure to care for you over the next nine days."

We each had one small carry-on, which was quickly scanned. Then the passport check, swift, seamless, almost too easy. And just like that, Ivanka led us through a private corridor where an elevator was waiting, doors already open like it knew we were coming. Up we went to the second floor.

This was not the kind of boarding I remembered. No crowd, no waiting in endless lines like over-caffeinated sheep. Maddie leaned in to whisper something to Dawn, probably some snarky observation. I caught Julie's hand just as the elevator doors slid open. She looked at me and smiled. That smile? Pure calm.

Ivanka stepped out first, like a hostess guiding us to a VIP lounge. "Would you care for coffee or a pastry? Perhaps a chilled bottle of water?" she asked with a polished ease.

We settled for just a few minutes, enough time to sip water and trade smiles that said 'can you believe this?' Ivanka returned shortly, her heels clicking softly as she approached.

"Dr. Anders, ladies... are you ready?" she asked, that same soft smile on her face. "I'll walk you on board and personally escort you to your suite."

And then it happened. We walked onto Icon of the Seas, and my breath caught. Everything about it felt... surreal. The sheer scale of the ship was staggering. And yet here we were, walking on in near silence. The promenade was practically empty, just a few smiling crew members in place, ready, waiting.

But it wasn't just the ship. It was everything, the feeling of Julie's hand in mine, the thoughtfulness behind this surprise. The deep, soul-filling love I felt not just from her, but from all of them, Dawn, Maddie, and Tasha, my family.

It hit me like a wave. A crashing, unstoppable, beautiful wave.

I leaned into Julie and whispered, my throat thick with emotion, "Julie, I... I need to sit. Please."

She looked at me instantly, concern flickering in her eyes, and I gently pulled my hand away, making my way toward a little bench along the wall. My hands were trembling as I reached into my purse for a tissue. But the tears were already falling, fast and hot and completely beyond my control.

Julie was at my side in seconds, her arms around me, holding me so tightly I could feel her heart beating against mine. Dawn came next, sliding beside me and wrapping me in her warmth without a word.

I cried. Ugly, overwhelmed, can't-breathe kind of crying.

It took a few minutes, a few whispered reassurances, and a few more tissues. I mumbled apologies between sobs, completely mortified by my meltdown. But even as I tried to collect myself, I saw them, all of them, surrounding me. Maddie had her hand on my back. Tasha crouched down and offered me her water bottle with the softest expression.

I wasn't falling apart, I was being held together. Julie leaned close again, brushing a strand of hair from my cheek. Her voice was a whisper, a vow, a promise. "There is nothing to fear, to worry about, or to be embarrassed about. We love you... eternally."

That did it, I broke down all over again.

Even Ivanka returned, silent and kind, offering me a chilled bottle of water without a trace of judgment. Just kindness. Just... care.

When I could finally breathe again, I dabbed at my face with one last tissue and exhaled slowly. "Do you think we could see our suite?" I asked, trying to sound breezy despite the mess I felt like. "I need to freshen up this old, sad-looking face."

Julie gave me that look, playful and mock-offended, raising one eyebrow. I kissed her anyway, right on that expression, and held her hand tightly.

"I love you so much," I whispered.

And then, with deep breaths, full hearts, and still-glimmering eyes, we followed Ivanka to see the suite that would be ours.

Ivanka walked ahead of us with practiced grace, her calm voice guiding us through private corridors as if we were royalty, and honestly, it was starting to feel that way. The hallways were quiet, polished, and filled with a subtle, citrusy scent that always reminded me of elegance.

"This way, ladies," she said with a gentle smile over her shoulder. "Your suite is just ahead."

She wore a deep purple uniform, tailored, sleek, and sharp, yet she still managed to move like a ballerina. There was something about her presence that was equal parts comforting and commanding. As she walked, she provided us with a beautifully fluid explanation of her role aboard the ship.

"As your Royal Genie, I am here to ensure your every need is anticipated, ideally before you even think to ask," she said, her accent smooth and measured. "I specialize in crafting personalized experiences. Private moments, VIP access. Anything from dinner under the stars to spontaneous champagne toasts at sea. I handle all reservations, entertainment seating, onboard shopping experiences, and... special celebrations," she added with a knowing smile.

Dawn leaned into Maddie and whispered, "Did we just hire a fairy godmother?" Maddie grinned and whispered back, "A hot fairy godmother."

I pretended not to hear them, barely.

Ivanka stopped in front of a large door with a gold-accented placard reading Sunset Corner Suite. She tapped the panel, and with a soft beep, the door unlocked.

I swear, time slowed down as it swung open.

And then... pure magic.

The suite was nothing short of breathtaking. Floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped around the room like a cinematic reveal, letting in a flood of golden afternoon sunlight that danced across the polished floors. Beyond the glass, the Miami skyline shimmered in the distance, and the sea, our sea, now stretched out like a promise.

The space was sprawling, beautiful, as well as modern and sophisticated. Soft blues and creams created a dreamy coastal palette, while high-end touches, such as crystal lighting, plush seating, and a grand piano tucked into the corner, made it feel less like a room and more like a dream someone had forgotten to wake us from.

Julie's hand found mine, and I could feel her pulse quicken with the same giddy joy rushing through me.

"This..." I whispered, "Is ours?"

Ivanka smiled again. "For the next nine days, yes, it is."

Tasha let out a soft murmuring noise. "I think this place is bigger than my old apartment."

Madison ran straight to the massive balcony and gasped. "Oh my God. Is this... a private hot tub?"

Julie chuckled. "Surprise. But that is ours; your adjoining balcony room is next door. Isn't their room next door, Ivanka?" Julie winked.

Ivanka stepped inside and gestured gracefully. "Yes, I will escort the ladies in a moment, but there are two master bedrooms, full bathrooms with soaking tubs, and a walk-in closet that could double as a yoga studio. Your luggage will arrive shortly. If you'd like, I'll unpack for you."

Tasha quickly spoke up. "That... won't be necessary."

"As your Genie," she continued, "I'm available to you day and night. Text, calls, or use the suite tablet. I can escort you to shows, secure prime seating, plan celebrations, recommend wines, book spa appointments, or even have your favorite dessert delivered at midnight."

Julie leaned into me and whispered, "You're going to be so spoiled."

I didn't even argue. I was already so spoiled. Ivanka gave a slight bow. "I'll leave Dr and Mrs Anders to settle in. When you're ready, we'll arrange a personalized tour or perhaps a private lunch?" she smiled. "Maddie, Dawn, will you come with me? Tasha, you are in the second bedroom here. I have changed the reservation at Dr Anders' request."

As she disappeared into the hallway like some velvet-lined dream, the six of us just stood there, silent and wide-eyed. I spun around slowly, taking it all in, and then finally exhaled.

"Maddie, Dawn, are you ready as well?" I smiled as Maddie and Dawn followed Ivanka out to the door to their balcony room.

"I don't think I've ever been this happy," I murmured, more to myself than anyone else.

Julie came up behind me, her arms wrapping gently around my waist. "Welcome home, Mrs. Anders."

And with that, I melted into her arms and the moment, knowing this was the beginning of something extraordinary.

~~~

There's something sacred about a sail-away. The way the city falls behind you, slowly and silently, like a chapter you've finished reading. I stood on the expansive balcony of our suite, hand in hand with Julie, the warm breeze fluttering through our blouses, the sound of the ship's horn reverberating deep in my chest.

Miami shimmered under the golden afternoon light, the skyline framed like a painting against the endless stretch of sea. The water was calm, gently lapping against the hull like a heartbeat, steady and true. I glanced down, our hands were still locked, and I smiled to myself.

We didn't speak, we didn't need to. The silence between us was the soft, warm kind, the kind that says this is real, this is right, this is love.

From the open adjoining door, I heard laughter, Maddie's unmistakable snort followed by Dawn's soothing giggle. And then, the unmistakable sound of clinking glass.

"Miss? I have a delivery for you!" Tasha called playfully as she stepped through the doorway, holding three stemmed glasses of chilled white wine. She handed one to me, then to Julie, and finally raised her own in a quiet toast.

"Miss, cheers to sail away and your honeymoon," she said, her smile softening as her eyes swept across the horizon. "To all of this."

We touched our glasses, and I took a sip. The wine was crisp, bright, and cool on my tongue. I turned back to the sea. Miami was now a distant memory, its edges blurred by the salt air and golden light. We were officially at sea.

Tasha lingered for a moment, and then gently nudged Julie's shoulder. "Miss, I must remind you that you have dinner at seven o'clock, Hooked. Your genie will have your table waiting."

Julie nodded. "Thank you, Kitten. We'll be ready."

And we were.

At dinner, Julie wore a soft coral blouse that made her skin glow like candlelight. I'd chosen a cerulean blue one, simple, airy, tucked into clean white canvas slacks that made me feel elegant in a way I wasn't quite used to yet. Her eyes caught mine more than once across the table, and each time, I felt that flutter in my chest like it was the first time.

Maddie and Dawn joined us, radiant in floral tops and loose, loungey pants that screamed vacation. We laughed through oysters and clinked glasses over lobster tails. Julie leaned in at one point and whispered, "I think I'm falling in love with how you eat shrimp." I nearly choked on my wine.

When we were full and buzzing from laughter, salt, and Sauvignon Blanc, we made our way to the promenade. The air was cooler now, dusk settling in. Lights sparkled from storefronts and bars, glinting off polished floors. We walked hand in hand, my fingers laced tightly with hers.

Julie tugged me gently. "Come on. One more stop, The Schooner Bar."

It looked just as I remembered it: warm, intimate, with wood paneling and that low nautical glow. A soft piano played in the background, and we slid into a corner table, along the railing with the Promenade underneath us. We were exposed, but still, it was just us.

She ordered two glasses of wine. We sat, sipping slowly, eyes dancing across the years.

"Déjà vu?" I asked, my voice a whisper.

She grinned. "Maybe or maybe I just wanted to fall in love with you all over again... right here."

I leaned in and kissed her softly. Just once. Just enough to feel it all, again.

Later, we stepped out onto the open upper deck, repeating that evening. The sky was an endless stretch of darkness, which added to the romantic atmosphere of the evening. The sky was studded with stars, and the moon was high, round, and glowing like it was smiling just for us. The ocean wind tangled through our hair and filled our lungs as we giggled without a care in the world. We strolled, side by side, occasionally stopping just to lean over the railing, breathing in the scent of salt and freedom.

It wasn't long before her hand slipped around my waist, and mine found her cheek. We kissed again and again. Long, slow kisses. The kind that says this is safe; this is all we would ever need."

There was no need to rush. We stayed like that, under the moonlight, letting the ship carry us forward into the quiet.

Eventually, we made our way back to the suite, and we giggled as we entered. Julie was a bit of a silly woman as she held the door open and laughed. She would carry me across the threshold, but the medics weren't on standby, so she asked that I pass on that ritual.

We walked hand in hand again, out onto the balcony, and stood there--no more words, just slow hands and familiar smiles.

As we kissed a lover's kiss, we undressed each other with care, reverence even. Her coral blouse slipped from her shoulders like falling sunlight. My own was unbuttoned, one slow kiss at a time. We moved through our space as if it were a ritual our skin already knew the dance.

The bed was cool and soft. She was warm and everything. And in the quiet rhythm of our bodies, under the hush of the sea, we made love--not for the first time, but in a way that felt entirely new.

Entirely ours, abeginning within a beginning. And long after we'd drifted into sleep, I still held her hand in mine.

~~~

I woke to the soft murmur of the sea, no crashing surf, no thunderous waves, just that gentle, eternal hush. The Caribbean rolled steadily beneath us, like it was singing a lullaby to us, one we hadn't quite finished listening to. The balcony door was still open, the sheer curtains swaying in the morning breeze, letting in the salt-kissed air. It was calm and comforting, as if the ocean itself had taken a seat in the corner of our room, just to watch over us.

This morning, the first morning was so different from my last cruise and from my experience in an inside cabin.

Julie was still wrapped around me, her arm loosely draped over my body cupping my naked ass, the warmth I felt and the feeling of her being with me, was nearly enough to make me cry again. I pressed my womanhood into her thigh, recalling our love again, knowing it would be like this for the rest of my life.

My head tucked beneath her chin. Her bare skin was warm and familiar, and I could feel her slow, deep breaths against my forehead. I didn't want to move. I didn't want to wake her, or shift, or risk losing even a second of the peace we'd found overnight.

So I lay there, completely still, utterly content. A soft kiss to her cheek broke the spell gently. I felt her lips twitch in a smile before her eyelids fluttered open.

"Mmm. Morning," she murmured, her voice drowsy and velvet-soft.

"Morning, love," I whispered back, and she pulled me even closer, anchoring me in her embrace.

We lay like that, tangled together, the sheets a careless mess around us. The breeze moved across our skin, cool against the heat we still carried from the night before. Julie sighed in a way that made my heart thrum.

"This might be the best wake-up of my life," she whispered.

I laughed gently, my lips brushing her collarbone. "I think the best part is I didn't wake up alone."

She pressed a kiss to my shoulder. "Never again."

There was a soft knock at the door. Not insistent, gentle, polite. The kind of knock that waits for permission, like the day itself was asking, May I come in now?

Before either of us moved, the door cracked open, and Tasha peeked her head in, her eyes bright. "Miss, your coffee has arrived," she said with a smile. "With your permission, I'll serve it out on the deck."

A pause, then I answered in a new voice, soft but firm. "Yes, Kitten. Thank you."

The name came easily. Natural, it felt right slipping from my tongue, like she had always belonged to me.

Julie stretched beside me, her body lit by the soft glow of morning. She looked like something out of a dream, hair tousled, skin golden, curves barely covered. "That was a surprise," she said, her voice amused and approving.

"If this is what she wants, then I'll give it to her," I replied, turning toward her, my hand resting on her hip. "Though if she keeps spoiling us like this... I might want her doing a little more than just fetching coffee."

Julie raised a playful brow, leaned in, and kissed me slow and deep. "She is very good with her tongue," she whispered as she pulled away, her grin wicked.

I let out a soft, delighted hum. "I'll remember you said that the next time I'm needy and you're otherwise engaged."

Julie's voice changed slightly, commanding yet affectionate. "Tasha my pet?"

It took only a breath before she appeared in the doorway again. "Yes, Miss?"

Julie's eyes never left mine as she spoke. "Tasha, my wife hasn't yet been kissed the way you've woken me in the past. It's time she knows what that feels like. See to her."

My heart raced, not from nerves, but from the intimacy of it all the absolute trust. The power of being seen, cherished, and desired.

"Yes, Miss," came the answer, soft and certain.

The bed shifted, and I felt Tasha's warmth settle near my legs as Julie rose, her footsteps soft against the floor, then the hush of the bathroom door.

Tasha didn't speak. She didn't need to.

The sheet lifted, and I felt her presence, close, gentle. Her hands were reverent as they moved along my thighs, encouraging me to open to her. The first kiss, low and slow, was like silk against my skin, and I exhaled a breath I hadn't known I'd been holding.

Tasha's kissed morphed into her lapping tongue, then soft kisses again, then the gentle touch of her finger tips, the the pad of her thumb, the the pointed tongue licking from top to bottom, the slightly inserted then her thumb flicking gently, the her tongue inserted with a firmer and gently push.

"Oh gawd Tasha." I exhaled. "Fuck kitten yes!"

My mouth was then covered with kisses from my wife, returning to join me in bed. She returned like a wave, curling into me, her skin against mine, her mouth finding mine in a kiss that deepened everything. Her fingers tangled in my hair while her lips moved with a purpose that told me she knew exactly what Tasha was doing, and she wanted me to feel it with her.

The three of us moved like a single rhythm, like one song composed of different melodies, Tasha giving, Julie guiding, and me surrendering. I felt myself unravel in the best way possible, piece by piece, until there was nothing left but sensation and devotion.

I came undone, shivering in Julie's arms, her lips at my temple, her hand cradling my breast as I whispered her name into the morning light.

When it was done, when I could breathe again, Tasha curled against me like a soft, worshipful flame. I pulled her up to kiss her, tasting the shared love between us.

The three of us lay tangled in each other, warm skin, soft limbs, quiet laughter.

"I... I have..." I exhaled. I felt the kisses on my skin, which shook me again. "I have never felt something so erotic, loved, and cared for."

And for the first time in so long, I felt fully loved --not just touched, not just seen, but truly known, both physically and emotionally. I felt like every part of me had been honored.

I looked at Julie, and then at Tasha, and thought, this is how it begins. This is how it will continue. This... is my forever.

~~~

There's something indulgent about eating breakfast on a balcony with the sea sprawling endlessly before you. The five of us had lingered longer than necessary! Croissants half-eaten, fresh fruit picked at slowly, the breeze teasing the corners of our napkins, and our laughter. I couldn't stop watching as the morning sun painted gold across Julie's cheekbones, or how Tasha nestled at her feet like a loyal shadow, her smile calm and serene.

Eventually, we roused ourselves and wrapped in light cover-ups and filled with a kind of giddy anticipation that only comes from knowing you've got nothing but sunshine, drinks, and hours of leisure ahead.

The Grove awaited us.

As we stepped into the private suite guest area, I couldn't help but sigh. It was lush and open, quietly opulent without screaming for attention. Pool loungers gleamed white against the deep, turquoise water, and swaying palms overhead bloomed with flowers. The Grove had a hush to it, like luxury had learned to speak in a whisper.

Waiting for us, as always, immaculately composed, was Ivanka.

"Good morning, Dr. Anders," she said with a slight bow of her head, her accent curling around the words like silk. "Ladies, your cabanas are ready. We've arranged two adjacent units, as requested."

Julie stepped forward to greet her, offering her a warm smile, then a kiss on her cheek out of sight of anyone else. "Thank you, Ivanka."

I nodded in gratitude. "You always seem to be two steps ahead."

Ivanka gave me a smile and a wink that was both professional and knowing. "It's my pleasure. If you need anything at all, including drinks, privacy, or adjustments to the loungers, please don't hesitate to call me, and I'll be happy to assist. I'll give you a moment to settle in."

With that, she drifted away, leaving us to take in our little slice of heaven.

As we approached the cabanas, I caught sight of Dawn and Maddie just ahead of us and nearly tripped over my sandals. Maddie wore a bright fuchsia micro bikini, so small it could have passed for lingerie. Dawn's was a pale sky blue, just as daring, hugging every curve and leaving nothing to the imagination. The two of them had a sway in their hips, a shared energy between them that hadn't been there before.

And then I saw it, the briefest brush of Maddie's fingers along the small of Dawn's back. Not overt. Not scandalous. But intimate.

Julie caught it too. I heard her soft, amused whisper in my ear. "They're getting bolder."

I leaned closer to her and murmured, "Did you see the touch?"

She smiled slyly. "Oh, I saw it. I'm just waiting for the hand-holding."

We both chuckled, but I couldn't look away from them, not in judgment, not even surprise. It was wonderful. They weren't quite a couple... but they were dancing with the idea of it.

Then Tasha came into view, and all other thoughts slipped away.

Her golden yellow bikini practically shimmered against her deep brown skin, the color a vibrant contrast that made her look like the sun incarnate. Her white mesh cover-up clung loosely, falling open in the front, and though the fabric billowed gently, the back was fully exposed, showcasing the curve of her body without apology.

She met my eyes, and for a second, I forgot to breathe.

Julie reached for my hand. "That's our girl," she whispered. "And she knows she's beautiful."

I nodded. "God, does she ever."

Julie and I had chosen simple bikinis; hers was a deep coral that hugged her in all the right places, while mine was a calm ocean blue, both with matching wraps tied at our hips. We weren't dressing to compete. We were dressing to feel, we dressed to be confident and certain of whom we are. Sensual, beautiful, and proud women.

Inside the cabana, fresh fruit, chilled towels, and mimosas waited for us like an offering. We slipped off our wraps, took our seats, and exhaled in unison.

A few moments later, I lifted my head and curiously looked to my left. Dawn and Maddie reclined in their cabana, and they had pulled back the top, exposing themselves to the full sun of the mid-morning. Maddie's fingers now grazing Dawn's thigh casually as they chatted about the ship's itinerary. Julie caught my eye again and grinned.

I reached for my drink and took a slow sip. The bubbles tickled my lips.

And as I leaned back into the lounger, I realized this was the beginning of a new rhythm. One where love came in more than one form, where touch was worship and laughter was foreplay. Where women like us didn't just live, we thrived.

And we were just getting started.

~~~

We were still breathless from Boleros. Our laughter hadn't stopped since we left the dance floor, Julie's arm around my waist, Tasha trailing behind us with flushed cheeks and a dazed, happy smile. I couldn't remember the last time I'd danced with that much abandon. My feet ached, my cheeks hurt from smiling, and my body... Well, my body was on fire!

At one point, I excused myself to the bathroom to pat myself dry, and the gusset of my panties was creamy. But little did I know, at that time over an hour ago, that would prove worthless as I was creaming all over again..

Inside our suite, we stepped onto our balcony, as if we were floating, the air warm and velvety-smooth against our skin. The sea shimmered black and silver under the moonlight. Julie poured the last bit of wine into our glasses, hers, mine, and one for our sweet Tasha, and we curled into the night, leaning against the railing, the wind still carrying echoes of the salsa beat.

"I haven't felt this alive in years," I murmured, taking a slow sip.

Tasha was quiet beside me, her eyes full of something deeper --adoration, perhaps, or anticipation. She'd danced with abandon tonight, her natural submission just barely visible beneath the joy and freedom that radiated from her. She kept sneaking glances at Julie, and at me, waiting without waiting.

Julie finished her wine and excused herself with a kiss to my temple, disappearing into the cabin. Tasha and I stayed behind, the silence now rich with something else, charged, but unspoken. I reached for her hand, and she accepted it instantly, folding her fingers into mine like they belonged there.

Then, the door slid open.

And Julie stepped out, bare, glowing, uninhibited. Miss me?" she asked playfully, her smile full of wicked delight.

I didn't even answer. I couldn't.

She came straight to me, her body warm as she pressed into mine, her arms wrapping around my back as her mouth found mine with a slow, consuming kiss. She tasted like wine and wind.

Then she turned to Tasha.

Their kiss was different, possessive, commanding. Julie cupped the back of Tasha's neck, tilting her head with ease, guiding her. I felt the shift in the air, that familiar electricity that danced between the three of us when the balance tipped and something deeper was about to unfold.

"Kitten, inside now, find your strap on," Julie whispered, her voice low and silken. "Now." She obeyed, turning without hesitation.

"And you thought this morning was erotic?" Julie kissed me while she slowly unbuttoned my blouse from top to bottom. "Wait until you are loved fully by Kitten under my direction."

Julie then led me into the softly lit suite, her movements confident, unhurried. I looked and saw the now naked Tasha wearing a purple strap on. She was centered in the suite, her hands above her shoulders, held behind her head.

I couldn't resist, I moved to her and kissed her mouth, she responded, I cupped her breasts, she didn't move. I felt Julie moving my slacks and sodden panties. I then turned as I stepped from my clothes and kissed Julie, wrapping my arms around her, pulling her closer to me.

"Make love to me first, my dear wife, then yes have me."

Julie melted into me, needy but careful, always so aware of our love in the dance between us.

Julie watched us with fire in her eyes.

"Tasha," she said, her tone firm but full of affection, "to the bed, kneel and wait."

Tasha moved without hesitation.

Julie and I moved together, fluid and wordless, onto the bed, our bed, wrapped in the hush of the sea and the heat of our connection.

Time unfolded slowly. It was filled with full of kisses and whispers, touches that lingered like promises of eternal love, with the tension of giving and surrendering. As Julie succumbed to her orgasm, and I reveled in my satisfaction and love, my hip lovingly and thrillingly wet with her nectar, I called to Kitten.

"Tasha, your Miss Julie requires your attention. You will come behind her and take her and yes, ravage her pussy with your girlcock, until I command you to stop."

I felt the bed shift. I looked at her, taking in the short curls of her hair, the smile on her face, which seemed brighter, the red lipstick, not yet fully worn off, and the gleam in her eyes; she knew.

"Not until I say so. Understand?"

"Of course, Miss Sabrina."

What I witnessed over the next twenty minutes could only be described as one of the most loving, sexual, but so very sensual acts between two women, between two lovers. I witnessed Tasha take my wife to a sexual thrilling high I had never seen, nor ever been capable of seeing. I felt my wife love me as she reached her thrilling climaxes cumming in the strap on of our Kitten Tasha.

Tasha was sensual then, as if a switch flipped in her because she was a sexual woman with a need to give to her Miss, the one she serves, Miss Julie. I watched her fully, Julie, until I heard my wife beg against my continued kisses as she climaxed for the third time.

And when we finally collapsed together in the aftermath of a loving, curled mix of arms, legs, mussed hair, and skin warm, our hearts pounding, the weight of love I saw around the two women beside me and knew: this wasn't indulgence. I realized that glance, touch, kiss, murmur, and breath held meaning. This was our connection, it was chosen, and it was home.

~~~

I woke to sunlight pouring into our suite like honey. The Caribbean has a way of whispering "slow down" the moment you open your eyes. Julie was already up, nursing a cappuccino on the balcony, her hair pulled into a high bun, sunglasses shielding her from the morning dazzle.

Tasha rested at her feet, curled there looking as loving as humanly possible.

Saint Lucia was our first stop, and we had booked a private beach excursion through the concierge, though in truth, Ivanka, our genie, as the cruise line called her, had done all the work. She's more than a concierge. She's magic in purple and heels, with an accent that makes everything sound like an invitation to mischief.

Tasha joined us at the last minute, swinging into the cabana van with that radiant energy that could lift any morning fog. The beach was secluded, the kind of place you don't believe exists until your feet sink into its powdery sand. We lounged, swam, and sipped from fresh cocktails crafted just for us, it seemed. Julie read from a medical journal, preparing for her return to research, when we arrived back home.

Me? I read from a novel with the kind of intensity that made me wonder if I should worry about the fate of the heroine.

Later, we wandered through the market square. Color spilled from every surface, bright spices, bold fabrics, laughing children. I bought a hand-carved wooden box from a woman with eyes like topaz and a voice that could sing storms into silence. Julie found earrings, Tasha flirted with a vendor over a bottle of passion fruit liqueur, and we all agreed to come back someday, just not on a schedule.

Dinner that night was at Hooked again; Ivanka had a lovely corner table reserved just for Julie and me. We dined on love, seafood risotto, and grilled plantains. We met Maddie and Dawn at the piano bar, already deep into their second round of drinks, and a conversation about whether dolphins were secretly just people in disguise. I laughed so hard I almost cried.

We witnessed a few soft touches, and I swear I saw their eyes connect like they hadn't ever been apart, ever.

That night's entertainment was a Broadway-style revue, sequins, heels, drama, the works. Afterward, we drifted to the Sky Lounge, swaying to the live jazz and soaking in the night air. Julie and I danced. We didn't need to say anything. The sway of the ship was rhythmical enough.

We shared a special kiss on our balcony as Tasha excused herself and went to see Dawn and Maddie.

Julie and I made love again, falling asleep in the feeling that radiated through my soul, but yes, there was a small part of me that wished Tasha were curled at my feet. She was growing on me.

~~~

We all gathered and giggled on our balcony, the five of us over a light breakfast again. We decided unanimously that today was for "The Grove."

It was becoming our sanctuary atop the ship, reserved for suite guests, but it might as well be a slice of heaven cut and polished just for us. The private pool, daybeds you could melt into, and a never-ending stream of chilled drinks brought by Ivanka herself or someone just as caring.

As we made our way to the elevators from our room, I asked Dawn for a private moment, telling the others we would meet them there. As the cabin door closed, I took her hand and walked outside, just the two of us, mother and daughter.

I sat and held her hand, yet before I could say anything, she spoke. "No, not yet, but we are getting there."

I smiled. "Am I that transparent?"

"Maddie has a damaged soul, her heart needs mending, but her soul, her belief in love, her trust in another woman is shattered." Dawn shared.

I felt like crying then I heard the sweetest thing ever. "We cuddle but aren't physical... yet." Dawn paused, then finished. "I won't hurt her, but I have told her I will wait until forever for her."

"I just care about you, baby." I smiled and stood hugging Dawn. Then she surprised me.

"Mom, so that you know, there is something else." Dawn pulled back from our hug. Suddenly, a gleam shone in her eyes, and a blush filled her cheeks. "Mom, we are talking about having a baby. We want a family. We want a daughter to raise and love together."

I was breathless. "You aren't to say anything. But I promised her I would carry our baby." Dawn pressed her finger to my lips. "Please promise."

I nodded and then kissed her finger as it held to my lips. "Okay, let's go join them."

I swear I floated, not feeling my feet on the ground all the way to The Grove. I wore the red one-piece that Julie insists makes me look like a Bond woman. I lounged with my book, legs stretched out, until Tasha declared a mimosa emergency. We solved that problem swiftly.

Maddie and Dawn took a walk but came back later, this time holding hands, each glistening with suntan oil and carrying on like they were already halfway to heaven. We played cards, well, we tried. Dawn kept winning, but we kept letting her. There was something in the air. I didn't mind. I could've stayed in that daydream forever.

Lunch was grilled mahi-mahi tacos, served poolside with citrus slaw and spicy aioli. Ivanka popped over with a dozen chocolate-dipped strawberries and a bottle of Prosecco, smiling as if she knew exactly what we needed before we did.

That evening, dinner was carefree and relaxing, eaten together by the five of us near the Trellis Bar, with nothing fancy tonight. We were under stars that didn't care. A string quartet played something haunting and lovely while we feasted. Every night, it felt like we were slipping further from reality, deeper into this floating fairytale.

The night show was a comedy improv troupe that had us doubled over. Maddie got called up for a scene, and her rendition of a pirate-witch hybrid left us in tears of laughter. Later, we explored the ship's dance club. Julie surprised me with how smoothly she can move. She doesn't always let herself, but tonight she danced like nobody was watching, even though everyone was.

Barbados shimmered even from afar. As we docked, I caught my reflection in the mirror and saw something different. Maybe it was the sun, or perhaps it was happiness, but something inside me had shifted.

We enjoyed a catamaran excursion that morning, about twenty of us with a crew that seemed born from the sea itself. Tasha knew every song the captain played, and Maddie got into the conga line on deck, her sunhat flapping wildly. Dawn's eyes never left her body. Julie kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear that her daughter looked wonderfully happy.

We snorkeled in the reef. Dawn was brave, I'll give her that. Julie held my hand as we floated over coral gardens, and I remember thinking how much I wanted this trip to never end. We saw one sea turtle, a gentle, prehistoric creature that seemed to glide through water like dancers in slow motion.

Back on land, we strolled through Bridgetown's marketplace. It pulsed with life. I bought a necklace from a girl with inked fingers and eyes that burned with stories. Julie found a silk scarf dyed in island blues and wrapped it around her wrist like a ribbon.

Dinner that night was a chef's tasting, seven courses, even reasons to believe in food as art. Tasha wore a dress that looked like it had been stolen from a dream; the slit ran almost up to her hip, but she wore it with elegance. We toasted to the sea, to sisterhood, to the kind of joy that needs no justification.

The entertainment was a disco dance on the top deck. Strobe lights cracked the dark sky while drums beat like hearts too full to be still. Afterward, we ended up on the stargazing terrace, whispering dreams we didn't even know we still had.

Julie and I walked hand in hand back to the cabin. As she went to open the door, she asked me to close my eyes; she had a surprise for me. I lovingly agreed.

She took me by the hand and walked me into the master bedroom. There, I felt Tasha's hands move up my blouse, unbuttoning it. I felt Julie behind me slipping my blouse off my shoulders, then making my camisole disappear as she carefully lifted it over my head.

Tasha was kneeling, unbuttoning my slacks and gently lowering the zipper. When she opened them, I heard a stiff warning from behind me.

"No, no! Do not even think about it yet." Julie sternly commented.

I felt the soft breath of air leave my panty covered and freshly trimmed vulva.

Julie's hands now rested on my hips as she then whispered in my ear. "I am going to guide you, and please do not open your eyes, you are safe with me."

I nodded and left the four hands on my body to guide me to the edge of the bed. "Gently, Miss, come with me gently, Miss."

It was too much, I was tempted to open my eyes and see what was happening. I heard her voice behind me, "Trust me, lover."

I moved with ease, "Yes, Miss, now lie flat, Miss, for me to care for you."

It was then I heard the plastic pop of the cap and felt the warmth trail down my body. The aroma filled my senses as the scent of coconut wafted through the air. The hands roamed my nakedness, Tasha's touch a bit firmer, Julie's distinctively loving. Julie was caressing my thighs and ankles, and Tasha was caressing my back. It was erotic, sensual, and thrilling even when the four hands met, teasing my inner thighs and bum.

I gasped deeply, and the trickle of oil stopped at my pointed star. The amazing feeling increased tenfold when a thumb pressed.

I squealed, "Yes!"

I heard Julie whisper in my ear. "What do you want, lover?"

"T... ta... take... what you want, my lover."

I felt her nakedness pressing against my bum, then she moved down lower. Her fingers softly opened my cheek as I felt her thin girl cock playing at my entrance. My pussy flowed with nectar knowing she would love me, even like this I arched my ass back opening for her.

The top of her cock found my wet entrance but then I felt the pad of her thumb pressing my posited star again.

I moaned as both moved forward nearly simultaneously. The intensity of our love heightened a touch more as my wife made love to me, and our kitten, Tasha, kissed her cheeks and caressed my back.

I finally caved when I lowered my face into the pillow and let loose a screaming but well enjoyed orgasm. Tears of pleasure escaped my eyes as I felt Julie move a curl against me, holding me tight.

Tasha and I showered, and as she tucked me into bed, she took Julie to the shower as well. Shortly thereafter, she came and joined me, and we three cuddled, one of them on either side of me.

~~~

The following morning, I woke up in bed alone. I heard whispers out on the balcony. I then heard the giddy laughter of my daughter. I smiled widely. I rested a bit more, but was startled when I listened to the balcony door close, and then I felt the bed dip slightly.

"You took away the laughter outside, that wasn't nice!" I said my eyes were still closed.

"Sabrina?" I heard Maddie's voice.

I opened my eyes and realized I was covered by the sheet, still a bit naive about my nakedness. Well, she wasn't my wife, or my Kitten, so a bit of conservative behavior was in order.

I pulled the sheet higher and sat up, fully covering my breasts. I smiled. "Good morning, Maddie." I smiled. "Is there any coffee for me? I am a bit parched after last night."

She kissed my cheek, "One second." I felt the bed shift and heard the door open; moments later, it closed.

"Tasha prepared it, I wasn't..." She handed me the cup.

"Come sit; tell me what's on your mind." I sipped at my coffee as Maddie took a deep breath.

"She is a special woman!"

"Hmm, your mother really is Maddie, she is the love I have..." I looked in her eyes and realized this wasn't about Julie.

"Oh! I see." I took a sip of coffee.

"This is hard, but she hurt me all those years ago, but we never had a chance to talk it out, to understand. But we are now."

She paused. I just let her take her time; I knew this was on her own time, on her playing field, as she needed.

"She makes me smile so wide it hurts."

There was that pregnant pause again. "But we... umm we talked and she talked with mom this morning and umm..."

I sat straighter. I looked deep into her eyes and saw radiance; I saw happiness, and I saw what I felt for Julie.

"You know if you want to date my daughter, you have my permission. Not that a thirty year old woman needs permission." I giggled a little.

"Sabrina?" There was nervousness in her breathing. "She has no clue, none, Sabrina! I swear they think I am checking on you and planning the day. But... but, I need your permission, and if you say no, I get it, but if you would allow me to..."

I handed Maddie the empty coffee cup, "Set that over there, please, dear, and come back here, I have a feeling you want me to tell you something."

Maddie came back and sat down after putting the empty cup on the side table. I turned slightly without exposing myself and reached for her hands.

"The day you want to propose to my daughter, you have my unwavering support and permission."

Now I'm not sure who cried first, me or her, but in the minutes that passed, our hug was nurturing, caring, and honestly near perfect. I heard the door open and looked. Julie was walking towards us and came to sit on the bed.

"Is everything okay here?" She held my hand and stroked Maddie's back.

"Yeah, we are planning your birthday party. So it's a secret." I laughed and winked at Maddie. She brushed a tear from her eyes and thanked me.

"I am going to change and get Dawn."

~~~

Antigua welcomed us with warm breezes and soft beaches. Julie and I left early to find a hidden cove Ivanka had whispered about! Half Moon Bay curved like a smile and practically deserted.

We found Tasha already there, somehow, with two beach loungers staked out and a Bluetooth speaker playing soft viola music. Julie lay in the sun like a lizard, absorbing every second. I waded in. The water was the color of wishful thinking, impossible blue, endlessly clear.

Later, we met the others at the market. Antigua's craft stalls had a raw elegance, like everything was made with memory and salt. I bought hand-painted coasters for my mom and a bottle of cinnamon rum for my future self.

Lunch was a beachside shack with grilled lobster and garlic butter that could have started a religion. We discussed doing this again next year, although none of us wanted to jinx it by saying it too loudly.

Dinner was formal that night. We dressed like royalty, even if the ocean breeze kept messing up my hair. Maddie told a story about her college days, which nearly caused Dawn to snort wine out of her nose. Julie was radiant, her laughter lighting up every corner of the dining room.

That night, we saw an illusionist. He made cards disappear, coins reappear, and by the end, I was convinced he could make time stop. Maybe he already had. The club, after that, was a blur of neon and laughter. We danced until our legs ached and our cheeks hurt from smiling.

~~~

Our last full day at sea, and The Grove beckoned like a lover's arms.

I spent most of the morning in the infinity pool, letting the ocean and sky blur into one endless horizon. Julie joined me with her coffee, and we talked about nothing, books, dreams, recipes, and the smell of lavender soap. Tasha brought over a tray of fruit and hummus, declaring herself our servant forever if she could do this again.

Maddie and Dawn were nowhere to be found for a while. Julie and I did nothing. And it was everything.

In the afternoon, Ivanka arranged a private wine tasting for us. She even taught us how to hold the glass "like you're cradling a very delicate promise," her words, and they stuck with me.

That evening, we dressed slowly, reluctant to acknowledge it was our final night. The restaurant was candlelit, the sea around us turning a deep, inky black and still. We each went around the table saying what we were grateful for.

I said I was thankful for the sound of Julie's laugh, for Tasha's fearless heart, for Maddie's storytelling, and for Dawn's quiet depth and everlasting love. I was thankful for my now wife and for every drop of this floating dream we'd been living.

The final show was a musical finale. It was glittering, grand, and full of soul. I clutched Julie's hand. I didn't want it to end.

We danced, drank, and toasted. We stayed on deck long after the music faded. The stars above were heavy with silence. I don't remember what time we finally went in. I only remember the way the ocean sounded when everyone else had gone to bed--like it was telling secrets meant only for us.

~~~

I woke up the last morning of the cruise to find myself wrapped in my wife's arms, feeling absolutely content. I kissed her softly and whispered my eternal love for her. When she turned and looked at me, the tears in her eyes were all I needed to see to know what she was thinking.

Jules spoke softly as she kissed me, "We are pulling into port, and I see lights outside the balcony door. Our cruise is coming to an end."

"I need to tell you something, but swear your silence or you will never be allowed to cruise again." I kissed her cheek.

Julie nodded. "Your daughter has asked for permission once the time is right to propose to Dawn."

I kissed her and said, "So yes, our first cruise as a family is coming to an end, but our lives as a family are just beginning."

Epilogue

December - Four years later

Julie

I stood patiently waiting, well; we stood together amid the bustling baggage claim area of Philadelphia International Airport. My right hand gripped the strap of my leather purse, slung cross body over my shoulder, while my left hand held her. I could feel the sweat on my palms, but it wasn't the heat of the day; it was the anticipation that was killing me.

My eyes locked onto the arrival board. The bright digital display flickered as flights updated in real-time. I found the one I was waiting for, Flight 278 from FLL.

My heart pounded, each beat stretching time unbearably. Every second felt elongated, every flicker of the monitor testing my patience. Then, in a single instant, the status changed from 'On Time' to 'Arrived'.

A surge of energy shot through me. "They're here." I nearly shouted in her ear with excitement.

I shifted my weight, eyes flicking to the top of the escalator. Around us, the low hum of conversations, the rolling of suitcases and the beeping of carts it all blurred into background noise. My focus narrowed to the top of that long, moving staircase.

I turned back to her and giggled. "Yes, they are!" I said with a bit of fun and a higher pitch in my voice. "Yes, they will be here soon!"

One by one, people appeared, stepping onto the escalator and making their way down. Familiar warmth flooded through me, and before I could stop myself, a grin spread across my face. I exhaled a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"What are you so worried about, Julie? They just flew in from Fort Lauderdale." She leaned over and kissed my cheek softly.

"I know, I know. I just want to see them. It's been two long weeks. I want to hear about their cruise." I smiled, feeling a little sheepish. "I'm just excited, forgive me, my love."

Then I spoke in that playful voice giggling in her ear but this time with a bit more bounce in my words, and body. "Yes, and you forgive me for being silly and wanting to see them."

And then, I saw them. At the top of the escalator, both of them were grinning. But it wasn't just any smile. It was her smile, one I hadn't seen in so long. They both had their hands full.

"They look happy and rested," Sabrina whispered in my ear.

I turned, brushing my lips against hers. "Yes, they do," I murmured. "And that's all that matters."

Time slowed even more as I waited. Maddie smiled even wider when her eyes caught mine. Sabrina leaned against me, our shoulders brushing against one another. Dawn smiled widely, seeing Sabrina and who she was holding.

"Told you they would be fine," Sabrina whispered.

"I know I am not worried about them as much as I am worried about you." I nudged Sabrina's shoulder as I laughed.

"Me?" Sabrina giggled as she shifted, moving a bit more from side to side.

"Yes, what are you going to do...?"

"Erin! My baby doll!!"

Maddie cried out as she came to the bottom of the escalator. She hurried over and kissed my cheek, then wrapped her arms around Sabrina, and took her daughter, Erin Dawn Anders, into her arms, hugging her tightly.

"Mommy missed you so much; she hasn't been this silly worried since the day she delivered you."

We giggled as Maddie hugged and kissed her daughter, nearly spinning her in a circle.

"I haven't been that worried about her." Dawn hugged her Mom and then me. "How are the world's greatest Grandmother doing after fifteen days away without us?" Was she a good girl for you guys? I hope she didn't cause too much trouble." Dawn was rambling

Sabrina wrapped her arms around Dawn once more and hugged her tightly.

"Calm down, my dearest and only daughter, my granddaughter is fine. She loved spending time with her Grammies. She was an angel and wasn't any trouble at all." Sabrina relaxed her hug.

We started walking towards the baggage carousel. "So, tell me, how was the cruise and your two-year wedding anniversary?"

~~~ The End ~~~

I hope you enjoyed this series.

All my love,