Strong Language/Violence: A lil' bit of the former but none of the latter. We're keeping the peace in this particular piece. By the way, there will be some borderline explicit sexual verbalization happening. Consider it Sex Ed. for adults ;-)

Feedback: Feedback is welcomed and loved. If you feel so inclined to do so, you may send me some at SumrBrezze@aol.com.

Gratitude: Thank you Shania Twain for your assistance in the making of this lil' story. I don't personally know the Canadian beauty, but unbeknownst to her (unless she's an avid reader of fan fiction) she did give me a few ideas. So muchas gracias Shania! ;-)

Other Stuff: This story mainly takes place in a department store called Shopaholics. Now as far as I know (I tried to find one) there isn't a store that has that name so I will hereby call it my store! And as far as I'm concerned, it kicks Wal-Mart, Target, and K-mart all rolled into one boo-tay's! Bwhahahaha! Okay, I'm reeeeally not as crazy as I sound…honest! ;) Anyhoo, enough of my rambling. On with the tale!

Arriving at the electronics section, Kori pulled the go-kart to a halt and turned toward her friend who had yet to utter a word since before the show she put on in the arcade. Since Skylar was looking straight ahead, Kori called her name to get her attention. However, when she didn't respond Kori had to call her twice more before blue eyes blinked and glanced in her direction questioningly.

"Are you okay? You're pretty quiet."

Nodding, Skylar briefly smiled. "Yes, I'm fine. I was just thinking."

"Penny for them? Quarter even?"

Smiling again--although this time for a longer period-- the brunette shook her head. "I'm not putting them up for sale just yet."

Returning the smile, Kori nodded. "That's fine," pausing, she leaned toward the other woman. "So are you ready to do it?"

"Do it?" Skylar very nearly whispered.

"Yeah, do it. To show you what a nice girl I can be I'll do it with you." Skylar started to speak then closed her mouth, looking reflective and a little puzzled. Kori barely held in a giggle. "I figure the sooner you do it the sooner you can get it over with." She indicated some equipment set up on a shelf. "There's the karaoke machine."

Blue eyes glanced to what she was referring to. "Oh! Right. I'm supposed to sing." Skylar nodded. "Yes, I'm ready."

That captive giggle nearly breaking free, Kori coughed in the hopes of masking it. Evidently, it worked because Skylar didn't look in the least bit suspicious. "What did you think I was talking about?"

For a moment, the dentist resembled a deer caught in the headlights of an approaching mack truck. "Exactly what you were talking about." Not wanting to wait for a response, Skylar jumped out of the go-kart and headed in the direction of the karaoke machine, trying to look casual. She thought she detected a giggle but when she glanced over her shoulder toward the other woman, her expression was sober.

"Have any ideas on what you would like to sing?" Kori asked, sidling up to Skylar. "Do you listen to music?"

Fingering one of the microphones attached to the karaoke machine, the brunette nodded. "Yes, I do. My favorite is country."

Green eyes brightened with both surprise and delight. "Really? I love country. Well some anyway. Who are some of your favorite artists?"

Skylar thought for a moment before answering. "I like LeAnn Rimes, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Faith Hill, and Lonestar."

"You have great taste." Smiling, Kori began to leaf through a book she found sitting next to the karaoke equipment. Using her index finger, she scrolled down a particular page until she found a possibly good song for them to perform as a duet. Showing her selection to Skylar, she asked her if she would like to sing it.

"Perfect. That's one of my favorite songs by Shania." She smiled. "Which part do you want?"

"Which do you want? It's your party so you get to choose." Kori winked and the other woman's smile broadened.

Skylar wanted to sing as little as was possible. "In that case I'll take Bryan's lines. I don't think he sings as much."

"Hon, I think we sing a lot of it concurrently." Chuckling, Kori located the correct disk and inserted it into the machine. It took her and Skylar a few minutes to figure out just how the tall rectangular box worked and when they did it was time to start their short concert. After they picked up the corded microphones, Kori pressed a button and the music to the song began to play over the speakers. Words appeared on the small screen built into the karaoke machine, but neither woman needed to look because they knew the lyrics by heart. Instead, they looked toward one another.

Waiting for the precise moment to do so, Kori began to sing and Skylar discovered just how well she could do so. She was instantly mesmerized by the younger woman's voice.

I just swear that I'll always be there. I'd give anything and everything and I will always care. Through weakness and strength, happiness and sorrow, for better, for worse, I will love you with every beat of my heart.

From this moment life has begun
From this moment, you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on

From this moment I have been blessed
I live only for your happiness
And for your love, I'd give my last breath
From this moment on

I give my hand to you with all my heart
Can't wait to live my life with you can't wait to start
You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you

From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment on
Ooooh

You're the reason I believe in love
And you're the answer to my prayers from up above
All we need is just the two of us
My dreams came true because of you

From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
I will love you (I will love you)
As long as I live
From this moment on (on)
Mmmmmmmm

"Well…that was actually not so bad. Nice really," Skylar quietly admitted to the microphone still in her hand. She had a difficult time meeting Kori's eyes because if that happened she might take the smaller woman in her arms and never want to let go. Their duet was so powerful that she almost felt that they were truly singing to each other and meaning every single word. "You have a beautiful voice, Kori. You really do."

Placing her fingertips under Skylar's chin, Kori prompted her to raise her head until they were face to face. Tenderly, she smiled. "You're beautiful period." As she leaned forward, Skylar thought that she was about to kiss her on the lips but Kori missed them when her mouth landed on a smooth cheek instead. She also missed the disappointment that flashed across Skylar's face.

"I…I dig you Sky."

Though she had never heard dig used in that context, the brunette knew what she meant and a smile graced her lips. "And I dig you too Kori."

wwwww

Laying on their respective sleeping bags outside of Kori's temporary tent home, she and Skylar chatted about this and that. Since Kori already knew a little about hers, Skylar asked her about her family situation. Her parents met during the following fall after having graduated from high school, conceived their 'accidental miracle' within a couple of months, and promptly married before Kori's grandfather had the opportunity to threaten Jared Eaton with one of his numerous shotguns.

They remained married for the next seven years, mainly trying to stay a couple for the sake of their daughter, until ultimately they both decided that it wasn't working out and amicably divorced. Although they truly loved each other, it wasn't a deep romantic love one should have for their spouse. Three years later, Jared had to move to Boston because his job relocated there. However, he still called, saw, and kept his daughter on a regular basis. In fact, for the first few weeks of every summer and on alternate winter and spring breaks, Kori went to stay with him up until her senior year.

Meeting the love of his life not long after arriving in Boston, Jared married her the following year and they had two children, first a boy and then a girl two years afterwards. At first, Kori attempted to resist the new woman in her father's life but soon couldn't help but to like Melissa and then grew to love her. From the first moment she laid eyes on them, she adored her younger siblings Daniel and Alison. They became the main reasons she couldn't wait to go to Boston and visit.

Claire, Kori's mother finally remarried a couple of years ago to the wonderful man who had courted her for over half a decade prior. Roy had a grown daughter of his own, but he and Claire didn't have any children together. Kori's mother once humorously told her that she had been in labor with her for twenty-two hours so she was the only miracle she needed.

Skylar smiled, wishing that her family were similar to Kori's. She would love to be happy to see her siblings and be closer with them as well as her parents. "Sounds like you have a nice family. That's terrific," she momentarily paused. "I have a question though."

"What's that?"

"Surely, you would be welcome at mother's or your father's house so why are you choosing to stay in a department store? Do they know you're here?"

Sitting up on the sleeping bag, Kori folded her legs underneath her. "No, I haven't told them yet that Anna and I parted ways so of course they still think we live together. I'll let them know when I get a new place. Until then, I just hope they don't call my former address to find out from Anna that I don't live there anymore. I called Mom yesterday from a public phone and pretended I was at home so that might deter her from calling in the next few days. The reason I haven't asked to live with either of them is probably because I'm too stubborn and don't want to move back home, even if it's just temporary, to live with my parents." Kori shrugged. "I don't like that idea."

"I don't know your parents, but based on what you've told me about them I know that they'd love to have you. Your stepparents too."

A wistful smile on her face, Kori nodded. "I know they would too. I just wouldn't feel right going home again unless it was a visit."

"Moving in for a week or two would be a visit in a sense…"

The petite woman softly chuckled and shook her curly head. "Still ain't gonna happen Sky."

Shrugging, Skylar moved until she was laying on her back and folded her hands beneath her head. "Well I tried." Glancing at the other woman she winked and earned another chuckle.

Reaching out, Kori lightly squeezed her shoulder. "Yes, you did and I thank you. Be right back." Instead of getting up and walking, she crawled toward her tent and disappeared inside for a few moments. Though still lying on her back, Skylar craned her neck so that she could look toward the tent, but since the flap was down, she wasn't able to look inside. However, she heard Kori moving around in there. When Kori reappeared, Skylar reluctantly averted her eyes after having caught a hint of firm bouncing flesh since the petite woman's Pooh Bear shirt had fell forward due to her crawling position.

With a tan backpack large enough to use for camping purposes, Kori repositioned herself on the red sleeping bag and then unzipped the backpack pulling out a long thick sketchpad along with a sticker littered purple box large enough to contain a toaster. Sitting up and looking a tad amused and a lot interested, Skylar indicated the animated box, asking what all the stickers were about. Among them, she spotted a rainbow colored peace sign sticker, an ice cream sundae that even looked delicious on paper, a bright yellow happy face along with a few smaller pink, green, and blue ones and of course, there were some Disney character stickers.

Glancing down at her box, Kori grinned. "The stickers represent some of my favorite things."

Skylar chuckled richly. "I should have guessed that! So what do we have here?"

Kori opened her sketchpad and flipped through the pages until she found a blank one. Looking up at the other woman she replied, "I'm going to draw. I said I would draw for you and although I won the race, I feel inspired to do it. Is that okay?"

If the brunette's smile became any broader there was a slight possibility that her face would crack. "That's much more than okay! What are you intending to draw?"

"You."

Blue eyes widened and Skylar pointed toward her chest hardly believing what she had just heard. "Me? Why me?"

Kori focused on the person sitting before her. "Because I want to do you." When Skylar's eyes widened further, she had a difficult time not laughing. "Whoa, I know what just popped into your mind." Tapping the sketchpad in her lap with a finger, her dark brows wiggled suggestively. "First things first Sky. I have this urge to draw you…it's as though I need to do it almost as much as I need to breathe."

Not for the first time, Skylar was caught speechless. Kori had a knack for making that happen.

"Will you let me Skylar? Please?" Kori inquired in such a sweetly soft voice. She smiled when the other woman nodded her assent. "Great. Now I just need you to remove your clothing," she finished in a rush while inspecting the stickers on her box. Kori didn't have to wait long for the expected outburst from her friend.

"My WHAT? You need me to what my WHAT?!"

Funny, Skylar wasn't as loud as the artist thought she would be. Looking so very innocent, Kori pointed toward the brunette's festive pajamas. "Need you to get undressed so that I can draw you. That includes your boob holsters and all." She observed Skylar's face but she didn't even crack a hint of a smile at her last statement. Ah well. You win some you lose some.

One eyebrow arched. "Would it be impossible for you to draw me with my clothes on?"

"No, but I don't want to."

"Why not?"

"'cuz I rather you take them off. I want to draw you-your body, not your clothes. I'm interested in what is underneath your pajamas. This is not a sexual or perverted thing--honestly. So if you're embarrassed or think doing this would be immoral, don't. The human body is a beautiful thing that should be admired and adored. Allow me to adore yours with my pencil and paper," Kori fervently finished.

Skylar didn't give a ready reply as she merely looked at Kori. "But I'm not used to being naked in front of people. Only a handful of people have ever seen me naked."

Coming to a quick decision, Kori stood up, kicking off her slippers. While the other woman curiously watched her, she folded her arms across her middle before tugging the end of her shirt upward until she was drawing it over her head. Slack-jawed, Skylar couldn't turn her eyes away from the glorious full breasts swaying before her as Kori continued to undress by pulling down her pajama bottoms along with underwear. Kicking them off into the same direction of her slippers, Kori allowed her friend to get a good long look before she kneeled on her sleeping bag.

"Bold enough to join me Sky?" She simply inquired.

Though her heart furiously beat beneath her chest, the brunette slowly nodded once she remembered how to, seeing as how the stunning form in front of her had her hypnotized. When she made no move to free herself of her clothing, Kori decided that she should help her out. On her hands and knees, the smaller woman crawled behind Skylar and placed her hands on the bottom of her shirt. Starting to lift, she met no resistance and Skylar even helped by raising her arms. Dropping the shirt on the floor, Kori lightly ran her fingertips along the other woman's back, all the way down to her waistband and then up toward the clasp of her silky bra. She heard Skylar's breath hitch as she proceeded to undo the three hooks keeping her bosom in place.

"You're so beautiful Sky. I could simply gaze upon you for countless hours," Kori whispered in her ear as she slowly pushed the straps of the bra down Skylar's long arms. A shudder went through the dentist as breasts pressed into her naked back. She could feel Kori's nipples stroking along her skin as the smaller woman moved and began to detect an unusual moistness in her womanhood.

Kori craved to reach out and touch the recently freed breasts mere inches from her hands but resisted the urge. She had a drawing to complete and didn't need any distractions. Instead, she gently pushed aside the dark strands hiding Skylar's neck before placing a tiny kiss on it. Coming around to face the other woman who now had her eyes closed, Kori began to work on her lower body and soon had her pajamas and panties off within a couple of minutes. Sitting back and crossing her legs Indian style, she stared, thinking that it should have been a crime for Skylar to conceal such an amazing body.

"Are you okay?" Kori quietly asked.

Lifting her eyelids, Skylar looked at Kori and nodded. "Yes." She actually didn't feel as exposed as she originally thought she would. Though Kori's eyes were on her, following every curve, observing every detail Skylar was managing to brave it with very little self-consciousness. I can't believe that I'm sitting here naked with another woman and I haven't passed out or looked for the nearest item to cover myself with! Her head faintly shaking in wonder, Skylar glanced down between the other woman's legs, noticing something that she hadn't before. A slight grin turned the corners of her mouth upward. "You're a blonde."

Looking toward the neat tuft of golden curls covering her mound, Kori grinned back. "I'm so busted." Skylar chuckled and so did she. "What can I say? The night before last I was bored so I went to the beauty aisle and nabbed a box of Clairol. Luckily, the restroom faucets run hot water as well as cold."

Skylar laughed more. "I was wondering how you got clean since you don't have access to a bathtub. I know you smell nice."

"Well thank you. I would hate for you to say that I stink!" Green eyes twinkled merrily. "Actually, I go to the hotel down the street. Don't tell anyone but I wait until one of the maid's almost finishes cleaning an uninhabited room and then I stealthily slip inside and hide. After she leaves I take a long luxurious shower using a bar of moisturizing and lovely scented soap, which I 'borrowed' from Shopaholics."

Throwing her head back, the brunette heartily laughed. "You're secret is safe with me Kori," she got out between giggles.

The closeted blonde winked. "Thank you very much," she answered in her best Elvis impersonation, causing her friend to start laughing all over again. "So you do know Elvis!"

"Of course! Who doesn't know the King?"

Chuckling, Kori nodded. "Very true."

wwwww

Skylar was spread out on top of her sleeping bag and resting on her left side with her left hand tucked against the side of her head as Kori busied herself trying to decide where she wanted her subject's remaining arm. Having made it limp, Skylar let her move it any way she pleased and watched Kori's thoughtful expression in amusement as she gazed at the arm sandwiched between her small hands. Once more, she moved it until Skylar's hand was resting against her abdomen, but then shook her head, deciding that she still didn't care for that pose.

Sitting back in her Indian pose, Kori thought for a few moments while the other woman discreetly gazed at her, admiring every smooth and silky looking contour. Skylar could no longer deny her growing attraction for the charming little artist. She had never felt this drawn to anyone in her entire life. Skylar inwardly sighed. That included the man who was going to become her husband tomorrow.

With a snap of her fingers, Kori unknowingly pulled the brunette out of her thoughts. "I've got it!" she exclaimed, looking as though she had just discovered a cure of great significance. She smiled at her model. "I know how you'll pose. It's perfect."

Less than three minutes later, Kori had Skylar just the way she wanted her. After inquiring if her friend could comfortably stay immobile in the pose for a good length of time and gaining a positive answer, Kori sat down quite pleased. She openly admired the female equivalent of Adonis with an awe filled smile on her lips. Skylar truly did give new meaning to the word beautiful.

Still sprawled on her left side, Skylar had her left leg bent just enough that her kneecap visibly showed. Instead of resting her right leg on top of its partner, the sole of her right foot was pressed against the floor behind it creating a right angle all the way up until her knee before her thigh sloped downward. Her left arm curved at a perfect ninety-degree angle, Skylar put the majority of her upper body weight on its elbow. No longer out of place, her right forearm molded against her inclined thigh, hand reaching up to comfortably cover her knee. Having decided that she didn't want Skylar's raven locks covering nary an inch of the front of her body, Kori brushed them all behind her shoulders so that the soft strands trailed down her back.

Head up, Skylar looked at the other woman, a hint of a smile on her lips. Was it just her imagination or the longer she had her clothes off, the less inhibited she became? The brunette felt incredibly relaxed laying there on the sleeping bag without a stitch of clothing on, her most private areas exposed to someone whom she had met only mere hours ago. Never would have thought I'd become a nude model. Even if it is just for this one time.

Rifling through her purple box, Kori chose which tools she would use in creating Skylar's drawing. Pulling out a partially used compressed charcoal stick and a sharpened graphite pencil, the artist asked her subject if she was ready to begin. After giving her acquiescence, Skylar watched as her friend picked up her sketchpad and then proceeded to draw while continuously glancing in her direction. Evidently, Kori had decided to start at her feet, since that was where her eyes concentrated. She looked for all the world like a professional who had drawn nude models numerous times in the past. Skylar felt as though she could have just as easily been a basket of fruit and Kori would have looked at it the same way she did her body. The dentist didn't know whether to be impressed or insulted by that. Inwardly, she sighed. Well you don't want her ogling you, do you? The small voice in her head asked. Skylar ignored it.

"Have you done this before?" Skylar asked. "I mean drawn anyone who was without clothing?"

Without looking up from her sketchpad, Kori nodded. "Yep, but just a few people-- more specifically women. Except this is the first time I've ever done it and my subject isn't the only one butt naked. A new and interesting experience drawing in the buff." Glancing at the other woman she grinned and then after a thoughtful pause added, "My first was Melissa."

Two identical eyebrows arched as high as was possible. "Your father's Melissa?"

Kori nodded, continuing her beloved work. "Yep. You're actually the first person I've ever told this to. It was summer vacation and I was visiting them for a few weeks before I would began my sophomore year. I was fifteen at the time-nearly sixteen because my birthday is at the beginning of September. Anyway, I hadn't fully come out of the closet yet but I admitted to myself that I had a huge crush on my stepmom. And I do mean huge!" Grinning, Kori slowly shook her head as the memories invaded her mind. "Hell, I practically worshipped the ground she walked on." Temporarily halting the movement of her pencil, Kori continued her story. "This one day I was sitting on the front porch with a notepad and a pencil trying to replicate the tree sitting in their yard. Soon Melissa came out of the house with a glass of iced cold lemonade, which she offered to me before walking over to the railing of the porch and leaning on it.

I completely forgot all about drawing the tree since the object of my affection had showed up. I watched her standing there in her cutoff blue jean shorts and sleeveless button down blue and white checkered shirt, the tail of which she had tied into a knot showing an inch or two of her belly that was flat even after having given birth twice. She was quite a vision. Still is actually." It had occurred to Kori over the years that Melissa was destined to be one of those women who the more they matured, the more their beauty enhanced. Much like a fine wine perfects with age.

"How old was she at the time?"

Thinking quickly, Kori replied, "She was about your age." Nodding, Skylar indicated for her to continue. "I was about to force myself to return to my drawing when a ray from the sun struck her face in just a way that made my breath catch. I can't exactly explain it…" pausing, Kori shook her head from side to side, looking as though she were desperately trying to locate the correct words. "Long dark curly hair framed the exquisite face of an angel. An angel that the sun chose that precise moment to bestow a warm kiss on." Smirking at her own words, Kori added a bit of detail to her sketchpad. "I know it sounds corny, but in those few seconds one could have undoubtedly convinced me that she was a spirit sent from high up above."

Skylar smiled although the other woman's eyes were focused on the drawing. "No, not corny. Just touching." After a brief pause, she asked Kori what happened next.

"Before I had even given it a good amount of thought, I asked Melissa if I could draw her. She readily responded with a yes and then from somewhere I gathered the courage to explain that I wanted to draw her without clothing. I think I even rambled on about it being art-which I said with a fantastic flourish and how even the great Michelangelo had painted nude figures. When it became obvious that I wasn't about to shut up, Melissa walked over and placed two fingertips over my lips, effectively silencing me. She wore a tender smile that reached her expressive and remarkably warm gray eyes.

Without saying a word, she then grabbed my hand and led me into the house and up the stairs. After checking on Danny and Alison who were both still napping, we went into my bedroom and she proceeded to get undressed as easily as if she had posed nude for me many times before. After the initial shock of seeing my stepmother naked passed-and believe me it was definitely a very delightful shock," Kori grinned and Skylar was powerless to return it, "I set to work on capturing the womanly curves and angelic features of my crush on paper.

When I was finished, I gave it to her to critique. Quietly, she observed the black and white drawing while I attempted not to fidget in nervousness. I so wanted to please her and I knew that I had achieved doing that when she looked up at me with a proud and thoroughly delighted smile. She commented on what a good job I did before she did something that I hadn't expected. Leaning toward me, she kissed me fully on the lips." If it were possible, Skylar's jaw would have dropped to the floor as she listened closely. Kori failed to see her expression since she was gazing down at the uncompleted drawing in her lap. "It was neither a passionate nor a 'stepmotherly' kiss. It was just…extraordinary."

A smile forming on her lips, Kori raised her head, looking toward Skylar. "If I kept a list of my ten most favorite memories that day might fall around number three."

"And what might be number one? Do you have any idea?"

Nodding, Kori's smile grew. "That's an easy one. Tonight. With you."

Speechless again, Skylar wondered if that would occur on a regular basis if she and Kori continued their budding friendship after tonight. She certainly hoped that she would get to find out.

Kori chuckled as she returned to drawing. "Cat got your tongue?"

"More like Kori."

Arching a brow, the artist glanced her way. "I don't think so seeing as how I only feel one tongue in my mouth." A roguish grin danced across her lips. "That is unless you care to change that."

The brunette laughed. "You're a natural flirt, aren't you Kori?"

"Oh, yes. I can't help myself. Especially where a gorgeous woman as yourself is concerned."

Skylar managed a coy smile as she felt the warmth settling into her cheeks. "You're quite the charmer as well."

Kori grinned as her pencil continued to flow around the sketchpad. "Yeah, tell me something I don't know. That's one of the many many things all my women compliment me on." She laughed when a perfectly aimed pink fuzzy slipper whacked her squarely on the forehead.

"You must be still Whitney!" After erasing a tiny error, Kori mock glowered at her friend.

Seeing straight through the artificial expression, Skylar stuck her tongue out, something she couldn't recall ever doing unless one of the goofy pictures she and Kori made in the photo booth counted. "Aye Eaton!" Saluting the small artist, Skylar then put her arm back where it was supposed to be.

wwwww

Putting the final touches on her drawing, Kori signed her signature in the bottom right-hand corner before putting her few supplies away and using a baby wipe to clean the residue left on her hands from the charcoal. Keeping the finished drawing attached to her sketchpad, she moved over to her friend who was still resting on her side, though her legs were pressed together now. Wordlessly, she handed her latest work over for inspection. Accepting it, Skylar smiled at the woman before she turned her attention to the sketch.

A loud gasp escaping her, blue eyes swept across the image on the paper. A camera positively could not have captured her this well. It was almost like looking into a lead and charcoal based mirror. Sitting up and facing Kori, the brunette set the sketchpad next to her before gently taking the other woman's ingenious hands in her own and lightly kissing the palm of each one. Looking into the artist's eyes, Skylar shook her head, thoroughly amazed.

"You have such a wondrous talent Kori. A talent that others should be knowledgeable of. I swear that your work will be shown in a gallery by this summer. I'm personally going to see that it happens."

Kori smiled, giving a squeeze to the hands still entangled with her own. "You don't have to do that."

"I know I don't have to, but I want to. I want everyone to appreciate just how talented and special you are Kori," after a short pause she added in a whisper, "I need to do that."

Tears forming in her eyes, Kori slipped her hands out of Skylar's before cupping her face and gazing into her eyes as a few silent seconds ticked by. "And I need to do this." Exhibiting just what this was, she tenderly pressed her lips to the brunette's, gladdened when she didn't pull away. Instead, the lips merged with her own increased the contact as long arms wrapped around her naked waist, drawing her closer. Moving to a kneeling position and staying connected with Skylar's mouth all the while, Kori wound her arms around her companion's neck. Her tongue was about to slip its way past soft lips when Skylar pulled back. Kori nearly sighed, thinking that her tongue never quite reached its destination.

"What's the matter?" she asked a little breathlessly.

"I…we can't do this," Skylar replied, trying to ignore the warm tingling sensation in her lips. That kiss was even better than the last one. No doubt about it, being in Kori's presence was proving to be dangerous. She just didn't know if she had enough determination to stop. Maybe I should, Skylar internalized. I know I should but I don't want to.

"Why?"

"Because I'm getting married in less than twelve hours to the man who is going to be the father of my baby."

"A man that you don't even love. A man who has failed time and again to elicit passion in you."

Skylar shook her head. "Don't start again Kori. It's settled. I'm going through with this wedding no matter what you deem my feelings toward Brad."

Cocking her head to the side, Kori looked at the other woman curiously. "Why are you marrying him? Tell me the truth, please. You agreed to marry him before you became pregnant so it's not because of the baby. What is it? It's obvious that you aren't thrilled about your wedding so why go through with it? You have a great job so you don't need the money. Do you just want someone to come home to? Is it your father?"

Skylar heavily sighed. "Kori I am going to marry him," she said in a voice filled with conviction. "Despite your reservations it will happen. I know you're looking out for what you think is my best interest, but I know what I'm doing."

Kori almost said that she doubted that her friend knew what she was doing, but she held her tongue. After a short pause, she slowly nodded and looked at Skylar. "Okay, well if you're determined to marry Brad then I give up on trying to change your mind. However, before you do there is something I want to show you."

"What is it that you want to show me?" She had a strong feeling that Kori shouldn't show her whatever she had in mind.

"True passion."

She was right. "Kori why does it seem that we're going in a continuous loop? I say I shouldn't, you say I should. I say I wouldn't be interested, you say I would. You seem to know a lot more about me and I how I feel or would feel than I do. Why is that?"

"Perhaps I know you better than you know yourself."

Skylar raised a challenging brow. "You think so?"

Grinning, Kori confidently replied, "Damn straight. No pun intended."

Despite her slight annoyance, Skylar chuckled. "Kori…I can't."

"Can't. I just hate that word sometimes. It's so…final." Reaching out, the artist cupped Skylar's cheek, brushing her thumb back and forth across her velvety skin. Unconsciously, the brunette leaned into the touch. "Don't let it be so final in this instance Sky. C'mon, let me show you what passion really is because I think it's conceivable that Brad still won't be able to even after he adds another pricy ring to your finger."

"So he won't ever be able to show me passion but you can? What makes you think that? I told you that I've never been able to respond." Some people just weren't cut out for sex and Skylar deemed herself to be one of them.

Leaning forward, Kori brushed her lips against the corner of the other woman's mouth, hearing a soft gasp in the process. "Because I have what it takes," she fervently whispered.

Skylar attempted to contain a shiver but it was no use. "Umm…and that is?"

"Me of course. I think if you gave me a chance to show you pleasure, you'd be capable of responding to it."

"Kori, this would fall under the category of cheating and I have no inten-"

Before she could finish her statement lips gently assaulted her own and she quickly found herself laying on her back with a petite camouflaged blonde on top of her. Temptation too great to resist, Skylar opened her mouth for the tongue teasing her lips and moaned as it thrust into her mouth seeking out her own. Emotions rising in her that she hadn't ever thought she possessed, Skylar slipped her arms around Kori as her tongue played with the one visiting.

Moving so that her left thigh was pressed against the brunette's center, Kori felt the wetness there seeping onto her skin. While lightly rubbing her thigh against Skylar, she nibbled on the woman's full bottom lip and then drew it into her mouth. Moaning, the dentist squirmed beneath her, her hips meeting the unhurried thrusts of Kori's thigh. No doubt about it, Skylar wasn't having any problems responding now and she ached for more. God, did she want more from this woman!

Raising her head, Kori looked down at Skylar, her lips curving into a faint smile as she ran a hand through dark locks, caressing the covered scalp. Skylar practically hummed due to the feel of those fingers in her hair. Her thigh ceasing its movement, Kori placed a few tiny kisses on parted lips.

"Sky?" She whispered, managing to make the one syllable nickname sound like two.

"Yes?" Skylar returned just as quietly.

"I'm going to make you come," another small kiss, "three," three kisses in rapid succession, "different ways. You don't by chance have a problem with my doing that?" Kori grinned, watching as the blush crept up Skylar's neck and then her face.

"I don't think I can."

"Come?"

Mutely, she nodded.

"Are you willing to let me try to help you?" Removing her hand from Skylar's head, Kori traced her lips with a fingertip.

"Like I have the power to say no to you anymore." Then again, she wasn't sure that she ever had the power to deny Kori in the few hours they had known one another.

"Now that's what I like to hear." Beaming, Kori kissed the lips that her finger had just abandoned. Slipping her tongue inside a delectable mouth, Kori brought her hand down to caress the other woman's side before it slid up to cup a breast. Moaning into the mouth covering her own, Skylar pressed her breast into the small warm hand lightly massaging it. Placing her thumb and forefinger on either side of Skylar's growing nipple, Kori gave it an experimental tug and was swiftly rewarded with a low groan. Finding it rather tasty looking, she left a mouth, which mewled at the lost of contact and moved downward, replacing her hand with her tongue.

As the body beneath her delightedly squirmed, she lightly stroked the nipple and then its twin before wrapping her mouth around the first one, drawing it inside. Purring much like a kitten, Skylar's right hand found purchase on the back of Kori's head as her hips bucked against a motionless thigh. Temporarily deserting her pebbled treats, Kori smiled at the other woman and asked if she would part her legs further. Skylar almost had them widened before the artist could fully get her request out.

Grinning now, Kori settled between her legs, pressing her womanhood against her lover's, their natural essences fusing on immediate contact. Both women moaned simultaneously as their hips began to thrust in rhythm. Kori was pleased when Skylar initiated a kiss and melted into it, her tongue dueling with her friend's. After long legs wrapped around her lower back, Kori's hips picked up a bit of speed. Placing her hands on either side of Skylar's head, she lifted her upper body a couple of inches and regarded sapphire eyes glazed with a desire, which she had orchestrated.

"How does this feel?" Kori softly inquired. "How do you like having your sweetness meshed with mine? I know I love it. You're so hot and slick." While waiting for an answer, she kissed an addictive mouth.

In that moment, it occurred to Skylar that a penis had never felt this incredible, but she wasn't about to admit that aloud. She blushed at just the mere thought. Peering up into the lovely face hovering above her, she tightened her grip on Kori's shoulders and pressed downward until the woman was lying fully on top of her again. Eliciting a moan at the touch of Kori's breasts against her own, Skylar returned the kiss she'd just been offered.

"So do I. Love it I mean." Averting her eyes, the brunette shyly admitted, "I fail to remember ever feeling as wonderful as I do right now with you."

"You're breathtaking, you know that?" Though Skylar shook her head, she easily recognized the sincerity in the smaller woman's eyes. Hers closed as fingers trailed along her cheek and lips along her neck. She shuddered when a tongue traced a lazy pattern on the side of her neck and teeth took gentle nips from the warm flesh. "You are," Kori declared in between nips and licks. "I adore you Sky."

Her hips moved faster and Skylar matched the pace as the urgency between them mounted. Clutching her lover's shoulders tighter, Skylar thrust her sex repeatedly against Kori's as her limbs began to tense with anticipation. Kori left a path of damp kisses starting from Skylar's neck, to her chin and finally her lips as the woman's legs tightened around her waist. Her mouth swallowed the brunette's moans as briskly as the grinding of her hips created them. Skylar was having the same effect on her.

Short nails digging into the artists' shoulder blade's, Skylar ended their impassioned kissing so that she could attempt to form a coherent sentence. "I…close…or…aaah…gasm…" Evidently, she didn't do too well but luckily the other woman had an idea of what she meant.

A grin flickered across Kori's lips. "You coming baby?"

Having temporarily lost all faith in her speaking abilities, Skylar answered with a brief nod.

Green eyes half-lidded, a drawn-out moan escaped a panting mouth as Kori nodded in return. "Me too. God, me too."

Pumping vigorously, Kori brushed her lips against her lover's as greatly welcomed spasmodic waves rippled simultaneously through their bodies. Crying out, Skylar tightly shut her eyes as she thoroughly enjoyed this ecstatic ride, never wanting it to end. Their bliss filled exclamations sailed through the air as the two women continued rocking against each other until the aftershocks subsided.

"Ooh my God," Kori hoarsely whispered against the other woman's lips before tenderly kissing them. "You were awesome, Sky."

Trying to focus on regulating her breathing it took Skylar a few moments to answer. "Really? Sure you weren't pulling a Meg Ryan?" She briefly grinned. "After that display in the arcade I know you have the ability to and my being sexually naïve, I wouldn't be the wiser."

A smile on her face, Kori tweaked her companion's nose. "Yes, really, no I wasn't pulling a Meg Ryan and though I do I did not with you, and you're not naïve just a little unaware. However, under my tutelage that can and would be changed." As her brows danced up and down, Skylar giggled.

"And how would you go about changing it Ms. Instructor?" Noticing that she still held Kori's body in a vise like grip, Skylar untangled her legs from around the woman's waist.

"I'm so glad you asked." Wearing a lecherous grin, Kori planted a very thorough kiss on her 'student's' open mouth. "Time for lesson number two." Slipping a hand between them, she found a succulent breast and tweaked its tip, earning a sharp pleasurable cry from the owner. "That is unless you're not ready…"

Skylar eagerly nodded, already wanting a repeat of what they'd done only minutes before.

"I'm not capable of hearing nods, Sky." Suppressing a grin, Kori lightly pinched the nipple between her fingers again causing Skylar to bite down on her lower lip in an effort to hold in another outcry. "And don't stifle your sounds. I treasure every one of them. Now are you ready?" With a fingertip, she traced the area surrounding her lover's areola.

Skylar took a shuddering breath. Was she ready? Did birds have wings? "Yes," pausing, she then added, "Please."

Softly chuckling, Kori kissed her. "So polite." After bestowing another kiss on Skylar's lips, she asked her to turn over onto her stomach.

Immediately obeying, Skylar switched positions with her lover kneeling between her thighs. She was about to utter something when a soft kiss deposited on the middle of her back stopped her. Folding her arms beneath her chin, her eyes closed in pleasure as a series of strategically placed kisses on her back caused tingles up and down her spine. Her toes curled when a moist tongue joined in, flickering from the base of her back all the way to the nape of her neck where teeth proceeded to delightedly nibble. Skylar failed to contain a shiver when erect nipples grazed along her skin.

"You like that?" Kori hotly whispered against the side of the dentists' neck before sucking a patch of it into her mouth.

Skylar nodded before remembering her earlier statement. "Yes. I like it a…oooh!" The brunette's reply faltered when fingertips as light and delicate as feathers brushed over her backside and toward the backs of taut thighs before returning to the firm globes of flesh. By this time, Skylar was practically shaking with anticipation, wondering what the smaller woman would have in store for her next. She wanted to ask, but her mouth could only work to create moans and purrs.

A talented mouth and pair of hands removing themselves, Skylar heard movement behind her. Slowly turning her head, she glanced over her shoulder to watch Kori in faint puzzlement as she laid next to her on her side, her naked body close enough for Skylar to feel the heat emanating from it. Catching the brunette's gaze, Kori graced her with a grin and crooked a finger at her, looking every bit the seductress.

"C'mere baby," she crooned in a tone that would be difficult to resist. "I wanna hold you from behind."

It was made quite evident that Kori had more on her mind then just holding after the taller woman turned to her side and then scooted over until they were in a spooning position. Slipping an arm around Skylar's waist, she trailed the back of her hand between the valley of the woman's breasts producing a low moan of approval. Wearing a slight grin, Kori continued down her stomach and circled her lover's navel before dipping a finger within it, feeling the shudder that ran along Skylar's body because of the simple action. Bypassing the main attraction, she stroked the length of the brunette's thighs as the aroused woman started gently rocking back into her, her backside deliberately pushing into Kori's pelvic area.

The artist whimpered.

"Baby, are you trying to tell me something?" Kori inhaled sharply when Skylar's rocking became more insistent causing the dampness between her thighs to increase twofold. Good God, the woman was on the verge of driving her absolutely insane. However, she was far from complaining.

Turning her head, Skylar flashed her a grin. At least, that was what Kori deemed it to be. It disappeared much too quickly. "Maybe."

Deciding that the tables needed to be turned again, she sucked an available earlobe into her mouth, tongue starting to lash back and forth across the pliant tab. Based on the soft moan that fell from her lips, the brunette was in favor of this. Resting her hand against a dark mound of curls, Kori lightly pressed the heel of her hand against it once, eliciting another moan. With one last nibble, she allowed Skylar's lobe to vacate her mouth.

"I think maybe you're trying to tell me that you want me inside of you," she whispered against her lover's dampened ear. "Though feel free to correct me if I'm wrong."

Skylar gave a swift shake of her head. "You're right…couldn't be more right." She moaned as the palm against her began to move ever so slightly, stirring her need and making it greater.

"Thought so." Falling silent, Kori allowed her hand to do the communicating with two digits beginning to stroke the moist length of the other woman's swollen sex, effectively causing tiny shivers to race through her body. When Kori knew that the writhing beauty pressed against her wouldn't be able to take much more teasing she slowly entered her, immediately being enveloped by her throbbing passion.

"Oh, Kori," Skylar softly exclaimed as her hips kept pace with the artist's steady leisurely thrusts. Wanting to give Kori better access, she elevated her right thigh and was rewarded when her lover plunged deeper within. Turning her head, she captured a close mouth delivering a searing kiss as the sensations coursing through her amplified, signaling an imminent explosion.

While tongues explored teeth, lips, and each other, fingers increased the tempo of their thrusting, caressing a velvety canal. Feeling Skylar pulsating around her digits, Kori began using her thumb to manipulate the small rigid button peeking between her lover's outer folds. It had the desired effect when the brunette moaned into her mouth, her lips fairly humming against Kori's. Releasing the artist from the ardent kiss, Skylar could no longer keep her eyes open as her body started to quake, her thighs tightening around the fingers buried within her. A warm mouth descending on her neck, Skylar softly and repeatedly uttered her lover's name while her hips swayed against the talented hand responsible for bringing her to the second climax of her life.

Climaxes. What a stupendous idea! What would They come up with next? The dentist would have given thumbs up in the direction of the ceiling but her arms currently felt like rubber.

Skylar smiled, albeit a bit weakly, when a tender kiss fell upon her cheek. The smile broadened when the words, "Two down and one to go," were whispered into her ear.

After Kori removed her hand, Skylar turned toward her and slipped her arms around the smaller woman. A smile on her lips, Kori reciprocated, one arm curving itself around a trim waist. Her fingers proceeded to brush back and forth across her lover's skin.

"I have a confession to make," Skylar quietly stated, looking quite serious.

Kori arched a curious brow, her mind immediately conjuring up what that confession could be. "Okay. Lay it on me." She failed to realize that she was holding her breath.

"I umm…" Leaning forward until their foreheads touched, Skylar whispered, "I like sex now. No, I thoroughly love, can't get enough of, no longer want to live without it for the rest of my days!" She managed to get a kiss in before the other woman starting laughing, falling onto her back. Skylar was pulled toward her as she joined in. Ending up laying halfway on Kori, she recaptured her lips after their chuckles began to fade.

The two new lovers began to communicate through their gentle caresses and kisses, taking advantage of this precious time together. Neither wanted to think about the fact that in a few more hours this would all be over. The rising of the sun would bring the beginning of a brand new day. The day when Skylar would vow to give her heart and soul to a man who would never complete her.

Switching their positions, Kori gazed down at Skylar, watching as her lips tugged into a smile, which she returned. She felt-no she knew that she could voluntarily give her heart and soul to the engaged woman, something that she had never been inclined to do in the past with any other. It figured that when she truly began to fall for someone that they were unattainable. Well, they officially would be in a while.

Valentine's Day. Skylar…her Skylar was getting married on one of the most romantic day's of the year.

I'd like to kick stupid Cupid's little ass.

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Skylar was dreaming and it was turning out to be the best dream of her life. Alone with Kori on a tropical island, the temperature felt a perfect seventy-seven degrees, the horizon an unclouded azure blue for as far as the eye could see, white sands smooth and soft like butter, which had been sitting on the counter for hours-well you get the picture. It was utopia.

Both of them sans clothing, Skylar, and Kori were stretched out on the sandy shore sharing tender kisses, their arms wrapped tightly around each other as their bodies moved in unison, creating a fire in each of their bellies. Somewhere deep within, Skylar recognized that this was only a dream and she vainly hoped that she would never wake up. She wished that it were possible to remain in this tropical paradise with the artist until the end of time. However, soon reality would rear its head. Though until then she would enjoy this.

And enjoying this she was as the other woman kissed her swollen mouth once more before moving downward, trailing her tongue over Skylar's neck, alternately licking and nipping every bit of flesh in her path. Squirming beneath her, Skylar softly called her lover's name when a lithe damp tongue flicked across nipples before a hungry mouth enveloped them, suckling the bits of hardened flesh and tugging on them until the brunette cried out her pleasure into the warm cinnamon (yes cinnamon) sweet breeze.

The thought flitted through Skylar's brain that this all felt extremely real while soft lips continued their journey down her body, stopping to pay homage to her belly and leaving a gift of goosebumps before moving on. When that mouth reached her most sensitive zone, the dentist attempted to gather fistfuls of sand in her hands, but oddly, it felt more like cool fabric. What happened to the buttery sand? Skylar only had a mere second or two to ponder this because nuzzling lips quickly gained her attention.

Her attention became even more engrossed by Kori when the smaller woman dipped her tongue inside her moist cavern. Skylar's hips jerked at the brand new sensation as a moan broke free from her lips. It was incredible feeling that talented tongue plunging into and stroking her intimate regions. Looking toward the sky as Kori explored her depths, Skylar curiously noticed that the cloudless blue was steadily fading away to be replaced with a multitude of dim lights and a high white ceiling. What was that all about?

Another moan was carried into the air as that persistent realistic feeling tongue thrust as deeply as it could. Her hips starting to buck against Kori's mouth, the brunette growled low in her throat when wandering palms covered her breasts, squeezing rhythmically while fingers brushed across their sensitive tips. Raising her head with some difficulty, glazed blue eyes connected with mischievous green ones that winked before a tongue journeyed around and across Skylar's clit, tenderly laving the small delicate bud.

With an explosion, starting in the pit of her stomach and working its way downward to a highly important area, reality finally delivered Skylar into full consciousness where a curly auburn head rested between her legs and a mouth was busy stroking and suckling her into a frenzy. Her head falling backward, Skylar released a long groan while every single inch of her body along with the nerves within prickled with excitement. She currently felt more alive then she had in the last thirty-two years and it was intoxicating.

One more thrust was all it took to cause the last vestiges of her inhibitions to evaporate. Loud moans erupted from Skylar's throat as her hips pumped furiously against a still busy mouth. She felt the wonderful vibrations rocketing through her center as Kori delightedly hummed against her. Hands clutched at her quivering thighs, fingers lightly caressing the smooth dampened skin.

"Oooh, Kori yes…yes. Fuck me sweetheart! Ooh, yes…yes…gods yes!!!" Her body beginning to relax, Skylar's hips ceased their thrashing. Heart beating wildly enough for her to detect, she ran trembling hands through her hair as she burst into tears of both jubilation and sadness. Jubilation because of what she had just experienced because of Kori. Sadness because she might never get the chance to feel this way again or anything even barely resembling it. Promptly pulled into a warm embrace, Skylar wrapped her arms around Kori as the tears left their telltale stains on reddened cheeks. Several sweet kisses were planted on the top of her head and forehead as the smaller woman rocked her to and fro, offering silent comfort.

Her cheek resting on Kori's shoulder, Skylar took a few deep breaths as the crying subsided and then pressed her lips to a conveniently close neck. When she opened her mouth and gently nipped a bit of flesh with a set of straight white choppers, Kori hissed. The dentist grinned as she pulled back to kiss soft plump lips.

"Sorry about what I said," Skylar sheepishly apologized.

An eyebrow lifting, Kori curiously eyed her. "What did you say?"

Skylar blushed, knowing that she only had herself to blame for this one. "The F word," she whispered. Strangely, she wasn't able to utter the entire word now, yet minutes before she had shouted it in an exuberant voice. "I didn't mean to say that. It just came out."

Snickering, Kori shook her head. "No apology required baby. If I had a dime for every time I've used the 'F' word I would almost be as wealthy as Bill Gates." Grinning, she added, "Plus, I thought it was kinda hot."

Though her blushing increased, Skylar smiled and the other woman returned it. Skylar was about to ask the time when a couple of scents mingling in the air caught her attention. Looking around she quickly spotted where they emanated from. Placed about three feet away were to paper plates along with two Styrofoam cups, one filled with milk and the other coffee. On the plates were two cinnamon buns, which were as large as Skylar's fists combined. So, those were the reasons for the sweet island breeze! Glad that she wasn't having any morning sickness, her stomach grumbled as she eyed the food. Hearing a chuckle, she glanced in Kori's direction.

"What?"

"Hungry are we?" Looking amused, Kori pointed toward Skylar's noise making stomach. She chuckled again when the woman stuck her tongue out at her. "Okay, okay I'll feed ya. But let's get dressed first." Pulling a small pile of neatly folded clothing over, she handed the brunette the clothes she had left in the dressing room the night before. Standing, both women proceeded to get dressed, not bothering to hide their admiration as they glanced at each other's rapidly covered bodies.

Glancing at the watch that she had just affixed to her wrist, Skylar noticed that it was nearly 7 o'clock. She inwardly sighed. The store would be opened soon and then she would have a wedding to get ready for. Shit. A part of her felt guilty for not being the least bit excited that the day had finally arrived for her to marry Brad. He loved her like a man should love the woman he intended to marry and the strongest feelings that Skylar could conjure up were that she cared for him. Quite a bit.

Settled next to the food, Kori handed Skylar her plate along with the cup of milk. The artist explained that she had originally planned on making something more nutritious for breakfast, but then decided that they needed something with sugar to 'pump them up' for the day since they hadn't gotten much sleep. Though twenty-four hours ago she wouldn't have approved of sticky sweet cinnamon buns for breakfast (or for any meal actually) Skylar heartily sank her teeth into the ultra sweet roll, moaning in delight. It was delicious and she knew that it had to be packed with five thousand calories but she didn't care. Picking up her cup, she took a drink of milk while Kori sipped her cream and sugar laden coffee.

Kori indicated her friend's cup with a short nod of her head. "I would have gotten you coffee as well, but I wasn't sure if caffeine was okay for the baby to have so I got you some milk instead. It's good for the body and for little ones whether they be out in the world or still making in the oven." When Skylar offered her a tender smile along with thanks, she leaned over and kissed the woman's glaze covered lips.

wwwww

Slipping out of Shopaholics when the employees opened the front exit doors, Kori insisted on walking Skylar to her car. Backpack slung over her shoulder, she watched as the tall woman beeped her Lexus before opening the driver's side door and then turned back to her. Both were on the verge of crying and hoped that they could get through the next few moments without breaking down.

Putting her backpack on the ground, the young artist hugged her friend and one night lover, closing her eyes and enjoying as the other woman hugged her back. She would miss those arms. Heck, she would miss the whole person. Leaning back, she pressed her lips to Skylar's. It started out lightly but then grew passionate as their tongues caressed, saying farewell.

Skylar blinked back tears while Kori attempted to casually wipe at her eyes. Trying out a wobbly smile, the brunette said, "I'll be out of the country for the next couple of weeks but when I get back I'm going to contact some people about your art, okay? We need to get you in a gallery. I have a cousin in the art business who should be able to help us. She loves undiscovered talent."

Kori shook her head. "No, don't do that Sky. Thank you from the bottom of my heart but that's not a good idea."

The dentist cocked her head to the side quizzically. "Why not?"

Reaching up, Kori tenderly caressed her cheek. "Because I can't bear to see you again, talk to you again, knowing that you're taken. My heart's already cracking at the idea of you becoming a married woman in less than four hours. I don't need it to break." Two sneaky tears managed to sneak out and Kori quickly swiped at them. "So, I think it's best if we never come in contact with each other again."

Skylar didn't answer right away, as the thoughts trampled one another in her mind. "This is it?"

"Are you going to marry him?"

Sapphire eyes shined with unshed tears. "I have to Kori."

Kori smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. Reaching down, she grabbed her backpack and then kissed the other woman once more before gently patting her stomach. "Take care of this little one. I hope he or she has your eyes." She averted her eyes when unchecked tears began to fall down Skylar's face. "Goodbye honey." Kori didn't hear Skylar's softly uttered response as she began to walk away.

wwwww

After sneaking a bath at the hotel down the street from Shopaholics, Kori had proceeded to work as usual dressed in a maroon T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. It was turning out to be a busy day already. Evidently, people wanted their cars to shine on Valentine's Day. Perhaps, they aimed to impress their sweeties.

Finished drying her eighth car of the morning, the young woman went on her first ten-minute break. Grabbing a newspaper she found on an unoccupied round plastic table, Kori went to take a seat on the low wall next to the huge vacuum hoses where customers were supposed to pull in on arrival. She decided to read in the hopes that it would distract her from thinking about Skylar and what she was doing at that precise moment.

Opening the disorderly newspaper, emerald eyes immediately fell on the "Upcoming Wedding's" section. And whose was the first wedding listed? Who had the big colored photograph of them smiling along with their groom to be? Skylar Whitney of course. Sighing, Kori memorized the address of the church without bothering to wonder why she was doing so. So much for trying to push Skylar out of her head.

Snapping the newspaper closed, she stood up and then walked over to where she found it, depositing it there before moving in the direction of her Volkswagen bug, a model that was new when she was in grade school. Getting inside, she shut the door and then fingered the ring of keys in her hand while gazing through the windshield thoughtfully. No, she couldn't do it. She shouldn't do it. Kori cocked her head to the side while absently jingling the keys. Or should she? Was it just a coincidence that the first thing she saw when opening the newspaper was a picture of Skylar? It had to be a sign. Kori slowly nodded, a smile creeping onto her lips. Yeah, a sign.

Leaning out of her window, she shouted to one of her co-workers that she had to leave and that it was an emergency. Putting her key in the ignition, Kori sped out of the car wash parking lot and down the street in the direction of the church.

wwwww

Decked out in her cream colored wedding dress, Skylar gazed at her reflection via the mirror perched on the vanity table. Since she appeared as though she was about to attend a funeral instead of a wedding-her wedding-Skylar smiled. Since it looked about as real as Anna Nicole Smith's boobs she allowed it to disappear. With a sigh, Skylar glanced at a clock hanging on the wall. 10:39 a.m. She sighed again. In twenty-one more minutes, she would become Brad's wife. Shi-oops, Skylar glanced around the small dressing room apologetically. I'm in a church. Must remember that.

Looking on the table, she spotted the wallet-sized picture, which she had trimmed from the others earlier that morning before leaving her parents estate. Picking it up, a genuine smile slipped onto her face as she observed the photograph that she and Kori had taken together the night before. It was the one where they had their arms around each other and were smiling toward the camera with their mouths closed. After a bit of a debate, Skylar had decided that it was her favorite picture.

"That's what I like to see-a smile on your face. You've been acting peculiar all morning."

Startled at the unexpected voice, Skylar jumped in her seat before looking up and catching sight of her mother prim and proper standing in the doorway in her two grand peach skirt suit. In her late fifties but easy to be mistaken as a decade younger, Sylvia Whitney was the epitome of elegance and conservatism. If Weston ever chose to run for presidency, she would make the perfect first lady.

"Mother. You startled me." Surreptitiously, Skylar slipped the photo underneath her hairbrush.

Sylvia walked into the dressing room. "Perhaps if you had been paying attention to your surroundings instead of daydreaming, I wouldn't have." Sitting next to her daughter, she smiled though it was plainly obvious that she meant what she said.

Skylar nodded. "Perhaps." Falling silent, she gazed toward the vanity only looking up when her mother asked if there was something wrong. Looking into eyes the exact shade of her own, Skylar took a deep breath before answering. "I…how do I know that Brad and I are meant to be?"

"Isn't it a tad late to be asking that question?" Amused, Sylvia shook her head with perfect hair that never moved. "Dear, you're just nervous, which is normal. Rest assured that you are doing what is right. Bradley loves you and you love him now let's not ponder such silly things." Sylvia observed the younger woman's mouth thoughtfully. "You need more lipstick." She was about to reach for a tube when a hand landed on top of hers.

"Do I look happy to you?"

Sylvia cocked her head in a questioning fashion as she disengaged her hand from underneath her daughter's. "Your new life with Bradley will make you happy. The birth of your children will make you happy. Some things such as happiness take time."

"You have been married for over thirty-five years and have three children. Why aren't you happy yet?"

For a few moments, the dressing room was completely silent. Both women quietly observed each other before Sylvia again reached for the white tube and handed it to her daughter. "You need more lipstick."

wwwww

"PIECE OF FREAKIN' SHIT!" Kori bellowed as she repeatedly slammed open palms on the steering wheel as though by abusing it, the stalled Volkswagen would miraculously start working again. Ever since she braked at the stop sign nearly ten minutes ago, she had been attempting to get the ignition going. However, Kori had a feeling that this time her bug was dead for eternity. There would no longer be any resuscitation from mechanics that charged three times as much as they should.

Muttering obscenities that would make a truck driver and a sailor look sheepish, Kori threw the door open before climbing out and slamming it shut in frustration. Reaching inside the open window, she grabbed her backpack and slung it over her shoulder before she gave the Volkswagen a good swift kick followed by another. Now how was she supposed to get to the church? The artist glanced at her Mickey watch, noting that she didn't have much time left. With a sigh, she was about to start walking when a tow truck pulled up next to her with the words I'll tow you and your little car too! painted on the side of it. She looked up, way up to the cab where a concerned looking driver sat with a red cap on his head that sported the same model as his truck.

"Need some help little lady?"

Since this was an emergency, Kori decided to ignore the little lady part of the question. Plus, the guy didn't look as though he'd meant any harm by referring to her as that. Nodding, she shielded her eyes from the sun as she craned her neck to look up at the man.

"I'll be happy to tow your car for ya."

Though she had most of her personal belongings in the Volkswagen, Kori didn't care much about them now. "Actually, could we come back for the car in a little while? I need to get to a church and would really appreciate it if you could give me a ride." She smiled up at the tow truck driver who only looked a few years her senior.

Already bitten by the crush bug, he gave her a smile that looked boyishly adorable. "Sure little lady. But if I may ask what do ya need to go to church on a Friday for?" Leaning across the cab, he opened the passenger door before pushing on a latch that released a small stair with three steps close to the ground.

Waiting until she successfully made it inside the truck, Kori closed the heavy door before answering. "Honestly? I need to stop a wedding."

"Wedding?" The tow truck driver scratched his short beard. "Why the only people in town that I know are getting married today are Brad Sawyer and Skylar Whitney." He looked at the young woman curiously. "You mean that wedding?"

Sawyer? She was going to be Skylar Sawyer in less than half an hour? Oh, dear. I can't let that happen! Looking at-ah David (the name was stitched on his work shirt) Kori nodded. "Yes. Listen I understand if you rather not take me there for that reason but I'll gladly pay--"

"Stop right there little lady." David held a hand up in the air. Looking at his passenger, he grinned. Devilishly. "No payment necessary. It would be my pleasure to take you to the church. I know exactly where it's at." Starting the truck, he pulled into the street.

"Um, why are you so eager to help me?"

Shaking his head from side to side, David bit down on his lower lip. From the frown on his face, he was thinking of something not so pleasant. Glancing toward Kori, he clucked his tongue. "First, tell me why you want to stop that wedding."

Deciding that honesty was indeed the best policy Kori gave him a rough draft version of what happened during the time she spent with Skylar at Shopaholics, minus their lovemaking. "So, I want Skylar to be…well be my girl. I've never felt for anyone the way I feel for her. And I know that she and I haven't known each other very long but I truly think that she could be the one."

David gave her the sweetest smile. "That's awesome!" Snickering, he made a right turn. "Man, is that awesome. I was hoping that you wouldn't say that you wanted to stop the wedding because of your feelings for Brad."

Kori swiftly shook her head. "Oh, hell no! I have nothing against the man. I just want to take his bride to be away from him." She laughed and so did the truck driver. "So, you wanna tell me why this thrills you and why you seem overjoyed to take me to the church?"

David increased his grip on the steering wheel. "Because I can't stand that bastard."

The artist raised an eyebrow. "Who? Brad?"

"Yep." The truck driver nodded. "Since we don't have much time I'll give you the short version of what happened between us. We were in medical school together. Best friends, roommates, and even frat buddies. Tight as this." David crossed his middle finger over his index. "It was time to prepare our thesis and I had been working on mine the entire semester, whereas Brad waited until three weeks before the deadline. He was struggling too and I already being finished, tried to help him. Soon, he told me that he was done and we went out with some buddies to celebrate. It wasn't until nearly a week later that I found out he had copied nearly my entire thesis. But check this out. The dean accuses me of cheating. Why he thought it was me, to this very day I don't know. Anyway, bottom line I was kicked out of school and Brad graduated with honors with my thesis. Asshole." Pausing, David clenched and unclenched his hands around the steering wheel. It would have been dead by now, had it been alive in the first place. "Now I'm a tow truck driver for my dad's company and Bradley," he sneered the name, "is a doctor. Lying, cheating, no-good punk. I can't stand him!"

"Oh, wow. I'm so sorry David." Placing a hand on his muscled shoulder, she gave it a good squeeze. "I really am. And now I don't feel too bad about attempting to be a homewrecker."

His foul mood quickly dissipating, the truck driver laughed at that. "You wreck the home all you want to little lady!"

wwwww

It was almost ten minutes passed eleven when David and Kori pulled up to the church. Well, as close as they could get anyway. There were a few journalists, some with video camera's standing outside at the bottom of the church steps. At the top of them were uniformed police officers perched in front of a set of closed double doors, obviously placed there to keep guard. Kori sighed. This was going to be difficult.

"No problem. I'll create a diversion so you can slip inside," David stated as he began to open his door. Glancing back over to his passenger, he added, "Oh and good luck to you little lady. I hope everything works out for ya and Ms. Whitney." Without waiting for a comment, he jumped from the high truck. Paying close attention to the man, Kori watched as he clutched his chest and screamed something that sounded like 'help me' toward the police officers before collapsing to the ground. As if in cue, all of the boys in blue hustled towards the fallen truck driver who was fidgeting and groaning on the ground. Even the journalists wandered over to see if they could possibly get a story out of this.

Scooting over to the driver's side, Kori quietly climbed out of the truck while trying not to think about how high she was from the ground. Somehow, she made it to solid ground without anyone being the wiser. Sneaking around the back of the truck she then slipped onto the sidewalk and walked rather quickly to the church steps. One journalist saw her and pointed in her direction just as she successfully made it through the doors and into the huge packed church where she heard the words "Let them speak now or forever hold their peace." Immediately, most of the eyes in the church switched in her direction, a lot of them wondering who this blue jean clad slip of a girl was and how she managed to get past the big buff police officers. Kori even saw a couple of video cameras point toward her.

Let them speak now…Oh yes! She was supposed to be stopping a wedding and based on that statement delivered by the preacher, she had arrived just in the nick of time. Raising a hand in the air, Kori loudly stated, "I object!" Murmurs erupted around her and cameras flashed in her direction as the young woman started down the aisle finding and keeping contact with bewildered blue eyes. Stopping a few feet away from the platform where Skylar, Brad, and the preacher stood, Kori rubbed suddenly sweaty palms on her jeans while her heart beat a frantic rhythm.

Arching a bushy white brow, the preacher stared at her. During the last forty-five years he had performed marriage ceremonies no one had ever objected before. Therefore, he wasn't quite sure what to say. Closing the small leather bound book in his hands; he nervously licked his lips and then cleared his throat.

"On what grounds young lady?"

Before Kori could come up with an answer, the church doors opened and two policemen entered. The truck driver having a 'heart attack' had just driven off. They had a feeling that something fishy was going on. When their eyes fell on Kori, it wasn't difficult for them to discern that she didn't belong. One, she was the only person dressed casually, two she looked like she was up to something, and three the journalist who had spotted her sneaking inside had described her outfit. The only thing they'd gotten wrong was the shirt. It wasn't red but more of a dark almost brownish sort of red. No matter though. It was close enough. She was definitely the one they were searching for.

The policemen were about to come collect Kori when the preacher held up his hand for them to stop. Always taught to respect their elders and especially a man of God, the policemen took a few steps toward the back. However, they kept close eyes on the jean clad figure.

Not liking this one bit, the mayor stood up and demanded of Kori why she had chosen to barge in on his daughter's wedding. On a roll, the preacher held up his hand again and asked the other man to sit down.

"I want to know why this woman is here!" The mayor persisted while the veins in his neck bulged.

"And I want you to take your seat. Do it now Weston!" Bushy brows joined as the preacher frowned. He loved all of his brothers and sisters, but sometimes the mayor really got on his last nerves. The preacher was relieved when Weston chose to listen to him the second time. Turning back to the objecting girl, he asked his question again.

"I object on the grounds that umm…" Trailing her eyes to those of Skylar she continued, "I don't think Brad is the one for Skylar. Them marrying each other would be a grave mistake. Especially when I think that Skylar would be so much happier with me."

More murmurs along with gasps could be heard through the church as the video camera's present panned between Kori and the platform where the bride, groom, and preacher stood. Three pairs of eyes widened, as did a trio of mouths.

The journalists outside had no idea what they were missing out on. Poor clueless reporters.

wwwww

"Hey Mom, come here! Quick!" Tossing a used tissue into the nearby trash bin, Danny Eaton grabbed a fresh one and loudly blew. His eyes stayed riveted to the television the whole time. Being sick sucked, but it had worked to his advantage for two reasons. One, he got to stay home from school and two he would have missed his sister's fifteen minutes of fame being broadcast on television right that moment.

Rushing into the living room, Melissa sat on the couch as her son indicated for her to do so before he pointed toward the television with his aloe vera laced Scotties tissue. "Look, it's Kori," Danny excitedly stated. "She's trying to stop the wedding of the daughter of Dominoe's mayor."

"What?" Melissa drew out the word as she curiously watched the television. Yes, that was definitely Kori talking to a preacher. He was asking her on what grounds did she object to the wedding. When she told him her answer, mother and son exchanged shocked expressions.

"What about Anna?" Danny and Melissa simultaneously wondered aloud. Grabbing for the phone, Melissa dialed a familiar number.

"Good morning, Claire Clips Salon here. This is Claire. How may I help you?" A voice pleasantly answered.

"Hey Claire it's Melissa. Turn the television on to channel 8. Hurry, you should see this."

"Okie dokie. Just a moment." After securing her customer under the dryer and setting the timer to fifteen minutes, Claire walked over to the television and switched it to the correct channel. She nearly dropped the phone when she saw the only person to ever come from her womb. Turning up the volume, Claire spoke with Melissa for a few seconds before promising to call her back soon. Pressing the off button, Claire pulled a chair over and plopped down as she stared at the screen.

Noticing, the other hair stylists drifted over to Claire looking concerned and quizzical. Their mouths opened wide when they spotted Kori on the television and the words "Unidentified young woman objects to Mayor Weston Whitney's daughter's wedding" scrolled across the screen. All five women and one man tuned in to the screen along with a couple of customers. Others swiveled around in their chairs.

The male stylist shook his head back and forth with his mouth formed into an O. "What is our Koko up to?" Eyes on the television, the others merely shook their heads and shrugged. That question was about to be answered.
Claire tapped her chin with a lone finger as she listened to her daughter speak. So, she wanted to be with Skylar Whitney. What about Anna? You have a lot of explaining to do little bit!

wwwww

"Skylar," pausing, Kori took a deep soothing breath. At least it was supposed to be. It didn't work much. "Sky, maybe I shouldn't have come here today but I couldn't stay away without telling you how I feel about you." Ignoring the pissed off groom glaring daggers at her, Kori kept her gaze on the woman she was attempting to open up to. "You might not feel the same way about me and perhaps this is horrible timing-well it can't get much worse than interrupting someone's wedding--but it was now or never. And I wouldn't be able to live with never.

"Skylar, I'm going to be honest with you. We haven't known each other long, therefore I won't say that I'm in love with you because it's too soon but I'm well on my way. In other words, I am going to love you and when I fall completely, it will be for the duration of my life. I know that as well as I know my own name. You have touched my life more than any woman ever has or will again. I know that you're the one for me. The One."

Clapping her hands together, Kori exhaled loudly before continuing. "Okay, let's look at the facts here. I have a crummy job, I currently have no residence, and I'm an aspiring artist. That sounds like a recipe for a bad…a very bad mate but allow me to assure you that it sounds worse than it is. I'm going to make it. I will. We Eaton's are a determined lot." A grin flashed across Kori's face. "And I would love to make it with you by my side Sky.

"I promise to love you with every fiber of my being and to love you a little more each day. I promise to never take you for granted, to be open and honest and share every aspect of my life with you. After all, you would be a great part of that life. I promise to make you happy and I will consider it my duty that each and every day you wear that terrific smile of yours. Through the best, worst and in between times you needn't doubt where I'll be. When you laugh and smile I'll be with you taking part in the joy. When you cry I'll be with you, my arms around you, holding you for as long as needed.

"I know it wouldn't be perfect, nothing is but I do promise to be as 'unirritating' as possible, which on occasion I admit sometimes I am. I mean, umm sometimes I can be irritating not 'un'." A few chuckles rang through the church and even a smile tugged at the preacher and Skylar's lips. Brad only scowled deeper than before. "We would have our share of dilemma's but together I know we can overcome and grow from them.

"I think that Ms. Shania put it perfectly with the words, 'I just swear that I'll always be there. I'd give anything and everything and I will always care. Through weakness and strength, happiness and sorrow, for better, for worse, I will love you with every beat of my heart'. And I mean every one of them, Sky," pausing, Kori swallowed around the lump in her throat as a few hot tears slid down her face. "Plus, who else is going to help you experience all the neat stuff I can? Hearty food, fun games…" A faint smile on her lips, the artist pointed toward herself. "I'm your woman for that."

Her own face stained with tears, Skylar inhaled a shuddering breath. Temporarily forgetting everything and everyone around her except for the extraordinary person before her, she replied, "You're my woman for everything." Softly chuckling, she added, "And I want another Kori famous burger." Skylar missed the 'have you completely lost your mind' look Brad along with his and her parents graced her with.

Kori chuckled too. "You may have as many as you want."

Knowing where she belonged and what she had to do now, Skylar turned to face a thoroughly confused groom. She was about to say something when he informed her loud enough for the cameras and those sitting in the few rows closest to them that she was pregnant. A fresh wave of murmurs and gasps began as the news quickly spread throughout the church, reaching the ears of those that hadn't heard the declaration straight from Brad.

Skylar sighed. Oh, how I wish I were in Boston or anywhere else with Kori right now. "Yes, I'm well aware that I'm pregnant Brad, but that doesn't mean that I have to marry you. This isn't 1950."

The doctor adopted an insulted expression. "Oh, so now marrying me is not a want to but a have to?"

"I have to be honest with you. I never loved you-at least not the way that I should have. It was never a good idea for us to get engaged. I mainly only said yes to placate my father. I'm so sorry Brad. I never had any intention of hurting you, but I can't go through with this."

"You're leaving me for a woman." It sounded more like an astonished statement than a question. "Not only a woman, but a woman who can't give you any security. By the sound of it, she can't even give herself that. You're choosing a deadbeat lesbian over me. How nice."

Blue eyes narrowed slightly as Skylar clenched her fists at her sides. "She gives me plenty of everything." While he pondered just what she meant by that she added, "Brad, I'm leaving now. I will be in contact with you concerning our child."

The doctor nodded. "Yes, you will. Despite you choosing that woman over me I will be a father to our baby."

"Of course. I would expect nothing less of you. I truly am sorry. I should have informed you of my reservations before today." Removing the expensive engagement ring on her finger, she handed it over. "Here, this belongs to you."

Accepting the ring, Brad put it in his pocket while wondering how he could get out of here as quickly as possible. "Thanks. You may go now," he quietly replied. He watched as his ex-fiancee exchanged a few words with the preacher who although looked surprised didn't seem upset by this recent event. After they shared a hug, Skylar stepped down from the platform and walked over toward Kori, slipping a hand into one of her own. Giving her a smile, she kissed her cheek.

"I can hardly believe that I'm about to walk out on my wedding. It feels oddly liberating," the brunette whispered.

Chuckling, Kori was going to reply when a perturbed mayor along with his wife, joined them. Weston glared at his daughter while Sylvia looked on with embarrassment as well as shock.

"Skylar your behavior is disgraceful and if you walk out of this church then you walk out on your family for good. Meaning I will only have one daughter." Based on her silence, Sylvia agreed.

Slowly nodding, Skylar glanced between her parents, the people whom she couldn't recall ever even hugging her. "You know, Kori has treated me and felt more like family in the short time that I've known her than either of you have in thirty-two years. Frankly, I don't think I have anything to lose when I leave through those church doors. You've never given me a reason to stay in this family and I can't fathom why it took me so long to come to my senses in leaving it. So goodbye." Kori's hand securely in her own, Skylar purposefully headed toward the exit.

wwwww

"Whooo-hoooooo!" Cheers rang through the Eaton household as Melissa and Danny watched their relative and the woman who was going to be the love of her life, leave the church.

Snagging one of her son's tissues, Melissa dabbed at her damp cheeks. "That's so sweet!"

Danny grinned and shook his head. Chicks were so sensitive! "Yeah, I guess it is in a girly mushy sorta way. I've totally gotta have a talk with my big sister 'cause she gets all the hot chicks."

wwwww

Meanwhile, at Claire Clips the stylists as well as their customers applauded and joyously hollered for the two women on the television screen. Since they didn't have any champagne, they broke open a two-liter bottle of Pepsi someone found in the back fridge. Their Koko had finally found someone, the one to share her life with. Thank God!

Tony, the only male stylist at the salon drank from his plastic cup as he glanced between the screen and his boss. "They make such a cute couple." And speaking of cute, he loved what Koko had done to her hair! If she's in to dyeing now, perhaps soon she'll be brave enough to let me cut it short.

Smiling, Claire agreed. "I can't wait to meet this Skylar Whitney. I like her already." She was going to invite them to dinner tonight. And they would come. And then little bit you still have some explaining to do! Evidently, she and Anna had separated, although she had alluded that everything was fine. So where had she been staying? Mmhmm. All would be revealed this evening.

wwwww

As they made it to the bottom of the steps, the journalists there immediately accosted Kori and Skylar. Hearing a blaring horn, their eyes fell on the tow truck parked across the street. A cap sticking out of the window waved in their direction.

"That's my friend David! Let's go!" When they bolted toward the large truck, Kori noticed her broken Volkswagen hooked up to the back. How sweet! He'd gone to apprehend it on his own.

Though the journalists were hot on their trail, the two women managed to get safely inside the truck before they were reached. The tow truck driver pulled out into the street as quickly as was possible. Looking in his side mirror, he laughed at the few dejected looking people standing in the street before turning his attention to the passengers. He smiled.

"Hello ladies! Kori you forgot your backpack, plus I thought you two might need a ride. I heard what you had to say on the radio little lady and you touched me. That was real nice."

Beaming, she slipped her hand into Skylar's again. "Thanks David. I didn't know it was broadcast on the radio as well."

"Yes, indeed. There was a little bit of static here and there but I could clearly understand everything you said. So where can I take you lovely ladies?"

"You wanna meet my mom?" Kori asked…her girl. She smiled at the thought. This was the best Valentine's ever! "I figure if she watched us on the news then she's going to want some answers and pronto."

Smiling, Skylar gave her a brief kiss on the lips. "I'd love to."

"Great!" Looking at David, Kori asked him if he knew where Claire Clips salon was. Replying that he did, he headed in its direction. The trio drove in silence for a few minutes before Kori squeezed Skylar's hand in order to gain her attention. When tender blue eyes switched to her, the artist smiled like a lovesick goofball. She was with Skylar and Skylar was with her. Sweet. So very sweet!

"No regrets? I mean, you're giving up your fam--"

She didn't get to finish her thought due to a couple of fingers covering her mouth. "No regrets at all," Skylar successfully assured her. "And as far as I'm concerned, you are my family. I meant what I said to my parents. You've been more family to me than they ever were and I thank you for that." She smiled. "I thank you for you."

Her eyes watering, Kori tenderly kissed the woman pressed next to her. "And I thank you for you too." After a thoughtful pause she added, "And I give thanks to Shopaholics."

Skylar chuckled. "What does the store have to do with it?"

Grinning, Kori replied, "Well if it weren't for that department store then we wouldn't have met. You'd probably be married right now and I'd be at Carmine's shining up some cars."

When Skylar promptly laughed so did Kori. It was so very true, which proved that Shopaholics rocked!


~Finis~