~ A Sibling's Rivalry ~
by Katia N. Ruiz
Disclaimers: See Part 1.
A Sibling's Rivalry
{Part 4}
By Katia N. Ruiz
Copyright 1997
PART
FOUR
Almost Lost You
by Erica `Mickey' Polanco
Almost lost you tonight,
Though I may have not put up a fight.
Seeing your pain is killing me the same.
My son, left between death and life.
I can do nothing else but cry.
Fight for your life and I'll help you survive.
Sadness is so strong I may not see the light
`Till you smile again.
ONE
LOUIE was deeply asleep; Korina was in his arms, asleep also. The phone was ringing; he heard it from far away. Almost unconsciously, he picked it up. Richard's urgent voice jarred him awake. "Pa?" He said groggily, but alarmed. Korina stirred and seeing his expression, gazed at him with worried, sleepy eyes.
"Louie, you have to get Frances!"
**********
FRANCES woke to the sound of urgent pounding on her door. She carefully lifted Claudette's arm from her stomach and picked up the bed sheet from the floor, wrapping it around her shoulders. She opened the door to find Louie standing there; Korina was behind him, a look of apprehension in her eyes. The expression in Louie's eyes made her heart jump. "Something's happened," Louie said softly, his eyes were tearing.
Frances swallowed hard, her eyes widened. She thought about her parents, about Katie, about William.... "What?" Her voice shook. "What's wrong?"
Louie shook his head slowly, a tear escaped his eye. "It is William, he has had an accident." He said softly.
Frances felt her body sway, her eyes rolled to the back of her head. She didn't register completely the information that she heard coming out of Louie's mouth. All she knew was that she had to get to New York. She said it out loud: "I have to get to New York." Tears were streaming down her cheeks. She dropped the bed sheet from her shoulders and ran towards her dresser, not caring that she was naked. To Louie, she said shakily: "Call the airlines, I have to go to New York now." She didn't notice that Louie was already down the stairs, ready to make the phone calls; she was putting her clothes on and crying softly.
Claudette walked up to her and touched her shoulder. "I am sorry." She said softly.
Frances sobbed then, burying her head into her shoulder. Her knees weakened, Claudette kneeled with her, wrapping her arms around her. "Poor baby," She whispered, smoothing Frances' hair. "Your son will be fine. Do not worry."
TWO
FRANCES didn't arrive at New York's Kennedy Airport until the very next day, Sunday, in the afternoon. They'd had problems booking a Concorde flight for that very same night, and had to take the next plane, which wasn't until the very next day. Even the two hour and forty-five minute trip was an eternity to her. She hadn't slept all night, walking back and forth through the living room in desperation, doing nothing but mumbling to herself and crying. Louie had insisted in coming along; Korina also insisted in coming.
She had taken a liking to Frances and she felt her pain, having lost a child of her own. They had rented a car and as soon as they were in it, Frances had torn out of the airport and into the highway. Within twenty seemingly long minutes they were at Frances' parents' house; she drove into the driveway. Frances told Louie and Korina to stay in the car and ran towards the door. Flores opened it. "Where are my parents?" She asked anxiously.
Flores' eyes were worried and tears hovered in them. "In Jamaica Hospital, Miss Frances." She said.
Frances didn't say a thing and ran towards the car. She got in and screeched down the gravel driveway, leaving a trail of dust behind them.
**********
WHEN they walked into the hospital after having parked the car, Frances ran up to the information desk. The clerk looked up at her with expectant blue eyes. "William Rosenberg-DeValoi." She said quickly. The clerk typed the name into the computer and waited a few seconds.
"Intensive Care Unit 324." She replied.
Without a word, Frances walked away, Louie and Korina followed. At the waiting hall of ICU were Richard, Francine, Ross, and Katie. Richard was the first to see her walking towards them. He stood and waited with open arms, into which she went gratefully. She was crying again, she moved into her mother's embrace and lingered there. Louie gave Richard a fierce hug and introduced Korina. Louie moved towards Katie and hugged her. She didn't respond and when he pulled back, he saw that she hadn't realized he was there. She must be in shock, he thought. "Pa, Katie doesn't look too good." He said, his thick French accent prominent.
"We have tried to get her home, but," Richard explained, with a shrug. "She won't leave the hospital."
Frances moved from her mother's embrace and glanced at Katie, who had her arms wrapped around herself and was rocking herself to and fro. Her green eyes were staring blindly ahead; her lips were drawn into a tight grimace. Tears were flowing freely down her cheeks. Close by, Ross stood looking down at his feet, a sneer on his lips; he was pissed that Frances was back.
Frances didn't even glance over his way, but looked at her father. "I want to speak to the doctor." She said.
"He has not really spoken to us yet, dear." He replied. His eyes were puffy from crying.
Frances frowned. "It happened yesterday!" She said.
Richard nodded. "I know," He said. "They have been working on him day and night, the nurse said that he has a few broken bones; she did not specify."
Frances turned away from him and said nothing. She walked towards the wall height window and looked out into the night, her feet apart, holding her hands behind herself; her eyes watered. She stood there for almost half an hour, not talking to anyone; her mind was on William. She could imagine his little unconscious body laying on that hospital bed with endless machines connected to him. His beautiful face bruised and swollen. Involuntary images of William running all over the house, practically running to her when he first walked, of the giant smile that was always on his little face tortured her. She closed her eyes tightly and shook her head slowly. "Oh, God!" She gasped, feeling the tears slide down her cheeks.
She heard somebody stepping up to her slowly, but she didn't turn to look at the person. "You should have never left him," The person whispered mockingly.
Frances heard the mock in the voice and turned around to look into Ross' cold blue eyes. His eyes were glaring and his lips were an ugly snarl. He was laughing very softly, looking at her with venom in his eyes. "It's all your fault." He whispered mockingly, letting her know with his eyes that it was because of him that William, what he thought was the last bond between Katie and Frances, was dying in the hospital.
And there, at that moment, she saw that he had something to do with William's accident. Her anger flared and she screamed loudly, an angry shriek, as she lunged at him, landing on top of him on the floor. She punched at him blindly and broke his lip in the process. He had no time to fight back.
Louie, Richard, Francine and Korina stared with disbelieving eyes. One moment Frances was silently looking out the window, the next, she was on Ross, punching him with all her strength; all heard the sound of the violent contact. Richard and Louie sprang forward, pulling the furious Frances off Ross. She screamed and growled wild-eyed, almost getting away from their grasp. She fought against them, trying to push them away. Katie apparently didn't see any of this, for she remained as she was.
"Why him? Why not me? Why?" Frances was crying out, more to Ross than to God, pulling her arms frantically, trying to get Richard and Louie's to let her go. She sobbed: "He is so innocent! Why him?" Ross looked at her with carefully guarded eyes, through which only she could see his elation.
Francine and Korina sprang forward and started talking softly to the now sobbing Frances, rubbing her face, her shoulders, holding her in their embrace. Richard demanded to know what Ross had said to Frances. With completely innocent eyes, Ross answered, rubbing his aching jaw and tending to his broken lip: "I asked her not to blame Katie."
Richard had no reason to disbelieve him, for he had not heard a word. "Go tend to your lip and go home." He watched as Ross obeyed and walked out of the waiting hall.
Frances was on her knees, her head buried into her mother's shoulder. She sobbed in despair, throwing her head back and roaring in her deep emotional pain. She remained like that for a long time, crying and seeking comfort on her mother's shoulder. After a while, she calmed down. Her hands and lips were trembling a little and her eyes were red from the shed tears. She looked around herself and shook her head in desolation.
Louie and Korina had moved to Katie's side and he attempted to introduce them. But it was futile, Katie didn't respond to anything. Frances moved away from her mother; she stood and slowly walked to the seats in front of Katie. Katie's long hair was pulled away from her pallid face, her eyes were red-rimmed and the skin of her cheeks was flushed. She must have been crying so much, Frances thought. She studied her for a long time and realized that Katie was now looking at her also. Their eyes met across the space.
Katie's lips moved as if to speak, but at that moment William's doctor came into the hall. He had soft brown eyes that were naturally made for a doctor, to comfort the families of his young patients. When he'd seen the tiny toddler brought into the emergency room, a lead weight attached itself to his heart. He decided to do all that he could do to save William. And he had, at least the child was alive and it was agreed between him and the other trauma doctors that there was a possibility for survival and even recovery.
Katie moved her eyes from Frances' and questioned the doctor with her eyes. Frances stood and walked up to him, questioning him. The doctor met Katie's questioning gaze and nodded in greeting. "We have done all we can," He said softly. "He's in stable condition, but presumably in a coma." Frances breathed hard, trying to hold back her tears. Katie shook her head, more tears spilled down her cheeks. "All you can do right now is go home," He said reassuringly, his eyes were compassionate and calm. "We'll call you if anything changes or if William wakes."
Frances shook her head, willing her tears back. "What is wrong with him?" She asked hoarsely.
He remembered that she had not been there when he'd given his tiny report to the family, and remembered also the other name of the guardian, another woman. He took it in without problem. "A severely broken right arm, two of his ribs are slightly cracked, and several contusions." He said matter-of-factly. Then his voice softened when he said, "Believe me, if anything changes, I'll personally call you."
Frances believed him, and she nodded. "I think he is right."
Richard agreed. "Louie, Korina," He said. "Why do not you two come with Francine and I? Frances, you can take Katie home."
Frances looked at her father and nodded slowly. She looked at Katie and realized that she had returned to the shell that she was in. She walked up to her and sat beside her. "Katie," She whispered huskily. She wrapped her arm around her shoulder and pulled her up. "Come on." Katie didn't respond, she just stood when Frances pulled her and walked wherever Frances guided her.
The numbness she felt inside was killing her. It was incredible, the strength with which she felt William's accident. One moment, she was in the kitchen, cooking William's and her own dinner. The next, she felt her heart suddenly stop and the knowledge of William's suffering was in her mind. All she knew was that she had to run and find him, and keep him safe. Then the sight of her little son being carried away in a stretcher, the oxygen mask towering over his little face, the IV's connected to his unbroken little left arm... She sobbed loudly and her knees weakened.
Frances held her up with her strength. She continued to guide her down the hallway, until they were in the lobby and out the doors of Jamaica Hospital. Richard, Francine, Louie and Korina accompanied Frances and Katie towards the rented car. There, Louie and Korina took their luggage from the trunk and watched as Frances drove off with Katie on the passenger seat. They both waited there with Francine, while Richard went and fetched his own car.
THREE
FRANCES pulled the car up into the driveway, glancing at Katie. She turned it off and got out of the car, locking the door. She walked over to the passenger side and opened the door. She gently grabbed Katie's arm and she felt a flicker of desire. Katie climbed out of the car and she stood face to face with Frances. She felt the sudden urge to fall into Frances' embrace. Frances felt protective for this person, the woman she most loved. She pulled Katie towards the front door of the house and searched her pockets for the keys; she had left her own at her father's house before she had left to France.
Once inside, Frances pulled Katie towards the stairs. She intended to have her take a shower and to go to bed. She forced her to stop in front of the bathroom doorway and pushed her softly inside. Frances stood and waited to see if Katie was going to do this on her own. But Katie just stood there and looked at her helplessly, her arms still wrapped around herself. Frances sighed and walked up to her. "I will help you." She whispered lovingly.
Katie felt her mind reeling. She knew that Frances hadn't stopped loving her. She wanted her close; she wanted to feel her reassuring warmth. She stood passively as Frances pulled her arms away from herself. And then slowly, tenderly, Frances removed her clothes. First, the cotton T-shirt; then, she unbuckled the belt of her pants, unbuttoning them and pushing them down her long smooth legs. Frances' fingers accidentally touched Katie's skin and she felt an electric current run through her body; Katie shivered with desire.
Frances pulled herself up to her feet and pushed her towards the shower. Katie stopped and turned to look into Frances' eyes. "Come in with me," She whispered. "Nothing has to happen."
Frances took an empty swallow and nodded slowly. She slowly began to remove her jacket, throwing it on the floor beside Katie's clothes. Katie watched and waited patiently until Frances was naked except for her boxers. She pushed her into the shower and walked into it with her. Katie looked down at her boxered hips and looked up into her eyes. Frances smiled and pushed them off. She turned Katie away from her and picked up the bar of soap, rubbing it softly against her back. Katie tensed under her touch, feeling the pleasurable electricity running through her body, as she felt every time Frances touched her. She turned around and looked at Frances' naked body. Frances looked into her eyes and smiled reassuringly. She turned on the shower, turning the water on warm.
She allowed her hands to soap Katie's chest, but she was shy about touching her full breasts; she thought she would burst right there and cry. She never thought that she'd touch or hold Katie again. She went around her breasts to Katie's stomach. Katie moved closer to her and wrapped her arms around her neck. The familiarity of Frances' soft breasts against hers was overwhelming. She moaned. Frances wrapped her arms around Katie's waist and pulled her tightly to herself, nuzzling her neck softly. And then Katie pulled her head back and, closing her eyes, kissed Frances softly on the lips. The kiss was soft and passionate and desperate. They each felt the other's sadness and fear for their son.
Their tongues now caressed each other as their breathing slowly became erratic. They pulled back slightly and breathed hard against one another. Katie rubbed her soaped body against Frances, who was leaning against the wall, breathing heavily. They needed the closeness of each other, the comfort; the love they knew still existed with infinite strength. Frances pulled Katie to her again and kissed her deeply. She pulled her under the shower and waited until the soap rinsed itself from their bodies.
She pulled them out of the shower and took the towel. Katie allowed Frances to dry her slowly, allowed her to stare at her body as she did so; and after, she watched Frances dry herself, then allowed her to pull them out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. Katie's eyes watered, she never thought she would hold Frances again; and now that their son was dying... She pulled her to herself and sobbed into her shoulder. Frances held her and comforted her. She pushed them into the bed and lay next to Katie, who still cried against her shoulder. They lay there, their legs entwined, their naked bodies touching comfortingly. She pulled back slowly and studied Katie's tearful face, felt overwhelmed by the sight of Katie's wet hair resting matted on her forehead and cheek. Katie's eyes were closed and her full lips were quivering.
She kissed her softly on the lips again. "Katie," She whispered against her lips. Katie responded by kissing her back. She opened her mouth to allow Frances to slip her velvety tongue inside her mouth. Frances sighed as she felt Katie burrow deeper into her arms. She caressed Katie's bare back with her fingertips.
Their kiss was slow and passionate. But their minds were in the hospital with William and they both knew this. Katie pulled away and sobbed against Frances' chest. "I can't!" She cried out.
Frances' tears couldn't be held in; they spilled down her cheeks and she tightened her embrace around Katie's smaller shoulders. "I know," She comforted. "I can not either." She soothed her until she felt Katie begin to fall asleep, almost an hour later. She must be exhausted, she thought. She felt herself falling into a light sleep also.
FOUR
"YOU should have never left him.... It's all your fault." Ross' words reverberated through her lightly sleeping brain, and she woke up. She lifted her head and looked around. Katie lay half on top of her, her arm draped across her stomach. She slowly and carefully lifted Katie's arm off her and moved from under her. They must have been asleep for over an hour. She went towards the bathroom and picked up her boxers and slipped them on. She slipped on her shirt and went towards the stairs.
She went down to the living room and stood there staring at everything. It all was the same as it was when she had left more than two months earlier; except for the fact that her son wasn't running around the house causing havoc. Her eyes riveted to the place were all the drinks were locked. She felt a desire to drink at that second. She went towards it and kneeled before it. It was a combination lock and she remembered the numbers very clearly. She opened it and pulled it out of the lock holder. She took a cup and a large bottle of Vodka.
She was used to having her drinks strong or pure, so she opted to have her Vodka pure. She poured herself half a cup and drank. An hour must have passed and Frances was slouched on the couch, drunk beyond return; the empty bottle of Vodka hung from her hand. The words that Ross had so vehemently said to her reverberated through her drunken brain: "You should have never left him.... It's all your fault." She stood up and staggered to the middle of the living room, all of a sudden wanting to kill her brother. "You should have never left him.... It's all your fault." And then she tossed the bottle across the room, screaming in her anger and pain.
İİİİİİİİİİ
KATIE jumped at the sound of breaking glass and Frances' drunken scream coming from the living room. She realized that Frances was not at her side and she stood and went to the drawers. She pulled out a long shirt and pulled it over her head. She walked quickly down the hall towards the stairs. Downstairs, Katie found Frances on her knees, bent over and sobbing, her forehead pressed down on the carpet. Katie felt her heart wrench. She quickly went to her and wrapped her arms around her shoulders.
Frances looked up at her and cried out: "It is my fault! He is dying because of me, because of me!" Her words were slurred. She tried to pull away from her, but Katie was surprisingly strong. "You hate me!"
Katie knew that Frances was voicing her greatest fears. She knew Frances was reliving that last fight before she left. And she knew that Frances' love for William was blinding her. "Frances," Katie exclaimed, shaking her. "Frances, relax!"
Frances' unfocused eyes were looking wildly at her. She cried and clung to Katie as if for dear life, her face pressed against her chest. "I love you," She whispered, pulling Katie to her fiercely, kissing her harshly in her desperation. "I am so in love with you!"
After a while, Katie made her stand, pulling her towards the stairs. Frances stumbled, but she allowed Katie to guide her. In the bedroom, Katie forced Frances to lie down on the bed. She was still crying and buried herself into Katie's embrace, murmuring incoherently. She said things about their son, about how she wished this hadn't happened to him, about how she wished that things hadn't happened the way they did.
Shortly after, Frances fell asleep. Her arms were still tightly wound around Katie, who held her in her arms.
FIVE
THE weeks passed and Frances and Katie always went together to see their son. William was still unconscious. His body was beginning to heal and his young beauty was returning. The doctors allowed Frances and Katie to go into his room together. Frances would sometimes sit next to him on the bed and would talk to him softly. She would tell him how much she missed him and how much she loved him. Sometimes, tears came to her eyes and she would cry on Katie's shoulder.
Katie was the stronger of the two, she kept Frances pulled together. There were times in their home that Frances almost lost it all together. The thought of their son not being with them tore her apart. Katie felt the same way, but her love for Frances wouldn't allow her to weaken like her. They slept in each other's arms, but they would not make love. The comfort of the other kept them each sustained.
THEN one afternoon, Syrah and Lucy showed up at the hospital. Lucy had called Frances at the wine business in Paris, and she was told that Frances had returned to New York. When she called her parent's home, she was told of William's accident. She cried to Syrah, who was with her as she made the phone calls. She really was fond of the little boy. She decided to go to Jamaica Hospital.
Syrah and Lucy approached Katie while she was waiting to speak to the doctor. Frances had stayed behind with William, asking Katie to fill her in. Katie frowned as she saw Lucy walk into the hall holding Syrah's hand. Since when did Lucy and Syrah see each other? Syrah walked up to her and saw the way Katie was worn out. She suddenly felt for her.
Also, she now knew that Ross had lied to her that time that they met. During the past month, she'd had long conversations with Lucy. Lucy had blatantly called Ross a lying bastard. She'd said that Katie made Frances the happiest woman. That during that month that Frances was preparing to go away, she had been empty and not herself. Syrah knew this herself; she'd seen the way Frances was acting. And it certainly wasn't as herself. So, how could Katie not be making Frances happy when Frances was so unhappy without her?
Katie was cold to Syrah, but warm to Lucy, who never did anything to her. She was Frances' best secretary and a good friend to Katie, since they had both started college together. In the last couple of months, Lucy and Katie had not spoken or kept in touch; mainly because Katie kept to herself and hardly called anyone. When Lucy had reached her side, they had hugged tightly. Lucy had kissed her on the forehead and murmured comforts while Syrah watched, feeling awkward.
"Katie," Syrah said. "I'm really sorry about your son."
Katie had glared at her and frowned. "Thank you." She mumbled, turning away.
Lucy looked at both of them and shook her head. "What room is the baby in?" She asked Katie, planning on leaving both women alone to speak.
Katie looked at her and smiled. "ICU 324." She answered.
Lucy thanked her and exchanged a meaningful smile with Syrah, who nodded. She walked away and disappeared around the corner of the hall. Syrah reached up and put her hand on Katie's shoulder. Katie tensed and pulled away. Syrah swallowed hard and spoke: "Katie, I really need to speak to you." Her voice broke.
Katie heard the tears in her voice and turned to look at her. "What do you have to say?" She asked after a while.
Syrah took a deep breath and looked down at her feet. "Do you know that Frances never stopped loving you?" She asked.
Katie smiled softly, crossing her arms over her chest. "I had an idea." She said sarcastically.
Syrah looked up into her eyes. "Frances never cheated on you." She said.
Katie tensed. "And what makes you think that I'll believe you?" She asked coldly.
Syrah shook her head vehemently. "I do not know," She whispered, tears came to her eyes. "God! When I went to see her, she didn't even let me get near her. I pushed myself upon her. And let me get it clear, the lipstick wasn't on purpose." She tried to wipe the tears away from her eyes, but they kept coming. "I swear on my life!" She sat down on one of the chairs and sobbed into her hands.
Katie watched with pity. She sat next to Syrah and put her hand on her back. "How do you know that Frances never cheated on me?" She asked softly.
"Because she loves you too much." Syrah answered, looking up from her hands into Katie's eyes. "Katie, you have to stop being so insecure! You should be proud of the fact that you are the only woman that Frances never cheated and never would cheat on! I'm so sorry all this ever happened. It was because of me. Forgive me!"
Katie was starting to believe Syrah. She knew that Frances loved her with a strength no one could weaken. She also knew that leaving her really hurt Frances. And she knew that she loved Frances with the same intensity... Maybe she could trust Frances after all. She knew that with one word from her, Frances would return to her. And now something told her that they would be together again. She looked at Syrah, who was looking up at her, and smiled. "Syrah," She whispered. "Do you think that we could be friends? That we could forget everything of the past?"
Syrah nodded vigorously. "Yes!" She said. "I would love to be your friend. To get to know you."
Katie smiled and nodded. She extended her hand to Syrah, who took it. "Friends, then."
İİİİİİİİİİ
LUCY had walked into William's room, finding Frances standing next to the bed; she was running her fingers through the unconscious boy's hair. Her gray eyes were deeply sad and they looked at William with hope and love. Lucy approached the bed; Frances looked up at her and smiled. "How are you?" She asked, her deep voice was dull with sadness.
Lucy didn't know what to say. She never expected to see the boy in this condition. He was much thinner. His tiny arm was on a cast that made his small body look even smaller, the other cast was around his torso, protecting his broken ribs; his face showed only a tiny hint of having been swollen. He was still on respiratory aid, but other than that, he was on his own. He wasn't responding, there was no sign of life other than his chest rising and falling very slowly. Frances followed her gaze back down to William. "I'm fine, Frances." She finally said. "How about you?"
Frances pondered for a few seconds. "Loosing it sometimes, but Katie keeps me on earth." She replied. She looked down again at William, her eyes were very sad. "I miss him."
Lucy walked around the bed and up to Frances, lifting her hand to her shoulder. "Everything's going to be okay," She whispered reassuringly.
Frances was about to reply, but she heard a small noise coming from William. Both women turned to look at the beautiful wide-eyed little boy that was staring at them. Frances gasped as she realized that what she had heard was William's yawn. He looked at her and smiled. "Di," He croaked, his little voice was hoarse from being unused for so long.
Frances smiled widely as tears came to her eyes. She kneeled next to the bed and put her head on William's chest, sobbing loudly. Lucy tearfully ran out of the room in search of Katie and a doctor. She found Syrah and Katie talking to William's doctor. She gasped the news to them. Katie was the first to turn away from them and run towards William's room. The doctor and a nearby nurse ran after her, leaving Syrah alone with Lucy. They hugged and kissed in their happiness.
A few minutes later, when they went to the room, they found Katie and Frances in each other's arms, looking at their son through happy tearful eyes. The doctor and the nurse were looking over William, who was smiling and happy, as always before.
SIX
HOURS later, upon the insistence of the doctors and nurses, Frances and Katie left the hospital. They joined Syrah and Lucy for a celebrative dinner. For a couple of hours, they talked and expressed their happiness at this new prospect of William's recovery. The doctor had told them that William would have a few problems. The use of his right arm would never be completely his again, meaning he would have to learn to write with his left hand. They noticed that when he tried to speak, he couldn't too much, his voice was slurred and there was a possibility that it would remain that way for a long time. The only word he was able to say correctly was Di; but only that first time.
Frances and Katie expressed their wonder at Syrah and Lucy's new relationship. Syrah recounted the last couple of months to them and concluded at the time when they decided to work things out. It was agreed between them that Syrah would still travel for her art, but she would try to return to Lucy as soon as her work would allow her. Lucy still wanted to work with Frances, who was glad that this was so. Lucy was the best secretary that she'd ever had, plus she had always been a very good friend of Katie.
After a few hours of talking and catching up, both couples decided to split up and go home. Frances and Katie left before Syrah and Lucy, leaving them smiling at each other knowingly. They each had hopes of Frances and Katie really getting back together.
İİİİİİİİİİ
FRANCES guided Katie into the darkened house. It was already ten o'clock in the evening. She turned on the lamps in the living room and turned to look at Katie. They were both smiling and happy that their son had finally woken. They were tired and worn out, but they still wanted to celebrate. Images of the conversation she'd had with Syrah that afternoon haunted Katie, even though she didn't show it. Frances looked at Katie, her beautiful smile a jewel.
She wanted her so much, she could almost feel her. In the long month that had passed since her return to New York, they had not dared touch each other again. It took all their strength to not devour one another. Their bodies and souls yearned for that union that only they could share. Their minds would not allow themselves off the thought of their son. But now that they knew that William was recovering, their minds were more at ease.
Frances turned from her and went towards the radio. She turned the knob onto Kiss FM; Always and Forever reverberated through the loud speakers. Katie watched her slow movements with mounting desire. She watched as Frances turned and slowly walked towards her. She heard Frances' slightly labored breathing as she stood in front of her. Slowly, they moved towards each other; Frances arms slowly wound themselves around Katie's waist and Katie's wound around Frances' neck.
Frances pulled her closer to herself, one hand at the small of Katie's back and moved her hips slowly against hers. They looked into each other's eyes. In them, Frances saw the deep love and trust that she had longed to see those years they were together. "Katie," She whispered hoarsely. "There is something I have to tell you."
Katie knew what Frances was about to say. "What?" She whispered back.
Frances' lower lip quivered. "For those two months that I was away," Her voice broke, tears came to her eyes. "I could not keep
. still! I mean, I could not stop thinking about you-"
Katie stopped her by putting her fingers over her lips. She chuckled softly at the way Frances seemed so childishly afraid to tell her this. "You do not have to explain." She whispered hoarsely; she smiled warily. "We aren't together, are we?"
Frances shook her head vehemently. "But I want us to be together!" She pulled her harshly close. "Take me back! But trust me!" The tears flowed down her cheeks. She kissed her hard on the lips. "Please!"
Katie pulled away and looked into Frances' sorrowful gray eyes. "I trust you!" She gasped as the tears spilled from her own eyes. And she meant it. She did trust Frances. She remembered the sincerity in Syrah's eyes; the tears that had come to her eyes when she swore to Katie that Frances never cheated on her. She pulled Frances' head to her shoulder and ran her fingers through her hair. She felt Frances shake with sobs.
Katie pulled Frances' head back and kissed the salty tears from her cheeks. Slowly, softly, she kissed each of Frances' eyes. She kissed her forehead softly; her cheeks, her chin... and then, her lips. Slowly, their mouths touched. Katie opened her mouth to allow Frances' tongue to touch her own. They swayed to the soft music now, their mouths hungrily locked together. Their breathing was slowly accelerating, their hips were pushing harder against one another.
Frances felt the moistness between her thighs increase. She held Katie to her tightly. She pushed her towards the sofa, making her sit on it. Katie looked up at Frances, watching as she frantically removed her blazer. She locked her eyes to hers as Frances kneeled in front of her. She took Frances' hands and guided them to her waist, where her shirt was tucked into her tight jeans.
Katie let Frances pull out the shirt and pull it over her head. She reached behind herself and freed her full breasts. Frances stared at them hungrily, wanting to devour their beauty with her hands and mouth. Katie reached out and pulled Frances to them. With a groan from both of them, Frances took a nipple into her mouth. For what seemed like glorious hours, Frances feasted on the fullness of Katie's breasts, her hands feasted on the softness and fullness of the rest of her body. She moved from her erect nipples to kiss Katie's soft neck. She let her tongue trace her soft jaw; her silky lips pulled softly on her ear lobe.
Katie moaned as she brought Frances' lips once again to her own. Frances pushed her hips against Katie's, groaning with desire. Their tongues met hungrily, their bodies pressed against one another. Katie frantically pulled at Frances' shirt, she was loosing control of herself: Her hips were moving in an erratic rhythm; her eyes were glazed and her whole body was trembling. Katie had wanted this for so long, that now she couldn't stop herself; she was making helpless noises. Frances pulled back from her and removed her own shirt; she unbuckled her belt and unbuttoned her pants, pulling them down. Once she was naked, she wrapped her arms around Katie's waist and pulled her to the floor, astride her. Katie wrapped her legs around Frances' waist and she watched, moaning as Frances buried her face in between her breasts.
She gasped, thrust her hips forward, as Frances unbuttoned her pants and slipped her hand inside. Frances teased her, pushing her hand in deep, but not deep enough to touch her wetness. They looked into each other's eyes and Frances knew she had to taste her. She pushed Katie backwards so that she was on her back. She almost ripped the pants apart as she tried to pull them from Katie's rounded hips, but succeeded in tearing them down her legs.
Now they were fully naked against each other. Frances lay on top of her, between her legs, and cupped her face in her hands. She studied the full lips, her thin and straight nose, her chin, everything. Katie studied Frances also, her perfectly straight nose, her full pink lips, her soft cleft chin, and her beautiful gray eyes... The love they shared threatened to consume them. Frances moved lower, taking her time kissing her breasts, her stomach, her thighs
Katie arched under her kisses, her cries a beautiful song in Frances' ears. She teased Katie, kissing her inner thighs softly. Her tongue was a hot ignition for Katie's passion. Frances pushed her arms under Katie's thighs and grabbed her fluttering hands. Entwining their fingers, she pulled her to her hungry mouth. Katie's back arched as Frances' tongue entered her. She cried out as a deep, pleasurable spasm came from somewhere deep within her.
Frances felt the heat of her desire for Katie. She demonstrated her love through her lips and tongue. She moaned as Katie tensed, and remained tense in that wonderful moment before ecstasy would consume her. Katie cried out and then held her breath as she pulled herself harder against Frances' soft, inviting mouth. Then suddenly, her body shook violently as orgasm after continuous orgasm came from deep within her. She moaned as she felt Frances take everything that she gave her, her tongue touching her all over.
Suddenly, not knowing why, she sobbed.
Frances let go of her hands and quickly moved up to kiss her lips; Katie tasted her sweetness in that kiss. They kissed softly, taking their time in their once again found passion. "Frances," Katie said breathlessly. "I love you so much!" She caressed the softness of Frances' back.
Frances chuckled; a delighted smile came slowly to her full lips and soft eyes. "Oh, Katie," She whispered, before giving Katie a breathtaking kiss. "I love you too." She continued passionately.
Oh, how Katie loved this passionate woman who was so comfortably lying on top of her, who was kissing her so heatedly, who with one kiss could turn her whole body inside out. She knew she loved and always would love Frances with a force that no human or thing could ever weaken. And best of all, she knew that Frances loved her in the same way.
They made love on the living room floor for the rest of the night, not wanting to stop to go that long way to their bedroom.
Continued in Part V
Katia N. Ruiz
The Athenaeum's Scroll Archive