DISCLAIMERS:
COPYRIGHT: Billie and Cat are my creations, Copyright by kd bard. The leading ladies resemble our two X:WP heroines. Character or name resemblance to 'real' people currently living or dead is completely coincidental. Download it, print it out and share it if you'd like, but be sure to include the disclaimers.
SUBTEXT: This story is about two women who are committed to a caring and loving relationship. Expressions of physical love are part of any normal loving union. If this type of love offends you, if you are under 18 yrs. old, or if love is illegal where you live, you might consider reading something else.
VIOLENCE: None
TIME LINE/CONTINUITY: This is the fifteenth installment in a modern day Uber-Xena series, starting with "The 'Commitment'" and followed by "A Family in Blood," "Personal Preferences," "Fighting City Hall," "Visions in Paradise," "What's In A Name?" "Promise Me Paradise," "While I Was Gone ...," "Unchained Memories," "Happy Campers - NOT!" "At Loose Ends," "On Solid Ground," "Sweet Angel," and "You Can Choose Your Friends, But...". Since this is a continuous series, there are events mentioned within that will not make much sense if you haven't read them all in order. The complete series, along with a variety of other works, can be found on my home page at http://homepages.together.net/~warriorx/WebPage.htm.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: I strongly believe that love is love, regardless of how it is packaged, so please don't flame me for believing in something so wonderful. All flames will immediately be extinguished by a tour through the city's sewer pipes, however, I do beg for constructive criticism. Send all feedback to warriorx@together.net. A very big thanks to those of you who took the time to find my booboo's ... you know who you are! I really appreciate it. Finally, a big thank you to those who graciously host my stories and provide a forum for my expression. kd :-)
SPECIAL NOTE TO READERS: I'd like to thank all of you for being so patient waiting for this next installment. My life has gone through some major reconstruction over the past year, all of which has been wonderfully positive. I have found my beautiful soul mate, Marni.... we have spent the past year building a life with our two children, Heath and Dane, two cats, Samantha and Tigger, and a new puppy, Solari. We have enjoyed all of this under the umbrella of unwavering support of both our families... support we appreciate more than we could ever put into words. I have been known to say that real life sometimes gets in the way of the fun stuff (like writing), however, real life for me over the past year has been the fun stuff. I thank you for your patience, and I hope it has been worth the wait.... kd.
For Better Or For Worse
By: kd bard
Started 9/27/2000
Finished 04/19/2001
CHAPTER I
She lay in slumber... oblivious to the watchful eye of the dark haired woman who silently feasted on her beauty... watching the rise and fall of her shoulders as she lay, face down, arms tucked beneath the pillowy down that cushioned her face on the bed.
Oh, what I wouldn't give to be the down in that pillow, that I could cradle such beauty, the dark haired woman thought as she smiled and reached over to delicately draw one long finger down the length of the sleeping beauty's arm.
The sleeping woman twitched as the nerve endings on her arm registered the intrusion.
Leaning in, the dark haired woman whispered, "I love you," as her lips made contact with the soft contours of her bed-mate's cheek.
A tiny smile crossed the features of the sleeping woman as she subconsciously acknowledged the caress.
Continuing her game of hit and run, the dark haired woman reached over once more and brushed golden bangs off the forehead of her victim. "You are my heart," she whispered huskily.
An arm shot out from under the pillow to shoo away the bothersome contact... but still, she slept.
A wide grin spread across the features of the dark haired woman at the red head's reaction. Reaching forward yet again, she grasped the edge of the sheet covering the slim figure and gently tugged, stopping periodically as her victim stirred... allowing her to settle in again with a false sense of security before renewing her assault. Finally, she had the bedcover pulled down to the sleeping woman's waist, exposing a creamy expanse of naked flesh, dotted with the freckles of summer.
Throwing back her mane of dark hair, the woman closed her eyes and smiled to herself, remembering the passionate encounter the night before that was ultimately responsible for the golden-haired angel's state of undress. Fueled by the memories, she rose to her hands and knees, she stalked her victim like a sleek, black panther... slowly crawling forward, being careful not to alert the sleeping woman with her presence. Finally, she hovered over her prey, straddling the red head, whose creamy white skin was within a hair's-breadth of her own nakedness.
One final time, she leaned in... her long dark hair falling forward to surround the red head in a veil of silkiness as its owner's lips delved into the crevice of the sleeping woman's neck.
The red head suddenly arched her back upwards in a cat-like fashion, moaning loudly at the pure sensuality of the invasion. Tilting her head to the left to allow greater access, she felt her lover's body lower over her own, as the assault on her neck increased. The sensation of skin against skin was overwhelming as the dark haired woman lowered herself over the smaller woman's naked back. Within moments, the darker woman had trapped her lover beneath her, pressing her into the bed as she slipped her own arms under the pillow to gather her prey completely into her arms from behind.
"By the God's, Billie. I love you," the red head moaned as she savored the feel of her lover above her.
"I love you too, Cat," Billie replied placing butterfly kisses across the side of the red head's face.
Pressing gently against her wife, Cat silently instructed Billie to release her so that she could roll over and greet her face to face. Turning over onto her back, she wrapped her arms around the dark haired woman's neck, and pulled her down into a sensuous kiss, driving her tongue deep into the taller woman's mouth.
"Good Morning, my love," Cat said as she released Billie from their shared air space.
Billie smiled broadly. "Now that's a good morning kiss!" she exclaimed as she placed one more peck on the end of Cat's nose.
Cat reached up and traced her fingertips across Billie's brow and down both sides of her face. She could spend hours just looking at her wife's beautiful face... finely chiseled features, eyes the color of robin's eggs, hair as dark as night, and a smile that could light up a room with its presence. Taking a deep breath, she allowed the overwhelming love she felt to surge through her chest, manifesting itself in the form of a tear at the corner of each eye.
Billie watched the love in Cat's eyes spill out between pale lashes. Leaning in, she kissed the tears away, then lowered her lips to Cat's so that she could taste the saltiness of her own tears. "I love you so much, Kitten," Billie whispered to her wife.
Cat smiled as more tears escaped. "Why is that, Billie? How did I become so lucky as to have captured your heart?" she asked.
Billie propped herself on her elbows on either side of Cat's face. Looking down into twin pools of green, she smiled devilishly. "It wasn't luck, my love. You are a siren.... I was helpless. You cast your spell on me the moment you walked into my aerobics class nine years ago. I was helpless to resist," she explained.
Cat suddenly became serious. Reaching up, she cupped the sides of Billie's face. "Any regrets?" she asked.
"Only one," Billie replied, drawing a worried expression from Cat. ".... that we didn't meet sooner," she replied.
Cat visibly relaxed. Then, in her naturally logical way, she said, "If we had met sooner, you might not have had Seth. As much as I love you, Billie, he is definitely worth the time we had to wait to find each other."
Now it was Billie's turn to become teary eyed. Blinking rapidly, she nodded her agreement, then lowered her forehead to Cat's. "We may not have had Tara or Skylar, either," she added, soliciting a nod from Cat.
Billie rolled onto her side, bringing Cat along with her. She settled in on her back and held her wife closely to her chest while both women gained rein over their emotions. Moments later, Cat lifted her head and looked at Billie.
"Sweetheart, as much as I would love to cuddle the entire day away with you, we did promise Mom that we'd help her pick out wedding invitations today," Cat said.
Billie groaned. She hated shopping.
Seeing Billie's grimace, Cat chuckled. "Come on now.... we did promise," she reminded her.
"Was I drunk or something when I promised?" Billie asked, hoping for an excuse to back out.
Cat slapped Billie gently on the belly. "Nice try, Big Guy, but you're NOT getting out of it! If I'm stuck, then so are you!" she exclaimed good-naturedly.
"But.... but...." Billie whined.
"But nothing! After all, Dylan is your brother!" Cat pointed out.
"And Drew is your sister!" Billie countered quickly.
"You're right - so we're both stuck - got it!?" Cat said, grinning.
"Aarrgghh!!! I can't win, can I?" Billie whined, throwing her hands up.
"No, you can't, so quit yer bitchin' and deal with it!" Cat laughed.
Billie raised her eyebrows into her hairline. "Oh yeah?" she said, refusing to go down in defeat. "Well, deal with THIS!" she shouted as she launched an all out tickle attack against the smaller woman, reducing her to a helpless surrendering mass in a matter of moments.
Cat laughed so hard that she developed a severe case of hiccups. "B... 'hic'... Billie - Stop!... 'hic'... Please!" she begged as the older woman continued her assault.
BRRRRING! BRRRRING!
The sound of the phone caused Billie to stop her attack as Cat scampered to answer it before the caller hung up.
"Hel...'hic'...lo?" Cat managed to say as Billie lay on her back chuckling.
"Caitlain?" said the voice on the other end of the line. "Caitlain, is that you?"
"Mom?...'hic'," Cat replied, jumping to her feet while grabbing her nightshirt from the bed. It suddenly occurred to Cat that her mother had the power, even over the phone, to intimidate her into covering up her nakedness.
"Caitlain, are you all right, dear?" Ida asked.
"I'm...'hic'... fine, Mom. Re...'hic'...really. Just a case of the...'hic'... hiccups," she explained.
"I've got just the remedy for you, dear. Put a pencil between your teeth, then take a drink of water and gargle," Ida suggested. "It works for me every time."
Cat looked at the phone as though her mother had escaped the loony bin. "Mo...'hic'...Mom, I'm fine...'hic'. Aarrgghh! I ha...'hic'... hate the hiccups!" she exclaimed into the phone.
"Caitlain, I'm a lot older than you, and I have many more years of experience.... but then again, I'm just an old woman who probably doesn't know what she's talking about, so you go ahead and do what you think is best, dear," Ida replied, a heavy silence hanging in the air.
Cat's chin dropped to her chest. My mother should have been a travel agent specializing in guilt trips! she thought as she sighed and said, "Okay...'hic'... okay. Here, talk t....'hic'...to Billie while I get some... 'hic'...water."
Billie gave her wife a dirty look as she reluctantly took the phone. "Hi Mom!" she said brightly, sticking her tongue out at Cat and making funny faces as she held the phone to her ear.
"Billie, dear, how are you this morning?" Ida asked.
"I'm fine, Mom. How are you... and Doc?" Billie returned, disfiguring her face into another hilarious mask just as Cat attempted to gargle the water while holding the pencil between her teeth.
Seeing the contorted look on the dark haired woman's face was more than Cat could take. As she erupted into a laugh, her windpipe opened, inadvertently allowing water to seep in, and sending her into a frenzy of coughing; water spewing from her mouth and nose. Billie looked guiltily at her ailing wife and mouthed a silent "I'm sorry" in her direction, all the while, trying hard to stifle a laugh of her own.
Hearing the commotion on the other end of the phone, Ida interjected. "Billie? Billie, is Caitlain all right?" she asked worriedly.
"She's fine, Mom. Just a little water down the wrong pipe, is all," Billie explained. "So... what time would you like us to meet you today?" Billie asked.
For the next fifteen minutes, Ida engaged her daughter-in-law in idle gossip and chit chat while Cat recovered from her coughing spell. By the time Ida finally let her off the phone, she had the latest scoop on all the neighbor's lives, as well as a meeting time and place for their shopping spree that afternoon. After saying her final good-byes, Billie made a show of peeling the phone away from her ear and placing it on its cradle.
"By the gods, that woman can talk! Thank you so very much, my dearest wife, for sticking me with Miss Verbal Diarrhea!" Billie joked as she stood and slipped her nightshirt over her head.
Cat approached her tall wife, and standing on tip toe, met the older woman nose to nose. In a voice still raspy from coughing, she said, "Serves you right for making me laugh!" she said before placing a kiss on Billie's nose and backing away.
Billie grinned. "Well... at least your hiccups are gone!" she observed.
Cat stopped and did an inventory check of her facilities. "Hey! You're right!" she exclaimed. "I knew you were good for something!" she added, knowing immediately that she had gone too far.
"Oh really?!" she mused, sauntering up to Cat and backing her against the wall. Placing her hands on the wall on both sides of the smaller woman's head, she leaned in and said, "Are you sure that's all I'm good for?"
Cat nervously licked her lips. "Uhmmm.... Uhmmmm... Well.... I could think of at least one more thing you're good for," she teased.
"And what's that?" Billie asked seductively, her lips hovering over Cat's.
"Mama!" came a voice from the doorway. "I'm hungry."
Billie dropped her chin and leaned her head against the wall with a thud. Cat peeked around Billie to observe a still sleepy Skylar standing in the doorway, rubbing her eyes.
"Hi Baby Girl!" Cat said brightly. "Why don't you go turn cartoons on... Mom and I will be right there to fix you some breakfast. Okay Sweetie?"
Nodding her head, Skylar disappeared down the hall.
Lifting her head from the wall, Billie looked at Cat and chuckled. "If I had a dime for every time the kids have interrupted us, I'd be rich!" Placing a tender kiss on Cat's lips, she added, "To be continued, my love...." before taking her wife's hand and heading downstairs.
**********
"You know what, Mom? We have a pretty weird family," Seth commented as they sat around the dinner table.
"What do you mean, Scout?" Billie answered her son as she lifted her iced tea glass to her lips.
"Well, Nana and Grandma are sisters, right?" he asked.
"Yes they are," Billie replied.
"Then, that makes Uncle Dylan and Aunt Drew cousins, doesn't it?" Seth continued.
Billie sent an amused glance in Cat's direction.
"Technically, yes," Billie answered.
"So.... is it okay for cousins to get married? I mean, that's pretty redneck, isn't it?" he asked seriously.
"Redneck?" Cat asked, sending Tara and Skylar into fits of giggles.
"You know... Redneck. The kind of person who comes from the backwoods... toothless... looks for dates at family reunions...? That's kind of what happened with Uncle Dylan and Aunt Drew, isn't it?" Seth explained.
Billie casually covered her mouth with her napkin to hide the grin that had found its way onto her face.
"Aunt Drew isn't toothless!" Skylar exclaimed in a fit of laughter.
Cat tried very hard to keep a straight face. "Seth, honey... you know it isn't nice to make fun of people," she said.
"Well... isn't it?" he persisted.
Cat wiped her mouth with her napkin and placed it on the table beside her plate. Making a teepee with her fingertips, she looked across the table at her son. "I guess you could say that, honey," she began. "When Uncle Dylan and Aunt Drew met each other at the family reunion last summer, they realized they were attracted to each other."
Billie coughed into her fist, trying hard to stifle a laugh as she remembered walking in on Dylan and Drew in bed together at Pappington Acres last summer. Realizing they were attracted to each other was an understatement!
Cat shot Billie a warning look before continuing. "When the reunion ended, they realized how sad they would be apart, so Aunt Drew went to live with Nana and Papa Jim for a while so she could be closer to Dylan. Before they knew it, they had fallen in love... and now they're getting married," Cat finished.
"Cousins getting married.... Yep - they're rednecks!" Seth insisted, grinning ear to ear.
"Actually, they're a redneck and a valley girl," Tara added.
"Tara Charland!" Cat exclaimed. "Why on earth would you say a thing like that?"
"Get real, Ma.... Geesh, I mean, like... really!" Tara said, imitating her Aunt Drew's mannerisms and making the entire family break down into laughter.
"Hey! Wait a minute!" Seth exclaimed loudly, drawing the attention of everyone at the table. "If Uncle Dylan and Aunt Drew are cousins, then that makes you two cousins too!" he reasoned.
Billie and Cat looked at each other nervously.
"So does that mean Mommy and Mama are rednecks too?" Skylar asked her brother innocently.
Seth looked nervously at his mothers, hoping he wasn't in trouble for prompting his sister's question.
Billie looked around the table at the tension on her children's faces, and the smirk on Cat's that she was desperately trying to hide. Reaching down, she picked up her knife from the table and started picking at her teeth. Sitting back, she patted her stomach and pretended to spit on the floor. Turning to Cat, she said in a backwood's drawl.... "Well, Maw... that sure was a good dinner ya made. Ya done yerself proud!"
Falling into the act, Cat replied, "Well, thank ya, Paw. Glad ya liked it. Best road-kill stew I ever made. Did you young'uns like it?" she asked the children.
The tension around the table immediately broke as the kids got into the act. Seth got up from the table and pulled the waist of his jeans up under his armpits, messed up his hair, took his shoes and socks off and rolled up his pant legs, sending his sisters into fits of giggles. Someone even went so far as to suggest they change their last name to Redneck and paint it on the mailbox.
Finally, after exhausting a nearly endless supply of silliness, Cat explained in all seriousness how Ida and Laurel were indeed sisters, but in name only, as Ida was Grandma Jan's daughter, and Laurel was Grandma Mel's, so there was no real blood ties between them. So even though Dylan and Drew were cousins in name, they weren't actually related by blood, and neither were Cat and Billie.
"Ah shucks, Maw... I was kinda likin' being a redneck," Tara joked.
"I'd rather be a redneck than a penguin!" Seth exclaimed.
"A penguin?" Cat asked.
"Yeah... I have to wear a monkey suit for the wedding," Seth whined.
"Are you a penguin or a monkey?" Skylar asked her brother in all seriousness.
"Well at least you don't have to wear a dress like I do!" Tara interjected.
"Seth would look funny in a dress!" Skylar giggled.
"Yeah? Well, you have to wear a dress too... so there!" Seth countered.
"I like to wear dresses!" Skylar defended herself indignantly.
"You would!" Tara exclaimed.
"All right... I think this discussion is over," Billie said, sensing that things were starting to get nasty. "Look... it's a great honor to be in your aunt and uncle's wedding... you should be proud." Billie explained.
"Aw.... Sweetheart....," Cat said hesitantly. "...you have to wear a dress too," she pointed out to Billie.
Billie's face fell as that particular realization set in. Looking at Cat, she exclaimed, "Ah shucks, Maw... and I was hoping to wear my best bib-overalls!"
A chain reaction of laughter spread like a yawn in a crowded room.
****************************************************************************************************
CHAPTER II
"Billie, could you come to my office please. I have something to discuss with you," Art said in a serious tone.
"Sure, Art. What's up? Am I in trouble or something?" Billie asked, remembering the confrontation she had with an important client earlier in the week. He was the type of client that thought he knew more about the law than the lawyers did, and notoriously gave the firm a hard time. She had given this client some important legal advice that he was hesitant to accept, and she made it clear in no uncertain terms that he was a fool if he chose to ignore it. The meeting ended with the client stomping out of the room.
"We'll talk about it when you get here," he replied seriously.
Gulping nervously, she hung up the phone and took a deep breath. Damn! If that asshole causes me to lose my job....., she thought, trying to put on a positive face as she walked the distance between her office and Art's. Stopping at Art's door, she took a deep breath and glanced over at his secretary, who gave her a curious look. Bracing herself for the worst, she raised one fist and knocked.
"Come in, Billie," Art called from behind the closed door.
Forcing a smile onto her face, she greeted Art enthusiastically. "Hey Art! You wanted to see me?"
"Have a seat, Billie," Art instructed as he stood and approached her.
Billie, nearly shaking with nervous anticipation, headed in the direction of the chair Art had indicated as he shut the door firmly behind her.
Settling herself into the chair, she crossed her legs at the ankles and clasped her hands in her lap as she watched Art walk over to the window behind his desk and stand there with his back to her for several moments. Christ Almighty, she thought. He's going to can me.... I just know it!
It seemed like an eternity before Art finally turned around and leaned his backside against the sill, his large burly frame nearly filling the entire window. Crossing his arms in front of him, he began to speak.
"Billie, how long have you been working here?" he asked.
Furrowing her brow, Billie thought for a moment. "Ah.... about ten years," she replied.
Art nodded his head. "I thought so," he replied.
A long silence fell between them... a silence Billie had a very difficult time tolerating. After several moments, she just couldn't take it anymore.
"Look, Art," she said, rising to her feet. "Just come out with it, okay? I know I pissed off that client early this week.... so just get it over with. Just say it - 'Billie, you're fired'. That is what you're trying so hard not to say, isn't it?" she demanded angrily.
Art broken out into a wide grin. Billie, you are so easy to play with! he thought to himself.
The look on his face infuriated the dark haired woman. "What the hell is so funny?" she replied angrily, hands on her hips.
Pushing himself away from the window sill, he walked around his desk and confronted the angry woman face to face. Placing his hand on her shoulders, he looked her straight in the eye and said, "Actually, I was going to say, 'Welcome to the firm - I've decided to make you a partner.'"
Billie was speechless, standing there, mouth agape.
Chuckling, Art reached over, placed two fingers under her chin and closed her mouth. Seeing Billie's wide-eye stare, he waved his hand back and forth in front of her face. "Earth to Billie!" he said jokingly.
Shaking herself out of her shocked state, she just looked at Art and said, "But.... but....."
"But what, Billie? Since you've joined the firm, we have shown continuous financial growth. Your landmark case against the state for same-sex marriage several years ago brought us significant business, especially from the gay community. You are an outstanding lawyer who rarely loses a case. The promotion is totally justified," he explained.
Billie was still numb from the surprise. "But Art.... that client...." she stammered.
"That client is a short sighted fool. Luckily for him, he finally made the right decision after he cooled off and thought about your advice. He called me just this morning singing your praises for having the guts to stand up to him. That is one man I was convinced would never admit he was wrong. I think the experience humbled him. Hopefully, he'll be easier to deal with from now on," Art explained.
Billie lowered herself into her chair and looked up into the handsome dark-skinned face of her employer. Slowly, the realization came over her as a grin spread across her own face. She was still speechless as she sat there grinning like a fool.
Leaning down, Art placed a hand on her shoulder. "The paperwork will be ready for your signature tomorrow, Billie. Why don't you take the rest of the day off and celebrate with that beautiful wife and family of yours," he suggested.
Billie was totally incapable of responding with anything but a nod.
Taking her arm, Art helped her to her feet and guided her to the door. "I don't want to see you here until tomorrow, okay? Enjoy the rest of your day, my friend. You deserve it!" he said.
Closing the door behind her, he leaned his back against it and smiled to himself. A chuckle escaped his lips as he heard a feminine voice on the other side shout 'Yes!'. He could just imagine Billie pumping her fist in victory.
**********
"Cat!..... Cat!" Billie shouted excitedly into the room as she entered the kitchen. She was bursting at the seams... wanting desperately to share her good news with her wife. "Cat?" she called again, pausing momentarily to listen for the reply that didn't come. "Is anyone home?" she called.
As the realization set in that she was home alone, she set her keys and briefcase on the table, and headed over to the refrigerator where she saw a note attached to the door by an assortment of magnets.
Billie moaned. "That's just how I wanted to celebrate my promotion - shopping for a dress! I'd rather walk barefoot over hot coals!" she complained out loud. Looking at the clock, she realized she had some time to kill, as it was only 3:00 p.m. She wished now that she had taken the day off as Cat had asked her to that morning, but after upsetting that important client a few days ago, she didn't dare tip the apple cart. Smiling to herself, she suddenly realized that she never had anything to worry about.
Well, Billie, she said to herself, I guess Art thinks you're pretty indispensable, or he wouldn't have made you a partner! Nothing to worry about there! Taking in the full extent of her self-serving thoughts, she took a deep breath and brought herself back to reality. Damn woman! You sure are full of yourself, aren't you?! Don't get too big for your own britches, Billie-girl.... no one is indispensable!
Taking advantage of an empty house, she decided to turn up the music and enjoy a long soak in the tub. Nearly two hours later, freshly bathed and thoroughly pruny, she headed to the kitchen dressed in her Scooby-Doo boxer briefs, black midrift sports bra and white ankle socks. Slipping her John Cougar CD into the player as she passed the entertainment center in the living room, and turning it up loud, she danced her way to the kitchen to the tune of "Hurts So Good."
Playing her air guitar like a pro, she slid across the floor on stocking feet, singing "Come on baby, make it hurt so good! Sometimes love, don't feel like it should, Baby, uhh, hurt so good!" Getting into the music, she totally immersed herself in a primitive dance, swaying her hips and bobbing her head as her fingers slid deftly over the strings of her air guitar; her hair flying wildly around her.
"Cute! But don't give up your day job!" came a voice from the doorway.
Startled, Billie stopped dead and turned sharply toward the voice. "Jeeeeeeesus Chrrrrrrrist, Jen!" she exclaimed, recognizing it's owner immediately. "Scare the shit out of somebody, will ya?!"
Chuckling, Jen approached Billie and walked circles around her tall friend, arms crossed in front of her. "Nice outfit!" she teased.
Realizing her state of undress, Billie blushed to the roots of her hair. "Ahh... I just got out of the tub," she said sheepishly. She could tell Jen wasn't buying it by the look on her friend's face.
"All right... all right - I was indulging myself a bit! It isn't often that I get the house to myself!" she explained in her own defense, throwing her arms into the air.
"... Or that you get the chance to indulge in the same behavior you admonish the kids for!" Jen observed teasingly.
Billie dropped her chin to her chest and looked at her friend through thick eyelashes. "Busted, huh?" she admitted sheepishly.
"Yeah.... Busted!" Jen reinforced, smiling before breaking down and hugging the dark haired woman.
Returning the hug affectionately, she glanced at the clock and realized that she was running short of time. "Damn! It's after 5:00 p.m. I've got to get dressed and meet Cat in the mall for dinner at 6:00 p.m.," she explained.
Jen's eyes widened. "You're actually going to the mall without a fight?" she asked incredulously, following Billie through the living room and up the stairs as she headed to her bedroom to get dressed.
"No choice!" Billie tossed over her shoulder. "We're getting fitted for the wedding. Cat took the kids shopping earlier this afternoon and she left me a note asking me to meet them for dinner before my fitting. Care to join us?" she offered as they reached the bedroom door.
Entering the room and dropping herself face-down onto the bed as Billie rummaged through her dresser for an outfit to wear, Jen replied enthusiastically, "Sure! Fred took the kids to Karissa's soccer game, so I'm at loose ends myself tonight."
"Great! We're going to Applebee's," Billie said distractedly as she picked out two waist length sweaters to go with her blue jeans. "Which one?" she asked her friend.
"That one," Jen said, pointing to the blue one.
"Thanks," she replied, shoving the green sweater back into her drawer. Oh!! I almost forgot!" she said excitedly, turning toward her friend as she remembered her good news. "Art made me a partner in the firm today! Shocked the hell right out of me!"
Jen bolted to her feet and screamed in delight. Running over to Billie, she hugged her tightly and jumped up and down, obviously thrilled for her friend. "Oh my god, Billie! Does Cat know?" she asked.
"No, not yet. I was going to surprise her at dinner," Billie replied as she pulled her sweater over her head.
"Wow! So...... that's gotta mean a lot more money, right?" Jen asked.
"Yeah... I guess so. We didn't actually talk about that part yet," Billie said. "But, it's not the money so much as the recognition.... you know?" she asked. "I mean..... feeling appreciated is worth more to me than anything," she explained.
Jen grew contemplative for a few moments.... long enough to make Billie concerned that she had said something to offend her friend.
"Jen.... are you all right?" she asked after long moments of silence.
Breaking out of her trance-like state, Jen once again made eye contact with Billie. A moment of embarrassed discomfort passed between them. Regaining her composure, Jen replied. "Yeah! Sure! I'm fine. I was just thinking about being appreciated.... that's all. You're right - the feeling is invaluable." Then, changing the subject quickly, Jen added, "What time did you say Cat was expecting you?"
Choosing to ignore Jen's tactical move, Billie replied, "6:00 p.m.."
"Well, then, we'd better hurry if we're going to make it on time!" she noted, hurrying her tall friend along.
**********
"Mom!" shouted Skylar as she saw her mother approach.
Seeing her youngest waving enthusiastically, Billie smiled and opened her arms for the running child to jump into, swinging her in a circle before pulling the eight year old in for a hug. Delighted by the sound of the child's laughter as she planted raspberries into the girl's neck, she held the little girl firmly as she squirmed to get away from the tickling sensation.
"Mom! You're tick'ling me!" Skylar giggled as Billie finally released her and allowed her to slide to the floor. She immediately took Billie's hand and walked back to where Cat, Seth and Tara were waiting for them.
Cat and Billie's eyes met long before they were within touching distance. One of the reasons Billie didn't enjoy shopping was because the public environment didn't allow her to be affectionate with Cat - at least not in the way she could in the privacy of their home. She wanted more than anything at that moment to take Cat into her arms and kiss her with wild abandon, greeting her lovingly after a long day apart. However, a public mall was hardly the place for that type of affection, especially since her spouse was a woman too! Not that it mattered to Billie what people thought about her, but she knew it would make the kids uncomfortable to have people staring and sneering at them in disgust if they dared show that type of affection in public. So, she had to settle for warm hugs and whispered, "I love yous" as her lips came close to Cat's ear. Cat's warm embrace and quick squeeze communicated all she needed to know for now. It would have to do until later, when they could be together without reservations.
"Jen! What a lovely surprise! I'm so glad you came!" exclaimed Cat as she took turns embracing first her wife, and then her best friend.
"Billie insisted," Jen explained. "I went over to your house to see what you two were up to, and I found Big Guy here auditioning for American Bandstand!" Jen said, jerking a thumb in Billie's direction.
Cat looked at Billie. "John Cougar?" she asked.
Billie just grinned. Cat knew her too well!
Turning back to Jen, Cat continued. "Well.... I'm so glad you came along. We're going to have some dinner then have Billie fitted for her gown. That ought to be fun!"
Billie looked insulted. "Hey! What is this.... 'Pick on Billie Night'?" she asked.
"Don't worry, Mom," Seth piped in. "You should have seen me try on that monkey suit! I felt like a total geek!"
"You are a total geek!" Tara pointed out to her brother.
"I'd talk if I were you.... Princess!" Seth replied sarcastically to his sister.
"Mom!!!" Tara whined. "Tell him to shut up!"
"Well, that's what Ma said! She said you looked like a little Princess in that gown you tried on! Princess! Princess!" Seth teased repeatedly.
"Okay... enough!" Cat intervened. Shooting a quick glance at Billie, she saw a small smile at the corners of the tall woman's mouth. Cocking one eyebrow at her wife in an "I'll deal with you later" look, she turned her attention back to the two teenagers before her. "All right now. Let's see if we can make it through dinner without any more bickering, okay?"
Cat looked back and forth between Seth and Tara, who were both standing there with their arms crossed and their eyes averted to the floor. "I said.... Okay?" she repeated with much more emphasis.
"All right... all right!" Seth agreed reluctantly.
"Tara?" Cat asked, demanding a response from her belligerent daughter.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah... whatever you say," the teenage girl replied condescendingly.
"Good. Now let's get some dinner," Cat said as she herded her group into the restaurant.
**********
"I'm done. Can I go now?" Seth asked, placing his napkin on the table.
"May I go now," Cat corrected her son.
Billie smiled to herself. Cat was so....... so "Martha Stewart" some times!
"Maaaaaayyyyy I go now?" Seth said, exaggerating the correction.
Pretending to ignore the sarcasm, Cat replied evenly. "Yes, you may. Meet us in front of the food court by.... let's say.... 8:00 p.m. That gives you about an hour to spend in the arcade. Okay?"
"8:00... got it!" Seth said as he rose from the table and headed out the door.
"I guess I'm done too," Tara said.
"All right, sweetie. Same for you - 8:00 p.m. in front of the food court. Oh, and Tara.... would you mind taking your sister along? I know she'll be bored to tears in the boutique we're going to," Cat asked.
"Ah, Ma! Do I have to?" she whined.
"I'd appreciate it if you would," Cat replied.
Tara looked at her sister and disgustedly agreed to take the tag-along with her. "All right. Come on..... but you'd better not embarrass me - you got it?!" she demanded sharply from the little girl.
Skylar, totally oblivious to her idol's reluctance, was thrilled to be included in her big sister's plans, and happily followed Tara out of the restaurant.
"Keep an eye on her!" Billie shouted as they exited the door.
"I will!" promised Tara as they made their way into the mall.
"Ah.... peace at last!" Cat said as she looked at the other two ladies sitting before her.
"Feels like old home week," Jen remarked. "We can't make it through one meal without Stevie and Karissa nearly killing each other!"
"I keep remembering the "Mother's Curse" every time the kids act up," Cat said.
"The Mother's Curse?" Jen questioned.
"Yeah - you know the one..... 'I hope you have kids that act just like you!'?" the red head explained.
Recognition dawned on Jen's face. "Oh yeah..... I remember now!.... paybacks are a bitch!" she said, causing all three of them to chuckle.
Conversation momentarily stilled as the waitress refilled their coffee cups. Lifting the cup to her lips, Cat took a long sip of the aromatic liquid, enjoyment clearly apparent on her face as the hot coffee danced across her taste buds. Looking back and forth between her companions, her eyes finally settled on the dark haired beauty she knew so intimately. "So, how was your day, my love?" she asked softly.
Jen nearly choked on the sensuality that flew across the table on the wings of Cat's words. She was mesmerized by the raw emotions that these two ladies wore so apparently on their sleeves for each other.
Billie smiled as her heart and mind captured Cat's words. "My day was wonderful," she purred. Leaning forward, she reached across the table and covered Cat's hand with her own. To hell with what the other patrons thought. Sensing the importance of the moment, Cat's attention was focused directly on her wife's azure eyes.
"Cat...," she began, "Art called me into his office today and offered me a partnership in the firm,' she said softly.
Cat's eyes grew into large round emeralds as the significance of Billie's news settled in. "Billie," she said, tears of pride filling her eyes and closing her throat. Swallowing hard, she squeezed her wife's hand and continued. "Billie, I am so proud of you! By the gods, you certainly deserve it. Congratulations, my love!"
Damn this public place! Billie thought to herself as she ached to take Cat into her arms and to physically share this moment with her. Later, my love.... later, she told herself as she quietly thanked her wife with a smile that quickly reached her eyes. "I love you," she mouthed wordlessly to Cat across the table.
"I love you too," the red head silently mouthed back.
Jen sat there, tears of pride filling her own eyes, feeling very privileged to be allowed to witness this touching moment.
**********
"It's purple, Cat! Purple!" Billie exclaimed.
"And your point is....?" Cat said as she walked circles around her wife, checking the gown out from all angles.
"I look like BARNEY for Christ's sake!" Billie shouted.
"I love you.... You love me.....," Jen started singing softly from her corner of the dressing room.
Billie looked at her friend and growled.
"I'm not wearing it, Cat!" Billie said firmly, turning her attention back to her wife.
"You have to Billie. All the bridesmaids are wearing them," Cat explained, trying hard not to laugh.
"I love you.... You love me.....," Jen started singing softly once more.
"Jeeeeeeeen! I'm warning you!" Billie snarled.
Jen went from singing to humming the popular children's show tune.... trying very hard to look innocent.
"Unzip it.... I'm taking it off!" the tall woman demanded as she tried in vain to reach the zipper.
Cat slapped her hand away. "Stop being such a baby!" she admonished. "Billie, you'll only need to wear it once, then you can put it away and never look at it again."
Billie covered her face with her hands and rubbed hard. Exasperated, she dropped her hands to her sides and looked at her wife. "Cat.... listen to me..... I know I only have to wear it once..... in front of 300 people!" she complained.
"Sweetheart, it will be okay.... trust me. You'll look beautiful in it. Honey, this is for your brother and my sister....," Cat purred sweetly.
That did it. Billie could never deny Cat anything when she talked to her like that. Sighing in defeat, she said, "Okay.... Okay, I'll wear it, but if ANYONE calls me Barney, they're dead meat!... Agreed?" she asked.
"Agreed!" Cat said grinning ear to ear.
Just then the sales lady came into the room carrying an array of shoes. "Okay ladies," she said placing the shoes in front of Billie. "Now.... here is the selection of shoes the bride has picked out to go with the gowns."
Billie took one look at the shoes and threw her arms up in frustration.
Cat looked back and forth between Billie and the shoes..... "What?......" she asked the upset woman.
"Cat..... look at them! They all have three-inch heels!" she exclaimed.
"Billie.... I... I....," Cat stammered.
"Cat.... Like, I'm not tall enough all ready??! Christ - I'm going to be a fricken seven-foot Barney!" she cried.
"I love you.... You love me.....," came a melodious voice from the corner.
"JEN!!!"
****************************************************************************************************
CHAPTER III
"Billie... honey, are you ready?" Cat called out as she put the final touches on her makeup in front of the bathroom mirror.
After a few moments with no reply, she called again. "Billie?"
"Hold on a minute, Art," Billie said as she covered the receiver. "Cat! I'm on the phone!" she called out from the living room before turning her attention back to her employer. "Okay, I'm back... all right... okay. All right, Art. I can be there in about 20 minutes. No!..... no problem. I'm sure Cat will understand. Okay, I'll see you in a few minutes. Bye." Placing the phone back onto it's cradle, Billie took a deep breath and whispered under her breath, "I hope she understands!", before heading upstairs to the bedroom she shared with Cat.
"There you are! Are you ready?" Cat asked, looking up at Billie as she entered into the bathroom that adjoined their bedroom.
Billie shifted from foot to foot and avoided direct eye contact with her wife. "Ah, Cat. I'm afraid I have to bow out of the dinner," she said apologetically.
"What?.... Why?" the red head demanded, meeting Billie's eyes in the mirror.
With one hand on her hip, and the other running through her hair, the tall brunette replied. "Cat, Art just called an emergency meeting with a client. It's one of the cases I'm handling personally. I can't leave this one totally to Art... I really feel like I need to be there," she explained.
Cat placed both hands on the edge of the sink, her back still to Billie. Shaking her head side to side, she said, "This is the third time you've altered our plans in the month since you were promoted!" Turning around to face her wife, she leaned her backside against the sink, crossed her arms in front of her, and continued. "Billie, Drew and Dylan were counting on us being there tonight. This the first time they'll have the whole wedding party together," she whined.
Billie placed her hands on Cat's shoulders. "Cat, honey, please try to understand. I'm a partner now... I have a responsibility...."
"You have a responsibility to your family!" Cat countered. "Damn it, Billie!" she said before turning her back on her wife once more. "I'm beginning to wonder if this promotion is worth it!"
Billie took a step back. Locking eyes with Cat in the mirror, she held her hand out to the sides in resignation. "I'm sorry, Cat, but I need to go to work. I'll try to wrap things up quickly and maybe I'll still make the end of the dinner. Okay?"
"Do what you think you have to, Billie," Cat said sharply, looking down into the sink to avoid Billie's eyes.
Feeling like a total heel, Billie sighed deeply and turned to leave the room. Stopping at the doorway, she said once more, "I'll try to make it later, Cat."
Cat refused to answer, causing an uncomfortable silence to settle over the two women.
Shaking her head, Billie whispered, "I'm sorry," then left the room.
**********
"Cat! Thank god you're here!" Bridget exclaimed excitedly as she met her younger sister in the vestibule of the restaurant.
"Hi Bridge," Cat replied, returning her embrace. "You sound upset, what's wrong?" she asked her visibly flustered sister.
"Well, Amy's up to no good again," she began, causing Cat to roll her eyes.
"Now what did she do?" Cat asked as she ushered the children into the restaurant. "Seth, honey, could you bring your sisters over to the table while I talk to Aunt Bridget?"
"Sure. Come on, I'm starved!" he said, gently shoving his sisters ahead of him.
"Hey, there's Crystal!" Tara shouted as she quickly moved ahead of her brother, not needing any prompting to spend time with her favorite cousin.
After watching the kids seat themselves at the table, Cat turned back to her sister. "So, spill it. What's Amy up to now?"
"Oh.... she just so incorrigible!" Bridget replied. "The minute she arrived, she started flirting with the waiter! She's been embarrassing all of us! Poor Joe.... I just don't know why he stays with her!"
Cat placed her hand on Bridget's shoulder and gently guided her back toward the table. "Honey, you know Amy flirts all the time.... that's just the way she is. I don't think she means anything by it," Cat assured her sister.
"I don't know.....," Bridget said, doubt tingeing her voice as they reached the table.
"Caitlain, sweetheart, come give your mother a hug," Ida demanded as Cat approached.
Cat dutifully paid her respects to both her parents before making the rounds to each of her sisters, and brothers-in-law seated around the table. Intentionally stopping at Amy, she bent down to give her older sister a hug and whispered, "I understand you're being a bad girl again, Sis. We need to talk later, okay?"
Amy planted a kiss on Cat's cheek and grinned. "Mother Superior has been telling tales out of school again, huh?" she said of Bridget.
Cat smiled back and squeezed Amy's shoulders. "Just behave tonight, okay?" she asked good-naturedly before moving on to greet the bride and groom to be.
"Hi, sweetie," she said, bending over to hug Drew affectionately.
"Hi Cat! I am so glad you're here. Bridget and Amy are like, driving me crazy with their bickering!" she exclaimed.
"Drew, you know how things were while we were growing up.... they've always acted that way. Don't let it spoil things for you, okay? Just ignore them," Cat advised before moving on to Dylan. "Hi, hon," she said, hugging him affectionately. Are you nervous?"
"Not too much.... yet," he replied. "Hey, where's that gorgeous sister of mine?" he added.
Cat sighed as she answered what was sure to be the first of many inquiries about her absent wife. "Unfortunately, she's working.... again!" Cat said sarcastically.
"Oh, oh! Do I sense trouble in paradise?" Dylan astutely observed.
"You don't know the half of it, Dyl. Ever since her promotion, she spends more time at the office than she does at home," Cat complained.
"Well you know, Cat.... she was just made a partner. She's got to do her time as the low man on the totem pole," Dylan said in defense of his sister.
"Yeah..... but it always comes at such inconvenient times - like tonight for example," Cat explained.
"Somehow, I get the feeling that there's no such thing as a 'convenient time'," Dylan observed wisely.
Cat looked at Billie's brother with a tinge of resentment, wanting to accuse him of defending his sister, whether she was right or wrong, but instead, she chose to ignore his remark and changed the subject. "So, where are your mom and dad?" she asked.
"They'll arrive this weekend. Dad has a stock deal he's scheduled to close on Friday," Dylan explained.
"They're staying with us at Mom and Dad's, aren't they sweetie?" Drew asked her husband-to-be.
"Yep! It's gonna be a full house!" he remarked.
"Well, Grandmas Jan and Mel will be staying with us when they arrive, so that should relieve some of the congestion!" Cat said.
"Like, you get the fun company!" Drew whined. "We get stuck with the moms and dads, and you get Grandma Jan! That's like, way no fair!"
Cat laughed heartily and hugged her baby sister. "Well, dear heart, life's a bitch sometimes, huh? I love Mom and Dad to death, but I still feel like a chastised teenager when I'm around Mom. That woman still has the power to intimidate the shit out of me!" she joked. "Speaking of which, she's going to break her wrist motioning to me if I don't get my butt over there!"
"Okay.... it's almost time to order anyway," Dylan said, looking around the table. "Everyone is here except Bob. We'll give him a few more minutes, then order without him if he doesn't show up."
"Bob?" Cat asked.
"Yeah, my best friend from home. He's going to be one of the ushers along with Kevin and Joe. We needed a third usher to walk with Billie, and he agreed to be the man," Dylan explained.
"Well, I sure hope he's tall," Cat commented dryly.
"Huh?" Dylan said.
"Oh nothing," Cat replied. "Look, Mom is going to call out the guards if I don't get over there. Have a great dinner," Cat said as she headed around to the other side of the table and sat down next to her mother.
"Caitlain, dear, you look very pretty tonight. Come, sit down and look at the menu.... They'll be around to take our orders soon. So.... where's Billie? Will she be joining us later?" Ida asked, the steam of questions seemingly endless.
"Thanks, Mom," Cat answered. "And, no... Billie won't be joining us," she added angrily before turning her attention back to the menu.
Ida looked intently at her daughter. After several moments, Cat became very uncomfortable under her mother's scrutiny and gave up trying to hide behind the menu.
"What?!" she asked defensively, looking at her mother with raised eyebrows.
"You tell me," Ida replied. "Obviously there's a problem."
Dropping the menu to the table, Cat sat back in her chair and started rubbing her temples. "Mom, how on earth could you know there's a problem?" she asked.
"A mother's intuition, dear," Ida replied. "Now, tell me what's wrong," she added while continuing to peruse the menu, seemingly uninterested in her daughter's dilemma to the casual observer.
Listening in on his wife's conversation, Doc decided to rescue his daughter. "Ida, leave the poor girl alone. We're supposed to be enjoying a nice family dinner, not putting Kitten here through the interrogation process," he scolded. Then, turning back to Cat, he added, "So.... where's Billie tonight?"
Cat allowed her forehead to drop to the table, sighing loudly before sitting up straight in her chair and throwing her arms out beside her. "Okay.... okay!" she exclaimed. "I'll tell you! Billie's working. Can you believe it? She's working! Art called just as we were getting ready to leave, and she chose to go to work rather than be here with her family. There... now you know," she concluded.
"Was it important?" Doc asked.
"Was what important?" Cat asked impatiently.
"The reason Billie had to go to work," Doc replied, trying very hard to be patient with his impudent daughter.
Cat looked at her father through impatient eyes. Furrowing her brow, she asked, "How am I supposed to know?"
"You could have asked her," Ida suggested, leaning in toward her daughter to look at her condescendingly.
Cat locked eyes with her mother for several moments before breaking the gaze and looking down at the hands folded in her lap. After sulking a bit, she looked back at her mother and replied, "Mom.... she should be here.... with her family. Nothing is more important than that."
Doc reached over and took one of the hands out of Cat's lap. "Kitten," he began, "She is more important than that." After a short pause, he continued. "Honey, Billie has worked hard to get where she is. She's finally made it. Don't you see? All those years married to an abusive man.... her only child laying in a hospital bed for months on end, a little more than a vegetable.... finding out that she was adopted after more than 30 years of believing differently.... learning that her birth mother gave her up for drug money. Cat.... can't you see that she needs this? Sure, it takes some time away from you and the kids, but the fringe benefits to her as a person.... to her self esteem, are very important." Doc paused to look at his daughter, whose eyes began to tear. "Kitten, has she ever not been there for you when it's really counted? Has she ever let you down when it's really mattered?" Seeing Cat shake her head no, he continued. "So how about giving her a break? How about realizing that this is good for her? How about putting the jealousy aside and rejoicing with her, instead of fighting against her," he said.
Cat's head snapped up. "Jealously? Is that what you think this is about?" she asked sharply.
"Isn't it?" Doc replied.
Cat held her father's knowing gaze for what seemed like an eternity, stubbornly refusing to answer. Finally, prompted by the arrival of the waitress, she broke the gaze and pretended to study her menu, trying desperately to keep the tears from her eyes and the quiver from her voice as she placed her order.
Cat was saved from further questioning by a ruckus at the door of the restaurant.
"Hello fans! No.... no, don't stand.... really, it isn't necessary!" came a voice from behind her.
Cat turned sharply in her seat to see who was approaching. What she saw was a very good looking young man with sandy blonde hair, medium height, and muscular build, strutting toward their table like he owned the world, one eye on the waitress' backside, the other on the table he was heading toward.
Stopping just short of the table, he looked directly at Cat and said, "Ohhhhh Baby! Someone's gonna get lucky tonight!" to which Cat reacted with raised eyebrows.
"Bob!" Dylan said from across the table, a big grin spread across his face as he rose to his feet.
Bob looked across the table at his best friend. "Hey, Dyl! You didn't tell me there were so many beautiful women joining us tonight!" he replied as he headed around the table to shake Dylan's hand.
Taking Bob's hand and shaking it firmly, he threw one arm around the blonde man's back and started introductions, walking around the table with him and stopping at each seat.
"Bob, you know Drew," Dylan began.
"Drew.... Sweetheart!" Bob replied as he took a squealing Drew into his arms and hugged her tightly, dipping her back until Cat was sure they would fall over. She watched Dylan's face carefully for signs of jealousy, but found none. Apparently, this was normal behavior for Bob.
"And.... this is Bridget, Drew's sister," he continued.
Bob took Bridget's hand and attempted to pull her out of her seat for a hug, however Bridget was having no part of his plan. Instead, she snatched her hand out of his and curtly said hello before tossing a dirty look at Dylan.
Next was Kevin, who shook Bob's hand firmly.... perhaps a little too firmly, judging by the grimace on his face.
"This is Joe," Dylan said, moving next to his future brother-in-law. Joe extended his hand cautiously, but a little friendlier than Kevin.
"Amy, Drew's oldest sister," Dylan continued as he and Bob moved along.
Amy was in heaven. There before here, stood a male replica of herself.... brash, outgoing, and majorly flirtatious! Rising to her feet, she flung herself into Bob's arms and planted a long, wet kiss directly on his lips. "Hellllllllo Bobby!" she purred as Joe dropped his head into his hands.
"For the love of God, Amy!" Bridget exclaimed aghast, giving voice to the general consensus of feelings around the table.
Bob was grinning ear to ear. "Helllllllo Amy!" he returned, a sensuous leer dominating his handsome features.
Clearing his throat, Dylan took Bob's arm and broke him free of Amy. "Moving right along...," he said nervously. "Ah.... Bob, this is Drew's.... and Amy's father, Doctor O'Grady."
Bob suddenly became all business. Standing erect, he extended his hand to the older gentleman, shaking it respectfully. "Dr. O'Grady, it's so nice to meet you, sir," he said.
Doc grinned as he returned the hand shake. Leaning into Bob's personal space, he whispered, "Cut the crap, young man.... and stay away from the blonde over there - she's a barracuda..... and so is her mother!" he warned light-heartedly, referring to his oldest daughter. "Oh, and by the way, call me Doc."
Bob glanced at Ida, who was looking at him suspiciously. "Ahhh.... good advice, sir - I mean, Doc," he returned, releasing the doctor's hand before turning to Ida. Taking her hand, he lifted it to his lips and kissed the back of it. Cat nearly choked on her drink. "Madam," he said, bowing at the waist, "You couldn't possibly be old enough to be the mother of these women! It is a pleasure to meet you. May I say how lovely you look tonight?"
Give me a break! Cat thought as she listened to her mother coo over the praise.
"Why... thank you, Bob! I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your last name," Ida said.
"Hardy. Bob Hardy," the young Casanova replied.
"Well, it's nice to meet you too, Bob Hardy," Ida returned. "Where are you staying while you're here?" she asked.
"Well, I came straight from the airport. I'm hoping to find a room right after dinner," Bob replied.
"You'll do no such thing," Ida replied. "We have plenty of room at our house. Raising four daughters, you can imagine, they all had to have their own rooms, plus we have a couple of guest rooms. In fact, all the girls are staying with us... well all except Cat and Billie," she added. "You see Doc..... I told you we shouldn't sell the old house!"
"Cat? Billie?" Bob asked Dylan.
Now it was Dylan's turn to grin. "Ah yes.... Cat and Billie," he said, leading Bob a bit further around the table. "Bob, It's my pleasure to introduce to you, my favorite sister-in-law, Cat."
Bob took Cat's hand and looked directly into her eyes. "Cat, huh? Such a lovely name..... and so fitting for someone with golden tiger hair," he said, making Cat's stomach turn. Leaning in close, he whispered, "Does the Cat have claws?"
Cat smiled sweetly. "Absolutely.... and they come on a six-foot frame," she replied, holding her smile.
Without breaking eye contact, he asked, "I assume the six-foot frame has a name?"
"Billie," Cat replied.
Billy. In Bob's book, any guy named Billy just had to be a wimp. Bill, Will, William, maybe.... those were all masculine names, but "Billy?" Bob became even cockier. "Billy. And, does Billy realize what a beautiful woman he has?"
"Yes, SHE does," Cat replied, seeing the shock spread over Bob's face at the revelation. Looking over Bob's shoulder, she caught the twinkle in Dylan's eye as her brother-in-law enjoyed what Cat was doing to his best friend. Apparently, nearly everyone present had been engaged in their encounter as well, as murmurs and giggles circled around the table at Cat's remarks.
Red faced with embarrassment, Bob quickly recovered his composure and moved on as Dylan introduced him to the kids. Finally finished, they seated themselves on the side of the table opposite Cat. Leaning in to Dylan, he whispered, "You know, you could have warned me, Dyl. Christ! Is Billie really six feet tall?"
"Oh yeah," Dylan exclaimed gleefully.
"I'll bet she's a real Amazon... all big, ugly and hairy," Bob said, almost shivering at the image he had created in his own mind.
Dylan grinned. Turning to his friend, he said, "Actually no. She's quite beautiful. In fact, she's a younger version of my mom."
Bob looked thoroughly confused. "Your mom? Your mom is a fox! How can she look like your mom?"
"Well... considering that Billie is my sister, it's quite easy!" Dylan said.
Bob's jaw nearly dropped to the table. "Your sis.....sister?" he asked.
"My sister," Dylan replied, knowing he was driving his best friend crazy with confusion.
"Wait.... wait a minute. I thought you said Cat was your sister-in-law?" Bob asked.
"She is. Twice over. You see, Cat is Drew's sister, but she's also my sister's wife," he explained.
Bob sat there and stared at the table, trying hard to digest what his friend was telling him. Something wasn't making sense. "Okay.... I know I can be thick sometimes, but..... your sister's wife? What the hell are you talking about?" he asked.
Dylan was really enjoying himself. "Yeah, wife.... you see, Cat and my sister Billie, are married.... legally. Billie is a lawyer, and she sued the state several years ago over same-sex marriages, and won. They celebrated her victory by getting married. Cool, huh?"
"Billie is a lawyer? Shit! I just hit on a lawyer's wife?" Bob exclaimed. "Damn it man! Why didn't you stop me?"
"Because I was enjoying it too much!" he joked.
Shaking his head back and forth, Bob looked at his friend, "Man! You have a strange family!" he said.
"You think Cat and Billie are strange..... wait until you meet Grandma Jan and Grandma Mel!" he said, chuckling. "Oh... by the way, did I ever tell you that my mom and Cat's mom are sisters?"
Bob's eyes once more popped out of his head. "Jesus! I'm on overload! No more tonight - please!!!" he said, laughing.
Cat watched the exchange from her side of the table, a mixture of sympathy and righteousness filling her mind as she witnessed Bob's reaction to her unique family. Bob didn't really concern her. He appeared to be a little boy wearing his daddy's clothes. Unless encouraged, she was pretty sure he was harmless. What was bothering her though, was her older sister's reaction to this newcomer. If it was encouragement he was looking for, it was apparent that Amy was willing to provide it. Cat just hoped that wedding vows would be on Amy's mind as well as Drew's in the days to come.
**********
"Damn!" Billie cursed as the kitchen door squealed. "I've got to remember to oil the hinges on this door!"
Billie quietly made her way into the kitchen and placed her briefcase on the floor in front of the coat closet. Straightening, she reached her arms into the air and stretched her tall frame, working the kinks out of her back. Wow! I didn't realize how hours of sitting at a desk could hurt! she thought as she kicked off her shoes into the corner. Looking up at the clock on the wall above the sink, she noted the time. 2:00 a.m. Umph! Cat may be right about this promotion not being worth it, she contemplated. I just hope I'm not in too much trouble for missing the dinner! she mused.
Standing in front of the open refrigerator door, she scanned the contents looking for something quick to eat. "Let's see...," she said out loud. "Ahh! Cold pizza! My favorite," she exclaimed as she reached for the large triangular morsel, grabbing the milk with her other hand. Pouring herself a tall glass of milk, she returned the carton to the refrigerator, then leaned her backside against the counter, contentedly chewing on her pizza and thinking about the day.
The case she was working on was for a client whose daughter was denied critical health care coverage for an experimental procedure, because their insurance company determined her illness to be "predisposed". Not that the child was ill before the mother had obtained insurance... that wasn't the case at all. No, they had decided that since the illness was hereditary, the mother having also battled it as a child, they considered it a pre-existing condition. Earlier in the evening, when Art called, the child was being rushed to the emergency room and Billie was called in to do battle with the insurance company to pave the way for payment, and eliminate any delays in the child's treatment.
It was a difficult evening, with Billie meeting face to face for several hours with the lawyers for the insurance company, arguing and debating the issue until finally, Billie lost her cool and asked them how they would feel if they had a child lying in a hospital bed, dying.... with very little hope of recovery without proper treatment. Tears poured down her face as she recounted her and Cat's struggle to keep Skylar alive when her tiny body was racked with childhood leukemia. Billie's impassioned pleas paid off, touching the hearts of her opponents, when finally, at just after midnight, the opposing lawyers relented and agreed to at least temporarily provide coverage until a more thorough investigation could be carried out. Knowing a victory when she saw one, albeit a small one, she quickly obtained their signatures, then spent the next hour preparing the documentation to make the coverage official, faxing it to the insurance company's main office just shortly before leaving for home at 1:45 a.m.
After downing her last gulp of milk, she stood there, staring at the floor in tired contemplation. No.... Cat is NOT right, she said to herself. This promotion is definitely worth it. It feels good to make a difference in someone's life, she thought as she snapped herself back to consciousness, rinsed out her glass and placed it in the dishwasher. Heading upstairs to bed, she stopped at each of the kid's rooms and tucked them in, placing light kisses on their cheeks. Tears of love and tenderness misted her eyes as she stood there taking in the beauty and joy of her children.
She couldn't help but put herself in her client's shoes tonight. She knew how helpless and fragile she felt when Skylar was so sick, and when Seth was in the hospital at such a young age, lying helplessly in a comma for months. Just as she was thinking how glad she was that Art had chosen her for this case, the realization hit her that he had chosen for her for the very reason that she could put herself in the client's shoes. "You sly dog, Art!" Billie whispered to herself as she left Skylar's room and headed for her own.
Slowly pushing the door open, Billie stepped inside, then quietly closed it behind her. Turning around to lean against the door, she allowed her eyes to adjust to the darkness. Soon, she was able to make out Cat's form on the bed beneath the blankets. She was sleeping on her right side, arm tucked up under her pillow, left leg bent at the knee, her long red-gold hair in wild disarray across the pillow. Smiling to herself about how lucky she was to have such a wonderful wife and family, she made her way across the carpeted floor and into the bathroom to brush her teeth and slip her nightshirt on without disturbing Cat. Moments later, she slipped in behind her sleeping wife and spooned her long frame around the smaller woman, draping an arm across Cat's stomach and drawing her in close. Placing her lips close to Cat's ear, she whispered "I love you, Kitten," then laid her own head down, only to fall almost instantly into a deep sleep.
Cat waited until she heard even breathing coming from the woman behind her before she released the tension she had been holding when she first heard Billie enter their room. She had been lying awake for several hours, not able to sleep.... wondering what was keeping Billie. All sorts of worrisome thoughts ran through her mind, from Billie cheating on her, to her tall wife laying dead in a ditch somewhere. She heard Billie come home about a half hour ago. The car door slamming, the creaking hinges on the kitchen door, Billie's cursing at the noise, sounds of her wife moving about the kitchen as she made a late night snack. All were signs that Billie was home.... that she was safe. All were signs that should have prompted Cat to relax.... but to no avail. All she knew, was that she was mad as hell that Billie had missed the dinner.... that she didn't have the decency to even call her when she realized she wasn't going to make it. She had some explaining to do in the morning.
Several moments later as she was still lying awake, a nagging thought lingering in her mind. I am NOT jealous!
Finally, forcing herself to relax, she allowed Morpheus to claim her as she too drifted off to sleep.
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