INSTALLMENT ONE

INSTALLMENT TWO

A few minutes later Brett caught up with her two runaways and found Tori and Marcus sitting beside a huge plush Gund gorilla. It had black hair, blue eyes, and a goofy smile on its face. Tori's eyes sparkled and met Brett's as she approached.

Tori patted the carpeted floor beside her and motioned Brett to join them. "Does he remind you of anyone?"

"Yeah. You, you big lug." Brett teased. She turned the stroller to face them and checked to make sure Dominique was still asleep. Tori peeked into the stroller as well and ran her hand over Dominique's smooth forehead and soft fuzzy hair. Once Dominique was safely in place, Brett plopped down on the floor and crossed her legs. She took in the various animals and laughed at the one that Tori had her arm around.

"You know that's exactly what I was thinking. You see… we are perfect for each other. Great minds think alike." Tori lifted the Gorilla and offered it to Brett. Brett sat the Gorilla in front of her and ran her hand down its cool soft hair.

Tori watched as Brett caressed the Gorilla's face and her heart warmed at Brett's gentle touch. Tori took her hand and rubbed Brett's back, wanting desperately to make some sort of contact with her lover. "Brett, I was going to tell you this later. But I guess now is just as good a time as any. I have to go to L.A. on Monday and I'll be gone for about a week, possibly longer. Ian and Pamela are coming back on Monday also, so our time at the Hamptons is coming to a close." She looked at Brett and they both shared a sad look.

Tori had really enjoyed being with Brett this past month and really didn't want to see it end. They would be going back to their separate homes in the city. Tori had originally wanted to prolong the courtship process. Wining and dining Brett. However, their feelings for one another were undeniable and they had connected on every level. Tori knew that she would never want anyone else but Brett but she was not sure if Brett was ready for that kind of commitment with her. They had only been together a month and Tori did not want to rush Brett into anything she was not ready for.

Brett watched the faint lines of tension around Tori's eyes and the small set in her jaw. She knew that the trip was going to be just as hard for Tori as it was for her. She thought about Tori going away and her heart hurt at the thought of it. She knew that Ian and Pamela would eventually return. But she couldn't help but imagine what life would be like with Tori on a full time basis. In the last month, they had easily made the transition from estranged friends to intimate lovers and Brett felt she had finally found what she was looking for. With Ian and Pamela's return, it meant that the fantasy was over and they would have to get back to their separate homes in the city. Brett sighed. She could feel her mood change from happiness to melancholy. How can I wake up and not see Tori's face every morning or welcome her home every night? Brett instinctively moved closer to Tori's side so their knees touched and put her hand on Tori's thigh.

"Oh honey, I'm going to miss you terribly." Brett's eyes threatened to fill with tears and Tori could feel her own building.

"I know baby. I feel the same way." Tori gave Brett's hand a squeeze and took a quick look to make sure Marcus was okay. He was enjoying his new found stuffed friends and was quite entertained at the moment. Tori returned her attention back to her lover. "I'm sorry sweetie. Where was I?" Tori made a show of thinking very hard, scratching her head and placing her index finger on her lips in thought. Brett couldn't help but fall for Tori when she displayed her playful side. "Ah yes. I got it. I was thinking, maybe I could buy this big guy here to keep you company while I'm gone. Only on a temporary basis, mind you. As soon as I get back, he's outta there. Whaddya say? Could you use a little "monkey love" while I'm away?" Tori's face lit up in a big smile and they both fell back on the floor in laughter. When they laughed themselves to tears and finally composed themselves, they sat back up. Tori turned to Brett and brought a hand up to caress her cheek. She was glad that she was able to make Brett laugh and waited for her fair-haired beauty to respond to her silly question.

"I guess if I can't have the real thing, he'll have to do." Brett didn't care who saw, she reached over and gave Tori a quick peck and buried herself in Tori's arms.

"I love you." Tori whispered in Brett's ear and rubbed her back.

"I love you too. You don't know how much this last month has meant to me." Tori could hear Brett's voice crack and could feel a lump grow in her throat.

"I know honey. It's been a dream come true for me. When I get back, I think you and I need to have a little talk." Tori pulled back a little and lifted Brett's face to meet her own. She hoped her words were understood and Brett nodded her head when their eyes met. They knew that they would soon be making a scene so they unhappily released their embrace.

Marcus was busy playing with the large array of stuffed animals and was oblivious to the scene that his aunt and her girlfriend were making. His eyes were bright with wonder at all the life size stuffed animals that lay before him. He was laughing until a big elephant toppled over and pinned him on the floor.

Tori reached over and helped her nephew from his predicament. "Hey buddy, what's up? The big bad elephant fall on you."

She lifted the elephant and put it back in its standing position.

Marcus stood up. His face was red and his eyes were threatening to overflow. He stared at the elephant and scrunched up his face. "Ba efant."

Tori and Brett looked at each other and snickered. Marcus' face lit up when he heard his playmates laughing. Waddling over to them, he made himself comfortable and sat halfway on each of their laps, happy to be safe from the offending elephant.

After a few moments of playing with a few more toys, Tori turned to Brett and picked up Marcus. "What do you say we go and purchase this big guy then?" Tori winked at Brett and they shared a loving look. They both knew that they were too far gone to turn back now and neither wanted to even try.

"Sounds like a good idea. As it is, it will take us at least an hour to pay for everything you've picked out." Brett teased Tori. The tall executive's face filled with a very becoming blush and she shrugged her shoulders. Tori knew she had gone overboard but didn't care. She knew how fragile life could be, how important it was to take advantage of the time one was given with the people you loved. She would spoil them if she wanted to and no one would tell her any different.

******

It had indeed taken a while for them to ring up their purchases and even longer to arrange for delivery. With all arrangements made, they were finally on their way out the door.

Just as they were out on the street, Tori heard Brett's name being called.

"Honey I think that man's trying to get your attention." Tori pointed in the direction of the store.

They watched as Peter put on his coat running to catch up to them.

"Hey, you're just leaving?" He looked down at Brett and nodded to Tori.

"Yeah. We bought a bunch of things. It took us awhile." Brett responded sarcastically looking at Tori.

Tori saw Brett roll her eyes and she chose to ignore her lover.

"I'm Peter." He held out his hand and Tori took it.

"I'm Tori." She didn't have a clue who this guy was. But Brett obviously knew him.

"Brett saved my life from a bunch of out of control kids. She was great." He smiled appreciatively at Brett and Tori immediately noticed Peter's interest in her.

Trying to control her jealousy, she smiled warmly at him. "Yeah that's Brett. Always coming to someone's rescue. She's wonderful that way." Tori gave Brett an appreciative look of her own and Brett immediately felt the blood rush to her face.

Peter could see the look of love on Brett's face and knew he didn't have a chance. Taking a quick look at Tori, he finally saw how stunning she was as well. Just my luck. I see two of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my life today and they're together.

"Yes I can see that. Well, don't let me hold you up. You two have a great weekend." He ran across the street when he saw a break in the traffic and waved one last time.

Tori turned to her partner and shook her head. "I can't leave you alone for a minute. I turn my back and men are throwing themselves at you." Tori knew that many found Brett irresistible. And who could blame them? Even the sometimes-stoic future CEO of Hull enterprises was not immune to the beautiful Brett Montgomery's charms.

"Well that's the hazards of the job, Miss Hull. You still want it?" Brett batted her eyes and resisted the urge to run her lips across the inviting red ones in front of her.

"Oh yeah. Consider the position permanently filled." Tori on the other hand did not have the same control that Brett displayed. She bent down and happily kissed Brett in front of everyone on this busy Manhattan Street. Finally breaking away from their intense lip lock, Tori waved for Gibeau to bring the car around and they quickly got in. They placed Dominique and Marcus in their car seats and Gibeau placed the stroller in the trunk. They sank back into the plush leather seats, happy to be finally on their way home.