Skipping Stones

It's been a few months since Julian and Kiki Lowe stood under a canopy and promised to spend the rest of their lives together. Skipping Stones is the next chapter in the Lowe family series visiting these characters as they start their married and family life with their two children, Summer and Tiger. There is a new love brewing, a Valentine's Day to be celebrated, but will they achieve what Kiki and Julian want most?

Chapter 1

"Do you think it's possible?"
The short man looked at her standing by the window in his office as if she had lost her mind. This young woman's innocence and charm were such a welcome. It made him smile at the simplicity of the gesture. Most of his clients didn't ask about possibilities, they expected the world to be laid at their feet simply because they wanted it.
"Mrs. Lowe…"
Kiki Lowe turned from the window and gave Bernard Rosemount the smile that had charmed New Orleans society from the first time she'd appeared publicly on Julian Lowe's arm. "Please, Bernard, I've told you more than once now, call me Kiki."

"As I was saying, Mrs. Lowe…" he put both of his hands up and made a clucking noise with his tongue before she could protest again. "As long as Eugenia Lowe draws breath, I'll address you properly, lest the woman sever some body part I'm fond of. We both know what she's capable of when she sets her mind to it."

She laughed when she thought of Julian's feisty grandmother. "I'd argue with you, but when it comes to the Grande Dame, I'd have to agree." Her laughter was so genuine and heart felt it inspired him to do whatever he could to make Kiki's request a reality.

"I'm not making any promises, but let me make a few phone calls." He laughed at the hopeful expression she gave him. "I said, I'm not making any promises so don't get your hopes up, and don't give me that puppy dog face. What you're asking for qualifies as a tall order, and while I am a miracle worker, this is going to take some doing."

"If there's anyone who can, it's you. We still have plenty of time so I'm not worried."

"Plenty of time she says," he told her in a joking manner.

"I have faith in you, Bernard."

"Oh, now that's just plain playing dirty. Now I have no choice but to come through."

"Like I said, I have every faith in you, and I'll leave you to your work and not bother you anymore. Thank you again for seeing me this morning." Kiki kissed his cheek before saying goodbye, leaving behind a hint of delectable perfume he couldn't name.

He watched from the same window Kiki had just stood at as the driver opened the rear door for his charge. A strand of blond hair fell across her face and he continued to look on as delicate fingers brushed it back into place. The ring Julian had given her sat prominently and proudly on her finger and for the second time in his life he could see what attracted most men to beautiful women. It wasn't his usual taste, but someone like Kiki Lowe could turn even an old queen's head.

"Ah, Sebastian, you'd be so proud to know the small acorn you left behind has grown into a might oak who's doing a fine job of building her own family." Once the car turned the corner and out of sight, Bernard looked at the frame in his wall of bookcases. It held an old photograph that captured one of the happiest moments of his life.

"And my dear, Birdie," he took the picture off the shelf and gazed at the woman standing next to a much younger version of himself. "Your pup has charmed her own beauty and she is simply perfect. I just wish you'd have been around to see it since I know you would've loved her. Her passion to please Julian I think might surpass even your drive to make Sebastian happy, as hard as that is to believe."

Bernard pressed his fingers to his lips before pressing them to the smiling woman in the picture. Birdie Lowe had fulfilled his dream years before by helping him set up his gallery. He remembered how she'd laugh when he would tell her how he wanted to steal her away from the dashing and handsome Sebastian. It sounded so much like Kiki's laugh still echoing in his head.

"Yes beautiful, Kiki, you're about to find out there aren't too many impossibilities in your life anymore, and the Lowe money has nothing to do with why. I think Julian is just like her father with his own beautiful bride, in that she'll move mountains just to see you smile until the day her body draws no more breath." With a sigh, he put the past back on the shelf and started making phone calls.

*****
"Bernie?"

Julian Lowe held the door open while Tiger and Summer released themselves from the booster seats in the back. She stood patiently while small fingers worked the buckles knowing the two liked doing it themselves, and Kiki explained it helped build independence and self-esteem.

"What, princess?" The blond little girl, who looked so much like Kiki, smiled at the nickname.

"Where's Mama?"

"She's on a secret mission this morning, that's all she told me so you guys are stuck with me for now."

"What kind of secret mission?" piped in the third blonde in Julian's life. Tiger had grown extremely close to Julian in the months since his mom and he had taken her name and moved in. While Julian was a woman, she gave the boy the attention and balance he'd never had in his life with Rhonda Plessy, his mother's ex.

"She wouldn't tell me, buddy, that's why it's a secret."

The one thing the kids still enjoyed was having Julian swing them down from the high backseat of the SUV she'd purchased after acquiring a family. It was one of her favorite parts of the morning after she started driving them all to the office. The new habit gave Rudy a reprieve to stay at home and help Rebecca, unless Kiki needed a ride like she had that morning.

"Will Mama be in later?" Summer put her arms up so Julian could put her down next to her brother. Any residual bad memories from her life with her biological mother, Deanne, had been erased with the stability Kiki and Julian had given her.

The litany of questions was something else Julian had gotten used to. No matter how many answers she came up with, the two little tykes could think of something else to ask. "You don't think Mama is going to miss out on spending the day with you guys, do you?" With a small hand in both of hers, Julian started for the elevator. Her new role as mom and spouse had made her seem more accessible, so she and the kids gave their share of greetings before reaching the daycare center.

When the elevator doors opened to the newly remodeled center, Chris was on duty with a new employee who was completing her internship in secondary education. It was a program Kiki had initiated with Tulane University to give the students an opportunity to gain experience with fair pay, but in reality it was more selfish on her part. By making their center a certified pre-K learning facility, it kept her children with her that much longer. The fact both Tiger and Summer would only be with her for only ten more months was making her a little crazy.

"How are my favorite niece and nephew?" Chris got down on her knees to accept hugs and give out kisses. The same thought popped into her head every time she saw the two kids together. Even though Summer was no blood relation to her brother, she could have been Tiger's twin in both coloring and temperament.

"They're both getting over all the hotdogs they ate this weekend," supplied Julian. She waved goodbye to the two as the young woman led them to one of the low tables for a snack. "It was the first warm day we've had that we could take the boat out and hotdogs are the easiest thing to make when you're out there."

"How about you, stud? Are the death sticks, as Kiki loves to refer to those things, off your list of stuff to eat?" Now that they were somewhat alone, Chris turned her teasing personality to Julian. "I want to make sure she's taking good care of you so that this incredibly sexy body doesn't go to pot."

"You know, Chris, you're going to get us both in trouble talking to me like that. Not that it isn't true mind you, but for your sister's sake you should cut it out. She's tiny but scary when she gets angry."

The elevator opened again and slim arms came around Julian's hips before she could go on. "You're not causing trouble are you?"

"Of course not. Chris was just telling me what a stud I am and what a sexy body I have."

"You aren't so bored with me already are you, that you're down here trolling for dates in a daycare center are you?"

"It's hard to find dates now that you've tattooed your name on my ass. There's no way to explain it if I get lucky." She made the tease just low enough so that no one would overhear her before she kissed Kiki who had moved in front of her. "I would've met you for drinks later, Chris, but my wife won't let me."

"Remind me to smack you later." Kiki moved her hands under Julian's jacket and onto her butt. "And you," she looked back at her sibling, "don't make me hurt you."

"If you really loved me you would've fallen in love with and married the perfect woman."

"I must really love you then," said Kiki when she looked up at her idea of perfection.

"You didn't let me finish. The perfect woman with the perfect sister you could've set me up with."

Julian laughed before kissing her wife one more time. "You two behave and try not to teach my kids any bad habits."

"Says she who's raising two poker playing card sharks," chided Kiki as she pinched Julian's butt.

"I have to run, love, but I wanted to know if everything went all right this morning." A few more parents had come in and smiled at the cute couple. "Do you need my help with anything?"

"You're helping me plenty, honey, don't worry about it." She moved her hand to Julian's cheek when the first signs of a pout appeared. "Come on, don't give me that look. Believe it or not, you are helping me and I'm trying hard to surprise you with something."

"How am I helping you if you haven't asked for anything yet?"

The small frown wasn't disappearing so Kiki pulled her partner toward her office. When the door closed behind them, Kiki stepped into her one favorite spot in the world. As always, Julian's arms came around her and filled her heart with belonging. "Listen to me, all right?" She cupped the handsome face with both hands and placed a light kiss on Julian's lips. "You helped me by making me your wife and giving me this great last name."

"Great huh?"

"Are you kidding me? Lowe must be Yiddish for 'golden key that opens all doors.'"

In a small way she wasn't kidding. From the first time after they'd had their commitment ceremony and she'd changed her name to Lowe, Kiki had experienced a change in her life when she introduced herself to someone at an event she and Julian were attending. It was something she was still trying to adjust to, but in her heart she knew it wouldn't ever be something she would ever come to be totally comfortable with.

People treated you differently when they found out who you were with and what your new last name was. The true translation of Lowe was old New Orleans money whose coffers had been restored to their original grandeur under Julian's tutelage.

Kiki felt the deep laugh as it rumbled through Julian's chest. "Ah, Nanna would be so proud of you for figuring it out."

"You do realize though, I didn't marry you for the money or the prestige of the name," continued Kiki. The hand moving slowly up her side made her stop and close her eyes.

"You didn't?" Julian stopped at just the underside of a perfect breast.

"Behave, and no, I didn't." The fingers wreaking havoc with her senses had inched closer but stopped at her reprimand. "I married you for your body, and for your…" A knock on the door stopped Kiki from her own form of torture. "Come in, and you," she put her finger on Julian's chest. "Remember where we left off."

The door opened to allow the rest of the Lowe family to enter, and Kiki let Julian go to greet their children. In their time together, Summer had become particularly close to her new mother who watched over her on a daily basis, and sat up with her those first months when the nightmares of her life with Deanne would invade Summer's dreams. It was Kiki the child ran to first now, as always.

On the flip side, Tiger had become his second mom's new shadow, following Julian whenever she gave him the opportunity. He may not have been born a Lowe by blood, but in his heart he belonged to Julian and showed an interest in carrying on her legacy. The boy had grown to love big ships, the sea and the woman who spent countless hours teaching him about both.

After everyone had been kissed and hugged, Julian and Kiki were left alone again, Kiki wanted to make the most of it before she lost Julian to work for the rest of the day. Lowe, Inc. had started construction on the Sea Dragon's sisters but with fluctuations in steel prices, disgruntled engine representatives and weather delays; time with Julian had become a rare commodity.

"Where did I leave off?" asked Julian moving closer again.

"Tonight I promise, baby." Kiki kissed her slowly while holding Julian's hands still. "Can you come down today?"

"I'll try, but I have a meeting with Cassandra's replacement."

"Please tell me it's a man? An old man with a severe facial tick, who likes to spit maybe?" The aggressive saleswoman who had tried to land more than Julian's business was still at the top of Kiki's most disliked people list. Cassandra Jarvis had given new meaning to the term full court press when it had come to chasing the head of Lowe Shipping. Kiki doubted that Julian being married would stop her from continuing that quest if Lowe was still one of her accounts.

"Love," Julian placed her hands on Kiki's hips and kissed her forehead. "It could be a super model and it wouldn't matter. I love you and you're the only woman I want."

"You're a sweet talker I give you that, but if it's a super model, I'm going to kill you. You know this right?" She pressed her face into Julian's chest, pulling away when she thought she might wrinkle the starched surface. She smiled when her partner pulled her gently back. "I know you love me, but I'm still rooting for the bald guy with a facial tick."

"If it helps any, he called for an appointment. Darlene said his name was Roscoe and he managed to call her sweetheart and sugar before he hung up, so I can't wait to meet him. There might not be a facial tick but I'm guessing there'll be a beer belly and a panache for cute nicknames he thinks are endearing. Depending on how this meeting goes, we may be using a new vendor. Between Cassandra and some of the problems we've had on the Sea Dragon, I'm willing to give someone else a try."

Kiki kissed the spot over Julian's heart before she leaned back. "Go to work, sailor, and try your best to come and have lunch with us."

"What's on the menu?"

"Your favorite, so try not to miss out. I even ordered strawberry preserves instead of grape jelly in your honor." They held hands as she walked Julian back to the elevator. "And please don't take this as nagging, but the kids really missed you last night. I was told on more than once occasion my character voices weren't as good as yours, and I didn't give into an extra cookie before bed."

"You're a cruel woman, Katherine," teased Julian. They had all figured out rather quickly when they got back from their honeymoon that Julian was an atrocious discipliner. "I can't help it," Julian continued when Kiki gave her a look. "All three of you have those killer green eyes I can't say no to when you use them to good effect."

"Ah ha, so you readily admit to sugaring them up right before bedtime."

"I'm getting all my spoiling in while I can. Before you know it, they'll be in college and it'll be too far to drive to give them a cookie before they go to bed."

The comment was supposed to be a tease but Kiki's eyes glassed over with tears. She loved her job, but what made it special was spending the bulk of her day teaching their children along with the others. Kiki was dreading the moment Summer and Tiger would start kindergarten and she would have to hand them off to someone else's care.

"Hey, what's this?" Julian guided her behind the counter so the kids wouldn't see her tears. "You can tell me, honey."

"I'm just being an idiot."

"Calling my wife an idiot can get you fired, so spill it, short stuff."

"Do you ever think what it's going to be like when you descend from the ivory tower to just have lunch with me?"

"You think I don't like having lunch with you?"

She slapped Julian's arm and laughed. "No, goober. I mean if, or should I say when, you come down and the kids won't be here."

"You planning on giving them the slip at the grocery or shipping them off somewhere? I'm not up on all the laws in the state, but I'm thinking they would frown on something like that."

"Julian, honey, work with me here." She massaged the wrinkles out of Julian's brow that always appeared when she was confused. "They'll eventually have to go off to school. Remember how we went and signed them up at your alma mater? That means they'll eventually be there and not here."

"That's months away, baby."

"Only ten months, and it's going to be here before you know it." She tried to smile when Julian wiped away her tears.

"I could move accounting out of the building and open the Lowe Academy of Learning." That got her a laugh and a hug. "Or you could tell me how to make you feel better and I'll try to make it happen."

"I love you more than anyone or anything in the world, you know that too right?"

"But?"

Not giving a damn about wrinkles, she pulled Julian's head down by tugging on her lapels. "No buts, just fact and we'll finish this later." They kissed again, pulling apart when Tiger walked up and leaned against Julian's leg.

"Bernie?"

"That's me, buddy."

"You didn't forget about today did you?"

Julian smiled for Kiki before looking down at their son. "Me forget about you? No way that'll ever happen. I did though forget to ask your mom if it was all right, so I can't say yes just yet."

"Ask me what?" Kiki turned from one troublemaker to the other.

"Mama, is it all right if Tiger leaves with me for a little while today? We're testing the pumping systems on the new boat and I wanted to be there."

"Yeah, Mama, it makes the best water thing you've ever seen." He seemed excited about the prospect of going but remembered his manners. "If you want, you and Summer could come and see too."

"Well if it's the best water thing ever, how can I say no?"

"You don't have to go if you don't want to, it's just that I want to go." He leaned further into Julian and gazed up at his mother with a woeful expression.

"Of course you can go, honey, and I'll ask your sister if she wants to go too. If you don't mind us coming along that is." Kiki smacked Julian on the butt again when she heard and felt her laughing.

"Thanks, Mama. I'll see you later, Bernie." When he was done he ran back to the rest of the kids with a huge smile on his face.

"I don't want to hear it, Bernie," warned Kiki in a teasing tone when Julian went to say something about how easily she'd given in. "What time is the big water thing supposed to happen?"

"I had them move it to three so he wouldn't miss his nap, and it's called a big stream of water, not the big water thing. It's the new fire vessel we're donating to the city, but I wanted to put her through her paces before we hand her over. He's right though, it's really cool." Julian leaned back against the counter and brushed some of her wife's hair behind her ear. "Tell me what's bothering you, love, and please don't say it's nothing. I can see it every time I come down here. Is it something you're missing or that you need? You have influence with upper management, so all you have to do is ask and I'll see that you get it."

"Can I tell you about it later?" She pressed her fingers into Julian's lips trying to keep the pout from coming back. "It's not that I don't want to tell you, I just don't want to get into it here and now."

"You take all the time you need, but just remember I love you and I'm in the building if you need to talk to me."

"Thanks, my love, I do want to talk to you about it, but when I do, I don't want there to be some old guy with a severe facial tick waiting somewhere to see you," Kiki teased. "Go do your thing and remember we'll be waiting down here with peanut butter and strawberry preserves."

"Best offer I've had all day."

Julian received another pinch on the butt. "It better be the only offer you've had all day."

*****

"Put the games away, guys, and come sit down," said Chris, as she clapped her hands to get the children's attention.

They had already had to call housekeeping three times to have finger paint steamed out of the carpeting, and one of the newer kids had thrown up in his lap during story hour. Mondays were usually a bear but this one was going for some sort of mishap record. To top it off, Chris hadn't found the opportunity to question her sister about the little emotional display earlier. It was too early in their relationship for her and Julian to be having problems, so Chris was curious as to what had made her sister cry.

"Especially since Bernie is nothing like Rhonda," she muttered, referring to Kiki's ex-partner.

"Talking to yourself, Miss Breaux? We cover therapy if you need it."

Chris whipped around to find her sister-in-law leaning against the wall near the elevator. "Bernie, I thought you weren't coming."

"It took some doing but Darlene convinced me it isn't a bad thing to delegate stuff when you're the boss."

Chris moved closer and slumped against Julian's chest. She found it humorous that both the Breaux sisters were so affectionate with her, only on different levels. She had never been hugged or used as a leaning post so often in her life until they had come along. "You should give your assistant a raise, she's a very smart woman."

"She already makes more than anyone in the building including me so don't give her any ideas. Though, her idea did clear my schedule so I could have lunch with my girl." Julian kept her arm around Chris and moved them to the small lockers where the children kept the supplies they brought from home. Julian scanned the room looking for the woman who held her heart. "Is she doing okay?"

"She's fine, but you want to tell me what this morning was about?" Chris rubbed the middle of Julian's back, feeling slightly jealous over her sister's good fortune. If there was one thing about Julian, it was how solicitous she was about Kiki's feelings.

"That's why I'm here." Julian waved to Tiger when he spotted her and smiled. "She didn't give you a hint as to what's bothering her?"

Kiki's arrival cut off any answers from her sister. "How'd I get so lucky, huh?"

"What are you talking about, baby?" Julian smiled for her and lifted her free arm away from her body. "You know how much I love spending time with you."

"Are you staying?" She stepped closer and leaned into Julian's unoccupied side. "For lunch I mean."

"Actually I'm not." It took some effort on Julian's part, but she didn't show any pain from the pinch Chris was delivering to her side.

"What are you doing here then?" The tears came back making Kiki's eyes glassy.

"I came to get you for lunch if you're up to it."

"Baby, you know I'd love to, but we're short handed today and it's been the day from hell." The stress was evident in Kiki's voice and Julian let go of Chris so she could put both her arms around her wife. "Can we try for tomorrow?"

With a wink for Chris, Julian bent a little at the knees and scooped Kiki off her feet. "How about we try for today? I promise the place won't burn down while you're gone since we're leaving Chris in charge." She moved to the elevator and laughed when Chris ran up behind them to get the button.

"See you in a little while," Kiki said to her sister, deciding to just hang on and enjoy the ride.

"God, I hope not. If she can pick you up like nothing, then I'm thinking the big brute's got some stamina." Both Julian and Chris laughed at the blush coloring Kiki's whole face and neck.

*****

The elevator opened to the top floor and, as always, Kiki was amazed by the quiet. She and her partner worked in the same building but their environments were vastly different. The one thing in their time together she had noticed about the CEO of Lowe Shipping, was the chaos of the fourth floor was starting to rub off on her. Julian now seemed as much at home in the daycare facility as she did here on the posh top floor.

They walked hand in hand, Kiki smiling and waving at some of the secretaries scattered throughout the space, as they headed toward Julian's huge office suite. "Did you forget something, before you kidnap me from the building?" She asked and got picked up again for her trouble as Darlene stood and opened the door of Julian's office for them.

"Have a nice lunch, Mrs. Lowe, and I'll hold all your calls, Ms. Lowe." The use of titles was not something the assistant usually did after being reprimanded on the subject frequently, but it helped to set boundaries every so often. Especially for the other women on the floor who were seeing a whole new side of Julian since she'd merged her life with Kiki's.

"Thank you," answered Julian before stepping in wanting to enjoy the look on Kiki's face over her surprise.

The reality of Julian's life, before Kiki had turned it upside down, was that she had dated only when the need for companionship became something she noticed. Usually she worked long hours, and sailed in her spare time, either alone or with her best friend J.J. Levine, in a small sloop she had built in high school.

Romance was something Julian had heard stories about from her grandmother over the years, but she hadn't met a woman she wanted to go through the trouble for. But it had still been a secret longing of hers after listening to some of the things both her grandfather and father had done for the special women in their lives.

A secret longing that had vanished with Kiki, and from the expression on her face, Julian had succeeded again. "I promise not to keep you too long, but you looked like you needed something special this morning," she explained as she set Kiki on her feet.

"Honey, I'm hoping you're planning on keeping me for a very long time, and I'm sorry about this morning. I promise it's nothing you did, or didn't do for that matter."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Kiki looked back at the very nice picnic lunch spread out over a blanket near one of the large panes of glass that made up two walls in Julian's office and shook her head. "How about if you carry me over there and we enjoy some lunch and we'll leave my problems for later?"

"If you have a problem, I want to know about it, Kiki. Perhaps there's something I can do to make it better, but I can't try until you talk to me."

Kiki put her hands on Julian's face and slowly slid them up until they were in her hair. "The only person in the world who can make this particular problem go away is you, honey, but I need a little more time to put my thoughts in order before I can talk to you about it." She leaned forward and kissed the lips that at times drove her insane with want. "Can you give me a little more time?"

"I'll give you anything you want, whenever you want it, you know that."

She moved them to the blanket and put Kiki down gently. "Do you know something, Julian Bernstein Lowe?"

"I know a great many things, but I'm guessing I don't know what you're thinking at this moment," she teased.

Moving a couple of plates aside, Kiki moved into Julian's arms and pushed her onto her back. "As hard as my life was before I met you, I'd do it over a million times to end up at your side. You, my love, make me feel as if nothing is impossible."

When she was finished, Kiki dipped her head and kissed her for as long as their lungs would hold out. It was intended not only as an act of devotion but also an invitation for Julian's libido to rev up. "Hmm, that was nice," said Julian when their mouths came apart.

"I know it's the middle of the day and we are in your office, but…"

"But I remember a certain afternoon a certain blonde came in here and broke the news she had to move out for a week," Julian finished for her. "Darlene did say she was holding all my calls and she didn't say anything about that last interesting visit, so tell me what you have in mind."

"Get real, honey, no one is going to admit they heard you having your way with me in your office."

The deep laugh shook Kiki when Julian couldn't help herself. "Me having my way with you, I think not. All those women out there think you're just some innocent thing, but if they only knew the truth."

"That you married a wild woman? True, but I'm your wild woman and I haven't gotten any memos from the complaint department so I'm going with what I know." Kiki sat up and hovered over Julian enough to get her partner's belt open.

"What do you know, baby?"

When Julian's pants were unbuttoned and unzipped, Kiki sat back up and pulled her own shirt off revealing the lace bra she was wearing. "I know that pink might just be one of your favorite colors." The comment was said in jest as she reached behind her to unfasten the pink undergarment. "But as much as you like pink, it's the flesh color pink that really makes you want to take your pants off." The bra dropped on Julian's face obstructing her view of the tantalizing amount of skin Kiki had just uncovered.

"All true so far," the bra landed on the top of the picnic basket as Julian tossed it aside before putting her hands behind her head. "What else do you know?"

"I know that…" she stood for a minute to get her shoes and pants off leaving her only in the matching pink panties. She felt comfortable since she knew the windows were tinted so that you could see out but no one in the surrounding structures could see in. "If you ask nicely, I'll give you these." She put her fingers in the sides of the underwear and smiled.

"You think I'm that easy huh?"

Kiki dropped to her knees again and reached past the open zipper and white jockeys finding the wetness she was hoping for. She moved her fingers slowly up and down a few times until they were wet before pinching the hard bundle she also found between her index and middle fingers. "Something tells me you are."

"Only with you, baby. Only with you."

"Good answer, baby." Not wanting to feel anything but skin when she sat again, Kiki removed Julian's pants and threw them over a chair. The sway of her hips when she walked back was enough to make Julian sit up and take off her shirt.

The sight of Julian lying naked on the blanket brought back memories of their honeymoon. Julian had surprised her with a trip to Tahiti where their bungalow was out on the water with a small dock for the sailboat Julian had rented. They had spent most afternoons anchored in one secluded spot after another making love on the deck.

Having Julian all to herself for two weeks had been the best gift of all, and a memory Kiki treasured. Their hectic days had made those memories all the more precious when they returned, but it was days like this one that made her realize how lucky she was to have been given this second chance at a life she wanted.

"Where did you fly off to?" asked Julian, as she pressed up against her back.

"I'm reliving my honeymoon," she answered, putting her hand over Julian's.

"You do realize we have an anniversary coming up." Julian turned her around and picked her up, loving the way Kiki's legs wrapped around her.

"Honey, our anniversary is ten months away."

"I personally feel like I'm on my honeymoon everyday, but going somewhere, just the two of us, would be a good way of keeping that feeling alive."

"Not getting bored are you?" She smiled, clearly enjoying the ride back to the blanket. The way Julian was looking at her made her almost forget that the world was just on the other side of the door.

"Not likely, sweetheart."

Julian was able to sit without putting her down. Now straddling Julian's lap, Kiki had to laugh. "Chris was right, bruiser."

"About what?"

"You do have stamina and it's time to prove it."

Julian's first move was meant to tease as she put her hand between Kiki's legs, but the wetness she found ignited her passion. She looked down to watch her fingers slide into her wife, wanting more than anything to make Kiki feel good.

"Honey, I really can't think when you do that," said Kiki.

"Right now I don't want you to think," her fingers slid all the way in and her thumb pressed against the hard point. It felt so good it made Kiki's hips buck forward. "Right now I want you to feel me loving you." She pulled out just enough to feel the walls of Kiki's sex clutch around her fingers, trying to keep her in place. "I love you," whispered Julian when Kiki's head fell forward to rest on her shoulder.

They sped up their movements as Kiki felt her orgasm start. Julian held her and whispered endearments into her ear. All of it made Kiki feel cherished, something that still snuck up on her from time to time. No one in her life had ever taken care of her like Julian, and she did it with such devotion that Kiki had come to crave the attention.

"Oh God baby." She moved her hips to the cadence Julian had set and bit into Julian's shoulder to keep from screaming. "Don't stop."

"Let it go baby," Julian kissed the side of her head. "Jump and I'll catch you," she promised.

She stiffened for a long moment before she slumped against Julian as if she'd been drained of her strength. "I have to admit that you sure know how to show a girl a good time," said Kiki. She turned her head and kissed Julian's neck.

"If it's the right girl, you bet."

"I'd better be the only girl."

"For the rest of my life, darlin'," Julian promised. She smiled when she felt Kiki exhale against her neck. "Hungry?"

"For you." Kiki went to move but Julian held her in place. "Come on baby, tell me you don't want me to touch you."

"More than anything, but today isn't about me - it's about you." Julian reached over and grabbed a stem of grapes. "I've been busy lately and I miss you, so I wanted to indulge myself a little by surprising you, and doing my fair share of pampering you." She held up the piece of fruit and fed it to Kiki.

"Planning this for a long time were you?" Julian went willingly when Kiki pushed her back. Once she was lying down, Kiki followed her and used Julian's shoulder as a pillow. "Or did my stupid crying jag this morning make you rearrange your schedule?"

"I love you, so there won't come a day that you get upset about something and I'm just going to ignore it."

Kiki kissed her shoulder before she sat up just enough to see Julian's face. "Honey, I can't believe you did that to Darlene. I know what a bitch it is keeping your day straight and running smoothly."

"Darlene is a big fan of true love, so don't feel guilty about putting her out. Actually, had I gone with your plan, Darlene would've called Nanna and told on me, and you know how Eugenia feels about the woman responsible for giving her great-grandchildren. Nanna would kick my ass for putting the business before you." Julian reached up and pressed her hand to the side of Kiki's face. "So please tell me what's bothering you."

"Only if you promise something in return."

"Name it," said Julian without hesitation.

"See, that's what I love about you, baby. You say things in such a way that I have no choice but to believe you."

"Well I realize my grandmother loves you, but it doesn't come close to how much I love you, so of course you can believe me."

Kiki sat up and went back to the position they started in with her on Julian's lap. Being so close gave her the opportunity to look into Julian's beautiful blue eyes. In business Julian might have been able to mask her true feelings, but Kiki would see the truth of how she felt about what she was getting ready to ask.

"I want you to promise me that you'll tell me what you really think and not what you think I want to hear." She cupped Julian's face in her hands. "Do you promise?"

"With all my heart, so just tell me."

"I want another baby." Julian's face didn't twitch. "I know we have a million things going on, and it isn't the best time…"

"Okay."

"And I'm sure it'll take the kids some time to adjust having to share us," Kiki went on not having heard Julian's answer. It was an old habit, but she rambled when she was nervous. "I just always wanted a big family, and we never talked about it, but the kids will be gone soon and…"

"Baby, breathe for me okay? I said yes." Julian put her fingers over Kiki's lips to get her to stop the self-torture.

"You said yes?" she mumbled around Julian's fingers.

"Actually I said okay, but it means the same thing," teased Julian. "If you want, we'll have a baby every year until we have a brood, or until we run out of bedrooms in the house. You might just get tired before that happens."

"This has to be something we both want, and not something you're going along with to make me happy."

"For a very long time it was only Nanna and me," said Julian pulling her closer. "Rudy and Rebecca were also a big part of my life, but Nanna was my only family. When Deanne left Summer with me, then I met you and Tiger, I finally realized why I do all this," she waved one hand to indicate the office.

"Why do you do all this?"

She smiled at the wonder in Kiki's voice. "I do it because I want something special, something I'm proud of, to leave to my family to carry on. You and our kids are what give my life meaning and why I work so hard. If you want to add to that, how could I not want it?"

"The kids are right, Bernie. You're the best." Kiki kissed her, wanting to celebrate.

Julian held up another treat when they pulled apart. "That's because I travel with cookies." She laughed when Kiki bit into the double chocolate chunk cookie that was her favorite.

"You know how much I love these, but there was some other treat I was thinking of, but this is one that's mine alone." She pushed a very willing Julian onto her back. "I love you and want nothing more than to show you."

*********

Julian walked her back downstairs and kissed her softly in the waiting area of the daycare facility. With a very gentle touch, Julian brushed back strands of blond hair, liking the way it felt against her fingers. From the other side of the counter, Chris watched as Julian whispered something into her sister's ear that made Kiki smile.

When the elevator doors closed on Julian, Chris joined her. "You look a lot better than you did when you left earlier."

"I have to keep pinching myself to make sure I'm not sleeping and making Julian up in some dream." Kiki's eyes stayed on the door of the elevator. "She's just so different from what I'm used to."

"Yes I can see where it would be hard to compare her to your first stellar choice," Chris put her arm around her shoulders and smiled to show she was kidding. "Julian's actually a part of the human race so there's no comparison."

"You're nothing if not a smart ass."

"Sadly there's nothing you can do about it. We're related so you're stuck with me," teased Chris. "So what did Ms. Wonderful do now?"

"You know, honey, we need to get you a date."

"Whoa. How did we get there from the question I asked?" Chris put her hands up and tried to appear indignant.

"It's just that I'm so happy because I did find Ms. Wonderful and I want the same for my sister. Is that a crime?"

Chris took her hand and pulled her toward the office. The kids were all down for their afternoon naps, giving the staff an hour's reprieve to prepare for the rest of the afternoon. Kiki stopped and looked at Tiger and Summer lying close to each other with Summer's stuffed rabbit, Binky between them.

"So what's going on?" asked Chris as she prepared a pot of coffee.

"I've just had something on my mind that I've been wanting to talk to Julian about. At lunch today I finally worked up the courage and she was really great about it."

Chris rolled her eyes without Kiki seeing her. "Kiki, when are you going to realize that she'd jump off the building in her underwear if you asked her?"

"I don't want her to jump off anything or feel like she has to prove how much she loves me. This was just something I had to think about before I asked her to commit to it."

The coffee pot finished just as Kiki did, so Chris poured them two cups. When she turned around to hand Kiki hers, it came to her what her sister was talking about. The commitment she was talking about was something Rhonda Plessy had agreed to in an effort to make Kiki shut up about it, then ran as far away from it as fast as she could once it became a reality.

"You want another baby, don't you?" asked Chris.

"I'm not the only one," answered Kiki, smiling from behind her mug.

"That's great, sis, and if you want my opinion, it's going to be fabulous."

"That's why I want the same for you. When it's fabulous then there isn't anything that isn't possible."

"Mama?" They both turned to the door to find Tiger standing there, almost swaying he was so tired.

"What are you doing up?" Kiki picked him up, swaying herself under his weight.

"Did Bernie forget about me?" He burrowed into Kiki's side when she sat down with him. "She didn't come for lunch today."

"That's because she was having a special lunch with just me. Remember how sometimes at night Bernie takes me out to dinner?"

"Date night?" Bernie had explained it to him one day as they sailed his toy boat in the pool. Just because he and Summer didn't get to go didn't mean they weren't loved, she'd told him.

"That's right, only this time it was during the day," said Kiki over Chris' snort. "She told me we weren't going until three so you could get to take a nap. You don't want to be tired do you?"

"She's still here?"

It took a phone call upstairs before he would lie down again. "And you want more of these little guys, right?" asked Chris as they put him back down on his mat.

"You talk a big game, but we'll see when these two head off for kindergarten. Then you'll have just me to harass."

Chris nodded and pointed back to the office, not wanting to wake anyone. As much as she loved working with the kids, she enjoyed the quiet of naptime. "Is Julian taking Tiger somewhere?"

"I forgot to tell you, you're in charge this afternoon."

"Not another boat thing, huh?"

"The new fire boat is going through her paces this afternoon and Tiger wants to go see."

"Do you ever get her to talk about anything other than things that float?" asked Chris.

"I'm fairly certain the topic of boats didn't come up at lunch," said Kiki, tapping her finger against her chin. "Julian most times doesn't need to talk at all to be entertaining."

"I'll just bet, and stop gloating. If I call human resources I bet there's some rule Nanna put in place about having sex in the building."

"Nanna already knows more about my sex life than she should so don't give her any more ideas. I'm going to be eighty and she's still going to be giving me a hard time about it."

"Speaking of which, Daddy's expecting our sea woman for a round of golf this weekend so tell her not to forget. He said something about a new course and he's going to kick her ass was all I caught."

"She remembers, trust me. Who would've thought Daddy would get along with someone so well?"

"It's because Julian gives him as much shit as he gives her," said Chris. She'd moved back with their parents after her last girlfriend had relocated further north. For once, her father's comments about his daughter-in-law didn't begin with 'that bitch'. He never gave Rhonda the time of day because he couldn't stand her much less tease her about anything.

"That chapter of my life is definitely closed and I don't want to waste anymore time talking about her."

"Want me to come over and help you with the kids while the golf pros do their thing?"

"How about you come over and then I'll take you all sailing when I'm done, cute stuff?" said Julian from the doorway.

"Honey, you're early," said Kiki.

"Be quiet and let her finish telling me how cute I am," whined Chris.

"You're precious," Julian told Chris, "and Roscoe had to reschedule, so I thought I'd come down and surprise you," she said to Kiki. "I also brought reinforcements from upstairs with me so if you'd like to join us today Chris, you're welcome to come."

"Who'd you bring?" asked Kiki.

"Darlene and her assistant. I believe she has a crush on the new girl from Tulane."

"Your assistant has an assistant?" asked Chris.

"I'm a multi-tasker so it takes a crew to keep up with me," teased Julian.

"Don't we know it," said Kiki.

"I'd love to come," Chris waved to them as she was leaving. "Just let me know when."

Once they were alone, Kiki stood from her office chair and patted the surface for Julian to take a seat. As Julian did, Kiki settled into place on her lap. "What are you up to, oh love of my life?"

"J.J. called and she sounded a little depressed, so I thought I'd come down here and remind myself of how good I have it."

Kiki ran her fingers through Julian's hair, combing back the dark locks. "Things didn't work out with her latest Barbie doll?"

"Ouch, honey, that's harsh, but true. It sounds like that's what happened, but this time around she sounds more disgusted then ever. I keep telling her to try to meet people outside the bar and she might have better luck."

"I think she's just a little jealous of her best friend who's finally settled down," teased Kiki.

"Everyone in their right mind is jealous of me," she stopped to kiss Kiki before going on. "And since I know someone else who needs a little prod in that direction, I thought it was worth giving them a little shove."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but J.J.'s the biggest playgirl I've ever met. Do you really think she'll be good for my sister?"

The deep laugh made Kiki pull on her hair gently. "And your sister is the biggest flirt in the world and can hold her own, so I'm not worried. Love, you know how I feel about Chris, but more importantly, I know how you feel about her. I'd never set her up for something that would hurt her." She pulled Kiki's hand down and intertwined their fingers. "I've known J.J. for years and she's got a good heart. She's just waiting for the right person to give it to."

"I trust you, that isn't the problem. If this doesn't work out though, it could get ugly." When she turned her hand over the sight of the ring Julian had given her stopped any other negative thing she had to say. If Chris could find this kind of happiness then she wasn't going to stand in the way of that.

"We'll just push gently and see what happens. It's just that I love them both and want to see them happy."

"It's a good thing I got to you first." Kiki leaned in and kissed her. "Had anyone else found out how perfect you are, and what a romantic mush ball you are, I'd have missed out." Julian's laugh shook her again but didn't displace her lips when she moved in for another kiss.

*****

J.J. Levine stepped out of her car near the docks inside Lowe Construction. There were workers scattered everywhere working on the tanker that was starting to take shape. After some conversations on the company's newest addition, the Sea Dragon, she knew Julian wanted to work slowly on replacing their fleet with these more efficient ships. The Sea Warrior was set for completion in nine months, but Julian's latest project was bobbing close to where she was standing, ready to start working.

The slamming of car doors close by diverted her attention behind her to her best friend and family. Seeing Julian surrounded by the newest additions in her life made J.J. envious. That kind of happiness was hard to find, and if one of them deserved it, she was glad Julian was the lucky bastard. Life had already thrown her more than her share of shit and for once it was nice to see the fates smiling down on her.

"Aunt J.J.," yelled Tiger when he spotted her.

Watching him run full speed toward her made J.J. bend down and scoop him off the ground. Having just enough time to put him down so she could repeat the action because Summer was right behind him.

"Hey guys, your mom let you skip school huh?"

"We weren't starting advanced math until tomorrow so we thought it was okay to let them out early today," said Kiki. She stood on her toes and pressed a kiss to J.J.'s cheek. "You remember Chris don't you?"

"Of course I remember your sister. Anyone who has that much fun at a wedding reception is hard to forget."

"Very funny, and there was a slick spot on the dance floor. Why won't anyone believe me?" asked Chris.

"Because the story is much funnier when it involves how drunk you were when you fell on your face. A slick spot just doesn't carry the same comedic impact," teased Julian. She put her arm around Chris' shoulder and laughed at the memory. "I wouldn't sweat it though, most everyone thought you were doing some form of break dancing."

"Explain to me again why my sister thinks you're the best thing since sliced bread?"

"We don't have time to get into the list now, it's so extensive, but remind me later and I'll go over it with you." Julian squeezed her shoulder once before letting go and walking toward Kiki to take her hand. "You ready to go, guys?" she asked the children.

"Honey, stop asking questions like that unless you want to have to stop for a bathroom break," said Kiki, knowing how excited they got when Julian was anywhere in the vicinity, especially Tiger.

"Mama, can I go?" he asked looking up at her like his world would end if she said no.

"Go on and don't forget to come and get your sister later and let her take a turn."

They walked on board where the representatives of the fire department met them. Julian's company had built the boat, but after today it would be donated to the city to replace the oldest vessel in their fleet. As they headed up for the bridge, Kiki noticed that Julian's enthusiasm closely resembled their son's. It was almost like watching a big kid heading up the stairs as she helped Tiger.

"Thanks again for talking her into this, Kiki," said one of the firemen that was helping to get them on the boat. He didn't want to interrupt Julian and Tiger on their way up. The blue uniform looked good on him since he had the same coloring as Kiki, and since he wasn't much taller they appeared to be siblings. "The guys think I move in some pretty special circles to pull this off." He moved closer and hugged both Kiki and Chris in greeting.

Kermit Jenkins was their cousin, the eldest son of the girls' aunt on their mother's side. He was a year younger than Chris and had loved coming over to their house as a child to play board games and get in trouble while their moms visited. The girls' father, Arthur, had always joked that Kermit was the son he never had, and since his own father had died in the line of duty with the fire department when he was four, Kermit had always looked up to Arthur as just that.

"Me talk Bernie into building a boat? That's like talking an alcoholic into taking their next drink. Trust me it wasn't a hardship. Just tell me you're going to be assigned to the damn thing."

"I got my orders this morning. This is going to be sweet cruising the river every day. Mom is more excited than I am since she figures I'll be safer out here than on a truck in the city."

"You'd better stay safe or your mom will be least of your problems, Kermit," said Chris.

"You guys make yourselves comfortable and let me go back to work. I promise we'll get to visit again before you leave."

The crew untied them and Julian fired up the engines. While she navigated them down the river toward the bend, the fire department guys got the equipment ready. The tourists walking along Waldenberg Park next to the aquarium got a nice show as Tiger fired up the hoses, knowing exactly how to work the equipment. With her internal pumps the 'Katherine' took river water and shot it out the hoses with an incredible spray. Julian didn't mind building the craft if she got to name her, and after marrying Kiki she figured more than one vessel would carry some form of her wife's name in the future.

Julian left the kids up in the bridge so they could take turns aiming the water in different directions, as long as there was no other river traffic, after she officially turned the boat over to her new captain. The rest of the passengers were seated in the dining area looking out the window in an effort to stay dry.

"This is great, honey," said Kiki, when Julian made it in. "I figure we'll be cruising until the kids go to sleep at this rate if they're still up there playing with the equipment."

"I told Captain Gorman to let them play a little while longer since technically it's now his boat, and I doubt he'll let Tiger and Summer come aboard to try out the equipment whenever they like."

Chris let out a snort and pointed a finger at her. "Admit it, if they really like playing with this stuff, you'd install one on your boat. Those kids have your number, Bernie, and they aren't afraid to use it."

"That's what makes her a great parent," defended J.J. "All my dad ever did was bitch about what a disappointment I was, so it would've been nice to have someone who just liked to play every so often." The outburst was a surprise and Julian reached up and put her hand on J.J.'s shoulder.

"Don't get your panties in a twist, Julian knows I'm kidding around with her." Chris crossed her arms over her chest and just couldn't help herself. "What's the matter, your girlfriend figure out you treat the world like your own personal candy jar and it's making you cranky?" she asked out of the blue, shocking Julian and Kiki as well as J.J.

"What's that supposed to mean?" J.J. stood up and stalked outside.

"And this is why you're still single," said Kiki before Julian had a chance to jump in and defend her friend. "You need to go out there and apologize."

"Why should I?" Chris sat back appearing defiant.

"Excuse us a second will you, baby, Chris and I need to use the head." Kiki grabbed her sister by the arm and dragged her toward the bunk area. A bit of heated whispering took place and Julian just sat and watched while keeping an eye on J.J. as well.

She sat until Kiki turned to her as Chris was talking and pointed outside with an expression on her face that warned Julian not to make her come in there and tell her what she needed to be doing. The river, she noticed, had widened in the section they were in and from experience she guessed they were about twenty miles out of the center of town. J.J. stood by the railing holding on so tight that her fingers were turning white.

"Did she hit a nerve?" she asked J.J.

"Hell, and here I thought I was defending you. I also don't appreciate my life being gossip for your new family."

"You know better than that. She just knows you well enough to have guessed right. And if there's one thing I've learned from being married, buddy, is that there is no defense when it comes to those women in there," she pointed over her shoulder with her thumb. "The thing is though, when it comes down to it, I'd be willing to do just about anything to spend time with them."

"Kiki I could see, but that sister of hers has quite the mouth on her. You're just lucky Kiki didn't make it into the bar before you got together. I would've never given you the chance."

It was a joke she knew, since J.J. had as much honor as she did, but she punched her in the arm anyway. "You didn't get that chance because Kiki isn't the bar type, and that's what you should be looking for. You need to find someone who you can build a life with. This stuff you've been doing, a new girl every week, that's great when you're in college, but don't you want something more now?"

"Of course I do, but lightening doesn't strike twice in one place. Since I'm always standing so close to you, I figure I'll go through life alone. I can usually blow off stuff like what Chris just did, but that last girl made me think that a life of celibacy didn't sound all that bad. She gave new meaning to the word twisted."

Julian laughed at the thought, knowing her friend. "Do you trust me?" She put her hand on J.J.'s shoulder again and squeezed.

"Since we've been in the third grade, Bernie. Why do you ask?"

"I want you to do me a favor and I don't want you to give me any shit about it." She explained what she wanted and waited for the explosion.

"You've got to be kidding me right? Tell me you're kidding." J.J. turned toward her and put her hands out to her sides. "Tell me you're kidding," she repeated.

"One time is all I'm asking then I'll leave you to your misery. What do you have to lose by trying?" she asked.

"My mind maybe?"

"You'd swear I'm asking you to shave your head." Julian turned to go back inside and threw her arms up. "I tell you what, forget it. Just chalk it up to me being wrong so do whatever you want. I'm asking because I love you and want to help you out."

Before she made it back inside Kermit stepped up and held out his hand. "Hey, cousin, I wanted to thank you before we made it back to the dock."

"Kermit, hey man. Did Tiger and Summer let you take a turn up there yet?"

He laughed and slapped her in the arm. "You all right?" His smile never faltered but he was looking at J.J. and how upset she seemed with Julian.

"J.J.'s bite is much worse than anything else about her, don't worry." She kept walking back to the small dining area as she put her arm around his shoulder. "Kiki and Chris told me they saw your mom this week. She was complaining about not seeing you often enough, so I thought we'd do something about that. Actually it was Kiki's idea but I figure it might help me out a little with Arthur too. You busy on Saturday?"

"My next shift doesn't begin until next Monday so I'm free. What do you have in mind?"

Julian opened the door for all of them and waved them in since J.J. had decided to join them. "How about joining Arthur and me for a round of golf at nine?"

"You got a nine tee time?" He walked in and hugged Kiki. "Thank you so much for getting married."

It was the sense of family that finally got J.J. to see what Julian was trying to tell her. She still didn't feel good about what she was getting ready to do, but she decided to follow her friend's advice. Taking a deep breath, she walked up to Chris and tried to ignore the combative pose she had taken.

"Are you busy on Saturday?" asked J.J.

Chris opened her mouth to answer and heard Kiki clear her throat. "What did you have in mind?" she asked sweetly even though her arms were still crossed over her chest. "I'm helping Kiki in the morning and then having lunch with my family, so it would have to be after that."

"I understand you enjoy Chinese art, and a friend of mine just happens to own a gallery that's hosting a special exhibit at the moment. If you're free on Saturday there's a special showing for private members that starts at eight. We could go to the showing then maybe get something to eat afterward." It occurred to her about half way through the explanation that this was the hardest she'd ever had to work to sell a woman on going out with her. Usually she was dressed and out the door before she strung this many sentences together. "I'll pick you up at seven-thirty."

"And who said yes?" asked Chris.

J.J. took another deep breath and kept her smile. "I'm sorry, would you like to go with me?"

"I'll expect you at seven-thirty."

It was so tempting to shoot back some smart answer but she kept her mouth shut. "Thank you, I just need an address."

"I live with my parents. It's the same place you attended that first engagement party for Julian and Kiki."

"It's hard to forget that barbeque. Your dad grills some mean chicken." From the view outside the window J.J. could tell they'd be back in no time, so the torture would come to an end soon enough. "Thanks again for agreeing to go and I wanted to apologize for earlier. Julian and I go way back and I'm not used to anyone else giving her a hard time."

"Family's are given special privileges so don't worry about it."

Behind them Kiki listened to Julian and her cousin talk about the boat and all the special equipment and features Julian had thought to install, but she kept her eyes on the back corner. She wanted to be ready to send Julian to J.J.'s rescue if it was called for.

Some more of the crew carried the kids down to sit with their parents while they docked the boat, then the conversation centered around the two excited five-year-olds retelling their adventures. By the time they finished they acted like balloons that had the air let out of them they were so tired. Julian carried Tiger and J.J. carried Summer to the car, and Julian gave her friend a wink for taking her advice. Now she just hoped she wasn't making a big mistake.

*****

The next morning, Eugenia Lowe sat outside on her patio admiring the multitude of rose bushes that were in bloom in her garden. There were more comfortable chairs inside but she enjoyed how the warmth of the sun eased the ache in her hips. Growing old was something she was trying to do gracefully, but on mornings like this it was just a pain in the ass.

"Good morning, Nanna." Julian bent and kissed her on the cheek before taking the seat next to her. After a conversation the night before, Julian hadn't liked the way her grandmother had sounded so she'd sent Kiki to work with the kids and Rudy so she could come by for a visit. "Picking winners for this year's garden show?"

"Actually I was sitting out here thinking about the foxtrot."

"As in dancing?"

"I'm old but in my day I was a hell of a dancer. I was a hell of a walker too, but I'm not doing a great job of either one." She patted the cane learning against her chair and laughed. "But enough about my old lady problems. How are Kiki and the kids?"

"They're fine but they wanted me to tell you that we don't see enough of you."

"Newlyweds don't need grandparents underfoot, my love."

"I'm a newlywed with kids - I can use all the backup I can get my hands on," teased Julian.

"Ah, you sound a lot like your father when your mom was about eight months pregnant. He had everyone on high alert in case they got home with you and didn't know what to do. You like having a family?"

"Aside from having you, Nanna, it's the best thing in my life. It's one of the reasons I'm here. I want you to start spending more time with us. Kiki feels like our being together has given you the impression that we don't have time for you."

"She told you that?"

"Not in so many words, but she asks about you so often in a way that gives me that impression. You're my family and she wants the kids to spend time with you."

Eugenia's hand came up and grabbed Julian's in worry. "There isn't anything else wrong is there?"

"Of course not. We just miss you and I think Kiki will eventually need help with different things."

"She's the most capable young woman I know aside from you. The only thing that would slow her down is pregnancy, and even then I'm not so sure." The size of Julian's smile made her laugh. "You got her pregnant already? Quick worker aren't you?"

"We're talking about it, and it's something Kiki really wants."

"How about you? Is this something you want?"

"It makes me crazy when I realize just how much I want this. I try not to think about all the stuff that could go wrong, and just concentrate on all the things I'm lucky to have."

"That's the best gift you could have ever given me." Eugenia lifted her hand and placed it on Julian's cheek. "You were always the best child, but I always tried to bring out the carefree happiness in your heart. I'm glad to see that you've found someone that was able to unlock your heart like no one else before."

"I love you, Nanna, and if it hadn't been for your giving nature, I'd never have become someone Kiki would've been interested in."

"I don't know, honey, that cute butt of yours might have done it even if you had been a jerk. I'm just thankful that Nanna did such a good job and I got the good looking package wrapped around a good heart," said Kiki from the door.

The laugh that escaped out of Eugenia made her forget all of the pain she'd woken up with. "I've been telling her that for years and she would never believe it. I see what it took was a pretty face and even prettier green eyes. How are you, sweetheart? I hear there might be more blessings coming soon?"

"I'll be happy to tell you all about it, Nanna, but first Julian has to go back to work. Roscoe is on his way and he told your office he had some special offers for you after having to cancel on you yesterday."

"You came all the way over here to tell me that?" asked Julian. "With the size of what his commission is going to be, you'd think he could have called himself."

"I didn't mind. The interns are all in the daycare center today and I thought I could sneak out and come for a visit too." She kissed Eugenia before going to stand behind Julian's chair and putting her hands on her broad shoulders. "Get going, baby. Rudy is waiting to bring me back when I'm ready to go, so don't worry about a thing."

As the young couple said their goodbyes, Eugenia looked on and just smiled at the way Julian held Kiki and whispered more than one thing in her ear. Not minding that she had an audience, Julian then bent her head and kissed Kiki like they wouldn't be seeing each other for another three months.

"I think you've taken my Julian and made her rather sappy, sweetheart."

"She's incredibly sappy, but I happen to love that. Enough about that though, that's not why I'm here." Kiki took Julian's chair and pointed at Eugenia like she had something on her mind.

"Ooh, it sounds like I'm in trouble."

"You are believe me. I want to know why you've been holed up in the house? You're making your granddaughter crazy thinking she's done something wrong." She held her hand up before Eugenia could say anything. "And before you tell me you're giving us time alone like you told Julian, make something else up. I'm not buying that bull."

"Why do I suddenly feel sorry for my granddaughter? Poor thing is never going to have a chance under this kind of barrage. You're right though, that's not why I've stayed away."

She leaned forward and put her hand on Eugenia's knee. "Then why? If it's something I've done, please tell me. I just can't have Bernie thinking that you all of a sudden you don't want to have anything to do with us."

"I look at Bernie now and she seems so happy," said Eugenia, her eyes going back to her roses.

"She is happy."

"I know, sweet girl." Eugenia covered Kiki's hand with her own. "I just haven't been feeling well and I didn't want her to worry. With two small children and a new wife, she doesn't need anything else on her plate."

"Are we talking about the same Bernie? Because the woman I know and love spends so much time thinking about what she can do to make it better, she loses sleep over it. She's losing sleep over you and you're telling me it's because you don't feel well. So you see, you're worried about her being worried, and she already is."

Eugenia turned to her one briefly before going back to her flowers. "Are you trying to make feel guilty?"

"If I wanted to make you feel guilty, I would've sent my mother over here to give you a hard time. I just want to understand because I love Bernie and I want nothing more than to make her happy, and to let her sleep at night. She'll only do that if there isn't anything rattling around her brain." She stood up and pulled Eugenia out of her seat and handed her the cane. "Come on, let's go for a walk in this obscenely large yard of yours and I'm going to keep you out there until you tell me what's really wrong."

They walked about half way to the wall at the back of the property before Eugenia said anything, and then it was only so Kiki would guide her over to a bench under the large elm tree they were near. "Can we just leave it at the fact I'm acting like an old fool and be done with it?"

"What we're going to do is talk and then I'll decide if you're an old fool."

"When they told me my son had died, and that Birdie was in the hospital clinging to life, I really wasn't paying much attention. The fact my Sebastian was gone, was all that had broken through the fog of that horrible time. Nothing I felt would ever break through the pain of losing the one thing that up to that moment had given my life meaning." Eugenia pulled a tissue out of her pocket and dabbed the sides of her eyes. "I sat in that waiting room praying to God to strike me dead."

"I'm glad He didn't listen to you."

Eugenia laughed and looped her arm through Kiki's. "I'm glad too. If I'd been struck dead I wouldn't have lived to have that nurse put the most gorgeous child in my arms. Do you know when they handed my husband and me Bernie right after she was born, she never cried? She just looked up at us with those big blue eyes and we really expected her to say something she had such an expression of concentration on her face."

"I've seen pictures of the three of you together back then, and it makes me so glad that you were there since they couldn't be." Kiki rested her head on Eugenia's shoulder and sighed.

"Me too, sweetheart. Bernie became my strength when I lost my husband, and was the reason I never lost all this to bankruptcy."

"Then why would you pull back now? And don't give a story about not feeling well."

"Because Bernie's moved on and found her own source of strength."

"Nanna, you think she replaced you with me?"

"She doesn't need to come to me with her problems and such because she has you now. And before you say it, I know it sounds petty. I just don't feel needed anymore."

"The first thing I should do is crack this cane over your head." Kiki grabbed the stick and held it over Eugenia's head. "After that I should give you a hard smack to the bottom for thinking that."

"You have an interesting way of putting things."

"I'm Julian's wife, and I want to be the mother of her children. There will never come a day when she doesn't feel like she can't come to me with anything, but there's something I can't give her."

"What?"

"I can't give her the love and nurturing that can only come from the woman who raised her. I want to be her partner, but you're her mother in every sense of that word." She put the cane down and put her arm around Eugenia's shoulder. "I can't fill that spot in her heart, you old fool."

"I'll have you know that I'm only fifty-nine," teased Eugenia.

"And since Bernie's now thirty-six, that means you had Sebastian when you were four months old." She pulled Eugenia back up and they started back toward the patio. "Tonight is pizza night, so I'll expect you and Alice at six."

"Good, you can tell me about the news Bernie laid on me earlier."

"No, it's great, since I need your help with something." They walked slowly enough for Kiki to be able to stoop and pick a flower to put behind Eugenia's ear. "I need help with two somethings actually."

"You threaten me with bodily harm, call me an old fool and you expect me to help you?"

"With a big smile on your face, and I promise not to share this conversation with Bernie."

Eugenia stopped and laughed at the glare Kiki was giving her. "You don't play very fair, so I'm guessing with or without my help you're going to get what you want."

"Since what I want is to make Bernie happy, I think you're right."

Continued in Chapter 2

Comments to: terrali20@yahoo.com

Ali Vali's Scrolls
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~ Skipping Stones ~
by Ali Vali

Chapter 2

"Are you going to help me with this or not?" J.J. stood behind the bar wiping glasses and putting them away.

"You've dated before without needing help, so why ask for my input now?" The beer Julian was drinking left enough foam on her mouth to tickle, which she fixed with a cocktail napkin from the pile in front of her.

It was their ritual Friday afternoon drink and she was enjoying J.J.'s growing nervousness over her impending date with Chris. From what Kiki had told her it was a mutual feeling on Chris' part, since she was now questioning her sanity for agreeing to go.

"I've dated before but never someone you'd kick my ass for if I end up hurting her feelings."

"You got that all wrong." She popped a spiced nut in her mouth, washing it down with another sip of beer.

"I could screw this up and you're not going to get mad?"

She laughed before popping another nut in her mouth. "I might get mad, and we both know I could kick your ass, but I'd have to take pity on you and not make good on the promise of a beating."

"Because of our years of friendship?"

"No, because of the bruising and bleeding you'll be doing once my wife gets through with you. My advice is to be on your best behavior tomorrow night and be charming. Do that and no one gets hurt, starting with me since this is technically my idea. Trust me, if someone's getting their ass kicked if something goes wrong, Kiki won't be starting with you."

J.J. joined her and laughed. From the time they had gotten off the boat and walked back to their cars earlier in the week, she'd actually been anticipating her upcoming date with Chris. Kiki's sister was a smart ass by nature, but when she gave you a smile, the kind that relaxed her face and brought out the laugh lines around her eyes, Chris was truly stunning.

Physically she was similar to Kiki with her petite stature and slim build, but her hair was darker and the green of her eyes was paler. Her looks were different as well since while she was beautiful, her attractiveness came from her individual and unique spirit.

"Hopefully I'll get a good report and avoid Kiki's wrath, which brings me back to my question. Are you going to help me with this or not?"

"I got you covered, don't worry about it. This is where the years of friendship and loyalty come in." She held her glass out waiting for a refill.

"You're so full of shit. This is where the little woman at home comes into play and you're the one going after a good report." J.J. held the glass under the tap and poured another half a glass. "I'd have to agree with you on the fact that one bad word from Chris on Sunday morning and I'm not going to be the only one in the doghouse."

"I readily admit that I'm wrapped around Kiki's little finger, so don't fuck up. Just show up at eight and the staff at the gallery will take care of the rest." She met J.J.'s eyes and leaned in a little. "I want you to know something but keep this to yourself so Chris won't feel self-conscious. She comes across as tough, but she's been hurt before and badly. It's what makes her so guarded when it comes to stuff like this. Kiki and Chris didn't chose very wisely the first time around, and that's really sad since they're so wonderful. If you play this right you might just find something that will completely blindside you."

"What?"

She took a sip of the fresh brew and smiled. "The love and happiness that comes from finding the right person to spend your life with. You make up your mind that you can't have that, and you'll never be open to the possibility. If you do open up, even just a little bit, I can vouch for the fact that there is no other feeling like it in the world."

"I'm glad, buddy, so wish me luck."

"Luck." She took one more drink and got up to walk back to the office. After the talk she had plans of her own to finalize and all it would take was one lovely lady saying yes.

*****

The lobby of the building was devoid of people since the lunch rush was long since over, so Julian made it through quickly, stopping only to tell the guards hello. She got in the elevator that would take her to the fourth floor and to Kiki and her children. A quick glance at her watch showed that naptime was almost over, so she was quiet as she headed back to Kiki's office when she stepped into the daycare center.

Neither Kiki nor Chris noticed her when she walked in, they were both engrossed in what was on the computer screen, and she laughed when she noticed the word fertility at the top right hand side. When Kiki wanted something it was usually full steam ahead, and adding to their family would be no different.

"Planning on starting without me?" she asked, leaning against the door jam.

"For what I have in mind, I need you present and accounted for, lover," Kiki stood and offered Julian her seat. The move prompted Chris to get up as well and start to leave.

"You don't have to go," said Julian once Kiki had taken a seat on her lap.

"Really, studly, there are some conversations you're better off having alone. I'll be in my office if you need me." Chris wiggled her fingers at them before backing out of the room. Though, she would've loved to stay if only to see Julian's reaction to Kiki's request.

"Should I be scared?" she asked when they were alone.

Kiki laughed and kissed the arched dark brow. "Now there's a question you should've asked yourself before taking that walk down the aisle. It's too late now to ponder the consequences."

"So what do you have in mind, beautiful?" She wiggled her brows and laughed. "She asked facetiously."

"When I wanted a baby before, I went to the doctor and I picked an anonymous donor. I thought I'd chosen carefully enough so that Tiger would have some of both Rhonda and my physical characteristics. It was important to me that he felt like there were two people who not only loved him but who he could identify belonging to."

Julian kissed the side of her head and pulled Kiki closer. "Thank God that didn't work out for you." She kissed her again before adding one more thing. "I mean I'm sorry it didn't work out because it would've made you happy at the time, but I'm glad Tiger's nothing like Rhonda and a lot like you."

"If I had to guess I'd say you were the anonymous donor the first time around since he's so much like you in temperament anyway." It wasn't exactly the place she wanted to have this conversation but their talk so far was a good entry. "This time around I don't want you to be anonymous. I want our baby to be a part of both of us."

Julian had to laugh at the thought that her one and a half beers with J.J. had impaired her hearing or her ability to reason. "Honey, I thought biology was one of your best subjects in school? You know the part about the whole sperm and egg thing." She kissed away Kiki's frown and ignored the pinch to her side. "I want that too," she kissed her again, "more than anything, but it's not possible."

"I want you to indulge in a bit of sweet imagination with me," Kiki ran her hand through Julian's dark hair and ended up circling her ear with the tip of her index finger. "Do you think you can do that?"

"I spend enough time down here that I think I can manage. What would you like me to imagine?"

"Close your eyes, baby, and picture yourself in a birthing room months from now holding the newest member of the Lowe family." She ran her fingers along Julian's brow making her lids flutter closed. "When you see the dark hair and the blue eyes, your chest is going to puff out like the proud parent that you are. Do you want to know why?"

The sound of her voice wrapped around Julian like a warm blanket on a blistery day. Kiki's tone made her want to do whatever it took to give her what she wished for. "Why?"

"Because they will be half yours. I'm wishing for this cute nose," Kiki kissed the mentioned body part. "And these ears," she whispered into Julian's ear making her shiver in a good way, "I'm wishing for a carbon copy of these beautiful ears. I want them to be tall, strong and grow to be noble just like you."

Julian's eyes opened slowly and a smile followed at the same pace. "That sounds like a dream. Something I want more than anything to give you, but I don't know how. I know how much you want this, baby, and I really don't want to disappoint you."

"Look at the screen, honey," instructed Kiki.

The site Kiki had pulled up explained the process of harvesting eggs from a donor so that it could be fertilized and put into someone else. All in all it sounded like it wasn't too complicated, but even if it meant she had to jump through hoops lit on fire Julian was willing to do it just to keep the smile on Kiki's face.

"I understand half of the equation, so how do we fulfill the other half?" asked Julian.

"I'm sorry I did this without talking to you first, but my first thought was Kermit. He's no different to me than Chris when it comes to what he means in my life. It's not anonymous like the first time with Tiger, but Kermit isn't going to want to be anything but Uncle Kermit if this works."

"You talked to him already?"

She nodded and put her hand on Julian's cheek in hopes she wasn't upset. "I know I should've waited, but he called the other day to confirm what we were doing this weekend and I just couldn't help myself."

Julian pressed her fingers to her lips to get her to stop talking. "I'm not mad at you, baby. Stop torturing yourself, I just want to know what he said."

"He's happy with his life even though he has to live part of it sort of hidden. You don't make it very far in the department here living with a guy named Joe, but he's happy. They've been together for five years and are looking to buy a house soon. When I asked him about this, he thought about it for about a second before he said yes." She kissed Julian just because she had a look of peace on her face that had been rare before Kiki came along. "Like I said, he's interested in being Uncle Kermit whenever we spend time with him. He even told me to tell you that if you want you can have the company's attorney's draw up some papers stripping him of any claim or rights to our baby."

"Is there anything else left to do?"

"I'm sorry, Bernie. I didn't mean to just plan all this and make you feel like I left you out."

"You want to have my baby, and you did your homework on how to go about it, and you think I'm going to get mad at you?" Julian stood up and took Kiki with her. "More like I'm going to marry you all over again. When do we start?"

"Really? You want to?"

"Make the appointments and tell me what I have to do and where to be."

"Bernie, and here I thought I was going to have to call in Eugenia to talk you into this. I had her all lined up too."

"Nanna would've been the perfect choice now that she knows there's more great grandchildren in the realm of possibilities, but you had to know I'd do anything you want to make you happy."

Kiki kissed her for a long sweet moment as if she wanted this time together to last. "I am happy because I have you, but I want to know if you really want this. It's okay to say so if you don't. The thing I want more than anything is for you to be happy."

"Honey, we'll have this talk as many times as it takes for it to sink in." She leaned back in the chair and framed Kiki's face with her hands. "I'm not Rhonda, and I never will be. When I tell you something, it isn't because I want something from you. I say it because it's what I want. We aren't always going to agree on everything, but when it comes to our family and having children, there we'll always agree."

"Thank you for saying it again."

She dropped one of her hands and placed it on Kiki's middle. "One of the things I'm looking forward to is seeing you pregnant. Feeling the life we'll create growing and kicking in here." The smile that statement created on Kiki's face made her heart melt. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever met, and that beauty is only going to be magnified seeing you pregnant."

"Then you're definitely different from Rhonda. When I was pregnant, she was more disgusted than awed."

The chair creaked a little when Julian flexed the muscles in her legs and stood up, still holding onto Kiki. "You really should've let me hit her that morning she came over, if only for being such an idiot, and that's the last time we're going to waste our time talking about someone so unimportant. You almost made me forget what I came down here for in the first place."

"You're going to take me away from all this?" teased Kiki.

"I've been put in charge of helping to plan your sister's date tomorrow night, so I thought we could give it a dry run tonight."

Kiki left her hands linked behind Julian's head when she put her down. "Are you asking me out, Ms. Lowe?"

"That I am, Mrs. Lowe, so what do you say?"

"I say yes, and that goes to most things you have to ask me."

Her laugh made Kiki move closer and move her hands down to Julian's hips. "So what you're saying is that you're easy."

"A regular floozy when it comes to you, baby. Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise so go home and put on something sinfully sexy and I promise to show you a good time."

"Do you think if I show you a good time, it would make your eggs happy as well?"

"You can nickname me chicken from now on. Don't worry, me and my eggs won't let you down."

*****

Rudy pulled up to the front of the Roberta Bernstein Lowe Art Museum and hopped out to open the door for his charges. There hadn't been any conversation coming from the backseat from the time they left the house, but then he doubted their lips had parted from the time he first closed the door.

There was someone waiting for them at the door and waving them in, showing Rudy to an extra chair behind the front counter. The gallery was lit with only the spots that were placed above the art giving it a romantic atmosphere. Soft music filtered through the sound system and Julian took her hand and walked Kiki through the first floor admiring the new pieces that were hanging in the new exhibits hall.

When they reached the second floor, Kiki had to stop and just stare at how the curator and his staff had transformed the great room that usually held their more classic collection, into an area that could have been found in the great palace in China. There were great landscapes along with sculptures that varied from ancient warriors to graceful women with flowing robes frozen in stone.

"Oh my God, honey, this is wonderful." Kiki had let go of her hand and just stood in the center of the room and turned slowly in a circle trying to take it all in.

From the corner of the room a woman dressed in a kimono came out with a try and stopped in front of Kiki. "Champagne, ma'am?"

"Thank you," she took both glasses and handed one to Julian. When her partner moved forward to accept it, Kiki noticed the table that had been set up near one of the sculptures of a geisha. "This certainly is a surprise."

"I know how much you love Chinese food, and I know how much I love spending time with you without a crowd." She held her glass up and tapped it against Kiki's. When they both took a sip, she put them down on the table and took Kiki in her arms. They swayed to the music for a long time without saying anything more.

"Thank you for thinking of doing this. I may have married you on Valentine's day, but you make me feel like it's February 14th every day of the year."

Julian twirled her around and kissed her neck. "Then my plan is working. See I've been a romantic fool trapped in that office all this time. I've gotten so good at it that I'm franchising," teased Julian.

"Oh yeah, I doubt this'll have the same effect on Chris and J.J.'s date tomorrow when they're having to share it with all the people that usually come to the openings. If there's one thing the staff you put in place here is good at, it's been getting new members."

The song ended, so she pulled Kiki's chair out and kissed her neck one more time since her wife had worn her hair up that night. "You want to know what they're really good at?"

Kiki laughed at the mischievous look in Julian's eyes. "What's that?"

"Keeping a secret. The opening is actually on Sunday, not tomorrow night." She raised her glass again and saluted Kiki before taking a sip. "We're getting to enjoy all this tonight, just us, and tomorrow night it'll be Chris and J.J.'s turn."

"You're going to duplicate this date tomorrow night?" Kiki gave her a smoldering look before leaning back giving the waitress a chance to put her soup bowl down.

"I thought Chris liked Chinese art."

"Oh she does, but she loves to be romanced even more. Thanks to you there's a good chance J.J.'s going to get lucky tomorrow night if Chris gets swept up in the moment."

"I'm more worried about whether or not I'm getting lucky tonight. J.J. is on her own when it comes to how her date turns out, but I'm fairly sure that she's going to get a good night kiss, maybe, and then be sent merrily on her way."

Kiki picked up her porcelain spoon and pointed it at her in jest. "And how do you know that?"

"Because if there's one thing I'm familiar with, it's the disposition of the women in your family."

The sweet and sour soup gave off a delicious aroma so Kiki tried some before continuing the fun conversation. "Go on - I can't wait."

"Honey, I know you, your mother and your sister. None of you are going to just hand anything over easily, you make us work for it."

She stopped to take another sip of soup and laughed as Julian gave her a smile. "Are you complaining that you have to work too hard for it?"

"Of course not. Anything worth having is worth putting forth a good effort." She reached across the small table and took Kiki's hand. "You're special to me, honey, and I love romancing your and showing you what you mean to me. For once, I want Chris to feel like that. That bozo she was going out with was the last straw for me. No one, who loves her family and our kids like she does, deserves to be used like she was. Tomorrow night might have been something that I arranged as far as access, but I can assure you that J.J. will treat her with respect."

"You're really too good to be true you know. Thanks for looking out for my little sister."

Julian picked up a pair of chopsticks and took a piece of sushi that had been placed on the table and fed it to Kiki. "You bring out the best in me I guess."

"And I'm planning on bringing out the best in you when we get home, don't worry about that," teased Kiki before she accepted another bite of sushi.

*****

"You know what your problem is, Lowe?" Arthur put his hand up to his forehead to block out the glare of the sun to see where his ball had landed.

She stood with one hand on her driver waiting for him to finish before heading back to the cart. "That I got stuck with you as a partner today, and Kermit got J.J.?"

"Just because my daughter married to you doesn't mean that I can't kick your ass."

"You can try, but Kiki will return the favor when we get home. If you mess up my good looks she'll beat you with a stick, old man."

"Your problem is you don't follow through with your stroke." He pantomimed his stroke as if giving her a quick lesson.

"My ball went about ten yards further than yours did," Julian dryly pointed out.

"But you're three yards more to the left than I am. I landed more in the middle of the fairway."

Behind them J.J. and Kermit had their hands over their mouths trying not to laugh. They had both been the other two in this foursome before and knew all the jostling was in fun. "Dad, you know I never take anything down the straight of way, it's just not in my nature."

"Smart ass." They took off for their balls with all of them laughing. Waiting in their cart as Kermit and J.J. advanced their balls to the green, Arthur leaned against the wheel and looked at her. "My kid was full of information for her mother this morning when we got to your house."

"Told you some stuff huh?"

"She wants to be a mama again, and you're playing matchmaker for my other kid."

"She really was full of information then," teased Julian. "I thought since you and mom are retired you could take on a bunch of kids."

"Sure we can, but what about this yahoo you set Christine up with tonight?"

"Come on, you know her as well as I do. Don't worry, your little girl is in good hands."

He put his hand behind her head and squeezed. "Don't tell someone's father that his daughter is in good hands. Just wait until Summer starts dating, I'm going to have my revenge."

She got out and pulled out her four iron waiting for J.J. to take her shot. "If it makes you feel any better I already got this lecture from Kiki"

"It does not, and if anyone asks, we never had the conversation. I just figure you're smart enough to know why we're having this discussion. I love my girls but they sure picked for shit when it came to the first time around." He went with the four iron as well and stood close enough to her not to disturb Kermit's shot.

"How about the second time around?" She was teasing, he could tell by the size of her smile.

"It depends on how much time you got to listen to me complain."

Julian laughed and slapped him on the back. "You love me and you know it, even if it's only because I get you into the nicest courses in town."

"Enough self-promotion, how about you promising me another grandson?"

"I think we'll have to wait and see how their first date goes before we go planning on if they'll have kids."

"I swear I'm going to take a swing at you one day, consequences be damned." He put his fist up and shook it at her. "I was talking about my grandson with the last name of Lowe."

"I can't guarantee a grandson, but I'll try my best. Though, since you have girls and I have a girl, if it turns out to be a new granddaughter, that won't be bad. Am I right?"

"That you are, Lowe. Just make sure of one thing."

Before he could say anything she stepped up to her ball and tried her best to copy his swing just to make him happy. It was a surprise when her ball landed about two feet from the cup. "What's that?"

He took his swing and ended up on the edge of the green, then turned and gave her a look that told her not to say a word. When they were alone again, or as much as they could be on the course, he kept his eyes on her before taking off. "You take care of Kiki through this. I know you don't have anything in common with that moron she was with before, but no woman wants to go through that with her mama holding her hand and her head when she's puking her guts up. You do that to her and I'll hunt you down."

"Have I given you the impression that I'd do something to let Kiki down somehow?"

"The girl thinks you hung the moon but I'm her daddy, and that's what daddies do. They look after their little girls even when they have little girls of their own and are married to big, bad golfer partners." He put his hand on her shoulder and gave her a haunted look. "From experience I've learned that sometimes pregnancy changes even the best of spouses. Happened to my partner on the force and I didn't understand it much back then either. When it happened to Kiki, well let's say it took her mom to keep me from un-retiring my gun."

"You have my word, just like I gave it to you before I promised before God to take care of her. Kiki's past is just that, her past. It has no meaning to her present or her future."

"That's something else about you, Lowe."

"What's that?"

"You have a way with words that make even old codgers like me feel good. Now how about we change partners so you can play with Kermit?"

"Do you promise to be good so Chris won't be the one hunting you down when we get home and she finds out you're out here harassing her date?"

"If the big weenie tells on me, then I'll have my answer as to what kind of person she, now won't we?"

"Even though the girls complain about you, you're all right, Dad."

The rest of the afternoon Julian kept turning back making sure that Arthur didn't have J.J. in a headlock. He was a teddy bear at heart, especially when it came to his family, but it took you about five dates to figure out he really didn't want to kill you.

"Is he for real?" asked J.J. when they made it back to the clubhouse.

"If he told you he has the perfect golf swing, then he's full of shit. But if he told you he'd rip your tongue out and feed it to his dog if you hurt Chris' feelings, then yes, he's for real."

"I'm going tonight and I'm going to behave, but if I end up with some permanent disfigurement, I'm never forgiving you."

"Just remember one thing."

"I can't wait for another piece of advice since I'm over thirty and I've been dating for years. What?"

"When you bring her home, just remember that Arthur will be on the other side of the door, and somewhere in that house he has a loaded nine millimeter pistol with your name on it." Julian slapped her hard on the back and laughed all the way to the door of the locker room.

Early Sunday morning Kiki opened the door at seven and waved Chris into their house. She would've asked how her date had gone but they had already gotten the blow by blow at six a.m.

"It was totally amazing," said Chris holding her hand to her chest.

"Show a little restraint and put your 'I'm hard to get' face on." Kiki hugged her and then yawned.

"Why? I had a really good time last night and I wanted to come over and thank you guys for talking me into going out with her. At first she just screamed asshole, but she's really sweet."

"I'm glad I made a better second impression," said J.J. from the door with a hint of teasing in her voice. "Good morning."

Chris turned scarlet and slapped Kiki on the arm for not warning her. "Good morning to you. If I didn't tell you last night, I had a wonderful time."

Kiki left them alone to go through the moves of trying not to look too interested in each other to join Julian in the kitchen. "Tell me again why I'm awake on a Sunday morning and the sun is barely out?"

"Because the morning after is happening at our house for some strange reason. Maybe your father put the fear of death into her and J.J. feels better on more neutral ground."

"I'll give you a hundred dollars if you take me back to bed right this minute."

She put her arms around Kiki when she fell into her chest and laughed. "Considering how much I love taking you to bed, maybe I'm the one who should be offering you money. Let's go since I'm thinking our presence in the other room is no longer needed."

They got to sleep for another two hours before Tiger came in with Summer and they climbed up on the bed for their ritual Sunday morning visit. Usually on the weekends when they were staying in for a little while, the kids would come in and just enjoy being held while Kiki told them a story. Afterward they would head down to the kitchen and share a light breakfast while making their plans for the day.

"Bernie, Aunt Chris and J.J. are downstairs talking," said Tiger. He staked out Julian's side of the bed before his sister got a chance.

"They got here when everyone was sleeping and wanted to wait for you guys so they stuck around I guess. How would you all like to go sailing today?" Even their houseguests heard the screaming coming from the kids when they gave Julian their approval to that plan.

"If only you could get that kind of enthusiasm for your ideas from people like Roscoe, think of how much easier your life would be," joked Kiki as she listened to the kids running down the hall toward the stairs to tell J.J. and Chris about their plans.

"Just as long as I get that kind of enthusiasm from you when we talk about that taking you to bed subject I'll be happy." She pulled Kiki up with her and sat her on her lap before getting out of bed. "Can I tell you something I've never told you before?"

"You can tell me anything at any time, love."

"I love spending my Sunday mornings like this and I wanted to thank you for giving me a family. Sundays were always about reading the paper, and watching TV, before you and the kids got here. Thanks for bringing such joy into my life."

"It's a full time job for life and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it." Kiki took her time in kissing her to show just how much she meant the sentiment. "I wanted you to know that I was wrong about J.J. and Chris. They make a really cute couple, so good going, baby."

The weather on Lake Ponchatrain was wonderful since it wasn't too windy. When they had the kids out with them the last thing Julian was interested in was neck-breaking speed. Calm steady winds coming from the north allowed her to let each kid take a turn at the wheel while Kiki looked after the other one. The most entertaining part of the day was the way the new couple barely broke their heads apart from the conversation they were having.

It was the last weekend they had before they started down the fertility path to try for a third child. When Julian had expressed her excitement, Kiki had made all the necessary arrangements and appointments to get them going.

By the time they were able to do their first retrieval, it was late August. After the regimen of medication she had taken, the fertility doctor was able to retrieve five eggs from Julian. By their wishes, not wanting something like all five taking, the first two were implanted a week later and the hopeful parents wished for the best.

Not being able to wait, Kiki dragged Julian into the bathroom in late September with the home pregnancy test she'd purchased. It was the first month that the blue line wouldn't appear. In late October they watched the stick with the same anticipation and again they were disappointed. Now the process had to be started all over again, this time ten eggs were retrieved during the procedure and they upped the number implanted to three for a better chance of success.

*****

"Why is this happening?" Kiki asked the doctor when they arrived for the visit in December and there was still no luck. "The last time I was pregnant after the first try."

Ellie Eschete smiled and tried to sound as reassuring as she could. Between herself and her partner Sam, they had helped more than a few couples like Julian and Kiki achieve beautiful families. "This isn't a race, Kiki. I know this isn't what you want to hear but it'll happen when it happens, babies and nature won't be rushed no matter how much we'd like to."

Sitting quietly holding Kiki's hand, Julian listened and wondered if it was something to do with her. If getting what they both wanted came some other way, like from donor sperm like Kiki had done with Tiger's pregnancy, she would be just as excited with a successful outcome, and she expressed that to Kiki in the doctor's presence hoping Ellie would speak up if that would be better.

"Do you want this child to be a part of you, Julian?" asked Ellie.

"It's going to be a part of me no matter how it gets here. It's just hard looking at the disappointment in Kiki's face every time we fail."

"I wouldn't classify it as failing. As my partner Sam is fond of saying, your baby is waiting for the right opportunity to come into your life. Five months is too soon for us to lose hope or to think we're doing anything wrong," she looked at Julian, "any of us."

"When do we start worrying about something being wrong?" asked Julian.

"I'm not going to answer that because we're a long way off from changing our procedures. Don't worry, no one is accusing your eggs of laziness just yet," she teased before scanning the file one more time. "And since we're on schedule for the next implantation, let's get started. Unless you want to skip a month."

Julian squeezed Kiki's hand before turning in her chair so she could look her straight in the eye. "You know I'll do whatever you like, so don't do this again so soon just for me. If you want to take a few months off then that's what we'll do."

"I want to feel your baby growing inside of me, and know that I'm giving you back as much as you've given me. I want that more than anything and if it takes coming here until that happens, that's what I want to do."

"Just trying has made me happy, honey, so don't stress yourself too much over this. I want it too, but not at the risk of you becoming increasingly depressed over it."

"It's going to work this time, Bernie, I just know it."

"Then let's get going."

They relaxed in the dimly lit room for a couple of hours before going home, where Julian lay down and held Kiki for the rest of the afternoon. The house was quite and they spent their time talking about the holidays and the last minute shopping they had to do. Eugenia was coming over for Christmas lunch wanting to join the rest of Kiki's family in celebrating. Christmas was a holiday she didn't celebrate, but spending time with the people she loved was something hard to pass by.

As they watched the kids rip open their presents on Christmas morning, Kiki said a little prayer that the next year there would be one more addition to their family making this day all that more special. When she placed her hand on her middle, she smiled when Julian's soon covered hers as if to give wings to her wish.

At the end of January, their prayers went unanswered when the stick refused to show them the blue line that would be proof of their success. No matter what Ellie and Sam had told them, Kiki couldn't help but feel there was something they weren't doing, but was willing to stand by her vow to Julian and try as many times as it took.

*****

"Bernie?" Tiger picked up one of the rocks they'd collected and held it in his hand. Julian had let him come with her to look over the progress of the new ship, and he was enjoying their time alone.

"What, buddy?" She picked up a rock from the pile and threw it with a flick of her wrist from the dock and watched it skip along the water with five good bounces before sinking to the bottom. They practiced whenever they came out for these trips and Tiger had yet to make one of his rocks skip along the surface, but he was persistent.

"Why does Mama look so sad?"

It wasn't his asking the question that made the rock fly from her hand with a hard ferocity that made it skip eight times before sinking, but the helpless feeling when it came to the why of the answer. "Mama's just having a hard time with something, but it doesn't have anything to do with you or your sister."

"Then what?"

"Remember how we told you we were going to give you guys either a new baby brother or sister soon?" He nodded and tried another rock. "That's taking a little longer than we thought and it's making your Mama a little sad."

"Will having a new baby mean I won't get to spend time with you like this?"

She squatted next to him wanting to be at eye level. "Why would you ask that?"

"Just cause. Rhonda always said what a pain having a baby was, so if we have one you won't have time for me."

"Tiger, you're my son, and we could have ten new babies and it won't change how I feel about you. You're in my heart and I love you."

"What do you mean?" He stomped his foot when another one of his rocks just hit the water and sunk.

The rock to the side of the pile was nice and flat so Julian picked it up and moved Tiger to stand in front of her. She was on her knees now to give her more balance for the next lesson. "When you love someone, it's something you feel in here," she tapped the rock over his heart before dropping it in his hand. With the patience of a good parent she drew his hand back, holding it the whole time. When they moved their hands forward together the rock took two good skips before sinking. He turned around and hugged her with a new excitement in his eyes for his triumph. "So just like that rock that's now at the bottom of the river, you may not see it, but we both know it's there, just like you and Summer are in my heart. Having a new baby won't change that."

He didn't move from the circle of her arms and pressed his face into her shoulder. "I was scared you'd like the new baby better than me if it's a boy."

"Not a chance, buddy, and I can prove it to you."

"How?" That made him lift his head and look right at her.

"You know when we come out here how I have to walk around because of business." He nodded as if hanging on her every word. "What's the one thing I do when we're closing a deal for supplies or other things?"

"You shake hands."

"Right, but do you know why?" He scrunched his brows together like he was trying to think of a good answer but none was forthcoming. "When you shake someone's hand it means you're giving them your word. When you do that, you have to do what you say or people won't want to do business with you anymore because you've broken their trust, so it's really important to mean what you're saying before you seal it with a handshake."

She pulled him a little away from her and held out her hand. "I promise that we're going to spend a lot more days skipping stones no matter what, because you're my boy and I love spending time with you. Nothing in the world is going to happen to change me wanting to do that. I want you to promise that you'll come out here with me and spend some time with me as well. Do we have a deal?"

"Deal, Bernie," he shook her hand as hard as he could with a huge smile on his face. "Can we do it again tomorrow?"

"How about the day after? I have to go with your mama to the doctor's office tomorrow."

He stuck his hand out again and laughed when she took it and shook it. "Deal, but if we do this every time, we can still hug right?" The laugh he let out made Julian think that any worries he'd had were long forgotten when she hugged him and stood up.

As they walked back to the car, Julian wished it would be this easy to allay Kiki's fears as they headed for their sixth try the next day.

*****

"Okay, we're all done," said Ellie as she put all her equipment back on the tray.

"Is it necessary to stay the two hours?" asked Julian.

"Honey, if you have to go somewhere I can call Rudy," Kiki tried not to sound disappointed but failed miserably.

"Ellie, is it necessary?" Julian asked again.

"I wouldn't recommend running around town but no, you can go if you want." She laughed when Julian nodded then scooped Kiki off the table. Letting her down only when Kiki demanded she put her down so she could get dressed again.

"We've done this the same way for the last five times, so I propose we try something new," she said refusing to put Kiki down for the whole walk to the car.

"What do you have in mind, Lowe?"

"I have plenty in mind, don't worry about that," she said as she leaned in and clicked Kiki's seatbelt in place.

The drive back to the house was made in silence as Kiki just stared out the window with lines of worry etching her forehead. When Julian stopped in the drive by the front door, she got out without a word and went to open Kiki's door for her. She squatted down like she had with Tiger the day before so she and her partner could be at eye level.

"Do you trust me?" she asked Kiki.

"Honey, of course I do. Why even ask me that?"

"Because I want you to trust me on what I have in mind. I meant what I said back in the office. We've tried this a bunch of times by the book and this time around we're going to try it the old fashioned way."

The worry lines gave way to the laugh lines around her eyes when Kiki chuckled. "If we could do this the old fashioned way, I wouldn't be interested in you in the first place, honey."

Instead of trying to talk her into it, Julian picked her up again and carried her to the front door. It was seldom that they used this entrance, usually coming in through the kitchen, which was more convenient to the garage. From the front door, leading all the through the foyer and up the stairs, were rose petals. They were yellow, which were Kiki's favorite, and she had to guess that it had taken quite a few flowers to make up the fragrant carpet.

"There are certain things in my life that I have complete faith in, even if I never got to see them first hand. In my heart I know them to be true," said Julian.

Kiki turned from the romantic display and smiled at her. "Things like what?"

"I wasn't lucky enough to have known my parents, so what I know of them I learned from Nanna and their close friends. It didn't matter that I never got to see how in love they were, what mattered was that they were deeply in love."

The urge to kiss Julian was too overwhelming to resist so she didn't. "If there's one thing I could give you, it'd be a day with them so you could see."

"Thank you, sweetheart, but I wasn't finished. I can see now how your dad feels about your mom. He grumbles about it, but he loves her with all his heart." She started for the stairs as she talked. "And thinking about just those two couples made me think about today's appointment."

"What did you think about?" Kiki ran her fingers through the thick dark hair.

"That you were conceived in love, and so was I. The reason that we're here is because two people who loved each other so much wanted grow that love through the gift of children." She stopped at the head of the stairs and kissed Kiki before entering the master suite. "So the way I look at it is, these fertilized eggs we've been implanting are waiting for a sign."

Kiki really laughed now, but there were already tears in her eyes when she saw the candles and the way the rose petals stopped at the side of the bed. "A sign huh?"

"They want to know, that even if they got a helping hand on getting in there, that they were created in love. That they're going to be born to two people who'll do their best to give them the best family and parents that they could ever hope for." Julian put her down next to the bed and kissed her.

"Do you have any ideas on how we could do that?" She laughed again when Julian started on the buttons of her blouse. The combination of the cool air in the room and Julian's hot hands made her nipples harden to two points.

"I love you, and I want to show you how much." Kiki's shirt dropped to the floor and was quickly followed by the rest of her clothing under Julian's slow but efficient fingers. When Kiki was naked, Julian picked her up again and laid her gently down so that she could strip off anything that would separate her from feeling all that soft skin.

Like it always did, the sight of Julian standing there looking like she wanted to devour her made Kiki wet. When they made love it felt like Julian touched something inside her that no one had ever come close to. Julian's love had broken through each and every one of her defenses that she'd so meticulously built when she was with Rhonda. What she wanted now more than anything was for Julian to lie down and touch her. To take what belonged to her, a gift Kiki was more than happy to give.

"Make love to me, baby," said Kiki. She spread her legs in invitation and sighed when Julian lay down on top of her.

Julian held herself up on a forearm wanting to look into Kiki's eyes as she touched her. She wanted Kiki to see just how much she was cherished no matter what obstacles they faced. "You are so beautiful," she said as she put a hand on Kiki's left breast.

There was nothing more that she wanted to do than to move down and suck on the hard nipple, then continue down the path that would lead to Kiki's passion, but that wasn't what this was about. Today she wanted to stay connected to Kiki, to see her as she touched her and made love to her so that Kiki could hang on to her and surrender completely to what they had together.

"So beautiful," she repeated as her hand slid lower. Kiki put her feet flat on the mattress in a move of anticipation of feeling those long, solid fingers touch her most intimate place. She let out a low hiss when Julian skipped the place she most wanted her and just dipped the tips of her fingers into the abundant wetness.

"Touch me, baby, I'm so ready for you." She didn't want it to be a command, but Kiki could feel the tension building.

"I am touching you, and I'm going to keep touching you until that's all you remember. Me touching you because I love you and because you're the woman who owns my heart."

Julian dragged her fingers up. It was almost like her fingers where climbing some great height they moved so slowly but just when Kiki thought she couldn't take it anymore, Julian's fingers came apart and squeezed her clitoris. She just held it and squeezed it making Kiki's hips come off the bed and up into her.

It felt so good but just as quickly they were gone, dropping back down to the wetness preparing for another pass. The same almost torturous path was taken five times before Kiki could feel the sheets getting a little moist she was so wet. Any words that thought to form in her mouth died when Julian came up again but this time there was no separation of her fingers. She dragged them over the diamond hard point and watched as the passion overtook Kiki's eyes. It didn't matter how turned on she was, her green eyes stayed open.

The look that passed between them made her realize what Julian had been trying to tell her. This love they had found, the love they shared would conquer any problem they would ever have. "That's it, baby, let go for me," said Julian as she slid her fingers all the way in and her thumb covered Kiki's clit.

Kiki wrapped her feet around Julian's hips so that her heels were pressed into the small of her back. As the orgasm built her hips moved faster and faster until the only sound in the room was their skin slapping together mingled with the sound of their breathing. Before she was ready, the end came in one shattering moment where Kiki just stopped and seemed to take everything Julian was offering. The walls of her sex clamped around Julian's fingers and she dragged her nails up her strong back wanting them to stay like this as long as possible.

"You know what, baby?" asked Kiki, as a few more after tremors pulsed through her body.

Julian pulled out and rolled off of her just a little bit so she could take Kiki in her arms. "What's that?"

"You should take time off from work to take me to the doctor more often."

"I'll tell you what," she lowered her head and kissed Kiki with intent. She smiled against Kiki's lips when she lowered her hand again and cupped Kiki's sex. "I'll keep taking time off to take you to the doctor, then we're going to come back here and do this all over again until I get my wife pregnant."

Kiki's laughter echoed through the empty house as they started their new fertility ritual all over again.

*****

"Kiki, there's a Bernard Rosemount on the phone for you," said Chris on the intercom. They had just put the kids down for their naps and were catching up on paperwork.

"Bernard, how are you?"

"Tired, Mrs. Lowe." He was down in the delivery area of the Lowe Museum talking with the security detail. "I was just calling to see if I could steal you away for a few minutes."

It was raining outside her window and from the way it was slashing against the pane, she could tell the wind was blowing at a good clip. February in New Orleans was always a weather mystery. One day it could be a balmy eighty degrees and the next morning it would be in the low thirties. Today it was the latter with wind and rain to go along with the bone chilling cold.

"They're here?"

"No guessing and I'm not giving any hints. If you want any information out of me at all you'll call Rudy and tell him to bring the car around."

With a quick kiss for Chris and a request not to tell Julian where she was if she called, Kiki took the elevator down and out of the building. Following directions Rudy went around to the back and parked along side three unmarked panel trucks that were waiting to be unloaded.

The back section of the museum that was used as storage space was already full of crates along the loading bay. When Bernard saw her, he opened his arms and bowed deeply at the waist. "As you requested, my lady, with a lot of help from the formidable Eugenia Lowe."

"How many?"

"It will require half of the second floor, so we'll have to take down some of the current exhibit and all of the third so the men are storing away the classics that are hanging up there now. When we are done we will host for the next month, the largest Monet exhibit that has been shown in the United States in the last fifty years."

"You're a miracle worker," said Kiki as she hugged him.

"More like you have a great squad of guardian angels. The Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris is closed for two months for renovations, so the curator said why not let people enjoy the paintings instead of hiding them away from the world. Birdie Lowe would have been an instant fan since that was also her philosophy when it came to art." He walked her inside where the Lowe workers were already putting the exhibit up. "I think your other half is going to be thrilled with her anniversary present."

"Before I met Julian I always thought Valentine's Day was the corniest day of the year. I mean why wait for one day out of 365 of them to show someone how much they are loved."

"And now?" Bernard liked the way she stopped at each painting that was already hung as if trying to memorize it. At the end of their walk they were seated on the bench in front of the piece by Monet that was part of the Lowe permanent collection.

"It's the day the love of my life was born, the same day she lost her parents and the day we got married. So now if it makes me as corny as the rest of the world when I want to stand on the roof of the house and scream to the world how much I love Bernie, I don't care. I want to get her cards with hearts all over them, a box of chocolates and whatever else it takes to make her feel like the most special person in the world."

He patted her hand that was resting in the crook of his arm. "I have a feeling just from seeing the two of you together that when you look at her, she's well aware of the fact that she's the most special person in the world to the one person who matters most."

"I really had another present in mind this year, but since that doesn't seem to be in the cards for us just yet, I'm thinking this will be a great backup."

"What could be more spectacular than this?" Bernard pointed first to the painting in front of them, then behind him to the new exhibit.

"Call it a Lowe original." She squeezed his bicep and laughed.

*****

"Honey, are you about ready to go?" Julian stood at the foot of the stairs and called up to her wife. She pulled a little on the collar of her shirt trying to loosen the tie of the tuxedo she was wearing. Against her better judgment she had let Kiki talk her into a birthday slash anniversary party at the museum that night.

It had been a year since they'd walked down that isle to the waiting canopy, and what Julian had really wanted to do was spend a quite night with just the two of them. There was no way she was telling Kiki no to anything like this though, so she had gotten dressed and promptly agreed to be thrown out of the bedroom so Kiki could finish getting ready.

The back of the box said it was unlikely to show results before a month of pregnancy. Not really enough time from their last appointment and her magical afternoon with Julian, but still. Some things you took on faith as Julian had said, so as Kiki unwrapped one of the sticks, she said a little prayer to Julian's parents. In the study the Yartzeit candles had been lit that morning just like Julian always did on this day. What she wanted now was one more thing that would give new meaning to this day, something Julian would remember and help her with the sad anniversary.

She heard the call from downstairs as she washed her hands before she finished putting on her lipstick. Her image in the mirror captured her attention since she really didn't want to look down and be disappointed again. "Just a few more minutes, baby," she called down from the doorway. It was the time she needed to see one way or the other what the outcome was going to be. No blue line didn't mean failure, since it was technically too soon, but she closed her eyes and held her breath as she picked up the stick almost willing it to be there.

A long stream of air escaped from her lungs as she opened her eyes. She couldn't help the tears, and she turned her head toward the ceiling trying not to mess up her makeup. Julian was ready to go and they had a lot of people waiting for them to celebrate their happy day. It was not the time to become a blubbering mess.

The dress she had chosen for the night was midnight blue, with thin straps holding up the top which came up to almost her neckline, but the back was slightly different. In the back it gave new meaning to plunging. The heels were high enough to put a bit more sway in her hips and the way Julian was leaning against the railing of the stairs and looking at her made Kiki forget everything.

"Next time I stand down here and scream up to you, call down to Rudy to come out here and slap me in the head. Because I'm clearly insane to want to rush you when you look so gorgeous." Julian held her hand up, and smiled so big it creased her cheeks. When Kiki took it, Julian twirled her around and whistled. "No matter what tonight, I want you to stick to me like glue."

Kiki returned the favor and twirled Julian around to look at the suit. "I'm thinking you're right if only to keep anyone from running off with you. If we're separated at anytime, make sure you flash that gold band on your finger at any women without one to mark my territory."

In the other room J.J. and Chris were sitting together on the sofa not paying attention to the happy couple. After their first date, they had been fairly inseparable themselves. For J.J. it was the first time she could see what Julian had told her so often after meeting Kiki. In Chris she had found the woman who made the thought of waking up to her every morning for the rest of her life something that seemed appealing.

"Stop ogling the girl and let's get going," said J.J. then kissed Chris on the nose.

"Okay then, pot, stop staring at Chris and come on. Rudy has the car parked out front," teased Julian.

The old friends kept joking around as they made their way to the museum. When they arrived there were so many friends and family there to congratulate them for their first anniversary and to wish Julian a happy birthday that it took them a good thirty minutes to make it to the center of the first floor. The crowd was the first clue that there was something not exactly wrong but not right to Julian.

"We have two other floors, people, and a new oriental exhibit you might be more interested in than watching me blow out candles," said Julian as she held Kiki's hand.

"Actually the second and third floor are closed for the moment, baby. Once we take a walk around then I'll be happy to let the staff open them." Kiki explained as she smiled up at her.

"There's nothing new now, the exhibit opened months ago."

"Your birthday present is up there and I wanted them to wait. Let's just say I didn't want to take a chance that someone like Nanna would open the box before you got here," she said as she watched Eugenia make her way to them.

"Happy birthday, my darling." Eugenia kissed Julian's cheek before turning and doing the same to Kiki. "And a very happy anniversary to the both of you. Thank you, Kiki, for making my Julian always appear as if the sun is shining in her eyes. The both of you are made for each other, and the last time I saw that, it was my son and his new wife I was looking at."

"It means so much for you to say that, Nanna. I love her and the last year has been just magical," said Kiki.

"Then it's up to you, Julian, to make sure the next one is even better," warned Eugenia. She kissed them both again and pointed to the ramp leading to the second floor. "Your gift is waiting."

"Thank you for all your help, Nanna," Kiki whispered in her ear, hugging Eugenia one more time before taking Julian's arm.

They walked slowly tuning out the noise in the room; neither of them noticing that most of the people in attendance were watching their ascent. Bernard was one of them, and like he'd thought so many times before, the petite Kiki had finally found her place in the world and it was on Julian Lowe's arm. And none of the other women gazing on so enviously would ever usurp her place.

The riot of color made Julian stop the minute they stepped onto the floor. Monet had always been her mother's favorite painter and Julian had come to love his muted but color filled canvas since it made her feel close to the woman who had given her life. To see so many of them in a place she had made for Birdie made her lean against Kiki and her eyes glass over.

"How…"

"With a lot of help from Bernard, and from Nanna. That day that I was late for work and we ended up making love in your office for lunch, this is what I was working on. I recruited your grandmother the day I followed you over there for a visit. Happy anniversary and birthday, love."

"This is just incredible," said Julian sounding as if she was still in shock.

They walked the second floor slowly without saying anything else. When they made it to the third floor tears were steadily falling down Julian's face. It didn't matter how many times they'd sat on the bench in front of the canvas that was part of the permanent collection it was still her most favorite piece in the museum. They took a seat and Julian put her arm around Kiki's shoulder and let out a long sigh from happiness. For the moment she ignored the ice bucket with the bottle of champagne that had been left for them and just enjoyed the feel of Kiki next to her.

When she was ready, Julian let Kiki go and slipped off the seat to her knees. "Thank you for all this. I couldn't have imagined being here surrounded by so many beautiful and priceless works of art. Today when I lit those candles and sat and wrote in my journal, I wrote for things I wished for." She took Kiki's hands and kissed each palm before pressing them to her chest. "I've written about just surviving each year for so long, that it's a welcomed change to write of things I wish for."

"If there's anything I'm not giving you, baby, you know you could tell me and I'll do my best to fulfill any wish you could ever think to have."

"You fill my life with infinite joy, my love, so I'm sorry you got the wrong impression. Today I wrote about how much I wish my parents had lived, not because of how that would've changed my life, but because I wanted them to have had the pleasure of meeting you. Tonight looking at all this and knowing what a Herculean task it must have been to accomplish, only reaffirms my belief of how much my mother would have loved you." From the inside pocket of her jacket, she pulled a long, slightly wide box that had sat in the safe of her study for years. "So I think if she'd been here tonight she'd have slapped the back of my head for waiting so long to give you this. Happy anniversary, love."

Kiki took the box and just looked at it but didn't make a move to open it. "What is it?"

Since she wouldn't open it, Julian took it back and pressed the small catch that would spring the lock. She looked inside before turning the box around. "It's the necklace my father gave my mother on their first anniversary. This piece has been in my family for decades. With each new generation it's been proudly handed down to the beautiful women we've been lucky enough to have share our lives. It was part of my inheritance and I really never thought it would leave the safe again until after I was no longer here."

"Oh no, my darling, you'll be here for years to come." Kiki was glad she'd worn her hair up making it easy for Julian to put the necklace on her. "I need you with me when we pass things like this down to our children so you can explain just how special they are."

"Not that long ago when I took Tiger with me to the yard for a walkthrough, we spent a good portion of our afternoon skipping stones into the river. Teaching him to do stuff like that is going to be my favorite kind of thing to pass down to him." She stopped to kiss Kiki's hands again and sighed. "Eventually he'll figure out we're there to talk as much as to learn to skip stones, but he's smart so maybe he knows that already. He told me that he was afraid I'd like a new baby better than him."

"That's because you're his Bernie and it more than scares him that anyone or anything would come between you two. He loves you so much, baby." Kiki ran her fingers through her hair in order to soothe her. "What'd you tell him?"

"I helped him skip his first stone so that it actually skipped and didn't immediately sink. Then I explained to him that what I felt for him couldn't be seen but like the rock we'd just thrown. It was there in the river, just like he was in my heart and nothing would change it." The expression of adoration on Kiki's face made her stop and kiss her like what she really wanted to do was to take her home and show her how much she was loved. "I feel the very same way about his mother."

"Then both the kids and I are blessed." They kissed again and Kiki freed her hands so she could press her palms against Julian's cheeks as if to capture her full attention. "While I still have you all to myself, I wanted to share something with you. Before we left tonight, I thought I'd take a chance and use one of those tests."

"It's okay, love, like Ellie and Sam said, it'll happen in its own good time."

"I just thought that having it come out positive would be the best birthday gift I could give you."

She got off the floor and sat back down so she could pull Kiki onto her lap. "If for some reason this doesn't work out for us, we can adopt like we did with Summer, and I did with Tiger."

"I was just sure that after that afternoon when we went home and made love that it had worked. That what we shared had been so powerful and so special, that you'd gotten me pregnant." She reached behind her for her purse and opened it. "And I was right."

In Kiki's hand was the stick she'd used right before they left the house. Unlike all the other ones that they'd thrown away because they had stayed snow white, this one had a thick blue line running down the middle. It was baby Lowe's calling card and it was the most beautiful thing Julian had ever seen.

"It's blue," said Julian as if Kiki hadn't noticed.

"You were right, baby. The thing missing was the making love part. It is after all how babies have gotten here for thousands of years." One moment they were sitting down and the next she was being twirled around the room in Julian's arms. "You did it."

"It's blue!" Julian's yell echoed all the way down to the first floor where J.J. was handing Chris a glass of champagne. "It's blue!"

"Wow, she must really love the exhibit," she told Chris.

"Either that or she just noticed how stunning my sister looks in that dress."

When they opened the museum to the rest of the guests, they found Kiki and Julian dancing to the music coming through the speakers. Any conversation they thought to have with them could wait, everyone wanting them to enjoy their night.

Not long after leaving through the back, Julian and Kiki made their way to the river. Kiki made her stop and pick up a few rocks to drop in Julian's pocket before they arrived at the bank. Where they were standing was close to where the aquarium was located and where the river's famous crescent took it's southern turn to the gulf.

"Can you skip one for me?" asked Kiki.

"Sure, but why?"

"Tiger will have his special spot of sunken stones but I want just one down here marking one of the happiest nights of my life."

It flew from her hand with the usual strong flick and they watched it skip more than a few times before sinking into the brown, churning water. Julian then dusted off her hands and took her jacket off and wrapped it around Kiki.

"There's only one thing I forgot to ask you," said Julian as they stood there in each other's arms looking out over the water.

"If it's a boy or a girl? It's way too early to tell, baby."

"I'm sure it's going to be either a boy or a girl, could be both since they implanted three eggs that day, and if they were fertilized by how many orgasms you had afterward we should be having a litter," teased Julian, earning a soft slap on the butt. "The thing I forgot to ask you is if you would be my Valentine? I just had to wait until Nanna wasn't around," she continued her teasing.

"The first time I said yes to that question, it was a lifetime commitment of yeses."

"Good," Julian rested her cheek against the top of Kiki's head and enjoyed the feel of her. "It's blue," she softly said one more time.

"And it's ours."