~ Home For The Holidays ~
by Mavis Applewater
November 2001

PART ONE

Tressa stared at the telephone in exasperation. Granted, conversations with her mother were never easy, but this particular one was bordering on insanity. "Mother," she argued.

"Now Tressa, it's on your way," her mother, Grace, stated firmly.

"We don't get along," Tressa fumed.

"Of course you do." Grace chuckled. "Now it's not too much to ask that you give your best friend a ride home for the holiday."

"She is not my best friend Mother!" Tressa was whining at this point. "She was when we were kids. Now she's my ex-girlfriend. It's safe to say that our friendship ended when we split up."

"And who's fault was that?" Grace snorted indignantly.

"Not mine," Tressa argued.

"Tressa," Grace cautioned her, "it takes two to argue. And I know that you were just being your stubborn old self and wouldn't admit that you were wrong."

"I wasn't wrong," Tressa growled.

"It simply broke my heart when the two of you split up." Grace sighed heavily.

"Mother, it was a long time ago," Tressa said, trying to find a way out of the discussion.

"Then it shouldn't be a problem for you to give her a ride," Grace stated, the smile clearly evident in her voice. Tressa's jaw dropped as she came to the realization that she'd been set up by her mother. "After all, Lindsey doesn't live that far from you and I would feel much better if you weren't traveling alone. Since her parents moved away, she'll be all alone for the holiday."

"Alright." Tressa finally conceded defeat, knowing that she wasn't going to win. Her mother was a master at laying on guilt trips. "Tell her to be ready on time."

"Why don't you call her? I have the number right here," her mother suggested.

"No." Tressa was firm. "I'll drive her but that's it."

"Anything you say, dear," Grace humored her. "I'll see the two of you on Wednesday."

After they exchanged their goodbyes, Tressa stood dumbfounded in her living room. The day hadn't started out badly. It was just an average day in her quiet life. Now she was driving her ex-lover home for the holiday. "Peachy," she muttered to herself. "Wait. Lindsey doesn't have anyone to spend the holiday with? She's single? No. Don't go there. She'll just drive you up the wall again."

PART TWO

After failing to convince her Mother that she and Lindsey traveling together was less than ideal, Tressa found herself constantly lost in memories of Lindsey. The energetic blonde and her family moved in next door to her family when she was six. They ended up in a fist fight the very first day. To this day Tressa was convinced that Lindsey had started the altercation. The following day, they made a blood oath to be friends forever.

It was always like that. One moment they were glued at the hip and the next they were fighting. Tressa never understood just how the little green-eyed monster could make her completely happy and completely agitated at the same time. How they ever became lovers was still a mystery to Tressa. Well, not a complete mystery.

Growing up together they shared everything. No small wonder that they also shared their first kiss long before either of them realized that they weren't really attracted to boys. They were twelve and had spent the day at the movies. Tressa couldn't recall what the film was about, only that she hated it and Lindsey loved it. It was some sappy romance that Lindsey insisted they see.

They were in Tressa's bedroom when the friendly disagreement became heated. Tressa recalled saying something about the fake-looking kiss the two leads had shared.

"Oh, how would you know?" Lindsey challenged the taller girl.

"Hey, I know," the brunette shot back, trying desperately to sound convincing.

"You do not." Lindsey laughed as she poked Tressa in the ribs.

"Do so," Tressa lied.

"Yeah right," Lindsey pressed as she stepped closer to her. "And who have you kissed?" Tressa swore she could see hurt in those emerald eyes.

"Well . . . I . . . Uhm . . . no one," she finally confessed. She was embarrassed by her admission and couldn't look at Lindsey. She felt the smaller girl step closer to her. Their bodies were almost touching and then, quite unexpectedly, Lindsey's lips shyly brushed against her own.

"Now you have," Lindsey said softly.

Tressa found herself smiling at the memory. It was such an innocent gesture. They didn't speak of the kiss until almost five years later. Tressa was aware that her interest in Lindsey had taken on a new dimension. It terrified her. It was a rainy night and Lindsey was sleeping over, something that Tressa had been avoiding for months. Dressed in long T-shirts, they were laying on Tressa's bed chatting quietly so they wouldn't wake her parents again.

"So are you going to the dance?" Tressa asked shyly, secretly afraid of the answer.

"No," Lindsey responded flatly. "How about you?"

"No," Tressa answered, trying to stop the smile. "I'm not really interested in anyone right now."

"Me either." Lindsey frowned as she shifted slightly closer to the taller girl.

"Why did you and Byron split up?" Tressa asked, curious since her best friend had been reluctant to talk about it.

"I . . . uhm . . . " Lindsey shrugged.

"What's up?" Tressa asked with concern.

"I just didn't feel anything for him." Lindsey shrugged again. "And he wanted . . . you know."

"Pig," Tressa snarled.

"And he kissed like a fish," Lindsey groaned.
"Eww!" Tressa grimaced. "I hate that. Paul was a good kisser," she admitted as she felt Lindsey stiffen beside her.

"Really," Lindsey muttered. "So why did you dump him then?" she asked in a bitter tone.

"I don't know," Tressa answered honestly. "He just wasn't my type. Just because he was a good kisser doesn't mean he's the right one," Tressa added, knowing that she had intentionally skipped over saying the right guy.

"What about me?" Lindsey asked quietly.

"What about you?" Tressa returned nervously as her heart began to beat just a little faster.

"How do I kiss?" Lindsey asked as she turned on her side and faced Tressa.

Tressa felt the warmth spread through her as she caught sight of Lindsey's firm body lying next to her. "How should I know?" Tressa managed to squeak out.

"Because we've kissed," Lindsey said with a smile and a wiggle of her eyebrows.

"Oh well . . . that was just . . . ,"Tressa stammered as she tried to understand where this conversation was heading. ". . . well, that wasn't a real kiss. We were just kids."

"It was my first kiss," Lindsey responded tersely. "It may not have been some heavy groping session, but it was real, to me."

"Me too," Tressa admitted. "It was real." Lindsey smiled sweetly in response as she moved closer. It was the mischievous gleam in Lindsey's eyes that made Tressa take a chance. "But still I couldn't really say whether or not you're a good kisser. I mean, it was a long time ago and it was very brief."

"Oh." Lindsey smiled evilly. "So you would need more recent data before you could come to any conclusions?"

"Well yeah," Tressa said, urging her on.

"I don't know," Lindsey teased. "I mean, what if you're a lousy kisser? It would spoil the memory."

"I am not," Tressa sneered. "But I guess you'll never know. Your memories are safe. Hmmf," she groaned as Lindsey pushed her backwards and climbed on top of her.

"Are you challenging me?" Lindsey growled as she poked her in the ribs.

"No." Tressa giggled as the smaller girl's long blonde hair caressed her face.

"Good." Lindsey tilted her chin in defiance as she started to climb off of Tressa.

Tressa wasn't prepared to lose contact with Lindsey's body just yet. Reaching out quickly, she clasped the blonde's hips firmly. "I'm asking you," she said in a serious tone.

"What?" Lindsey choked out as she swallowed deeply.

"Kiss me." Tressa remembered how her voice trembled, fearful that she was about to lose her best friend.

"Why?" Lindsey asked in a husky tone as she lowered her body slightly.

"Because I want you to," Tressa answered honestly as she fought back the tears that threatened to overwhelm her. "Because I need you to."

Tressa recalled how she wanted to die right then and there. She trembled as she waited for her best friend to say or do something. Lindsey didn't say a word; she simply lowered herself so that her body pressed against Tressa's. Their lips were a breath apart, meeting shyly at first. Tressa recalled their first kiss. Then the feeling changed from innocence to desire.

Their lips melted together and then parted, inviting one another in for exploration. Tongues danced together as they moaned with desire. She remembered how her body arched as Lindsey's thigh pressed against her center. Tressa's hands moved up under Lindsey's shirt. The feel of her friend's strong back fueled her desire as their hips began to grind together.

Tressa felt Lindsey's wetness on her thigh as she thrust harder. Her hands slipped down under the elastic band of Lindsey's panties to cup her firm backside. They tore away from the kiss as the need for air overwhelmed them both.

She felt Lindsey's hands roaming her body as the blonde began to kiss her neck. Tressa recalled how her mind simply stopped functioning and her body took control. She pulled Lindsey's panties down further needing to feel more. She could smell their passion filling the room as they gyrated against each other. Lindsey's mouth was blazing a torturous trail down her neck. She felt the blonde pulling her shirt up.

For the first time in Tressa's life, her nipples ached with desire. She continued to grind her hips into Lindsey's firm body as her hands continued their exploration of the blonde's firm backside. Her shirt was now pulled up under her chin. Lindsey's mouth tasted the valley between her breasts. Tressa barely kept herself from screaming as her fingers dipped into Lindsey's wet curls.

Tressa couldn't believe how wet they both were. She was moaning as Lindsey's tongue began to tease one of her nipples. Uncertain as to what she should be doing, she simply followed her instincts as her thumb teased Lindsey's throbbing clit. Her teasing increased to match the sensual rhythm of Lindsey's tongue.

Their primal moaning seemed to urge them both to explore further. Tressa felt her underwear being lowered as Lindsey's fingers shyly explored her passion. Lindsey tore her mouth away from the delightful torture she was giving Tressa's breast. Their bodies arched as their throbbing clits rubbed together.

Staring into one another's eyes, there wasn't any fear or doubt as to what they both wanted. Legs parted nervously and their fingers fumbled until finding the other's center. Shy and uncertain, they entered one another. Wincing slightly from the sudden pain, they were driven by an uncontrollable desire as their fingers plunged in and out.

They climaxed in unison; their gazes turning inward as their first orgasm rumbled through their bodies. Tressa smiled as she remembered how they held one another in a tight embrace. They kissed and exchanged promises throughout the evening. "I'm glad it was you," Lindsey whispered tenderly in her ear.

"It was meant to be," Tressa reassured her lover.

Tressa found herself frowning at the memory. A few months later they split up after a silly argument. It was always like that with them. They got back together after starting college and came out to their families as a couple. They were surprised that neither set of parents seemed surprised by their revelation. It was a bit of a disappointment since the two had stressed over the decision to finally tell them.

Their families were happy and they were happy. They decided that once they finished school they would get an apartment together. It had been difficult since they attended different colleges. Both lived on campus and only saw one another on weekends and term breaks. During their senior years the strain of studying proved to be too much and the couple didn't see each other very much. In the end one-too-many canceled weekends led to a huge argument. It was the worse they'd ever had and things were said that couldn't be taken back.

Tressa still recalled how the fight ended. Lindsey had hung up on her. They didn't speak for weeks and Tressa was miserable. No one wanted to be around her and her grades started to suffer. Against her better judgment, she took her roommate's advice and went on a date with another woman. Life is funny. In fact, sometimes it's freaking hysterical. What were the odds that Lindsey would decide to visit her that night so they could talk?

Tressa and her date, Gwen, ran into Lindsey just as they were leaving Tressa's dorm. The talk turned into a screaming match. She had never seen Lindsey quite so angry before. Her long blonde hair flew wildly in the wind as her green eyes turned to fire. That night everything ended between them. Their romance and their friendship were forever ruined.

They hadn't spoken since. Until now. It was the day before Thanksgiving and Tressa was sitting outside of Lindsey's condo.

PART THREE

Tressa tapped her fingers nervously on the steering wheel of her Subaru Forester. "Okay, I really should go up to the door and ring the bell," she encouraged herself. She failed to make a move other than to start tapping her foot. "Come on, Tressa. You're acting like a baby," she chastised herself. "It's not like you haven't spent time with an ex-lover before. Of course, Lindsey isn't just any old girlfriend and things ended so badly between us." Her focus shifted to the empty street she was parked on. "I wonder how pissed Mom would be if I showed up without the blonde? Ugh," she groaned as she banged her head against the steering wheel.

She was beginning to enjoy the sensation of smacking her head on the steering wheel since it was preventing her from facing Lindsey. A loud rapping on her window disrupted her self-inflicted abuse. She blushed deeply, not needing to see who was rapping. Tressa swallowed hard as she sheepishly turned to face those taunting green eyes. As she was turning, she silently prayed that Lindsey had grown old and fat.

Tressa's eyes widened with delight when she saw the familiar smirk. Lindsey looked incredible. She wasn't old or fat. She was . . . a woman. Somehow Tressa had expected the young girl with the strawberry blonde hair, the girl next door she had gone to summer camp with. Instead she found a beautiful blonde with short hair glaring at her. "Oh no." Tressa grimaced. "I know that look. She's pissed."
Tressa reluctantly lowered her window.

"You haven't changed a bit." Lindsey smirked. "You want to tell me why you're sitting out here banging your head?"

"It feels good when you stop," Tressa growled.

"Uh huh," Lindsey muttered as she rolled her eyes. "Come on in. I'm just about ready."

"You're not ready yet?" Tressa barked. "Some things never change," she groaned. "I'll wait here."

"I'm going to need some help." Lindsey sighed as she rolled her eyes once again.

'I hate it when she does that,' Tressa groused to herself. Her anger dissipated as she noticed that Lindsey was supporting herself with a pair of crutches. "I'm sorry. I didn't notice," she apologized quickly as she raised her window. 'That's because you were too busy checking her out. You're an idiot,' she admonished herself as she turned off the engine.

Trying to regain her dignity, she opened her door and attempted to step out, failing to realize that her seatbelt was firmly in place. Lindsey chuckled as the tall brunette struggled to free herself. Finally free from her restraints and thoroughly embarrassed, she stepped out of her SUV.

"Laugh it up, Blondie." Tressa tried to sound intimidating. She failed of course.

"Did you get taller?" Lindsey inquired.

"No," Tressa groaned. "Everyone looks tall to you. What happened?" she asked, pointing to the crutches.

"I don't want to talk about it," Lindsey snapped. "Sorry, it's a long story."

"Fine." Tressa backed off, sensing that it was in her best interest to do so. "Well, it explains why you need a ride," Tressa threw in, hoping to ease into a friendlier realm.

Lindsey simply grunted as they made their way up the walkway. She struggled with the doorknob until Tressa finally opened the door. Allowing the smaller woman to enter first, Tressa was more than a little curious about just how Lindsey injured herself.

Tressa took a moment to look around the spacious condo. "Good thing you're on the ground floor," she noted.

"The bedroom isn't," Lindsey sighed as she pointed to the couch that was covered with blankets.

"You still get cold at night," Tressa uttered before she could stop herself, "Sorry," she added quickly, blushing slightly.

"Bite me," Lindsey snorted.

"In your dreams," Tressa shot back.

Lindsey ignored her as she tried to gather up her overnight bag. A sudden barking startled Tressa and two paws landing on her back sent her crashing to the floor. Two blue eyes and the smell of doggie breath assaulted her as she struggled to free herself. "Yuk," she complained.

"Ziggy," Lindsey commanded. "Come here, boy. Come see Mommy." She whistled for the dog.

"Yeah, go see Mommy," Tressa gasped as she freed herself from the large husky.

Tressa stood as the large dog raced over to his owner and danced around the injured woman. "Well, now I can see how you got hurt," she commented as she tried to brush off the white doggy hair covering her black jeans.

"Ziggy wouldn't hurt me," Lindsey cooed to the large mammal. "Would you? He's just a puppy."

"Puppy?" Tressa looked at the beast in wonderment. "You're insane."

"Don't listen to her," Lindsey continued. "You're Mommy's baby, aren't you?"

"And he's not very good at protecting you," Tressa pointed out. "He didn't even bark when I came in. I could have done anything to you by the time Lassie here showed up."

"In your dreams," Lindsey scoffed. "He was locked up. He must have broken through the gate . . . again."

Tressa had cleaned away as much of the dog hair as she could before she felt something else rubbing against her. Looking down, she found a small orange tabby winding around her legs, placing more hair on her dark clothing. "Does everything around here shed?" she groused.

"Rufus," Lindsey called for the frisky feline. "Get away from the mean lady. You don't know where she's been." Lindsey flashed an amused smirk at the grimacing brunette.

"Hold on. You have pets." Tressa's blue eyes widened fearfully.

"Very good, Sherlock," Lindsey countered as she stood balancing herself on her crutches. Unconsciously, Tressa moved to help her.

"I was just wondering, if you're going to be gone for a few days . . . ," Tressa began hesitantly. "I mean, they're not coming with us, are they?"

"No," Lindsey reassured her. "My neighbor's going to look after them. I don't usually spend this much time away, but I can't drive myself and your Mom's allergic."

"No, she's not," Tressa said in disdain. "She just doesn't like animals."

"She kept you around for eighteen years," Lindsey added playfully.

"Keep it up, Skippy, and you'll be riding back home on the luggage rack," Tressa warned her.

"Hi ho," a friendly voice called out as Ziggy began to bark furiously.

"See, he barks." Lindsey nudged her. "Hey, Joel." She waved, weaving slightly on her crutches. Tressa reached out to steady her, surprised by the sudden sensation her body was experiencing.
Tressa took one look at the slender dark-haired man swishing into the condo. "Oh yes, he looks like a dangerous character. Let me guess. He's a florist?" Tressa teased quietly as Lindsey glared at her.

"Hi there. I'm Tressa," she introduced herself brightly as she offered her hand.

"Joel Mathers." He accepted her hand warmly. "My partner and I live next door. Bob and I run a little flower shop just around the corner," he explained as he stooped over and scratched Ziggy behind the ears.

"Hee hee," Tressa chuckled softly as she winked at Lindsey.

"So, how do you know the blonde bomber here?" Joel inquired innocently enough.

"We grew up together," Tressa answered quickly as Lindsey chewed on her bottom lip.

"I'm glad that she won't be traveling alone after everything that's happened," Joel added solemnly.

"Joel," Lindsey flared.

"What happened?" Tressa demanded with concern as she turned towards Lindsey.

"Tressa?" Joel blurted out suddenly as he stood. "Not THE Tressa?"

"Excuse me?" Tressa inquired.

"Joel," Lindsey threatened.

"Uh . . . uhm . . . ," Joel stammered.

"Let me guess, " Tressa started in a cocky manner. "Tressa, her ex-girlfriend."

"Something like that." Joel blushed. "Just add lying, cheating and a few other words that I really don't care to say in mixed company."

"Oh my freaking God," Tressa cried out. "We were separated."

"No, we weren't," Lindsey argued.

"Yes, we were," Tressa countered.

"Please, we had a little spat," Lindsey flared.

"Spat?" Tressa choked out. "You hung up on me and didn't talk to me for weeks."

"So you ran out and got a new girlfriend," Lindsey sneered.

"I didn't end up going out with Gwen," Tressa protested.

"Gwen?" Lindsey sneered once again. "Was that the bleached blonde's name?"

"Oddly enough, having you show up and call her a slut kind of put a damper on the evening," Tressa growled. "And I wouldn't bring up hair coloring if I were you. I seem to recall that you weren't quite so blonde the last time we saw each other."

"You suck," Lindsey shot out.

"You suck," Tressa retorted, realizing just how lame it sounded.

"Okay," Joel stammered nervously. "I'll just be on my way." His retreat was blocked by the bickering women. Standing there, the florist simply shifted from one foot to the other.

"I hate you," Lindsey snarled.

"I hate you too," Tressa snapped back as she reached down and grabbed Lindsey's overnight bag. "Is this it?"

"Yes," Lindsey fumed.

"Let's go," Tressa demanded as she stormed out the door.

"Thanks a lot, pal," Lindsey groaned at Joel.

"Have fun." He shrugged sheepishly.

PART FOUR

Tressa and Lindsey drove in uncomfortable silence. Tressa finally turned on the radio just to listen to something other than Lindsey grinding her teeth. She flipped through the stations trying to find something other than a boy band or Brittany Spears to listen to. As her quest continued, Lindsey glared at her. "Oh for god's sake, pick something," the blonde finally snapped out as she swatted at Tressa's hand.

"I can't find anything I like," Tressa explained, feeling the tension rising once again.

"Do you have any CD's?" Lindsey inquired in a snotty tone.

"Yes," Tressa retorted. "But I'm not in the mood for any of them."

Lindsey ignored her comment and began to rummage through Tressa's limited collection. "Look, Blu Cantrell. A whole CD about being cheated on." Lindsey smirked at her.

"For the love of God," Tressa groaned. "It was over ten years ago. Let it go, will you? And I didn't cheat on you."

"I know, but I just love watching that vein bulge in your forehead." Lindsey laughed.

"You must since you've been doing that since the day we met," Tressa concurred as she finally settled on the local oldies station. "This okay?"

"Yeah," Lindsey agreed as she returned the CD to it's compartment between their seats. "Nice car," she added quietly.

"Thanks," Tressa answered with sigh of relief. "Do you want to tell me what happened to your leg?"

"Nope," Lindsey answered flatly. "Hey, do you remember that time in high school when I sprained my ankle?"

"Oh yeah." Tressa smiled at the memory. "Come on, Tressa. Let's climb over this fence. It's not that high." She laughed as she mimicked the blonde. "And you were right, it wasn't that high."

"Not for you, stretch," Lindsey groaned indignantly. "What was I thinking?"

"You weren't," Tressa added. "What I remember most was you falling out of the back of my car a few nights later."

"Lord," Lindsey groaned. "You would remember that. Sex in the local cemetery, talk about romantic."

"Hey, we were young," Tressa argued, "and we didn't have anywhere else to go. I can still picture you butt-naked, laying on the lawn, pleading with me to help you up."

"You, as I recall, were too busy laughing at me," Lindsey pouted.

"It was funny," Tressa responded in a matter of fact manner.

"It was." Lindsey chuckled lightly.

"Did you just agree with me?" Tressa gasped.

"I guess I did," Lindsey responded in amazement.

For the first time since her mother's telephone call, Tressa was finally feeling at ease about this situation. "So what have you been up to?" Lindsey inquired. "Your Mom hasn't been very helpful over the years. I know you got your Masters degree."

"Actually, I went on from there," Tressa explained proudly. "It's Dr. Frayler now. I have a PhD in ancient history. I teach at Boston College."

"Wow," Lindsey answered in surprise as she batted her emerald eyes. "You were the one who always hated school."

"Not anymore." Tressa smiled. "I love what I do. I also travel to dig sites when I can. It's amazing."

"So what happened to accounting?" Lindsey pried.

"I hated it."

"I know," Lindsey responded in agreement.

"After we split up," Tressa began slowly, "I really took a hard look at my life and decided that I needed to be happy. And I found something that made me happy."

"Did I make you unhappy?" Lindsey asked in a serious tone. "I know things between us were always a bit of a roller coaster ride."

"It was never dull." Tressa smiled. "No, you made me happy and I lost that. Maybe I needed to so I could grow up. For the first time, I was really on my own; you weren't there to fall back on. I realized that I needed to be happy with me and not just because I had you in my life."
"I think I understand," Lindsey said softly. "When you were gone, I kept telling myself to pick up the phone and call you, that I needed you. And I did need you, but I needed to stand on my own two feet more. Plus the reason I would freak out so much was that it was all so final."

"I don't understand," Tressa questioned her statement.

" We were so young. Just twenty-one and thinking that this was the person I'm going to spend the rest of my life with. It scared me to death," Lindsey explained. "There was so much I wanted to do with my life. We had been together on and off since we were teenagers. Every once and awhile I would think of that and completely freak. Usually I took it out on you."

"Isn't being an adult great?" Tressa responded with a snicker. "So what have you been up to?"

"I own a little antiques shop on Newbury," Lindsey said. "It does well and I get to travel around looking for items to stock."

"Shopping." Tressa laughed loudly. "You turned your favorite pastime into a career."

"Well, not my favorite pastime." Lindsey winked at her.

"I thought you were a stock broker?" Tressa inquired in a confused tone.

"I was," Lindsey explained. "I hated it. But I did make a truckload of money before I got out. It turns out my timing was perfect. Just after I left, everything went into the toilet. I opened the shop about two years ago."

"Why here and not New York?" Tressa asked as she weaved in and out of traffic. "That's where you were living. At least I thought that's what Mom said."

"I needed a change," Lindsey muttered bitterly.

"Uh huh," Tressa responded. "What did she do?"
"It's not what she did, it was who she did." Lindsey confessed in a tired tone. "I swear I have the worst taste in women."

"Thank you." Tressa laughed lightly.

"I didn't mean . . . ," Lindsey stammered, quickly waving her hands frantically. " . . . not you . . . "

"It's okay," Tressa reassured her as she grabbed one of Lindsey's hands and squeezed it tenderly. "I know what you meant. I hope." She smiled and gave Lindsey's hand another squeeze. "If it makes you feel any better, I haven't had that great of a track record either. If there's a nut job within a fifty mile radius, I'll date her."

"Right," Lindsey snorted in disbelief. "Ever had one run you over?" she said quietly.

Her comment wasn't quiet enough. Tressa's heart pounded as she squeezed Lindsey's hand tighter. She hadn't realized what she was doing until Lindsey cried out. "I'm sorry," Tressa blurted out as she released the frightened blonde's hand. The SUV swerved and car horns blared out in anger. Tressa grasped the steering wheel tightly and pulled off the road.

"Tressa, don't . . . ," Lindsey began to plead with her.

Tressa couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was fuming as she turned to her former lover. "Is that how this happened?" Tressa shouted as she pointed to the cast on Lindsey's leg. "She ran you over with her car?"

"No," Lindsey responded quickly.

"Oh." Tressa relaxed slightly. "I'm sorry," she muttered as she tried to steady her breathing.

"She ran me over with my car," Lindsey added quickly.

"What?" Tressa just stared at her. Something in the way Lindsey flinched convinced her to calm down. "I'm sorry. I'm not angry with you. It's just that . . . a part of me will always care. You know?"

"I know." Lindsey patted her thigh tenderly. "Trust me. I broke up with her the first time I realized that she was a big wacko. Unfortunately she doesn't take rejection well. It put a hell of a dent in my car."

"This isn't funny," Tressa choked out as she fought back the tears.

"Trust me. I know." Lindsey's eyes fluttered shut as she gave Tressa's thigh a slight squeeze.

"I'm going to kill her," Tressa muttered angrily.

"No," Lindsey said firmly as her eyes flew open. The sight of her tears broke Tressa's heart. "The police are handling this. I've got a restraining order and Joel has been so far up my backside that I think we're dating."

"Are you certain there's nothing I can do?" Tressa offered, feeling helpless. Lindsey started to cry softly. Without hesitation, Tressa unbuckled her seatbelt and did the same to Lindsey's. She wrapped the smaller woman up in her arms. Rubbing her back gently, she allowed Lindsey to simply cry. The sobs finally ceased but Tressa still held onto Lindsey, the scent of her shampoo filling her senses.

They parted slightly and Tressa reached up to wipe away the few remaining tears from Lindsey's cheek. Lindsey smiled shyly as she grasped Tressa's hand in her own. Tressa smiled in return as Lindsey's thumb stroked the back of her hand. What happened next was a complete surprise. Tressa didn't think; she simply reacted. It seemed completely natural. She brushed her lips against Lindsey's and then lost herself in the warmth of Lindsey's lips which responded to her touch. Lips parted as their tongues began a gentle exploration. Their bodies pressed closer as their tongues danced together.

Lindsey moaned as Tressa's hand cupped her breast. The passionate sound snapped both women back to reality. They separated instantly and stared at each other in confusion. Green and blue eyes blinked wildly as both women tried to comprehend what had just happened. "What the hell was that?" Tressa finally blurted out.

"Has it been that long?" Lindsey countered.

"Lindsey?" Tressa gaped at her. "I uhm . . . I don't . . . I mean . . . hell. I don't know what I mean. Less than half an hour ago we hated each other in the same manner we have for the past ten years. That I can handle."

"Relax, Tressa," Lindsey sighed heavily. "Look, it just happened. Let's not make a big deal out of it."

"Right," Tressa agreed, her senses still reeling from the passionate embrace they'd just shared. "You're right. It was just . . ."

"I swear - if you say it was just one of those things, I'm going throttle you." Lindsey rolled her eyes. "That line has been done to death."

"Well, it was." Tressa snorted as she turned the radio up. "And I hate it when you do that."

"Do what?" Lindsey said, sounding exasperated.

"Roll your eyes at me like I've sprouted antlers or something," Tressa snarled as she buckled her seatbelt. "It was just a kiss."

"Another original sentiment," Lindsey huffed as she also buckled her seatbelt and folded her arms across her chest.

"Hey, I just felt sorry for you," Tressa lied as she turned on her directional and put the SUV into drive.

"Yeah, right." Lindsey chuckled. "That's why you tried to cop a feel?"

"I did not," Tressa protested as she pulled out into traffic.

"Whatever." Lindsey rolled her eyes and changed the radio station.

"I can't believe that I let my mother talk me into this," Tressa complained as she reset the radio.

"Grace said this was your idea," Lindsey piped in.

"My idea?" Tressa gasped. "Why would I volunteer to drive you to my parents for the holiday? You broke my heart."

"You broke mine first," Lindsey snapped. "And your mom said you didn't want to drive alone."

"Oh yeah, that sounds like me," Tressa snarled. "I swear I'm going to wring that old woman's neck. Why are you spending the holiday with my family?"

"Because my family's going to be there," Lindsey pointed out.

"What?" Tressa sputtered as she tried to understand what was happening. "Mom said you were all alone for the holiday!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Lindsey responded. "I usually fly down to Florida and see my folks. This year they decided to fly up to see my brother and his family for a change. They also wanted to spend time with your folks. They get together all the time. I swear I don't know why they sold the house to my brother."

"I don't like the sound of this." Tressa grimaced. "I seem to recall another time when they pulled something like this. You know, that Christmas right after we split up."

"And then there was that other time and the time after that." Lindsey groaned. "You don't think they're still trying to get us back together, do you?"

"After all this time, why would they do this?" Tressa could feel the tension rising. "It never works. We either don't speak or yell at one another."

"Or one of us shows up with a date," Lindsey pointed out.

"We probably shouldn't tell them that we were making out." Tressa chuckled.

"I wasn't making out with you," Lindsey complained.

"Yes, you were."

"No. I wasn't," Lindsey argued. "You kissed me."

"Oh, and that's why your tongue was in my mouth?" Tressa snorted sarcastically.

"Reflex," Lindsey protested. "I wouldn't talk Miss Grabby-Hands. By the way, you're taking the long way home you know."

"I know how to drive to my parent's house," Tressa defended herself.

"Yeah, the long way," Lindsey added flatly.

PART FIVE

The drive to Tressa's family home continued in much the same fashion. They argued about which exit to take, where to stop for gas, and Tressa's driving in general. All in all, things were back to normal. Except Tressa couldn't get that kiss out of her mind.

It was dark and very late when they finally arrived with the last leg of journey spent in silence. Both women were exhausted from trying to piss the other one off. Tressa pulled the Forester up to her parent's crowded driveway. She got out and stretched, then made her way over to the passenger side and assisted Lindsey out of the SUV. "Looks like everyone's at my house," she commented as she handed the crutches to the smaller woman.

"Time to face the music, I guess." Lindsey sighed as she balanced herself. "Or I could just go over to my brother's and go to sleep," she suggested.

"No way," Tressa chastised her. "I'm not going in there alone. Come on and no whining."

"I could always pretend to be in pain," Lindsey suggested.

"I'll keep that in mind if we need to make a quick break for it," Tressa agreed as they worked their way up the walkway.

They walked in and were instantly surrounded by their families. Lots of hugs and questions bombarded them. The two women found themselves huddled together, trying to answer everyone at once. "Yes, I know we're late," Tressa answered her mother tensely. She shot an amused look over at Lindsey who seemed pale all of sudden.

Without hesitation, Tressa wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "I need to sit," Lindsey whispered quietly to her. Tressa nodded in understanding and led the smaller woman over to the sofa. Taking the crutches, she assisted Lindsey down onto the sofa. She helped her remove her jacket and propped her leg up on the coffee table. "Are you alright?" Tressa asked her gently. Lindsey simply nodded in response. Her ashen complexion told a different story.

"What is it?" Tressa asked as she glared at the others to give them space.

"My Dad," Lindsey choked out.

Tressa scanned the room and found the normally outgoing Mr. Stevens hovering in a corner, glaring at the cast on his daughter's leg. "Something smells good, Mom," Tressa said loudly in order to get the people surrounding them talking once again.

"I've been cooking all day." Her mother began to prattle on as the rest of guests joined in about this and that.

"They know?" Tressa asked Lindsey in a soft comforting voice.

"Yes," Lindsey squeaked out, chewing on her lip. "I feel like such a failure," she whispered.

"You're not." Tressa hugged her. "She did this. Not you."

"Thank you." Lindsey hugged her in return.

Tressa and Lindsey noticed Mr. Stevens heading out the back door. "I'll talk to him," Tressa reassured Lindsey as she stood and made her way through the crowd. Stepping out into the backyard she trembled from the cold. She quietly approached the tall silver-haired man who was like a second father to her. "Hey, Mr. Stevens," she called out carefully.

"Did she tell you?" he asked, keeping his back to her.
"Yes."

"I'll going to kill that Denise," he spat out.

"So that's her name." Tressa sighed as she stood next to him. "Fine. I'll hold her down."

"I'm serious." He turned to her, anger filling his eyes.

"So am I," Tressa responded honestly. "But Lindsey asked me not to. So I won't. The police are handling it."

"She hit her," he explained. "That's why Lindsey broke up with her. I mean, I give her credit for not getting sucked in like a lot of women do."

"It's an easy trap to fall into," Tressa agreed. "I know women, gay and straight, who fall into that cycle and can't get out. But Lindsey did. I think she needs to know that you don't think less of her for making a poor choice in a partner."

"I don't," he protested. "I'm just so angry."

"For now, you need to let that go," Tressa explained. "Trust me, I understand how hard that is. I went ballistic when she told me. When did it happen?"

"Eight weeks ago," he explained. "She hid it from us at first. My God, two months and she's still in a cast."

Tressa wrapped a comforting arm around the older man's shoulders. "I never understood why the two of you didn't work out," he said after a brief silence. "No parent is prepared for a child telling them that they're gay but your parents and us, we just knew. The two of you seemed to be perfect for each other."

"We drove each other up the wall."

"I know." He smiled.

"We weren't ready for the commitment," Tressa answered sincerely. "We were just too young."

"I saw you in there." He smiled again. "You still have feelings for Lindsey."

"Mr. Stevens, I will always have feelings for Lindsey," she explained warmly. "For most of my life, she was my life. But that was a long time ago."

"And now?" he pushed. "You don't feel the same?"

"No." The moment the response crossed her lips she knew it was a lie.

Tressa's chest tightened as Mr. Stevens looked at her in disbelief. "I think I'll go inside now and say hello to my daughter," he said with a knowing smile. Standing alone in the cold night air, Tressa felt her world crumbling. 'No. No. No. I am not, repeat, NOT still in love with her. It's just being together again. That kiss meant nothing. Just hormones. I'll always care for her. Why shouldn't I? She was my best friend. I lost my virginity to her, for Pete's sake! That certainly doesn't mean that I'm . . . that I'm in love with her. I'm in love with her.'

"Oh, crap," she whimpered aloud. "This is not happening," she admonished herself as she walked back to the house.

"Jarrod. . ." She heard Lindsey's voice pleading. "Now what?" Tressa muttered as she stepped back into the living room. The look on Lindsey's face was amusing.

"Tressa, dear." Her mother approached her tentatively. "Perhaps you should get your bags from the car."

"Okay." Tressa shrugged. "I'll just run Lindsey's bags over to Jarrod's."

"Well . . ." Her mother paused. "Lindsey is staying here."

"You going to love this one," Lindsey spouted off.

"There's really no room at Jarrod's what with his parents staying there," Grace explained.

"No big deal." Tressa shrugged, still not understanding what was going on. "I'll put her things in the guest room."

"No, dear." Her mother stopped her. "Your sister and Matt are in her old room."

"Okay," Tressa said slowly, still not grasping the situation. "She can take the other guest room, my old room. I'll crash on the sofa down here."

"Well . . . ," her mother began again.

"Well what, Mother?" Tressa cocked an eyebrow.

"The boys are sleeping down here." She motioned to Tressa's nephews. "But you should put Lindsey's things in your old room," her mother continued.

"Mom?" Tressa started slowly. "Where am I sleeping?"

"Your old room," her mother stated cheerfully.
"Uhm, isn't that where Lindsey's sleeping?" Tressa inquired as her lips curled up in suspicion.

"Why yes, dear." Her mother smiled at her innocently.

"And doesn't that room still have the same small double bed?" Tressa continued.

"Yes, dear," her mother responded with the same innocence.

"Are you insane?" Tressa finally asked.

"No, dear." Grace smiled at her. "Now, go get your things. It's getting late."

"Mother, I am not sharing a bed with Lindsey," Tressa stated in a calm yet firm tone.

"Sweetheart, I don't see the problem," her mother admonished her. "You two slept in that bed for years. Certainly you can survive a couple of nights."

"She's my ex-girlfriend," Tressa pointed out.

"I know that." Her mother stood her ground. "Now, go get the bags."

"We used to have to sex in that bed," Tressa threw out for shock value.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that part." Grace smirked. "Get the bags or you're sitting at the kids' table tomorrow."

"Alright," Tressa groaned as she stomped off.

"That's it?" Lindsey interjected.

"I'm not sitting at the kids' table," Tressa muttered as she walked out the front door.

Tressa retrieved their bags and brought them up to her old bedroom. She tossed her coat onto a chair and returned downstairs. Everyone said their good nights and left. Lindsey simply sat on the sofa with her arms folded across her chest glaring at Tressa.

"Come on. The boys need to go to sleep," Tressa said finally.

"I knew they were up to something," Lindsey muttered as she allowed Tressa to help her up. "Thanks for whatever you said to my Dad."

"No problem." Tressa shrugged as she handed the crutches to Lindsey.

Lindsey fumbled trying to make her way up the staircase. Finally, Tressa wrapped her arms around the smaller woman. She took her crutches in one hand and tossed the blonde over her shoulder. "You've gained weight," Tressa complained as she carried Lindsey up the staircase. Lindsey squealed and swatted her throughout the entire journey.

PART SIX

Once she reached her old bedroom, Tressa flung open the door and tossed the crutches inside. Stepping into the room, she spun around and closed the door. "I'm getting dizzy," Lindsey complained.

"You were born that way," Tressa countered as she made her way over to the bed.

Tressa deposited Lindsey on the bed carefully, afraid of damaging her leg. The effort ended with Tressa laying on top of Lindsey. "This won't be so bad," Tressa offered, fighting the sudden urges her body was feeling.

"Yes, it will," Lindsey responded in a low tone. Her green eyes twinkled in the dim light.

"It will be fine," Tressa reassured her as her nipples suddenly hardened. Lindsey ran her fingers through Tressa's long black hair.

"There's a slight problem," Lindsey said softly.

"What problem?" Tressa asked as her body unconsciously pressed closer to woman beneath her.

"This," Lindsey said as she reached up and kissed Tressa.

Tressa's eyes fluttered shut as their lips met. Her heart pounded as Lindsey's tongue played with her bottom lip. Tressa parted her lips and greeted Lindsey's tongue with her own. Bodies pressed together as they explored the warmth of one another's mouth. Their passion ignited as the kiss deepened. Breaking apart, they stared deeply into each other's eyes. "That's the problem," Lindsey said with a smile as she ran her fingers along Tressa's cheek.

"Oh that," Tressa responded huskily. "I don't think that will be a problem."

"Why?" Lindsey encouraged her.

"This is why," Tressa answered in a sultry tone as she recaptured Lindsey's waiting lips.

Once again the kiss quickly deepened as their bodies melted together. Their tongues danced together as they unbuttoned one another's blouses. They parted briefly to discard their shirts. "Should we be doing this?" Lindsey asked.

"No," Tressa responded as her fingers traced a feathery trail down Lindsey's neck.

"Do you want to stop?" Lindsey gasped as her body arched from Tressa's knowing touch.

"No," Tressa answered her as she cupped Lindsey's breast.

"Good," Lindsey groaned as her nipple became erect.

Tressa smiled as she lowered herself, carefully placing her body between Lindsey's thighs. "Is this okay?" she asked as she began to suckle Lindsey's nipple, tasting the lace of the bra that still covered it.

"Yes," Lindsey moaned as her hands slid down Tressa's back.

Tressa pressed her body further into the smaller woman's as her bra was unclasped. Feeling Lindsey's palms teasing her breast, she reached underneath the blonde and undid her bra. Pulling the material aside, Tressa began to circle the rose-colored nipple with her tongue. Her hips thrust as Lindsey started teasing her nipples.

Tressa shifted forward as two hands moved down her body and clasped her backside. Hungrily she suckled Lindsey's nipple, teasing it with her teeth and her tongue. Lindsey squirmed beneath her as she moved to taste her other breast. Tressa continued to tease and taste one nipple before returning to the other and then back again.

Tressa's wetness grew as Lindsey unzipped her jeans. The feel of Lindsey's hand slipping down past her panties drove her wild. "I need you," she whispered against the blonde's exposed flesh. Lindsey began teasing her clit as Tressa's hips gyrated wildly. Lindsey continued to tease her as she tried to pull Tressa's pants down further. "Tressa," she gasped. Tressa halted her movements and looked up fearfully, worried that it was too much too soon. "Baby, I really want us to be naked right now."

"Okay." Tressa smiled as she rose up and tossed off her bra.

"I need help," Lindsey confessed as she continued to tease Tressa's nub.

"Oh," Tressa gasped, "then you need to stop doing that for a moment." Lindsey pouted as she removed her fingers from Tressa's wetness.

Tressa stood and undressed herself as she watched Lindsey licking her fingers. She whimpered as she watched. Finally free of her clothing, she climbed back onto the bed and carefully undressed her lover. She took things very slowly, tasting Lindsey's exposed flesh along the way. Finally she slipped her lover's underwear carefully down her firm thighs and past the cast on her leg. "You are so beautiful." Tressa nearly cried at the sight of Lindsey lying naked before her.

Lindsey blushed at the comment as Tressa began to kiss her way up the blonde's legs. Carefully she placed herself between quivering thighs, moving Lindsey's legs across her broad shoulders. The musky scent filled her senses; at that moment Tressa needed to taste this woman. She needed this more than she needed to breath. She blew a gentle breath through the blonde curls. Her tongue dipped in as she tasted swollen lips. Lindsey was so very wet and Tressa wanted to drink in all of her. She licked and teased as her lover pressed against her mouth. She held Lindsey tightly as she dipped her tongue into her center, plunging in and out while her thumb circled her lover's clit.

Feeling Lindsey's thighs quivering around her, she pulled away. Lindsey whimpered then moaned as Tressa began to suckle her clit, teasing it as she had her nipple. Playfully she pressed two fingers against her warm center. As she felt Lindsey nearing the edge, she entered her. Plunging in and out, Tressa took her slowly at first then slowly increased the intensity while keeping a steady rhythm.

Lindsey buried her face in a pillow to mask her screams as she climaxed. Tressa held her as she rode out the waves of passion. Slowly she removed her fingers and began to taste Lindsey once again. "No you don't," Lindsey gasped from above her. Tressa looked up to find herself mesmerized by the sight of emerald orbs twinkling down at her. Lindsey's face was flushed with passion and love. "Tressa, I need to touch you."

Tressa smiled and nodded shyly. She moved up the bed and, while holding the headboard, she lowered herself to her lover's mouth. She shivered as Lindsey's mouth pleasured her, drinking in her wetness. Her lover suckled her throbbing clit as she entered her. Tressa bit down on her lip to muffle the sounds of her desire. She almost banged her head into the wall as the orgasm ripped through her. Holding the headboard tightly, she allowed Lindsey to continue pleasuring her. The second climax came quickly.

Once she could breathe and move, she helped Lindsey under the covers and climbed in next to her. They wrapped themselves up in one another's arms only to start kissing and touching again. Hands quickly sought out the other's wetness and they rocked together as their hands cupped each other's center. Climaxing in unison, they buried their screams of ecstasy in a sensual kiss.

The following morning they woke holding one another. They agreed not to overanalyze what had occurred the night before. They also agreed not to tell anyone so their families wouldn't get their hopes up. Once they got home, they would explore the reawakening of their feelings. Thanksgiving dinner proved to be difficult. They enjoyed the meal, but enjoyed the stolen touches more. Eventually they snuck off during the football game and began their exploration.

THE END

Continued In I'll Be Home For Christmas

~ Home For The Holidays series ~
Home For The Holidays
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Do Not Open Before Christmas
Happy New Year
Cupid's Arrow
Easter Surprise
By The Dawn's Early Light
The Long Weekend
Holiday Cheer

Send comments to findingmavis@comcast.net
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~ I'll Be Home For Christmas ~
(Home For The Holidays - Part 2)
by Mavis Applewater
December 2001

PART ONE

Lindsey rested on her side looking down at her lover. Even in the darkness of her bedroom she could still make out Tressa's chiseled features. She smiled as she watched her lover sleep. Gently she ran her fingers along Tressa's strong jaw line. "I still can't believe you're here," she whispered softly so she wouldn't wake her lover.

She continued to run her fingers down Tressa's neck, enjoying the warmth of the exposed flesh beneath her touch. Beneath the blanket, she wiggled her toes against Tressa's calf and smiled sweetly once again, enjoying the freedom of being able to move her foot. Her cast had been removed that morning, and Tressa had insisted on driving her to the doctor.

As Lindsey's hand drifted under the blanket down Tressa's chest, she recalled how nervous the tall brunette had been. Tressa had practically thrown a fit when she was forced to remain in the waiting room while Lindsey's cast was removed.

Lindsey's smile vanished as she recalled the events that led up to her leg being broken. 'Damn you, Denise. You almost killed me and my spirit. But you failed. I'm here, lying next to the first woman I ever loved. The only woman I've ever truly been in love with. I survived,' she thought bitterly as a shiver ran through her.

"Are you cold?" a deep voice inquired sleepily as blue eyes blinked open. Tressa's arm wrapped around Lindsey's back.

"No." Lindsey smiled. "Why are you awake?" she asked as her palm brushed against Tressa's nipple.

"Don't know," Tressa mumbled sleepily as her hand made soothing circles across Lindsey's naked back. "Perhaps it's because someone's feeling me up in my sleep?" She smiled brightly.

"Really?" Lindsey purred as she wiggled her fair eyebrows suggestively. She could feel Tressa's nipple hardening from her touch. "Do you want me to stop?"

"No," Tressa answered huskily as her body arched slightly.

Lindsey leaned down and captured Tressa's lips. Her senses instantly came alive. She could feel nothing but pure pleasure in the kiss they were sharing. It was amazing considering the events since they had rushed back to her condo after leaving the doctor's office. They had planned on going out for lunch to celebrate. Yet their plans had changed. One look into Tressa's azure eyes had sent her pulse racing. They barely made it into the bedroom. Once locked away from the prying eyes of her pets, the two had made love well into the night.

Now as Lindsey's tongue brushed against Tressa's lips, her excitement returned. Tressa moaned as she parted her lips, inviting Lindsey in. Lindsey began a sweet exploration of the warmth as her hand continued to caress her breast.

Tressa was sucking on Lindsey's tongue as she pulled the smaller woman on top of her naked body. Lindsey moaned deeply, loving the feel of straddling Tressa's body. She pinched the brunette's nipple as she kissed her deeply. Lindsey's wetness grew as she pressed her body into the firm abdomen beneath her.

A jolt of pleasure rushed through her as Tressa's hands cupped her backside. The taller woman broke away from the kiss as she encouraged Lindsey to move further up her body. "Yessssss!" Lindsey hissed as Tressa captured a nipple in her mouth. Firm hands massaged her backside as she ground her throbbing clit against her lover's skin.

Lindsey ignored the slight cramp she felt in her still recovering leg as she thrust against her lover. Tressa guided her to ride her harder as she suckled Lindsey's breast. Lindsey could feel her thighs start to tremble as she thrust wildly against Tressa's body. "Oh God . . . ," she panted, feeling herself nearing the edge. " . . . that's it . . . yes . . ." Her body tensed and her mouth went dry. As the heat rushed through her body and a slight buzzing began to fill her head, another sound interrupted her nearing climax.

The ringing of the telephone on the nightstand next to the bed disrupted their passionate rhythm. Tressa's movements faltered. "Don't stop," Lindsey pleaded. "Please, the machine will get it," she begged as she tried to focus only on her lover's touch.

The answering machine finally clicked on as Lindsey struggled to keep her mind clear of anything but Tressa loving her. "Lindsey sweetie . . . it's Mom," a voice began.

"Eww!" Both women growled as they halted their movements.

"I was wondering if you'd changed your mind?" her mother's voice continued as Tressa buried her face in her hands.

Lindsey climbed off her embarrassed lover and glared at the answering machine. "It would be so nice if you flew down here for the holiday," her mother pleaded.

"Answer it," Tressa growled. "She knows you're here. She'll just keep talking until you pick up," Tressa explained, still hiding her face.

Reluctantly Lindsey wrapped the blankets around her and rolled over to pick up the telephone. "Hi, Mom," she said tersely.

"Oh, you're there?" her mother replied happily.

"Yes," Lindsey snarled.

"So about flying home . . . ," her mother began.

"No," Lindsey responded firmly.

"But darling," her mother protested. "I don't want you to be alone on Christmas."

Lindsey listened to her mother's pleas to convince her to fly down to Florida. She was at a loss as to what she should do. She and Tressa had not revealed their reconciliation to their families yet. They also hadn't discussed spending the holiday together. "Maybe," Lindsey wavered. She could feel Tressa tense up beside her.

Her lover pulled away slightly and turned away from her. Lindsey could feel the tension emanating from her. "Look Mom, I'm tired," Lindsey lied. "Can I call you tomorrow to talk about this?"

"Is everything alright?" her mother inquired, sounding worried.

"Yes," Lindsey lied. "I'll call you tomorrow," she promised before they exchanged their goodbyes and she hung up.

"Tressa?" she began gently as she curled up behind the taller woman, placing a comforting hand on her lover's shoulder.

"It's late. We should get some sleep," Tressa responded stiffly.

"Tressa?" Lindsey pushed as her lover ignored her. "Oh, no you don't," Lindsey growled as she reached out and pulled Tressa to her.

"Hey!" the brunette protested as she was pinned to the bed by Lindsey. "Just what do you think you are doing?" Lindsey giggled as Tressa tried to free herself. Lindsey had managed to straddle her while firmly restraining her wrists above her head. "Just what is it you have in mind?" Tressa purred.

"Talk." Lindsey glared at her, not missing the lustful blue stare she was receiving. Her resolve wavered. She averted her eyes, only to find herself captured by the sight of Tressa's heaving chest.

"Still want to talk?" Tressa teased her in a husky tone as she arched her body slightly. Lindsey could feel her lover's body pressing into her center. Lindsey's eyes fluttered shut as her body trembled slightly. She swallowed hard and took a cleansing breath.

"Yes," she finally managed to squeak out as she released Tressa's hands.

Tressa's face dropped, a slight frown dimming her features. "Fine," she reluctantly agreed. "So how about those Red Sox?"

"Stop," Lindsey growled from above her, poking Tressa in the chest with her finger.

"Hey," Tressa grumbled as she captured the offending appendage.

Lindsey looked down at her lover, her face filled with concern. Tressa blinked slightly as she released her hand. "What's wrong?" Lindsey inquired softly. "Talk to me."

"It's nothing." Tressa shrugged.

"Tressa?" Lindsey pleaded softly. Her heart broke at the sight of tears filling her lover's eyes.

"It's silly." Tressa snorted. "I just thought . . . never mind."

Lindsey was about to protest Tressa's evasiveness when her lover's arms wrapped around her body, pulling her closer. Lindsey found herself nestled against Tressa's breasts as her lover gently ran fingers through her hair. Lindsey released a reluctant sigh, deciding to let it go for the night.

PART TWO

Lindsey woke to find herself alone in bed. She crinkled her brow, wondering just where Tressa had run off to. The sound of the shower emanating from her bathroom let her know where her tall dark lover was. She smiled as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and briefly pondered joining Tressa in the shower but the scratching at the door changed her mind. Feeling guilty, she grabbed a pair of sweats.

She dressed quickly and opened the door. Ziggy jumped up at her, knocking her to floor. Rufus just stared at her. Ziggy licked her face happily as she pulled herself to her feet while Rufus stomped off down the hallway. She and Ziggy trailed along after the miffed feline. Lindsey was overjoyed to walk down her staircase for the first time in months. She paused for a delightful moment to simply wiggle her toes in the carpet.

She looked down to see Rufus glaring at her once again. The guilt rushed through her. "All right. I'm a bad mother," she groaned as she continued down the staircase. "Cut me some slack here," she said, trying to explain herself to the orange tabby. "Fine be that way," she countered as she threw her hands up in frustration and made her way into the kitchen. Ziggy circled her wildly as Rufus climbed up onto the counter.

"I don't think so," she snarled at the cat as she opened the back door to let Ziggy run out to do his business. She turned back with her hands on her hips and stared back at her cat. Rufus refused to budge until Lindsey opened the cabinet and retrieved a can of IAMS. Rufus instantly jumped from the counter and circled her feet. "Oh, now you love me?" she teased her cat as she fed the little bugger.

After Rufus' stomach was satisfied, she turned on the coffeemaker and let Ziggy back in. The husky danced around as she set down his food. "I would have done that," a sultry voice said from behind her. Lindsey's body shivered from the sound.

Tressa wrapped her arms around Lindsey and began to kiss her neck gently. Lindsey reached up behind her and wrapped her fingers through Tressa's long black hair. "Is that coffee I smell?" Tressa whispered in her ear. Lindsey laughed lightly.

"Sure, use me to satisfy your caffeine addiction," she teased as she pushed away from her lover. She turned and tried to give the beautiful woman a stern look. She failed. When she saw Tressa standing there in just her robe, Lindsey's breath caught in her throat. The sight of the tall woman wearing the tiny garment quickly sent a jolt through her body. "God, you have great legs," she commented before she could stop herself. Licking her lips she took one last look at Tressa's seemingly endless legs. She turned away quickly, but not before she caught the cocky smirk her lover cast in her direction. "We don't have time," she commented gruffly.

As she reached for the coffee pot, Tressa's arms wrapped around her waist. "Baby," Tressa purred in her ear as she began to nibble gently on her earlobe. Tressa's hand slipped under her sweatshirt. Lindsey's knees buckled as her lover made gentle inviting circles across her abdomen. Her eyes fluttered shut as she leaned into her lover's body.

Tressa continued her assault on Lindsey's earlobe, her lips drifting down her lover's neck as her hand slipped beneath her sweatpants. Lindsey could hardly breath. Ziggy's sudden barking broke the trance as she captured Tressa's wrist. "We don't have time," she repeated as she gently pulled Tressa's hand out of her pants.

Turning around she almost laughed at the sight of Tressa pouting. "Suck it up, bucko," she added playfully as she ducked out of Tressa's embrace. Ziggy barked once again, racing out into the living room. "Don't give me that look." Lindsey wagged her finger at the pouting woman. "You have a class and I need to go to the shop."

"Alright." Tressa grimaced. "I'll drop you off."

Lindsey paused for a moment. She really didn't need Tressa to drive her now that her cast had been removed. But she wasn't looking forward to driving her car either. "What is it?" Tressa inquired gently. The sound of Ziggy's continued barking interrupted her response. Lindsey brushed past Tressa to find Ziggy growling and scratching at the front door.

"What's wrong, boy?" Lindsey asked the flustered dog.

"What is it?" Tressa inquired in a tense tone. "I've never heard him act like this. Hell, he never barks when I come in."

"No, he never does," Lindsey commented absently as she pulled the overweight husky from the door. "He only acts like this when there's trouble . . . the last time was around . . . ," she stopped suddenly as her heart sank. The last person Ziggy reacted to like this was Denise. She released her hold on the dog and brought her hand to her mouth fearfully.

Tressa gently yet firmly pulled Lindsey away from the door. "Ziggy, stay with Mommy," she commanded the dog. Lindsey held onto the dog as Tressa carefully opened the front door. Ziggy strained to get free as Tressa stepped outside and finally calmed down when Tressa reentered.
"There's no one out there," Tressa commented nervously. "Did he act that way around her?"

Lindsey knew who Tressa meant. "Yes," Lindsey responded dryly. "I mean, he's always protective with me, but with Denise he always went a little crazy. Come to think of it, Rufus scratched her."

"I always liked your pets." Tressa smirked. "Wait, Ziggy's protective? Don't get me wrong. I love the big goof ball, but that dog has never barked at me."

Lindsey smiled at the thought. "No, you're the only one," she admitted. "You he greeted with a tongue bath." She relaxed as Tressa laughed at the memory. "I was so nervous about seeing you again. Who knew we'd end up making love a few hours later?"

"Our mothers," Tressa noted, recalling how their parents had set them up. "Well, maybe not the making love part, but the reconciliation was certainly their doing."

Lindsey watched as the smile suddenly vanished from Tressa's features. In it's place was a grim look of foreboding. "Perhaps going to see your parents for Christmas is a good idea," Tressa said hesitantly, turning away from Lindsey.

Lindsey's heart sank. She had hoped that Tressa's reaction the night before was because she wanted to spend the holiday with her. "Fine," she retorted in a surprisingly calm tone as she stood. She retreated upstairs and stormed into her bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

PART THREE

"That went well," Tressa commented to husky who was now lying at her feet. "Well Ziggy, what should I do now? Wait for her to get out of the shower or run after her?" The dog simply licked himself. "You're no help at all." She ran her hand through her hair nervously as she tried to decide what to do. "Okay, time to face the girl." She braced herself before climbing the staircase.

She walked into the bedroom and over to the bathroom door. She tried to turn the knob only to discover it locked. "Okay, Plan B it is," she grunted.

Tressa dressed as Lindsey took the longest shower in history. She sat on the bed and waited patiently. Her head was throbbing. Her main concern was that Lindsey was far too angry with her to listen to what she had to say. Finally, Lindsey emerged wrapped only in a towel. Tressa licked her lips as she drank in the sight of her lover's body.

"Are you kidding me?" Lindsey snarled.

"Please, hear me out," Tressa implored her.

"Now you want to talk?" Lindsey questioned her in an exasperated tone. Her emerald eyes glowed with anger.

Tressa swallowed hard, determined to say what she should have said last night. As Lindsey glared at her, she stood and walked over to the angry blonde and handed her the envelope she'd been clutching. "Merry Christmas," she said as she carefully walked back to the bed.

Lindsey simply stared at the envelope with a dumbfounded expression. She looked at Tressa then back at the envelope. Tressa was clutching the rumpled sheets, sweating profusely and silently begging Lindsey to just open the damn envelope so she could explain everything.

Several more minutes passed as Lindsey stared blankly at the envelope. "Open it!" Tressa finally barked, unable to hold it together any longer. Lindsey snapped her head around and, with her tongue buried deep inside her cheek, glared at Tressa. "Sorry," Tressa squeaked out meekly.

Lindsey cracked her neck and finally opened the envelope. Tressa relaxed slightly as she saw the stunned expression on the blonde's face. "Plane tickets to Florida leaving on the twenty sixth? Two tickets?" Lindsey recited absently, still trying to comprehend what was happening. "Two tickets!" she suddenly exclaimed. Her voice caused Tressa to flinch slightly. "You mean?" the blonde stammered happily.

Tressa released the tense breath she'd been holding captive. "I thought we could go down there together," she explained. "Well, what I was really thinking about was, you know . . ." She suddenly felt shy. "I want us to be together. I know that we've only been seeing one another for a few weeks, but now that I have you back in my life again, I don't want to lose you. I want us to tell our families."

Lindsey just stood there blinking at her. "Say something," Tressa urged her. The silence continued. "Don't tell me that you're speechless," Tressa teased, hoping that the silence was a good thing. "That's not possible."

"I can't believe you did this," Lindsey stammered.

"Surprise," Tressa offered, still feeling uncertain that Lindsey wanted the same thing.

"So that's why you pulled away last night." Lindsey sighed with relief.

"Yeah," Tressa confessed. "I was going to suggest that we spend Christmas Eve together. You know, just the two of us. Well, four if you count the puppy and the fur ball. I was going to give you the tickets then and ask if you wanted to make all this official. If you said yes, we could spend Christmas Day with my parents and then fly down to spend some time with your folks. Maybe rent a car and hit Disney for a couple of days."

"You had this all planned?" Lindsey said with a smile as she approached the bed. "Wait! What about the shop and Ziggy and Rufus?"

"I've already spoken to Delia, your manager," Tressa explained as her lover approached her. "She's agreed to look after the shop. Joel's going to take care of the kids."

"So everyone knew?" Lindsey smirked as she pushed Tressa back on the bed.

"Everyone except you and our families," Tressa confessed. "I thought we could tell them together."

"What if I said no?" Lindsey said as she straddled Tressa's body. "I'm not, by the way. But what if I had?"

"Oh, well." Tressa smiled as she ran her hands up Lindsey's exposed thighs. "Then I would have driven down to my parents. I'd have started drinking the moment I got there and stayed drunk until New Year's Day. Then I'd drive back completely hung over before the new semester started."

"I love you," Lindsey said softly before she captured Tressa's lips. Tressa's heart reeled from the kiss and from hearing those words. They had not said that to one another in over a decade and it felt right. "I love you too," Tressa responded as Lindsey released her lips.

"Damn you!" Lindsey exclaimed as she bolted up.

Tressa tensed as Lindsey jumped off her. She looked at the blonde. "What?" Tressa questioned in a confused tone.

"You tell me all of this now?" Lindsey pointed out. "We're going to be late. Fine for me, I'm the boss. But you have finals to give."

Tressa laughed as Lindsey raced around to get dressed. "I'll put the coffee in some travel mugs," she said as she stood. "Do you still want me to drive you?"

"Do you have time?" Lindsey asked frantically. "I would love it. I know I can drive now but I'm not comfortable being around my car."

"I understand," Tressa responded heavily.

"I'm sorry. The last time I was near it, I was bouncing off of it." Lindsey shuddered at the memory. Tressa's fists tightened in anger. "Is that why you want me to head south sooner?" Lindsey asked in a knowing tone.

"That could have been her out there this morning," Tressa noted. "Her trial is coming up and she's facing some very serious charges."

"And knowing Ziggy, the wonder dog, it could have been a squirrel," Lindsey pointed out as she shoved Tressa out the bedroom door.

"I'm not buying that!" Tressa shouted as she stomped downstairs to prepare their travel mugs. Tressa muttered as she poured the coffee. "If she thinks that I'm just going to drop this, she has another think coming," she babbled to herself as she added another spoonful of sugar to her lover's coffee. "If some Freakin' wacko was stalking me, she wouldn't drop it."

"No, I wouldn't," a tense voice muttered from behind her. Tressa cringed knowing that she'd just been busted.

Tressa turned around slowly and was about to meekly hand Lindsey her coffee when she almost dropped the Graceland travel mug. "Whoa, you clean up good." Tressa swallowed hard at the sight of her lover dressed in her best Donna Karan suit.

"Hey, watch how you're handling the King," Lindsey retorted, seemingly happy with the effect she was having on the taller woman.

"King sming, let's make out," Tressa said as she wiggled her eyebrows in a suggestive manner. Lindsey blushed at her comment. Tressa handed her the coffee and grabbed up her own coat and briefcase.

"Is that all you ever think about?" Lindsey said playfully as she rolled her eyes.

"Whenever you're around, yes, it is all I think about," Tressa answered truthfully as she put on her coat and retrieved her own cup of coffee.

Tressa watched in amusement as Lindsey sipped her coffee. The smile told her she'd mixed it just right. "Hmm, that's good," Lindsey purred.

"Yeah I know, half a pound of sugar, a gallon of cream, and just a splash of coffee," Tressa grunted as they headed towards the front door. "Disgusting if you ask me."

"I didn't." Lindsey smirked as she set the alarm code before locking the front door. "Miss I'll-be-butch-and-drink-mine-black. One of these days you'll discover that you can't live on just sex and caffeine."

"Horse puckey. Of course you can," Tressa laughed as she opened the passenger door of her SUV for Lindsey. "What are you afraid of it? Do you think it will stunt my growth?" The taller woman smirked.

"Cute, Dr. Frayler," Lindsey countered as she pulled herself up into the Forester. Tressa caught the gleam in the smaller woman's emerald eyes. "Very cute," Lindsey added with a seductive smile.

Tressa chuckled to herself as she got into the driver's seat. "Tease," she said while trying to scowl. Lindsey laughed at her failed attempt.

"I'll tell you what, hot stuff," Lindsey began playfully as she slid closer. Tressa could feel her nipples hardening. 'I'm in big trouble,' Tressa thought as Lindsey's hand caressed her thigh. "We can finish what we started this morning and last night later." Lindsey leaned over and licked Tressa's ear.

Tressa moaned as she tried to start her car. "How much later?" she moaned.

"Well, I do need to do something after I close up the shop tonight," Lindsey whispered as she began to kiss Tressa's very sensitive neck.

"Uh huh?" Tressa squeaked out as Lindsey's hand brushed further up her thigh.

"It's just a little shopping," Lindsey whispered before nipping on Tressa's neck.

Tressa's eyes flew open as it dawned on her just what Lindsey was suggesting. "Hold it, Blondie." She pulled away from Lindsey's touch. "The mall?" she whined. "At Christmas time? Are you insane?"

"Yes, yes and no," Lindsey replied confidently as she resumed her assault on Tressa's neck. "I want you, baby."

"You don't fight fair," Tressa panted.

"Please?" Lindsey taunted Tressa as her hand resumed caressing her thigh.

"But the mall?" Tressa whined once again. "I hate the mall. I'm such the guy with the purse." Tressa jolted out of her seat as Lindsey's hand found it's way to her center. "Uh huh . . . huh!" she stammered. "Okay, we'll go to the mall after work." Her overheated body chilled as Lindsey withdrew her advances.

"You are so easy." The blonde chuckled.

"Brat," Tressa grumbled as she tried to start the car. Her attempt caused the engine to scream. She hadn't realized that the SUV was already running. Lindsey giggled as Tressa glared at her. "You are so bad," Tressa chastised her as she put on her seatbelt. She motioned for Lindsey to do the same. Satisfied that there was enough distance between them, she pulled out of Lindsey's driveway.

"Don't worry, sweetie." Lindsey smiled as she sipped her coffee. "I'll make it up to you tonight."

"Hmmf," Tressa scoffed as she maneuvered her way through the morning traffic. "You are incorrigible. Trying to take advantage of me just so you can go to the mall. Tsk. Tsk."

"Take advantage of you?" Lindsey roared with laughter.

"Laugh it up, blondie," Tressa cautioned her.

Lindsey suddenly fell strangely quiet. Tressa tensed at this turn of events. Normally Lindsey would be chatting her ear off. "I love you," Lindsey said softly. "And I wanted to thank you for everything you did this morning."

"You're welcome," Tressa responded with a smile. "And I love you too." Tressa smile broadened as she thought how good it felt to be saying those words to Lindsey once again. "Could you do one more thing for me?" Tressa asked tentatively.

"Anything," Lindsey agreed. "Now, see how reasonable I can be? You don't even have to flirt."

"You call that flirting?" Tressa chuckled. "That, my love, was not flirting. What you were doing was more like a full frontal assault."

"Was there something you wanted to ask me?" Lindsey interjected quickly.

Tressa knew her lover was changing the subject. "Would you call the Detective that's handling your case and let him know what happened this morning?" Tressa requested.

"Yes," Lindsey readily agreed.

"That was too easy," Tressa said, questioning her willingness.

"I think you're right about this one," Lindsey explained. "The last time I decided to let things go . . ."

Tressa cut her off by squeezing her hand gently. Tressa was grateful that Lindsey wasn't going to fight her on this. Her brief relationship with Denise had caused the blonde enough turmoil. When Lindsey finally revealed all the details, Tressa was certain that she would explode. Somehow she held it together for Lindsey's sake. In a few weeks Denise's trial would begin and they could put this all behind them.

They spent the rest of the drive talking over their plans for the next few weeks. Well, Lindsey talked and Tressa mostly listened. Tressa was pleased with herself for telling Lindsey about her present early. It didn't happen the way she had planned, but in light of recent events it was the right thing to do. She was even kind of looking forward to the trek to the mall. Now that she had given Lindsey her big present, she really needed something else for her to open on Christmas morning.

She agreed to spend Christmas Eve at Lindsey's. It made sense. Tressa's place was very small and admittedly not that comfortable. She hadn't thought of it before. But now it made a difference. And of course there was Ziggy and Rufus to consider. The only thing that troubled her was Denise. She had managed to break into Lindsey's condo once before. Of course the locks and alarm system had been changed since then. Still, knowing that this crazy woman was loose made her uncomfortable.

After Tressa dropped Lindsey off at her shop on Newbury Street, she silently vowed to keep as close to the little blonde as possible over the next few weeks. It wouldn't be a demanding task since she simply adored her.

PART FOUR

Tressa huddled on a bench at The Cambridge Side Galleria. She was covered with packages and ruing the day she was born. "This freakin' sucks," she muttered bitterly. The man sitting next to her was in much the same condition and grunted in agreement.

"Scrooge," Lindsey said insultingly.

Tressa looked out from behind her packages with a grim expression. She bit on her tongue to keep from laughing. Somewhere along the line, Lindsey had adopted a plush red Santa hat. "Don't you like it?" Lindsey joked as she pointed to her new chapeau.

"It's lovely," Tressa responded dryly.

"You really think so?" Lindsey continued with a sly smirk.

"Yes," Tressa answered honestly. "It's quite fetching."

"I'm so glad you think so." Lindsey grinned evilly as she plopped a matching hat onto Tressa's head.

"Hey!" Tressa protested loudly as Lindsey laughed. "Are we done yet?" she pleaded.

"One more store," Lindsey reassured her as the man next to her snorted in amusement.

"That's what you said seven stores ago," Tressa complained in a tired voice.

"It's the last one. I promise." Lindsey pouted. "I didn't know we were flying down to see my parents plus going to see your parents. It added a few more things to my list," Lindsey explained hurriedly. "I promise to make it up to you," she added in a husky tone.

"Alright," Tressa conceded as her new friend chuckled.

Lindsey dashed off merrily as the man beside Tressa looked at his watch. "Seeing the in-laws?" he asked in a tired tone.

"Flying down the day after." Tressa sighed. "You?"

"Yup." He sighed. "Christmas Day. Christmas Eve we do my folks. Then drive home, try to get the kids to bed, set up the toys, and get up a half on hour later," he explained. "I hope to hell I got enough batteries," he added thoughtfully. "Kids?"

"Not yet," Tressa responded with a slight smile.

"Just wait," he answered with a smile of his own. "It makes all of this running around and last minute stuff worth it."

"When do you sleep?" Tressa teased him.

"Sometime around mid-February," he confessed.

"Barry?" a high-pitched female voice called out.

"Ah, free at last," he said with a smirk as he stood. "Hang in there," he offered as he gathered up his belongings.

"You too," Tressa responded pleasantly. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," he said with a tired smile before leaving her.

Alone once again, Tressa looked at her watch and slumped down. A very attractive and tall blonde took Barry's spot next to her. She smiled politely at the woman. There was something about her that made the hair on the back of Tressa's neck stand on end.

"Long day?" the woman inquired in a seemingly pleasant voice.

"Yeah," Tressa answered carefully. There was something about this woman she didn't trust.

Tressa couldn't quite put her finger on it. Perhaps it was the way she was sitting just a little too close to her. Or the fact that she didn't have one single shopping bag. 'Probably just my paranoia kicking in,' Tressa reasoned. 'Still, it's a few days before the holiday. She has her coat on so she doesn't work here. Maybe she just got off work. No packages. Something isn't right.'

"Waiting for someone?" the blonde continued, apparently unaware of Tressa's discomfort.

"You think?" Tressa held up the packages.

"I hope she's worth it," the blonde retorted coldly while she fumbled with something in her pocket.

"I think so," Tressa answered carefully as the blonde moved closer to her.

"She's not," the woman spat out bitterly. "You don't know her. Only I know her."

'Uh no!' The sudden realization of what was happening came crashing down on her. She cast an icy glare at the blonde who seemed to be lost in her own little world. Tressa gritted her teeth as she felt the anger rising up. Her cell phone chirped just as she noticed two police officers slowly approaching. They looked directly at her as she answered her phone. She didn't need to check her caller id. "Hello, honey," she purred into the phone as she watched the woman next to her tense up.

"Tressa," Lindsey began frantically. "Don't say anything! Just get up . . ."

"I know," Tressa said in a loving tone, despite her desire to strangle the woman seated next to her. "I love you too. This morning was incredible."

"Oh God," Lindsey gasped. "Please don't antagonize her. The cops should be there already."

"I miss you too," Tressa threw in as the blonde beside her emitted a growl. As much as she wanted to hurt this woman, she had promised Lindsey before they were reunited that she wouldn't. She held the phone close and began to gather up their purchases. "I can't wait to see you," Tressa continued in hopes that Lindsey would understand what she was trying to say.

"I'm at the entrance we came in," Lindsey instructed her. "I love you. Please be careful."

"Back at you, baby," Tressa responded sincerely as she ended the call.

Tressa saw the uniformed officers carefully moving closer as she stored her phone back in her jacket pocket. She stood slowly, unable to decipher what the blonde was rambling about. Without a word she started to walk towards the mall entrance. She didn't need to turn around; she knew that she was being followed.

Just ahead of her she could see Lindsey trembling with fear as the tears ran down her cherubic features. "Lindsey!" The screech came from behind her. "Let me go! That's my girlfriend!" a frantic voice cried. Tressa's pace quickened. She dropped her packages in front of Lindsey's trembling body.

"It's okay," she whispered as she wrapped her lover up in a warm embrace.
Turning, she could see Denise struggling with the officers. "I've got you," she whispered in Lindsey's ear as she rubbed her back in an effort to reassure her that everything was going to be alright.

"I saw her sitting next to you," Lindsey sobbed. "I was so afraid that she was going to hurt you."

"Ssh," Tressa said as she held Lindsey tighter. "They got her. I'm fine and so are you. You did the right thing."

"I swear, if she had tried to hurt you . . . ," Lindsey choked out as she nestled herself deeper into Tressa's breast.

"She didn't," Tressa reassured her as she kissed the top of her head gently. "Let's get out here."

"We have to wait." Lindsey sniffed. The sight of her beautiful eyes puffy and red from crying broke Tressa's heart. She turned, wanting nothing more than to hurt Denise. Fortunately, the police had already removed her from the area. "The police need to question Denise and they want to check your car."

"Okay," Tressa agreed, trying to smile. "We can go up to the food court and get some coffee."

PART FIVE

Tressa hummed happily as she helped put the finishing touches on Lindsey's tree. She smiled as she heard Lindsey singing off key in the kitchen. The events of a few nights ago had taken their toll. They'd waited until Detective Meyers joined them over an hour later. Tressa's car was fine except that it had been keyed. They couldn't prove that Denise had anything to do with that or that she'd been anywhere near Lindsey's condo that morning. Tressa felt defeated until Detective Meyers informed them that Denise was carrying a knife and, since she was out on bail, carrying a concealed weapon would more than likely revoke her bail.

The following day they received a very welcome phone call informing them that was exactly what had happened. It had also put an end to the plea bargain that the DA was about to agree to. Tressa was angry that they would even consider making a deal. The woman had broken into Lindsey's home, stolen her car and then ran over her with it.

Now that Denise was safely locked behind bars, both women relaxed. Although Tressa did say a silent prayer that Denise's cellmate would be a bull dyke who wanted to become Denise's new daddy. "Thanks for putting the angel on the top," Lindsey commented as she entered the living room. "I just couldn't reach. No comments," Lindsey cautioned her.

Tressa chuckled as she held up her hands in defense. Tressa couldn't help but notice that her lover had one hand carefully concealed behind her back. "I know it's silly," Lindsey continued.

"What?" Tressa asked her in confusion.

"Putting up a tree for just one night," Lindsey admitted shyly, all the while keeping her right hand behind her back.

"I don't think it's silly," Tressa reassured her. "After the past few days, I think it's just what we need. Besides, Rufus needed a new scratching post," she added, pointing to the sleeping cat lying next her partner in crime, Ziggy. Both were out like a light. "Did you let your mom know that you'll be flying down on the twenty-sixth?"

"Yes." Lindsey smiled as Tressa dimmed the lights.

"She gave me a hard time about renting a car and meeting them at the house," Lindsey continued as Tressa neared her. The brunette smiled at the sight of her lover illuminated only by the white lights on the Christmas tree.

"She doesn't know I'm coming?" Tressa inquired as she stood a breath away from Lindsey.

"No." Lindsey smirked gleefully.

"Let's just hope that someone doesn't blab," Tressa added as she ran her fingers through Lindsey's short blonde locks. "And by someone, I mean my mother."

"I know," Lindsey said in agreement. "We're going to have a hard time keeping Grace from calling them after we tell her tomorrow."

"What are you hiding?" Tressa finally inquired, leaning so close to the smaller woman that she could feel her breath caressing her cheek.

"Me?" Lindsey feigned innocence.

"You," Tressa reported as she pressed her taller frame into the smaller woman's body.

"Nothing," Lindsey lied playfully.

"You're lying," Tressa whispered in her ear.

Lindsey moaned slightly. "Well, it's that we never got to finish what we started a few days ago," she responded hotly. Her hand moved out from behind her back. Tressa's body warmed at the sight of Lindsey standing there holding a sprig of mistletoe above her head.

PART SIX

Lindsey stood there nervously holding the mistletoe up in the air. Her fears were quickly quieted as Tressa captured her lips. Both women melted into the kiss. Tressa wrapped her arms around the smaller woman and Lindsey dropped the mistletoe as Tressa began to suckle her bottom lip. Mouths parted and sweet gentle exploration began.

Hands roamed as sweet caresses ignited into heated groping. They broke apart only to remove articles of clothing. Their lips met again as their now naked bodies pressed together. Tressa lowered Lindsey onto the carpeted floor as the blonde greedily sucked on her neck. With one hand Lindsey teased Tressa's nipple while the other massaged her firm backside.

As Tressa pressed her thigh into Lindsey's wet center, Ziggy snorted in disgust. Both animals left the room. "I guess they didn't like the floor show," Tressa noted as she watched her lover roll her eyes.

"Tressa?" Lindsey murmured against her skin.

"Hmm," Tressa sighed as she felt her lover's tongue on her neck.

"No talking," Lindsey instructed hotly before dipping her head down and capturing Tressa's nipple in her mouth.

Tressa gasped from the heated sensation. As Lindsey teased her nipple, she rocked against her lover's wetness. Using one hand to support herself above her lover, Tressa's other hand blazed a trail down Lindsey's firm body. Her fingers dipped into Lindsey's wetness causing the smaller woman to arch up against her.

Lindsey released her hold on Tressa's nipple as two fingers slid across her swollen lips. Tressa split her fingers into a vee so she could caress both sides of her wetness. Instinctively, one of Lindsey's hands ran across her flesh. With one hand still cupping Tressa's backside, she slipped her fingers into Tressa's wetness.

They teased one another, coating their fingers with each other's passion before seeking out throbbing clits. Hips gyrated in rhythm as they continued to tease. Mouths met as they began to stroke one another, their tongues moving in the same sensual rhythm as their bodies. They entered each other in unison as their thighs parted, giving more of themselves. They plunged in and out of each other's warm center as their thumbs stroked their throbbing clits.

Not caring about the carpet burns, they took one another harder and harder. Their bodies were covered in a sheen of sweat as they rode out the waves of ecstasy. As fingers moved deep inside their cores, they exploded in unison. They collapsed on the floor still holding each other, allowing the final waves to course through them.

Lindsey placed heated, insistent kisses along Tressa's neck. "You know what I want, baby," she said with desire that shot through Tressa's body. Lindsey rolled the taller woman onto her back. "I know," Tressa moaned with desire. "It's what I want."

"I need to taste you," Lindsey urged as Tressa cupped her backside, bringing her body down to her own.

"Yes, baby." Tressa squeezed the firm flesh beneath her fingers. "I want you to."

Lindsey straddled her lover as she rocked against her stomach. "First, I need to feel you come against me."

"Oh yes," Lindsey cried out as she rocked against Tressa wildly.

Tressa guided Lindsey's body down so their clits rubbed together. Her hands guided the blonde's hips into a frantic rhythm. "Oh God . . . yes . . . ," Lindsey panted as they became drenched in one another's wetness. "Oh God!" Lindsey screamed out as the climax seared through her body.

While her body was still trembling, Lindsey captured Tressa in a fiery kiss. Pressing her body against her quivering lover, she began to kiss her way down. She tasted every inch of exposed flesh as she made her descent. Once she'd settled herself between her lover's trembling thighs, she was totally turned on by the scent of her lover's desire. She plunged her tongue deep inside of Tressa. As Tressa screamed out, Lindsey looked up to see her lover's body arching with pleasure.

She continued to take her deeply as Tressa clutched at the back of her head. She watched as Tressa begged and panted from her touch. Shifting slightly, Lindsey removed her tongue from its warm recess and began to lick and taste Tressa's sweetness. Tressa was crying out as Lindsey forced her hips up with her shoulders. Holding her steadily with one arm, she slipped her hand beneath Tressa's body. Tressa thrust as Lindsey entered her with two fingers while teasing her clit with her teeth and her tongue.

Tressa climaxed against Lindsey. The power of her pleasure sent Lindsey over the edge as well. They lay on the floor trembling. Once they could breath without gasping, Tressa pulled Lindsey up to her and wrapped the smaller woman in a tight embrace. "Merry Christmas," Lindsey said as she kissed the valley between Tressa's heaving breasts.

"Merry Christmas," Tressa managed to choke out in response.

They kissed gently and clung to one another as they waited for their strength to return so they could go upstairs and continue their celebration.

THE END

Tressa and Lindsey are back in Do Not Open Before Christmas

~ Home For The Holidays series ~
Home For The Holidays
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Do Not Open Before Christmas
Happy New Year
Cupid's Arrow
Easter Surprise
By The Dawn's Early Light
The Long Weekend
Holiday Cheer

Send comments to findingmavis@comcast.net
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~ Do Not Open Before Christmas ~
(Home For The Holidays - Part Three)
by Mavis Applewater
January 2002

PART ONE

Tressa yawned tiredly as she looked over at the nightstand. She blinked rapidly, trying to force her blue eyes to focus on the bright red digits of the alarm clock. She groaned slightly, knowing it was time for them to get up. She tried to lift her body and then smiled, knowing that the weight pressing against her was her still slumbering lover.

Lindsey had managed to wrap herself around Tressa's body like a cocoon. Tressa smiled as she put her arms around the warm sleeping body. Lindsey murmured in pleasure and snuggled closer. "I don't think I have ever been this happy," she whispered as she kissed the blonde head that was nestled sweetly on her chest.

"I bet I could make you even happier," Lindsey boasted softly against her skin.

"Are you awake?" Tressa inquired as she ran her fingers down Lindsey's naked back.

Her question went unanswered as Lindsey suckled her nipple. The sudden jolt of pleasure forced Tressa's body to arch. "Good Lord, woman! Don't you ever get enough?" Tressa moaned deeply. Lindsey's tongue gave her nipple one quick flick before the blonde raised her head. "I could never get enough of you," Lindsey asserted with heartbreaking sincerity. Tressa's mouth hung open. She was overwhelmed by the conviction and honesty ringing in her lover's voice.

A part of her wanted to cry. She had never felt so loved, so certain that this time was forever. "Tressa?" Lindsey questioned her as Tressa fought back the tears of joy. Lindsey's simple words had completely melted her heart. When Tressa finally spoke, it was from the heart. She didn't stop to think about what she was about to say. The words simply sprung forth before she could stop them. "Marry me."

Tressa watched as Lindsey's eyes widened in what the brunette hoped was surprise. As a dumbfounded express emerged clearly across her lover's features, Tressa's heart dropped. Suddenly the disappointment came crashing down around her. "Say something," Tressa urged her lover as her heart pounded against her chest.

"I Uhm . . . ," Lindsey stammered as she pulled away slightly. "I honestly don't know what to say."

"I see," Tressa snapped, her face and body growing cold. She pulled away as Lindsey reached out for her and extracted herself from her lover's touch. Lindsey tried to pull her back as she climbed out from under the blonde. Tressa rose quickly from the bed and turned her back on her lover.

"Tressa honey," Lindsey pleaded. Tressa brushed off Lindsey's plea as she stepped further away. "I'm going to take a shower," she responded coldly, unable to look at her lover. "We really should get moving if we want to be on time for dinner."

"Tressa," Lindsey repeated, her tone almost frantic.

Tressa took a deep breath before turning to face Lindsey. The worried look on her lover's face tugged at her heartstrings. "Forget it," she offered with a shrug, hoping to erase the last few moments. "My mistake," she muttered under her breath as she turned and headed off to the bathroom.

Tressa stepped into the steamy water of the shower. Bracing her hands on the tiled wall, she lowered her head and allowed the water to cascade over her body. "Merry Freakin' Christmas," she grumbled as she allowed the hot water to wash Lindsey's scent from her body.

Tressa felt numb as she cleansed her body. She hadn't planned on proposing; it just sort of happened. She was caught up in the moment. The words had come as a complete surprise when they crossed her lips. Based on Lindsey's reaction, she'd been equally surprised. Tressa could just kick herself for allowing her emotions to overrun her thinking.

Lindsey's lack of response had shocked her. Granted, it wasn't the most romantic way to pop the question, but it was how she felt. Tressa couldn't keep from doubting Lindsey's feelings. She regretted the timing of her proposal, but wasn't this where their relationship was heading?

Tressa stepped out of the shower and dried her body as she calmed herself. She dropped the towel on to the bathroom floor knowing that it would irk Lindsey and then wrapped herself up in a fresh towel. She wiped the steam off of the mirror; she smiled knowing that the streaks on the glass would be a further annoyance for her lover.

She stared at her reflection, wondering why it hurt so much. She shook her head as she realized she was behaving childishly. "What was I thinking?" she asked her reflection. "It's too soon. We only reconciled a few weeks ago after being apart for over a decade. Our past relationship had been turbulent to say the least. Add in the fact that Lindsey is still recovering from her disastrous and near fatal relationship with Denise. I'm an idiot," she admonished herself as she started blow-drying her hair.

She noticed a small blemish on her neck as she dried her hair. "Why that little . . . ," she groused as she took a closer look at the hickey that her lover had deposited on her neck. Tressa blushed slightly as she recalled how they had made love under the Christmas tree the night before. "I have to fix this." She sighed as she recalled how she had pulled away from her lover just a short time ago.

PART TWO

Lindsey had dressed in sweats and taken care of Rufus and Ziggy. She made a pot of coffee. After the necessary chores had been completed, she looked at her watch. She wondered briefly if Tressa had decided to drown herself in the shower. "I can't believe this is happening," she muttered as she nervously ran her fingers through her short blonde hair. "Why didn't I say something?" she pondered as she walked out of the kitchen.

Lindsey stopped and stared at the tree, recalling the passion she had shared with her lover just a few short hours ago. "Time to face the music." Lindsey braced herself as she returned upstairs. She looked around the bedroom, finding it empty. "Now why did I think she'd make this easy?" Lindsey shrugged as she headed off to the bathroom.

She listened at the door for a moment. She could hear her lover muttering to herself. Silently she wished that the woman would speak up so she could understand what she was babbling to herself about. When the sounds from inside of the bathroom ceased, she rapped gently on the door.

She waited impatiently for a response. Normally she wouldn't have bothered with knocking; she'd just burst into the bathroom in hopes of catching her lover naked. But today was different. "Tressa?" she called out, unable to stand the silence any longer.

The door opened quickly. Lindsey's jaw dropped as she found her lover standing in the steamy bathroom clad only in a bright blue bath towel. "My eyes are little higher," Tressa said in a sultry voice.

"I'll get there," Lindsey commented as her eyes continued to work their way up her lover's body.

"Uh huh." Tressa chuckled as she brushed past her.

Lindsey watched her retreating form sashay down the hallway. She whimpered as the incredibly long legs disappeared into the bedroom. Turning back, she looked into her bathroom. Her green eyes widened in anger as she took in the mess Tressa had left behind.

The growl crept out her throat as she headed down the hallway. "Tressa," she grumbled as her lover looked through her dresser. The tall woman stood there dressed only in a pair of black jeans and a bra. "Do I have a turtleneck here?" Tressa asked her innocently.

"Not that I'm aware of," Lindsey snapped, frustrated that Tressa was trying to avoid talking to her.

"A scarf?" Tressa continued as if nothing was a miss between them.

"Will you forget about your wardrobe for a moment and talk to me?" Lindsey demanded.

Tressa pouted slightly. "Don't even try that one," Lindsey cautioned her. "We need to talk. I hate it when you shut me out. I thought we were past that," she continued, feeling her lover's eyes on her body. "That isn't going to work either," she noted defiantly as she curled her lips. "Neither is messing up my bathroom. Don't you think it would be easier to talk to me instead of trying to annoy me?"

"Probably, but not as much fun," Tressa teased her.

Lindsey relaxed slightly as Tressa smiled at her. "I'm sorry," Tressa continued.

"About?" Lindsey urged her on.

"Not about the bathroom." Tressa smirked. "You are way too anal for your own good."

Lindsey's shoulders slumped in defeat; she could see the walls going up. She walked over to the bed and sat down wearily. "I love you," she said quietly. "You know that, don't you?" She looked up to find her lover shifting nervously.

"I love you too," Tressa confessed. "I'm sorry about this morning."

"Don't be," Lindsey said gently. "I should have said something. I was just surprised. I wasn't expecting it."

"I'm sorry," Tressa repeated shyly.

"Please stop apologizing for the way you feel," Lindsey said in despair.

Lindsey couldn't bear to see her lover looking so sad on what should be a happy day for both of them. "Come here," she requested as she patted the bed next to her. Tressa walked over and sat down next to her. Lindsey clasped the larger hands in her own. "The last time we argued and didn't talk about how we were feeling, we ended up spending ten years apart hating one another."

"I know," Tressa admitted. "I didn't mean to blurt it out like I did. It was how I felt."

"It's how I feel too," Lindsey reassured her. "I should have told you that. But . . ."

"It's too soon," Tressa finished for her. "We haven't been back together that long and there's Denise."

"Yes," Lindsey said with relief. "Trust me. Spending the rest of my life with you is something I think about every day. I just want to take time. We don't even live together yet."

"Well . . . ," Tressa began hopefully.

"Please, can we get through the holidays and telling our families about us before we talk about cohabitating?" Lindsey pleaded as Tressa wrapped her up in her arms.

"I just need to know that it's something you want," Tressa said, the need for reassurance ringing in her voice.

"Yes," Lindsey reassured her lover tenderly as she placed a gentle kiss on her lips, "if you promise not to leave the bathroom looking like a disaster zone."

"I promise to work on that," Tressa conceded, "if you promise to keep mistletoe in the house until June."

"Last night was incredible." Lindsey blushed as she allowed her hands to roam over her lover's body.

"Yes, it was." Tressa sighed as Lindsey cupped her breasts. "Speaking of which, are you quite certain I don't have a turtleneck or a sweater hanging around here?"

"Why are you thinking about that now?" Lindsey inquired playfully as she lowered her lover onto the bed. Lindsey pressed her body into Tressa's. She found her desire returning in full force. "All I can think about is last night and the incredible sex we had."

"That's what I'm thinking about." Tressa moaned as Lindsey teased her aching nipples through her bra. Tressa brushed back her long black hair to show the blonde just what she was referring to.

"Ooops." Lindsey chuckled as she saw the purple bruise had left on her lover's neck.

"Ooops! Is that all you can say?" Tressa said. "You little blood sucker."

"Do you want me to kiss it and make it better?" Lindsey suggested hopefully as her fingers traced the mark on Tressa's neck.

"No," Tressa scoffed. "That's how it got there in the first place."

Lindsey ignored her lover's objection as her mouth attached itself to Tressa's neck. Tressa moaned beneath her as she suckled her neck. Lindsey pressed her thigh against her lover's center. "We don't have time," Tressa pleaded as her hips thrust against Lindsey's body. "Lindsey . . . baby, please," she begged as Lindsey's lips latched tighter to her neck.

"We can't," Tressa moaned. Despite her protests, Tressa's hands slid down into Lindsey's sweatpants and cupped her naked backside. Lindsey's mouth released its hold as Tressa massaged her cheeks. She panted against Tressa's skin as they rocked together wildly.

"Baby . . . ," Tressa started to protest once again. Lindsey could feel how close they both were to the edge. "Tressa," she gasped as she lifted her head. Looking into those lustful azure eyes, she felt her heart pounding. "Do you really want me to stop?" she asked as their legs wrapped around one another's thighs.

"No," Tressa gasped as she continued to rock against Lindsey's urgent thrusts.

"Good," Lindsey panted. "Because I really want to open my Christmas presents now," she stated in a husky tone as her hand slipped into Tressa's bra.

"The presents are downstairs." Tressa whimpered as one of her hands slipped around to the front of Lindsey's sweatpants.

"No," Lindsey moaned as Tressa cupped her mound. "The only thing I want, the only thing I need, is right here."

They captured each other's lips in a heated kiss as the telephone began to ring. They tried to ignore the persistent ringing as their tongues danced together in a sensual rhythm.

The answering machine clicked on as they continued to grope one another. "Lindsey, it's Dad," her father's voice rang out across the room. The two women separated instantly. "I'm just calling to wish you a Merry Christmas," her father continued.

Lindsey grunted as she rolled away from her lover. "Why couldn't I have been an orphan?" she asked as she reached out for the telephone.

PART THREE

The couple finally showered and dressed. They even took the time to exchange their gifts, just not the one they'd been working on in the bedroom. Then they loaded up the SUV and headed off to Tressa's parents.

As they drove, Tressa was well aware that Lindsey was equally disappointed that they hadn't finished what they'd started. The sexual tension filled the automobile. Their unreleased passion was causing both women to become more than a little snippy with one another. 'Oh, this is going to be a very long day,' Tressa thought as she sighed heavily.

"You know, if you take Exit 23 instead of . . . ," Lindsey started to suggest.

"Lindsey, that's going to take us all the way around," Tressa protested. It was a familiar argument.

"Fine," Lindsey snapped as Tressa cringed slightly. "Sorry. I'm just a little keyed up."

"Yeah, me too," Tressa confessed as she reached out to stroke her lover's firm thigh. "But we can be together tonight," she added hopefully. "A few hours won't kill us."

"I'm not so certain about that," Lindsey groused. "And tonight we'll be sleeping at your parents' house and we'll have to be very quiet."

"I know," Tressa said with a frown. "We're not very good at that. But it's only one night."

"No." Lindsey chuckled as she snuggled closer to Tressa. "Remember that we're heading down to stay with my parents in the morning. It's too bad we couldn't get a room in Orlando."

"I'm sorry about that," Tressa apologized as she grimaced slightly. It was the one part of her present that hadn't worked out. Making reservations so late for the holiday had been a flop.

"Don't worry about it," Lindsey said softly as Tressa began to stroke her thigh. "It'll be nice to spend the time with Mom and Dad. The only down side is that I'm so . . ."

"Horny?" Tressa finished with a smirk.

"Very romantic, sweetheart," Lindsey teased her. "I don't know why I'm bothered about it. It's not like we don't spend all of our time driving one another crazy."

Tressa arched her eyebrows thoughtfully. It was true. No matter how things were going with their relationship, the desire was always there. Tressa recalled the countless times the couple had broken up only to find themselves in the throes of passion.

One time in particular came flooding back to her. It was the summer after high school graduation.

It was early one summer afternoon when she walked into the family garage to find her ex-girlfriend rooting around looking for something. Tressa knew that it wasn't Lindsey's idea to be there. The two girls hadn't spoken in weeks. "Your Dad borrowing something?" Tressa said in an attempt to be polite. It wasn't uncommon for one of their parents to send them next door to borrow or return something. What their parents didn't know was that the two had been carrying on a secret affair which had ended badly.

"Yes," Lindsey clipped in response.

Tressa snarled at Lindsey's curt tone. "Nice talking to you," she spat out. She turned to leave but stopped herself, unable to resist the urge to ruffle Lindsey's feathers. "Still have that stick planted up your . . ."

"Get over it," Lindsey cut her off as she spun around, her emerald eyes burning into Tressa.

Tressa breathing became shallow as they stared at one another. "Something you want?" Lindsey questioned her in a heavy tone as she leaned against the tool bench. The small black tank top and cut off denim shorts, combined with her long blonde hair cascading down her shoulders, created a vision that caused Tressa's body to pulsate with desire.

Tressa suddenly realized that she was staring at Lindsey's nipples that were pressing against the thin cotton material of her tank top. "No," she lied as she stepped closer to the smaller girl. "But I think there's something that you want," she teased as she leaned closer. She knew by Lindsey's stance that she was flirting with her. She wanted to teach her a lesson for trying to play with emotions.

She lifted her eyes, meeting the smoky gaze Lindsey was casting over her body. "You are so egoistical," Lindsey growled at her. "What makes you think that I . . ."

Tressa cut her off as her lips captured Lindsey's. The kiss quickly deepened as the two women suddenly found themselves pressed together. Their bodies melted together. The fiery kiss ended abruptly as Tressa pulled away. "You want me," Tressa boasted as she caressed Lindsey's hips.

Tressa had planned on simply teasing the smaller blonde. Yet as she watched Lindsey's lips part, she could feel her own need growing. "Yes," Lindsey whimpered. Tressa's plan flew out the window as Lindsey's lips pressed against her own.

As Lindsey's tongue plunged into her mouth, Tressa unbuttoned Lindsey's cutoff shorts. She pulled the offending clothing down along with Lindsey's underwear. The kiss ended as Tressa pushed Lindsey's clothing down to her ankles.

She found herself staring at Lindsey's golden curls as the smaller woman panted heavily. "Say it," Tressa whispered as she ran her thumbs along Lindsey's hips. She watched as Lindsey wet her lips with her tongue. "Say it, please," Tressa pleaded.

"Fuck me," Lindsey moaned hungrily.

Tressa's head was spinning as she lowered her hand to Lindsey's wetness. "Wait," Lindsey sighed as her hand halted her movements. The smell of Lindsey's arousal teased Tressa's senses. She watched in delight as Lindsey turned around and grasped the table. The sight of Lindsey's firm backside caused her legs to tremble.

Lindsey parted her legs as Tressa ran her hands across her naked cheeks. Tressa couldn't contain her desire as she plunged two fingers deep inside of Lindsey's wetness.

Tressa smiled as she recalled how Lindsey rode her hand until she exploded. "What are you smiling at?" Lindsey inquired.

"Oh nothing," Tressa lied as she tried to maintain her focus on the holiday traffic.

PART FOUR

Tressa was slightly apprehensive as they pulled into her parents' driveway. "I hope this goes alright." Lindsey sighed.

"Why are you worried?" Tressa asked her in a puzzled tone. "My parents adore you. If it wasn't for my mother's persistence, we might not have gotten back together."

"You're right," Lindsey agreed. "Come on. Let's go shock the folks. You go in first while I sneak over to see my brother Jarrod."

"See you in a bit, lover." Tressa smiled as she kissed her lips lightly.

Tressa stepped into her childhood home nervously. She'd informed her mother that she was bringing a friend home for Christmas but had neglected to inform her that it was Lindsey. 'Serves you right, Mom.' Tressa chuckled as she thought about how much she was going to enjoy this. Her mother had been trying to reunite the lover's for years.

Her parents and her sister Tilly greeted her. She removed her coat and placed her gifts under the tree. "I thought you were bringing someone home with you?" her mother asked her suspiciously.

"She'll be here soon," Tressa explained in a casual manner. "I'm just going to put our things upstairs in my old room."

She could see her mother tense up at her statement. Tressa fought to hide her smile at her mother's discomfort, knowing that just a few short weeks ago the woman had forced Tressa to share a bed with Lindsey.

After Tressa went back downstairs, she wasn't quite ready to let her mother off the hook. Granted, if her mother hadn't insisted that she drive Lindsey home for Thanksgiving, the two might not have rekindled their relationship. She smiled as she played with her nephews.

"Tressa, could you give me a hand in the kitchen?" her mother commanded her. Tressa shivered slightly. She knew that her mother was anything but happy, despite the fact she was smiling at her in a pleasant manner.

"You want my help?" Tressa questioned her, looking for any excuse not to be trapped in the kitchen with her mother. She turned to her father who just looked at her sheepishly. She then turned her attention to her older sibling who just offered her a weak smile. She was on her own and she knew it.

"Now, Tressa," Grace Frayler instructed her youngest child.

"Sorry," Tilly apologized as Tressa passed by. "She's really upset that you would invite someone home that you haven't been seeing for all that long."

"Don't worry about it," Tressa reassured her. "If she doesn't murder me in the kitchen, everything will be all right."

Apprehensively Tressa followed her mother into the kitchen. Her mother kept her back to Tressa as she attended to something cooking on the stove. "So tell me about her," Grace requested in cool tone.

"She'll be here soon enough," Tressa said, trying to mask her fear. "So what did you need help with?"

Grace slammed a lid down onto the counter and turned towards Tressa. 'Oh no! I know that look. That's the you-have-some-serious-explaining-to-do-young-lady look," Tressa thought with terror as images of her years as a teenager came flooding back to her. Silently she prayed for Lindsey to hurry up and get over there. Her mother stood there staring at her. Tressa was just about to blurt out the truth when her mother decided to speak.

"I must say that I'm more than a little surprised," Grace said flatly.

"By?"

"I hadn't realized that you were seeing anyone," Grace continued with her interrogation. "You didn't mention it at Thanksgiving."

"I wasn't seeing her then," Tressa explained carefully, knowing full well that she was treading on thin ice.

"Then I'm really quite shocked," Grace explained, her cold tone slicing through Tressa's body. Grace brushed her hair aside, revealing the now large purple bruise that lay underneath. Tressa prayed for the floor to open up and swallow her as her mother glared at her. Grace seemed to be enjoying her daughter's discomfort. She paused for an excruciatingly long moment before continuing. "I never expected you to invite someone home with you to spend the night when you hardly know them."

"I love her," Tressa responded honestly as her mother blinked in surprise. "What did you expect? That I'd get back together with Lindsey? Don't think that all of your plotting at Thanksgiving went unnoticed."

"The two of you seemed to be getting along," Grace pleaded.

"Yes, we were," Tressa offered as she once again prayed for her lover to make her appearance. "And thanks to you, we did mend some fences."

"Mend fences." Her mother sighed. "Tressa, don't misunderstand me. I've been very fond of some of your girlfriends over the years. But there was always something special between you and Lindsey."

"Mom, let it go," Tressa argued. "The woman I'm seeing now is incredible. This morning I asked her to spend her life with me."

"So soon!" Grace gasped in shock. "Have you lost your mind?"

"That's more or less what she said." Tressa laughed as she recalled the spat they'd had that morning.

"Well, at least she has some common sense," Grace muttered as she began to wring her hands nervously. "I still think it's all happened far too quickly." Tressa captured her mother's hands in an effort to reassure her that she knew what she was doing. Thankfully the doorbell rang.

"That's probably her," Tressa said quietly. "Give her a chance. I think that you're really going to like her," Tressa pleaded as she led her mother back into the living room. "And be nice," she added firmly.

Tressa heard the doorbell chime once again and noticed that no one was making a move to answer it. "Cowards," she muttered as she raced to the door. Tressa opened the door slightly and used her body to block her family's view. She noticed her father straining his neck to get a glimpse of the stranger that was causing such an uproar in his home. He smiled brightly. Tressa winked at him.

"They're not happy," Tressa explained.

"Let's make them happy then," Lindsey whispered as she took Tressa by the hand.

"Hi everyone," Lindsey greeted them shyly. Tressa flashed a cocky grin at her dumbfounded family as she closed the door and wrapped her arms around Lindsey's smaller body.

"So Mom, did she past the test?" Tressa asked her mother who was rushing over. Grace wrapped Lindsey up in arms. "Mom." Tressa tried to swat her away. "Mom, let the girl breathe."

"Sorry." Grace sniffed. "It's true then? You two are back together?"

"Yes," Lindsey responded brightly as she wrapped herself around Tressa's body. "And this time it's for keeps."

"It's about time." Tilly beamed.

"Oh, I have to call Marilyn," Grace exclaimed gleefully.

"No," Lindsey and Tressa shouted in unison.

Grace halted her movements and gave them a pleading look. "Please, we're flying down in the morning and we want it to be a surprise," Tressa explained.

"You mean you're going to torture your poor mother the same way you did me?" Grace asked Lindsey in flabbergasted tone.

"Yes," Lindsey answered firmly. "Please, we really want to surprise my parents."

"All right," Grace conceded. "I don't like it but I'll keep my mouth shut."

"That reminds me, Dad. Can you give us a lift to the airport?" Tressa requested.

"Anything," he readily agreed.

PART FIVE

After dinner and spending time with their families, the two women finally found themselves alone in Tressa's old bedroom. Tressa quickly took Lindsey in her arms and placed a fiery kiss on her eagerly waiting lips.

"I've been dying to do that all day," she confessed after they broke away, needing to breathe.

"Have you now?" Lindsey taunted her as she began to unbutton Tressa's blouse.

"Yes, I have," Tressa admitted happily as they began to undress one another. "You know, when we were driving down here, I took a little trip down memory lane."

"Nice memories?" Lindsey inquired as she tossed an article of clothing onto the floor before kissing the valley between Tressa's breasts.

"Very nice," Tressa purred into Lindsey's ear. "I'll give you a hint," Tressa teased her as she dipped her tongue into Lindsey's ear. She felt her lover shiver as she pulled Tressa's jeans down slightly. "You were wearing a tiny black tank top and pair of cutoff shorts," Tressa teased as her fingers captured Lindsey's nipple. Her lover moaned as she arched her back. "You and me in the garage. You were bent over my father's workbench."

"I remember," Lindsey moaned as she bent her head. Tressa ran her fingers through her short blonde hair. Lindsey flicked her tongue across her nipple. Tressa suddenly tried to recall just how she had ended up topless. "Do you remember that night?" Lindsey asked as her breath tickled Tressa's skin. "You begged your parents to let me sleep over that night."

"Oh yeah," Tressa groaned as Lindsey captured her nipple in her mouth. Tressa's hands urged Lindsey to take her harder. Lindsey slowed her movements slightly. "That wasn't the only begging you did that day," Lindsey said in a husky tone.

Tressa whimpered at the memory. "I walked into this room and turned off the lights. It was dim like it is now," Lindsey continued as Tressa felt her wetness growing. "I told you to take off your clothing." Tressa could only nod in response. "Take off your clothes," Lindsey requested as she lowered Tressa down onto the bed. "I need to see your body," Lindsey continued as she stood by the bed and began to remove the rest of her clothes.

Tressa quickly discarded her clothing as she looked at her lover standing naked before her. "We have to be quiet," Lindsey reminded her as she knelt in front of the bed. Tressa nodded her understanding as she allowed Lindsey to pull her closer. She draped her legs over the smaller woman's shoulders.

She leaned back on her arms so she could watch her lover. Lindsey blew a gentle breath through her curls. Tressa shivered as her need grew. Lindsey began to kiss the inside of her thighs, first one than the other. The blonde licked away the passion that coated her body.

Lindsey tasted and teased, stopping just shy of where Tressa needed her most. "Lindsey," Tressa whimpered as her body trembled. Lindsey used one finger to blaze a slow torturous trail along her nether lips. Tressa's breathing became erratic each time Lindsey would stop and cleanse her fingers with her tongue.

Lindsey's finger continued to tease her to the breaking point. "That day, do you remember what I asked you to do?" Lindsey taunted her. Tressa bit down on her lip to stifle her cries. "You asked me to fuck you," Tressa choked out. "It was the first time you said that."

"And you did," Lindsey moaned as she cupped Tressa's mound with the palm of her hand. "Long and hard," Lindsey added in a rich tone. "I thought I was going to pass out as I begged you for more."

Tressa couldn't respond; she could only watch as her lover rubbed her clit with her hand. "Then that night I tasted everything you had to offer. I took you so slowly."

"Oh please, don't," Tressa found herself begging. "I need you."

"Tell me," Lindsey taunted her as she spread Tressa's lips and lowered her head. Her tongue slowly traced the swollen lips.

"Lindsey?" Tressa implored her. "Please make love to me now," she pleaded as Lindsey continued to taste her slowly. "Lindsey," she finally growled in desperation. "It's Christmas. Don't you want to open your present?" With that she felt Lindsey's tongue plunge into her opening. She clasped the bedding as the appendage thrust in and out of her.

Her head was spinning as Lindsey's mouth moved to her aching clit. Her lover's fingers entered her center gently. Tressa gyrated against her lover as her fingers and mouth kept a steady rhythm. She struggled to hold back her screams.

Her head fell back as she buried her face in the comforter to muffle her cries of ecstasy as she climaxed. She clung to the comforter as Lindsey continued to pleasure her. This time her lover's rhythm was more demanding. Tressa climaxed quickly this time as Lindsey held her tightly.

She felt the blonde's fingers wiggle slightly inside of her as she rode out the waves of pleasure. She felt Lindsey's touch leave her body. She pulled her lover into her arms. "I love you," Lindsey choked out. "That's the best Christmas present you could have ever given me."

"Good." Tressa smiled brightly before she flipped the smaller woman onto her back. She kissed Lindsey passionately. "Christmas is almost over," Tressa said softly. "I would really like to open my present now."

"Yes," Lindsey responded eagerly.

"Thank you. I feel like I've been waiting a lifetime for this," Tressa said as she pressed her naked body against her lover's. As Tressa kissed Lindsey once again, she knew that they wouldn't be getting any sleep that night. She also knew that this was indeed the best Christmas she had ever experienced.

THE END

Tressa and Lindsey are back in Happy New Year.

~ Home For The Holidays series ~
Home For The Holidays
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Do Not Open Before Christmas
Happy New Year
Cupid's Arrow
Easter Surprise
By The Dawn's Early Light
The Long Weekend
Holiday Cheer

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~ Happy New Year ~
(Home For The Holidays - Part Four)
by Mavis Applewater

PART ONE

Lindsey shifted in her seat trying to get comfortable. She looked over at her lover, noticing that she was craning her neck to see out the window. "Did you want the window seat?" the blonde teased her. Lindsey knew full well that Tressa wanted the window seat. That's why she'd grabbed it, just to irk the tall brunette a little. She did ask first, knowing full well that Tressa would give it to her even if she really wanted it.

"No, I'm fine," Tressa lied.

"Okay," Lindsey played along as she stared at her legs. She lifted the limbs slightly and scowled.

"You can't tell," Tressa said comfortingly.

"One is so much smaller than the other," Lindsey griped.

"It was in a cast for months," Tressa noted. "You're wearing jeans; no one can see the difference. Before long they'll both look the same."

"So you can tell?" Lindsey said defensively.

"No." Tressa sighed wearily. "I didn't notice until you said something. Didn't I kiss every inch of your left leg to make it better?" Tressa added in a hushed tone that sent a tremble down Lindsey's spine.

"Yes, you did," Lindsey purred as she recalled the afternoon they'd spent in bed after her doctor had removed the cast.

Lindsey's features became flushed. She turned and glanced out the window of the airplane. They had a three-hour flight ahead of them and she was tired. She yawned.

"Tired?" Tressa inquired tenderly.

"Yes," Lindsey confirmed with another yawn. "No small wonder since someone kept me awake all night."

"I didn't hear you complaining," Tressa noted with a sly smile. "In fact you were begging . . ."

"Stop," Lindsey hushed her as she blushed. She stood up. "Come on. Take the window."

"Really?" Tressa asked brightly.

"Yes, I know you want it," Lindsey said as they quickly switched places. "I really didn't want it."

"Then why'd you take it?" Tressa asked as her mouth hung open.

"I knew it would bug you," Lindsey explained in an amused tone. She winced slightly as she sat down.

"Are you all right?" Tressa asked her gently as she took Lindsey's hand.

"I'm fine," Lindsey answered with a slight smile. "It just still hurts a little. The doctor said that it would hurt for awhile."

"I know." Tressa frowned as she gave Lindsey's hand a light squeeze. "He also said that you could take a pain pill."

"I don't want to," Lindsey pouted. "I don't like the way they knock me out and make me feel all groggy."

"Okay," Tressa seemed to agree as she lifted the armrest between them. "Come here," she encouraged the weary blonde who wrapped herself in Tressa's comforting arms.

Lindsey sighed deeply as she allowed herself to be held in her lover's arms. She took a moment to enjoy the scent of her Tressa's skin and to listen to the beating of her heart. "I really enjoyed yesterday, spending the day with the family," Lindsey commented with a yawn. "I can't wait to see Mom and Dad."

"I'm excited to see them as well," Tressa agreed. "I just hope my mother keeps her word and doesn't spill the beans about the two of us being back together."

"She gave us her word," Lindsey pointed out as her eyes slowly began to close.

"And your point is what?" Tressa chuckled. Lindsey smiled, feeling her lover's laugh rumble in her chest. "She also promised both of us years ago that she would stop trying to get us back together."

"Thank God she broke that promise," Lindsey added with a smirk.

Lindsey felt Tressa stiffen slightly. She looked up to see her lover's crystal blue eyes staring behind her. Turning Lindsey spotted the flight attendant smiling at them. The overly pleasant young man offered them blankets and pillows that they eagerly accepted. Tressa wrapped them both up in the flimsy blankets. "Why don't you try to get some sleep?" Tressa suggested as she tilted her seat back. The seat moved half a centimeter. "Oh that's much better." Tressa snorted in disgust.

Lindsey snuggled closer to Tressa, feeling the heat emanating off of her body. After a pleasant yet sleepless night, they'd got up very early to make their flight. Tressa's father drove them to Logan Airport. Thanks to recent events, the check-in took longer than usual. They both agreed it was a small price to pay for a little piece of mind. She wanted to sleep but the nearness to Tressa's body was having an all too familiar effect on her. Her hand began to slowly caress Tressa's firm thigh. "What are you doing?" the brunette whispered in her ear.

"Ssh," Lindsey hushed her as her hand continued to tease her lover's thigh. "Just close your eyes."

"Go to sleep, Lindsey," Tressa said in a hushed tone.

"Have you ever . . .?" Lindsey began to whisper hotly in Tressa's ear.

"Sweetheart, the plane is full," Tressa cautioned her.

"Then you'll need to be very quiet," Lindsey instructed as her hand slipped in between Tressa's legs.

She could feel Tressa tremble as she cupped her with the palm of her hand, rubbing gently as Tressa parted her legs. 'I just need to touch her for a little while. Then I'll be able to go to sleep,' Lindsey lied to herself as Tressa removed her jacket and placed it over their bodies.

Lindsey continued to rub her palm against Tressa's center as they snuggled closer to one another. Lindsey opened her eyes briefly as she continued to tease her lover. Tressa looked so beautiful with her eyes closed, the color rising slowly in her skin as Lindsey touched her. The blonde scanned the airplane quickly, noticing that most of her fellow passengers were fast asleep or otherwise occupied.

To the casual onlooker they appeared to be sleeping as well. The rise and fall of Tressa's chest could easily be mistaken for sleep. Only Lindsey was aware of the true cause. Feeling confident that their activities were unnoticed, she opened the metal button on Tressa's jeans.

Tressa moaned softly as Lindsey lowered the zipper on her blue jeans. "Lindsey," Tressa whimpered softly as Lindsey snuggled closer, resting her blonde head on Tressa's chest. Lindsey slipped her fingers under the elastic waistband of Tressa's underwear.

Lindsey could feel and hear Tressa's heart beating wildly. Lindsey bit back a moan of pleasure as her fingers brushed through Tressa's damp curls. She fought to control her breathing as she dipped into Tressa's wetness. She could feel Tressa's clit throbbing as her fingertips began to brush against it slowly.

Lindsey kept her head pressed tightly against her lover's chest as she continued to stroke her. Slowly she teased her lover, needing to feel her excitement coat her fingers. Her pace was steady as she gently teased Tressa, while her mind filled with erotic thoughts of what else she wanted to do to her. She listened to Tressa's rapid breathing, knowing that she was bringing her closer to the edge.

Tressa's heart was pounding against her chest. Lindsey increased her pace, feeling Tressa's body quivering from her touch. With each tantalizing brush of her fingertips, Tressa gripped her body tighter. Her teasing quickened as Tressa's body began to spasm. Lindsey prayed that her lover could remain quiet. Her prayers were answered as Tressa held on tightly, her thighs snapping shut to trap Lindsey's hand.

Lindsey held her lover tightly until she felt Tressa's thighs relax enough for her to remove her hand. Lindsey listened to Tressa's breathing as she brought her fingers up to her mouth and suckled them. She chuckled as Tressa rummaged under the blanket to adjust her pants. "Now I can sleep," Lindsey whispered triumphantly.

"You are incorrigible," Tressa grunted before placing a gentle kiss on the top of Lindsey's head.

PART TWO

Tressa felt a gentle hand shaking her awake. She blinked in surprise as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings. "Are we there?" she asked as she tried to lick the foul stench of morning breath out of her mouth. She looked around the peaceful-looking neighborhood. As she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, she was thankful that Lindsey had asked to drive the rental car.

She never slept well on airplanes, and after her lover's frisky explorations, she found it even harder to sleep. Lindsey on the other hand was out like a light a few moments after Tressa had climaxed. "Just around the block," Lindsey responded brightly as she brushed Tressa's raven hair out of her face.

"Thanks for letting me sleep." Tressa yawned as she pulled out her travel bag. Using the vanity mirror on the sun visor, she adjusted her mussed locks. Then she gargled with mouthwash.

Lindsey laughed as Tressa spit the mouthwash out the window. "What?" Tressa snarled as she put her stuff back in her travel bag.

"Nothing," Lindsey said as she continued to laugh.

"I just want to look presentable," Tressa reasoned as she rolled the window back up. The sudden blast of humidity made her feel nauseous. "God, it's hot out there."

"We're not in Boston anymore, baby," Lindsey commented wryly.

"That explains the palm trees," Tressa retorted. "Do I look okay?"

"Honey, you look incredible as always," Lindsey reassured her. "Tressa, my parents wouldn't care if you showed up in nothing but a sack. And I know I would certainly enjoy the view of your endless legs."

"Now I know what to get you for Valentine's Day," Tressa said with a smirk.

"Works for me," Lindsey agreed wholeheartedly. "We're here," she announced as she pulled into the driveway.

"Are you certain I look all right?" Tressa repeated nervously.

Lindsey stared at her blankly for a moment before a slight smile of understanding graced her lips. "You look fabulous," Lindsey reassured her as she gently took her hand. "Tressa, my parents adore you. Don't be nervous. Remember what you told me yesterday when I was nervous about what your parents would say when they found out about us. They've been trying to get us back together for years."

"You're right." Tressa released an uneasy breath as they continued to sit in the driveway.

"Of course I am," Lindsey boasted as she stepped out of the rented Ford Fiesta.

Tressa's fear quickly returned as she watched Mr. and Mrs. Stevens emerge from the simple single-family home. Lindsey waved cheerfully as she rushed to her parents. Tressa couldn't help noticing the slight limp to the blonde's gait.

Tressa was sweating as she sat in the tiny rental car and weighed her options. She could just sit in the tiny car hiding like a coward or go wish a Merry Christmas to the two people who were like second parents to her.

When she thought of it in those terms it wasn't a difficult choice. She extracted her large form from the vehicle. Noticing that the Stevens were still busy greeting their daughter and had failed to notice her, Tressa took a moment to stretch. They were thrilled to see Lindsey for the holiday albeit a day late. But they seemed focused on the cast that was now missing from her leg. Tressa stood there shyly as she gave them a moment to exchange holiday greetings.

"Tressa?" Marilyn Stevens said in a disbelieving voice. Tressa's heart started to race, uncertain if the confused looks on the Stevens faces was a good sign or not.

Both of Lindsey's parents broke out with brilliant smiles. Tressa smiled in return and walked over to greet them properly. "Lindsey, why didn't you tell us you were bringing Tressa with you?" Mrs. Stevens asked joyfully as she wrapped the tall woman up in her arms.

Before Lindsey or Tressa had an opportunity to answer, Mr. Stevens was hugging the both of them. "Dad, give us a chance to breathe," Lindsey choked out. Everyone laughed as they stepped away. "I didn't tell you because we wanted it to be a surprise," Lindsey explained quickly.

"It's a wonderful surprise," Mr. Stewart responded gleefully. "We didn't think we would see you and now to have both of you here is just simply wonderful."

"Come inside," Marilyn Stevens said quickly, the smile suddenly vanishing. "Oh my, I'll need to make up the sofa."

Tressa and Lindsey's faces dropped in unison. It hadn't occurred to either of them that Lindsey's parents would prefer that they sleep in separate beds. "I'll get the luggage," Tressa said quietly as she quickly tried to retreat to the car. Lindsey caught her by the arm and halted her escape. "That's not necessary, Mom," Lindsey said in a quiet yet firm tone.

Tressa waited nervously as the Lindsey's parents exchanged knowing glances. Tressa knew it was one thing to want them back together. But having your daughter and her lover sleeping together under your roof might prove to be too much for them. Of course they could do what Tressa's parents did and pretend that the two women were actually sleeping.

"I see," Marilyn exclaimed. "Well, you two are just full of surprises. Does this mean what I think it does?"

"Yes, Mother," Lindsey groaned as she rolled her green eyes in disgust.

"Don't you just hate it when she does that?" Tressa teased as she pried her arm away from her lover's grip.

"Where do you think she learned it from?" Frank Stevens muttered to her as he nodded towards his wife.

Frank and Tressa found themselves on the receiving end of identical icy green stares from their respective spouses. "Ooops." Tressa cringed.

"We should get the luggage," Frank suggested with a hint of fear. Tressa nodded eagerly in agreement.

"Cowards," Lindsey called after them as they made a mad dash for the car.

"You should put your leg up," Tressa suggested firmly as Lindsey and her mother went in the house.

"We've been worried about her," Frank said as they unloaded the car. "Now I can see that she's been well looked after."

"Thank you," Tressa responded shyly. "She still has some stiffness and aches. The doctor said that was to be expected."

"You've been going to the doctor with her?" Frank inquired happily.

"Yes, sir," Tressa responded respectfully.

"What about . . .?" he began tensely.

Tressa knew he wanted to know about Denise. She knew it was foolish to hope that the painful subject of Lindsey's psycho ex-lover wouldn't come up. Tressa paused and chewed on her bottom lip nervously. "She's in jail. She won't be getting out before her trial." She didn't want to go into the gory details of how she had stalked them to the local mall.

"What happened?" he asked in a grave tone.

"Mr. Stevens, I don't want anything to spoil Lindsey's trip down here," Tressa addressed him in a polite and very protective manner. "Let's just say Lindsey's safe and it doesn't look like Denise will be a free woman for a very long time."

"I understand," Frank answered coldly. Tressa finally entered the house, hoping that he did in fact understand.

"Tressa, you are a wonderful woman." Marilyn greeted her with an enormous hug.

"Thank you?" Tressa responded, a bit taken a back.

"Lindsey just told me that this entire trip was your gift to her," Marilyn explained as she released Tressa.

Tressa looked over at her lover who was smiling at her from the sofa with her leg propped up. Tressa knew that look. It was a mix of pure devotion and raw lust. Tressa surveyed the small structure of the house noting the closeness of everything. 'This is going to be a long vacation,' Tressa thought grimly.

The four of them sat for a while and chatted, catching up on one another's lives. Throughout the entire conversation, Tressa was eager to get Lindsey alone in their room. She was still more than a little anxious after the plane trip. Thankfully, Marilyn finally suggested that the girls go to their room and relax while she prepared dinner. "I'm certain you girls will want to get cleaned up after your flight. Lindsey, show Tressa where everything is," Marilyn instructed her daughter.

Tressa took Lindsey by the hand and pulled her up to a standing position. Lindsey squeezed Tressa's hand gently as she led her to a room just off the living room.

"I hope you two will be comfortable," Frank said as he followed with the luggage.

Tressa noted that the floor squeaked from the slightest movement. "It will be just fine, Dad," Lindsey reassured him as she took their bags from him. Tressa smiled as she watched her lover practically shove her father out of the guest bedroom. Lindsey closed the door behind her father and spun around quickly. Tressa could feel the heat emanating off her lover's body from across the room. She inhaled sharply as Lindsey kicked off her shoes and began to disrobe.

The floor creaked with every step Lindsey took. The look in her dark green eyes was wild. Tressa licked her lips in anticipation. "I want you," Lindsey growled as she wrapped her arms around Tressa's quivering body.

Tressa quickly pressed her lips against Lindsey's. Soon they were exploring the warmth of each other's mouth. Tressa's head was spinning as she broke away from the fiery kiss. "How close is your parents room?" she asked as her hands roamed down Lindsey's back.

"Right next door," Lindsey groaned. "I wish we could take a shower together," Lindsey whimpered as she began to nibble on Tressa's sensitive neck.

"This place is so small," Tressa moaned as she lowered Lindsey down onto the bed.

"I'm sorry, baby," Lindsey murmured as her mouth continued its exploration. "It's just the two of them," she tried to explain.

Tressa jumped back slightly as the bed exhaled a loud squeak. "Oh no." Lindsey's face turned ashen as she spoke. "I forgot about that. The damn thing makes a noise every time you move."

"What?" Tressa stammered, suddenly feeling very frustrated.

"Is everything all right girls?" Marilyn called out.

Tressa's eyes bugged out as she released her lover. "Where is your mom calling us from?" Tressa asked in a ragged tone.

"The kitchen." Lindsey flinched as she spoke.

"Isn't that at the back of house?" Tressa asked in a shaky tone.

"Yes," Lindsey admitted reluctantly.

"They can hear everything," Tressa asserted painfully. "Baby, we'll never be quiet enough."

"What are you suggesting?" Lindsey growled.

"There's no way," Tressa said firmly as Lindsey's jaw dropped. "It's just for a few days."

"No," Lindsey whimpered as she fell back onto the bed, which made noise with the slightest of movements. "Well, come on. I need a long cold shower," Lindsey announced as she stood. The floor creaked every time she made the slightest movement. "I guess the floor is out of the question as well," she muttered bitterly.

"They can't spend every moment with us," Tressa reasoned with a halfhearted smile.

PART THREE

Lindsey groaned as they entered her condo. It had been a very long and exhausting trip. Despite all their efforts, her parents spent every waking moment with them. They were never out of earshot of the elderly couple. It was just far too uncomfortable for either of them to start anything. After five days of being limited to holding her lover's hand, Lindsey found herself feeling completely wired.

She enjoyed spending time with her parents and the four of them had a great time. But the pent up sexual frustration was wearing on both of them. Lindsey looked forward to the plane trip home. They were disappointed when they discovered that they were seated next to an elderly nun. This effectively eliminated any possibility of the two of them renewing their membership in the Mile High Club.

They picked up Tressa's car at her parents' home and, of course, had to stay for a couple of hours to visit. Lindsey thought that perhaps they could pull over somewhere on the drive home. But alas, the fates seemed to be plotting against them. Traffic was bumper to bumper, and since it was New Year's Eve extra caution was needed.

Lindsey closed the door behind them. She heard Tressa drop their luggage unceremoniously on the floor. She turned as her lover wrapped her up in her arms. Tressa pressed her against the doorway and began to kiss her passionately. Lindsey allowed herself to become lost in the fiery kiss as her pets danced around them demanding attention.

They were both panting as the kiss ended. "I love you," Tressa gasped as she held Lindsey tightly in her arms. "But the next time we visit your parents, we're staying in a hotel."

"Fine by me," Lindsey groaned in response as she slipped Tressa's jacket down her shoulders. "You know, I always thought that our overactive libidos were a good thing until this week."

"God, I felt like we were back in high school," Tressa said breathlessly as she removed Lindsey's jacket. Without hesitation Tressa reached for Lindsey's blouse and tore it open, scattering the buttons across the room.

Lindsey arched her back in response as Ziggy and Rufus continued to climb all over them. "Back off guys," Tressa growled at them as she sank to her knees. "I really want to fuck your mommy right now." Lindsey panted heavily as Tressa's hands ran down her body.

"Bed," the blonde commanded.

"I can't wait," Tressa moaned as she began to unzip Lindsey's pants.

"Not you," Lindsey gasped as her pants were lowered down her legs. She watched as Tressa turned her head to watch the animals retreat into the kitchen.

Lindsey ran her fingers through Tressa's long silky hair as the raven-haired woman smiled up at her. The smoky gaze of her lover's crystal blue eyes sent a jolt through her body. One of Lindsey's hands reached up to cup her own breast. With her other hand, she guided Tressa to bury her face in her damp underwear.

Her hips arched against Tressa. The taller woman kissed and tugged on her white panties. The feel of her lover's face pressed up against her center was driving Lindsey wild. She pinched her own nipple roughly as Tressa continued to nuzzle her. "Baby?" Lindsey begged. "I need you to fuck me. We can make love later. Right now I need to feel you taking me."

Tressa responded by pulling Lindsey's panties down. Quickly the brunette removed her shoes, pants and underwear, tossing them across the room. Tressa looked up at her with a feral look in her eyes. Lindsey knew that Tressa was watching her touch herself.

Lindsey pulled the cup of her bra up to reveal her breast to her lover, as Tressa lifted one of her legs over her shoulder. "Harder," Tressa said gently as she lowered her head. Tressa's eyes never broke contact as Lindsey pinched and teased her nipple.

Lindsey fought to keep her eyes open as her lover's tongue thrust into her center. "Yes," Lindsey hissed as she rocked her body against Tressa. The brunette's tongue plunged in and out of her as she panted uncontrollably from her lover's touch.

Lindsey groaned as she felt Tressa's tongue leave her. Lindsey screamed out as Tressa licked her swollen lips as she plunged two fingers inside of her. "Oh my God, Tressa," she called out as her lover began to suckle her throbbing clit. Her lover's mouth and fingers maintained the same wild rhythm.

"Harder," Lindsey whimpered as her body slammed against the hard wood of the front door. Nothing mattered at that moment in time. All that existed was her lover pleasuring her. Tressa took her harder until she screamed out as her body trembled uncontrollably.

Lindsey could still feel Tressa's fingers nestled inside of her. They wiggled and teased her as Tressa licked her passion from the inside of her quivering thighs. Lindsey felt like she was floating as she removed her blouse and bra, suddenly needing to be completely exposed for her lover. She continued to tease her own nipples as Tressa's long black hair caressed her thighs. Lindsey soon found herself clutching the door as she climaxed a second time.

Before she could comprehend what was happening, Tressa was standing before her and undoing her own pants. She reached out to assist her only to have her hands brushed away. Tressa leaned forward and captured her sensitive nipple in her mouth. Suckling it greedily, she lowered her pants slightly.

Lindsey arched her back and wrapped her fingers in Tressa's hair. She was lost in the feel of her lover's mouth devouring her breast. She knew what Tressa was doing and needed to see. Pushing Tressa away slightly, she moaned when she found Tressa's jeans and underwear pooled around her ankles.

Lindsey whimpered at the sight of her lover stroking her own clit. She bit her lip, torn between wanting to watch and the need to join her. "Inside," she choked out. Tressa braced one hand against the door next the Lindsey's head as she entered herself with her other hand.

Lindsey was mesmerized as she watched the long glistening fingers plunge in and out of Tressa's center. Lindsey could smell the scent of their passion invading her. She needed to touch the taller woman. With one arm she supported her now trembling lover as she cupped Tressa's wetness with her other hand.

Lindsey leaned forward as she pulled Tressa closer to her, kissing her lover as she felt Tressa's hand stroking herself. She slipped her tongue into her lover's mouth as two of her fingers joined Tressa's. Together their fingers slid in and out of Tressa's warm wet center.

Tressa broke away from the kiss as her head fell back, screaming out as her body collapsed against Lindsey's. The blonde held Tressa up. Then slowly they removed their fingers from Tressa's pulsating center, each still trembling with desire. Lindsey tasted her fingers which only served to renew her desire.

"Happy New Year," she said softly as she kissed her lover, tasting herself on Tressa's full lips.

"I can't wait until midnight," Tressa teased.

Lindsey smiled as she assisted her lover to the sofa. Lowering Tressa down, she knelt before her. "We have so much to do until then," Lindsey purred. "I love you," she said as she began to undress her lover.

"I love you too," Tressa responded sincerely. "Thank you."

"For?" Lindsey inquired as she continued to undress Tressa.

"For giving me a New Years Eve I won't ever forget."

THE END.

Lindsey and Tressa are back in Cupid's Arrow

~ Home For The Holidays series ~
Home For The Holidays
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Do Not Open Before Christmas
Happy New Year
Cupid's Arrow
Easter Surprise
By The Dawn's Early Light
The Long Weekend
Holiday Cheer

Send comments to findingmavis@comcast.net
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~ Cupid's Arrow ~
(Home For The Holidays - Part Five)
February 2002
by Mavis Applewater

PART ONE

Tressa was pacing nervously in the corridor of the Cambridge Courthouse. This was not how she'd planned on spending her Valentine's Day with Lindsey. But she was happy to see Denise, the psycho blonde, finally having her day in court. Tressa was forced to wait outside since she was also a witness. She knew that Lindsey was testifying now and she was trying to send good thoughts to her lover.

The past couple of weeks had been tense for her and her lover. The closer the trial date got, the more Lindsey seemed to shut down. Tressa did finally manage to convince the petite blonde to sell her BMW. The car was nothing more than a painful reminder of what Denise had done to her. Unfortunately, the District Attorney asked her to hold off since the car was evidence.

The bile rose in Tressa's throat each time she saw the automobile that sat in Lindsey's garage. The large dent and cracked windshield were glaring reminders that Lindsey had bounced off the vehicle when Denise tried to run her over.

Thankfully their parents were attending the trial and they were giving Tressa updates on the proceedings. Things seemed to be going in their favor and Denise would receive jail time. The only snag seemed to be Denise's overly calm demeanor. If only the judge and jury could see the way she'd acted that night at the mall. The woman had been completely unhinged, ranting and raving like the lunatic she is.

The door to the courtroom opened and a police officer motioned for Tressa to come in. She brushed the wrinkles out of her black tailored suit and followed the officer into the courtroom. As she passed the rows of spectators, she saw their parents surrounding Lindsey. She flashed a confident smile to her lover who smiled back at her shyly. 'Things must not have gone well,' Tressa surmised as she continued her journey up to the witness box.

Tressa was sworn in and took her seat. She glanced briefly over at Denise who looked completely confident sitting next to her high-priced attorney. Tressa took a calming breath and prepared herself for the District Attorney's questions. Things went smoothly as Tressa carefully recapped the events that took place at the Galleria Mall. Tressa reminded herself that this guy was on her side and she had nothing to worry about.

The older lawyer thanked her and took his seat. Tressa calmed herself once again as Miss Corrival, the defense attorney, stood. Tressa was thankful that in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts the lawyers were not allowed to approach a witness.

"Miss Frayler?" the middle-aged brunette began politely.

"Dr. Frayler," Tressa said, correcting her. She had worked long and hard for her Ph.D.

"My apologies," the woman corrected herself sweetly. "Now on the date in question, did my client say or do anything to threaten you or Miss Stevens?"

"You mean besides following us with a knife?" Tressa retorted, keeping her voice calm.

"Did you see the knife?" the lawyer continued, still maintaining her friendly demeanor.

"No," Tressa answered honestly.

"And it was the holiday shopping season?" the lawyer persisted.

"Yes," Tressa conceded.

"Did you witness the original alleged assault?" the woman asked quickly.

"No." Tressa grimaced slightly. "But I saw the damage to Miss Stevens' car."

"Objection," Denise's attorney called out quickly albeit calmly.

The judge agreed and instructed Tressa to refrain from elaborating when answering the questions. Tressa responded respectfully as she mentally cautioned herself not to lose her temper. She fumed slightly as she saw the cocky smirk the lawyer flashed at her. Amazingly, she managed to once again flash a cool confident look in response.

"Dr. Frayler, how did you find out about the alleged assault?" the lawyer continued.

"Miss Stevens told me," Tressa answered slowly as she wondered where these questions were heading.

"When was that?" the lawyer questioned her.

"Thanksgiving morning," Tressa answered.

"I see," the lawyer responded thoughtfully. "How is it that you are acquainted with Miss Stevens?"

Tressa blinked for a moment as she tried to think of the best way to answer the question. "We grew up together," Tressa finally answered.

"So you are close friends?" the lawyer prodded.

"Yes," Tressa answered with a smile.

"So why didn't she tell you about the accident sooner?" the lawyer inquired in a seemingly innocent tone.

"We hadn't spoken in a long time," Tressa answered flatly, inferring that it was not a big deal. She had a sinking feeling that things were about to get very personal. She glanced quickly at their families and Lindsey who just nodded reassuringly back at her.

"How long?" the lawyer pushed, still maintaining a friendly tone.

Tressa sighed deeply, knowing what the lawyer was about to do. "Over ten years," Tressa said softly. 'You sneaky wench! You're trying to make it look like Lindsey is some flake who just breaks women's hearts!'

"Ten years?" the woman gasped. "I thought the two of you were friends? Why is it that you hadn't spoken in so long?"

Tressa held on to her calm demeanor as she prepared herself for the embarrassing questions that were about to be thrust upon her. "We had a falling out," Tressa offered. The lawyer looked at her skeptically.

"A falling out?" the lawyer inquired quizzically. "What happened?"

"Objection," the prosecutor quickly shouted out.

'It's about time. I thought you were asleep over there,' Tressa mentally groaned. She frowned when, after the lawyers had a brief chat with the judge, the objection was overruled. Tressa was instructed to answer the question.

"We had been involved in a romantic relationship for a few years and when it ended we didn't keep in touch," Tressa explained in hope that she hadn't left any room for the lawyer to take advantage of their past relationship.

"Who ended the relationship?" the lawyer persisted.

"It was mutual," Tressa answered firmly, knowing that it was only technically the truth.

"It sounds almost amicable," the woman speculated. "If things were so mutual, why is it that you didn't speak to one another for ten years?" the woman asked in a bewildered tone.

"It's just what happened," Tressa explained honestly.

"You said that the two of you grew up together. Certainly your paths must have crossed after you split up? And still you didn't speak to one another?" the woman pushed slightly.

"We saw each other very rarely. Lindsey moved out of state," Tressa answered, trying to sound as if they had simply grown apart. "I was busy traveling."

"But you did see one another," the lawyer noted. "When you did, how would you describe your interaction?"

Internally Tressa cringed as she recalled the Easter dinner when Lindsey threatened to stuff her in a trash compactor. "It was awkward at times," Tressa said, trying to gloss over the truth.

"Awkward?" the lawyer asked with a false sense of confusion. "Didn't Miss Stevens threaten you on more than one occasion?"

"Never," Tressa said honestly. Granted, over the years she and Lindsey had exchanged some very nasty barbs but neither would have done anything to harm the other.

"Never?" the attorney said in surprise. "So when Miss Stevens cornered you and a date and said . . ."

"Look," Tressa cut her off, unable to hold back her anger. "Lindsey and I were high school sweethearts. When we split up we were both hurt and said things that weren't nice. But we never stopped caring for each other," Tressa added triumphantly. She noticed both Denise and her lawyer tense slightly.

Miss Corrival shifted gears quickly and returned to the events that had occurred at the Galleria a few days prior to Christmas. Tressa reconfirmed that Denise had not threatened her or Lindsey directly. She touched briefly on their interaction after they had broken up.

Tressa found it interesting that the lawyer would seemingly shy away when the testimony referred to their present relationship. 'That is a little odd. She doesn't want to talk about the fact that Lindsey and I are together now.' Then it hit Tressa as to why the lawyer didn't want to bring it up. Denise grew tense every time they neared the subject.

"One last question, Dr. Frayler," Miss Corrival said confidently. Tressa braced herself. "In your honest opinion, is Miss Stevens difficult to deal with after ending a relationship with her?"

Tressa smiled slightly, knowing that this was what the snotty attorney was going for the entire time. Tressa knew that she could let some air out of her tires and maybe rattle Denise just a little. And all she had to do was tell the truth. "No," Tressa said with a confident smirk.

"No?" Miss Corrival stated with confidence. "I have witness' statements where she described you as a lying, cheating, low life."

"If any of that was true then why would we be lovers now?" Tressa responded in a slow confident tone.

"You lying bitch!" Denise screeched as she jumped up. Tressa couldn't be certain but she could have sworn that she heard Miss Corrival mutter 'Oh crap.' As Denise tried to climb across the table, she proceeded to release a tirade of obscenities, the gist of which was that Lindsey belonged to her.

The lawyer and Tressa shared a look of amusement. It was more than apparent that Miss Corrival didn't enjoy her client's company anymore than Tressa did. The judge banged his gavel insistently, ordering Denise to calm down. Finally he ordered Denise to be put in restraints and led out of the courtroom.

Miss Corrival slumped down in her chair as she looked over at the prosecutor and shrugged her shoulders in defeat. "Miss Corrival, do you have any further questions for this witness?" the judge barked.

"No, Your Honor," Miss Corrival offered calmly as she stood.

"Mr. Rodriguez?" the judge questioned the District Attorney.
"No, Your Honor." The attorney beamed. "In fact, the prosecution rests."

"You may step down," the judge instructed Tressa gently. Tressa stood slowly and headed towards Lindsey. "The court is in recess for ten minutes. Miss Corrival, please try to get your client under control."

"Not without a Prozac the size of a football," the woman muttered as Tressa passed her.

The District Attorney touched Tressa gently on the arm. "You're finished so you can stay and watch. I have a feeling things are going to wrap up fairly quickly now," he explained in a delighted mood.

"Jack, a moment of your time?" Miss Corrival interrupted.

"Certainly, Jen." The older man chuckled.

Tressa rushed over to her family and quickly wrapped her lover up in her arms. "Come on. Let's step outside and get some air," she suggested. The six of them exited into the corridor, Lindsey never releasing her hold on Tressa's waist.

"Well, that was fun," Tressa teased as Lindsey clung more tightly to her.

"You were great, baby," her father said as he patted her on the back.

"Thanks, Dad." Tressa blew out a sigh of relief.

"You should have seen how that woman treated Lindsey," her mother complained. "She made it sound like that Denise person broke up with her and Lindsey was just trying to get even."

"I had a feeling that's what she was trying to do," Tressa explained. "That's probably one of the reasons she didn't want anyone to mention that Lindsey and I are together now."

While they chatted Lindsey simply buried her face in Tressa's body. The brunette stroked Lindsey's short blonde locks absently. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the two lawyers locked in a heavy conversation. Thanks to her keen sense of hearing, Tressa could hear most of what was being said.

"Because she's nuts," Miss Corrival jested. "Look, I know it's over. But I'm telling you she's going to be very calm when she testifies."

"You're going to put her on the stand?" Mr. Rodriguez asked in an incredulous tone.

"I can't stop the fruitcake." Miss Corrival groaned. "How about a deal. Let's wrap this up. We both know she's going to jail. I just want to see her get help."

"No deal," Rodriguez asserted.

"Come on, Jack," Miss Corrival persisted. "You saw how normal she could appear. She'll be a model prisoner and get out on good behavior. And when she gets sprung she's going to be angry. All I'm asking for is therapy."

"Therapy didn't help her any of the other times," Rodriguez noted. "Plus that family of hers isn't going to go for you pleading her out with jail time."

"Tell me about it," the woman groused. "They still think she has an anger management problem. Hell, they won't even admit that she's gay. Let me talk to them. I don't want to spend Valentine's Day parading witnesses through the courtroom just to trash some victim."

"If you can get her to plead guilty, I'll think about it," Rodriguez conceded.

Tressa couldn't believe what she was hearing. She knew that Miss Corrival was correct; Denise would be angry when she got out. Tressa's heart clenched as she thought about the horror Lindsey would face once Denise was free.

"But I'm insisting on jail time. Real jail time - seven years at least. Therapy while she's in and once she gets out. And she never goes anywhere near Miss Stevens," Rodriguez stated harshly. "Her family will never go for this."

"I have to try," Miss Corrival conceded.

"How did you get stuck with this one, Jen?" Rodriguez teased her.

"Please." Jen sighed. "Daddy has more money than God. He is one of the firm's biggest clients. Little Denise has run through every attorney we have. It was my turn. Let me see if I can convince them that it would be in everyone's best interest to make this go away now."

"Good luck," Rodriguez offered sincerely.

Tressa felt Lindsey tighten her grip around her waist. She knew that the little blonde had heard everything. "Excuse us for a moment," Tressa said quickly to their parents. She held onto Lindsey and led her down the hallway. Once they were away from everyone, she pulled Lindsey closer.

Lindsey shifted away slightly so she could look up into Tressa's eyes. It broke the taller woman's heart to see the tears. "You know, when I met her she seemed really nice," Lindsey explained sadly. "Then it was the little things that started happening. She didn't want me to spend time with my friends. She started calling at odd hours to see if I was home."

"It's over," Tressa reassured her as she brushed the tears away.

"Thanks to you," Lindsey said with a loving smile.

"I didn't . . . ," Tressa began to deny the statement.

"Yes, you did," Lindsey cut her off. "You are my hero."

"Hmm." Tressa shrugged off the compliment.

"Do you know that we've never been together on Valentine's Day?" Lindsey said softly.

"I know," Tressa responded thoughtfully. "I was thinking about that the other day. I wanted to do something special. And I tried to remember what we use to do because I wanted to do something completely different. Then I realized that for some reason we were never a couple at this time of the year."

"Well, I know the folks want us all to go out to dinner," Lindsey said.

"I'd like that." Tressa hugged her tightly. "But after that, what do you say you and I just go back to your place and relax?"

"That sounds perfect," Lindsey readily agreed.

"Ladies, can I speak to you for a moment?" Mr. Rodriguez interrupted them. They nodded in response. He ran over the deal, which apparently Denise was ready to accept.

"Seven years doesn't seem like very long," Tressa noted.

"Honestly, it's probably all she would serve anyway," he explained.

"For attempted murder?" Tressa gasped.

"With time off for good behavior," he explained. "She would be out on parole in the same amount of time. She's a clever girl. This way she'll receive the psychiatric help that she needs and she'll be under orders from the judge never to go near you again. If she doesn't heed the terms, it's back to jail to serve the full term with no parole."

"And this ends today?" Lindsey's voice was strained as she spoke.

"Right now," Rodriguez confirmed.

"Take the deal," Lindsey stated firmly.

PART TWO

Lindsey sipped her coffee with Tressa by her side as their parents fought over who would pay the bill. Each wanted to pick up the tab. Dinner had been nice with the exception of an occasional mention of the trial. Tressa quickly silenced those conversations. Lindsey appreciated her lover's over-protectiveness that evening, where normally she would have been irked beyond belief.

She knew Tressa had wished that Denise would be locked up for a lot longer. Lindsey simply felt a wave of relief that they could finally put this behind them. The judge was extremely harsh when he sentenced Denise. He made it more than clear that if Denise violated any of the terms of her sentence, contacting Lindsey in particular, that she wouldn't see the outside of one of the Commonwealth's correctional institutions until she was a very old woman.

She smiled as she leaned against her lover. She was pleased when Tressa had said that she wanted to do something they had never done before. Too many times they'd been revisiting the past. Of course, spending the day in court wasn't exactly what either of them had planned. But now they could start over. They could really begin their lives together.

Lindsey laughed in amusement as Tressa snatched the dinner check away from their fathers' grasping hands. Snatching a credit card from her wallet, she handed both over to a very relieved waiter. "Not a word," Tressa cautioned both men. "Someone had to pay it before Mom and Mrs. Stevens ended up arm wrestling for it."

"Tressa?" Mr. Frayler began to protest.

"Dad, give it a rest." Tressa scowled. She wrapped her arm around Lindsey. "Tired, baby?" she inquired tenderly.

"Hmm," Lindsey murmured in response as she thought about how much longer they would have to endure their parents' company before they could go home. 'Home. Now that does have a nice ring to it,' she thought merrily. She had been avoiding the conversation regarding taking their relationship to the next level ever since the near disaster that had occurred on Christmas morning.

"So girls, when are you going to make things more permanent?" Grace inquired directly. Lindsey laughed. She had always admired Mrs. Frayler's directness.

"Mom?" Tressa choked out in embarrassment.

"I was just wondering," Grace explained. "I mean, Tressa, it's not like you stay at your own apartment."

"Mom!" Tressa growled.

"What?" Grace feigned innocence. "Tressa, you did propose on Christmas morning."

"What?" The others gasped in excitement.

"Mom," Tressa growled once again.

Lindsey just sat back and watched in amusement. "I didn't know you'd told your mother about that," she commented absently.

"I wish I hadn't," the brunette sneered.

"All I want to know is when we can expect grandchildren?" Grace continued calmly.

"You have grandchildren," Tressa pointed out as Lindsey chuckled. "You seem awfully amused by all of this," she accused the giggling blonde.

"Soon," Lindsey addressed Mrs. Frayler.

"What?" Tressa choked out as she moved away from Lindsey slightly.

"Not the grandkids part," Lindsey explained. "But the living together part. Tressa's lease is up in May." Tressa just blinked her baby blues in surprise. "As for the grandchildren part, you'll just have to settle for Rufus and Ziggy." She said, referencing her pets. "For now," she added playfully as she watched her lover's jaw drop.

"It's a start," Mrs. Frayler accepted.

"It certainly is," Tressa added softly, her crystal blue eyes brightening along with her brilliant smile.

PART THREE

Tressa and Lindsey entered the condo; neither had really spoken since leaving the restaurant. Tressa felt like she was walking on air. Denise was safely locked up and Lindsey had finally said that she wanted to live with her. Life was very good at the moment. Now if Joel had done what she asked him to, the day would be perfect.

Lindsey gasped as she turned on the lights. Joel had indeed delivered what she'd requested. Sitting on Lindsey's coffee table were twenty-four red roses set in a beautiful arrangement. Of course, not all of them were still in the crystal vase. It appeared that Rufus had himself a little snack during their absence. 'Furry little bastard!' Tressa thought bitterly.

"Happy Valentine's Day, sweetheart," she whispered tenderly as she wrapped her arms around Lindsey's firm body from behind. Lindsey turned in her embrace so she could face her and kissed her softly.

"Happy Valentine's Day," the blonde murmured. Tressa quickly recaptured Lindsey's soft full lips. Eagerly she tasted their sweetness; never before had she felt so complete. It only took the slightest encouragement for their kiss to turn passionate. Tongues battled for control as their hands roamed under one another's jackets. They broke away reluctantly when the need for air could no longer be ignored. "I love you," Lindsey murmured as she nestled her head against Tressa's chest.

"I love you too," Tressa responded honestly as she stroked Lindsey's soft blonde hair. "Did you mean what you said at the restaurant?"

"Yes," Lindsey sighed contently. "Your mother is going to have to wait for grandchildren."

"Not that." Tressa scowled as she lifted Lindsey's chin so she could look into her emerald eyes. "Do you want me to move in with you?"

"Yes," Lindsey said with a confident smile. "I have a feeling it's what you want as well since you've been slowly moving your stuff in here."

"Hey," Tressa snorted. "I need to keep some stuff here."

"I'm just teasing," Lindsey answered with a tender kiss. "When your lease is up, do you want to move in here? I know we could look for a new place together, but I really like this one."

"I like it here too," Tressa agreed. "So next May?"

"Sounds like a very good idea," Lindsey responded happily. "Thank you for my flowers. I think Rufus likes them as well." Tressa snorted indignantly. "Could you take care of the kids and meet me upstairs?" Lindsey inquired softly.

"Okay . . . ," Tressa answered in confusion.

"Good, because I really want to give you your Valentine's Day present," Lindsey stated in a breathy tone.

"Oh?" Tressa said as she blushed.

"I hope you're hungry," Lindsey teased as she stepped away and headed towards the staircase.

"But we just ate!" Tressa said, not grasping the implication. Lindsey simply wiggled her fair eyebrows suggestively as she headed up the staircase. "Oh," Tressa purred.

"Don't rush the kids," Lindsey called out in warning. "We have all night."

Tressa tore her jacket off and called for Lindsey's pets. "Okay, you little barbarians. It's feeding time at the zoo," she bellowed as she felt her body temperature rising. Despite Lindsey's warning the brunette was determined to feed, water, and walk the beasts in record time.

After feeding the animals and yelling at Ziggy to hurry up and stop chasing his tail and get down to business, Tressa ran up the staircase taking two steps at a time. She rushed into the bedroom, her jaw dropping as she looked around.

Bathed in candlelight, Lindsey was lounging on the bed. The covers were turned down and Lindsey was almost completely naked. The blonde had covered her breasts and golden triangle with whipped cream. And she had strategically placed maraschino cherries atop of the dessert offering. "Jesus, Mary and Joseph," Tressa stammered.

"Finding religion?" Lindsey teased her as she dipped her finger into a mound of whipped cream. Tressa couldn't respond as she watched her lover slowly licking the whipped cream from her finger.

"Oh my God," Tressa said slowly as she continued to watch in fascination.

"Tressa," Lindsey purred. "Are you going to stand over there praying or join me? If you don't, I'll have to eat all this dessert by myself."

Tressa licked her lips as she considered what would be more pleasurable - sharing dessert or watching Lindsey? The blonde continued to scoop up whipped cream with a single digit and feed herself as Tressa inched closer to the bed.

Tressa knelt by the bed as Lindsey offered her a finger full of cream. "Hungry?" Lindsey taunted her. Tressa shivered as she was trapped in her lover's fiery gaze. "Yes," Tressa said weakly as her tongue snaked out and began to lick the cream from Lindsey's appendage.

Lindsey pulled her hand back slightly. Tressa quickly grasped her wrist and gently led her finger back to her mouth. She suckled Lindsey's finger eagerly. Her lover moaned deeply in response. Tressa could feel her nipples harden and her clit throb as she suckled harder. She could feel Lindsey trembling as her teeth grazed the fingertip lightly.

"Tressa," Lindsey gasped as the brunette leaned down and licked some of the whipped cream away from one of her breasts. Tressa took long slow licks, cleaning the firm full breast until she reached the cherry. Lindsey's moans grew insistent as Tressa snatched the cherry into her mouth.

Throughout the delightful tasting, Tressa's hands had firmly grasped the edge of the mattress. Lindsey bent over and captured Tressa's sugarcoated lips. Their tongues danced together as they each tried to capture the cherry.

Lindsey pulled away triumphantly, the cherry dangling from its stem, which was captured in her teeth. She plucked it away and popped it into her mouth as Tressa lowered her head and began to slowly finish cleaning Lindsey's right breast.

Once all traces of whipped cream had been devoured, Tressa captured Lindsey's nipple in her mouth and teased it with her teeth and her tongue. Lindsey's moans deepened as she continued to feed herself.

Tressa moved her attention to Lindsey's other breast, licking it clean. Just as she was about to reach the dark red cherry resting above the nipple, Lindsey snatched it away. She held it by the stem and fed it to Tressa.

Tressa chewed the fruit quickly before returning her attention to Lindsey's breast. She slowly lavished it with attention, cleaning and teasing it as her lover's body trembled. "I love you," Tressa murmured as she tasted her way down Lindsey's firm body. She worked her way towards the last of her dessert, not caring that her face and hair were covered with whipped cream.

Lindsey shifted on the bed, wrapping her legs around Tressa's broad shoulders. "I love you, Tressa. I never stopped loving you," Lindsey confessed as Tressa dipped her head down and began feasting upon the whipped cream covering her triangle. With each flicker of her tongue, Lindsey's body pulsated.

Tressa could feel her own passion pooling between her thighs as she licked away every drop of the sugary substance. Working her way deeper, she captured Lindsey's throbbing clit in her mouth. Urged on by the taste of Lindsey's passion mixed with the whipped cream, Tressa suckled her throbbing clit furiously.

Lindsey was gasping and pleading as Tressa's teeth grazed her clit. Tressa plunged her fingers deep inside her lover. Her hand and mouth loved her with a passionate rhythm. Tressa felt her lover's thighs trembling against her face as she increased her pace.

Tressa's senses were reeling as her lover exploded against her. She needed to feel more. She never wanted to stop doing what she was doing at that moment. She feasted upon Lindsey's wetness until she heard her lover calling out her name. Lindsey exploded furiously as Tressa held her tightly. The blonde's body arched off the bed, thrusting into Tressa's face.

Lindsey collapsed onto the bed as Tressa held her, allowing the last waves of ecstasy to race through her. "I love you," Tressa repeated as she licked the wetness from the inside of Lindsey's thighs. As she felt Lindsey's body calm, she slowly withdrew from the warmth of her center.

She moved up the bed and wrapped her lover in her arms. Lindsey played with Tressa's thick black hair. "We need a shower," Tressa commented as Lindsey tried to clean the remnants of whipped cream from her hair.

"I was thinking of a bath." Lindsey smiled as she kissed her lover. "I'll wash your hair."

"You're just full of great ideas tonight," Tressa responded brightly as she rose off the bed and took Lindsey by the hand. She wrapped her naked lover in her arms. "Thank you. This is the best Valentine's Day I have ever experienced."

"It's not over yet," Lindsey promised her before kissing her lover deeply.

THE END

Tressa and Lindsey return for an Easter Surprise

~ Home For The Holidays series ~
Home For The Holidays
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Do Not Open Before Christmas
Happy New Year
Cupid's Arrow
Easter Surprise
By The Dawn's Early Light
The Long Weekend
Holiday Cheer

Send comments to findingmavis@comcast.net
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~ Easter Surprise ~
(Home For The Holidays - Part Six)
April 2002
by Mavis Applewater

Tressa sat on the park bench with her face in her hands. It was a beautiful spring day. Of course this was New England so that could change at any moment. It was Easter Sunday and the sun was shining and the tall brunette felt like hell. It had all started on St. Patrick's Day. Actually it had really started years before that when she and Lindsey had first become lovers.

Their teenage on-again off-again romance had been a roller coaster ride from the very beginning. Now it seemed that their reunion was proving to be just as tumultuous. This time she knew it was her own insecurities that had set events in motion. It all began fifteen days ago.

**************************************************************************************

She awoke in the same fashion she had everyday since last Thanksgiving Day weekend with Lindsey caressing her slumbering body. "That isn't fair," Tressa grumbled. "You have to go to work."

"Sorry, love," Lindsey mumbled against her breast.

"Call in sick," Tressa suggested as she fumbled through the sheets to feel her lover's body.

"Can't," Lindsey explained as she raised herself from Tressa's naked form.

"You're the boss," Tressa protested as she finally opened her eyes. She was disappointed to find that her lover was already dressed in a stylish emerald suit. "That's very green."

"How does it look?" Lindsey inquired nervously.

"Great! It brings out your eyes," Tressa answered honestly. "Now come back to bed and let me take it off you."

"Later," Lindsey responded with a sensual purr before she brushed her lips against Tressa's. "I've already taken care of Ziggy and Rufus. Why don't you go back to sleep? I'm taking the train in since downtown is going to be a zoo."

"What?" Tressa grumbled as she raised her body slightly.

The realization of what day it was hit her hard. Lindsey was clad in green and downtown Boston was going to be crowded. It was March 17th; it was St. Patrick's Day. It was the one day of the year when everyone in the city claimed to be Irish. Despite the fact that Tressa did have Irish blood flowing through her veins, she hated the day with a passion.

"Why the scowl?" Lindsey asked her tenderly. "Are you feeling all right?"

"Yes," Tressa snapped. "It's just St. Patrick's Day."

"Why would that bother you?" Lindsey inquired curiously.

Tressa was just about to blurt out the litany of reasons why the day irritated her when she bit back her anger. The fact that Lindsey didn't know hurt her deeply. "No reason," she lied, hoping that Lindsey would catch the hurt in her voice so they could talk about it.

"I'll take the train back as well," Lindsey continued, oblivious to Tressa's pain. "Did you want to do something special tonight?"

"No," Tressa responded in a clipped tone.

"How are you spending your day off?" Lindsey continued hesitantly.

"I'm going back to my place," Tressa grumbled. "I'm going to be busy tonight."

"Do you want to tell me what's going on?" Lindsey pressed cautiously as she turned to her lover.

Tressa couldn't help feeling childish but the fact that Lindsey didn't know honestly hurt her. She just sat there brooding as Lindsey stared down at her. "I'm going to be late," Lindsey finally said in exasperation. "Call me later?" she offered in a hopeful tone as she bent to kiss Tressa. The kiss landed on Tressa's cheek when she turned away at the last second.

After Lindsey stormed out of the townhouse, Tressa got dressed and returned to her own apartment. Somehow the tiny space didn't feel like home to her any longer. In a few short months she had become accustomed to staying at Lindsey's and she had begun to pack and move some of her belongings there. They had agreed over the Christmas holiday to move in together once Tressa's lease was up. Until that morning Tressa had been looking forward to the new living arrangement.

She sat on her sofa without bothering to remove her coat and began an extended brooding session. Being reunited with Lindsey had seemed like a God's send but there were demons from their past that would occasionally rear their ugly heads. This day was one of those times. She remembered when they were seventeen and hadn't been lovers for a couple of months. Tressa could no longer recall what had caused their breakup that time.

In the early stages of their romantic lives, the two women's young emotions had constantly overwhelmed their senses. The night before St. Patrick's Day, Lindsey's parents had to go out of town for the weekend. Despite the fact that she was more than capable of staying by herself, her parents had suggested that she spend the weekend at Tressa's.

The girls had reluctantly agreed since they couldn't tell their parents that they had just ended their sexual relationship. They had climbed into bed and begun a tug of war over the blankets. The heated battle soon grew into a fierce tickling match. Tressa could still recall the feel of Lindsey's firm body beneath her own.

She couldn't remember who made the first move, but somehow in the darkness their lips had met and they'd found themselves wrapped around each other. Soon they were undressing each other as the months of anger vanished. They had lost themselves in one another's touch until their young bodies had nothing left to offer.

The following morning she awoke to find Lindsey's naked body sprawled across her own. Her young heart jumped with joy as she wrapped her long arms around her lover's body. She felt Lindsey kissing the valley between her breasts. "I bet we can convince your parents to let you sleep over at my place tonight. We can make as much noise as we want," Lindsey murmured against her skin.

"I can't," Tressa responded hesitantly as she wrapped her long legs around the smaller girl's body. Lindsey raised her head and looked at Tressa with a pained expression. "I have to go to the dance tonight at school," she explained.

"Fine, we'll go together." Lindsey shrugged.

"I have a date," Tressa continued.

"What?" Lindsey choked out as she freed herself from Tressa's body.

"It's not what you think," Tressa explained quickly. "Its just Dennis."

"Oh, so since it's guy that makes it okay," Lindsey snapped as she climbed out off the bed.

Tressa tried to reach out to her but Lindsey shrugged away from her touch as she began to dress. "Lindsey?" Tressa pleaded.

"Hey, no big deal," Lindsey snapped bitterly. "It's not like I'm your girlfriend or anything. I'll just tell your parents I want to sleep at home tonight. It's not as if you could bring me to the dance as your date."

"You know I can't," Tressa reasoned as her heart dropped.

"It's not fair," Lindsey said quietly.

"No, it's not," Tressa agreed as she fought back the tears. Living in a small town meant that they couldn't let anyone know they were lovers.

"Like I said, no big deal." Lindsey shrugged, trying to act like it didn't matter. Tressa could hear the pain in the blonde's voice. "It was just a fuck anyway."

"Don't say that," Tressa protested.

"It's true," Lindsey snapped as she finished gathering her belongings. "Have fun with your boyfriend tonight," she added before she stormed out of the room.

Tressa was deeply hurt and she was certain that she and Lindsey were over. She also knew that Lindsey was right. Her young mind just didn't understand how she could fix things or take back the harsh words they had said to one another. That night Tressa went out with Dennis as planned. From the moment she arrived at the dance, she just wanted to leave. She needed to find Lindsey and try to work everything out.

She thought she was going explode when she saw Lindsey enter the high school gym with Bethany Pierce. As Dennis showered her with attention, she kept a watchful eye on Lindsey and Bethany. Every time she saw them laugh or touch, Tressa felt her heart die just a little. She could also feel the rage building within her. Granted, Lindsey and Bethany weren't doing anything that would be considered romantic. But Tressa could see the way Bethany was looking at Lindsey and she didn't like it one bit.

She didn't want to leave before the other two girls did. There was no way she was going to let Lindsey and her new friend out of her sight. Finally Lindsey and Bethany left the gym. Tressa practically dragged Dennis out of the dance in a hurry to head home. She needed to talk to Lindsey and didn't want to waste a single moment. Dennis had other plans. Once Tressa managed to wrestle away from her amorous date, she headed straight into her house. She looked up at the house next door, wondering why the lights were out in Lindsey's bedroom.

She peered up at her own bedroom window; it was directly across from Lindsey's. She sighed deeply as she noticed that the lights were off there as well. She had been holding onto a small glimmer of hope that Lindsey had changed her mind and decided to stay with her. She raced inside the house, hoping that she would find Lindsey fast asleep in her bed. Her heart dropped when she found her bed empty.

Tressa sat in her bedroom watching Lindsey's window, waiting for her to return. After an hour and a half Tressa put on a pair of jeans. Her plan was to go looking for the wayward blonde. As she climbed out her bedroom window, she suddenly decided that Lindsey had probably returned home before her.

As she scrabbled across her rooftop, she reasoned that Lindsey was tucked safely in her bed. She smiled as she jumped across to Lindsey's roof. It wasn't the first time she'd leapt across the distance to see her lover.

"Get down from there, you idiot," Lindsey growled from below. Tressa was shocked to see her lover glaring up at her. She was also furious that the blonde was just now returning home. She jumped down, almost knocking Lindsey over. "What are you doing?" Lindsey growled as she grabbed Tressa's arm and pulled her to the back of the house.

"Where have you been?" Tressa demanded, fighting to keep her voice low so they wouldn't wake up her parents.

"You're insane. You know that, don't you?" Lindsey flared. "You go out with someone else and you want to know where I've been?"

Tressa was been stunned by the truth behind the words. She decided that it was time for her to be honest as well. "I was scared of what people would do or think if they found out," she explained tearfully. "I love you," Tressa confessed.

"Why did you go out with him?" Lindsey wept as Tressa pulled her into her arms.

"Because I'm an idiot," Tressa conceded. "I just didn't know what to do. I hate that I can't let everyone know how much I love you. I swear that I didn't touch him. I didn't even kiss him goodnight." She buried her face in Lindsey's long blonde hair as she pulled her closer. "Did you . . . you and Bethany . . . did you?" she choked out.

"No," Lindsey answered in tense voice.

It was all Tressa needed to hear as she began to kiss the blonde passionately. She lowered herself to her knees. Kneeling before her lover, she lowered Lindsey's pants. "I need you," she whispered over and over as Lindsey guided her to her wetness. She buried her face in her lover's damp cotton panties. The musky aroma of Lindsey's excitement was intoxicating.

"I'm yours," Lindsey moaned as she thrust herself deeper into Tressa's touch. Tressa pulled down Lindsey's panties and buried herself in her lover's desire.

****************************************************************************************************************************

Tressa could still recall how deeply she'd pleasured her lover. Tressa had plunged her fingers in and out of her love as she sucked her clit. She'd needed to make her lover explode against her, to prove to both of them that Lindsey still belonged to her. After Lindsey had climaxed against her, they'd snuck up to her bedroom and made love throughout the night. They'd cried in one another's arms, neither feeling free from the harsh words that had been spoken that morning.

There was something about that night that had shaken Tressa. It was the same thing that was still nagging at her all these years later. When Lindsey denied having been with Bethany, something in her voice hadn't rung true. All these years later it still haunted Tressa. She hadn't realized how much until that morning.

As she sat on her sofa, she couldn't find a reason to still be dwelling on the subject. Tressa finally dragged herself into the shower. After showering and changing, she was still troubled by her actions that morning. Even if Lindsey had lied back then, it had happened when they weren't really together and it had occurred more than fifteen years ago.

The day progressed with Tressa bouncing between being angry and feeling silly. She glanced at the clock and decided the only way to stop her inner turmoil was to talk to Lindsey. If she hurried she could get to the shop before Lindsey locked up and headed home. She endured the endless traffic and, once in the city, gave up on finding a parking space to settle for the overpriced garage on Newbury.

Tressa arrived just as Lindsey's assistant was locking up. She let Tressa in and explained that Lindsey was in her office. Tressa braced herself as she made her way through the stylish antique shop. She knew her way to Lindsey's office, having visited her lover many times over the past few months.

She knocked on the door and was greeted by a terse "Come in." Tressa took a deep breath, knowing that she was responsible for her lover's foul mood. "Hi," she said sheepishly as she entered the office. The smile Lindsey flashed at her instantly confirmed that coming to the shop was the right choice.

"Hi." Lindsey beamed at her as she took a seat in front of Lindsey's cluttered desk.

"I thought you might want a ride home," Tressa began as she shifted nervously in the chair.

"Thanks," Lindsey responded, her smile growing brighter for a brief moment. The blonde grew slightly somber as she began to pack up her things. "Do you want to talk about it?" she finally offered quietly.
"You'll think it's stupid," Tressa confessed.

"If something has you this upset, it couldn't be stupid," Lindsey reassured her as she sat on top of her desk and took Tressa's hands in her own.

"St. Patrick's Day," she began slowly as green eyes looked at her lovingly. "In high school when I went to that dance . . ." She watched as Lindsey dropped her hands and her eyes burned with anger.

"You have got to be kidding me," Lindsey fumed. "That's so stupid. This is why you were so upset this morning?" Lindsey continued as Tressa shifted nervously. "All this because of a really bad argument we had over fifteen years ago when you went to a dance with dufus?"

"Dennis." Tressa made the mistake of correcting her.

"Whatever," Lindsey scoffed. "Honey, it was a long time ago and we both caused each other a lot of pain. You do know how much I love you, don't you?"

"Yes," Tressa responded, relaxing slightly. "There's just something I need to know. It's silly but it's really bothering me. Bethany Pierce . . ."

"Don't," Lindsey cautioned her softly as her body stiffened.

Tressa's stomach clenched as her mind screamed for her to stop before she found the answers she was seeking. Unfortunately her mouth refused to listen to her mind. "Lindsey?" she continued fearfully.

"Tressa, please don't," Lindsey pleaded.

"You lied," Tressa choked out. The way Lindsey refused to look at her confirmed everything. "You slept with her?" she asked in disbelief.

"No," Lindsey stammered, still not looking at Tressa. "It was just a little making out."

"Oh," Tressa said as a sudden sharp pain took up residence in her chest.

"Tressa." Lindsey's voice trembled slightly as she turned to Tressa with tears in her eyes. "We were seventeen. We said some very hateful things to one another. You were going on a date with someone else. We had to hide our relationship. Tressa, don't let this come between us."

"I have to go," Tressa said suddenly as she stood. The tall brunette walked out of the store as her lover called after her.

****************************************************************************************************************************

Tressa was in a little park around the corner from Lindsey's townhouse. It was Easter Sunday and it had been fifteen days since she had spoken to her lover. Lindsey had tried to call her so many times since that day but Tressa just couldn't bring herself to answer the telephone. A few days ago the calls had finally stopped.

"I'm an idiot," Tressa grumbled as she finally stood and headed to her SUV. "I haven't spoken to the love of my life in over two weeks because fifteen years ago she made out with another girl," she said, chastising herself as passers by looked at her curiously. She climbed into her car and drove over to the townhouse.

She let herself in with the key Lindsey had given her. She hoped that the blonde was sleeping in. When she found Rufus and Ziggy glaring at her, she knew that their mistress was awake. She heard some shuffling in the kitchen. She removed her coat as the animals continued to glare at her. She rolled her eyes at their disapproving look.

The brunette swallowed her pride and walked into the kitchen. She wasn't prepared for the sight she found there. Lindsey was dressed in her normal morning outfit of sweatpants and a ratty old T-shirt holding a plate with a huge fluorescent pink blob on it. "That is disgusting," Tressa noted dryly. She watched as Lindsey jumped at the sound of her voice.

The uncertain look in the blonde's eyes tugged at Tressa's heart. "What is that?" she continued as she closed the distance to the blonde, still not certain if her presence was welcome.

"It's a Peep," Lindsey explained boldly. "If you put them in the microwave, you can make one really big one."

"There's something wrong with you," Tressa said as she looked at the blob in disgust. "Do you still bite the heads off those things before you eat them?"

"It's the only way to enjoy a Peep," Lindsey said as she put the plate down and climbed up on the kitchen counter.

"How can you eat those things?" Tressa grimaced. "They're nothing but sugar."

"What's your point?" Lindsey persisted from her perch on the counter.

Tressa leaned against the counter, keeping a slight distance from Lindsey. She could see the hurt and confusion in Lindsey's eyes. "I'm sorry," Tressa said softly. "I don't know why it got to me the way it did. I've missed you."

"All you had to do was call or come over," Lindsey responded thoughtfully. "Are you ready to talk?" Tressa simply nodded as she chewed her bottom lip nervously. "Tressa, I love you," Lindsey continued. "A very long time ago I made a mistake and then I lied about it. Because I was young and stupid and because at the time I thought it was the right thing to do. I'm telling you the truth now; I made out with Bethany. But I never betrayed you . . . ever," she asserted firmly. "If she was still speaking to me, I would call her right now so she could tell you herself."

"Why isn't she speaking to you?" Tressa inquired.

"She stopped talking to me that night because I wouldn't do anything but kiss her." Lindsey shrugged. "In fact, I had to walk home since she kicked me out of her car."

"Jerk," Tressa grunted. "Not her. . . me," she added with sincerity. "I can't believe I made such a huge hairy deal out of something that happened when we were in high school."

"It hurt you," Lindsey responded honestly. "Apparently very deeply. Is there anything else you want to clear the air about? If there is, then we should do it now because you are not putting me through this again. I love you but I will not let anyone treat me this way."

Tressa smiled at her lover's confidence, knowing that over the past year she'd been through hell. "Just one more thing," she said in a solemn tone. "Why Bethany?"

"One of the times we broke up she made it clear that she was interested," Lindsey explained in a flat tone. "I don't know how she knew about me or us but she did."

"At the next reunion, can I kiss you in front of Bethany?" Tressa teased.

"Darling, you can kiss me anytime and anywhere you desire," Lindsey purred. "Speaking of which, if there's nothing else, I suggest you haul that cute ass of yours over here and give me a proper greeting."

Tressa smiled as she rushed into her lover's arms. "Happy Easter," Lindsey said as she wrapped her legs around Tressa's body. "Happy Easter," the brunette said softly before claiming her lover's full lips. "So I can kiss you anytime anywhere?" Tressa taunted her lover.

"Yes," Lindsey responded in a breathy tone.

"Good," Tressa said hotly before she reclaimed Lindsey's lips.

Tressa kissed Lindsey eagerly as Lindsey's firm legs pulled her closer. Tressa began to suck on Lindsey's bottom lip as she ran her hands up under Lindsey's thin T-shirt. She parted Lindsey's lips with her tongue and began to explore the warmth of her lover's mouth. Lindsey's hands moved between them and cupped Tressa's breasts.

Tressa's hands felt their way up Lindsey's body until they came to the gentle swell of Lindsey's firm full breasts. Her tongue engaged in a sensual duel with Lindsey's. She moaned as she felt her lover capture her nipples between her fingers. Tressa plunged her tongue deeper into her lover's mouth as the blonde rolled her erect nipples between her fingers.

Lindsey pushed Tressa away from her slightly and began to tug on her blouse. "I'm sorry," Tressa apologized.

"Don't apologize," Lindsey said with a needy sigh. "Just touch me," she pleaded before she tore open Tressa's blouse, sending the buttons flying across the kitchen.

As Lindsey began to kiss the valley between Tressa's breasts, the brunette teased the blonde's nipples with the palms of her hands. Lindsey tried to pull Tressa's blouse off. Tressa helped in removing her torn blouse and tossing it across the kitchen. She kissed Lindsey once again before the blonde could resume kissing her chest.

Both women were breathing heavily as they parted. Tressa pulled Lindsey's shirt up and off. Tressa licked her lips as her eyes focused upon two round full breasts. "So beautiful," she murmured in appreciation.

Lindsey leaned back on the counter, granting Tressa a full view of her firm body. Tressa took her time drinking in the sight before her. Lindsey blushed under her lustful gaze. She watched the rapid rise and fall of Lindsey's chest. Everything about this woman excited Tressa to her very core.

Tressa leaned in and reclaimed Lindsey's lips. The kiss quickly deepened as their tongues began a sensual duel. Tressa felt Lindsey's body trembling beneath her own. "I love you," Tressa gasped once she broke away from the kiss.

With Lindsey still leaning back on the kitchen counter, the brunette began to kiss her face and then worked her way down to her jaw and neck. Lindsey sighed as she tilted her head back, offering more of her neck up to Tressa's eager mouth. As her mouth descended further down Lindsey's body, Tressa could feel the blonde's legs wrap even more tightly around her body.

Tressa's tongue circled Lindsey's nipple before she captured the bud in her mouth. She could feel Lindsey's center grinding against her stomach as the blonde unclasped her bra. Tressa could feel Lindsey's desire seeping through her sweatpants as she thrust against the brunette.

Lindsey's hands roamed up and down Tressa's back as the blonde's hips began to rock against her in a wild rhythm. Tressa suckled Lindsey's nipple harder while she used one hand to hold her lover steady. Her ears were ringing with Lindsey's desperate pleas for more.

Tressa's clit was pulsating steadily in unison with Lindsey's thrusting body. Lindsey's body swayed slightly when Tressa removed her hands from her hips to run them down Lindsey's torso.

She could feel the heat emanating from Lindsey's skin as her fingers worked their way down her body. She grasped the waist of Lindsey's sweatpants tightly. Tressa's mouth blazed a delightful path across Lindsey's heaving chest. She savored each drop of sweat on the blonde's skin before capturing the other nipple in her mouth.

She suckled Lindsey's nipple eagerly as she proceeded to remove the blonde's sweatpants. She lifted her lover's firm backside so she could pull the pants down. Lindsey squirmed in an effort to assist her. The feel of her lover's firm flesh resting in her hands was overpowering. Tressa lifted her head as she kneaded Lindsey's backside.

As she released her hold, Lindsey grasped the kitchen counter. The blonde's chest was heaving as her body trembled. Tressa quickly finished removing Lindsey's sweatpants. She pulled her lover back to her and once again captured the smaller woman in a fiery kiss. She could feel Lindsey's center thrusting against her abdomen with urgent desire.

Tressa wrapped her arms around Lindsey, needing to feel her lover's body pressing against her own. Their bodies melted together as Lindsey continued to rock herself against Tressa's body. Tressa broke away from the kiss when the need to breathe became overwhelming. "God, you are so wet," Tressa panted.

"I told you that I missed you," Lindsey moaned before she began kissing Tressa's long neck.

Tressa could feel the quivering of Lindsey's thighs. She needed to be closer to her when she climaxed. She pulled herself away from her lover's tight grip and lowered herself to her knees. Tressa pulled Lindsey's body closer to her. She lifted her lover's hips and drew her passion to her mouth. "I love that you're so tall," Lindsey groaned in appreciation as Tressa began to lick the inside of her thighs.

Lindsey draped her legs over Tressa's shoulders as the brunette blew a warm breath into wet golden curls. Lindsey wrapped her fingers in Tressa's long raven locks and pulled her closer. Tressa's tongue ran slowly up and down slick folds, savoring the taste of her lover. "Yes," Lindsey hissed as Tressa's tongue pressed against her opening.

Tressa held her lover's body tightly as her tongue entered her center. The walls tightened around the muscle. Tressa moaned in pleasure as her tongue plunged in and out of Lindsey's aching center.

Lindsey's hands gripped her shoulders tightly as her tongue quickened its pace. She could feel Lindsey's body nearing the edge of ecstasy. The blonde growled when Tressa's tongue left her warm center. Tressa replaced her tongue with one finger, which was soon followed by a second one. Her fingers wiggled inside of her lover as she began to suckle Lindsey's throbbing clit.

Lindsey cried out as Tressa began to dip her fingers deeper inside of her. Lindsey was begging her for release as her hips thrust frantically. Tressa took her lover harder and deeper as her own desire pooled between her legs. Lindsey's thighs tightened around Tressa's face as she suckled.

Lindsey's body exploded as she arched against Tressa. The brunette continued to pleasure her lover as she cried out in ecstasy. Lindsey's climax sent a delightful jolt through Tressa's already excited body. She slowly licked away the last traces of Lindsey's desire as the blonde's body trembled with the last waves of passion rushing through her.

Lindsey sighed contentedly as Tressa stood up. She cupped Tressa's face and began to kiss away the traces of her passion. "Hmm," she murmured in delight.

"Taste better than Peeps?" Tressa teased as her lover continued to taste herself on the brunette's face.

"Oh yeah," Lindsey purred. "But it doesn't taste nearly as good as you do," Lindsey whispered hotly in Tressa's ear.

The brunette's knees buckled slightly as Lindsey finally removed Tressa's bra, which had ended up hanging around her elbows. Then Lindsey moved slightly away from her. "Hold onto the counter," Lindsey instructed her in a husky tone. Tressa swallowed hard before she complied with Lindsey's request. She gripped the kitchen counter tightly as Lindsey slid off to stand behind her.

Tressa felt Lindsey's arms wrap around her body. The feel of Lindsey's nipples brushing against her back filled her with desire. "I love you," Lindsey murmured as she kissed Tressa's naked back. Tressa's breathing grew ragged as she felt Lindsey undoing her slacks. The pants slid down her long legs as her lover began to kiss her way down her body.

Tressa gripped the counter tighter; her knuckles grew white as Lindsey's mouth moved down her body. A sharp gasp escaped her as her underwear was lowered. Lindsey kissed the back of her sensitive knees as the blonde struggled to remove the clothing pooled around Tressa's ankles.

A naked Tressa stood as her lover began to kiss and taste her way back up her body. Her eyes fluttered shut as she felt Lindsey's tongue between her trembling thighs. Tressa parted her legs, inviting Lindsey to explore her further. She shivered as she felt Lindsey's tongue deepen its search.

Tressa fought to control her breathing as Lindsey's breasts brushed against her legs while her tongue curled up between her thighs. Tressa whimpered as Lindsey's mouth moved up her backside, dipping in and out of her aching need. Lindsey's mouth continued the slow delightful torture until Tressa was certain that she would explode.

"Please," she pleaded as she felt her need flowing freely down her body. She felt Lindsey's body moving up as she continued to kiss Tressa's quaking form. Lindsey was now standing behind her, pressing her body into Tressa's. She could feel her lover's hands firmly holding her hips as her wetness pressed into her.

Tressa was gasping for air as she arched her hips back, needing to feel Lindsey's desire inside of her. "That's it, baby," Lindsey moaned as her hips matched Tressa's urgent rhythm. Tressa's clit pulsated with desire as their bodies rocked wildly against each other. She felt Lindsey's small hands moving across her body. With one hand the blonde stroked Tressa's clit while her other hand reached between their bodies.

Tressa cried out as her lover's fingers entered her. The feel of Lindsey teasing her throbbing clit while her fingers plunged in and out of her quickly caused her insides to clench as the orgasm built up. Shamelessly she thrust her hips eagerly, needing to feel Lindsey's desire. Her head was spinning and her lungs suddenly became void of air as Lindsey rode against her frantically.

Tressa screamed out to the heavens as her body exploded. Lindsey caught her trembling body before she could collapse into a quivering heap on the kitchen floor. "Are you okay?" Lindsey whispered gently as she held Tressa tightly.

"Oh yeah," Tressa choked out as her body continued to tremble.

Lindsey continued to hold her as she placed loving kisses on her shoulder. "When you feel like you can walk again, how about we head upstairs? I have an Easter present for you," Lindsey said softly.

"That wasn't it?" Tressa inquired as she brushed damp hair out of her eyes.

"No." Lindsey chuckled. "I bought something for you in hopes that you would come to your senses."

"I'm sorry," Tressa repeated as she finally managed to get her breathing under control.

"So am I," Lindsey responded tenderly as she placed another kiss on Tressa's quivering body. "Neither of us handled things very well then or now. But I do love the way we make up."

Later Tressa found herself lounging in a bubble bath with Lindsey. Her surprise consisted of Lindsey feeding her chocolate-covered strawberries while they sipped champagne. "I do like the way you celebrate Easter." Tressa chuckled as Lindsey licked the chocolate from her lips.

THE END

Lindsey and Treesa are together again for another Holiday in By The Dawn's Early Light.

~ Home For The Holidays series ~
Home For The Holidays
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Do Not Open Before Christmas
Happy New Year
Cupid's Arrow
Easter Surprise
By The Dawn's Early Light
The Long Weekend
Holiday Cheer

Send comments to findingmavis@comcast.net
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~ By The Dawn's Early Light ~
(Home For The Holidays - Part Seven)
April 2002
by Mavis Applewater

PART ONE

Tressa curled her lip and looked at her lover. She adored her but at this particular moment she couldn't help but wonder if the little blonde had completely lost her mind. She was considering asking Lindsey just that when she noticed the stern look the smaller woman was giving her.

"What?" Lindsey demanded.

"Nothing," Tressa lied.

"You're lying," Lindsey scoffed as she threw up her hands in disgust.

"No," Tressa hedged. "It's just that . . . do you really want to do this?"

"Yes," Lindsey responded slowly as if she was speaking to a child. Her tone simply infuriated Tressa.

"The Esplanade on the Fourth of July?" Tressa finally blurted out in exasperation. "Have you lost your mind?"

"No," Lindsey flared, her green eyes blazing with anger. Tressa instantly realized her error in judgment. "You said I could plan what we would do for the holiday. It will be fun."

"It will be a freak show," Tressa said.

"Sure, on the Esplanade, but we'll be on a boat," Lindsey explained slowly. And Tressa's frustration returned.

"I don't know how to sail and we'll need to get there the night before just to get a good spot," Tressa reasoned.

"I know how to sail and yes, we'll need to get there a day in advance," Lindsey offered casually. "If it's the sailing that worries you, I can show you what to do."

"No you don't." Tressa trembled. "The last time you made that offer, you tried to drown me."

"Oh my freaking God! Do you never let anything go?" Lindsey fumed. "I was not trying to drown you. It was an accident, and we were teenagers at the time. I pulled you out of the water, didn't I?"

"You also were the one who threw me in!" Tressa exploded as she recalled flailing in the water, gasping for air.

"I did not," Lindsey argued vehemently. "It was an accident. If you had only listened to what I told you, it would never have happened," Lindsey reasoned. "Now that we're in our thirties, do you think you could let it go?"

"No," Tressa flared firmly. "Why can't we visit your parents? Or finally go to Disney World?"

"With everything that's happening in the world, do you really want to fly on Independence Day?" Lindsey inquired carefully.

"No," Tressa conceded, defeated for the moment. "But a boat?"

"Come on, baby . . . ," Lindsey purred seductively. The deep timber of Lindsey's voice sent a familiar jolt through Tressa's body. "The Boston Pops, the fireworks, making love on a boat . . ."

"Oh no you don't," Tressa cautioned her as she wagged her finger in the blonde's face. "I know that voice. First you call me baby. The next thing I know we're naked and I'm agreeing to whatever you want. Not going to work this time, Missy."

"Baby," Lindsey continued to purr as she began to run her hands across Tressa's broad shoulders. "Think about it. You and me under the stars, on the water, making love."

"Yeah, with a thousand drunken freaks watching us," Tressa pointed out as she fought against Lindsey's inviting touch.

"Fine," Lindsey said, much to Tressa's surprise. "What would you like to do?" Tressa knew by her lover's tone that she was being sincere.

"I don't know," Tressa responded sheepishly.

"What am I going to do with you?" Lindsey laughed lightly as she wrapped her arms around Tressa's waist. The tall brunette instantly melted into her lover's touch. "I have to go," Lindsey added with a hint of regret.

"No," Tressa protested.

"Sorry, but I have to get to the shop," Lindsey added with a pout. "Think about what you want to do for the holiday. We don't have much time," she said before brushing her lips lightly across Tressa's. Then she picked up her belongings and was off. At moments like this Tressa really regretted that Lindsey had finally replaced her car. "A boat. How bad could it be?" she pondered aloud. "What am I saying?" she immediately chastised herself.

Tressa looked over at Ziggy, Lindsey's husky. His tongue was hanging out. "Hot, isn't it boy?" she asked the snoozing oversized fur ball. "I wonder how hot it will be out on the boat on Thursday?" Tressa pondered aloud. "She really wants to do this. How can I say no? It's only for a night or two. After all, she did fly all the way to Costa Rica just to visit me at that dig site." The brunette's lips curled into a lecherous grin as she recalled her lover's visit to the remote location.

PART TWO

Lindsey looked adorable after spending the day following Tressa around the site located just outside a tiny village. "Hot shower," the disheveled blonde pleaded as they entered Tressa's tent.

"Sorry," Tressa said with a smirk as she drank in the sight of her lover who was covered with dirt from head to toe.

"Cold shower?" Lindsey added in a pleading whimper.

"No shower," Tressa instructed her as she flopped down on her tiny cot and began to remove her work boots.

"Excuse me?" Lindsey said in a horrified tone. Tressa grinned mischievously as she pointed to the old metal basin that was resting on the wooden table next to her tiny cot. "Tell me you're joking," Lindsey demanded.

"Welcome to the middle of nowhere." Tressa laughed as Lindsey rolled her beautiful green eyes in disgust.

"Now, none of that. This is part of my job. Don't forget that I'm going with you on your business trip in a few months," Tressa chastised her grumbling partner.

"Oh, excuse me." Lindsey snorted in disgust. "My business trip is to an estate auction in the south of France. Granted, the hotel we'll be staying at is only rated at three stars, but I'm quite certain that it has running water."

"I've missed you," Tressa confessed as she slowly raised her tired body from the cot.

"I've missed you too," Lindsey responded in a soft sincere voice that melted Tressa's heart. "I know it's only been two weeks but the house is so empty without you. I'm glad that I came here; it's beautiful." Her emerald eyes were focused firmly on Tressa.

"I'm glad you're here too," Tressa added as she wrapped her arms around her lover. "And to show you just how happy I am to see you, I'll help you bathe."

Lindsey responded by placing a soft lingering kiss on her lips. Tressa recalled how amazing and reassuring it felt when Lindsey's lips were pressed against her own. Her lips felt cold when the blonde broke contact. Tressa licked her lips in an effort to taste any traces of Lindsey that may have been left behind.

Tressa's desire was smoldering as she walked over to the oak barrel resting next to the table. She could feel her lover's eyes watching her every move as she ladled the water from the barrel into the basin. Neither of them spoke as Tressa filled the basin and then gathered a towel and soap.

The brunette walked over to her lover and began to caress her shoulders. No words were necessary as her long fingers drifted down to the buttons of Lindsey's short-sleeved, soiled white blouse. Tressa's crystal blue eyes held her lover's fiery gaze as she slowly began to undo each button.

Tressa's gaze drifted down as she slowly revealed her lover's body. She moistened her lips as she watched the rise and fall of Lindsey's chest. The tall brunette tugged Lindsey's blouse out of her khaki shorts. Slowly she traced her lover's firm abdomen with the tips of her fingers. The shallow gasp Lindsey released urged Tressa to continue with her gentle touching; she ran her hands slowly up her lover's torso until she reached the soft swell of her breasts.

She cupped her lover's firm full breasts, allowing the weight of them to fill her hands as Lindsey's head fell back slightly and her eyes fluttered shut. Tressa covered Lindsey's breasts with the palms of her hands while she nuzzled the blonde's neck. She drank in the aroma of Lindsey's sweat soaked body.

She lifted her head slightly as she felt her lover's nipples become erect from her touch. Lindsey's small hands came to rest on Tressa's hips as the brunette continued to graze her palms across the blonde's nipples. Tressa watched in fascination as Lindsey's tongue moistened her lips.

The brunette reached under Lindsey's cotton blouse and unclasped Lindsey's bra. Then she slowly removed Lindsey's blouse, allowing her fingertips to caress the blonde's skin as she slowly performed her task. Then she removed Lindsey's bra in the same tantalizing fashion.

She smiled slyly as she felt her lover's pulse quicken from her touch. In many ways Tressa seemed to have an innate ability to pleasure the blonde. At times Tressa felt that she was more in tune with Lindsey's body than she was with her own. Dropping the blonde's blouse and bra onto the floor of tent, she gently guided Lindsey to sit down on the cot.

Her fingers reluctantly left the softness of Lindsey's skin. Tressa went back over to her worktable and retrieved the basin, a towel, washcloths, and the soap. Lindsey cast an appreciative gaze at Tressa as she placed the items on the floor and knelt before Lindsey. She lathered the washcloth before placing the soapy cool cloth against Lindsey's shoulder blade. The blonde's eyes widened and Tressa found that she was ensnared in a fiery gaze.

Their eyes remained locked as Tressa slowly ran the cool cloth across Lindsey's shoulder and down her arm. The light scent of sandalwood and Lindsey's steady breathing sent a delightful thrill through Tressa's body. While she slowly ran the cloth over every inch of Lindsey's exposed skin, their eyes never broke contact. Once she had thoroughly cleaned her lover's upper body twice, Tressa motioned for Lindsey to stand.

The blonde nodded in response before rising to her feet. Tressa slowly removed the blonde's footwear. She felt Lindsey balancing herself with her hands on Tressa's shoulders. The brunette smiled as she thought about how well they knew each other's bodies. Lindsey wiggled her toes once her socks were removed. Tressa slowly ran her long fingers up Lindsey's legs; out of habit she was more careful with the leg that had been injured. She knew that Lindsey was completely healed; it was just reflex to take extra care with the leg.

While still kneeling before the blonde who had claimed her heart when they were still children, she slowly undid Lindsey's khaki shorts. She placed tender kisses across Lindsey's abdomen as she lowered them down her body. Once she had removed the baggy shorts, she turned her attention to the last remaining barrier. With the same teasing slowness, she lowered her lover's panties and removed them. Then she tossed them uncaringly across the tent.

With a fresh washcloth, she slowly bathed the lower half of her lover's body. Lindsey giggled when she dipped the cool cloth into her navel. Tressa focused on every inch of Lindsey's body until the blonde began to shiver. Tressa knew her lover's trembling wasn't from the cold. She gently lowered Lindsey to the cot.

Lindsey propped herself up on one elbow and watched as Tressa emptied and rinsed the basin before refilling it. Then the tall brunette slowly undressed and began to wash away the dust from her body. Once again she flashed her a lover a sly smile while she watched the blonde's lips quiver with anticipation.

She completed the ritual then retrieved a bottle of aloe and slowly approached the cot Lindsey reclined upon. The bottle fell from her hands as Lindsey clasped her arm tightly and pulled her down onto the cot. The long lingering kiss and the feel of Lindsey's tongue exploring the warmth of her mouth almost sent Tressa over the edge.

Tressa was gasping helplessly as the kiss came to an end. They both had poured all of their longing and pent-up desire into that one kiss. Soon Tressa's mouth was retracing the path the washcloth had taken earlier. Lindsey's shallow gasps fueled Tressa's desire as the brunette captured a nipple in her mouth.

She suckled the dark bud eagerly as Lindsey's fingers weaved through her long black hair. She felt Lindsey's body arch against her own as she teased her nipple with her teeth and her tongue. Tressa pressed her trembling thigh against Lindsey's wetness and the brunette could feel her lover's desire painting her skin as their bodies melted together. They rocked together urgently as Tressa's mouth felt its way down Lindsey's cleavage.

She could feel her lover's hands guiding her down to where she desired to be. Her tongue savored the taste of Lindsey's skin, knowing that in a few days Lindsey would be returning home without her. That night she needed to reclaim the passion that they shared. The musky scent of Lindsey's arousal invaded her senses as she blew a warm breath across the golden curls.

Tressa nestled her body between her lover's legs as Lindsey shifted so she could drape her legs over Tressa's broad shoulders. Tressa cupped Lindsey's firm backside and brought her wetness to her. She buried herself in her lover's passion as she dipped her tongue deep inside Lindsey's center. Lindsey cried out as Tressa plunged her tongue and out of her core.

Lindsey's body thrust against Tressa's eager mouth as the brunette took her deeper. Tressa's tongue departed the warmth of Lindsey's center and began to feast upon her throbbing clit. Her slender fingers gently slid deep inside the warmth of Lindsey's center. Soon her mouth and hand were moving in unison as Lindsey's body lifted higher and higher off the cot.

Tressa knew by the soft whimpers and the way that Lindsey's body was trembling against her that her lover was nearing the edge. She found herself feasting upon her urgently, needing to feel her lover explode against her. Soon Lindsey was crying out as she climaxed against Tressa body. Unable to resist, Tressa continued to pleasure the blonde as her body rocked wildly. She felt her own body convulse as Lindsey climaxed a second time.

Later they curled up in each other's arms, exchanging words of endearment before they drifted off to sleep.

PART THREE

"I don't think I got more than an hour's worth of sleep during her entire visit," Tressa explained merrily to the slumbering husky. "So I think we all know that I'm going to be on that boat Thursday. The only question is just when do I let her know that I'm caving in?"

Later that week, Tressa found herself standing on the sailboat's deck looking around for something to do that would be helpful. It was late Wednesday afternoon on July 3rd. Lindsey had explained everything to her in great detail. Unfortunately it all went over the brunette's head. Even though she had nodded her head in agreement with each detail, she really hadn't been paying attention. Now they were ready to castoff and Tressa was completely clueless as to what she should be doing.

"Okay sweetie, are you ready?" Lindsey inquired hopefully.

"Uh huh," Tressa responded hesitantly.

"Okay, first thing you need to do is put on your life vest," Lindsey instructed her slowly.

"Okay," Tressa agreed, happy to be starting off with something so simple.

"Then I want you to stay out of my way," Lindsey instructed her firmly. "Can you do that?"

"But . . . I . . . Uhm . . . ," Tressa began to protest.

"Don't think I missed that faraway look in those baby blues when I was explaining things to you," Lindsey said merrily. "I think we'll both be a lot safer if you just let me sail the boat up the coast. Getting from the harbor to the Charles River on a day like today is a real bitch. Add in that the Haborfest started yesterday and security's been heightened. I'd feel more comfortable if you just relaxed and enjoyed the scenery. If I need you to duck or move, I'll let you know."

"I remember about ducking when you mention the boom thingie," Tressa explained proudly as she peered below at their tiny quarters.

"Good." Lindsey sighed in relief.

Tressa enjoyed the pleasant sail to the Esplanade. Of course all she did was sunbathe and move whenever Lindsey told her to. So far the tall professor was enjoying the trip immensely. Tressa looked over the peaceful waters already filled with other boats anchoring for the night. "This is a great spot," Tressa complimented her lover who was busy tying the sail down. "We're close enough to see the performance and aren't overcrowded by other boaters."

"Not yet," Lindsey added thoughtfully as she looked to the sky. "There will be more arriving."

"It was nice of your brother to loan you his boat," Tressa added.

"Poor guy doesn't get to use it as often with the new baby on the way," Lindsey explained, lost in her thoughts.

Not for the first time Tressa suspected there might be more to this little sailing trip than her lover was letting on. Lindsey was normally a talkative person, but since they'd set sail the blonde had grown strangely quiet. Tressa had assumed that she was preoccupied with sailing the boat. Now she wasn't so sure.

Tressa looked around and had a sudden revelation. She was stuck on the sailboat until they were docked back at the pier they'd left from. She cast a suspicious glance at her lover. "I'm going to get us some food and wine," Lindsey offered. "The sun is about to set."

Tressa watched as her lover ducked below. "Whatever it is, I'll just have to wait," she summarized. "Not like I can go anywhere. And I get to see the Pops, fireworks, and Barry Manilow."

Lindsey stumbled on deck with a tray of snacks and a bottle of wine. "What was that?" Lindsey inquired as she shuffled to find a comfortable space for her load.

"I was just thinking about Barry Manilow," Tressa taunted the blonde who rolled her eyes in response.

"I can't believe you like Barry Manilow," Lindsey grunted in disgust.

"At the Copa . . . ," Tressa started to belt out loudly.

"Lord, take me now," Lindsey groaned.

". . . the hottest spot north of Havana . . . ," Tressa continued boldly.

"Open the wine; the corkscrew's on the tray," Lindsey continued as Tressa decided to sing even louder. "I forgot the glasses," Lindsey added as she scurried quickly below.

Tressa chuckled merrily as she watched her lover's retreating form. She stopped singing as she uncorked the wine. She watched the soft hues of the sky starting to blend into a haze of crimson. When she saw the blonde head reemerging on deck she resumed her song. "They fell in love."

"Please stop," Lindsey pleaded as she handed Tressa the wine glasses and sat down on the deck.

Tressa ceased her serenade and settled next to her lover. She opened her mouth with every intention of beginning the next chorus but her voice was muffled as the blonde pressed fingers against her lips. "You're scaring the wildlife," Lindsey cautioned her.

Tressa kissed her lover's fingertips lightly before they retreated from her lips. "Everyone's a critic." She sighed haplessly.

"You are insane," Lindsey noted dryly as she sipped her wine.

"And I'm all yours," Tressa boasted proudly.

"We all have our crosses to bear," Lindsey responded flatly.

"Keep it up and you ain't getting any tonight," Tressa teased her partner who laughed loudly in disbelief.

"Okay honey, no sex tonight." The blonde chuckled as they settled in to watch the sunset.

"I mean it," Tressa lied.

"Of course you do," Lindsey humored her as she began to run her hand up and down Tressa's exposed thigh.

"I'm serious," Tressa continued to play. "Now keep those grubby hands to yourself."

"Fine," Lindsey responded with a shrug as she removed her hand from Tressa's thigh, grazing her nipple in her slow retreat. Tressa gasped from the sensation.

"Brat!" she scolded the blonde as Lindsey released a maniacal laugh. "And such an evil laugh from such a sweet looking thing."

After the sun had set they relaxed on the deck, finishing off the bottle of wine and listening to the sounds of work crews preparing the Esplanade as the other boaters partied. "I can't believe how muggy it still is," Tressa grumbled slightly.

"I know," Lindsey groaned in agreement.

Tressa looked over at her lover; she'd been strangely quiet during the evening. She was about to ask Lindsey just what was bothering her when the blonde began caressing her thigh. Suddenly she forgot what it was she was going to say. "Honey?" Lindsey began in hesitant voice.

"Yes," Tressa responded with a deep sigh as she relaxed into the feel of Lindsey's hand running slowly up and down her exposed skin.

"Who is Melinda Swenson?" Lindsey asked in a strained voice.

"Melinda?" Tressa responded in confusion. "She was my research assistant a few years ago. "

"And?" Lindsey pressed.

"And nothing," Tressa answered in bewilderment. "She graduated. I did run into her right before I went to Costa Rica. She just got back after studying in Cairo for a year."

"That's it?" Lindsey continued in a calm voice that Tressa was finding a little unsettling.

"Yeah," Tressa answered honestly, wondering why they were talking about one of her former students. "You want to tell me what this is all about?"

"I stopped by your office last week to surprise you with lunch and I met her," Lindsey explained. "She gave me the impression that the two of you were more than friends."

"What?" Tressa scoffed at the absurd notion. "She's a kid."

"No, she's not," Lindsey argued. "And she didn't seem to know who I was. . ."

"Hold on," Tressa cut her off. "First and foremost, I have never had a relationship with a student. I go out of my way to ensure that I'm never alone with the little buggers just so my actions don't even look improper. Next, she's been in Egypt for the past year so she wouldn't have heard about you. Last, even though we've corresponded since she left the university, I don't discuss my personal life with my students."

Tressa watched her lover's face in the darkness to insure herself that her words were getting through that pretty blonde head. "Lindsey, I love you and yes, I do have old flames running around, but it was always you who held my heart," she said softly, hoping to break through to her stubborn lover.

"I know and I feel the same way." Lindsey sighed. "What was she doing in your office?"

"She's been hanging around the department looking for a job," Tressa explained flatly. "After everything we went through a few months ago, I can't believe you would doubt me."

"I'm not doubting you," Lindsey explained quickly. "It's her I don't trust."

"She's a kid," Tressa repeated bluntly. Lindsey grunted in disbelief. "Lindsey?"

"Did she mention that I stopped by?" Lindsey continued in a cocky tone.

"Uhm . . . no," Tressa admitted as she tried to figure out why Melinda wouldn't mention Lindsey's visit.

"And by any chance did she surprise you with lunch last Tuesday? A chicken salad on soft rye with pickles and a Dr. Pepper?" Lindsey inquired smugly.

"Yes," Tressa groaned as she realized what had happened.

"Bitch took credit for my sandwich," Lindsey fumed.

"I apologize for her and I'll have a long chat with her the next time I see her," Tressa said as she captured Lindsey's hand in her own and kissed the back of it gently. "And now I'm going to take you down below and show you just how much I love you."

Lindsey's fiery gaze and bright smile was all the reassurance the brunette needed before she led her lover down below. Their quarters were cramped but Tressa didn't mind. Over the years the two of them had made love in some very unusual spaces. She undressed her lover and then herself before lowering the blonde onto the tiny bunk that they would share for the next two nights.

After they shared a lingering kiss, Lindsey settled her body on top of Tressa's. The brunette moaned as she felt Lindsey's desire paint her stomach. She reached up and pulled Lindsey down to her and reclaimed her lips. As their tongues swirled around one another, Tressa cupped Lindsey's breast and felt the weight filling her hand.

Her lover rocked against her as she began to roll one of Lindsey's nipples between her fingers. They were gasping for air when the kiss ceased. Tressa watched as Lindsey raised her body. The blonde's hips continued to gyrate against her as she reached down and caressed Tressa's breasts.

The brunette could feel her desire growing as she found herself lost in her lover's eyes. She wondered how Lindsey could doubt her feelings. The only thing that mattered to her was the blonde who was teasing her to the point of insanity. Tressa cupped Lindsey's firm backside, guiding her to rock against her harder. Lindsey lowered her head and began to kiss Tressa's chest.

Tressa's body arched as the blonde's tongue circled her nipples but never touched the aching buds. She clasped Lindsey's backside harder as the blonde's rhythm increased and Lindsey captured Tressa's nipple in her mouth. Tressa could feel their bodies melting together as she felt her lover's wetness covering her body. "I love you," Lindsey panted as her body began to quiver.

Tressa's mouth went dry as she raised her lover's head. They stared deeply into each other's eyes as their breathing grew ragged. "I love you so much," Tressa confessed as she leaned in and reclaimed Lindsey's pouting lips. There was no question in their minds; they both knew what they wanted. When the kiss ended Tressa assisted her lover in maneuvering in the tiny space.

As Lindsey's body hovered above her own, Tressa could see her lover's desire waiting for her. She clasped the woman's ass firmly, lowered her wetness to her mouth, and began to drink in her passion. As she suckled her lover's clit into the warmth of her mouth, she could feel Lindsey's soft silky hair caressing her thighs. As she greedily drank in Lindsey's passion, she felt her lover's tongue dip into her center. They feasted upon one another hungrily, each caught between needing to pleasure the other and the need to give in to the passion rising deep inside of their bodies.

Their need grew steadily and soon they were lost in each other's bodies. Their screams of sheer ecstasy were muffled in the other's body. Both women were panting as they collapsed against each other. Lindsey curled up in Tressa's arms and soon they began to renew their sensual exploration.

When they awoke the following morning their bodies were covered in a sheen of sweat. Tressa looked down at the blonde who was covering her naked body. She wasn't surprised to find Lindsey teasing one of her nipples.

"Don't you ever get enough?" she purred deeply as her own hands began to drift down Lindsey's back.

"Never," Lindsey whispered against her skin. "And the good news is that we don't have to move from this spot until the show starts tonight."

Tressa flipped the smaller woman over so that she was now lying on top of her. "Good," she stated in a husky tone before placing a fiery kiss on her lover's lips. The day was spent pleasuring each other until they realized that the show was well underway. By the time they dragged themselves on deck, they were both too exhausted to do anything but cuddle during the fireworks.

"I guess we're sailing back tomorrow," Tressa stated wryly as Lindsey snuggled deeper in her arms.

In the midst of the ooo's and ahh's, the two lovers snuggled and watched the show.

THE END

Join Tressa and Lindsey again in The Long Weekend.

~ Home For The Holidays series ~
Home For The Holidays
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Do Not Open Before Christmas
Happy New Year
Cupid's Arrow
Easter Surprise
By The Dawn's Early Light
The Long Weekend
Holiday Cheer

Send comments to findingmavis@comcast.net
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~ The Long Weekend ~
(Home For The Holidays - Part Eight)
September 2002
by Mavis Applewater

PART ONE

Lindsey rolled over and watched her lover sleep. She smiled at the sight of Tressa looking completely at ease and mildly innocent. This was Lindsey's favorite time of day, when she could just breathe the morning air and look at her lover. There was no pressure and no deadlines to interrupt their moment of bliss. She had been disappointed when Tressa had bowed out of the trip to France. Yet she understood that Tressa needed to finish writing and publishing her papers on the work she did in Costa Rica or she would loose the reimbursement from the University. Not to mention the added padding to her credentials. She had her tenure secured and was looking to move up in her department.

Still the separation and Tressa's recently increased workload had put a strain on the couple. Lindsey felt the lingering reminders of their college breakup, when the pressures of finishing school proved to be too much for them. Lindsey constantly reminded herself that it was the fear of settling down so young that finally made her end things with her high school sweetheart.

As Lindsey's small hand slipped under the sheets and began to caress the smooth skin of Tressa's stomach, she knew her lover was right about one thing - she was not to be trusted. Lindsey smiled wickedly as her hand drifted up and down Tressa's body. She just couldn't help herself. Each morning she would start out just admiring Tressa while she slept. The next thing she knew she would begin to caress her. This of course would awaken her overactive libido and things would progress from there.

Lindsey's hand drifted up a little higher until her fingers were brushing along the swell of Tressa's breast. The tips of her fingers tingled as Tressa's skin reacted to her touch. Lindsey captured her bottom lip between her teeth as she lightly ran the tips of her fingers across the sleeping woman's nipple. She stifled a moan as the tiny bud puckered in response to her touch.

"One of these mornings I'm going to wake up and you won't be playing with my tits," Tressa whispered, her eyes remaining shut.

"Do you want me to stop?" Lindsey asked in concern as her fingers stilled.

"What? Are you kidding me?" Tressa responded with a throaty chuckle as her crystal blue eyes blinked open. She rolled over towards the blonde. "One of the things I love about you is that you're a sex maniac."

"Really?" Lindsey laughed in response as her fingers continued their gentle exploration. "So what are you going to do if and when you wake up one morning and I'm not copping a feel?"

"Ask who you are and what you did with my girlfriend," Tressa teased before releasing a soft gasp as Lindsey began to roll a nipple between her thumb and her forefinger.

"I can't help myself," Lindsey confessed as she continued to tease her lover. "You have such an amazing body."

"And when I'm old and decrepit?" Tressa questioned as she fought to control her breathing.

"I'll love you even more," Lindsey responded as she dipped her head down and captured Tressa's nipple in her mouth.

Tressa released a strangled gasp as Lindsey suckled her harder and rolled her onto her back. The blonde could feel her lover's hands drift down her naked body until they were kneading her backside. Lindsey's body hovered just above Tressa's. She moaned against her lover's skin as her nipples brushed against Tressa's body.

Lindsey felt Tressa's hands becoming more insistent with their exploration. She teased Tressa's nipple with her teeth as she felt the brunette's fingers dip into her wetness. Lindsey released Tressa's breast from her mouth as she gasped in pleasure as her lover entered her. "I want you," Tressa groaned as she added another digit inside of Lindsey.

The blonde shifted so that she could straddle her lover's body. Her hips rocked against the steady rhythm of Tressa's touch. "That's it," Lindsey groaned as she kept her body suspended above her lover while her hips began to thrust wildly. She looked down and a jolt of pleasure ran through her body; the sight of her body gyrating above her had Tressa mesmerized.

Lindsey pushed her body harder, demanding more, and Tressa responded by filling her completely and plunging deep inside of her. Lindsey begged her lover for more; her body quivered as she neared the edge of ecstasy. Lindsey's entire body arched as she cried out in pleasure before collapsing into her lover's arms. "God, I love being inside of you," Tressa whispered in her ear as she placed gentle kisses on Lindsey's sweaty brow. The blonde could only murmur in response; her lover's long talented fingers wiggled inside of her before starting to stroke her once again.

Lindsey raised her sated body and reached down and grasped her lover's wrist. She cast a playful look down upon the woman she loved as she slipped away from her touch. Tressa scowled slightly until Lindsey raised the brunette's fingers to her mouth. She watched as the brunette licked her own fingers, slowly drinking in Lindsey's passion. She released a happy sigh before she began to kiss her way down her lover's body.

Lindsey nestled her body between her lover's trembling thighs as the alarm clock began to beep persistently from its perch on the nightstand. Lindsey ignored the annoying device as she drank in the musky aroma of Tressa's desire. As she dipped her tongue inside her lover's wetness, she heard Tressa cursing and beating on the poor alarm clock.

She grumbled slightly, knowing that she wouldn't be able to take her time. She suckled Tressa's clit in her mouth as the brunette wrapped her legs around her shoulders. She eagerly drank in Tressa's wetness while her lover squirmed urgently beneath her. Soon her lover's body arched against her as she cried out. Lindsey rested her head against her lover's thigh while she waited for her breathing to calm.

The blonde looked up to find her lover smiling at her. She looked at the floor to find the shattered remains of their alarm clock. "We lose more clocks that way," she noted wryly. Tressa chuckled lightly; she pulled Lindsey up for a tender embrace. "I'm sorry we don't have more time," Lindsey apologized as she snuggled up against Tressa.

"I'll try to get home at a decent hour tonight," Tressa promised.

"You do and I'll show you just how much I appreciate the gesture," Lindsey vowed before stealing a kiss.

***********************************************************************

Lindsey strode down the corridor with a purpose. She was more than a little miffed that Tressa was still in her office working. She understood that the new semester was about to begin and Tressa had a lot of work. But the brunette had promised her that she would be home that evening so they could spend some time together. She didn't begrudge Tressa's need to complete her work thoroughly. But Tressa was working herself past the point of exhaustion. The long weekend was approaching and she wasn't about to let her stubborn lover spend it working. That and they had some unfinished business from this morning to attend to.

As she approached her lover's office, she took a calming breath as she prepared herself to be reasonable before dragging Tressa away from her paperwork. When she reached for the doorknob, the sound of laughter was the last thing she expected. Stunned for a moment the petite blonde just stood there. A second round of laughter snapped her back to reality. She was about to reach for the doorknob again when a sense of panic rushed through her.

She had stormed over to the university expecting to find her lover tired and overworked, not laughing hysterically with what sounded like another woman. Lindsey shook her head, suddenly feeling silly about her reaction. She knocked on the door just as another bout of laughter greeted her.

"Come in," Tressa called out in a gleeful tone.

Lindsey opened the door and stepped in with a renewed sense of confidence. Her confidence quickly faded when she discovered just who had been laughing with her girlfriend. Tressa smiled at her; Lindsey's jaw clenched as she cast an angry glare at the redhead seated on the edge of Tressa's desk as she leaned dangerously close to Tressa.

"Hey, sweetheart," Tressa beamed. "What brings you down here?"

Lindsey turned towards her lover with an angry glare. Tressa's smile quickly vanished as Lindsey glared at her. "Something wrong?" Tressa asked in confusion. Lindsey didn't responded as she began to grind her teeth. She watched as Tressa's eyes drifted to her former student; the brunette frowned as she suddenly understood what the problem was. "Melinda, I believe you've met my partner," Tressa introduced the young woman.

"Yes, good to see you again, Lori," Melinda offered in a snotty tone.

"Lindsey," the blonde corrected her with a slight hiss.

"Oh boy," Tressa grumbled as she turned and walked out of the office. She was angry and had to get out of there before she did something incredibly stupid. "Lindsey," Tressa called after her as she stormed back down the hallway. Lindsey was seething with anger as Tressa caught up with her. "Hold on," the brunette pleaded as she grabbed Lindsey's arm. The blonde pulled away, leaned against the wall, and folded her arms over her chest. "Do you want to tell me what's going on?" Tressa persisted.

"Nothing," Lindsey snapped, not stopping to think about her actions. She hadn't liked Melinda from the first moment she encountered her a few months ago. She had tried to explain how she felt to Tressa but her lover seemed completely clueless to the girl's obvious interest in her.

"Please talk to me, Lindsey," Tressa pleaded in a gentle voice. "Tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing," Lindsey clipped once again. "I dragged myself all the way down here to rescue my overworked lover and find her not working herself to death but laughing it up with another woman. What could possibly be wrong?"

"Lindsey?" Tressa choked out in disbelief.

"What is that woman doing in your office?" Lindsey demanded in a furious tone.

"Talking to me," Tressa spat back defensively.

Lindsey stared at her lover, not understanding why she couldn't see what was really upsetting her. Once again she began to grind her teeth. "Look, Lindsey, Melinda simply popped in to ask me a few questions," Tressa explained in a tired voice.

"At this hour of night?" Lindsey flared in disbelief.

"Yes. She was working late getting ready for the new semester and . . . ," Tressa began to explain.

"Wait," Lindsey cut her off. "She works here now?"

"Yes," Tressa responded in confusion.

"Well, isn't that just dandy," Lindsey snarled.

"Look, honey, I know you haven't liked her ever since that misunderstanding about the sandwich," Tressa tried to explain.

"Misunderstanding?" Lindsey objected with surprise.

"Yes, a misunderstanding," Tressa snapped in response. "I asked her about it and she explained that was all it was."

"Of course she did," Lindsey grumbled as her lover continued to stare at her with a stunned expression. "You are really naïve at times, Tressa."

"That's it," Tressa grunted as her breathing became ragged. "I resent being treated this way."

"I'm going home," Lindsey snapped as she pushed past her lover. "I'll see you when you're finished playing with your little friend."

"Hold on," Tressa said in a comforting tone as she rested her hand on Lindsey's arm. "After what I put you through last spring, I don't want us to go through this again."

"So I'm still paying for Bethany?" Lindsey snapped as she spun around to face her lover.

"No," Tressa argued. "All I'm trying to say is that after the way I overreacted with jealousy . . ."

"So now I'm jealous?" Lindsey fumed.

"Frankly, yes," Tressa fought back.

Lindsey had had enough. She jerked her arm away from her lover's touch, plodded down the hallway, and left the building. She was muttering to herself as she stepped out into the rainy night. "Take the train all the way down here and she's laughing it up with that bimbo." Her blood was boiling as she made her way over to the green line and waited for the next car. "And she just had to bring up Bethany," she continued to mutter as she stepped up onto the train and paid her fare while her fellow passengers stared at her in concern. She slumped down in her seat, feeling very tired and incredibly stupid. "She didn't bring it up. I did," she reasoned. She cringed as her actions replayed in her mind. "I'm acting like a jealous idiot," she conceded with a heavy sigh. She was about to stand so she could exit the train and go back to talk with Tressa. She grimaced as she realized that the train was already heading towards the next stop. "Okay, I'll just wait until she gets home to admit how big of a jackass I am," she reasoned as she began to nibble on her fingernails.

PART TWO

"What the hell just happened?" Tressa muttered under her breath as she watched her lover storm away. The brunette stood there trying to understand just what it was that she'd done wrong. Deciding that she wasn't going to get any answers by just standing there in the middle of the university hallway, she followed her angry lover. Not finding her anywhere she decided to get her things together and head home so they could talk and sort things out.

When she returned to her office she found Melinda sitting in her chair waiting for her. "Everything okay?" Melinda asked in a friendly manner.

"Yeah," Tressa lied as she began to gather up her paperwork. "I need to get going."

"Did I do something?" Melinda inquired shyly as she stood.

"No," Tressa lied once again as she grabbed her briefcase and jacket.

"She doesn't like me, does she?" Melinda added in a hurt tone.

"Oh, it's not that," Tressa lied once again. It was true; for whatever reason, Lindsey didn't like Melinda. But that just isn't something you tell someone.

"Look, why don't we go for a drink?" Melinda suggested as her hand came to rest on Tressa's shoulder. The brunette opened her mouth to protest. "It will give her a chance to cool off," Melinda said, cutting off her objection as she led Tressa out of her office.

"Okay," Tressa agreed with a shrug as she locked up her office. 'What's the harm? It'll give Lindsey a chance to calm down,' she reasoned, suddenly feeling very tired.

Three hours and several glasses of wine later, Tressa didn't feel so good and was thankful that she'd allowed Melinda to drive them over to Brandy's. "What was I saying?" Tressa inquired, losing her train of thought.

"The sandwich," Melinda replied as her hand came to rest on Tressa's thigh.

"That's right," Tressa responded dreamily. "I told her that it was just a misunderstanding."

"It was," Melinda added brightly. "I'm sorry to say this but she does seem a little possessive."

"No, she's not," Tressa argued as she pushed away her wine, glass deciding she'd more than enough to drink. "The funny thing is that it's usually me that acts that way." Tressa was having a little trouble focusing; she wasn't quite certain but she thought that someone was caressing her thigh.

"I find that hard to believe," Melinda protested with a smile.

"It's true," Tressa confirmed with a heavy sigh. "I acted like a major jackass over her kissing Bethany."

"She kissed another woman?" Melinda gasped as her hand continued to trail up and down Tressa's thigh.

"Girl." Tressa laughed. "It was fifteen years ago."

"What?" Melinda inquired in confusion. "How long have the two of you been together?"

"A couple of months," Tressa responded honestly.

Tressa was still having trouble focusing as she felt herself becoming aroused. "Lindsey was my high school sweetheart," Tressa explained as her eyes drifted down to her lap and discovered that Melinda was indeed caressing her thigh. 'Now that is strange,' her muddled mind thought.

"How sweet," Melinda responded in a strange tone as her hand left Tressa's thigh.

Tressa was relieved that Melinda's hand was no longer caressing her thigh. In her fuzzy state she failed to notice that Melinda's hand had moved up to her shoulders. "It is sweet," Tressa responded with a smile. "Sometimes I can't believe that we found one another again."

"So do you think you got back together because of your old feelings?" Melinda asked as her body shifted closer to Tressa's.

"Huh?" Tressa responded in bewilderment, thinking that the question sounded a little odd. She noticed how close Melinda was sitting to her and that her former student was playing with her hair. Tressa slipped away from Melinda's touch, thinking that she should have listened to her lover. "I need to get going," she announced as she stood, her legs wobbling slightly.

"It's early," Melinda protested.

"No, I really need to go," she responded firmly, seeing the hurt look on Melinda's face. "I'm already in the doghouse, and unless I want to take up permanent residence there, I really should get my sorry butt home."

"I don't think she treats you very well," Melinda said accusingly.

"That's because you don't know her," Tressa responded flatly.

"Let me drive you home," Melinda offered as she stood and quickly took a place at Tressa's side.

"It's out of your way," Tressa reasoned as they made their way out of the bar. "I'll just catch a cab since I'm in no condition to drive.

"No, it's right on my way," Melinda protested as she followed her.

"I thought you said your new apartment's in Somerville?" Tressa asked as she tried to clear the fog drifting over her brain.

"I do," Melinda agreed. "You're just in Cambridge so it's no big deal."

"My old place is in Cambridge," Tressa explained. She wondered how Melinda knew where she used to live. "I moved last May."

"Oh?" Melinda responded in surprise as Tressa raised her arm and flagged down a passing taxi.

"Thanks for letting me bend your ear," Tressa offered as she ducked away from Melinda's attempt to lean in and give her a hug. Tressa climbed into the taxi and tried to figure out just how her day had taken such a bizarre turn. She also wondered as she looked at her watch just how much trouble she was in.

PART THREE

The first hour Lindsey sat at home awaiting Tressa's arrival, she berated herself for behaving like a complete jackass. The second hour she berated her lover as she called her office and cell phone and received no response for her efforts. Of course when she heard the cell ringing in the kitchen, she realized that Tressa had once again forgotten to take it with her. The third hour was spent nervously pacing as she prayed that Tressa was all right. As the fourth hour began Lindsey was torn between sheer panic that something horrible had happened and outrage that Tressa was avoiding coming home.

As she heard the key turning in the lock and the sound of Tressa cursing like a sailor, she breathed a sigh of relief. She bit back the fit of laughter as she watched her lover stumble into the townhouse. 'She's drunk!' she thought with amusement before a sudden fear gripped her heart. "Tell me you didn't drive," Lindsey pleaded.

"God no," Tressa said, slurring her words while she fought to release her house key from the lock. "I'd be lucky to find my own ass right now, much less my car."

"Sweetie, where's your car?" Lindsey inquired, slightly taken aback by her lover's choice of language. She walked over to help her lover disengage her keys from the lock and then directed the taller woman into their home.

"School," Tressa answered sheepishly. "Honey, I think I'm drunk."

"No," Lindsey scoffed at the notion as she helped the tall brunette up the staircase. As they reached the top landing something suddenly occurred to the petite blonde. 'Tressa wouldn't go out drinking by herself so who was she with? Oh no. Tell me she didn't go out with that . . . ,' her mind screamed.

"Lindsey, sweetie, why are we standing in the hallway?" Tressa asked.

Lindsey turned to her lover who looked so lost and confused. "I did something wrong again, didn't I?" Tressa asked in a tiny voice that tugged at Lindsey's heartstrings.

"No, sweetheart, you haven't done anything wrong." Lindsey reassured Tressa with a kiss before gently guiding her into their bedroom.

Lindsey undressed her lover and tucked her under the covers. She ran downstairs, locked up, and grabbed a bottle of Gatorade and a couple of aspirin before rejoining her lover. "Tressa baby, I want you to take these and drink some of this."

Tressa nodded in agreement before taking the aspirin and drinking some Gatorade. "Lindsey, I think Melinda has a little crush on me," Tressa tried to explain.

"You don't say." Lindsey chuckled as she tucked her lover back under the covers.

"You knew," Tressa commented wryly. "That's why you blew a gasket tonight."

"Yeah," Lindsey confessed as she brushed back Tressa's bangs. "I'm sorry about that."

"No. You were right," Tressa said with a yawn.

"Doesn't matter. I didn't treat you very nicely," Lindsey admitted as she kissed her lover's brow.

Tressa responded with a soft snore. "You are such a cheap date, my love," Lindsey noted with a chuckle before undressing and climbing into bed with her lover. As Lindsey snuggled up to her slumbering girlfriend, she recalled t their first experience with alcohol. It was during a cookout that her parents had thrown. They'd been about sixteen and misguided, deciding to sneak a couple of beers.

The two teenaged girls had gotten drunk up in Lindsey's bedroom. It hadn't taken very much alcohol to get the young bodies intoxicated. Lindsey recalled how she'd allowed her hands to wander, feeling a need to touch her best friend. Tressa hadn't noticed the caresses that Lindsey was stealing. It was the first time she'd experimented with her growing feelings for her attractive friend. Of course they both ended up getting sick and in serious trouble with their respective parents. It would be another year before Lindsey once again acted on her attraction and feelings for Tressa.

Lindsey smiled at the memory of the sleep over when she'd brought up the idea of Tressa kissing her. At the time she'd been so frightened, but by the time they'd gone to sleep that night, not only had Tressa kissed her but they had become lovers. "Best night of my young life," she said with a smile as she stared at her lover's delicate features. "I'm still going to give you a hard time for drinking too much," she noted in amusement.

PART FOUR

Tressa felt like she had a marching band stomping across her head when she awoke. "Never again," She moaned in agony. She blinked open her eyes and felt a sharp pain as the morning light invaded her brain. The brunette forced her aching body out of bed, moving carefully so she wouldn't disturb Lindsey who was still sound asleep. "Well, that's a first," she muttered as she stumbled off to the bathroom.

As she peered at herself in the bathroom mirror, the unnatural pallor of her skin tone disturbed her. "Cheap wine and forgetting that I hadn't eaten yesterday; could I be more stupid?" She groaned as the queasiness in her stomach grew. Soon she found herself worshiping the toilet bowl. After her body finally had nothing left to offer, she climbed into the shower, once again vowing never to abuse her body in such a disgusting manner.

Once she emerged from the shower she felt better and had a plan of action. Yesterday had been a complete disaster in so many ways. She knew that Lindsey had been out of line but Melinda had proven that the blonde had a valid reason for concern. Tressa also accepted that perhaps she needed to spend more time with her lover. She'd spent a good part of the summer in Costa Rica. Then she'd to cancel joining Lindsey on her trip to France. And lately she'd been spending far too much time at the office preparing for the new school year.

Granted, these events were important. When she and Lindsey were first reunited, Tressa had gone out of her way to plan time for them to get away and do things together. After she'd moved in, things started to change and she found herself falling back into her old habits. She had forgotten that she use to dive into these tasks because she had no one special in her life. Now she was with the woman she prayed that she would grow old with, and it was time to show her lover just how much she meant to her.

She peeked into the bedroom and found her lover fast asleep. It was unusual for Lindsey to sleep in. Normally she would awaken before Tressa and would be groping the sleeping brunette until she woke up and they could make love. Since Lindsey was up half the night, probably worried to death about Tressa's whereabouts, it wasn't all that surprising that the blonde was still sleeping.

Tressa decided to take advantage of Lindsey's sleeping in to get her plan in motion. She tracked her cell phone down to the kitchen, and while she took care of Rufus and Ziggy's needs, she started a series of calls. As she returned from walking Ziggy she was chuckling at her father's response to her request. 'Are you serious? It's Labor Day weekend!' he'd bellowed at his youngest child. She poured on the charm and by the time she was setting up the coffee maker, he'd called her back with good news.

"Coffee?" her lover's voice squeaked from behind her. She turned and smiled at the sight of short blonde hair sticking out in all directions. Lindsey shuffled over to her and allowed her smaller body to slump against Tressa.

"Soon, baby," Tressa promised as she wrapped her arms around Lindsey.

"It was strange waking up without you," Lindsey grumbled. "It's just not the same when I fondle my own breasts."

"Oh, I don't know; I would have enjoyed watching," Tressa responded with a smile as a wave of relief washed over her.

"How are you feeling?" Lindsey inquired as she looked up at Tressa with sleepy green eyes.

"Like crap," Tressa confessed with a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry about last night."

"No," Lindsey said, stopping her. "I'm sorry. I was way out of line last night. There's just something about that harpy that works my nerves. I'm used to people looking at you like you're on the menu. But most folks accept that you're not available. I don't think she gets the concept."

"Well, I don't know about other people or the way they look at me," Tressa explained. "There's only one person I pay attention to."

"I should have just trusted you," Lindsey conceded.

"Yes, you should have," Tressa continued as she gently stroked Lindsey's back. "But I seem to recall threatening a young car valet who kept staring at your ass. And I think you're right about Melinda."

"What did she do?" Lindsey pressed as she slipped out of her lover's embrace and began to pour coffee for both of them.

"Let's just say you were right and let it go at that." Tressa yawned as she accepted the mug of coffee Lindsey offered her. "I'm going to need a ride."

"I know," Lindsey responded with a wry chuckle. "Find your ass yet?"

"Huh?" Tressa sputtered as she choked on her coffee.

"Just something you said last night," Lindsey explained in amusement.

On the drive to work Tressa explained that she had a surprise for Lindsey and she should close up the shop for the holiday. Her blonde lover didn't protest; however, she did try to pry the nature of the surprise out of Tressa. The brunette held her ground, and despite the long lingering kiss Lindsey planted on her in the faculty parking lot, she didn't reveal a single detail.

"Knock knock," Melinda chimed as she stuck her head into Tressa's office. She looked up and braced herself to face the chipper redhead. Tressa wasn't very certain about what had transpired the previous evening. And she prayed that Melinda hadn't been hitting on her, but somehow she doubted it.

"Hello, Melinda," Tressa greeted her casually.

"So how are you feeling today?" Melinda inquired brightly as she strolled into Tressa's office, closing the door behind her before planting herself on the corner of Tressa's desk.

"Other than some annoying little man tap dancing on my head, I'm okay," Tressa explained, trying to maintain her casual demeanor. For the first time she started noticing the little things Melinda did to get closer to her. Once again she said a silent prayer that she was just imagining things.

Melinda laughed lightly at Tressa's comment as she patted her arm lightly. The friendly gesture turned from a gentle pat to a soft caress. Tressa leaned back in her chair, effectively moving her arm away from Melinda's touch. The redhead blinked in surprise, then leaned her body further over the desk, effectively closing some of the physical distance Tressa had just established.

The brunette's brow wrinkled slightly. "Uhm . . . Melinda, would you mind?" Tressa inquired, her voice turning slightly more authoritative as she waved her hand in a gesture that requested Melinda to get down off her desk.

"Oh, sorry," Melinda apologized in a surprised tone as she got down and took a seat in the chair that sat in front of the desk.

"So did Lori find out about your late evening?" Melinda inquired with a slight sneer.

"You mean Lindsey," Tressa said, correcting Melinda as she felt her anger rise ever so slightly. "Of course she found out. We live together."

"Oh?" Melinda answered with a slight frown. "I didn't know."

"Naturally," Tressa grunted. "I moved in last May."

"That was awfully quick," Melinda offered in a slightly whiney voice.

"Not really," Tressa responded with a shrug.

"So how much trouble did she give you?" Melinda asked in a triumphant tone.

"None," Tressa answered in surprise.

"Right," Melinda scoffed with a smile.

Tressa stared at the young woman and wondered how she'd missed the girl's obvious interest. Lindsey was right; Melinda was attracted to her and the fact that she was involved didn't seem to matter. 'I just need to keep some distance between her and me and she'll get the hint,' Tressa decided as Melinda slid her chair closer; she leaned on the desk, giving Tressa an unobstructed view of her cleavage.

"So what are you doing for the long weekend?" Melinda asked as she rested her face in her hands. "I thought maybe we could head up to Manchester and hit Singing Beach one day. We could get an early start and do dinner or something tonight?"

"I have plans," Tressa responded flatly as her mind tried to comprehend why Melinda thought she would spend so much of her weekend with her.

"Well, maybe just the beach then?" Melinda suggested hopefully.

"I'm going out of town," Tressa answered dryly.

"Oh?" Melinda pouted. "So where are you off to?"

Tressa smiled slightly when she thought about her plans. "I'm taking Lindsey out of town for a romantic weekend," she explained as her smile grew brighter.

"What?" Melinda choked. "Oh, I see, and you said you didn't take any flack for last night," Melinda teased her.

"I didn't," Tressa responded in surprise.

"Right," Melinda continued to tease her. "Last night you said that you were going to spend the holiday weekend preparing your lectures. Now the wife decides that she wants to go out of town. She really has you wrapped around her little finger."

Melinda's words had been said in a light teasing tone, and yet Tressa felt the bite hidden beneath them. "It was my idea," Tressa firmly answered her accusation.

"Of course it was," Melinda remarked in a condescending tone as she patted Tressa's hand.

Things had gone to far and this time Tressa's response wasn't going to be subtle. Much to Melinda's surprise, Tressa jerked her hand away and glared at the young woman. "Did you think accusing me of being whipped was going to have any effect on my relationship?" Tressa asked forcefully as Melinda shrank back into her chair.

"I didn't mean anything by it," Melinda stammered as her eyes darted around.

"Of course not," Tressa groaned. "Let me spell something out to you, little girl. Lindsey has always been the woman who has held my heart. Granted, at times we can drive one another up the wall. Usually it's in a really fun way," she added with a saucy wink. "Got a problem with that?"

"No," Melinda whimpered. Then she opened her mouth to say something more. Tressa held up her hand in a dismissive manner, halting whatever feeble explanation she was about to offer.

"Melinda, I'm looking forward to working with you," she stressed as politely as she could manage. "Now if you don't mind, I really want to finish this up so I can get out of here early and spend time with my lover."

Melinda nodded before stumbling out of the office with a shell-shocked expression. "Note to self - listen to Lindsey when she tells you someone's hitting on you," Tressa mumbled as she blew out an exasperated breath.

PART FIVE

Lindsey was drumming her fingers impatiently ON the dashboard of her lover's Subaru. She continued to peer out at the highway in a vain attempt to determine just where they were heading. "Stop that," Tressa chastised her.

"Give me a hint," Lindsey pleaded.

"No," Tressa responded with an amused smirk.

"Why?" Lindsey whined.

"Why what?" Tressa asked in confusion.

"Why won't you tell me where we're going?" Lindsey persisted, not understanding why it was so hard for Tressa to follow her train of thought. "You know I'm going to find out when we get there."

"And that makes sense how?" Tressa asked in bewilderment.

"Because since I'll know where we're going when we get there then you might as well just tell me now," Lindsey reasoned, still not seeing why the concept was so difficult to understand.

"Huh?" Tressa asked as her face scrunched up in confusion.

Lindsey sighed heavily as she once again began to drum her fingers on the dashboard, knowing that it would drive her lover up the wall. "Look, I'll make it real simple for you, Sparky," Lindsey explained in an annoyed tone of voice. "Either you start giving me some hints or I'm going to started scouting out spots along the highway where I can dump your body."

"You say the sweetest things," Tressa teased her. "Why is it so hard for you to just sit tight for a couple of hours?"

"Well, for starters I don't want to," Lindsey reasoned vehemently. "Secondly, once I know where we're supposed to be going I can make sure that we take the direct route."

"Hey, I do not take the long way to get to places," Tressa argued as Lindsey flashed her a knowing smile.

"Tressa my love, you mean the world to me, and I would never do anything to hurt you," Lindsey explained as she slid closer to her lover and began to caress her thigh, "but my sweet, you have a negative sense of direction."

"I do not," Tressa argued, much to Lindsey's amusement.

"You do," Lindsey countered playfully as she watched her lover's brow crinkle.

She loved to watch her lover become flustered. As Tressa scowled, Lindsey sat back and admired her. She'd been amazed when Tressa told her that they were going away for the weekend to spend some quality time together. Lindsey couldn't wait for them to arrive at where ever it was so she could be alone with the woman she loved.

Over three hours and several traffic jams later, Lindsey found herself standing outside the rustic cabin. "I can't believe it," she squealed as she wrapped herself around her lover's body. "What about your family?" she asked, suddenly worried that this would be a family vacation and she wouldn't be able to spend time alone with Tressa.

"Well, it took some bargaining, but we have the place to ourselves," Tressa explained with a bright smile as she brushed Lindsey's blonde locks back.

"Thank you," Lindsey responded softly before kissing her lover deeply.

"I thought we needed to spend some quiet time together," Tressa confessed as she set Lindsey down and began to unload their belongings from the SUV. "We've been back together for almost ten months now, and frankly I don't like the way we're treating each other. It's time to show you how much I love you."

Lindsey was slightly stunned by the admission as she helped drag their gear into Tressa's parents' summer cottage. "You're right," Lindsey said as they dropped their bags in the living room. "I love you and I want to spend every day of my life showing you how much I love you," she confessed as she wrapped her arms around Tressa. "Starting right now," she promised as she ran her hands down to Tressa's supple hips. "Remember all the good times we had up here growing up?" she asked with a soft purr.

"I remember making love to you in every room in this cabin," Tressa responded as her eyes darkened with desire.

"If our parents only knew half the shenanigans we use to get away with." Lindsey laughed as she began to slip Tressa's suede coat off her shoulders.

"Let's let some things in life remain a mystery." Tressa laughed as she caressed the small of Lindsey's back.

"What do you think about the two of us spending the entire weekend naked?" Lindsey suggested as she dropped Tressa's coat on the floor and began to unbutton her blouse. "After you start the fire of course," Lindsey added as her lover blushed at the memory.

"Never going to let me forget that, are you?" Tressa growled playfully as she began to lift the hem of Lindsey's T-shirt.

"I was very worried about your safety," Lindsey teased at the memory of a very naked Tressa tending the fire one night when they'd snuck up to the cabin for some privacy. The fire had sparked unrepentantly and burned poor Tressa on her hip. "How old were we then?" Lindsey asked as her hand began to rub the hip, knowing that the tiny scar lay just beneath her fingertips.

"Seventeen," Tressa supplied as she reluctantly stepped out of her lover's embrace and began to clear out the fireplace. "We'd only been lovers for a couple of weeks."

Lindsey watched her lover as she took the soft quilt that hung on the back of the sofa and put it on the floor. Lindsey's eyes never left Tressa's body as she slowly began to undress. "Back then I never thought I could get enough of you," Lindsey explained as Tressa stacked the wood carefully. "Now I know I won't ever get enough of you," Lindsey added in a husky tone as she lay down onto the quilt just as Tressa sparked the fire.

Lindsey's heart skipped a beat as crystal blue eyes turned to her. "Starting without me?" Tressa asked with a rakish grin.

"If you wish," Lindsey responded in a soft promising voice as she began to caress one of her breasts. Tressa simply nodded before turning her attention back to the fire. Lindsey continued to caress herself, knowing that Tressa was keeping a watchful eye on her movements.

Lindsey could already feel her arousal painting her inner thighs; she began to pinch and roll her nipple as Tressa stood at the edge of the quilt. Tressa's eyes were riveted to Lindsey's fingers while she began to disrobe. Lindsey raised her body slightly as her hand drifted down her abdomen. Tressa smiled as she tossed the last of her clothing aside and knelt down next to Lindsey.

"I have another surprise for you," Tressa said in a promising tone as Lindsey's hand drifted her damp triangle. She halted her movement as she gave her lover a questioning look. "Don't stop," Tressa instructed her as she caressed her hand and guided it to Lindsey's wetness. The blonde's breathing grew slightly deeper and her eyelids grew heavy while her own desire painted her fingers.

Lindsey parted herself and captured her clit between her fingers and began to tease it as Tressa reached over to one of the bags and began to rummage through it. Lindsey leaned back on one arm as her body began to tremble while her other hand continued its exploration. Tressa's eyes never left her ministrations as she removed a long silk scarf from the bag.

Tressa dangled the scarf just above Lindsey's body so that it ever so gently tickled her skin. Lindsey's body trembled from the sensation as Tressa moved the scarf higher up her body. Lindsey had no idea what her lover intended to do with the scarf. For the moment she was giving into the sensation of the cool soft material drifting lightly up and down her body. Lindsey's lower body clenched with desire as the tip of the scarf circled her nipples. "Not yet," Tressa requested as Lindsey's fingers moved to the opening of her center.

Lindsey whimpered. Her body screamed for release but Tressa captured her wrist and gently guided her hand from where she needed it the most. Tressa continued to flit the scarf across Lindsey's skin while she slowly licked her passion from her fingers. Tressa's teeth grazed the tips of her fingers while the scarf danced across her stomach. Lindsey released tiny needy gasps as her body quivered.

Tressa finished licking Lindsey's fingers free of the wetness that coated them before releasing Lindsey's shaking hand. "You're trying to kill me," Lindsey offered in a shaky voice. Tressa leaned in so that her breath was caressing Lindsey's cheek. "No, my love; I'm just going to drive you a little crazy," Tressa whispered in a husky promise.

Lindsey choked out a gasp as her body pulsated with desire. Tressa unfolded the square scarf and fanned it up the length of Lindsey's body. As the cool silk caressed and teased her skin, Tressa moved behind her. Lindsey's body fell back onto her lover's warm naked flesh. The feel of silk trailing up her body and her lover's erect nipples pressing into her shoulder blades sent a rush of desire through her body.

Lindsey's hands gripped her lover's firm thighs as the silk crept up along her neck and over her face. "Close your eyes," Tressa instructed her. Lindsey's lips quivered as her lover's hot breath teased her ear. Unable to speak, Lindsey simply closed her eyes as it became increasingly difficult for her to breath. Lindsey released a deep moan at the sensation of silk being folded against her skin. She felt the scarf being carefully placed over her eyelids and gently tied around her head.

Lindsey licked her lips in anticipation as her lover began to nibble on the nape of her neck. Lindsey was caught between the sensation of Tressa's soft inviting lips teasing her and the sounds of fumbling. The blonde was just about ready to break the magical spell when she felt Tressa's body press closer and her wetness pressed against Lindsay's backside. "Are you hungry?" Tressa's breath tickled her ear. Lindsey parted her lips to ask what her lover was up to, but before she could say anything she felt a soft drip teasing her lip. Her tongue darted out and was greeted with the sweet satisfying taste of chocolate.

Lindsey moaned in delight as she licked the dark chocolate from her lips. "More?" Tressa's breath played over her ear as her chocolate-covered finger glided across Lindsey's bottom lip.

"Yes," Lindsey pleaded as her tongue once again darted out in search of more chocolate. She sucked Tressa's finger into the warmth of her mouth and feasted upon the sweetness as drips of chocolate dribbled down her lips.

Lindsey's body trembled as Tressa's tongue cleaned away each errant drop. Slowly her lover continued to feed her, Lindsey savoring each drop and Tressa's gentle cleansing. "Open wide," Tressa's voice instructed her; Lindsey's passion grew each time she spoke to her in her darkness. Lindsey felt something with a slightly rough texture pressed against her lips. She parted her lips, accepting Tressa's offer until her lover instructed her to bite down. Lindsey's mouth explode with the burst of flavor as the strawberry's juice dribbled down her body.

Once again Tressa cleaned away each drop with her tongue. Lindsey was moaning as she felt her lover's tongue gliding down her face and her neck. She massaged Tressa's thighs and felt her lover's muscles dancing beneath her touch. Tressa offered her another strawberry, which Lindsey greedily devoured as her tongue and lips teased her lover's fingers.

True to her word Tressa was driving her insane as she continued to feed her, switching from strawberries to chocolate. Each time Lindsey teased her lover's fingertips as s her body melted into Tressa's. Lindsey was ready to explode as Tressa licked the last dribbles of chocolate and strawberry juice from her face and neck. With the blindfold firmly in place she felt her lover's hands caressing her skin.

Lindsey was breathing heavily as she felt Tressa lift her up onto her lap. She felt her lover's hands parting her trembling thighs. Lindsey's body straddled Tressa as one of her lover's hands trailed slowly up her body and cupped her breast. Then she felt Tressa's other hand teasing the inside of her thigh.

Lindsey's clit throbbed urgently as she felt Tressa's strong fingers teasing her nipple. Lindsey's body arched as Tressa dipped into her overflowing wetness. Lindsey was lost in the sensation of Tressa's fingers brushing against her clit and pinching her nipple. She ground her hips urgently against Tressa's body, needing to feel her desire painting her backside. "Tressa! Baby, please!" she pleaded as she groped in her darkness to feel her lover. Lindsey cried out as her lover's fingers pressed against her center. Lindsey pushed her body down, insistently urging her lover to fill her. Lindsey's body shuddered as Tressa entered her.

Tressa continued to tease her erect nipple while her fingers stilled inside of her. Lindsey's hips began to grind against her lover's touch, letting her know that she was beyond ready to feel her pleasure. Tressa slowly began to plunge in and out of her wet center while she teased her clit with what Lindsey assumed was the pad of her thumb.

Her body was humming with desire as she felt Tressa guiding her forward. Lindsey pressed her hands into the soft quilt while her lover's breasts pressed into her back and her fingers plunged in and out of her. She could feel Tressa's hot breath and lips feasting on her neck and shoulders while she took her harder. The rush of ecstasy exploded inside of her as she screamed and collapsed.

As Lindsey's body trembled uncontrollably, Tressa removed the blindfold and wrapped her up in her arms. "I love you," Tressa whispered as she held her tightly and Lindsey gasped for air. The blonde was unable to speak as the passionate waves continued to pulsate through her body. She relaxed into Tressa's embrace. "Are you all right?" Tressa inquired with concern after several moments had passed.

"Oh yeah," Lindsey choked out. "And when I can move again, I'll show you just how much I love you."

"No rush, my love," Tressa reassured her with a gentle kiss before wrapping the quilt around them. "We have all weekend and plenty of chocolate."

Lindsey nodded weakly as she drifted off to sleep. As the sun began to rise, Lindsey blinked open her eyes. She felt sated and slightly embarrassed that she'd fallen asleep on her lover who was still cradling her in her arms. Lindsey gently rolled them over and drank in the sight of her lover sleeping. She watched the rise and fall of her chest and the sweet look on her face. "I really do love waking up next to you," she said with a smile as her hand slipped under the quilt and she began to caress her lover's body.

THE END

~ Home For The Holidays series ~
Home For The Holidays
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Do Not Open Before Christmas
Happy New Year
Cupid's Arrow
Easter Surprise
By The Dawn's Early Light
The Long Weekend
Holiday Cheer

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~ Holiday Cheer ~
(Home For The Holidays - Part Nine)
November 2002
by Mavis Applewater

Part One

Tressa entered her home feeling exhausted and relieved. Midterms were over and now she could devote all of her attention to simply enjoying the Thanksgiving Holiday with her lover. The first thing the tall brunette noticed as she stepped into the townhouse she shared with her blonde lover was that it was dark. She raised a single eyebrow in curiosity as Ziggy their husky came up and greeted her in his usual manner by rubbing against her. She adored the clue-less animal that was constantly marking her clothing with his hair. "Lindsey?" she called out. The sound of a match being struck and the smell of sulfur filled the dark room. Tressa's crystal blue eyes were drawn to the burning match as it lit a candle.

Tressa blinked and tried to focus on the romantic scene emerging from the shadows. The image of the dining room table appeared, set up with their best china and a bouquet of flowers. Beside the small table stood her lover, dressed in a short black dress that hung her firm body in all the right places. Tressa dropped her briefcase, then kicked the front door shut. "Honey, I'm home," she stammered as she drank in the sight of her lover smiling back at her.

"I've noticed." Lindsey responded in a husky tone that sent a shiver down Tressa's spine. "How was work today?"

"What work?" Tressa panted as she closed the distance between them and tried to wrap her arms around Lindsey's waist. Her lover giggled playfully as she stepped just out of Tressa's reach. "Brat."

Lindsey laughed again as she opened a bottle of champagne and poured a glass for each of them. "What's all this?" Tressa asked as she shrugged out of her long woolen coat and dropped it on the floor. The agitated look in her lover's emerald eyes instantly alerted her to the error in judgment she had just made. Tressa quickly retrieved the garment from the floor and brought it over to the closet and hung it up. Tressa dutifully returned to her lover. She peered over at the dinner Lindsey had prepared.

"Let's try this again." Lindsey taunted her as she handed her a glass of champagne. "How was work?"

"The usual." Tressa sighed before taking a sip. "Midterms are over and each and every one of the little buggers is whining about grades already. Of course after scanning the exams, I once again find myself wondering how half of these kids got into college in the first place?"

"This is good." Tressa commented after taking another sip of champagne. Lindsey leaned dangerously close to the brunette's body. Tressa could never resist the temptation to feel the blonde's body next to her own. She leaned down and quickly captured Lindsey's lips in a passionate kiss. "That was better." Tressa murmured as she tried to set her glass down to take her lover into her arms. Lindsey once again sidestepped her advances. Tressa sighed, knowing that Lindsey was up to something. She had learned long ago to just go along with whatever hair-brained scheme the little blonde was hatching. "You look nice," she commented, and allowed her eyes the guilty pleasure of roaming up and down Lindsey's body. "Dinner smells good. What's the occasion? Not that we need one."

"Our anniversary." Lindsey commented dryly with a slight shrug.

Tressa could tell that her lover was working much too hard to appear nonchalant about things. "Our first year together will be Thursday." Tressa noted with a bright smile and took another sip of champagne. "Tuesday, actually." Lindsey corrected her. "But since we are driving down to your parents house that night so we can spend Thanksgiving with our families, I thought it might be nice to celebrate tonight."

"I've always liked your ideas." Tressa congratulated her with a knowing smirk.

"Not all of them," Lindsey corrected her with a pout, "like the time I wanted to sneak into that movie."

"We were twelve and it was rated 'R'." Tressa reminded her. "We could have gotten into trouble."

"We did get into trouble." Lindsey responded with a light laugh. "But we wouldn't have, if you had just listened to me."

"You're right; no one would have noticed the two of us with our book bags, trying to pry open the back door of the cinema in the middle of the afternoon." Tressa scoffed. "The things I let you talk me into when we were kids."

"They weren't all that bad." Lindsey teased as she leaned into Tressa's body. The brunette could feel the heat rising within her from her lover's touch. "Like the time I convinced you to borrow your mom's station wagon and we sneaked off to that drive-in where I had my way with you."

"Yes you did, you little pervert." Tressa agreed. She nuzzled her lover's neck and began to place soft gentle kisses there. Tressa's body swayed against Lindsey's and she felt her pulse beginning to beat in a steady rhythm while the blonde released a soft sigh.

"Sit." Lindsey instructed her. Tressa complied instantly, hoping that her lover was being playful. "Wipe that smirk off of your face." Lindsey scolded her as she took a seat at the opposite side of the table. "I worked very hard on this meal." The petite woman explained as she added more champagne to Tressa's glass.

"Are you trying to get me drunk?" The brunette asked playfully as her lover prepared a dish of chicken and rice for her.

"Maybe." Lindsey purred, then handed Tressa the plate of food.

Tressa thanked Lindsey as they each raised their glasses to one another. "Thank you." Lindsey said with a soft sincerity.

"For?" Tressa asked in confusion.

"For finding me again." Lindsey said as Tressa noticed the blonde's eyes misting up. "For still loving me after everything we've been through."

"I never stopped." Tressa confessed, then they brushed the crystal glasses together. "I love you very much Lindsey."

They each took a sip and Tressa turned her attention to the meal awaiting her as Lindsey once again added more bubbles to her glass. "You are trying to get me drunk." she jested.

"Could be," Lindsey enticed her further, "or maybe I don't want you to notice just how bad my cooking is."

"Nonsense, you are a wonderful cook." Tressa said, and took another sip of champagne.

Suddenly something hard caught in her throat and she was choking. In a panic Lindsey flew out from her side of the table. Tressa struggled to breathe while her lover lifted her out of her chair and performed the Heimlich on her. Tressa saw something flying out in the darkness and land on the floor. She was catching her breath as Lindsey held her.

"Are you all right?" Lindsey asked in a wild panic.

"I'm fine." Tressa choked. "What the hell was that?"

"Nothing." Lindsey blurted out all too quickly, and snatched up one of the water glasses. "Here, drink this slowly." The blonde instructed the confused and gasping brunette.

As Tressa sipped her water slowly, she watched her elegantly dressed lover crawling across the living room floor. "What are you doing?" Tressa questioned the anxious little woman crawling along the living room floor.

"Nothing." Lindsey said as she jumped up suddenly.

"Did you find what ever it was I swallowed?" Tressa asked, feeling as if she was trapped in some bizarre event.

"No." Lindsey snapped. "I'll be right back."

Tressa watched as Lindsey made a mad dash into the kitchen. "She's lying." Tressa said to herself, and rubbed her raw throat. "Do I want to know what she is up to?" she asked Rufus, their cat, who was watching the entire scene from his perch on the back of the sofa.

Part Two

Lindsey fought to control her breathing once she was safely alone in the kitchen. She looked down at her clenched fist and opened it slowly. Once she saw the object that Tressa had swallowed she rushed over to the sink and began to rinse it off. "I can't believe I almost killed her." she mumbled in disgust. "It was suppose to be romantic, not life threatening." she grumbled as she turned off the water and held up the diamond ring that she had slipped into Tressa's champagne glass.

For months now, she had been debating every option of just how to ask her lover to marry her. She had decided that the champagne was a good idea. She kept the lights low so Tressa wouldn't see it right away. She had pictured Tressa finding it, and then Lindsey would get down on one knee and ask her to spend the rest of her life with her. "How could such a good idea go so horribly wrong?" she grumbled once again. She heard the kitchen door swing open and her body went rigid.

"Everything okay in here?" Tressa asked with concern.

"Fine." Lindsey squeaked out as the ring slipped from her fingers.

She watched in horror as the large diamond set in tiny emeralds slipped down into the garbage disposal. "No!" She squealed.

"What's wrong?" Tressa asked, approaching her.

"Nothing." Lindsey lied, as she tried to figure out what she should do.

Quickly the petite blonde spun around. "I said I'll be right out." she blurted out quickly as she pushed Tressa back towards the door.

"Lindsey, you are as pale as a ghost." Tressa added with concern as she put her hands on Lindsey's shoulders.

"I'm fine." Lindsey barked. "Sorry," she added quickly, instantly regretting her tone, "please just go back and enjoy your dinner. I'll be out in just a minute." she added in a gentler note, praying her lover would just leave so she could rescue the last two months of her earnings from the garbage disposal.

Tressa looked down at her like she had lost her mind; granted it wasn't the first time or probably the last time her lover looked at her that way. But, at the moment, as the sweat started to bead up on her forehead, all she wanted was for the love of her life to just get the hell out of the kitchen. "Please," the blonde finally added with a whimper. Tressa gave her a quizzical look before nodding in agreement, then she left the frantic blonde alone.

The kitchen door hadn't swung completely shut before Lindsey was dashing across the floor, tripping over her heels, as she raced frantically towards the sink. She managed to kick off her shoes before she could injure herself. She shoved her hand into the slimy recess and began to feel around for the ring. "Please," she chanted as she felt around for the ring that hopefully held the key to her future. She continued her pleas and prayed to whatever deity was listening to just let her find the ring.

Finally, her prayers were answered and she felt the ring in her fingers. Her heart dropped as it slipped once again. "No," she whined as she once again began to search for the ring. "Yes!" she exclaimed in relief, and grasped it once again.

"Thank you." she offered to the heavens, as she pinched it tightly between her fingers. Her joy was short lived as she tried to extract her hand only to have it remain firmly inside of the small hole of the disposal. She tried to yank her hand out once again. "You've got to be freaking kidding me." she grumbled in exasperation, as her hand remained firmly trapped inside the sink. She yanked more forcibly without success. Lindsey suddenly recalled how she had specifically requested having a small opening installed so that she wouldn't be tempted to reach into the disposal and get hurt. "Idiot." she berated herself and struggled to free her hand.

Her nylon covered feet slipped all over the floor as she fought against the sink to free herself and the precious ring. "Honey, is everything all right in there?" Tressa called out from the other room.

"Fine." Lindsey quickly responded while she fought valiantly against the tiny space that hadn't been designed for someone to shove her hand into. Lindsey was about ready to break into tears when she heard the kitchen door swinging open.

"Lindsey?" Tressa said softly as she placed a pile of dishes onto the counter.

Lindsey stood there trying to appear as if nothing was amiss and she didn't have her hand jammed into the sink. She brushed back her short blonde bangs in a causal motion. "Are you enjoying dinner?" she inquired in a normal tone.

"It was delicious." Tressa complimented her and stared at Lindsey's hand.

"Why don't you just go and finish? I should be right out." Lindsey continued, pretending that it didn't look like she was fisting the sink.

"I'm done." Tressa responded hesitantly. "Do you need help?"

"No." Lindsey brushed off her lover's offer. "I'll put on some coffee and join you in the living room. Why don't you light a fire?"

"Honey?" Tressa continued in a careful tone. "Why is your hand jammed down the sink?"

Lindsey paused for a moment trying to come up with a convincing lie. Knowing that there wasn't any other explanation except the truth she decided to come clean with almost everything and hopefully she would be able to get free without Tressa seeing the ring. Her dignity was already a lost cause. "My hand is stuck." Lindsey explained with embarrassment.

"I can see that." Tressa responded wryly. "How did that happen?"

"I'd rather not say." Lindsey retorted.

"Okay." Her lover conceded. "Can I help?"

"I don't know." Lindsey choked out, fighting against the tears. "I got it in there; I should be able to get it out." she was on the verge of crying, as she felt Tressa gently massaging her shoulders.

"Ssh." Tressa offered reassuringly. "First relax your hand."

Lindsey suddenly understood why she couldn't get her hand out. When she had reached in her fingers were straight and curled around one another so she could fit her hand in. Now that she was griping the ring her hand had curled into a fist. She couldn't relax her grip, or she would lose the ring again. "Give me a moment." she whimpered as she carefully maneuvered the ring onto her thumb with the gems facing her palm. "Okay." she said in a shaky tone. Tressa reached over and turned the water on, running it until it was warm. Lindsey pressed the diamond into the palm of her hand and prayed that she could keep her grip on the ring.

The large diamond was cutting into her skin. "Try it now." Tressa gently instructed her. Lindsey nodded as she slipped her hand from the confines of the sink. Lindsey spun quickly almost knocking Tressa over as she grabbed a dishrag from the counter and wrapped up her hand.

"Thank you." Lindsey gasped in relief as she felt the ring pressing against her skin.

"Let me have a look." Tressa offered.

"No." Lindsey blurted out quickly as she hid her hand behind her back. "Now that all this excitement is over, why don't you just light a fire and relax. I will do the dishes."

"Sure I can trust you?" Tressa quipped.

"I promise, no further catastrophes." Lindsey vowed.

"Okay." Tressa agreed and stepped closer to the still nervous blonde. "Dinner was wonderful. Thank you." Tressa caressed her lover's face.

Lindsey couldn't help but lean into her lover's touch. She felt her knees buckle as Tressa's lips brushed against her own. She moaned deeply as she felt her lover parting her lips with her tongue. Lindsey's hand slipped from behind her back as she reached out to touch her lover. Suddenly she remembered why she been hiding her hand in the first place, and quickly broke away from Tressa's embrace. The tall brunette was looking at her with bewilderment. "Sorry, I just want to get everything cleaned up." Lindsey lied.

"Oh, okay." Tressa responded with a slight stammer.

Lindsey understood her lover's confusion. Refraining from giving in to her lustful urges wasn't exactly the blonde's style. Since they had become teenaged lovers, Lindsey had encouraged the brunette to make love to her in the most unexpected places. After Tressa retreated from the kitchen Lindsey pulled her hand from behind her back and unwrapped the dishtowel. Her heart was racing as she dried off the ring. It hadn't taken her a long time to select it. She blew out a sigh of relief as she examined the ring and found that it hadn't been marred by the strange events.

She tucked the ring into her bra thinking that was the safest place for it at the moment. "Okay, I'll just clean up the dishes while I try to come up with another way to pop the question."

Part Three

Tressa relaxed on the sofa watching the fire blazing in the fireplace while her lover scurried about, cleaning away the dinner dishes. Rufus and Ziggy curled up beside her. "What is she up to?" Tressa asked their beloved pets.

"Get off the couch." Lindsey called out in a scolding manner, as she cleared away the last of the dishes. Tressa started to rise. "I was talking to the animals, you goof." Lindsey laughed as Tressa shrugged and retook her seat. "Ziggy, Rufus down." Lindsey commanded; the pets looked to Tressa for help.

"Do as your Mommy says." Tressa instructed them and they both reluctantly got off of the sofa. Rufus, of course, took his own sweet time.

She listened to the sounds of Lindsey clanging pots and pans together and chatting to herself. Tressa found it amusing the way her lover would endlessly chat away, even when no one else was present. Tressa was still troubled by Lindsey's bizarre behavior. She tried to convince herself that perhaps the blonde was just disappointed that the romantic dinner had gone awry. Still, deep down, she felt that there was something bigger troubling her lover.

Lindsey still seemed agitated when she finally emerged from the kitchen and curled up next to Tressa. "Dinner was lovely." Tressa complimented her again, wrapping her arms around her lover.

"It was a disaster." Lindsey grumbled as she snuggled closer to Tressa.

"No, it wasn't." Tressa tried to reassure her and placed a gentle kiss on the top of the blonde's head. Lindsey mumbled something incoherent as they snuggled closer to one another.

Sometime later, Tressa blinked open her eyes and yawned. She looked over at the dying fire and then to her lover who was fast asleep in her arms. Tressa quickly surmised that they had both drifted off to sleep not long after Lindsey joined her on the sofa. "Lindsey," she whispered in her lover's ear. She smiled as her the blonde murmured something unintelligible and snuggled closer to her. "Lindsey, let's go upstairs and go to bed." Tressa suggested and gave Lindsey's shoulder a light shake. Once again, the small blonde said something that Tressa was quite certain couldn't possibly have been in English. Tressa couldn't help but smile at the way Lindsey was trying to burrow deeper into her. She ran her fingers through Lindsey's short blonde locks as her lover continued to yammer incoherently.

"Hmm." Lindsey finally muttered, as her eyes drifted open.

"Hey there, sleepy head." Tressa greeted her as she kissed Lindsey's brow. "We fell asleep on the sofa," she explained, "why don't we head upstairs and go to bed?"

Lindsey muttered something that bore no resemblance to a known language and Tressa assisted her to her feet. She knew that her lover was still more asleep than awake as she led her upstairs to the bedroom. She helped Lindsey remove her clothing and helped her into bed. She covered her lover's naked body before kissing her tenderly on the cheek. Then Tressa undressed and climbed into bed. Even though she was lost in slumber Lindsey instantly gravitated to Tressa and wrapped her body around her. "I love you." Tressa said softly, before falling back to sleep.

Tressa awoke with a smile, her lover's naked body resting on top of her. It was Tuesday and they had been reunited for one year that day. Tressa wanted to make it a special day for her lover. She rolled Lindsey off of her, careful not to awaken her lover. It was a rare event when she woke up before her perky blonde lover, not that she minded the way that Lindsey would fondle her every morning. But today she needed the extra time, since they were driving to her parent's house first thing in the morning.

Tressa was thankful for whatever force allowed Lindsey to sleep as she climbed out of bed. Tressa showered quickly and made certain that she left the bathroom in pristine condition. Normally, she would leave towels all over the place just to irk her anal-retentive lover, but since today was special, Tressa made the effort. Then she gathered up their clothing from the previous evening off of the bedroom floor.

She sorted everything carefully. She actually took extra care when sorting out the garments since laundry was not the professor's forte. She threw what could be machine-washed in the washer. Then she hand washed Lindsey's bra and nylons. The rest she put in the bag for the dry cleaner.

Tressa dressed and then proceeded downstairs to feed Ziggy and Rufus. Then she grabbed the dry cleaning and Ziggy's leash and quietly slipped out the front door with the eager husky in tow. "Enjoying the morning?" She addressed the husky who was happily trotting alongside of her while he sniffed everything along the way.

Tressa dropped off the dry cleaning and stopped by their neighbor Joel's shop and bought a bouquet of Lindsey's favorite flowers. After allowing Ziggy to enjoy an extended romp in the park, she headed back home. She unhooked Ziggy's leash and led him out back to roam around in the yard. Then she hung up her coat and with the flowers in her hand, she head upstairs to the bedroom.

"No!" She heard Lindsey screaming in a panic

Tressa raced to the bedroom as her heart sank, all too familiar memories of last year and Diane came flooding back to her. Tressa stormed into the bedroom and froze in place as the sight of her very naked lover crawling along the bedroom floor greeted her. "What is going on?" Tressa blurted out.

Lindsey jumped up and looked at her with a wild expression. "Where are my clothes from last night?" The blonde demanded in a panic.

"I washed them." Tressa explained in confusion as Lindsey raced past her. "What the hell is going on?" Tressa exclaimed as she tossed the flowers onto the bed and followed after her lover to the laundry room. "Lindsey, honey." Tressa began carefully as she discovered the wet clothing lying on the floor and her naked lover with her head tucked inside the washing machine. "Sweetie, normally I find you quirky behavior rather endearing but you are beginning to scare me."

"Where is my dress?" Lindsey demanded as she pulled her body out of the washing machine.

"The dry cleaners." Tressa answered as she felt the tiniest hint of anger beginning to swell up inside of her.

"Why did you do that?" Lindsey flared as she once again pushed her way past Tressa.

Tressa clenched her jaw as she folded her arms across her chest while she stared down at all the clothing she had cleaned earlier spread all over the floor. "Because I thought you might appreciate it." Tressa hissed to the empty room. "Calm down. Something is obviously wrong. That or she's finally snapped." Tressa reasoned as she trudged over to the bedroom.

Lindsey had thrown on a pair of ragged jeans and a flannel shirt. She was hopping around on one foot while she was trying to put on a pair of boots. "Uhm, Lindsey?" Tressa called out. "You want to let me know why you are acting like a lunatic? Maybe I can help?"

"I'm sorry." Lindsey muttered in frustration. "I have to get to the dry cleaners."

"Now?" Tressa spat out.

"I'm sorry." Lindsey whined as she stomped out of the room with her bootlaces dangling.

Tressa trailed after her lover, who was muttering to herself. Lindsey grabbed her keys and walked out the front door. Tressa stared at the closed door for a moment before wandering into the kitchen. She blinked when she discovered the high heels Lindsey had been wearing the night before lying against the pantry door. She picked up the shoes and stared at them. "I wonder if her parents would agree to sign the commitment papers?" she pondered before tossing the shoes onto the kitchen counter.

"Happy anniversary," she grumbled as the hurt feelings finally overcame her. She knew there had to be a reason behind Lindsey's unusual behavior. Still, she felt rejected and didn't know what to do about it.

Part Four

Lindsey rushed into the McGovern Dry Cleaning looking like a mess. "Please, let it be in here." She whispered as she rushed over to the counter.

"I was wondering which one of you it belonged to?" Bryan, the owner, teased her.

"Please, tell me you found it." Lindsey demanded.

"Is this what you are looking for?" Bryan inquired as he held up the diamond ring.

"Yes." Lindsey gushed.

"I was going to call but I wasn't certain if one of you misplaced it and didn't want the other to know," he explained, "or it's a surprise in which, case you wouldn't want her to know."

"It is a surprise." Lindsey sighed with relief as she accepted the ring from Bryan. "I've been a complete mess since I decided to do this," she explained as she rubbed her stomach, which had been in knots since she made the decision to propose. "I was going to ask her last night but I almost killed her instead."

"I see." Bryan nodded in understanding.

"I don't think you do." Lindsey corrected him not wanting him to think that she had intentionally tried to harm her lover.

"Same thing happened to me when I proposed to Shelia." He explained.

"You slipped the ring into a champagne glass and she choked on it?" Lindsey asked in surprise.

"No." Bryan responded in shock. "We use to love to go canoeing on the Charles so I thought that would be a romantic setting to ask. I was so nervous I ended up capsizing the canoe."

"Oh my God." Lindsey laughed for the first time in hours.

"It's true; she was so mad at me," Bryan continued, "she didn't talk to me for days after that. I kept trying to find the right way to propose. You know something incredibly special and romantic."

"So, how did you end up doing it?" Lindsey pried, since she was still fishing for ideas.

"The pressure finally got to me and I just blurted it out." Bryan confessed. "Do the both of you a huge favor and just ask the girl."

Part Five

By the time Lindsey had returned Tressa found she wasn't in the mood to listen to her apologies and decided to spend her time grading papers instead. It was late when she had finished and Lindsey was fast asleep when Tressa finally dragged herself upstairs. Looking down at her lover, who was still fully clothed, Tressa felt like a complete ass.

She undressed the blonde, and then herself, before climbing into bed. She was relieved when Lindsey instinctively curled up into her arms. Tressa was still berating herself for her part in ruining their anniversary as she drifted off to sleep.

In the morning Tressa was lost in a delightful dream. In her slumber she envisioned Lindsey kissing her way down her body. She moaned as she felt the blonde licking the inside of her thighs. As her crystal blue eyes blinked open she knew it wasn't a dream. She looked down to find her lover nestled between her thighs. "I could wake up like this for the rest of my life." Tressa groaned as Lindsey kissed the inside of her thighs. By the dampness she felt pooling between her legs, she knew that her lover had been caressing and teasing her body for quite sometime.

"Do you mean that?" Lindsey inquired as her hot breath caressed the damp curls of Tressa's triangle.

"What?" Tressa panted as she felt Lindsey's tongue running along her sex.

"Is that what you want?" Lindsey asked, before flicking her tongue against Tressa's aching clit.

"Yes." The brunette cried out.

Tressa clenched the bedding as Lindsey sucked her clit into the warmth of her mouth. The blonde ran her hands along Tressa's naked hips and drank in the brunette's passion. Tressa's body lifted off of the bed in response to the feel of Lindsey's teeth and tongue teasing her throbbing nub. Suddenly, Lindsey's touch left her body. "Hey." Tressa cried out as Lindsey climbed off of the bed and began searching for something in her bureau. As Tressa was lying there, she wondered if she was going to have to take matters into her own hands.

Just as Tressa was about to start touching herself Lindsey climbed back onto the bed. Tressa gave her a curious glance as Lindsey kept one of her hands tucked behind her back. "What I want to know is, do you want to wake up with me every morning for the rest of our lives?" Lindsey asked her in a heartfelt voice.

"Yes." Tressa confirmed as her heart began to beat in a wild rhythm.

"I mean it," Lindsey pressed, "because that is what I want. I want to know that we are going to be there for one another every day of our lives. I want the only thing that will separate us to be the end of our lives. I love you more than I thought possible. You've held my heart since the first day we met and it will be yours for eternity."

Tressa almost cried at her lover's words. "I love you so much. You are the reason for me being in this world." Tressa tried to explain as she searched for just the right words to tell her lover how much she meant to her.

"Close your eyes." Lindsey instructed her.

Tressa gave her a playful look. "Why?" she asked as she reached out for her lover. Lindsey swatted away her hands.

"Just do it." Lindsey pleaded.

"Are you going to blindfold me?" Tressa inquired hopefully.

"Maybe later," Lindsey purred, "for now just close your eyes."

Tressa complied with her lover's request, still not understanding what was going on, but she had a strange feeling that whatever was going to happen, she would enjoy it. She felt the mattress shift beneath her as Lindsey moved so that she was resting beside her. Lindsey took her by the hand. Tressa sighed deeply as her lover kissed her palm. Then she moaned with need as she felt the tip of Lindsey's tongue playing with the tips of her fingers. Tressa began to squirm against the sheets as Lindsey slowly suckled each of her digits into her mouth, teasing each one slowly, before releasing them.

"Keep your eyes closed." Lindsey whispered hotly in her ear as she kept a firm hold on Tressa's hand. "Last night I put something in your drink." she explained as Tressa crinkled her brow. Her fears vanished as she felt Lindsey's naked body brushing against her. Then she felt her lover extending her fingers and something smooth being slipped onto her ring finger. "You see, I wanted to ask you something." Lindsey continued to explain as Tressa tried to understand what was happening. "Marry me?"

Tressa's eyes shot open and she stared down at the most beautiful diamond she had ever seen. Her mouth hung open as she continued to stare at the ring. The tiny emeralds that adorned the ring matched the color of her lover's eyes. "Tressa?" she heard Lindsey squeak out in a nervous tone. Tressa's mouth was still hanging open as she turned to her lover. "Honey, please say something?" Lindsey pleaded.

"I love you." Tressa exclaimed as she captured her lover's face in her hands. Tressa drew her lover to her and captured her in a fiery kiss. She parted Lindsey's lips with her tongue as she deepened the kiss and guided her lover down onto the mattress. While Tressa became lost in exploring the warmth of her lover's mouth, her hands began to caress the blonde's firm body. She began to tease one of Lindsey's nipples between her fingers as she felt her lover clasping her hips.

Tressa felt her desire growing as Lindsey's nipple hardened from her touch. She parted the blonde's thigh with her knee as Lindsey ground her wetness against Tressa's body. Tressa reached between them and parted her lover. She could feel Lindsey massaging her backside while their clits brushed against one another in a demanding rhythm. Needing to breathe, Tressa reluctantly broke away from the kiss as their hips swayed in unison. Tressa's body arched as she ground harder against her lover's wetness.

"Is this a yes?" Lindsey panted as she thrust against Tressa's body.

"Yes." Tressa groaned as she pinched her lover's nipple harder. "In fact, why don't we start the honeymoon right now?"

Tressa didn't wait for a response as she rocked harder against Lindsey's clit and captured her breast in her mouth. Tressa suckled Lindsey's nipple greedily as they thrust urgently against one another. Her lover's moans and gasps further fanned the flames of her desire. "Baby," Lindsey pleaded as Tressa began to kiss her way down her lover's body, "we don't have time."

Tressa was panting heavily as she lifted her body and straddled her lover. "Trust me, Mom will forgive us for being late once she sees this." Tressa explained as she wiggled her ring finger. "You do know that we are going to have to endure listening to both of our mothers bragging about how they got us back together. Not to mention they are going to start making wedding plans the moment we walk in the front door."

Lindsey laughed lightly as her hands roamed up along the sides of Tressa's body. "Sweetie, they have been planning our wedding since the day we came out to them. Probably longer." Lindsey pointed out as she cupped Tressa's breasts. Tressa released a strangled cry as Lindsey brushed her nipples with her thumbs. "Is this what you want?" Lindsey asked in seductive tone. "My heart, my soul, and my body forever?"

"Yes." Tressa gasped. "I want to marry you and give you all that I have. I want to be chasing you around our bedroom when we are in our nineties. And I want to start right now."

Tressa lowered her body and they melted against one another as they became lost in another fiery kiss. They rolled around on the bed until Lindsey was lying on top of Tressa, their hands roaming up and down each other's body. Tressa felt Lindsey's desire painting her skin as each pressed her thighs against the other's center.

Tressa's body was on fire as they thrust urgently against one another. Each slipped a hand between their bodies and dipped into the other's wetness. Tressa growled as she tore her lips away from her lover's. She teased Lindsey clit as she felt her lover kissing her neck. Tressa cried out with need as Lindsey suckled the pulse point of her neck. She pressed her fingers against her lover's center and felt Lindsey doing the same.

They wrapped themselves around each other as they entered the other's wetness. Tressa could feel the walls of Lindsey's center tightening around her fingers as she filled her. She knew her body was reacting the same way as she felt her lover's fingers wiggling inside of her. They clung to one another as they slowly began to plunge in and out while stroking each other's pulsating clit.

Tressa was lost in haze of desire as their bodies became one and the rhythm of their hands grew in intensity. She could feel her body trembling as her lover trembled against her. Each was gasping as they lost themselves in the pleasure they were receiving and the pleasure they were giving. Tressa's breathing grew labored as she felt her body arching and convulsing against Lindsey's touch. They both cried out as they exploded against each other. Neither ceased touching the other as she climaxed. Finally, they were holding onto to one another as they fought to breathe.

Each felt the other's touch slipping from her body. Lindsey lifted herself off, as Tressa rolled onto her side. She knew what they both craved as her lover placed lingering kisses along her hip. The scent of Lindsey's desire filled her and she guided her lover's wetness to her eagerly awaiting mouth. She parted her lover as she felt the blonde mirroring her actions.

Tressa almost exploded as she felt Lindsey's tongue tracing her slick folds. She responded by flicking her tongue playfully along her lover's clit. Each of them were murmuring with delight as she began to suckle and tease the other's clit. The moans and murmurs grew more demanding as they eagerly feasted upon one another. Each woman seemed to be fighting to hold the other's body steady while they pleasure each other. Tressa was lost in the taste of her lover and the way their bodies seemed to fit perfectly together whenever they made love. It had been that way when they were teenagers and it was truer now as they drove one another over the edge.

Before they could completely recover from the bliss, Lindsey was guiding the willing Tressa onto her stomach. She lifted her body up for her lover. She moaned as she felt Lindsey's wetness pressing against her flesh. "I love you." Lindsey whispered hotly in her ear as she clasped her shoulder with one hand and her hip with the other.

"I love you." Tressa echoed as she thrust her hips back in a need to feel more of her lover.

She could hear her lover's moans of pleasure as she thrust her body against Tressa's. The brunette loved the feel of her lover's wetness riding against her. Her pulse beat faster knowing that once the blonde climaxed against her she would lovingly lick away all traces of her passion from Tressa's trembling body.

Tressa matched her lover's wild rhythm as she clutched at the sheets on the bed. She could feel Lindsey tightening her grip on her shoulder and hip as she increased the already frantic pace of their bodies. Lindsey cried out as she exploded against Tressa, yet the blonde maintained the same wild rhythm as she continued to rock against her.

Tressa's body was humming with a burning desire as Lindsey once again fell over the edge. They were covered in a sheen of sweat and she felt Lindsey's tongue gliding along her backside. Tressa was reeling as she felt her lover's tongue dipping inside of her. She parted her thighs as Lindsey began to lick them. Tressa almost climaxed as she felt Lindsey tongue plunging inside of her center. "Yes." She cried out as she rocked her hips wildly and demanded more.

Tressa's mind went blank as she felt her body falling. Lindsey guided her down onto the bed and nestled her body between the brunette's quivering thighs. Tressa draped her long legs over her lover's shoulders. She was lost in haze of crimson that filled her head as her blonde lover once again feasted upon her wetness while her fingers slipped inside of her.

Tressa was certain that she had blacked out while she was screaming her lover's name. She pulled Lindsey up so that she was straddling her hips and began to stroke her. She watched as Lindsey's body swayed and she gave herself over to Tressa's knowing touch. The brunette drove her lover over the edge as Lindsey's body arched against her.

Lindsey collapsed against her and Tressa wrapped her up in her arms. They held one another, each content to listen to the steady beating of the other's heart. "If we don't get on the road soon, our parents are going to send out a search party." Lindsey mumbled against Tressa's chest.

The brunette was almost tempted to give into the delightful sensations of Lindsey's breath on her skin, but she knew her lover was right. They showered, dressed, packed and then fed Rufus and Ziggy before loading up the car and leaving the key for Joel. Tressa paused for a moment after Lindsey had climbed into the SUV. She stared down at the ring and smiled. She knew that it was going to be insane once they arrived at her childhood home. She also knew that she and Lindsey would argue during the entire drive about what music to listen to, what exit to take and how Tressa was taking the long way to get there. "It is as it should be," she said with a brilliant smile as she climbed into the car, knowing that they were going to spend the rest of their lives together driving the other to the brink of insanity.

The End

Read the conclusion of the series in Holiday Cheer

~ Home For The Holidays series ~
Home For The Holidays
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Do Not Open Before Christmas
Happy New Year
Cupid's Arrow
Easter Surprise
By The Dawn's Early Light
The Long Weekend
Holiday Cheer

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Table of Contents

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Home For The Holidays

Do Not Open Before Christmas

Happy New Year

Cupid's Arrow

Easter Surprise

By The Dawn's Early Light

The Long Weekend

Holiday Cheer