Chapter 31 An ending and new beginning. (PG-13)

Lena’s POV

It had been an excruciatingly long night and sleep had proven to be non existent for the most part, but morning was finally here.  I dragged my weary body to the shower and hoped the water would help to not only wake me but wash the despondent thoughts that had hammered my brain for far too many hours since Mama’s death. Standing under the relentless stream of hot water, my hands pressed against the shower wall, as my mind literally began to shut down. I allowed my body to become lost in the sound of the waters momentary peace and warm constant flow, so much so I had lost all track of time.

Bianca’s voice and a constant pounding on the bathroom door broke my temporary escape from hell, only to bring it all back with a fresh new clarity and a sudden desire to run. To run, one of the many popular actions I had reverted to during my adult life of crime. But I wasn’t that Lena anymore, or so I had promised Bianca. I could hear her voice becoming more desperate the longer I took to answering her. She was afraid…afraid I had hurt myself. I had to get out of this haze I was in and let her in. Taking several deep breaths, while shutting the water off, I stepped out of the shower, unlocked the bathroom door and finally let her see I was unharmed and still very much alive.

“You’ve been in here for an hour Lena…I was…”

“Worried,” I whispered, finishing her sentence as I turned away and leaned on the bathroom sink.

“Yes,” she answered. Seeing her reflection in the steamed mirror before me, I gave her a pathetic half smile to try and appease her.

“I’m fine, Bianca, just having a little trouble getting ready. Not enough sleep I guess,” a lame answer I know, but the best I could do. She went to close the door, but thought better of it, turned and walked away. She could respect my privacy, but wasn’t going to chance any more closed, locked doors between us. I couldn’t blame her. I knew as well as she did, those thoughts had invaded my mind more then once since Mama’s death. And knowing me better then anyone, she would leave nothing to chance.

The entire morning had felt more like an out of body experience, then anything else.  We talked a little as we dressed, me asking her if Miranda could go with her family so she and I could travel together in our car.  I wanted to spare our baby being any part of that place.  I didn’t care how young she was or if she would remember any of it.  I didn’t want her there or any part of this death show.  Bianca agreed and was taking my hand now, lifting me from the edge of our bed.  I could hear voices all around me and hands touching me, hugs being offered, but none of it really, truly registered…none but Bianca’s touch.  The only touch I wanted…needed, the only touch that was going to get me through this day…this final phase.

After a pitiful attempt at breakfast, it was time, time to go to the funeral home.  We were all gathered in the living room and dressed in our finest funeral garb, looking like something from an old black and white film noir movie. I tried to rise from the sofa, but my body felt as if dead weights were dragging it down.  The more I tried to stand the heavier I felt. 

As we approached the car, Bianca opened the car door and helped me in.  As she pulled the seatbelt to lock me in like some helpless child, she stopped for a second to make eye contact, giving me a faint smile and kissed my forehead before she set the lock and closed the door.

I can’t explain why or where these new feelings came from, but suddenly I wanted Bianca more then I wanted air.  But my heart knew now wasn’t the time, while other less cooperative parts burned for her, for her touch.  The stronger the feelings grew the sicker I felt.  How could any part of me be feeling like this?  What was wrong with me?  My head began to pound again, as more tears threatened to fall from my eyes.  It seemed as each hour went by, I was reverting and slipping into my old skin…into old Lena. Run Lena, fuck Lena, hide your feelings and move on Lena. She made me ill. Bianca, Miranda and…Mama deserved better from their Lena.

“God help me,” I said to myself, or so I thought, brushing the tears from my eyes. I no longer knew what to do to keep from losing my mind.

“Lena, what can I do?” Bianca begged, reaching for my shoulder.  I flinched at her touch; fearful any contact now would make me do things I shouldn’t. 

“Baby, what’s the matter?”

“Don’t touch me.  You can’t touch me, I’m disgusting,”

“Lena, baby, you’re not,”

“You don’t understand, Bianca,” I said staring at her now, trying desperately to make clear to her with my eyes what I was feeling. The battle that was raging in my body and mind.

She turned the car off and took hold of my shaking hands, and held them tightly as she looked intently into my eyes with her soulful hues.

“Lena, my love, I understand.  Your feelings, your emotions are running in so many directions now.  You look as I did after the…incident with Michael.  I wanted to die, to fade to nothing, only to then have moments where I wanted to be with you to make love and God willing with that love make it all go away.  But then I would feel guilty having such thoughts and forced them from my mind, or at least tried to.  You’re running on empty, Lena, and your mind is trying to find the easiest way to deal with it all. Baby, we just have a few more tenuous hours to survive and then you and I will go somewhere and be alone, ok?  I promise it will be better soon.  We just need to get through this final trial and then you and I will go somewhere quiet,” she said, cupping the side of my face with the palm of her hand. 

“You’re not bad Lena, you’re just overwrought.  Let me be your strength this time, my love.  Let me be your rock, as you were mine.  We can and will get through this together and we will give Mama the farewell she deserves. Trust me.”

How could I not trust her, looking into those eyes I knew I was safe. Safer then I had been my entire life.  I took a few deep breaths and kissed her palm.  My crazed emotions and longings fading as her calm enveloped me. At least for now.

“Thank you, Bianca…thank you,” those would be the last words I would speak today until we buried my Mother.

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Bianca’s POV

The drive to the funeral home was quiet, as my darling Lena snuggled beside me grasping my arm and laying her head on my shoulder till we arrived.  It was the closest she had allowed herself to be with me since the night Mama died.  I had snuggled with her in our bed a few times, as much as she would allow me, but something had kept her from really reaching out for me until now.  Seemingly, those old tired familiar walls of hers were beginning to fall and I would be there to catch her when and if she fell.

Once we arrived at the home, I convinced her to stay in the car while I went inside to speak with the funeral director and get the directions to the gravesite.  Though we would be following the hearse to the gravesite, he thought it best to give each of us directions, just incase we were separated at some point from the lead car.  Mama’s coffin was already in the hearse, so I hurried back to the limo; spoke with Jack and the others, and gave them their map.  I kissed Miranda and gave my sweet girl one last hug, then returned to Lena.  We pulled up behind the hearse and off we all went for the long ride to the gravesite.

Lena’s POV:

Numb…that’s been the key word for me today, even more so once we arrived at the gravesite.  The walk from the cars to the plot felt like an eternity. The weather hasn’t cooperated either. There is a cold, damp chill in the air that is penetrating every fiber of my being. And though Bianca hasn’t stopped holding me, even her warmth and love can’t seem to take the chill from my very being. 

I hear voices…those present whispering concerns about me, but it’s just so much “white noise” to my ears. And now I can feel every eye on me. Waiting for me to say something, but my mind is as numb as the rest of me.  I dislodge myself from Bianca and stand staring at my Mother’s coffin. Staring, searching for the words, but I can’t. I try to focus, but all I can feel each time I try to open my mouth is a dry burning in the back of my throat, an intense weight of grief suffocating me more with each painful breath. How can I do this?  How do I wax poetic about her and our lives, when I can’t even breathe…?

Then I felt Bianca approaching me, but I had to do this alone. I finally moved my feet, releasing the death grip I’d had on my upper body and lowered my right hand to touch her coffin.  My fingertips stopped short for just a second, and then brushed the cold lifeless casket with my fingertips to make one final farewell to my Mother.

“I know you told me to move on and not hold onto my past, Mama, but some things are harder if not impossible to let go. I’m sorry for the life I lead before Bianca and Miranda, I’m sorry that I couldn’t make your cancer go away. I’m sorry I couldn’t take your pain from you and make it mine instead…but most of all I’m sorry you won’t be here with us to share the good days like we had for too short a time…” I almost choked on the tears I held back that were burning my throat.

I stopped for just a moment and knelt now, stroking her coffin, trying to feel her one last time. But all I felt was the cold metal and an emptiness that was strangling my heart and lungs. I placed the single rose, that the funeral director had given me, on her casket, whispered one last goodbye and “I love you” and headed for our car. Bianca’s hand slipping into mine, but no words were spoken between us, until we were at the car.

As I got into the car, my eyes facing the back seat, I flashed to the day Mama and little B sat in the back, excited and ready for the day trip we were about to take in the country. The day we met that little girl…

“Erika…” I said, I thought only loud enough for me to hear.

Bianca was holding the door, waiting for me to get seated. “Lena, sweetie, what did you say?”

“Erika,” I repeated, more for me then for her. She of course thought I meant her Mother, upon hearing the name.

“Erica…I don’t understand love, why would you want Erica?”

I turned to her and knew at that moment where I…no we needed to be. Where she, Miranda and I needed to be to say our real goodbyes to Mama, the last place we were all happy and thinking of our baby girl.

“Not your Mother, my love, the little girl Erika. I want to go back to the lake with you and Miranda.”

“Now?” she asked in surprised tones.

“Yes, now…please Bianca,”

She smiled that golden smile of hers, turned and went to collect our daughter. After a few intense discussions with her family she returned with Miranda, secured her in her seat in the back, kissing me once she was buckled into her own and started the car.

“Where going to a magical place, little one,” she said, looking over her shoulder to our precious little girl. Taking my hand and kissing it. “It’s going to be alright, my love, trust me,”

“Always,” I answered, and began to think maybe, maybe she was right.

Bianca’s POV:

I have to admit I was in shock at first when Lena said we should go back to the lake, but then I knew it was Mama sending us there. Helping her daughter to heal and move on. Reaching out and helping the three of us to be a family again. I don’t think either Lena or I really expected to see the little angel Erika again, but maybe fate would bring her back into our lives as well.

SCENE by the lake

They had been by the lake for about an hour now. Reminiscing about the day they had spent with Mama, little B and the wonderful little girl, Erika. Lena lay on her side with her head resting on Bianca’s lap, her lover’s gentle fingers stroking Lena’s hair as they sat by the lake’s edge in silence. Little Miranda kneeling on Bianca’s other side, also gently caressing her other Mother’s dark tresses. Perhaps not comprehending all that had happened this day, but her little heart aware of a pain and loss her Mothers’ were feeling.

“You came back,” a little voice said. The two women startled, turning to see who had spoken to them.

“Erika,” Bianca said softly, recognizing the little girl who had stolen their hearts not so long ago, during the last impromptu visit to the site.

The young child approached the three of them, not speaking, as she seemed to study the family scene before her.  Upon reaching Bianca’s side, she sat behind Miranda, her head tilted, staring deeply into the younger child’s sad eyes.

Lena had pulled herself up into an upright sitting position now, joining Bianca in a puzzled stare towards the two young girls.  Finally asking,

“What’s wrong Erika?”

“How?”

“How what?” both Lena and Bianca inquired.

“How did you get your baby back from heaven?” Erika asked, while letting her fingertips brush against the sides of the small girl’s cheeks.

“We didn’t, little one,” Lena choked out. “She didn’t die after all, but bad people had made us think she had and then they gave her back.”

Erika just smiled, as she and Miranda continued to study each other with rapt attention.  The two Mothers’ huddled in silence as they marveled at how the two children seemed lost in their own world of a secret language and understanding.  The precious, strange and magical moments ending as Erika hugged Miranda, with all her might, before she made her first dramatic announcement.

“We’re going to be the best of friends for life,” she said.

“You are, are you?” Bianca said and smiled.

“Yes we are,” the ever precocious child answered.  “What is my new best friend’s name?”

“Miranda,” Lena answered, the first dimpled grin to grace her face in days emerging as she marveled at Erika’s never ceasing positive demeanor.

“She will be My-randa,” Erika said, stressing the first part of her new little friend’s name, holding Miranda’s little face within her tiny hands

Miranda giggled at her new friend’s touch and clapped her little hands at the sound of her name.

Bianca and Lena remained speechless as they witnessed the beginning of a new found friendship evolve between these two young girls. Realizing their lives and that of their daughter’s was being swept into a new direction they hadn’t expected, but sensed was beyond any control they might have thought they had before this moment.

Bianca finding some crackers in her purse gave them to the two little ones and left them side-by-side giggling and tossing cracker crumbs to the ducks. While she and Lena remained seated and huddled in each others arms, watching the children play.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Bianca whispered in her lover’s ear.

“Wish Mama was…” Lena tried to say, but her voice cracked with emotion.

“I know sweetie, so do I.”

“We should be heading back, it’s late and Miranda will be getting hungry and cranky soon,” Bianca said, kissing Lena’s cheek.

“Yes, you’re right.” Lena rose, offering her hand to Bianca, calling out to the girls as both women brushed dead leaves from their coats and clothing.

Erika ran towards Lena while Miranda, not quite walking yet held out her arms for her Mother to come and pick her up.

“I’m coming baby girl,” Bianca said, as she went to collect her daughter.

Erika pulled on Lena’s pant leg, staring up at the tall woman with the sorrowful look on her face. 

“Don’t be sad, Lena,”

Lena coming out of her daze knelt down and hugged the little angel who always touched her heart. “It’s hard, sweetie, but I will try.”

“Did you lose your Mama, Lena?” Erika asked as they continued to hug.

“Yes,” was all Lena could answer.

“I’m sorry, Lena. It makes your heart weep to lose her.”

“So much, little one,”

“She knows, Lena, but she wants you to be happy,” she said as she lifted up her arms to hug her. Lena knelt down to hug this wondrous child and wept as she held her tight. Then she pulled back and looked Lena in the eyes, laying her small hand on Lena’s chest,

“She’s here, Lena. She will always be here in your heart whenever you need her. So try not to be sad,” she said, before she kissed the dark haired woman’s cheek, and took her hand.

Bianca and Lena stared at one another, both left speechless by the amazing child.

“Now we go home and my Mother will feed us. And everyone will meet my new friend, Miranda.”

“Oh, sweetie, I don’t think your parents would like us to show up without warning.”

“Don’t be silly, Bianca, Mama and Papa are used to me bringing my friends home.”

Bianca and Lena both shrugged and decided to follow the little pixie home. Truth be told none of them wanted to leave her yet or her infectious joy. Bianca held Miranda and Erika held Miranda’s hand and Lena’s as she skipped back to her house. Neither woman was certain of the greeting they would receive, but Erika had been correct. Her family welcomed all of them to stay for food and an evening none of them would soon forget. This would only be the first of many visits for the two families, before the Kane and Montgomery clan returned to America, leaving Bianca, Miranda and Lena to get on with their lives.

TBC 

Stephanie aka The Diva 

Chapter 32 Renewal Part A (PG-13)

Bianca’s POV:

Paulina’s spirit had worked her final miracle by leading Lena, Miranda and I back to the lake site the day we laid her to rest. The healing and loving presence of sweet little Erika and her family had proven to be the only thing that had finally broken through Lena’s depression and grief. And helped her back to us sooner then I had thought possible.

She still had moments when I would see her slip into a dark place now and again, but for the most part she had come to accept, embracing her family was exactly what her wonderful Mother wanted for her, and try to stop dwelling on the past.

We would both laugh when good things would seem to miraculously happen to our little family of three, prompting both Lena and I to say, “that’s Mama looking out for us.” And we knew it was true. We could feel her constant vigilance protecting us and our wonderful baby girl. Like a warm blanket on a cold winter night, Paulina was our blanket, our guardian angel, always on duty. And so she would remain as such for the rest of our lives.

Then there was our other family, Kendall, Erica and Uncle Jack who would be leaving in a few days. They had been there for “us” as I had never dreamt possible. Knowing their feelings and past with Lena, but they had proven to be our rocks and constant source of support. Plus we both came to believe, they too had put the past to rest and had truly come to care for the woman I loved, each in their own fashion. But care for Lena they did, and accept us and the life we would be building together.

Lena and I had still not discussed the state of our permanent residence, but I knew that would come when the time was right. For now, both Lena and I had finally reached the point we knew we needed some alone time. Time to be a couple again to try and recapture our love after so much turmoil, before our duties of parenthood took over every aspect of our lives. Not that we didn’t want that responsibility, because we did now more then ever. After all Miranda was our miracle baby, our most precious gift. But for just a few days, I knew Lena needed it to be just “us” and a part of me needed that too. So we shuttled our little precious girl off to my family one more time, said our goodbyes and drove to Prague to spend a few glorious days at the Palace Hotel.

Once we made it to the city and the hotel, I felt like a little girl at Christmas time. Though I had been to other European cities when I was younger, I had never truly appreciated the majesty and beauty that old world countries like Poland held, seeing it now through Lena’s eyes made it even more magnificent. She wasn’t a tourist; this was her home, her country, her world. I wanted to breathe it in with her and get to know and love it as she did. And in time, I wanted our baby girl to learn to love her Mama Lena’s country as well.

Lena’s POV:

As we entered the Palace Hotel, my hand rested protectively on the small of Bianca’s back. The Hotel Porter, having loaded our bags onto his cart, motioned us through the picturesque Lobby towards the Concierge’s desk.

George, the Concierge, and I went back many, many years. He was a tall, thin man in his 60’s, his hair white now with thick waves. His eyes still a deep blue with that ever present twinkle, belying the boyish charm that would never wane even with age.

We smiled our knowing smiles as he took a quick look at Bianca and gave me a satisfied nod of approval. I flashed him my best dimpled grin and stood just a little taller as I thanked him silently, gently running the palm of my hand over Bianca’s back. Bianca, however, was missing all this, due to her total fixation with the décor of the Hotel’s stately grandeur. She was making adorable Ooo’s and Ah’s that made George and I smile in pride that one of our nation’s finest Hotels moved her so.

Bursting with my own pride, I finally introduced my love to George, having completed my business with him, as my lady enjoyed his hotel.

“Bianca, I’d like to introduce you to George Stanevsky,”

She abruptly turned towards the counter and flashed her classic golden smile, while reaching out to shake his hand.

“It’s my pleasure, George; you have a breath taking Hotel. I am so glad Lena brought us here.”

George preened like a proud peacock, taking my sweet lover’s proffered hand, kissing it like the true gentleman he was. “My great pleasure to meet you, Bianca…?”

“Montgomery,” she answered to his silent question.

“Bianca Montgomery,” he replied and nodded towards both her and me, releasing her hand.

“Anything you two need while you are here, you have but to ask and it shall be done. Lena is one of our most valued customers for many, many years now, and a valued and trusted friend.”

“Thank you, old man, Bianca is my fiancé and the great love of my life. I suspect we will spend many special times here when time permits.”

Bianca beamed, hearing me tell George of her true status in my life, and wrapped her arms around me, snuggling her head on my shoulder saying, “she is my everything as well.”

I cupped her face, lifting her chin up and leaned in to kiss those oh so kissable lips of hers.

“My life, my love,” I whispered.

Upon the completion of our short but blissful kiss, Bianca blushed and hid her face in my neck for but a few seconds. Then stood proud, broke our embrace, slipping her small hand into mine waiting to see what would happen next.

George then turned and grabbed our room keys, handing one to each of us.

“If you will follow Stephen, he will see you to the Presidential Suite. And Lena, all has been made ready per your request.” He said with a mischievous grin and wink towards me.

“Welcome back, Lena, and welcome Bianca,” George called out, as Bianca and I followed Stephen into the elevator to our suite.

“He’s really sweet,” Bianca said, as she held my arm and hand tightly.

“Yes, yes he is. George has saved my sorry self more times then I care to recall from let us say, difficult and tenuous situations over the years.” Bianca squeezed my hand; realizing old bad memories were cropping up in my head, as I said those words.

“Another time, my love, all that is behind you now,” she said, with such love.

“Yes, another time, but all the more reason I needed him to know you were…”

“I know baby, I know and you made me very proud…and very happy.”

Looking down into those bright, brown eyes, “I will never deny you, Bianca, or our love.”

“I know Lena.”

And with those words we went the rest of our way in silence until we reached our suite, giving Stephen his tip, and locked the door.

“Alone…at last,” we both said with a contented sigh. Breaking into a wee bit of giggles on both our parts

Bianca then let go of my hand and proceeded to rush from room to glorious room in our suite, absorbing every wondrous detail from the marbled bathroom with the enormous sunken Jacuzzi tub, to the master bedroom and the largest bed she had ever seen. With dark, oak, wood hand carved bed posts, and a little surprise of white satin sheets and pillow cases she would discover later, I had specially ordered for my love. A luxury I had come to adore, during my decadent days. And last, but not least, was the living area, with a large picturesque picture window over looking the city. The entire suite was bathed in dark, warm colors and fabrics. An expansive black leather couch that felt like melted butter to the touch and faced that breath taking view of my city, my home. Old world furnishing as well filled each room and made it look like a picture book. The very atmosphere I wanted for my “princess”, a little taste of magic to help take us away from recent harsh realities, if only for a few days. And get us in a better state-of-mind for our new beginning.

Bianca was admiring the exotic floral arrangements in the living area, as I went to the bar to fix us both a drink.

“Did you ask for these, Lena, or does the hotel always have such amazing arrangements in their suites?”

“No, I ordered them especially for you, my love. It has been too long since I spoiled my girl. I think you will find little surprises in all the rooms, and not just the flowers,” I said with a wink and handed her a sparkling water with just a hint of crushed ice, in a crystal glass, while I sipped on my scotch. After a sip she took both of our glasses, placed them on the table behind the couch, took my hand and led both of us to a seat in the center of the couch.

“It’s perfection, Lena, just like you,” she said, brushing her fingers through my hair, while staring into my eyes with a look of pure love.

Before I knew it, tears began to fall from my eyes, her gentle thumbs brushing them away as she moved forward and began to kiss my lips, cheeks, and eyelids with the tenderness I had only learned existed from her. My Bianca was tenderness and grace personified, and her love made my wounded heart beat with more love then I ever thought existed, outside of fairytales or other forms of fantasy. But here she was, very real and all mine. And so she would remain, I hoped beyond all hope for all eternity.

“Mine,” I whispered

“Yours,” she answered back, as we kissed, held one another, our bodies becoming one in our warmth and love.

We lay across the couch now, with me nestled in Bianca’s loving arms. A position usually in reverse in the past, but tonight I was the one she knew needed to be held and protected by her love. The evening’s city lights reflected in those dark eyes of my loving princess. The beautiful young woman who had slayed my dragons and stolen my heart. She hummed a song, resting her chin on my shoulder, her arms and legs surrounding me like a warm cocoon. I was safe at last. Safe and loved like no other.

TBC

Stephanie aka The Diva

Here is a web site for the Palace Hotel if you wish to see what it looks like: (http://www.hotels-of-prague.com/palace/index.htm

Chapter 32 Renewal Part B ( rating NC-17)

WARNING: This chapter is NC-17...you should either be 17 or 18 before you read any further. Some of it may be offensive...if you are offended by it or under 17...do not read any further.

This chapter contains graphic sexual content between two women and strong adult language. If this would offend you, please skip this chapter and move onto the next.

Lena’s POV:

I vaguely remember going to our bedroom in the suite, but we must have. The curtains are drawn so I can’t tell if it is day or night, but I feel as though I am waking from a coma, more then a little disoriented, but no longer tired. My naked form is surrounded by the satin sheets I had requested, a plush comforter and my beloved Bianca’s arms. I can feel her warm breath on my neck and her soft naked body pressed against my back. This was bliss and my own personal small bit of heaven. The stillness of the room with a hint of lush flowers mixed with the essence of my love permeated my mind and my senses. If I hadn’t known better I would have sworn I had died in my sleep and this was the afterlife only God could create. But happily I was very much alive, as was my darling Bianca and I took her sweet hand that rested on my stomach and brought it to my lips, kissed it several times, breathing in my lovers sent as I enjoyed the softness of her skin. A soft and barely audible moan escaped Bianca’s lips, before she whispered “morning” in my ear and began to torment me with soft kisses on my neck, followed by a naughty suckling of my earlobe.

“Morning, my love,” I answered, ending her glorious assault on my lobe, by turning towards her for a much needed good morning kiss. Neither of us worrying about morning breath; our kiss lasting until our lungs demanded air.

“I guess this means you’re back amongst the living, my darling?”

“Yes, why was I asleep for very long?” I queried.

“You could say that,” Bianca said with a smirk. “I think even here 24 hours is considered a long time by anyone’s measure of time.”

“24 hours, my God, why didn’t you wake me?”

“Because you needed it, Lena, you haven’t let your body sleep for weeks. I wasn’t going to wake you, as long as you found a peaceful rest at last.”

“But we were here to spend time together,” I pouted, stroking her beautiful face with my fingertips.

“And we have, Lena, I have been with you the entire time. Well, except for a few breaks to eat, calls of nature, oh and of course my own sleeping. Other then those, I have enjoyed watching my Darling Lena sleep the most restful sleep she has had in too long.”

“So what time is it?”

“It’s actually evening, though I said good morning earlier, but I didn’t want to confuse you with you just waking up.”

“So, we have lost and entire day?”

“No baby, we have lost nothing. You needed your rest and I enjoyed watching you find some peace at last. Knowing when you did wake, we would have plenty of time to enjoy this suite and all it has to offer. And, each other, but I have a feeling you must need the facilities, and then some by now, my love. Your poor bladder must be screaming for relief.”

I blushed at Bianca’s dead on evaluation of my current situation, so I quickly kissed her on the lips and excused myself as I leapt from our warm bed and ran to the bathroom.

“Keep the bed warm for me, my love,” I shouted, as I ran for relief.

“I will baby, hurry back,”

As I took care of my needs, brushed my teeth and tried to fix my permanent bed head, shaking my head at my pathetic mirrored image, Bianca snuck out of bed long enough to address hers as well, in the smaller bathroom. The need for a shower crossed my mind, but then I had the better idea of addressing that situation with my love, and seeing if she would join me. Something we haven’t indulged in for ages, as well as many other intimate pleasures, but that would all end today, of that I was sure. I felt reborn after my admitted much needed rest. Now I wanted to attend to my other needs.

“Did you miss me, my beloved?” I asked, crawling towards her on our monstrous bed.

“Need you ask, my love,” she answered, with that magical radiant smile of hers that never failed to take my breath away. The bed covers hovering just below those wondrous breasts of hers, seeming to frame them like two ripe melons, and just a hint of evil in her smile as I growled and continued to crawl towards her.

“Feeling frisky, Lena?” she said, with her classic raised eyebrow I loved.

“Hungry, frisky and longing to devour you Bianca,” I answered, finally leaping on top of her, while looking deep into her soulful eyes, “Mine,” I stated, waiting for her response before reclaiming her.

“Yours – only yours, Lena, forever,”

“Yes, forever,”

I captured her lips with mine, enjoying the feel of her breasts pressed against mine, as we deepened our kiss, her fingers running through my disheveled hair and pulling me in with more fervor. My entire body was on fire for her and these bed covers were fast becoming an annoying obstruction to my desires. I pulled back from our kiss, smiled at my love, letting her know of my frustration with my eyes. Rising from the bed, I yanked the covers from her glorious body in one swift vigorous motion, forcing them to find there way to the edge of the bed and floor. Leaving Bianca exposed, at last, in all her wondrous naked glory.

“God, Bianca,” I barely gasped out, as I stood frozen, staring at the woman I loved more then life. How had I been blessed with the love of this woman?

“Come here, baby,” She said, holding out her open arms towards me. “Please Lena, don’t keep me waiting any longer, it’s been too long and I ache for you,”

Those few words broke my reverie, my core muscles clenching and unclenching with desire as I straddled Bianca’s hips, merging our already wet cores as we moaned in unison upon contact. Bianca’s hips arching up against me, as I began a slow rocking motion against her, our eyes tentatively closed, breathing in and embracing the moment, the rush as our hearts beat faster and our senses came to life. Nothing was more perfect then this moment. Bianca and I were one once again, all past heartache, torment and pain washing out of minds and bodies as we made love.

“Love me, Lena,” Bianca pleaded, reaching for my right hand, placing it on her lips and kissing my palm, before she began to suckle on each and every one of my fingers. My eyes wide open now and my senses reeling with what she was doing to me.

I responded not with words but actions, leaning down and taking her left breast in my other hand, cradling it as my lips imitated my loves actions and suckled her breast. Slowly at first, then with more intensity as I heard her moans increase, her sucking my fingers with more gusto and I her breast, our bodies continuing to rock with even more drive. The juices building between our centers, becoming more copious as our swollen nubs cried out for release. Bianca released my hand and pulled my head towards hers; locking us into a fervent, heated kiss where tongues and lips collided, as our bodies writhed in unabashed desire.

So much want, so much need, so much love having gone denied for too long. Exploding at last as we both climaxed, only ending the kiss to breathe and profess our love over and over, as we slowly descended from our re-found high.

I totally collapsed on top of my love, resting my head on the nape of her neck, basking in the afterglow of our love.

“God Lena,” she gasped out.

“I know, baby, for me too,” I faintly replied.

We both kept trying to slow our breathing so we could speak, but for now it was enough just to feel Bianca beneath me, her hands gently caressing my back and arm.

After a few glorious minutes, I felt my second wind begin to embrace my long lost libido. After all, when you find yourself engulfed in the wondrous form of one Bianca Montgomery, trust me ones drive knows no bounds.

“Ready for another ride, my love?” I said, my left eyebrow rose, with a matching lascivious grin on my lips.

“Oh my God,” my sweet brunette gasped.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” I smirked, peppering her sweet lips with a few chaste kisses, working my way to that valley between her generous breasts. My first obsession when it came to Bianca’s body, my second would be my next ultimate goal, but her ladies needed much more attention first.

I caressed, licked and suckled my way from breast to breast, making sure each lady felt an equal amount of attention had been duly paid. Bianca teased me for my continued and obvious obsession with her outstanding attributes, but I ignored her taunting, because I knew she enjoyed receiving the attention as much as I enjoyed giving it. I then kissed my way down her stomach, stopping briefly to enjoy some brief tongue action with my love’s bellybutton. This being one of Bianca’s pleasure zones and gets her ready for the next act.

“Yes Lena, God I love your tongue,” she moaned, her hips arching up each time the tip of my tongue dipped into her navel.

My right hand cups her sex with just the tip of my middle finger brushing against her inner lips in small circular motions, successfully driving Bianca crazy. Yes I admit it, I am a tease, but I’ve learned my lover’s body and teasing, at times, is what she needs to build to her desired climax.

“Lena please!” she’s pleading now, running her fingers through her hair and her brown eyes begging me for relief.

“Patience, love,” I answered, winking at her, forcing my left arm under her hips, pulling her with me as I keep my right hand in constant contact with her core. I back off the bed and kneel in front if it, Bianca is now on the edge and I position her legs over my shoulders. She lifts her upper body and leans on her elbows, she is flushed and her eyes dark with lust. I feel a rush as our eyes locked. God, how I love when she watches me make love to her.

I kiss each inner thigh then blow warm air over her core, sending a shudder through her body. Her hips begin to slowly thrust in anticipation. I take my right thumb and insert it gently into her core, against her tender flesh at the very bottom of her opening. My middle finger, still coated in her juices, slowly works its way to her rosebud where I circle and tease but never quiet enter her. Something else she truly loves, her moans becoming loader and more guttural, sending shivers to my core.

“Lena, Please!” she begs even more.

“I’ve got you baby,” I say, spotting her swollen nub and capturing it with my lips as I begin to suckle it, while my fingers continue play.

“Oh God,” She shouts, her hips becoming more frantic in their motion against my mouth and fingers.

I release her clit, causing a huge sigh of desperation, from my love, but she won’t want for long. I continue to work my thumb and middle finger, adding my lips by covering her entire center and I suck in her essence as my tongue probes, swirls and plays with her inner walls. I have to press my left arm across her stomach and hips to keep her from bucking me off my quest. Her heals digging into my back as she wraps her legs tighter around my head, pulling me in closer. I need air now and Bianca needs her release, so I return to suckling her clit as I insert two fingers first, into her dripping core and pump them in and out of her center hitting her g-spot each time I go in. I add one more finger feeling how warm, wet and tight she is and how on the verge she is. Her eyes are fixated on mine, all of her upper body weight on her elbows, her swollen clit throbbing in my mouth and her inner walls pulling me in deeper with every thrust. Finally with three words and every once of her body she cums.

“Oh My God!!” she screams, her eyes roll back and her upper body collapses back onto the bed. Her hips continue to writhe as she continues to cum; I keep my fingers buried but no longer moving in her core, as I lick up her juices she has given so generously to me. How I have missed this, being buried in the wet, warmth of my beloved. I finally rest my head just about her center and try to remove my hand, but she begs me to stay.

“No, Lena, I need you. I love how you feel in me.”

I smile knowing I can still bring my Bianca pleasure and show her my love. Her legs now hang limp over my shoulders, so I gently move them off and crawl up beside her, while staying buried inside her warm walls, as she requested. As I lay beside her, I lean over and kiss her sweet lips. She opens her eyes again, smiles and pulls me back for another kiss. We then break and bask in the happiness that is our love. She then removes my hand from her core and kisses each finger and the palm, finally letting it rest on her chest.

“My love,” she whispered, “Thank you,”

“My pleasure,” I answered with my best dimpled grin, to which she laughed then pulled me into her sweet embrace.

TBC in part C of this chapter with more loving, when it will be Bianca’s turn to make love to her Lena.

Stephanie aka The Diva

Feed back please, though I probably no longer deserve it, after all the waiting. Thank you all again for your patience and your unfaltering love for these characters and their story.

Chapter 32 Renewal Part C ( rating NC-17)

WARNING: This chapter is NC-17...you should either be 17 or 18 before you read any further. Some of it may be offensive...if you are offended by it or under 17...do not read any further.

This chapter contains graphic sexual content between two women and strong adult language. If this would offend you, please skip this chapter and move onto the next.

Bianca’s POV:

She makes me weak after sending me to new heights of bliss. My woman, my Lena, holding me tight once again in her strong arms. Here is where I feel safe, loved and grateful she belongs to no one but me. She is the strongest and proudest woman I know and yet beneath that strength lays a fragility that tears at my heart. She is my world, My Goddess.

“What are you thinking, Bianca?” she asked nuzzling my neck.

“How hungry you must be, my love. You haven’t eaten for hours.”

“True, but I’m too comfortable holding you and enjoying your afterglow.”

“You mean you are gloating and admiring your handy work,” I answered snuggling into her caress, feeling her dimpled grin against me neck. She doesn’t answer with words, choosing to utter a deep, throaty moan in my ear instead, as she wraps her long, sexy leg over mine, pressing her warm, wet center against me.

“Who needs food,” I whispered, enjoying the new erotic sensations she was introducing my lust crazed body.

“What was that, my love?” she asked, kneading my left breast with her skill full hand while her foot runs casually up and down my leg.

“God Lena, I’m nothing but putty in your hands and I’m going to cum again if you don’t…”

“Don’t what, baby?” she interrupts.

“stop,” I barely uttered; her hand moving towards my dripping core like a thief in the night.

“You want me to stop, baby, or don’t stop?” she whispers in my ear, with sex oozing from every accented word. Her leg and foot cutting between mine to open me up again to her touch.

“Don’t stop,” I gasp, as she hits her mark. I can’t believe she is going to make me cum again. I want and need to make love to her as well, but I’m to far gone to stop her. She’s my drug, my addiction and I’ve been without her for too long.

Our breathing is labored; Lena’s hips rock gently, for now, against mine. I can feel her need growing, but I know she won’t let me help her till she has brought me to the brink once more. She’s told me often, bringing me pleasure is her greatest pleasure and reward. And now that she feels free to make love again, I know she will bath me in love for hours.

She’ll take it slow, because she knows how sensitive my nerve endings are now. She kisses, sucks and licks the nape of my neck while her fingers trace my outer lips. My hips reaching out, aching for her to deepen her touch.

“Baby please,” I beg, opening my legs even more so she might take me.

She’s sucking on my pulse point, marking me as hers. Her fingers buried inside me, that wonderful wet clicking sound fills the room as she thrust in and out of my core. But she still hasn’t touched or grazed my needy, swollen bundle of nerves.

“Lena, I’m so close, pleaseeeeeeeeee,”

Her lips break away from my pulse point; she takes a gasping breath and tells me to trust her. Our bodies bathed in sweat, writhing in sync as she finally shifts her hand so her fingers can still penetrate me while her thumb begins to stimulate my clit.

“Oh My God!” I shout. I’m so close I feel as if my head will explode before I cum. Then Lena moves down so her mouth is but inches from my breast. Her beautiful, wet sex is no longer pressed against me and my frazzled brain wonders how she could deny her own release like that. But then her mouth latches onto my breast and my last cog native thoughts abandon me. She suckles my breast, working her magic with her tongue, as her fingers hone in on my g-spot like trained missiles while her thumb strokes my clit. Her gifted mouth and hands send me crashing over the brink, once again, with such force my back arches off the bed, my left hand grabs the sheets as my right latches on to her shoulder for dear life. Shouting her name with my last breath.

I’m spent, nothing but a puddle in my amazing woman’s arms. I can hear her licking her fingers that worked such wonderful magic just moments ago, as her other hand brushes a few damp stray strands of my hair from my face.

“Still with me, baby?” she whispers in my ear, licking the outer rim as she does.

“Barely,” I feebly reply, finally opening my glazed eyes to see her lovely face staring back at me.

I weakly raise my left hand and cup her face with it, brushing my thumb against her cheek. “You’re going to be the death of me, Kundera,”

“Perhaps, but there are worse ways to go, my love,”

We both smile, and then realize what we have said. A moment of darkness sweeps across her face. So I pull her towards me for a kiss. After a moment, we break from the kiss and lean our foreheads against one another, neither of us knowing what to say next.

After an awkward silence, I take her chin in the palm of my hand and look deep into her eyes and say with a raised eyebrow, “Up for a shower, my love?” I’m pleased when she smiles, knowing I haven’t lost her again to one of her darker moods.

“Are you saying I smell, Bianca?” she asked with a sarcastic smirk.

“Lena, I think it is safe to say we both are “less then fresh.”

She lets out a hearty laugh, the likes of which I haven’t heard from her in too long. She kisses me, and then rises from the bed, offering me her hand. I take her hand and we both exit our love chamber.

Before we head for the shower, Lena calls the desk and orders what sounds like a magnificent meal for us, plus an order of Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. She tells them to wait for at least and hour before they deliver it, so that we might have time to shower and get dressed before they arrive. They assure her they will not arrive before the hour. She then says we need to get house keeping to come as well and change the bedding and towels, but I show her the extra bedding and towels in the closet in our divine bathroom. And suggested we change the sheets ourselves. She grins at me sensing my embarrassment to have the staff see the state of our bed, and agrees to help me change the bedding.

“My sweet, shy Bianca,” She says, caressing my face, making me blush three shades of red.

“Only with strangers,” I say.

“True, you were anything but shy in there,” she smirks, nodding towards our bedroom.

As her naked body turns from me and heads for the shower, I smack her ass, “You love my naughty side,”

“Darling, I love all your sides, now get into this shower, before I have to carry you in here,” she pulls me into her arms, closes the glass door behind me, to the very spacious shower and grabs my ass with both hands making me squeak at her naughty groping.

We enjoy one more heated kiss before my lady turns to start the shower. Once she is sure the temperature is perfect she lets the water begin to cascade upon us. She moves me in front of her, taking the loofah and her favorite grapefruit scented body scrub, pouring a generous amount onto the loofah. But her evil, lusty Bianca has other plans and I take the loofah from her, face my naked water soaked lover and begin to wash her exquisite breasts.

The fresh, clean scent of the scrub invades both of our senses. My left hand distributing copious amounts of soap over her breasts, shoulders and neck, as my right cups her left breast, while my thumb brushes over her erect nipple. I hear Lena moan, her head falling back as she lets the water, soap and my love take over her body. Her eyes shut tight allowing it all to sink in.

I continue to caress and play with her breast as my soapy left hand trails down her stomach, to her hips, her upper thighs and finally to her center. I crouch down before my beauty, holding onto her thigh with my right hand, as I move the loofah lower and back between her thighs. As I run my soap laden loofah over her lips, I look up and see Lena’s dark eyes watching me, her hands reaching for the handicap safety bars on the walls of the shower, hoping I am sure to keep her from losing her footing as I hope to make her cum.

“Are you ok, baby?” I ask, not wanting to hurt her in a moment of passion.

“Perfect,” she mutters, letting go for just a few seconds to run her hand through my wet hair and caress my face, before she grabs the bar again.

She presses her back against the wall to brace herself even more, and I drop the loofah. I need to feel my lover. To be in her, my left hand on her hip, the fingertips of my right brushing her inner thighs. She shudders and I stroke her swollen lips with three fingers, making her hips arch towards me as I do.

“Bianca pleaseeee,”

She’s the one begging now and I won’t make her wait much longer. It’s just been so long since I’ve had the chance to worship and bask in my lover’s body. I don’t want to rush this moment.

I enter her with two fingers, stopping to enjoy the wet, warmth of her. It feels like coming home, it’s so much more then sex. It’s a sharing of deep intimacy and love.

I lean my head against her stomach and enjoy the softness of her skin against my cheek. My fingers go deeper, her walls clenching and unclenching around them. Her hand on the top of my head holding me close to her.

“I love you, Bianca,” I hear her say, just barely above a whisper. “I love you too, Lena,” I answer, kissing her stomach as I add another finger within her core. I make small circles within her with my fingers, before I begin to thrust them in and out of her core. Her hips meeting each thrust, so much so, I wrap my arm behind her and hold her tight. My thumb pressed against her swollen clit before I begin to make quick flicking motions to help her cum.

“More, baby please,”

She’s so close, I want her to cum and feel born again as she did for me. So I move my head and latch onto her clit with my lips and suck her swollen nub hard and fast as she likes, while I thrust deeper and harder into her core. She’s calling out my name now, like a mantra. Her legs are becoming weak, but I will keep her from falling. My knees hit the floor for more leverage and my arm holds her tight. I curl my fingers and aim for her spot again and again, shaking my head from side to side, increasing the pressure on her nub with my tongue and teeth when I feel her muscles clamp down on my fingers and she lets out a throaty gasp of Oh My God’s. Her juices bathing my hand like sweet ambrosia as she cums.

I want to lick my lover clean, but she’s lost all feeling in her legs, so I let her slid slowly to the shower floor, where I take her in my arms and hold her to my chest. We sit quietly for several minutes, the water still beating down on us. I brush her wet hair from her face, kissing her cheeks and forehead, before she raises her head and kisses me.

The kiss ends and she smiles her dimpled smile at me and I know she’s back from her high.

“This is great, Bianca, but I’m starting to feel pruney,” she says with a wink.

So we both rise and Lena reaches around me to shut the water off.

“That was…invigorating, my love,”

“I aim to please,” I said, blushing, and beginning to feel quite cold from all the wet.

“Oh and please you did, with your aim, I might add,”

I smacked Lena’s arm and exited the shower, grabbing a large bath towel for both of us, throwing one at her face.

“Oh sweetie, don’t be mad, I was just appreciating your enthusiasm and abilities,” she said, pouting. And I have to say Lena’s pout gets me every time. I smiled and thanked her, giving her a quick peck on the cheek. Before we had to begin to get ready

We dried ourselves and put the long, plush hotel robes on, then brushed our hair. Trying to make ourselves presentable for the staff, who would be here any minute.

Lena was looking for her wallet to get the tip, when a knock came at the door. I answered the door and let the two male staff members in, one with the dinner cart and the other with our Champagne and strawberries.

They set everything up for us on the dinning table, Lena tipped them and they left with happy smiles on their faces. Lena said it was the tip they were smiling about, I said it was the images in their minds of us together. She smirked and asked me if I could blame them, but I couldn’t. After all we are two very hot chicks, I told her. She laughed and said she couldn’t agree more.

We sat and ate the marvelous dinner, feeding one another until we couldn’t eat another morsel. Then we decided to let the Champagne chill and put the chocolate covered strawberries in the mini fridge for later. Lena lit the gas fireplace in our bedroom, grabbed the comforter from the bed we had remade and wrapped it around the two of us as we sat in front of the fire, enjoy its beauty and warmth. She held me in front of her, nestled in her safe and loving arms, my favorite place to be.

“I’ve been thinking, Bianca,”

“Yes, baby,” I answered, snuggling deeper into her hold.

“If it’s ok with you, sweetie, I would like you, Miranda and me to stay in Poland. I think there’s just too much drama for all of us back in the states. I would like us to have a chance with a fresh start and not have to deal with all the old baggage in Pine Valley.”

I could feel Lena tensing as she spoke. It was clear she feared I wouldn’t agree with her decision.

“I couldn’t agree more, Lena. I think we can build a wonderful home here for Miranda. I’m not sure what I can do for work, but I’m sure there must be something.”

“That isn’t a concern, my love. I will take care of both you and Miranda, but if you would like to work, I will help you find something. For now, however, I think our little girl should be your primary concern. You both have missed so much, I just want you to have the time to bond and enjoy each other.”

“We will, Lena, but in time I will need to work too. You can’t be expected to carry the load.”

“Well, we don’t need to decide that now. I’m just pleased you want to stay.”

I tried to turn to face Lena, because there was something else I wanted from her as well, and now seemed the best time to bring it up.

We looked at each other and Lena became concerned by the serious look on my face.

“What’s wrong, Bianca?”

“Nothing, baby, I just have something I need to ask you, but you don’t need to give me an answer tonight,”

“Alright, what do you need to know, my love?”

“It’s Miranda. I want to know if you would be willing to adopt her once we are married? I want you to be her Mother as well, and not in name only,”

I think I left poor Lena speechless, because her mouth kept opening and closing, but nothing was coming out. Soon tears were running down her face and I was becoming concerned.

“They are happy tears, Bianca; you’ve made me the happiest woman on Earth. Thank you,” she said, hugging and kissing me, our two bodies rocking slightly as we kissed.

We didn’t speak after that, but we did make love. Later we got the Champagne and strawberries, toasting our future and the future with our daughter, discussing our dreams for her future and that of her new little friend Erika. We were happier in the wee hours of the morning on that hotel floor then we had been in ages. We laughed, cried, made love and eventually slept, dreaming the dreams of contented and loved souls.

TBC

Stephanie aka The Diva

Here it is the final chapter. I hope you will be pleased with its end and forgive me for the terrible delay. I have loved writing this story and as I did when I started it, I am dedicating it to my love, My Darling Marie. I thank each and everyone one of you who read it, kept it on the front page and never stopped loving it as much as I. And now without further delay the Final Chapter of My Darling Lena.

Chapter 33 Full circle! Rated PG-13

Four years later: Lena’s POV:

Bianca, Miranda and I are heading back to the States for the first time since Bianca joined me here before Mama’s death.  We haven’t seen her family since our wedding a few years ago where we also celebrated my official adoption of Miranda.  Both my girls go by both of our last names, Montgomery-Kundera. Bianca, my eternal tease, loves to torment me and call me “husband” when no one else is around. She knows it makes me crazy.  But I must say after almost 4 years, it’s starting to grow on me. Oh and we have a new member of our family as well.  No I didn’t have a baby and neither did Bianca…yet. Though I think she is anxious to have another. 

About two years ago we were thinking about expanding our family and something very unexpected happened. As fate would have it, before more good could happen for our family, more bad happened in its place. But such is life and all its mysteries, or so I have found.  There would be more death, loss, and gut wrenching sadness before it was all over.  And then the gods smiled on all of us and out of the ashes and depths of despair they brought another miracle into our lives.

Miranda’s best friend Erika, her parents were killed in a terrible car accident.  We were visiting that day and Erika begged to stay and play with Miranda while her family went to do some shopping for the Father’s farm supplies.

We were having so much fun, watching the girls play that day, 3 hours had passed before Bianca pointed out how long the Pinowski’s had been gone. We didn’t want to concern Erika, so I had Bianca stay with the girls and I took my car to go look for them.

I had been driving for about 20 minutes before I saw it. The truck had been rammed on the driver’s side, at a three-way intersection, and was lying with the passenger side down.

I pulled over, running from my car to see if I could help them, but I was too late. Neither of them had a pulse and their bodies were cold, telling me they had been dead for sometime. There was blood, glass and metal everywhere.

I called the local police first and reported the accident. Glad for the first time, Bianca had insisted we both have the emergency numbers programmed into our phones for home and here when visiting Erika.  I called Bianca and told her the horrible news, but also asked her to wait till I returned before she told the girls anything.  I would have to wait and speak with the police, but then I would return.

It felt like an eternity for both Bianca and I, before I could return to her and the girls. The sun was going down and I knew the girls would be starving by now.  Miranda was almost 3 and Erika was 6. I had no idea how we were going to explain this to Miranda, and I knew Erika would be devastated.  No child was closer then she was to both of her parents, but especially her Father. She was the classic Papa’s little girl.  And I knew from experience just how hard it was to lose one parent, let alone both in one day and so young.

A young police officer waited outside, while Bianca and I broke the horrible news to both Erika and Miranda, though we knew Miranda wouldn’t truly grasp what we were saying, but we wanted her there for her friend.

As the four of us sat huddled around the dinner table, me trying desperately to find the right words to tell Erika the bad news, Bianca had the girls tell me about their day. I was relieved to hear Bianca had found bread and soup for all of them to eat, so they weren’t starving like I thought. Their little faces were beaming with the glow of having played most of the day out in the fresh air with Hans. Then as I expected Erika finally picked up on my silence and concerned face and asked me what was wrong and why weren’t her parents with me?

I reached out for Erika to come to me and sit on my lap. Normally this might have upset Miranda, but Bianca reached for our baby and held her as I pulled the older child onto my lap. She looked into my eyes with such intensity I thought for sure I would lose my nerve before I said a word to her, but I pulled myself together. Internally reminding myself, Erika was the one who needed help and strength, this wasn’t the time for me to falter or fail this precious little girl.

“Sweetie, I’m afraid I have some very, very sad news. Your Mama and Papa had a bad accident and sweetie…they are with your baby brother Joseph, in heaven,”

I couldn’t say anymore, I didn’t want to ramble on and my throat was burning from the tears I was holding back. She stared at me with almost an empty look in her deep, brown eyes. Then she began to touch my lips, as if searching for the truth that had been spoken from them. Hoping she had heard the wrong thing, but knowing I would never lie to her, especially about such a tragedy.

“Gone, Lena?” was all she could say. Small tears beginning to fall from those heart broken eyes. “Really, really gone?” she asked again.

I nodded yes at first, desperately trying to get my voice to work without failing me. Finally I answered in soft broken tones, “Yes baby girl, they are gone. I am so sorry,”

Erika and I then hugged each other, crying into each others neck as the flood gates opened. I had tried so hard not to cry, but my heart was breaking for this sweet child, and I found I couldn’t hide that pain any longer.

I have no idea how long we both cried and held each other, but in time we finally stopped. Erika pulling back and brushing her little hand over my face, removing my tears as I did the same for her. Silence filled the room for sometime, and then Bianca and Miranda came to both of us. Bianca kneeling with her hand stroking my back and Miranda poised beside her best friend patting Erika’s back in sympathy, though neither Bianca nor I knew if our baby girl truly understood the reason why. But being Bianca’s baby, Miranda knew enough that her friend was sad and needed her. Nothing else really mattered.

“Who will take care of me, Lena?”

I was speechless, in all the madness I hadn’t even thought of that. I had no idea if Erika had any other family or not in the area. Her parents had never talked about brothers or sisters or grandparents.

“Do you have any Uncles or Aunts, sweetie? Or Grandparents that Bianca and I don’t know about?”

“No, my Mama and Papa were orphans. We don’t have any other family. I guess I am like them now. I’m an orphan too,”

Before I could say anything, Bianca took hold of my hand. “Lena we need to talk,” she whispered into my ear.

“Erika Sweetie, Bianca and I are going to go and talk to the policeman for a little bit. Can you and Miranda sit with Hans and be very good for a little bit? Maybe Hans could use some dog food and water too. I promise we will be right back and we will talk about what is going to happen next, ok?”

She shook her head yes, took Miranda’s hand and they went to get Hans’s food.

I stood there glued to the floor watching these two little girls silently busy themselves and in small subtle ways console each other.

Bianca in the meantime had the police officer join us by the front door to the kitchen, where we could still see the children but not be heard. Thankfully the man spoke English; I really wasn’t in the mood to translate right now.

“Officer, Lena and I are prepared to take Erika home with us for now, until we can find out what arrangements her parents may have made for her. Her Mother did tell me who their solicitor is, just incase there was an emergency,”

I was stunned, I had no idea Bianca and the late Mrs. Pinowski, Anna, had ever spoken of such things. But then my wife was always the truly maternal one in our family. And the one who spent the most time with Erika’s parents, where as I was usually with the children either playing with them or telling them stories. I suddenly felt ashamed for never truly taking the time to get to know this couple better. But the one thing I did know was they adored this child and were the best parents to her.

“We wouldn’t have a problem with that, Mrs. Kundera. Why don’t you spend the night here since it is so late? Plus the child could be in her own home for the night, I am sure she would like that. Then in the morning, the two of you could come to the station and we will contact the solicitor and get everything straightened out,”

“Thank you officer, that’s what we will do. We will see you tomorrow,”

With that the man left, thanking us for taking care of the child. Bianca found more of the bread and soup and made us all a light dinner. Not that any of us really ate much. We explained what would happen in the morning to Erika, then we put the girls to bed with us in her parents large bed. I can tell you that was more then a little wired for B and me, but it made Erika feel safe. In time the two girls fell asleep holding each other, while snuggled between Bianca and I. I don’t think B or I got much sleep, but we did get to watch over the little ones and see them sleep.

Morning came and not much was said as we all got bathed and dressed. The drive to the station was also silent. Once there, two female officers took the girls to a room for them to play in; though they both begged to stay with us. They finally gave in and went with the officers; with promises from Bianca and me we wouldn’t be long.

The rest of the morning went better then either of us could have hoped. Anna and Luke, Erika’s parents, had made a will and left Bianca and I to be Erika’s legal guardians if anything were to happen to both of them. We were both stunned and thrilled to have Erika as a member of our family and to know we wouldn’t have to spend months or years fighting the legal system to get her. But most of all to know this marvelous child wouldn’t have to spend a day in some cold orphanage after losing her loving parents at such an early age. Bianca and I hugged the officers and solicitor. We signed all the papers and ran to get our girls.

When we literally ran into the room where they sat waiting for us, they both looked up with concerned faces at first, but then Erika seeing our happy smiling faces, ran to us and jumped into my arms, hugging and kissing me first, then reaching for Bianca and kissing her too. While our Miranda ran to us and hugged our legs as best she could until Bianca once done kissing Erika, leaned down and pulled our baby girl into her loving arms.

“Miranda sweetie, we have wonderful news. Erika is going to be your best friend and your sister. She is going to come and live with us, isn’t that wonderful?”

Bianca exclaimed.

“Oh yes Mommy, that’s the bestest news,”

“That’s right, Randa, it’s the bestest, bestest ever news,” Erika shouted. Hugging me and kissing my entire face.

Life was amazing. In less then 24 hours we had all gone from excruciating grief to such overwhelming joy. But I knew this was just the relief we all needed to know Erika would have a good life for her new beginning and not more heartache. The rest of the grieving would come later. The funeral, the daily loss Erika would feel for her parents, until the time would come she could relax and know their love would be with her always and she could enjoy the love of her new family. It came sooner for her then for most children, but then this remarkable child had been taught by her parents not to grieve, but to live in the moment content in the knowledge those we have loved and lost are in a better place waiting for us, and praying for our happiness each and everyday. It was a lesson she shared with us and our little one. And helped us all heal from all past loss.

---------------

The years came and went with such speed Bianca and I often wondered where they had gone. Our little girls grew smarter and more beautiful with each passing day.

Because Erika had been home schooled, we decided to hire a tutor to teach both the girls and keep them home with us. Miranda, though three years younger, caught up to her older sister and soon they were both at the same learning level. Competing and challenging each other, but always in a healthy and loving way. No two children loved each other more then Erika loved Randy and vice versa. Bianca and I never officially adopted Erika, only because she insisted she wanted to keep her name and her legacy from her own parents. I think Bianca was a little hurt by that, but we both understood and honored Erika’s request.

Since the girls had a tutor and Au Pair to watch them, Bianca and I both worked. Erica Kane had wanted to open a branch of Enchantment in London, so she asked Bianca and me to run it. That was when Miranda was 6 and Erika 9, and we’ve been living there ever since.

Miranda is 17 now and Erika 20. And they both completed all of their required schooling and have the certificates to prove it. Bianca and I couldn’t have been prouder. As a gift for their accomplishments, B and I gave them the money to take a trip across Europe for six weeks this summer, backpacking none-the-less, God help me. And they are due back today. Needless to say, Bianca and I are beside ourselves with nervousness and joy to have them back.

Bianca and I hurried from work and rushed home to shower and change. I called and had dinner delivered from our favorite restaurant. It was too special a night to go out and Bianca and I were too nervous to cook. When the bell rang I thought for sure it was our dinner, but as I opened the door, there stood our too beautiful young women. Looking taller, leaner and definitely more tanned then when they left. There was something radiant and different about them, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Before I could hug them I heard Bianca scream for joy when she saw them from across the room. They both smiled and rolled their eyes as I let them in and Bianca almost knocked them over as she rushed into their arms.

I gave my three favorite girls time to hug and kiss, before I insisted I get equal time. To which they of course bestowed on me in full. When then all went to the living room to sit and talk till the food arrived. I took their backpacks and put them in their rooms, then joined them.

I noticed a surprising silence when I returned to the living room, and saw Miranda and Erika holding hands and Bianca staring at their clasped fingers.

“What’s going on?” I asked. Hoping neither of them had gotten pregnant while they were gone or something equally difficult to deal with.

“Mother noticed my ring,” Miranda said, holding onto Erika’s hand even tighter.

“What ring,” I asked, feeling even more left out and confused.

“They got married, Lena, look,” Bianca said pointing to Miranda and Erika’s ring fingers.

“WHAT! HOW? YOU CAN’T” I shouted and then decided I best shut up, from the hurt looks I was getting from our girls.

“Mama, Erika and I have loved each other for forever, and she isn’t really my sister. Neither of us has ever thought of the other as a sister. A best friend yes and so much more. It was only you and Mother who insisted we were sisters,”

“This is why you wouldn’t let us adopt you?” I said looking at Erika.

“Well yes, part of it, but it was also because I did want to honor my Father and Mother too, by keeping my last name,”

“Why didn’t you tell us before this?” Bianca asked.

“Because we were afraid you would send Erika away if we did,” Miranda said, bowing her head.

“Oh baby, we would never have done that,” Bianca assured them.

“You should have told us, girls. We would have understood, or at least tried to,” I said, knowing they were right on some level. If they had had these feelings since they were young, what would B and I have done? But none of that matter now. It was done and they were married.

“Where did you get married?”

“In Spain, it was so romantic Mama,” Miranda exclaimed.

“We wanted you both to be there Lena, Bianca. But we had been waiting for this for what seemed like forever. So we decided to just do it while we were there. We’re sorry if this upsets you or hurts you in anyway. We just want you both to know were love each other more then words can say,” Erika professed, holding her now wife, our Miranda in her arms.

“As much as you two love each other. We saw how happy and in love you two were and we knew what we felt for each other was as strong. We have an eternal love Mother…Mama, really we do. We always have had. We just never told you,” Miranda said as tears formed in her glowing, brown eyes.

I sat beside Bianca and held my wife, knowing the love these two young women felt for one another was as powerful as what Bianca and I had shared for years. Though this had come as a shock and surprise, the more I heard them both speak of their love, I knew Bianca and I had always seen it, but never acknowledged it for what it was. But there was no denying it now. We knew family members and friends would be shocked too, but this was between these two young women and no matter what the world thought Bianca and I would support their love and stand with them with pride as we always had.

To our amazement there wasn’t quite the fuss and excitement from this news as we expected. It seemed our Family and friends had seen what we couldn’t. They knew the girls loved each other and never called the other sister or us Mother or Mama as Miranda did. But they assumed we knew and understood the unique love they had for each other. Bianca and I felt stunned that we could have been so blind, but it proved even B and I could be like most parents, clueless. All that mattered in the end was the girls we happy, no one judged or made them feel anything but love and acceptance. And life moved on through yet one more Montgomery-Kundera drama.

Time continued to pass and Erika and Miranda became the proud parents of twin boys in the second year of their marriage. Three years later they had twin girls. It seemed Bianca was going to get all the babies she always wanted, but as grandchildren and we spoiled them as was our duty and our right.

Miranda decided to be a stay at home Mother while Erika came to work for us. She was every bit the business wiz we knew she would be. Plus it gave B and me time to spend less time at the office and more time with our grand children. We also found time to travel, just the two of us, and spend time being lovers again and not parents or grandparents. Something we were sure would we would never have time for again, but we had been happily proven wrong.

Bianca and I decided on our thirtieth wedding anniversary to get married again. All our family and friends came. It was a perfect day, and Erika and Miranda gave us tickets to honeymoon in Switzerland for three glorious weeks. We kissed them all goodbye, caught our flight and headed for our romantic hideaway.

But fate had other plans for Bianca and me. Our plane would crash in the mountains on the way to the resort. A terrible blizzard hit and the pilot lost control. As our plane plummeted to the earth, Bianca and I held each other looking into each others eyes and without words we let the other know, we had had a good life and we would be together for all eternity as we had always hoped. We kissed and held each other as we waited for the end.

A bright light shown all around Bianca and me; and there before us stood my Mother and Erika’s Mother and Father waving at us with great excitement and love. I turned and smiled at my wife, my lover and said, “We’re home, my love, and we will always be together,”

Bianca smiled back and kissed me, “Yes, My Darling Lena, we are finally home.”

The END

Stephanie aka The Diva

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