Soul Crossing
By Web Bard (copyright 11/2000)
Part 5
Reese slowly opened her eyes and looked down on the sleeping beauty
draped across her chest. She smelled the sweet remnants of baby oil that had
worked their way in to every curve of her body. She smiled and shifted her
weight to move out from under Beth's arms. She pulled the sleeping bag over
her friend and reached for her clothes. She knew Beth wasn't a morning
person, but Reese wanted to see the sun rise over their pond. She put on her
jeans and shirt and walked out to the deck.
As she moved toward the railing, a small glimmer of orange began to rise
over the outline of the surrounding trees. Incredible, thought Reese. I can
wake up to this every day. She took a deep breath of cool fresh air and
slowly exhaled.
Beth rolled over and realized that her personal pillow had moved from its
normal place. "Reese?"
After no answer, she looked around the room. She glanced toward the deck
and saw the slender profile of the woman she loved. She's so beautiful. Beth
rose to her feet and wrapped the sleeping bag around her naked body. She
opened the door and walked toward Reese.
"Morning, love," said Beth as she wrapped her arms around Reese's waist.
"Morning to you, too," said Reese as she closed her arms around her
friend to keep her wrapped in the sleeping bag. "I didn't want to wake you
up. I just can't resist a beautiful sunrise.
"You have my full permission to wake me up anytime," said Beth as she
watched the sun move into the center of the sky. "Especially to share a
sunrise with you."
"Do you realize that we can do this every morning?" Reese pulled Beth
even closer.
"You promise?"
"It's a deal," said Reese as she bent down to kiss the top of Beth's
head. "Want some exotic pop tarts and juice for breakfast?" Beth pulled
away slightly and adjusted the drooping sleeping bag.
"I'd like my good morning kiss first," said Reese as she placed her hands
around the top of the sleeping bag. She pulled the ends together and formed a
hood over Beth's head. She moved in closer and brushed her lips over Beth's.
"Can this be part of our morning ritual?" Beth moved her hands to capture
Reese's face in her hands. "A kiss and a sunrise?"
Reese nodded and leaned down to Beth to kiss her again. She pulled her
into a hug and then turned them both toward the door. "I'll get breakfast.
You get dressed before you catch pneumonia. Plus, the movers will be here in
a hour."
Beth reached for her clothes and began to dress. "I guess there's no need
to shower if we're only going to get dirty unpacking, right?"
"Yep."
"Hey Reese?"
"Yes, honey?"
"I guess we'll have to wash these sleeping bags," said Beth. "They're,
um, a little permeated with baby oil."
Reese chuckled as she brought Beth her breakfast. "So were you."
"You were pretty slippery yourself, young lady." Beth smiled at her
friend who joined her in front of the fireplace.
"I'm sorry I gave you a hard time about your little purchase at the
store," said Reese. "It was the best surprise I've had in a long time. And
the back rub was great, too. Thank you."
"I just wanted the first night in our new home to be memorable," said
Beth as she looked into the blue eyes gazing back into hers.
"Memorable?" Reese smiled. "I'll never forget it."
**************************************************************************************
The movers dropped off the last of the boxes and furniture and left the
two women surrounded by their belongings.
"Man, do we have a lot of stuff," said Beth as she looked over the
mountain of clothes and boxes.
"I guess we need a game plan," said Reese, scratching her head. "I assume
we'll be sharing a room."
"We sure as hell better be," said Beth as she moved toward a box. "I vote
for the room overlooking the pond."
"My choice, too."
"Guest room and office upstairs? Extra clothes and furniture in the other
room downstairs?" Beth picked up a box and headed for their chosen room.
"Hold it, tiger," said Reese as she moved to assist Beth with the heavy
box. "Let's do this together, okay?"
After the box was moved into the corner, Reese took Beth by the hand and
walked back toward the fireplace.
"I need to talk to you about something, Beth."
"What is it? Is something wrong?"
"No, for the first time, everything is just right," said Reese. "I have
the love of my life beside me. I'm living in a beautiful home in a magical
forest. Everything is perfect."
"Then what is it?"
"I did something without asking you first," said Reese as she caressed
the small hand she was holding. "But it's a good thing, I think."
"Okay."
"Remember this summer when we talked about going to Greece to trace our
roots?" Reese looked into Beth's green eyes.
"Of course, I do."
"Well, something has come up with one of the corporations I work for,"
said Reese. "The owner is a Greek shipping tycoon and needs some work done
with his overseas company. I told him I couldn't possibly go to Greece unless
I brought my partner with me. So, what are you doing for Christmas?"
"You're kidding me, right?" Beth looked at Reese in amazement.
"No, I'm not," said Reese. "Do you want to go or not?"
Beth threw her arms around her partner and squealed. "Yes! Yes! Yes!"
"Great," said Reese, returning the hug. "I thought you'd be angry with me
for not asking you first."
"Heck, no," said Beth. "I know we talked about keeping secrets the other
day, but I don't mind these kind, do you?"
"As long as they make you happy," said Reese. "I just don't want to see
you in pain anymore. Physically or emotionally. And with you, both of those
are connected. I'll do whatever I have to do to make you feel loved and
comfortable and taken care of."
"I know you will," said Beth. "But you know that goes both ways, don't
you? You put up a pretty stoic front sometimes, but I know that you carry
everything inside, just like I do. I want nothing else in this life but to
make you happy. Please tell me that you understand this."
"I do," said Reese softly. She leaned over to her friend and kissed her.
"Do we have to unpack right now? I think I'd just like for you to hold me for
awhile, okay?"
Beth took Reese by the hand and they walked to the couch that now sat in
front of the fireplace. Beth positioned herself in the corner of the couch
and pulled Reese toward her. "I've got just the place for you. C'mere
sweetheart."
Reese smiled and slid her body next to Beth's and placed her head on her
lover's chest. Beth wrapped her arms around her friend and kissed her
forehead.
"Thank you," said Reese.
"For what, honey?"
"For being my home."
"I know what you mean," said Beth as she caressed her lover's back.
"Sometimes home isn't a place, is it? Sometimes, it's a person. Just like you
are for me. I mean, this house is unbelievable, but if you weren't here with
me, it would just be another house."
"Just an empty shell," said Reese as she tightened her grip around Beth's
waist. "Just like I was when I met you."
"Reese?"
"Yes?"
"Welcome home, love," said Beth softly. Welcome home.