Loud and angry, almost incomprehensible, were the noises ringing through her ears. Ashley knew they had been caught; there was no way to prevent it. This had to have been the worst way possible for this to happen, for her parents to find out.

With cautious eyes, Ashley looked up and saw the fear in her lover’s eyes.

“Spencer, tell Ashley she needs to LEAVE,” Paula yelled. She had sensed it all along, could feel the bond between her daughter and this… freak.

By now, Arthur, Spencer’s dad and Paula’s husband, had appeared in the doorway behind his disbelieving wife. “Paula, calm down.” He knew what was going on inside her head, the breakdown that was about to occur. There was no way for him to reason with her, she was infuriated at the sight before her.

“Arthur! I told you this would happen. Our baby girl… GET OUT OF MY HOUSE.” Paula grabbed at Ashley, still half dressed and in shock, and made contact with her hair dragging her out into the hallway.

Spencer, trying to maintain her composure in this sticky situation, ran after her mother and her girlfriend. Since she was quick on her feet, she easily caught up with and overtook the two most important women in her life and boldly blocked the path. “Mom, let her go.”

Shocked that her daughter would stand up to her, she released Ashley from her hands and stared, open-mouthed, at her daughter. It sunk in, what had just happened, and she glared at her daughter. “What did you think was going to happen Spencer? Honey, I love you and I know you. You’re not like this, not like her.”

“Mom,” Spencer stopped her before she could go any further. Looking to Ashley for support, she continued. “I love her, and if you don’t understand that, you don’t know me as well as you thought.”

Paula could not believe this. Her daughter, he little Spencer, saying she didn’t know her… She could almost feel steam coming out of her ears. Turning abruptly, she stormed from the house.

“Spencer, I’m sorry about your mom. Ashley, are you alright,” Mr. Carlin asked while enveloping the girls in a hug.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine Mr. C.”

“Dad, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you… I meant to tell you before, and then Mom came in…”

“Spencer, honey, it’s going to be alright. I’m going to keep you safe, both of you.”

________________________________

Spencer woke up with a smile on her face.  She slowly rolled onto her side and felt a sleeping arm wrap gently around her. Opening her eyes, she saw the face of the one she loved. Eyes still closed and face rubbed clean, she looked peaceful in her natural state. Her face was almost golden in its beauty, and Spencer was reluctant in getting up and leaving her soulmate behind, but she was due at work. Carefully removing Ashley’s arm from her, she slipped out of bed silently and started her morning routine.

Half an hour later, she arrived in the kitchen wearing her purple suit, ready to leave for work when she felt two warm arms wrap around her waist.

“Good morning,” Ashley said as she nuzzled against Spencer’s neck. “What are you doing for lunch?”

“I was thinking we could have lunch, maybe call my dad,” Spencer said with a smile. She turned to face Ashley and cocked her head to the side. "What do you think?"

“Mmmmm I’d love to.” Ashley was still half asleep and breathing heavily against her soulmate’s neck.