I am so sorry for the delayI hope you can forgive me.

Thank you to everyone. You all are great. I will hopefully be posting earlier this week because I will be out of town next weekend.

Sous chef, I hope this story keeps up for the next 9 monthsand I hope to keep you around too. You are wonderful.

Ash, slm, you will find out what was said, I promise

LSU, Cuban Slave, geauxtiger, Darkhorse, you guys have been there from the beginning, thank you for hanging in there with me.

Aly, Margot & Lucythank you for your comments, they all mean so much.

Alma, what can I sayI know Bring it on

K, you still are wonderful and a big part of my heart.

Now for the word you have waited a week to say and hear

Grab whatever and enjoy.



Chapter 26

The whole way home, Lara was laughing, both on the inside and out at what had happened. Dana was thoroughly embarrassed. She couldnt look at anything but the road. She didnt even give Lara her ***** you look when she would laugh out loud.

They finally had made it home. Dana still had not said anything or even looked at Lara. As they walked through the front door, Lara grabbed Danas hand and turned her towards her.

Baby, Laras voice was still filled with the laughter from a few moments ago, its ok. I dont think he will say anything. In fact, I think he rather enjoyed it.

You think, Danas voice dripped with sarcasm, I couldnt tell between the *****-eaten grin on his face or the golf clap he was giving us.

The image in Laras head made her laugh again, as if she ever really stopped. When Dana heard her start again, she finally flashed the ***** you look as she ripped her hand away from Laras.

Oh baby, Im sorry. I know how easily you get embarrassed. But you are so damned cute when you do. Lara took Danas whole body in her arms this time and breathed in her ear, It makes me want you even more. With that, she placed a wet kiss on Danas neck.

Lara knew exactly where Danas special spot on her neck was. It would make Dana forget everything. What can I do to make it up to you?

Lara had her own thoughts, but Dana wanted something more this time.

Anything? Danas hands began to travel up Laras back, pulling her into her even more.

Yes, anything. Lara could feel the passion rising in her as Danas hands traveled up her spine.

Tell me what you and my father talked about.

The shock of the statement turned the passion cold, like a steamy shower running out of hot water. Lara pulled back from Dana, just enough to look in her eyes, the tears fighting to come back. Lara fought them just as hard and was winning, but her thoughts were beginning to betray her.

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Can I get you any coffee or anything? Lara asked.

No thanks. Irwin responded.
Hey, I could go get a soda or something. You feel like one? Howie wanted to get out of the waiting room, the air was heavy with tension.

Sure, anything diet. Here is some money. Lara handed Howie a five.

No problem. Would you like anything else?

Nahsomething to drink will be enough. Thanks.

Howie left the waiting room, heading down to the cafeteria. The tension in the air became even thicker, almost too thick to cut with a knife.

Mr. Fairbanks, are you okay? Lara noticed the pained look on his face.

I dont know. Irwin couldnt look at Lara. Everything should be good, my wife is getting better. Butnever mind.

Lara moved closer to Irwin and sat down next to him. But what? Lara wasnt sure she wanted to hear the answer to that question.

I dont think I can talk to you about this. Irwin started to get visibly uncomfortable. And I dont think you want to hear it because Irwin finally looked at Lara, it involves you.

Irwin was right, Lara didnt want to hear it, but she knew that she had to.

What have I done to upset you like this? Lara was bracing for the worst, hoping for a reprieve, which didnt come.

You have taken my daughter down a path that goes against our beliefs. Irwins words sliced through the thick air like a hot knife through butter.

What path is that? Lara knew, but she knew he had to say it.

Both bodies now half turned towards one anotherreadying for battle.

The path of you two doing what you do. It is not something she learned on our house.

What we do. Do you mean love each other unconditionally? Laras words bit right back. Because that is what you taught her. She loves with her whole heart and no matter that should be enough. The tears came to Laras eyes too easily.

Well, it isnt. I cant condone what you two do. It is just unnatural. Irwins eyes too began to well up, but he didnt let anything escape.

It is not unnatural to her. She doesnt love a gender. She loves a person and luckily enough that person is me. I could not have asked for anyone better. You should be proud that she can love that way. A tear escaped from Laras eye and she wiped it away as she took a deep breath. If you really think about it, who she loves as a partner has changed on your eyes. Otherwise, she is the same sweet, caring Dana who loves her family and Mr. Piddles. She still is a professional tennis player. She still has many friends and fans. She is still your daughter.

The truth was cutting at the steel cage around his heart. He knew that she was right, but he was too proud to admit it. Instead, he got up and walked to the other side of the room.

Baby? Where did you go? Dana placed her hand on Laras cheek to bring her back to reality.

Huh? Lara seemed to have come out of a slumber. What?

I asked what you and dad talked about and you spaced out on me. What happened? The concern in Danas eyes was mixed with a feeling of fear.

We talked about a couple of things. Lara wasnt sure if Dana was ready to hear what was said.

Tell me. Did he hurt your feelings? It was Danas turn to be the protective one and she knew that she would always want to protect the woman that stood there in her arms.

Not so much hurt my feelings, he stirred them. Lara looked deep into Danas eyes. Are you sure that you want to hear this?

Dana nodded her affirmation and Lara took her into the living room and they sat on the couch.

As Lara began, she held Danas hands in her lap, Well, I could tell that something was wrong with him. I could tell he was uncomfortable, so Howie was supposed to go get us a drink and I asked him if everything was alright.

And was it? Dana searched Laras eyes, as if she were watching a tennis match.

Yes and no. Yes he was happy that your mom is getting better, we are all in fact. But he is still having problems with us. Lara looked down at her lap.

With us? Why should he have problems with that? Danas pressure began to rise, He has already cut me out of his life.

Lara grasped Danas hands to try and calm her. Baby, please. Let me finish.

Dana stopped and focused back on Lara and what she was saying.
He is having a real struggle. I know he loves you, and unfortunately he feels that I have led you down the wrong path in life.

WHAT??? How

Dana, Stop. I was about to tell you that I told him what a wonderful person he raised. Lara placed her hand upon Danas cheek as she continued, I told him that you love with all of your heart. That you were the same wonderful person that he always loved. And then you walked in.

Lara finally lost the battle with the tears as she took a deep breath, And I told him how lucky I was that I was the one that you loved. With that, Lara leaned in and placed a soft kiss upon the lips that were before her.

As the kiss deepened, Dana too began to loose her battle with the tears. Danas hand slipped from underneath Laras and slid under her ear, through her hair and to the back of Laras head, pulling her deeper into the kiss.

The kiss finally broke, their lips glistening. Their eyes glazed.

Lara, you are so wonderful. I know I have said this before, but I dont know what I did to deserve someone like you. Dana looked straight into Laras soul. I am the one who is lucky to have you in my life and to have you love me.

They sat there for a while, just staring into each others eyes. Speaking volumes, but not letting one word escape their lips. The silence finally broken by a single question that had so many answers How long do we have?

A smile crawled across Laras face as she looked at her watch. Only one word needed to me spoken, Enough.

They didnt leave the couch. Lara leaned over and gave Dana soulful kiss, their tongues intertwining. As they kissed, both could feel their souls become one and they knew this was right.

Lara pulled away from the kiss that she began to catch her own breath. She felt her heart flip, her head become light. This was real. She began to undress Dana, slowly this time not like earlier. This time, she was going to take her time and satisfy Dana slowly, maybe even tease her a bit to build her excitement.

Dana had a sly smile on her face, she knew that Lara loved being in control, but she was going to turn the tables on her. As Lara began to come in for another kiss, Dana backed off.

Mmm mmm Danas smile got bigger as she laid Lara back on the couch. My turn. With that, Dana kissed Lara on her neck, pressing her tongue against it, tasting Laras skin. Her hands worked on Laras pants, but before she removed the offending item, her hand could feel the wetness begin to seep through. She pulled back and gazed at her lover, lying beneath her, enjoying the noticeable excited state that Lara was in, it brought Dana to that same state. Their breathing was becoming labored. Dana finally removed the pants that were a barrier to her treasure, Laras shirt not far behind.

Dana breathed into Laras mouth as they began a kiss that seemed to be in slow motion. As their lips touched, Dana whispered, I love you and she then seized the open mouth, both breathing heavy and furiously.

Danas body on top of Laras, slowly rocking back and forth enjoying the ripples of pleasure that were beginning. Her hands gliding along Laras sides, stopping to enjoy the feeling of Laras ***** in them. Her left stayed and massaged as her right traveled further south, enjoying how her skin felt on the back of her fingers.

The touches set Laras skin on fire. Her passion was becoming uncontrollable, her hips beginning to stir. And then, Danas hand nestling in the curls of the one place that always ached to be touched. She could feel Danas fingers play with her lips, as her mouth did the same to the others. Dana slid one finger up and down and then it was joined by another.

Dana could feel Lara become wetter with each stroke. She finally entered Lara, eliciting a gasp. She could feel Lara relax into her touch, her stroke. As Dana began to feel Lara near the edge, she too was becoming wetter. They both stood on the cliff as they stared into each others eyes. They wanted to watch each other as they both came. The beads of perspiration made their bodies slick as they writhed against each other. Their breathing even more labored than beforetheir mouths open, gasping for air, lips touching, but not kissing.

Laras body tensed as she came, making Dana come in the process. They jumped off of the cliff together, hand in hand, into each others arms. As their bodies floated back down to earth, they held each other, enjoying the moment.


As they enjoyed their moment alone, another enjoyed the silence across town. She stood in the doorway, watching Sharon sleep. As Leslie turned to leave, she heard her name being called faintly and weakly.

Leslie, Sharon was barely audible.

That one word whirled her around in an instant.

I see they took the ventilator out. How are you feeling? Leslie placed her hand on Sharons.

The fire that was being felt across town was now in that hospital room. The touch sent a feeling through Sharons body that had long since been forgotten.