There are some indications in her pregnancy that concern me and I would like to do some tests. Lets sit down for a moment.

Marina sits in the chair, hands clasped in her lap, Ana sits beside her with her arm resting along the back with her hand lightly resting on her shoulder.

Theres some vaginal bleeding, I believe theres been a placental abruption. I would like to do an ultrasound exam, to confirm and if confirmed identify the severity. It could be as simple as a few days of best rest, to complete bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy to immediate delivery of the baby.

The horror in the possibility of his words doesnt take long to set in, Shes only in the early part of the second trimester, you cant deliver the baby.

I would like to perform the ultra-sound as soon as possible, then well know what were dealing with. If you’re here when she awakes, let the nurse know. Well get the proper documentation ready for her to sign. The doctor stands, touching Marinas shoulder, Well do everything we can. I promise you.

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Marina explains the doctors concerns and what he wants to do. She knows how worried Jenny’s become, how scared she is, and that she must be strong for her. How is your head feeling today?

Mostly just sore, little headache, not too bad, Jennys face begins to contort, tears forcing their way down her face, Marina kisses them and lays her cheek against Jennys.

After awhile of quietly holding each other, Jenny, my parents are here. They would like to see you.

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Hello, Jenny. I am glad youre okay. We were very worried for you and for your baby. Adns eyes were worn and weary, concern woven throughout his words, You asked me why I would want to hurt you, I want you to know it wasn’t my intent. I hurt my daughter very much eight years ago when I demanded she leave our home. He looks to Marina to see if he should continue, she turns her eyes to Jenny.

I had painted the picture of Francesca and I in the studio at home. I had kept it hidden from my parents, never being honest with them about who I was. My father simply reacted, not so uncommon as to others reactions I think.

I was horrid. I treated my daughter as if I’d never loved her, when in reality she was my world, my dream of the future. But, it was my image of her that was wrong, selfish, and lacked the reality of the warm woman she was and is.

The painting was in my office because I knew she had wanted Francesca to have it. I simply wanted to carry out her wish, a way of saying I was sorry. I wasnt thinking about how it may affect you, or Marina, now that she is with you. Adn walked to the bed, touching Jennys arm, then Marinas, and left.

Marina, tell him I understand. He looks so sad, Im sorry I reacted the way I did. Tell him, please, and tell Ana Id like to see her now.
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The hour was late, Adn and Ana had gone to a hotel that first night, but only after Jenny was stable. Marina refused to leave her side, she sat beside her, she paced the floor, sick inside with worry and anxious for Jenny to come to and let her know she would be okay.

I should never have come here. I should never have insisted you come with me. What have I done to you Jenny, to expose you to this part of me? This part of me, so unsure, so uncertain, I should have known it would be too much all at once, too soon after Moorea and knowledge of the baby.

Marina. Her voice was soft, her eyes full of concern for the woman she cared so much.

What are doing here? You shouldnt be here. Marina only glanced her way, returning her gaze to Jenny, watching her breath.

Can I talk to you, just for a minute? Theres something I want you to know. Francesca was not used to the way she was feeling, uncommon was this pain inside her. Unfamiliar she was to the misery of her broken heart, Please, Marina.

Marina saw in her eyes a look foreign to her, a sadness never witnessed before, Only for a minute, I dont want to be away from her for long.

They walked to the exit into the hospital garden, slowly following its path, Marina, I know I can be a real ***** and I have been too often, to you. Since you left me, Ive come to realize just how important you really are to me. Now I understand how important Jenny is to you… You love her. Theres nothing more important to you than her happiness. Francescas eyes fill with tears, tears she refuses to let fall. She looks to the sky and breathes deep, I know this because now I know how much how much, I love you.

Only briefly does she hesitate, frozen by the words longed for so long, Francesca, were over. Theres nothing for us now. Marinas fears spread inside fearing Francescas power over her still has it’s influence.

Francesca looks at Marina, her eyes yet hold a telling tear, warm is her heart as she speaks, All those years, all you wanted was for me to love you. I was so selfish, I wanted you and everything else too. I was such a fool. She pulls Marina to her and kisses her. A kiss so tender, so loving, the kiss Marina had desired for so long, prayed for so many years. Francescas lips so comfortable against hers Marina responds to her, kissing her in return, as tears begin to fall down their faces.

Francesca takes her hands and leads her to a nearby bench, they sit and remember their love affair. Warm are their words, deep from within them, words longed to be shared over the years finding their way too late and at the end of their journey together.

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Ana, for so long nothing could move me. I was indifferent to the world around me, I guess I was angry with it. With Marina, everything began to fall into place. I surrendered all that I was, all that I was to become, to her. I was astounded by her. I cant lose her, she has become the air that I breath, she is the ground beneath my feet. I need to know, I must know that you and Adn know that. I have to know that you can respect that and accept us because Marina needs you both to accept us.

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Francesca, I love her. Her unassuming grace, strange to me, beautiful to me, I am at home with her, complete.

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Marina holds her hand as Jenny clinches hers, the doctor performs the ultrasound explaining as he proceeds. Once completed, the nurse leaves, Well, there is some abruption, what I would like is for you to stay in the hospital for another week, we will take another ultra-sound and see if the abruption has repaired. If it has, then I think youll be fine to go home. I may want you to take it easy for a few more days, mostly spent resting in bed, but all should be well after that.

Jenny looks at Marina, anxiety evident, looks back to the doctor, And if the abruption is not healed?

As I said, there could be the need for best rest throughout the pregnancy, but lets see what we find in a week and go from there. I have to leave you now and see to my other patients. If you have any other concerns, please, let the nurse know and I will stop back by.

This is good news Jenny. He thinks it will correct itself in a few days. Thats very good news.

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The ultra-sound looked good today. I think its time for you two to go home. He smiled pleased with news he was able to share, pleased with having met and come to know these two lovely women, devoted and determined.

You should take it easy for a few more days, working up to your usual routine. When you get back to the states, which I am assuming will be soon, you must start seeing your doctor regularly. Here is my card have them call me. I will transfer records to them. Ladies, please take care of yourselves and let me know when your baby has arrived. He squeezes their hands, smiling at them as he leaves.

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So, you are convinced it is a girl, Ana smiled as she rocked in the chair beside the bed. So what colors should I use for her hat and jacket for coming home from the hospital?

Jenny, confident the baby will look like Marina, I think a turquoise and off-white would be nice, it doesnt have to be pink just because shes a girl. I think the turquoise will look good against her warm skin and brown eyes.

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Adn stands at the door of the studio, May I come in?

Of course, I want you to see what Im working on.

He walks proudly to her side and looks upon a painting, of himself and Ana. Emotion wells inside him, he leans and gently pulls his daughters face to him kissing her cheek, I love you, Marina.

I love you, papa.

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Jenny walks up behind her sitting on the balconade, This is the window isnt it, funny we never talked about it since we came here. I cant wait to see the picture again, I do love looking at it. We need to move it and the others to the house now, dont you think?

Her hands gently slide over Marinas shoulders as she leans and places her face against hers. Marina whispers giving way to where her thoughts lie, I like the name Isabel.

Jennys eyes shine with love for the woman near her, she softly rubs her cheek against Marinas, I want to make love with you, you have avoided me long enough, Im healthy and I want to be with you. She slides her hands off Marinas shoulders gently under the top, caressing Marinas nipples as she kisses her neck.

She steps around in front of her, reaching out her hands. Marina takes them and rises to stand near her, pulling her close as her hands glide down resting on the small of Jennys back. They kiss long loving, tender probing of lips and tongues, enflaming to the other.

Adn gazes upon them, only for a moment, recognizing the serenity in their being together, finding peace in the tranquility of their love.

Jenny takes her hand and leads her into their room onto their bed. She undoes Marinas top, removing it from her, then lifts off her own. Marina pulls her close, unable to withstand the yearning to feel their bodies touching. Their heads light with desire and love, Jenny steps from her shoes then her pants and reaches to remove Marinas.

Naked, exposed to one another, they marvel in the beauty of their lover. They slide slowly against each other, reveling in the warmth, rejoicing in the heat growing inside from the union of their bodies, their hearts, their souls.

Their thirst for one another is great, consuming and daunting, hands touching stroking caressing all of the other. Overpowering is their passion for one another, their lips their tongues seeking out the taste, the intoxicating essence of the other.

Marina kisses her neck and chest as Jenny arches giving full access to her. Jenny moves in response to kiss her neck, gently encouraging Marinas head to lie back against the bed. Jenny folds her body, moving downward, to take her lovers nipple into her mouth, pulling it tenderly with her lips, sucking softly, running her tongue affectionately around and across her nipple. Lowering herself against Marina, her lips capturing Marinas lips, she takes a breast into her hand, cupping it, massaging it, journeying with the other hand tracing the contours of Marinas body.

She finds the nub and begins caressing it between her fingers, back and forth, until her lover can hardly breathe. Marinas head turns slightly, her dark eyes closed, loosing herself in this dream, this dream only Jenny can conjure. She is the potion that unleashes her. Her mouth is open, lips full and dark, dark skin shining from the sweat her magician has stirred. Jennys mouth and hands unrelenting, Marina has no choice but to surrender to her lover.

As Jenny begins to enter her, Marinas hand has found her. Slowly, cherishing the moment, looking into each others eyes, they enter the other. Mouths open, soft smiles forming, heavy breathing transformed to short bursts of ecstasy, they move inside each other bringing their lover to that heightened sense of oneness. Lost in their rapture, they are one.

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Adn, when its time for the baby, I want to join them in Los Angeles. I want to be there and to help. I no longer want our daughter to live her life without us.