Now, I am leaning towards your being an intelligent woman, intelligent enough to trust what Ive said. Make the call. Francesca smiles, the smile witnessed many times by others, practiced and perfect, the smile of the winner.

Now? Right now?

Francesca simply leans and hands her the phone, Either you make your call or I make mine. We can do this the easy way for you, or the fun way for me.

*******************************

They greet the new buyer, Hello, Im Marina Ferrer, this is Jenny Schecter. We want to wish you well in your new home.

He shakes her hand, correcting her, Oh, Im not the buyer, Im the representative, I have power of attorney on my clients behalf. Travels a lot, so I take care of most of the business dealings, but thank you, Ill extend your wishes.

Papers signed, agreements made and monies exchanged, they head on to the publisher.

*******************************

Jenny, Marina, how are you?

Surprised by the warm welcome, given the reason for their being there, I dont understand, why you would want to withdraw from representing us?

Actually, we dont, there seems to have been a misunderstanding. I wish it had been settled before I had to make the call yesterday. But I want you to know, it has been settled and you have nothing to worry about.

Neither of them is satisfied with his response, they want an explanation, No, you will have to explain yourself. We insist, otherwise, it is you we will no longer need. Do you understand?

Look, Im nobody, not really. The only people that are, are the ones that own the publishing houses. The word came from them, both times, and without explanation.

*******************************

Did you do it? Are you the reason she left?

Marina sees the sadness in her eyes, hears the accusing tone in her voice, I dont know what youre talking about.

Lee. Shane stares at her, waiting.

Marinas eyes go narrow, Shane, Im not sure what youre asking me. I didnt do anything with Lee Frank.

She said someone threatened her, told her to leave LA. Marina, there are people in this town with that kind of power, but not many who know them well enough to ask for the favor. You and Francesca had a lot of powerful friends. Angry with Lee, tormented knowing it was Marina she wanted, hurt by her own feelings of jealousy and envy, she demands the answer.

Shane, I promise you, I did nothing. But, I wont say I didnt want to.

Shane gets up from the couch, only having been there minutes, I gotta go, I need some time. Gotta get it all straight in my head.

*******************************

Jenny opens the door, finding a dejected Shane, hi, Shane. The house is a mess, packing and all. She stands aside for Shane to enter. Shane looks as if she is about to bolt, frantic are her eyes wondering why she ever came here.

Here, take this and wrap it in that bubble paper, then put it in that box marked living room. Jenny engages her, pretending to not notice her discomfort, hoping to replace it with familiarity.

Then, come in here, I want to show you something. Jenny proceeds into the sitting area near the side entrance, resting and waiting on the couch.

Shane stops and stares at the floor, every night, since you last saw her, she draws more, laying them here, staring at them before finally coming to bed.

Sketches, dozens of sketches spread about the floor, round eyes staring back at them, she loves you Shane, I dont know why you would ever doubt that. I started to pick them up this morning, she nearly bit my head off. Theyre you, all of them are you Shane.

The person youre angry with doesnt deserve your anger. She did it for you, for us.

*******************************

Name please?

Wolff.

Shes in the garden, this way please.

Her plump belly extending before her, adorned in a lovely cotton, a rich cloth with a design native to Spain. Francesca cannot help but notice how attractive she is, the inner strength grown in her, confidence emanating even with her waddle.

Francesca stands as she approaches the table, smiling with a bit of uncertainty, having had no contact with her since that day in Adns gallery. Hello Jenny. Youre looking well.

Jenny affords her an obliging smile as she sits then stares at her. Francesca speaks to the maitre de, Perrier for the lovely mother-to-be.

Im right arent I, it was all your doing, the house, the publisher, Lee Frank.

What on earth are you talking about?

Just tell me why? I want to know why?

Francesca thinks better of continuing to deny, whatever Jenny knows, she knows enough, Because I was the only one that could. I know the right people to make it happen. Someone had to do something, things were beginning to spiral. Couldnt let that happen with a baby coming, now could we.

Jenny continues to look at her, waiting for the words she came to hear, Lets face it Francesca, you have no love loss for me. So, why?

I never disliked you. Its just that you had what I wanted only I didnt know how bad I wanted it, until you had it. Francescas smile fades as she breathes deep, What difference does it make now? Shes with you, you make her happy. I want her to be happy, thats all.

Jennys smile is warm and soft, I know. I wanted you to know I knew. Mostly, I want you to know I understand and I thank you for what youve done.

Jenny gets up to leave, Were having everyone over on Christmas. Youre welcome to join us in our new home.

Francesca smiles at the irony, Christmas?

Yeah, Christmas.

*******************************

Tim, that goes upstairs, second floor, first room on the left. Shane, thats way too heavy, let me help. This way, it goes in the office, up there on the landing.

Tim meets up with Shane and Marina, helping them set the heavy box down, The whole second floor for the two of you and the baby?

Marina rubs his arm, Yes, the crib will go nicely dont you think?

He smiles, envy and regret only a fleeting thought, as her warm touch softens his heart, Yeah, it will.

Al continues to turn in a slow circle in the middle of the first floor, This is amazing, you didnt say you could see the second floor from the first. Wheres the studio?

Marina and Jenny answer at the same time, which one?

The writing Jenny points to the expansive area behind the stairs on the first floor overlooking the ocean.

or, the painting studio Marina points to the area just beyond it, also overlooking the ocean.

***** amazing! Guys, I know this had to cost a fortune. And, what, you dont believe in doors, are there any doors on this floor.

Shane comes walking out of the studios, Only those leading outside and the bathroom off the kitchen.

When does Amura get here? Al is excited about the exclusive interview she will have with them.

Friday morning, they had thought it best if she traveled at night, that way she would sleep through most of it.

Well, we better get things in order, dont want her tripping her way through the house. Ill start with the kitchen. A few basic it-goes-here and I can do the rest.

*******************************

Exhausted and lined up at the door, they all say their good-nights. Closing the door, Jenny and Marina turn, holding hands and looking around, admiring their home.

Youve got to be tired, I bet your feet are swollen like little pillows with toes. Are you hungry, I can fix something if you want to go on upstairs?

Maybe some wine, something to relax us a little. I think I will go on up though, if you dont mind. Jenny heads to the stairs as Marina smiles watching her, loving the telling the little waddle declares of their family to come.

Jenny had gotten as far as running water into their new tub, before Marina arrives with the wine. She puts the tray on the counter and begins to help Jenny undress. Gently she removes her shoes, her feet so swollen her toes stick out, unable to touch the ground, do they hurt?

Jenny smiles softly at her, Not really, just feel funny, weird. They dont make it easy to walk though. Jenny brushes the hair back from Marinas face, youre tired too, I can see it in your eyes. We should sleep in tomorrow, everything will still get done.

Raise your arms, she slides the loose top over her head, dropping to the floor. She stops and gazes at the round stomach of her lover, youre really starting to show now. Its all round, like a ball. Marina lovingly caresses her stomach, then removes Jennys bra, gazing at her *****, I think your ***** are growing too, do they do that, so early.

Jenny looks down, I guess so. She looks at Marina looking at her, do you still find me desirable?

Marinas warm eyes turn to hers, oh yes, very much. I am starting to worry a little though, about how to make love to you.

*******************************

The wine during their bath, the warm soothing of the water relaxes them, and they quickly fall asleep.

Marina awakes early the next morning with Jenny once again getting out of bed, probably the third time since going to bed. Im sorry, I woke you up again, I just cant take the pressure.

When she returns, she snuggles into Marina, spooning against her. Marina wraps her arm around her, gently resting her hand against her breast. Jenny winces, ummm, Marina, could you move your hand, theyre kinda sore right now.

Oh, okay. She moves her hand down to Jennys side, resting on her hip.

*******************************

Since Sunday morning theyve worked at setting up their new house, friends helping when they could. Finally its Thursday and theres nothing more to be done.

Jenny is the first to stir, her bathroom trips having become a ritual, her norm, Marina has begun to sleep through them. Jenny returns to their bed, sitting beside her, softly she caresses her face. Looking at her lover, her love, gazing at the sleeping beauty, she wonders.

Weve spent four nights in our new home, not once have we made love. Is it because theyve been too tired, has her sleeping beauty begun to lose interest, or is she truly worried about how to make love. Jenny smiles at the thought of Marina afraid to make love, how unfamiliar this must be to her.

Jenny leans to kiss her neck, brushing her hair from her shoulder, the kiss is soft and warm. A tender smile comes across her lovers face as she runs her hand along her shoulder, her side, over the rise of her hips and along her thigh. So beautiful, so lovely is this woman, Jennys hand softly drifts between her legs.

Reaching that place so warm, so intimate between them, that place only welcomed to her. Marinas eyes slide open in harmony with her mouth, a slight gasp escaping, her legs slightly parting. Jenny leans to kiss her again, this time Marina turns to her, still partly asleep responding to the familiar touch, they begin to kiss.

Marinas arms reach to remove Jennys gown up and over her head. Her lips capture a nipple, softly her tongue circles, eyes watching for signs, signs of pain or pleasure. Jennys eyes close and her mouth parts, Marina begins to press her face slowly against her sucking the plush mound gently into her mouth.

Marina runs her soft hand along the velvet flesh of Jennys thigh, reaching that spot, she begins to toy delicately with the nub. Jenny lies against her side, legs opening enough for Marina to enter her. Their rhythm is slow while their pleasure soars, patient and loving, they bring each other to that peak, where the air is thin and thoughts are cloudy.