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

Cocktails in hand, Peggy and I strolled outside onto the deck to luxuriate in the early evening ocean view, as well as the fresh salt air. Helena had insisted we relax and enjoy ourselves while she finished preparing dinner.

“So, Bette, my dear, I understand you took my advice and told Helena how you felt about her,” Peggy stated, as we looked out over the water.

I smiled. “Indeed, I did. The very night you suggested it.”

“Helena told me at the gallery opening that you had very romantically professed your love for her,” Peggy said, taking my hand and squeezing it affectionately. “You’re making her one very happy young woman.”

“She’s doing the same for me,” I replied, a bit embarrassed.

I sipped my drink.

“Your mutual declarations enhanced the sex considerably I presume?” Peggy asked casually, her demeanor, as usual, displaying little concern for the boundaries of social convention.

I choked on my martini. And remembered Helena had cautioned me to ‘expect anything.’

Peggy patted me on the back gently until I regained my breath and my composure.

“My dear, you’re much too sensitive about discussing your sex life with your lover’s mother,” Peggy said, observantly.

Just then Helena poked her head out the sliding door.

“Bette, darling, can you help me a minute?” Helena asked. “Mummy, are you behaving? You don’t mind if I steal Bette away from you for a few moments, do you?”

“Steal away, my dear. I’ll content myself with listening to the waves roll in and out,” Peggy replied.

When I entered the kitchen, Helena was dicing pineapple for the salsa.

“What can I help you with, Sweetheart?” I inquired, stepping behind her, wrapping my arms around her, and nuzzling my face into her neck.

Helena put her knife down and offered me a piece of pineapple. I sucked it from her fingers and she leaned back into me. I nibbled and licked her ear.

“Mmm. I was wondering if you’d help me select a wine to go with the lamb,” Helena answered softly. “I was thinking of a sassy Zinfandel,” she suggested, turning around and folding her arms around my neck.

“Something full bodied, but not too much so?” I clarified, swaying my breasts against hers, and rubbing my hands up and down her back.

Helena looked in my eyes. “Sounds perfect,” she said, beginning to pepper my face with tiny, soft kisses.

“Anything else I can help you with?” I asked seductively.

“Probably an orgasm. But if you two don’t mind, I’d prefer you wait until after dinner. My stomach is beginning to rumble,” Peggy said with amusement.

We both looked up startled, our arms around each other. Peggy was leaning against the door jamb with a smirk on her face.

“Mummy!”

“You two lovebirds just can’t get enough of each other, can you?” she said. “Does an old woman’s heart good. Now, why don’t you just move in together?”

“Actually, we’ve begun to discuss that idea,” Helena replied, as she turned around to scoop the pineapple into a bowl and I headed toward the wine chiller.

“Well, let’s discuss it further over dinner,” Peggy said encouragingly, inviting herself into the conversation to which Helena and I had committed ourselves.

I could hear the smile in Helena’s voice. “Tomorrow’s our weekaversary, Mummy,” Helena announced.

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Peggy cock her head questioningly.

“Tomorrow, Bette and I will have been together one week,” Helena explained. “Our weekaversary.”

“Ah, so then we have cause to celebrate,” Peggy said. “Do you have any champagne chilled?”