by Scott Kujawa
“No, I'm good,” Christie said as she walked further into Alex's office. “I wanted to spend time with you,” she added, pulling the chair that Alex was sitting in away from the desk, giving Christie a chance to sit down on Alex's lap.
“I see. Now you've seemed to have taken it upon yourself to get what you wanted, I can't wait to see what more you're going to do so you can spend time with me.”
Alex watched Christie smile, and a heavy look fill Christie's brown eyes as the black haired woman leaned towards Alex. It was only seconds later that Alex felt Christie's lips on hers and Christie's touch. Falling into the kiss she was being given, Alex pressed her lips to the soft ones she could feel while she looked at Christie and ran her fingers over the younger woman's arms and sides.
“I would do that, a few times.”
Alex smiled towards Christie. “I can't say I'll refuse. So go right ahead and do that some more.”
It was a sharp throat clear that broke the two from their kisses, causing Alex to look around Christie to see Melody standing in the doorway. Behind her, the two could also see others looking into Alex's office. Laughter, smiles, and more could be heard or seen coming from the bullpen since the two in Alex's office had gotten wrapped up in each other they forgot about the audience out there or that Christie hadn't bothered to close the door to Alex's office when she stepped into the office and have a make out session with Alex.
“I see that the two of you are getting along well. However, I need Alex since we have to go over some reports and other paperwork. Can you two hold yourselves from mauling each other until later?”
Alex watched the blushing Christie scamper out of the office and murmur a quiet, “Sorry, Miss Melody,” as she passed by Alex's blonde sister.
“You're so mean.”
Melody only grinned at her sister, knowing Alex wasn't that upset with her. She wasn't lying though about what she said, Melody needed some of Alex's attention and the two settled into the chairs in the office, going over the facts, figures, and paperwork that Melody took care off while making sure that Alex understood everything even if Alex focused more on the coding side of their company.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Bess called, and she informed me she was flying in before Mira would catch her flight from NYC a day or two later. Bess said the two of them would stick around until after New Years and that she rented a place for the next three or four months. Plus she said she could not miss our Halloween party, nor Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Eve.”
Alex smiled, thrilled that their old friend was coming upstate for a few months. “Great. And do we have a theme this year for Halloween?”
“Not yet. That was one thing you and I had to talk about.”
Alex nodded. “Oh. Okay. Give me a day to think about it?”
“Of course, Alex.”
Chapter Fifteen
Knowing how much it sucked to travel before any holiday, Bess flew upstate to Rochester from New York City a week earlier than she planned, giving her time to spend with Alexandria and Melody before Halloween rolled around. Flying out earlier also gave her a chance to settle into the rental she booked for the next few months, which would be her home until after New Years.
Seeing her friend, Alex called out across the airport. “Bess! Hey!” before wrapping her arms around her friend in a tight embrace. Alex grinned at Bess once they broke their hug while Bess held onto Alex's shoulders and ran her eyes over Alex.
“You're looking good, Chitter.”
“Don't call me Chitter,” Alex answered as she did when she heard the name that Bess had coined for her all those years ago. Although when Alex said that, she was smiling in amusement. “As do you. Although I can tell that the trip and flight have taken a bit of toll on you.”
“Yea. Airports and traveling do that to anyone. I'll be fine after an hour or two of sleep since the flight was only a short one.”
Alex smiled more at Bess and gave a quick laugh since that was the truth. Reaching down, Alex picked up some of Bess's luggage and looped her other arm around Bess's arm that was at her side. “I know you told Mellie and me to not pick you up at the airport, but I decided that I wanted to see my friend right away, and so here I am to drive you to the rental that is yours while you are in town.”
“I was wondering why you were waiting at the airport when I heard you call my name. I know for a fact I made it clear that neither of you needed to pick me up. Anyhow, I'm glad you are here though.”
Giving Bess another smile, Alex loaded the luggage into the trunk and pulled away from the curb once the two of them were settled into her car. Keeping up small talk while they were on the road, Alex asked the usual questions that someone would ask a friend they hadn't seen in person in a while. Questions about Bess's life. How was work coming along? How much did Bess like living in New York City instead of Rochester? When was Mira due to arrive? And a few other questions.
When they arrived in the rental home in Pittsford, Alex looked at her friend and grinned.
“Please Bess, let me help with some of your luggage. All right?”
Alex only laughed at Bess put upon expression, but her friend didn't put up much of a fight after Alex insisted that she wanted to help with the luggage. There was a lot of it since Bess would be in town for so long.
“Okay, I'll get out of your hair and let you get unpacked and everything. Call us in a day or two once you're settled in. Bye, Bess!”
Knowing Bess needed time to deal with getting food in the house and her possessions put away before Mira arrived in a day or two once Mira finished wrapping up her projects at the art gallery she managed, Alex left Bess alone until her best friend was ready to socialize. They had plenty of time to spend together after all since Bess was staying until after the New Year.
Chapter Sixteen
Alex grinned at Christie as her girlfriend held onto a cat woman body suit that came with the ears, tail, and fake cat claws. “Come on, Alex! Wear it for me?”
“If you agree to find something to compliment the costume you want me to wear. I think you should go with someone like Wonder Woman. No? All right. Then how about Super Girl?” Alex's grin spread wider as she teased Christie.
“No, no, no. I couldn't wear anything like those!”
Once Alex's laughter slowed some, she nodded at Christie. “Fine, fine.” As she said those words, she continued to look around, eyeing the displays of costumes and more that was nearby as the two stood in the costume store. When she spotted a costume that caught her interest, Alex moved towards it and pulled it from the rack.
Running her gaze over Christie, Alex held up the steampunk dress that also had calf-length boots and a top hat that went with it. “What do you think?” she asked after it felt like many minutes have passed without Christie saying anything.
“I love it, Alex!”
“Awesome!” Alex smiled and pulled another costume from the same rack, one that matched the one that drew her interest. This one was different enough compared to the one she found for Christie. The dress was shorter and white compared to the black and red colors she wanted Christie to wear. Leggings – also white – covered Alex's lower legs, and this costume had heeled shoes instead of the calf-length boots. Instead of a top hat, the outfit that Alex wanted to wear had a black fedora hat shaped for a woman.
“So?” Alex asked again.
She rocked back on her feet as she felt Christie wrap Alex in a hug and place a deep kiss on her lips. “I love them, Alex! We'll match, and they're much better than having you dress up as Cat Woman.”
“I thought so. Plus they'll fit in better at the party. You and I will shock everyone when we turn up wearing steampunk outfits.” Alex grinned at Christie some more. “Since almost everyone will wear something from traditional fantasy, if everyone keeps to the theme from the Halloween parties we've thrown in the past.”
“Hey, Chitter, what do you think of these costumes for Mira and me?” Alex and Christie heard Bess say as the
black haired woman stepped up to them and held up the two costumes that would turn Bess and Mira into a pair of fairies that looked like they had just stepped out of the darkness and wanted to cause mischief. Both costumes had black and blue corsets that went with the same colored boots that were thigh high. A pair of short wings went with the rest of the clothing, and the wings were a mixture of black and blue.
“Awesome,” Alex said to Bess at the same time that Christie added, “You'll look great wearing that.”
Bess smiled at the two, happy that they liked the costumes she picked out for Mira and her to wear.
That shopping trip took place a week or two before the Halloween party, which would take place before Halloween started, giving everyone a chance to stay home to take care of anyone that might come to their door for treats or give anyone else a chance to make plans to go out on Halloween day or night.
Standing before a mirror in her office, Alex finished getting into the costume she had picked up with Christie a week ago. Outside of the door, she could hear the voices of some others in conversation and more. The party had started early, as it did every year even if the two co-owners hadn't made their appearance yet. Some employees had shown up at work wearing their costumes, and it was as she told Christie, many of the costumes were fantasy troupes. There were elves, anime characters, a witch or two, a vampire or two, a devil or two, and other typical costumes that seemed to be worn at any Halloween party.
“Alex? Are you about done?” she heard Christie call out from the other side of the door after Christie knocked on the closed office door.
“Yea, I'll be right out. Give me a minute to finish up.”
Alex smiled to herself as she heard Christie answer. “Okay. I so want to see you in the matching costume you picked out for us.”
“I know, Rina.”
Once Alex finished getting ready, she opened the door of her office and looked out at the sea of faces that were mingling in the main area of the floor that was normally filled with desks, laptops, and computer parts and equipment. Now all that had been cleared out, giving everyone a place to celebrate the yearly Halloween party.
Alex reached out to her side and took Christie's hand in hers once Alex saw her girlfriend standing near the doorway. “So? What do you think? I know that you've been dying to see me in the steampunk costume.”
“You look great, Alex!”
Giving Christie a wide smile, Alex pulled her even closer to her before pressing her lips to Christie's. As was usual, a few cat calls, whistles, or other sounds came to her ears as everyone noticed the two that were locked in a deep kiss. She grinned at Christie when they broke their kiss, seeing the younger woman had turned as red as Alex had from the teasing noises that came from everyone in the room.
“You're all fired!” Alex called out before her laughter joined the laughter from the others as someone called out, “Only Melody can fire us!” She knew they had a point, Melody would be the one who did that more than Alex ever would.
It was only a few moments later that Alex mingled among those that arrived for the party, but she spent time talking with Bess and Mira once the two arrived since Bess had picked up Mira at the airport earlier in the day and taken Mira back to the rental, so they could take a nap together and catch up with each other.
Looking at Christie as the opening of Thriller started to come from the speakers, Alex grinned at Christie. “Dance with me!” Alex said as she leaned close to Christie and whispered those words into Christie's ear.
“Alex?”
Laughing at the tone of surprise that came from Christie questioning Alex's name, the older woman tugged on Christie's arm to pull Christie to her feet. Keeping a hold on the arm she grasped, Alex gave it a little squeeze of warmth even as she led the two of them a little away from where everyone was mingling, which had been set aside for those who wanted to dance or stay out of the main gathering.
Alexandria placed her hands on Christie's waist and moved Christie's hands onto the same place on Alex's body. Seeing that Christie still looked out of her element, Alex took the lead because she loved this song, and she had much more experience in dancing with someone than it seemed Christie had.
“Just relax, Ristie.”
“Okay.”
Seeing that Christie relaxed how Alex wanted her to, Alex moved the two of them in the space she had claimed as theirs to dance in. She made sure that Christie focused on Alex instead of turning her attention onto those that were dancing around them only because she didn't want Christie to become anxious that others were dancing near them. Moving with the song, Alex moved their bodies together while she stared into Christie's eyes breaking eye contact. Alex's lips were curled into a happy smile that soon spread over Christie's lips as well once the younger woman had relaxed and enjoyed what Alex had forced her into doing.
“Ristie?” Alex asked once the song ended, and they returned to mingle with the others on the other side of the room.
“Hmmm?”
“Have you never danced before?”
“Alex,” Christie said, looking away from Alex since that question threw her. “I… no.”
“Oh, I see. You weren't bad.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I loved having you that close. How about this? You and I sign up for some dance classes as a way to spend more time together.”
Christie turned to look at Alex, seeing the honest and hopeful look that Alex was giving her. “I… okay.”
Alex's smile bloomed as she leaned in to kiss Christie again, bringing another round of calls from those that noticed the two were kissing again. “Good, I can't wait. I'll sign us up and let you know the schedule.”
Time passed rather as everyone enjoyed the yearly company Halloween party. Prizes for the best costume had been voted on – and won. That prize had gone to two of the coders that had dressed themselves up in realistic zombie costumes because the couple looked like they had just come off the set of one of the high budget zombie movies or T.V. shows. Other prizes – which were gift cards to Amazon - were handed out for other events beyond the costume event.
At the end of the night, it was just Alex and Christie left because Alex insisted that she would be the last one to leave for the evening. She had even gotten Melody to agree to leave, giving her older sister a chance to enjoy the rest of the evening doing fun that Melody might enjoy doing.
Reaching out as Christie walked past her, Alex pulled the younger woman to her and smiled at Christie as Alex moved her hands to Christie's waist while the two stood facing each other. At first, Alex only stood looking at Christie, taking in the costume that had been driving Alex crazy all night.
“Maybe I was wrong when I decided on these steampunk type of costumes. Seeing you wearing this all night had me thinking naughty thoughts,” Alex said at last. Her smile turned sly and filled with lust. As she talked, Alex's hands also moved along Christie's waist.
“Alex,” Christie said before she changed her mind about what she was about to say. “Seeing what you're wearing also has been driving me crazy,” Christie said instead.
Giving Christie another long lingering look, Alex said nothing further because she tightened her hold on Christie's waist and lowered her mouth to the lips she wanted to kiss. Alex's eyes filled with mirth as she heard a low moan escape around the kiss as Alex's hands slid off Christie's waist and onto Christie's behind, cupping that part of the woman that Alexandria had deep feelings for.
Chapter Seventeen
“Out! Shoo! Shoo. I got everything under control, and I need no one's help unless I ask for help!” Alex pushed on Melody as her sister tried for the third time to step into Alex's kitchen and try to butt into the progress that Alex made as she continued to prepare Thanksgiving dinner. This year the holiday was at Alex's house, and she had prepared a few days ago, and now she was finishing up the dishes and other parts of dinner that could only be completed the day of the holiday.
“All right! All right,” Melody said a
gain, laughing for the third time since Alex was acting like a general and Alex wanted no one to disturb Alex from doing everything herself.
“I love you, Mellie, but stay out of my kitchen. Go watch T.V. or something. But if you want to make yourself useful, you can answer the door once everyone arrives in a few hours.”
Holding up her hands in surrender, Melody backed out of the kitchen once Alex made it clear she did not want to be disturbed. Two times had been enough, and now she was getting irritated at her sister even if Melody only wanted to help. Alex smiled to herself once she heard the sounds of the T.V. turn on, which would keep her sister distracted for a while.
Alex was finishing the last dish she wanted to serve as the first voices of their family could be heard as Melody answered the door. Alex stood in front of one of the windows in the kitchen, looking out into the yard as she took a few deep breaths since the voices she heard were the voices of their mother and father.
The sisters had moved out here for a reason, and that reason was to have a few streets between themselves and their parents. Both sisters loved their parents, but the sisters preferred to live away from their parents due to the conservative personalities that their parents have.
“Hi, mother,” Alex heard Melody say before the older sister added, “Hi, father.”
“Melody Louvre, when are you going to get married and give me a grandchild?”
Alex's smile grew as she moved away from the window and filled a pan with stock for the gravy while keeping an ear on the conversation that was going on behind her. “Oh gods, mother! Not this again,” she heard Melody complain.
“Well, you're not as young as you were and your father and I are getting older. We're not asking for much, are we? Just one grandchild.”
“Mother, please just drop it.”
“Are you at least dating someone? You never answer me when I ask that question.”
