“This weekend, if you’re coming up,” Flick said. She still hadn’t told Steph that she was seeing a woman. She thought that kind of news was better of being delivered in person. “But we need to talk about something. Can you come up on Thursday night? We can surprise the girls on Friday morning.”
“Okay, how long would you like me to have the girls?”
“Friday through to Monday, if that’s Okay? We never get to spend any time together without the girls really, and we need this break.”
“That’ll be fine. Can I spoil them rotten while I’m there?”
“Don’t you always? Thank you again, Steph. What time do you think you, can be here by on Thursday?”
“How about 9:30 in the evening, I’ve got to work until 3:00 p.m., I’ll leave once I’ve been home and showered.”
“That suits me fine. I’ll see you on Thursday.”
They hung up and Flick smiled to herself. A whole weekend away with Ali, what would they do? Flick gave a coy smile, as the vision of Ali’s hands and a mouth, moving down her body came to her. She blushed crimson and pushed away from her desk, she needed to go and ask if she could have Friday and Monday off. She made her way up to Frank’s office quickly. The receptionist smiled as she entered, Frank was just coming out of his office, and met her in the middle of the room.
“Hi, Felicity, is everything okay?” Frank asked.
“Everything is fine, Frank, I just popped up to ask you a question. I didn’t want to email, as I need a quick answer.”
“That sounds rather ominous. Come into my office and we can chat quickly. I have a meeting in fifteen minutes, so I will need you to be brief.” Flick followed him into his office, and sat quickly in the chair opposite his. “Right, How can I be of service?”
“Firstly you could start calling me Flick. I always think I’m in some sort of trouble when people use my first name. Secondly, Would it be possible to take Friday and Monday off as holiday?” Flick asked with a bright smile.
“You’re leaving it a bit late aren’t you?” Frank questioned as he opened a file up on his computer.
“I forgot that it’s Valentine’s Day on Saturday, and I want to take my partner away.”
“Oh right. What about the five reports, you’ve been working on for me?”
“Apart from the comparison data, they’re complete. That one is nearly ready, I just need a few more hours on it.”
“My, lord woman, are you a machine? I wasn’t expecting them until the end of next week,” Frank said with surprise.
“Well I like to complete a task as quick as I can once it’s been set.”
“Okay, well according to this holiday chart there is nobody else off, so I haven’t got a problem with that.”
“Thank you so much, Frank.”
She turned to leave and he called to her, “have a nice weekend, Flick,” he said with a coy smile.
Flick blushed and walked quickly away. She would have to do a spot of shopping tonight, to complete the invitation idea she had. She also needed to sort out some kind of accommodation.
During lunch she logged on to the Internet, and checked a few pages. She ordered a couple of presents for Ali, and then booked them into a great place. She picked up her phone and dialled Ali’s extension.
“Hey, cutie. Would you be able to get Friday and Monday off?”
“I’d have to go and check. Why, what have you got planned?”
“That would be telling, and you’re not going to find anything out before Friday.”
“Mysterious aren’t we?”
“Oh, and would you have a problem if I drove your car?”
“No that would be fine. But why?”
“I want to drive at the weekend, so I don’t have to tell you where we’re going, and I want us to go in style. Not in my old banger”
“Okay, babe. I’ll go and see what I can do.”
“Oh, Ali, I forgot about your car insurance. Will you be able to get me covered to drive your car? I’ll send you an email with all the details in you need.”
“No worries, love, I’ll go and see Mr. McDougal, and then ring the insurance people.”
Flick put the phone down, and tried to decide if she would let Ali finally take her to bed. She still had this little niggling thing about it, but the thought of making love to her was growing more appealing every day. She wanted Ali to take her, but was this weekend the right time? She could always go shopping for new underwear, and additional nightwear. She would pack it and decide whether she needed it when they got there.
Flick finished work that night, and headed to the shops where she had reserved Ali’s presents. Mr. McDougal was more than happy to give Ali the time off, and even offered her an extra week. Everything was falling into place and Flick was really looking forward to the weekend now.
Ali sat at home, wondering what she could get Flick for a present. She logged onto the computer and scanned her favourite jewellery sites. She spotted a few things that would be ideal, and clicked to reserve and collect them tomorrow.
She wanted to get her something really special, and Flick had hinted at something earlier, that she didn’t like. A thought came to her as she logged onto another web site. This would be a big present to give to someone in a new relationship. But it proved to her that she was thinking long term about her an Flick. She easily had the cash, her savings would take care of that. She only hoped Flick wouldn’t be too annoyed at her for being extravagant.
###
On Thursday afternoon, Ali returned from a meeting to find a watch box on her desk, with an envelope underneath it. She picked the envelope up and read it. It was an invitation from Flick to a weekend full of fun, laughter and romance. She hoped she liked her present, and assured her it was the first of many over the weekend. She thought of a way to surprise Flick.
There was a bouquet of flowers sitting on her coffee table. They were a thank you from Frank and Mr. McDougal. Ah, flowers at work. There wasn’t enough time to get some ordered and delivered, so she would have to improvise. She rummaged in her desk draw, and found some string.
She pulled a couple of flowers out of the vase an attached the first to the string. She opened the window and dangled the flower out, being careful not to drop the ball of string. She lowered the flower down and waited to feel something pulling on the end. After a couple of minutes of waiting, she pulled her mobile out and sent Flick a text.
Look behind you.
Finally Ali felt a gentle tug on the string, she waited a few seconds and began to pull the now empty string back up. The next flower was attached in seconds and the process repeated. While she was lowering it, she wrote a quick note to send with the next and last flower.
I would like to accept your kind invitation. Roll on tonight, I can’t wait to see you. Xxx.
She attached the note to the string, tied on the last flower and lowered it again. When she felt the last flower being removed, she pulled the string back up and put it back in her drawer. A moment later, Frank knocked and walked through her door. He looked at the opened box still on the desk.
“Oh presents.”
“An early Valentines gift,” Ali confirmed with a small smile.
“Oh my. Someone has actually managed to tame, Alison Macguire. Anyone that we know?”
“Well it’s someone who works here. We’ve been seeing each other for about a month.”
She could see him thinking about who the person was, then the look of recognition fell across his face, “Felicity Bromwell?”
“Yes it is. This isn’t a problem is it?”
“Oh no. It’s great you’re two of my favourite people.”
“We’re going away for the weekend, but she won’t tell me where. Her friend is coming up from Wales, to look after the girls.”
“Well have a nice time. I would like you all to come over to the house, for a barbecue with us when you get back. The girls are welcome too, I’m sure they will get on with all my brood.”
“That would be lovely, Frank, thank you. I’m going to start heading out, I need to pack my bags and sort out Flick’s presents,” Ali started packing her briefcase, and pulling her jacket on. “I need to be at hers by 10 p.m. I’m staying the night there so we can leave early in the morning,” she explained as she locked her office door.
They walked down the hall together. Ali was in a rush to get to Flick’s, but she had to wait until 10:00 p.m. Steph was going to be there later on, and Flick had yet to tell her she was seeing a woman. She was going to turn up with a Chinese and a bottle of wine after Flick had told Steph.
As Ali reached her car, she pulled out her phone and called Flick.
“Hey, baby. Thank you so much for my present. I love it.”
“Phew, I thought I had got the wrong one. Have you read the back of it yet?”
“No, Frank walked in just after I finished my special delivery. But I will look as soon as I get home.”
“Thank you for my flowers. What an imaginative way to deliver them.”
“I had to think of something quite quickly. So I improvised a little.”
“It was a lovely surprise. I’ll see you at 10:00 p.m. I can’t wait.”
Ali disconnected the phone, and reached over and took the watch out of its box. It simply read.
Always in my heart.
Flick.
Xxx
Ali smiled as she secured the watch back into its box. She would put it on tonight before she left for Flick’s. Judging by the sentiment engraved on it, Flick was probably thinking about their relationship the same way she was. This made her smile even more, and also made her anxious to get to Flick’s faster.
Flick had everything sorted out an ready to go. She had indeed brought some new nightwear, and was intending to spoil Ali this weekend. She had lost most of her nerves now, and was itching to get Ali alone. The girls were already in bed, and she had managed to get her bags packed without prying eyes being around.
She was just pouring a glass of wine, when there was a soft knock at the front door. Flick rushed to open it, and wrapped Steph up in a hug.
“You’re early, its only 8:30 p.m.”
“I had an easy journey,” Steph said with a tired smile.
“Would you like a glass of wine?” Flick asked taking her bag, and placing it at the bottom of the stairs, “once we’ve both got a glass in hand, we need to sit down and talk.”
“Yeah, that would be great,” Steph replied with a quizzical look on her face.
Flick poured Steph a glass of wine, then called Ali and told her to come in half an hour. She then led Steph through, to the front room to sit down.
“The thing I need to tell you is, about the person I’m seeing,” Flick anxiously begun.
She picked up her wine glass and took a healthy drink. Steph followed her lead.
“Good Lord, Flick, you’re scaring me. It must be big news for you to down half a glass of wine, before you tell me.”
“Right okay, the thing is. The person I’m seeing is a woman.”
Steph frowned at her and laughed, “nice try, Flick, but pull the other one. You’re straight.”
Steph was still laughing as Flick spoke again, “her name is Alison Macguire, and she is an old friend from secondary school. We work together at McDougal and Cohen, she’s the HR Manager.”
Steph sat and stared at Flick opened mouthed, “you’re not joking are you? You’ve always dated men, Flick. What has made you decide to become a lesbian? Or are you bisexual?”
“No, Steph, I’m not joking. She means the world to the girls and me. We all love being around her. I don’t know what has made me feel this way, but I’m not bisexual. I don’t want another man, or a woman. I just want Ali. I don’t think I could ever be attracted to another woman. It’s just her. I guess we always had this connection, even at school. It’s just taken me all these years, to figure out there’s this attraction between us.”
“Are you happy though, Flick? I have noticed some changes in you, every time we speak on the phone. You seem happier.”
“I’m stupidly happy. She has brought so much to my life already, and we’ve only been together a month.”
There was a knock on the door, and Flick thought Ali had come early. She opened the door to a young man, who was carrying a huge bouquet of Grand Prix, long stemmed red roses. Flick gasped, and Steph stood behind her smiling like a Cheshire cat.
“Felicity Bromwell?”
“Yes,” she replied.
“These are for you, the card is on the top there.”
Flick took the flowers, and went through to the kitchen. Steph pulled the card out, and handed it to Flick. She opened it and slowly read it. A huge smiled spilled onto her face.
Steph grabbed the card, “to, My Darling Flick. Thank you for all the good times over the past month. I hope they continue. With Love Big Al.”
She glanced at Flick, who was looking at the flowers and grinning like mad. She would swear there were tears in Flick’s eyes.
“God, she must be special. She was the one who took you, and the girls to Brighton last month wasn’t she?”
“Yes.”
“Well, if she makes you this happy, I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Wait till you see her with the girls. Oh, she calls Annabelle Belle. It was Annabelle’s idea. You’ll meet her soon, as she is treating us to a Chinese. She knew I had a late finish, and that you’ve had a long drive.”
There was a knock on the front door and Ali entered. “Hello,” she called.
Flick ran to her and kissed her on the mouth.
“Whoa! Easy, tiger.”
“Sorry. But that was for the flowers,” she kissed her again, “that’s because I missed you today.”
A subtle clearing of a throat sounded from behind them.
“Oh, shit, sorry, Steph, I forgot you were here,” Flick said with a wicked laugh.
They all went into the kitchen where Ali put all her bags on the counter. She walked over to stand by Flick as she made the introductions. Flick watched as her two favourite people shook hands and smile at each other. She was satisfied that they were going to get along just fine, and left them to retrieve the glasses of wine from the lounge.
“Started without me did you?” Alison said with a raised eyebrow.
“Only just, would you like one?”
“Yes please.”
Steph was smiling at Flick. Ali had only been in the house ten minutes, but she had already noticed a change in her friend.
“Where are your vases, Flick, I could sort the flowers out for you,” Steph offered.
“In there,” she said pointing to a corner cupboard.
“I’m going to take my bags upstairs. I didn’t want to leave them in the car,” she squeezed Flick’s arse as she passed, and grinned at the little squeal she heard.
She headed up the stairs, and remembered the vase she had bought especially for the, long stemmed roses. She pulled the gift-wrapped box out, one of the bags and headed back downstairs.
“Ali?” a quiet voice said.
Ali turned to find Belle looking at her, “hey, Pumpkin. What’s wrong?”
“Can’t sleep, can I have a drink please?”
“If you get back into bed, I’ll go and fetch you one, okay?”
“Sure thing.”
Ali put the present on the stairs and headed for the kitchen. Flick looked at her filling a glass of water and arched an eyebrow in question.
“It’s for Belle she saw me coming out of the bedroom.”
“Oh crap,” Steph said, “they are not to know I’m here. Where can I hide?”
Ali laughed, “you won’t need to. I’ll tell her we’re going to watch a scary movie, and not to come down. If she needs anything she normally calls down to us.”
“Well, that should work.”
Ali headed back up the stairs, and gave Belle her water. She explained why she shouldn’t come downstairs, and to just do the normal if she needed the
m.
“Okay, Ali. I’ll see you at breakfast,” Belle then reached over and gave Ali a hug.
“Night, my little Belle of the ball,” Ali replied as she kissed her on the top of the head.
She quickly checked on Chelsea, who was already asleep and snoring her head off. As she walked back downstairs she picked the vase up and. When she walked into the kitchen she found Flick fighting with the roses.
“Here, babe, I thought you could use this present early.”
“Ali, we’ve talked about the present giving thing, and we decided that we didn’t have to do it all the time.”
Alison walked over to her and wrapped her arms around her, while she unwrapped the present. She planted a kiss on her neck and said, “yes, but its valentines weekend, I’m allowed to spoil you.”
Steph laughed, “you’ve got your hands full with this one, Flick.”
Flick laughed and replied, “hopefully I will this weekend,” she shot a sultry look at Ali who blushed.
Steph was setting the Chinese out on the table. She couldn’t help but laugh at her friend.
They all ate and chatted at the same time. Ali told them about Frank knowing they were a couple, and the unexpected invitation to a barbecue at his as a family. Flick was surprised at the invitation, and simply said.
“That would be lovely.”
They decided to watch a film after dinner. Ali and Flick curled up together on the sofa, while Steph took the armchair. Steph couldn’t help but stare at them. She had never seen Flick this happy, it simply radiated from her.
At midnight they went to bed. Steph slipped up the stairs to the loft, where the spare bed was. Ali and Flick retired to Flick’s bedroom. They kissed and cuddled until 1:00 a.m. Ali was having trouble restraining herself, from ripping Flick’s t-shirt off. She didn’t think she’d have to wait much longer for Flick to allow her to take her to bed. So she would remain patient a little while longer.
Once again they fell asleep with Ali holding Flick. Both of them excited about the weekend away. There was one more piece of the, plan that needed to be put into place. Ali needed to talk to Steph and fill her in on what needed to be done, and see if she would help. The plan really relied on Steph’s help.
Love Returns Page 9
