Learning to Walk Again

by S. L. Kassidy

  Nicole didn’t respond, slipping another finger into Dane. Dane bucked as bolts of ecstasy blazed through her, giving all of her to Nicole. She keened as Nicole sucked on her clit with tender, loving care. So perfect. Tongue, lips, and fingers. It made Dane’s head spin and drift away on a warm current of bliss. The heavens moved as Nicole had her, slipped inside of her, touched her. Another moan escaped from deep in Dane’s throat, and she held Nicole close as her body gave into the rapture. Her eyes drifted shut, feeling like she floated away. Nicole kissing her chin brought her back to herself.

  “Time to get up,” Nicole whispered.

  “Damn it. I wanna sleep now,” Dane replied. She’d like to curl up next to Nicole’s body, sleep for a little while, and then wake up to do it all over again. She wanted to hold Nicole and love her forever and always.

  “Sorry. Adult stuff calls.”

  “I think this is plenty adult.” Dane ran her hands up and down Nicole’s back. Her body tingled, not just from her orgasm, but from the thought of being able to give Nicole one. I want to feel her surrounding me with love as she begs me to give her what she craves.

  “You’ve got me there, but there’s work adult stuff.” Nicole shot a glare at her. “And you better not say this is work.”

  Dane gave her a lopsided grin and caressed Nicole’s breast. “Never.”

  “Good. Now, take a shower, and I’m going to start breakfast.”

  Their morning routine went as usual, except somehow feeling lighter, easier. Dane had stopped fussing over meals in general. It was easier to accept now, understanding what she could’ve lost, but also understanding what her stubborn behavior did to Nicole. It wasn’t fair or right to stress Nicole out at home when the rest of the world did it quite well.

  “You wanna meet up for lunch?” Dane asked before taking a bite of her egg sandwich.

  Nicole nodded. “If I’m not working on my project. Good?”

  Dane smiled. “The best.” And Nicole would take the best care of her, as long as she allowed it.

  Nicole drove her to work and then set off for a couple of hours at the library. She had planned to go back home for Haydn, knowing he needed the attention, and Dane trusted she would. For now, she had work to focus on.

  “Come with me,” Calvin said, catching her arm when she was barely inside and pulling her toward the nearest free office space.

  “Am I being fired? Or killed?” Dane asked as he shut the door. Maybe he didn’t like the fact that she brought the musicians out for the audience to see. She glanced around the bare room, hoping for a clue as to what was about to go down.

  Calvin shook his head, unable to keep a smile off his face. “Neither. Have you read the reviews?”

  Her eyebrows knitted. “The reviews?” Oh, right. Critics reviewed shows. Reviews had been the furthest thing from her mind last night and this morning.

  Calvin shook his head. “Of course, you haven’t seen the reviews.” He turned to the desk and grabbed his tablet. “It’s all local stuff.”

  He didn’t let her scroll through anything, instead holding the tablet for both of them to see and highlighting sentences he wanted her to read. Everyone praised the music, calling it original and gripping. One actually said, “the only original thing about this whole play was the music and it’s more than worth the price of admission.” She wasn’t sure if she agreed with that, but it was nice to see in print. There were a few that devoted several sentences to the epic battle between the violin and guitar. They didn’t even say the hero and the villain, but the violin and guitar.

  “Do you know how many people last night wanted to buy a CD of the score or wanted to know where they could download it?” Calvin asked.

  “No.” CDs and downloads were also far from her mind at the moment. She had thrown the possibility of CDs out to Calvin before, but they didn’t have the budget for recording studio time.

  “We’ve got to get the music up for people to buy ASAP. Do you know how to do that?”

  “Someone in the orchestra probably does.” Hell, she had only learned how to text a couple of months ago. If it didn’t have to do with making music on a computer, her knowledge ended there. Crow might be able to help. Or Jody. I’m sure Jody knows how to do this stuff. “Thought we didn’t have the money for this.”

  “We didn’t, but we’ve pulled it together after last night.”

  “If you want a clean sound, we need a real studio and not the cell we’ve been practicing in.”

  He rubbed his chin. “We’ll get you some time. It’ll happen. We need to make it happen. This is one thing people can walk away from and have a piece of this play with them, beyond the cups and toy swords. This is something they can all enjoy and pass along to friends to get them to the show or buy a CD.”

  Dane nodded. “What do you want to do in the mean time?”

  “Upload whatever you have to the show’s website today if you can. If you can’t, let me know within two hours and I’ll have someone here to do it. You have digital copies of everything, right?”

  “Of course.” All their final pieces were saved on her computer. The music wasn’t the cleanest since it was recorded in the orchestra room, but it was something.

  “Okay, it’ll have to do for now. I’ll try to get you guys into a studio to properly record as soon as possible for clear and crisp sound.”

  Dane nodded. Calvin was excited, and she could hardly keep up. She had just gotten engaged, after all. It was too much to process. She’d have to talk to Nicole about the CDs and downloads, though. It seemed important. Surely there were royalties or something she was entitled to.

  “I want you to work on a real musical for me,” Calvin said.

  Dane blinked. “What? I’m already working on this.” How many things does he think I can tackle at once? I’m good, but I’m only human.

  “The music is done.” He waved it off.

  “But, I have to direct the orchestra.” Dane couldn’t abandon them. She built this thing, whatever the hell it was, and she needed to see it through to the end with them.

  Calvin nodded, as if he understood, and his eyes lost a little fire. “Okay. They are a good orchestra. I’m getting a little ahead of myself anyway. I’m still shopping around for the next show, but I want a musical. I’d let you work directly with the writer, who will be much friendlier than Andrew.”

  “Ah, you know about him.”

  Calvin chuckled. “He’s been throwing tantrums since day one, but I can understand why. This was his big break, just like you, I suppose. I’ve been doing this for a long time. I know a strong show when I see one. His is all right, at best. He got a lot of positive reviews. Unfortunately, praise for the score came before praise for anything else. The costumes came second, and that was another department where I did most of the hiring.”

  Dane struggled not to roll her eyes. Yeah, knowing that would make Andrew much lovelier to work with. Of course, he wasn’t ready to put up with her, even when she conceded he was right. “Then, you’re scooping me up while you can?” She might be able to get better offers if someone with any clout looked at those reviews, but she liked Calvin and could probably negotiate with him. She’d probably have to get Nicole to help her out with proper negotiating.

  A grin settled on his face. “Well, I did give you your start.”

  She laughed. He had no idea how close she’d been to not meeting him at all, to not trying any of this. He took a chance with her, though, and she’d like to be as loyal to him as common sense would allow. Still, she’d talk the offer over with Nicole when she got the chance. Business advice overall might do her well.

  “All right. I’ll let you get to work. Consider doing a score for a play where you don’t have to lead the orchestra.” He motioned for the door to let her know it was okay to leave.

  “I will.” Dane wasn’t sure how she felt about that. She was used to being there and leading the charge if she wrote a song. She knew precisely what she wanted to happen and could
correct things if necessary to stay true to her vision. No one else would be able to do that or another person would alter things in a manner that didn’t work for her. Still, it was something she’d worry about later.

  ***

  “I can’t believe Nick didn’t want to go to this,” Dane said. She stood in the middle of a huge crowd, listening to some important college person make a speech about something. She tuned out, searching through the sea of shimmering caps and gowns ahead of her to see some glimpse of her love. She couldn’t wait to see Nicole walk across that stage, highlighted by the bright sun, sparkling.

  “Did you have to make her?” Allison asked, tucked under Dane’s arm. The Briarmoors had come to Nicole’s graduation, continuing to be awesome. Everyone around her was awesome.

  Dane laughed. “I didn’t have to. Her mommy made her go.” She pointed to Kathleen, who had taken so many pictures of Nicole in her robe that it would’ve been easy to think it was her first graduation. Kathleen was up by Nicole, wherever she sat in the ocean of teal and gold graduates, probably taking more pictures.

  “You’d think this whole thing was Kate’s idea from the way she’s going on about it,” Kimber remarked.

  “I’m just happy she came around. She’s always giving Nicole such a hard time when my sweet pea is a sweetheart,” Alicia said. She held her chin up high.

  Dane chuckled. She thought they were right, but it was also clear Kathleen loved Nicole. Maybe Kathleen would accept Nicole was an adult, who could figure out what was best for her on her own. Whatever the case, Dane was happy Kathleen showed such support, especially considering how dejected Nicole had seemed that morning.

  Nicole had gotten up that morning acting like it was any other day. Dane had been excited until Nicole let her know they weren’t going to the graduation. Dane didn’t understand why until Nicole grumbled about no one going, and by no one she meant her parents. When her parents knocked on the door, Nicole had been visibly confused, and then Kathleen took over. Next thing they knew, they were in the crowd and Nicole was with her fellow graduates.

  Nicole’s family and the Briarmoors met them there. Mina and Clara were there as well, and they had stuck close to Nicole until she disappeared among the graduates. They were all giggles and grins.

  “How is she?” Dane asked them.

  “Not as dazed as when you proposed, but definitely overwhelmed,” Mina replied.

  Dane nodded. Nicole had been beyond stressed during her final semester, but she stuck it out. Eventually, she fixed whatever was wrong with her thesis project, but still worried over what would happen once she graduated. Dane thought Nicole might stay at the firm, still wanting to be close to her parents’ dream despite having her own. Dane didn’t begrudge her that. She’d support Nicole in whatever she decided.

  “She’ll be okay,” Dane said.

  “I know. I think she’s nervous for the simple fact that she can be,” Mina replied.

  Dane glanced down at Allison. “Did that make sense to you?”

  “Do you have a degree?” Allison asked out of the blue.

  Dane blinked and then shook her head. “No. Lucky to have a high school diploma.”

  Allison nodded, and Dane wondered if she disappointed the girl. That’d suck if she did. It felt good to have Allison look up to her. She didn’t have a chance to contemplate for long as the graduates were finally being called. When Nicole walked across the stage, their group erupted. Dane almost lost her voice in the ten seconds Nicole was there.

  “Do you need a degree to do music like you need for science?” Allison asked once Nicole was out of sight.

  “I’m living proof you don’t and most musicians I know don’t have degrees. You’re going to college, though, you know?” Dane would force her if she had to. School was way too important to miss out.

  Allison nodded. “I know. But, maybe I’ll play music, too.”

  Dane pulled her into a one-armed hug. “I think you could pull it off.”

  ***

  Lunch after graduation wasn’t a surprise for Nicole. No, the biggest surprise of the day was still that her parents were there and patting her on the back, like they hadn’t told her she was making a mistake when she started her graduate school journey. The last surprise of the day came during lunch. Her mother pulled Nicole aside for a moment. Her father was already waiting in a quiet corner of the restaurant. Nicole’s heart jumped into her throat, fearing the worst.

  “Nikki, we are very proud of you,” her father said for possibly the millionth time today as he grabbed her into yet another hug.

  “Thank you, Daddy,” Nicole said, returning the embrace.

  “And we don’t want to lose your brilliant mind or presence for the firm,” her mother said.

  Nicole’s brow furrowed. “I don’t know if I’m going to leave the firm yet.” But, the lab offer was tempting, beckoning. It wasn’t the end of the world to go someplace new and do new things. Life was about evolving, changing, doing new things to see if they fit. Karisa called her a few days ago and sounded like she would be thrilled to have Nicole. Now, Nicole was certain she’d be thrilled to be there.

  “Well, our graduation gift to you is a little self-serving in the sense that we want to have an environmental law division and figured you could use your chemistry degree in that section of law. If that’s all right with you,” her mother explained slowly, as if she was scared to get it all out and then be turned down.

  A feather could’ve knocked her over. “You want to bring this whole new piece into the firm just for me?”

  “Nikki, it’s always been our dream for you to inherit our firm in some way. You’d become a partner, of course, but carry on after we retired. Hell, sit in one of our offices,” her father said.

  Nicole smiled a little. “Well, your offices do have better views.”

  “Think about it,” her mother said.

  Nicole shook her head. “There’s nothing to think about.” Her parents’ face fell. “I’d like to do that.”

  While she wouldn’t be able to do experiments or work in a lab, she could still use her knowledge. Besides, maybe she wouldn’t be bothered if she worked in a different section of law. It should be a lot less soul sucking. She wouldn’t have to put up with the handful of assholes. Her parents came in for another hug and Nicole returned it. She felt more at ease now than she had in a long time with her parents.

  “But, not full time for right now. I want to try working at Karisa’s lab while the offer is on the table,” Nicole said. She needed to get it out of her system. Maybe it would never be out of her system. She had to find out. She’d keep a few clients, let them call her, get advice and such, but most of them would be referred to Mina.

  “Take your time,” her mother said.

  Nicole had to fight back tears on that. She grabbed her parents into yet another hug. She felt free. This was the start of something fresh, new, and fulfilling. She was certain of that.

  ***

  Later that afternoon after the festivities were over, Nicole and Danny arrived home, got into some comfortable clothes, and collapsed on the couch. Haydn nosed their hands, wanting to play. Danny waved him away, aware that wouldn’t do anything and laughed as he licked her palm. Nicole chuckled, too.

  “This was a great day, but I’m happy it’s over.” Nicole sighed as she leaned against Danny. It felt nice to cuddle. She felt like she had a lot of snuggling to catch up on now that school was over.

  Danny put her arm around Nicole’s shoulders and pulled her closer. “That’s how I felt opening night.”

  “I was so nervous that my parents would hate me after I walked across that stage.”

  Danny kissed Nicole’s head. Nicole tucked in tighter against her, missing the feel of being against Danny in such a relaxed, carefree way. Danny kissed the top of her head again while Haydn pushed against both of them.

  “They love you, Chem. They’re always in your corner.”

  Nicole nodded. She knew that to be
true, but this was the first time in her life she truly went against their wishes. Thankfully, they were excellent parents.

  “They offered me a new position,” Nicole said.

  Danny ran her hand through Nicole’s hair and flicked the ends with her finger. “They told me they planned on it.”

  Nicole pulled back to squint at Danny. “They told you?” She didn’t expect her parents to include Danny. Wow. They really are excellent.

  A small smile lingered on Danny’s face. “They were scared the idea wouldn’t work. I think they were also scared you’d be upset they hadn’t thought of that sooner. You could’ve been doing environmental law since you graduated law school, but they had pushed you into corporate.”

  Sighing, Nicole let it go. “It’s fine. I probably would’ve gone into corporate anyway. I knew they wanted me to follow in their footsteps, and I wouldn’t have had the courage to do otherwise.”

  Danny nodded and caressed Nicole’s side. “Well, it’s done now.”

  Nicole took a deep breath, but didn’t respond. It was done now. She’d get to do something better, hopefully. If not, she had her degree now, and she could definitely do something with it if law didn’t pan out.

  “I’m going to work in Karisa’s lab, too,” Nicole said.

  “You don’t think you’ll stretch yourself thin?”

  “No. I’m going to work at the lab first. I’ll do that full time while clients will trickle in for law. The lab will keep me busy and I get to experience it. I want to stay connected to the firm, but I have to try this.”

  “If that’s what you wanna do, you know I’m right with you. I wasn’t sure what you were going to do, but I hope it makes you happy.” Danny nuzzled her.

  Nicole kissed her cheek. “I wasn’t sure what I was going to do either, but I find when I have the choice, I don’t mind carrying the legacy. I just want to get some me time in also.”

  “You definitely earned it. I just hope there’s some me in your me time.”