by Lydia Rose
“I’m sure all those theories are wrong,” Michelle huffed. “I need to get busy. I don’t want to stay late tonight.”
“Hot date, huh?”
“You bet,” Michelle said before she walked away.
Michelle let herself into Diane’s home with the key she had given her. She dropped her bag on the floor and called out, “Hello. I’m home.” Michelle now watched as her two favorite girls rushed to her. She was almost taken off her feet as Anna hugged her legs and Diane grabbed her tightly.
“We both missed you so much,” Diane whispered in her ear.
“I missed you both too and this is what I call a welcome home.” Michelle looked down at Anna. “Have you been having fun with mommy?”
“Uh huh,” Anna said holding out her arms for Michelle to pick her up.
Michelle strained to lift her off the floor. “You are almost getting too big to be picked up,” she said as she kissed her cheeks over and over again.
“Can I have a kiss too?” Diane asked with a fake pout.
“Most definitely.” Michelle kissed Diane’s lips softly and Anna kissed her mother’s cheek at the same time.
“Shell, are you staying for the weekend?” Anna asked laying her head against her shoulder.
“You bet, honey.”
“Yeah.” The little girl danced around her so excited.
Once Anna was in bed, Michelle and Diane took a seat on the couch together. “So are you ready to go back to work Monday?” Diane shrugged. “You used to love your job, Diane.”
“I know I did, but that was because I had nothing else in my life.” She leaned her head on Michelle’s shoulder. “Now I have Anna and you.”
Michelle giggled. “So sell the company if that will make you happy.”
“I can’t do that, Michelle. Suppose Anna wants to take over some day. Suppose you and I have a baby and they want the company too.” Diane suddenly realized what she had said and lifted her head. The look on Michelle’s face told her everything. “I don’t mean to say that we will. I just thought in case we did.” Diane put her hand to her head. “I’m sorry. I’m just making it worse. I’ll stop talking now.”
They both sat there quietly for a few moments. “You’ve thought about us having a baby?” Diane smiled and nodded. “I never thought I would ever want that.” Diane took her hand. “That was until I met your sweet daughter and us becoming a couple.”
Diane pulled Michelle into her arms. “I love you, Michelle and I will give you anything you want. Including a baby.”
Michelle laughed. “If it was only that simple for you to give me a baby.”
“You wouldn’t have to work, Michelle. You can be a stay at home mom.” Diane was so excited.
Michelle giggled. “You have had too much time on your hands. You’ve been thinking about all this stuff and we’ve only been a couple for a short period of time.”
“I know we have, but I’ve been in love with you for quite some time now. I can’t help it if you are just catching up with me. I love you, Michelle and if you would say yes, I would marry you tomorrow.”
“Slow down, baby. You’ve got me married and pregnant and it’s only Friday night.”
Slow down you dope. You are going to scare her off if you keep talking like that. “I’m sorry, Michelle. I know these are things we don’t have to think about right away.”
“Thank you,” Michelle said holding her hand to her heart. “You’ll give me a heart attack or something.” She leaned over and kissed Diane softly. “I do love you and want all those things too, but we haven’t even told anyone about us yet.”
“Yeah about that. Carolyn tells me there are all kinds of rumors going around as to why I was out these past two months.”
“I know.” Michelle pulled at Diane’s top and looked down at her boobs. “Nope. No work needed there.”
Diane’s eyes opened wide. “They thought I was having a boob job?”
“Yeah and a face lift.”
Diane shook her head in disgust. “It is none of their business why I was out.”
“I know, baby. Don’t worry.”
“The company picnic is coming up in September. I would like you to be my date for that.”
“You mean we are going to let the company know about us?” Diane nodded. “Is that wise?”
“You don’t work for me any longer.”
“But I do work for the company.”
“I don’t care, Michelle. Let them talk. If they can’t handle it, let them find another job.”
“Yeah, but people are going to think I’m dating you to get ahead.”
Diane cupped Michelle’s cheek. “You and I know the truth.” They kissed again. “What do you want to do this weekend?”
“Well, I spoke with my mother on the way over here. She keeps asking when she and my dad are going to meet you and Anna.”
“You told them about me?”
“Of course.”
“They don’t believe that I took advantage of you, do they?”
Michelle couldn’t help but smile. “No, honey. They don’t think that. My mom said I sounded happy.” She caressed Diane’s cheek. “And I am. So much.”
CHAPTER 23
The two-hour trip was relatively quiet. Anna fell asleep not long after the trip began. The radio played soft music in the background. Michelle took Diane’s hand. “Everything will be fine, sweetheart.” Michelle kissed Diane’s knuckles.
“Yeah, then why do I feel like I’m going to be sick?”
Michelle laughed and then covered her mouth glancing back at Anna. “Didn’t you meet James’ parents?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t care what they thought of me. In a way I hoped they would forbid James to marry me.”
“Is that what you are hoping my parents will say? Not that you’ve asked me to marry you or anything.”
“No, Michelle. I’m worried they won’t like me and tell you to stop seeing me.” Diane couldn’t comprehend her life any longer without Michelle in it.
“Honey, nothing they could say would ever change that. Besides my mother is going to love you.” She squeezed her hand firmly.
“What about your dad?”
“He loves everyone. You’ll see.”
You have arrived at your destination, the vehicle’s navigator announced.
“Thanks for the warning,” Diane said wiping her brow.
“Honey, relax.” Michelle couldn’t help but giggle at Diane’s nervousness.
Diane turned to Michelle. “I want them to like me.”
“Then be yourself. That’s who I fell in love with.” Michelle rubbed her fingers across Diane’s hand. “Okay?” She went to the back seat as Anna was just coming around. “Come on, sweetie, we’re here.” The three walked to the front door with Anna in the middle holding their hands. Michelle opened the front door. “Hello. We’re here,” she called out.
“In here, Mickey,” Holly Whitman called out.
“Mickey?” Diane asked leaning toward her and then giggled.
“What can I say?” Michelle shrugged her shoulders. “Hi, Mom.” She gave the woman a hug. “Hey, Dad.”
“Mickey.” Mike Whitman practically lifted his daughter off her feet.
“Mom, Dad, I would like you to meet Diane and Anna Baker.” Michelle reached back and took Diane’s hand. Little Anna stood behind her mother’s leg.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. & Mrs. Whitman,” Diane said holding out her hand to each of them.
Holly ignored the hand and pulled her into a hug. “We’ve heard such nice things about you, Diane. We’re both happy that you’re here.” She now lowered herself and smiled at Anna. “Hello, Anna. You are such a beautiful little girl.” Anna hid her face. “You can call us Nan and Pop.”
Anna looked at Holly smiling. “Are you Shell’s mommy and daddy?”
“Yes, we are,” Holly answered. “What can I get you all to drink?” They got their drinks and went into the living room where Holly had se
t out appetizers. Anna looked at her mother and pointed at the food. “You can eat, sweetie. What would you like?” Anna pointed to the pigs in a blanket and Holly put a few on a plate.
“I understand you own your own company?” Mike asked looking at Diane.
“I do. It was my father’s company. He and my husband passed away last year.”
“So you were married?” Holly asked raising an eyebrow.
Diane shot a look at Michelle who mouthed sorry for not telling them beforehand. “I was.”
“But you’re in love with my daughter because I know she is in love with you? I can hear it every time she calls me on the phone.”
“I am very much in love with Michelle.” Diane looked at Michelle who was wearing a goofy grin.
Michelle and her mother went into the kitchen to finish up making lunch. Diane remained behind discussing the oil business with her father.
“She’s very charming.” Holly commented as she tossed the salad. “Very pretty too.”
“Mom, she’s not just beautiful on the outside, but inside too.”
“I’ve never seen you this happy with anyone you’ve ever dated,” Holly said putting her hand on Michelle’s shoulder.
“That’s because they weren’t Diane.” The goofy grin remained on her face as she spoke to her mother about Diane.
“And that little girl,” Holly put her hands together. “Mickey, she’s so precious.”
Michelle giggled. “I know, Mom.”
“So you like being a mom?”
“I love being with Anna, but I am not responsible for most of Anna’s care. She has a nanny while Diane and I are at work.”
“But you give her baths in the evening and tuck her in?”
“When I stay at Diane’s house.”
“So you two aren’t living together?”
“No, Mom.” Michelle sat at the kitchen counter. “People at work don’t know about us yet.”
“Why not?”
“Diane is protecting me.”
“Protecting you from what?”
“She doesn’t want people to say that I’m involved with her to further my career.”
Holly took the seat next to Michelle. “Will people actually say that?”
“It’s possible, Mom.” She put her hand on top of her mother’s hand. “We are going to make an announcement at the company picnic in September.”
“Are you sure you want to do that? Maybe you should find another job.” Holly asked, worried about her daughter’s reputation.
“Mom, I’m a big girl. People are going to believe what they want. I like my job and I’m not being forced out because some people will be jealous.”
Holly stood up. “You do what you think is best.”
“Thanks Mom, for trying to protect me.”
“I always will, Mickey.” Holly leaned over to Michelle’s ear. “She’s very rich, isn’t she?” Michelle nodded. “At least I know you’ll never starve.”
“You are something else, Mom,” Michelle said laughing with her mother.
By the time they left that afternoon, arrangements were made for them to visit them in Dallas for the weekend. Even Anna had warmed up to them.
Her father picked up Anna and kissed her cheek. “You be good for your mommies.”
Anna looked at Michelle and Diane. “I will, Pop.”
Mike passed Anna to Holly. “Bye, sweetie.”
“Bye, Nan,” she said as she kissed her cheek.
Once they were on the road, Anna asked, “Mommy, is Shell my mommy too now?”
Diane glanced at Michelle and smiled. “Sweetie, Nan meant that Michelle loves you like a daughter, just like I do.”
“Your mommy calls you Mickey,” she said to them. Diane giggled.
“She does, Anna, but you can still call me Shell.”
“Okay,” she said closing her eyes from the excitement of the day.
“Mickey. I think that’s cute. Maybe I’ll start calling you Mickey,” Diane said still giggling.
“Don’t you dare.” Diane giggled louder. “If you do, you’ll be sleeping alone tonight.”
Diane reached for Michelle’s hand and pulled it over to her body. “Michelle.” She kissed her fingers.
“I love the way you say my name,” she said softly caressing Diane’s cheek. “Don’t ever stop saying it.” Michelle let out a big sigh. “Are we almost home?”
“Tired?” Diane asked with a glance.
“No,” she answered quickly.
“Oh.” Diane hit the gas pedal harder. She knew what would happen once they got home and the sooner they got there, the sooner she would have Michelle in her arms.
*
Monday morning Diane dressed in her business clothes and made her way to the office. Her new assistant was sitting at Michelle’s desk and she felt a twinge in her stomach of someone new sitting in Michelle’s seat. She introduced herself and the woman shook Diane’s hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Baker.”
“Please call me Diane. We aren’t that formal here.”
“Thank you.”
“Would you ask all the VP’s of the departments to come to my office at eleven?” Diane asked opening her office door.
“Of course,” Alison said already with the phone in her hand.
“I called you all here because even though my health is good, I want to cut back on my work load.” Diane watched as the men and women raised their eyebrows at her statement. “You all did a fine job while I was out and I hope you will continue protecting this company and its employees.”
“How many days a week are you going to take off?” the Vice President of Engineering asked.
“I will be working Tuesday through Thursday full days, but I won’t be in on Friday or Monday. That is unless I am needed for some emergency.” She watched their faces relax. “Is that acceptable to everyone?”
Carolyn was the first one to speak up. “We can handle everything, Diane.”
“Remember, I will be available on the phone for any questions you might have.”
“When will you start this schedule?” another VP asked.
“Next week.” Diane stood up signaling the end of the meeting. “If there are no other questions.”
Everyone left her office except Carolyn. “I see your time off did you well,” she said with a smirk. “You are doing this because of someone, aren’t you?”
Diane smiled and nodded, “Yes, and if only I could convince her to do the same, I would be in heaven.”
Carolyn’s jaw dropped open. “Her? It’s you,” she said covering her mouth. “The leak about the CEO sleeping with her assistant.” Diane smiled and jutted her chin out. “She told me I was a nice person, but it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to date me.” Carolyn threw her hands up. “What a hypocrite,” she huffed.
“Please don’t think badly of Michelle. We wanted to keep this a secret so people wouldn’t think she was sleeping with the boss to advance her career.” Diane told her dear friend.
“I knew when you danced with her in the club that you were interested in her. I just knew it.”
“You would be wrong because the thought had never entered my mind, but I did fall in love with her.” Diane lowered her head in thought. “I almost lost her to Jillian and I couldn’t tell her how I felt.”
“You really love her, don’t you?” Carolyn asked moving over to her friend.
“I do, but please, we want to keep this quiet for a while. I plan on making the announcement at the company picnic.”
Carolyn laughed. “That should go over well.”
“I don’t care what any of them think. It’s my company and if someone doesn’t like it, they can leave.”
Carolyn pulled her friend to her. “I’m happy for you, Diane. I really am, but I am jealous that you got the best looking woman here and she is a terrific person too.”
“I know. I hit the jackpot with Michelle.”
It was after five o’clock and Dian
e had sent her new assistant home for the evening when her cellphone rang. She looked at the screen and smiled. “Still working?”
“Yes. I should be out of here in the next half hour.” Diane brought up the report on her computer as she spoke.
“How was your first day?”
“Carolyn knows,” she said absently. “I’ll explain later. Are you coming over tonight?” Diane looked up as the door opened and Michelle stood in the doorway. They both disconnected the line. “Hi,” Diane said as Michelle stood against the closed door.
“I missed you,” Michelle said softly as she quickly made her way over to Diane. They fell into each other’s arms and began to kiss passionately. Michelle was now moving them toward Diane’s private bathroom, but their lips never separated.
When Diane realized where they were going, she said breathlessly, “Let me lock the door.”
“Already done,” Michelle said grabbing the front of Diane’s shirt and pulled her into the bathroom. Once there, she unbuttoned her pants and shoved her hand inside finding Diane already wet. “You are so ready,” she whispered and Diane nodded as Michelle hands went through her wet folds and pushed two fingers inside her.
“Wait,” Diane said and unbuttoned Michelle’s pants too. Their lips came back together as their fingers pumped each other. “How did I get so lucky to find you?”
“I’m the lucky one,” Michelle said before she felt the flutter in her body. They both moaned loudly as they came together.
Their foreheads laid against one another. “Now that is the way to end the day.”
“Let’s go home,” Michelle begged.
If only you thought of my house as your home I would be the happiest woman in the world. “Yes, let’s go home.”
The next day at work Michelle heard the news and now found herself on Diane’s doorstep. She had the key in her hand to open the door, but decided to knock instead. “Michelle,” Diane said surprised. “Why didn’t you use your key?”
“I came over unannounced, I just didn’t want to walk in the door.” Diane took her hand and pulled her inside.
“Michelle, I want you to think of this as your home too. You don’t have to call to tell me you are coming over. You are welcome anytime.” She now led Michelle to the living room. “I wish you would consider moving in with us.”
