Where We Belong

by Fox Brison

  She was such a romantic! Although if we went to Paris we’d probably have to leave in the middle of the night to avoid congestion and long queues! “Have you ever taken anyone to Paris before?” I’ll admit I was fishing.

  “Nope, you’d be the first.”

  “And I was your first toaster oven!” I boasted. I don’t know why I was so proud of that fact, but I was!

  “Hmm?” she was looking at the picture we’d taken. Showing it to me I widened my eyes. I looked so carefree, we both did. “Yes. Was I yours? First lesbian I mean, not toaster,” she clarified.

  “Oh my God, yes!” I exploded with laughter. “You’ve been my first in so many ways.”

  “Yeah?” She buffed her nails on her tight white t-shirt. I’d always admired the female form but I worshipped Elisha’s. “Bri,” she hesitated.

  “Leesh,” I encouraged.

  “Was I really your first orgasm?”

  “Uhm, yeah,” I said, and embarrassedly explained. “Well my first with a partner and not...” I waggled my fingers and giggled.

  “Look, I know it really isn’t any of my business, and it’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it, but what really happened between you and your fiancé?”

  “Firstly he wasn’t my fiancé. I declined his generous offer to have kids and become a Stepford Wife!” I remembered my conversation with Sam and knew that Elisha was seeking reassurance; it was important for both of us to get a little clarity. It was all new, the relationship had evolved, and now we were finding our feet. “As for why we broke up,” I began, my tone low, “it has a lot to do with why and how we started our relationship. When I hit thirty I was still single having never been in a meaningful relationship,” I admitted with a wry grin. “And we both know why!”

  “Yeah?”

  “I was waiting for you,” I said affectionately and she awwwed, so I slapped her shoulder. Cheeky mare! “Anyway, I went out with a few friends and that night I met Leo. We liked similar things and I guess in a way we were similar characters. We played things safe and neither of us liked to rock the boat. We started as friends and that was how it should have stayed.”

  “Friends first, lovers second is a good thing too,” she pointed out.

  “Oh, absolutely, as long as you make that leap for the right reasons. I entered into a relationship with Leo because it was easy. I envied people who seemed to have these life plans and a clear direction. I never had that. I could have done anything when I left uni, but I chose to work for my father because it was the easiest option, plus it meant working with Sam a lot of the time. I was happy to live a life of, well, averageness.” I gave an uncomfortable laugh. “I didn’t like challenging myself.”

  “That doesn’t sound anything like you,” Elisha said sweetly. “You’re challenging yourself here, and rising to it. This isn’t exactly the easiest project to work on never mind researching your adoption.” She didn’t add and then there’s us.

  But I guess that went without saying.

  “No, but it’s been the most rewarding build.” I said. She ducked her head and smiled coyly; my heart melted a little more. “Aaaanyway,” I said theatrically, “there was no excitement with him. He was to passion what vanilla is to ice cream. Boring. Bland.”

  “And you wanted Rocky Road?”

  “I’d have taken mint choc chip!” I chuckled and winked. “It wasn’t purely the physical side of things; he didn’t stimulate my mind, body or soul. Unfortunately I didn’t realise that about myself until Leo was on one knee asking for my hand…” a wry shake of my head, “I said no and left that night,” I said sheepishly.

  Elisha gave me a quick kiss that escalated to heavy breathing and a lot of touching in places that were sadly covered up. Eventually, we rose for air.

  She whispered dreamily, “And do I stimulate you?”

  “You fulfill me completely.” My response a throaty growl. I was so turned on my clothes were making my body itch, and red ribbons of molten arousal flowed through my veins. I was overheating and loving it. Never had I felt so satisfied, so at home, so safe in another’s arms. Perhaps the tale of soulmates torn asunder at birth wasn’t that tall.

  “Do you think you might have found your mint choc chip?” she asked nonchalantly.

  “No,” I said and she looked crestfallen. “I’ve found my Rocky Road with a flake, chocolate sauce, crushed nuts, and sprinkles,” I answered solemnly.

  And that’s when she introduced me to another first.

  Alfresco sex.

  Chapter 37

  Elisha

  Brianna was in the bath. I tried joining her, but the tub was too small and we were too tall, resulting in scarcely three inches of water remaining in the bottom. A bath like the one in the Westgate B&B was top of my wish list! Getting (reluctantly) out I headed into the living room and began flicking through the channels as a distraction; it didn’t work.

  I would never admit to Brianna that I was worried about her past, but her split with Leo was recent and our relationship, whilst new for us, was brand spanking virginal new for her. What happened to Shannon regarding her first love, Marie (who, once the initial flush wore off and reality sank in, crawled back to her boyfriend leaving Shannon heartbroken) was in the back of my mind.

  Speaking of Shannon…

  “I was just thinking about you,” I said answering the phone.

  “Yeah? That sounds ominous,” she chuckled.

  “Not at all.”

  “And you sound incredibly happy… oh my God, you did the deed with Brianna, didn’t you?”

  “How the hell did you reach that conclusion from me saying not at all?” I asked, giving the game away with my evasiveness.

  “I know you, Leesh, it’s in your voice. It has that ‘I’m such a stud’ quality to it. And?” she prodded.

  “And?”

  “Was it angel’s singing? Did you see God?”

  “Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and all the Apostles,” I swooned and we both laughed.

  “So why were you thinking of me? Christ it wasn’t during was it?”

  “No… Just. Eww, nooo. Of course not. Brianna and I were talking about her ex who was a man, obviously. And it reminded me of you and Marie is all,” I explained.

  “And you got scared?” she said knowingly. “Brianna doesn’t strike me as the type who’s after a bit of fun, or making up for not experimenting when she was at college.”

  “No, she’s not like that, not at all,” I affirmed proudly. Lovingly. God I had it bad for my grey eyed temptress.

  “And you realise she could just as easily leave you for a woman.”

  I grew nauseous. “I hadn’t, but thanks for that.”

  “You’re welcome,” she replied. Her voice was muffled and then she rejoined the conversation. “Sorry about that, Kate was after her wallet. She’s going to get us Chinese… date night.”

  “Doesn’t date night infer you do something different?” I asked.

  “We’ll eat it naked,” she replied. “And stop. Don’t think I don’t realise what you’re doing, with the deflecting! Her curiosity during our coming out stories makes sense now. So does Brianna identify as bi?”

  “I don’t know, we haven’t had that conversation.”

  “Would it bother you if she was?” she asked.

  “No,” I said, mentally shrugging. “As you so helpfully pointed out, she could leave me for another woman. And I definitely don’t think she’ll suggest we get Leo to join us or watch!”

  “Leo?”

  “He’s the ex,” I explained succinctly.

  “Ah right, hence the Marie reference. Leesh, the ting is, Marie was terrified of coming out. Her mother went to church three times a week.” That one fact explained everything. “She wasn’t ready and I was young and very impatient. I could have been more supportive, but I pushed her to be open with her family. Ultimately I forced her away.”

  “I guess we should say thank God or there’d be no Kate,” I said positively.


  “Things have a way of working themselves out. I’ve always been a big believer in ‘if it’s meant to be it’s meant to be.’”

  “My cousin the philosopher,” I said drolly.

  “Hey, I’ve been with my wife for thirteen years, don’t knock it! Anyway I digress. Tell me what’s next?” There was seriousness to her tone and I sighed. The sixty four billion euro question.

  “It’s only been twenty four hours,” I prevaricated, “and it’s still new to both of us. I don’t know if it’s what either of us wants.”

  “Liar. I know you, Leesh. You wouldn’t be with her if it wasn’t all in.”

  “We haven’t discussed the future, but, well… what would you and Kate think about moving back home?” I asked hesitantly.

  “I’d love it,” she admitted. “We’ve been talking kids.”

  “Say what?” Another thunderbolt revelation. Apparently this was the weekend for them.

  “Dublin’s great, but I don’t know if I want to raise my family here.” Her voice was guarded. This was clearly a sensitive topic for her.

  “I didn’t think you and Kate wanted children.” It was a running joke between the three of us. Shannon and Kate were in a happy committed relationship but didn’t want a family, and single old me, who couldn’t find a partner in a thousand lesbian speed dating events, would have loved one. Maybe there’s hope yet… Talk about cart before the horse, Leesh!

  “We didn’t either but things change, people change, and it turns out we do. I have my first appointment next week.”

  “Jaysus, you don’t hang about. And when were you going to tell me? When you handed me your bundle of joy?”

  “We didn’t want to jinx it, but the minute the little stick thing turns blue or pink, or whatever the hell it does-”

  “I honestly think you should know that,” I cut in.

  “Ha ha. Piss takin’ little fecker! I hope Brianna knows what she’s letting herself in for. Anyway, as soon as we know, you’ll know. I’m really excited, Leesh, but cacking it too,” she acknowledged.

  “Why? Sure, you and Kate will be the best mammies, I’m made up for you both.” I took a deep breath. “So back to me. If there was an option you’d consider coming home?” Brianna was my world, and given the choice my world wouldn’t be too disrupted with her in it. However, if push came to shove (Ireland without Brianna or England with her) my flight would be booked and suitcase packed before she could finish saying rats in Romford.

  “Definitely. I know you and Kate have discussed the possibility of her joining your staff as a full time counsellor. I put the feelers out for teaching posts in the area a few months ago.”

  “You have it all planned.” Which was weird because normally I was the plotter and she was the habitual pantser.

  “I do. I’m guessing from all this you’d move to London?”

  “I love her,” I said quietly. “I haven’t told her, but I do. When we’re together we fit seamlessly and when we’re apart it physically hurts. I’ve never experienced that before.”

  “Well it’s about time. If anyone deserves a happy ever after it’s you, Leesh. Look I better go, I promised Kate I’d put the washing away.”

  “And let me guess you haven’t started?”

  “If you get off the phone perhaps I could!” she chuckled. “Besides, if I know my wife, she’s stopping for wine and flowers too.”

  “I told you she was a keeper. And thanks, Shannon, I feel so much better.”

  “No probs. Now go and show that girl what she’s been missing.”

  “You have a filthy mind,” I admonished, even though that was exactly what I intended to do.

  ***

  I woke up totally disorientated. This wasn’t my room, this wasn’t my bed. I grinned. I was energised and exhausted all at the same time.

  And disappointed.

  Rolling over I reached out but all I got was a handful of duvet, not the handful I was looking for. Brianna wasn’t next to me. I had been relishing opening my eyes with her in my arms. Cocking my ear I listened for running water, thinking she might have popped to the loo, but there was no sound…

  Nothing until the violin music began. I lay back and listened. The tune was familiar and I let it surround me. Humming, I joined in and it clicked: ‘A Thousand Years.’ The song lifted me out of bed and I floated into the front room. Moonlight glinted on Brianna’s naked body and shadows danced over hollows I’d recently revered with my mouth and hands.

  I never knew such beauty existed.

  Nothing could have prepared me for the tsunami of love I felt seeing her standing there proudly playing the gift I had given her only a few days earlier. In that one instant all of my doubts and fears were swept away. My life had changed irrevocably in those forty eight hours, and definitely for the better.

  Walking up behind her I placed my arms around her waist and she tensed. “Please don’t stop,” I breathed into her hair, and relaxing she continued playing. The melody echoed through the room, and the thrumming vibrated between my thighs, each easy glide of the bow bringing me closer to ecstasy.

  Brianna shuddered as I feathered her neck, but didn’t miss a beat. Reaching up I cupped her breasts, whilst my tongue licked and my teeth nibbled on the shell of her ear. She leant back against me, her rounded bottom pressing into my centre. “God you are magnificent,” I whispered. I lightly stroked her erect nipples before my right hand headed south. Her skin was silky and supple and her stomach muscles twitched as my fingers lingered, building the anticipation. I nudged her legs apart with my thigh.

  Her playing faltered again.

  “Keep going,” I entreated huskily. Louder, the strains of the song flew through the air as my fingers slipped inside her warmth. Her juices dripped down my hand and I suspected that I wasn’t the only who’d had this fantasy. Unable to suffer any longer, I spun her around and fell to my knees. She missed a couple of beats; the first swipe of my tongue elicited a piercing sharp note, the second and third resulted in the pace of her bow matching its speed… and then there was a long drawn out screech paired with a groan of longing. The violin was discarded and she grabbed the back of my head. I squeezed her behind and she ground into me. As my mouth began to devour her velvety softness, I created my own masterpiece. Brianna’s body became my instrument…

  And the notes were her moans, whimpers and cries of pleasure.

  Chapter 38

  Brianna

  Elisha and I spent the better part of the weekend in my bed. Okay let me qualify a little. We also spent time in the shower. That was fun. Cramped but fun. The bath wasn’t deep enough to accommodate us both which was a shame. However, I didn’t waste that hour lying alone in the bubbles, I used it to work out how we could extend the bathroom to include a bigger tub!

  We christened the sofa… and the living room floor.

  The only room left was the kitchen! If this carries on I won’t be able to function. Stuff death by chocolate, I’m going to succumb to post-orgasmic bliss! - But what a way to go. Elisha tilted her head. “You have the strangest expression right now,” she whispered.

  “Yeah?” I couldn’t manage much else, she’d stolen my words. I was content to lie here feeling safe and warm. For once there wasn’t the scratching urgency to get up and do something, to do anything but lie in my lover’s arms.

  “Yeah?” she repeated in the same dreamy voice. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m A okay, perhaps a few sore muscles, but I’m not complaining!”

  “Sore?” she said with a glint in her eye. Over the past few days I’d discovered that Elisha Callery had the unerring ability to make any situation sexy. Again, I wasn’t complaining. I couldn’t imagine a day without her making love to me, and vice versa, let alone a whole year.

  “Sweetie, I didn’t know such paradise existed on earth until you took me there. I’m not sure how to explain what you do to me, because I’m not convinced there are words to do it, and you, justice. But I used to get a similar feelin
g when I’d master a piece of music. It felt like all the stars had aligned. My heart would soar and my whole body would thrum. It was a sense of... rightness.” I laughed. “Even that doesn’t compare to how I feel in your arms.” I ran my fingers across the back of her shaved head. (It wasn’t the only shaved part of her body I enjoyed stroking I might add.) Both sensual and relaxing, it was fast becoming one of my favourite pastimes. Who knew something as simple would bring such pleasure.

  “I don’t know if I’m able to think because up until a minute ago I was struggling to breathe,” I added.

  “You don’t have to tell me I already know. I feel the same,” she avowed.

  “Really?”

  “Really ‘Doubting Brianna.’ There’s some kind of magical bond between us, as if we knew each other on a different plane.”

  Okay maybe there are words that do it justice. I tucked my head into her shoulder. “I wasn’t sure if I imagined it.”

  “No, no imagination,” she assured me and then queried, “so the Fiddler’s?”

  “Hmm?” Her gorgeous hair had that messy thoroughly fucked look. I liked it. Scratch that, I loved it. I felt slightly arrogant truth be told, that our love making could cause such dishevelment.

  “The pub?” she repeated.

  I sighed. I wanted to but, “I don’t know, I have some paperwork to finish before tomorrow morning. I should have done it earlier but I got distracted.”

  “Distracted, huh?” She waggled her eyebrows. “I’ll take that for a start.”

  “Oh yes, totally, utterly and evvver so satisfactorily distracted,” I laughed.

  “One night off won’t kill you. I…” she scrutinised her hands. “I know we’re not ready to go public yet, but I… this would be our first official date.”

  “Official date?” I smiled tenderly. How the hell could two words hold such power? Move mountains? Definitely. Melt the polar ice caps? For sure. Make me want to go to the pub? Oh hell yes.

  “Yes. Plus I thought you might want to show Pat your new toy.” I raised my eyebrows and she blushed at the implication. “Not that one! Your violin.”