by Lydia Rose
In mid-May, Alexandra got a call from her parents. “Honey, your Dad and I would like to come out and visit you at the end of the month,” Rose Angelo said cheerfully.
“That’s great, Mom. I really want you both to meet Rachel. Is Mary coming out, too?”
“Yes. Richard can’t take the time off from work, but Mary’s going to come with us.”
“I’ll check out hotels for you. If you get me your flight information, I can pick you up at the airport. I can’t wait to see you all,” Alexandra said, knowing it had been six months since she saw her family at Thanksgiving.
“We miss you too, honey. We’ll see you soon.”
Alexandra couldn’t wait to tell Rachel and she rushed over to her house. The house was empty when she arrived, but a note was on the table.
“Hi, honey. Went to the store, I’ll be back with dinner.”
Rachel opened the back door a few minutes later. Alexandra took one of the bags out of Rachel’s arms and kissed her softly. “Hi.”
“Hi, Alexandra. I bought a couple of steaks to make on the grill.”
“Great,” Alexandra said. They put away the groceries and she took Rachel’s hand pulling her over to the couch. “My mother called me this morning. They’re coming for a visit at the end of the month.”
“That’s wonderful, Alex. Are your sister and brother-in-law coming too?”
“Not Richard, but Mary is.” Alexandra took Rachel’s hands. “I can’t wait for them to meet you.”
“I want to meet them too. Where are they staying?”
“I told my mom I would check out hotels in the area.”
“Why don’t they stay here?”
“Here?” Alexandra asked surprised.
“Why not? I’ve got the spare bedrooms and you’re here most of the time anyway.”
“You would do that?”
“I would do anything for you, Alex.” Rachel pulled Alexandra into her body, trying to show her just how much she loved her.
“I love you, Rachel,” she said with a soft kiss to Rachel’s mouth.
“I love you too.”
*
Alexandra drove to the airport to pick up her family up. She waited outside the gate watching for her family. When she saw them her face opened into a wide smile. “Mom, Dad, Mary. I’m so glad you’re here,” Alexandra said, hugging them all.
“Oh, Alexandra,” Rose said. “We’re happy to be here too.”
“Let’s go get our luggage so we can get this vacation started,” her Dad added with a pat on Alexandra’s back.
Alexandra and Mary walked arm and arm to the car. “So what hotel did you put us up in?” Mary asked, squeezing her sister’s arm.
“Well, you’re not staying at a hotel,” Alexandra said with a grin.
“We’re not staying in your tiny apartment, are we?” Mary asked, turning to Alexandra.
Alexandra laughed. “That would be a little tight. You’ll see when we get there.” She drove them to Rachel’s house. They pulled to the back door. “Okay, we’re here.”
“Where in the world is here?” Rose asked skeptically.
“This is Rachel’s home,” Alexandra said, opening her car door.
“We’re staying at your girlfriend’s house?” Mary asked reaching for her suitcase.
“Rachel offered and I thought it was a good idea. This way we can all be together.”
They went into the house from the back door and put down their suitcases.
“Alexandra, this is a very nice house,” Rose said, touching her daughter’s arm.
“Rachel’s office is right next door. Let me show you to your rooms and I’ll put a pot of coffee on.” Alexandra led them upstairs. “Mom, Dad, this is your room. There’s an attached bath, and Mary your room is right across the hall.”
“Very nice,” Rose said, when she walked into the room.
“I’ll go put the coffee on.” Alexandra turned at the doorway. “I made a quiche and I’ll put that in the oven, too.”
Alexandra was just taking the quiche out of the oven when Rachel walked in the door. “Smells wonderful.”
“How come you always show up when there’s food?” Alexandra asked with a smile.
“I must be psychic,” Rachel said with a shrug as she took Alexandra into her arms and kissed her.
Someone cleared their throat behind them.
Alexandra pulled out of Rachel’s embrace. “Mary,” Alexandra said, reaching out her hand. “I’d like you to meet Rachel. Rachel, this is my sister Mary.”
Rachel’s hand came out in greeting. “I’m glad to meet you. Alexandra speaks of you always.”
Mary smiled and ignored Rachel’s hand. “I’m so happy to meet you,” she said with a strong hug. “You’ve made my sister very happy.”
“She makes me very happy too,” Rachel said with a blush.
Rose and Fernando entered next. “Mom, Dad, please come meet Doctor Rachel Benson. Rachel, these are my parents, Rose and Fernando.”
“We’ve heard so much about you, Doctor Benson.” Fernando held out his hand.
Rachel took his hand and said. “Please call me Rachel, Mr. Angelo.”
He smiled. “Only if you call me Fernando.”
Rose approached Rachel and took her hands. “I’m very glad to meet the woman who has brought such joy into my daughter’s life.”
Rachel smiled. “Alex speaks very highly of all of you.”
“Honey, can you stay for something to eat?” Alexandra asked Rachel.
“I only had a few minutes between patients, but I’ll take a piece to go.” Rachel tucked the stethoscope into her pocket.
Alexandra cut Rachel a piece and put it on a paper plate and wrapped it up. “What time will you be home?”
“Around five. I wouldn’t miss that prime rib you plan on making.” Rachel took the plate from Alexandra. “I’ll see you all later. Alexandra and I want to take you all out for dinner tomorrow night.” She quickly kissed Alexandra and went out the door.
“She’s very pretty, Alexandra,” Rose said, reaching for the coffee pot.
“Very,” Alexandra said as she began to set the table.
“How’s the new job?” Fernando asked as the food was added to the table.
“It’s good, Dad. I like it a lot.”
“Don’t you miss working with Rachel?” Mary asked, looking at her sister.
“I do, but this opportunity was something I had to try and do.”
“I’m sure Rachel misses you,” Rose added, watching her daughter closely.
Alexandra looked at her sister and they both laughed. “Mom’s worried that Rachel is going to leave you.”
“Although the way she looks at you, I don’t believe that is going to happen anytime soon,” Rose said as if she were talking to herself.
Alexandra thought about what her mother had said. Will Rachel forget about me now that I’m not there every day? “Rachel and I would like to take you all to see some of the sights.”
“Will we see any movie stars?” Mary asked excitedly.
“I can’t guarantee that, but who knows,” Alexandra said, smiling at her sister.
*
By the time Rachel came in the door, everything was on the table for dinner. “Just in time,” Alexandra said from the kitchen as Rachel entered.
“Hello everyone. I’m sorry I’m late,” Rachel said, reaching for Alexandra. “Mr. Harrison kept asking questions,” she said with a roll of her eyes.
“Don’t make fun of the old man. He’s very sweet.” Alexandra tapped Rachel’s arm.
“He’s sweet on you all right. Every time he comes into the office, he tells me he misses you.” Rachel kissed her cheek. “I miss you too.” She added a bright smile.
Alexandra glanced at her mother and then back at Rachel. “Do you want to change before we sit down?”
“No. I’m starving.”
“Tomorrow we’ll take you all to do the tourist stuff,” Alexandra said, looking at Rache
l.
“Sunday, I’d like to take you to my parents’ home out in Malibu. I thought we could spend the day at the beach.”
“Do you know any movie stars?” Mary asked Rachel.
Rachel chuckled. “I know people in the business, but no movie stars.”
“We might see some Monday when I take you to visit Tracy. We’re going to the studio where she works and maybe we will see some there,” Alexandra said, rolling her eyes.
“So Tracy is doing well?” Fernando asked.
“Very well, Dad. Thanks to Rachel.”
Everyone turned and looked at her. “I didn’t do anything except pass on something she wrote to someone I know.”
“That’s all it took,” Alexandra said, touching Rachel’s hand.
As they all sat in the living room talking, Rachel tried to suppress a yawn. Within a few minutes, Mary began to yawn.
Alexandra chuckled. “I guess everyone is tired. How about we all turn in and pick up this conversation in the morning?”
“Good idea,” Rachel said, already standing.
“Go ahead, honey. I’ll shut the lights down here.”
“Good night everyone,” Rachel said from the bottom of the stairs.
“Good night,” the group called out.
Alexandra walked into the bedroom hearing Rachel in the bathroom. She lightly knocked and opened the door. Rachel was at the sink brushing her teeth. She was still damp from her shower.
“Hi,” Rachel said, looking at Alexandra through the mirror.
Alexandra kissed her shoulder. “Long night for you?”
“I feel better now that I took a shower.”
Alexandra began to strip off her clothes. “I want to take a quick shower too.”
“Go ahead.” Rachel took a seat on the closed toilet. “Was your family upset that they’re staying here instead of at a hotel?”
“They were fine with it,” Alexandra said through the shower door. “My mom was real surprised that you opened your house to them.”
“You’ll get to spend more time with them this way.”
Alexandra wrapped the towel around herself and opened the shower door. As she walked toward the sink, Rachel grabbed her and pulled her down on her lap. “Can I have a real kiss now?”
Alexandra smiled and seized Rachel’s mouth in a deep kiss. “How’s that?”
“Better, but I can use a few more.” Rachel lifted Alexandra up and walked toward the bedroom.
“Put me down. You’re going to hurt yourself.”
“Not likely. You hardly weigh anything.” Rachel’s mouth went back to Alexandra’s as she laid her on the bed.
“I guess you’re not tired anymore?”
“Nope,” Rachel said as her body covered Alexandra. “No screaming.” She laughed into Alexandra’s ear.
“I’ll try to control myself,” Alexandra said with a giggle. “Now make love to me woman.”
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
Sunday, the family sat on the beach in Malibu. Rachel had gone into the house to get lunch ready for the family.
“This house is absolutely beautiful, Alexandra. Rachel’s parents must be very wealthy.”
Alexandra nodded. “They’re both surgeons, but all they do is work. They rarely use this place.” She chuckled. “Rachel and I use it more than they do.”
“That’s great, Alex,” Mary said. “A beach house without the expense of buying one.” Mary’s eyes caught a figure walking up the beach. “Isn’t that…?” The words caught in her throat as she got up from her chair and ran to the figure.
When she returned to her family, she was smiling from ear to ear. “Do you know who that was?”
Alexandra nodded. “I’ve seen him on the beach before.”
“Who was it?” Rose asked.
“He’s the actor from that medical show you watch.” Alexandra answered.
“Really? How nice, dear. Was he nice to you?” Rose asked Mary.
Mary nodded. “I can’t wait to tell Richard.”
“I’ll go check on lunch,” Alexandra said, standing and walking over to the stairs. As she slid the patio door open, Rachel met her at the door.
“Hi. I was just going to yell down that lunch was ready,” Rachel said, taking Alexandra into her arms.
“I think lunch can wait a few minutes,” she said, reaching for Rachel and kissing her intimately.
*
Time flew by with the Angelo family and they were leaving the following morning to go back to New Jersey.
Rachel took Alexandra’s hand. “We both have enjoyed having you here. I hope you’ll come back and visit us again?”
Rose smiled at the two women. “And I hope you both will come visit us for the holidays. Maybe Thanksgiving?”
Rachel and Alexandra looked at each other smiling. “We’d like that, Mom.”
After Alexandra took her family to the airport, she went to work. As she stepped out of the elevator, people were milling around. They looked at her as she passed.
“What’s going on?” Alexandra asked her friend Angie.
“They’re talking big layoffs due to one of the product’s failure,” Angie said softly.
“Well, that means I’ll be going. Last in, first out,” Alexandra said, taking a seat.
“I doubt that. I think it will be Taylor’s department. That was the department responsible for the fiasco.” Angie insisted to Alexandra.
Alexandra did make it through without getting laid off and she headed to Rachel’s house after work.
Rachel walked into a quiet house. She knew Alexandra was here because her car was parked in the driveway. She peeked into the kitchen only to find it empty. Rachel went to the stairs finding Alexandra lying on their bed in her clothes. She walked over to the edge of the bed and sat down. Her hand automatically came up and stroked Alexandra’s face. “Are you all right?” she asked softly against Alexandra’s ear.
Alexandra opened her eyes. “Just a little worn out.”
“Not surprising since you were running your family around for a week.” Rachel looked down at Alexandra and wondered if there was something else. “It’s not just that, is it?”
Alexandra shook her head. “No,” she sighed. “They had a big layoff today at work.”
Rachel waited for her to continue. She didn’t want to seem anxious that Alexandra might be coming back to work for her. In the darkness of the closed blinds, she was able to hide the smile on her face.
“I didn’t get laid off, but Sheila and Maryann did. I feel bad for them.”
“I’m sorry, honey,” Rachel said, leaning across Alexandra’s chest. The smile she wore a few minutes earlier disappeared. “Why don’t you invite them to dinner next week?”
“Thanks, Rachel. Maybe I will.”
“Why don’t you stay up here and I’ll go make us something for dinner.” Rachel stood up.
“I’m not hungry right now. Why don’t you lie down with me for a while?” Alexandra said with a grin.
“That’s the best offer I’ve had all day.”
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Summer passed too soon as Alexandra and Rachel continued to spend more and more time together. Neither one spoke of when Alexandra would move in full time. Rachel wanted to ask so many times, but she never wanted to push the issue if Alexandra wasn’t ready. Then one weekend, Rachel took Alexandra on a trip north. They drove for hours until they stopped at a bluff overlooking the ocean. Alexandra walked toward the edge to take in the view. Rachel came up behind her and wrapped her arms around her.
“It’s beautiful, Rachel.”
“Yes it is,” she said, looking at her lover instead of the view.
Alexandra laughed. “I mean the view.”
“I know, but I like this view better,” Rachel said, looking into her eyes.
“You are such a sweet talker,” Alexandra said, still grinning.
Rachel looked into the eyes of the woman she loved and pressed their lips together. “I love you
.”
“I love you too. Is something wrong?” Alexandra asked stepping back, but kept their hands together.
“Have a seat,” Rachel said, pointing to the large boulder. As Alexandra sat, Rachel got down on one knee. “I love you, Alex, more than I ever thought possible.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a ring. “Would you marry me?”
Alexandra’s eyes opened wide. She was shocked and surprised. As the smile crept across her face, she reached for Rachel and pulled her close. “Yes, I will marry you.”
Rachel smiled and placed the diamond ring on Alexandra’s finger. “I will love you forever, Alex.”
“I love you, Rachel, always.”
They stayed together on the rock holding each other until the wind sent a chill through their bodies. “I think we should get to our hotel.”
“Hotel? I didn’t pack a bag.”
Rachel smiled. “I did.”
“You had this all planned.” Alexandra smiled.
“Of course I did.”
They pulled up to a beautiful resort overlooking the Pacific Ocean. A bellman took their suitcases from the trunk as they walked into the hotel. Once in the room, Rachel asked, “Would you like me to order room service?”
“How about we take a walk around the grounds and then have a bite to eat downstairs?”
Rachel smiled and took Alexandra’s hand. They walked hand and hand around the resort only stopping to see the view. Rachel kissed Alexandra’s mouth softly. “Thank you for coming into my life.”
Alexandra rested her head against Rachel’s shoulder. “I could say the same thing to you.” She pulled on Rachel’s hand. “Let’s go. I’m starving and I’ll need my strength for what I’ve planned for you later.”
Rachel grinned and pulled Alexandra to a stop. “Will I enjoy what you’ve got planned?” She kissed her lips again.
“You know you will.” Alexandra responded with another kiss.
Lying in bed later that night, Rachel asked, “So now that you’ve agreed to marry me,” she paused, “would you move in with me before the wedding?”
Alexandra rolled onto her side and chuckled. “I’m practically living there now.”
“Yeah, but you’re not there every night.” Rachel rubbed her fingers over Alexandra’s arm. “I miss you when you aren’t there.”
