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ForevaXena's FanFic . . .
Fate
by HLKaia
Disclaimers:
This is my first posted uber
story. The main characters have a
striking resemblance to a certain pair that are near and dear to all of our
hearts but the story and situations are completely mine.
No infringement is meant.
Love/Sex: This is an alternative fiction story. It depicts a loving relationship between to consenting adult women. If that’s not your forte I suggest you read something else.
Language: I’m a potty mouth, I admit it! And therefore a few of my characters have that tendency. If this disturbs you, read no further!
Violence: Most assuredly there will be some. After all, one of the characters is an ex-bounty hunter and I’m sure there will be some related in this story sooner or later. I’ll try not to be too graphic but you never know what the scene may need.
Acknowledgements: This is for my loving partner who always said I could do this! She’s been nagging me for years to put something out there and let others read what I write. So this is for her. Also, to my supporting best friend, Ty-guy who kept telling me I could do this and just to get on with it!
Lauren had awakened in a good mood after her talk with Ash the night before and had been working diligently on her thesis for most of the afternoon. She turned her head with annoyance at the sound of a knock at the door.
“Who is it?” she called in irritation as she swiveled her chair and stared at the door.
“It’s me,” Rachel’s voice said muffled by the door. “Are you going to stay cooped up in there all week or what?”
Lauren grinned as she made her way to the door and pulled it open. “I was thinking about it. Why?” she greeted Rachel as she stepped back from the threshold to allow Rachel to enter.
“You’re going to go blind staring at that computer screen all day long,” Rachel informed her waving her hand in the direction of the monitor. She strolled into the studio and flopped down on the couch. “You going to give me an update on what the hell is going on in your life or what?”
“What do you mean?” Lauren asked as she went over to her computer and saved the file she had been working on. She closed the program and shut down the computer.
Rachel sighed dramatically. “You know what I mean, Laur!” she stated glaring at her friend’s back. Her eyes narrowed at Lauren’s chosen attire. “Hey! Isn’t that Ash’s shirt?”
Lauren felt the heat rise on her face. She turned, glanced down at the shirt, and pulled it out from her body. “What this?” she asked innocently.
“Yeah that,” Rachel intoned pointing at the shirt in question. “I don’t believe you’ve ever been a big Harley fan so the logical conclusion would be that you swiped one of Ash’s shirts.”
“I did not swipe it!” Lauren defended as she looked up and saw Rachel’s amused smile. “She let me borrow it when I slept over the other night and I just didn’t get the opportunity to return it to her before she left.”
“Uh-huh. So why are you wearing it now? Don’t tell me you just got up!” Rachel said with mock horror.
“No! Of course not! I’ve been up for hours,” Lauren replied as she made her way over to the papa san and sat down.
“So is there a reason you’re still wearing that?”
“Umm…” Lauren met Rachel’s knowing look and let out an exasperated sigh. She threw up her hands in surrender and said, “Fine! You caught me. I’m wearing it because it smells like her! Happy? It makes me feel closer to her.”
“Chill, Laur. I didn’t mean to upset you,” Rachel apologized. “I think it’s cute.”
“Cute?”
“Yeah, cute.” Rachel nodded and gave her a wink. “Heck if Ash smells half as good as she looks, I’d be wearing her clothes too!”
“Don’t even think about it!” Lauren growled as she chucked a pillow at Rachel’s smug face.
“Hey!” Rachel yelped as she dodged the pillow. “I don’t poach! She’s all yours!”
“Yeah, remember that,” Lauren warned, smiling to soften the threat.
“No worries,” Rachel assured her. “Besides, she doesn’t even know I’m alive.”
“Of course she does, Rach!” Lauren laughed.
“No. She doesn’t.” Rachel asserted solemnly. Lauren gave her a puzzled look. Rachel rolled her eyes and decided she better explain to her naïve friend. “Geez, Laur! Are you really that blind? Don’t you know that no other woman even exists in her eyes?”
“What?” Lauren gaped astounded.
“Oh, Laur,” Rachel shook her head in sympathy. “Tall, dark, and dreamy has her blue eyes pinned solely on you. I don’t think anyone could turn her head!”
“Really?” Lauren asked with a doubtful frown. “I mean, come on, Rach. Ash is absolutely gorgeous. She’s the head turner in our partnership, not me!”
“Hmm, I dunno about that,” Rachel said as she thoughtfully studied her reclining friend. “You don’t give yourself enough credit. But that’s not the point here. Ash has eyes only for you. That’s the point.”
“If you say so,” Lauren sighed shrugging in dismissal.
“I know so,” Rachel assured her as she sat forward in earnest. “I’ve seen the two of you together remember?” Lauren nodded. “Believe me, Laur, Ash never took her eyes off of you for one moment! If you were in sight, her baby blues were locked on you like heat seeking missiles!”
“Okay, okay! I believe you!” Lauren replied with a small laugh. “As far as Ash is concerned I’m a total knockout.”
“Yep!” Rachel agreed gleefully and laughed when Lauren blushed. “So, what’s the news with tall, dark, and dreamy anyway? Is she still in Spokane? When’s she coming back?”
“Well, some things happened in Spokane,” Lauren began slowly trying to organize her thoughts. “Ash’s friend ended up getting hurt and was in the hospital.” Rachel’s eyes widened and her mouth opened to form a perfect “o”. Lauren nodded. “But she’s fine. Ash said they released her from the hospital and she should be okay.”
“So when is Ash coming back here?”
“I don’t know,” Lauren sighed sadly.
“Huh?”
“Monday night didn’t go as she had expected and her reaction to the event really freaked her out,” Lauren explained softly. “She told me about it and said she needed some time to work some things out.”
“What does that mean exactly?” Rachel asked with concern. Lauren looked so melancholy that it was beginning to worry her.
“I’m not sure,” Lauren said shaking her head.
“Laur,” Rachel said as she stood and came over to crouch by Lauren and gently took her hand. “Are you okay?”
Lauren shook her head vigorously and her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. “No, I’m not okay!” she cried. “I’m scared out of my mind that she’s not going to come back, Rach! That she’s going to decide that she was wrong about us and just come get her guitar and leave me!”
“Oh, Laur,” Rachel sighed as she enveloped her sobbing friend in a warm hug. “I don’t believe that. She loves you. She’ll work through whatever it is and come back. I’m sure of it.”
“Why won’t she let me help?” Lauren sobbed into Rachel’s shoulder.
“I don’t think she’s used to having people around to help her, hon,” Rachel consoled her. “She probably wouldn’t know how to ask even if she really wanted you there.”
Lauren cried softly and thought about it. What Rachel said made sense. Ash wasn’t the type to ask for help in anything. I just have to go and offer it and make her understand that I can help her! I know I can help if she’ll just let me! Her mind began to formulate a plan.
“Rach?” she asked quietly, sitting back and wiping her eyes.
“What?” Rachel asked offering her a tissue to blow her nose. Lauren smiled a thank you and took the tissue.
“Can I borrow your car?”
“Sure, I guess,” Rachel said confused. “Why?”
“I think I need to go to Spokane and have a little one on one with Ms. Gray,” Lauren stated with determination.
“Oh, you do, huh?” Rachel asked with a smirk.
“Yeah, I do,” Lauren nodded and grinned. “So can I borrow your car?”
“If you promise to bring it back with a full tank, sure,” Rachel agreed.
Lauren’s face beamed. “You are the best, you know that?” Lauren stated as pulled herself out of the chair.
“So, I’ve been told,” Rachel said smugly as she rose from her crouch. “So when are you planning on going on this little road trip of yours?”
“I thought now would be good,” Lauren said as she strode into the bedroom and pulled out a gym bag. She began going through her closet and throwing clothes haphazardly into the bag.
Rachel shook her head in amusement at her friend’s single mindedness. She went into the bathroom to gather some toiletries for her. She came back out to see Lauren staring down at the half full bag with a lost look on her face.
“Hey? You okay?” Rachel asked as she came up to her and placed the things from the bathroom into the bag.
“Am I crazy to be doing this, Rach?” Lauren asked softly as she gazed at her friend doubtfully.
“Yes,” Rachel stated. Lauren’s mouth fell open in surprise. “You are certifiably crazy in love with Ash and I think you should go for it.”
“You are so mean!” Lauren said as she punched her playfully on the shoulder.
Rachel grinned. “Yeah, I know.”
“Thanks,” Lauren said gratefully as she zipped her bag closed and slung it over her shoulder.
“No prob. Do you have any idea where you’re going?” Rachel inquired as she led the way towards the door.
“I have Lu’s phone number. That’s her friend in Spokane,” Lauren said following in Rachel’s wake. “I figured I’d give them a call when I reached town and ask for directions.”
Rachel eyed her skeptically. “Don’t you think you should call them before you get there?”
Lauren shook her head in denial. “No. I’m afraid they’ll say something to talk me out of coming. If I’m already in town, I think it will be harder for them to say no.”
“Okay if you think so,” Rachel said doubtfully as she opened the door and waved Lauren out.
“I really don’t think rational thought has anything to do with this, Rach,” Lauren chuckled wryly. “I just know I have to go and try to get Ash to open up to me.”
The phone rang. The two looked at the phone in surprise and then at each other. Rachel gave her an inquiring look and Lauren shook her head. “Let the machine get it. It’s probably my sister Katie and if I get on the phone with her, I’ll lose my nerve and never go!”
“Okay, Laur,” Rachel sighed as she watched Lauren close and lock the door. “Can you drop me off back at my place?”
“I think that can be arranged,” Lauren teased as she led the way down the stairs and out into the drizzling fall day. She scowled at the dark clouds and groaned. “Damn. I hate driving in this shit.”
“Do you want me to go with you?” Rachel offered as they scurried towards her car.
“No, I need to do this by myself,” Lauren stated as she watched Rachel fumble with her keys and finally get the door open. “I’ll drive.”
Rachel shook her head at her and ran around the front of the car to the passenger side. “Hurry up and unlock the door! I’m getting drenched!”
“Yeah, yeah,” Lauren grumbled as she got into the car and leaned across to unlock the passenger door.
“Thanks for letting me take your car, Rach.”
“No problem. Just don’t spend all week there!” Rachel teased with a grin. “I may want to go somewhere this weekend and you know how much I hate mass transport!”
“I shudder to think of it!” Lauren laughed as she started the car and pulled out. “I’ll call you when I get there so you won’t have to worry.”
“Thanks.”
“The least I can do,” Lauren said as she pulled into the early evening traffic.
*********************
“Which one’s the target?” the young man sitting in the passenger seat asked as he watched the two women get into the green Integra.
“The strawberry blonde getting in on the driver’s side,” answered the older man behind the wheel in a gruff voice.
The two men watched as the target started the Integra and pulled out into traffic.
“Ya gonna follow ‘em?” the young man asked nodding toward the departing car.
“Yeah,” the older man grunted as he started the engine and pulled out to follow the women keeping a few car lengths between them.
“She don’t look like much of a threat to me, Roy,” the young man said doubtfully. He glanced at his scowling brother. “I think she looks pretty nice.”
“Shut up, Tommy,” Roy growled as he changed lanes to get closer to their target. “We’re not being paid to think.”
Tommy shrugged and sat back. He peered out the rain swept windshield and kept his eye on the green Integra. “Fine. So, what’s the plan?” he asked, eyeing his brother. He knew Roy was in a bad mood and was hoping not to provoke him, but he wanted to know what exactly they were getting into with this contract.
Roy sighed and shot his brother an annoyed look. “We’re suppose to make it look like an accident,” he explained patiently. “We’re getting paid a lot of money for this, Tommy, so don’t fuck it up.”
“Why ya think I’ll be the one to fuck up?” Tommy protested. The car signaled to make a right turn. “You better get over or we’re going to lose them.”
Roy swore and swerved into the turn lane, cutting off a Ford Explorer who honked and slammed on its breaks. Roy flipped the driver off and turned right to follow the target car. Tommie made a grab for the dashboard as their car lurched around the corner. He glared at Roy, but prudently kept his mouth shut.
The two brothers followed the car in silence for 20 minutes when it pulled up in front of an apartment complex. Roy swore under his breath and turned into the parking lot across the street. He slowly drove down the lane of parked cars, trying to keep an eye on the target’s car.
“What are they doing?” he growled at Tommie, frustrated at not being able to see for himself.
“Looks like the passenger is getting out,” Tommie informed his brother as he squinted to try see better.
“And?”
“I think blondie is dropping her off,” Tommie reported.
“Huh. That’s strange,” Roy said with a frown.
“Why?”
“”Cause she don’t own a car. I figured it was her friend’s,” Roy explained absently as his eyes narrowed in thought.
“Maybe she’s borrowing it for something,” Tommie reasoned. He saw the passenger stand and with a wave head into the building. “The other girl went inside the building. Looks like blondie is getting ready to pull out.”
“Okay. I’m on it,” Roy said as he steered the car out of the lane and towards the exit. They saw the green Integra pull away from the curb and Roy gunned the car to follow.
“Wonder where she’s headed?” Tommie mused as he leaned back and shrugged his shoulders to adjust the weapon harness that had ridden up.
“Dunno,” Roy answered as he followed the unsuspecting woman. “Guess we’ll find out.”
“Looks like she’s pulling onto the freeway. Think she’s going outta town?” Tommie asked, glancing at his brother.
Roy shrugged. “Could be. May offer some opportunities.”
“Ya think so?”
Roy followed the target onto the freeway and relaxed back in his seat. He turned his head and gave his worried baby brother a wink. “Yep. Things are looking up. Money in the bank, little brother, I can just feel it!”
“Whatever you say, Roy,” Tommie said shaking his head and returning his attention to watching the green Integra.
“I do say! You just do what I tell you and everything will be fine!” Roy growled as his good mood was dampened by his brother’s lack of enthusiasm.
“Okay, Roy. I’ll do whatever you say,” Tommie placated.
“Good,” Roy answered petulantly as he followed the girl wondering where the hell she was going and how he could use it to their advantage.
*************************
Ash tread down the hallway that lead to the offices of the Manor jubilant after her ride on Bellator and lunch with her folks. She cocked her head as she approached the office and heard the telltale clacking of someone furiously typing away. A grin crossed her face at the sound. She stopped at the threshold and peeked her head around the corner to look into the office.
Her brother Graham was sitting with his back facing her, furiously tapping away at his keyboard. She cleared her throat and he glanced over his shoulder. His eyes met hers and a joyous smile crossed his features. He grabbed the desk and spun his chair around.
“Hey, sis! Pop told me you were here!” he greeted her and waved for her to come in and take a seat.
Ash grinned and strolled into the room. She realized that Graham was sitting in a regular office chair and gave him a puzzled look. “Hey. Where’s your chair?” she asked pointing to the desk chair he was sitting in as she took a seat across from him.
Graham chuckled. “Oh, it’s right here.” He leaned back in his chair and reached around with his right hand to grab the wheelchair that was folded and resting against the edge of his desk. He lifted it and showed it to Ash.
“Oh,” she said as he held it up. “So why aren’t you sitting in it?”
“Well, I was going to leave it as a surprise, sis,” Graham sighed but his hazel eyes were twinkling with mirth.
“Surprise? What surprise?” Ash questioned leaning forward eagerly.
“Okay! I guess I’ll share!” Graham laughed and reaching to the left pulled out two crutches. He affixed them to his forearms and looked up to meet Ash’s surprised eyes. “Been practicing for about 6 months with these. Guess I can show you what I’m capable of!”
Ash nodded dumbly as Graham settled the crutches on either side and pulled himself to his feet. He gave her a sly wink and took a step towards her with his right foot.
“Oh my god!” Ash gasped as her baby brother walked towards her with a huge grin. “What? How?” she stuttered in shock as an overwhelming feeling of joy descended at the sight of her brother standing.
“I got involved in an experimental treatment about 2 years ago. That and the fact that my spinal chord wasn’t completely severed,” Graham explained as he gazed down on his older sister with obvious pride at his accomplishment. “So now I have almost complete feeling in my right side and partial on the left.” He shrugged. “Some days are better than others.”
Ash just sat there and stared dumbfounded. She couldn’t help it. Here was her brother who she figured would be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life standing before her and relating in a rather offhand manner what she considered to be a miracle.
“You gonna say something or what?” Graham teased as he waved a hand before her stunned face.
“I… I’m not sure what to say,” Ash choked out, fighting back the tears. She looked up into Graham’s smug face and felt an answering smile split her face. “This is so great!”
Graham laughed as Ash leapt from her chair and enveloped him in a bone-crushing hug. “I kind of think so too!” Graham wheezed as he patted Ash’s back clumsily. “Ease up, sis! Or I’m going to pass out from lack of oxygen!”
Ash quickly loosened her embrace and leaned back. Her eyes widened in surprise when she realized she had to look up to meet Graham’s eyes. “Sorry about that,” she apologized. “Damn, guess you got the height gene after all!”
“Yeah,” Graham chuckled as he gazed down into his sister’s joyous face. “How you been, sis? I haven’t seen you in forever. What’ve you been up to?”
Ash laughed and helped Graham back to his seat before resuming hers and fielding his questions. “I guess I’ve been all right.” Ash shrugged and narrowed her eyes at her brother. She reached out and ruffled his short curly hair. “Looks like you finally gave up wanting to look like an 80’s hair band icon!”
Graham grinned sheepishly as he ran his hand over his short-cropped hair. “Yeah. I decided it was time for a change. What do you think of the goat?” he asked as he stroked his goatee.
Ash cocked her head to on side and studied her brother. “Hmmm. Looks good on you. Makes you look older. Bet mom says you look just like pop did when she met him!”
“You’re right about that!” Graham said shaking his head. “She said it was like looking through a window of time back to when they first met.”
“She get all mushy and sentimental on ya?” Ash teased leaning back in her chair with a grin.
“Nah,” Graham waved dismissively. “I’ve had it for awhile now and she no longer stops and stares every time I come in the room now!”
Ash laughed. “Oh! I wish I could’ve seen that!”
“It was pretty funny,” Graham mused. “I’d roll into the kitchen and mom would just stop whatever she was doing and stare at me. I’d say hi and she’d blink and shake herself and go back to whatever she was doing like nothing had happened!”
The two siblings laughed and Graham began telling her about the goings on around the homestead and what the various cousins were up to.
Ash sat back and just listened to her brother talk in his usual animated way. His face would light up and his hands would start waving as he described every detail. His enthusiasm reminds me of Lauren. Her heart warmed at the thought and she smiled as a far away look fell into her eyes.
“Sis? Hey!” Graham shouted and Ash jumped and focused her eyes on her grinning brother. “Where’d you go and who with?”
Ash felt the heat rise on her face and shrugged sheepishly. “Sorry about that, Graham,” she apologized with a sigh. “Guess I’m more tired than I thought.”
“Uh-huh,” Graham stated unconvinced. “You want to tell me the truth now?” Ash narrowed her eyes and gave him a warning look. Graham just grinned. “Nope. That doesn’t work on me, Ash. Hasn’t since I was 12!”
Ash tried to hold the menacing look but lost it when Graham stuck his tongue out at her. She laughed. “Okay, okay, you win,” she surrendered with a wave.
“I almost forgot!” Graham interrupted as he leaned forward eagerly. “A package arrived for you from Benson. What’s that all about?”
“Oh. I forgot I had him send it here,” Ash stated realizing that it could only be one thing. “Figured it would be better to send it here where there would be someone to receive it.”
“So, what is it?” Graham asked excitedly.
“It’s the print I bought at the charity gala last weekend that Benson and Louis’s gallery hosted,” Ash said as her mind brought forth an image of the print and the beautiful artist who had painted it. A smile curved her lips at the thought of Lauren and the knowledge that she would soon be able to hold her once more.
“You went to Seattle?!” Graham shouted in astonishment his eyes going wide.
Ash saw the look and laughed. “Yeah, I did,” she nodded. “Had a good time too! Didn’t Davis tell you?”
“No, the fink. Wow,” Graham gaped as he flopped back in his chair eyeing his sister. “So, are you going to show me this work of art or what?”
“Sure,” Ash shrugged.
“Cool!” Graham enthused and leaned back to pull out his chair. He snapped it open and quickly slid into it. He looked up to meet Ash’s puzzled frown and shrugged. “This is faster. The package is in the family living room and it would take me forever to get there on my crutches! So let’s go!” Finished with his explanation he maneuvered around Ash and headed for the door. “Calm on, slowpoke! Don’t take all day! I’ve been dying to see what’s in that package for 2 days!”
Ash shook her head and stood to follow her brother. “I’m coming, hot wheels,” she called as he disappeared down the hallway.
“Don’t think I forgot about wringing every last detail of your trip to Seattle out of you!” he teased over his shoulder.
“Like I would believe that!” Ash said rolling her eyes. She lengthened her stride and came up to walk beside his chair. “Have you met this Paula that Davis is seeing?”
“Yeah,” Graham nodded as he led the way into the family’s private living room. “She’s really nice and has a wicked sense of humor.” He rolled across the hardwood floor to the side table where Ash saw a large, flat package propped up. She frowned in puzzlement when Graham grabbed it and settled it on his lap. He spun the chair around and glided back to her. “I think you’ll like her. She definitely doesn’t take any shit!”
“Good thing, since she’s with Davis!” Ash grinned and accepted the package from her eager brother. His eyes were alight with curiosity and he was practically bouncing in his chair with anticipation. “Calm down, Graham. You’re going to give yourself a stroke.”
“Calm on, sis! Open it already!” Graham begged as he followed Ash over to the couch.
“Give me a minute will ya?” Ash teased as she sat down on the couch
and set the package on the coffee table. She
was happy to see that Benson had been his usual cautious self and had sent it in
a padded and reinforced shipping box. She
was slightly puzzled by the size though. Huh,
I figured it would be in packing tube. She pulled out her pocketknife and carefully slit the
end open. She opened the end and
her eyes widened in surprise. Oh
Benson! You stinker!
“What did you say?” Graham asked giving her a quizzical look.
Ash glanced up from the box and gave Graham a wry smile. “Oh, I was just commenting on what a meddler Benson is.”
“Why you say that?” Graham asked puzzled as he watched Ash pull a framed picture swathed in bubble wrap out of the box.
“Because this wasn’t framed when I bought it,” Ash explained as she began pulling the bubble wrap off of the picture admiring the simple but elegant oak frame Benson had chosen. She turned the frame so the back was facing Graham. She didn’t want him to see it until she had it fully unwrapped.
Graham shifted in his chair trying to look around the edge of the picture to get a look at it. “Come on, sis! I wanna see what it is!” he whined as he grabbed her arm and tried to make her turn the frame so he could see it.
“Hold on!” Ash admonished with a chuckle. “Let me get it unwrapped and then I’ll set in on the couch and you can gawk at it all you like. I was thinking you might like to have it anyway.”
“Really?” Graham asked enthusiastically. “Why? What is it? Come on, sis! You’re killing me here!”
Ash laughed and finished unwrapping the print. She scooted down the couch and stood with the print hidden against her chest. “Close your eyes, Graham,” she ordered with her blue eyes twinkling.
“What?” Graham asked his eyes widening in disbelief. “No way! I’ve waited forever to see this!”
“Come on, Graham,” Ash wheedled. “Close your eyes while I set it up. I want you to get the full experience.”
Graham scowled at her for a moment as he thought about it. “Fine.” He tossed up his hands in surrender and dutifully closed his eyes.
“No peeking now,” Ash warned as she arranged the print on the couch. She kept one eye on Graham to make sure he didn’t try to see it until she was ready.
“Are you done yet?” Graham asked impatiently.
“Almost,” Ash grinned as she stepped back from the print and silently walked around the coffee table to stand next to Graham’s chair. She wanted to be in a good position to watch his expression when he first laid eyes on Lauren’s warrior woman.
“Can I open my eyes yet?”
“Sure,” Ash said softly.
Graham jumped at the sound of Ash’s voice coming from right beside him and his eyes flew open to glare at her. “Damn! I hate it when you do that!”
She shrugged and pointed towards the print. “Well, go ahead and look.”
Graham turned his head and looked. He inhaled sharply and his eyes widened in shock. “Holy shit!” he gasped as he took in the print. “Is that you? I thought you said you bought this at the show.”
“I did,” Ash stated enjoying her brother’s reaction.
“But how did the artist get your likeness?” Graham queried as he rolled his chair closer to get a better look. “Did Benson give…” he squinted to make out the artist’s signature, “L. O’Shea your picture or something? Did you commission this or something?”
“No Benson didn’t give Lauren my picture and no, we had never met until the day before the show,” Ash explained as she sat down on the corner of the coffee table and watched her brother inspect Lauren’s work. She was amused by her brother’s reaction to the uncanny similarity between Lauren’s dream warrior and herself. Not surprised since she had reacted much the same way when she first laid eyes on it.
“But how?” he demanded as he turned with a bewildered look on his face. “You’re not going to sit there and tell me that that,” he pointed at the woman in the picture, “isn’t you! Are you?”
Ash shrugged noncommittally.
“Oh come on, sis! She looks just like you! Right down to the piercing baby blues and trademark crooked grin!” he argued exasperated by his sister’s seeming nonchalance. “So how did this Lauren guy paint your exact double if he had never seen you?”
Ash burst out laughing.
“What?” Graham demanded with a scowl. “What is so damn funny?”
“I’m sorry, Graham,” Ash laughed her eyes dancing with mirth. She patted her chest and struggled to contain her laughter. She made the mistake of meeting his confused eyes and burst out afresh.
“Damn it, Ash! Tell me what is so damn funny?” Graham rolled his chair over to her and grabbed her by the shoulders giving her a shake. “I don’t see anything to laugh at!”
“Okay, okay,” Ash chuckled as she shoved her brother playfully away from her. “No need to get rough.”
“Uh-huh,” he muttered as he crossed his arms over his chest. “So spit it out already.”
“Lauren is a she,” Ash stated.
“Huh?”
Ash chuckled. “Lauren is a she not a he.”
“Oh,” Graham said. “Lauren is a girl. Okay, so why is that so funny?”
“Lauren being a woman isn’t what’s funny,” Ash explained. “The fact that you assumed she was a he is.”
“Why?”
“Because Lauren thought I was a man when Louis gave her my cd to listen to and was rather astonished to discover her error when we were introduced,” Ash explained giving her brother a wink. “So when you made the same mistake about her, it struck me as funny.”
“Oh, I see,” Graham nodded. “Guess I can understand that. But how did she paint that,” he waved over his shoulder towards the print, “without every meeting you?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Ash stated as she glanced at the painting and felt the awe once more as her likeness stared back.
“Try me,” Graham said as he leaned forward and waited patiently.
“She saw the woman in a dream,” Ash said quietly as she gazed at the woman in the print.
“A dream? Really?” Graham asked unconvinced. Ash nodded. “What were you doing running around in an artist’s dreams in leather?”
Ash’s gaze left the painting to meet Graham’s. He smirked and waggled his eyebrows at her. “Graham! Get you mind out of the gutter!” Ash retorted surprised by her brother’s audacity.
“So is she cute?” Graham asked deciding he’d attack while his sister was off balance.
“Yes. No!” Ash said flustered and feeling the heat rising to her face. She dropped her gaze and ran her hands through her hair in frustration.
“Well which is it?” Graham teased.
“Which is what?”
“Is she cute or not?” Graham prompted. He watched with unabashed amusement as his big, tough sister blushed and started fidgeting. “Oooh! She is cute! And you like her!”
Ash’s head snapped up at blue eyes pinned Graham to his chair. “Yes, she is and yes I do,” she stated.
Graham’s eyes widened and he held his hands out defensively. “Whoa! Didn’t mean to touch on a sore subject!”
“She’s not a sore subject,” Ash sighed as her eyes softened and a goofy grin appeared.
“Okay, so you gonna enlighten me or what?” Graham asked eagerly. He hadn’t seen Ash like this in a long time and he wanted to see more of it.
“I…” Ash began and then stopped at a loss for words.
“You what?” Graham prompted. He studied his sister’s face intently and his face lit up when he realized what it was that was making his sister so flustered. “You’re in love with her aren’t you?”
Ash nodded shyly. “Yeah.”
“Holy shit!” Graham exclaimed staring at his sister. “Do the folks know?”
“I talked to pop about it,” Ash said as she picked imaginary lint off her jeans. “He must have said something to mom because at lunch she kept hinting that it would be nice if I brought a guest for the family gathering in December.”
“You know you have to bring her if mom knows,” Graham stated shaking his head.
“I want to but…” Ash whispered and sighed heavily.
“What?” Graham asked with concern. He lightly rested his hand over Ash’s fidgeting fingers. “Is there a problem, sis?”
“No, I don’t think so,” Ash said quietly as she studied her brother’s long fingered hand. “Not now anyway. I just… well… I…”
“What?”
Ash shrugged and looked up to meet his concerned gaze. “I had some stuff I needed to work out,” she explained. “I think I’ve done that. So now I just have to go back to Seattle and see what happens.”
“Okay,” Graham said slowly still confused. “So what exactly is the problem?”
“I’m scared out of my mind!” Ash confessed passionately as she gripped her brother’s hand tightly.
Graham chuckled. “You’ll be fine, sis. Just listen to your heart. It won’t lead you wrong.”
Ash nodded as she studied her brother’s kind face intently. “Okay, I’ll do my best.”
“What’s she like?”
“She’s wonderful,” Ash enthused as a big smile lit up her face. “She’s a writer. I’m sure you two will hit it off right away. She’s got a bachelor’s degree in English and is just finishing her master’s thesis in medieval history.”
“So she’s not an art major?” Graham inquired in surprise.
“No. In fact she doesn’t think she’s an artist at all!” Ash laughed.
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope. Serious as a heart attack.”
“Then how does she explain that?” he asked nodding towards the print.
“She said that sometimes painting is a better medium to get her point across,” Ash explained shaking her head in wonder.
“I definitely want to meet this Lauren!” Graham laughed. “She sounds fascinating.”
“Oh, she is that!” Ash grinned as she glanced at the print once more and an idea came to her. “Hey, Graham?”
“What?”
“You still friends with Thomas over in Bozeman?”
“Yeah. Why?” Graham asked puzzled by the sudden topic change.
“He still into that medieval reenactment thing?” Ash questioned as her eyes studied the print intently.
“Yeah,” Graham said as he turned to look at the print again since Ash was staring at it. “What are you up to, sis?”
“I have a date on Halloween and I think I just figured out what to do for my costume,” Ash informed him. “Why don’t you call Thomas and see whether or not he’s free tomorrow and we’ll make a run into Bozeman?”
Graham looked back and forth between the print and Ash. A sly smile slipped onto his face. “You are such a romantic!” he accused.
“Who me?” Ash protested making her eyes big and innocent.
“Yeah you!” he confirmed pointing at her. “I’ll give Tom a call and let you know. Don’t see why he wouldn’t be available.”
“Think he’ll be able to hook me up with something?” Ash asked eagerly as her mind began formulating a plan.
“I think so,” Graham nodded. “He did a roman thing last year and I’m sure he still has most of it lying around. The guy’s a packrat. Besides knowing you money is no object!”
“Nope!” she winked. “I got the bread if he’s got the time!”
“Oh, believe me, he’ll make the time!” Graham stated knowingly. “Why don’t you go up and go to bed before you pass out? I’ll give Tom a call and let you know at breakfast.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Ash said as she stifled a yawn, the long day was finally beginning to catch up with her and bed sounded like a very good idea. She rose from the table and stretched. “Want me to take that to your room for you?” She nodded towards the print.
“Nah,” Graham shook his head. “I want to show it to the folks.”
Ash’s eyebrow shot up. “Okay,” she drawled hesitantly.
“Hey. I won’t tell them that your Lauren is the same as the L. O’Shea who painted it if you don’t want me to,” Graham reassured her. “I just want to see mom’s jaw hit the floor when she sees it!”
Ash grinned and shook her head. “You are an evil man!” she scolded.
“I learned from the best,” he replied cheekily.
Ash laughed as she strode towards the back stairs that led to the family’s bedrooms. “I’ll see you at breakfast.”
“Later,” Graham called as Ash waved over her shoulder and disappeared up the stairs.
***********************
“I just can’t do this without popcorn,” Lu sighed into Sheila’s hair as the last sneak preview ended and the main title began to run on the TV.
Sheila raised her head from Lu’s shoulder to give her a reproving look. “Honey, we just had dinner an hour ago!” she admonished.
“I know, I know. I just can’t enjoy a movie without it!” Lu argued giving Sheila her best hang dog expression. “Please?”
Sheila giggled and patted her lover on the stomach lovingly. “Oh, all right,” she said as she snagged the remote off of the coffee table and hit pause on the VCR. She stretched and sat up. “Why don’t you go make the popcorn and I’ll go use the little girl’s room.”
Lu’s eyebrow went up. “You have to pee again?” she teased as she stood and pulled Sheila to her feet.
Sheila grimaced and nodded. “I can’t help it if I have a bladder the size of a walnut,” she said defensively.
“Uh-huh,” Lu smirked. “You know, I hear it only gets worse the farther along in your pregnancy you get.” Lu tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Maybe now would be a good time to look into putting in a second bath, otherwise I may be peeing in the backyard in a couple of months!”
“Keep it up and you’ll be sleeping on the couch,” Sheila warned with a smile as she patted Lu on the cheek and headed towards the bathroom.
Lu chuckled as she shook her head. She strolled after her lover admiring her walk. “You know for a pregnant chick you sure have a nice ass,” Lu commented.
Sheila glared at her over her shoulder and shook her head. “You are really pushing the envelope tonight, love,” she stated as she turned left down the hall. “What has gotten into you?”
“Dunno,” Lu shrugged as she halted and followed her retreating lover with her eyes. “Just feeling frisky, I guess.”
“Well, keep that thought in mind,” Sheila winked over her shoulder as she turned into the bathroom and closed the door.
Lu stood with a huge grin on her face as Sheila’s words conjured possible outcomes of the evening. She shook herself out of her reverie and went into the kitchen to make the required popcorn.
Lu strolled back out into the living room, cradling the required popcorn in a huge bowl in the crook of her left arm. She spotted Sheila already ensconced on one end of the couch, wrapped up in an afghan. “Thought you might like something to drink too,” she announced holding the juice and her beer up for Sheila to see.
“I take it the juice if for me?” Sheila teased with a smile as she took the offered juice from Lu’s outstretched hand.
“You don’t like beer,” Lu reasoned with a shrug as she sat down next to Sheila.
“True,” Sheila nodded. “So are you prepared to enjoy this movie now?”
“Yeah, I…” Lu was interrupted by the phone ringing. She scowled and Sheila laughed.
“I think I better get that. You’d probably bite the poor person’s head off,” Sheila teased as she reached over her shoulder to grab the portable phone that was resting on the end table.
“I just hate how that damn thing always seems to be interrupting me,” Lu groused pointing at the still ringing phone in her lover’s hand. “It’s probably just some damn telemarketer trying to sell us shit we don’t need.”
“Hush so I can answer this,” Sheila said holding up the phone with an amused smile.
“Yeah, yeah, fine,” Lu waved dismissively and leaned back on the couch folding her arms over her chest with a scowl. “Well? You gonna answer it or what?” she grumbled nodding at the phone.
“Yes dear,” Sheila intoned and gave Lu’s knee a loving pat. She clicked the on button and brought the phone to her ear. “Hello?”
“Sheila? Is that you?”
Sheila frowned as she plugged her other ear to hear better. There was so much background noise that she could barely make out the speaker’s voice. “Yes,” she said raising her voice hoping to be heard over the cacophony in the background.
“Hi, it’s me Lauren,” Lauren practically shouted into the phone to be heard over the semi pulling out behind her.
“Lauren?” Sheila’s eyes met Lu’s in surprise. “Where are you? I can barely hear you.”
“Lauren? As in Ash’s Lauren?” Lu whispered sitting forward. Sheila nodded her head and held up her hand to silence her curious lover so she could hear Lauren.
Lauren giggled nervously. “Well, actually I’m at a truck stop on the outskirts of Spokane.”
Sheila’s eyes widened in surprise, “You’re here? In Spokane?” she asked to relay the information to Lu.
“Oh shit,” Lu swore as she felt her stomach drop.
“Um… yeah, I am,” Lauren confirmed sheepishly. “I thought I’d come see how Ash is doing. Do you think you could give me directions to your house?”
“Sure, Lauren. You have something to write with?” Sheila asked. She mouthed to Lu, “She’s here to see Ash.”
Lu swore under her breath and shook her head. “I’m going to go upstairs and call Ash to give her a heads up,” she whispered and stood. “What the hell are we going to do?”
“I don’t know,” Sheila mouthed and cocked her head when Lauren said something. She shooed Lu towards the stairs as she began to explain to Lauren how to get to their house.
Lu ran up the stairs and to her office where she had installed a second line for business. “You, my friend, are in a world of shit,” Lu said as she dialed Ash’s cell number and listened to the rings. She drummed her fingers impatiently on her desk and swore as she heard the phone click to the voice mail. “Shit! Since when did you stop having this damn thing connected to your hip 24-7?” she demanded after the tone. “Ash, listen to me, you are in a world of shit. Lauren is here in Spokane. She came to see you and guess what? You’re not here! Didn’t you fucking tell her you were going to your folks? Thanks a lot, buddy. Now I get to do your damn explaining for you! You better call me ASAP!” She slammed the receiver home and glared at it.
“I hope Sheila has some ideas, ‘cause I’m fresh out,” Lu sighed rubbing her eyes. She rose from her office chair and headed back downstairs to find out what Sheila discovered about Lauren’s impromptu trip.
Sheila had just hung up the phone when she saw Lu descending the stairs. “Hey,” she sighed as she sat back and eyed her lover.
“Hey,” Lu said as she came over to the couch and sank into it with a frustrated sigh. “What did Lauren have to say?”
Sheila scooted over to sit next to Lu and rested her head on Lu’s shoulder. Lu’s arms came around her comfortingly. “She said she borrowed her friend Rachel’s car and came out here on the spur of the moment. It wasn’t planned.”
“I thought you called her this afternoon?” Lu asked puzzled.
“I did. I talked to her machine. I guess she must have already left otherwise I would have told her Ash wasn’t here and not to bother,” Sheila explained with a sigh. “Did you get a hold of Ash?”
“No,” Lu grumbled with a shake of her head. “Talked to her damn voicemail. I’m praying that she checks her messages soon. I don’t know what is with her! She used to have that damn phone grafted to her hip! And now the one time I really need to get a hold of her, she doesn’t have it with her!”
“Easy there,” Sheila soothed her irate lover. “Lauren is going to be here in about 20 minutes and we need to figure out how we’re going to handle this.”
“Tell her Ash isn’t here,” Lu grumbled.
Sheila peeked up at Lu’s grumpy face. “I don’t think Lauren would appreciate being told that bluntly. Do you?” she scolded.
Lu shrugged embarrassed and gave her a sheepish smile. “No, I guess not,” she admitted softly. “But I don’t know what to tell her!”
“Why didn’t Ash tell her she wasn’t here?” Sheila asked puzzled by Ash’s insensitivity.
“I dunno. I’ve been wondering the same damn thing,” Lu sighed as she pulled Sheila closer. “I’m hoping she just hasn’t had the chance. Giving her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she hasn’t talked to Lauren since yesterday morning when she was still here.”
“Could be,” Sheila nodded. “Well, one things for sure. We can’t let Lauren leave and drive back to Seattle tonight. I have a feeling she’s going to be pretty upset when she realizes Ash isn’t here and I don’t want her driving.”
“Yeah. That would be bad,” Lu agreed. “I’m going to kill Ash for this.”
“No, dear, you’re not,” Sheila stated firmly. “You’re going to have to wait in line behind Lauren and me to get a shot at her!”
Lu chuckled. “Far be it for me to stand in the way of you two! I have a feeling that the two of you are going to be force to be reckoned with.”
“Probably,” Sheila said with a smirk. “So now I guess we just wait and play it by ear.”
“Yeah, guess so,” Lu agreed as she closed her eyes and tried to think of how Lauren was going to react. She shivered. “This is not going to be good, is it?”
“No, I don’t think so,” Sheila sighed with regret.
Lu pulled her close and they sat in companionable silence as they waited and both tried to think of some way to comfort Lauren when she arrived.
****************************
The two bro