by Alex Tryst

Disclaimers: See Part 1.

Feedback: Drop me a line if you’d like at alextryst@hotmail.com.

Dedications: To my angels, my nephews. Through the good and bad days, the joys and sorrows, the unconditional love and adoration you both exude makes the meaning of life apparently clear.

Copyright © August, 2004 by Alex Tryst. All Rights Reserved.

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"That sounds like a great idea. I'd love to go somewhere with you, but we'd have to leave on election day at earliest. I have volunteered to help put up signs the nights before. You can come with me though if you want."

"Maybe."

"So, where do you want to go?"

"I haven't decided yet."

"Well, I'll tell you what. I'll let you plan it. You pick a place and make the reservations. We'll go anywhere you want."

"All right. It's a deal."

Changing the subject the brunette mentioned, "I got an invitation in the mail to both of us from Allison's wife. She's throwing Allison a birthday party. It's over there on the table."

Elisabeth went to pick up the mail in question. Reading it she said, "It's a costume party on Halloween."

"Yeah. Allison was born on Halloween. It's her 29th, so Deborah wanted to do something special. Do you want to go?"

"That sounds like fun. Do you want to go?"

"Yeah. Deborah's parties are always a blast. She's a real party planner. She should have taken that up as her profession."

"What does she do instead?"

"She's a professional student. That woman has more letters after her name than anyone else I know."

"And Allison is okay with that?"

"She doesn't care. Deborah comes from money. Her father is a retired senator. Allison did something that no other woman has ever done at Hollins. She actually won over one of the old school girls. There was a real class divide at the school back then. There were those that had money and those that didn't, and there wasn't a lot of associating between them. Allison was one of those that didn't have money. Well, she had it but lost it when she came out to her family. They disowned her, because she chose the life she wanted to live instead of the one they wanted her to. She broke through the class divide though and charmed her way into Deborah's life. A girl like Deborah wasn't supposed to end up with the first drag king of Hollins."

"Drag king?"

"Yeah. She did that to make money for school. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. There was a gay club in Roanoke where she performed."

"That's wild. Did you ever go see her?"

"Oh yeah. King Rex was a crowd pleaser."

"King Rex? What kind of a name is that?"

"Her stage name. Trust me, it suited her. She grew up in the South, has family in Texas and Louisiana. It was always one of her childhood fantasies to be the king of Mardi Gras, hence the name King Rex, because Rex was the king of the particular ball with which her family was associated way back in the day. At least that's the way she tells it. If you knew her back in college, it would make more sense. More than that though, Allison had this way about her, still does actually. Perhaps you've noticed it."

Elisabeth shrugged. "What kind of way?"

"Back in school Allison was the lesbian on campus. Women either wanted to be her or sleep with her, which is a little strange given that she wasn't the best-looking woman at school."

"She's attractive enough," the blonde conceded.

"Yeah but she's not perfect either in the looks department. The thing that makes her irresistible to women is her noble charm. She has those southern manners, and she has a way with words that can get any woman out of her clothes. You remember how she flirted with you that night at the CF function?"

"I guess she did a little. Deborah didn't seem to mind though."

"She never does. She's secure in the knowledge that Allison will never leave her. Allison loves to flirt, but her heart belongs to Deborah and always will. They were the couple everyone epitomized. You can just see it in the way they look at each other that the love they have is so incredibly strong. I've always wanted that."

Moving up and wrapping her arms around her lover, Elisabeth stated, "Well, now you have it."

"I certainly do. All right, I'll call Deborah and let her know we're coming."

"Fabulous. Now the hard part is finding an outfit."

Dara nodded in agreement. Redirecting their conversation once again, she casually inquired, "What are you doing tomorrow? I was wondering if you wanted to join me for lunch."

"Actually, I'm supposed to meet the infamous King Rex herself," she teased with a laugh.

"Really? I didn't know you two had set up an interview. That's great. I probably shouldn't have told you all that stuff then," she mentioned. "Wouldn't want to spoil Allison's professional image."

"Oh please. That's nothing. It actually makes me a little less nervous. I know that you two are such good friends. I wouldn't want to get in the way of that if this doesn't go well."

"Impossible. It's going to go great, but even if it didn't, it wouldn't change my relationship with her. I don't just throw decade-old friendships out the window over trivial stuff."

"Well, good. That's what I was concerned about most."

"How about we meet after that then? I'd love to hear all the details."

"Okay. That sounds good. I'll call you when I leave her office." Checking her watch the blonde said, "I hate to do this, but I should probably get going. I have some things to do to prep for tomorrow. I haven't really done my research yet or updated my resume, and I don't want to look like an idiot."

"All right. If you must," the taller woman mumbled. Walking her lover out to the car, Dara embraced her and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "You'll be great tomorrow. Trust me."

Elisabeth just nodded. "Good night, Dara. Sweet dreams."

"You too. See you tomorrow."

The following day when Elisabeth arrived at Allison's office, she was greeted with a large smile and firm handshake from Dara's old friend. "Elisabeth, I'm so happy we were finally able to get together for this chat," the brunette stated, gesturing the way to her office.

"Me too, Allison. You have quite an exciting organization here."

"I'd like to think so," she answered as she closed the door to her office. "Please have a seat. Could I get you something to drink? Coffee, water, soda?"

"No thank you. I'm fine."

"How's Justin doing? Dara told me he had to go back into the hospital a few weeks ago."

"He's doing better. He was just released last week."

"Good. Glad to hear it. My nephew also has CF, so I understand what it's like. It's never easy to see them sick."

"No, it's not. Dara didn't tell me your nephew also had CF."

"Yeah. He was actually the first in the country to be diagnosed prenatally."

"I've never known anyone else to have it."

"Well, it's the German blood, especially the German Jewish blood. Deborah is German, so it runs all through her family line."

"Interesting. I'm German as well but never knew much about it until I met Dara."

"Most don't. It's the second most common genetic disease in our country, but it doesn't get much attention. Anyway, enough about that. Perhaps we should talk about why you're here. Basically I told Dara that I wanted her on staff, but she seemed to think you were a better match. She's managed to convince me of that fact. It would actually be good press to have a Republican on staff. Most people that work here are on the blue team," she said with a smile.

"That makes sense. Dems are more inclined to social causes."

"Exactly but you have quite the resume of civil rights experience. I think you're a good fit. This meeting is more of a formality, so it looks like I'm weighing all my options. Really I've already made up my mind. I want you on staff, Elisabeth. It's more a matter of whether you think you would be happy here, so ask me anything. I'll give you the best and worst of the organization to see if it's a place for you."

Taken back by Allison's proclamation, the blonde hesitated a moment. She had been prepared for an interview, but the brunette had made it clear she wasn't interested in that. Decided to forge ahead with her questions then, Elisabeth pulled them out and began her own interview of the director.

An hour later Allison smiled at Elisabeth. "Listen, Elisabeth. I know that you need some time to think about this. You won't be able to start until the election is over."

"Actually, I want to take off November and December, Allison."

"Oh, well, that's fine. I want to fill this position by the first of January. I have plenty of qualified people, but I'm giving you first choice. Do you think you'd be able to get me an answer by the election? That's four weeks from now."

The blonde nodded her head. "Yes, I will definitely have an answer for you by then. Thank you for this opportunity, Allison. I really need to talk to Dara before making a final decision."

"I understand. I wouldn't make a decision like this without consulting Deborah."

"Speaking of which, did she tell you that Dara and I will be at the party?"

"No. That's great. I'm so looking forward to it. She always throws me the best parties. She's the best."

Elisabeth nodded in agreement. "The only hard thing is figuring out what costume to wear."

"I'm sure Dara will help you. She always thinks of something brilliant."

"I'm counting on it. Well, I should go. I'm supposed to meet Dara when this is over. She wanted to try to do lunch."

Consulting her watch, the brunette said, "Well, you could still catch a late one. Tell her I said hi when you see her?"

"Of course."

Standing from her chair, Allison escorted the blonde from her office and back to the reception area. Extending her hand professionally, she said, "I look forward to talking to you soon."

"Likewise. Bye, Allison."

As soon as the blonde attorney stepped out onto the street, she pulled out her cell phone to dial her lover. Dara answered cheerfully. "Dara Rosenthal."

"Hey. How about that lunch, sexy?" she inquired.

"You're finished with Allison already? That was fast."

"Yeah. It was faster than I thought it was going to be. I'd love to tell you all about it. Why don't I come pick you up?"

"Actually, I have another idea," the brunette stated, starting to dig into her briefcase. She pulled out the blonde's engagement ring that she had picked up that morning on her way to work. Opening the box, she gazed at the ring as she said, "Meet me on The Mall in an hour."

"Why The Mall?"

"Just placate me this once."

Instinctively Elisabeth knew her lover was up to something, but she answered, "Fine. Where on The Mall?"

"On the bench by the carousel where we first met."

"Dara, what are you up to?" she pointedly asked.

"Nothing. There's just an exhibit at the Smithsonian I wanted to show you while we were out for lunch," she lied, trying her lover's ring on her own large hand as she thought about what she was about to do. She knew she wanted to catch Elisabeth completely off guard with her proposal in order for it to be a surprise.

"All right. Fine. I'll meet you on the bench, but don't be late. It's chilly out today."

"I'll be there. See you then."

"Yeah. I love you, Dara."

"I love you too. Bye."

Hanging up her phone, the older woman wondered what was going on. Dara seemed so secretive, but she didn't know what the taller woman was up to at the moment. However, she decided she should just leave it alone for the time being. She had more important things to think about like Allison's unexpected job offer.

A little more than an hour later, Dara slowly made her way out of the Smithsonian metro station. Wind caught her dress coat, making her realize her girlfriend was right. It was a rather cold day. Quickly she walked toward the bench where she first met her beloved. She saw Elisabeth in the distance already there reading a book. Diverting her path, Dara went over to one of the street vendors and bought two cups of coffee before continuing on her way. Her mind drifted to the day that they met. Dara had spilled the blonde's coffee all over her work, and from that chance encounter she had found the love of her life. Getting to the bench, she took a seat before the older woman even noticed her, being so involved in her book.

When she looked up though, Dara smiled brightly. "Hi," she greeted, extending the coffee to her girlfriend.

"Hi. What's this for?"

"I still owed you that coffee that I had spilt the day we met," she explained.

Elisabeth laughed lightly at her lover's sentiment. "Thank you."

"So, tell me how things went with Allison."

"She offered me the job."

"Fabulous. What did you say?"

"That I wanted to think about it and talk to you first before making a decision. I told her I'd get back to her in a few weeks."

"Well, what was your first impression?"

"I liked it. I think I'd do well there," she answered, although hesitantly.

Sensing it right away, Dara questioned, "But?"

"I don't want to rush into a decision. There are other things I want to do."

"Such as?"

Elisabeth broke eye contact with her lover and gazed out over the grass. "I'm contemplating where my life should be going personally. There's a part of me that wants to take the position, because it would great to do something of that magnitude. However, there's another part of me that wants to get married and start a family. I'm not sure I can do both as well as I would want. Part of me wants to keep making that difference but the other just wants to be the mother of your children," she confessed, meeting the dark eyes she adored.

Dara felt the admission settle deep in her heart. They had talked about such matters before, but at the moment it seemed much more serious than in the past, making her realize this was the right moment to propose. However, before she was ready, she asked, "Which part has the stronger pull on you right now?"

Elisabeth shrugged. "I keep thinking about what my mom said when we were over at your parents' house. The clock is ticking, Dara. I'm thirty-two, almost thirty-three. If not now, when? This position Allison offered me takes real commitment. It will take lots of time and energy. And of course we want to have kids. I want to be with them, not just drop them at daycare everyday, but that would mean us living on one income. I don't want to burden you that way."

Scooting closer to her girlfriend, Dara slid an arm around her shoulders. "If that's what you want, we can make it work. I want to make you happy. If you want to stay at home with the children, I'll support you. I have the means to do that. I'll just take over Allison's old job when she leaves."

"But I know that's not what you necessarily want, Dara. You have a plan for your career, and I want you to stay on it, because that's what will make you happy. You want to run for state congress soon, and I think you should. My severance package is enough to keep us quite comfortable for several years. I'd rather use the money to support our family, so you can follow your dreams if that's what it comes to."

Caught by surprise at the comment, Dara inquired, "And just how much of a severance package did you get? Typically it's one week for every year of service. That's not much."

The blonde shrugged her shoulders. "I didn't want to really tell you the exact figure, because it's outlandish."

"What do you mean? Is it six figures?"

"Seven," the blonde admitted.

"He bought you?" Dara inquired in surprise.

Elisabeth nodded her head shamefully. "Yes," she confessed. "He bought me."

"Why did you let him?"

"Because I wanted my freedom, Dara. It was either this or end up in the Potomac with a bullet in the back of my head. Which would you have chosen?" Elisabeth snipped.

"You're right. Your choices were limited," the younger woman conceded.

"He and I made a deal. He'll never hurt you, Dara. He'll never speak ill of you or me publically. That's part of our agreement."

"Well, at least you covered the bases as well as you could."

"You know the irony of the whole situation is that before I left his office that day, I asked him why he chose to handle things this way. He said it was because he wanted to see me use my talents for the good of the Republican Party. He never realized why I was really there. He still thinks I'm in the red corner."

"Well, under the circumstances I think that is a good thing."

"It is, but it also means I have stay here for a while longer. I hate the party, Dara. I don't want to be a Republican anymore."

"It's only a name, Elisabeth."

"I know, but here I am, the future wife of the Governor of Maryland, and I've taken a bribe from the President of the United States."

"You made a successful severance negotiation. I know he would never contradict that. It's going to be okay, Elisabeth. I promise."

"But what if it's not? What if I've ruined your dreams? What if you never become governor because of me?"

"That's impossible. It will not happen, Elisabeth. I'm so sure of it, I'm willing to give you this to prove it," she mentioned, digging into her pocket. Pulling out the ring box, she opened it and turned it toward her lover.

Blue eyes widened at the sight of the diamond ring as her heart stopped a moment before starting again in double time. "Dara?" she questioned in delighted surprise.

Taking the blonde's left hand in her own, the taller woman looked at the woman she loved. "Elisabeth, Allison made you a job offer today, but I have my own job offer for you. It's a lifetime of service to me and my cause, but in exchange I'll do everything I can to make you happy. I'll give you as many children as you want and help you fill our house with laughter and love. I'll hold you at night and protect you from the world. I'll make love to you and worship your body, mind, and soul. I'll tell the world that you are the greatest gift God has ever given me. Elisabeth, I love you, respect you, and need you more than words could ever express. You're the one that I want standing next to me for the rest of my life, and I want to be the one standing next to you if you'll have me. Please make me the luckiest woman in the world by accepting my hand. I will do everything I can to make your dreams come true. Please, will you marry me, Elisabeth?"

With tears flowing freely down her face, Elisabeth smiled at her beloved. "Yes, I will marry you, Dara. You know I will. It's what I've always wanted," she whispered, pulling the brunette into her arms for a strong embrace.

Dara responded in kind, wrapping her arms tightly around the blonde. Both of them were silent for a few moments, clinging to each other as they thought about the commitment they had just made. The younger woman could feel her lover's tears on her own neck as Elisabeth buried her head in the brunette's hair. Dara could feel her own eyes starting to water as joyed filled her heart. She never imagined this moment could bring such a surge of emotion. Finally after several minutes, she pulled back enough to smile at the blonde and gently wipe Elisabeth's wet face. "May I put this on now?" she questioned, taking the ring from its box.

Elisabeth could only nod. She watched as her lover gently placed the ring on her finger before looking back into dark eyes. Cupping Dara's face with her left hand, she smiled. "I love you so much, Dara," she whispered.

"And I love you, Elisabeth," the younger woman answered as the blonde pulled her into a powerful yet loving kiss. For a long time the two of them stayed embraced exchanging tender intimacy as the world hurried on around them. However, Dara finally pulled back and mentioned, "It's getting cold. We should go."

Elisabeth nodded in agreement. As the two of them got off the bench, she inquired, "So, what is this exhibit you wanted to show me?"

The taller woman grinned and laughed. "Oh, nothing. That was just a ploy."

"You mean a lie is what it was," Elisabeth bantered with a laugh of her own.

"All right. It was a lie. Are you disappointed?"

"No. I knew it was, but you owe me lunch for making me sit out here in the cold," the older woman teased, looping her arms around her fiancee's waist.

"Fair enough. I'll take you anywhere you want to go."

Over lunch neither of them spoke much about wedding ideas. Instead they just enjoyed each other's company and talked more about Allison's offer. When the meal was over, they went outside and walked to the nearest subway station. "I wish you didn't have to go back to work," Elisabeth complained, pulling Dara in for a close embrace.

"That makes two of us. Right now there is nothing I want to do more than to be alone with you," she whispered in her lover's ear. "To make love to you," she growled seductively.

Elisabeth whimpered at the thought. However, knowing it was impossible at the moment, she decided to tease the brunette. Slipping her hands into Dara's coat, she brought their bodies even closer together. With one hand firmly planted on her lover's lower back, her right one trailed teasingly between the taller woman's thighs. To any outsider it would have looked like two lovers just sharing a close embrace, not really knowing the naughtiness Elisabeth was initiating along the seam of Dara's wool pants with her hand. Pulling the younger woman's head down toward her own, she kissed the brunette lightly on the ear as she murmured, "I would love that too, Dara. It's too bad we can't do that. I guess I'll just have to go home and take care of myself. While you're at work, you can think about me alone in bed. My hands will be all over my naked body, wishing they were yours. I'll be calling out your name as my body arches up toward yours, seeking out the weight of you on top of me. My fingers will be thrusting in and out of my wet flesh, slowly teasing me the way I know you would do it. I'll imagine your tongue licking up my thigh and agonizingly leisurely entering me, tasting me from the inside, eating me like I was the best meal you ever had."

"Oh God," Dara trembled lightly as her legs began to shake. She knew Elisabeth could feel how turned on she was. She was so wet at the older woman's words that she knew she had ruined her slacks. However, she merely held the blonde tighter as Elisabeth continued her teasing with her hand. Suddenly Dara's body tensed slightly, and she nuzzled the blonde's neck tenderly in an effort to suppress the scream of her climax.

When the younger woman's body relaxed in her arms, Elisabeth chuckled under her breath. She looked up into dazed dark eyes and smiled. Patting Dara on the cheek lightly, she gave her a peck on the lips. "Have a good rest of the day, dear," she said before pulling away and hopping on the escalator that headed down to the tracks that would take her home. Dara just stood there watching her until she was out of sight as she tried to recover from the unexpected event that just taken place. Even though she knew Elisabeth was going to be wild when it came to sex, she never imagined her lover, her fiancee, her soon-to-be bride would make her orgasm in the middle of the subway station with the world going by around them. Looking around she noticed that no one seemed to either know or care about the dirty little thing that had just taken place between them. Taking a deep breath Dara made her way over to where the subway would take her back to work as she thought of the woman she loved.

Once back in her office, the brunette shut the door behind her and locked it before going to her desk. She wasn't about to let the blonde have the last word between them. In fact, she had her own plan to make her fiancee tremble. Consulting her watch she realized Elisabeth wasn't home quite yet, so she fidgeted in her chair and checked emails for several minutes. Conferring with the clock on her desk, she figured the older woman should just about be back at her house, so she dialed her lover's cell phone.

"Hello," Elisabeth purred into the receiver after a few rings.

"Where are you?" Dara inquired without a greeting.

"I'm just walking into the house."

"Is Shelby home?"

"It doesn't seem like it. Why?"

"I want you to do something for me," the brunette requested seductively.

Instantly Elisabeth caught on to the game her lover wanted to play and smiled into the phone. "What do you want me to do?" she whispered.

"First of all, put me on hands free if you haven't already and then go up to your bedroom."

Doing as asked of her, the blonde went up the stairs and into her room. "Now what?"

"Did you close the door?"

"Yeah."

"Open it. All the way, Elisabeth," Dara instructed.

"But Shelby could come home," protested the older woman even though she complied.

"I know," Dara growled sexily. "Now put your briefcase down and take off your coat. Don't hang it up. Just lay it over the chair. Then take off your heels but leave them by the side of the bed."

Following instructions the blonde removed her shoes before asking, "Now what?"

"Tell me what you're wearing underneath your skirt."

"Hose and a thong," she answered.

"What color?"

"Black," she murmured, closing her eyes to help the game. She imagined Dara there with her.

"Take those off." The brunette waited until it sounded as if that task was complete before continuing. "Now take off your sweater."

Elisabeth put the phone to the side long enough to pull her black sweater off her body and dropped it on the floor with her other clothes. Immediately she put the earpiece back to hear her beloved's voice. "That's done. Now what do you want?"

"What color bra are you wearing? What's it look like?" Dara questioned as she closed her eyes. In her mind she tried to create the image of Elisabeth there in her room.

"It's black lace."

"Get rid of it."

"Okay."

After a pause Dara resumed. "Now what are you wearing?"

"Just my skirt."

"Good. Lie on the bed on your back and close those pretty blue eyes."

"You don't want me to take off my skirt?" Elisabeth questioned in surprise.

"Did I say to take it off?" the brunette asked in a husky tone.

"No."

"Then don't. Leave it on. Are you on the bed?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now reach into the nightstand and get your favorite toy. Do you have it?"

"Yes," breathlessly the blonde replied as her mind already drifted to the pleasures forthcoming.

"Now flip up the front of your skirt, Elisabeth." The blonde followed the directions with a whimper. She really wanted her lover to actually be there at the moment. "Is it up?"

"Yes, Dara," she answered.

"Good girl. Now slowly take your toy and run it along your body. Take your time. Start where I would, kissing along your neck and ever so slowly making my way down. Let me just listen to you."

Elisabeth moaned as she turned on her vibrator to the lowest setting. Her mind was running rampant with thoughts of the woman she loved. She pictured Dara there, her frame hovering above her own while her mouth began a tortuous tease. The older woman took her time as charged, lingering along her neck before leisurely moving the toy down to her breasts. Her breath caught as she caressed first on the tip and then the other. "Dara," she called.

"Yes, baby. I'm right here. Does that feel good? Do I feel good to you?"

"Yes," the shorter woman answered.

"Where am I now? What are my hands doing? Where is my mouth?"

"Your hands are on my hips, and your mouth is kissing down between my breasts over my stomach."

"Then I kiss each hip gently before moving to your left thigh. I can already smell you, Elisabeth. God, you smell incredible. I can't wait to taste you. Do you want me to?"

Envisioning it in her mind, Elisabeth found her body tensing even tighter. "Oh God, please," she begged.

"Slowly I lick a path over the top of your left thigh before moving over to the right one. You are so hot and wet. I haven't even touched you yet, and I can feel it."

Elisabeth followed Dara's words, using her vibrator to simulate her lover's presence. Her legs quivered in anticipation. "Dara, please. Don't tease me. I need you."

The younger woman groaned wantonly as she began to touch herself with growing fervor on the outside of her clothes. "God, I want you, Elisabeth. Giving in to both our needs, I let my mouth trail up the inside of your thigh. I can already taste just a hint of you. It's heaven. Wanting more I open my mouth to take all of you in. You're so wet for me."

"Dara," Elisabeth whimpered, dragging her toy through her wetness. She wanted her lover inside desperately, but she waited until the brunette directed her further.

"Elisabeth, you taste so good. I can't stand it. I have to be inside of you right now. Wrapping one arm around your leg to keep you steady, I allow my other hand to wander up your body. You grab hold of it with your own as your other hand finds the back of my head. You're pushing me harder, deeper into you, and I'm helpless to resist. Slowly I enter you with my tongue."

"Baby, I'm so close," Elisabeth cried as she entered herself to mimic her lover's words.

"I can feel how close you are, sweetie. You feel so good. Knowing how badly you need to climax, I don't waste any time. I plunge into you as deeply as I can before with drawing. My tongue alternates between thrusting into you and teasing your clit," she whispered, knowing that would be all it would take to push the blonde over the edge.

Elisabeth started to shudder as her body quickly rose to peak with the combination of Dara's words and her own hands. "Dara!" she screamed, trying to clutch the imaginary head between her legs. It took her several moments to recover. Finally when she was able to focus again, she mumbled, "Oh God."

"You all right?"

Elisabeth nodded her head. "Fine. Never better," she replied with a slight chuckle. "How are you?"

"Great."

"Were you touching yourself?" the blonde asked as she pulled the toy out and tossed it onto the bed. She smoothed her skirt back into place.

"Of course. How could I not?"

A moment of silence passed while they just listened to each other breathe. Finally Elisabeth said, "Thank you for the surprise. I love you."

"I love you, too, Elisabeth. Now I really should get back to work. Can we get together for dinner tonight?"

"Am I on the menu?" she teased.

"Actually, I was sort of hoping we could have dinner with my parents."

"Oh, way to ruin a mood there, honey," the older woman teased.

"Sorry about that."

"That sounds fine."

"Okay. Let me call to make sure they can do it. Shelby can come too. I'll probably invite Leah."

"Fine. I'll ask her when I see her." Another pause passed. Neither woman wanted to hang up, but they knew they had to. "I should let you go."

"Yeah. I'll call you later about a time. I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too. I look forward to your call. Now get back to work."

"See you tonight. I love you."

"I love you. Good bye, Dara."

"Bye, honey."

That evening the blonde drove over the Dara's place to meet her fiancee and her parents for dinner. When she pulled into the driveway, she took a quick look at herself in the mirror. She knew this would be the night the two of them consummated their relationship. The way the day had gone so far, it had to be the moment for which they both craved. Checking herself over she decided she looked presentable, so she went to the front door and rang the bell. Only a moment passed before Dara opened it with a large smile.

"Hey, gorgeous," she said, wrapping her arms around the older woman's waist to pull her into an embrace.

Elisabeth smirked as she whispered seductively, "Hello, lover. How about a kiss?" Dara complied, kissing the blonde gently on the mouth, but the shorter woman just shook her head. "Like you missed me, Dara. Like you want to ditch your parents and make love to me."

Growling lowly the brunette ducked her head for a second time. Catching the older woman's lips slightly open, she probed passed them torridly. Instantly Elisabeth responded, matching the fervor as she ran her hands through dark hair. Several moments passed before the younger attorney finally pulled back. "We should stop before my mother catches us."

"Too late," her mother's voice called out lightly from behind her.

Elisabeth rolled her eyes playfully. "First Tom and now your mother. Who's next to catch us?" she teased as she pulled out of her lover's arms. Moving to Dara's mother she greeted her with a hug. "Hello, Emma."

"Hi, Elisabeth. I can't tell you how happy we are about you and Dara getting engaged. You really are the best thing to ever happen to Dara," she mentioned, squeezing the blonde tightly. When the embrace ended, she cast Elisabeth a grin as she said, "Besides it wouldn't be Dara if we didn't catch her in the act of naughty behavior. Your future wife is known for that."

"You don't say?" the blonde joked as she and her future mother-in-law walked arm in arm into the living room.

Eric stood as his wife and soon-to-be daughter-in-law entered and smiled at them pleasantly. "Well, if it isn't the lady of the hour. Elisabeth, I'm so thrilled someone has finally tamed Dara. I knew it would take someone special to do it," he said as they hugged.

"That's for sure. She's a handful," the blonde teased as her lover came up behind and slipped her arms around her waist.

"Well, in celebration of this wonderful news, we've taken the liberty of making reservations at one of our favorite places. Hope you don't mind," Eric said.

"Of course not, Dad."

"Fabulous. Then we should probably go."

Eric drove that evening, leaving Dara and Elisabeth time to playfully tease each other in the backseat. Even though she knew she should behave in front of her future in-laws, the blonde couldn't help but think of later that night when it was just she and Dara. She wanted to continue what had started hours ago, but she knew that would have to wait. She and her fiancee would have plenty of time to for that. In the meantime she would enjoy the chance to be with her future family.

Once at the restaurant, Eric ordered a bottle of champagne for them in celebration. When it came to the table, he raised his glass in toast. "To the future governor of Maryland and her lovely better half," he teased lightly.

However, Dara grinned. "I second that."

"Seriously, you two, we couldn't be happier that you have made this commitment to each other. I know for most of Dara's life she always wanted the kind of love that is usually only read about in books, but I truly think you've found it. What you have is a gift from God. It's a blessing, and it's not to be taken lightly. Marriage is work, but I know the two of you will have what it takes to make your love last. The look in your eyes, Elisabeth, tells me you adore my daughter more than anything else. Dara, you look at this incredible woman the way I see your mother looking at me and I hope she sees from me, complete devotion. This is a perfect match between you, and we are so happy that you have chosen Dara for a spouse, Elisabeth."

After everyone had taken a sip of champagne, Elisabeth smiled at Dara's parents. "Thank you both for welcoming me so warmly. One of things I love about Dara so much is her devotion to her family, and I clearly see where she gets it. I look forward to adding to that family someday very soon."

"So, have you discussed any plans at all?" Emma inquired.

"Not yet, Mom. However, I think we both would like to do this sooner rather than later. Once the election is over, we'll both have lots of time. I don't know what Elisabeth has in mind, but I thought spring might be nice."

Joining the topic the blonde stated, "We'll have to decide some of the details before picking a specific date. Spring sounds about right though. So much goes into it though that I'm not even sure where to begin."

"Well, just know we'll be here should you want or need any help. We want this to be a perfect day for you both," Emma said, patting Elisabeth on the hand.

Through the rest of the meal Eric kept refilling the younger women's champagne glasses, even ordering a second bottle. After her fourth glass, the blonde realized her in-laws had stopped drinking but Dara hadn't. Figuring it would be best to stop before she got sick, Elisabeth finished off her glass but declined when Eric tried to give her more. "Eric, please, I can't."

"But you must," he insisted, reaching for her glass anyway. He poured her a refill before doing the same for his daughter. Dara, who seemed none the wiser, thanked him and kept drinking. The brunette didn't seem to be fazed the volume of alcohol she was consuming, but the older attorney knew there was no way she would be able to keep up with her lover, so she switched to water through the rest of the meal.

When they left the restaurant that evening, Elisabeth watched her lover carefully as she stood from the table. She was amazed at how unaffected the taller woman seemed by the champagne. However, as they were walking through the parking lot toward the car, the blonde felt the younger attorney slip her arm around her shoulders and begin to lean into her slightly. "Are you okay?" she asked softly as they fell behind the brunette's parents by a few steps.

"I'm wonderful. How are you?" Dara inquired in a hushed tone.

Elisabeth could smell the alcohol coming off her lover. "Are you drunk?" she whispered.

Dara sneered as she shook her head. "Do I look drunk?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact," answered the older woman.

"Well, maybe drunk with the idea of what's going to happen when we get home," she sexually alluded.

Knowing to what she was referring but choosing not to let on, the shorter woman innocently questioned, "What's going to happen?"

"We're going to inaugurate my bed. At least I hope," Dara growled, leaning in to nip her fiancee's ear.

"You think you're going to get lucky, do you?" Elisabeth joked. It was too tempting to pretend otherwise even though she knew she wanted it as well.

"You can't resist me," Dara stated with confidence as she stopped walking and turned the blonde toward her. Without warning she swooped down as claimed her fiancee's lips in a smoldering lock.

Unprepared for the onslaught, Elisabeth had no time to react. Instinctually she pulled the woman she loved closer, indulging in the deep exchange, but her senses soon surfaced. "Your parents," she mumbled, trying to break free.

"Screw them. They know we're going to do it. They think we've been doing it all this time. They expect it," she said, already trying to go back for a second kiss, but Elisabeth held her at bay, glaring at her brazen behavior.

"Dara, it's one thing to act this way after we're married, but until then I don't like it when you do this stuff in front of your parents. It makes me uncomfortable. It makes me feel like a huge tramp, which we know I'm not," she admonished.

Immediately Dara pulled back out of the older woman's personal space. "Fine. I'm sorry. I won't do it again," she snapped.

"Don't do that to me, Dara. Don't make me feel guilty about this. You know I love it when you touch me, just not in front of our parents."

"They don't care, Elisabeth."

"But I do, Dara. I know it's hard. I want to touch you that way so badly right now, but please try to control yourself until we're alone at least. I promise it'll be worth the wait."

Nodding her head the younger woman replied, "Of course. I'll behave. I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable. I would never want you to feel that way."

"Thank you. I can't wait to get home either, you know. After today I can't wait to see you in action. If you can do those amazing things with your words, I can't wait to see what you can do with your mouth. I bet you have me walking funny for days," she teased lightly, taking her lover's hand.

Once back at Dara's place, the foursome made their way inside. Emma offered the younger women a beverage and dessert, but they both declined. "I'm actually getting kind of tired. Must be all that champagne," Dara stated. "I think it's time to say good night."

Eric just nodded his head at his daughter. Turning to Elisabeth he mentioned, "At the risk of sounding like the father that I am, I hope you're not planning on driving home right now, Elisabeth."

"No, Eric. You don't need to worry. I'm not driving home now. I'm hardly fit to do that."

"Good. We wouldn't want anything to happen to you," Emma said with a soft smile.

Looking at her parents, Dara could tell what they thought. They assumed that the brunette was making an excuse to be alone with her lover, but they were right. All she wanted was to be with Elisabeth in the confines of her bedroom at the moment. Giving them a smile, she said, "Thank you for dinner."

"You're welcome. Congratulations again," Emma said as she moved to hug both women. "Go on now."

"Good night, Mom. Good night, Dad," Dara said, hugging both her parents. Elisabeth followed suit.

"Good night, you two. Sleep well," Eric called out as they retreated to the staircase leading to the basement.

When they were alone in Dara's den, Elisabeth chuckled. "Talk about an awkward good bye. I imagine they thought we were ditching them to have sex."

"Yeah but that is what we were doing," the brunette conceded. "They know me better than any parent could know a child. When I was a kid, I could never get away with stuff. My mother knew, just instinctively knew when I was up to no good."

"I imagine she did. You seemed to be quite the trouble-maker too, but enough about that. There are other things we should be talking about right now."

"Such as?" the younger woman inquired in interest as they moved toward her bedroom.

Elisabeth waited until the door was closed behind them to jump into her lover's arms. Immediately assaulting her with kisses, she whispered sexily, "How you're going to make me scream in orgasmic ecstasy."

Dara moaned as her lover continued to barrage her with hungry kisses. In response her hands became active, already beginning to work open her lover's blouse. It was soon on the floor. The blonde's bra soon followed. Needing to even things a bit, the older woman pulled away from Dara's mouth just enough to pull the brunette's sweater from her body. Looking into dark eyes as she did so though, Elisabeth found herself lost once again and gave in to her need to kiss her fiancee. Soon there was just a flurry of movement as clothes were shed quickly, and then Elisabeth found herself on her back on the made bed. She moaned deeply at the weight of Dara's body on top of her own. Her hands ran over her lover's bare back taking in the feel of the muscles as their mouths continued with their torrid exploration. Needing to get even closer, the shorter woman wrapped her legs around her fiancee's naked hips.

Dara groaned in response. "You feel so good, baby," she whispered as she found the side of the blonde's neck with her lips. The younger woman was in heaven at the feeling of Elisabeth's frame pressed into hers. She had wanted this for so long. Letting her emotions guide her, her hands ran up her lover's sides to her breasts.

Elisabeth panted, arching her back toward the caress. "Dara," she called softly. "Please, I need you."

"I'm here, baby. I'll take care of you," the brunette vowed as her head started to descend down the older woman's frame. Getting to her fair breasts, Dara took long minutes teasing the right one with her hand as her mouth attacked Elisabeth's left. Hearing the shorter woman whining at the fact that one was getting more attention than the other, she focused on the right as her hands wandered lower down her lover's body. Her fingers took in the landscape of Elisabeth's hips as her lips left her favorite assets and traveled south. As many times as they had been intimately close, they had never ventured that far before, so as the taller woman's mouth trailed over the blonde's soft skin of her stomach, her mind began to spin with the thoughts of them finally consummating their relationship.

As the older woman lay on her back, the only thing she could concentrate on was the feeling of Dara's hands and mouth on her. She had dreamed of it so many times, but now it was actually happening, and it was better than anything her own mind could create in her most private thoughts. Lacing her hands through dark hair, she moaned as she felt the younger woman's tongue licking a path from her hip over the top of her right thigh. Not shy in asking for what she needed, she pulled the taller attorney by the back of the head toward her wetness as she begged, "Please, Dara."

The brunette groaned as she found her head between her fiancee's thighs. She could smell Elisabeth's arousal, and she knew it was mere moments before she would be able to taste her. Trying to postpone it for a moment longer though, she kissed the older woman's inner thighs teasingly. "Do you want me, Elisabeth? Are you ready for me?" she whispered sexily.

"Yes, baby. I need you, Dara," Elisabeth pleaded, jerking slightly at the feeling of the younger woman's mouth along her thigh. She tried in vain to pull the brunette's head to where it was needed most, but Dara refused to budge. "Dara," she whimpered.

"Oh God," Dara suddenly mumbled, pulling back quickly.

Completely confused blue eyes opened and stared at the brunette. "Dara? Are you all right?" she inquired, trying to reach for her lover, but she was held back.

"I think I'm going to be sick," the taller woman announced, waving the blonde away from her.

"Do you think you're going to throw up?"

The brunette nodded her head before suddenly jumping from the bed and heading for the bathroom. She barely made it before she started to regurgitate all that she had eaten and drank from dinner into her sink. As she stood bent over her basin, she could feel consoling hands on her, one running long strokes over her back, the other gently rubbing her stomach. When it appeared she was finished, the younger woman simply put her forehead against the cold counter and mumbled, "I'm sorry, Elisabeth. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, baby. That's not quite the reaction I was expecting," she teased.

Managing to meet blue eyes in the dark, Dara gave her a pained expression. "It wasn't you. I swear."

"I know. I was just joking. You had almost a whole bottle of champagne by yourself. I'm not surprised actually. I would have been amazed had you not gotten sick," she admitted as she stroked her lover's hair.

"Just give me a minute, and I promise that we can continue," the younger woman said, placing her head back down against the counter. Her head was starting to spin, but she was determined to fulfill Elisabeth's desires.

"No, I don't think so, Dara. You're not going to do anything like that. You need to just get in bed and go to sleep."

"But, Elisabeth, I want to. I've never had so many false starts at this. It's driving me crazy."

The blonde smiled at her fiancee. "I know. Me too but we have plenty of time, Dara. We have the rest of our lives. I think we're just trying to hard. Let's just not think about it for now. Let me get your pajamas and help you to bed."

Several minutes later the brunette and blonde were both clothed in some of Dara's pajamas. Elisabeth gently guided her beloved back to bed and pulled the covers over both of them. Silence prevailed for long minutes before the taller woman finally whispered, "I love you, Elisabeth Gunter."

"I know, and I love you, Dara Rosenthal. Sleep now." Almost immediately the brunette fell asleep, but the older woman was awake as she held her lover. She idly caressed Dara's dark hair as she thought about the fact she had committed her life to the woman in her arms. A wedding and marriage to someone perfect were her adolescent dreams, but she had never truly believed they could be reality. Even when she thought she might be with Suzanne forever, it just never seemed to be the perfect match she had always fantasized about as a little girl. However, now she had met the one person she knew she could remain lovingly faithful to for the rest of her days. Dara Rosenthal loved her in ways she never knew existed. The dark-haired woman challenged her intellectually and sparked burning passion she didn't know she could have for anyone. The younger attorney's zeal of politics and human rights matched her own, but the one thing that stood out to the blonde was the way Dara related to her family.

Elisabeth had always been close to her mother and sister, so she was thrilled the brunette was the same with her own family. The gentle way the younger woman handled her mother, sisters, and sister-in-law made it obvious the reverence Dara had for those four women. Equally powerful were the relationships she had with her father and brother and the respect she paid them. Above all though, there was Justin. Dara's eyes always were lit with loving warmth at the sight of her nephew. They were at ease together and genuinely enjoyed each other's company. It was apparent her bond with the six-year-old was stronger than anything she could possibly imagine. It was clear proof that Dara would be the best mother Elisabeth could possibly have for her children. Content in the choice she had made, Elisabeth sighed and snuggled up next to her beloved. Kissing her on the temple, she whispered, "Sweet dreams, wife of mine."

Continued in Part 13

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