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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Within in moments the door opened and there stood the woman she adored. "Hi," she greeted shyly, knowing her nerves were getting to her.

"Hi," Dara answered with a smile, reaching for her girlfriend. She pulled her into the house by the waist and landed a soft kiss on her lips as she shut the door. "I've missed you. This week has been tough without seeing you," she mentioned as her gentle assault on her lover's mouth continued.

"I missed you too, but you know obligation beckons."

The taller woman nodded absently as she persisted in her indulgence of her girlfriend's lips. It was only a deep chuckle that broke them apart. Dara knew who it was before even turning around. "Get lost, Tom."

"Oh, come on now. Don't keep the guest of honor all to yourself," he insisted as the two women broke from their embrace. Smiling at the blonde, he stuck out his hand. "Hi. I'm Thomas, Dara's brother."

"Elisabeth. Nice to meet you."

"Well, you better come in before the rest of the group starts to rush the door," Dara mentioned, taking the blonde's hand. "Are you ready?" The older woman nodded. Heading into the kitchen, they heard all commotion stop and attention turn to the two of them with the exception of Dara's nephew who was oblivious. "Everyone, I'd like for you to meet Elisabeth Gunter. Elisabeth, my family," she proclaimed generally. Taking her to each person, she made a more formal introduction.

When it was over, the blonde went to the younger woman's mother and extended her gift. "Well, thank you, Elisabeth. That's so sweet of you," she said, hugging the blonde.

Even though the blonde attorney wasn't expecting the contact, she participated in the hug as she realized where her lover got her consoling embrace. "Well, it was the least I could do for having me to dinner," she mentioned.

Breaking into the conversation, Tom inquired, "So, Elisabeth, Dara's been so secretive about you. What do you do?"

Knowing she was in a house full of Democrats, the woman chuckled to herself. She didn't want to argue with her hosts, but she knew she had to be honest about her career. "Currently I am working on the Minion-Bonaparte re-election campaign," she admitted.

Suddenly the room fell completely silent. She could feel all eyes on her, but no one said anything for a moment. Finally Dara's father smiled. "Now I understand why Dara said we weren't supposed to talk about politics," he jested.

"Yeah. Don't hold Elisabeth's career choices against her. She's still has many other admirable qualities," Dara joked, poking fun at her girlfriend while she could.

Elisabeth took it in stride, relieved that she was only going to be the source of jokes, not criticism.

"Well, she must if you're still in love with her," Emma stated. "That really does prove love can conquer all."

Nodding her head, the brunette attorney wrapped an arm around her girlfriend's shoulders. "If I can look past that so can all of you. Let's just drop it. Politics are off limits tonight."

"Agreed," Eric stated quickly with another grin. "There's plenty of time to convert her before you get married anyway."

Dara and Elisabeth both blushed as the rest of the family laughed. Even though she had confided in her parents her feelings about her relationship with the blonde, she wasn't ready to share it with the older woman yet. Hearing her father tease her about it left her mortified, but she played it off as well as she could.

Once dinner was served, everyone sat in the formal dining room. Dara pulled out her lover's chair before taking her own. The blonde smiled at her in return. Throughout most of the meal she was the center of the conversation. All of the brunette's family seemed anxious to know as much about her as they could. Even though she wasn't used to being in the spotlight, Elisabeth still enjoyed herself. She learned quite a lot about her girlfriend, things that she knew Dara never would have shared otherwise, which pleased her greatly.

When the meal was over, Elisabeth's polite offer to help with the dishes was accepted, leaving Dara alone with her brother and father. "So, she's a Republican?" Eric questioned, sipping the last of his wine from his glass.

"Dad, please don't start. We're more closely aligned than it sounds. Working on the campaign was a good career move on her part. I don't begrudge her that. It's what she needed to do."

"But how can she manage it being a lesbian? Her boss hates her."

"He doesn't even know. Just trust me on this, Dad. I know what I'm doing."

"I'm sure you do, Dara. I just don't want you to get hurt, but I want you to be happy, and I can see that she makes you that."

Smiling the brunette nodded. "She does. If things go well, I know I'm going to ask her to marry me. There is just something about her that says she's the one."

"If that's what you want, we'll be happy for you," he said with a pat on her shoulder. "Now we should probably go rescue her from your mother. Knowing her she's putting her through an inquisition."

The three of them moved into the kitchen with the rest of the dishes from the table. Sure enough Dara's mother, oldest sister, and sister-in-law had the blonde answering questions unceasingly. Knowing she should come to her lover's aid, Dara stepped into the middle of the conversation and put her arms around her girlfriend's waist. "All right. You three have had enough time. Let Elisabeth breathe."

Her mother smiled at the couple. "Why don't the two of you go into the study and relax? I'll let you know when dessert is ready," she suggested.

Elisabeth started to protest, because she hadn't even bothered to help with the dishes while she was being quizzed, but Dara cut her off. "That's a great idea, Mom. We'll do that," she quickly answered, dragging the blonde from the room before anyone could change their minds.

As soon as they were alone, they smiled at each other. "Your family certainly can talk," the older woman teased.

"Now you know where I get it," the taller woman replied as she pulled her lover down onto the sofa.

"How do you think it's going?" Elisabeth inquired.

"I think they adore you despite the Republican aspect. I wish they could know the truth."

"Me too. Well, they can always think you converted me before we got married. That's good enough," the blonde said with a smile.

Flushing lightly the taller woman mumbled, "Yeah. About that, I'm sorry."

"It's all right. After all, it's not like the thought never crossed my mind," modestly Elisabeth responded, breaking their gaze.

"It has?"

The older woman nodded. Hoping that she wasn't alone in her feelings on the matter, she questioned timidly, "Have you ever thought about it?"

The brunette nodded her head. "Actually, I have, Elisabeth. You know, we have the same wants and dreams, and things are going so well. It just seems natural to think about the future. I know I want you to be a part of it."

Leaning into the younger woman's shoulder, Elisabeth sighed in contentment. "I feel the same way," she stated softly.

They simply sat in a quiet embrace until they were retrieved by Dara's mother for dessert. After that the family merely sat around talking. Elisabeth felt special to be included in the family conversation, because it made her feel as if she belonged. When it was time for Dara's nephew, Justin, to be put to bed, the six-year-old whined about having to leave the party.

Trying to pacify him though, Dara asked, "Do you want me to read you a book tonight?"

He shook his head defiantly. "I want Miss Elisabeth to read to me," he demanded, crossing his arms across his body.

"Well, maybe you should try asking her nicely." Thomas, his father, instructed.

Going to the blonde, Justin sat down next to her on the couch and gave his most charming grin. "Miss Elisabeth, will you read to me?" he asked with his best manners.

"Please," Tom directed

"Please," Justin copied.

"Sure, Justin. I'd love to read to you."

"Yeah," he screamed happily, jumping from the sofa.

"Say thank you, Justin," his mother, Clara, stated.

"Thank you, Miss Elisabeth," he complied, taking her by the hand to help her off the couch.

"I'll get him settled," Dara offered, standing and following her nephew and girlfriend up the stairs into her old room where he was staying. Going into the bedroom, Dara proceeded into that bathroom while Justin lingered with Elisabeth looking at books. "Get in here, sport. You have to take a quick bath," she said. Immediately both of them appeared. The brunette started the water, but when she noticed he wasn't undressing, she mentioned, "Don't be all night about it. Take off your clothes."

He shook his head. "No. I want my privacy first," he demanded.

Elisabeth chuckled in amusement and surprise at his declaration. However, she said, "I'll just wait in the other room."

When she was gone, Justin looked at his aunt as he pulled off his shirt and shorts. "She's pretty, Aunt Dara."

"Yes, she is, Justin."

"Mom said you two were going to get married. Would that make her my aunt too?"

Dara nodded. "It would. Would you like that?"

He nodded as he went to the bathroom. When he was finished, he got into the tub. Quickly Dara washed his hair and body before asking, "Do you want to play for a little while?"

"No. I want Miss Elisabeth to read to me."

"Okay. She can read you an extra story since your bath is so short tonight."

He smiled with excitement and quickly pulled the plug on the drain. As usual he watched all the water disappear before getting out while Dara went to fetch his pajamas. When she returned from the bedroom, he was drying himself off with one of the large towels. Together they hastily got him into his pajamas and brushed his teeth before heading back into the bedroom.

Elisabeth smiled from her position on the floor as he came bounding out and crashed next to her. "I was just looking at your book collection. Which one do you want me to read?"

"Aunt Dara said you could read two," he mentioned as he began to rifle through the books in search of the ones he wanted.

The blonde looked over toward her girlfriend. Dara was busy setting up some medical equipment she hadn't noticed earlier. However, she didn't have time to ask what it was as several books were thrust into her lap. She laughed lightly. "That's a few more than two," she said.

"They're short," he protested.

"Fine. Why don't we get in bed?" Elisabeth suggested. Justin did as he was told, climbing under the covers in the middle of the bed. She took a seat next to him. "Which one should we read first?"

Dara smiled at how easily her girlfriend took to her nephew. It made her own longing for children with the older woman much greater, because she could tell the great capacity Elisabeth had for love. She continued to watch as she prepared her nephew's feeding tube for the night. Then she went into the bathroom to get his medication.

Coming back she said, "Sorry to interrupt. Justin, your mom said you've learned to swallow your capsules now. Is that true?" He nodded, obviously proud of himself for that fact. "Awesome, buddy. Here. Then take these." She handed him two pills of enzymes with a glass of water. He did what he was told before putting his attention back on Elisabeth.

With that completed, Dara pulled up his pajama shirt to open the cap on his feeding tube. He didn't even seem to notice being too enthralled with his book, but the blonde's eyes couldn't help but stray to watch. She felt her heart beginning to break at the sight of Dara's nephew with a permanent tube protruding from his fair skin. Justin seemed oblivious to the process. However, she continued to read as she watched the taller woman out of the corner of her eye. Dara connected the tube together and then turned on the machine before dropping onto the bed next to Justin for the rest of the story. Elisabeth smiled as the six-year-old snuggled into his aunt.

After several books Dara rose from the bed. Taking her lead, Elisabeth did the same. The blonde smiled down at Justin and leaned to kiss him on the forehead. She was surprised but pleased when his tiny arms came around her neck. "Good night, Justin," she whispered.

"Good night, Miss Elisabeth."

She then moved toward the door while Dara went to hug him. "Sweet dreams, sport. I love you," she whispered, rubbing his chest lightly in affection.

"I love you too, Aunt Dara," he answered, giving her a hug. "Can I ask you something?" he inquired.

"What?"

"When are you two getting married?"

Dara blushed lightly, knowing that Elisabeth had heard the question. However, she didn't focus on her embarrassment. Instead she smiled at him and answered, "I don't know, Justin. Why?"

"I want to be there," he said.

"Don't worry. You'll be there. I wouldn't get married without you. You're my guy. In fact, you can even walk down the aisle with me if you want."

"Can I really?"

"Of course. I promise you, Justin. When it happens, you'll be there. Now it's time you go to sleep." He nodded his head as she rearranged his covers and then stood. Turning to her girlfriend, they both quietly left the room. Once they were outside with the door closed, Dara noticed that Elisabeth wasn't all right. Concerned that her nephew had offended her unintentionally, she asked, "Are you okay? Sorry about what he said. He overheard his parents talking."

The blonde shook her head. "It's not that."

"Then what is it?"

The older woman closed her eyes in order to compose herself, but as she felt strong arms embracing her, tears began to track her face. "He's just a baby," she uttered.

"I know. I'm sorry. I should have warned you. It's just that we're so used to all of it that it doesn't cross our minds. It takes getting used to, honey. It's hard to see him like that in the beginning, but this is what we have to do to keep him alive and as healthy as we can."

"It's just heart-breaking," she whispered.

Dara nodded her head. Smiling at down at the woman in her arms, she said, "I love you, Elisabeth. You have such a big heart." Gently the brunette kissed her, expressing deeper feelings that words never could. "Come on. Let's go back downstairs and endure more of my family's torture."

Heading back to the living room to where the rest of the family was, both of them took their spots on the sofa again. However, this time Dara held Elisabeth's hand in her lap as they all just talked. The blonde allowed her to do so, enjoying the simple affectionate attention. That was one of the things she loved about Dara. She was so giving to everyone. She had a natural gift that made every person in a room feel special.

Finally after awhile Leah suggested a late night swim to the family. However, Tom said, "That's okay. You all go ahead. Someone needs to listen for Justin."

"We'll stay inside," Dara offered, knowing her brother well enough to know he did want to go out by the pool.

"Are you sure? You don't have to, Dara."

"It's fine. Elisabeth didn't even bring her suit. We'll listen for him. You go have fun. You don't get much a chance to do that. You might as well take advantage of the opportunity."

He nodded. "All right. We won't be long though."

With that all the Rosenthal children went to get their suits, leaving Dara with Elisabeth and her parents. "Are you sure you don't mind, Dara? We'd be more than happy to stay inside," her mother said.

"Really, it's fine. Why don't you two join them?" she suggested.

Mother and daughter looked at each other for a moment in silence before Emma nodded her head. "All right. We'll do that, but if you need anything, you know where we are."

With that Dara and Elisabeth were left alone on the couch. Shooting her girlfriend a grin, the younger woman joked, "Oh the sound of silence."

The blonde shook her head. "You didn't have to get rid of everyone. I was perfectly content talking to your family."

Leaning in toward her lover's neck, Dara replied in a whisper, "Well, I wasn't content. In fact, there are other things on my mind."

"I can only imagine what," giggled the blonde as she shrugged away from her lover's lips. "Your parents could walk in."

"They won't care," Dara insisted, leaning in again, but Elisabeth held her at bay.

"Well, I will. If you insist on this, let's at least go somewhere a little more private."

"Fine. Let's go in the study. No one will come looking for us."

"Can we still hear if Justin needs anything?"

The brunette nodded. "Not to worry. I wouldn't let anything happen to my Justin."

"I know," the shorter woman answered as they got off the couch. Going into the study, Dara closed the door almost all the way before coming to her lover in the middle of the room. They kissed slowly for a few minutes.

"I've been thinking about this all night. You look so incredibly beautiful, Elisabeth. It's taken all my willpower to keep my hands off you."

The blonde moaned lightly as the younger woman's hands roamed over her body. "You feel so good, Dara," she murmured in pleasure as the brunette took in the landscape of her neck with her gifted mouth.

"So do you."

After a few moments the blonde pulled back slightly and smiled. "I feel a little self-conscious about this. The last thing I want is for them to be able to hear us."

Nodding her head, Dara pulled out of the blonde's arms. "I have just the thing." She went over to the stereo cabinet and turned on the equipment. Picking out one of the CDs that she had always liked for a romantic setting, she put it in and then turned up the volume. "Now. That's a sure sign for them to stay away." Pulling Elisabeth over to the sofa, Dara quickly went back to her girlfriend's neck. Soon both of them forgot about Dara's family as they lost themselves in the feeling of each other. The brunette was happily indulging in her lover's endowment when a loud beeping could be heard over the music. Dara groaned as she reluctantly sat up.

"What's that noise?" Elisabeth asked in breathless confusion.

"Justin," Dara sighed. "I'll be right back."

Rushing from the room, Dara took two steps at a time upstairs. Going into her old bedroom, she found that her nephew had only rolled over onto his feeding tube in his sleep, and there were no major problems. Repositioning his little body in the bed, she made sure there were no kinks in the tube and reset the machine. His groggy eyes opened and whispered her name.

"Hey, sport," she said softly, running a hand through his hair as she kneeled next to his bed.

"Where's Jerome?" he muttered, inquiring about his favorite stuffed animal.

Dara looked around the bed and then under the linens for the stuffed frog. Finding him under a pillow, she placed it in Justin's arms. "Here you go."

As she stood to go, he put his hand out to her. "Stay until I fall asleep again," he requested.

Dara thought about the woman downstairs and then her nephew. Knowing she could never deny him, she carefully lay down on the bed near him and lightly began to play with his hair as she waited for him to fall asleep. Within moments he was snoring softly again. However, Dara stayed there just looking at her nephew. He looked so angelic with his soft features.

Several minutes passed with Elisabeth just waiting on her lover's return. Wondering what might be taking so long, she figured Dara might need some assistance, so she quickly buttoned her top and made her way out of the study. She could still hear everyone out by the pool, so she made her way upstairs. The doorway to the brunette's old room was open, and as she came to it, her heart stopped and then began to beat in double time. There was Dara on the bed cradling Justin in her arms as the little boy slept. The blonde could see the wetness of her girlfriend's face even with the poor light of the hallway. Dara's eyes were closed, but the blonde could tell she was still awake by the way she was stroking Justin's hair.

Drawn into the room by the powerful scene, Elisabeth did the only thing she could think of in the moment. Without a word, she crawled onto the bed behind the brunette and wrapped her in her arms. She felt the taller woman relax into her embrace. Neither of them said anything as they laid in the darkness.

The next thing Dara knew she was being awakened by hushed voices coming from the hallway. Looking around in confusion, she realized she had drifted off as she had tried to put Justin back to sleep. Slowly sitting up, she noted that Elisabeth had somehow gotten into bed with them as well and was now asleep. Dara gently tried to rouse her girlfriend.

"Sweetie, we have to get up," the brunette whispered. "We fell asleep in Justin's bed."

Blue eyes opened sleepily. "What time is it?" she asked through a yawn.

"Late. After midnight."

"Oh, God. I have to get going," Elisabeth grumbled as they both stood.

"No. Why don't you just stay here since you're tired?"

"Can't. I have a team meeting with George and the other boys in the morning."

"Are you going to be all right to drive? Do you want me to take you home?"

"No. I'll just have to come get my car in the morning. I'll be fine. I promise," she assured as they made their way downstairs.

By the lack of lights on the main floor, they could tell everyone had retired for the evening. Dara and Elisabeth walked outside to the blonde's car quietly. Embracing each other they kissed gently. "Are you sure you're fine?" the taller woman asked again in concern.

"Yes, Dara. I'm fine. It's not that far. I'll call you when I get home."

"All right. Thanks for coming tonight. It means a lot to be able to have you here with my family."

Elisabeth nodded her head in understanding. "I had a great time. Can't wait to do it again."

Continued in Part 10

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