“I’d like that.” They settled into the familiar position, Rose’s head on her lap and her hand lightly stroking the golden hair beneath it. The touch carried with it a new meaning now, in light of the recent revelations. The gentleness was still there, but wrapped in a layer of love that moved from one to the other. Ronnie’s fingers strayed to trace the outline of the small ear hidden by Rose’s hair. The hand resting on her knee began to move as well, tracing lazy circles through the thick cotton of her sweats, making Ronnie wish she had worn shorts so she could feel those fingers moving across her skin.She looked down at Rose.Her index finger traveled the jawline down to the pointed chin.
At the end of the evening, it was time for another test. The house was locked up and the lights were all turned off for the night save the small lamp next to the bed. Rose was getting ready to get into bed when she felt Ronnie’s strong arms wrap around her and lift her up. “I figured I’d help again.”
“Uh huh,” she noted the tall woman made no effort to release her, not that she was complaining.
“I suppose I owe you some sort of reward for helping me?” A smile tugged at the corner of Ronnie’s mouth.
“Well, you don’t ‘owe’ me one but if you’d like to give me a reward, I certainly wouldn’t mind.” She lowered them to the bed, her mouth scant inches away from Rose’s. Both women were fully aware of the way their upper bodies were pressing together.
“I don’t mind.” She smiled as their lips met, amazed at how perfect it felt. When Ronnie pulled back, she pushed forward, prolonging the contact for another second. Too soon for her comfort, the weight above her moved, replaced by the warm blanket.
“Good night, Rose.” Ronnie settled in next to her, the long arm wrapping around her waist as usual. She smiled in the darkness. As nerve-wracking as it was, the day had turned out far better than Rose had thought it would be. In their own way they spoke of their fears and feelings and now they were lying together like they did every night. Although she knew that some things had changed between them, there was so much more that had stayed the same. She brought her hand down to intertwine her fingers with the larger ones. “Night,” Ronnie’s sleepy voice murmured as she squeezed their fingers together.
“Night.”
In the month that followed, both women adjusted to the new facet of their relationship and all it entailed. The revelation and acknowledgement of their feelings allowed them more freedom when it came to showing affection for each other. There was far more touching and both were quite creative when it came to defining the term ‘affectionate friends’. For Ronnie, there was nothing more enjoyable than an evening spent exchanging soft touches and gentle kisses with Rose curled up in her arms. She continued to tell herself that she was not breaking her promise to her father since she and her golden haired goddess were not lovers, Yet with every look, every touch, Ronnie knew that she was lying to herself. She was bewitched by the young woman with the gentle smile and soft laugh and there was nothing that could change that.
“Penny.”
“Hmm?” She looked down to see smiling green eyes looking up at her. They were in her favorite position sitting on the couch with Rose curled up in her lap. It had been almost a week and a half since the right cast was removed and the left one shortened down to just below the knee. The weight difference was a blessing on Ronnie’s thighs and the softness of her companion’s body was also quite welcome.
“A penny for your thoughts. You seemed to go away there, for awhile.”
Ronnie brought her hand up to cup the younger woman’s cheek. “Nothing, just thinking.”
“About? Or should I guess?”
“You,” she said simply, drawing a beaming smile from Rose. “I care about you very much. You…” Her thumb traced over the razor-thin scar on her companion’s cheek, a grim reminder of the hidden truth. “I am so glad you stayed with me. I’m very lucky.”
Rose smiled and nuzzled her cheek against the large hand. “I’m the one who is lucky.” Locking blue eyes with her own, she continued. “I’ll never understand why you took me in, a complete stranger, and did everything you could to help me.” She snuggled closer, resting her head on Ronnie’s chest. “but I’ll always be grateful to you for that. And this.” She waved her hand to indicate their intimate position. “You don’t push me or make me feel uncomfortable.”
“Never,” the dark-haired woman said vehemently. “I never want to do anything to make you feel that way.”
“And you wouldn’t. I know that.” Rose’s face turned serious and she sat back slightly. “I bet you wish I’d hurry up and make up my mind about whether I liked trucks or not.” It was a thought that played itself constantly in the back of her mind, especially after some rather heated kissing exchanges.
“Hey,” Ronnie whispered, “That’s something only you can decide.”“I know we don’t talk about it much but…” She hesitated, not at all certain she wanted to broach the subject with the object of her desires sitting on her lap. “It’s more than just caring about another woman.” She held up a finger to silence Rose’s protest. “Put your feelings about me aside for a minute. Think about what it means to be a…lesbian.” After so many years of being shamed for who she was, Ronnie found it hard to actually speak the word out loud.
“It is more accepted these days,” Rose said softly.
“Not in my world.” She said the words more harshly than she had intended, bitterness coloring her tone. In a lower voice she added, “Not in my family.” Her mind flashed back to that fateful day in her father’s study when she was forced to accept her lifelong punishment. Looking down at her beloved, Ronnie decided that if that were the only thing holding her back, she would walk away for a chance to be with her Rose. The thin white scar and the remaining plaster turned the deadbolt on that door.
“Nothing has to change,” the gentle voice said quietly. “We’re both happy and no one is being hurt.” Ronnie felt soft arms wrap around her and squeeze gently. She happily returned the embrace. “Come on,” Rose said. “Your sister is going to be here soon and I’m sure you don’t want her to see us like this.” She tried to move off but found herself held in place by Ronnie’s strong hands.