Dar chuckled. “I got lucky in the parent dice roll.” She admitted.
“Oh baby did you ever.” Kerry exhaled. “And by extension me too.” She blinked a few times, thinking in silence. “You know something?” She finally said. “I think I do want to change my last name, Dar. I know I messed with that when we were in the Caribbean, but now? I want to do it.”
She tipped her head up to see Dar studying her in the dim light. “Would you mind that?”
“Would I mind that.” Dar mused. “No, I wouldn't mind that, if you want to do it. You sure?”
“There's nothing here for me anymore, Dar. I love Angie and Mike, and mom's gotten better, but the rest of them? Why would I want to say I'm related to people who think I'm a godless whore?”
Dar considered that. “Your sibs are okay.” She said. “And I like your Aunt Penny.” She concluded. “But I'd love you to share my name if you want to.” She smiled. “That was kind of a kick when you did it in the islands.”
Kerry looked pleased. “Rocking.” She kissed a spot just above Dar's prominent collarbone, and then, as Dar reached over and shut the battery lamp off, she slid a little higher and found Dar's lips as she settled back on the pillow, glad to swap the chill of the room and the coldness of the crowd for the heat of passion.
Dar's hands touched her and brought a welcome warmth and in a moment she was being gently rolled onto her back and Dar's thigh was sliding between hers.
It felt wonderful.
It was fantastic to let that familiar burn start in her guts, and savor the teasing touch against sensitive skin that washed away the taint of the long day. She'd joked about inaugurating the room, but as Dar coaxed a low, guttural sound from her she focused on doing that in earnest.
If they were going to think she was an immoral whore, well then.. Kerry released a low growl. Then she'd show them how that would roll. She felt Dar's lips nibble down the centerline of her body and the pressure built, her body already craving the release as she let it chase the gloomiest of her thoughts right away.
She was looking forward to smirking over her morning coffee, even savoring the looks she knew she'd get.
Hell with all of them.
Kerry cupped her hand over her free ear and pressed her other against her cell phone. “Yes, I'm here.” She listened intently to the voice on the other end. She looked up as Dar entered the dining room, her heavy jacket already on. “So, Jake, you think it's okay to take off at eleven?”
Dar came over and stood next to her, hands in pockets, rocking back and forth on her heels. “Was worth booking the jet.” She commented. “News said the regular airport is slammed.”
“Okay, so we'll head over.” Kerry concluded. “See you in a few.” She hung up the phone and tucked it into her pocket. “We all ready?”
“Yup.” Dar agreed. “Car's waiting outside.”
Kerry felt a distinct sense of relief as she followed her partner through the grand hall towards the entrance. The lights had come on halfway through breakfast, bringing on a blare of lighting to distract the stilted conversation that had been going on.
No one had been rude, but it was also obvious that this was more because of Cynthia's wishes than anything else.
She could see the door open, and outside, the snow falling. Andy and Ceci were already out in it and the only thing between her and them was a few members of her family.
“Thanks for coming up and being my bestie, Sis.” Angie held her arms out and embraced Kerry. “Hope you have a good trip home.”
“No problem.” Kerry returned the hug. “You guys have to come visit us again soon, though, huh?” She turned to her mother as Dar stepped forward to give Angie a somewhat awkward embrace. “Mom, you too.”
Cynthia smiled. “Certainly, we should plan for it.” She agreed. “Please let us know you get home safe.”
Then they were outside and stomping through a thick coating of snow towards the SUV. Kerry already had a firm grip on the keys and she slid behind the driver's seat and slammed the door shut. “Brr.”
“No offense, Kerry. But I've never been so happy to see a place in the rear view window.” Ceci settled herself behind Dar. “I swear to the Goddess your family is a bowl of pits with no cherries.”
Kerry sighed. “Yeah, I know. Thanks for coming up here with me and keeping me company in my insanity.” She got the car into gear and started off down the hill. “I was glad to see Angie married.”
“That boy shoulda stepped up before.” Andrew grumbled. “Not be so candy assed.”
“Oh, c'mon Andy. He's not that bad.” Ceci poked him. “He's a nice kid.”
“Actually.” Kerry cleared her throat. “I agree with him. When I went up the last time to help Ang move, I was all set to kick him in the nuts for not taking responsibility for his son.”
“Damn straight.” Andy said. “Ah would not expect any child of mine to be acting like that.”
There was a little silence. Dar glanced at herself, then at Kerry, then half turned to regard her father. “Dad? I'm a girl.” She stated. “I don't think it's going to come up.”
Kerry chuckled. “It wouldn't anyway.” She reached over and patted her partner's leg. “I have total faith in your honor, sweetheart.”
Ceci snickered. “Actually, when Dar first told us she was gay, I think the one thing that relieved Andy was that he wasn't going to be spending long summer nights sitting in the driveway with a shotgun waiting for her to come back from dates.”
'Mm.. “ Kerry spoke up. “I actually thought he was doing a good job of checking me out when we met to make sure I wasn't going to take advantage of his little girl.”
Andrew blushed. “Ah did not think any such thing of you, Kerry.”
“I was never worried.” Dar circled one knee with her hands and rested her shoulder against the car door.
“Considering you started our relationship out by saving me from carjackers? I”m not surprised.” Kerry navigated down the back road, passing very few other cars on this quiet Tuesday morning.
“Mm.” Dar smiled, but remained silent.
“Kerry, why is it all those people are so nasty to you?” Ceci asked. “Is it because of you and Dar? Or what?”
Kerry sighed. “It's always been tough around those people.” She admitted. “It was always very judgmental. About everything. You're supposed to conform, but I think... even if I'd married Brian and maybe taken a job as a clerk somewhere that judging would have still been there.”
“Hm.” Ceci shifted a little in her seat. “Had that in my family too, but it had nothing to do with religion.”
“So, in this case, it's everything.” Kerry slowed down to turn into the small regional airport. “My leaving home, my getting a job in high tech, my living in Miami, my being gay, my turning over my father's records to the papers, there's nothing there they can approve of. “
“Probably cause them more heartache seeing you than it gives you.” Andrew commented.
“Absolutely true.” Kerry agreed. “Specially with you all here.” She turned and faced them, having turned the engine off. “Thank you for teaching me what family can be..” She studied her in laws, watching them smile and feeling Dar's touch on her leg, warm and real. “So now let's go home.”
The lights were bright around the Lear jet crouching on the tarmac, a boarding ladder tucked up against the side of it. The pilot was waiting for them inside the small terminal, and they surrendered their overnight bags to him as they waited to board.
“I really like that plane.” Ceci commented. “My brother Charles flies around in one of those, and so do most of his friends. Didn't think it was in my plans.”