All of You

All of You
~~~~~~~~~~1

A sweet, aching buzz rippled through me when I felt Rachel's touch through my blouse and bra.2

"Wow, they feel real."3

"They are." I lifted her hand from my breast, then kissed her fingers before holding them between my palms. "So are other parts."4

Another ripple passed through me as she stroked the back of my hand with a delicate fingertip. "I know, and I don't care."5

I could barely breathe as I asked, "Why?"6

My heart nearly burst when I saw her eyes glisten with unshed tears as she said, "Because I love you ... all of you."7


Drycleaners
~~~~~~~~~~~8

Dark blotches made the handwritten letter on my lap almost unreadable.9

"I can't believe it. My own family. ..."10

Rachel started to pull me close. As much as I ached for comfort, I couldn't ... not just yet. "Wait a minute. Let me clean my face first."11

She gently brushed aside the damp bangs covering my face. "What on earth for?"12

"My foundation. It'll ruin your blouse." 13

She just smiled and pulled me in again until I accepted the comfort of her shoulder. As my tears turned into sobs, she said, "Silly girl, that's what drycleaners are for."14


Goddess Cards
~~~~~~~~~~~~~15

With the full moon shining through the bedroom window gilding her bare skin silver, Rachel was the picture of a goddess as she sat with her legs crossed on the opposite corner of the bed. Slowly, with just the slightest bit of guilt, I made my move. 16

Rachel stared at the card I had dropped on the pile between us. "You had another draw four?"17

"I'm sorry. Honest."18

"That's okay." Grinning impishly, she slowly unrolled the silk stocking from her left leg. "But this is the last time I'm playing strip poker against you using uno cards."19


Together
~~~~~~~~20

Bubbles danced around our toes as the tide slid back into the ocean. I sighed as I watched a distant child being called away from sandcastle building to a large family gathered on a blanket.21

Rachel squeezed my hand. "Some day."22

"But how? With the hormones and all. ..."23

She stopped and pulled at both of my hands until I was facing her. "Do you trust me?"24

I didn't need to think twice. "Absolutely."25

"We'll make it happen."26

A thousand questions ran through my head. I only asked one. "How?"27

Her smile outshone the sun setting behind her. "Together."28


Christmas Chocolate Rings
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~29

The fresh pine log snapped and hissed as it caught fire from the dying embers below. I nearly spilled what was left of my lukewarm cocoa on the blanket covering our legs when Rachel grabbed my mug.30

"Wait a sec!" There was a metallic clank as Rachel fished something from my drink.31

"What's going on?"32

"Well, it wouldn't be very romantic if you choked on this."33

Something damp and warm slid onto my finger. The hiss of snow blowing against the window and the sound of Bing Crosby crooning were forgotten when she asked, "Will you marry me?"34


School Daze
~~~~~~~~~~~35

Rachel slid over from behind the wheel to the passenger seat as I climbed out of the car. "You all ready for your first day?"36

I grunted as I shifted the heavy backpack onto my shoulders. "I guess. It feels like kindergarten all over again."37

"Don't worry. Nothing like that day will happen today. You're a strong, intelligent woman with twenty-four years of experience to draw on."38

The college textbooks against my back felt inexplicably lighter. "You're absolutely right."39

"Of course I am." Rachel's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Now give Mommy kisses and be a good girl."40


Bathroom Beauty
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~41

Tears tumbled down my stubbly cheeks, dripping from my chin into the bathroom sink. I glanced at Rachel's reflection as she silently slipped behind me and wrapped her arms around my chest. 42

"It's going to be okay, love."43

I turned away from the mirror to face her. "How can you stand to be around someone so ... ugly."44

Rachel blotted at my face with a handful of toilet tissue. "Dearest, dearest love." I was shocked out of my self pity by the fierceness in her eyes. "You're the kindest, gentlest ... and most beautiful woman I've ever known."45


Knight Night
~~~~~~~~~~~~46

The roar of late night traffic nearly drowned out Rachel's wimper when I carefully bent her wrist. I rested her hand in her lap, then scooted closer on the graffiti plastered bench. "Nothing feels broken, but you still should see a doctor."47

She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Yes Ma'm." 48

"Why in the world did you hit him?"49

"When he started talking about 'your kind' and 'a little bit extra', well. ..."50

I tilted her head to face me. "Well what?"51

Pride showed through the pain clouding her face. "What's a knight in shining armor supposed to do?"52


Good Vibrations
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~53

Rachel lifted my hair, lightly kissing the nape of my neck. I snuggled into the warmth of her body against my back. "I'm sorry this is taking so long."54

"Relax, love. I can keep this up all night."55

I giggled at the lame joke, then gasped when muscles I didn't know were there suddenly loosened and something slipped inside me. My legs turned to jelly as her hips drew closer.56

Rachel's fingernails stopped teasing my nipple. "You okay?"57

"Yes. It was just ... unexpected ... and wonderful."58

She purred in my ear, "You realize, of course, it vibrates too."59


A Special Friend
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~60

My hands were grimy, but the weeds were gone. Rachel squatted next to me, making sure the umbrella covered her, me, and the grave. "She must have been pretty special."61

I wiped my hands on the soggy grass and nodded. "Pugsley never treated me weird or different, no matter how I looked or acted."62

"Sometimes, pets can see things people can't."63

I stood up. Rachel quickly followed. After a moment of silence, I said, "I think she would have liked you."64

Rachel wrapped an arm around my waist. "I would have been honored to meet such a special friend."