Winds of Heaven (27 page)

“Do you want me there? Because I want to go,” Casey said seriously.

“Of course I want you there. I just never thought you’d want to.”

Casey rubbed her tired eyes. “Let’s eat, and after we get Skye to bed, you and I are going to talk. I mean really talk.”

Casey barely tasted anything she ate. She and Liz exchanged nervous glances during the meal. Casey cleared the dishes as Liz got Skye to bed. She turned off the light in the kitchen, hating the fact that her mouth was dry and her heart was racing.

She nearly ran into Liz when she walked out of the kitchen; Liz laughed as she held on to Casey’s arm for support. Casey looked into her blue eyes; she gently brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face. “How about some hot chocolate?”

Liz shook her head and led Casey to the living room. They sat on the couch and stared at the fire. Casey knew Liz wasn’t going to start this conversation since it was her bright idea to have it.

“Well,” Casey said and glanced at Liz.

“Yes?”

“If you like to chime in at anytime…”

“Look, Casey, we don’t have to have any kind of discussion.”

Casey turned to her and listened as Liz continued. “As we’ve said, this is new for all of us. You were thrown into this, and I know it was not what you wanted. I don’t want you to feel obligated to say something you may not really feel. I will admit I enjoy your company, and I love it that Skye adores you.” She stopped, looking as though she was collecting her thoughts.

Casey leaned back against the cushion, still facing her. She realized how much she loved to gaze at Liz. She noticed the way her brow furrowed when she was deep in thought. How her smile seemed to come from her soul when she talked about Skye. How her heart ached when she was away from Liz. Nothing held much interest for her anymore.

“Are you listening to me?” Liz asked.

Casey heard the angry tone and blinked. “Oh, sure. Continue.”

“What did I just say?”

Casey couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face. “I think you were about to tell me you loved me.”

Liz straightened her back; her look was that of utter astonishment. Casey liked this look, as well.

“What did you say?”

“I said you were about to—”

“I didn’t say it.”

“No, but you were about to.” She reached over and caressed Liz’s shoulder.

“I was not. I was giving you an out, Ms, Bennett. You arrogant woman.”

Casey raised an eyebrow and sidled closer. “You think I want out of this?”

Liz took a deep quivering breath and looked down at her hands that lay in her lap. “I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”

“Well, that’s true.”

“Please don’t play with me, Casey. Not now.”

When Casey heard the sad tenor of Liz’s voice, she was silent for a moment. She reached over and placed her fingertips under Liz’s chin, turning her face toward her. She was shocked to see tears in Liz’s eyes. For another long moment, they were silent. Casey searched her glistening blue eyes.

“Liz Kennedy, what have you done to me?” she whispered.

“I don’t know, but whatever it is, you’ve done it to me, as well.”

“I would never play with your heart, Liz.” She needed to say this before she lost her nerve. “I love you.”

Liz’s gaze darted around her face, then inexplicably, she buried her face in her hands and desperately tried not to break down in a flood of tears. Casey knew it and winced happily. “Gonna cry?”

Liz only nodded and burst into tears and flung her arms around Casey’s neck. Casey held on to her as Liz sobbed into her shoulder. Casey grinned and rocked her gently, kissing her hair. “So you love me, too, right?”

Liz nodded and sobbed, trying to talk. “I-I...” She stopped.

“And you thought the same thing when you read that poem? Because I thought I saw it in your eyes when we looked at each other,” Casey asked.

Liz nodded again. “Y-yes. I n-never thought y-you’d—” She stopped, unable to continue.

“Feel the same?” Casey finished while Liz wept and nodded. “Well, I do. I just can’t believe you love me,” Casey said in amazement. “Someday, when you stop crying, you’ll have to say it out loud, so I’ll believe it. I hope it’s before the baby is born.”

Liz sniffed into her shoulder as the tears stopped. She pulled back and looked up into Casey’s eyes, taking a deep quivering breath. “I do love you. I have loved you since I read that poem. I don’t know why Skye loves that poem so much.”

“Did you read it with Julie?” Casey asked, hating herself for asking.

“Good grief, no,” Liz said and waved her off. Casey hid her grin as she continued. “Julie, God love her, was not the type. I was napping with Skye and she asked me to read, and it was the only book within reach. Then I remembered the poem. It’s how I look at love, I suppose,” she said and Casey kissed her head. “Skye just took to it.”

“A little cupid I’d say.” Casey put her arm around Liz and held her close. She leaned back and took Liz with her.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a time. “Casey…” Liz started and Casey gently stroked her hair.

“Hmm?”

“I won’t always look like this. All bloated and fat.”

Casey heard the worried tone and tightened her arm around her. “You silly turtle woman. You won’t believe me, and I don’t know if it’s because we’re both women and we can commiserate and understand on some basic level or because I’m overwhelmed by the entire situation. However, I find you extremely sexy and very desirable and I know you aren’t feeling that way now. However, Ms. Kennedy, when you do… Well, I give you fair warning.”

Liz looked up into her green eyes and gently touched her cheek. “Thank you. That was perfect.”

“It’s easy when it’s the truth.”

Again, there was silence. “W-what about when the baby comes?”

“What about it?”

“I mean, let’s be realistic. You’ve been on your own and living a very carefree life. Are you sure you want to take on all of this?” Liz asked in a small voice.

Casey didn’t hesitate. “Yes. For the first and only time in my life, I’m in love, and I love you, Skye, and the unknown dwarf.”

“God, I’m really falling for you,” Liz said and nuzzled closer. “You’ll change your mind when you have to get up at two a.m. for a feeding.”

“That’s what you think. That babe will be suckling from your breast, sweetie, not mine.”

There was silence again for a moment. “Well, you’ll be in there somewhere,” Liz assured in a small whisper, and Casey groaned happily.

“Does this mean you want to come to the doctor with me?”

Casey gently sat forward and faced Liz on the couch. She took both warm hands in her own. “Liz, please listen to me. I want to be a part of this. I am a part of this. I love you and the baby. I want to be there for everything and anything you need. I do not care about my work. Now I’m going with you for every appointment you have, I don’t care when it is. Right?”

Liz gently pushed the thick lock off her brow. “Right.”

Casey breathed a huge sigh of relief. “You had me worried for a minute there, Ms. Kennedy. Don’t do that ever again.”
 
Casey could sense there was something else. “What, Liz?”

Liz blushed furiously. “I, I mean, we.” She stopped and looked at Casey, who was trying to decipher what she was saying. “Right now, I mean being pregnant. Well, I’m not…”

Then it dawned on Casey. She chuckled and stopped when Liz glared at her. “I know what you’re getting at, sweetie. Look, there’s a whole chapter devoted to sex and the expectant mother.”

Liz hung her head and groaned as Casey continued. “You’re not feeling very sexual, right?”

Liz’s head snapped up, giving Casey an incredulous look. “Do we have to discuss this now?”

“No,” Casey said. “I think we’ve accomplished quite a bit so far tonight.”

“I agree with you there.” Liz nuzzled back into Casey’s shoulder.

“You and I need to be alone, Liz. Not sexually, I know that, but intimately without the lovemaking. We need to get that connection, as well. The sexual part will come later,” she said and grinned wildly.

Liz nervously looked down at her stomach.

“I know it won’t be for a while, but I can wait,” Casey whispered and kissed her stomach, her neck, and her lips. “So much to look forward to.”

Both women were silent as they stared at the fire. Casey absently stroked Liz’s hair. Liz looked up and cupped Casey’s face. “Sleep with me tonight?”

Casey’s heart thumped in her chest. She stood and offered her hand to Liz. “You check on Skye, I’ll lock up.”

Liz nodded and smiled as she walked away; she turned and pulled Casey in for a long kiss. “See you in the bedroom.”

Casey stood there swaying as she watched Liz disappear down the hall. She quickly turned off the fireplace and shut off the lights. She met Liz in the darkened hallway, the only illumination was from Skye’s nightlight in her room; Liz left her door ajar.

“
Shortround
still sleeping?” Casey whispered.

Liz turned to her and nodded. She then kissed her cheek. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For coming into our lives and loving us.”

“It’s by far the easiest thing I’ve ever done,” she whispered and kissed her forehead. “Now it’s time for bed.”

Liz smiled and took her hand and walked across the hall. Liz shyly took her nightgown and went into the bathroom. Casey grinned and slipped out of her clothes, and out of habit, she slipped into the makeshift pajamas.

Liz came back, looked at her, and laughed. “I think Skye and I have put you through enough,” she said and motioned to the PJs.

“I don’t want to seem like…” She stopped as Liz walked over to the opposite side of the big bed and took off her robe. Casey swallowed with difficulty as she gazed at the beautiful pregnant woman before her. The soft silky nightgown hung loosely over her body.

Liz grinned and raised an eyebrow. “What? You’ve seen me in a nightgown before, Casey.”

“Y-yes, but Skye’s always been in bed and now we’re…” She stopped and walked around the bed and kissed her. “Lie down, you turtle,” she said affectionately and pulled back the quilt. With a little assistance, Liz got into bed and Casey slid the slippers off her feet and pulled the covers over her. She then walked around and turned off the light.

Liz was almost instantly asleep as Casey cuddled close. “It’s kind of odd not having Skye in the middle,” Liz whispered.

Casey laughed and kissed her forehead. “I think we’ll get used to it,” she said. “What?” Casey asked curiously when she heard Liz laughing.

“Honey, take off those boxers.” Liz laughed. “I’ve seen you naked.”

“Great.” Casey jumped out and quickly stripped off the PJs and gladly got back into bed and cuddled close behind Liz. “What do you mean you’ve seen me naked, when? I’ve been very careful not to,” Casey whispered in her ear.

Liz reached back and put her hand on her cheek. “You went skinny dipping one morning and well...” She stopped and Casey grinned. She could almost feel the color rising in Liz’s body.