Part 10

Luann had hold of Timmy and Jack was holding Ricky as the two boys hurled insults at each other.

"You cheated."

"Did not!"

"Did so!"

"Did not!"

"Enough!" Miley's voice boomed over the squawking. "I don't care who cheated or who's turn it was. If you two can't play nice I'm going to shut it off."

The threat had not stopped the two brothers from bickering again and again. "But he started it."

"Timothy!" Both his parents yelled.

"Miley." Lilly leaned on her crutches. "Your mother is on the phone." As the tall woman passed her, she spoke in a lower voice. "She sounds like she's been crying."

That caused the dark-haired woman to hesitate for a second before picking up the phone. A crying parent never meant anything good.

"Mother? Mo-…Mother…Mother, stop crying. I can't understand you." She silently motioned for Lilly to get Luann. "Okay, tell me again, slowly." The redhead entered the kitchen just as Miley was piecing together what her hysterical mother was trying to tell her. "Are they sure? Okay, okay Mother, slow down…what did he say?" She turned her back to the other woman and leaned against the island. "Mother, listen carefully to me. Did he say for sure that it was Jackson?"

At the mention of her brother's name, Luann's hand went to her mouth.

"Did something happen?"

"Who called you?" Miley asked as she waved her sister away. She had enough to do trying to understand what Susan was telling her. "No, Luann's here. We'll stop by and pick you up. Yes Mother, we'll be there in fifteen minutes. No. Don't call anyone else. If they need to be called, I'll do it later. No, don't call a cab. We'll be right there. Yes, I promise…bye." She pressed the off button and set the phone down on the counter.

"Miley?" Luann took a step forward. "Did something happen to Jackson?"

There was no response.

"Miley?"

"Jackson…" Her back to them, she gripped the edge of the island. "He was going eastbound in the westbound lane of the Thruway."

"Oh my God," Lilly whispered. Miley pushed herself to a standing position and faced them.

"Lilly, I need you to watch the boys until we get back. I'm sure they'll just eat pizza and play video games."

"Of course," the young woman replied. "Anything. You know that."

"I'll get Jack and our coats," Luann said, her voice shaky. She left the room to get her husband. Lilly hobbled over to her tall companion. For several seconds, neither spoke. Finally Miley broke the silence.

"I don't know how late we'll be. Try to put them to bed by ten. There are plenty of rooms for them to choose from."

"I'll take care of it," Lilly promised. She reached up and cupped the older woman's cheek. "I love you."

Miley gave a shiny-eyed smile. "How do you know just what to say?" She pulled her love close and kissed the top of her head. "I love you too, Lilly. Don't kill the kids or play any game that involves tying you up, okay?"

"I think I can handle them. You have more important things to worry about." She felt Miley step back and realized Jack and Luann had entered the room.

"I'll call you as soon as I know anything."

"They can't have any caffeine or sugar after seven. John has to be in bed by eight and the other boys can stay up until ten." Luann said as she rifled through her pocketbook. "I can't find the keys. Jack, where are the keys?" Her lower lip quivered and her hands began to shake.

"I'm driving," Miley said firmly, snatching the keys from her sister. The change in her tone caused Lilly to look at her. Where soft curves accented the strong jaw, taut muscles clenched just beneath the surface. Miley's back was straight, her stance commanding. Gone was the soft, sensitive woman Lilly was privy to. In her stead was the executive, the leader of a multi-million dollar company and head of a powerful family. Although she understood the need for the two identities, Lilly still wished desperately that Miley did not have to be the caretaker all the time. She hated the way the pressure and strain drained the energy out of her beloved. Watching them leave, Lilly could only pray that everything would be all right.

The chime of the clock woke the dozing woman. Lilly reached for her crutches and stood up. A quick rubbing of her eyes helped her see that it was three o'clock. There had been no phone call yet, not a word. She went out to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. No doubt when Miley returned she would want some. Soon Lilly was smiling at the peaceful sound of the coffee maker. Ricky and Timmy had decided to continue their fight, forcing Lilly at one point to send them to separate corners to cool off. That action earned her a colorful string of words from Ricky. Only the threat of repeating them to his Aunt Miley managed to quiet him down. At bedtime she took the easy way out and let each boy pick his own room to sleep in. Her arms still ached from working her way up the stairs twice before Miley's nephews finally fell asleep.

Lilly passed the time by drinking coffee at the kitchen table and rereading the daily paper. Tabitha popped in from time to time, demanded attention, then left. Three days worth of newsprint and half the pot of coffee slipped by before Miley's Jeep pulled into the driveway. She got up on her crutches and went to the door, opening it in time to see Jack helping his wife and mother-in-law out of the vehicle. "Oh Lord," she whispered, knowing the worst had happened.

Miley took over for her brother-in-law and helped Luann inside. "What rooms did you put the boys in?" she asked as she passed.

"The rooms on either side of yours and the one at the end of the hall," Lilly said, choking back a lump in her own throat. Until she saw the crushed look on their faces, she had been holding on to the hope that Jackson had somehow survived the accident. Miley nodded and looked at Jack.

"The room on the left near the end of the hall is empty. Put her there. I'll put Mother in my room." She took the matriarch's pocketbook and set it on the counter. "Mother? Come on, I think you need to lie down for a little while."

"But I have to call…"

"I'll take care of letting everyone know. You need to lie down." She saw Jack leading his wife out of the room. "Come on, we're going upstairs now."

"Horrible…it's just so horrible…" Susan cried.

"I know, Mother. Come on now." Miley led the grieving woman away.

Fifteen minutes later she returned to the kitchen. "Lilly, do you think you can make a pot of coffee?"

"I already did. Your cup is on the table." Miley looked at the familiar mug, then at her companion. "I figured you'd need some coffee," Lilly said with a shrug. "I've had a bit myself." They both looked over at the nearly empty pot.

"That was good thinking." She rubbed her eyes. "What time is it anyway?"

"Almost six-thirty."

"I guess I should wait an hour or so before I start calling everyone." Miley wrapped her hands around her mug and stared at the beige liquid. Uncertain what to say, Lilly remained silent, giving her companion the time she needed. Blue eyes shone with unshed tears but remained focused on the coffee. After an extended silence, Miley began to speak. "The witnesses said he turned into the off ramp instead of the on ramp." Her lower lip quivered and she blinked rapidly. "He was picking up speed and hit a dump truck just before the entrance to the highway."

"Miley, I'm so sorry." She put her hand on the strong forearm.

"They um…" The blinking increased as she battled to keep the tears in. "They have to do an autopsy." Her voice hitched. "They think he might…the drugs…" A sob escaped her lips and Miley found herself being pulled into Lilly's arms.

"Okay, I've got you," the young woman cooed. The chairs scraped across the kitchen floor as they moved closer, neither wanting to break the contact. The caretaker needed comfort and Lilly was the only one who could provide it.

"I-it isn't fair. He's too young," Miley choked. "The drugs…"

"I know." She kissed the dark forehead. "I know." She began rocking as hot tears soaked her shirt. Sobs racked the tall frame but Lilly held on, murmuring comforting words and gently rubbing Miley's back. "I've got you…that's right, let it go."

"It was those damn drugs," she cried.

"I know." Lilly continued rocking and holding her beloved until finally the tears subsided and the sobs reduced themselves to sniffles. She felt Miley pull back and released her embrace. "Better?" She received a shaky nod. "Come here." She took a linen napkin off the table and wiped the wet face. "Blow…that's better."

"Thanks, I just needed…well, that." Miley wearily sank back into her chair and shook her head. "This is just so hard to believe." There was nothing Lilly could say so she scooted her chair over until their knees were touching. Miley laid her hand atop the smaller one and squeezed. "The next few days are going to be rough."

"You don't have to go through this alone." Lilly brought her free hand up and cupped her love's cheek. "I'll be right here with you, I promise." She looked at the clock. "It's still too early to call everyone and you really need some rest. You've been up all night."

"What about you?" For the first time Miley noticed the dark circles under the beautiful green eyes. "Did you sleep at all?"

"I dropped off sometime around two but I was up by three."

"We both need some sleep." She stood up, then frowned. "I have to take the couch. If someone wakes up…" There was no need to finish the sentence.

"Why don't I take the couch? You need the comfortable bed more than I do."

"I'm too tired to argue with you Lilly."

"Then don't," the young woman said firmly. Miley looked at her and wondered if anyone else would be able to speak to her in that manner and get away with it. She suspected not, except perhaps Maria. Her eyes saddened at the thought of breaking the news to the housekeeper who had known Jackson since he was a baby.

"There is so much to do. I have to call the cousins…"

"You can do all that after you've had a couple hours rest." Lilly forced herself up on her crutches. "Come on now, I'll lie with you until you fall asleep." Miley nodded wearily. She needed to rest and there was no doubt that with her blonde friend by her side she would be able to do just that.

After going to the bathroom and changing into her sweats, Miley crawled into bed. "You sure you won't fall asleep?" she mumbled groggily while arranging her pillows.

"No, I've had so much coffee I don't think I'll be able to sleep." Lilly held her arm out. "Come here, let me hold you." Soon Miley was nestled against her chest. "That's right," she began stroking the long black hair. "You rest and let me worry about you for a change."

Lilly was humming softly and gently rubbing her sleeping companion's back when she heard the car pull into the driveway. Her eyes closed slowly with the realization that it was now Monday and in less than a minute Maria was going to walk through the door, completely unaware of the previous evening's events. She looked over at Miley and knew she could not wake her for this. "I'll take care of it," she whispered before slipping out from under and placing a gentle kiss on the sleeping woman's shoulder.

She entered the kitchen just as Maria was closing the sliding glass door. "Oooh, that wind," the housekeeper said as she removed her coat. She turned and realized she was not alone. "Oh, good morning, Lilly. Is that Luann's car in the driveway?" At that same moment she noticed the half-empty coffeepot and the newspapers strewn about the table.

"Yes."

"Lilly, what's going on? Where's Miley?"

"She's sleeping. Maria, please come sit down." Lilly leaned her crutches against the island and pulled out a chair.

"Why is Luann here? Are the boys all right? Did something happen to Jack? Is…"

"No, they're fine. Please sit down." Lilly let out a breath and waited for the housekeeper to take a seat before sitting down herself.

"You're scaring me. What happened?" Maria's voice was full of worry. Lilly felt her throat tighten even before she spoke. "I wish there was an easy way to tell you this." Realizing her words were only making the older woman more upset, she took a deep breath and continued. "Jackson was killed in an auto accident last night."

Like a mirror shattering, Maria's face lost all composure and she broke down into tears. As she did with Miley, Lilly took the grieving woman in her arms and comforted her. The housekeeper allowed the contact for a few minutes before standing up and wiping her eyes. "Well then, I believe there are things I should be doing." She walked over to the coffee maker. "I'm sure a fresh pot would be in order."

"Maria, you don't have to do that."

The older woman turned and looked at her. "Lilly, I am not a Stewart. Miley says I'm the housekeeper but that does not make me family. I remember when her father passed away. I worked for that man for twenty-five years and on the day of his funeral I was here making sure there was enough food for the people who were going to be arriving after the graveside service."

"That's awful," Lilly gasped. "Miley wouldn't give you the day off?"

"Miley wasn't in charge then, her mother was." Maria poured the coffee into the sink and turned on the faucet. "She said she needed me here to take care of everything for her. What was I supposed to do?"

"I'm sure Miley won't expect you to work." She hobbled forward another step and spoke in a lower voice. "Susan is here too."

"Well then, she'll be expecting hot tea when she comes down." Maria opened the cupboard and fished out the teapot. "What time are you going to wake Miley up?"

"I figured I'd give her another half-hour or so. She was up all night."

"Hmm, Susan usually wakes up by eight. You probably should wake Miley once the coffee is ready." Lilly nodded in agreement. It would not be a good thing to wake her companion up and then make her face her mother immediately.

Maria followed Lilly into the room and set the steaming cup of coffee on the nightstand. "I'll start breakfast for the boys. I'm sure they'll be up soon."

"Thank you. We will be out in a few minutes," she said, her eyes never leaving the sleeping woman. Once she heard the click of the door closing, Lilly leaned her crutches against the wall and laid down next to her companion. She propped herself up on one elbow and looked down, silently wishing she did not have to wake Miley. Even in sleep the executive's face showed the signs of grief. Closed eyes still showed the puffiness of crying and there was no peacefulness in the chiseled features. "Miley? Time to wake up, Hon."

"Hmm?" Eyes that did not get enough sleep opened with momentary confusion. "What time is it?"

"About quarter of eight," the young woman replied. Miley groaned and sat up.

"I guess I'd better get up then. I have a busy day ahead of me." Her eyes widened at the sight of her coffee being handed to her. "Oh, thanks." She took a sip and smiled appreciatively. "I needed this." She took another sip, then looked at Lilly quizzically. "Did you make this?"

"Maria did."

"Oh God, Maria." Miley put her hand to her mouth. "I have to…"

"I took care of it for you," Lilly said in a low tone, her eyes betraying just how difficult it had been for her to be the bearer of bad news.

"Come here." The tall woman leaned her back against the headrest and held her right arm out.

"But you have things to do," she said, although there was nothing more in the world she wanted to do at that moment than curl up in Miley's arms.

"I can spare a minute." Sad blue eyes looked at Lilly. "I really need to hold you." Careful not to spill the coffee, they snuggled up together, the blonde head resting against the executive's chest. "Thank you."

"If there is anything I can do…"

"You're doing it right now," Miley said, pressing her lips against Lilly's head. "I just need a few minutes of peace with you before I go out there and face anyone." She took another sip of coffee and began idly stroking the honey hair. "There are going to be hundreds of people going in and out for the next few days. Tabitha will be spending a lot of time in the laundry room." She nuzzled her cheek against the soft hair then took another drink. "If Jack and Luann stay, would you help keep the boys occupied? They like playing video games with you."

"Of course, Miley. Anything you need." As much as she didn't want to, Lilly pulled away from the embrace. "I had better go back out there and see if Maria needs any help. Besides, I'm sure you want to get dressed before everyone wakes up."

"Maria? She didn't go home?"

"No, she's making breakfast."

"Tell her she can go home. She doesn't have to work today." Miley was surprised to receive a quick hug. "What was that for?"

"I knew you wouldn't make her work."

"Of course not. How could I expect her to work after this?"

"Your mother did when your father died." She watched Miley's jaw tense.

"I'm not like my mother," she said tersely. She flung the covers back and stood up. "Lilly, would you mind telling Maria?"

"No, I don't mind at all," the young woman said just before Miley closed the bathroom door. She picked up the empty mug. "I'll have fresh coffee waiting for you when you come out." It was easier said then done as Lilly tried to figure out how to maneuver with her crutches. The solution was to hold the handle by her teeth, which earned her a disapproving look from Maria as she entered the kitchen.

"You are as stubborn as she is, aren't you?" the housekeeper chastised as she took the mug. "You know I would have come and picked it up. You didn't need to carry it all the way out here."

"Maria, Miley said you didn't have to stay today. I'm sure we can handle everything."

"Was that her idea or yours?"

"Hers."

"I see." The housekeeper nodded. "I would expect that from someone as generous as Miley. However, I think I should stay."

"Why? You're just as upset as everyone else, why should you stay and work?"

"Maria? Maria are you down there?" Susan called down from the top of the stairs.

"That's why," the older woman said. She walked out to the living room and looked up at the matriarch. "There's tea waiting for you, Mrs. Stewart."

"Oh good, you are here." Susan walked down the stairs, her face showing the signs of a grieving mother. "It's terrible, isn't it? Just simply terrible."

"Tragic," the housekeeper agreed.

"Where's my daughter?" She finally noticed Lilly leaning on her crutches. "Hello, dear. Aren't you Miley's little friend? The one that was in the wheelchair?"

"Yes, Ma'am. My name is Lilly."

"Lilly, where's Miley?"

"She's getting dressed. She'll be out in a minute."

"Has she started to call anyone yet?"

"I'll be doing it in a minute," Miley said as she exited Lilly's room. She appeared composed but Lilly knew it was an act. The puffy eyes told of new tears of grief waiting to pour out. "Good morning, Mother."

"There's nothing good about this day, Miley. You'd better get started. Call your Aunt Elaine first." The matriarch strode into the kitchen, effectively dismissing her daughter.

"I guess I'd better start making some phone calls." She looked in the direction of the kitchen and shook her head. "I'm going to use the phone in the office. Excuse me."

Lilly waited until the door to the room closed before speaking to Maria in hushed tones. "Why was she so mean to Miley?"

"She's not trying to be mean," the housekeeper explained. "Susan has a certain way of handling things. This is her way."

"I know she's hurting but so is Miley. Can't she see that?"

"Some people can't see past their own pain, Lilly." Maria looked at the kitchen. "I have to get in there."

Lilly stood there for a moment, her first instinct was to keep Miley company but then she realized there was a better way to help her friend. Steeling herself, she followed Maria into the kitchen.

Susan was sitting at the table with a cup of tea in one hand and a handkerchief in the other. "Mrs. Stewart, would you mind if I sat down here?" Lilly asked sweetly. "I still can't stand for any length of time yet."

"Well yes, sit down. Maria, some more tea."

"Thank you," the young woman said as she took a seat. The housekeeper approached with the teapot and a cup of coffee for Lilly. They exchanged glances but said nothing. Susan looked at her watch.

"I would think Ricky would be up by now. He's always an early riser."

"He was up late. I had trouble getting him to sleep."

"That's right, you watched them, didn't you?" Lilly nodded. The matriarch sipped her tea. "That Ricky. He's a lot like Jackson, you know."

"I'm afraid I didn't get to know your son. Why don't you tell me about him?"

Miley stepped into the kitchen an hour later looking for her coffee. Her throat was becoming dry after making so many calls. An eyebrow arched at the sight of her mother, Lilly, and Luann sitting at the table chatting. Since Susan's back was to her, Miley hoped she could sneak in, get her coffee, and get out. The sound of her sister's voice, however, dashed that hope. "Miley."

"Morning Luann." She turned and faced the table. "Mother, Frank and the kids will be here in a little while. Most of the others will be here this afternoon."

"Did you make the arrangements? I want you to make sure that he gets the best, the very best."

"I'll take care of it," Miley said. "I have a few more calls to make. Laura can handle the business associates and the press releases." Maria handed her the mug. "I'll be back out later."

"Did you reach your Aunt Elaine?"

"I got her answering service. She'll call back."

"But you're on the phone." The matriarch's voice raised a notch. "She won't be able to get through. Miley, I don't want her to hear about this on the news."

"I have call waiting, Mother. She won't get a busy signal."

"She can't hear about this on the news. Jackson was her favorite nephew."

"I left a message with her service." What do you want me to do? I can't make her call me. She gulped her coffee, wincing at the burning heat going down her throat.

"Mrs. Stewart, would you like some more tea?" Lilly asked.

"Not right now, dear. I should go spend some time with my grandsons." She looked at her younger daughter. "Luann, I assume if you and Jack have another child you will name him Jackson."

"Mother, we've decided that three…"

"Nonsense. You're certainly young enough and it's not like your figure could be ruined by another child. Your sister continues to show no interest in having children." The matriarch rose to her feet. "I'm going to go visit with the boys and then you can take me home, Miley. I'll let you know when I'm ready."

The tall woman's knuckles turned white as she gripped the handle of her mug and glared at her mother's retreating form. Luann stood next to her sister. "She doesn't know what she's saying. She's just hurting over Jackson."

"She knows exactly what she's saying, Sis. The problem is we keep putting up with it." She turned to Lilly. "People are going to start arriving soon. You might want to go into your room before it happens."

"No." She picked up her crutches. "I can help. I'll keep an eye on the kids so the adults can be together. I don't mind."

"Are you sure?" Miley looked at her and was hard pressed not to seek an embrace. You know how crazy it's gonna be and you still want to help? She was certain she would not be as generous if the situations were reversed. Then again, when it comes to you, there isn't anything I wouldn't do. "Thank you," she said softly.

"Of course. It's the least I can do." Lilly smiled and Miley found herself helplessly lost in it.

"Ahem." Luann's polite cough broke the moment.

"I'd better get back to the phone calls."

"Miley, I'll make sure Mother gets home. You worry about getting in touch with everyone," the redhead said.

It was almost nightfall by the time Luann and her family took Susan home. Miley made it a point to stay hidden in the office as much as possible while unbeknownst to her Lilly was doing her best to keep the matriarch away from her. When the minivan backed out of her driveway, the dark-haired woman breathed a sigh of relief and stepped into the living room. Damn. In her hiding, she had not noticed that the group of relatives arriving was outpacing those leaving and now close to thirty Stewarts were floating around. She spotted Lilly immediately and made a beeline for her. "Hi."

"Hi. Your mother left."

"I see that." She looked around, her tall frame allowing her to see past the mass of people. "Do you think they could be a little louder?"

"Who's the one in the blue jacket with the tie undone?"

"Michael. He owns a Toyota dealership. One of the cousins," Miley said as she looked at the young man, frowning at his bereavement act.

"Oh."

"Why do you ask?"

"He was telling me that he and Jackson were close."

"Yeah and he was 'close' to Dad after he died. Didn't get him anything then and it won't now."

"You mean he's only acting like that because…" Lilly stopped, thinking about how Delores acted when her father died. "That's terrible."

"I'm surprised he's here and not ransacking Jackson's condo right now. Must have been so close he forgot the address in all of his grief." Hidden from the sight of others, a hand worked its way to the small of Miley's back and began rubbing in gentle circles.

"They'll be leaving soon, won't they?"

"Well, there's no reason for the them to stay. They all said their condolences to Mother and found out when the wake and funeral are scheduled. They're just hanging out here because they have no place better to be. A loud crash from the game room drew her attention. "I'll be right back."

The crash turned out to be a barstool complete with its occupant. "Hey, Cuzz," the drunken man slurred. Two of the half-dozen men standing around moved in to help him up. A breathalyzer was not needed to know they were all quite drunk.

"Frank, what are you doing."

"The boys and I were just raising a few to Jackson." He wobbled back onto his now upright stool. She walked past him and stepped behind the bar.

"A bottle of scotch and half a bottle of vodka. You guys have been toasting him quite well, I believe." She capped the vodka and shut the light off behind the bar. "I think it's time for your wives to take you home." She walked around shutting off lights and hanging up the cue sticks. One by one the men grumbled and left the room, not all unassisted. It took her slightly longer to break up the clusters of women gathered together talking about every imaginable subject. Only when the last relative was gone did Maria appear with the vacuum. "Don't bother tonight," Miley said.

"Look at this room," the housekeeper said incredulously.

"It will still be here in the morning, Maria. It's been a long day and I'm exhausted. Please, just leave it until tomorrow, okay?"

"If you wish. I'll be here first thing as usual. Should I pick up anything special at the market?"

"No, there's nothing-"

"A roll of chocolate chip cookie dough," Lilly interjected. "Um, you know how kids love cookies. Maybe it'll keep them occupied." She caught the slight upturn of a smile on Miley's lips and knew her idea was well received. "Better make that two," she amended, her eyes never leaving those of her friend.

An hour later, two bodies were curled up around each other, both fighting yawns. "You are an incredibly thoughtful woman," Miley mumbled into the young woman's ear.

"Mm?"

"The cookies. And I know you put up with my mother to keep her away from me." She squeezed the shoulder beneath her hand. "You don't know how much I appreciate that."

"You had enough to worry about." She squirmed back into the warm body behind her. The biggest advantage of having her cast shortened was that she could snuggle up as close as she wanted to Miley. "She's not that bad."

"That's because she's not your mother."

"True."

"It's a good thing too." The hand that had been squeezing Lilly's shoulder, moved down to her waist.

"Why is that?"

"Because," Miley answered as she flipped the smaller woman onto her back and put her hands on either side of the golden head of hair. She relaxed her shoulders, bringing their lips so close that their breath mingled. "That would make you my sister and I guarantee there are times when my thoughts of you are far from sisterly." Even in the dim moonlight Lilly could see the roguish grin before it was replaced with a more serious face. "You don't know how much you've helped me today. You made me feel…well…very special."

"With everything you mean to me, how could I do anything less?" She reached up and caressed the chiseled face above her. "And you are special. I know it's going to be hard dealing with your family for the next few days but I'll be right there to help you through it. Come on now, you're tired, I'm tired, and tomorrow is going to be another long day. Enough talk for tonight." Lilly put her hand on Miley's shoulder and pulled, forcing the taller woman to lie down against her. "That's better."

"Lilly?"

"Mm?"

"Can I stay like this…in your arms?" The woman who usually took charge sounded almost like a scared child with her request. As hard as it was for Lilly to hear Miley in such pain, it filled her heart to know that it was she the older woman turned to for comfort. "Always," she whispered, tightening her hold.

"I can't believe he's gone." There was a long silence. "I know things have been hard between us lately but that's not what I see when I think of him."

"What do you see, Miley?" she whispered, her hand moving to stroke the long hair. "Tell me about the Jackson you grew up with, the one you loved."

"He was the cutest little boy." Lilly felt the body against hers relax as happy memories surfaced. "We were close when he was little. Whatever I was doing, he wanted to do. He was my shadow." A tear fell and Miley swallowed hard.

"Hey, will you do something for me?"

A nod. "Anything."

"Think back to a happy time, just you and Jackson. Close your eyes and picture it in your head." She waited a few seconds. "Are you seeing it? Now, tell me about it. Is it summer or winter?"

"Summer."

"Inside or out?"

"Out. We're at the family camp."

"What are you two doing?"

"Fishing." Lilly felt Miley smile against her chest. "It was a perfect day. We were on the dock, just the two of us." Her brow furrowed. "I don't know where everyone else was."

"Don't worry about them," the young woman cooed, continuing her gentle stroking of the dark tresses. "You were fishing with Jackson. Did you catch a fish?"

"I didn't but he did." She relaxed against Lilly again. "Nice foot long bass. Fought like the devil too."

"Close your eyes. Now think about that day and how much fun you and Jackson had together. That's right…" Lilly closed her own eyes and let the deep and even breathing near her ear lull her into the same peaceful sleep.

Lilly was a constant source of support for Miley. The autopsy report had come back with unpleasant news. A variety of illegal drugs were found in Jackson's system. The Stewarts had hoped to keep the information private, but they were a name in Albany and while the morning news reported that one of the Stewarts had died in a freak accident, the evening news was not as kind. One station, finding the perfect excuse to reuse old footage, hooked the news of Jackson's autopsy with a report on drugs in Corporate America. It produced, much to the family's dismay, a gaggle of news reporters around Miley's home, refusing to accept her short statement that the family was in mourning and had no comment on the autopsy findings. Before the day was out, they received word that the driver of the dump truck had filed a suit against Jackson's estate. Susan declared the autopsy nothing less than an "exaggerated fabrication" and the truck driver "a greedy opportunist" trying to take advantage of an unfortunate accident. Lilly listened to the remarks and nodded often, doing her part to make things easier on Miley.

By the day of the funeral, however, the executive's patience and tolerance were both in short supply. The past few days had piled frustration upon frustration on her and the family seemed blissfully ignorant of the strain they were putting on her. Not only did they gather at her house to mourn, they gathered to visit with each other, allowing Miley no privacy or peace. Despite Lilly's best efforts, Susan still managed to slip past and grill her daughter about every detail of the service. There was bickering from the littlest thing, such as who rode in which limousine, to who would be the pallbearers, even to which plot in the family section he should be buried in. Miley kept her anger inside herself, releasing it only after everyone had gone. Then, her punching bag would be the recipient. Only when she was both physically and emotionally exhausted would she curl into bed and seek the comfort of Lilly's arms. The role reversal felt odd yet at the same time comforting to Miley. In the smaller woman's embrace she was able to let the stress go and find peace. It reinforced her inner strength, allowing her to face the challenges of the recent events.

"Maria will be here in about an hour or so to pick you up." Miley zipped up her skirt and reached for the belt. "She'll be coming back here instead of going to the graveside service so someone will be here when the people start arriving." She buckled the belt and pulled on the blazer. "There. I

believe I'm ready now." She put a small black hat on over her pinned hair.

"I wish I could be there with you," Lilly said earnestly.

"I know, Hon." She cupped the younger woman's chin. "I don't know what I would have done without you these past few days."

"I don't know what I would have done without you these last few months," Lilly countered.

"You know if I had my way you'd be right up there next to me."

"It's better if I stay in the back with Maria. It will be easier to get in and out with my crutches."

"Oh, let me help you with your sneaker before I go."

"I can get it, Miley. You'll wrinkle your skirt."

"Sit." Her long fingers made quick work of loosening the laces. She knelt down and put one hand on the back of Lilly's calf. The satiny material of her knee high hose was no match to the natural softness Miley usually felt. Using her knee as a footrest, she put the sneaker on her companion's foot and began tying it. "Remember, the church is going to be packed. Make sure you get a seat. I don't want to find you leaning up against the back wall, you got it?"

"Got it." She leaned down and adjusted the bow on Miley's blouse. "Got your handkerchief?"

"And a spare."

"All right then, I guess you're ready." Lilly paused for a second, then put her hands on the taller woman's shoulders. "Miley, I know you think you have to be this big, strong superwoman but you don't. Even though you two had problems, he was still your brother and I know you loved him. If you have to cry, do it." Her words earned her a gentle kiss on the forehead as her companion stood up.

"I'll see you after the service." Miley remained stooped long enough to tuck an errant strand of gold hair behind Lilly's ear. If only there was a way to have you with me today. It's going to be so hard today without you right there by my side.

As expected, the church was packed with friends, family, and business associates of the Stewarts. Despite Miley's words, Lilly was content to stand against the back wall but a man sitting in the last pew stood and offered his seat. Remaining at the back wall, Maria took possession of the crutches so no one would trip over them. From their position at the rear of the large church it was impossible to see Susan and her daughters in the front pew. Lilly listened to the monotone words as the priest went through the standard phrases of comfort and prayers of solace. When the end drew near, she motioned to Maria for her crutches, deciding it was easier to get out now than wait and get caught up in the throngs of people.

Just as she was getting into Maria's car the doors of the church opened. From her vantage point, she could see the six men carrying out the casket. She watched as Susan exited, flanked by her daughters. Lilly squinted but was too far away to really see Miley's eyes. Her friend's head was hung and her arm was around her distraught mother. She saw that Luann was also providing support to the grieving woman as they walked down the steps and into the waiting limousine. Realizing Maria was waiting for her, Lilly put her crutches in the back seat and got into the car.

Just as Miley had predicted, friends and family members began pouring into the house less than half an hour after the funeral had ended. Long tables covered one side of the living room, stacked high with breads, meats, and cheeses. Leaning against one wall out of the main flow of traffic, Lilly noticed it was the first place people went to as they arrived. Since the laundry room had plenty of rods and hangers, it served as a makeshift coatroom. The cool March winds delayed any idea people may have had about putting their coats away for the season just yet.

The floodgates were open and close to fifty people were there by the time Miley arrived with her mother and sister. Lilly spotted the mane of dark chestnut hair above the rest of the crowd and began to work her way over. The trip was made easier when she had been spotted and the determined executive met her halfway. "Hi." This close, it was easy to see makeup concealing the dark circles beneath Miley's eyes. Leaning heavily on her right crutch, Lilly discreetly reached over and intertwined their fingers, giving them a slight squeeze.

"Hi yourself," Miley said, returning the affectionate gesture with one of her own. "Quite the crowd." She scanned the area, quickly noting those who would be problems as time went on and the drinks continued to flow. "You wait, Lilly. Before the night is through I'll guarantee you at least one fist fight."

"Fist fight? At a funeral?"

"I give them one hour to lament Jackson's death. After that, the topic will turn to his will and speculations over who gets what and then the fighting will start, I'm sure." They worked their way over to a corner near the stairs. Lilly watched as her companion shifted her weight from one leg to the other and back again.

I think you've suffered in those clothes long enough,

Lilly thought to herself.

"Miley, come into my room for a minute."

"Sure," she replied, grateful for any chance to get away.

The first thing Miley noticed when she entered the room was one of her outfits neatly laid out on the bed. "I thought you would be more comfortable in your slacks," Lilly said with a shrug. To the pointed look at the shoes on the floor she added, "I know how much your feet hurt after being in heels all day. Flats are perfectly acceptable with those slacks. I've seen you wear them before."

"So you had Maria pick these out for me?"

"No," Lilly replied with a proud smile. "I picked them out myself and brought them down. Maria was busy."

The thoughtfulness almost brought Miley to tears. Blinking rapidly, she reached out and let one finger trace the smaller woman's jawline. "Thank you." She took a step back and kicked off her shoes. "I'd better get changed and back out there. I'm sure someone is looking for me. Probably my mother." She added the last part under her breath. The skirt hit the floor followed quickly by her half-slip.

"Did everything go well at the service?"

"Nothing I couldn't handle." Miley's jaw tightened noticeably but she said nothing, instead picking up her slacks and sliding them on over pantyhose covered legs. Lilly noticed the tension but said nothing, assuming it to be from the stress of the funeral and the relatives. Long toes wiggled their way into comfortable but stylish shoes while the gray blouse was tucked into the thin waistband. "Ah, I feel better already."

"Is there anything I can do for you?" Lilly asked. "Other than trying to keep your mother busy. She's getting tired of me hanging around her, you know."

"I heard. Luann will run interference for the most part. You can either stay in here, which I highly recommend by the way, or you can just go out there and listen to my cousins and second cousins and God knows who else ramble on about nothing of importance."

"Well, when you put it that way." Smiling green eyes accompanied the sarcastic remark. "How can I resist?"

To Lilly, the sound was nothing but a general din. Miley, on the other hand, spent years learning how to work a crowd and was able to pick out the individual conversations easily. As she moved through the room, she carefully listened to the different snippets. By the time she reached Frank, she knew more about the new boat that her cousin was buying than he did. The knowledge allowed her to slip effortlessly into the conversation. Moving from person to person, Miley canvassed the room. When she thought she had said hello to everyone, she tried slipping out to the kitchen where she had seen her blonde beauty go a few minutes before.

"Miley." Blue eyes rolled at the sound of her mother's voice.

"Yes, Mother?" She turned to see Susan standing behind her. For that instant, the agitation she had felt toward her parent dissipated in the face of the grieving woman. Miley instantly softened her tone. "Is there something you need?"

"Where is your sister?"

"I don't know." She craned her neck to see over the crowd but there was no sign of the distinctive red hair. "Maybe Jack took her home."

"Now Miley," the wrinkled hands went to her hips. "You know Luann wouldn't leave without saying goodbye to me," she admonished. "Honestly, sometimes I wonder what you're thinking."

"I'm sorry, Mother. I wasn't thinking." The executive resisted the urge to rub her temples. It was a useless defense against a mother headache anyway.

"Well, Jackson's death has affected us all." Susan dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief. "Your father had such high hopes for him. A tragic shame, that's what it is." A gnarled finger raised itself into the air and the matriarch's eyes grew wide. "I have it."

"Have what?" Miley asked hesitantly, certain she wouldn't like the answer.

"The perfect way to pass on Jackson's legacy. He always did enjoy his time in college. You can set up a scholarship in his name." A self-satisfied smile formed on the older woman's face. "Yes, that would be the perfect way to honor him."

"We can talk about that some other time, Mother."

"There's nothing to talk about," Susan said firmly. Miley's eyes narrowed slightly when she saw Michael slip up behind her mother.

"Hi Aunt Susan, hi Miley."

"Michael," the executive said evenly.

"What's everyone drinking?" He held up his empty glass.

"Nothing for me," Miley said. And I'm willing to bet that yours has been emptied more than once, she thought to herself as the faint smell of alcohol floated over to her. Susan held up her almost full glass to indicate that she was fine at the moment as well.

"Oh well." He looked at his shoes, then back up at the two women. "So Miley, have you decided when you're going to have his will read?"

"I didn't realize there was a great hurry to having it done, Michael," she said. The daggers her eyes were throwing were wasted on him since his gaze was everywhere except at her.

"No, no hurry at all," he shrugged. "It's just that we were close and I thought I should know when it is." He looked up and finally realized what deadly looks he was getting. "Well um…" he tried clearing his throat, which suddenly felt like a lemon was wedged in it. "I'm sure you'll let me know when it is."

"I'll make sure everyone affected is notified."

"Right, like I said." He wiped his sweaty hand on the side of his jacket. "Well, if you ladies will excuse me." He turned and took his aunt's hand in his own. "Aunt Susan, I'm sorry for your loss." Miley rolled her eyes when Michael kissed the older woman's hand. "Cuz, I'll see you around." He disappeared into the crowd, leaving her once again alone with her mother.

"Um, I think I'd better go see if everything's all right in the kitchen." She took a half step back in preparation for a quick escape.

"Nonsense. I'm sure Maria can handle anything that comes up," Susan said dismissively. "Why don't you go find your sister?"

"That sounds like a good idea, Mother. Be right back." Miley turned and moved through the crowd as quickly as she could. To her unpleasant surprise, she ended up face to face with Michael.

"Ah, fancy meeting you here," he said, smirking at his own joke.

"Don't you think the Eddie Haskell routine was a bit much, Michael?"

"Oh please, that's just my natural charm."

"Whatever." As much as she enjoyed a good verbal fight, this was neither the time nor the place for it. "Have you seen Luann?"

"Last time I saw her she was out in the kitchen with that friend of yours." Raised voices caught both their attention.

"….Bullshit, John. I told you to sell when they were at forty-eight and an eighth. It's not my fault you didn't do it." People quickly moved away from the two angry men, forming a circle.

"You're my broker. You're supposed to take care of these things for me. Do you have any idea how much money I lost?"

"You knew they were talking merger." Miley broke through the circle at that moment. "If you don't act fast, you lose out."

"Like Sally Ryan?" The executive took a deep breath. Old girlfriend's names were never a good sign.

"You knew she didn't have a date for the dance. It's not my fault I asked her out before you did."

"You knew I wanted to go out with her. She was all I talked about that year."

Miley knew this was going to escalate quickly into a classic Stewart scuffle. She stepped between the fighting brothers. "ENOUGH! You are supposed to be here mourning Jackson's death, not fighting over some girl you lost fifteen years ago." An intense throbbing began behind her eyes, the sign of a relative headache. "John, you're not in high school anymore. Get over it." The men exchanged foul looks and stormed off in different directions. A murmur of words and then everyone else returned to their previous conversations. Miley ran her fingers through her hair forcefully.

"You okay?" a soft voice from behind her asked.

"Yeah." She turned to see familiar green eyes looking up at her with concern. "Really, Lilly. I'm fine."

"Just making sure. I heard you yell."

"Just a typical Stewart get-together," Miley sputtered. She caught a flash of orange-red out of the corner of her eye. "Uh oh." Luann and her mother were approaching fast. "I see Mother found you," she said once her sister was within earshot.

"I told you she hadn't left yet," Susan said. The look in Luann's eyes made it clear she wished she had not been found. Oh boy, this is gonna be a good one, Miley thought to herself. "I was just telling your sister that I want to go through Jackson's things. I assume you still have boxes up in the attic?"

"What, from when he lived here? He took what he wanted and I threw out the rest."

"But there were trophies and ribbons and awards…?"

"If he didn't take them, they're gone."

"And it never occurred to you that I might want those things?" Susan stood directly in front of her eldest child. "How could you be so inconsiderate?"

"Mother!" Luann exclaimed. Lilly stood there quietly, her attention focused on the twitching muscle in Miley's jaw.

"Tomorrow I'll go over to his apartment and see if he kept anything."

"Don't bother. Your sister will take me over and I'll look for myself." The sisters exchanged glances. Luann shrugged her shoulders. This was the first she was hearing of it as well.

"I think you should wait a few days, Mother. His belongings aren't going anywhere." Miley was worried about what they would find there.

"Nonsense. Tomorrow will be fine."

"I don't think tomorrow…"

"Miley Louise!" The twitching became a solid clench. Lilly moved closer to her friend and discreetly placed her fingertips against Miley's back. The muscles were bunched and tight, another indication of Miley's tension. She pressed slightly and began rubbing in small circles.

"Fine, Mother. Luann and I will take you to Jackson's tomorrow." Great, now I have to go over tonight and check things out. She leaned almost imperceptibly into the gentle touch of Lilly's fingers.

"Honestly, I don't know why you make things so difficult, Miley. On this day of all days you have to be stubborn." Susan dabbed at dry eyes with her handkerchief. "I ask a simple thing. I just want something to remember my son by and you have to be difficult."

"Mother…"

"No Luann. I asked one simple thing of her. Just because she couldn't get along with her brother is no excuse for upsetting me."

Miley's back was now a solid band of tension and it took her a moment before she could relax her jaw enough to speak. The gentle circling motion on her back increased in pressure. You think I'm about to lose it, don't you? She cast a sideways glance at her companion. Seeing the look of understanding and support in those green eyes was enough to keep the sharp remark from passing through her lips. Instead she looked at her mother and nodded. "I didn't mean to upset you. I guess we're all still in shock." Miley knew she was caving in, but today was not the day to make a stand with her mother. "I had better go check on things. Excuse me." With her back to her mother, she gave Lilly a loving smile and left the room.

Entering the kitchen, Miley was pleased to see that the only person there was Maria. She walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water. She took a long swallow before speaking to her housekeeper. "Do you have any aspirin? I have a pounding headache and I really don't want to go out there again."

"Been talking to your mother again, haven't you?" Maria opened a drawer and pulled out her purse. "I'm sure there's some Tylenol or Motrin in here."

"Sorry," Luann said as she entered. "She's in rare form today." The two sisters stood near the end of the island. Maria found something to do in the laundry room, allowing the two women their privacy.

"When was the last time you were at his place?" Miley asked before tossing three pills into her mouth and taking several gulps of water.

"This one? I've never been there. Why would I go to his apartment?"

"We're going to have to go there, you know. Who knows what it looks like or what things he may have laying out." She put the bottle back into the fridge. "Can Jack keep an eye on the kids?"

"I'm sure he can." Luann looked at her watch. "We're going to be leaving in a few minutes. You want to meet at Jackson's place around six or seven?"

"Seven would be better. Who knows how long everyone is going to stay." Miley looked out the glass door at the rainbow of cars that littered her driveway. "At least another hour or two."

"And then there's Mother."

"Oh no." Miley shook her head. "You are not going to leave her here with me. When you go, she goes." She cast a glance at the living room. "Speaking of which, what's she up to?"

"I don't know. After you walked away she kept going on and on until Lilly asked her something about Jackson and his trophies. I saw that as my escape and took it." The redhead leaned in and spoke in a conspiratorial tone. "Personally, I don't think she's really interested in his trophies."

Miley smiled with pride. "She isn't. She's trying to keep me from committing matricide."

"Did you want to bring her along tonight?" Luann offered.

"No. Hopefully we won't be there long." She paused for a moment, then added "but it was nice of you to ask." She sighed and rapped her knuckles on the countertop. "I suppose I can't hide out here forever."

"I'll take Mother with us when we leave. You won't have to suffer much longer."

"How did I ever survive eighteen years with her?" Miley asked, shaking her head in bewilderment. "I can't get through one day without wanting to tell her off or wring her neck."

"Oh, that's easy," the redhead smiled. "I was there most of the time."

"That's right, you were." Miley tapped an elegant finger on her chin. "I remember you." She dodged a playful shove. "Weren't you the one that ran into Dad's car with your bike and blamed me?"

"Um…well that was a long time ago, Miley. Weren't you the one that forgot to unlock your window one night and had to sneak back in through mine?"

"Ah, true." She wrapped her arm around her sister's shoulders. "But weren't you the one…" she began as they walked back into the living room.

Miley put the key in the lock. "What's that smell?" she asked, wrinkling her nose. Luann shrugged her lack of an answer and pulled a scarf out of her pocketbook. The door opened and the executive flipped the switch. "Son of a bitch," she breathed. Clothes were tossed everywhere, the couch cushions were on the floor, the coffee table and every other horizontal surface was covered with beer cans and trash. Stale beer and unwashed clothes mixed with another unidentifiable smell.

"Oh my God," Luann said as she took in the scene. "This is disgusting."

"Sad is more like it," Miley muttered, picking up a small square mirror she found lying on the counter. The telltale razor blade was resting next to it. "It's a good thing we came here first." She showed her sister the mirror clouded with a fine white powder. "There is no way we can have Mother see this place looking the way it does." Luann nodded in agreement. Miley tossed the offensive mirror onto the counter and unzipped her jacket. "I guess we'd better look around for some boxes and trash bags for all this shit." To her surprise, the redhead, who was adverse to any kind of domestic work, did not argue.

"I'll put some music on," Luann said, kicking a path to the stereo. "Let's see, how does this one work?" She hit the power button and was immediately blasted with an insanely high decibel of noise.

"SHUT THAT THING OFF!" Miley yelled while covering her ears. A second later there was peaceful quiet again.

"How could he stand listening to it that loud?"

"Damned if I know. Maybe the drugs affected his hearing. Come on. Let's get to work. I want to get home at a decent hour." The kitchen shared a half-wall with the living room, allowing the two sisters to talk while packing up the garbage. Miley lifted the lid to the trashcan in the corner. "Oh God." She covered it up quickly. "I think I found out where that smell is coming from," she choked, taking a few steps back.

"I can't smell that anymore," Luann called from the far side of the living room. "All I smell is beer." She moved a cushion to find a half-eaten pizza glued to the carpet. "Oh Miley, I don't want to touch this."

"I'll tell you what. I'll clean up whatever it is you're looking at if you get these dishes out of this…um…I guess you'd call it water." She reached closer with the tips of her fingers but just could not bring herself to touch the slimy liquid. "I know I'm not touching it."

"We should have brought gloves." The redhead picked up an empty beer case and started throwing bottles into it. "So things are good between you and Lilly?" she asked casually.

"We get along fine, yes." Miley arched an eyebrow. "Luann, I told you…"

"I know, I know. You are not lovers, you're just friends." The younger sister waved her hand dismissively. "I give up trying to figure it out." She put the case down and walked over to the counter that separated the living room and kitchen. "She gives me the same story you do but you don't act like friends."

"We have a lot of work to do here, Luann."

"Miley, look at me." When she spoke again, her voice was softer. "I don't care. I've watched the way the two of you act around each other."

"And what did you see?"

"What do I see?" Luann gave a small smile. "I see you happy in a way I never thought you would be." She laughed at her sister's blush. "Come on. You asked the question. Really Miley, it's obvious to me that you're hooked on her. As for how Lilly feels about you…" The dark-haired woman's head snapped up. "She is not Chris."

"No she's not," the executive agreed emphatically. "Lilly has never asked me for anything. Whatever I've given her, it was because I wanted to."

"I see that," Luann replied. "You don't think I've been watching? You take more days off than you ever have and you don't go anywhere. I don't see any new cars, although I didn't see your Porsche around. Did you sell it?"

"Yes." The truth was, as soon as it was repaired, she had signed it over to Hans to sell at whatever price he could. "She doesn't want cars or expensive things. She doesn't even have a driver's license. She's not trying to get anything from me."

Luann held her hands up. "You don't have to defend her, Miley. I was just saying I didn't see any of the things that would tell me she was using you and I don't believe she is. I like her."

"You like her?" Surprise showed on her face. That was a rare admission from her younger sister. "So…it would be okay with you if we were…a couple?"

"I'm not going to pretend that I understand why you want to be with a woman. It doesn't make any sense to me." She raised her hand to keep her sister from speaking. "But it is your life. If Lilly makes you happy, then that's all that matters. So yes, it's okay with me if you two are a couple." She watched Miley come from behind the counter and happily accepted the hug. "It's your life, Sis. If Lilly is the one for you then don't let anyone keep you apart," she whispered into the dark hair.

Miley pulled back until they were an arm's length apart. "What made you change your mind? I remember you calling her everything but a reincarnation of Christine."

"I was wrong," Luann shrugged. "Hey, it happens." She brushed her hands together.

"I'm making her my secretary," Miley volunteered. "I've been bringing work home for her to do and so far there have been no mistakes." She smiled softly. "She's got a good head for figures too…and organized?" If anything, the smile grew wider. "You know how bad I am about sorting my email?"

"You mean she straightened out that mess you call your inbox?" Luann shook her head. "I remember when you asked Laura to do that. I thought she was going to quit on you right then and there."

"Lilly did it without even being asked," Miley said proudly. "That's how she is."

"It sounds like you are very lucky, Sis. Now enough of this sensitive chat. We have work to do here. You wanna try and get the stereo to a volume that doesn't shatter glass?"

"Sure." Miley worked her way across the room, the smile never leaving her face.

"She said that?"

"Yup…ooof."

"Oops, sorry about that." Lilly moved her elbows from Miley's chest and laid down, her arms crossed over the older woman's left breast. She rested her chin atop her interlaced fingers. "So she really said she liked me?"

"She said she liked you." Miley smiled in the dark, letting her hand gently rub the smaller woman's back. "See? You've won over the Stewart women."

"Not all of them."

"Honey, even I haven't won over my mother yet. I think you'll just have to accept that two out of three ain't bad."

"Well…" Lilly crept up until their faces were even, gold and brown hair mixing about their shoulders. "There is really only one Stewart's opinion that matters to me." Miley's eyes closed as soft lips pressed against her own. "And right now that Stewart needs to get some sleep." Despite her words, Lilly could not resist dropping down for a longer kiss. "Mmm, sometimes I wonder if I'm really Cinderella and you're holding the glass slipper."

"If I was, that would make me one very lucky woman," Miley replied.

"I'll never understand what made someone like you take a chance on someone like me." Lilly shifted most of her weight onto the bed and claimed the older woman's shoulder as her pillow. "Sometimes I'm afraid this is all some wonderful dream and I'm going to wake up and find you gone," She felt Miley's arms tighten protectively around her.

"I will never let that happen, Lilly. I won't ever let you go back to the way you used to live."

"That doesn't scare me." She nuzzled deeper into Miley's shoulder.

"Then what does?"

"Losing you," she quietly admitted. "All the money and possessions in the world don't mean a thing to me without you."

"I love you too," Miley whispered, lifting her head up long enough to place a kiss on the top of Lilly's head. They snuggled together, bumping legs until they found a comfortable position and the peaceful feeling of being with each other relaxed them into sleep.

Part 11

The clock read just past six when the call of nature pulled Lilly from her slumber. Sleepy green eyes opened and focused on the woman sleeping beneath her. It took a few minutes to extricate herself from the human puzzle they had formed during the night. After a quick trip to the bathroom, Lilly positioned her crutches and went to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. She was pouring the steaming liquid into two mugs by the time Miley padded into the room. "Good morning. I thought you'd like some coffee."

"Mmm, yes thanks." The tall woman walked over and wrapped her arms around Lilly from behind. "Good morning, Hon." She pressed her lips to the top of the young woman's head. "I've got to pick up Mother in a couple of hours."

"Then you definitely need your coffee," Lilly said, handing over the two mugs. "And if you're going to kiss me good morning, do it right."

Miley shook her head. "Mmm, morning breath. No kisses until after I brush my teeth."

"I'll take my chances."

"Really?" An eyebrow raised slightly as she set the mugs down. Turning around, she took first one crutch, then the other, and put them to the side before gathering Lilly in her arms. "So you want a good morning kiss, hmm?" She lowered her head and poured all of her love into a series of soft kisses. She nipped and coaxed with her lips until she felt Lilly's mouth open for her. Miley swallowed soft moans as her tongue explored the inside of the young woman's mouth. Oh yeah, you like that, don't you? To her utter surprise she felt a very insistent tongue pushing into her own mouth. Now it was the executive's turn to moan. When they broke apart, it was several seconds before their breathing returned to a manageable level. "How's that?" she asked in a husky voice. "Does that meet with your approval for a morning kiss, Miss Truscott?"

"Oh yes, very nice." Lilly leaned up for another quick brushing of lips before reaching for her crutches. Kiss me like that every morning and I'll be happy forever. She reluctantly pulled back, her whole body screaming for more contact. "You had better drink your coffee before it gets cold."

Miley looked at the clock. "I would much rather spend the day with you, you know." A shrill beeping drew a frown from the executive. "I'll get it. With my luck it's probably Luann trying to duck out of dealing with Mother today." She picked up the phone. "Stewart Residence…Yeah, good morning to you too, Sis. What's up?" Lilly watched as dark eyebrows furrowed in puzzlement. "Mm hmm, she's awake…no, we just got up and were having coffee." Now the brows shot up and blue eyes locked with green. "Well…sure, that sounds fine to me. Let me ask her, hold on." Miley held the phone to her chest. "Luann wants to know if you'd like to go out for breakfast."

"Uh, sure." It would be the first time she had gone out of the house with the exception of her doctor's appointments and the funeral. She watched a beaming smile come over Miley's face.

"Sure, sounds good, Luann." They finalized arrangements while Lilly sipped her coffee. By the time Miley hung up the phone, her own coffee had cooled enough to drink in four long gulps. "We should get going here. We're supposed to meet there in forty-five minutes. I'll run upstairs and get ready." She picked up Lilly's now empty cup and set it with hers in the sink. "Do me a favor?"

"Anything," the young woman replied.

"Wear that rust colored shirt?" A shy smile came to Miley's lips. "I think you look really nice in it."

"I don't think any of the skirts go with it."

"The khaki pants do. I'm sure the leg is wide enough to get over the cast."

Lilly smiled. When she had opened those clothes on Christmas she had thought then they would go well together. She also knew Miley had a weakness for that particular shirt. "Sure, but it'll cost you."

"Cost me?" Puzzlement turned to amusement when she saw the calculating grin.

"You have to wear that gray cotton shirt and those black jeans."

"The baggy ones or the tight ones?"

"The tight ones." Lilly realized how it could be taken and blushed. "I just think they look good on you," she mumbled, looking away as her ears turned an even brighter shade of red.

"Uh huh," Miley smirked. "You're cute when you blush, you know that."

"You've told me that before."

"It's still true." She walked over to the table and knelt down until she was eye level with the young woman. "Actually, the truth is, you're beautiful anytime. With or without a blush." She leaned in and gave Lilly a peck on the cheek. "Come on, I'm starving."

"Can I get you ladies something to drink to start off?" the waitress asked. The three women were sitting in a booth, Luann sat alone on one side. Lilly opened her mouth but before she could utter a sound, Miley spoke. "Coffees on this side and she'll have tea…lemon, no cream. We'll be ready to order when you return."

"I'll be right back with your drinks."

"Do you know what you want?" the executive asked without looking up from her menu. It took a gentle nudge under the table for Lilly to figure out the question was directed at her.

"Um…" She scanned the menu, noting with great alarm the prices that ran down the right hand side. Six-fifty for two eggs and toast? Two ninety-five for coffee? Her appetite shrank in direct proportion to the prices. "I don't think I'm really all that hungry. Maybe just a muffin and coffee."

"Oh no, Lilly," Luann said. "You have got to try their eggs benedict. It's the best in Albany, I swear."

"No, I'll be fine with the muffin, I'm sure." She knew without looking that she was the recipient of a questioning gaze from Miley. Maybe she'll forget that my stomach grumbled earlier. The waitress returned with their drinks and when they had been served she looked expectantly at Miley.

With a nod of her head, the dark-haired woman indicated Lilly. "She'll have two eggs, over medium with toast, corned beef hash and home fries. I'll have the same except I want bacon instead of the hash and my eggs should be over hard. Luann?"

"I'll have a Belgian waffle with strawberries and cream."

"All right, I'll have your food brought out to you shortly."

Lilly looked at Miley dumbfounded. "I said I was fine with a muffin."

"Luann, would you excuse us for a moment please?"

"Sure, Miley. Actually I think I need to make a trip to the ladies room." She picked up her purse and left the table.

"Why did you do that?" There was no accusation in the young woman's tone, just curiosity.

"Why did you lie about not being hungry?" Miley countered. "Look at me. Tell me you only wanted a muffin and that the cost had nothing to do with it." Her right hand slipped under the table and began stroking Lilly's left thigh. "I understand that you think about how much everything costs. I wish you didn't, but I know you do. I also know that I wasn't going to sit here and let you eat just a muffin for breakfast." A smaller hand gripped hers under the table and squeezed.

"Okay, thank you." Lilly leaned closer. "Actually, the hash and eggs sounds wonderful."

"You'll love them, trust me."

A short time later Lilly was wiping up her plate with the last bit of toast while the two sisters talked. The current topic was taxes, and for someone that always used the easy form, it was a subject she felt sorely out of place with. The Stewart women, on the other hand, had jabbered on for the entire meal about exemptions and loopholes. Lilly smiled and ate quietly, listening to the rich tones but not the words of her tall companion. She tuned Luann out completely and thus, missed her name the first time it was mentioned. "I'm sorry, what?"

"I think we're boring her, Luann." Miley laughed when she saw the guilty blush cover the fair skin.

"I said Wendy needs whatever receipts you have for your taxes." Seeing Lilly's confused look, Luann explained. "Wendy is our accountant. She'll do your taxes for you but I think she's missing some paperwork. She only has your W-2 from Stewart."

"Well, I have the one from Money Slasher. It doesn't take me long to fill out the form so I hadn't gotten around to it yet. Why would I have an income statement from Stewart? Miley didn't decide to give me the job as her secretary until last week."

"Whoops," Miley said. "I can explain." She twisted in her seat so she could face Lilly. The short bench and her long legs meant that her knee ended up resting atop the khaki covered thigh. "You remember when I had you sign all those forms so we could get you on the insurance? You went on the payroll then."

"You mean you didn't know you were getting paid each week?" Luann asked. The still-shocked Lilly shook her head. "You signed a direct deposit authorization for the credit union. You filled out a W-4 for your exemptions."

"I don't remember what I signed. I was still in the hospital and with all the pain killers…."

"Miley, didn't you tell her what she was signing?"

Now it was the executive's turn to blush. "Well…" She looked at Lilly. "When you were in the hospital, all I could think about was making sure you got the best care possible. "I know I told you that you were now an employee of Stewart Corp."

"I didn't think you meant that I was actually getting paid." She discreetly laid her hand on Miley's knee. "There must be hundreds of dollars in there."

"More like thousands," the executive corrected. "I don't pay my workers chump change like Money Slasher. I pay a living wage. That's why people with skill and talent don't leave us after a few years and join some other firm."

"Miley, I can't keep that money. I didn't earn it. Can't you just take it back or something?" That earned laughter from both Stewarts. "What?"

"Lilly dear, do you have any idea how much paperwork would be involved in doing something like that?" Luann chuckled again. "It's impossible."

"The money's yours, Lilly," Miley added. "I'm sorry I didn't mention it before. I honestly don't think about things like paychecks and you certainly haven't needed any money."

"It's okay. We can talk about it some other time." Lilly put her coffee cup to her lips, mentally deciding which charities would get the money if she could not convince Miley to take it back.

"Speaking of later," the executive looked at her watch. "We'd better get going here."

"Wait." Luann laid her hand across the table, urging her sister to remain where she was. The redhead looked at Lilly with such seriousness it made the young woman's pulse quicken with nervousness. "I just wanted to say something to you before we leave." She licked her lips and cast a quick glance at her older sister before continuing. "Lilly, I love my sister very much. With Jackson gone, well…it just helped make me realize that I was being unfair to her. I've never seen her happier than when she's with you."

"Luann, don't embarrass me," Miley warned playfully although the heat was rising to her ears.

"Oh you be quiet or I'll tell her about the time you took Dad's car for a joyride and got picked up by the police," the younger sibling warned. "Now, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, she's happy and that's what's important." She picked up the bill and glanced at it before passing it across the table to her sister. "Your turn. Six thirty-eight for the tip."

"Thanks, you know I hate figuring that out." Miley reached into her purse and pulled out her wallet, thumbing through the various plastic cards until she found the one she was looking for. A few minutes later the bill was paid and they were standing next to their vehicles, which were parked side by side.

"I have to drop Lilly off and then I'll meet you at Mother's," Miley said as she shut off the alarm and unlocked the passenger door.

"Okay, don't be too long." The redhead turned toward Lilly. "It was nice of you to join us for breakfast."

"Thank you for inviting me," she replied. "And thank you for what you said in there…about her deserving to be happy."

"Yeah yeah, everybody's happy," Miley said with a fake growl. "Except Mother, who is going to have a fit if we don't get over there."

"I was being serious," Lilly said, batting the tall woman's arm.

"So was I." She looked at her younger sister. "Luann, I do appreciate what you said in there…as well as last night."

"Think they'd say anything if two sisters hugged in public?"

"Do you really care if they did?" Miley countered. They embraced then, to Lilly's surprise, Luann gave her a quick one-armed hug. They said their good-byes and were soon on the road.

After being dropped off at the house, Lilly found herself with nothing to do. Miley was certain not to be back until mid-afternoon. She puttered about, wandering in and out of every room on the first floor. Then her eyes followed the stairs. Curiosity got the better of her and she positioned her crutches on the bottom stair.

Although she had been in Miley's bedroom before, this was the first time she really looked around. This is big enough for an entire apartment. A padded bench seat sat below an impressive bay window. An open door off to the side led to the private bathroom and the young woman made a mental note to check it out later. Lilly saw that her friend had not one but two dressers as well as the incredible walk-in closet. A full-length mirror trimmed in matching wood stood in one corner. A headboard, complete with lights and shelves, complimented the king-sized bed. There were nightstands on either side as well. On the wall opposite the bed was a smaller version of the entertainment center downstairs. Lilly opened the doors to reveal a twenty-seven inch television, Miley's video collection and a VCR. Her eyes skimmed over familiar titles, looking for something interesting to watch. One row of tapes had no boxes or labels on the spines. She picked one up and looked at the title. Oh Miley, I didn't know you had these kind of tapes. She grinned and put it in the VCR. Well, this should be interesting. She positioned the pillows on the bed and sat down to watch her first adult movie.

To her surprise, there actually was a plot to the movie. Lilly did not pay attention to the title but figured out quickly that it was about two female lovers who are separated into separate cells by a mean warden. The first sex scene appeared quickly and green eyes widened at the sight of the two naked women kissing each other. It was the same slow, gentle kisses she shared with Miley. Then their kisses changed. They became more passionate and one woman began to moan as the other pinched her nipple. Suddenly Lilly's dreams had another dimension added to them as she tried to imagine Miley making the same sound. "Mmm…" She watched the two women begin their acts of pleasure and each one she imagined doing with her companion. The arousal was immediate but more than that was another feeling, one far more important. The women on the screen made Lilly realize that this was more than a physical act. Even though they were actresses playing a role, every touch was tender, almost loving. Between the moans and cries were repeated declarations of love for each other. That's why they call it making love, she realized for perhaps the first time. Now she understood what she was denying Miley…and what Miley was denying herself by honoring her promise to her father. Shutting off the VCR off, Lilly sat and stared at the blue screen for several long minutes while the final pieces of the puzzle fell into place.

"Did you try the spare ribs?" Miley asked, smacking her lips in satisfaction. "I tell you, there's nothing like good Chinese take-out."

"No, I haven't tried them yet," Lilly replied quietly, her eyes never leaving her plate, the contents of which were being pushed around aimlessly by her fork.

"You should. The egg rolls are pretty good too. Not greasy at all."

"Um hmm." The broccoli and pork suffered more rearranging.

"Lilly, is something wrong? You've been quiet ever since I got home."

"Miley, can I ask you something?"

"Anything, you know that."

"If you had never made that promise to your father…if nothing was standing in your way…would you want…" The blonde woman shook her head and looked up with fear and uncertainty in her eyes. "Would we be lovers?"

Miley stood up. "I think we're done eating. Let's go into the other room and talk. I'll take care of the dishes later."

"Yes, that would be better." Lilly agreed, pushing herself up on her good foot. Yes, you and me curled up on the couch together… "Miley? Would it be all right if we just went into the bedroom? I mean, we can always watch television in there, right?"

Warning bells and whistles went off in Miley's head and she swallowed reflexively. "Uh…are you sure?" Considering the topic of discussion, she wasn't entirely certain that lying on the bed together was a wise idea.

"Yes." And with that word spoken aloud, Lilly realized that yes, she really was sure…about everything.
Once inside the room, Lilly leaned her crutches against the wall and patiently balanced herself on her good foot.

"You want to change first?" Miley asked while turning down the covers.

"No, we're fine just the way we are." Once the bedcovers were ready, she slipped between them and rolled onto her side to face the woman who had captured her heart. Miley started to join her. "Wait." Lilly reached over and turned on the lamp. "Would you shut off the light?" Soon the brightness was replaced by a warm, soft glow.

"So we're in bed and you wanted to talk," Miley offered when she was settled.

"So we are," she agreed. Leaning up on one elbow, she looked down at endless blue eyes. "Are you going to answer my question? If you hadn't made that promise to your father, would we be lovers?"

"I thought you weren't sure…"

"Forget about that for a minute." She reached out and ran her fingertip lightly down the older woman's jawline. "If it were just you and me, nothing else." Miley was still wearing her gray shirt and with three buttons undone, the vision was entirely too tempting. Lilly moved her fingertip down the chiseled jaw to the long throat and beyond, stopping only when it encountered the lacy edge of a bra. She did note with some pleasure that the older woman's breathing had increased.

"Lilly, I love you. You know that." Miley reached out and cupped her cheek. "If there were no obstacles, if it really was just you and me, yes. I would be very honored to be your lover." She was rewarded with a quick kiss. The curious fingertips were driving her crazy but she could not find the strength to stop them.

"Miley…" The distracting digits slowly undid the next button on the gray shirt. "It's just you and me. There are no obstacles."

"Lilly…" Her body responded immediately to her shirt being unbuttoned. Nipples hardened under the white bra and her whole body tingled with excitement. She opened her mouth to protest and found a warm, soft tongue pressing against hers. "Mmm." Under the gentle insistence, Miley relaxed and let the young woman take control. Lilly felt the surrender and eased up the pressure of her lips. Her free hand traveled of its own volition, gliding under the cotton shirt and against warm skin. In a move that shocked both of them, the wandering hand closed over the soft lace cup and squeezed gently. Miley gasped and her body leaned into the touch.

"You like that," Lilly observed, giving the firm mound another squeeze and enjoying the immediate reaction. Leaving her hand where it was, she lowered her head until her lips were against her lover's ear. "Miley," she said huskily. "I love you and I want to make love with you." She accented her statement by suckling a willing earlobe, then working her way up to Miley's mouth. Being careful not to hit the older woman's shin, Lilly slid her left leg between the longer ones.

"Lilly…" She reached with every intention of stopping this before it went too far but instead of her body obeying her mind, her hand closed around Lilly's, encouraging further exploration. Miley was on fire and she struggled to find a reason to resist. "W-we shouldn't."

"Why?" The blonde woman pulled her hand out from under the cotton shirt and looked at her lover with all seriousness. "Tell me why we should keep denying this to ourselves?"

"I promised…" Fingers pressed against the full lips.

"No." There was a quiet anger in Lilly's voice. "No Miley. You can promise many things but giving up your happiness forever is not one of them." She gently traced one defined black eyebrow. "You can't promise to give up my happiness, either." Her eyes fluttered down to study full lips before traveling back up to become lost in endless pools of blue. Miley did not move, still struggling with her inner demons. Propped on her right elbow, Lilly used her left hand to undo her blouse, gravity causing it to expose more and more flesh as each button was undone. She smiled at the intense look in Miley's eyes. Once the rust colored shirt was hanging loose, Lilly took the larger hand in her own and brought it to the area covered by beige silk. "Please, no, don't fight it," she whispered when she felt Miley's resistance. She pressed her breast against the warm hand and groaned when she felt the tentative squeeze.

Lilly's limited experience had not prepared her for the jolt that Miley's touch brought her. Another squeeze and she was sure she would simply die without her lover's touch. She felt herself being pushed back onto the bed and did not resist. Long dark tresses tickled her face and the tongue seeking entrance to her mouth was quite insistent. "Yessmphf." Nothing can feel better than this, she thought to herself wistfully as she returned the kiss with equal gusto.

"I love you," Miley breathed as the kiss finally ended. She was propped up on her elbow, her body half on top of the smaller woman. She felt Lilly trying to tug the gray shirt out of the jeans. "Wait." Rolling up to her knees, she unbuttoned and unzipped her pants. She undid the last button on her shirt and slowly pulled the tails out. It now hung loosely on her body, open enough to show a glimpse of her bra beneath. With a slowness that was torture to the young woman's nervous system, Miley slid the gray material off her shoulders, letting it pool on the bed behind her. "This too?" she asked, fingering the front catch of her bra.

"Please," Lilly begged. Her lover smiled at the urgency in her voice. A quick twist and the cups fell apart. The bra landed on top of the shirt and for several seconds neither woman spoke. Lilly's eyes were taking in the most beautiful sight she had ever seen and she said so with the look on her face. "Kiss me again."
Oh yes, this is so much better, she thought to herself as her hands traveled over the bare skin of Miley's back. She was acutely aware of the places where her shirt was open and their skin touched. They shared a series of lazy kisses until she felt a restless hand trying to push her shirt off. "Yes," she agreed, trying to take it off while still lying on her back.

"Please…let me," Miley begged. Lilly nodded and let herself be pulled into a sitting position. Her shirt found itself tossed against the leather chair in Miley's quest to get it out of her way. The beige bra ended up on the floor. She lowered herself back to the bed but her lover remained where she was. Hearts pounded and bodies pulsed as they stared openly at each other's breasts. Where her own areola was a light pink, Miley's was darker, almost brown. She looked down and was surprised to see her nipples standing out like little erasers, the skin around them still soft but starting to pucker. Even the coldest day doesn't make them stand up like that she mused as she looked back to see her lover's nipples beginning to do the same thing.

"You…are…beautiful," Miley whispered. She lowered herself down and slowly, far too slowly, bare skin touched bare skin. Both groaned softly and smiled in recognition of the mutual pleasure. Long fingers sank into golden hair while smaller ones wrapped around a muscled back. Their mouths played a game of give and take, tongues dancing back and forth as they floated in each other's love.

"Oh…oh yes, that's nice," Lilly gasped when she felt her lover's mouth move down to her neck. She felt lips part and the soft tongue lick her skin. She moved her hands up to rest on the back of Miley's head. "Yes…mmm, that feels so good."

"Yesss." Miley's body was pressing against hers, betraying the older woman's rising passion. Lilly let her right hand drift down until she reached the waistband of the black jeans. Since they were still undone, there was plenty of room for her to slip inside. As she gripped the firm cheek, Miley whimpered against her skin and began sucking her neck in earnest. "Lilly…"

"Yes Miley…that feels so good." She squeezed harder and was rewarded with renewed squirming.

"You're going to drive me crazy, you know that? I can't concentrate when you do that," she admitted as she shifted her ass away from Lilly's distracting caresses. She nudged the smaller legs apart with one of her own, settling so her lips were even with the young woman's breasts. Long black hair formed a soft canopy that tickled as it moved over the fair skin. "I love you so much," Miley said breathlessly as she reclaimed Lilly's lips for her own. Nostrils flared with ragged breaths as they kissed passionately.

"But…" Whatever Lilly was going to say was lost when she felt a kiss on the underside of her breast. "Ooooh." Miley answered with a muffled moan of her own and continued to lick and nibble her soft flesh. "Feels so good…" Oh, this is heaven. Nothing can feel better than this. She felt warm breath on her nipple an instant before a wet tongue rolled over it. "Oh, Miley, yesss…."

Fumbling attempts with teenage boys had never prepared Lilly for the sensation of being lovingly suckled. The pulling sensation was answered with a pulsing deep between her legs and her hips moved of their own volition, pressing hard against Miley. Her hands were buried deep in the dark hair and she was torn between holding Miley where she was or begging her to give the other one the same attention. Before she could decide, the loving tongue and lips released their treasure. "Oh, don't stop…"
Miley chuckled and pressed her thigh against Lilly's center. "I'm not stopping." Using her elbows to brace herself, she leaned down for a kiss. "I love you, Lilly."

"I love you." As their mouths continued to give and take, Lilly's hands worked their way between their bodies and cupped two willing mounds of flesh. Miley's moan vibrated through their lips and Lilly answered with one of her own. Her fingers became more focused, moving in smaller circles until they were gently stroking the hardened tips.

"Oh Honey," Miley gasped. "Y-you can't…unggh…do that." She rocked back out of reach and shook her head. "I told you I can't concentrate when you do that."

"It feels so nice." Lilly reached out only to have her hands stopped by larger, more powerful ones.

"Yes it does," the older woman agreed. She kissed each knuckle, then the palms before releasing Lilly's hands.

"I want…" How do I say this without sounding crude? "I want…" She wrapped her arms around Miley's torso and pulled herself up, ducking her head in time to bring her mouth to its goal.

"Oh God, Lilly!"

Lilly found her head held in place by Miley's hands as she happily ran her tongue over the darkened areola. Oh yes…this is nice. She heard as much as felt Miley's increased breathing and smiled against the erect nipple before rubbing her lips back and forth against it. She gave in to the strong but gentle hands pushing her back onto the bed.

"Let…me…show…you…something I want…my rose," Miley said before lowering her mouth to Lilly's breast.

"Oooh…." Miley's mouth and hands were in constant motion on her breasts. Her hands clasped and unclasped the dark hair and her hips were in constant motion against the older woman's torso. "Mileyyyy…" She looked down to see the mouth loving her breast. "You feel…oh, so nice…do that…." Her breathing quickened and her hips pressed up hard against Miley's torso. Her lover answered with a downward thrust against her thigh, making both acutely aware of their own wetness. "Please…I need…" She tried to reach between their bodies for the button to her pants.

"Yesss…" Miley took over the task, releasing the breast she was suckling and rising up to give herself room. Long fingers made quick work of the button and zipper but instead of removing them, the black-haired woman settled back down, laying sideways over Lilly to allow her right hand to slip between khakis and white cotton panties.

"Oh yes, YES!" Lilly cried as two fingers pressed against her most sensitive area. She cupped Miley's face and pulled her up for a heated kiss. Oh please don't stop. Her rocking hips caused slack in the material, giving more room for the mischievous digits to explore. They peeked under the elastic then retreated, alternating soft brushes with firm rubs. Lilly was rising fast, faster than she had ever known and it scared her. She buried her head in Miley's hair and clung tightly. "Miley…" Her breaths were coming in quick pants and she was not sure if she would survive the intense pleasure coursing through her system. The fingers changed direction, rubbing the cotton in a circular motion against her clit. Lilly whimpered and jerked her hips frantically. "I can't…oh Miley…please…I…"

"Shh…I've got you…"

"Miley…oooh…" Her hands clutched desperately at her lover's shoulders. "Please…harder…OH…yes Miley, yesss…" Warm breath caressed her ear, both comforting and exciting her at the same time.

"Lilly, I love you."

"Yesss." A deep pounding started deep within and gained momentum as it spread outward.

"My precious Lilly…yes, you're close, I can feel it." The pressure and rhythm increased and the young woman's body reacted, rocking back and forth faster while her fingers gripped Miley's shoulders tighter.

"Yes…harder…ooh…." Her teeth tightly clenched, Lilly teetered on the edge for an agonizing length of time. Then one long finger snaked under the soaked panties and slipped between her swollen folds. "Oh God!" Once, twice, three times across her clit and the world exploded for Lilly. "Mileyyyyy….ah." She cried out as the orgasm pulsed through her, robbing the young woman of all reason and sense. A husky voice murmured words she did not understand into her ear and she was vaguely aware of being rocked gently but reality was a plane far far away from her at that moment. She felt her body go limp and trusted the strong arms around her to protect as she drifted off in the afterglow.
Long minutes later Lilly found the strength to raise her head and look into loving eyes of blue. "I love you."

"Mmm, I love you too," Miley said, sealing her words with a kiss.

"Do you want me to move?"

"No, stay here, I want to hold you."

"Sounds good," Lilly murmured, nuzzling deeper into her lover's embrace. "I could just stay like this forever."

"Sure. As long as you want." Miley was deliriously happy and content to spend the rest of the evening cuddling despite not having found her own release yet. All that mattered to her was the gentle woman in her arms. Minutes ticked by before Lilly's head lifted again. "You okay?" she asked.

"Terrific," the blonde woman replied, kissing the bare flesh near her lips. "You are wonderful."

"I aim to please."

"Mmm, good aim," Lilly quipped.

"Did I tell you that I love you?"

"Once or twice, tell me again." She flashed a brilliant smile that Miley felt the need to reward with a series of kisses.

"I…love…you…with…all…my…heart." Unable to resist, she deepened the kiss, rolling them over so Lilly was on the bottom. But when she began to kiss a line down the smaller woman's throat, Miley found herself stopped by insistent hands. She lifted up and the hands moved to claim her breasts. Understanding the unspoken request, Miley locked her elbows to hold herself above her lover's body. She had forgotten how sensitive her nipples were until she felt Lilly's palms rub across them. She moaned and arched into the touch. "Oh yes…that's nice."

"You like this," the young woman observed.

"Very…" The hands moved and Miley now found her nipples being brushed by inquisitive thumbs. "Very much." She felt Lilly's forefingers join and begin squeezing in a pumping motion. "Oh yes, that's sooo nice…" She tried to watch but it felt too good and her eyes refused to stay open. "Yes Lilly, that's it…nice and gentle…mmm."

"Miley…" The small hands left her breasts and wrapped around her back, gently urging her forward. Taking the hint when she saw the pink tongue dart out and wet lips in anticipation, she straddled Lilly's body and leaned forward until her breasts were swaying just above the waiting mouth. This time she forced herself to watch. Her eyes moved from golden hair and fair skin to russet eyebrows framing green eyes. The path continued, past the soft cheekbones and upturned nose to the lips and loving tongue providing relief to her aching nipple. As if what her eyes were showing her was not enough, Miley's ears were treated to the pleasure of constant mmm's from Lilly and hands which had been casually touching her body now slipped under the waistband of her jeans.

"Let me…ooh…Lilly…let me take them off. I need to take them off." She regretted her request when she felt the warm mouth leave her sensitive flesh.

"Yes," the young woman agreed, trying to push the black material down.

"I'll get it." Rolling off, Miley quickly shucked her jeans and panties. Before she could return to her previous position, she found herself pinned down by her small but insistent lover. Lilly's mouth reclaimed her breast while a khaki covered thigh slipped between her legs. The coarse material rubbed against an already swollen clit and Miley cried out at the contact.

"Did I hurt you?" Lilly asked, her eyes fearful.

"No." She reached out and stroked the soft cheek, gently urging her to resume her task. "No honey, you didn't hurt me. Please…just keep doing…" Miley sighed as the warm tongue caressed her breast again. "…what you're doing." She felt something hard scratch her skin just above her calf and, remembering an incident earlier in the week, spread her legs to give plenty of room between her lover's cast and her still-healing shin. The shift caused her thigh to press up between Lilly's legs. The mmm's were interrupted by what Miley considered to be a very cute squeak and she repeated the motion, earning a deep groan and a return thrust from the blonde woman. What's good for the goose… Her long fingers easily slid under the khakis and panties to grip soft round flesh.

"Oh, Miley…"

"Take these off, Lilly." Her fingers crept lower until they brushed over wet curls. "Let me touch you." An emphatic nod was all she needed to roll them over. As she worked the material over the cast, a flicker of guilt tried to slip in but love quickly shut it out. Her eyes traveled upward, her pulse quickening at the wet spot visible in the crotch of Lilly's panties. Blonde curls peeked out, teasing with a hint of what was hidden. Wresting away from the temptation, Miley gazed upon the firm abdomen, the perfect breasts, the look of desire and passion on her beloved's face. "You are so beautiful," she whispered reverently. Hooking her fingers under the waistband, she removed the last barrier before gathering Lilly up in her arms.

For long minutes they cuddled together, exchanging kisses and gentle touches while becoming used to both touching and being touched. It was Miley who took the first step, moving her hand down and running her fingers through the soft blonde tufts. "You like that?" she murmured, her lips a hairsbreadth away from Lilly's ear.

"Mmm, that's nice." She tried to do the same but sitting on her lover's lap made that feat impossible. "I want to touch you too."

"I'd like that," Miley admitted, shifting them until they were lying side by side. She had to scoot up slightly to accommodate Lilly's shorter reach but soon fingers were playing in both light and dark curls. "You're soft, like a kitten," she remarked. Her middle finger moved lower, wetting itself on slick folds. Bringing it up to her mouth, Miley licked the sweet essence. "Mmm….oh!" She was taken by surprise when Lilly's finger not only touched her nether lips but dipped between them, brushing against her clitoris. Her hand shot down and gripped the small wrist. "Please…" Taking two of Lilly's fingers, she used her longer ones to guide them against her center. "Ah…oh yes." Miley raised her knee and opened herself up to her lover. "Lilly, please…" She pressed the smaller fingers against her in a circular motion and sighed. She felt the slickness on her inner thighs and dimly noted that her own self-pleasuring never produced such a copious amount of fluid.

"I've got it," Lilly said as she took control, leaning over and gently nudging Miley back against the bed. "Do…do you want me to…go inside?" She spoke the last words haltingly but Miley's answering groan and hip rise eased any fears that she had. Slowly, hesitantly, she pushed one finger in. She was amazed at the feeling of hot wet muscle surrounding her finger. Oh Miley…you're so warm and soft. Miley's reaction was immediate, crying out and pressing herself hard against Lilly's finger.

"Yes Sweetheart, more…please Lilly…yessss." She put in a second, then a third. The transformation was amazing. The head of a major corporation was incapable of forming a complete sentence. Her name became a mantra on Miley's lips, combined with words such as harder, faster, deeper, and the occasional oh fuck just to round it out. Lilly pressed in deeper, the webbing between her ring and pinky fingers burning as she tried to fulfill her lover's request. Oh God, Miley…you feel so good. The dark-haired woman bucked beneath her but Lilly refused to let go of her prize. The feel of inner muscles squeezing her fingers excited her and there was no doubt in her mind that Miley's voice was a good two octaves higher than normal. The metal bed frame squeaked with each thrust and her lover's cries became more urgent. "Lilly."

"I'm right here." She turned her head and kissed the soft skin.

"I…Lilly…" The tall woman's thighs began trembling.

"I love you, Miley." She felt the muscles surrounding her fingers tightening and began pumping as hard and fast as she could. Suddenly she was caught in a grip too powerful to break as her lover's hips arched off the bed.

"I…" Dark bangs stuck to the sweat soaked forehead and every word was torn from gritted teeth. "Love…you…oh Lilly…Lilly, I, I…ohhh."

"Yes Honey…yes." They rode it out together, Lilly's fingers buried deep inside. Only when the last spasm passed did she remove her fingers and snuggle up in Miley's arms.

"That's a pretty big smile you have your face," Miley said when speech returned.

"I'm happy."

"Mmm." She kissed Lilly's forehead. "I'm glad to hear it."

"Can I ask you something?"

"How many times do I have to answer that question?"

"Sorry." She kissed Miley's lips in apology…then again for the sheer pleasure of it. Cuddling up as close as she could, Lilly rested her head on the broad shoulder. "Was it…what you expected?" Did I really please you?

"It was everything I wanted and more." Lilly felt fingers under her chin and she raised her head to look into gentle blue eyes. "How about you?" Miley asked. "This is your first time. How are you doing with this?"
Lilly scooted up and brought their lips together. "I feel very…very loved." She put her head back on Miley's shoulder. "Mmm, nice."

"Just nice?"

"More than nice." She turned on her stomach and rested her head on Miley's abdomen. "I think I'll make this my new pillow." With her lover's warmth against her, Lilly let her eyes close. "Mmm, you can keep that up."

"With pleasure." Shifting her arm to a more comfortable position, Miley began running her hand up and down the length of Lilly's back. "Like this?"

"Mm hmm."

Some moments in life are just simply perfect. For the new lovers, this was one of them. Relaxed…sated…simply enjoying the feel of each other's bodies. Miley's hand played over her lover's back, alternating between lazy figure eights and long sweeping passes from shoulders to hips. Lilly returned the loving touch with one of her own, letting her fingers glide over the supple thigh. The tender caresses were nice but arms could stay empty for only so long before the need grew too great. "Come here," Miley whispered, holding her arms out. Soon they were cuddled together, sharing soft kisses and gentle words of love. Eventually the lamp was shut off and sleep never claimed two happier women.

Sleepy blue eyes opened to a curtain of gold. Miley smiled, enjoying the feel of Lilly's hair upon her face. She stretched in place, reveling in the feel of skin against skin. It was a wonderful feeling and one which she had no wish to end soon. She glanced at the clock and groaned. She was torn between studying the sleeping woman or waking her up before Maria arrived. I have the rest of our lives to watch you sleep. "Lilly…honey, time to wake up." A gentle shoulder shake…nothing. "Lilly…Lilly…" The sleeping lump groaned and burrowed under the covers. "No no no," Miley chuckled. Hooking her fingers on the edge of the blanket, she pulled it away to expose their naked bodies to the cool morning air. Lilly's hand automatically reached out for the missing warmth only to be caught by Miley's larger one. "Good morning." She pulled the hand up to her lips and began kissing each knuckle. "I…love…you…Lilly."

"Mmm, love you too," she replied, turning bleary green eyes up to look at her dark-haired lover. "How about we sleep in today, hmm?"

"I'd love to but Maria is going to be here soon." She ran her finger down the length of Lilly's cheek. "I didn't wake up in time to call and tell her not to come," she apologized.

"It's okay. You didn't know that we would…" She blushed. "You know…"

"Make love?" Miley offered, rolling them over until she was on top. Her hair hung down, bushing against Lilly's cheek. Unable to resist, she lowered her lips for a kiss. "I love you." She reluctantly pulled back. "But right now I have to pee…bad."

"Better make it quick 'cause I'll be right behind you," the young woman said, reaching out for her crutches.
When Lilly returned from the bathroom, she discovered Miley half dressed. Feeling a bit awkward with her own nakedness, she crossed over to her dresser and began pulling out clothes to wear. She sat down on the edge of the bed and reached for her panties. The next thing she knew, she was flat on her back with six feet of raw woman lying on top of her. "Do you have any idea how much I love you?" Miley breathed, blue eyes darkened with emotion. Lips lowered and were met halfway by an equally eager pair. Soft moans of pleasure filled the air as the kiss deepened and tongues danced together. Lilly's hands were happily playing across the broad expanse of back and had just slipped down to cup Miley's ass through her clothes when they heard the sound of Maria's car pull into the driveway. New lovers being what they were, the kiss did not end until they heard the sound of the car door shutting. "I suppose we have to stop." The executive's tone made it clear that stopping was not what she truly wished to do.

"If we must," Lilly replied, leaning up for one more quick kiss before her tall lover stood up.

"Unless you want to give Maria an eyeful." Miley pulled a gray cotton T-shirt over her head and tucked it into the waistband of her sweats. "I'll go keep her company while you get dressed." Unable to resist, she stole one more sweet kiss before leaving the room.

"Good morning, Miley," the housekeeper said as she stepped inside and closed the sliding glass door. "Oh, it's cold out there this morning. I thought we'd seen the last of the snow this season."

"Oh, there'll probably be one more good storm to annoy us before spring arrives," the executive said, taking the daily paper from Maria's hands. At that moment Tabitha ambled into the kitchen, looking for her morning meal. "Mrrow? Mrrow?"

"And where do you think you're going?" Miley asked as she scooped the feline up in her arms. "Hmm? What's that? You want sliced turkey for breakfast, did you say?" The answering purr and finger lick caused both women to laugh.

"That cat is so spoiled," Maria said as she headed for the laundry room to hang her coat up. "I know both of you slip pieces of meat under the table for her when you're eating. That's why it's so hard to keep her out of the kitchen."

"Oh, and it has nothing to do with the scraps you 'accidentally' drop on the floor while you're cooking, right?"

"Good morning," Lilly said as she entered the room. "Oh Maria, I hope you're planning on making a hearty breakfast because I'm starving this morning. Morning, Tabitha." Leaning her armpits against her crutches, she stood directly in front of Miley and began stroking her cat, although her eyes never left the smile on her lover's face. "I hope you slept well," she whispered.

"The best. How about you?" The executive's voice carried the same soft tone that had soothed Lilly after their lovemaking and the young woman reacted to it without thought, pressing her head against Miley's chest and drawing a startled squawk from Tabitha.

"Wonderful." She pulled back and petted the cat, turning the purr motor back on. "Wonderful and hungry."

"I'll have breakfast ready in about twenty minutes," Maria said without looking up from the eggs she was whisking. When she turned her back to begin making coffee, Miley took advantage and leaned down to give Lilly a gentle kiss. Tired of being squished between the lovers, Tabitha wormed her way free and padded out to the living room.

Maria turned to ask a question but found herself speechless at the sight before her. The two women were kissing deeply, Miley's hands buried in Lilly's hair. Turning away quickly, the housekeeper refused to turn around again until she heard the sounds of chairs being pulled out and the newspaper being opened up. Pleased that the coffee maker had a pause option, she pulled the pot out and filled two mugs.

"Here you go, Lilly," she said sweetly as she set the steaming cup down in front of the young woman.

"Thank you."

"Miley." She set a yellow mug down and returned to the island to check on the eggs. A sable eyebrow raised at the unfamiliar cup and Miley exchanged a quizzical look with Lilly before shrugging and returning to the stock market report.

A short while later Maria returned to the table with two plates. Miley's plate contained a small cheese omelet and toast while Lilly's was laden down with a stuffed omelet, a slice of fresh melon, and toast with grape jelly.

"Thank you, Maria. You know exactly how I like it." The young woman beamed, earning a smile from the housekeeper.

"Yes I do. Now if you ladies will excuse me I do have to get going on the laundry." She took an empty basket from the laundry room and went to collect the dirty clothes. The lovers returned to their breakfast before a thought went through Lilly's mind. "Miley, she's gonna see the clothes tossed all over the room." Her face began to color with embarrassment.

"I hope she checks under the bed. I think that's where your underwear ended up," Miley replied, wiggling her eyebrows lecherously.

"Miley!" She swatted the muscled arm. "It's not funny."

"I know it's not," the executive apologized. "Come here." She moved her chair slightly and pulled Lilly against her. "Honey, she's going to find out sooner or later."

"Think she'll be okay with it?"

"Of course. I've known Maria since I was a little kid. She knows how much you mean to me. I'm sure she'll be happy," Miley said confidently.

But the housekeeper was anything but happy. She returned with a basket full of dirty laundry just as the women were finishing their meal. "Miley, I need to speak with you," she said testily before going into the laundry room. The washer lid opened then closed with a bang. The dryer suffered the same abuse. "What's going on?" Lilly asked worriedly.

"I don't know but I'll go find out." Miley threw her napkin down and entered the laundry room, shutting the door behind her.

"What's going on, Maria?"

"You know it would be a lot easier for me if I didn't have to look all over the place for your clothes." She kept her back to her employer, seemingly matching up clean socks.

"You wanted to talk to me about leaving my clothes on the floor? I've left them lying around before and you never got this upset." Miley stepped closer. "You were upset before breakfast. My mug isn't dirty. You gave me that ugly yellow thing on purpose. Why?"

"I'm not a fool, Miley. I have eyes." Wrinkled hands held sweat socks in a death grip. "How could you do this?"

"I assume this has nothing to do with clothes and stop with the Miley crap. You're talking about Lilly and me." She waited for a response but her housekeeper continued to forcefully fold the socks. "What's the problem, Maria? It's okay to be a lesbian as long as I don't act like one?"

Maria turned and leveled an angry glare. "I have always been supportive of you and your choices. How dare you think otherwise."

"Then what is it?" Her jaw tensed in anger. "Lilly has been living here for over three months. You had to know that we were sleeping together."

"Sleeping, Miley, sleeping." Maria jerked the sheets out of the basket and stuffed them into the washer. "You certainly weren't 'sleeping' with Lilly last night." Detergent was haphazardly tossed in and the lid slammed shut. "It's wrong, just plain wrong what you're doing to her."

"Why is it wrong to love her? Why is today any different than yesterday? Help me understand why you're so upset because right now I don't understand!" Miley slammed her hand on the dryer, the noise reverberating through the small room. "She isn't like Christine, Maria. This is Lilly we're talking about."

"I know she's not like Christine. I never said she was. Lilly is a sweet, kind, gentle woman who deserves all the best that life can give." She huffed over to the counter and began sorting the clean clothes. "She's been hurt enough."

"What?" Miley shook her head. "What are you talking about?" She put her hands on the housekeeper's shoulders and turned the older woman to face her. Maria's eyes were shiny and Miley softened her tone. "I love Lilly. I would never hurt her."

"You don't think keeping the truth from her is going to hurt her?"

"And just what truth am I keeping from her?" she asked hesitantly.

"I know about the accident…I saw the Porsche before Hans fixed it."

The color drained from Miley's face and she leaned against the dryer, hoping her legs would keep her upright. "Oh God," she whispered. She looked at her lifelong friend and housekeeper with panicked blue eyes. "Maria, you can't say anything. You can't tell her."

"Tell her?" The older woman ran her fingers through her short salt and pepper hair and shook her head. "No Miley, I won't tell her. I know my position well." She turned back to the pile of clothes. "Besides, it's not my place to say anything, it's yours." She paused for a moment. "Or are you going to just let her continue thinking you're her knight in shining armor?"

The words stung but Miley could not deny them. "I…I can't tell her. I can't lose her. I can't." Her voice hitched and she had to look away. "I would give up everything to be with her but I can't do that."

"Better she should go on believing some drunk hit her and you came to her rescue than to admit you were responsible." Maria paused, debating whether she really wanted to ask the next question or not. "Were you drunk?" At the lack of response, she turned, reading her answer in the tall woman's face. "Dear God…you were."

Long dark hair formed a curtain as Miley lowered her head and nodded ashamedly. "It was snowing and I…I never saw her until it was too late." She took several breaths before speaking again. "I would give anything to change what happened that night." She looked up, blue eyes shining. "But I can't. Please, you can't say anything to her."

Maria looked away and for a minute nothing was heard but the thumping of the dryer as both women wrestled with their thoughts. After what seemed an eternity to Miley, the housekeeper sighed and nodded.

"I'm not going to be the one to ruin that child's happiness, even if it is a lie. She's had too many ugly truths already." She turned to face Miley. "I won't be the one to tell her."
Miley released a deep breath "I love her, Maria. I love her more than I have ever loved anyone in my life and I can't lose her." She stood next to the older woman and leaned her elbows on the pile of fresh linens.

"If I can…" she stared at the wall, "…I'll spend the rest of my life making her happy. Please give me that chance."

"The longer you keep the truth from her the worse it will be when she does find out. You owe her the truth, Miley."

"I know," she acknowledged. "But I can't. Not yet."

"You go see to her. I have things here I need to do." At Miley's questioning look, she said "Go on, I'll be fine once I'm done in here. I just need a few minutes."

"What was that all about?" Lilly asked when Miley returned.

"She's just having a bad day, that's all," she lied. "I think Jackson's death still has her upset."

"Are you sure it's nothing I've done?"

"I'm sure it's nothing you've done, Hon." She leaned over and gave Lilly a quick kiss on the head. "Come on, I'm sure there's a few Judge Judy tapes lying around that I haven't seen yet." She lowered her lips until they were level with a shapely ear. "I'd love to cuddle up on the couch with you."

"I thought you didn't want to give Maria a show?" Lilly queried.

"What?" She put her hand to her chest as if to say 'who me?' "You don't think I can keep my hands to myself?"

"No." The blonde woman smiled and, balancing on one foot, set the crutches aside. She wrapped her arms around Miley's waist and moved in close. "I'm not sure I can keep my hands to myself." She reached down and grabbed a handful of soft rear. "See what I mean?"

"Have I turned you into a sex addict overnight?"

"No, of course not." Lilly blushed and leaned her head against Miley's chest. "I just enjoy touching you so much and I know you like it too."

"Very much so," the dark-haired woman murmured.

"You know…" Green eyes looked up and became helplessly lost in blue. "I don't care what we watch as long as I can be in your arms." Lips brushed together just as Maria came out of the laundry room. There was no mistaking the love passing between the two women. It mollified the housekeeper somewhat and she was able to put a smile on her face when Lilly turned to look at her. "Maria, I'm sorry about the clothes, I'll make sure to put them in the hamper from now on," she said, thinking that the messy clothes were the reason the housekeeper was so upset.

"I'm sorry, Lilly. I didn't mean to snap like that. I don't know what's come over me. Why don't you sit down and let me get you some more coffee?" She picked up the empty cups and bustled past them. "Miley, you shouldn't let her stand like that for so long." The executive immediately complied, helping Lilly into her chair. "I think I just got yelled at," she whispered into the young woman's ear.

"I think you did too," came the reply. "You'd better sit down."

"Good idea." A quick peck to the cheek and Miley took her seat. Maria returned with the coffees and smiled pleasantly at Lilly, dispelling the young woman's worries. "Here you go, dear."

"Thank you."

"Well, I think we'll take these out to the living room and leave Maria alone," Miley said as she rose to her feet. "Lilly do you know which tape has those two roommates arguing over the two thousand dollar phone bill?"

"Yeah, I think I do. You didn't see that one yet?"

"No."

"Then you missed a good one, Miley," the housekeeper chimed in. "Those two fools showed up dressed like they were going to one of those punk rock concerts with their bodies all pierced and green hair."

"Oh yes, that was awful, wasn't it?" Lilly agreed. "And the blonde one with that thing on her tongue…ewww." The young woman shuddered at the thought. "I can understand piercing ears but tongues and eyebrows?"

"And their mothers let them appear on national television like that," Maria tsked as she followed them into the living room. "And I thought some of the outfits on Jerry Springer were bad."

"You should have heard the way Judge Judy yelled at them," Lilly added. "I think it's on the tape marked Tuesday." She settled onto the couch while Maria pushed the recliner into a better position to view the television and settled into it. Miley put the tape in and turned to take her lover up on the offer of cuddling all day when she saw the housekeeper sitting there. Noting Lilly's position on one end of the couch, she did likewise, lowering the snack tray down between them to put the coffee cups on. The opening credits started and Miley tucked her feet up under herself, leaning her elbow against the arm of the couch. As the litigants each explained why they weren't responsible for the bill, blue eyes looked over at Maria. The older woman was focused on the case and didn't notice when one long leg straightened out until the toes pressed against Lilly's hip. The move earned her a quizzical look from the young woman but Miley merely wiggled one dark eyebrow and turned her head back toward the television. Trying hard not to smirk, Miley continued to run her toes over the side of Lilly's thigh and hip. Apparently she became too frisky because the young woman's hand clamped down on the wandering foot and held it still. Miley almost pulled back but then felt the gentle touch of Lilly's thumb stroking back and forth against the ball of her foot. She made no move to protest when she felt her sock being pulled slowly off. As the best magistrate since Judge Wapner continued to berate the litigants, Miley found herself receiving one of the best foot massages Lilly had ever given her.

The case ended and another one began. Curious, Miley pulled her right leg back and stretched out her left, pleased when she felt delicate hands remove that sock as well. She rolled onto her back, using the arm of the leather couch as a pillow. Soon that foot was receiving the same loving touch and Miley decided she could care less who won and lost on the television show. Closing her eyes, she focused on Lilly's fingers against her skin and the relaxed feeling they were creating. The minutes ticked by as that episode ended and another one began. Maria stood up and spoke, breaking Miley's trance. "I have to get back to work here. Lilly, you're going to spoil her if you keep that up."

"Hey, don't give away all my secrets," the executive lazily protested.

"That's okay, Maria. I'll just remind her of this the next time I want my feet rubbed." She patted the feet resting on her lap. "But right now I need to visit the little girl's room."

"But I'm comfy," Miley said, wiggling her toes.

"You won't be comfy if there's suddenly a large wet spot right here."

"Fine, I need another cup of coffee anyway." She sat up and handed Lilly the crutches, taking a kiss as payment. "Mmm, when you come back we'll put the snack tray up and cuddle, how's that sound?" Miley decided to show off some of the benefits of being close by nibbling the soft skin of her lover's neck. "Hmm? You, me, a soft leather couch."

"Behave, Maria's still here, you know." She allowed one more kiss before moving away. "Can you get me some more too, please?"

"Sure, Hon."

Miley was just returning to the living room when she heard Lilly call out for her. Setting the cups down on the coffee table, she entered the room to see what her lover needed. "I'm right here, Lilly. What do you need?"

"Could you bring me a pair of undies?" the clearly embarrassed voice on the other side of the bathroom door asked.

"Why? What's…oh." Damn. "Okay, wait right there. I'll get it." Miley tried to keep the disappointment out of her voice as she walked over to the dresser. Of all the times for her to get her period, she mused, pulling out a pair of sensible white cotton briefs from the drawer. She entered the bathroom to find a clearly embarrassed Lilly sitting on the toilet, the soiled panties already rinsed out and waiting to go into the wash.

"Of all the times to be a woman," Lilly said as she took the clean pair. She did her best to smile. "I guess the timing's lousy, huh?"

"It happens," Miley replied. "How's the pants?"

"I don't think I got them." A quick check confirmed her statement. "I'll be out in a few minutes."

"Take your time." Miley leaned down and kissed her lover's forehead. "Don't worry about it, Lilly. It's what…four, five days tops? We'll survive."

"Four or five days." The young woman repeated the words as if they were a death sentence. Her eyes flickered at her lover and an idea formed in her mind. "You know, just because I have it doesn't mean…"

"Yes it does. I want it to be mutual," Miley said firmly, despite what her body was telling her.

"But…"

"No buts. We can wait until then." Seeing the look on Lilly's face, she knelt down and hooked the small chin with her fingers. "Hey, look at me. I've waited years for you. A few more days isn't going to kill me." She let her finger travel down the delicate throat and to the vee formed by Lilly's shirt. "I love you." She stood up and retrieved the soiled garment. "I'll run this out to Maria so it can be washed right away while you finish up in here."

Part 12

When bedtime came, Lilly dressed in her usual Dartmouth shirt while Miley donned her sweats and T-shirt. They slipped under the covers and snuggled up together for a moment before the young woman let out a soft chuckle. "What?" Miley asked.

"Sorry, it just seems strange to be dressed after last night," she admitted, her fingers sliding up under the short sleeve and caressing the soft skin found there.

"There's nothing that says we have to be dressed," Miley pointed out. Without warning she sat up and peeled off her shirt, the light from the lamp revealing her ample breasts to Lilly's gaze. "Why don't you take yours off too?"

"Well…I suppose it won't hurt anything."

"Of course not." Hungry eyes took in the mouth-watering sight of Lilly's nipples as the Dartmouth shirt was removed. "God, Lilly…" Miley swallowed. "…you are so beautiful." She covered the smaller body with her own and let their mouths find something better to do than talk. Lilly's lips parted willingly as the kiss deepened and her hands went around her lover's back in an attempt to pull their bodies even closer. Passions flared and hips found themselves unable to remain still. "Lilly…" Her lips moved to the delicate skin of the young woman's neck and began to kiss their way down only to be stopped inches from the pink puckered skin of her goal.

"Miley…I have my period, remember?" She laughed at the dejected look on her lover's face. "It's only for a few days." Her fingers grazed the sides of Miley's breasts. "Of course…" One thumb brushed over a darkened nipple. "…you don't." The other thumb duplicated the motion. "Miley…let me make love to you."

The dark-haired woman moved off Lilly's body and laid down next to her and away from the far too distracting digits. "I can't." She traced the outline of the younger woman's lips with her finger. "I want to give you the same pleasure you give me." She paused. "You know…there are some couples that have sex even with their periods."

"I don't know, Miley…that seems icky to me. I just can't do it." Lilly rolled onto her side and propped her head up with her hand. "I love you but I can't let you touch me there right now." She reached out with her free hand only to have it stopped.

"No you don't. No teasing me." Miley reached over and shut the light off. "I love you, Lilly. Go to sleep."

"You're sure I can't do anything for you?" Her hand went wandering again, this time reaching its goal.

"Lilly…" She reluctantly removed her lover's hand from her breast. "Only if it's mutual." She leaned over and her lips found Lilly's. "Now go to sleep."

The alarm went off, signaling the start of a new day. Miley woke and headed downstairs for her morning workout, figuring Lilly would sleep until she returned. She was surprised, therefore, when she returned to find the young woman sitting at the table, completely dressed and drinking coffee. "I thought you'd still be sleeping."

"Oh no. Did you forget what day this is?"

Miley poured coffee into her mug. "Hmm?"

"You said we could go to the office today. Laura's leaving at the end of the week."

"Was that today?" She tried to look serious but the tug at the corner of her mouth gave her away. "I remember, Hon. I just figured you'd take your time getting up." She took a sip of coffee. "You won't have to do any work today anyway, just get used to the way the office operates and learn how to work the phone."

"If there's anything for me to do, I'll do it, I don't mind," Lilly said as she handed over the paper to Miley.

"How did I get so lucky?" She reached out and caressed the young woman's cheek.

"I think the luck is on my side."

"I believe my heart would argue with you on that one." She leaned over for a kiss and was met halfway. "I love you, Lilly."

"Love you too."

It was the most enjoyable ride to the office Miley ever had. It was almost a sightseeing tour as they traveled through the various streets of Albany. In an attempt to avoid going anywhere near Washington Park, the sight of the ill-fated accident, Miley took a long, roundabout route through the downtown area until she reached State Street and the Stewart Building. She dropped Lilly off in front of the mammoth building before continuing on to the parking garage. A few minutes later she returned and held the door so the young woman could enter.

Having never been inside the palatial structure, the young woman was quickly awestruck by the high arch ceilings and wide-open space of the lobby. A large brass plaque welcomed them to the Stewart Building. "Our elevators are over here," Miley said, smiling to herself at the look on Lilly's face. "I take it you like my building?"

"It's beautiful. And so big."

"A lot of people work here."

"Do they all work for you?"

"No." Miley pressed the up button, frowning when she looked up and saw how many floors away the elevator was. "Most of the lobby and first five floors are rented out to other companies and businesses. The rest of them work for me."

"I know it's a big company and all but just how many people work for Stewart Corp?"

"Ask Luann, she knows. I think between all the different divisions there are somewhere close to ten thousand working for us across the region, but I'm not totally sure. Ah, here we go." The elevator opened and several people exited. Lilly noted the immediate change in her companion's stance. Gone was the relaxed, comfortable Miley. The woman before her was now the powerful and awe-inspiring Miley. They entered and the button was pressed before the doors could close. "You might as well lean back against the wall, Lilly. It's going to be a long ride to the top."

Miley held the door open as Lilly came through on her crutches. "Laura, I'd like you to meet Lilly Truscott. Lilly, this is Laura." The women exchanged pleasantries while Miley flipped through her messages. "All set? Lilly, Laura will show you around and get you situated. I'll be in my office if you need anything." She exchanged a wink with Lilly before closing the door.

The executive's desk was piled high with paperwork and lunch was the last thing on her mind when Lilly knocked and poked her head around the door. "Hungry?"

"Is it that time already?" Miley looked at her watch and raised an eyebrow with surprise at the amount of time that had passed. "There's a deli downstairs if you want to call and have them deliver something." She looked up and found herself lost in jade eyes. She stood and nodded at the door. "Come inside and close it." Lilly did as she bade and sat down on the couch, letting her left leg rest on the cushions. Miley knelt down next to her, nuzzling soft lips against the shell of the young woman's ear. "You know how much I love you?" she whispered.

"You know I could sue for sexual harassment," Lilly teased. "The big bad boss coming on to her innocent young secretary…ohh…" Her eyes fluttered shut when the exploring mouth moved down to nip her throat. "Mmm, lucky secretary."

"Lucky boss," Miley murmured in reply as her lips traveled along Lilly's neck. "Let's forget about lunch." Her long fingers reached to undo the rust colored top but found themselves stopped.

"Miley, we can't do this. How are either of us supposed to get any work done if you keep me trapped on your couch?" She released the older woman's fingers and put her hands on broad shoulders in an attempt to keep Miley's mouth from traveling any lower. "What do you want for lunch?" She saw the wicked glint in blue eyes before she felt warm breath caressing her ear. Her eyes widened at the erotic words whispered in an incredibly sensual tone. "Um…oh God…you can't talk to me like that."

"You like it, do you?" Miley's eyebrow quirked at the thought. "Hmm…." She brushed golden hair out of her way and lowered her lips to the young woman's ear. "I have every intention of making love to you right here on this couch." Her voice was pure seduction and her hands moved to deliver on her promise, cupping Lilly's breast.

"Miley, we can't do this now." She shifted away from the all too erotic touch. "I have my period, remember?"

"You know, a brave warrior would be willing to enter a bloody battlefield."

"Miley!" she squeaked as she playfully slapped the older woman's shoulder. "I can't believe you said that." She gently pushed Miley away and sat up. "You need to get your mind out of the gutter and think about lunch."

"I already told you I'm not hungry…for food." Her mouth claimed Lilly's as she moved onto the couch, covering the smaller body with her own.

The door opened quickly. "Hey Miley, I thought maybe we could catch some lunch at…" Luann's voice trailed off as she watched her sister bolt up off the couch and turn away. The redhead smirked as a rather embarrassed Lilly sat up and hastily refastened the buttons that skillful fingers had undone. "Oh, I guess you already have plans for lunch. Hello, Lilly."

"Hi, Luann." The young woman looked down guiltily.

Unable to resist, the younger Stewart looked at her sister. "Hey Miley, you really need to remember to lock your door when you don't want to be interrupted or do you still want to keep telling me that nothing's going on?"

"Most people know better than to walk into my office unannounced," the executive growled, clearly as embarrassed as Lilly. "You said something about lunch?"

"Well, I don't want to interrupt your plans."

"We didn't have plans yet," Lilly said, regaining most of her composure. "I had just come in to ask Miley what she wanted when…" The feeling of her lover's hands on her body was still fresh, causing her to take a deep breath. "Um, what did you have in mind?" She forced herself not to look at Miley.

Luann smirked before continuing. "They just opened a new Chinese place on North Pearl Street. I heard their buffet is fabulous."

"You know what Mother would say if she knew you ate from a buffet in public?" Miley teased. "Sure, sounds good to me." She saw Lilly reach for her crutches. "Oh…there's absolutely no parking near it." She thought for a moment. "I know, I'll meet you downstairs, drive you over, then bring the car back to the garage. It's only a five minute walk from here."

"You don't have to do that," the young woman replied. "That's not far at all. I can make it."

"I don't know, Lilly…crossing State Street with all that traffic at noontime." Miley shook her head. "Luann, why don't we just have them deliver something here?"

"That's fine with me."

"Are you sure?" Lilly asked. "You seemed like you wanted to get out for a while."

"No, just wanted something other than the soaps to keep me company for lunch today." The redhead looked at her watch, the phone, and then her sister. "But I really am hungry." Another thought occurred to her. "Where are we going to eat?"

"Why not the conference room?" Miley replied.

"Can't. Brooker has a meeting in there."

"Isn't there a lunchroom?" Lilly asked innocently. The sisters looked at each other and chuckled.

"There's a deli in the lobby and a break room down the hall but not really any lunch room," Luann said. "Most people go out for lunch or eat at their desks. Lunchrooms tend to make people take longer breaks and that reduces productivity."

"Oh, don't get her started on that again," Miley warned. "First it'll be the slackers, then the smokers, then the gossipers." She walked over and put her hands on the younger sibling's shoulders. "Before you know it she'll issue all sorts of memos and I'll have the Clerical Union screaming at me again."

Lunch and the rest of the work day flew by. As Miley expected, everyone who met Lilly liked her immediately and the young woman quickly settled into her new position. The executive quickly learned the fringe benefit of having her lover be her secretary. Miley couldn't get enough of the blonde woman's kisses and would call her into the office just to taste the sweetness of Lilly's mouth one more time. Fantasies played through the executive's mind. Fantasies which included her, the overstuffed leather couch in her office, and Lilly naked and waiting for her. Alas, she knew they would remain only that. As much as they loved each other, there was a time and place for everything and in her office during working hours was not it. Opening her datebook, blue eyes fell on the upcoming Saturday. She was certain Lilly would be over her period by then. The marbled blue-green pen twiddled in her fingers before she absently drew a heart in the memo section of the page. Soon the heart found letters doodled within it. R. G. + V. C. Pitiful renditions of roses began filling the margins but when Lilly spotted them later, they caused the young woman to burst into happy tears. While Miley was surprised by the reaction, she was more than willing to offer comfort, taking her lover into her arms and resting her chin on top of the golden hair. It was one of the times she enjoyed most, holding Lilly in her arms. It was at those moments that Miley felt whole, complete. She knew that she could never live without the dancing green eyes and laughing smile of her precious Lilly.

When that Saturday came, Miley was awake with the sun, visions of making love to Lilly over and over dancing in her mind. It was a particularly lively image that she focused on as she slipped out of bed and sauntered off to the bathroom.

"Oh, Son of a bitch!" The shouted exclamation woke Lilly from her sleep.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Another muffled curse, then the sound of water running.
"Miley?" Lilly picked up her crutches and made her way to the bathroom. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Miley answered from the other side of the door. Her underwear ended up in the sink with water running over them. She cleaned herself up then opened the door. "Guess what I got?" she said as she walked past, treating Lilly to the sight of firm cheeks wiggling below the gray T-shirt.

"You're kidding."

"Nope." She jerked a clean pair of panties out of the drawer and pulled them on. "Talk about lousy timing." She leaned over and gave Lilly a quick kiss. "But you should be done," she whispered in a husky voice, her hands slipping under the hem of the Dartmouth shirt in search of twin mounds. The young woman backed out of reach.

"Wait a minute there, Missy…I couldn't touch you when I had mine."

"B-but…" The executive pouted, realizing where the conversation was headed…and she wasn't. "Lilly…you know that just because you can't touch me that doesn't mean…"

"Don't even think about trying that. It didn't work when I tried it, remember?" The young woman's eyes took in the athletic body before her and sighed. "I was looking forward to it too, you know."

"But…but…" Miley was silenced by Lilly's fingers against her lips.

"I hope you get over it quickly, darling," the young woman cooed. "Maybe next month you'll reconsider when I want to touch you."

Lilly wished Miley could be in the room with her when Doctor Barnes removed the cast but an important meeting forced the executive to stay at work while Maria drove the young woman to the appointment. The small reciprocating saw sliced through the plaster, ticking her in the process. "Just a little more," the doctor said. The saw was set down and a pair of scissors cut through the cotton and released the cast's hold on Lilly's leg. The first thing she saw when looking down at her leg were the long strands of blonde hair sticking out past dried, flaky skin. She wiggled her toes, frowning at the tinge of pain that went through her ankle. She had been doing it for several weeks and the response had always been the same yet Lilly had somehow believed that when the cast came off the pain would go away. After all, it didn't take that long for her right leg to heal up and take her weight. "When can I start walking on it?" She flexed her foot, hissing at the agony it caused.

"I'm afraid walking isn't something that's going to happen for a while yet, Miss Truscott."

"But…" She looked at the physician fearfully. "You said no more casts."

"That's right, no more casts," the physician reassured. "But your ankle suffered a great deal of trauma and it hasn't healed as well as I had hoped. It can't be left unsupported. You'll need a brace." She crossed the room and retrieved one from the drawer. Dark blue canvas covered flat metal rods and Velcro straps held everything together. Lilly looked at the object with disdain. It represented the crushing of her hope and yet another reminder of the accident. She listened quietly as the doctor explained the need for physical therapy and stressed that the ankle was too weak to support any weight yet and a dozen other things that Lilly did not want to hear. Her only consolation was that she could remove it to take baths. As much as the blonde woman had been looking forward to soaking in a hot tub of water, it seemed insignificant now.

Maria's attempts to get her to talk on the way home were met with mumbled answers or silence. Once inside, Lilly announced she was tired and retreated to her room. Hoping against hope that the doctor was wrong, she set her crutches against the wall and let her left foot rest against the ground. There was a twinge of pain but nothing she could not live with. She leaned forward, putting more weight on the tender ankle. Blinding pain shot through her and she collapsed onto the floor. The pain was the catalyst as the tear ducts opened and her breath came out in wracking sobs. Maria came in and helped her into the bed where Lilly quickly cried herself to sleep.

Miley entered a short time later, having been called home by the worried housekeeper. It took only a brief explanation of what happened at the doctor's office for the executive to realize why her lover was so upset. Lilly had been excited at breakfast about the prospect of having the cast gone completely. Drawn into the young woman's good mood, Miley never gave any thought to the possibility that they might replace the cast with a brace. In fact, she had been more focused on the knowledge that her period was finally over and after a week and a half she would finally be able to make love to Lilly again. Now looking at puffy eyes and the telltale wet spot on the pillow, she felt a sliver of guilt. All amorous thoughts far from her mind, Miley kicked her shoes off and climbed into bed beside her lover.

Lilly felt a gentle rubbing on her shoulders as consciousness returned. She inhaled the scent of Miley's perfume and smiled, knowing her beloved was there with her. She rolled over and winced at the pain in her ankle. "Hi."

"Hi yourself," Miley replied. Her brow was furrowed with concern. "Did they give you anything for the pain?"

"More Percocet," she shrugged, her tone low. "I can take a bath now but not much else." She let herself be drawn against the taller woman and buried her face into the silk blouse. "I still have to use the damn crutches." She snuggled closer, her fingertips tracing the outline of Miley's bra. "I tried to put weight on it," she admitted. "But it hurt too much." Her legs shifted against each other. "And now it itches." Miley nodded, remembering when Lilly's right cast was removed. "Anyway," Lilly continued. "How was Laura's final day?"

"Good. She loved her going away slash baby shower party."

"Good, I'm glad she enjoyed it. Sorry I wasn't up to coming."

"Shh, she understood. She loved the baby outfits and blankets, by the way." Miley's knuckles brushed against the softness of Lilly's cheek. "But right now I don't want to talk about her. You've had a pretty rough day of it. Look, your cast is off and she said you could take baths now, right?"

"Right…"

"So how about we let Maria go home early today and you and I take advantage of that obscenely large tub I have upstairs, hmm?" Sensing Lilly's hesitation, she added, "I have a full bottle of bubble bath just waiting for you. If you're a good girl I might even be convinced to join you."

"Are you done with…?" Miley's eyes twinkled with mischief as she nodded. Lilly gulped. "Oh." The finger that had been tracing the bra line now ran back and forth against the back catch. "That means that I can touch you now," the young woman murmured, her voice a sensual whisper. "I missed that, you know. Touching you." She lifted her head, her lips finding Miley's. "Don't punish me like that again."

"I won't," the executive vowed, knowing full well what the younger woman was feeling. "How does your ankle feel right now? Think you're up for that bath?"

"Are you going to join me?" Lilly asked brazenly, the vision of a wet, naked Miley causing her heart to beat faster.

"I'd love to," the dark-haired woman replied.

Miley turned the dimmer, causing the bright white to mellow to a soft yellow before her lover entered her bedroom. "Sit on the bed, I'll help you undress," she offered. Saving time, she began to strip, getting her skirt and blouse off before realizing Lilly was standing there, watching her. She turned to face the younger woman, slowly removing the rest of her clothing. She stood there naked, her dark curls standing out in contrast to her skin. Lilly swallowed several times as her eyes wandered up and down the statuesque body. "So beautiful," the young woman whispered.

"My turn to see your beauty," Miley countered, leading Lilly to the edge of the bed. The crutches were placed out of the way and one by one buttons opened to reveal creamy white flesh. At last all the clothes were removed, leaving only the dark blue brace to mar the image. Careful not to jar the tender ankle, Miley opened the Velcro straps and removed the brace. "I think a shower first to scrub off all this dead skin would be a good idea."

"You're going to hold me up in a shower?"

"No, there's a bench built in to the wall and the showerhead is attached to a hose. It's one of those massager kinda ones."

"You really do have…"

"All the toys?" Miley interjected. "Yup." She grinned broadly as her eyes landed on her nightstand drawer and her mind filled with images of what was hidden inside. "You know Lilly…" her voice took on a sensuous quality. "I have some toys that you haven't seen yet."

"What kind of…oh." Green eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed with the thought of the possible uses. "Those kind of toys."

"Mmm hmm." As they kissed, Miley pressed her body against Lilly's, moaning when she felt the younger woman's thigh press against her swollen center. She returned the favor, grinding her muscled thigh against Lilly's wet folds. "Keep this up and we'll never get into that bath," she said huskily. With great self-control she lifted herself off the smaller woman's body and scooped her into her arms. She smiled when she felt Lilly's arms wrap around her neck. As a forethought she reached out with her fingers and hooked the edge of the blanket, tugging the corner down while still holding onto her lover.

"I like it when you hold me like this," Lilly said, planting gentle kisses all over Miley's shoulder and collarbone. Far too soon they were in the bathroom and she had to release her embrace. Balancing on one foot and leaning against the wall for support, she waited while Miley quickly turned on the water and adjusted the temperature. Once it was ready, she let her tall lover help her into the shower. "If I'm too rough on you, let me know, okay?" Miley asked as she knelt down next to her.

But the executive was anything but rough. She wrapped the washcloth around her finger and gave it a generous lather before going anywhere near Lilly's skin. Bit by bit the dead skin sloughed off, leaving fresh pink behind. When that task was completed, she used her shaving gel to work up a good lather before her razor removed the itchy hair from Lilly's leg. Once finished, she walked over to the hot tub and added bubble bath before returning to the shower. "That's a big tub. It's going to take about ten to fifteen minutes to fill up. Do you want to wait or get in while it's filling?"

"I think I'd rather wait and sink into it all at once. It's been so long since I've had a bath."

"Deal. Let's get you dried off. Then you can sit on that padded bench over there until it's ready." She walked over to the linen closet to get more towels.

Lilly leaned back and eyed the swaying hips and firm derriere appreciatively. The stack of towels blocked her view of Miley's breasts when the woman returned but she knew she would see them up close and personal very soon. Her wish was granted a minute later, when strong arms picked her up and held her tight against the soft mounds. Lilly took advantage of her position to nibble her lover's neck while being carried to the tub. Not wanting Miley to accidentally slip, she stopped her teasing and looked down at the churning, bubble covered water. "Careful of your ankle," the older woman reminded. "You don't have anything protecting it in here." Lilly reached out for the sides of the tub as Miley knelt and lowered her in.

"Ohhhh….this is nice," the young woman purred as the hot water swirled around her. A molded seat beckoned her to sit down and she did, surprised to find tiny jets massaging her back. She twisted to see that there were in fact several rows of tiny holes shooting out streams of water beneath the surface. "This is verrrrry nice."

"So you like this, hmm?" Miley asked as she settled into the adjacent seat, the height difference causing her nipples to stand out above the water while Lilly's hid below the suds.

"I see definite benefits to this tub," Lilly said as she felt a gentle but determined hand moved underwater. She spread her legs, giving Miley the access she needed. "Some…definite benefits…uh huh." She turned her head and found her lips claimed by her dark-haired lover. The kiss quickly turned heated and when Miley's hand moved up to cup her breast, Lilly was certain she was going to have an orgasm right then and there.

"It's been a long eight days," the executive rasped, her eyes teased mercilessly by the bubbles that refused to let her see the treasures hidden beneath. She pivoted and straddled Lilly's thighs, intending to kiss her lover senseless. But she forgot one important thing…the difference in their height. Before Miley could reposition herself, Lilly's mouth had accepted the apparent invitation and claimed her nipple. "Oh Lilly…" Blue eyes closed as she let the young woman have her fill of first one, then the other breast. She finally pulled back to look down into beautiful green eyes. "You keep that up and we won't be in here for long." She sank back into her seat.

"I don't know what got into me," Lilly said as a cute blush worked its way up her cheeks. "You moved and suddenly they were there."
"I haven't turned you into a sex maniac with only one night of passion, have I?" Miley teased.

"Only when it comes to you." The young woman's hand moved beneath the water to rest on her lover's thigh. "I love you and I love touching you."

"That goes both ways, you know," Miley said, resting her hand on Lilly's cheek. "I'd better move to the other side or you'll never get a chance to soak."

"No, I'll be good. I'd rather have you next to me."

Good turned out to be a relative term as both took advantage of the intimacy the hot tub offered. Lips found a reason to meet often and breasts were never so clean. Soapy hands roamed freely, sometimes teasing, sometimes caressing, always promising an appropriate reward for such a long wait. Miley's patience had been tested to the limit. Her fingers roamed over silky skin, yet she couldn't touch the way she wanted. "Lilly…" Her voice sounded raw, deeply sensual in its roughness. "I think it's time to get out of the tub." And into my bed.

Lilly's mind closed to everything except the large palms caressing her aching nipples. "Oh…you know just how to do that…" The touch was sweet yet torturous at the same time…just the right amount of friction as Miley drew small circles with her palms. Lilly threaded her fingers through the silky black hair, only the ends actually having gotten wet, and pulled her lover in for a kiss. Miley's hands became sandwiched between twin pairs of heaving bosoms and it only served to make both women want more. The kisses were passionate, driven by days of aching need, both silently having chosen not to pleasure themselves but rather wait until now, until this moment. Miley backed up long enough to free her hands from their soft prisons and scoop the smaller woman into her arms. She climbed out of the tub and paused long enough for Lilly to grab some towels off the shelf before continuing into the softly lit bedroom. She sat the young woman down on the coverlet, not worrying one bit about it getting wet. They took turns toweling each other dry, both knowing that there was one spot that would not be drying off anytime soon.

Lilly found herself laying on her back, the comforting warmth of Miley on top of her. "I think, my little rose, that I am hopelessly in love with you." The loving words were punctuated with a gentle peck on her cheek. "Actually," Miley corrected. "I know I am." Lilly felt a long finger trail its way down her cheek. "You're the best thing that has ever happened to me," her lover continued. "I know it's sounds corny and all but it's true." The wandering finger found its way over her lips and Lilly thought her heart would burst from the emotions running through it. "I love you."

"I love you, Miley." Lilly's wait was over when she felt soft full lips upon hers. I could kiss you forever, she thought to herself. "Yesss…" Dexterous fingers found her nipple and squeezed gently, drawing pleasure far greater than anything her own hands had ever done previously. She returned the kiss with fervor, her hands coming up to return the exquisite sensation. Miley broke the kiss and give a hedonistic groan. Lilly remembered how much her touch was enjoyed the first time they made love and repeated the motions, pinching lightly with her thumb and forefinger. Yes Miley, that's it.

"That…that feels so good, Lilly."

"I'm glad," she replied, increasing the rhythm. Miley's nipples grew to hardened peaks as their mouths came together again. Tongues darted and danced, giving and taking as they explored each other's mouths. When the kiss finally broke, Miley shifted down and Lilly felt damp curls brush against her thigh. "Miley, where are you…unggh…." Her nipple was surrounded by wet warmth, a skilled tongue working in concert with straight white teeth to pull the most wonderful sensations out of her body. "Yes Honey…yesss…." She buried her fingers deep into the silky hair, urging her lover on. Her hips began bucking upward in search of relief, finding it in the supple skin of Miley's thigh. "Oh…" She raised up again, digging her heels into the bed. Blinding pain shot through her left ankle. "Ow ow ow…wait…"

Miley was off in a flash and reaching for the lamp. "What's wrong? Did I hurt you? Was I too hard? What?" The words came out in a worried flurry.

"No no, it wasn't you," she groaned, reaching for her unprotected ankle. "I wasn't thinking." The bed lifted slightly as Miley rolled off, returning a moment later with the brace.

"I'm not taking any chances on you hurting yourself again."

"I'm sorry…" The rest of her sentence was cut off by Miley's lips upon hers.

"Don't be," the executive said when the kiss ended. The brace was secured, the fit was checked, then as an added precaution Miley moved them sideways so Lilly's feet hung over the edge. "Now where was I?"

"I believe you were right here," Lilly added helpfully, using her hands on either side of Miley's face to guide the woman back to her erect nipples. "Ahh…" She laid back and let her dark-haired lover suckle her breasts, losing herself in the feeling. But soon those loving lips moved down, planting soft kisses on her torso. Lilly felt her legs being separated and realized what was about to happen. She had read about it in a book at the library, even seen it performed on the adult video, but she never experienced the intimate act. Long fingers separated her folds and before Lilly could react to the warm breath caressing her, she felt Miley's tongue on her.

"Mmm," the executive moaned with approval.

"Ohh…oh yes, that's nice, Miley…nnggh…" It was indescribable, a rising higher than any she had ever known, yet there was no fear. She bucked against the invading muscle, her fingers as talons against the dark head. Miley's tongue searched out every crack and crevice, causing Lilly's hips to take on a life of their own. "Yes…oh…" She felt her legs being lifted and soon found them resting on Miley's shoulders as the loving tongue changed from long strokes to quick light flicks over her most sensitive part. "Oh God…Miley…" Oh no, not yet, she silently begged as her body began to spasm. Please, it's too soon. But the young woman was powerless as her body surged to a climax against her lover's tongue.

Chest still pounding, Lilly barely had time to get her breathing back under control before her lips were claimed and Miley's fingers found a wellspring of desire waiting for them.

"Lilly…" She felt Miley waiting just outside her entrance, gently urging her to permit entry. So soon? I don't know if I…ooh. Any doubt Lilly may have had about being ready for more was erased when she felt Miley's finger slide into her. Hot breath caressed her ear. "Oh Lilly…that's so nice…"

"N-n-n-nice…" she repeated, her focus tunneling to the spot where they were joined. "More…ooh…" Miley's finger filled her deeply, touching Lilly in spots she didn't know existed. She turned her head to see blue eyes smiling back at her.

"You like this?"

"Yesss…yesss…more…" She felt a sense of loss as Miley retreated back to the edge of her opening, then cried out with pleasure when two fingers stretched her fully. Oh God, it feels so good. Please don't stop. Lilly desperately searched out her lover's lips and moaned her pleasure into Miley's mouth. A rocking motion was established as they kissed hungrily. Unable to use her left leg for support, Lilly brought her right heel up onto the bed and arched into Miley's thrusts. "Yesss…"

"Oh Lilly…you feel sooo good, so nice…I love you."

"I…love…you." Lilly's words came out in breathless pants as the rocking motion increased. Miley's fingers continued to fill and retreat while her thumb brushed back and forth against Lilly's erect clitoris. "Oh God…please." She had no idea what she was begging for but she trusted Miley to give it to her.

"Yesss," the dark-haired woman growled. Lilly felt soft lips press against her neck and moaned her approval as her lover's fingers searched out new places deep within.

"Oh yes, Miley…yes…oh that's so nice…yes…" She arched her back, pressing her breasts against the firm body above her. Miley shifted, finding an erect nipple begging for attention. It was too much for Lilly. The wetness against her leg, the fingers nestled deep inside her, the warm mouth loving her breast…a fire started deep within, pulsing outward until her legs stiffened, her breath caught in her throat, and her muscles clamped down, refusing to let Miley's fingers go. "Oh Mileyyyy….I…I'm…"

"Yes Hon." Trapped fingers wiggled as much as they were able. "I've got you, let it go…"

"I…I…oh God, Miley!" The inner muscles convulsed, the orgasm crashing through with more force than any Lilly had ever known before. Nothing existed but the loving arms holding her and the soft words being whispered in her ear. Lilly's eyelids refused to open, her body pulsing with aftershocks. It was several seconds before she realized that her grip around Miley's body was probably keeping her lover from breathing. She relaxed her arms, letting them fall limply back to the bed. "Oh Miley," she sighed, her mouth dry and her body feeling completely boneless.

"Shh…I've got you, Hon." Lilly slowly opened her eyes, the gentle light from the lamp allowing her to see the loving smile on Miley's face. "I'm going to pull my fingers out now, okay?" she asked, her fingers remaining absolutely still inside. Lilly nodded and shuddered slightly as the intimate connection was severed.

"You're wonderful," she whispered, snuggling into open arms. "Mmm, I could stay like this forever."

"I'd like that too," Miley said. As her hand caressed Lilly's cheek, the young woman inhaled the scent of herself and her body twitched with the recent memory of where those fingers had been. She worked her left hand between their bodies stopping only when her fingers grazed damp wiry curls.

Miley groaned and her hips jerked forward in response. "Lie back," Lilly whispered.

Positioning her tall lover diagonally across the bed, she shifted until her lips found a wrinkly point to draw into her mouth. The firm hand on the back of her head spoke just as loudly as the moan coming from Miley's lips. Her fingers found hot wetness waiting for them. Lifting her head up from its task for a second, she brought her fingers to her lips and tasted them, her tongue snaking out to draw off every drop. "Lilly…God that's sexy," Miley huffed. Inspired by her lover's words, the young woman proceeded to make a show of cleaning her fingers, rewarded by the anxious squirming beneath her. With desire, curiosity, and a good dose of nervousness, Lilly pushed herself downward until her lips were near the dark triangle of hair. The hand on the back of her head remained, gently urging her on. Miley's legs parted wide in invitation. Climbing over a leg and settling into position, Lilly found her lips scant inches away from their goal. Coarse dark hairs tickled her face before her tongue parted the way and sank in to taste the sweet liquid. Miley's moans were muffled by the thighs pressing against Lilly's ears but the young woman felt them just the same. Her mouth quickly learned its way around as Miley's breaths came faster. "Yesss, oh Lilly, right there…no…yes, right there, yesss."

Long legs wrapped around her shoulders, pinning Lilly to her place. Not that she minded. The feel of Miley reacting to her tongue was enough to keep the young woman in that position forever. She alternated from licking Miley's clit to dipping lower and drinking in more of the liquid evidence of her effect on her lover. Gasps and moans fueled her on, her goal to send Miley over the same wondrous pinnacle that she had reached just a few minutes before. When she wrapped her lips around the small shaft and began sucking, Miley cried out and drove her hips upward, grinding herself against Lilly's face. Going on instinct, the young woman began sucking harder, her tongue firmly moving back and forth over the engorged clit. Soon Miley's legs trembled and Lilly wrapped her arms around them to keep her position. The muscles in her neck strained against Miley's upward thrust as a loud cry was torn from the older woman's throat. Lilly sucked as hard as she could, her tongue moving rapidly over the bundle of nerves. Her joy at Miley's moment of release rivaled the feeling of her own orgasm and her own sex spasmed in response. Staying away from the hypersensitive clit, Lilly let her tongue travel along the folds, not wanting to end the intimate moment. Only when she felt Miley's hands urging her up did she relinquish her prized location and give the lips covered with dark curls a final kiss. Strong arms pulled her up to rest against a broad shoulder. For long minutes neither spoke, content to simply rest in the afterglow. Hands traveled lazily over bared skin, silently communicating their love for each other. "I love you," Miley finally whispered, giving Lilly a kiss on her forehead.

"Mmm, love you too." She picked up her head, looking down into contented blue eyes. "Don't ever make us wait like this again," she warned.

"I promised you before I wouldn't," Miley said softly.

"I know, I just wanted to remind you." Lilly put her head back down and sighed contentedly. "Can we sleep up here tonight? I'm comfortable."

"You're always comfortable on me," the older woman chuckled. "We can sleep anywhere you like." She looked over at the clock. "It's still early. You want to watch television? A video? Make love again?"

"Hmm, let's see." Lilly picked her head up and smiled devilishly. "Watch something we've already seen before and will be on again or make love to the most wonderful woman in the world." She put her finger against her chin. "Boy, what a tough decision."

"Well, let's see what I can do to sway you," Miley said, rolling the smaller woman onto her back. "Shall I start at the top and work my way down or from the bottom up?"

Watching from her spot on the floor, Tabitha yawned and began cleaning herself, certain her mistresses would not be letting her on the bed anytime soon.

At Lilly's insistence that she could navigate the stairs with her crutches, Miley had the adjustable bed moved into one of the guest rooms and the young woman's belongings moved into her room. Tabitha discovered the window seat to be much more comfortable than her cat bed, much to Maria's dismay every time she went in to vacuum. While Miley showed off her muscles moving the furniture around to accommodate the extra dresser, Lilly stood next to the entertainment center going through the video tapes in search of something for them to watch. An unlabeled tape on top of the cabinet drew her attention. Thinking it was another one of Miley's adult tapes, Lilly put it in the VCR and turned on the television. To her utter surprise, it was a video of Miley's office and Delores was standing there. The volume was off and her former foster mother looked like she was screaming. Lilly hit the stop button and rewound the tape. "Honey, why didn't you tell me that Delores stopped by your office?"

Miley stopped moving the dresser and turned to face her lover. "I didn't want to hurt you."

"Was this before or after she had been here?"

"After."

"What happened?" She glanced at the VCR when it clicked off announcing the tape was rewound. "Did she ask for money?" she asked quietly.

"Lilly…" Miley walked up behind her lover and wrapped her arms around the smaller woman, crutches and all. "You are everything to me. I didn't want to see you hurt with this."

"I want to see what happened." Lilly moved out of the embrace and worked her way to the bed. "Sit next to me." By the time Miley joined her on the bed, the volume was at the right level and Lilly hit the play button.

The tape started with Delores entering the room and looking around. "Nice office. You hiring?" Miley noticed Lilly's embarrassed look and put her arm around the smaller woman, pulling her close. She knew the rest of the tape would be hard to watch. The scene played itself out, culminating with Delores being escorted out of the office.

Miley reached for the remote. "That's it." To her surprise, Lilly held the controller out of reach.

"No wait, there's more." On the screen, Luann entered the office. "Miley? What happened? I heard they called Security to your office." The dialogue continued, drawing Lilly in as she studied her lover's reactions. "I love you, you know," she said softly when the tape ended.

"I know," Miley smiled. "I was just trying to protect you, that's all."

"I saw that," she replied. Leaning her head against the older woman's shoulder Lilly continued. "I noticed you didn't use the pen I gave you to write that check."

"No, I couldn't," Miley admitted. "Even though I knew I would tear it up, I couldn't use your pen to do it." A thought occurred to her. "Lilly…has she tried to contact you at all?"

"No, not since that day she was here and took the check." She squeezed her tall lover against her. "It was all a lie with her," she said quietly, staring at the blank screen. "You're the one that's taught me what love means." She looked up into endless blue eyes and smiled. "Love is about giving, not taking." She snuggled closer. "Like what you and I have. It's not just about the sex. It's about honesty and caring and all the little things." She gave Miley a gentle kiss. "What we have is…" Lilly fought for the words. "…is…" Nothing came, no one word could describe how she felt about being with Miley. Finally she shook her head in defeat. "All I know is that when I'm with you I feel complete."

"Funny, I feel the same way about you." She returned the kiss, using her tongue to part Lilly's lips and slip inside for a quick taste. "I love you forever, Lilly."

"No more secrets, Miley." The young woman's lips moved along the executive's jawline. "Nothing hidden between us."

The black-haired woman stiffened at the words. You don't know what you're asking, Lilly. You can't know all my secrets. I just can't risk losing you. Miley decided that distraction would work and began nibbling the earlobe framed by golden tresses. "Speaking of hidden." She opened first one, then two buttons on Lilly's shirt. "Why don't you and I jump in the hot tub and play 'find the soap'?" She let her tongue trace the outline of Lilly's ear and lowered her voice to a throaty growl. "Hmm? I promise to make it worth your while." Another button surrendered to dexterous fingers. "What do you say, Lilly? I know you've been wondering about that shower massager."

"It really will…?"

"Um hmm…. I'd be happy to show you." She scooped Lilly up in her arms and headed for the bathroom, determined to put all thoughts of the past out of the golden haired beauty's mind.

As the flowers bloomed and the days grew longer, Lilly worked hard on her physical therapy. She took every opportunity to strengthen and build endurance in her ankle. While Miley made sure she stayed off it at home, the sometimes over-protective lover was unable to keep such a tight eye on her at the office. Lilly had progressed from no weight bearing to toe-touching and the footrest under her desk provided the perfect resistance object to practice with during the day. When she would overdo it, as was common, Lilly found Miley always willing to provide a foot massage that made all the aches and pains go away. Of course it often led to the new lovers finding other things to touch and rub but that was fine with Lilly. The professional decorum they kept during the day at work was gone the instant they entered the house. Whether at the kitchen or dining room table, they sat next to each other, sharing from one another's plates and passing kisses along with the salt. Dessert required only one bowl with two spoons and the warmer evenings were spent on the bench swing cuddled up together looking at the stars. It was heaven on earth and Lilly could not imagine being any happier, except to be rid of the crutches.

When the day came in early June that the crutches could be left behind at Doctor Barnes' office, Miley insisted they celebrate by going out to dinner A movie and a late night stop at one of the small drive-ins for soft ice cream and a few more minutes out followed the meal. They arrived home after eleven but neither showed any signs of being tired. On the contrary, an overture was accepted and their lovemaking went on long into the night.

The night had not even given way to the dim gray of morning when a horn blared in the driveway, waking Miley from her sound sleep. "What the hell…?" Grabbing her robe from the end of the bed, she donned it and padded over to the window. "Tabitha, get down. I swear you leave enough hair here to make another cat." She leaned her knee against the white cushions of the window seat and looked out, her eyes widening in surprise at the truck and boat sitting in her driveway. "Oh damn." She cursed as she remembered the date. She opened the window and stuck her head out. "Frank!" The man standing next to the truck smiled and waved up.

"Hey Cuz, come on, the fish are biting."

"I forgot all about opening day. I can't go."

"Go where?" a sleepy Lilly mumbled before sinking her head back into the pillow and promptly falling back asleep.

"What do you mean you can't go? You're awake, aren't you? You have a lifetime license and today's opening day. You have to go. We always go and I want to try out my boat on the Mohawk." He looked at his watch. "Come on, Miley. I want to get there in time to catch something."

Opening day of bass season was a long standing date between Miley and her oldest cousin, a tradition that dated back to when they were kids. She looked over at the naked woman on the bed, then stuck her head back out the window. "Frank, can Lilly come?"
"Blondie? Sure, just hurry it up, will ya?" He looked at his watch again.

"Be down in five minutes." She shut the window and walked over to the bed. "Lilly…Lilly, get up, Hon."

"Did I hear you telling someone we were going fishing?" She picked her head up and looked at Miley tossing the robe off and opening various drawers.

"Yup. It's opening day for bass season and Frank's here to take us fishing."

"I don't remember you mentioning anything about us going fishing today…or anytime for that matter." Lilly sat up and stretched lazily, drawing an appreciative look from Miley. "And why go so early? It's not like they're going to pack up and leave the water if we wait a couple more hours."

"If we wait any longer, they won't be biting. Come on, lazybones. It'll be fun."

Lilly sat in the jump seat behind the passenger seat, affording her a good view of the maniac Miley entrusted their lives to. Frank firmly believed his state of the art radar detector would warn him of any approaching speed traps and the eight cylinder Ford flew up the highway at stomach churning speeds. "So Blondie, you been fishing before?" he called over the blaring sound of country-western music.

"Um…no, not in a boat."

"You're baiting her hook, Cuz," he said to Miley. "I hope she doesn't get seasick."

"Of course not." She turned in her seat. "You don't get seasick, do you?"

"No but I might get carsick if he keeps driving like this," Lilly said low enough for only Miley to hear.

"He's trying to make up for lost time."

"We'll make up a lot of time if we're all in the hospital."

"I'll slow him down," Miley assured, turning back in her seat. "Hey Frank, you know the troopers have those laser detectors now. You can't avoid them. Look, the trooper station is a mile up the road. You don't want to get caught again this year, do you?"

The speedometer slowed to a reasonable speed just as they did indeed pass a waiting trooper hiding in the tree covered median. "Damn, they've got more of them out this year," he said, keeping a better eye on his speed. Lilly dared a glance at the dashboard, pleased to see only two digits near the end of the orange needle. Snaking her right hand around the seat, she gave Miley's arm a gentle squeeze of thanks.

When they arrived at the boat ramp, Frank backed up to the dock, stopping the boat a few feet from the waterline. "We'd better get her in before I put the boat in the water." They exited the truck and Frank climbed up into the twenty-two foot long, top of the line Ranger Bass Boat. Miley picked Lilly up and after dropping the cane off in the truck, lifted the young woman into Frank's beefy arms. A few seconds later Lilly was seated on one of the cushioned benches. "Here. You'd better put on a jacket. Miley will kill me if you become bait."

"I thought there weren't any dangerous fish in this river?" Lilly asked as Miley started the truck up and backed the boat into the water.

"There aren't, although the bullheads can give you quite a sting."

"Don't you go scaring her," Miley called from the truck. She gathered the various poles and tackle boxes from the back and passed them to Frank before untying the boat and moving the truck to the parking area. He had the motor running and ready to go by the time she returned. "Okay ladies, hang on now. It's time to go fishing." He backed away from the dock and pointed up the river. "Let's just see what four hundred horses can do on the open water." The water behind them churned and the bow raised up as he gunned the engines. Lilly looked nervously at Miley. "Please tell me he doesn't drive a boat like he drives that truck."

They stopped several miles upstream with the main motor pulled up in favor of the trolling motor. Miley baited Lilly's line first, then her own. Frank set up a couple of lines for himself and took up a position at the bow of the boat, settling himself into one of the upraised swivel chairs. Miley helped Lilly into one at the stern and took the one next to it for herself. The early morning sun was beginning to lighten the sky and as expected the fish were jumping. Frank quickly made the first catch, a small-mouthed bass that barely made it over the limit. It landed in the holding tank with the hopes of being culled later.

"Having fun?" Frank asked.

"Just dandy," Miley replied, sending her line out once again.

"Hey!" Lilly held her pole in a death grip. "I think I've got something." The tip of her pole dipped once, then twice, then a high whining sound filled the air as the fish took off, taking her line with it. She heard Miley's pole hit the deck followed immediately by strong arms wrapping around her to help steady the pole.

"Start bringing back your line," Miley said, her breath ticking Lilly's ear. "Don't let him get any slack or he'll wiggle off." Lilly found her lover's hands covering hers and together they worked the spirited bass.

"Got a lunker there, eh?"

"Feels like it, Frank," Miley replied. "Sure is bigger than that minnow you tossed in there a few minutes ago. Better grab a net for this one."

The fish tried again to escape, nearly succeeding in pulling the pole free from Lilly's hand. "Oh Miley, it's too strong. You take the pole." She tried to hand the rod over but the black-haired woman refused it.

"No, you can do this," Miley said as she released her grip and stepped back, leaving Lilly to handle the feisty bass on her own. "That's it, keep the line taut, wear him down."

"Oh my, he feels so big," the young woman exclaimed, the line still tugging hard with the fish's attempts at freedom. Suddenly it jumped straight out of the water, showing them all what Lilly was up against.

"Holy shit," Frank exclaimed. "Hang on, I've gotta get the big net."

"You've got a monster there," Miley said, standing at her lover's side. Thinking that her cousin was not looking, she reached over and put her hand on Lilly's shoulder, stroking it lovingly. The bass finally tired and allowed itself to be brought alongside the boat where Frank scooped it up in the net.

"Son of a bitch. What a big fucking fish," he said happily, sticking his hand into the gills to hold it up so they could see it.

"Nice language, Frank," Miley admonished, looking at Lilly pointedly.

"Oh, she's heard it before," he said, drawing a glare from his cousin. "Hey Blondie, you sure caught one hell of a large mouth here. I should have brought a camera."

"Look how big he is," Lilly said. "Can he go back now?"

"Back?" Frank laughed. "Honey, this isn't the kind of fish you throw back. This is the kind you take to the taxidermist and have mounted."

"Mounted?" She turned to Miley, who was busily removing the hook. "I don't want to keep it."

"I can't believe how big he is," the executive said. "Lilly, are you sure you don't want to make him into a trophy? He's a beaut."

"I'm sure."

"Do you want to even touch him before I throw him back?" She held the wriggling fish up in front of Lilly's face.

"No," she practically shrieked, shoving at Miley's arm. "It's big and it's beautiful and I want it to go back in the water please."

The Stewarts exchanged looks before Miley bent down and set the fish into the water. She baited Lilly's hook again and they returned to fishing.

"He's not mad because I threw the fish back, is he?" Lilly asked once Frank was out of earshot.

"Mad? No, not mad. Shocked, but not mad."

"Are you mad?"

Miley turned to face her. "You are so gentle it's amazing." Lilly felt the warmth of her lover's palm on her cheek. "No, love. I'm not mad. I can't believe you let a prize-winning catch like that go back, though. You are definitely not the fishing type."

"No, I guess I'm not," she admitted. "But I am having fun, even if I do like to let the fish go."

Miley smiled and sat back in her seat. "Just as long as you're having a good time."

"Anytime I'm around you I'm having a good time," Lilly replied, drawing a warm smile from her lover. Frank yelped with another bite, but the bass paled in comparison to the whopper that Lilly had caught. Miley went to the bow to help him. "Gee Frank, catch another dozen or so of these and there might be enough for a sandwich," she teased, holding up the small fish.

"Hardy har har, Cuz." He frowned when Miley measured the fish and found it too short to keep. "Maybe Blondie will catch us another one."

"Her name is Lilly."

"Oh yeah?" Frank turned toward the woman in question. "Hey Blondie, having a good time?"

"Yes," she called back, happily watching both her and Miley's poles. "This is fun."

Frank leaned in toward his cousin. "You and I have been coming out here for opening day for over twenty years now and never caught one that big."

"She's something else, isn't she?" Miley replied, smiling in her lover's direction.

"Dunno how you managed it, Cuz," he said, looking at Lilly. "Nice girl. If I believe the rumors floating around I should expect to see her at all the family functions from now on."

"What rumors?" Miley deliberately lowered her voice, not wanting Lilly to overhear. "What have you been hearing about her?"

"Come on, Miley. We're Stewarts. You know there are no secrets in our family. Everyone knows you two are sharing the sheets," Frank replied. "Gotta admit though, after all the shit that happened when you were in college, I didn't think you'd go for a woman ever again." He looked at Lilly again. "But she seems very nice."

"I don't think who I do or do not sleep with is anyone's concern," she said defensively.

"Take it easy, Cuz." He held his hands up. "It's not a big deal." Miley relaxed slightly. "Hey, at least you nailed yourself a nice one. Not like you'll have to go elsewhere looking for it when you have something like that waiting for you at home."

"Hey Miley, I think you've got something," Lilly yelled out while watching the tip of the pole jerk.

"Yeah, you got something all right," Frank teased low enough for only his cousin to hear. "Quite the catch if you ask me."

Sure is, Miley thought to herself as she worked her way to the stern. So you like her too, eh? A smile formed on her lips as she watched the wind play with Lilly's hair. Frank's acceptance of the young woman's role in her life was important to Miley. The Saturday morning fishing trips that she enjoyed so much would continue as always…only now with the woman she loved there alongside them. Miley closed her eyes and turned her face toward the sky, letting the sun's rays warm her tanned skin. Some days are just perfect, she mused. The sun is out, the fish are biting…I have Lilly…

"Miley, I mean it," Lilly said more insistently.

"Oh, sorry," she said, snapping out of her thoughts.

It was around ten o'clock when they finally made their way back to the dock. Lilly's fish had been the biggest of the day, although Miley did pull in two impressive looking ones. Frank used every lure in his tackle box and still had nothing worthwhile to show for his efforts. Male pride made him throw back the puny catches that he did make. They went to an out of the way diner for lunch before returning home. While Lilly made a beeline for the bathroom, Frank helped Miley bring the poles and tackle inside. "Good day of fishing, Frank."

"For you and Blondie, maybe," he snorted. "I would have had better luck catching a cold."

"The season's just started, Frank. You'll get a trophy catch next time, I'm sure."

"Yeah, but no matter how big it is it won't compare to your catch, Cuz." He looked at his watch. "Speaking of catches, if I don't show up home soon the boss is gonna think I found myself a cutie like yours."

"There's no one like Lilly," Miley said emphatically.

"I don't doubt that. Must be something pretty special to stay with you after the accident."

"Um, Frank…" She led him outside, away from anywhere Lilly could hear them. "You have to watch what you say. She doesn't know about the accident."

"What do you mean she doesn't know? Isn't she the one that's been on crutches and all? I mean, she is the reason your Porsche got damaged, isn't it? I get a frantic call from you one night and then right after that she shows up. It doesn't take a college degree to figure it out."

"She doesn't know about the Porsche," the executive clarified. "Look Frank, that kind of thing can't get back to Lilly."

"You've never told her?" He rubbed the short stubble on his face and looked at the house. "Oh man, Miley. You're walking a thin line with that kind of secret. Damn, the worst thing I've kept from Agnes was a few insignificant affairs and a hidden bank account."

"And I'm sure the mother of your children appreciates that," Miley said dryly.

"Mother of most of my children, you mean."

"Doesn't she know about the boy?"

"No. I know enough to cover my tracks." He opened the door of his truck and pulled himself up onto the bench seat. "She's a nice girl, Miley. Bring her fishing anytime." He turned the key, the Ford roaring to life. "See ya Monday at work."

"Bye Frank." Miley waited until he was out of the driveway before turning and heading back into the house, praying that she could trust her cousin to keep her secret.

Lilly was typing a memo when the phone rang. "Miley Stewart's office. Miss Truscott speaking."

"Hi Lilly, this is Wendy from Accounting. Is Miley around?"

"I'm sorry. She's in a meeting right now. Is there something I can help you with?" She remembered the accountant from tax time when she had handed over her Money Slasher W-2.

"I'm right in the middle of Miley's quarterly tax estimates and I can't find the paperwork for her Porsche."

"Porsche?" Miley never said anything to me about having a sports car other than the Mustang. "Wendy, are you sure? I know she has the Cherokee and the Mustang but I don't know anything about a Porsche."

"Hmm, she did unless she got rid of it. Anyway I need the paperwork on it or I can't finish this up. You think you can find it and have it sent down to me?"

"Sure. I'll look for it right now."

"Thanks, Lilly. I'll be waiting for it."

"Okay, bye."

"Bye."

Lilly put the receiver back in the cradle and reached for her cane. If there was such a car, Miley would have that paperwork in her private files. Reaching into her desk drawer, she retrieved a small key and headed into Miley's office.

Sure enough, behind the files for the Cherokee and Mustang was a folder marked Porsche and Lilly pulled it out of the cabinet and returned to her desk. She set the folder down and called Luann's secretary to cover for her while she took the file to Wendy. When she picked the folder up again, a photo fell out. She looked at the red car, thinking it too speedy for Miley's tastes. Opening the folder to put the picture back, her eyes fell on a receipt sitting prominently on top of the other papers. It was a repair bill from Hans' Import Cars. Her eyes widened at the total at the bottom. I can't imagine paying a repair bill like that. Calculations of hours and materials filled up the receipt, but it was a hand scribbled note just above the total that caught her attention. Repairs started 12-5, completed 1-18.

Lilly slumped into her chair feeling as if a sledgehammer had struck her in the chest. Repairs started 12-5. Right after the accident. If that wasn't enough, another receipt showed the Porsche had passed inspection only a week before. "Oh God…" A sick feeling churned in her stomach and she had to swallow several times to keep her coffee down.

There was no mysterious stranger driving drunk. It was Miley. Tears started to fall, smearing mascara down Lilly's cheeks. That's why you wanted to help me so much. It was all a lie to protect yourself. Dabbing her eyes with a tissue, she reached out with shaky hands and opened the Rolodex. Her lower lip quivered and her vision blurred as she tried to find the number to the cab company Miley used to pick clients up from the airport. It was all a lie. Her hands shook so hard she misdialed the number twice before finally reaching the right one. Lilly's voice wavered as she spoke with the dispatcher. She was informed there was one only a block away and it would meet her in front of the building. Without waiting for Luann's secretary to arrive, Lilly gathered her purse and cane and left the office. It's okay, Miley. You don't have to worry about me anymore. She choked back a sob. I understand.

Maria was surprised to see a cab pull into the driveway and even more so to see Lilly step out. She opened the sliding glass door. "What are you doing home in the middle of the day? Lilly? Child, have you been crying?"

"It's nothing, Maria," she sniffed. "Where's Tabitha?"

"She's lying down somewhere, why?" Lilly didn't answer, instead walking past the housekeeper and heading for the stairs. "What's going on? Where's Miley?"

"At work," came the sad reply. To Maria's dismay, the cab seemed to be waiting for Lilly. A few minutes later, Lilly came down the stairs, one of Miley's suitcases in her hand.

"What is going on? Where are you going?" To her surprise, green eyes were rimmed with red.

"Would you please tell the man that this is the only bag? I have to get Tabitha." She set the suitcase at the bottom of the stairs and went back to retrieve her cat.

"Lilly wait." Maria followed her up, stopping the young woman with a firm hand on her shoulder. "What's going on? Did you and Miley have a fight?"

"Did you know she was the one that hit me?" The look in the housekeeper's eyes answered the question. Lilly nodded, having suspected as much. "I wish you had told me. I wish she had told me." She swallowed hard, not wanting to start crying again. "I need to get Tabitha."

"Where are you going? Does Miley know you're leaving?"

"Maria, I can't talk about this. Please, I just want to get my cat and get out of here." At that moment the orange feline appeared at the top of the stairs and headed for her open arms. "Tabitha, come here, Honey." She scooped the cat into her arms. "Come on, sweetie. We have to go now."

"Lilly, please wait a minute." Maria stood in front of the doorway, refusing to let the young woman pass. "Have you talked to Miley? You need to talk to her before you go and make any rash decisions."

"There's nothing left to say," Lilly sniffed, angrily wiping away an errant tear. "I'll return her suitcase as soon as I can."

"Where will you go?"

"I don't know," she admitted. "I just have to get away." The cab horn beeped, drawing her attention. "I need to go now. Please take care of yourself, Maria."

"Lilly, please don't leave. I'm sure if you just talk to Miley…"

"No." Her ankle was beginning to throb from the overuse. "Let her know that I'm not going to sue her or anything, so she doesn't have to worry." She walked out to the kitchen and then through the screen door. The driver helped her and Tabitha into the car, then came to the doorway to get the suitcase. Maria handed him a bag containing a box and several cans of cat food, her other hand busily pressing the speed dial on the phone.

Part 13 (Conclusion)

"Two percent growth is not what I expected when I hired you for this position," Miley said, her eyes darting from the report in front of her to the nervous manager. The shrill sound of the phone drew a glare from her. It had better be damn important to ruin a perfectly good chewing out. "Excuse me." She reached for the phone before the annoying ring could be heard again. "Miley Stewart…who?…Well, where's Lilly? Why are you answering my phone? Fine…put her through." She looked at the man seated across from her. "That's all for now. I'd better see higher numbers next quarter." She turned her attention back to the phone. "Maria? What's wrong?"

Luann was walking down the hall toward Miley's office in search of her secretary when she saw her sister tear down the hall and head for the stairway. "Miley, what's going on?"

"I can't talk now. Gotta go." The door opened and she disappeared, footsteps pounding down the metal stairs. The redhead entered her sister's office. "Margaret, what happened here?"

"I don't know, Ms. Stewart. Lilly called me to come cover for her for a few minutes while she ran something down to accounting but when I got here she was gone. I assumed she couldn't wait but I haven't seen her since. Funny thing is Wendy called up a few minutes ago looking for her."

"You mean Lilly never showed up?"

"No. I was going to go look for her but then Miss Stewart's housekeeper called and sounded real upset. I put her through to the conference room. Then Miss Stewart came racing in here and grabbed her purse and left. Didn't say a word to me. Do you want me to stay here?"

"No, that's all right. You can go back to your desk now. I'll close up in here. I don't think either of them will be back today."

Once her secretary left the room, Luann looked through the papers on Lilly's desk. Seeing the folder for the Porsche, she opened it. The receipt on top still showed watermarks where tears had apparently fallen. Funny, I don't remember her saying anything to me about being in an…"Oh my God," she whispered. "No." Sitting in the chair, she turned the computer on and logged in under her ID. She opened the personnel file and compared the dates to the receipt. "Oh Miley." The pieces clicked into place and she was certain that Lilly had figured it out as well. She thought about calling over to Miley's house but decided instead to drive over. If what she thought had happened, her sister would need her.

When Luann arrived, Miley was on the phone. "What do you mean you don't know where she was dropped off? How many women with cats do you drive around everyday?…Well can you at least tell me if it was a hotel or a bus station? You think it was a hotel? Any idea which one? You're a lot of help, thanks," she said sarcastically as she slammed the phone down. "They don't know or they're not saying. Damn useless cab companies." She looked up to see her sister standing there. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought you might need help." She pulled out the adjacent chair and nodded at Maria's motion toward the coffeemaker. "I saw the paperwork for the Porsche on Lilly's desk. Miley, I have to ask. The accident…"

"It was me," Miley answered sadly.

"And you never told her."

"No."

"So now she's found out on her own and decided to leave you."

"Looks that way," Miley sighed, staring at the phone. "Came here, packed a few clothes, took Tabitha and left."

"Maybe she just needs some time to think about it."

"I'd say she's already thought about it." She combed her fingers through her hair. "She's gone, Luann. She…she left me."

"Miley, she'll come back. You two love each other."

"She thinks I lied to her."

"You did lie to her," the younger Stewart pointed out. "Miley, you have to expect that she'll be upset about this. You hit her and lied about it. I can't believe you kept that a secret. How did you think she'd react to finding out? Especially after the two of you have…you know…become lovers."

"I can't be without her, Luann." Her eyes fell on the empty chair which only hours before had been filled by Lilly eating her breakfast. "I need her." She looked at the phone again. "How many hotels can there be in Albany? Maria, get me the phone book."

"I'll help. Where's the phone for the other line?"

"In the office. Ask them first if they take pets. That should eliminate most of them."

Forty-five minutes worth of calling hotels turned up no sign of her beloved Lilly. Miley was very upset and frustrated by the time Luann came out, a piece of paper in her hand and a triumphant smile on her face. "I tried to think like she would. You know how she's worried about money. I started calling the cheaper motels and voila, found her."

Miley took the scrap of paper and looked at it. "The Barcade? That roach motel on Central?"

"It must be the cheapest motel in Albany that allows pets," Luann replied.

"I've got to go see her."

"Miley, wait." Luann put her hand on her sister's shoulder. "Maybe you should call and talk to her on the phone first. You're upset, she's upset. Maybe a face to face confrontation isn't such a good idea. What if you get there and she doesn't want to talk to you?"

"She'll talk to me," Miley said. "Why wouldn't she? Lilly is a reasonable woman. I'm sure once I explain what happened, she'll forgive me and come home where she belongs."

"I hope so," Luann replied, not entirely convinced that her sister was right.

Miley pulled her car into the pothole-ridden parking lot. From the driver's seat she looked at the aged and decrepit structure. The dingy cream colored paint was peeling away in several places and half the upper level was missing the railing. Dented doors and broken windows added to the flavor of the cheap motel. Miley was certain that she would be able to get Lilly to come home with her. She was about to go into the office when she saw the familiar orange cat jump into one of the upper level's windows.

Lilly stomped on the roach she saw scurry out from behind the toilet. Tomorrow she would call around for another place to stay. Knock knock. "Lilly?" Miley's voice startled her. She had not expected to deal with her lover so quickly. Grabbing her cane, she walked across the stained carpet and stood behind the door, pressing her forehead against the cool metal.

"Go away, Miley," she said softly.

"Lilly, please let me in. We need to talk."

"Please go home. I'm fine."

"You're not fine. If you were fine you'd be home with me." The doorknob jiggled, showing the executive's frustration with talking through the steel door. "Sweetheart, please just let me in so we can talk."

"There's nothing to say, Miley. Go home. You don't have to worry. I won't sue you or anything."

"Sue?" The doorknob jiggled again. "Lilly, let me in. I'm not worried about you suing me. Come on, Honey. We need to talk."

"So talk. I can hear you." Lilly knew she could not open the door. She was on the verge of tears as it was and seeing Miley would be more than enough to push her over the edge. "What did you want to say?"

A long silence. "I wanted to say I love you. That I want you to come home with me and talk about this. Please Lilly, I'm sorry I lied to you."

"Sorry you lied or sorry I found out?" She closed her eyes. "Please…just go home, Miley."

"I can't leave without you."

Lilly slapped her hand against the door. "You…you were my knight in shining armor, you know. I really thought you had come down and rescued me like a real life Cinderella." She did not bother wiping the tears that ran down her face. "And all this time you were just trying to protect yourself. What a fool I was."

"No…Lilly, you don't understand."

"What don't I understand? You hit me, lied about it, made me think that everything you were doing was out of the goodness of your heart, then you let me fall in love with you." Lilly lashed out, slamming the side of her fist against the door. "Damn you, Miley. Damn you. Why did you let me fall in love with you?" The sobs refused to be held back and she collapsed to the floor. "Please go away Miley. There's nothing left to say." She hugged her knees against her chest and cried.

"Lilly, please." The young woman refused to answer, even when the request was repeated several times. Eventually Miley walked away, her footsteps against the creaking wood drawing even more pain from the young woman's heart. Lilly threw herself on the threadbare blankets that covered the bed and cried herself into a restless sleep.

Luann walked into the outer office to find her secretary sitting at Lilly's desk. "How is she?" she asked.

"She hasn't come out of her office all day," Margaret replied.

"Are you still holding all of her calls?"

"Except…"

"I know," Luann waved her hand dismissively. "Maria or Lilly, right?" She shook her head and headed for Miley's office. Margaret jumped up immediately.

"Ms. Stewart, I don't think she wants to see anyone."

"Oh no, Margaret. She wants to see someone. It just isn't me." With that, she reached for the door handle.

"I don't…" Miley began, stopping when she saw who it was. "Luann, I'm very busy."

"Busy doing what? Hiding in your office and working yourself to exhaustion?" She closed the door and stood in front of her sister's desk. "Miley, you can't keep this up."

"Don't start playing mother hen with me. I'm not in the mood."

"And what do you plan to do? Stay in this depression? Have you looked in a mirror lately?"

The strain had taken its toll on Miley. Dark circles under her eyes were a testament to the lack of sleep. Her cheeks were drawn, her hair given only the barest of care. The sullen woman had taken to spending the night in her office, finding an empty home too much to bear. Luann recognized her sister's outfit as one kept in the office closet for emergencies.

"Come to my house for dinner tonight, Miley," she urged. "You know Jack and the kids would love to see you."

"No. I have things to attend to here."

"No word from Lilly yet?"

"She left the Barcade a week ago and checked into the Maverick. Traded in one dive for another." Miley rubbed her face with her hands. "She must have left instructions with the front desk not to let any calls through. They keep taking messages but she won't return my calls." Luann nodded, having already known those facts thanks to frequent phone calls to Maria.

"Have you been over to try and talk to her again?"

"What's the point?" Miley sighed. "I did that twice and she wouldn't even open the door for me." She buried her head in her hands. "She just keeps telling me to go away."

"Sis, I hate to say this but maybe you should consider moving on."

Miley lifted her head and gave her sister a look of total desperation. "I can't, Luann. Don't you understand that she's everything to me?" A tear rolled down her cheek. "I need her like I need air or water. I feel so empty without her." She turned her head away, angrily wiping away the tears that seemed to form so easily during the past week. "What's all this worth?"

"Hmm?" Luann didn't understand the question.

"What's all this worth?" She gestured at the reports and papers on her desk. "What are gains and ratios and profits worth if there's nothing to show for it? What's the precious Stewart reputation and status worth if the one woman I need most in my life won't even speak to me?"

"Miley, you're talking crazy now. You know as well as I do this business has to survive and make money."

"For what? So we can have a few more zeros in our bank accounts?" She stood up and looked out the window. "It doesn't mean anything without her."

"Miley?" Miley wiped her face with her hand before turning to see Susan standing in the doorway. "I was downtown doing some shopping and I was hoping you girls would join me for lunch." She stepped inside and shut the door. "What happened to your friend? I thought she replaced Laura."

"She left," Miley said without elaboration. "I'm too busy for lunch today, Mother. Maybe Luann can go with you."

"Well, it's nothing important I guess." She sat down on the leather sofa. "So that woman you tried to help left? I could have told you it wouldn't work." She looked at her younger daughter. "Those people don't understand what hard work is all about. They just want to sit around and collect a check. I suppose she's filed for unemployment to pick your sister's pocket some more."

"Lilly isn't like that, Mother," Luann defended. "She didn't quit because she didn't like to work. There were other reasons."

"There's no excuse for leaving a good paying job except pure laziness. It's in their blood."

"In whose blood, Mother?" Miley snapped. "The poor white trash that you love to talk about?" Her hands gripped the back of her chair, knuckles white with the strain. "I'm sure there are people like that, but Lilly isn't one of them. She's good and honest and would give her last dime to help another person out."

"Miley…" Susan's tone was low, warning.

"No. I've had it. You badmouth everyone who isn't a blueblood like us. Lilly has never ever done anything to earn your dislike, yet you treat her like a bastard at a family reunion." Seething with anger, Miley let loose the words that refused to be kept back any longer. "I don't care what you think, Mother, I love Lilly and I won't have you talking badly about her, do you understand me?"

Luann took a step back, certain that her mother and sister were about to have a royal battle of words. Never had any of them stood up to her mother and now Miley had just announced her defiance on the most taboo of subjects. Susan stiffened and pursed her lips.

"I thought that issue was settled years ago or have you forgotten your promise to your poor father?" The matriarch now stood in front of Miley's desk, her hands resting on the mahogany top. "You swore to him that you were through with those perverted ideas."

The strain of losing Lilly sapped any tact or restraint Miley had left. "You think telling me not to love women would make those feelings go away? It didn't. You two forced me to promise that no matter how I felt. What is so wrong with loving another woman?"

"Miley, think about your position for a minute."

"Fuck my position!" Miley shoved away from her chair and took a step forward noting that Luann quickly stepped between them. "Face it, Mother. Your oldest daughter is a lesbian. You can't change that so you'd better learn to accept it. Lilly is my lover and I'll give up everything I have in order to keep her." She lowered her voice, the tone deadly serious. "Including my family."

"Maybe this isn't the best time to talk about this," Luann said, trying to guide her older sister away from their mother.

"No Luann," Susan bristled. "It's obvious your sister has decided to throw away everything her father and I worked for all these years."

"Why is it so hard for you to accept?" Miley shrieked. "It's my life."

"Mother, there is no reason why she can't be that way and still do a good job running the company."

"Whose side are you on, anyway?" The matriarch turned on her younger daughter. "Don't tell me that you accept this, that Jack accepts it."

"It isn't for us to decide who Miley loves, Mother." Luann took a deep breath and looked at her older sibling. "And yes, Jack and I do accept Lilly," she added.

"I can't believe this." She walked over the couch and retrieved her bag. "I would have thought after poor Jackson's death you would have realized what can happen from hanging out with the wrong element. And just how do you think the shareholders will feel about this?"

"It's none of the damn shareholder's business who I'm sleeping with," Miley snapped. "It's not like they can vote me out of office."

"You don't own controlling interest, Miley. Don't forget that."

"Actually, Mother," Luann interjected. "With Jackson's shares between us we hold fifty percent of the stock. All we need is Frank, Michael, or John to vote with us and we have controlling interest."

"So that's it?" Susan's lips were pursed, her frustration obvious. "Fine. If Miley wants to throw her life away and you're willing to help her, so be it. I'll call a cab from downstairs." She stormed out of the office, leaving the sisters alone again.

"Well that was productive," Miley sighed as she sank into her chair. "I finally stand up to her and it doesn't even matter because Lilly is gone anyway."

"You know I'm never going to hear the end of this, don't you?" Luann said. "I'll guarantee there'll be a message on my machine when I get home."

"I know, Sis. I'm sorry you had to get in the middle of it." She picked up her pen, the present making her heart ache even more for her beloved Lilly.

"Miley…do you want me to try and talk to Lilly?"

"Do you think it would make any difference? She won't talk to me."
"I don't think it could hurt," Luann said.

"I'd make a deal with the devil if I thought it would get her to talk to me again." She looked up at her sister. "Please. If you think there's anything you can do or say to make her understand how I feel, do it."

"Which motel is she at?"

"The Maverick on Central. About eight miles west of the Arcadia."

"That's almost on the city line of Schenectady, isn't it? The one that puts out all those gaudy Christmas decorations each year?"

"That's the place."

"I'll go talk to her but you need to tell me what really happened that night. She deserves to know the complete truth, not just whatever those papers she found told her."

Miley hesitated, then nodded in agreement. "I was out at Sam's…"

"There you go sweetie," Lilly said as she put the plate of canned food down for Tabitha. She threw the empty can in the trash just as there was a knock on the door. "Who is it?"

"Luann Stewart."

"Um…" Lilly looked out the peephole, verifying that the redhead was alone. "I'm not really in the mood for company right now," she said softly.

"Lilly, it really is rude to leave someone standing outside the door."

"But…" Reluctantly she undid the chain and bolt. She opened the door. "Luann, if this is about Miley…"

"Of course it's about Miley," the redhead said as she entered the room. "My sister is heartbroken and you won't even give her the chance to explain. Hello, Tabitha."

"Mrrow."

"There is nothing really left to say, is there?"

"You tell me." Luann sat down on one bed and motioned for the young woman to sit on the other.

"She lied to me."

"Yes she did…about the accident. Not about how she feels for you. There's a difference."

"How can anything built on a lie be real?" Lilly stood up and limped over to the tiny cube refrigerator to get some bottled water.

"Again, she lied about the accident. Everything else was real, Lilly. Her feelings for you are real and you have to know that."

"I know she feels something," the young woman responded after she returned to her seat.

"If you could see her, you'd know that she feels more than something." She reached out and took Lilly's hand. "Listen to me. We're talking about my sister here. I know her. She's not one to take people's feelings lightly, especially her own." Luann let go and looked down. "Lilly, this is killing her. She's not eating, she's not sleeping, nothing matters to her now."

"It hasn't been a picnic for me either," she confessed.

"Then why not go and talk to her? Come on, Lilly. Think about it for a minute. If all she wanted to do was cover her tracks, then why did she stick around at the hospital? Why didn't she just drop you off and let them worry about taking care of you?"

"I don't know…maybe she felt guilty."

"Tell me something Lilly, when the two of you, you know…did it feel like guilt to you?"

"No, of course not."

"Then why do you assume that everything she did came from guilt?" Luann smiled inwardly at the confused look on Lilly's face. "If she was just guilty, she wouldn't have opened up her home to you. She wouldn't have gone to the lengths she did to take care of you. Look, I know you're hurting too but you have to look at the whole picture. Miley loves you."

"How am I supposed to forgive her?" The young woman asked, her voice cracking with emotion. "It's been six months and I still can't walk without pain. I have scars."

"You see this?" Luann rolled her sleeve up to reveal a small white scar near her elbow. "Miley and I were fooling around on our bicycles and she wiped out causing me to fall. I broke my elbow and had to spend the summer in a cast. I still can't extend that arm completely and I know whenever it's going to rain now. Do you think I shouldn't have forgiven her for that?"

"Of course not. It was an accident," Lilly said.

"Exactly. It was an accident when she caused me to fall off my bike and it was an accident when she hit you with her car."

"It's not the same, Luann."

"Isn't it? Tell me something, Lilly. Do you think she meant to hit you with her car?"

"No."

"Then it was an accident, right? Even if it was her fault it was still an accident." She shifted on the bed, trying to find a spot where the springs weren't trying to poke through the thin blanket. "What do you remember about that night?"

"Not much," Lilly admitted. "I was trying to get home and some men started chasing me. I remember running through the park and then onto Madison. The next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital."

Luann nodded, the events fitting with her sister's description. "Did you run out from the corner or the middle of the street?"

"I think it was the middle. It was snowing, I don't know."

"Miley says she was going up Madison when you darted out from between some parked cars. She said there was no way for her stop in time."

"Then why make up the story about coming up after the accident?"

"She had some wine at dinner and worried she would be arrested for drunk driving. Yes, she lied to cover herself but she made sure you were taken care of. She tried to do the responsible thing, Lilly. You have to give her credit for that."

"It was an accident," the young woman whispered. "If she hadn't been drinking…"

"She still would have been unable to avoid you. If you're looking for someone to blame, blame the men who were chasing you."

"But why didn't she tell me the truth later?"

"What happened when you did find out the truth, Lilly?"

The young woman looked at her lap. "I left her."

"You never gave her a chance to explain, did you?" She reached out for the woman she considered her sister-in-law. "Lilly, the accident wasn't her fault. She may be guilty of bad judgment but not anything else. Do you love Miley?"

Lifting her head to show eyes glittering with unshed tears, Lilly replied. "Yes."

"Do you think that she would willingly hurt you?"

"No."

"Then why are you punishing her for something she had no control over? Let me take you home, Lilly."

Miley was sitting on the couch, the pendant she had given Lilly for Christmas in her hands. There had been no word from Luann and the executive feared her sister's intervention would have no effect on Lilly. Tears feel freely, dotting her hands with the salty drops. The sound of the sliding glass door opening drew her attention toward the kitchen. When she saw Luann enter the living room alone, Miley's heart sank. She opened her mouth to speak but there was nothing to say. Lilly was gone and she wasn't coming back.

"Miley?"

"It's all right, Luann. I know you tried your best." She stared at the pendant. "Did she…say anything?"

"She said a lot of things, but maybe it would be better if you just asked her yourself." It was then that the sliding glass door closed, alerting Miley that Luann was not alone.

"She's here?" She stood up and quickly wiped at the tear streaks on her face. "Is she here?" She sprinted past her sister and into the kitchen without waiting for an answer.

Lilly barely had time to set Tabitha on the floor before she found herself caught in Miley's powerful arms. The cane clattered to the floor as the tall woman spun her round and round, hugging her tightly. "You're…crushing…me."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Miley quickly set her lover down and retrieved the cane. "It's just…well…"

"It's all right," Lilly said, reaching out to take the larger hand in her own. She was surprised to see such a haggard expression on Miley's face. She realized the separation had been just as hard on her lover as it was on her. "I missed you too."

"Please don't leave again," Miley blurted. She had not meant to sound so desperate but the thought of not having the blonde woman in her life was too much to bear. "I'll do anything…just don't leave."

"I can't promise that," Lilly said sadly, turning away and leaning her hand against the counter. "I have questions, Miley. We need to talk."

"I think that's my cue to leave," Luann piped in from her position in the archway between kitchen and living room. "Sis, get Lilly's suitcase from my car."

Miley's eyes never left her lover. "Sure…I'll be right back, okay?"

"I'll be here," the young woman replied softly, giving a wan smile. The executive reluctantly opened the sliding glass door and stepped outside. Luann walked over and put her hand on Lilly's shoulder. "Are you going to be all right?"

"Yeah," she nodded, turning to face the redhead. "Thanks."

"Lilly, I know she hurt you but don't forget how easily you can hurt her too. Be gentle with my sister. She loves you very much." When Miley returned, Luann said her good-byes and left.

Once alone, an awkward silence fell over the lovers. They stood in the kitchen lost in their own thoughts and fears. Tabitha padded into the room and spotted the unmarred black of Miley's slacks. "Mrrow?" She rubbed up against her tall mistress and began purring.

"Hey there." She bent down and picked up the happy cat. "How have you been? You been taking good care of Mommy?"

"She missed you, you know," Lilly said, moving a couple of steps closer. "She kept crying for you and looking at the door." She looked down at the floor. "I kept crying too," she added quietly. Miley set Tabitha down and closed the remaining distance between them just as Lilly's lip started to quiver. "It just felt like some kind of horrible nightmare that I couldn't wake up from." Miley's arms went around her just as the young woman collapsed into tears.

"Okay, Honey. I've got you." She held Lilly tight, fearing if she let go she would disappear. "Do you want to go sit on the couch and talk?"

"Sure," the young woman sniffled. "If you want to."

"Whatever you want to do, Lilly. If you'd rather sit at the table…"

"No, the couch would be nice." The motel room did not have a couch…well, not one that she had felt safe sitting on. Hands resting on each other's backs, the couple walked into the living room. Lilly took her usual cushion at the end while Miley hesitated, then sat down at the opposite end instead of the middle. To her surprise, the young woman scooted over to occupy the empty cushion. Miley took it as a good sign and rested her hand on Lilly's knee.

"I love you, Lilly."

"I know." She took a deep breath and looked into the blue eyes that haunted her dreams. "And I love you too. I wouldn't have come back if I didn't."

"I'm sorry about lying to you. I wish there was some way I could make it up."

"Do something now?"

"Anything."

"Tell me what really happened."

"Lilly, it's in the past. Why can't…" She was silenced by Lilly's finger on her lips.

"Because I need to know what happened," she interrupted. "Please Miley. You owe me the truth."

The executive nodded and swallowed. "It happened so fast." She shook her head, the dark tresses waving with the movement. "It was just so quick." Looking into gentle green eyes, she continued. "I never saw you, Lilly. I was driving, thinking that I had just wasted the evening with a jerk and all of the sudden there you were. I hit the brakes but with the snow on the ground…" Her eyes closed briefly at the memory of the total silence that preceded the horrifying thud. "There was nothing else I could do." She looked away again, focusing on the grandfather clock. "There was so much blood, Lilly. I thought I killed you. When I realized I hadn't, I put you in my car and drove you to the hospital as fast as I could."

"Why did you stay around?" Miley felt a small but insistent hand on her chin, forcing her to meet Lilly's gaze. "You did your job, you got me to the hospital. You could have left and no one would ever have known. Why didn't you leave?"

"I needed to make sure you were all right. When they didn't think you had insurance, they wanted to ship you off to Memorial. I wanted to make sure you got the best care and that was at Albany Med so I lied about the insurance."

"And you were stuck after that?"

"No. Maybe until I had you sign the papers," Miley admitted. "But not after that."

"Then why did you keep coming back?"

Miley gave the only answer she could, the honest one. "I wanted to see you. To get to know you better."

"You know what I remember about those first few days?" Lilly looked toward the ceiling. "It's mostly fuzzy glimpses here and there, just snatches really. They must have been giving me some powerful drugs then."

"They were," Miley agreed.

"I remember looking up and seeing you." She smiled warmly and looked at her lover. "There you were, this wonderful woman telling me everything would be all right."

"You asked me if I was an angel," the dark-haired woman added, smiling to herself at the memory.

"You were to me, you know. You were my own personal guardian angel, looking out for me every step of the way. You were my knight in shining armor, my hero." She lifted Miley's arm and rested her head against the older woman's chest. "I didn't know why you took such an interest in me but I was grateful." Her voice grew sad. "Now I know."

"No." Miley rested her palm against Lilly's cheek. "That first night I acted out of self-preservation and fear but don't ever think that I pretended to care after that." Blue eyes searched green, begging them to understand. "I can't explain it but there was something about you, Lilly Truscott. I couldn't stop thinking about you, and the only time I was happy was when I was with you. I think I fell in love with you from that first day you woke up in the hospital."

"What happened to the Porsche?"

"I had it fixed and then sold it. I couldn't bring myself to drive it again." She reached down and began stroking the golden hair cascading over Lilly's shoulder.

"Miley?"

"Mm?"

"When you realized I was falling for you, why didn't you tell me then?"

Miley pulled the young woman closer, holding her secure in her arms. "By the time I realized you were falling for me, I had already fallen for you…hard." Taking a chance, she leaned down and placed a gentle kiss atop the golden head, pleased when she felt Lilly lean into it. Turning her head so her cheek rested where her lips had just been, Miley continued. "I tried so hard to pretend it wasn't happening, but every day I fell in love more and more. I was scared that if I told you the truth you'd leave me. I couldn't lose you, Lilly, I just couldn't." Her voice broke and she had to stop and take a deep breath. A gentle squeeze encouraged her. "When you left…when Maria called me…" Words failed the executive and she tightened her hold.

"I didn't know what to do, what to think," Lilly said. "It hurt so much." Her fingers idly stroked her lover's long dark hair. "But as much as that hurt, it was worse not being with you."

"I love you, Lilly." She cupped the young woman's chin and their eyes met. "I can't change what happened in the past but I can give you my word that I'll never lie to you again." Her thumb brushed against Lilly's lower lip. "I know you can probably never forgive me for lying, but I love you and I know you love me."

"I do," the young woman said earnestly. "I've never loved anyone the way I do you."

"You don't know how much I wish that accident had never happened, that you never had to suffer through all that pain."

"But Miley…" She kissed the thumb resting against her lip. "If it never happened then we wouldn't have met. Sometimes things happen for a reason."

"Then can we move on from here?"

"I'd like that." She leaned her head against Miley's chest. "Honey?"

The black-haired woman smiled at the endearment and rewarded Lilly with a quick kiss on the forehead. "Yeah?"

"Can we just stay like this forever?"

Miley smiled broadly and squeezed her lover against her. "Sure."

"You almost done in there, birthday girl?" Miley called from the other side of the door.

"Almost." She fastened the top and looked at her reflection in the mirror. "Honey, don't you think this bikini is a bit…revealing?"

"It's meant to be that way."

"You're a pervert, Miley Stewart, you know that?"

"Only with you, my dear." Tired of waiting, Miley opened the bathroom door and was treated to the sight of Lilly standing there with only the barest of bikini tops on. "Very nice," she drawled.

"Nice for you maybe," the young woman countered, pulling the yellow bottoms on. Gold tufts of hair peeked out from the side. "Great." She pulled them off again and headed for the toiletries. "Why don't you go on ahead, Honey. I have to take care of something first."

"Sure you don't want any help? I'd be happy to help you."

Picking up the razor, Lilly smiled at her lover. "If you 'helped' me, we wouldn't get anywhere near the pool today." She turned away only to feel Miley's arms wrap around her.

"So? Would that be such a bad thing?"

"You are incorrigible." She turned to see dark eyebrows wiggling lecherously at her. "I'm certain this bikini is more of a present for you than for me."

"You know me so well."

"Uh uh uh." Lilly reached down and intercepted the wandering hands. "None of that right now."

"But it's your birthday. Are you sure there isn't something else you'd like to do besides lounging around the pool?" Miley tried to resume the playful fondling but was stopped once again.

"At the moment, no," Lilly said. "And you already did that this morning." She looked from her pubic hair to her shaver and back again. "I'm not sure if I need a razor or a weed whacker."

"Yeah? Try having black hair," Miley replied. "The slightest stubble shows." Her hand began running circles on Lilly's abdomen, steadily heading south. "You sure you don't want help?" she queried while nuzzling the smaller woman's ear.

"Isn't this why we didn't get to go swimming yesterday?" She stepped out of Miley's embrace. "You go take the iced tea out and I'll be down in a few minutes."

Once alone, Lilly sat on the toilet and spread her legs to trim the wild patch of blonde curls. Her mind wandered over the events of the last year. A year ago I was working at Money Slasher and didn't have a dime to my name much less anything else. Now look at me…sitting in a mansion getting ready to wear a bathing suit and hang out by the pool. She shook her head in disbelief. Looking down at her bare legs, she found it almost hard to believe that only six months ago they were in casts. I wasn't sure I'd be able to walk again. As it was, it had been over a month since she left the cane behind and it was only when she pushed herself too hard that she felt any pain her legs or ankle. The thin scar on her cheek where the stitches once were had faded into a line so faint it was barely visible. Still Lilly knew it was the one spot most kissed on her face, except for her lips, of course. I wonder if she even realizes that she does that, she mused. It was one of the little habits Miley had that she found so endearing. My Miley…I love you so much. Suddenly feeling lonely without her beloved, Lilly quickly finished trimming her pubic hair and pulled on her bikini bottoms. A hasty run of the brush through her hair and she set off in search of Miley.

The late August sun beat on the white concrete, causing the barefoot executive to stick to the shady areas while bringing the pitcher of iced tea out to the table. The pool was a brilliant blue, crystal clear and ready for swimming. Setting the tray down, Miley walked to the diving board.

Lilly arrived just in time to see her lover walk down the length of the diving board. The two piece black thong bikini Miley wore hid nothing, much to the young woman's enjoyment. Her own pale yellow outfit was a bit more reserved…but not by much. Instead of being a thong like Miley's, Lilly's had a small strip that covered the crack of her rear and half of each cheek. The top, however, barely covered her nipples and she was certain that once again a smaller size was purchased to make her show more cleavage. A present for me, hmm? I think it's more of a present for her.

Lowering herself into the shallow end, Lilly watched as Miley sprang off the board again and dived into the water with barely a splash. Soon Miley joined her and they splashed and played about for a while before retiring to the padded lounge chairs.

Miley used a napkin to wipe the sweat off the outside of the glass before handing the iced tea to her.

"Thanks, Hon," Lilly said, draining half of the cool drink before setting the glass on the side table. "I can't believe how hot it is out here today."

"The humidity is up," Miley replied, wringing the excess water from her hair. "Five minutes and I guarantee you we'll be wanting to go back into the water." She wiped her brow. "I think I'm perspiring already." She took her glass and laid down on the lounge chair, grateful that the umbrella provided shade for them against the burning sun. She did not see Lilly fish an ice cube out of the pitcher and gasped in surprise when it landed on her chest. "Whooo, that's cold!" she yelped.

"I thought you said you were hot?" the young woman grinned. The predatory look in her lover's eyes quickly apprised her that she had made a mistake. "Uh oh. Um…Miley Honey? You know I love you, right? You wouldn't think of seeking revenge, right?"

"Me?" The tall woman feigned innocence, her fingers digging cubes out of her glass. Lilly found herself pinned to the lounge chair before she could move and several cubes were shoved between the yellow bikini top and her skin.

"Oooh, get them out of there. Oh that's cold." She pulled the top up, freeing the ice, which bounced harmlessly to the concrete ground.

"Well, that was worth the effort," Miley quirked, her mouth only inches away from the bared nipples made erect by the cubes. "Would you like me to help warm you up, birthday girl?"

"But we're outside." Lilly looked around even though she knew no one was nearby.

"Well then I'd better make sure you're covered," Miley said.

Lilly gasped as a hand covered her left breast and soft lips claimed the other. "Oh Miley…Um, wh-what do you think you're doing?"

"Mmm, loving you," came the muffled reply. Lilly found herself pressed back against the cushion of the lounge chair and the feelings began to build up within her.

Why am I fighting this? the young woman thought to herself. Reaching between their bodies, her fingers found what they were looking for. Soon Miley was breathing just as hard as she was and Lilly was certain they were going to make love right there on the lounge chair when the sound of a car pulling up in the driveway caught her ear.

"Damn," Miley muttered as she moved off. "Someone's here." She grabbed a nearby towel and wrapped it around her waist while Lilly fumbled with her top.

Luann's sons Timmy and John came running around the side of the house. "Aunt Miley, Aunt Lilly!" the younger boy shouted. "Mommy said we could come over here and go swimming today, isn't that great?" Ricky had his arms full with the PlayStation and obviously was planning on taking over the television for a few hours if the number of games he'd brought with him were any indication. John jumped onto Lilly's lap and wrapped his arms around her neck. "Aunt Lilly, would you go swimming with me?"

"Sure Hon, but only in the shallow end."

"Okay." His little face beamed. "Can Tabitha go swimming with us too?"

Lilly laughed at the thought. "No John. Tabitha is a cat. Cats don't like water."

"Speak of the devil," Miley said, nodding her head in the direction of the house. The sliding glass door had been left open and the curious feline wandered out in search of new worlds to conquer. She looked at the boys. "Why don't you two go get changed. There are towels in the pool house." She turned to Lilly. "You think you can handle things out here?"

"Sure." She scooted the boy off her lap. "John, I think there's a ball in the pool house that we can play with. See if you can find it, okay?"

"Okay, Aunt Lilly." He followed his brother away from the pool. Miley watched them leave. "Looks like we're going to have company for a while."

"Seems that way," the young woman agreed as she stood up. "Why aren't they using their own pool?"

"Luann said something about her pump breaking. Sorry Hon, " she said apologetically. "I know it's your birthday and all, but…"

"No, it's fine that they're here," Lilly said. "I just wish I was wearing something else. I feel really naked in this." She tugged at the thin strap of her bikini top.

"I'll get you a tee shirt."

"Make it one of yours or else bring a pair of shorts with you too." Covering herself with the towel, Lilly greeted Luann and Jack as they approached.

Miley returned a few minutes later carrying one of her tee shirts. She had changed from her two piece bikini to a more appropriate black one piece that covered most of her rear and provided very little cleavage.

"Is that your family get-together suit?" Lilly asked when her lover reached her side.

"You think I want to be the subject of my nephew's fantasies?" she asked while handing over the tee shirt. "Hi Luann." She turned and nodded at her brother-in-law. "How are you, Jack?"

"Fine, Miley, and yourself?"

"Perfect," she said, flashing a smile at Lilly. "Well, since you're here, why don't we have a barbecue? It won't take long to heat up the grill and I'm sure we have something that isn't frozen."

"Sounds good," Luann said, sharing a wink with her sister when Lilly was not looking. "It's just a lazy day and you two weren't planning on doing anything, were you?"

"No," Miley replied. "I'll go look and see what we have that we can grill up."

An hour later Jack was busy tending the grill while the women and boys played around in the water. Timmy and Miley raced each other across the length of the pool while Lilly and John splashed around in the shallow end, occasionally playing with the brightly colored beach ball. When the young woman asked Miley where Luann was, she received a vague answer about the redhead not being a swimmer. John's fair skin showed signs quickly of turning pink and when Lilly offered to take him inside, Miley stepped up and said she had to go get something anyway. A few minutes later Jack came over to the pool and whispered something in Timmy's ear, causing the boy to exit and head inside, leaving Lilly as the only person in the water.

Feeling awkward, she climbed out of the water and wrapped herself in a towel, thinking to herself that Miley had been gone too long. She was headed for the house when Jack stopped her. "Lilly, come take a look at these steaks and tell me what you think."

"Sure." She moved over to the grill and looked at the various pieces of meat sizzling over the gas fire. "I hope everyone's hungry. You made quite a bunch here. They look fine, though. Maybe a few more minutes."

"Could you keep an eye on them for me? I have to visit the little men's room." He handed her the turning fork and walked away.

Ten minutes later the steaks were done and there was no sign of Miley or anyone else. Lilly carefully piled the food on a plate and shut the grill off. "Where is everybody? I thought we were having a cookout," she said to the empty air.

Inside the living room, Luann was supervising the hanging of the final decorations.

"Up a little," the redhead said. "No, that's too high. Bring it down a bit." Miley stood on one of the upper rungs of the ladder, thinking that her sister was a pain in the ass when it came to decorating. The banner was perfect where it was before but Luann insisted it would better if it were up just a foot. John, Ricky, and Timmy were busy running multi-colored rolls of streamers around the living room.

"We have to hurry up or she'll see it," the executive grumped. She spared a glance at her watch. "Where's Maria, anyway? She was supposed to be here with the cake a half-hour ago."

"She'll be here, and if you'd just make it level, we'll be done," Luann said. They turned at the sound of the door sliding open. Miley shoved the thumbtack through the banner and stuck it to the wall, hopping off the ladder just as Lilly stepped through the archway.

"Happy Birthday Lilly!" They shouted, echoing the words printed on the banner. The young woman stood there speechless, her eyes wide with surprise. While she had thought it odd no one except Miley had wished her a happy birthday, she chalked it up to them not knowing. She had never guessed Miley would give her a party. John tugged on her wet shirt. "Aunt Lilly, does this mean I can give you your present now?"

"In a little while, John," Luann said, shooing her son away. "We have to eat first."

"Um…uh…oh my." Lilly turned her shocked expression to her lover. "You planned this?"

"Maria's on her way with your cake and I think Frank and Agnes are stopping by later," Miley replied, crossing the room to stand in front of the overwhelmed woman. "Happy birthday, Honey."

"It's been so long since anyone gave me a party for my birthday," Lilly whispered. "I can't believe this."

"Believe it. You can count on this being an annual occurrence from now on." She looked at the boys. "You guys go help your father make up the plates." Once they left the room, she turned her attention back to Lilly. "I love you. You didn't think I'd let your birthday go by without throwing you a party, did you?"

"You didn't say anything except about the bikini so I thought…" She shook her head and smiled. "I should have known. Stewarts love parties."

"Well, that may be true, but this particular Stewart had more of a reason to throw you a party than just your birthday." At the quizzical look, Miley merely gave a sly smile. "You'll see later. Come on, go get changed into something dry so we can dig into dinner before it gets cold."

Maria arrived a short time later, the back seat of her car taken up with a large sheet cake. Ricky and Timmy got their fingers full of frosting before Miley could get it placed up out of reach. John insisted on sitting on Lilly's lap during dinner and the sight made Miley smile. The people who meant a great deal to her were there to help celebrate the birthday of the person who meant the most to her. Not a word was said when Maria joined them for dinner and the atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable. Little side conversations took place all around her but the executive paid them no attention. Her focus was on the green-eyed beauty and the thought of the present hidden in the office.

Frank and Agnes arrived just as dinner was ending. Lilly had to laugh at the sight of the big burly man carrying a fishing pole wrapped in dainty tissue paper.

"Gee Frank, I have no idea what you got her," Miley said with a smirk.

"You know fishing poles aren't the easiest things in the world to wrap," he replied. "Took Agnes forever to get it done." He walked over to Lilly and gave her a kiss on the cheek while handing her the present. "Happy birthday, Blondie."

"I guess it is time to open presents," Miley announced.

"Well here, open mine first," Frank said.

"It's beautiful," Lilly said as the final wrapping was removed.

"That's not just some run of the mill fishing pole you've got there, Blondie," he said. "That's a top of the line Power Pole with ultra sensitive tip and left handed reel. Maybe next time you go fishing you won't toss the lunkers back in."

"Oh, I probably will," she admitted. "But it sure is fun to catch them."

"I wouldn't know. I've caught more sunfish than bass this season," he grumbled good-naturedly.

"Aunt Lilly, will you open my present now?" John asked, holding the gift in his hands.

"Of course I will, Sweetie," she said, taking the present from him. The wrapping was torn away to reveal a bottle of her favorite perfume. "Thank you, John. It's very nice." She gave the young boy a kiss on the cheek. Looking up at Luann, she indicated her silent thanks with her eyes. Timmy and Ricky gave her presents as well, followed by a joint present from Luann and Jack while Maria gave her a brooch that was simply breathtaking.

After seeing the presents the other Stewarts had given her, Lilly knew the bikini was not the only present her lover had in store for her. Her suspicions were confirmed a minute later when Miley and Frank disappeared into the office.

Together they carried out a big, bulky looking box covered in green wrapping paper. Jack and Ricky moved everything off the coffee table to make room. Lilly stood up and smiled. "Thank you," she said. "I wonder what on earth it could possibly be? Looks kinda big." The box was easily as long as her outstretched arms and half as high.

"Looks can be deceiving," Miley replied, sharing a knowing grin with her sister as Lilly began to unwrap the large box. While the box itself proclaimed that a twenty-seven inch color television was waiting inside but the young woman knew from the weight it was not the case. Besides, there were already a half dozen televisions floating around the house as it was. Surely Miley would not have bothered to buy another one. Her curiosity was piqued when she opened the box to reveal another box inside, this one wrapped in red holiday paper. "I ran out of birthday wrap so I used Christmas paper. I hope you don't mind."

"Miley, you could have wrapped it in newspaper and I wouldn't have minded," Lilly assured, pulling the smaller box out. Ricky moved the first box out of the way. The red box was unwrapped and opened only to discover another box inside. "Oh, blue paper this time."

"Wouldn't want you to be bored with the same old paper," Miley joked. Two more boxes with different colored papers had the boys in fits of laughter and the adults chuckling. "I can't watch this," Frank said with a huge grin on his face. Tabitha was having a grand time playing with the paper as it fell to the floor. "How many boxes did you wrap?" Lilly asked after the sixth box opened only to find another one waiting inside.

"Oh, a few more." The devilish grin and wiggling eyebrows sent Luann's sons into renewed giggles. Finally a coat box wrapped in silver paper with gold ribbons was revealed. "That's got to be it," Frank said. Jack and Luann nodded in agreement. With all the excitement of a child, Lilly opened the box to reveal a bright green and black ski jacket. "Oh, it beautiful," she said, pulling it out of the box and holding it up for all to see.

"That is nice, even if it is a bit early for snow," Luann said. Lilly was already standing up to try it on. It fit perfectly. "Sharp," Ricky said. John added a request for one in the same colors. Miley merely stood back and smiled at the image before her. "It may be early for snow here but not everywhere." The corner of her lip curled up with a smile. "Lilly, what's in the inside pocket?"

"The inside…" She unzipped the jacket and pulled out a stack of papers. The bright stripes on the outer paper left no doubt as to its contents.

"I hear the Alps are just lovely this time of year," Miley drawled. "I do believe we both have some vacation time stored up."

"Oh my, tickets to Switzerland?" Lilly's fingers trembled as she pulled not two but ten tickets out of the sleeve. "Miley…" Her voice stilled as the names of several far away countries appeared before her eyes.

"I believe Germany, Austria, and France are in there too, aren't they?" the executive teased just before an overjoyed Lilly flew into her arms.

"Miley, you are something else," her sister said.

"I can't believe you," Lilly whispered into the warm skin of her lover's neck. "This is too much."

"Nothing is too much for you, Honey," she whispered back. "We'll bring the laptop and write it off as a business expense." That made the woman in her arms chuckle. "Seriously, I would love to take you on a tour of Europe and this is the perfect time of year to go."

"I love you."

"Love you too. You're not crying on me again are you?" Miley stepped back to see that indeed her lover was weeping with joy. Luann came up alongside them and silently held out a handkerchief.

"Thank you." Lilly took a few seconds to compose herself before turning to face the rest of the guests. Maria came up to give the young woman a hug. "What a beautiful gift," the housekeeper said.

"It is very nice," Agnes said, shooting her husband a look. "It seems some people would rather spend time with the ones they love instead of running off to some lake in the middle of nowhere for two weeks."

"Umm…" Frank looked at his cousin for support and found none as she was too busy beaming at the happiness on Lilly's face. "Oh hell, Agnes. I guess two weeks in Hawaii won't be so bad."

"I knew you were a big softy," Miley teased.

"Yeah, just like you, Cuz," he countered good-naturedly. Looking down at her lover, the executive could only nod in agreement.

After the last of their guests left, the happy couple retired to the living room.

"I can't believe you did this," Lilly said softly, looking at the tickets sitting on the coffee table.

"Why not?" Miley shrugged. "Now that you don't need a cane and physical therapy is over, it's a perfect time for us to take a nice long vacation." Although she had been to many of the countries already, she knew the memory would pale to the new ones that would be created with Lilly by her side. Looking at the jacket, Miley smirked to herself. Not every present had been opened yet.
Lilly kicked her shoes off and tucked her feet up under her legs. "How did you manage to plan a vacation without me knowing?"

"Easy. My travel agent did the work. All I did was tell her what countries I wanted to visit. One phone call, a couple of emails and voila."

"You are amazing." Lilly rested her head against her lover's chest. "I've only dreamed of going to places like that," she said wistfully.

"Well now your dreams will soon be a reality," Miley replied. She leaned down for a quick kiss. "I'm glad you liked your presents."

"I love them and I love you," she replied. "You didn't have to do this."

"It makes me happy to make you happy. You know that." The phone rang, causing Miley to mutter a curse and reach for the receiver. "Stewart Residence."

"Miley?"

"Mother?" Turning to face Lilly, she raised her eyebrows to indicate her surprise. It had been almost two months since they had spoken. "Um…how are you? Really?…How did that go?…uh huh, what about it?…Yeah, she was here earlier…It's Lilly's birthday." Miley's eyes grew wider. "Uh…yes, it was nice….uh huh…no, no problem at all, Mother…What?…Um…yes, I'm sure that'll be fine…of course…okay Mother, good-bye." She set the phone down.

"She just called to say hello."

"Really?" Lilly reached out and put her hand on Miley's shoulder. "Is everything all right?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "She just said that we should come over for dinner this Friday."

"Us?"

"Yes, us," Miley said. "I don't get it."

"Maybe it's your mother's way of offering an olive branch."

"But after everything that's happened?"

"After everything that's happened, you're still her oldest daughter," Lilly said. "She really said both of us?"

"Yeah." Miley shook her head and pulled her lover close. "I don't believe it, but I'm not going to fight it. Maybe everything will work out with us."

"You are wonderful."

"You think so, hmm?" Miley's heart began beating faster. "We may not have started out in the best of ways but I can't imagine my life without you."

"I feel the same way."

"I'm glad to hear you say that." Her face became serious. "I think you missed something in your jacket pocket."

"What? After all this?" Lilly held her hands out to indicate the stack of presents and the airline tickets. She picked the jacket up and laid it on her lap. As her hand fell over the pocket she felt the hard object hidden within. "Miley?" Her fingers traveled over it, her eyes widening. "Is this what I think it is?"

"I don't know," the executive replied nervously. "Maybe you should open it up and find out." As the zipper was opened, she added, "I hope you like it."

Lilly's hand trembled as she pulled out the small velvet box. Tears were already beginning to well up in her eyes. "Oh my…" Her hands shook even more and Miley had to steady them with her own.

"Open it, Lilly."

The jewelry box opened to reveal a gold band adorned with a triple row of diamonds across the top. "Oh…" Miley's equally shaky fingers removed the ring from the box, turning it around for her to see the inscription.

To my Lilly, love forever, Miley

"Lilly Truscott, would…" Her voice cracked, forcing her to swallow and start over. "W-would you be mine…forever?" The young woman could not find her voice and had to give a shaky nod, tears of happiness streaming down her face. "I love you," they said at the same time. Holding the ring between her fingers, Miley took the smaller hand in her own. Tears fell from her own eyes as the gold band slid over Lilly's ring finger. As it passed over the last knuckle their fingers intertwined and both tried to bring the joined hands to their lips. Miley used her strength to gently press her lover back down on the cushions while their fingers separated. Lilly's hands went to the hem of Miley's shirt and slipped beneath.

"I love you, Lilly."

"And I love you, Miley," she replied before their lips met.

Lying on the floor, Tabitha looked up at her mistresses. With a healthy stretch and a yawn, the cat stood up and headed for the stairs. She would have the bed to herself for the night.