Romance In Aisle 12 (lesbian)

Part 11 (Conclusion)

After fifty-two years, the conclusion is finally here! :-D  Thank you all for reading, commenting and voting.  Sorry that it took me so very long.  Hope you enjoy it. 

Dedicated to Mystified-Soul for motivating me to finish this story.  She's been awesome sending me emails and asking for updates on it.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Captain ;-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She was there. Somehow she found out about it and had shown up at her art gallery showing. Kori started to wave, yet her arms wouldn't cooperate. Kori wanted to speak, yet her voice box was currently frozen. Kori yearned to walk toward her, but her feet refused to budge. The only thing she was capable of achieving was staring. Fortunately, the other woman's feet worked just fine, as within seconds they were carrying her toward the immobile and silent artist.

As she approached, Kori swore that she could hear Beyonce's version of the song At Last playing inside her head. By the time she felt a gentle hand brush against her cheek, she realized that the song was actually playing over the speaker system. What a supremely appropriate coincidence!

"Hey you," she said, her voice sounding so very angelic to Kori's ears.

Kori was relieved to feel words inching up her throat. "Hey yourself," she whispered. Clearing her throat, she managed to speak a bit louder. "You're here," she added, stating the oh so obvious.

Skylar faintly smiled. "That I am."

The artist glanced toward the dapper little fellow who appeared quite pleased as his light blue eyes danced between the reunited pair. "And you brought your son."

"Oh, this guy?" Skylar also glanced in his direction, reaching out to gently tweak his nose. "I don't know him," she added in a teasing tone. "He's just been following me around for a while. I'm considering a restraining order."

He wasn't certain what a restraining order was, yet the young boy laughed regardless. "Mommy!" He shook his head while feigning irritation. His laugh increased in cheeriness when Skylar picked him up and settled him on her left hip. Although they had already met, she introduced her son to the artist. Once the second round of introductions concluded, Mason pointed toward the painting, asking its creator how much it cost.

"For you?" Looking behind the pair, Kori noticed Olivia headed toward them and held up an index finger. "One dollar," she stated loud enough for her curator to overhear. She bit her lower lip in order to contain a sudden laugh in response to Olivia's shocked expression.

Eyes widening, Mason looked thoroughly amazed. "Only a dollar?" At three years old, even he could afford one dollar. In fact, he could have haggled with the artist up to four dollars.

"Oh, Kori, no," Skylar said while leaning toward the painting in order to read its price sticker. Still holding her son, she nodded and straightened. "I'd be delighted to pay the full price."

"Sorry." Wearing a vague smile, Kori shrugged. "You missed out. I just sold it to the gentleman within your arms."

"I can't let you do that..."

"Ah, but you don't have a choice." She extended her hand for Mason to shake again, which he did so while proudly grinning. How many toddlers could declare that they purchased and owned artwork from a gallery showing? "Nice doing business with you, sir. I do hope you enjoy the painting." As Olivia arrived, standing next to her, she introduced her to the pair of blonds.

Smothering her surprise at finally meeting the only woman to capture her friend's heart, the curator warmly greeted she and her son. Olivia then asked if the new owner could follow her to complete his transaction and for a celebration of cookies and milk. It wasn't amongst the available beverages, but Olivia, an avid milk drinker, always kept her private cooler stocked with the white stuff. It did do a body good, right?