The Glory ( Freen❣️Becky)

36

"You're insatiable," Freen accused as they sat side by side on the patio.

"Me?" Becky laughed. "I think the shower was your suggestion."

Freen rolled her head, meeting her gaze. "I don't want to leave."

"And I don't want you to leave." They'd spent the better part of two hours making love and they were both still languid, their eyes dreamy. Now wasn't the time for a serious discussion. But she broached the subject anyway. "I have room here, you know."

Freen raised her eyebrows. "For you and Alice," she said. When Freen didn't say anything, she continued. "The mini-master would be perfect for her. And after her surgery, while you and Sam are getting your store up and running, I could be here for her."

"I can't ask you to do that, Becky."

"You're not asking. I'm offering." She sat up. "Alice is like a mother to me," she said. "I want to help." She took Freen's hand, letting their fingers entwine. "I want us to be together, Freen. Not simply stealing a few hours here and there, like we did today. That feels too much like... well, like we're still having to sneak off to be together."

Freen hesitated. "You don't think it's too soon?"

"It's sixteen years too late."

Freen studied her for a moment, her gaze slipping away to the pool. "What do you think she'll say?"

"I think she would be thrilled," she said.

"And it'll give her some purpose. Alice is a care giver. She needs to feel like she's taking care of someone. She can teach me to cook, we can plant flowers together."

Becky smiled at her. "I know you. You're going to be busy with the store, and then you'll feel guilty for leaving her alone."

Freen nodded. "You know, when we first started this project, it was because we were thinking it was time to move her into an assisted living facility."

Becky's eyes widened. "Are you serious? Alice does not need to be in one of those places. I won't let you," she said, shocked that Freen and Sam had even discussed such a thing.

"I know. I guess we jumped the gun a bit. Neither of us were around her that much, and it seemed like she was getting older, she just looked tired all the time. There was so much she couldn't do anymore,"

Freen said. "When we started this project, neither of us anticipated moving here permanently. That's obviously changed since Sam's got his whole family here now."

Becky had a moment of panic as she searched Freen's eyes. "And you?" she dared to ask.

Freen's expression softened. "I love you, Becky. There's no place in this world I'd rather be than here with you."

Becky let out a relieved breath. "I was afraid... well, for a moment there, I thought you were going to say you weren't going to stay. I mean, I know you have a home, friends," she said.

"My home is a house," Freen said. "And my friends...well, after their little surprise visit last month, let's say our relationship is a bit strained. Heidi has become a good friend to them and I don't really fit into their group anymore."

"Because of me?"

"I'm not sure I really ever fit in," Freen said.

"They're all doctors and attorneys and such. When Nam and Tee and I were alone together, we got along great. There were no pretensions. But dinner parties with eight or ten or twelve, no, that wasn't in my comfort zone."

"So...so you'll stay then? Here? With me?"

"If my mother is living here, we're going to have to alter those plans for skinny-dipping next summer," Freen said with a smile.