That Night | JenLisa FF

Part 14

The room was dark and quiet, the only sounds the rustling of covers and soft sighs. Lisa made a contented, purring sound deep in her throat as she pulled Jennie closer, pressing her face against the nape of her neck. "I love you," she said. "I always have."

She rolled over, staring into her face, scant centimetres from her own. "I love you too."

Lisa released a deep breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "So, what was this afternoon all about?" she asked.

Jennie closed her eyes for several long moments and then opened them. Carefully, she pushed herself into a sitting position. Warily, Lisa did the same.

"Pete isn't Chiquita's father," Jennie said plainly. "You are."

It was a long time before Lisa could speak again and when she did, she said, "And you never told me this why?"

She fidgeted, wrapping the sheet around her fingers. "When I found out I was pregnant, I assumed the baby was Pete's. There was only that one time with you and ... " She trailed off, looking around the dimly lit studio. "If Chiquita had been Pete's daughter and I left him, he would have tracked me down. He would have used his money and influence, and he would have taken my baby away from me forever. I couldn't do that. I couldn't live without her."

Lisa rubbed her thigh gently, urging her to continue.

"When Canny was born there was no doubt in my mind that she was yours," Jennie said softly. "But I was scared. Oh, I was so scared. Pete was becoming absolutely vicious. I couldn't leave him. I was too afraid he would hurt Canny. And then one day, his paranoia got the better of him and he had blood tests run. He found out conclusively that she wasn't his. He went insane. We ran. I changed names and cities once a month. I couldn't sleep. It took years to finalize the divorce and get Canny's birth certificate amended. By the time I was finally free, I didn't know what to do."

"You could have come to me," she said firmly.

"How did I know that?" she asked. "You were so busy becoming Lisa M. What would you have wanted with a used-up whore and a toddler?"

"Jennie ... "

"I know," she placated. "I just wasn't feeling particularly loveable at the time." She sniffled. "Or, you know, ever."

With a soft growl, Lisa pulled Jennie into her arms. She kissed her tears and she let her, basking in her affection like the desert to rain. One thing led to another, and they were once again making love, though this time without the frantic need. Lisa touched her with the same gentleness and reverence that she had been missing for ten long years. Jennie finally allowed herself to say the words she had been holding back. She whispered her love to her, her need that she alone could sate. She whispered the love she possessed for the girl she had been and for the woman she had become. She loved her with such tenderness that it soothed not only her, but her own tattered heart as well.

*****

Lisa was standing in the middle of her studio, wearing only a pair of leather pants. She held a cup of steaming hot coffee in her hand as she studied her latest piece in the gray, early morning light.

Jennie walked up behind her; her body covered by one of her black silk shirts. She laced her arms around her chest as she pressed her forehead to her back. "What ya thinkin' about?" she asked.

"That I have a daughter," she said truthfully.

Jennie cringed. This wasn't going to be easy. There was going to have to be so much acclimation, for her and Canny. And for Jennie herself. She sighed heavily. "I'm sorry," she said.

Lisa turned around, mindful of the hot coffee in her hand. She pulled her close, pressing a hard kiss to the top of her head. "I love you, Jennie," she said vehemently. "I'm going to make this work."