Would you Swallow all your Pride?

Chapter Forty-Eight: Bisque.

"Affection memories are the best kind," Billie's words came as soft as melted butter. "How old were you?"

I'm not sure I have many of those. "Six."

"I wish I could have seen young Wilhemina eating cheesecake for the first time." The corners of Billie Dean's sparkled lightly. Venable couldn't help but let out a chuckle as she took another bite.

"Do you have any pictures from when you were young?"

Even though the question seemed a little odd, Billie had learned not to judge. It was safe to say their experiences in life had been very different, even though they shared their fair amount of similarities. She nodded as she took a bite. "I do. Why?"

Wilhemina shrugged. "I'd like to see them... sometime. If that's alright with you."

"Of course." Weird. But it made sense... Billie did want to see younger Venable, too.

Wilhemina nodded slowly as she looked down at her plate. I think I might have a few pictures from school... Granted, she had always hated taking pictures. Brown eyes moved back up to Billie Dean, and a small smile graced Venable's features as she realized the small amount of cream cheese on Billie's face. "Your chin," she said softly.

"Hm?"

"You have cream cheese on your chin."

"Oh." Billie let her fork go and reached for a napkin. She chuckled as she wiped her face clean. "Thank you." Embarrassing.

"Of course." I can't believe the nerve of her to look good even with cream cheese on her face.

Carefully taking one last bite, Billie Dean set her plate aside. She licked her lips and made sure no bits were left on her cheeks. Venable still savored the dessert, and so honey eyes watched her. In no time, they were back at the living room with the dishwasher all loaded and running. Purpura sleepily watched them from her spot at the center table.

"That was good," Billie sat back down at the couch, right beside Wilhemina, whom nodded.

"When did you first find out you had a talent for finding good food?" Venable teased as she leaned back against the couch. Billie Dean let out a small chuckle. Is it safe to feel that comfortable around her? That was a constant doubt in her mind.

"I think it's a talent only for you." She reached for one of Venable's legs, hand resting on her knee and caressing it on top of the pants.

Wilhemina smiled to herself. Floratta Blue permeated her house in comforting tones of coral. "If you say so..."

"Mhm." Leaning closer, Billie kissed Wilhemina's cheek before resting back on the couch.

With the corners of her eyes sparkling lightly, Venable turned her head to stare at Billie Dean. The caresses on her leg no longer felt foreign. Such a short time... Things with Emma had taken so long so develop to whatever it had been. How was any of that even happening with Billie? "Will you help me set my iPad?"

"Of course."

Afternoon dawned and night arrived pretty fast. Shades of orange invaded the living room as Billie Dean was just done helping Wilhemina set everything, and then Venable got up to turn the light on. The iPad now lay charging on the corner table, already with the purple case on and a few apps installed. Honey eyes watched as Wilhemina caressed Purpura on her way back to the couch, and as she was about to comment on her trousers, her phone began to ring from her purse. Brown eyes moved to hers. Billie Dean bit her lower lip and wished the name on the screen didn't start with the letter 'E'—thankfully, it didn't. "It's Jenny," she told Venable before walking to the bathroom, receiving a nod back. Closing the door, Billie quickly picked it up. "Hello?"