Why do I feel this way?

Chapter 107: Janice Elaine

Janice woke in the middle of the night with Sara secure in her arms. She laid there quietly listening to her heart beat and felt the rhythm of her breath. Janice carefully slid her arms away from Sara as she reached for her phone.

To Unknown:
We need to meet tomorrow... usual place— 10 am.

She sighed softly, a mix of relief and anxiety before wrapping her arms around Sara, it took her breath away. Janice never imagined she would learn to feel again— this may even be love.

The next morning Sara got up a little early to make breakfast— cinnamon rolls, Janice's favorite. The raven haired woman woke to the scent of cinnamon wafting into the bedroom. She rolled over looking up at the ceiling with a grin before hopping out of bed walking a little quicker than necessary to get downstairs.

Janice tiptoed into the kitchen, sneaking up behind Sara gripping her waist and pulling her into herself brushing her lips down her neck pressing soft kisses to her skin.

Sara giggled as she spoke in a sultry voice, "Wow, I'm going to make cinnamon rolls more often if I get greeted like this in the morning." Janice nipped at her neck, whispering against her skin, "oh, baby... this has nothing to do with the cinnamon rolls." Sara turned, dragging her fingers lightly across Janice's arm to her hair and tucking some behind her ear. They got lost in each other's eyes. Janice brushed her fingers down Sara's jawline. Sara combed her fingers through Janice's hair.

The raven haired woman reached around Sara taking a cinnamon roll. Her lips rested millimeters from Sara's. Then Janice brought her hand around Sara and to her mouth taking a bite of the delicious breakfast. Sara playfully smacked Janice's arm, "well that was mean." Janice smirked before kissing Sara's lips. As she pulled back just enough to make eye contact she whispered, "That's more like it. You're such a good girl."

It did something unexpected to Janice every time Sara called her a "good girl". It used to be some phrase that was always associated with some kink for whoever she was keeping company with, but with Sara it was different. She said it with a gentle warmth— it was endearing... loving.

Janice's eyes darted to the clock on the wall. "Baby, I have to go do something. I'll be back soon and fill you in." Sara smiled, leaning in to kiss her partner. "Be careful, Janny."

She pulled up at the park and scanned the area carefully for the person she was meeting. When she spotted him, she exited her car, walked over to the bench and sat next to the man.

"Well hello, Janice. Are you here to threaten my family again? I'm doing everything you asked me to... they just have a fantastic lawyer."

Janice sighed heavily, "No, Piscopo. I'm here to give you what you need to take down Bennie and the entire local network." The man snapped his head towards her, his expression full of shock. "Isn't he going to come after you? Aren't you scared of him?" The raven haired woman scoffed, "If you use the information right, he won't have the opportunity to come after me." The detective nodded.

"Look, Siobhan never had anything to do with the cartel—let her off the hook. I can testify, but I want a deal— immunity for rolling on Bennie." She chuckled nervously. Piscopo knitted his eyebrows, "What happened? You were the one pulling all the strings to frame Siobhan— threatened to kill my family." Janice looked down, hiding the smirk that had nothing to do with Siobhan and everything to do with the woman waiting at home. "I've met someone. Someone special— I might just love her." The detective raised his eyebrows, "Ha, well... that's unexpected."

Janice handed him a briefcase full of documents. He glanced over them then looked up at Janice with his mouth agape. "This is very detailed. We can bring everyone down with this. How do you even have this?" Janice looked at him, her gaze calm and controlled, "I was second in command. I want out. I don't want to frame Siobhan— she's a good person. I'm sure she wouldn't mind testifying either, once she knows she's safe."

Piscopo shook Janice's hand before leaving, "I'll be in touch..." She watches him leave, but remains frozen on the bench for a moment.

What am I doing? It's the right thing. Siobhan and her family don't deserve to suffer. I'm just not sure what consequences this choice will have...

Janice arrived back at Sara's apartment. When she enters, she sees her beautiful woman doing her yoga routine in the living room. "I love, so much, that you do yoga." Sara giggled hearing the sultry tone of Janice's soft voice. She pauses her routine walking over to kiss her partner.

"I need to fill you in on what just happened." Sara took Janice's hand and walked over to the couch. As they sat, they continued to hold hands. "I took all the proof I have on the cartel to detective Piscopo." Sara loosened her grip as she narrowed her eyes slightly. "Is this going to put us in danger? I mean the cartel is seriously dangerous. Did you even think about that before you gave him everything?"

Sara pulled away and stood from the couch, pacing. "What if Bennie or one of his people hurt you? What if they find out about us? What does that mean for me? Am I safe? Will you keep me safe?"

Janice slowly pushes herself off the couch and pulls Sara into a comforting embrace. "I'm sorry that you are tangled in my mess, but I will do everything to keep you safe. I love you, Sara."

The younger woman jerked back her eyes wide and her emotion frozen, "you what?!"

Janice breathes a gentle giggle as she processes what she said, "I love you, Sara." She cradled her hands around Sara's face, pulling her closer and closed her eyes. As she leaned her forehead against Sara's she whispered one more, even more intimately, "Sara Madeline, I love you."

Sara slid her arms around Janice's waist, holding her tight, "God, I love you, Janice Elaine."