Blessings In Disguise (lesbian)

(12) I Just Remembered That I Forgot

The elevator arriving at Layne's floor, the duo walked out, their arms linked as they strolled through the quiet empty hallway. Both were pondering how this night would come to an end when they stopped at the door leading into the muralist's temporary home. Layne produced noise when she jiggled the keys in her hand. Spying the keychain, which she gave her for Christmas, Dylan grinned. Reading her thoughts without the advantage of being a mind reader, the blonde chuckled.

"Yes, I'm so glad that I'm not a birthday. Although, there have been many times when I felt like one." That's right. Go ahead and talk about how sex deprived you've recurrently been throughout your adulthood. "Um, I have something for you." Layne briefly thought about running inside her apartment and slamming the door when dark brows rose in...was that interest? Now it sounded as though she were propositioning Dylan. This just keeps getting better!

"Dylan," she sighed, tapping her door with an index finger, "I have a present for you in my apartment." The eyebrows appeared to climb higher. Groaning, Layne promised to return in a second, and before her date could answer she had the door unlocked and went inside. It actually took her sixty-eight seconds to return, but Dylan wasn't counting.

"I meant to give it to you before we left, but I forgot. Happy Valentine's, Dylan." She handed her a thin white folder with a red ribbon tied around it.

The brunette smiled. "Aw, you didn't have to get me anything." She was already tugging on the ribbon. Opening the folder, the first thing she noticed on a sheet of paper was her full name typed in bold script. The words 'star deed' across the top of the sheet caught her attention next. Her face shining much like a star, she looked toward Layne, kissing her cheek before she spoke. "You named a star after me? That's so incredible. I've heard of this but no one has ever..." Trailing off, she quietly read the entire certificate.

A five-digit catalog number preceded the name of her constellation Leo, the Lion, which was also her astrological sign. Below that was her boldfaced name with smaller writing underneath it explaining where her star could be located. The numbers and letters bunched together made zero sense to Dylan, but she vowed to figure out what they meant so she could try to track down her star. Also, the purchasing of a telescope might come in handy.

To the left of an embossed golden seal proving the authenticity of the certificate was a message from her friend.

I know that you're a star, 

Because you brighten up my life. 

Always, Layne 

February 14, 2006

"Oh, Layne. This is so sweet. You brighten mine too," she whispered as she pulled the smaller woman to her for a long embrace. "Thank you so much. I'm gonna frame this and hang it on the wall." She didn't want to let go because it felt so right to hold her, but Dylan finally released her friend. She was delighted when Layne took her hand back, squeezing it gently.

"Thank you for tonight, Dylan. If I were to make a short list of the best nights of my life, this I guarantee you would be on it--at the top. The cruise, the food, the music, the atmosphere...you...it was all so wonderful. I had the best time."

"So did I," Dylan replied in a shy tone. She had half a mind to ask Layne if she wanted to come up to her apartment for a nightcap just so she could prolong their time together. However, the other more sensible half of her brain convinced her not to offer a drink. Layne would remain in San Francisco until summer so it wasn't necessary for them to spend every waking moment in each other's presence. So say goodnight Dylan.

"Guess I should get home..."

Layne softly smiled. "You don't have far to go at least."

Smiling back somewhat, Dylan shook her head. "True." Ahem, say goodnight Dylan. "You like waffles?"