Chapter 11
It had been a week since Vera had been in the hospital. She had been at Joan’s ever since. For the first three days after the younger woman had been released from the hospital Joan had been at her side at all times. She took a 3 day leave out of work just to make sure she was there for Vera. That was something she would never do for someone else. She couldn't remember the last time she even spent a day away from work to meet her own needs.
Vera had now made herself so at home that she even has her own delicate drawer in Joan’s bedroom. She has her own toothbrush in the bathroom. Vera even got Joan to grab her favorite pillow from her house so that she was more comfortable.
Vera was finding it easy to stay at Joan’s. The older woman made her feel safe and comforted. A Lot of people see Joan as a monster but they have never seen the side of Joan that Vera sees. The side of Joan that is kind and gentle while changing the bandages on Vera’s wrists. The side that is caring enough to bring Vera breakfast in bed. The side that gives Vera her space if she needs it. And most importantly the side of Joan that has never pressured Vera into anything she doesn't feel comfortable with. That is the Joan that Vera has come to know and Love. The side of Joan that Vera wants to see every day and spend the rest of her life with.
Vera looked over at the clock on the bedside table. It was 9:30am. Joan would be home at 7pm. This gave Vera plenty of time to run to the store and grab what she needed for tonight when Joan got home.
Finally after making sure she was going to have plenty of time Vera got out of bed and took a shower. Vera preferred not to take showers because of her wrists but she didn't have time for a bath.
After her shower she changed her bandages. Normally Joan did this when she got home but Vera would have to manage for now. After Vera was dressed she made the bed. Since she had been at Joan's she had picked up on some “rules” that Joan had around the house and how clean she liked things to be. One of those things being the bed, Joan always had a certain way of making the bed and Vera picked up on this so she knew how to do it herself. After making the bed Vera made her way downstairs.
Downstairs in the kitchen Vera was making herself a bowl wheat cereal. This was her go to breakfast when she wasn't in the mood for cooking. That wasn't the case this morning but she had no time to cook, she needed to get going.
After eating she went over to the front door, slipped on her shoes and grabbed her keys. Vera considered calling an Uber because Joan didn't want her to be driving yet but she felt like she could do it. Walking out to the car she slipped in the front seat, adjusted her mirrors and made her way to the nearest strip mall.
On the way to the strip mall Vera found that she missed driving. It was one of the things she used to do to relieve some stress. She also liked to Listen to music while she drove so she turned on the radio and the first song that came on was Stronger By Kelly Clarkson one of her favorite songs. She couldn't help but turn up the volume and start singing.
“What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over 'cause you're gone”
She kept singing till the song was over and by the time the song was over she was pulling into the strip mall. She found a parking place that was closest to “Your pleasure palace” A lingerie store. Vera was nervous because she never bought things like this before but tonight was a special night and Vera wanted it to be perfect. As Vera walked up to the store she took a deep breath before entering. When she entered all she could see was sexy nightwear and underwear. Before she even got a chance to take everything in a woman approached her.
“Hello Ma’am, is there anything I can help you with?”
“Uh, yes could you help me find something for me to wear for my partner?” As soon as the words left her mouth she regretted them
“Yes of course. If you come over here you'll see that we have some sets that you could look at or you could look at the silk sleepwear. What does he like?”
“Well I'm not entirely sure what She prefers. We've never done this before.” Vera made sure she emphasized that her partner was a Woman.
“I see, well how about you look around and if you see anything like you just call me over and we can take you into a fitting room to see how it fits.” The lady said with a smile
Vera watched as the lady walked away. She wasn't quite sure what Joan would like but there were a few things that caught her eye. She went over to a light pink lace bra and pantie set. She grabbed it but out of the corner of her eye she saw a sheer mesh cover up that was the same color as the pantie set. She grabbed that too. Vera also grabbed a cream silk nightie and made her way over to the lady at the desk.
“I’d like to try these please.” Vera asked the lady at the front desk
“Of course right this way.” The lady led Vera to a room in the back meant for changing.
When Vera got into the room she hesitantly took off her top along with her bra. When she grabbed the Bra and pantie set she grabbed a size below what she would normally get because she heard that it would make her look more full. So when she tried on the bra it was surprisingly comfortable. When she turned to look into the mirror she almost gasped. Her bosom looked big, bigger than normal. It was exciting. She immediately knew that she was going to buy everything. She already knew that she was going to fit the silk nightie and the mesh cover up so she put her clothes back on and exited the room.
“Thank you, I'll take it all.”
“I'm glad you found everything to your needs.”
As the lady was walking Vera back up to the register another set caught Vera's eye. It was a red lace bra and pantie set. It was just Joans size too. Vera smirked to herself. She walked over and picked the set out along with another black silk nightie for Joan. Black and red were Joan's colors especially red it suited her pale skin.
She walked back to the register and placed everything on the counter. As the lady was wringing everything up Vera stopped her at Joan's things.
“Could you put that in a gift box please?”
“Of course! What color ribbon would you like?” The lady held up an assortment of colors.
“Red please.” Vera chose
Once everything was rung up Vera paid. She spent way more than she was expecting but it was definitely worth it. As she made her way back to her car hands full of backs she checked the time it was 12pm. She had spent 2 hours in the store! She quickly put the back and walked to the next store. Bath and Body works. She just needed some candles and bubble bath from there and she could finally make her next stop of the day.
As she was leaving the strip mall she made her way a few miles down the road to the flower shop. When she got there she picked up a dozen red roses and a bag of pink and red petals mixed. Vera once again made her way out to the car and put everything in the back seat.
After she left the flower shop she went to the wine shop and picked up two bottles of shiraz and two bottles of pinot. With that concluding her shopping of the day she made her way back to Joan’s.
When she finally made it back to Joan’s she unloaded the car and took everything inside. Vera checked the clock and it was 3pm that gave her four hours to set up. Before she did anything though she went upstairs to take another shower. After taking a shower she put on sweatpants and a t-shirt until she was ready to change into what she bought.
Vera went over to the rose petals and began to make a trail from the door all the way up the stairs and into the bedroom. She put a bunch of petals on the bed and went to grab the candles from downstairs along with the dozen roses. She placed two large candles on the dresser and a few small ones around the room. She placed the roses on the bed and then made her way back downstairs. She grabbed a bottle of shiraz and a bottle of pinot and grabbed a bucket of ice and placed them in the bucket and took that upstairs also.
Once she was done setting everything up she realized that Joan would be home in 30 minutes so she quickly grabbed her lingerie and headed upstairs. She lit the candles when she got in the room. From the bag she pulled out Joan’s box and placed it on the bed along with the flowers and started to change. As she put on the bra and panties she admired herself in the mirror. She honestly didn't think she would ever see herself in something like this but if she was honest she loved it and she knew Joan would too. She grabbed the matching mesh cover up and put it on. After she pulled down her robe and slipped it on. She was going to do something with her hair but she decided to leave it down. Joan always did like when her hair was down.
Joan would be home any minute so she went over the bedroom again to make sure it was perfect and dimmed the light to just above dark. She made her way down stairs to check that everything was still good and she dimmed the lights again. She walked over to the radio and plugged in her phone and played soft music. Just as she was about to sit down she heard the key click in the door and then it opened and closed.
“Vera?” Vera heard Joan call out in confusion obviously due to the setting.