Chapter 14
Nastya had been confused when Kate had suddenly gotten up and disappeared. She heard the younger girl's footfall along with an unfamiliar set of footfall approaching which caused her to turn in the direction it came from.
Kate beamed, a taller woman with curly ginger hair stood next to her who seemed highly uncomfortable. “Everyone, it looks like we have another guest. For those of you who don't know yet, this is Beverly, Phoebe, and my aunt, ma's younger sister.
"She decided to pay us a surprise visit. Isn't that great?”
Nastya was relieved to hear the admittedly very attractive older woman was a relative of Kate's and not competition.
Gretchen Janeway, to everyone, but Beverly's surprise gave a huff before exclaiming. “I didn't invite her over here...”
Nastya was stunned, never once having seen Kate's mother so obviously displeased, the older woman had been nothing but kind and welcoming to Natascha, Dee, and herself thus far and to think that the woman standing next to Kate was her own younger sister, made the matter all the more confusing to Nastya.
'People are strange. Family truly is a foreign concept to me still as well it appears. Just when I had been convinced I had finally found the perfect family, I am proven wrong.'
Kate was very confused and irritated as well, asking her mother incredulously. “Ma, what's with the hostility?
"This is your beloved lil baby sister we're talking about here who you haven't met in a long time. Why aren't ya happy to see her?”
Beverly sighed and told her oldest niece apologetically. “I should've warned you about this earlier, Katie. Your mom and I had a little bit of a fall out back then when we last met. We haven't talked at all ever since then.
"I made a big mistake and your mother has good reasons to be mad at me. It was wrong to come back here.
"I didn't mean to intrude on your private life like this, Gretchen. Sorry for ruining the mood, once again...”
Kate was stunned by her aunt's words and atypical behavior. The young girl was convinced that no matter the severity of the mistake she might've made in the past, the past was in the past.
It was highly irrational of her mother to hold a grudge against her own sister like this. Kate previously had known her mother and aunt as nothing but loving and caring towards each other.
She exclaimed sternly. “I don't care what has transpired between the two of you, but I believe that the past is in the past. Ma, you taught me so yourself.
"You're usually not one to hold grudges against anyone, much less for years. We're all family. I love both of you a lot and care for you a great deal.
"Can't you stop this stupid fight and reconcile? What could possibly be so bad that ma would act like this anyway?
"Care to explain this to me?”
Beverly felt the blood rush to her cheeks in humiliation, hoping against hope the ground beneath her feet may swallow her.
Gretchen, to her surprise, wasn't blushing, as she would've expected, and instead said accompanied by a sigh. “She broke my trust and if I can't have one thing it's liars and betrayal, especially when one could just talk about it instead.
"I'm your damned big sister, Bev! Do you seriously think so lowly of me to go snoopin' around behind my back, meetin' some girl in secret and thinkin' I wouldn't find out about it?
"Well, I did, and hell was it unpleasant for all parties involved.”
All eyes on the table turned wide, Edward Janeway quickly ushered Phoebe and Natascha inside, his gut feeling telling him this was about to be a conversation the young girls shouldn't have to hear.
Phoebe kept whining along the whole way up to her bedroom, trying desperately to persuade her father to be allowed to stay, but Edward didn't budge, not wishing for the young girls to hear what he deemed could very well be an adult conversation.
For a moment he had considered taking his older daughter inside as well, knowing she was still very innocent for her age, but in the end, he deemed her old enough to decide for herself if she wanted to listen to this conversation, or not.
Once the children along with the sole man of the house were gone, Kate, unable to suppress her curiosity any longer asked her aunt. “Aunt Beverly, are you attracted to women?”
The older woman sighed, having dreaded this question, especially from her oldest, favorite niece with whom she had a strong bond, nodding slowly. “I'm a lesbian, yes. Sorry, Katie. I really wish you could've learned of this in another way...”
Gretchen snorted, exclaiming incredulously. “Oh, so ya wish Katie could've learned of it in another way, but you're perfectly fine with your older sister catching you redhanded?”
Nastya felt her cheeks heat up at those words, fairly certain she knew what the older woman was getting at and having a hard time imagining Gretchen Janeway of all people running into her younger sister being intimate with another girl.
At this moment, she was all the more glad to have successfully stopped herself earlier in Kate's bedroom. Lord knows how Gretchen would've reacted to running into her eldest daughter in the throes of pleasure with none other than herself.
Meanwhile, Dee was blushing hard as well, transfixed by Beverly who she, admittedly, found to be very attractive, yet also intimidating.
Beverly sighed. “Gretchen, it's not like this, at all. I'm sorry, truly I am, that you had to find out like this, but I was so terrified and confused, knowing what the general public thinks of people like me.
"I never meant to lie to you or betray you, but I saw no other way than meeting my lover in secret, to keep the family honor intact.
"You know how mother and father are.”
Kate was listening intently now. Her mother's family, especially her parents, always had been a touchy topic for the older woman for reasons, Kate couldn't seem to comprehend.
The Janeway sisters had grown up with no grandparents, Edward Janeway's parents having died before they had been born and Gretchen's parents being shrouded in mystery.
Having heard her aunt's statement just now, Kate more than ever found herself wondering about those people.
If they were, as her aunt claimed, disapproving of people like herself and Nastya, then Kate, in all honesty, didn't have any interest in ever meeting them in person, knowing they'd probably hate the guts of her for her orientation alone, something she could not and did not want to change, yet was very much frowned upon by the general public as Beverly had stated correctly just now.
Gretchen sighed sadly, her eyes having dulled. “Oh, Bev! Did you seriously think I'd hate my own little sister for loving another woman? Or that I'd tell our parents about this?
"You could've confided in me and I would've been nothing but understanding and supportive. The general public may still be very close-minded in terms of that, but I'm an open-minded person, Bev and I'm your big sis who loves you and cares for you very much.
"I'm sorry for not having been there for you when you needed me the most and making you feel unwelcome here.
"I missed ya, sweetie.
"Can you forgive this hard-headed big sister of yours?”
Nastya gently wrapped her arms around Kate who had started to sniffle, so touched was she by the emotional display of the two older women who meant so much to her.
Dee wiped at her eyes as well, having a hard time keeping her emotions in check, reminding herself to perform an extra intensive self-care program later so as to not end up an emotional wreck.
Gretchen and Beverly shared a long hug, the younger woman saying gently, tears running down her own cheeks. “I was never mad at you in the first place, sis, so there's nothing to forgive. I'm just so glad you accept me and love me the way I am.
"Those last few years have been rough, but I managed and they made me stronger. I finally found the courage to move out from home and do my own thing, lead my own life although it's been pretty lonely...”
Nastya at this moment could relate all too well to the other woman who she deemed to be around Dee's age.
An odd thought occurred to her.
'Dee is lonely and attracted to women, so is Beverly. What are you thinking there? They are two adults and should know best what they want. You are a fool for wanting to play cupid.'
Meanwhile, Dee was having similar thoughts but dared not voice them, not even look at this gorgeous woman who she deemed to be way out of her league.
Nastya felt her heart flutter as Kate yawned next to her, once more reminding her of the cat she used to have back in Russia.
'She is much like a precious little kitten, this girl. It is no surprise I am this attracted to her. I have always been very fond of cats.'
Nastya mentally scolded herself right after having this thought, deciding at that moment that she'd never ever let that kind of information slip in front of the younger girl, not wishing to humiliate her by comparing her to an animal, albeit a very elegant, graceful, precious animal and a great hunter.
That last thought caused Nastya to blush and mentally curse herself even more.
She stated sternly, doing her best to mask the turmoil of emotions inside her. “You are tired. I shall bring you to bed.”
Kate blushed at that which caused heat to pool in the blonde's nethers.
'You need to maintain your composure around her. Kate is innocent and pure. Your dirty thoughts and lusting after her would only taint her.
'It is best to keep a healthy distance to her to avoid anything from happening which we might later regret.', Nastya told herself grimly as she got up from her chair, Kate tagging along, the two girls quickly bidding goodnight to Gretchen, Dee, and Beverly before ascending the stairs to the redhead's room.
Kate felt a sense of deja-vu hit her, the memory of her practically dragging Nastya up the stairs earlier causing her to blush once again.
The young girl, admittedly, found herself wondering what could have happened earlier had Nastya not reminded her to talk to her parents.
Kate was very inexperienced, especially for her age, yet, she had read quite a few novels that featured two females as lovers and therefore was not as innocent and pure as the blonde seemed to think she was.
Knowing Nastya had been with many women before and was therefore very experienced herself, still evoked a certain panic inside Kate.
She was afraid Nastya would quickly grow bored and tired of her, or maybe she was simply a tick on her list, an adventure.
No, she berated herself. Nastya had confessed her love to her earlier at the graveyard.
Also, those past encounters she'd had with those women had been born out of necessity, not love, or even lust, at least, not for Nastya. It had been a job to earn money with for her, not a means of enjoyment.
Kate once more found herself disgusted at those rich women for forcing themselves onto the blonde who, at the time, must've very much been underage still.
Adults were supposed to protect and watch over children, not use them in such a way and act like they were mere tools.
“Kate, are you alright?” The redhead blinked, her cheeks heating up when her eyes stared directly into the worried pale blue orbs of the taller girl.
Her voice sounded awfully hoarse when she answered her. “I'm... fine, Nastya. Sorry for spacing out just now. It's kind of a bad habit of mine. I'm a little bit of a daydreamer, ya know.”
Nastya nodded slowly, filing this new word she deemed fascinating and very endearing into her cortical node. “I am relieved to hear you are well, Kate. There is no need for you to apologize. You are tired, so it comes as no surprise that you would lose focus.
"Seeing as we have arrived at your room now and it is rather late, I shall best take my leave. I am certain Dee is already waiting for me to accompany her back to the camp.
"I have had a most pleasant time with you today, Kate, but I still feel guilty for having shared my past with you. I hope you will not be plagued by nightmares because of this...”
Kate, unable to help herself, stood on her tippy toes, wrapping her arms around the taller girl's neck, her lips pressing firmly against the plush pair of the blonde.
Nastya's eyes widened for a split second before closing, their lips moving in perfect sync against each other, the older girl memorizing every inch of the redhead's exquisite lips, never wanting to forget how they felt so perfect against her own.
Nastya felt a painful tight sensation in her throat when they parted, not wanting to leave, but knowing she couldn't stay either.
Her composure was already merely hanging by a thread anymore as it was and she did, by no means, wish to ruin this blossoming romance by rushing things, forcing herself onto Kate even.
Tears were stinging in her eyes as she rushed down the stairs, Kate watching her, her heart hurting, wishing the other girl could've stayed with her, but knowing such a wish was selfish and her parents would probably not have liked them sleeping in the same bed either.
When Nastya entered the front porch of the farm she was stunned to merely find Gretchen sitting there anymore.
The older woman looked at her gently, patting the space next to her. “Sit with me for a moment, dearie.”
Nastya was reluctant, asking hesitantly. “Dee?”
Gretchen waved her hand dismissively. “Your friend's sitting in the kitchen with my sister. I doubt she'll wanna leave here anymore tonight...”
Nastya's eyes widened at the older woman's blunt statement, her cheeks turning pink, a sight that warmed Gretchen Janeway's heart and caused her to apologize to the younger woman. “I'm sorry. That came over the wrong way.
"What I meant to say was that once my sister gets to talkin' she won't stop so easily.
"When we still lived at home together we often sat till sunrise and talked. Knowing your friend those two will sit there for about as long as that I assume...”
Nastya chuckled in amusement, winking at the older woman conspiratorially. “Knowing Dee they might still be sitting there when breakfast is being served tomorrow morning.”
This caused Gretchen to bark out a laugh, something which Nastya noticed, to her astonishment, reminded her much of Kate.
'Genetics indeed is a fascinating subject. Kate truly has lucked out in terms of that, having inherited only the best traits of each of her parents.'
The blonde snapped out of her reverie by the older woman's voice. “What's on your mind, dearie? I honestly thought you'd be staying with Katie.
"Did something happen between the two of you? Did she kick ya out of her room?”
Nastya shook her head quickly. “No, it was nothing like that. I did wish to stay, but I was convinced Dee was waiting for me to accompany her back to the camp.”
Gretchen nodded in understanding. “Ah, I see. Well, your friend's gonna stay here, so why don't ya stay here for the night as well?
"You're always welcome here. I'm sure Katie will allow you to stay in her room with her tonight.”
The older woman's eyes seemed to have taken on a mischievous glint, but Nastya tried to blame it on the moonlight.
She got up from the bench and walked back towards the front door. “Good night, Gretchen and thank you.”
The older woman smiled softly. “Good night, dearie. No need to thank me for anything.”
Kate had been about to write a new diary entry when a knock on her door caused her to panic and quickly put the red journal back in its hiding before calling out. “Come in!”
Her eyes grew wide at the sight of the person she would've least expected to see standing in her doorframe, fiddling with her hands. “It appears I might get to stay here overnight, after all. Dee is busy talking to your aunt and your mother allowed me to stay here.
"Would it be acceptable for me to stay in your room with you, Kate?”
The redhead felt her pulse skyrocket at the question, the prospect of getting to share her bed with the blonde tonight causing her skin to prickle.
She patted her bed, smiling shyly. “Of course, that's acceptable, Nastya. Come over here and join me.”
Suddenly the redhead remembered something, her cheeks heating up at an image of what she until this day was convinced, had been a stark naked Nastya in her bed in her trailer that morning.
She whispered. “Do you... typically, sleep... in the nude?”
Nastya's own cheeks turned bright red at the unexpected question from the younger girl.
She swallowed and bit her bottom lip. “I do... However, I do not wish to cause you discomfort, Kate, so I am going to sleep in my undergarments if that is agreeable with you.”
Kate instantly felt bad hearing this. She didn't want to force the other girl to act unnaturally just to appease Kate.
The redhead gasped when she suddenly remembered something that seemed to be the perfect solution. “Wait a minute, Nastya. I might have something here that could help fix this problem.
"I don't want you to sleep in your undergarments which I'm sure are rather stuffy and uncomfortable.”
Nastya blinked as Kate walked over to her wardrobe, rummaging through it for a moment before eventually coming back, waving a long white dress that was made out of thin material in the air triumphantly.
The blonde asked the younger girl curiously. “What is this garment, Kate?”
The redhead grinned widely. “That's a nightgown, Nastya. It's made out of a very soft thin material.
"I usually wear it in summer when it's unbearably hot outside, but it might be a good alternative for you to wear instead of your undergarments, or sleeping in the nude...”
Kate's cheeks turned pink once again at those last words which almost caused Nastya to groan.
'You must stay focused. Do not lose your composure around her.'
The blonde quickly tried on the nightgown, fascinated at the softness and lightness of the material which almost made it feel as if she was wearing nothing at all. “This... is perfection. Thank you for allowing me to wear this 'nightgown' of yours, Kate.”
The redhead had a hard time not to drool at the sight of the other girl dressed in the nightgown which hugged her curves perfectly, leaving very little to the imagination.
'Gods, how am I supposed to get any sleep tonight with this goddess lying right there next to me? This is torture...'
Kate wanted to weep then and there but smiled softly. “You're very welcome, Nastya. It suits you far better than me anyway as if it was made for you. If you want, you can keep it.”
The blonde blinked and shook her head. “No, I will not keep this garment, Kate. It is yours and I am certain that it suits you very well too.
"Let us rest now. It is late.”
Kate bit her lip and laid down, her heart thrumming in her chest, a fact that did not go unnoticed by Nastya, due to the blonde's heightened senses. Nastya felt uncertain as to how to act for a moment, laying down stiffly, her own heart beating painfully hard in her chest.
A smile tugged on her lips as the younger girl scooted closer to her. The taller girl wrapped one arm around Kate, who nuzzled into her chest, a fact that sent the heat to Nastya's face and to her chagrin also to a place down south.
'How am I to compose myself, or 'sleep' with this most precious kitten being awfully snuggly tonight?'
The blonde sighed softly. 'If only I had thought to bring my journal with me...'