Chapter 7
Opening her eyes slowly, Joan squinted against the faint light peeking in through the living room window blinds, her hand reaching for the phone on the coffee table as the alarm went off becoming aware that she wasn't just led on the sofa, but on a body who was also sat on the sofa.
Vera.
Still the smaller woman's arms cradled her, the noise causing the deputy to stir, blue eyes opening trying to focus, as she glanced around the room and then down to the figure in her arms.
Joan.
She'd not moved all night so it seemed, who'd have thought that.
Vera smiled down as the taller woman raised her head to be on level with her deputy's, obviously not used to being in this kind of morning situation, the smile enough to get a smile back from her boss.
"Good morning Joan".
"Good morning Vera" sitting up reluctantly from where she'd been settled. "Coffee?".
"Yes please.." she nodded, her arms feeling empty watching Joan get to her feet and move into the kitchen, sleepily opening and closing cupboards, before the coffee machine whirred on, the aroma wafting in her direction, pulling her to her feet and over to the governor.
Leaning on the island awkwardly she fiddled with her hands, unsure of what to say.
"Smells like good coffee" came the quiet comment, to which Joan looked over, coming to stand near her.
She cleared her throat, repeating the action and taking a breath, dark brown eyes looking into blue ones.
God them blue eyes.
Sea blue eyes.
Vera's eyes.
"W...what you said last night, in the office...about me.." the previous nights events flashing across her mind.
"Yes..." waiting for her to continue.
"Did...did you definitely mean it?" her voice soft.
She nodded. "Yeah I did mean it, I don't say things like that lightly. I do like you more than a friend" searching Joan's face for a reaction, which she spotted as soon as her sentence finished, a red blush emerging on the fair skinned governors cheeks.
What was that she felt on Vera's confirmation.
Shy.
Was it shy?
Yes it was shy, shy but in a good way.
This coming out at the shy smile that caused her to dip her head to look at the floor like a shy child, reaching out a hand to put her fingers under Joan's chin she raised the taller woman's face to look at hers, her hand lingering there.
"That's better" smiling warmly up at Joan.
Joan returned the smile.
How does she do that?
She made me blush like a child, but then wanted to look at me still.
No one has ever made me blush before.
And she likes me more than a friend.
More than a friend, more.
Past being a friend.
Like...fancies me.
"Do erm...well...I was just wondering if you might like to come over for dinner on Saturday, we're both not on shift till Sunday night, so I just thought you might like..." shuffling on the spot.
"I'd love to.." her smile widening at Joan's offer.
Joan's jaw relaxed under Vera's hand as she got the answer she was wanting, a bubble of excitement in her stomach at the prospect of having dinner again with her deputy.
Hearing the whirring of the coffee machine stop, Joan took another look over Vera's face before making her way over and making the coffee, sitting to drink it in comfortable silence at the table, both then taking it in turns to shower and try their best to look as fresh as possible for work, this made easier by the fact Joan was in her house with a spare uniform.
Couldn't it be Saturday already so Vera was here and we were having dinner as she drove to work that morning in front of said woman driving behind her.
Bloody hell Ferguson since when did you become like a sappy teenager again.
Not until her it seemed, glancing in her rear view mirror at the woman in question.
The week passed rather uneventfully, the usual gripes from the prisoners but nothing that couldn't be handled and easily sorted out with a few choice words and threats from the officers and governor.
Then in was Saturday night, the night.
Bustling around in the kitchen Joan was checking that everything was cooking as it should be, being run with military precision, everything in time and ready for when the other things were ready so nothing would be late.
Knock knock.
She checked her watch.
Right on time as always.
Vera.
Taking a breath she moved across the wooden floor, her heels tapping with every step, opening the door and smiling as she saw her guest.
"Hello..." the smile still there.
"Hello Joan.." also the same smile, holding two bottles of wine, one in each hand, lifting them up to show the taller woman.
"One Pinot, one Shiraz, I thought that it was a good idea after last time" a shy giggle at what she must sound like.
That giggle is one of the cutest things I've ever heard.
Look at her.
Small, little dainty thing she is.
So thoughtful and kind and she's my guest for the night.
Joan smiled at the giggle.
"It's a very good idea Vera, come in..." standing aside and holding the door as Vera moved into the house, Joan taking both bottles from her. "Please make yourself at home.." taking the bottles to the kitchen to put in the fridge.
Vera moved more into the house after putting her bag and coat down near the door, eyes wandering at the various ornaments and trinkets around the house, being able to look properly it seemed than her previous visits.
"Can I get you a drink?" was the call from the kitchen.
"Yes please, I'll have a glass of wine if that's ok?" her eyes back to the space she was stood in, Joan moving over and handing her a glass.
"Thank you.." taking it from the big hand that had just been cradling it.
"I...these are for you" Joan remarked, producing a small bouquet of red roses from behind her back and handing them to Vera.
She bought me flowers.
That is one of the sweetest things I've ever seen.
No one has ever bought me flowers before and especially not roses.
"Oh Joan they're beautiful...thank you" genuinely surprised at the gesture and having never been given flowers from someone before, beaming up and gently kissing Joan's cheek, her eyes taking in the sight of the red blooms in her hands.
Joan's smile widened at the other woman's obvious delight and surprise at her gift, her tummy tingling at the kiss, leaving her to admire her flowers as she dished up their food.
Moving Vera's chair out for her to sit down, she then moved it back under the table, fetching the plates from the kitchen and serving the food.
Conversation flowed easily between forkfuls of food, mouthfuls of wine and water, giggles and laughs mixed in with more stories and jokes passed between the two of them, even easier it seemed than the evening out they'd had not long ago.
Clearing away the pots and dishes into the dishwasher, Joan had said to Vera to make herself comfy in the lounge and that she'd not be a minute, the smaller woman having tried to get Joan to let her help, this being instantly dismissed, telling her in no uncertain terms that she was the guest and to go and relax, it wouldn't take her long.
Sure enough Joan was by her side not long after, a freshly opened bottle of wine on the table along with their glasses, sitting down next to the smaller woman Joan smiled, her dark eyes taking in Vera's features.
She's beautiful and she doesn't even know it does she.
How could she not though.
I find her beautiful.
Smiling back Vera moved closer to Joan, their thighs touching, causing a shiver in the older woman at the contact, her eyes moving down to Vera's full lips and then back to her eyes, lips and then eyes again.
"I would like to kiss you" she whispered, eyes not moving from the bright blue ones.
"Kiss me..." her voice trying to get across how much she'd like her too.
Permission granted she leaned into Vera's face, pressing her lips softly to the other woman's, arms around her and easily lifting her into her lap, feeling the legs around her waist and crossing at her back, smiling as she felt Vera smile and the arms around her neck which deepened their kiss, tongues merged in the other's mouths, soft moans moving between them.
God I love feeling her long dark hair in my hands, it's so soft and so long, not to mention shiny and frames her face perfectly when she has it down, so much better than when it's scraped back in that tight bun.
Joan's arms tightened around Vera, holding her close against her body as they kissed, her thumbs stroking her sides over her jumper.
It seems I can't not hold her close when we kiss, my body just has to have her as close as possible to me, no gaps or spaces, I want her against me.
Never have I wanted to hold someone so close, have that kind of contact, usually it's the opposite, I keep them as far away as possible, but not her, I want her close and I want to be close to her too.
Vera smiled as she felt the strong arms around her, only parting because her lungs had used their oxygen supply and were crying out for a refill.
Panting softly when their lips parted, liking the fact they were still close together, Joan leant her forehead against the other woman's looking deep into her eyes. Small hands moved from Joan's mane and came to rest on either side of her face, thumbs stroking either cheek as Vera returned her stare, getting absorbed into the dark brown eyes of the governor.
"You're beautiful, do you know that?" Joan whispered tenderly never once breaking her eyes from the set mere millimetres from her own.
A wide smile broke across Vera's lips, a shy hue highlighting her cheeks.
"And you're gorgeous" the also whispered reply, now Joan's cheeks flushed with shyness in time with her beaming smile.
Joan touched her lips back against Vera's in a soft kiss, breaking apart to gaze deep into her eyes.
Never has anyone called me gorgeous before, no one.
If they had I wouldn't have believed them, but I do with her.
Her eyes speak truth.
"No one has ever called me beautiful before" admitted Vera, her arms crossed over behind Joan's head.
"They must be blind as well as stupid then, because you are beautiful, very beautiful" her voice dripping with honesty and tenderness.
"Just like someone hasn't recognised how gorgeous you are because you really are Joan, not just in looks but in here too.." one of her hands coming from behind the taller woman's neck to lay over where her heart was.
Hearing Vera's words and feeling her touch a single tear crept out and slid down Joan's cheek, being wiped away by the younger woman's thumb, then cupping her boss's cheek with the same hand, keeping their gazes together, murmuring.
"It's true" watching as Joan leant her face into the touch, closing her eyes, enjoying the feel of the gentle skin of her deputy's hand against her cheek.
Vera smiled as she watched her.
She's so so gorgeous.
How has no one recognised this.
Yes she's got flaws and faults, but hasn't everyone?
She's just like a timid little girl, not used to being loved and cared for by anyone.
Well that's their loss because I will.
I'll do just that, hopefully she'll let me, which she seems to be doing at the moment.
Joan Ferguson you gorgeous woman.
Eye lashes parted to reshow the dark brown eyes of Joan, unable to take her eyes off the woman on her lap who still held her face.
"Stay with me tonight, please?" her voice with a slight tremble of nerves at what she was asking.
Vera nodded, smiling.
"I'd like nothing more".
In one sweeping motion Joan stood up from the couch, easily picking the small body of Vera up with her, legs still around her waist, vacating the living room and heading up the wooden stairs, into the corridor, pushing the door to her bedroom open with her nearest hand, shutting it closed with her foot.
Vera glanced around the large room in wonder, it was so Joan, from the she was guessing king size bed in the middle of the room with the white and black duvet set, finished by numerous pillows of varying sizes, the gloss black wardrobe doors with chrome handles, a matching bedside drawer on either side of the bed itself a lamp in the middle of these, both matching of course, and the chest of drawers against the wall across from the bed that held a rather large flat screen TV on it, black to match the furniture.
She watched as Vera took in her bedroom, apprehensive at what she might be thinking, never had anyone seen this deep into her home, the kitchen and living room being all they'd got to see, been allowed to see, yet now this other woman was here in her bedroom, surveying it before her.
"What you do think?" she had to ask, get it out.
"It's lovely Joan, it all matches and fits together so well".
Tension lifted at the positive answer, Joan walked to the bed sitting down on the edge still holding Vera, looking at her.
"No one has ever been in here before".
"Then I feel privileged to be the one in here now".
Another smile from the governor.
"I'd like, I'd like..." she struggled finding her words, nerves seemingly blocking them from travelling to her mouth in order to voice what she'd like.
Look at her, so confident and astute in work when the uniform and the 'mask' is on, but get her alone and in an intimate setting, trying to ask something and you see the real Joan, the shy, nervous, unsure Joan.
Vera brushed her thumb against the strong neck of the other woman just behind her ear.
"It's ok, take your time... what would you like".
Joan swallowed feeling foolish at stammering her words, trying to voice what she'd like.
Come on Joan.
Deep breath.
She's here and she's ok with this.
Try again.
"I'd like to, to hold each other in bed, to be...close".
"Then that's what we'll do, although first I'd better take my boots off, not very comfy to wear in bed" joked Vera, getting a chuckle from Joan, getting out of Joan's arms and removing her boots, also taking her jumper off, leaving her t shirt and jeans on and climbing into the bed beside Joan who'd already gotten in, her own blouse being taken off and leaving her in just a camisole and jeans.
Shuffling across the vastness of the big bed under the fluffy duvet, Vera reconnected with the arms which made her feel the safest. Taking the position the other woman had with her the other night after work on the sofa, her head snuggling under Joan's chin, nose resting on the soft skin of her neck, not far from the pulse point of the dark haired woman, Joan wrapping Vera securely in her arms, their bodies flush against one another's.
Vera smiled at how they were laying, reaching a hand up and stroking through the luscious locks of Joan, her hand coming to settle on Joan's breast bone, closing her eyes as she relaxed even more.
She smiled at feeling Vera relaxed in her arms, her nostrils inhaling the floral scent of the other woman's shampoo, realising how close she had another human being to her and how she didn't feel scared or like she wanted to flee or run away.
Why it was she couldn't really put a finger on it, or could she?
Maybe the person, namely the woman in question who was in her arms.
She was the reason for this sense of calm washing over Joan Ferguson.
Making her feel able to voice her inner feelings, her wants, her fears.
No one before her had been able to do this, people had come and gone, not even passing close to coming near her, in her personal space.
Yet this petite wonderful woman had managed to sneak under the radar, get close without Joan even noticing until she was there in front of her.
And now here she was wanting, this becoming more of a need as time went on, to have her close.
Not having heard Vera speak for a good few minutes caused Joan to look down at the figure in her arms.
A happy sigh leaving her lips as she gazed down at the now sleeping Vera, her breathing slow and steady, hand still resting on Joan's breast bone, snuggled in as far as she could to the taller women, head rested on Joan's shoulder, not a sign of any stress or distress over her features, feeling that safe and relaxed with Joan holding her that she'd fallen asleep.
Being conscious of not disturbing or waking her companion, Joan placed a feather like kiss to Vera's forehead.
"You really are so beautiful, I'm so glad you're here with me" was the tender whisper, taking a few more minutes to gaze at Vera, resting back on the pillows, her cheek leaning on the top of the smaller woman's head, letting herself enjoy the moment a while longer, and then closing her eyes.