Chapter 33
"What are you doing, what's happening?" Vera asked, the older woman covering her eyes with her hands whilst Vera stood at the sink having drunk a glass of water.
"Just come with me" Joan answered. "But you're not allowed to look, ok?".
Turning them both around Joan guided them through the kitchen and to the stairs, pausing at the bottom.
"We're at the bottom of the stairs, I'm going to keep my hands over your eyes and carefully walk up behind you, take your time so you don't trip" not wanting Vera to fall.
Vera nodded, having no clue what was happening but going along with whatever was planned for her.
They'd both got back to Joan's from work a couple of hours ago, the older woman disappearing upstairs after dinner, Vera relaxing on the sofa, dozing for a short while before waking up and finding Joan still upstairs, maybe she had some work to do or something, not thinking much of it as she made her way to get a glass of water from the fridge, something about the medication being prescribed made her seem more thirsty than normal, not to mention all the other glorious, like fuck they were glorious, horrific was a more appropriate word to describe them, symptoms that she seemed to be still experiencing.
Still this seemed to leave Joan undeterred in sorting and managing whatever problems were going on in the prison and then to come back home and take care of whatever needed to be done at home and to help Vera too.
It'd been a couple of months since Vera had told Joan about her Hep C still being present and needing further treatment, in this time she'd spent near enough every night at Joan's house. The older woman insisting that she stay here, because she was going to look after her fully, provide whatever Vera needed down to the small details.
And she'd been doing just this.
By god had she.
Clothes had been collected from the deputy's house, so many so that Joan had made a special space in her dressing room wardrobes specifically for Vera's things, her shoes all neatly on the built in shoe shelves alongside her clothes.
Never had she had a space in someone else's wardrobe for her own things, her own space in their house. And to be given this space, especially in Joan's house made it all the more special, Joan had given her this, wanted her things with hers, their things together.
Reaching the top of the stairs Joan guided them along the corridor, turning them into her bedroom.
"What's that smell?" Vera asked, detecting what she thought was a floral scent.
"You'll see in a moment, patience" Joan replied, unable to help smile at the younger woman's seeming eagerness to find out what was happening.
"Patience for what, what's going on Joan?".
Saying nothing else the older woman paused them both in her en suite bathroom, taking one final glance at her work and nodding to herself.
"Ok, I'm going remove my hands now and let you see" she replied, gently lifting her hands from Vera's face, the deputy's eyes flickering open, adjusting to the dimmed lighting and surroundings, before widening at the sight that greeted her.
There before her was a sight she'd never seen before and didn't think she ever would.
The large or should that be huge corner bath was three quarters full with water, bubbles on the surface, the white suds dotted with red roses petals floating on the top.
All along the edge of the tiled bath tub were many candles flickering softly, each one with a little space between them highlighting the water and the room itself.
A small bunch of roses in a vase on one corner on the bath, fluffy white towels draped on the heated towel rail, a couple of wine glasses with a bubbly liquid in not far from the taps three quarters of the way up the bath.
"It's...it's.." Vera started, half turning to glance up at Joan, her eyes shining with tears, this detail causing Joan to frown a little.
"Are you ok? Don't you like it? Would you have preferred something else? Different flowers? Somewhere else, out maybe..." being stopped mid sentence by Vera shaking her head, drawing the long arms of Joan around her waist and turning in said arms, looking up at Joan.
"It's all so thoughtful of you, no one has ever done this kind of thing for me before, no one" a smile over her lips, this then causing Joan to smile and gently kiss her lips.
"Shall we get in?" Joan said, watching Vera nod before the taller woman steadily removed Vera's clothes and then her own, helping her into the bath and to sit down, after which she herself got in, sliding her long legs either side of Vera's, pulling the younger woman back against her, and cuddling close, smiling at Vera relaxing into her arms.
"Here you are" the older woman offering Vera a glass of champagne, she'd read that while a excessive amount of alcohol wasn't good for people with Hep C a glass of champagne wasn't going to harm her.
"That's lovely" Vera remarked after she took a sip of the bubbly liquid, glancing behind her at Joan.
"Only the best for you" Joan smiled, taking another sip herself.
How anyone hasn't done this kind of thing for her before I've no idea.
It's not that hard to treat her properly, treat her well.
She deserves it all.
No one deserves it more.
With their empty glasses back on the side of the bath, Vera allowed herself to relax back in her girlfriends arms, loving the feel of their skin on skin contact, Joan's breasts against her upper back, her arms laying over the top of Joan's.
"Joan?".
"Hmm?"
Taking one of Joan's hands in hers she slid it down her stomach, under the water, resting it between her legs, causing a murmur from the woman behind her.
"Are you sure?" Joan asked, to which Vera nodded, this nod turning into soft moans at the feel of long fingers sliding the length of her lips up to but not quite touching her clit and then back down again, repeating this several times, coupled with Joan's kisses on her neck.
"I..I need you" she moaned, her hips starting to rock at the sensation, reaching an arm up and behind her to wind round Joan's neck, bringing their lips together, tongues brushing together.
Feeling Vera's tongue and the motion of her hips, Joan's body reacted instantly and she began grinding against Vera's bum.
Another slide of her fingers along Vera's lips and she was unable to help herself slip two fingers inside the younger woman, groaning at the feeling of the tight and warm walls surrounding her digits, Vera herself letting out a long groan at being filled, her pants getting more erratic on Joan's thumb brushing her clit, round and round, then this way and that, the sensitive nub being made more so by the water they were sat in.
"Oh god Joan...d..don't stop...please" she moaned at the thrusting fingers within her, the arm that had been around Joan's neck now at her side, her hand grabbing a strong thigh that sat next to her smaller one.
"I won't" Joan murmured into her ear, the older woman's face burying into Vera's neck, a moan escaping as a small hand moved in between their bodies, a thumb rubbing her clit.
Vera's thumb.
God it feels good.
I've missed it.
Missed her touch on me.
Her skilful, soft, small hands.
Those hands that know just where to touch me.
How to hold me.
What I like.
How I like it.
The only person who has.
The only person who ever will.
Two pairs of hips were rocking in the bath causing the water to swish and swirl in the tub, hands working at a more increased pace, moans permeating the already humid atmosphere, sweat beads illuminating brows, eyes closed at the sensations rapidly taking over their bodies.
With her fingers as deep as they could reach, Joan stroked that sweet spot she knew Vera loved, that ribbed patch of such tender skin that drove the other woman into ecstasy, the spot that once again caused the small frame to shake and pant, her back arching against Joan, blue eyes nowhere to be seen once they'd closed, crying out Joan's name as she came. This seemingly enough, with also the thumb of Vera against her own clit to cause Joan to grunt and then moan out her own release, her breathing heavy against the neck of the woman in her arms, a warm, relaxed feeling sweeping over her, her heart drumming in her chest as it always did when Vera elicited that heady and overwhelming rush throughout her body, the figure against her chest also panting her breathing back to normal, feeling somewhat limp in her embrace.
"I've missed this" Vera whispered into the silence, loving the feeling of laying against Joan, the secure arms back around her in the last few minutes, snuggling back against them, her hand over the top of Joan's.
Joan smiled at the comment, her cheek against Vera's hair.
"So have I" she whispered back, and she had, but considering the amount of discomfort, pain and fatigue she'd seen Vera suffer, there was no way she was going to add to this burden the last few months by complaining or mentioning that they'd not had sex, knowing the younger woman would have well aware of this fact without Joan highlighting it any further, making Vera feel guilty, or maybe that should be more guilty than she no doubt already did.
Vera smiled to herself, closing her eyes again, just enjoying the closeness of them both.
I've missed this between us so much.
Missed having this closeness with her.
The way she knows how to hold me, to touch me, to turn me on.
Fuck does she do that.
Every time.
Every single time.
Those hands, lips, that body, all of her.
"Vera?".
"Yeah".
Joan swallowed lightly, opening her eyes to take a look at the woman in her arms, those blue eyes closed, her breathing steady and calm, looking so peaceful.
Her Vera.
"I erm...I've been wanting to put something to you".
"Hmm, what's that?".
"Well I...I've been thinking, thinking that...that...that I feel things are going rather well, between you and I, and that well...well maybe...maybe it's right to ask you the thing I'd like to ask you" stumbling over her words, the saliva evaporating in her mouth, nerves bubbling up as she spoke, all manner of outcomes going through her head.
"Joan, your hands are shaking" opening her eyes and watching the larger hands of the other woman tremble. "What is it, what do you want to ask me? Is everything ok?" suddenly concerned about what she might be waiting to tell her.
"I...I hope so" trying but failing to stop both her hands and voice from trembling. "I...wanted...wanted, well not wanted but...yes wanted.." pausing to steady herself and her now thumping heart.
Come on Joan.
Come on.
Calm down and just ask.
If you don't ask then you'll never know.
And that will be worse than asking and actually having an answer.
The pair of you are alone.
No audience.
No one else in this room.
So come on.
Take a breath.
Breathe.
And ask her.
"I...I wanted to ask you whether...whether you'd considering, erm....moving...coming to live with me....here...here in my house, which would then well...be our house. I understand if you don't want to and that's perfectly acceptable if you don't and..." lips against hers stopping her speaking, small arms encircling her neck and deepening the kiss, a soft tongue grazing over every part of the older woman's mouth making her sigh into Vera's mouth.
"I'd love nothing more" Vera smiled widely, shuffling in the water so she was now sat on Joan's lap, legs either side of her hips, gazing into her eyes.
Brown eyes flickered over the entirety of the face in front of her, settling back on sea blue eyes.
"Really?".
Again Vera nodded in confirmation.
"Really" leaning forward and touching noses with Joan, this simple action bringing a wide grin to the older woman's face.
"Wow" this answer causing Vera to give a little giggle.
"You are wow yes" she answered quickly, the sharp answer making Joan chuckle and shake her head, still touching foreheads with the woman on her lap.
"Are you definitely sure, I understand if it's too much or you.." again she was stopped, only this time it was by Vera's index finger on her lips.
"Shhh. I'm definitely sure, to be able to wake up to this face every morning, to fall asleep in these arms every night, to share this wonderful house with you, the mere fact I can call you mine and that you've asked me such a life changing question, no one else, but me, is well....mind blowing, something I could have only dreamed of, even then I don't think it would have quite equalled this right now. This right here, right now, with you. Believe me when I say there's no one on this earth that could rival you, no one could make me feel the way you do, no one" her hands cupping Joan's face with her hands, looking deep into her eyes. "I love you so much" gently thumbing a tear that rolled down Joan's cheek, placing a tender kiss there instead, releasing the older woman's face, her arms embracing her instead, holding her close, feeling Joan nuzzle into her neck.
"I...I've...I've never loved anyone like I...like I love you" came the whisper from Joan, liking the feel of Vera's fingers through her hair.
"Let's get in bed so I can hold you" Vera whispered back, to which Joan nodded.
With both of them out of the bath and led in bed, Vera beckoned Joan over as she led on her back, the other woman resting her head on the smaller woman's shoulder, an arm draped over her toned stomach, feeling the fingers of one of Vera's hand stroking through her hair and above her eyebrow, smiling as Joan's frame grew heavier on hers, a sign she was falling asleep.
"Other people throughout the world might have fancy cars, lots of money, big houses, yachts, designer clothes, jewellery, these kind of things, but I've something all the money in the world could never ever buy. I've got you" placing a tender kiss on the soundly sleeping woman's forehead, content to lay and watch Joan sleep for a while.