FINALE
Christen reclined back in her seat and rummaged for her laptop from her oversized carryon bag after she heard the flight attendant tell them it was okay 15 minutes into her trip. She was on her way home for the holidays, excited to see her family and friends for longer than 24 hours this time. Her phone had been shut off for twenty minutes and she knew how pathetic it sounded, but she missed talking to Tobin already. They rode to the airport in comfortable silence, taking in their last few moments together for almost two weeks.
When Tobin had pulled up to the curb to let her out , she felt the tears building up behind her eyes and tried keeping them at bay as long as she could. “Hey,” Tobin softly said after setting her suitcase beside her. “Don’t cry, it’ll go quickly. We’ll text and Skype,” her face was full of concern as she searched for Christen’s eyes.
“I know, I’m just being a big baby. I like spending time with you,” she sniffled just once before composing herself again. Tobin broke into a wide grin, closing her eyes tightly for a second before reopening them. “That’s always nice to hear; I like spending time with you, too.” She felt a kiss against her cheek that went straight to her heart before pulling Tobin in against her body. “Okay, say goodbye to me right now, right here before I have the chance to make it worse.”
They giggled and locked lips, both refusing to accept the last kiss and letting their hands linger in not so appropriate places for the public. It took more time than it should have for Tobin to finally push her forward towards the doors. She glanced at her girlfriend over her shoulder and saw she waited until she was safely inside before getting back in the car and leaving.
Christen replayed that sight in her head over and over now, thinking how if it were up to her she would never part with Tobin. Five months and she was hooked. She had pulled out the laptop but couldn’t see or feel the headphones she needed to play a movie to pass the time.
Her bag felt oddly full to her; she couldn’t remember what she had stuffed in it the night before (mostly because she was in a hurry to get into bed where Tobin was waiting) but didn’t think there was that much she had packed. She pulled it up onto her lap, opening it the whole way to see a stack of envelopes and a massive bag of Hershey’s kisses.
They were colorful, all labeled on the outside by ‘day #_’. Immediately, she knew this had to be Tobin’s doing, partly because of the scrawly handwriting and partly because of sweet gesture. On top was Day #1 and since she couldn’t ask permission to open it, she reasoned it would be okay. Her fingernails ran under the edge of the folds, ripping it open hastily. It was a card with a picture showing a sweet little puppy with a frown, laying on his paws. This is exactly how I feel.
Miss me yet? Open one envelope a day until I get there! I promise it’ll make the time go faster. Oh, and have a piece of candy anytime you’re craving a kiss. I promise they’re just as good and maybe even a little sweeter :) Miss you and love you, see you in TWELVE days.
She wanted to cry all over again, this time out of joy. It was so Tobin, so thoughtful for her to write little notes to keep her mind at ease during their time apart. Popping a kiss into her mouth she laughed to herself, they were sweet indeed, but nothing compared to the sweetness of having Tobin’s tongue rake over her own or how her bottom lip tasted in between hers. Her fingers ran over the other envelopes, a few seeming like they weighed more than others. I wonder what she put in them? Maybe I can cheat and open them and pretend to be surprise when she asks. No, that would defeat the purpose, right?
An elderly lady next to her interrupted her thoughts. “A nice surprise?” she inquired with a knowing smile on her face. Christen happily responded, “my girl-, yes, it was nice surprise.” She hadn’t introduced Tobin as her girlfriend to anyone outside of her circle at UNC but she was well aware there were people who were not comfortable with the fact that two women could be together. It was a part of their relationship that was still growing with her, accepting that others might not be as tolerant as the ones she loved.
“I could tell,” the woman nodded, “it looks like it worked.”
Christen eyed the woman’s worn hand, likely from years of working and experience. She saw a small diamond ring and gold wedding band adorning the left hand but the woman was traveling alone. She smiled and nodded back, affirming the women’s observation. “Were you in for a visit to see someone?” the woman asked.
“Oh no, I’m a college student at UNC. Heading home for the holidays now.”
The woman’s face seemed pleased. “A young woman is most powerful with an education, I only wish I had the opportunity to earn one. Back when I was your age, women were expected to get married and have babies right away!”
It made her sad to think this woman had been denied the same chances as her but also brought gratitude. “Did you do that? Get married then have children right away?”
She smiled, a twinkle in her eye. “I did, but much to my parent’s dismay not in that order. Well I did get married before my first son was born but I was already four months along. What can I say, I was young and in love.” Christen laughed, “it happens.”
“How about you, are you ‘young in love?’ I’m going to guess that surprise is from someone who’s awfully fond of you.”
Christen wasn’t sure how to word her response without being short and seeming rude. “You could say that,” she settled on. An eyebrow was raised at her response, “you seem unsure of that, my dear.”
She relaxed back in her seat a little, eyes looking back down at the card Tobin had written for her. “No, I’m very sure. I don’t think I’ve ever been so sure of it,” she admitted. The woman smiled. “It’s overwhelming sometimes, isn’t it? I don’t think I truly realized the weight of love until my Charlie was gone.”
“I’m so sorry,” Christen told her, feeling guilty. A wave of a hand dismissed her sentiment. “Oh it’s been twenty six years, I’ve come to terms with it,” she laughed. “But I still wear my rings and refer to him as ‘my Charlie’. It makes me feel like he’s apart of everything he’s not able to be here for.”
The woman looked like she could be in her late seventies, almost completely white hair with light (but bright) blush on her cheeks and red lipstick ringing her thin lips. She looked healthy, actually pretty good for her age if someone were to ask Christen for her opinion. Twenty six years, she was still pretty young, Christen concluded. “That’s sweet,” she offered.
Her new friend thanked her. “You know it just flies by, life. One minute I was sneaking Charlie out of my parent’s living room and the next we’re at the bank going over our wills to include all four children.” She nodded along, happy to hear everything she was told. “I never imagined I’d have four children but they are the other loves of my life. And my grandchildren, which is where I’m headed today - to see them in Los Angeles.”
Christen hung on to the woman’s words, feeling in tune with her. “That’s what I keep hearing, that it all goes so quickly.”
“Now,” the woman said in a serious tone. “Have you and your girlfriend made plans for when you are finished with your education? Will you have children, because I know a career is important but children are wonderful too.”
It took her a second to register what the woman had said, rather than what she asked. “How did you know?” Christen squealed, relieved to be open about her relationship.
“My dear, in all my years that I have loved and raised and encouraged young men, I still know that only women understand we want two things: chocolate and to hear nice things.”
…
She landed in sunny L.A. after what felt like a comfortable and quick flight. She exchanged cell phone numbers with Catherine, her friend from the flight, after promising to update her on how she and Tobin were doing. The woman was so supportive and encouraging, wanting to hear every detail about their relationship. She kept it PG but for the most part tried to drive home the point that they were solid and committed, truly in love.
Christen spotted her older sister and Mom and baggage claim and jogged towards them with open arms. “I’m here!” They were just as enthusiastic, wrapping her in the middle of them for a hug. “Glad to have you home, baby girl,” her Mom greeted her. She pulled her back, studying her from head to toe. “You look wonderful Christen, almost glowing!” she winked. She had been in LA for all of 18 minutes and her mother was already teasing her. “Mom,” she whined, “stop it.”
“Where’s Tobin?” her sister asked. “I came to check her out, not you.”
Huffing, Christen shook her head in disbelief. “Thanks a lot. She’s not coming until the 30th, I told you that.”
“Yeah but it seems like you two are attached at the hip these days so I figured she’d just come now.” Christen pulled away from the two, starting to walk over to get the bags rotating on the conveyer belt. “It’s going to be a long visit, isn’t it?” she laughed.
It was no better when they made it to the house.
“Christen! Where’s Tobin?” Her dad exclaimed, arms wide open asking for a hug.
“Does anyone even care that I’m here?” Her voice had a hint of annoyance, even though she knew that they were thrilled to have her home Tobin or Tobin-less. She pressed her nose into her dad’s sweater, smelling cologne and cigars, which meant he had just come in from their back patio where he liked to admire the cliffside view. “Of course we care you’re here! It wouldn’t be CHRIST-mas without CHRIST-en.” She wrapped her arms tightly around him, unable to go the whole way because of his large stature. “Oh Dad, please save the bad jokes until after Tobin leaves,” she murmured into him.
While she was unpacking in peace, she remembered she hadn’t turned on her phone to thank Tobin for the surprise.
Christen: I had a couple of kisses already…
Tobin: Have as many as you want, I can bring you more :)
Christen: I think I’d rather have a different kind
Tobin: I can definitely bring those too
They caught each other up to speed on their arrivals home, both safe and sound, happy to be back with their families. Christen knew it was important to see her friends so she let Tobin know she’d catch up with her sometime later or earlier in the morning depending on the time since there was now a three hour difference. She hopped in the shower quickly, dressing in something other than long sleeves thankfully for dinner with a group of her good high school friends. This was her opportunity to tell them exactly what she’d been up to in North Carolina since she hadn’t filled any of them in yet. A few of her girlfriends had asked repeatedly if she met anyone, but there was never a good time to tell them the truth.
She whizzed past her dad, grabbing his set of car keys from the bowl they were kept in on the kitchen counter. “I’ll see you guys later!”
“She’s in and she’s out already!” he called after her. “Hope you’re going to get Tobin!”
Christen whirled around and squinted her eyes at him, teasingly. He smiled at the reaction he go. It’s good to be home.
….
“Wait. You’re dating a GIRL!?” her friend asked her, the shock in her voice apparent. She had finally mustered up the courage to tell them over appetizers, revealing that she’d met someone who made her happy and they would have the chance to meet her on New Year’s Eve at their group party.
Christen saw six pairs of eyes staring into her from around the circular table. “The girl’s name is Tobin and yes we are dating.” No one seemed to know what to say or do next as she watched each of them take in the information. From what she could see, they weren’t upset or anything, just surprised.
“Please don’t take this the wrong way Chris, but is this just like an experimental thing or…?” her friend’s voice trailed off, uneasy with how her words were coming out.
She took a deep breath, ready to answer open and honestly. “No, it’s not. I wasn’t always sure where I stood, if you know what I mean, but this is right. Tobin is definitely everything I’ve wanted in someone and she makes me really happy.”
They all nodded in understanding, each one of them offering her a smile with either their mouths or eyes. Yet, she wasn’t convinced they were accepting. “What do you guys think?”
Eyes darted back and forth between each other, no one volunteering to answer first. “Guys, c’mon, I’m still me,” Christen assured them.
“I think it’s great,” she heard. “I’m just surprised so give me a second to catch up here! You never even mentioned anything about it in all these months.”
Christen dropped her shoulders. “I know, I’m sorry. I just never knew how or when to blurt it out. I thought maybe telling you all in person would be easier somehow.” She was met with more positive feedback, “so we get to meet her? I bet she’s hot, she’d have to be to land you!”
The rest of her dinner was filled with a million questions about how they met, what Tobin was like, etc. etc. They all were more than excited by the end of the night to grill Tobin herself in a week, putting her at ease once again. Why didn’t I tell anyone sooner? I hope they like her; they’ll definitely like her.
Christen: My friends and family are more excited to meet you than to see me :(
She waited for a text back while moving around her room, becoming re-familiar with it, getting ready for bed but wasn’t sure that Tobin would still be awake. It was after midnight on the East Coast. Just as she was settled into bed, feeling lonely without the presence of Tobin cuddled in next to her, her phone vibrated.
Tobin: Does it help that I’m way more excited to see you than to meet them?
Christen: Definitely. Sorry if I woke you, I’m in bed too. Love you babe, night.
Tobin: In bed, huh…..
Christen: Tobin!!!! Goodnight
Tobin: ;) love you
………
She opened one envelope a day, sticking to the instructions despite the temptation to rip through them all. Each one was different than the last; giving reasons why she was in love with her to rehashing a good time they’d had together to encouraging quotes about love. If anyone was ever looking for the definition of a romantic, they should see one T. Heath. She wanted to know when and how Tobin had managed to this without her seeing or knowing what she was up to, but that was apart of the magic and she’d just fight the urge to ask.
On Christmas, the envelope was a little heavier. Inside was a sweet card that made her blush as the mushy declaration of love but also a stack of gift cards to the coffee shop where they’d first met. The note included: Enough to get us through the next semester. We’re going to take time out to have a quiet coffee date each week, just the two of us, on me.
Again, she was touched that Tobin took something simple like a gift card to a coffee shop and turned it into something that was meaningful for them. It also made her feel badly; she didn’t get anything for Tobin. It had kind of slipped her mind in general to shop for her since she did all of her shopping online in early November. It wasn’t like she was used to shopping for a girlfriend anyway.
Tobin assured her time after time that she wasn’t expecting anything for Christmas. She had even offered that she thought that her trip was a gift in itself, which did make her feel a little better.
They were almost to that time.
Tobin: I’m so excited to see you!!!!!!!
Christen: You have no idea!
Christen: T-Minus 8 hours
She had been counting down the hours, not so secretly, to everyone. Her sisters teased her relentlessly about it, but she hoped it was because they were just as excited as her. For once, she wasn’t even nervous; her decision to bring Tobin in to meet and stay with her family was an easy choice. She had schedule their every minute that Tobin would be in California, a total of four days. It wasn’t long, but she was happy enough to have any time together. The reason for the short visit was because Tobin had decided to take a class over the winter break that was a one week intensive course, requiring her to be back at UNC a week before the Spring Semester arrived. She understood that it was best for her and promised to make the cross-country trek worth it.
Six hours and fifty two minutes later, she stomped her foot impatiently by the front door, waiting for her sister to decide whether or not to bring a jacket with her on the ride. “Let’s GO! I don’t want to be stuck in traffic or anything. I can’t leave her stranded there by herself!”
“Oh relax. Stranded? You gotta kill the dramatics, Chris,” she said as she rolled her eyes on the way past her, out the door. Easier said than done. She sighed heavily before following her sister out into the warm, late morning air, getting in the passenger’s seat. “I wish you’d let me just take your car so she doesn’t have to sit in the back.
“Who said she is the one that has to sit in the back?” her sister asked, looking overtop of her sunglasses in her direction.
The drive was torturous, morning LA traffic crawling per usual but not enough to keep them from getting there on time. She refreshed Tobin’s flight information every other minute, making sure there weren’t any delays or emergencies. “She landed!” Her phone told her that they landed a few minutes ago and their timing would be perfect to meet her inside at baggage claim by the time she got down there. She walked quickly, much to her sister’s annoyance, ahead while keeping her eyes peeled for Tobin.
She spotted her first, seeing Tobin squint as she came down the escalator. She must not be wearing her contacts. Her arms shot up, waving over her head like she was an air traffic controller. Tobin didn’t see her yet and although she looked like one, she didn’t feel idiotic. When she was close enough, she called out, “Tobinnnnn!” She watched the light brunette jerk her head in her direction, grinning stupidly.
Like a scene from a movie, Christen ran into her outstretched arms, jumping up to wrap her thin legs around Tobin’s defined waist. She was spun around slightly, both girls giggling in response. Christen’s chin dug into Tobin’s shoulder, where she was perched and could see her sister shaking her head. “Come on,” she whispered, “let’s get you home.”
Tobin let her down gently and went in for a kiss on the mouth which she sidestepped. “My sister is watching” she told her grabbing her hand for reassurance that it wasn’t her. Her sister looked amused when they approached her, “I’m hoping you’re Tobin because otherwise that’s one heck of a greeting, Christen.”
Christen couldn’t contain her enthusiasm that Tobin was in LA. “Yes! Tyler, Tobin; Tobin, Tyler.”
“Nice to meet you,” Tobin stuck out her hand. She was met with a widespread hug that knocked her back on her heels a little bit. “We’re a hugging family, nice to meet you! I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Good things, I hope.”
Tyler laughed, “of course. Let’s get your bag if you have one and get back to the house. Mom will have lunch for us.”
Tobin shook her head and patted her oversized leather bag, “I actually just carried on since it was a short trip. I figure if I need anything, I can borrow yours?” she questioned Christen. The thought of Tobin wearing her clothes, in her state, in her house...it was just so perfect.
“Of course you can,” she squeezed the girl’s fingers. “Let’s go, you must be hungry.”
The ride home was comfortable with Tyler peppering questions left and right, not aggressively though, Tobin answering them calmly and completely. Just when she was feeling great about the situation, she saw it.
Her parents, sister, brother-in-law, dogs were all standing outside of the house as they were driving down her street. Oh my God, they formed a welcoming committee. She turned around to face Tobin in the backseat. “I’m gonna say it now, I’m so sorry.” Tobin looked confused, turning the corners of mouth out and squinting her eyes. She must have put it together a few feet later as they turned in the driveway and she saw both humans and animals watching them.
Christen took a deep breath when she got out of the car, giving her best pleading look to everyone involved. “Tobin!” her dad’s voice boomed. “You made it!”
Tobin. Her sweet, effortlessly cool Tobin. She wasn’t panicked. She wasn’t awkward or shy. She embraced them all as if they were long lost friends and did just the right amount of talking. Christen watched her dad sling his arm over her shoulder as they walked side by side into the house where her mom was leading and saying “I hope you’re hungry, I made just about every type of food you can imagine.”
She was left standing on her own in the driveway, somewhat in disbelief. “Oh, don’t worry, I’ll get her bag. Thanks guys,” she said to aloud to herself, sarcastically. Instead of heading to the kitchen where she assumed everyone had settled, she put Tobin’s bag in her room first and checked her appearance in the mirror. When she made her way downstairs, no one noticed her presence, including her girlfriend.
There was laughter and smiles, all eyes on Tobin while she spoke. It was killing her.
Not that she wasn’t happy that they all seemed to like her or that they were putting effort into something, or someone, that she loved, but after two weeks apart all she wanted to do was run her hands up Tobin’s long body and give her a welcoming kiss she’d missed so much. Her daydream was interrupted by six pairs of eyes staring at her, waiting.
“What?”
Tobin cleared her throat. “Your mom asked if you had made plans for us tonight.”
“Oh!” she snapped back, “Yeah. I thought we could go to dinner in Manhattan Beach and meet some of my friends after I show you around a little.”
“Sounds good to me,” Tobin said while gazing deeply into her. Their eyes didn’t leave each other while the rest of her family members continued chatting and helping themselves to the spread. It gave Christen a chance to memorize the flecks of gold in her eyes, appreciate the beauty she had managed to snag.
Love you, she mouthed. Tobin’s teeth showed even more before her sister tapped her on the shoulder and handed her a plate. They ate outside on the patio furniture, Tobin in awe half of the time of the spectacular views. “You are so lucky, Chris,” she breathed. “I woulda never left California if I were you.”
Christen nudged her with her shoulder. “Then I would have never met you.”
Rolling her eyes, Tobin told her “This view is definitely better than me.”
“I don’t know about that.” All she could do was stare back forth between Tobin’s eyes and her lips. So desperately, all she wanted was to reach out and brush her own against them, feeling warm contact that would send electricity through her body. Tobin must have felt it too, because she leaned in and whispered, “I’m getting a little tired, do you think we could make take a nap, upstairs..?” she said the lowest tone possible with a little emphasis on the last part.
She nodded, “Mom, thanks for lunch but poor Tobin was up really early and we still have to meet my friends tonight. I’m going to show her to my room and she can take a nap.”
Her mom smiled, “of course. Tobin, we’ll see you later?”
“Thanks Mrs. Press for lunch and thanks again for having me.” Her mom waved Tobin off, “any time, you’re welcome anytime.”
Christen walked cautiously slow inside like it was no big deal until they were out of the watchful eyes of her family. She tugged on Tobin’s hand and ran up the long flight up stairs to her bedroom. “Which room am I staying in?” Tobin asked.
She turned around and gave her the side eye. “My room?”
Tobin seemed surprised. “You mean they don’t care that I stay in your room? I can totally stay in a guest room or something.” Christen pushed her slowly up against the hallway wall, rubbing her arms from top to bottom while examining her lips. “Babe, they don’t care. My sister was allowed to have her boyfriend sleep over every once in a while when they were out late or whatever. They’re cool.”
“Wow,” Tobin acknowledged. “Just a warning, when you come to my house my mom will definitely set us up in different rooms until the day we’re married.”
“Hmmm,” Christen hummed nuzzling her neck. “I like the sound of that. Now come inside my room before I lose it right here in the hallway.”
Tobin pushed her backwards then followed her lead into the neutral colored room, sunshine streaming through the lightweight curtains. The entire space was all almost white or ivory, very Christen and very serene. When she turned around to comment on the room, Christen was right on top of her, arms clinging around her neck and pulling her in closer.
Their mouths fought for entrance to one another, sloppily licking and biting down. She ran her hands furiously overtop of Tobin’s back, shoulders, along her sides and over her chest. Tobin’s hand gripped her curls and side of her head, twisting and turning at the right angles for continued pleasure.
They backed themselves up to fall onto the spring mattress, still connected by the mouth and a few other body parts. Tobin rolled her over, sitting up to tangle their legs and grind her hips down onto Christen’s thigh. It made her wet immediately, aching to touch and relieve the pent up sexual tension that was lingering in the air. She motioned for Tobin to come closer, taking her face between her hands and sliding her tongue along the ridges of her lips while arching her thigh into Tobin’s hot center.
It was overwhelming; so much, so quickly.
“We should stop,” Christen panted. “They’re all downstairs and I won’t be able to control myself if this goes any farther.”
Tobin got the message and seemed to agree. She pulled her hair back in a bun and smoothed out of her clothing as she sat up and fell beside Christen. “Can we still take a nap?” she asked hopefully, looking over at the raven colored beauty who was trying to catch her breath.
“Yeah, of course,” Christen told her before she placed a light kiss on the girl’s nose. “I call big spoon, though.”
…..
They didn’t make their evening dinner plans.
Tobin was sacked out beside her, the room almost dark from the downed sun and lack of lights turned on. Christen watched her steady breathing in and out, in and out, while noticing how long her natural eyelashes were as they tickled her cheeks. She ran her hand overtop of Tobin’s hip, down by her leg. Tobin stirred at the light contact but ultimately didn’t open her eyes.
She decided sleep for her girl was much more important at the moment and scrounged for her phone on the nightstand to let them know they would have to wait til New Years to meet Tobin. They said they understood but she caught the undertone of some of the messages; they were disappointed.
It was almost seven when Tobin finally woke, disorientation filling her eyes. “Hi baby,” Christen soothed, caressing her cheek. She was rewarded with the cutest closed mouth smile. “Hi.”
“Want to get up and go to the beach or to dinner?”
Tobin shot up, looking around. “Don’t we have plans with your friends? What time is it?”
Christen shushed her, “it’s okay, you’ll meet them another time. It’s a little past dinner but we can still go out just the two of us.” Contemplating what to do next, Tobin agreed. “Yeah, okay. I just need to brush my teeth and change.”
She watched her strip down to her underwear and put on a pair of jeans and garnet top that went well with her complexion and flip flops. “I’m happy I get to wear these,” her eyebrows wiggled. “Good thing you chose them ‘cause we’re going to go to the beach, too.”
“But it’s dark?”
Christen smiled at her. “It’s even prettier at night, I promise.”
She didn’t lie. Tobin seemed to agree with her, with her face illuminated by the almost full moon watching the waves crash against the cliffs. “This was a great idea,” she complimented Christen with a mouthful of a burrito. They’d decided to get something to go from one of Christen’s favorite restaurants and eat while walking on the beach and finally finding a spot above on the cliffs.
“So, what are our plans for the next few days? Anything you want to do or show me?”
“Oh yeah, I think we should hit up some of the museums, take advantage of the beach weather, go to all the fun beach towns..” Tobin cut her off. “What about meeting your friends or spending time with your family? Are you going to invite them, too?”
She felt a little caught off-guard. “You want to spend time with my family and friends? Not just the two of us?” Tobin leaned into her side, looking upward at her. “Of course I do but I didn’t come the whole way here to keep you away from them. I think it’s important to spend time with them, together. We can’t be in a bubble all the time.”
She pouted, “I like the bubble.”
“Me too,” Tobin laughed, “but baby imagine just how jealous we could make people when we’re out together.” She pressed her mouth up against Christen’s chin, nipping at it.
Giving in was the only option now, because all she wanted to do was return the flirting. “Okay, we’ll spend the day with my family tomorrow and then New Year’s Eve with my friends. Happy?”
“Uh huh,” Tobin nipped a little harder, pulling some soft skin between her teeth. They were still in earshot and eyesight of others so they couldn’t take it very far, but they rolled around and heavily made out, unable to control their giddiness.
Even though they took a long nap that afternoon, neither had trouble falling asleep that night. Perfectly molded together, they were hitting it out of the park on every level - emotionally, mentally, even physically. The only thing missing was a home run, but Christen vowed to keep that until they were back in North Carolina, out of the prying ears of others.
The next day, the spent sunup to sunset with her family; riding bikes along the beach town paths and doing a mini bar crawl around dinner. It felt so good to be in the presence of all the people she truly loved, knowing they were falling in love, too. Tobin had been right, it was important that they spend time together and integrate themselves as a couple. Still, she was looking forward to a little more alone time they had planned the next day while they would sleep in and then relax on the beach until it was time to get ready. Christen tried scheduling time at a museum downtown in L.A., but Tobin had vetoed the idea, saying traffic would be insane and besides, ‘they would just go next time she was in town”.
It warmed her all over to think this would be a regular thing and she agreed to the plan - relaxation from here until the moment she had to leave.
It took all of her might not to throw herself on Tobin when she had to watch her in a much tinier bikini that she’d imagined she would own on the beach the next day. Her already bronzed skin glittered in the sunlight, her long, loose strands matted from the saltwater. Seeing her, no one would believe Tobin wasn’t a natural born Californian. That night though, she looked even better.
She was a knockout in her fitted black dress, showing off her sculpted calves and thin legs that were a little marked by turf burns but oh so sexy, while her arms were long and goddess like. Her hair was straight tonight, thanks to Christen’s insistence of playing with her new straightener and a smoky eye that might have been a tad too much for her natural beauty. They looked good together, there was no doubt in Christen’s mind as she looked them up and down in the mirror. She snapped a selfie of them before heading out the door, promising her parents a hundred times they wouldn’t drink a drive.
“I know Tobin wouldn’t let that happen,” her dad acknowledged. “Dad!” she cried, “you know I wouldn’t let that happen. Remember me? Your favorite, smart, daughter?”
He kept fixing his own bowtie in the reflection of the entryway mirror, “yeah but she’s my favorite daughter-in-law.” Tobin stuck her tongue out at her, un-phased by his label of her. Christen reached for her hand and pretended to stomp out of the door. “Happy New Year, girls!” he called before she slammed the door.
Tobin pretended to buff her nails and rub them against her chest, “man I am just too good, I guess.”
She squinted her eyes in scrutiny at her. “Oh please, you still have some critics left that might not be as easy to please.”
She was off. Way off.
Tobin got an even better reaction from her friends who petted her up and down, gushing over her hair, her eyes, her dress, he physique...everything. They all wanted to talk to her first, handing her drinks and offering anything that passed by them. Christen felt overwhelmed by the attention and couldn’t figure out how Tobin didn’t, but when their eyes met she knew that all she had to do was give her the signal and they’d be out of there.
She barely spoke to Tobin that night, both too busy being whisked around the room to people she hadn’t met yet or people who were eager to give their opinions on her girlfriend. “Damn, she IS hot, Christen” her bestie admitted. “I totally get why you kept her a secret, you didn’t want anyone else to have her!”
Not completely untrue.
Across the room, Tobin’s head was thrown back, laughing a joke in a circle full of guys she barely recognized. They seemed to be sizing the usual tomboy up in all her beautiful glory, unaware that she was attached already. “I’m gonna go save my girl,” she pointed, breaking aware from her current conversation.
“Hi, babe,” she greeted Tobin, slipping the same arm with a drink in her hand around her waist.
“Hey, Chris. I just met some of the guys you went to school with. I didn’t know your high school had a decent soccer program.” To Tobin’s credit, neither did she. Nor did she really place the guys, even though her private school was really small. Maybe a different year? The male’s eyes looked between each other, trying to decipher the situation correctly. To confirm their thoughts, she ducked a little, putting lipstick stained peck on Tobin’s bare shoulder.
“Yeah, we were pretty good,” one of them commented. “We should make our rounds and hit some other people up. Nice talking to you Tobin, nice to see you, Christen.” Two of them bowed out, one stayed for a moment longer, looking between them with a little bit of arousal on his face at.
Finally, they had a moment just the two of them as the clock was about to strike midnight.
“Told you people would be jealous,” Tobin whispered into the fullness of her curls, having observed the same reaction from guys. She bit her lip, knowing just how true it was. “Come on baby, give ‘em the show they want,” Tobin encouraged right before she dipped Christen back, trailing three kisses up her neck before making contact with her ruby red lips and igniting a perfect kiss.
……
Back at her house after paying a crazy Uber amount at almost two a.m., the two were stripped down to their undergarments, heavy petting underneath the sheets happening. “I want to, you have no idea how much I want to,” Christen whispered. “But it’s just still a little weird to me, having you here in my bedroom, in my bed at my parents house. I don’t want to risk getting caught or anything.” She could see the understanding on Tobin’s face, but she joked anyway. “Oh come on, Chris, I think at this point your parents would be upset if we didn’t, I mean they clearly know what a catch I am. I might be their new favorite over you.”
She ran her fingers over top of Christen’s ponytail and smiled. “You might be,” she admitted, knowing the joke had some substance to it. “But come here, at least let me kiss you some more.”
Tobin parted her lips, taking Christen’s into her own. They slowly re-explored each other, gently, taking in the scents that tastes that came with them. She was out of breath after a while and could see Tobin’s eyes were shut and relaxed, meaning she was tired. “Should I set an alarm for us?”
Tobin didn’t open her eyes but hummed in acknowledgment. It was then Christen let their tight schedule of their last morning together in California go right out the window; she wanted the chance just to lay and enjoy the close contact without a care in the world.
…..
“See you five days?” Tobin ran her thumb over her cheek, placing a kiss along the trail of it. They were standing at the airport in a similar situation to a few weeks ago, this time the roles reversed. Christen had enjoyed sleeping in and a lazy breakfast outside with her girlfriend before it was time to pack up and send her back to the East coast.
“Yep,” she replied confidently. She could handle it; five days was nothing at this point. They would have the whole semester together and if Tobin felt the same way she did, they would work their summer plans out so they were inseparable. She stifled a small giggled, knowing that Tobin’s calculation of days was off by one - she’d booked her flight for a day earlier than what she originally told her, trying to give her a little surprise as a belated Christmas gift.
“Ok babe, time to go then. I’ll let you know when I land, alright?” Christen melted further into their embrace before letting go, fingers untangling and giving a little wave. “Have a safe slight. Love you.” She watched Tobin saunter inside with such an unintentional swag, dressed in comfortable clothes that hugged the right places and made her look effortlessly sexy. Her hair was tied up into a long cascading ponytail that she had the urge to wrap her hands in and pull.
She slammed the cab door shut while looking at up at the house and making sure her car was still in the spot she had left it three weeks ago. She saw Julie’s and Tobin’s cars there too, everyone else had either either taken theirs for the month or put it somewhere else. No one else was due to arrive back for the Spring semester until late tomorrow or the next day, which gave her at least twenty four hours of alone time with her girl.
Carefully tiptoeing up the steps and unlocking her side of the house’s door, she sent a text to Tobin.
Christen: Guess what….?
Tobin: What?
Instead of texting back, she walked through the common room and yelled, “No you actually have to guess, you just can’t say what!”
“Chris!?” Tobin called to her from somewhere upstairs. She ran up the wooden steps, missing a few in the process before swinging Tobin’s door the whole way open to see her sitting at her desk with papers and her laptop spread out.
“CHRIS!” she yelled a little more excitedly, leaping out of her wobbly chair to rush her. They embraced forcefully, knocking the wind out of her. “Hi baby, surprised?”
Tobin looked stunned to say the least. “I don’t think you showing up places will ever not surprise me,” she confessed before pressing her lips against her own roughly. Christen took the chance to deepen the kiss quickly, opening her mouth to slide her tongue across Tobin’s.
“Take your shirt off, now,” she commanded, dropping her purse from her shoulder onto the folder. Tobin pulled back and smirked. “Bossy little thing right when she walks through the door.” Still, she did what she was told. Christen ran her fingers lightly over the small swells of Tobin’s chest, feeling the goosebumps under them rise up. She kneaded a little harder, see the pupils in Tobin’s eyes darken and get bigger, clearly turned on already. Their bodies inched closer until there was no room between them with Christen not allowing her to move from their spot. “I want you on your desk.”
Tobin arched her eyebrows in surprise. “Everything okay? You seem a little…” she was at a loss for the right word at the moment.
“I have wanted to touch you and feel you since the moment you walked in my house a week ago. I can’t wait any longer. Drop your pants and hop up on your desk, now.”
Her girlfriend complied and enjoyed doing so in the meantime. “Nice to know you can take directions, Heath.”
Christen paced towards her, hungrily licking her lips and anticipating the taste they were about to get. She ran her hands over top of Tobin’s thin, silky thighs towards the lines of her simple underwear. She toyed with the top of it, dipping a finger a little inside but not making contact with her most sensitive spots. Christen nuzzled her lips into Tobin’s neck, running her nose over top of her pulse point before latching on with her mouth. Tobin herself copped a feel underneath her shirt, running her thumbs over Christen’s bra. “Hmm, let me take yours off, too” she requested.
Hands in the air, her own shirt and bra were off in no time. “Now go back to what you were doing,” Tobin told her. She didn’t though. This time she dropped lower, sliding Tobin’s underwear down to her knees, giving her a whole new perspective of her center. She spread Tobin’s legs as wide as they would go without being uncomfortable, all while watching her girlfriend rock back with her hands behind her for balance. She ran a single finger through the already drenched folds that waited for her, before she dove in with her mouth, relentless in swirling and licking thoroughly. Tobin lifted her hips to give better access, fully engulfed by Christen’s mouth. She whimpered with each touch, building and building over time. Christen would pull back every other minute, careful to prolong the experience for both of them.
Soon, it was too much for either of them as Christen could feel the warm, wet spot soaking her own pants and Tobin trembling underneath her mouth. She was vocal, like music to her ears when she peaked.
Tobin jerked her hips once more before falling back overtop of the messy stack of papers, her hair spilled around her perfect face. Christen put one last kiss on her center before carefully pulling her underwear back up her legs into place before pulling at Tobin’s arms to sit her upright again.
“Perfect,” she muttered into Tobin’s flowing hair. She could feel the weight of the girl leaning into her for support, her arms generally limp around her waist. “You okay, babe?”
She heard a string of incoherent words, more like just sounds come out, that made her smile big. “You want to go downstairs and get something to eat?” Tobin smiled against her body, “I think I’d rather do that again.”
“Well since you asked so nicely..”
…..
Christen stood in the kitchen in nothing but an oversized t-shirt and a pair of underwear, putting the bagels in the toaster. She turned around to look at Tobin who was sitting up on the counter waiting patiently to eat after their ravenous morning in bed together. The poor girl’s once smooth and glossy hair was now all over, a weave of knots and sticking up in the back. She still looks beautiful.
“Last day before reality sets in again. Soon it’ll be chaos.” Tobin pointed out quietly, breaking her admiration. Christen smiled. In her own mind, she knew that the peace and quiet and lack of interference was special but that wasn’t what had shaped their relationship. “This is still reality, just not our typical one.” Tobin looked confused, so she continued.
“Tobin, we started in chaos. We got to know each other that way and despite all of that, we came out on top, right? It’s going to be fine, great even.” She saw her girlfriend smile adoringly at her, contemplating her thoughts. “You’re right. Man, how’d I get so lucky?” she asked, pulling Christen in between her legs by the waist and pressing her lips against the cool skin of her neck.
“I ask myself that same question every single day.”