Sweeter than Heaven

I'll be seeing you
In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day and through

In that small cafe
The park across the way
The children's carousel
The chestnut trees, the wishing well...

Flo was on stage doing her thing. It was near Christmas and the pub was understandably less hectic than it customarily would be on a Sunday evening.

Stu had travelled North to do some recordings which paid very generously and Flo stayed until the pub closed and Harry would bring her home safe.

She sang the song looking directly at Isabella. She would come twice a week to see the band, after visiting her cousin and the boys.

That night Isa kept sober, she wanted to make the most of her time with Florence, who would always sit at her table after the show. Usually she did the same with other regulars or when someone oferred her a drink, taking the precaution of always keeping it friendly, nothing more. But lately she preferred spending the rest of her night talking to Isa and knowing more about her and her views on most anything.

Isabella was in London for two months, taking some deserved time off. She resided in New York for five years then, having her work being shown in galleries and as a guest professor at an Art College. She used to share an apartment with Julie, a fellow artist who also taught at the College but they weren't on good terms, so the time off would grant enough time for Julie to move out and settle everything easily.

Isa was heartbroken, Julie didn't return her feelings, but she was starting to feel joy in the smallest things of life again, by spending time with her cousin whose health improved splendidly. But especially by Flo's friendship and all the beauty that she brought to her evenings and nights.

They would sometimes go out for lunch, Stu too when he was around.
Monday was a day off for Florence at the pub.

"Say, Flo, would you like to come to Hackney tomorrow for lunch?", she asked hoping Florence would agree.
"Certainly, I need a change of airs... But is it ok if Stu doesn't come?", she asked, under the assumption Isa would miss him. She failed to notice that Isabella was nice to everyone, and never particularly cared about Stu's company so much. But he was with Florence so Isa treated him with all respect and courtesy she saw fit.
"No, it's all right. We could go out to visit some shops too. I'd like to show you around if you don't mind.", she smiled at the redhead, happy in anticipation.

Harry came to take Flo home and they said her goodbyes. Isa watched her friend, she was stunning in a blue shirt and black pants, her hair in a bun with a scarf protecting her milky white neck from the cold. Florence leaned and kissed her cheeks twice, embracing her. Isa wanted to know how Flo's lips would feel on her own, but that was not an appropriate occasion and Lord knows how her friend would react to her advances.
Summers was definitely smitten.

*********************

Florence arrived early and they had lunch at Isa's place then went out to the shops. They looked at clothes and novelties.
Isa took her to a perfume shop and they tried on various perfumes and lotions. Isabella shivered when Flo was too close and trying to sniff something she sprayed on the neck. It seemed Flo was very touchy-feely, she wouldn't deny it pleased her.

They went back to the apartment, tired feet from walking up and down.
Isabella opened a bottle of wine she had been saving forever and put on some 45s to spin.

*******************

Isabella had opened up about her failed romance with Julie one night. She had drank more than she should and hoped Flo was high enough to forget about it, for she feared it would make Florence distance herself from her. Sure, Flo was a free spirit, an artist too, who dealt with all types of people, but few people understood that different way of loving. Some of her friends had undergone psychiatric treatment to change who they were but Isa knew better.
You have to follow your nature, she always thought.

"We are not so different, you and I...", Flo started. I loved too much but was the only one willing to risk it all and face the world. Long before Stu, my first love, I was very naive then...", she spoke softly but frankly.
Isa interrupted her: "I'm sorry he hurt you...", Isa really wanted to give her friend some comfort.
Florence gazed into Isa's face for a minute. She smiled weakly.
"Yeah, she really smashed my heart. We grew up together, practically inseparable. Then she had some lung disease and was in hospital for months. She recovered but her family sent her to Australia. They opposed our... friendship. And Anne never fought for me." Florence finished. It was still a sensitive subject to her.

Isa was surprised and couldn't deny that she was hopeful too, inside.
"What about Stu? Are you happy with him?", Isabella inquired.
"I think I used to love him or maybe I just needed someone to hold in the night. I can't make him happy the way he wants", she sighed.

The shorter one was speechless.
"Don't look so shocked, Isa, love is not about what one has between one's legs. You can say I go both ways. But right now I have something in my mind I can't shake off." Flo was staring at Isa the whole time, like a hungry lioness.
"I'd like to see the Moon. Can we step out?" Florence asked.
"We can climb to the top of the building, some flights of stairs and we're there.", Isa suggested.
Welch took her by the hand and they went to the roof. Isa lived on the fifth floor of a ten storey building. There was a full Moon and it wasn't so chilly outside.

*******************

Florence seemed to shift moods quickly, she was now gleeful and giggly, and started singing Moonriver trying to make Isa dance with her.
Isabella went along, she was having fun too, and held on to Flo's shoulders while they glided around the wide empty space.

They were soon too close and Isa felt her stomach turn with nervousness. Suddenly Florence spinned her and stopped.
"Kiss me, Isa", Flo said more as a command than a request.
The blondie reached up and moved Flo's hair from her face, giving a peck on her lips, timidly.
Florence cupped Isa's face and kissed her deeply, Isa kissed back and they kept on it for minutes, only stopping to catch their breaths.
Isa could feel it wasn't awkward to either of them, but there was Stu, and New York.
They stood still, in each other's arms at the rooftop looking over London.

The fog from the light rain, which had just stopped, lingered on. How quiet it was, late at night and the humdrum and coming and going of cars, buses and pedestrians reduced substantially. Florence felt a joy she hasn't felt in a long time. Isa was happy and didn't think of the future, of consequences. One bright moment was all she asked, it was finally happening.

Isabella noticed Flo was tired, what with her getting up early having worked until late hours on Sunday, enduring a turbulent bus ride from Aldgate to Hackney. Also they had strolled up and down for hours. Not to mention the strong red wine which must had gone straight to her delicate head.
Isa suggested they went inside and got some sleep, so they descended the five flight of stairs to the flat.

"Well, you see, Florrie, I only stay here for two or three months a year, and I'm frequently out, so it's not particularly fancy or big.",
Isabella explained and instructed Florence about the bathroom facilities, telling her she should feel at home to circulate throughout all the flat's dependencies as she saw fit, and help herself to any food or refreshments.
She continued, "I've only got one bedroom but there are two beds in it, in case of any guests like you, milady..." Isabella joked, finishing, "Feel free to rest and sleep as much as you need.", Isa made her best to leave Florence comfortable.

"See, Isa, darling, one bed is enough to do what I have in mind....", Flo grinned, not as shy as when they first met, "We may rest all right, but sleeping is far from what I intend for us to do now...", She took both hands of Isabella, entwining their fingers and shortening the distance between their bodies, pulling her close.
Isa breathed in, shutting her eyes pushing any thoughts away. It was going to be a long night.