Come away with me
It was all very natural, what happened between them. There was no hurry, no uneasiness and they explored each other's bodies unashamedly. It felt like the first time for Isabella, like the first time her feelings were being returned.
Afterwards Florence fell asleep, even if she had fought all night, talking and getting up and pacing from the bedroom to the bathroom and back.
Finally she gave in, and Isa's arm went numb from Florence's head resting on it.
Isa quieted her mind and managed to sleep a couple of hours and woke up to hazy big green eyes looking at her, and a pretty smile lighting it all up.
“You have made me feel so happy ever since I’ve known you,” Florence said.
"Oh, have I?", Isa replied, "I'm very happy too. Because of you."
She didn't want to question anything or ask how it was going to be in a few days. They belonged together and that was what mattered.
Flo kept talking and talking romancing Isabella and as much as Isa found it adorable, she silenced the girl with kisses.
*******************
Meeting Isabella and falling for her was just the push Florence needed to end it all with Stu. She had to find the best way to approach it, she still cared about her husband even though there was no love between them for quite a while.
She decided she would not go to Stu's family home for Christmas. Isabella had learnt of this and had asked her to spend Christmas and New Year's with her and her cousin and nephews, Flo would break it up with Stu after New Year's, she resolved.
******************
Isa started going to Harry's the four nights Flo used to sing. Sometimes she arrived early and hung around, talking to Nate and Harry. She would be with Florence backstage and it was hard for them to contain displays of affection. Most of the guys in the band noticed how happier and calmer Florence had been in the last weeks.
Harry was pleased with Flo and the Blue birds' success and had given the band a raise, also keeping Florence only as an artist, giving her permanent leave from work at the kitchen. It still didn't pay much and Flo could barely make ends meet, but she was glad with the recognition by her boss and very hopeful about her singing career.
******************
"How long until we're there?", Florence felt impatient, it had always been hard for her to travel or sit still for long. Her anxiety didn't help either.
"We're almost there.", Isa replied, adding, "I can't wait to introduce you to my brother, and mother will love you, she loves lady singers.", Isa winked at Flo.
Christmas went on and they couldn't be happier. Lillie loved Florence, and since she and Isa had no secrets, was glad to see her cousin in love again. Her husband had just gone out of prison and the family made their best to welcome him back. Frederick had made a mistake but he wasn't a bad guy and the kids needed him.
Isa played traditional songs and Florence sang, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Flo missed such celebrations, for her family lived far from London and they weren't on good terms since she left to sing at Harry's pub.
******************
They would escape into an outdoor area at night and hold hands while Florence sang and they looked at the Moon and the stars.
******************
Ten minutes to midnight, soon 1956 would be knocking on their door. Florence could not be more certain of starting anew with Isabella by her side. They spent the passing at a hotel, so they could fulfill their love and make their vows without attracting disagreaable looks of reprimand from the narrow minded.
They were in Heaven.
"You're mine forever now!", Flo told Isa while they made love. They didn't need anything else but champagne bottles, some music and each other.
In a few days she would be a free woman, and after one more week they would go to New York and Flo would work on her music and Isa on her Art. Money was not the problem anymore, but she needed to make it on her own.
******************
A new life
The talk with Stu was hard, but he knew it was over for months then. He wanted to know if there was another man, and Florence bravely told the truth. He wasn't shocked but laughed sarcastically saying she was confused and hoped one day she would be happy with the right guy.
A few days after, Flo was doing her last performances at the pub. She wanted to take the guys in the band with her but that cycle was over. It all ended amicably and soon a new girl would come to continue the tradition. No Flo and the Blue birds anymore, she was a free bird now, reaching for the sky.
******************
"I want to kiss you so badly", Flo was whispering into Isa's ear while they waited for a cab. They would spend their last nights in Hackney then they would catch the plane and cross the Ocean.
Stu came around, visibly pissed drunk. He wasn't like his controlled self and spit on the ground moving towards them.
He towered over Isa, with his 6 feet 10 and they tried to get away.
"So, who's the man in bed?", he crassly said outloud., "You two are ridiculous!!!", it wasn't lost love but the macho pride which fuelled his anger.
The two kept silent, no use arguing with a drunk man, but then, unexpectedly, Stu pushed Florence and she lost balance, bruising her knee in the fall.
Nate and Harry were talking by the alley and Nate sprung up to him landing one punch right to Stu's eye. Nate wasn't a coward though and, having thrown him on the ground was yelling without further touching Stu.
"That's no way to treat a lady, you bastard, now go away and stay away if you have a brain inside that big head.", he defended the girls.
Stu got up ashamed and left, and Isa hugged Nate, he kissed Flo teary-eyed.
"Thanks for everything you did for me, boss!!", Flo embraced Harry, she stood watching the dear old pub that changed her life in more ways than one and they were gone.