Chapter 11
(Aubrey & Emily)
“So, I got a call from my mom today,” Aubrey said as she and Emily settled into their video call date. It was Thursday, but since Emily was driving out the next day, they had decided to do it early.
“Oh, yeah? How is she?”
“She’s fine, but I had to promise her part of the day Saturday.”
Emily brow furrowed. “What do you mean? Is she coming up?”
“No, thank god. My dad’s friend passed away, and my mom wants me to go to the estate sale and see if I want anything as a way to help the family out. I figured we could look for stuff for the apartment, since it’s likely to be really nice things.” Her uncertainty was clear on her face; it wasn’t exactly a fun-filled afternoon she was offering.
But Emily dispelled her fears with a smile. “That sounds fun! I mean, it sucks about your dad’s friend. But an estate sale sounds interesting.”
Aubrey blinked. She hadn’t expected that. “You mean you don’t mind? Driving all this way to…”
“To go shopping? No, I don’t mind. And I think it’s a nice way to help the family. I hope we find things we like.” Emily sipped her beer. “And it’s not like I’m going to pass up a weekend with you because of it.”
Aubrey blushed a bit. “I love you, Em.”
“I love you, too, Bree.”
***
Aubrey was first awake Saturday morning. The forecast had predicted a particularly cold and blustery day, and she wished they could stay in bed all day. She cuddled closer against her partner, feeling her arms tighten around her in response. She smiled; even asleep, Emily tended to hold her snugly and she adored it. She had never felt more secure than in Emily’s arms.
Soon, she could feel Emily stirring behind her. “When we move,” she murmured, “I would like one day a month that we just stay in bed.”
Aubrey grinned. “You’ll get no argument from me, love. I was just thinking about not wanting to go out in the weather today.”
Emily shivered just thinking about it and pulled the blanket over their heads, making Aubrey giggle. “If it were almost anything else, I’d say fuck it. But, it’s for family.”
Aubrey rolled over for a soft, lingering kiss. “We’ll have to warm up when we get home.” She trailed her fingers lightly up Emily’s arm, smirking as she shivered again for a different reason.
“I’m positive we’ll figure something out,” Emily replied quietly before claiming a longer, deeper kiss. Aubrey leaned into it for a moment before pulling back.
“A few more hours, love. We’re not spending all day at the sale.” Emily nodded, and they went about getting ready.
By 10, they had made the half hour drive in Aubrey’s car to the estate sale. Emily whistled at the size of the house. “Damn, I can only imagine the kind of stuff is in there.”
Aubrey chuckled. “Only one way to find out. Let’s go shopping.”
They wandered around the house hand in hand. In the den, Aubrey stopped dead in her tracks. “That. We’re taking that.” She pointed to a grandfather clock with the seal of the Army on its face and the seal of the United States etched into the pendulum. They crossed the room to look closer. “My dad has a very similar one in his office. I absolutely have to buy this.”
As if listening for a cue, the lady running the sale walked in. “Find anything you like?”
“Yes, I’d like this clock. Is it possible for you to hold it for an hour while I rent a truck?”
“Certainly.” They talked price, and Aubrey left a deposit with the intent of hitting an ATM for the balance. The saleslady put a “Sold” sign on the clock, and they hurried to the car.
Fortunately, Aubrey knew the area well enough that finding an ATM and renting a truck was fairly easy. Emily followed in Aubrey’s car, and the saleslady had two of her employees load the clock into the bed of the truck. Aubrey paid her the balance, tipped the guys, and hopped back in the truck.
Back at the house, Aubrey borrowed her neighbor’s sons to get the clock into the house. They returned the truck and finally went home.
“I’m sorry that took so long, babe,” Aubrey said as they hung up their coats and kicked off their boots. “I wasn’t expecting to find something like that.”
“No worries, Bree. I could tell by the way you looked at it that was coming home immediately.” She hooked her fingers in Aubrey’s belt loops and pulled her close. “I’m glad we found something for the apartment.”
Aubrey draped her arms around Emily’s neck. “Is it too late to find a way to warm up?”
Emily dragged her teeth over Aubrey’s lower lip and murmured, “I think there’s time. It was awfully cold out there.” She claimed a long, deep kiss as she carefully guided them to the bedroom. They hurried out of their layers of clothes, then crashed back together in a desperate kiss, Aubrey raking her nails across Emily’s back. The brunette moaned deep in her chest, giving Aubrey a gentle, calculated push towards the bed. Aubrey climbed in quickly, Emily right behind her, assailing her ear and neck with lips and teeth as soon as she laid down.
The blonde dug her nails in as her partner caught one pebbled bud in her teeth, flicking her tongue hard to elicit delicious whimpers. Slowly, Emily trailed her hand up her thigh, delving until she gasped and clawed again, making Emily hiss with pleasure. “Em… please…” she pleaded quietly. She arched and groaned loudly when she felt Emily’s fingers, lifting her hips to meet each strong thrust.
“Come for me, love,” Emily whispered before claiming a fiery kiss. Soon, Aubrey threw her head back with a hoarse cry, clinging to her partner as she shuddered. Emily wrapped her arms around her and laid next to her, kissing her forehead. “I love you so much.”
Aubrey lifted her head to kiss her jaw. “I love you, too, Em. More than I can say.”
***
The sheer size of the move – an apartment and a house – had them overwhelmed until Beca and Chloe made some phone calls and recruited the Bellas to help. The weekend before Christmas, half of the Bellas followed Chloe and Amy in Amy’s pick up to get with Aubrey’s house emptied. The rest followed Beca and descended on Emily’s apartment.
It was a long, hard weekend, but when the Bellas headed home Sunday night, all of their belongings had been moved into their new apartment. Beca and Chloe stuck around after the others left. “We’re practically neighbors now,” Chloe observed cheerfully. She was the only one with that much energy left, and the others’ replied were quiet and mumbled. She was right though; they were in easy walking distance of each other.
Beca took her hand. “Come on, love. Let’s five them some time to relax. We’re exhausted.” The ginger nodded and they exchanged hugs before heading out.
Emily and Aubrey stood in their living room hand in hand, surveying the boxes and furniture. “You know, Beca took a week off to help unpack their place. Why don’t I do the same? I don’t have anything that can’t be rescheduled or covered,” Emily offered. “It’s a lot for one person to do.”
“Really? You’re sure?” Aubrey squeezed her hand.
“I’m positive. And we can take some time for us. We don’t get enough of that.” The brunette quickly texted her boss, then led her partner to the couch and sat, pulling her into her lap. “We did it, Bree. We have a new place, together. Neither of us has to leave anymore.”
Aubrey leaned down for a lingering kiss. “Ours for as long as we want. I have everything I’ve ever wanted.”
Emily’s hazel eyes met Aubrey’s pale blue. “That… that’s saying a lot, Bree…”
“I know, love, but it’s true. Being with you has made all my dreams possible.” She caressed her cheek softly. “I love you, Emily.”
“I love you, too, Aubrey.” Emily held her close and leaned her head on Aubrey’s shoulder, the blonde’s fingers combing through her hair.
“You okay, Em?”
“Yeah, I’m just exhausted. It’s been a helluva weekend.”
“Come on, let’s go to bed. We have all week to do more around here.”
***
After busting their asses for two days, they decided to relax on Wednesday. The bedroom was mostly done, as was the kitchen. The living room was useable, but was still cluttered with boxes.
Emily was first awake, Aubrey wrapped in her arms. Out of habit, she tightened her grip a bit, reminding herself that things really were going her way. She was making music at work, she had friends all over the city, she had a new apartment, and she had Aubrey Posen to love. What more could she ask for?
Aubrey rolled in her sleep to face her, making her smile. She was enjoying sharing a bed with Aubrey every night, though it had only been three nights. Unable to resist, she kissed her forehead lightly, hoping it wouldn’t wake her.
Emily zoned, not quite sleeping, for half an hour before her partner stirring snapped her out of it. Aubrey snuggled even closer, hiding her eyes in Emily’s shoulder. “Do we have to get up?” she murmured.
“Actually, no, we can do exactly what we want all day. Even if that’s staying in bed. Whatever you want, love.”
“Hmm, I want to stay right here for now.” She lifted her head for a kiss. Emily drew her into a deeper kiss, raising a hand to lie along her jaw. Aubrey leaned into it, gripping Emily’s hips.
“I need you, Bree,” Emily murmured urgently. She buried her hand in golden locks for another desperate kiss.
“Take me, Em, I’m yours,” she whispered back. Emily surged forward, forcing her to roll onto her back beneath her, letting the brunette lean down to torment one pebbled peak with teeth and tongue. Aubrey moaned and dug her nails into her shoulders. Slowly, Emily kissed a trail down her partner’s body to quest with her tongue until Aubrey arched with a gasp and fisted one hand in her hair. “Christ, babe… please…” she pleaded breathlessly.
Emily obliged her, tongue stroking even as Aubrey lifted her hips to meet each strong thrust. Soon, Aubrey gave a loud, hoarse groan as the wave crashed over her. Emily kissed her way up to gather her in her arms. Aubrey clung to her as she trembled and panted. Emily whispered love and endearments as she caught her breath, stroking her hair softly. “I love you, so much more than I can say.”
“I love you, too, babe. And I doubt that will every change.”