In This Life And Beyond

Sophie woke up drenched in sweat. She looked at the clock. It was 6:00 in the morning.  She let out a sigh. Another dream about Ryan. Lately, Ryan had been occupying her dreams every night, making it difficult for her to get a good night’s sleep.  And God, she needed her rest. She was tired, oh so tired.

But to be honest, there was a part of her that welcomed those dreams. She fantasized about her and Ryan being together. Sophie internally admitted she longed for Ryan, longed to be with her.

However she needed to keep her at arm’s length, but it was getting harder. She blamed herself for allowing Ryan to get close to her.  What a fucken inconvenience, she thought. She could have easily let Ryan visit the towns on her own. But from day one, she felt there was a connection, a connection she could not deny.

___

Ryan felt so many emotions today as she prepared to see her close friend Luke, who had transitioned to permanent resident. Sadness that he transitioned, gratitude for being able to see him again, and fear because she was terrified of crossing over. She planned to ask Luke about his experience with his transition when she arrived later today at Mary’s house.

___

Ryan arrived at Mary’s house around 1 pm. The house was a two-story Mediterranean home with a balcony on the second floor overlooking the street. She rang the doorbell, and within a few seconds, the door swung open. It was Luke (the Luke she remembered eons ago) with a big grin on his face. He reached out and hugged Ryan before she could say anything.

“Oh my God, Ryan, it is great to see you again.”

“It’s good seeing you too, Luke,” Ryan responded.

“Mary told me you would be swinging by. Come on in.”

Ryan walked into the house. As she stood in the foyer, in front of her was a large living room with tall windows that let in plenty of natural light. To her right was the dining room, which could easily seat a dozen people.

Mary was lying on the couch in the living room and immediately stood to welcome Ryan to her home by hugging her.

“Hey Ryan, it’s good to see you again.”

"Thanks for inviting me. I know you said I could come by today, but you didn't say when. I hope I'm not intruding on anything. I’m pretty sure you, too, have much catching up to do.” She winks.

“Girl, no, we were just taking a break.”

“Ok, I deserve that.. but Mary, TMI.” They both laugh.

The three entered the dining room and sat at the table.

“Luke, could you tell me how was the transition?” Ryan asked.

“Well, they say the experience is different for everyone. But you don’t feel any pain. It’s like being under anesthesia. You go to sleep and wake up at the welcome center. “

“That’s it.” Ryan couldn’t believe it was that easy to cross over. But she had known Luke for a long time and trusted if there was more, he would tell her.

“Yep, that’s it.  Don’t worry, Ryan it will be ok.”

Ryan nodded and smiled at Luke.

Mary looked at Ryan. She could see an uneasy look on her face even though Luke had tried to put her mind at ease about the transition. She decided to change the subject.

“Luke told me you, too, met in college.”

“Yeah, we met in college. Luke was working on his degree in Software Engineering while I was working on my degree in Social Services. After college, we continued to keep in contact and worked at Wayne Enterprises…. Wow, that seems like decades ago.”

Luke nods.

“Anyway, after I left Wayne’s, we lost contact for what three years?” Ryan looks at Luke for confirmation.

“More like 4 years,” Luke says.

Ryan nods. “Yeah, it seemed like forever, but we found each other when I ran into him at one of the residential facilities events. So, we have been in each other lives since college up until I moved to Central City four months ago.”

“Wow, I’m glad you, too, reconnected again.” Mary professed.

“What about you, Mary? How did you and Luke meet?” Ryan asked.

“Well, Jacob Kane is my stepfather, and Bruce, who owns Wayne Enterprises, is Jacob’s nephew. Anyway, I met Luke when he put his resignation in.  And we have been seeing each other since.”

“You mean to tell me you didn’t notice Luke worked for Wayne’s until he put his resignation in?”

“Yes. I could count on one hand the number of times I visited Wayne Enterprises.” Mary said, shaking her head.

“Oh, I almost forgot. How was town hunting?" Mary asked.

“It was good.  Sophie joined me on my trips to San Hermosa and San Lucia. We also ran into your sister in San Lucia."

“Are you serious? I swear that girl doesn’t give up. Kate has been stuck on Sophie since high school, and Sophie was the same until Kate cheated.  They'd been on and off for a while, but Sophie finally had enough and walked away. Kate, of course, didn’t take the rejection well.”

“Yeah, I can see that,” Ryan replied, shaking her head.

“Girl, you got to give me the deets on you and Sophie.”

“There are no deets to be told,” Ryan shakes her head. “Sophie was my tour guide for San Hermosa, and we spent time together in San Lucia… That’s all… “  Ryan purposely withheld the kissing part.

A knock on the door interrupted their chat.

Mary gets up and walks towards the front door. “That must be Sophie.”

She opens the door, and Sophie walks in.

“I see you beat me here.” Looking directly at Ryan.

“Hi, Sophie.” Mary pretended she was unamused at Sophie, addressing Ryan first.

"Hello, Mary, and hi, Luke."

Sophie approached Ryan and took a seat next to her.

“How long have you been here?” Sophie asked.

“About an hour.”

"Ryan informed us that you saw my sister.  I swear I didn’t tell her where you were.” Mary says.

“I know she mentioned pulling some strings. No offense Mary but your sister can’t take a hint. “

“Yeah, I know.” Mary reflected on the many times Kate used her friendship with Sophie to get back into Sophie’s good graces.  In her twisted mind, she knew her sister loved Sophie, but it wasn't enough. Kate had a nasty habit of cheating, and Sophie finally had enough and left.  Mary agreed.

“Hey, Mary.” Sophie interrupts Mary’s train of thought. “I need to borrow your car.  I wanted to show Ryan the beach house.”

Mary grinned as she looked at each of her friends. "Sure, as long as you return it before midnight.”

“Promise. “

The drive to Sophie's house was mostly quiet, with both enjoying the scenery.  As they pulled up to the beach house, Ryan couldn’t help but be awestruck by this house. It was perched on a hill overlooking the ocean, with a wraparound porch that seemed to go on forever.

“Wow, this is nice and secluded. I'm surprised you don’t have any neighbors.”

“I’m sure in time there will be,” Sophie replied.

 “I didn’t know the town's boundary expanded this far.”

“Yeah, they've expanded it several times.”

“Aww, so the more they expand, the further out your house is?” Ryan questioned.

“Yes, and I heard they will expand it one more time. Come on, let's go inside.”

They walked inside the house, and Ryan immediately noticed the open-concept living area with high ceilings and plenty of natural light. The décor was modern and beachy, with soft blues and greens that complemented the ocean view outside.

"Would you like a tour?" Sophie inquired.

“Sure.”

Sophie showed Ryan the four fully furnished bedrooms upstairs. The master suite has a separate sitting area and a terrace with an ocean view overlooking the pool. After the tour, they walked downstairs, headed to the kitchen to get some drinks, and then settled in the living room to talk.

“This house is absolutely stunning.

“Thanks.” I come here occasionally to relax and get away.

“Hmm, alone, or do you bring all your women here?” Ryan joked.

“Ha Ha, you got jokes. Aside from Mary and Imani, you are the only one who has visited my home."

Sophie moves closer to Ryan and reaches for her hand. “You know I enjoy spending time with you.”

“I do, too, Soph.” She entwined her fingers with Sophie's.

For a brief period, the two locked eyes, gazing deep into each other's souls. Their connection, attraction, and feelings for each other could no longer be denied. They approach each other slowly as if gravity were drawing two objects together. Ryan asks, "Are you sure?" Knowing Sophie had reservations about her feelings toward her.

Sophie hesitated for a split second and then closed the gap between the two. As their lips met, a rush of warmth spread through their bodies, sending shivers down their spines. They melted into each other, the world around them fading into the background. Sophie’s hands wrapped around Ryan’s body and pulled her closer. The kiss was passionate and deep, each giving themselves completely into the moment.

When they finally pulled away to catch their breaths Sophie stood up and pulled Ryan up into another passionate kiss. Her hands work to unbutton Ryan's shirt as she moves them backwards towards the stairs.

Clothes come off in between their kisses as they stagger up the stairs.  By the time they reached Sophie’s bedroom, most of their clothes were off. Only their underwear remained.

Ryan sits on the bed and moves her way up toward the headboard. Sophie bends over and grabs Ryan's panties, slowly pulling them off while admiring Ryan's body. She then removes the remainder of her clothes and climbs on top of Ryan on the bed.

Sophie kisses Ryan starting at her lips and then down to her neck. She stops at her breast, giving them the attention they deserve. Using her tongue, she traces a circle around her nibble, and then she sucks on the right, then the lift nipple. Ryan moans ever so softly. Sophie moves her hand down between Ryan’s legs. She’s wet. Igniting an excitement within herself, causing her to become equally as wet as Ryan. She rubs Ryan's clit with her finger, eliciting more moans and a cry for more.

As she continues to place kisses down Ryan’s body, she stops at her navel and uses her tongue to trace around Ryan’s navel. Sophie’s finger travels slowly from Ryan’s clit to her entrance, easily pushing her finger partially in. She pulls her finger out and places it in her mouth, tasking Ryan’s wetness. “Hmm, you taste good.”

Sophie continues to move down until she is between Ryan’s thighs while Ryan’s chest heaves with anticipation. Her tongue slowly lowers on Ryan's center, delicately licking a straight line through Ryan’s parted folds and circling her clit with ease. She laps at Ryan’s clit with precision sending her spiraling close to the edge. “Fuck Sophie right there. I need more..”, Ryan begged as she stared down at Sophie between her legs.

Sophie removes her tongue from Ryan’s core and uses her fingers to go deeper—first one, then two, pumping in and out until Ryan reaches her climax. Sophie moves back up towards Ryan and passionately kisses her.

“Hmm, that was incredible.” Ryan breathed.

“I aim to please.” Sophie smiles as she approaches Ryan's side and pulls her in for another kiss.”

“Oh really.. '' Rubbing the contours of Sophie's body. “Let me show you how I can please you.”

The two took turns pleasing each other until both were physically tired.

Laying in the bed, Sophie held Ryan from behind. She couldn't tell if Ryan was sleeping. She had no idea if that was possible. But she was in full panic mode. How the hell did she allow this to happen, she thought. All she wanted to do was have some fun but this… there were feelings involved for both her and Ryan.  

Sleeping with Ryan had changed things. She could already feel it. The desire to pull Ryan closer to her. The want, the need to be with her.  She knew what needed to be done, and it would be difficult. But she wasn’t going back on her decision.

Sophie checked her watch and saw that it was 11:00 p.m. She needed to return Mary's car to her before midnight.

 She gently shook Ryan.

“Hey are you awake?”

"Yes," Ryan replied softly.

“It’s 11:00 pm. I need to return Mary’s car.  Do you want to stay for the remainder of the time, or do you want to ride with me back to Marys?”

“I guess… I’ll ride back with you.”

The two got dressed and headed back to Mary’s.  On the way back, no one spoke, and Ryan could tell Sophie was deep in thought. So, she finally broke the silence.

"The next town I'm going to is San Sebastian. "Have you ever been there?"

"Yes, I have," Sophie said, her mind diverted.

"How about we meet at the welcome center at noon?"

Sophie exhales. “I really like you, Ryan, and I can’t say sleeping with you was a mistake.”

Ryan interrupts before Sophie could say another word. She looks directly at Sophie. “Why would you even think it would be a mistake?”

“No.. I mean.. well.. no, sleeping with you would never be a mistake.”

“Sleeping with me? Is that all it was!” Ryan questioned.

“No.. of course not.” Sophie looks at Ryan.  “I have feelings for you. But I can’t allow what happened tonight to become a distraction.”

Ryan was starting to become angry. After the incredible time they spent at Sophie’s house and touring different towns, did it not mean anything to Sophie? Had she become a distraction? “So, I’m a distraction now.”

“NO.. that’s not what I meant. Being with you is causing me to have second thoughts about the alternative.”

“Is that so bad?” Ryan asked.

“I made a promise to myself and my sister.”

Ryan was becoming frustrated with the back and forth. “So, what are you saying, Sophie.”

“I think we need some space.” Trying hard not to look at Ryan.

“Are you serious? Space Now! I didn’t hear you asking for space when I was face-deep between your legs and you calling my name tonight.”

“Wow… that … that was unnecessary.”

“You were the one that asked to be my tour guide. I told you it was a bad idea. But you insisted, so I allowed you to come. Remember that”

“Yes”

“I like you, Sophie, a lot. There is a connection I have never felt in any of my previous relationships. You feel it too. So why run? Why put distance between us? Why can’t we at least see where it takes us?

“Because I don’t have much time left.”

“Neither do I.”

“Ryan, I can’t! I won’t go back on my word.”

They sat in silence while both processed what was said. Ryan turned her head towards the window to shield the tears flowing down her face from Sophie.

“Fine!” Ryan finally said. “If space is what you want, then so be it. I’m saying my goodbyes to you right here in this car.”

Sophie said nothing, but internally she felt unbelievable pain in the pit of her stomach. The pain of what could have been between her and Ryan.