Saturday, February 11th
Anna and Stephanie sat at a table in The Dandelion Cafe, waiting to meet Tamela for lunch, and her new lady cop special friend. They had been joking again about Tamela's preference for blondes, but neither of them knew what Frank looked like. Stephanie was convinced she would be blonde. Anna was willing to consider that Tams was branching out.
Stephanie pointed at Anna "Five bucks."
Anna negotiated "Five? How bout a toonie? I never carry that much cash."
"Commit dammit!" Stephanie teased.
Anna laughed "Is that how you talked to Mike before he got obsessed with your ring size?"
"Oh fuck you. No. It just evolved. Did I tell you...he wants to adopt Tris?" Stephanie beamed.
Anna exhaled with a hand on her heart "Oh Steph....." She looked at her friend with absolute happiness.
Stephanie got a little teary eyed and smiled "I know right..."
They sighed in unison and looked out the window.
Tamela was driving her Dad's truck that she'd borrowed to pick Frank up from the ferry. They'd kissed at the terminal for so long and so intensely that a security guard walked by and cleared his throat, two teenage girls got the giggles and an old Catholic nun had crossed herself started to say the rosary. Now Tamela made herself focus on the road as they came into the town of Cedar Point. the first stop was lunch with her two best friends and Frank's time to meet them. It was time after all. She kept stealing looks and smiles at Frank sitting beside her.
Frank had come off the ferry and straight into Tamela's arms. Most amused by the rosary, that was around when she laughed and actually started to relax. She was only meeting Tamela's two best friends in the whole world. It wasn't like time to meet the family, which had happened long ago when they'd first gotten together back in December. And, Frank told herself, she had gotten the haircut because she needed it, not because of this birthday trip. Her clothes were comfortable and casual. Jeans, a turtleneck and a fisherman's sweater with her boots. She had ignored the fact that, for her, changing her mind a single time in the dressing process did not mean she was nervous. And it did NOT mean she was in love with Tamela Douglas. It only meant that she had manners, is all.
Looking at the town she can't help but chuckle a little. "This place will always look gorgeous to me compared to my first time." she admits, slapping Tams playfully on the arm.
Tamela snorts "You mean the earthquake? Funny lady...." She pulls up to a spot and parallel parks and then leans over to Frank and gives her a sweet kiss "Are you ready to meet my girls? I had to stop them from storming the cop shop on Alexandra..." She only half jokes.
Frank nods. "Yea. It wasn't real pretty with all the ... rubble." she grins and accepts the kiss. "I'm ready. I think. Lead me to the interrogation. I waive my rights." she grins.
Tamela hops out of the car and gestures at the coffee shop where her two friends can be seen almost plastered to the window to see who gets out on the passenger side.
As they enter, Stephanie beams at them but thrusts out a hand in Anna's direction "Hello, you must be Frank, and you look just how I imagined you." Her other hand she holds out to shake, putting her body in a very odd position.
Anna smacks at Steph's arm "Will you wait a second?! Hi Frank. It's lovely to meet you." She offers with a warm smile.
Frank sees Tam's best friends as she hops out of the truck, which betrays her five foot frame dramatically. She comes in an smiles. "Hey." she shakes the hand. "Um .. let me guess here. Your Anna and you're Steph." she gets it right. "Great to meet you." she glances at Tams. "They're ... enthusiastic ..." she observes.
Stephanie looks innocently at Tams "Anna...lost a bet. she owes me 5."
Anna shoves Steph and now offers her hand to shake "Ignore her, she's the crazy one. And Steph, can I just buy your coffee and dessert? I do NOT have 5 bucks on me unless you want it in dimes."
Tams frowns at Steph now "Do I wanna know?" She nudges Frank closer to the table "I'll get you a coffee if they promise not to dissect you."
Stephanie pretends she has a magnifying glass and peers at Frank's arm with it "You don't....but we'll sew her back up nicely so you can still get laid."
Anna turns beet red and tries not to dissolve into giggles as she shakes hands.
Frank looks curious. "This isn't another of those 'names Frank has to be a man' bets, is it?" she teases and nods at Tams. "Please babe. They seem harmless enough, but you know ... approach with caution." she glances at Stephanie and her pretend magnifying glass. "Oh, if you could add a battery compartment, I would be EVER so grateful." she asks, innocently and looks at Anna. "Oh that is so cool how you can make your skin match your hair." she smiles broadly an moves to sit. "Alright, ladies. I know you probably have a million questions." she rolls her shoulders. "I will answer ANYTHING." it sounds like both a promise and a threat somehow.
Stephanie perches on her seat and looks at Frank like she's just told her she won a lottery "Anything? Oh the mind races......." She giggles now "the bet was about the colour of your hair because Tamela refuses to admit she has a thing for blondes."
Tamela drifts into the line and flips Stephanie the bird before making a kiss gesture at Frank.
Anna's face subdues somewhat and she laughs as she sits "You weren't supposed to tell Frank that. Now you get my dimes..." She pulls out her change purse and starts counting, for the purpose of being a total ass of course.
Stephanie cracks up "And she ways I'm the crazy one?" She zeros in on Frank "Alright, when did you and Tam's first have that loving feeling because she's holding out on us.....she just kind of said "I have a girlfriend, pass the ketchup" at the fish and chips one day."
Frank winks at Tams in her line and turns her attention to the two besties. Holding up her hand, she stops Anna. "Hold that payout." she all but commands and looks innocently between them. "Did you mean NATURAL blonde? I mean I just be a little OCD about the dye jobs." she grins and lets them consider that slowly. "When did I have that ... loving feeling." she says it slowly. The words had not come between she and Tams, for many reasons between the two of them. "Well I think I had the mad crush first. But she didn't realize I was a woman until we met." she teases. "And of course there's that first kiss ... which for us was in front of witnesses. Did she tell you about that?" she asks without answering a damn thing about love.
Steph peers at Frank's face "Are you shitting me? Look at your eyebrows! Don't make me ask Tams if the carpet matches the drapes..." She jokes and then laughs "She thought you were a guy....geez. And she did NOT tell us about the kiss so go for it."
Anna's so red you'd think she might explode from the blush "Steph!! Oh my god!!!" She turtles in her shirt as Tams returns with coffee and looks suspiciously at Stephanie as she sets them down.
Frank seems to be considering if she wanted to see that question poses to Tams or not, but waggles her brows. "Fair enough. I AM a natural blond." she shrugs and takes the coffee from tams with a "Thanks." and a lip pucker kiss across the table. "Well ... hey want to hear about our meeting under the mistletoe." she grins. "Well, I was called to come and pick up dinner for our prisoner and the shift. Small town jails." she shrugs. "The door opens and there is Tams. Now I saw the mistletoe and ... I'd been fantasizing about kissing this woman for a LONG time ... so before she could protest too much ... I gave her a quick and innocent little kiss." she grins. "I doubt it was really worth remembering." but she'll remember it ... it was deep, and incredible and absolutely unforgettable.
Tams grins and takes a sip with an eyebrow wiggle at Frank.
Anna emerges from her sweater turtle to hear the tale.
Steph leans on her hand with rapt attention and then lets out an "Awwww..."
Tamela has to laugh at the end "Innocent little kiss? Uh huh....I remember something a little more intense, deep and panty wetting of you want specifics. Anna's going back in the sweater in 3....2...." She looks over and Anna had already turtled again and she laughs.
Stephanie gives Anna a little kick under the table "God god woman, you need a date."
Frank grins. "Maybe a little. I MAY have tried to feel up your tonsils and, if not for your sisters squeek might have laid you down right there." she watches Anna. "She must have a HELL of a strong neck." looking between Anna and Stephanie. "Or .... something else entirely?"
Anna laughs and peeks out "I'm fine. they just like to torment me because I'm not quite so bold. And like a fish needs a bicycle Steph!"
Steph rolls her eyes and sneers at Anna "Prude."
Anna sneers back "Skank..." She jokes.
Tamela laughs "Megan would have squealed again because she's even more of a skank than Steph...but we love her for it. Anyway, these are my friends..." She says laughing "And they've been like this since high school....."
Frank laughs also. "Well, I was on duty and screwing you in front of your brother-in-law and my boss might not have worked out so good." she winks. "That's neat. And they're great." she grins. "So I get out of this on a single question. Terrific. No bare bulbs or anything."
Anna and Stephanie both laugh with a little blush from Anna and then Steph frowns "Oh we can't let you off with one question...let's see now. Do you have any psychotic tendencies we should be aware of? What are your intentions for our friend? Anna help me here..."
Anna thinks "Do you have any evil,exes Tams will have to fight? Money on Tams of course..."
Steph stick out her hand now "You still owe me 5 girl..."
Anna mock glares and then opens up her change purse intentionally looking for nickels and dimes and starts counting them out "Uh huh...."
Tamela just rolls her eyes after laughing about Franks' idea of screwing her under the mistletoe.
Frank grins. "Well .. I don't THINK I have psychotic tendencies, but I AM with Tams, so ... " she winks at Tams and then pauses. "My intentions are pure ... OK, maybe pure isn't the right word, but they're honorable. I will do my best not to knock her up." and then the last question about the exes. "Oh ... I wouldn't say evil." she pauses, but tenses slightly. Might take a professional observer to even notice it. "But my money's on Tams too." but the voice is very slightly hesitant. "AND here I am costing money. Should I dye my hair? I'd still be a blonde."
Anna laughs "Oh no...this is great. I'm going to be like 2 pounds lighter...." She slides a pile of small change to Stephanie "Debt paid."
"Jesus fucking Christ..." She laughs and tries to cram it into her own wallet and it doesn't even fit the smaller change pocket. She looks up at Frank "Alright, you're approved. I don't know what we'd have to do to you if you flunked?"
Tamela looks sweetly at Frank "Oh I'd punish her severely for you....I might anyways for the psychotic comment." She did notice the tensing and then adds "The past is the past and right now is just fuckin amazing." She softens her gaze on Frank and exudes deep affection. She might even call it love later, if she's feeling brave enough.
Frank watches Anna and Stephanie and all that change. "Oh, I'm sure you'd have thought of something unspeakable." she looks at Tams. "Well .. we'll discuss punishment a little later." her eyes connect with Tamela and she melts a little under the gaze. After a moment of gaping, she swallows hard. "Stephanie, you sure you won't need an armed escort home with all that loot?" she pulls her eyes away from Tams, but it isn't easy.
Stephanie cracks up "Fuck you all, I'm a pirate now...this be my booty. I'll only share with Mike."
Anna face palms "Tell him it's your dowry since he couldn't figure out your ring size....." She had noticed the expressions on both Tam's and Frank's faces and was inwardly so happy for Tams right now.
Tamela sighs happily at Frank and then laughs at Stephanie "Yeah Steph's engaged to Reinhardt now. Goofball was sniffing around trying to find her ring size from Anna and of course Anna called Steph...who doesn't even want a ring....but I'm sure it was cute."
Frank looks at Stephanie and blinks. "Reinhardt ... I know his brother and ..." she shakes her head. "I'm sorry yea ... I can see him trying to be slick." he blinks again. "And I'm sorry ... my imagination ... I ... just .. well .. I can't talk too much about size differences being with Tams. But he's a bit of a .... mountain ... "
Stephanie is not shy and leans in confessing "Yep....in EVERY way. But once I figured out how to accommodate it, it's just fantastic. NO complaints, at all." She just grins after.
Anna looks away, as if Steph is offering pictures "I won't be able to look at him after you said that......god..." She blushes.
Tamela just snorts "Just make sure you focus on the face Anna.....Go Steph. Make sure you do your kegals now."
Stephanie completely cracks up.
Even Frank goggles for a second before she laughs. "Yes, focus on his face and whatever you do, don't think of him as 'dickhead'." she nods, as if she was helping somehow.
Stephanie laughs hard "Can I tell him? Oh please....."
Anna looks like she might crawl under the table "Frank, stop encouraging her...."
Tamela find it all hilarious and grins at Frank "I just adore you right now..."
Frank laughs. "Sure, why not. Tell him. But you HAVE to let Tans know his reaction .. and if you can record it ... I'll pay CASH!" she looks at Tams and hesitates half a second. "I'll have to keep it up, then. Won't I?"
Stephanie shakes her pockets around "As long as it's not dimes and nickels!"
Anna smiles sweetly at Steph.
Tamela nods vigorously "Please do, but you really don't have to do much but just be you and let me adore you for it....."
Frank grins. "Good thing the penny isn't an option anymore." she laughs and reaches over the table, not really planning to, and takes Tams hand with a nod.
Tamela takes Frank's hand and holds it tightly "I might have a cake on order here in the back for you......do you want it now or later...birthday girl?"
Anna gasps "Oh my goodness, happy birthday Frank!"
Steph chastises "You didn't tell us Tams! Happy Birthday Frank!"
Frank blushes a little bit. "You didn't?" she is flattered and, for some reason, surprised. "Now, yea ..." she looks at Stephanie. "She didn't?"
Tamela grins "I did. Let's eat it." She laughs and goes to talk to the clerk.
Anna smiled at Frank "I suspect it's chocolate if tam's is ordering for you. You have to have cake."
Frank watches Tams leave her with her friends again. She looks at Anna. "I'm getting my cake and eating it too?" she grins. "Anything she wants." and then she blushes a little and looks out of the window.
Stephanie grins and is about to say a little crack but then sees Frank blush and look out the window and looks at Anna instead.
Anna gives Steph a knowing smile. It seemed their old friend had made a significant connection with this woman and it was indeed mutually so.
Tamela returned with a cake lit with candles and began to sing Happy birthday. Anna and Steph joined in happily and then the cake was set before Frank with one of the bakery staff bringing them plates and forks and a knife to cut it.
Frank looks torn between childlike joy and being mortified and embarrassed. While they sing to her, Frank takes Tams hand and kisses it before squeezing it. Such a sweet thing Tamela could have easily done it all behind closed doors, just the two of them, but is sharing with her two best friends.
Tams gives Frank a little grins when she kisses her hand and then sits down beside her waiting for her to blow out candles and make a wish.
Stephanie grins "Make it a good one Frank."
Anna watches with a sweet look at Frank.
Frank considers a wish. Birthday parties were very rare for her, so she figures she needs to make the wish special. After almost thirty seconds she nods to herself, half stands and blows out the candles with one wall aimed breath of her life.
Tams watches her and looks pleased with it all "I hope I didn't put you on the spot too badly."
Steph offers "Could have been one of those restaurants where all the staff sings and claps and they make you wear a terrible sombrero."
Anna laughs "God that's true..."
Frank winces when Stephanie points out the alternatives. "Yea .. that .. hat might not have gone so well." she admits and leans over putting her arm around Tams shoulders. "But this....." she looks at Tams. "Thank you, baby." she pulls Tams close for a deep kiss that says thank you .. and more.
Tamela leans in and kisses Frank back passionately, not caring who's watching, just adoring and honestly loving Frank.
Anna blushes and looks away.
Stephanie just shrugs and picks up the knife "Ok, you two suck face....I'm gonna cut this thing..." she laughs and starts.
Frank has always loved kissing Tamela and vaguely hears Stephanie. By the time she breaks the kiss and looks at the table Stephanie has indeed made the first cut. But Frank looks at the modestly turned away Anna. "It's just a kiss, Anna." she laughs, even though it was not .. not to her. "Did you escape from a convent or something?" she wonders.
Anna looks back at Frank "I'm not repulsed, I just want to be respectful. But if you feel that way, I won't turn my head next time."
Stephanie shrugs "Eh.....ok big piece for Frank? Yes/no?"
Tamela laughs "Frank doesn't care Anna. Neither do I, and we will likely kiss again.....you know, because kissing is fun."
Frank smiles. "I didn't think so. Tams would have told me. But .. feel free to watch. Cause ... oh yea. I think I will probably kiss her again. It IS fun." she chuckles. "And yea, a big piece, please. I'm not watching my slim and girlish figure." she pauses. "Tams is."
Stephanie heaps a great big piece on a plate for Frank "Well that's good of her. Make sure to practice frisking each other too eh? Tams, big or small?"
Tamela giggles at the frisking "Oh the agenda. Medium. We know you like big Steph. Don't be shy now."
Stephanie laughs "I won't....Anna?" she asks as she's passing one to Tams.
"I don't have a preference. And before you go asking TOO many questions, remember who the last guy I dated was...." she gives Steph a little grin now.
Steph almost drops the next piece "OK you got me....no questions."
Tamela laughs and explains "Steph's brother Garrett...who incidentally fell in love with a man after."
Anna helplessly shrugs "Not right after...."
Stephanie teases her "You always were a little manish...."
Tamela points "Uh Stephanie, you wanna think about that. Considering YOUR man used to screw guys before you. Now who's manish?"
Stephanie winks "Fair point," and then digs into her own piece of cake.
Frank watches the exchanges with raised brows, happily making a pig of herself, as promised. She arches a brow. "How interesting. But ... sometimes I guess people feel something really strong for someone and ... gender doesn't matter." she shrugs. "And for some it does. I know I did trying to be straight. A guy I met hanging out at college. He always called himself homoflexible .. meaning more gay than straight. But he was willing to try with me. And he was a real gentleman when I told him it wasn't working." she smiles with her memory. "See, the world needs more guys like Ziven." and she takes another self-indulgent bite.
The three old friends all simultaneously almost choke on cake. Stephanie recovers fast and smacks Anna hard on the back.
"Ziven Ayala? I mean how many guys are there named Ziven?" Stephanie asks.
Tamela takes a long sip of her coffee, waiting for the answer.
Frank has a huge piece of cake in her mouth when the three of them look at her. She looks at them as she chews and swallows. "Yea. My dad taught him how to fly." she raises her brows. "You guys know him?" that much seemed rather clear.
Tamela replies after her sip "Ziven is the man Garrett fell in love with. Small fuckin world..." She starts laughing.
Stephanie looks amazed "That's unbelievable."
Anna blinks and wipes her mouth with a napkin.
Frank smiles. "Well, good for both of them." she sips her coffee. "Love can really blindside you." she sips it again, looking into the liquid.
Tamela hears Frank and grins to herself.
Stephanie beams "Yeah but in such a good way."
Anna smiles sweetly at all three of them "I need to run to the bank for work. But it really was nice to meet you you Frank. Thanks for sharing your cake. And Happy Birthday."
"See you later Anna." Tams says with a wave.
Stephanie grins "Cheers Anna."
Frank smiles. "Thanks for the gentle interrogation, Anna. Great to meet you." she sits back and sips and looks over at Stephanie. "So that's what happened to you, eh? Your fiance identified gay, right?"
Stephanie nods at Frank "Yeah I didn't expect Mike and I to get together. We were friends...he asked me to be his beard and I said yes because I wasn't really meeting anyone anyways so why not help a friend I had some laughs with....and then we just clicked....now we're getting married and he's adopting my son."
Tamela gasps at Steph "Holy shit Steph. I didn't know that part. That's awesome."
Frank smiles. "See. Blindsided." she nods. "Very awesome. Congratulations. I guess if its meant to be you can't escape it?"
Stephanie glows a little thinking about it all and nods "Yep....thanks. I was going to take Mike a coffee at work so I should do that soon. I'm going to go order it. Thank you for letting us eat some of this cake...delish." She stands to go order, not leaving yet, but clearly on her way soon.
Tamela scoots her chair over and puts an arm around Frank, smiling at Steph. When she gets to the front and is out of earshot she says "I'm really glad about Michael and the kid....you know who Tristan's bio dad was right?" as she lowers her voice.
Frank nods. "Great meeting you, Stephanie." she leans into Tamela a little but. "Not a clue. Who?"
Tamela hesitates because there's no way Frank won't react to it. She holds up a finger and kisses her lightly and then grins at Steph as she does pass with the coffee "Kegels!" She teases "Have fun pretty lady..."
Stephanie giggles "Uh huh...you too, both of you. Cheers." And she's out the door.
Tamela then exhales and says grimly "Colin Rankin."
Frank is smiling and waving as Stephanie leaves and heads down the street and then, when Rankin is named, she starts and turns to look at Tamela disbelieving. "Rankin?" her voice is nearly a hiss. Even though the man is dead, he nearly took her chief with him. She looks after Stephanie again. "God. Man ... what can you say about that?" she considers. "Except it sounds like the kid is getting a better father." she isn't close to Michael, but ... he can't possibly be worse than Rankin.
"I know right. He was an ass to Steph. I didn't like him when they were dating, then he left her when she was giving birth....then he got worse." Tamela exhales and looks at the cake "We can box this up. Do you want to drop your stuff off at my place?"
Frank's brows raise. "While she was giving birth? Man ... just .. yea ..." she looks at the remains of the cake. "Yea. lets do that." she smiles. "Where else are we going? More interrogations?" she smiles. She's actually been glad to answer the questions. To meet Tams friend. That hadn't always been the case with girlfriends ...
Tamela grins at her "Wherever you want birthday girl. I booked the day and night, and tomorrow off just for you...."
Frank grins. "Just for me, eh?" she takes her hand. "That sounds like just the ticket to me." she smiles. "I'm still getting over meeting the best friends. I'd say the family was next but we kinda jumped the gun on that one thanks to your sister." she smiles and drinks her coffee.
Tamela giggles about the word ticket and takes the box for the cake from the attentive clerk who heard her say it and offered one. she boxes it up and takes Frank's hand "Well you know most of the coworkers too so now you can just have me for awhile..."
Frank smiles as they head out. "I'll hog up every second of it." she stops at the car. "Your place and chill." Frank isn't a real social person, so she often stayed home. "Maybe a walk around this pretty place."
Tams agreed and drove Frank back to her apartment and then scooped up her bag before she could even grab it and carried it for her. As they went in she set it and the cake down and pushed Frank against the door, kissing her hard and deep and sliding both hands right up Frank's top "Mmmm I want you..." she murmured between kisses, already seeking to push buttons she knows and loves softly and pressing her body into Frank's.
Frank grunts when she's pushed against the door. Tamela goes straight for the sweet spot and Frank moans. "Baby .... I am yours." she moans and kisses back, doubting they are going to make it bast the doorway.
Tamela pulls her head up from snuggling and kissing Frank as they basked in the after glow of hours of incredible afternoon lovemaking "Is it a happy birthday?" She teases in her ear before leaning over and checking the clock "Ooooh we could uh...go for dinner soon...time flew..." she giggles "But first, I have a present for you....no not that kind again." she jumps out of the bed and goes to her dresser for a little envelope and brings it back. Inside are hockey tickets and a goofy card.
Frank smiles and takes in a deep breath. "Yes. It. Is." she declares and blinks at the clock. Time always flew when she was with Tamela. Then she laughs and waits, taking the envelope and opening it. She laughs at the card and smiles at the tickets. "And my favorite team!" she pulls Tams close. "You coming with me to watch them get their asses kicked?" she wonders. "I love them. Thanks, beautiful."
Tamela nods "Yep." She kisses her lightly and then spontaneously says "I hate hockey....but..." Tams pauses and then throws caution to the wind "But...I love you...."
Frank takes the kiss and takes in the words. She searches Tams face as if it were a crime scene. Then she swallows, hard. "I ..." she takes Tams face in both or her hands. "Fuck. You terrify me." she leans in for a kiss, and when it breaks, there are rare tears in Franks eyes. "I lo ... " she closes them and her hands begin to shake, as if she is indeed scared. She takes in a deep breath. "I need to .. explain ... all this .. don't I?" she pulls her shaking hands away.
Tamela gently reaches for her after she pulls away "Frank...I'm so sorry. I...rushed it. I won't push....but you can talk to me..." She looks like she's blaming herself for saying it too fast.
Frank shakes her head. "No. Don't apologize." she almost begs. "It's MY fault. I tried so hard .. not to fall in love with you." she sighs deeply. "Fucking Amelia!" she growls as if it were a curse. And then she blows out a breath. "This is MY fault. Not yours."
Tamela looks relieved in a way that Frank is in love with her too and gently rubs Frank's back, looking at her with patience "Whatever it is, I'm here ok?"
Frank nods. "I need to tell you what happened to me.." she begins. "When I was still in Calgary, I fell in love with a woman named Amelia. It was ... incredible. Beautiful. Well. You've been in that kind of love so you know." she takes a breath. "I mean it was like its supposed to be. We had some difference, so it wasn't perfect .. which I don't believe in anyway." she takes a deep breath. "But I loved her anyway, you know. And than, one day, Amelia asks me to marry her." she scoffs a laugh and takes Tam's hand, caressing it. "I said yes. Of course I did. I loved her." at this point Tams may be thinking that the same thing happened to Amelia that happened to her fiance. Then Frank continues. "Well, it was a night of incredible sex and excitement. Then I went to work the next day. And when I came home from work ... Amelia was gone. Her clothes were gone ... all her favorite books and appliances .. all gone." she swallows, still looking at Tams hand, as if expecting it to begin to fade. "I stayed in Calgary in the same apartment for a year. Then in the city another four years before I heard about the job in Alexandra, applied, interviewed and got it." her jaw visibly tightens "All told ... six years of my life. Came out of swearing up and down I would never fall in love. And then, I kissed you under the mistletoe and ... since than, no matter what I did ... I kept falling. So ... it's too late, but ... man .. this shit is scary."
Tamela listens with compassion and her eyes fill with tears "Shit Frank. I don't know what's wrong with Amelia, but I love you. And I'm not going to run. This is scary for me too... believe me... I have to ask, and you probably did but did you look for her through our... professional channels?"
Frank sighs. "Not .. at first. I changed my number when I moved to Alexandra and joined the force there. Before that just .. Google searches and shit. But ... Darcy got the story out of me on New Years and .. after that .. I searched the database. Nothing." she sighs. "So .. she's not dead ... and she's not a criminal." she licks her lips. "I'm not going to run, Tams ... but I'm .. scared. And your scared and I understand why your scared." she snorts. "Fine couple we are, eh?"
Tamela pulls Frank into her arms "I'm willing to hold you through it if you'll do the same for me. Frank I am scared but I can't stop loving you."
Frank holds her close. "I'm willing to do that, Tamela." she agrees. "Cause I can't stop loving you, either." she admits. "Come on. Lets go to dinner." she smiles. "So we can come back here and make love ... you know .. now that we're not fucking cause we're in love." she winks and, as if on cue, her stomach rumbles.
Tamela gives her a little squeeze "I kinda wanna have both options.. " She half teases "Pizza or Chinese?" She asks as she rolls to clothes.
Frank reaches for her clothes, finding her jeans in the doorway. "Chinese." she declares. "I want to make sure I am hungry when we get back here." she turns and watches Tams dress. A mixed blessing, especially when one of them wasn't dressing to head home and wait for the next time they BOTH had a day off.
Tamela snorts "While I appreciate that....you under eat if it's Chinese food? If you'd prefer another option we have Sushi or the Mariner's too....or the fish stand. Your birthday dinner, you decide." She pulls on a black cotton top and shakes her hair around.
Frank considers. "Actually. Now that you mention it, I'd like to try the Sushi place. There isn't one in Alexandra and there is something I've wanted to try." she keeps looking around. "My shirt is in the living room, I bet. Probably shoved it in my boot."
Tamela smirks "Maybe I hid it. If we do sushi you get more Steph, and some of her family but they're pretty fun." She hops into a pair of jeans and heads for the bathroom briefly to freshen up.
Frank laughs. "I'm not THAT lucky. Love AND kidnapping. Not in one DAY." she nods. "Might get to see dickhead again. And I wouldn't mind seeing your friend again, no. SO lets do it." she finds her shirt indeed by the door.
Tamela pops back out of the bathroom and concurs "Sushi it is my love." She gives her a quick kiss and poises to open the door "Ready?"
Frank has dressed completely by the time Tams gets out of the bathroom and smiles. "I am indeed ready." she announces.
Tamela drives them to the parking lot by the police station and parks "You wanted a walk so we could park here and stroll along the water?"
Frank nods. "Yea. I'd like that. We haven't really been seen on each others arms around people who KNOW us." she realizes. So your birthday ... Alexandra?" she looks at this area which was pretty much collapsed the last time she saw it. "They did a good job here." she motions and looks at the cop shop. "Nice."
Tamela smiles "Sounds good. And yeah they fixed it all up. Can't even tell....well except for the missing..." She swallows slightly. It still hurts, even in love. Tamela takes Frank's hand and kisses it and then gives her a tug to walk.
In front of the fire hall there's one truck outside and a stocky but fit brown haired guy with a short beard is tinkering in a panel open on the side. He turns as he catches the shadow of the two of them walking up and grins and then looks pointedly at the hand holding "Tams....and friend....I know you from somewhere..." He looks at the date, trying to place her. He'd done some training on Alexandra and been back to visit and have subsequent shared seminars with the AFD. He was sure he'd seen this woman before there but not met her formally "Alexandra?" He ventures a guess.
Tamela introduces Frank to make it easier "Frank, Vaughn Baker, our fire chief, Vaughn, Lieutenant Frank Sharp. Yes she's a cop at the APD."
Frank squeezes Tamela's hand, but doesn't comment. But she looks at Vaughn and nods. "Good memory. I was in uniform, so imagine the bulky gun belt." she smiles. "How ya doin?"
Vaughn shuts the panel door "Great. Thanks for askin." He winks at Tamela "So life is good then?" There's a bit of a tease to his tone but it also seems like he's really happy to see Tamela walking and holding hands with someone.
Tamela smiles a little awkwardly "Life is very good. Charlene and the kids all good?"
Vaughn nods, scratching at the back of his neck "Oh yeah. All good. You lovely ladies carry on. I got a loud equipment drill happening in 2 minutes so I'd walk away from the station for your own sakes. Have a good one eh. Nice to see you again Frank."
Tamela chuckles "Thanks for the warning. Later Vaughn." She walks ahead with Frank until they're clear of the fire station and says "OK, remember how I used to date guys before I figured out...who I really was? He was the last one of those...in high school. Still friends though. Gorgeous wife too. I tell him that often and he doesn't know what the hell to do with it." She laughs.
Frank listens and moves along with Tams before the drill. She laughs. "But those are the best kind of folks." she winks. Taking in the city hall and the fish shack, she really gets to see Cedar Point.
Tamela nods and as they come in range of Sakura's the klaxons go off at the fire hall in a testing pattern.
Garrett's head pops out of the restaurant door "What the fuck....." He nods at Tams and then blinks at Tam's hand holding with a woman he does not know. He smiles a bit at both of them "Hello....and hello..."
Inside the back of Stephanie can be seen talking to a family at a table and taking their order and Eien is prepping food behind the divide to the kitchen.
Frank doesn't even flinch, but she'd been warned. She looks at the man whose come out to see what the ruckus was and sees Eien preparing food in the back. When he glances up, she waves at him, as if she knows him.
Tamela chuckles "Garrett, Frank. Frank, Garrett." She looks at Frank "You seem to know Eien?"
Garrett wipes his hand on his apron and reaches out to shake "Hi Frank. Welcome to Sakura's. Don't worry I washed the fish eggs off before coming out here."
Stephanie turns after taking the order and then leans down in the window and waves madly with a big grin.
Frank nods. "Yea. He lives in Alexandra with his girlfriend. And works at Perkatory early in the morning, so I usually see him when I grab coffee for that 6am shift." she shakes Garrett's hand. "Thank you." she looks him up and down a bit, since his name came up earlier in the day and then she waves back at Stephanie.
Garrett blinks a bit at the look up and down, since this woman was clearly holding hands with Tamela and then laughs "Jesus that guy doesn't sleep....come on in you two. I guess they're testing at the station again...." He pushes open the door but then holds it for them.
Stephanie comes towards them with menus and a big grin "Chose the best restaurant in town.....let's sit you by a window so Frank can see the harbour." She ushers them to a booth with the best view. "Green tea?" She asks as she sets down the menus.
Frank laughs. "Yea. I'd have to agree on that one." she enters and sits. "Wow, this is one hell of a view." she has to admit. When Stephanie sets the menus down, she holds up a finger. "I'm starving but one thing I want I know you guys have and do well is red tuna nigiri." she doesn't look at Tams, but clearly she remembers her saying it was her favorite and Frank's never had it.
Tamela bites her lip and looks at Frank like she might climb on top of the table and kiss her.
Stephanie laughs, seeing Tams's reaction "Tamela's favourite and yes we have some...do you want to just start with an order as an appetizer? It comes with two pieces."
Tamela nods "It just....melts when you bite it.....the perfect tuna..."
Garrett saunters back behind the counter and washes his hands again before walking to the prep table and telling Eien "Just a drill..." He starts opening the little prep cooler looking at what needs topping up and then grabs 4 bunches of green onions to wash and dice.
Eien nods. "Hai. Good." he scans the prep table, then the customers and nods to himself.
Frank chuckles. "Yea. I know it is. Maybe we should have two, or I'll wind up missing out." she teases. "Do you want anything else, babe?" she wonders, softly.
Stephanie nods and jots it down on her order pad, smiling and waiting "You can order in bits. We're open until 9." She teases.
Tamela grins "Let's do that. My brain is muddled..." She winks at Frank. Declarations of love and happy happy sex are clouding her, but joyfully
Garrett chops efficiently and whistles just a little. He's been incredibly cheerful at work for quite some time.
Frank winks back and, again, reaches to take Tams hand in hers. "Sounds like a plan. The night is young." she looks at her lover and for a moment just gets lost in that feeling.
Stephanie senses they're energy and retreats "Alright...I'll come back with yummy things.....you two just gaze and bask...." She kind of sings the end at them and giggles as she walks away.
Tamela is totally gazing and basking as she wraps her fingers around Frank's hand and then she laughs at Steph "Nice."
Garrett looks at Steph as she walks into the kitchen and quietly asks "So, new girlfriend?" head jutting at the basking pair.
Stephanie toddles around fixing the tea and shrugs "Not THAT new. Christmas...ish." She puts the pot down and looks up at her brother and Eien "Heads up....Frank had a thing with Ziven once. And she knows you're the current in his life. Kind of an experiment to confirm it really was women from what I got from it..."
Garrett laughs "THAT's why she was looking at me like that. Interesting...." He catches himself peering over the divide at Frank.
Stephanie pours the hot water "Oh and two red tuna please for them." she sets it aside to steep and then goes to ring another customer in at the till.
Eien smiles and almost makes the order, then looks at Garrett. "Perhaps you would like to make and deliver to them, Garrett?" in his almost year at Sakura Sushi, he has dropped the honorifics with all but Hiro and Sakura.
Frank watches Tams, basking as ordered. She chuckles as a thought hits her and tightens her grip a moment. "How can it be more intense with me than it was an hour ago?" she wonders, having forgotten much of the intensity of the one other woman she loved in that woman's betrayal.
Tamela sighs and then jokes "I'm just that good I guess...." She laughs "I dunno. Same for me with you though. I think saying I love you made it just grow, because we gave it the space to."
Garrett nods "Sure Eien. throw me into the fire." He grins "She seems cool so I'm fine." He scoops into the rice cooker and forms four sections and then lightly squeezes just a hint of wasabi on each before taking a chunk of red tuna and cutting it on the angle to make it perfectly tender to the bite. He plates it up on two little plates and quickly washes his hands again before walking it over and gracefully presenting it. "Red tuna....oh you need soy sauce dishes. I'll be right back.." He goes to get them and then pours kindly for both Tamela and Frank and hovers to watch how the first bite goes.
Stephanie has gotten stuck on the phone in the meantime, taking a delivery order.
Eien chuckles.. "Everyone sees my face. Is time for you to make spectacles of yourself." he teases and watches him. Love seems to have made him a bit more confident.
Frank nods. "Yea. That makes sense." he watches as Garrett presents the plates. "Thanks." she works the chopsticks as if she knows how but is no expert. Nothing goes flying. She bites in and moans softly. "Yea .. this is great." she looks at Garrett. "The fly boy got very lucky." she smiles, betraying that she knows who hes involved with. "How is he, anyway? I haven't talked to him in years, I'm afraid."
Garrett looks pleased with her food reaction and then grins with a little blush "He's awesome. I'll tell him you said hi." He gives one eyebrow wiggle and looks towards Tams, not even needing to gauge her reaction.
Tams is slowly eating her first red tuna and sliding down in her seat in total foodgasm mode. She weakly waves her chopsticks at Garrett in between bites like it's some sort of religious ritual and he's a deity right now.
Garrett just cracks up "That's what we like to see here. We need to put Tams on our advertising...." He gives a little wave and heads back to the kitchen, passing Steph on the way as she brings the tea. He greets Eien with "That was totally chill."
"Sorry, got a little hectic there." She sets down two cups and pours, ignoring Tamela but looking at Frank "I don't need to ask about Tams, but how do you like it?"
Eien grins. "You expected .... more dramatic?" he can't imagine drama in this place. he shakes his head and double checks his station.
Frank nods. "Yea. Next time we really need to do more than wave to each other." she watches Tams and shakes her head and, when Stephanie returns, she laughs. "I love it." she admits. "But I'm a little jealous. I need to step up my game tonight. See if I can get that sort of a look." she teases Tams, picks up her tea and sips.
Garrett tidies up his station and muses "I think where Ziven's exes are concerned there might be a few dramatic ones. thankfully not Frank. Hell even some of mine....I mean Anna's amazing and kind but my ex wife..." He exhales into a whistle and laughs.
Stephanie grins at Frank "I have absolute faith in you. Do you know what else you want to order or should I peek in in a bit?"
Tamela exhales and shakes her head around and then brushes her leg on Frank's "that was lovely but red tuna has nothing on you....don't worry."
Eien blinks. "I had forgotten that you had been married." he shakes his head. "I am too young to forget these things."
Frank feels the leg. "Try peeking in a little later. This ... might be all I need before the rest of that cake." she rubs back at the leg and looks at Tams. "We'll see ... we're on a new level ... everything is likely to get more intense." she bites her lower lip, thinking how that might feel and then going for another bite.
Stephanie looks highly amused and whispers "We have takeout and delivery....or I can hide you in the walk in cooler and threaten to kick Garrett and Eien's asses if they open the door. Whatever works...." She teases and toddles off to greet an older Japanese couple with a more formal bow at the counter.
Tamela shifts and lets out a little grunt after Stephanie walks away "She's a GOOD friend..." She says and laughs.
Garrett taps his temple at Eien "Mind is the first to go my friend. How's your lady? April right?"
Stephanie breezes back through after seating the couple and starts on another pot of tea, stage whispering to Garret and Eien "they just said the L word....I can tell." She looks scandalously pleased to gossip it out loud and then pads at her pocket as her phone vibrates "Prolly Mike...." She clicks and frowns "Hmmm...not Mike......Yoshi Tanaka..." She clicks again and keys in her code.
Eien snorts a little bit at the idea he could be getting old. But then he smiles. "Hai. April is well. We both work very hard. She makes up for my only working two part time jobs." he still isn't completely sure what to do with his leisure time. He smiles at Stephanie and is very glad her friend has found love.
Frank chuckles. "She is. I think we might heat up her freezer a little. But ... thats a good investment just for the memory." she teases. She enjoys the dinner and the view. "Not too many businesses that have a view." she seems to be just realizing this. "The Aqua Shack is probably the best. It's a very .... inward island town." she looks again at the beautiful view .. and then out the window again.
Tamela actually blushes at the idea of she and Frank in the freezer and then laughs and agrees "Yeah Alexandra really is. We're all about the waterfront. I mean it started as a fishing village so it was all built to just have access for that industry." She's looking out the window and then realizes Frank was looking at her and smiles as she sees her look back out the window.
Garrett snorts at the workaholic and says "Say hi to Yoshi for me Steph."
Stephanie smiles awkwardly at the text that's still going back and forth "He's uh congratulating me...sort of I think...and coming here for Easter...with Izzy.....that's good..."
"Sort of I think?" Garrett asks suspiciously "Dude's been married for over 15 years now. He should be past the sort of I think stage..."
Stephanie gives Garrett and irritated look "It's fine. I'm fine." She purses her lips and swallows "Yoshi and Sabine split up.....he hasn't told his dad yet. Izzy's making him do it in person. Please don't tell our dad Gar....He's really a mess over it. Bad time to tell him I was getting married.....but I think Izzy told him before I typed it.."
Garrett's eyes go wide "Oh my god, are you serious? Yuki LOVES Sabine. He's gonna freak out...."
Stephanie picks up the tea "I know. Happy fuckin Easter Tanakas....."
Garrett just laughs sardonically as he mixes some tempura batter "Oh man....."
Eien goes back to work because, at the end of the day, work is one of his major defining points.
Frank takes in the view and finally looks at Tams again. "Do you like camping? Hiking? I feel like we talked about this, but my mind is ... " she motions skyward. "On cloud nine."
Tamela laughs "I like cabin camping with a bed...and hiking yes. I'm very happy with you Frank. I didn't think this would ever happen again in my life.
Stephanie delivers the tea and does the rounds, letting the lovebirds have their space a bit longer. She clears some plates from a booth nearby and does give them a little smile before heading back into the kitchen.
Garrett still has questions "So are they actually divorced or just separated?"
Stephanie looks at him as she deposits the dishes "Separated...it just happened. I don't really know the whole deal. You know what, why don't you call Yoshi? Maybe he'll tell you and then that's one less awkward conversation for me...." she looks hopeful.
Garrett huffs "Tell me he's not pulling crap on you Steph. Maybe send him a picture of Mike? Like with a height chart....this is my boyfriend compared to a normal human...."
Stephanie laughs "It's not like that. He's just needy and depressed. Izzy's there now so he's a bit less needy with me. I mean we ARE friends. It's Yoshi..."
She stacks a few things into the dishwasher and then presses start and walks back out front.
Garrett exhales and then asks Eien "Do you have siblings? And if so do you have to watch them get sucked in when people know how to play them?" He asks in a tone that suggests he is thoroughly unimpressed.
Eien glances up when Garrett speaks to him. "I am an only child." he reveals. "But ... Michael-san ... I cannot see him ... liking that ..." and he can't see anything good out of an ex trying to manipulate his woman.
Frank grins. "Then hiking up to a resort where we can find a bed?" she counters. Looking Tams in the eyes, she nods. "I didn't either. But I'm glad it did."
Garrett sighs and nods "Yeah I don't think he'll like it either. I sure as hell wouldn't. We've known the Tanaka's since birth basically. Yoshi's always been a bit fragile. Izumi is like Steph but like doesn't always befriend like so she just got closer to me and Yoshi to Steph. I didn't date Izumi....I was not cool enough to be in her league back then..." He laughs and then says "But Steph and Yoshi..." He breaks off for a second as Steph stops by the counter to get menus and then continues "They were a thing for years....but he was needy and she got done. Then she met Colin and Yoshi applied to go to school in Ottawa. He couldn't watch. But he met a nice French girl there and got married so we thought it was sorted. I like Yoshi. He's fun and loyal, but he asks a lot of people sometimes."
Stephanie now stops at Tamela and Frank's table waving her hands about like she's still offering them a space cushion "No pressure peek in....you can tell me to go away." she smiles after but it doesn't quite reach her eyes.
Tamela had just brought Frank's hand to her cheek and was rubbing her face on it and smiling "You can stay if you can stand us." She looks at Steph's smile and then asks "You ok though?"
Steph waves her off "I'm fine. Just a weird text thing with Yoshi..."
Tamela grumbles "Yoshi....isn't he married?"
Stepanie gives Tamela a tongue in cheek look and says sweetly "Tams, you are on a date. You can council me another day. I'm a big girl." she laughs a bit and grins at Frank.
Eien considers all of it. "That could get more interesting than I think I would like to watch." he chuckles.
Frank caresses Tams face, but also sees Stephanie and motions her to sit, or at least talk. "I don't know what a Yoshi is, but you two talk. Please. I have all night." she sits back a moment. "I could go back to the firehouse on my way to the car and talk to Vaughn about his gorgeous wife. You know, make it sound like we're looking for a third wheel just to see him squirm." she is willing ot give them as much privacy as they need.
Garrett sighs "You and me both man.....Hey did you do the octopus yet? I mean massage? You know what, it's all coming out rude so I'm just going to shut up now..." He cracks up beside Eien but humour eases the tension.
Tamela pats the seat beside her with her free hand but doesn't let go of Frank's "No I need you...you have to stay here Frank. I need this hand for so many things." She sweetly insists.
Stephanie reluctantly sits. Everyone is served for now. She giggles at her friend and then looks at Frank "I can say it in front of you...it's OK. I just have this old friend who's an ex, and he just split from his wife and he's turning to me. We've been friends since....god I think our moms did prenatal classes together....so THAT long. You know the fish guy? Yuki? It's his son Yoshi. He hasn't been home since I've been with Mike so they've never met. I LOVE Mike, absolutely. I have no doubts there. And for years I was single so Yoshi calling me up depressed now and then seemed fine. But now that I'm with someone I love....it feels kinda uncomfortable to be honest.....but we're really old friends and I don't want to be a jerk about it."
Eien laughs. It isn't so rare a thing as to be shocking, but it is a humor relief for them both. "But ... yes ... I did ... um .. it." he confirms.
Frank laughs at Tams and holds her hand as she listens to Stephanie. "I might be a kind of a gloom and doom gal ....." she says slowly. "But ... I'm not sure worrying about YOU being jerk is your biggest worry." she shrugs. She's seen Michael and, gay or straight, she can almost feel the testosterone coming off of the man. But she doesn't know him well enough to know if he'd just tell the guy to back off ... of shove him aside ... or worse.
Garrett chortles as he works and enjoys Eien letting lose with him. They'd come a long way from Garrett feeling like Eien was somehow competition. He sees Steph talking to Tams and Frank and a table looking around for her. He senses his sister needs her female friends right now and just walks over to get the order and refill their tea. He slips the order form into the clip for Eien and he to make after and washes his hands. Now he has a twinkle in his eye "Let's race....I'll take the first three, you take the second three..." He says, poised with a prep knife and a stack of nori.
Stephanie looks between Tams and Frank and nods "I do hear you. Normally I'm actually really good at being a bitch. I just hold back because Yoshi honestly can't take it...not from me. And I guess I know that and don't abuse the power."
Tamela nods "Frank's right and I do know that Steph. I mean your whole family's are friends and always will be. You don't want to be the one to break that...it's too many other people too."
Eien smiles. He likes how relaxed it can be here in the West. "Hai." he nods, ready to begin. Both men have their specialties .. in some areas Garrett can run circles around Eien.
Frank grins. "So let Michael do it." she shrugs. "If he really loves you, he won't break the guy in half like a cheap chopstick." she winks.
Garrett looks invigorated by the challenge and almost dances around as he swoops for ingredients in the bins. In this way he was emulating Hiro as a chef. Hiro saw each challenge as a fun game and would almost hop as he cooked. Garrett was fast on the fish rolls but slowed a bit too much with chopping and garnishes. He had fun nonetheless and presented his three just after Eien finished his with a laugh and a little bow to concede his defeat.
Stephanie giggles "Garrett said I should just send him a picture of Mike standing next to an average sized human."
Tamela throws her head back and laughs and then says "Yes...do it.....do eeet!"
Eien is more formally trained and worked in the high pressure restaurant business. But he only JUST beat Garrett and his bow is genuine and his respect for Garrett continues to grow.
Frank laughs. "Oh yea ... do that. But don't be surprised of Mount Mike does a little posturing. Don't tell me you can't feel the testosterone coming off that man in waves."
Stephanie bites her lip and melts into the booth and nods "I know...it kind makes me want to climb him a lot. Is it bad that I'm turned on by a gender stereotype?" She laughs "He just....he rumbles with his low voice..." She exhales "Sorry...what were we talking about?"
Tamela gives Steph a little shove "Go sext your man. Tell him you want to climb him and make him rumble at you. You're adorable."
Frank laughs, lightheartedly. "No, I think we all might have a little of that. Maybe." she shrugs. "Now you go imagine that ... maybe in your freezer ... but I think it might be time to head back. All this talk about growling ......" she winks at both Tams and Steph.
Stephanie looks between then and smiles knowingly "Do you want any food to go with you? The guys are pretty fast, especially when they're both on." She wiggles her eyebrows "You might need to refuel later."
Tamela opens the menu and points to a small roll combo, showing it to Frank "How about that for the fridge, not too much raw if we leave it for awhile....."
Garrett takes the food to the table and then comes back in "That was very fun Eien. And good win."
Eien bows deeply. "It was, Garrett. Thank you."
Frank smiles and nods at the choice. "Yea ... we can flip a coin to see who uses the last of the energy reserves to go on a fridge run." she makes it sound like the distance between bed and fridge is thousands of miles.
Stephanie giggles and takes their order slip to the kitchen and speaks to the chefs "A rush on that one if you please lads. They'd like it ....to go...."
Garrett smirks at his sister and then Eien and draws a finger line to divide the rolls for the next race "3, 2, 1....go!" and he starts again.
Stephanie watches the start and laughs "Dorks..." and then feels her phone vibrate again and sighs as she takes it out and reads with a frown. She doesn't reply this time and goes to check the tables.
Tamela looks adoringly at Frank "It's your birthday...I'll somehow find the strength to get to the fridge after as many hours as it takes for you to beg me to stop satisfying you." She clamps her feet around Frank's ankle now and looks at her intensely.
Eien nods and begins another race. Work can be fun, he is realizing. As well as satisfying.
Frank rubs her feet along Tamela's leg. "That might take a while...." she warns. "Fuck ... I love you, Tamela." she says it along, with pride and publicly.
This time Garrett wins by a fraction of a second and laughs "Oh so close. Those damn hand rolls. Sorry man."
Tamela feels an almost jolt of electricity at hearing the words in full and returns the exact sentiment "Fuck, I love you too Frank."
Eien smiles and then bows deeply in respect and defeat. He boxes up the meal and delivers it tot he table, again bowing deeply as he delivers is to the customer.
Frank smiles at Eien. "Thanks Eien. I'm sure you guys did a mind blowing job." she looks at Tamela. "Ready to go?"
Tamela grins and nods "Thank you Eien. Have a good night."
She gets up and walks to hug Stephanie before she goes "And thank you Steph. Talk to Michael about what's bugging you OK?"
Steph hugs her back and sighs with a little smile "I will. Thanks...both of you..." She lets go of Tams and reaches out offering to hug Frank "I don't know if you're a hugger so I won't be offended if you're not...."
Garrett happily cleans and sings an old rock song from a band that is no longer.
Eien helps with the cleanup, listening to the song. Garret is in such a mood to sing often these days.
Frank grins at Stephanie and takes her hand in a firm shake and then pulls her close, slapping her back. "You take care, Stephanie."
Stephanie is highly amused by Frank's hug style but goes with it. She barely resists the urge to pretend to adjust something and spit as a finale and catches Tams's stern look as she seems to know where Steph's brain is. they both laugh after and wave. After they go she slips into a booth and texts Michael, ignoring three that have come in from Yoshi.
"What are you up to my love?" is the greeting "I miss you. I love you."
Garrett is still singing and unloading the dishwasher. He grins at Eien and tosses him a stainless steel bowl that goes on his side of the room.
Tamela takes Frank's hand and walks back with her to the car, hearing the ocean crash against the concrete and just feeling like the world is right.
Frank smiles the whole way back to Tamelas. "Was I too butch for your friend?" she asks. "Who is damn cute, by the way." she teases
Tamela giggles "You were perfect. Steph was about to do something lewd after that hug that would really make you look....and yes I agree, she's cute. Wait till swimsuit season too..." She jokes back, even though it is true. They get to the car and Tams drives and thinks and then as soon as they get in halts Frank at the door "there's something I want to set up....wait right here....don't move....don't look...or listen..." She giggles and grabs a stupid long scarf and wraps it around Frank's head "Can you see?" Tamela quickly puts the food in the fridge and then seems to be opening and shutting drawers looking for stuff. Soon after there's the sound of the tub running and eventually Tam's calls out "OK!! You can come see....in the bathroom..." The whole room is lit by many candles and Tamela is sitting naked in a bubble bath looking inviting and smiling.
*****WARNING*****The rest of this blog post contains graphic sexual content. Reader discretion is advised.
Frank considers Stephanie in a bathing suit, but is soon standing in Tamela's apartment, effectively blindfolded. "This shouldn't be as exciting as it IS, Tamela!" she calls as she listens. Finally she is granted permission to come into the bathroom and sees Tamela in all her naked beauty in a bubble bath. Moaning slightly, she takes it all in. The candles, the bubbles and, most important, the woman. Her generous breasts floating ... her smile inviting and promising. "Wow...." she finally finds her voice and begins to undress, dropping her clothes in a pile she promises herself she will worry about later. Naked, she gets in the tub, sitting in between Tams legs and wrapping the woman's arms around her smaller frame. "This is like a dream, Tamela. Wow ... thank you."
Tamela tugs her closer still, wanting as much skin contact as she can get and holds her "I'm thankful for you.." she turns Frank's face to hers gently and starts kissing her with a soft slow passion.
Frank smiles and turns in Tamelas arms after the initial kiss. "I think we both have a lot to be grateful for, actually." Laying on her in the water, Frank both deepens the kiss and rubs Tamela's larger breasts with her smaller ones. The water is warm, as are their bodies.
Tamela pushes her legs down and puts Frank onto her by the thighs with a little moan. She feels an almost aching connection to Frank. Her hands start to roam as her kisses are relentless. The water splashes around them a little.
Frank settles between Tamelas legs, and kisses her deeply, basking in more than just the woman. Moving her body back and forth, she rubs the chests together, moving one hand to one and beginning to stroke.
Tamela dips her hand in the water and then starts tracing her fingers around Frank's nipples, squirming happily at Frank's playing at her breasts. Her whole being tingles.
Frank inhales in pleasure when Tamela begins to play with her incredibly sensitive nipples. She doesn't stop her own play, or her kissing. But her moans begin.
Tamela shudders. She loves those moans. She wants more. She lifts Frank up and bends her legs up to brace her a bit, ducking her head down to flick them with her tongue. At the same time she drops her hand between Frank's legs quickly finding her way to the clit and rubbing in circles.
Frank gasps as Tamela ducks under the water to play. It is very possible that her cries can be heard, even under water. "God. Tams! Yes!"
Tamela moans and lifts her higher "Hang onto the back of the tub..." She directs and then gets her face in between Frank's legs, holding her up with a hug under the butt and licks hard against her clit, up and down now, long strokes, hard licks, but slow.
Frank does as instructed, and is soon moaning with each hard pass of Tams tongue. "God ... Tams. I love you. Shit yes." she tries to stay as still as she can, but the pleasure makes her want to writhe.
Tamela knows she's got her now and keeps going, loving the taste of her and her pleasure and love. She presses the tongue just a little harder and flatter against the clit and lets her free hand carefully slide back to a nipple to play and flick too. It's a delicate balance, but she's determined.
Frank can't help herself now. She begins to writhe. "Tams ..." she begins to pant as she pressure on her clit increases. "Oh ... Tams .. I ... I ..." she can feel the orgasm begin. "Love you ... love you .. love ... love ... love..." she pants, trying not to buck to much while not caring .. there is nothing but the orgasm she has been brought to.
Tamela moans into her cuming, riding the wave with her until it's out of her and then buries her face happily in Frank's abdomen "Oh god Frank....you're so beautiful when you lose it...." She murmurs."I love you..'
Frank trembles a bit as she begins to recover. Tams words make her laugh. "I love you too." she squirms back into the tub. "God, I need you, woman." she admits. She lifts one of her breasts and kisses her nipple. "But we might want to get out of this tub. Or are you feeling brave?"
Tamela laughs "Let's go to bed. If you drown yourself getting me off I'd never forgive myself..." she kisses her sweetly and stands up and carefully steps out.
Frank laughs again and nods, also standing. She takes a towel and begins to dry Tams herself. "My first bath with another woman." she confesses as she dries. "Showers, sure. Baths never."
Tamela lets Frank dry her and grins "You know mine too....there we go...a first.." She laughs and then kisses her.
Frank smiles and makes sure the kiss is a long and leisurely one. "Well here's to many firsts." she dries herself and hangs the towels to try. She gathers her clothes, which are a bit wet. "Good thing I brought a change." she chuckles and looks around and begins to blow out the candles. "Drain the tub and off we go?"
Tamela walks around blowing out candles "And these......unless you really want to freak out Vaughn..." She says laughing. After they're out she takes Frank's hand and pulls her to the bedroom she lightly tackles her to the bed and lying on top of her, starts kissing her again hungrily.
Frank pulls the drain on the tub. "I think I will pass on that. Thanks." she murmurs and ooffs a little as she hits the bed, kissing Tamela with at least as much hunger. A moment later, she flips them over and nuzzles Tamela's neck. Moving one hand to a breast, she begins to massage and her kisses move down past neck and shoulder to suck at the nipple of the other.
Tamela drops one arm to her side to give Frank as much access as she needs and slides the other hand up Frank's back and into her hair caressing the back of it where it meets her neck with a happy little gasp.
Frank concentrates on Tams breasts for a while, sucking and licking. She straddles a leg and presses one up into Tamelas crotch, connecting with her clit.
Tamela presses back and lets out a little grunt and then reaches her hand that dropped to the side back to Franks' chest and teases lighting at a nipple, pushing it around. she just can't stay away from those buttons.
Frank moans softly as her breasts are teased. The feeling of her lovers hands on her is amazing. Moving her leg back a bit, she places the hand that was playing between, lust cupping Tamela's pussy lightly, as she enjoys the nipple play a moment longer.
Tamela keeps playing until she can't reach but spreads her legs and presses her hips up, her body begging for Frank's. She's practically dripping over the cupped hand in anticipation. Her breath quickens and she smiles at Frank "Did I mention I love you?"
Frank inches down and looks up. "You did. And I love you too." she replies and makes a show of getting comfortable, settling Tamela's legs just so before coming in to deeply kiss her pussy.
Tamela gently swivels her hips and closes her eyes as her head goes back and she softly moans. She bends her knees a little deeper, her toes curling.
Frank inserts her tongue deeply, turning her head. Moaning with the pleasure of the taste, she softly strokes Tams thighs. Her own eyes close in a moment of intimate bliss.
Tamela presses back in a light rhythm moaning softly on each press and twisting the bed covers in her hands "Oh god Frank....'
Frank pulls her head back and looks up Tamela's body, spreading her lips apart and beginning a soft lap, increasing by soft degrees both the pressure and speed. Around and around, her whole head intot he movement of the licking.
Tamela's moaning kicks into a higher gear fast. Frank knows her well now. Her breath comes in gasps between moans as she still presses back, her legs shaking a little as she feels her explosion already building in a matter of minutes she completely loses control, crying out over and over "Oh god...yes.....oh.......Frank....oh fuck......I love you..." But it just seems to go on, the biggest orgasm of her life. She's going crazy from the intensity, almost crying...wait she is crying...but it's tears of joy as the waves of pleasure finally ebb and she just quivers and softly sobs.
Frank knows the sighs, but this time is floored. Tamela came so hard she is forced to grin. As she comes down from it, Frank climbs up her body, finally seeing the tears clearly. Kissing them away on one side and then the other, Frank touches her forehead to Tamela's. "I love you, too." she lays lightly on top and kisses her. "So fucking much." she swallows and realizes that she too is crying. Overwhelmed by the emotions shes held back for so long.
Tamela kisses her back, still crying, and a bit more as Frank starts too. She hugs Frank to her tightly and just stays there for a long time.
Frank lets herself cry and holds onto Tamela for dear life. "We're gonna make this work." she announces and sniffs. "I promise." she caresses her face and kisses her again. There's food in the fridge and there's more cake, but all she wants for her birthday is in her arms right now.
