Chapter Twenty-One

"Tia, I don't know what to do." Anna's face showed her fear as she confessed her feelings to her best friend.

"Anna, do you care about Michael?"

"Very much."

"Then, what's the problem?"

"I care too much." Anna's head dropped, her hazel eyes filling with tears.

Tia sighed. "Anna, look at me, please. Are you in love with Michael?"

"Yes." A tear slid down Anna's cheek.

"Have you told her?" Tia gently grasped Anna's hand as she spoke.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because, I don't think she feels the same way."

"Why would you say that? You've seen each other practically every night since you met."

"Tia, we've only kissed a couple of times, and then she pulls away."

"Have you talked to her about it?"

"No."

"Anna, how do you expect to have a relationship with her, if you don't talk about this with her?"

"I know, I should talk to her. I love her, Tia." The look on Anna's face broke Tia's heart. She should be happy about being in love.

"I know you do, honey. You need to tell her how you feel."

"Catherine is coming back, please don't tell her."

"I won't."

"Catherine, tell me about the house again." Anna demanded as Catherine sat down on the couch next to Tia.

Tia and Catherine exchanged looks. Tia didn't have to tell Catherine anything. She already knew. "Maddy loves the place. It has a tree house."

"So, when do you find out if you got it?"

"Anytime. In this market they sell very quickly, so we put an offer on the place, and wait for the seller to respond."

"It's beautiful, and very big."

"We'll need all the room, eventually." Tia grinned as Catherine slid her arm around her neck.

"You both are very lucky."

"Yes, we are. Now, tell me where your gorgeous new girlfriend is?" Catherine teased her.

Anna blushed profusely. "She had a bar association meeting to attend tonight."

"So are you going to keep Tia company tomorrow night?"

"We all are." Anna reassured Catherine. Tomorrow evening was the arbitration meeting, and they were both worried sick. "We'll all be here. Besides, Cara and Van promised to play Twister with Maddy."

"I love all of you." Catherine's eyes filled with tears.

"Catherine, we love you and Maddy. Now, you two get a good night's sleep. I need to get out of here."

"Anna thanks for stopping by." First Catherine, and then Tia hugged her goodbye.

"Anna." Catherine placed her hand on Anna's arm. "I like Michael a lot."

"I love her, Catherine."

"Tell her, Anna."

"I will. Thanks, Catherine."

"Goodnight, doll."

Anna left the apartment, a little less worried and anxious then when she arrived. They were very good friends.

"Tia, why is Anna so fearful of telling Michael how she feels?" Catherine slid on to Tia's lap.

"I think she's afraid Michael doesn't feel the same way."

"But they've seen each other practically every night since they met."

"They've only kissed a couple of times."

"Oh, that's the problem." Catherine's lips found Tia's neck as she spoke.

Tia found it difficult to respond, as her body reacted to Catherine's attentions. "What's the problem?"

"They're both very shy."

"You weren't."

"No, I wanted you too much."

"Catherine, you drive me crazy." Tia laughed, her hands sliding over Catherine’s body.

"I know." Catherine grinned as she stripped Tia's sweater off. "I'm going to drive you very crazy tonight."

They kissed wildly as they rose from the chair and struggled to get to the bedroom. It was hard to be spontaneous with Maddy down the hall, but they were learning.

Several nights later, Tia's friends descended upon her apartment, as they all showed their support for Catherine. They were going to stay with Tia and Maddy until the arbitration meeting was over with.

"Has she called?" Melinda asked as she entered the crowed apartment.

"No, the meeting started an hour ago. They probably aren't finished yet." Anna took her coat to hang it up.

"Hi, sweetie." Emma met Melinda with a hug. They were very careful with their affection around Maddy.

"Hi, who's winning?" Melinda chuckled as she looked at the group of contorted bodies, currently playing Twister.

"It's a toss up between Van and Maddy. How was your meeting?"

"Good, very good." Melinda squeezed Emma's fingers quickly. "Hey, Maddy can I play?"

"Sure, Melinda." Maddy had quickly filled the hearts of everyone with her sweet personality, and her open affection. She was her mother's daughter, loving, honest, and beautiful."

"It's pizza time." Tia called as she entered the living room. Despite her worries about the meeting, she was doing her best to hide it from Maddy. "Miss Maddy, go wash up so we can eat."

"Okay, Tia. Van, do you want to use my soap? It's got Bugs Bunny on it." Maddy took Van by the hand.

"I would love to use your soap. Cara, can you get me some Bugs Bunny soap?

"Of course." Cara grinned good-naturedly. By week's end, Cara would find the soap just to please Van. She loved doing things like that, and Van loved her even more for it. They had weathered through most of their earlier difficulties over money.

"Cara, how's work?" Melinda asked as they all headed for the kitchen.

"Busy, very busy."

"Van said you took the sergeant's exam."

"I did."

"How did you do?"

"Good."

"How good?" Emma quizzed as she pinned Cara with a look.

"She got the second highest score." Van announced, as she carried Maddy into the kitchen on her shoulders. "She's a genius."

"Van." Cara blushed with embarrassment.

"Congratulations."

"Thanks."

"She's going to be police chief one day." Van bragged as she sat next to Maddy at the table. They all grinned as Cara hugged Van before she sat down next to her. Van was Cara's biggest fan and supporter.

"Let's eat." Emma suggested, and they all talked and ate pizza.

It was several hours later, and they were all still huddled in the living room. Maddy was playing crazy eights with Anna and Cara on the floor, oblivious of the tension and the seriousness of the evening.

"I think little Miss Maddy needs to hop in bed." Tia suggested, gently picked her up from the floor. "Say goodnight to everyone, and then I'll tuck you into bed."

"Okay, Tia." Maddy made the rounds of the room, kissing and hugging each one of the women.

"Goodnight, sweet pea." Van kissed and hugged the little girl.

Tia and Maddy held hands as they walked down the hall, as they affectionately teased each other. It brought tears to Anna's eyes as she thought of the meeting, and what Tia and Catherine were dealing with. It made her feel very lucky.

It was after nine o'clock before the key in the door caught everyone's attention. Tia rushed to open it as Catherine stepped through it, with Michael right behind her. Tia gathered Catherine to her in a tight hug, as the rest of the women watched. Anna's eyes met Michael's across the room. The silent smile that Michael had on her face made Anna's heart jump.

"It's over." Catherine blurted out. "It's over."

"What do you mean, it's over." Tia asked, looking perplexed.

"Jerry isn't going to sue for custody. He dropped the suit."

"You're kidding?" Tia grinned, holding tightly to Anna.

"No, it's all over." Catherine kissed her, as the rest of the crowd laughed.

Anna went up to Michael and stood inches from her. "You did it." She smiled as she took Michael's hand in her own.

"Catherine did it." Michael chuckled, as she pulled Anna into her arms. "But I'll take one of your heart-stopping kisses right now."

Anna didn't have to be asked twice, as she found Michael's lips with her own. All thoughts flew out of Anna's head as she kissed Michael, her mouth greedily feasting on hers. Her hands fisted in Michael's hair, as she kissed her again, while Michael's arms wrapped tightly around Anna's neck. Anna forgot where they were for a few moments, as she buried her face in Michael's neck to catch her breath.

"We'll do this again, later." Michael promised with a grin, as she hugged Anna tightly.

"Well." Van laughed, as the rest group smiled at Michael and Anna. "After that kiss I want to go home with my girlfriend and do some kissing of our own."

Anna blushed as the crowd laughed. Michael hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear. "I love the way you kiss."

"Quit teasing her, Van." Emma grinned. It was obvious to everyone there that Michael was very attracted to Anna. In fact, Emma would bet her paycheck that she was in love with Anna.

"So tell us what happened." Tia demanded, as she tugged Catherine into the living room.

Michael and Anna followed, and as Anna sat on the floor, Michael sat on the floor next to her, slipping her arm around her waist. Anna leaned against her and smiled. Michael was being extremely affectionate.

"Michael, you tell them." Catherine was sitting on Tia's lap, happiness radiating from her.

"Well, in my legal opinion, Catherine wowed them." Michael laughed, squeezing Anna affectionately. "She looked Jerry straight in the face, and told him whatever he tried, she would fight him. But she would not give up Maddy, or Tia. She told him she loved Tia, and that she was going to be with her for the rest of her life. He would just have to learn to live with it. She told him about the house you found, and what your plans were. He didn't stand a chance."

"Then, it's really over?" Tia's eyes filled with tears, overcome with emotion.

"He agreed not to change any visitation or custody agreements, with a few conditions. One, he will always be treated with respect since he is Maddy's father. Two, that he be included on all major decisions affecting Maddy. And three, that he gets to meet Tia. He wants to meet the woman his daughter will he raised by."

"He sounds like a good man." Cara volunteered as the other women nodded in agreement.

"He is." Catherine turned to her girlfriend. "Tia, will you meet him?"

"Of course I will." Tia held Catherine tightly in her arms. "There's nothing I wouldn't do for you and Maddy."

"Thank you." Catherine kissed Tia while the others looked on.

"Honey, I need to thank you for my family." Tia's voice broke as she spoke. She felt the tears start as she looked at Catherine.

"Catherine, Tia, we need to get out of here, and let the two of you celebrate." Melinda suggested, as she and Emma headed for the door.

"Good idea." Van pulled Cara to her feet.

"Catherine, I will have the papers ready to sign by tomorrow. I can drop them by for you to sign." Michael suggested, as she and Anna stood up.

"I think we need a celebration party." Catherine laughed, hugging the still emotional Tia. "How about a party on Sunday, can you all make it?"

"Certainly."

"I have to work at six but I'll come over earlier." Cara agreed, as she and Van headed out the front door.

"Good. Tia and I will expect you all at three. Michael, you can bring the papers to sign then."

"Okay, if you're sure about that?"

"I'm sure. You have better things to do tonight." Catherine's grin had a tinge of conspiracy to it.

"Thanks and congratulations." Michael held on to Anna's hand as they headed out the door. "Anna, before you go, can we talk a minute?"

"Sure." Anna's heart thumped in her chest, as she followed Michael to the parking lot. They stood next to Anna's car, and she waited nervously for Michael to speak.

"Are you still going out with me tomorrow night?"

"Yes." Anna watched Michael carefully.

"Are you up to a night of Irish jokes and songs?" Michael gathered Anna's hands to her, and held them tightly. "I want to introduce you to my family."

Anna's heart flipped in her chest. "Your family?"

"Yes." Michael's eyes told Anna how very nervous she was.

"I would love to meet your family." Anna smiled at her.

Michael breathed a sigh of relief. "Now, do you think you could kiss me again?"

Anna didn't get to answer as Michael's arms banded around her neck, and she kissed her hungrily. The moan that Anna responded with was swallowed up by Michael's mouth, as she covered Anna's face with kisses. Again, and again, Michael kissed her, until she began to feel light-headed.

"You're so beautiful," Michael whispered, her fingers sliding through Anna's curls.

"You are the one who's beautiful." Anna shared, as she tried to catch her breath.

"I want you to meet my family. It's important to me."

"I want to meet them."

"Good. I'll pick you up at six then."

"Is this something I should dress up for?"

"Heavens no, we're meeting them at my Uncle Paddy's pub."

"It sounds like fun."

"It will be loud, smoky, and very Irish." Michael promised with a laugh.

"I look forward to it."

"Now, I'll let you go home, and get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow might be a late night."

"Goodnight." Anna kissed Michael gently, and got in her car.

She was a little puzzled with Michael's behavior, especially tonight. One minute she would kiss her, and all coherent thought was gone. And then she sends her on her way home, alone. It was more then a little frustrating.

Michael was ready to pound her head against a wall. She wanted to make love with Anna so badly. But it was important that Anna understood how she felt. If this was going to happen, it was going to be a forever kind of thing, or nothing. Michael was too much in love with Anna to want anything less. It just wasn't easy telling her how she felt. Catherine had suggested earlier that Michael just blurt it out. Michael needed Anna to meet her family first, especially if Michael was going to ask her to be a part of it. And Michael wanted that more than anything in the world.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14