Fanfic Update! A Thousand Glimpses: Twenty Three (Bianca/Reese)
TITLE: A Thousand Glimpses
SERIES: All My Children
AUTHOR: dreiser
EMAIL: dreiser7@yahoo.com
YAHOO ID: dreiser7
MY WEBSITE: http://www.dreiser.org/
CONTENT: F/F romance. F/F sex. Bianca/Reese. Breeze.
SUMMARY: Reese Williams had experienced a thousand glimpses of the life she always wanted but until she met Bianca Montgomery she never thought she could have it for herself.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but my love of other fandoms. I'm fickle, sue me.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Is anyone still reading this? lol.
Bianca sings L'amour et moi by Priscilla to Reese in this chapter. Awww. Romance! Or something.
A Thousand Glimpses
By: Dreiser
Twenty Three
It was funny how the most important things could happen in such a casual manner. Thanks to the advisement of Nathan and general protectiveness, Bianca was a compulsive door locker. At least when it came to the front door and it was completely understandable, the door should be locked when she had a little girl to protect, and there was that lurking reminder of Bianca's past, the violence she experienced that she wanted to keep far from Miranda at all costs. In such a situation locking the front door as soon as you enter the house is a normal habit to have. Typically this wasn't much of a problem, not even something to consider, but one night Reese ended up working at the office much later than usual with her staff of junior architects.
By the time she arrived at Bianca's house, it was just past ten o'clock and Miranda was long in bed and apparently so was Bianca because the usual knock to the door didn't bring her and she didn't pick up her cell phone when Reese called. Staring at the wooden door and the ugly pepto bismol pink arches, Reese futilely turned the door handle again. She didn't know why she did this, she was well aware it was locked, it was always locked but she did it anyway. Reese had just turned back down Avenue Mathurin Moreau, preparing to walk to her car and spend the night in her own house for the first time in over two months when the front door opened and a bleary looking Bianca appeared in the doorway in her pajamas, calling plaintively to Reese as she reached out to her.
The following evening, Bianca presented Reese with keys to the house to make sure she was never locked out again. She said it with a sweet smile and a gentle touch to Reese's cheek, kissing her softly before she turned her attention to Miranda who shouting for her mother's attention, asking if they could have some dessert. It happened so casually, so easily, and Reese stared at the keys in her hands and she felt the tears prick at her eyes and her heart warm at the sight of them.
She couldn't stop looking at them, it was silly, but she couldn't. Reese never had keys to someone else's house before, she never let herself get that close to another person. Not even Simon, who she was engaged to and dated for years, she never had keys to any of his apartments, she didn't want to be that intimate with him, she didn't want to be that way with anyone. Reese was forever hiding and hiding wasn't conducive to sharing space with another person, much less having keys and easy access to where they lived. Only she had keys to Bianca's house and instead of it being scary or stifling, it was exhilarating and exciting, and she couldn't stop looking at them.
Leaving work at her usual time, her new keys jingling in her hand, Reese headed down Avenue Mathurin Moreau, a bounce in her walk and a smile on her lips. Turning the keys over as she stood at the front steps, Reese unlocked the door to Bianca's house for the first time and was greeted by the sound of a very happy sing along.
"Bonjour, Madame Lundi! Comment va Madame Mardi?" Bianca and Miranda's voices rang in the air and the smile on Reese's face grew larger and much more fond as she walked into the living room and witnessed the mother daughter performance. Bianca's eyes lit up at the sight of Reese and she smiled at her before turning back to Miranda, continuing to sing with her, "Très bien, Madame Mercredi! Dites à Madame Jeudi, de venir vendredi, danser samed. Dans la salle de dimanche!"
"Bravo," Reese drawled, clapping her hands and grinning widely, laughing as Miranda curtsied and Bianca took a bow.
"We're practicing for my concert," informed Miranda, a smile in her voice, skipping over to Reese.
"You are?" asked Reese, kneeling down to look Miranda in the eyes. "What are you singing?"
"Bonjour Madame Lundi, J'ai Vu Le Loup Le Renard Le Lièvre, and Lundi Matin," Miranda said brightly.
"The concert is next Friday," said Bianca, her arms looped around Miranda's shoulders, smiling at her daughter affectionately and kissing her head. With Miranda standing on top of her feet, Bianca took a careful step forward and hooked her fingers into Reese's collar, pulling her in for a kiss. Murmuring happily against Reese's lips, she smiled as they parted and said, "How was work?"
"Busy," said Reese, chuckling as Bianca walked into the kitchen with Miranda still standing on top of her feet. Moving with them into the kitchen, they gathered around the table, observing Madame Trotter prepare their dinner of Tuna au Poivre. "The project for Sig. Passeri is almost ready to begin construction but we're still working out the problems with the passive solar energy. It's an ongoing debate about how to best draw the sun within the urban landscape but I think we've almost solved all the issues."
"That's good," said Bianca pleasantly. A moment of pause and she scooted her chair forward, leaning close to Reese as she took the blonde's hand in her own. Turning it over in her grasp, Bianca's fingertips played lightly over Reese's skin in a meandering path and she looked up, dark eyes wry and almost sad as she remarked, "You'll go to Milan when they begin construction, won't you?"
Overseeing construction wasn't something architects tended to do. Most preferred to not be involved with the projects once the designs were completed, only returning to it at the client's request to change something, but Reese had been taught to do things differently by her family. Her grandfather and father were believers in the creation of not just structures but relationships with all those involved in the construction of a new building. This meant becoming close with the client, the engineers, the contractor, the foreman, and everyone else in between. They taught her the best method to ensure your creative vision comes to light was to be there with it every step of the way and that meant going on site. Usually this was something Reese enjoyed immensely because it enabled her to watch as the building she imagined slowly change from something off the page to a real structure and it never bothered her, having to live out of a hotel for a few months at a time because she never had anything to miss when she went away.
Now she did and it appeared from Bianca's reaction at the thought of her leaving that she would be missed too.
"For a few weeks," said Reese reluctantly. She searched her brain frantically, trying to think of something to take away that hint of sadness she could already see Bianca trying to hide because she didn't want to make Reese feel guilty and finally it occurred to her she did have junior architects that would love the chance to oversee a project. There was also the fact that it might be nice to have Bianca and Miranda spend time with her in Milan, perhaps even take a long weekend together. "I was planning on letting Jacqueline and Luc take over after the first two weeks though. They need the experience and I was hoping you and Miranda would join me while I was there. For the weekends at least." Reese formed a hopeful expression, eyes wide and expression teasing, cutting off the small protest she saw coming since she knew Bianca thought she was only offering this out of guilt. "Please?" she murmured, moving in for a kiss, speaking against Bianca's lips and smiling when the edges of the brunette's mouth pulled up in a smile. "I'll miss you."
"Well," said Bianca almost coyly, curling a lock of Reese's hair around her finger. "We've never been to Italy."
"That is truly a travesty," Reese replied with overdone horror and Bianca chuckled. "All right, that settles it, you'll both come along with me and I'll show you Milan."
"What about your work? I don't want us to get in the way," protested Bianca faintly.
"I'll be busy the first week I'm there but by the second week things should slow down," murmured Reese, scooting closer to Bianca and placing a hand in her thigh, giving it a gentle massage. The more she spoke about it, the more she thought about it, the more she realized she really did want Bianca and Miranda with her. Being without them for even a day was painful but two weeks? Reese didn't want to suffer that if she could avoid it. "Miranda has school, and I know you probably don't have to want her out, but at least consider visiting me both weekends? It would be wonderful having the two of you with me and I'll arrange everything. The hotel, the tour of Milan, the flight there, everything. "
"No," said Bianca, shaking her head and at first Reese was afraid that she decided they couldn't make the trip then a soft smile formed on the brunette's features. "We can take the Cambias jet. What else is it for?"
"I don't know," said Reese with a laugh. "I've never flown on it."
"That," said Bianca teasingly, her smile growing wider and a bit mischievous. "Is truly a travesty."
"Funny," Reese said in sardonic tones though she did chuckle as Bianca kissed her tenderly while Miranda shouted that dinner was ready.
---
Coming home to someone wasn't something Reese was used to. Before she met Bianca her life was a lonely existence. Other than Audrey she didn't have any real friends. Just coworkers and a series of acquaintances. No one knew who she really was because she hid behind the image she thought the world wanted to see. Which is why even when she was with other people Reese still often felt very much alone due to this. It wasn't her they were really with, instead it was the idea of her, and Reese couldn't ever be comfortable thanks to the act she had to perpetuate but with Bianca she finally let her guard down.
They had developed something of a routine and after dinner it was always time for homework, games, movies, or reading. When the Tuna au Poivre was eaten they headed into the living room to watch a dvd of Miranda's choosing. Settling down for a viewing of the Muppets Take Manhattan, Reese smiled as the little girl snuggled in between her and Bianca on the couch, resting her head against Bianca and smiling up at Reese as she asked her seemingly random questions about the movie like who was her favorite Muppet and why did Miss Piggy love Kermit.
Rowlf and Kermit was a very nice frog were the replies and they continued their quiet discussion, giggling when Bianca hushed them, and by the time the movie was over Miranda had fallen asleep. With Bianca's help, Reese removed the sleeping child from the couch and they put her to bed, smiling at one another when she grumbled and protested as they changed her into her pajamas. Hand in hand, they walked into the kitchen where Reese opened a bottle of 1989 Beaujolais Nouveau, pouring a glass for each of them.
Wine glasses in hand, they took in the light and fruity taste, murmuring their enjoyment in between kisses. Closing the bedroom door safely behind them, Reese removed the empty wine glass from Bianca's hand, placing it on a nearby dresser. She lifted her own glass up to the brunette's lips in an offering, watching as the corners tugged into a subtle smile while swallowing the last of her drink.
"Are you trying to get me drunk?" asked Bianca playfully, watching as Reese placed her empty glass next to Bianca's.
"I don't have to try, it happens so easily," Reese chuckled, pointing out the other woman's less than stalwart drinking abilities. When Bianca scowled lightly and pinched her stomach, Reese yelped and jumped backwards, pouting at Bianca. "That hurt."
"Don't mock," said Bianca, a touch of warning in her voice, though a smile spread across her features as she moved Reese backwards until she was sitting at the edge of the bed. "And as for the hurt, I can always kiss it and make it better."
"Oh?" asked Reese, arching an eyebrow.
She released a gasp when Bianca's pale hands unbuttoned the bottom of her shirt and full lips pressed against the skin she had pinched just moments before. The kisses moved upwards while Bianca undid the rest of the buttons, sliding the shirt off of Reese and kissing the curve of her breast as she unsnapped her bra and removed it with the same effortless skill. Reese's fingers tangled in Bianca's dark hair as the brunette sucked on her right breast, her hand sliding up to cup the left breast in her hand. Bianca surged forward, pushing Reese onto the bed, her weight a welcome and sweet weight to the architect and she murmured Bianca's name, her voice pleading and almost desperate and there was a soothing hush, a reassurance, then Bianca was kissing her as her hand moved down to unbutton the blonde's pants. Reese's hips lifted off the bed, her hips wriggling, helping the other woman remove the material, not wanting there to be anything in between them.
Pushing herself up on her elbows, Reese removed Bianca's clothing piece by piece, throwing them carelessly aside. At last they were both naked and Bianca was pressing down on Reese, her lips intoxicating and her body lush, her hands hot on Reese's skin and the blonde shivered as the other woman kissed her deeply. Each time was better than the last with Bianca and Reese wondered at it, how it could be that way, how she could continue to feel so much, it was almost as if her heart might burst.
Moving in sync, one after the other, fingers slipping inside each others pussies, their thrusts were at matching paces. Lifting her head up, Reese captured Bianca's lips in a kiss that led to another and another, each more passionate than the last. Tongues slipping out to meet one another, to touch and to taste, and Reese sighed and shuddered, moaning as Bianca pulled away just enough to whisper her love. Then she kissed Reese again as her thumb pressed down on the blonde's clit, causing Reese to reciprocate, and they came together, kissing deeply as they reached orgasm, bodies twined together, drinking in their partner's cries of delight.
Sinking onto the bed, Reese wrapped her arms firmly around Bianca, pulling the sheets up to cover their bodies. Heaving a contented sigh, Reese kissed Bianca on the forehead, smiling as the brunette nuzzled into her neck. They remained silent, happy to lie in one another's arms and Reese couldn't help but think of how different this was. How relaxed and comfortable she felt, totally at ease in her own skin and she felt compelled to share this with Bianca, to let her know the feelings she created in her.
"I've never done this before," said Reese quietly, sifting through Bianca's dark hair, smiling as the brunette peered up at her.
"Really," said Bianca skeptically and a droll humor echoed in her tones. "The other times didn't count?"
"What?" Reese blinked, confused until she saw the gleam of amusement in Bianca's dark eyes and the smirk on her features. Realizing what the other woman was implying, she formed a slight scowl and lightly squeezed Bianca's nose in between her fingers, grinning when Bianca released a noise of protest. "You're cute."
"I know," said Bianca, her voice nasal, shaking her head until Reese released her nose.
"To clarify," said Reese rather dramatically. "I meant this," she gestured to their bodies, snugly fit together, Bianca remaining in her arms as she looked up at the architect. "Not sex but what comes after, holding another person, sharing a bed with them. I've never felt comfortable doing any of those things but I do with you. I think I've felt that way from the beginning."
"What did you do before?" asked Bianca and a small frown tugging at her lips. "After you had sex, I mean."
"Usually I left and went back to my house or I asked the other person leave," revealed Reese, wondering if she had done the right thing by telling Bianca this. That maybe she was telling her too much, creating a bad impression of herself by saying these things. Certainly she couldn't ever see Bianca asking someone to leave her bed shortly after having sex with them. That wasn't something she thought the brunette capable of just because it seemed too cold. "Sometimes I shared a bed with them. I would try to sleep but it never felt comfortable. Not until I met you."
"Are you serious?" asked Bianca and there wasn't disbelief in her voice but instead a soft sort of awe to hear this.
"Completely," said Reese with a smile, continuing to comb through Bianca's hair, kissing her forehead. "It always felt awkward somehow and I couldn't ever relax. When I did try to sleep it never went well but with you I don't have to try and force myself, Bianca. It all comes so easily and I've never felt like this before, you're the first one to do that for me, and it's part of why I love you."
"Just part?" Bianca teased in a husky murmur, lifting up for another kiss, chuckling when Reese moaned as the kiss deepened and Bianca brought their bodies in closer contact. When they separated, she smiled sweetly and cupped the blonde's cheek.
"Yes," confirmed Reese humorously, tracing Bianca's spine lightly with her fingertips. "Just because there are so many reasons why I love you that I couldn't possibly sum it up with one."
"That's sweet," murmured Bianca, kissing Reese again. "And cheesy."
"Well, I do live in France, of course I love cheese," drawled Reese, arching an eyebrow and grinning when Bianca groaned at the bad joke. Laughing quietly, Reese sifted through Bianca's hair, studying her thoughtfully. "What about you?" When Bianca looked at her with a genuinely confused expression, Reese felt her throat suddenly go dry and she wondered at the intelligence of voicing her next question but she did so anyway simply because she truly wanted to know the answer. "Why do you love me?"
"I'm the same as you," confessed Bianca, blushing darkly when Reese looked at her with a lidded gaze. "I have so many reasons to love you but one of the biggest has to do with how different you are from anyone I've ever been with. I know we agreed we shouldn't talk about our pasts, let ourselves get bogged down by it, and I've been trying so hard not to but you're completely different from all of the other woman I've had relationships with and in such a very good way."
"How?" Reese asked in a bare whisper, looking at Bianca with wide eyes, warmed on hearing her words.
"The reason I was upset at how things changed after I told you I was raped was how you hesitated," Bianca began slowly. "And the reason it bothered me so much is you were the first woman I've been involved with who didn't hesitate before that. You never shied away from my touch and you never tried to distance yourself emotionally from me and it was such a wonderful change. With Frankie it was always like a tug of war, pull her a little forward, she pushed me a lot back, and it was pretty much the same with Maggie. They didn't know how to deal with the emotion of being in love with me or the idea of being with another woman physically for the longest time." She paused, sighing and burying her face in the curve of Reese's neck, her breath hot on the blonde's skin. "Lena was better in a way. The way she grew up, in those horrible conditions, she wasn't used to people being genuinely kind and love was new to her but she was never afraid to touch me or to be touched. From the start you were the opposite of all of them, never afraid to get close to me both emotionally and physically." Lifting her head, Bianca smiled up at Reese, gently touching her cheek as she murmured, "How couldn't I fall in love?"
There were no words to explain how she felt hearing Bianca say this. Knowing that she didn't just measure up to the brunette's previous partners but had somehow managed to exceed them in her treatment of the other woman, it caused a great swell of pride and happiness in her and Reese dipped her head to kiss Bianca soft and tender. They were pliant kisses, fleeting and light, a teasing touch that expressed the love and affection the architect felt for the woman in her arms and when they parted they wore matching smiles and Reese caressed Bianca's cheek, resting their foreheads together as they gazed into each other's eyes.
A perfect silence, not the least disagreeable, one borne out of tranquility, enveloped them and Reese thought back to earlier in the day, that simple joy she felt on having her own keys and unlocking the front door for the first time. Greeted by the sweet sound of Bianca and Miranda's singing, charmed by the way the daughter was so obviously trying to imitate the skill of her mother. It was these thoughts that caused Reese to say rather suddenly, "Sing for me?"
"What?" asked Bianca, blinking at the blonde.
"Another thing I love about you is your voice, especially when you sing," Reese admitted.
"Oh?" Bianca questioned, smiling when Reese nodded. She slid up to cup the architect's face in her hands, kissing her tenderly. Pulling away as she murmured, "What should I sing?"
"Something French," said Reese soft but playful, curling Bianca's hair around her fingers. "Because I like how you sound when you speak the language."
Silence again and then Bianca's voice filled the air, beautiful and lilting, mesmerizing Reese in its delivery. "L’amour et moi, quand on se voit. On ne se reconnaît pas, comme c’est bizarre. Tout nous sépare, tout nem le hasard," Bianca sang quietly but she was as clear and pure as a bell, moving further into Reese's arms as she continued, smiling as the blonde kissed the top of her head. "L’amour et moi, on se tutoie. Pourtant on ne s’entend pas, et plus j’apprends. Moins je comprends, c’est désespérant."
As Bianca finished the song, Reese pulled her up, murmuring her thanks against her lips, then kissing her deeply. Each kiss leading to another then Reese gently rolled Bianca over, hovering above the other woman until she was pulled down by the insistent touch of Bianca's hands on the small of her back, and they made love with the notes of Bianca's song still hanging in air.
To be continued...
SERIES: All My Children
AUTHOR: dreiser
EMAIL: dreiser7@yahoo.com
YAHOO ID: dreiser7
MY WEBSITE: http://www.dreiser.org/
CONTENT: F/F romance. F/F sex. Bianca/Reese. Breeze.
SUMMARY: Reese Williams had experienced a thousand glimpses of the life she always wanted but until she met Bianca Montgomery she never thought she could have it for herself.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but my love of other fandoms. I'm fickle, sue me.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Is anyone still reading this? lol.
Bianca sings L'amour et moi by Priscilla to Reese in this chapter. Awww. Romance! Or something.
A Thousand Glimpses
By: Dreiser
Twenty Three
It was funny how the most important things could happen in such a casual manner. Thanks to the advisement of Nathan and general protectiveness, Bianca was a compulsive door locker. At least when it came to the front door and it was completely understandable, the door should be locked when she had a little girl to protect, and there was that lurking reminder of Bianca's past, the violence she experienced that she wanted to keep far from Miranda at all costs. In such a situation locking the front door as soon as you enter the house is a normal habit to have. Typically this wasn't much of a problem, not even something to consider, but one night Reese ended up working at the office much later than usual with her staff of junior architects.
By the time she arrived at Bianca's house, it was just past ten o'clock and Miranda was long in bed and apparently so was Bianca because the usual knock to the door didn't bring her and she didn't pick up her cell phone when Reese called. Staring at the wooden door and the ugly pepto bismol pink arches, Reese futilely turned the door handle again. She didn't know why she did this, she was well aware it was locked, it was always locked but she did it anyway. Reese had just turned back down Avenue Mathurin Moreau, preparing to walk to her car and spend the night in her own house for the first time in over two months when the front door opened and a bleary looking Bianca appeared in the doorway in her pajamas, calling plaintively to Reese as she reached out to her.
The following evening, Bianca presented Reese with keys to the house to make sure she was never locked out again. She said it with a sweet smile and a gentle touch to Reese's cheek, kissing her softly before she turned her attention to Miranda who shouting for her mother's attention, asking if they could have some dessert. It happened so casually, so easily, and Reese stared at the keys in her hands and she felt the tears prick at her eyes and her heart warm at the sight of them.
She couldn't stop looking at them, it was silly, but she couldn't. Reese never had keys to someone else's house before, she never let herself get that close to another person. Not even Simon, who she was engaged to and dated for years, she never had keys to any of his apartments, she didn't want to be that intimate with him, she didn't want to be that way with anyone. Reese was forever hiding and hiding wasn't conducive to sharing space with another person, much less having keys and easy access to where they lived. Only she had keys to Bianca's house and instead of it being scary or stifling, it was exhilarating and exciting, and she couldn't stop looking at them.
Leaving work at her usual time, her new keys jingling in her hand, Reese headed down Avenue Mathurin Moreau, a bounce in her walk and a smile on her lips. Turning the keys over as she stood at the front steps, Reese unlocked the door to Bianca's house for the first time and was greeted by the sound of a very happy sing along.
"Bonjour, Madame Lundi! Comment va Madame Mardi?" Bianca and Miranda's voices rang in the air and the smile on Reese's face grew larger and much more fond as she walked into the living room and witnessed the mother daughter performance. Bianca's eyes lit up at the sight of Reese and she smiled at her before turning back to Miranda, continuing to sing with her, "Très bien, Madame Mercredi! Dites à Madame Jeudi, de venir vendredi, danser samed. Dans la salle de dimanche!"
"Bravo," Reese drawled, clapping her hands and grinning widely, laughing as Miranda curtsied and Bianca took a bow.
"We're practicing for my concert," informed Miranda, a smile in her voice, skipping over to Reese.
"You are?" asked Reese, kneeling down to look Miranda in the eyes. "What are you singing?"
"Bonjour Madame Lundi, J'ai Vu Le Loup Le Renard Le Lièvre, and Lundi Matin," Miranda said brightly.
"The concert is next Friday," said Bianca, her arms looped around Miranda's shoulders, smiling at her daughter affectionately and kissing her head. With Miranda standing on top of her feet, Bianca took a careful step forward and hooked her fingers into Reese's collar, pulling her in for a kiss. Murmuring happily against Reese's lips, she smiled as they parted and said, "How was work?"
"Busy," said Reese, chuckling as Bianca walked into the kitchen with Miranda still standing on top of her feet. Moving with them into the kitchen, they gathered around the table, observing Madame Trotter prepare their dinner of Tuna au Poivre. "The project for Sig. Passeri is almost ready to begin construction but we're still working out the problems with the passive solar energy. It's an ongoing debate about how to best draw the sun within the urban landscape but I think we've almost solved all the issues."
"That's good," said Bianca pleasantly. A moment of pause and she scooted her chair forward, leaning close to Reese as she took the blonde's hand in her own. Turning it over in her grasp, Bianca's fingertips played lightly over Reese's skin in a meandering path and she looked up, dark eyes wry and almost sad as she remarked, "You'll go to Milan when they begin construction, won't you?"
Overseeing construction wasn't something architects tended to do. Most preferred to not be involved with the projects once the designs were completed, only returning to it at the client's request to change something, but Reese had been taught to do things differently by her family. Her grandfather and father were believers in the creation of not just structures but relationships with all those involved in the construction of a new building. This meant becoming close with the client, the engineers, the contractor, the foreman, and everyone else in between. They taught her the best method to ensure your creative vision comes to light was to be there with it every step of the way and that meant going on site. Usually this was something Reese enjoyed immensely because it enabled her to watch as the building she imagined slowly change from something off the page to a real structure and it never bothered her, having to live out of a hotel for a few months at a time because she never had anything to miss when she went away.
Now she did and it appeared from Bianca's reaction at the thought of her leaving that she would be missed too.
"For a few weeks," said Reese reluctantly. She searched her brain frantically, trying to think of something to take away that hint of sadness she could already see Bianca trying to hide because she didn't want to make Reese feel guilty and finally it occurred to her she did have junior architects that would love the chance to oversee a project. There was also the fact that it might be nice to have Bianca and Miranda spend time with her in Milan, perhaps even take a long weekend together. "I was planning on letting Jacqueline and Luc take over after the first two weeks though. They need the experience and I was hoping you and Miranda would join me while I was there. For the weekends at least." Reese formed a hopeful expression, eyes wide and expression teasing, cutting off the small protest she saw coming since she knew Bianca thought she was only offering this out of guilt. "Please?" she murmured, moving in for a kiss, speaking against Bianca's lips and smiling when the edges of the brunette's mouth pulled up in a smile. "I'll miss you."
"Well," said Bianca almost coyly, curling a lock of Reese's hair around her finger. "We've never been to Italy."
"That is truly a travesty," Reese replied with overdone horror and Bianca chuckled. "All right, that settles it, you'll both come along with me and I'll show you Milan."
"What about your work? I don't want us to get in the way," protested Bianca faintly.
"I'll be busy the first week I'm there but by the second week things should slow down," murmured Reese, scooting closer to Bianca and placing a hand in her thigh, giving it a gentle massage. The more she spoke about it, the more she thought about it, the more she realized she really did want Bianca and Miranda with her. Being without them for even a day was painful but two weeks? Reese didn't want to suffer that if she could avoid it. "Miranda has school, and I know you probably don't have to want her out, but at least consider visiting me both weekends? It would be wonderful having the two of you with me and I'll arrange everything. The hotel, the tour of Milan, the flight there, everything. "
"No," said Bianca, shaking her head and at first Reese was afraid that she decided they couldn't make the trip then a soft smile formed on the brunette's features. "We can take the Cambias jet. What else is it for?"
"I don't know," said Reese with a laugh. "I've never flown on it."
"That," said Bianca teasingly, her smile growing wider and a bit mischievous. "Is truly a travesty."
"Funny," Reese said in sardonic tones though she did chuckle as Bianca kissed her tenderly while Miranda shouted that dinner was ready.
---
Coming home to someone wasn't something Reese was used to. Before she met Bianca her life was a lonely existence. Other than Audrey she didn't have any real friends. Just coworkers and a series of acquaintances. No one knew who she really was because she hid behind the image she thought the world wanted to see. Which is why even when she was with other people Reese still often felt very much alone due to this. It wasn't her they were really with, instead it was the idea of her, and Reese couldn't ever be comfortable thanks to the act she had to perpetuate but with Bianca she finally let her guard down.
They had developed something of a routine and after dinner it was always time for homework, games, movies, or reading. When the Tuna au Poivre was eaten they headed into the living room to watch a dvd of Miranda's choosing. Settling down for a viewing of the Muppets Take Manhattan, Reese smiled as the little girl snuggled in between her and Bianca on the couch, resting her head against Bianca and smiling up at Reese as she asked her seemingly random questions about the movie like who was her favorite Muppet and why did Miss Piggy love Kermit.
Rowlf and Kermit was a very nice frog were the replies and they continued their quiet discussion, giggling when Bianca hushed them, and by the time the movie was over Miranda had fallen asleep. With Bianca's help, Reese removed the sleeping child from the couch and they put her to bed, smiling at one another when she grumbled and protested as they changed her into her pajamas. Hand in hand, they walked into the kitchen where Reese opened a bottle of 1989 Beaujolais Nouveau, pouring a glass for each of them.
Wine glasses in hand, they took in the light and fruity taste, murmuring their enjoyment in between kisses. Closing the bedroom door safely behind them, Reese removed the empty wine glass from Bianca's hand, placing it on a nearby dresser. She lifted her own glass up to the brunette's lips in an offering, watching as the corners tugged into a subtle smile while swallowing the last of her drink.
"Are you trying to get me drunk?" asked Bianca playfully, watching as Reese placed her empty glass next to Bianca's.
"I don't have to try, it happens so easily," Reese chuckled, pointing out the other woman's less than stalwart drinking abilities. When Bianca scowled lightly and pinched her stomach, Reese yelped and jumped backwards, pouting at Bianca. "That hurt."
"Don't mock," said Bianca, a touch of warning in her voice, though a smile spread across her features as she moved Reese backwards until she was sitting at the edge of the bed. "And as for the hurt, I can always kiss it and make it better."
"Oh?" asked Reese, arching an eyebrow.
She released a gasp when Bianca's pale hands unbuttoned the bottom of her shirt and full lips pressed against the skin she had pinched just moments before. The kisses moved upwards while Bianca undid the rest of the buttons, sliding the shirt off of Reese and kissing the curve of her breast as she unsnapped her bra and removed it with the same effortless skill. Reese's fingers tangled in Bianca's dark hair as the brunette sucked on her right breast, her hand sliding up to cup the left breast in her hand. Bianca surged forward, pushing Reese onto the bed, her weight a welcome and sweet weight to the architect and she murmured Bianca's name, her voice pleading and almost desperate and there was a soothing hush, a reassurance, then Bianca was kissing her as her hand moved down to unbutton the blonde's pants. Reese's hips lifted off the bed, her hips wriggling, helping the other woman remove the material, not wanting there to be anything in between them.
Pushing herself up on her elbows, Reese removed Bianca's clothing piece by piece, throwing them carelessly aside. At last they were both naked and Bianca was pressing down on Reese, her lips intoxicating and her body lush, her hands hot on Reese's skin and the blonde shivered as the other woman kissed her deeply. Each time was better than the last with Bianca and Reese wondered at it, how it could be that way, how she could continue to feel so much, it was almost as if her heart might burst.
Moving in sync, one after the other, fingers slipping inside each others pussies, their thrusts were at matching paces. Lifting her head up, Reese captured Bianca's lips in a kiss that led to another and another, each more passionate than the last. Tongues slipping out to meet one another, to touch and to taste, and Reese sighed and shuddered, moaning as Bianca pulled away just enough to whisper her love. Then she kissed Reese again as her thumb pressed down on the blonde's clit, causing Reese to reciprocate, and they came together, kissing deeply as they reached orgasm, bodies twined together, drinking in their partner's cries of delight.
Sinking onto the bed, Reese wrapped her arms firmly around Bianca, pulling the sheets up to cover their bodies. Heaving a contented sigh, Reese kissed Bianca on the forehead, smiling as the brunette nuzzled into her neck. They remained silent, happy to lie in one another's arms and Reese couldn't help but think of how different this was. How relaxed and comfortable she felt, totally at ease in her own skin and she felt compelled to share this with Bianca, to let her know the feelings she created in her.
"I've never done this before," said Reese quietly, sifting through Bianca's dark hair, smiling as the brunette peered up at her.
"Really," said Bianca skeptically and a droll humor echoed in her tones. "The other times didn't count?"
"What?" Reese blinked, confused until she saw the gleam of amusement in Bianca's dark eyes and the smirk on her features. Realizing what the other woman was implying, she formed a slight scowl and lightly squeezed Bianca's nose in between her fingers, grinning when Bianca released a noise of protest. "You're cute."
"I know," said Bianca, her voice nasal, shaking her head until Reese released her nose.
"To clarify," said Reese rather dramatically. "I meant this," she gestured to their bodies, snugly fit together, Bianca remaining in her arms as she looked up at the architect. "Not sex but what comes after, holding another person, sharing a bed with them. I've never felt comfortable doing any of those things but I do with you. I think I've felt that way from the beginning."
"What did you do before?" asked Bianca and a small frown tugging at her lips. "After you had sex, I mean."
"Usually I left and went back to my house or I asked the other person leave," revealed Reese, wondering if she had done the right thing by telling Bianca this. That maybe she was telling her too much, creating a bad impression of herself by saying these things. Certainly she couldn't ever see Bianca asking someone to leave her bed shortly after having sex with them. That wasn't something she thought the brunette capable of just because it seemed too cold. "Sometimes I shared a bed with them. I would try to sleep but it never felt comfortable. Not until I met you."
"Are you serious?" asked Bianca and there wasn't disbelief in her voice but instead a soft sort of awe to hear this.
"Completely," said Reese with a smile, continuing to comb through Bianca's hair, kissing her forehead. "It always felt awkward somehow and I couldn't ever relax. When I did try to sleep it never went well but with you I don't have to try and force myself, Bianca. It all comes so easily and I've never felt like this before, you're the first one to do that for me, and it's part of why I love you."
"Just part?" Bianca teased in a husky murmur, lifting up for another kiss, chuckling when Reese moaned as the kiss deepened and Bianca brought their bodies in closer contact. When they separated, she smiled sweetly and cupped the blonde's cheek.
"Yes," confirmed Reese humorously, tracing Bianca's spine lightly with her fingertips. "Just because there are so many reasons why I love you that I couldn't possibly sum it up with one."
"That's sweet," murmured Bianca, kissing Reese again. "And cheesy."
"Well, I do live in France, of course I love cheese," drawled Reese, arching an eyebrow and grinning when Bianca groaned at the bad joke. Laughing quietly, Reese sifted through Bianca's hair, studying her thoughtfully. "What about you?" When Bianca looked at her with a genuinely confused expression, Reese felt her throat suddenly go dry and she wondered at the intelligence of voicing her next question but she did so anyway simply because she truly wanted to know the answer. "Why do you love me?"
"I'm the same as you," confessed Bianca, blushing darkly when Reese looked at her with a lidded gaze. "I have so many reasons to love you but one of the biggest has to do with how different you are from anyone I've ever been with. I know we agreed we shouldn't talk about our pasts, let ourselves get bogged down by it, and I've been trying so hard not to but you're completely different from all of the other woman I've had relationships with and in such a very good way."
"How?" Reese asked in a bare whisper, looking at Bianca with wide eyes, warmed on hearing her words.
"The reason I was upset at how things changed after I told you I was raped was how you hesitated," Bianca began slowly. "And the reason it bothered me so much is you were the first woman I've been involved with who didn't hesitate before that. You never shied away from my touch and you never tried to distance yourself emotionally from me and it was such a wonderful change. With Frankie it was always like a tug of war, pull her a little forward, she pushed me a lot back, and it was pretty much the same with Maggie. They didn't know how to deal with the emotion of being in love with me or the idea of being with another woman physically for the longest time." She paused, sighing and burying her face in the curve of Reese's neck, her breath hot on the blonde's skin. "Lena was better in a way. The way she grew up, in those horrible conditions, she wasn't used to people being genuinely kind and love was new to her but she was never afraid to touch me or to be touched. From the start you were the opposite of all of them, never afraid to get close to me both emotionally and physically." Lifting her head, Bianca smiled up at Reese, gently touching her cheek as she murmured, "How couldn't I fall in love?"
There were no words to explain how she felt hearing Bianca say this. Knowing that she didn't just measure up to the brunette's previous partners but had somehow managed to exceed them in her treatment of the other woman, it caused a great swell of pride and happiness in her and Reese dipped her head to kiss Bianca soft and tender. They were pliant kisses, fleeting and light, a teasing touch that expressed the love and affection the architect felt for the woman in her arms and when they parted they wore matching smiles and Reese caressed Bianca's cheek, resting their foreheads together as they gazed into each other's eyes.
A perfect silence, not the least disagreeable, one borne out of tranquility, enveloped them and Reese thought back to earlier in the day, that simple joy she felt on having her own keys and unlocking the front door for the first time. Greeted by the sweet sound of Bianca and Miranda's singing, charmed by the way the daughter was so obviously trying to imitate the skill of her mother. It was these thoughts that caused Reese to say rather suddenly, "Sing for me?"
"What?" asked Bianca, blinking at the blonde.
"Another thing I love about you is your voice, especially when you sing," Reese admitted.
"Oh?" Bianca questioned, smiling when Reese nodded. She slid up to cup the architect's face in her hands, kissing her tenderly. Pulling away as she murmured, "What should I sing?"
"Something French," said Reese soft but playful, curling Bianca's hair around her fingers. "Because I like how you sound when you speak the language."
Silence again and then Bianca's voice filled the air, beautiful and lilting, mesmerizing Reese in its delivery. "L’amour et moi, quand on se voit. On ne se reconnaît pas, comme c’est bizarre. Tout nous sépare, tout nem le hasard," Bianca sang quietly but she was as clear and pure as a bell, moving further into Reese's arms as she continued, smiling as the blonde kissed the top of her head. "L’amour et moi, on se tutoie. Pourtant on ne s’entend pas, et plus j’apprends. Moins je comprends, c’est désespérant."
As Bianca finished the song, Reese pulled her up, murmuring her thanks against her lips, then kissing her deeply. Each kiss leading to another then Reese gently rolled Bianca over, hovering above the other woman until she was pulled down by the insistent touch of Bianca's hands on the small of her back, and they made love with the notes of Bianca's song still hanging in air.
To be continued...