Author's Note
:
A **huge huge** thank-you to RogueLurker my volunteer editor who has been a great source of guidance in the polishing up of this story. Couldn't have done it without you M!
More to come soon!
*
Chapter One
Stephanie hunched over the table in front of her; pen poised in hand waiting to strike the paper. She bit her lip as she mused over her doodles. The notes on her paper translated into one sentence on the laptop. She twitched uncomfortably. She had gotten as far as one sentence. The laptop glared back at her as one hand hovered over the keyboard. This wasn't going so well. She licked her lips softly as she brought the pen to her lips and instinctively held it there, wishing it was a long skinny Menthol.
She slipped the pen behind her right ear and reached out for her glass of ice tea. She took a short sip and looked down at her paper. She slipped the pen back into her hand and put it to the paper. Half the glass, two doodles and four words later, she still felt lost.
She needed inspiration. She was beginning to wish she hadn't agreed to write the article. She was lucky to have the chance to write for such a prominent newspaper, it was a step in the direction she wanted to go. She questioned whether her circumstance had been the reason for the article, or whether her writing skills were valued. Stephanie had to be careful; the ground she was treading with this article was sensitive and the topic controversial. Yet in hers, and many others opinions, the new laws had been a long time coming.
Stephanie shook her head. She was never this stuck for what to write. Maybe she was associating the article too closely to her personal life. It was hard not to, but it was also key to disentangle oneself from the job at hand. Her personal hang-ups on the limitations of the legislation kept her from singing its praises for the article. The legalisation in favour of civil partnerships for same-sex couples had been a breakthrough, but there were still discrepancies that had yet to be properly rectified.
The wind swept into the house as if it were royalty, invading every corner, every crack. May had brought some temperamental weather to the city. Stephanie wouldn't usually complain of the weather in May, she liked the thick warm air outside and the daytime spring breeze refreshed her skin. However, the weather that was unfolding in the city now was a little less gentle.
There was the sound of a small engine outside the windows which caught her drifting attention. She smiled to herself, rolling the pen between her lips. Stephanie had waited for this moment for hours; she slid out of her chair, reciting to herself.
"First turn the engine off, then the briefcase from the front seat."
Out in the driveway, Naina slid out of the driver's seat and looked up towards the window. She knew Stephanie was going through the checklist --she always did. Grabbing her briefcase from the front seat, she turned and checked the back seat.
"Walking up the steps, lock the car..." Stephanie said into the mirror as she ran her fingers through her thick wavy hair.
Stephanie moved to the door and watched through the peephole as Naina walked up the porch. With her hand on the door handle, she pulled it open just as Naina raised her key to the lock. A smile spread over Stephanie's lips as she noticed the radiant colouring on Naina's cheeks. She was pleased that after all this time she was still able to raise a blush from Naina.
Naina slid through the doorway before Stephanie had a chance to move. Their bodies came together, connecting as Naina bit her lip and looked up into Stephanie's eyes. She whispered, ''Hey you...'' and let a tiny smile curl the corner of her mouth before leaning in to brush her lips against the taller woman's smile. Stephanie's nipples became firm; forming tiny bullets and she held the kiss, slowly moving her mouth against Naina's.
''Mmmm...'' Naina whispered, ''Maybe we should close the door? All this chilly air is making you cold!'' she teased, as she gently ran her index finger over one of Stephanie's rock hard nipples, coaxing a blush from the brunette.
Stephanie's red face returned to normal and she watched intently as her fiancée walked up the hall, removing her jacket and hanging it over the banister. The slightly smaller woman continued her slow, sultry walk until she reached the kitchen entrance. She turned elegantly and beckoned for Stephanie with an inviting gaze. Stephanie hurriedly closed the door and followed her into the kitchen.
Naina was reaching into the wall unit for two wine glasses as Stephanie entered the kitchen. With one eye on Naina, Stephanie smiled and took the sealed bottle of white from the fridge.
''Lamberti Pinot Grigio?'' she suggested as she read the label knowing Naina would agree. She passed the bottle to Naina to open. She slowly poured it and handed Stephanie a glass. Stephanie smiled and took it gratefully, whilst she took Naina's hand in her own, and pulled her closer.
''Are you hungry?'' Stephanie asked as she leant down to kiss her.
''A little. What have we got?'' she smiled as she squeezed Stephanie's hand before Stephanie slid it around her back.
''Well, we have some left over pasta, a pizza in the freezer, some couscous, nacho's and-''
Naina cut her off, ''Nacho's and dip!''
Stephanie smiled, ''Okay, I'll bring it in, go sit down inside...take my glass for me.'' She ushered Naina into the living room. Just as Naina left the kitchen, Stephanie called out, ''Mail is on the coffee table!''
When Stephanie made it to the living room Naina was sinking into the sofa, the laptop balancing on her knees, her letters ignored.
''Don't read that...'' Stephanie whined. ''I've not got very far!'' She sat next to Naina, laying the tray on her lap; she shifted closer to Naina. ''Please...''
Naina smiled and looked at her. ''There's nothing wrong with what you've got so far Steph, I just think you need to relax and find some inspiration...''
Her playful smile returned to curl her lips. She said the word 'inspiration' like it were a chocolate treat a child would receive for having been good. Stephanie had a feeling of déjà vu. It was the same conversation they had every time Stephanie was at a loss for words. Although writer's block might be common in Journalism, Stephanie rarely suffered from it. When it did strike her, it was a force to be reckoned.
Naina realized how much this article meant to Stephanie, both for its subject matter as well as a chance to establish herself as a serious Journalist. The stress of writer's block was already showing in her partner's furrowed brow and Naina wanted to help in anyway she could. She offered the wine to Stephanie who sipped slowly and carefully from the glass in Naina's outstretched hand.
''Have you written a list of points you want to include in the article?'' Naina asked delicately. Stephanie finished her nacho and sipped some more wine.
''How was work today?'' Stephanie asked, reaching out for another nacho. Naina raised her eyebrow at the subject change but decided against pushing the issue.
''It was good, a bit more hands-on than usual.''
