THE THREE WOMEN settled into Hollis’s Genesis G70 and drove o toward the amusement park. Singing to the radio the whole while, they made it to the park. Sure enough, the

  expression on Vivienne’s face made the trip worthwhile.

  Hollis and Karen could have cried, if not for their tough personalities, as their daughter held both their hands and grinned from ear to ear.

  Vivienne ran to the popcorn machine and got herself and her mothers some popcorn, before her eyes spotted the exciting rides.

  She squealed, facing her parents. “Oh look! A Ferris wheel! Can we go on it?” Vivienne asked her mothers.

  “Of course, baby.” Hollis let Vivienne lead them to the ride. They settled into their compartment and waited until other people had filled the others.

  At the top of the Ferris wheel, the musical roar of the carnival dimmed, letting in the sound of the Vivienne's excited giggles and the crinkle of paper from the rolled-up bag of popcorn she held tight in one fist. The three shared grins as Vivienne kicked her feet out in the open air. Then the wheel shuddered to life, pulling forward and then down.

  Around and around they went. As they sank to the ground and the ride stopped, Hollis got out first, then helped Vivienne and Karen.

  “That was amazing!” Vivienne exclaimed, as she threw her now-empty popcorn bag into the nearby bin. Karen and Hollis smiled at her as Vivienne took them by the hand again and they walked through the park. All around them were happy screams and laughter as people enjoyed themselves, trying di erent stalls and rides.

  A pretzel stall came into view and Vivienne ran toward it, followed by Hollis and Karen. “Three pretzels with cinnamon and sugar, please,” Vivienne told the man, watching as he prepared it for them.

  Pretzels in hand, the trio passed by a balloon and dart stall, at which Karen and Hollis had a match. Vivienne

  laughed at the two competitive women, but they did end up winning her a couple of stu ed animals.

  At the haunted house, Vivienne looked pleadingly at her mothers--her puppy dog eyes doing the trick as they gave in and bought tickets. Once outside, though, the situation was di erent. “I am . . . never . . . doing that again. Never. Like ever.” Vivienne breathed out, with a hand on her heart. Both Hollis and Karen burst into laughter as they headed for the ice cream stall.

  Hollis got her favorite—mint chocolate chip—while Karen got vanilla and Vivienne moaned with joy as she licked her strawberry-shortcake-flavored ice-cream cone. They spent the rest of the day at the park and tried every ride, plus most of the food. Hollis couldn’t help but be happy that her daughter was finally opening up and enjoying herself. She felt proud to have come up with an idea that had made Vivienne so happy. True to form, Hollis vowed to do even better next time.

  Karen took Hollis’s hand and gave it a squeeze as she noticed her expression, probably thinking the same thing.

  Hollis turned to Karen with a smile as they joined Vivienne for yet another ride.

  8

  “Oh, hey! Her Highness now has time for lowly paramedics like us,” Lisa quipped as she watched Ava walk toward her.

  “Yeah, I mean, what would you like us to call you now, after you are done solving complex cases with top medical doctors?” Lisa asked.

  “How many more of these jokes are you going to do, Lisa?” Ava shot back, with a roll of her eyes.

  “I thought—so many of them!” Lisa said, grinning rather shamelessly.

  “Are any of them actually funny, though?” Ava smiled innocently, while roasting her. “Make fun of me all you want, but I got us both o duty this Saturday, and you are coming with me to Mama’s birthday party. You’ll get a break from this job you love so much,” Ava continued.

  “Oh, thank God! You are the best! It’s been a while since I last saw Auntie Ramira,” Lisa said, smiling at the nickname she used for Ava’s mother. “I love it when she tells me how she wishes I was her daughter, too.”

  Lisa was genuinely excited. She loved Ava’s family and had known them for years. “Oh, I hope there are some cute guys there,” Lisa continued. “You have one heck of a hot

  family, woman. All this hot Latin blood. I have been single for so long. I can’t even picture myself in a relationship now,” Lisa finished, putting a hand on her chest.

  “No, don’t even think about it. Remember what happened with my cousin Alvaro?” Ava scolded Lisa, shuddering at the memory. “We haven’t heard from him since. I would like to keep my family intact, thank you very much,” Ava continued with a stern stare at Lisa.

  “Yeah? Oh, come on. So what? It’s not my fault that he fell into the lake, okay? We didn’t even get along that well.

  But his beautiful cock. Oh damn!” Lisa breathed out slowly.

  “Don’t blame me, I’m a woman with needs. Tortillas aren't the only things I like hot,” she finished with a wink, as Ava made a disgusted face.

  “Tú imposiblé, la mujer!” Ava groaned before continuing,

  “And I am from Bolivia, not Spain. They aren’t even the same continent!” she exclaimed.

  “Okay, okay. Calm down, drama queen.” Lisa replied with a roll of her eyes. “I shall try to be on my best behavior tonight.” She ended with a mock salute.

  “Right, of course. I am the drama queen now,” Ava taunted, as she glared at Lisa.

  Lisa gave her an innocent look before bursting into a laugh. Straightening up, her face grew more serious.

  “Hey, why don’t you invite that hot butch army doctor you work with? You two must be great friends by now. She has got to be a lez,” Lisa suggested, the idea suddenly flashing in her head.

  “Hollis. And no, she isn’t exactly the warm and friendly type. She’s just concerned with her work. I bet she doesn’t even to go to parties. And don’t you go trying to set me up with her. I know your game!” Ava looked at Lisa accusingly and continued. “Hollis is way too old for me anyway. You

  know I don’t go for older women,” she clarified, a frown forming on her face.

  Ava thought back to her time with Hollis—how imposing her physical presence had been. Ava didn’t like older women, as a rule. But there was something about Hollis that made Ava think for a moment about how good it would be to have Hollis pin her down and fuck her with those strong hands and arms. Ava felt a sudden lust between her legs. Oh god, Hollis! she imagined crying out.

  Lisa interrupted her fantasy. “Oh, but you solved Hollis’s case. That would have impressed her. And Hollis has got a really great face. It’s a masculine-feminine hybrid, and it is very attractive,” Lisa went on.

  “No,” Ava said, resolutely. “I just came up with a theory.

  Turned out we were both partially right, but neither of us was completely right. An intern solved the case.” Ava repeated the events as they had happened.

  “Okay, okay. So no invitation for her then—”

  “MEDSTAR ALPHA LEVEL 01 TRAUMA CALL FOR YOU. Do

  you copy?” The microphone buzzed into life before Lisa could complete her sentence.

  “Copy. Give me the location,” Lisa replied, as the two responded to yet another emergency call.

  “HELLO LISA, MI QUERIDA.” Ava’s mom had always called her sweetheart, and Lisa loved it. “Thank you for coming!” She greeted Lisa warmly. "You haven’t been here in a while. Oh my, you girls look so lovely,” the older woman said, in her thickly-accented English.

  And sure enough, the girls looked beautiful. Lisa was wearing a navy blue floral pleated midi dress with a pair of white heels. Her pale, creamy skin glowed as her long legs

  beckoned. Lisa’s dark brown hair was let down in loose curls.

  She was sure to catch the eye of everyone passing by.

  Ava, on the other hand, looked gorgeous in a black spandex pencil skirt that reached just below the knee and clung to her magnificent figure. She had on an emerald green silk top and a messy braid over one shoulder. She looked incredibly feminine.

  “Oh, Auntie Ramira! It’s so good to see you again. You look amazing!” Lisa said. “I’ve been wanting to come by for a while now, but your stupid daughter won’t bring me. I think she wants to keep me away from you people. God knows what her intentions are.” She ended with a dramatic sigh. The truth was that Lisa especially enjoyed being with Ava’s family because she didn’t get along well with her own.

  “Oh please. Cut the act, drama queen,” Ava said, rolling her eyes. “We’ve been swamped with work, that’s all.”

  Looking at her mother, she added, “We’ve been saving lives, Mama.”

  “Excuses!” Lisa threw back at her. “Admit it, you’re just jealous because Auntie Ramira loves me more,” she finished and stuck her tongue out at Ava, whose mother laughed at the two of them.

  “Real mature, Lis.” Ava snorted.

  “Okay, okay. That’s enough now, girls. It’s my birthday party and we are enjoying ourselves! It’s not every day you turn seventy-six!” Ramira exclaimed, ushering the two girls inside the house.

  The house was like the people who occupied it—beautiful, cozy, and definitely homey. One felt welcomed in every place in the house, from the open door to the wide hallway. Upon the walls were photographs of children, obviously loved. The floor was an old-fashioned parquet with a blend of warm, deep browns, and the walls were the greens of summer gardens that culminated in a bold, white baseboard. The

  bannister was a twirl of a branch, tamed by the carpenter's hand. Its grain flowed as water might, in waves of comforting woodland hues. It was nature’s art in the lamplight, meant to soothe one’s soul.

  Lisa was in a flirtatious mood as the party started and they mingled with the others. “So you plan on staying single, but I should hunt for some?” she teased Ava.

  “Oh, for goodness’ sake! I told you—it’s not that kind of a party. Why do you want a guy so bad?” Ava asked, as their banter started again.

  “Any party I am at is that kind of a party,” Lisa replied, ignoring the latter part of Ava’s comment.

  “Seriously, stop staring at him.” Ava behaved like such a mom to Lisa!

  “I’m saving all the pretty girls for you, sweetie. Just let me have the guys.” Lisa didn’t back o as she smirked at the particular man who had caught her staring. “But seriously, it’s so cool that your family is so accepting and open about your sexuality,” Lisa told Ava. It was definitely one of the reasons she liked Ava’s family so much.

  “My family . . . ” Lisa continued, “I don’t know if they even get me. It’s like they don’t even know who I am,” she complained, tearing her eyes away from the guy and focusing on Ava.

  “You sound like a teenager in those chick-flick movies,”

  Ava said, laughing heartily as she looped her arm through Lisa’s.

  “I am serious,” Lisa said with a sip of her drink.

  “Well, although you are creepy and weird, you have me by your side, always. My family is your family.” Ava reassured her with a smile. “So relax, and let’s have some fun!” she told her best friend.

  9

  “Aromantic dinner?” Sophia looked at Katherine, slightly surprised. “Well, what is the occasion?”

  she asked.

  “Nothing at all. Why do we need an occasion?” Katherine sounded happy.

  “Oh phew! I thought I forgot our anniversary or something!” Sophia let out a short laugh. “But how? We don’t have any time o .” She looked around.

  “We will sneak out. There are no urgent cases.”

  Katherine’s face flushed as she thought of it and grinned at Sophia.

  “Dr. Miller will be pretty mad if she finds out.” Sophia said rather innocently.

  “Oh God, what a nerd you are. Sometimes I feel like I am the younger one in this relationship.” Katherine rolled her eyes and blew her breath out from between her teeth.

  “Okay, okay. Fine! Get a reservation,” Sophia said, smiling at the love of her life.

  “Your girlfriend can get a table wherever she likes, baby.

  After all, I cut open people’s hearts and save lives. They owe me!” Katherine boasted.

  With a roll of her eyes and a smile on her face, Sophia gave into Katherine’s childish antics and let her take the lead.

  THE TWO WOMEN arrived home from the hospital and Katherine quickly ushered Sophia inside to change.

  “So let me get this straight. We sneak out of the hospital,” Sophia began.

  “Uh huh,” came Katherine’s reply, as she nodded a little too enthusiastically.

  “And now you want me to change into something glamorous?” Sophia finished, arching her brow at Katherine.

  “Yes, exactly! Now go get changed or we’ll be late. Come on,” Katherine hurriedly said to Sophia, pushing her toward the bathroom.

  “Don’t take too long!” Katherine yelled, walking toward the guest bathroom for her own shower. She knew that if they jumped in together, they wouldn’t make it to the surprise Katherine had planned for Sophia.

  “GOD, YOU LOOK RAVISHING,” Katherine complemented Sophia, as she emerged into the living room where Katherine was waiting for her. Sophia was wearing a very tight dress, the colour of rich red wine. She knew she looked incredible and blushed under Katherine’s hungry gaze. Sophia walked over to her, placing a sweet kiss on Katherine’s cheek.

  “You look equally as beautiful, if not more, mi amor,”

  Sophia said with a giggle.

  “I don’t know how I will keep my hands o you,”

  Katherine said.

  THEY ARRIVED at one of the most exclusive restaurants in Forest Vale and Sophia’s eyes lit up. She was still getting used to the kind of restaurants that Katherine frequented, and every time was exciting for her.

  “You did not!!” Sophia squealed, looking at Katherine, who had an amused smile on her face.

  Katherine laughed and kissed Sophia’s head, “Oh, yes I did!”

  Smiling, they both entered the lavish restaurant. Tables had been placed neatly around the big room. One could hear hushed chatter and utensils. Large, beautiful glass chandeliers were hanging from the ceiling, overlooking the immaculately dressed people enjoying their evening.

  The manager greeted Katherine and Sophia at the door and escorted them to their designated table.

  The waiter came by. “Good evening, ladies. My name is Jerome, and I will be serving you tonight. Here are your menus,” he said politely, as Katherine and Sophia each chose their respective dishes. After taking their order, the waiter moved towards the kitchen—but not before filling their glasses with champagne.

  “This place is amazing! Thank God I dressed up.” Sophia said as she looked around, taking a sip of her champagne.

  Katherine just smiled at her and held her hand across the table.

  “Thankfully, there haven’t been any emergencies today and we have both managed to escape the hospital,”

  Katherine commented, smiling as their entrees arrived.

  “Yeah, thank God. It is so nice to get out for the evening with you, on a real date,” Sophia said, laughing.

  The food was incredible and they enjoyed every mouthful.

  Katherine watched Sophia’s mouth as she ate. “So, what do you do, pretty lady?” Katherine asked her. Amused, Sophia knew Katherine was up to something with this role play. It was a bit like their first date, although neither of them had asked the other what they did.

  “Well, I am a doctor. What about you?” Sophia played along, knowing the “pretend game” had begun.

  “Oh. What a sweet coincidence. I am one too,” Katherine said, flirting.

  “Good, good.” Sophia nodded, trying not to smile.

  “The food here is amazing. What do you say we go to my place for some dessert? I live nearby,” Katherine went on, giving Sophia a lustful look.

  “Okay, but what about your crazy roommate?” Sophia smirked, returning Katherine’s gaze with her own fiery one.

  “Don’t worry about her. She won’t bother us. Although at times she mentions her idol, Dr. Roman, a lot.” Katherine said with a sigh.

  “Maybe tonight she won’t,” Sophia mused. “Aren’t you a little jealous of her idol?” She asked Katherine.

  “No, not at all,” Katherine replied with a smirk of her own.

  “Well then, how about we go to your place and eat something sweet?”

  The two left later, hand in hand. Sophia smiled to herself at how far they had come. Katherine’s home was hers now, too. The beautiful, kind, and amazing surgeon, Katherine Ross, was Sophia’s partner. She couldn’t be happier.

  AS THEY GOT through the door and kicked o their shoes, Katherine pounced on Sophia. She groaned and pushed Sophia up against the wall, kissing her fully on the lips.

  Gripping Sophia’s leg, she pulled it up, wrapping it around her waist. Katherine pushed her taut body into Sophia, making her moan loudly.

  Then she slipped her tongue into Sophia’s mouth and the battle started. Their tongues clashed and moved in sync as Katherine’s hands ran across Sophia’s body. Sophia shivered.

  Katherine’s touch still drove her crazy.

  Sophia pulled away slightly, running her tongue along Katherine’s lower lip before biting it. Katherine hissed and she slapped Sophia’s ass, hard.

  “Naughty girl,” Katherine said, breathing out, then attacked Sophia’s neck. Just above her collarbone, Katherine bit, sucked and licked until she left her mark.

  “Mine,” Katherine said in a possessive tone, making Sophia shudder with want. Her panties became even more soaked than they were before.

  “Yours,” Sophia whispered in agreement, sinking slightly against the wall, right into Katherine’s arms.

  Katherine slid the thin dark red straps from Sophia’s shoulders. She peeled the tight dress down over Sophia’s body and let it slide to the floor.

  Sophia’s breasts were suddenly exposed and her nipples were hard. Goosebumps ran across her skin as she stood in just her black silk panties. Katherine’s dark gray eyes on her body never failed to disarm Sophia. Those eyes were as intent now as they were in surgery, burning into Sophia, who could feel Katherine’s desire.

  Katherine ran her fingers down from Sophia’s cheek and over her collarbone, lightly teasing her breast and tickling as she dipped over her stomach. Sophia giggled and trembled.