Family – Part 11

Okay guys, road trip. Alice jumped grabbing her bag and throwing her cell inside, come on, or were gonna miss it.

Dana and Vee stood not sure why other than the commanding tone in Alices voice. They head towards Kit, Kit Kit, its time

Vees smile was instant, finally realizing why they were rushing out of The Planet, Cool very cool! She saw Bette and Tina coming in the front door and waves for them to come over. Kit tells Thomas and Mark, asking they spread the word to the others. Vee beams to Bette and Tina, Al says its a road trip, were going to the hospital. Jennys having her baby.

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Ohhhh ***** panting and breathing, fear mingled with anticipation and pain, she clenches Marinas hand like a vise. Ana watches calmly over the seat, occasionally raising her brow to the expletives passing the small womans lips, amused by the visual contradiction.

Shane, slow down. We dont need an accident.” Exasperated at the siren and having to pull over, Merde! We didnt need a ticket either.

Shane insists on explaining, words spurting from her, baby, were having a baby. Man, Im a little nervous, never had a baby before. We just need to get to the

The officer interrupts with a simple calm, follow me. As he heads back to his bike, he too raises his brows at the next wave of contractions eliciting a stream of foul words from the delicate looking mother-to-be.

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Vee, Dana, Bette and Tina have their arms full of stuffed animals, balloons and story books. They see Marina and Shane, staring through the glass, howd you do that? Shane looks at Marina as if she held some magic, Marina looks at Shane as if she were nuts.

Oh she looks like you Marina, the baby looks like you. Bette wraps her arm around Tina, as their tears begin to fall.

Kit steps up to Marina, touching her arm, oh honey, shes so pretty. Look at all that dark hair, just so pretty. She grabs Marina and pulls her face down to her giving her a big kiss on the cheek, Congratulations Mom. Now go be with the other Mom, shes waiting for you.

Marina returns to the room, stopping before she enters, reaching into her pocket and placing the dark blue do-rag on her head. She remains for a moment outside the door watching as Ana brushes Jennys hair, laying it prettily about her shoulders, straightening the ribbon at the top of her gown, beaming all the while.

Jenny sees Marina, leaning slightly around Ana, they share the wonder of this day with silent words of love and tenderness. Ana turns and walks to Marina, kissing her cheek, and motioning her inside, I am going to go see my granddaughter.

Marina walks slowly to her, marveling in the miracle she had just witnessed, mesmerized by the beauty of the woman who made it happen. Their eyes never leave the other as she gently rests on the edge of the bed, did you see her? Isnt she beautiful? Marina nods, emotion swelling inside, Jenny reaches for her.

Holding each other tight Marina kisses the nape of her neck as Jenny kisses her shoulder. The moment broken, as they both jump when Marinas cell begins to ring, they laugh a joyous laugh and let it ring.

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Marina leaves Jenny to rest, waiting patiently for the first feeding, where they may both hold her and marvel at her. She walks into the family waiting room, the hustle bustle surprises her. Thomas and Mark had brought the dinner to the hospital, the dinner planned to welcome her mother. Everyone was grabbing food and drink, festive was the atmosphere, blissful chatter all about.

Hey, papa. How you doin? Shane grins at Marina, handing her a glass of wine, wrapping her arm around her waist. Marina took a moment sitting and watching them, slowly her thoughts travel to her, remembering the phone ringing.

She pulls Bette to the side, explaining why she has to leave, and where she will be.

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Two hours had passed and Marina hadnt returned. Concern began to grow, uncertain of her whereabouts, knowing soon it would be time to feed the baby. Bette slipped out, heading to another floor of the hospital, Ana followed.

They saw her sitting in the chair, head in her hands, shoulders slightly shaking. Sitting beside her, Ana wrapped her arms around her, holding her while she cried as Bette held her hand.

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They were all crowded around the mother and baby as she entered. Her eyes told them something was wrong, eyes full of anguish, eyes mixed with joy and pain. Bette slowly, one by one, got them to leave them. Ana brushed her hand across Jennys cheek, holding tightly to her daughters hand, hugging her and leaving.

Marina sat down leaning across her with arms surrounding her and the baby. Jenny runs her fingers through her hair as she removed the do-rag, resting them gently, wrapped around her neck, Marina, talk to me.

Fingertips gently tracing the line of her tiny cheekbone, softly stroking the silky brown hair, watching the tiny fingers wrap around her forefinger. She looks to Jenny, eyes drowning pools of love, strumming tenderly the back of her fingers along Jennys cheek.

They say it is the natural circle of things. That with death, comes life. She lays her head against Jennys shoulder telling her of Francesca.

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Ana holds her in her arms, cooing and murmuring loving words, You know I leave in a little over a week. I was thinking, you havent been having your Thursday evenings together. Maybe you should before I go, take advantage of a built in nanny.

Marina only slightly glances back over her shoulder as she pours her juice. Shes curious to the answer Jenny will give, knowing how difficult it has been for her, never wanting to be too far away fearing shell need them. Oh I dont know shes only two months it seems wrong to be away from her

Jenny darling, she is fine with me, dont you agree? You trust me dont you? Besides, a relaxing evening could be most exhilarating for you both. You need the break, both of you do.

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Jenny stares at the clothes hanging before her realizing for months now she had not worn them. Marina steps behind her, reaching for the black gauze top she had worn in Madrid, how about this?

Marina had chosen simpler attire for herself, a black wife beater tee, dark jeans and boots. Jenny watches her, admiring her natural graceful beauty, trying to remember the last time they had made love. Carefully she places the key and heart pendant around her neck, then grabbing a black do-rag from the drawer, she ties it about her head.

Jenny steps behind her, slipping her fingers just under the edge of the tee, youre so *****. Marina turns to her, smiling, leaning to kiss her.

It was a quick soft kiss, we should feed her before we leave.

Marina held her lovingly in her gaze as she fed her, occasionally placing a soft kisses on her head, face, and fingers, we wont stay out too late.

Ana was surprised by her statement, on the contrary, I think you should stay out.

Agreeing with Anas suggestion, Jenny adds, I thought about what you said earlier and I agree, Marina and I could use some time alone, time to just be together. She stands behind her, tenderly laying her hands on Marinas shoulders, leaning and kissing her cheek, as a matter of fact, Im going to go find a place for us to stay tonight.

Marina blurted out a firm, No. We must come home.

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Conversation had been light almost strained between them. Marina seemed to be more concerned with the happenings of running The Planet rather than relaxing with Jenny. Once again, she started to get up to head to Mark, Marina stop. Were not here for you to work, were here to relax.

Okay, was all she said as she sat back down and once again began watching the room with little attention paid to Jenny sitting across from her.

Jenny examined her carefully, noticing the expressionless eyes, and how nothing appeared to please or displease her. You have to tell me whats wrong.

Again little notice was given to Jenny and her words of concern, nothing, just watching.

Jenny thought for a moment then excused herself, Ill be right back. Upon returning, she stood close to Marina, leaning into her and lightly resting her hand on her shoulder, I wanna dance with you. As Marina began to protest, Jenny grabbed her hand and pulled, I insist.

Marina however reluctant went with her, Jenny pulled her close, but she found their familiar warmth wasnt there. Rounds sad eyes looked into Marinas, Im scared.

Marina heard the sadness, jolted from her detachment to their closeness, she leaned back, Why? What are you afraid of Jenny?

Im afraid of this distance between us. We havent made love in months, not weeks or days, but months. I know theres been lots of reason why, but the point is we havent and, we havent talked about it, or anything else for that matter. Im scared were losing each other.

Marina only stares with no indication of a response and with the dark sadness in her eyes acknowledging her agreement. Jenny continues, There was a time if we made this kind of eye contact, you or I, one, would have been compelled to kiss the other. But now, we only stare.

Desperately she tries one last time as she tenderly glides her hand along Marinas neck and pulls her to her, kissing her hard and wanting. Jenny drops her head for a moment, their dancing stopped, and walks away.

Marina is stunned at having been left standing alone. Finally, she follows her out the door and to the car. Jenny. Jenny, where are you going?

I dont know, but if you want to come with me, you better get in.

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For days after the funeral, Marina had spoken little to Ana or Jenny, troubled with trying to keep her emotions in tact. She couldnt shake the guilt inside, the pain of knowing she had had the power to mold their relationship into what she had always dreamed, but her immaturity and fears had kept her from seeing. The guilt was unbearable, having all that they had built alone and together; and them never having the chance to enjoy it as lovers truly in love. Like an unlucky talisman it hung with her dooming her to sorrow and despair.

The constant and frequent routine of carrying for the baby afforded her the perfect avoidance, never having the time to recognize and address the damage her guilt was causing. Even that day, when she told Jenny of Francescas plight, she avoided the realization of hers and Francescas downfall. Tonight, sitting beside Jenny in the car as she drove aimlessly around the city, she began to realize the resulting damage.

The damage to hers and Jennys relationship, the distance her guilt had put between them, the misplaced attention to the past instead of the future, I could have change it. I know now that I had the power to cause Francesca and I to have a loving relationship. But instead, I let fear drive me. If I had been brave enough, I would have ended it long ago. Maybe, from that we would have mended ourselves and our relationship. She loved me, she needed me to show her it was real, but I was too afraid to take the chance.

Jenny pulls the car into a nearby lot, If you regret your relationship ending with Francesca where does that leave us? Do you regret us too? Jenny opened the door, not waiting for her response, fear now driving her. She didnt think she could stand to hear the answer and bare its pain. She walked fast almost a slow run towards the ocean, frantic to get away, far enough not to hear.

Marina ran after her calling her name, slowly closing the gap between them, she grabs Jennys arm causing them to spin to a sudden stop. Facing her, seeing the fear and pain in her eyes, she stumbles to get the words said fast enough, I love you, Jenny. I will never regret what we have.

How can you say that after what you just told me? I know now I know why we havent made love, I know why we havent talked, and I know why this distance has come between us. It has a name, Francesca. Even dead, she comes between us, affecting our lives, molding it to her liking.

Marina grabs Jenny as she turns before she can run from her again, Jenny slaps at her hands shouting, Let go of me. Let go of me. She begins to sob, cries rippling her words, she softly chants, let go of me please let go

Marina pulls her tight against her, refusing to let go, never Jenny. Do you hear me, Ill never let go of you. They fall to the sand, crying, together.

Marinas words rush to be said, tears flowing as they come forth, Im sorry Jenny. I was so sad for Francesca. How can I be sad for her without being sad for us, her and I? She gathers her thoughts and continues, Thats not why Im sorry. Im sorry for not seeing it was coming between us, that I was wallowing in it, and forgetting what joy I had with you you and Isabel.

Jenny turns her head to her, staring hard at her, as their tears continue to fall and slight gasps for air escape them both. Marina lets go of her grip on Jenny, moving her hands to her face, she begins to kiss her. Tears mingled with wet lips, wet snuffs coming from them both, their passion melding straight from the heart.

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They tip-toed into their bedroom past Ana and Isabel, grabbing blankets and trading their clothes for pareos, then slipped back out to the beach, We can walk back to the car in the morning.

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Family – Part 11

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