Sapphic Voices Fan Fiction

The Homecoming

Conclusion

Disclaimer: Xena, Gabrielle and Eve are owned by Pacific Renaissance/MCA Universal/USA Studios. I have only borrowed some of their identifying characteristics for this Work of original Fiction.

Content Warning: This is a Story of two Women who are very much in love and there are many descriptions of lovemaking, some of which are explicit. If you are under the age of consent where you live, please reconsider reading this Story. Thanks!

Language: Imagine Xena in the 1990's - yep, she swears. And she's a cop, so there's some violence too.

"New Age"/Religious Content warning: I'm a "new age" kind of girl, so my characters are too. All new age/metaphysical and healing occurrences presented here are actual phenomena that I have personally experienced. By presenting my characters' religious views, I by no means wish to diminish the views of others. IMHO, each person's religious view is the "right" one (smile).

Author's note: This is my first Story. Since I really have no idea just how good or bad this may be, I would welcome comments and constructive criticism. Thanks for reading! - JL, 2001

-32-

When she realized that she was surrounded by three men, one behind her and two in front, slightly to her left and right, and that two of them held baseball bats, Ryan felt a very brief jolt of fear. But with the rush of adrenaline that accompanied it came a sense of self-confidence, and she also felt a stirring of Janna's strength.

"Drop the gun, dyke. You can't shoot all us at once," the man in front of and to her right growled.

"Why don't you drop the bats and no one will get hurt?" Ryan's reply was so calm that it unnerved two of the guys.

The first man laughed and was joined by his cohorts, though with noted nervousness in their voices. "There's only one of you and three of us...do the math." He laughed evilly and added, "When we're finished with you maybe you'll think twice about arresting guys for beating up queers. You're all fucking perverts."

Ryan calmly maintained her position, gun pointed straight ahead. In the brief instant before they made their move, she smiled maliciously, looking each of the guys in front of her in the eye. As she eyed the leader, his eyes shifted almost imperceptibly, revealing to Ryan that the man behind her was attacking.

As the first man attacked, he seemed to be moving in slow motion, and Ryan felt an extreme sense of peace settle over herself. She could see him, as clearly as if she had eyes in the back of her head, and she turned just as the bat descended and caught it in her left palm, yanking it forcefully from the guy's hands and tossing it over the fence into the softball field. As he stood dumbly in front of her, she executed a smooth aikido maneuver that threw him to the pavement roughly.

Before he hit the ground, his two buddies advanced on the cop, and she skillfully evaded the double-pronged attack, sliding gracefully around one guy and grasping his arms tightly behind him. She addressed the other thug as she brought her gun up and trained it on him, "Drop the bat. Now!" Her voice was deep and full of menace.

Billy, being much more intelligent than he appeared, did as the cop ordered and dropped the bat, holding up his hands.

"Now, on the ground, on your stomach!" She ordered. When he complied, she pushed the man she had a hold of down next to him and kicked the bat away. "Hands behind your backs and spread your legs!" She looked at the first man she had disarmed. "You, join them, now!" As the third idiot joined his friends and assumed the position, Carrie and Jackie ran up.

"Ryan!" Carrie yelled. Both their faces held looks of disbelief. "Are you alright?"

"Fine. Do either of you have a cell phone?"

"I do," Jackie responded and pulled the item from her jacket pocket.

"Call 911 and report an assault...tell them there's an off-duty officer involved."

Jackie nodded and made the call while Ryan kept her gun trained on the thugs. She addressed Carrie. "Where's Janna?"

"Sharon and Kathy are helping her out." She glanced toward the complex gate. "Here they come."

Ryan didn't chance taking her eyes off of the perps as she said, "Go tell them what's going on and tell them to stay away until my backup arrives. Should just be a few minutes."

Carrie and Jackie left to join their friends as Ryan had instructed. She eyed the three scumbags on the ground. "So, friends of Simpson's are you?"

"Fuck you, bitch." Billy seemed to have lost some brain cells in the previous few minutes.

"You wanna see what dyke cops do to homophobic assholes who beat up women?" She snarled so menacingly that the guy's face visibly paled. The half that wasn't smashed against the ground, that is. None of the men uttered another word.

A minute later, sirens could be heard and presently two squad cars raced into the lot. Three cops made their way quickly to Ryan and she briefed them on what had transpired.

After loading the creeps into the cars, one of the cops, Tom, smiled at Ryan and said, "Zamora, you attract trouble like clover does bees!"

She grinned but quickly sobered. "Tom, I think these guys may have been in on the attack on my partner last month...she may be able to identify them."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I think they had targeted me. One of them said they would teach me a lesson about arresting guys who beat up gays."

Her coworker shook his head. "Jesus. Where do these guys crawl out from, huh?"

"You got me." She looked up and saw that her friends were helping Janna over and went to meet them. Janna fairly leapt from her friends' arms and fell into Ryan's.

As they embraced tightly Janna muttered, "Ryan, sweetheart, what happened?"

Ryan kissed Janna's hair and breathed deeply of her summer scent. "First of all, baby, I'm fine. They were pretty inept. Secondly, I think they were waiting for me, and thirdly, I think they were involved in your attack somehow. One of them insinuated that."

"Oh, my God, Ryan..." Janna began to sob quietly.

"Shh, it's okay, baby. We're fine and the jerks are on their way to jail."

"But Ryan, there were three of them...they could have killed you..."

"No way, babe." Ryan smiled. "They didn't have a chance."

"But what if they'd had a gun...what if..." Janna closed her eyes and swallowed hard. "It would have been my fault.

"Janna! What?" Ryan looked at her in shock and grasped her shoulders. "This in no way was your fault. It was the fault of those warped assholes who couldn't stand the fact that women, gay women, had bested them. They're small, slimy, pathetic excuses for men who are going to jail now, where they belong." She pulled Janna close again and added, "Honey, please don't blame yourself. Anyway, I was ready for them and able to handle them easily."

"Thank God, Ryan. Thank all the gods." She sighed and wrapped her arms tightly around her mate.

"Yeah, thank you." Ryan looked up towards the heavens. "Hey, we need to get you off of that ankle...come on." She helped her mate over to the back seat of her Explorer. Some of her coworkers were still gathering evidence around the left front side of the truck but they indicated to Ryan that she could seat Janna in the back.

As she stood beside Janna, their friends approached the truck.

"Hey, you guys, is it safe now?" Sharon shook her head and grinned. "You two can find more trouble together in two months than I did in twenty years in the Army."

Ryan grinned and pulled her gruff coach in for a hug. "Yeah, ya big lug. It's safe. Thanks for taking care of my girl while I was otherwise engaged."

"Shit, Ryan, you really took care of those guys. Remind me never to cross you!" Carrie grinned and punched her arm playfully.

Ryan shrugged. "It's what I'm trained to do. No big deal." At that statement all of her friends, including her mate, rolled their eyes and stated, nearly in unison, "Yeah, right!"

Ryan blushed mildly and looked down at her shoes, at which point Janna took pity on her and pulled her closer so that she could kiss her cheek.

It was after midnight when they finally got home after dealing with all the police necessities. Despite the several Reiki applications she had received, Janna's ankle was throbbing painfully again. The stress of the attack on her partner, and the ensuing investigation had prevented her from treating it properly with elevation and icing. Now, however, as she lay in bed, her mate was applying another ice wrap and settling her foot comfortably on pillows.

"There, babe. Twenty minutes of ice, then we'll wait an hour and do it again before going to sleep." She lay down beside her tired mate and scooped her into arms, kissing her cheek. "You rest, I'll take care of the ice for you."

"Nope, if you're staying up then so am I."

"You are so stubborn!"

"I am?" Janna looked mystified. "You take the cake, my love."

"I do not."

"You do too."

"This will get us nowhere, because we're both stubborn. Give me a kiss."

Janna willingly complied and forgot about her pain for a little while.

~~~~~~~~~~

A stray sunbeam found its way to the bed, where it illuminated two entwined figures writhing in ecstasy. The tall, dark figure caressed the smaller one below her with every part of her body at once. Her mouth, hands, legs, torso, and thighs all moved together in unison, giving exquisite pleasure to her life mate. As the smaller form received pleasure from her mate, she returned it in kind, matching her sensual caresses, strokes and kisses.

As one, they arched and cried out, their movements slowing and then stopping, their sated bodies melding together as they lie still, catching their breath. Words escaped them for long minutes, but weren't really needed. The two joined souls were able to communicate silently everything that truly needed communicating through their unique bond.

A person gifted with second sight would have seen the golden energetic bond that linked their heart centers and spread out to envelope them in it's loving glow. They would also have seen how their auras merged fluidly and filled the room.

The lovers lay together, quietly embracing, for nearly an hour, neither wanting to break their physical bond. Finally, the dark one spoke quietly. "Did I make you forget about your ankle, love?"

"What ankle is that honey?"

Ryan tilted her head back and laughed, then squeezed her partner and kissed her tenderly once more.

"God, it's great with you Janna. I've never experienced anything like it before." She wiped a drop of sweat from her mate's temple. "I know we've talked about it before, but it's just so incredibly good that it blows my mind over and over again."

"I know, Ryan. I have trouble finding words for it myself." She kissed the throat near her lips. "Honey, you are so incredibly good at finding my two most sensitive spots...every time. Every single time, Ryan."

"Hmm, would those be your little g and c type spots?" She grinned as Janna giggled, then added, "I was made to love you, baby. There's no doubt in my mind." She kissed the tip of her mate's nose. "And you're expert at finding my special spots, too."

"There's no doubt here either, love." Janna giggled and shuddered happily. "And two weeks from tomorrow I'm marrying you."

"Yep...God, Janna, I can't wait!" She picked up Janna's hand and caressed her ring finger. "I can't wait until you're wearing my ring, and I'm wearing yours." She wiped away a tear as it escaped from her eye. "I never thought I was cable of loving like this, Janna, but you've shown me that I am. Thank you." Ryan hugged her partner gleefully, experiencing fully the love that bound them and knowing with every shred and fiber of her being that she was home.

-33-

Acoustic guitars chimed loudly as the Indigo Girls serenaded Ryan while she powered through another set of bench presses. She lay on her back on the padded bench, feet planted flat on the floor and pushed the weighted bar up with all she had left.

"Uh..." Ryan groaned and exhaled loudly as she locked her elbows and held the massive weight above her face.

"Yes, babe...that's five!" Janna grabbed the heavy bar and helped to settle it onto the supports in front of her before moving around and standing beside her partner. "Great job, honey!"

Ryan dropped her weary arms to her sides as Michael Stipe joined his friends in the song's chorus, asking, "Are you on fire?"

"Oh, yeah, guys, I'm definitely on fire." Ryan wiped her brow with the back of a hand. "I am feeling the burn...whoo!" She sat up and grabbed her mate, pulling her down to join her on the padded bench. "You are one pushy coach, lady." She said as she nuzzled Janna's neck. Her smile against Janna's soft, warm skin became a gentle kiss.

"Oh, Ryan, don't start that now...we're not finished in here yet." Despite her request, Janna closed her eyes and sighed deeply as she sat straddling the bench in front of her mate.

"Mm, baby, I know...we haven't made love in here yet, have we?" Gentle kisses turned into nibbles as Janna giggled.

"Ry...Ryan...honey...remember, Sara's due any minute...and I want to finish my circuit fir...first...oh, yes..." Ryan was like an incorrigible child who wouldn't take no for an answer. She continued her loving attentions until her mate was breathless and found herself settling into her larger lover's lap. Janna wrapped her arms around Ryan's neck and pulled her close as she captured her lips possessively.

"Mm, God, Janna..." Ryan returned the deep, passionate kiss and wrapped her arms around Janna's back. "Lets finish our workout with our clothes off."

In answer, Janna broke the kiss, and leaned back, pulling her shirt off as she did so. She sat face to face with her mate in a gray sports bra and black running shorts that matched exactly what Ryan was wearing. Ryan grinned widely, brilliant blue eyes sparkling, and reached toward the straps of Janna's bra. She slowly pushed them down Janna's arms, caressing as she did so and had them half way down her partner's arms when the doorbell rang.

"Oh, shit..." Ryan's face collapsed in despair. "Fuck, baby..."

Janna rested her forehead against her mate's, similarly dejected, and sighed. "Later, love...in here...I promise." She sealed her promise with a loving kiss before removing herself from Ryan's lap, and slipped her shirt back on over her shoulders as she left the room.

Ryan blew out a breath and picked herself up off of the bench. She grabbed a towel and wiped her face and neck before settling at the shoulder press machine.

Janna could see her friend through the new stained glass window in the door and pulled the door open.

"Hi, Sara!" She greeted her friend warmly and invited her in.

"Hi, Janna...thanks for having me over."

"Anytime, you know that. Come on back for a minute...we were working out and I need to grab a towel."

"Great...I'd like to see the exercise room that John's been raving about." She followed Janna down the hallway toward the back of the house.

Sara stopped in the doorway next to Janna and followed her enraptured gaze to the vision of beauty in front of them.

As the Girls sang, "The higher the leap, the harder the ground," Ryan powered the bar up, highlighting large, sculpted, biceps, triceps, lats and six-pack abdominals. The bronzed skin above her rippling, bulging muscles was covered with a sheen of sweat and her bangs were plastered to her forehead, making her look incredibly sexy.

"Oh, my God..." whispered Sara. "I've never seen muscles like that on a woman." She looked at Janna, who gazed at her mate proudly, smiling. "So well-defined...but not masculine." She elbowed her friend in the ribs and added with a grin, "If she wasn't taken, I might make a move on her myself".

Janna turned a shocked grin on Sara. "What?" She slapped her friend playfully. "Sara, is there something you'd like to tell me about your college days?" A raised eyebrow matched her jaunty grin.

"There might be!"

Two heads turned back in unison to the strong beauty at the machine who was unaware of their presence as she continued to lift, the beat of the folk rock music accompanying her. They stood admiring the view until Ryan was finished and spotted them.

Noting the admiring, borderline-lecherous grins on the two faces, she grinned and grabbed her water bottle. "Like what you see?" She tilted her head back and took a long drink.

Janna walked into the room, still smiling lecherously, picked up a towel and tossed it at her haughty mate, hitting her squarely in the face.

"Hey! What was that for?" Ryan adopted a mock-injured look.

"That's for thinking a little too much of yourself. We were just admiring the new Nautilus machines."

"Yeah, Ryan...sexy machines...they have beautiful lines." Sara drawled.

"You two are so full of shit." Ryan picked the towel out of her lap and wrapped it around her neck.

Janna stood before her, arms crossed in front of her chest with blonde eyebrows raised. She couldn't hold the mock-stern look for long, however, before she approached her mate and leaned down for a kiss. Ryan pulled her into her lap and ravished Janna's lips with her own, ignoring Sara for the moment.

"Always the stud, eh Ry?" Now Sara's arms were crossed in front of her chest.

"When it comes to this woman, yes...absolutely." Ryan looked up from her prey with glinting eyes and smiled rakishly. Her lips returned to Janna's briefly before she mumbled, "Later, baby."

"Mmm."

Ryan spoke around the small blonde who had wrapped herself around her strong body. "So, Sara, are you guys all settled in the house?"

"Yeah, we are. We love it Ryan...there's so much more room, and it's close to the station...it's perfect for us. We can't thank you enough for letting us move in there."

"Hey, I was more than happy to let you two have it. Who better?"

She stood up, Janna and all, and stepped away from the exercise machine, settling her mate on the floor and leaning down for a gentle kiss. She embraced her soon to be wife and stepped back, to see Sara smiling warmly.

"John's right...you two are amazing." Her eyes held the same warmth that her smile did.

"Thanks, Sara." Janna looked back up at her mate and grabbed her hand. "Wanna come visit with us?"

Ryan smiled down at her mate and squeezed her hand. "Yeah, sounds good. Let me shower off first though."

"Okay, love. We'll be in the kitchen." She grabbed the towel from her mate's neck and used it herself, then turned to Sara. "Have you had lunch?"

"No, actually, I haven't. Are you offering?"

"Sure...if salad's okay. I started one earlier."

"Sounds good, thanks." She followed Janna out of the exercise room and down the hall toward the kitchen. "Let me give you a hand."

Janna glanced over her shoulder and remarked, "I won't turn that down!" They entered the large, sunny room and washed their hands before setting about finishing the large chef's salad.

As they stood side-by-side at the counter and visited, the topic drifted to the upcoming wedding. "So, how are the preparations coming along?" Sara asked as she diced onions.

"We're all set. Everything is basically ready to go, and everyone is set to meet there around noon on Friday. Ryan's brother is arriving some time on Thursday from New Mexico." Janna looked over her shoulder toward the kitchen doorway, then leaned closer to Sara and whispered, "Ryan asked me not to make a big deal out of her birthday, so I hope she doesn't get upset about the dinner."

"Janna, I wouldn't worry. In her eyes, you can do no wrong...believe me. Besides, it's just your closest friends and family...I really don't think she'll mind."

"Well, we'll see. I have a huge gift for her. I hope she doesn't freak out...at least, not too badly." Janna frowned, worried.

"What on Earth did you get her, Janna?"

"I think I want to keep it a surprise, Sara, if that's okay." She eyed her friend apologetically and added, "It's something that she picked out and has been saving for years to get."

"Then it sounds wonderful, Janna. If she lets her pride get in the way of accepting it, we'll all sit on her for you." They were laughing together as the subject of their conversation entered the room.

"What's so funny, you two?" Ryan asked as she stole a strip of ham from the salad bowl between them.

Janna slapped at the offending fingers and said, "Oh, just discussing an impending ceremony."

"Oh, is that it?" Her eyes twinkled as she addressed Sara. "We really appreciate your helping out with all the drinks."

"We're happy to Ryan...it's the least we can do. Are you sure there's nothing else we can bring or do?"

"Nope, everything's all taken care of. We're taking care of the food and the house, Janna's parents are doing what little catering there is and the flowers, Janna's friend Anna is photographing, and we found a minister. All we need are our friends there to share it with us."

"So, who is the minister?"

"A woman some friends found through their church. She's Unitarian Universalist and they have no problem with either gays or doing gay ceremonies...in fact she's a lesbian herself and sort of specializes in gay unions."

She wrapped her arms around her small mate and hugged her from behind. Janna grinned and covered Ryan's arms with hers. "Hey, why don't you open a bottle of something that goes well with salad?"

"Your wish is my command." She kissed her mate's neck and then stepped away.

"Ooh, Janna, always take advantage of it when they say that!" Sara grinned.

"I do, Sara, believe me!" She watched as her beautiful partner, her hair still wet and slicked back, walked across the large kitchen and opened the refrigerator. She stood perusing the selections before grabbing a bottle of white Riesling. She reached into the nearby drawer for a wine opener and skillfully removed the cork, setting the bottle on the table and retrieving three glasses from a cabinet. After setting the glasses on the kitchen table, she disappeared out of the doorway and a minute later, muted strains of Jefferson Airplane floated in.

Janna glanced at Sara and giggled. "She's living in the past, but I love her anyway."

Sara laughed and offered, "I know...John's the same way. He couldn't care less about today's music. Just let him listen to his Journey, Styx and Rolling Stones and he's happy."

Ryan returned, humming along happily to 'Somebody to Love' and joined Janna, grabbing a hunk of cheddar cheese to grate.

"My, God, Janna...if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I wouldn't have believed it!" She eyed Ryan with disbelief.

"Sara, when did you become so fuckin' funny?" Ryan grumbled, but her eyes betrayed her humor, and she made quick work of the block of cheese, dumping the gratings into the large bowl.

"Yeah, Sara, Ryan helps me out in the kitchen all the time." Janna patted her mate's hand.

"Damn right." Ryan nodded emphatically.

"Well you certainly have trained her well Janna. You're a credit to wives everywhere." She popped a piece of carrot into her mouth and picked up the salad bowl, carrying it to the table.

"Didja ever stop to think that maybe she started out with more to work with than the typical straight woman does, with a man?" Ryan looked pointedly at her old friend.

Sara smiled as she replied, "Yes, Ryan, I have...and you may have a point there."

The three friends sat at the table to enjoy their lunch together. Before they could start, Sara picked up her wine glass. "To my two wonderful friends, who will joined in marriage a week from tomorrow. I'm very, very happy for you."

Ryan and Janna both choked up at the warm sentiment, Janna more visibly so, and smiled their thanks to their friend.

"So, you're all set, huh?"

"All except for the vows. Though, I think Janna has hers done. Right honey?" Ryan took a sip from her wine glass and dug into her salad.

Janna looked skeptical. "I don't know...I keep rewriting them. I want them to be perfect." She shook her head. "For how many years have I been making a living at writing? And here I'm stuck on what to say when I marry the woman of my dreams."

"Same here, babe. It's just so hard to put into words what you mean to me and what I want from a life with you."

"Why don't you both just say that?" Sara looked from Ryan to Janna. "Just declare your love for each other honestly. No one expects any more than that."

"We know, Sara...we know that this should just be for us, but I think we both want the words to be perfect." Janna looked at her mate sitting beside her and they clasped hands.

"It will be perfect, I know it will." Sara sighed. "I can't wait, really. And you know what? John is so nervous!"

"Hah! I'm glad to hear that. The best man is more nervous than the groom...I gotta give him hell for that!" Ryan smiled gleefully and speared a chunk of lettuce.

Janna stared at her mate comically. "Ryan, I didn't realize that I was marrying a man...I thought I was gaining a wife next week."

Ryan stopped chewing and stared at her wide-eyed. "What did I say?"

"You called yourself the groom." Janna grinned.

Ryan returned the grin somewhat self-consciously and replied, "Shit, did I?" She looked thoughtful for a moment and continued, "Well, honestly baby, I feel more like a groom than a bride. I'm not the most feminine woman, you know."

"True, but you're no man, and I intend to consider you my wife."

"Well, that's what I consider myself already, love. So, two brides it is, then!" Her sparkling grin matched her eyes.

"Two brides, baby." Janna's eyes conveyed the enormous love she felt for Ryan.

"You know, it's really a good thing that I'm a girl and enjoy this sappy romantic stuff, or else I'd be barfing on the table right about now." Sara matched her friends' grins.

"Sara, I do believe that your husband is rubbing off on you in unattractive ways. I'm gonna have to speak to him."

Sara poked her tongue out at Ryan and they all laughed.

A short time later, Sara brought up the reason for her visit. "Guys, I'd like some advice, if you wouldn't mind." She looked to each of her friends, who nodded. "I'm counseling a young girl, she's fifteen, who attempted suicide because she's gay."

Ryan and Janna both froze in unison, and dropped their forks to their plates.

"Fuck..." Ryan muttered as Janna nodded, agreeing with the sentiment.

"I feel that I'm relating to her well, and we've established a tenuous bond, but I'd like to better understand where she's coming from...why she could feel so desperate."

Janna asked, "What's her family situation like?"

"It couldn't be worse, I'm afraid." Sara shook her head sadly. "When she came out to them, they kicked her out. Then her girlfriend broke up with her because she didn't want her family finding out. She's in foster care now, in a relatively stable home, but she was basically rejected by all of her classmates and she says she feels like she has no one...she feels completely alone...isolated."

Ryan nodded knowingly. "In this town, that's not hard for a gay kid. There are a few support groups popping up...do you know anything about them?"

"No, I don't...that's one of the things I wanted to check with you about. So, there are some resources?"

Janna nodded. "A few, yeah. Let me get you some numbers." She got up and headed toward her office.

"Do you think the girl will be open to trying to connect with a group?"

"I really don't know, Ryan. She's bright...she has a lot going for her, really...so she might. Yet, she feels that no one could possibly understand what she's going through."

"Jesus, I feel for the kid." Ryan sat back in her chair and ran her hands through her hair, her distress at what the girl was going through evident in her actions. She looked at Sara and continued; "You know, Janna and I would be happy to talk to her, if you think she'd be open to that."

"Ry, that's sort of what I had in mind to ask you." Sara looked at her old friend thankfully. "I think that the two of you, and maybe some of your friends, could be wonderful role models, and even mentors for her. She's become a ward of the State, so she's free, basically, to follow whatever line of treatment I deem appropriate for her. You wouldn't have to worry about angry, narrow-minded parents disapproving of her contact with you."

Janna returned to the table and pushed a piece of paper toward Sara. Grinning at her mate, she said, "Like that would stop Ryan anyway."

"God damn right. Jesus, what kind of fucking losers kick their kid out of the house? I don't care what their reasons are!"

"It's hard to understand, love, but we can't know how other people think, or why they think like they do."

"I really appreciate this, guys, and I'm not asking for a big commitment from you. Maybe I can bring her out to a softball game some time...start out that way?"

Ryan and Janna both nodded in agreement and Ryan said, "Sounds like a good idea, Sara. How about in two weeks when we get back from the honeymoon?"

"It's a date...thanks so much. You two are terrific!" She grinned at her friends, who both returned the smile.

"We know!"

"Geez, Ryan and so modest too!" Sara poked her husband's best friend from across the table. "Hey, Janna, how's the ankle? I forgot all about it!"

"It's fine...I hardly feel it at all now." She glanced conspiratorially at Ryan and added, "I heal quickly...I even played last night. I had it taped really, really tightly, at my partner here's insistence, and I did just fine."

"Good thing for us too...she played her heart out and helped us win again. I think Sharon's gonna want her to sign up again next year. She's even better in the position than Linda was, which I don't think will be a problem for Linda. I've had the feeling lately that she's been wanting to quit."

"I hope so, hon...I want to play but I don't want to step on any toes in the process."

"Don't worry, baby."

"And hey, Ryan, what about those jerks that attacked you last week?"

"They're sittin' in the can, where they belong. One of the guys squealed. Apparently it was the other two of them that were in on the attack on Janna and her friends, and they were basically recruited for this job by the guy who actually beat her." She looked at her mate and knit her brows in concern. "He was pissed at being bested by women and wanted to get back at me...at us." Ryan looked seriously at her friends as she added, "They're just lucky they didn't try to hurt Janna again. If they had, they'd be dead now...every one of them."

"I believe you, friend. And you'd have had plenty of help if you'd needed it."

"I wouldn't have needed it Sara."

Sara nodded and asked, "What about the two guys who beat Janna? What's happening with them?"

"They're both heading to federal prison. They made deals, so there won't be a trial, and they're only getting a few years each." Ryan shook her head angrily. "Fuckin' pricks." She looked up apologetically at her mate and their friend. "Sorry."

"No problem, Ryan. They are fucking pricks." Sara said matter-of-factly.

"Right, love. Don't worry about it. It's over...it's done. Lets put it behind us." She clasped her mate's hand as she added, "I'm all healed, thanks mainly to your love and support."

"Thanks baby."

~~~~~~~~~~

"Janna, are you about done, honey?" Ryan's voice held a definite note of eagerness, and Janna smothered a grin as she cleaned her equipment. She glanced over to the darkroom's doorway to see her partner's smiling face peeking around the doorjamb. She looks adorable. She's really excited about this little tryst. I'll have to try to make it special for my very special lady.

Janna turned the large trays over so that they could drain and then wiped her hands on a towel. "Yes, love, I'm done." As she turned to look at Ryan she adopted an innocent look and said, "Was there something you needed, honey?"

The expression on Ryan's face dropped so quickly that Janna's heart lurched. She moved to her mate's side and wrapped her arms around the strong waist. "Because you definitely have something that I need." With one hand, she pulled her lover's head down to meet her lips.

Ryan smiled widely through the kiss and responded passionately, caressing Janna's tongue lovingly with hers and pulling their bodies closely together. She tore her lips from Janna's and kissed her throat, murmuring, "I've been wanting you all day, baby."

"Mm, me too, love. I'm sorry I had to finish this photo project first." Janna's eyes closed involuntarily as her lover's gentle lips explored the sensitive skin of her throat. She ran her hands gently up under Ryan's shirt, caressing the soft skin of her back, causing a sharp intake of breath.

"That's okay Jan...Janna. If a gallery wants your work, then by all means finish up...oh, Christ, baby...that feels good." She forgot to finish her thought as Janna's lips and tongue began matching the rhythm of her hands in their caresses. Ryan placed her hands gently behind Janna's head as her eager mouth sought out breasts, their excitation visible through the cotton of Ryan's t-shirt.

Ryan moaned and muttered, "Baby, do you have any idea how much I love it when you kiss me there?"

Janna's soft lips spoke around a mouthful of cotton surrounding a hard nub, "Mm, hmm...I think I do, yeah." She turned Ryan so that her back was against the wall and as she looked her lover in the eye, coyly lifted her shirt above her breasts, pleased that there was no bra to block her easy access to the lovely peaks. She gently kissed the curve above each breast as Ryan wriggled beneath the soft touch.

"Janna, lets go into...into the...um...workout room." She moaned loudly as a talented tongue circled a very happy nipple, leaving velvety bumps in its wake.

"I kinda like it right here." Janna tuned her attention to the other breast as she brought a hand up to caress the first one.

"Oh, baby, no..." Ryan's voice actually held a small pout and Janna smiled, removing her mouth from Ryan's anatomy and looking up into her eyes. "Baby, don't stop...come on...right here's fine." Ryan gently coaxed Janna's face back down with her hands.

Janna smiled widely, still looking up at her mate and ran her tongue roughly over the sensitive nub, where Ryan loved it so much, then smiled coyly again and led her tall lover by the hand to the exercise room.

She sat Ryan on the end of weight bench and straddled it, sitting behind her. "Janna, baby, what're you doing to me?"

"Loving you, baby." Janna wrapped her arms around Ryan's waist and kissed the back of her neck. Her hands roamed sensuously higher on her mate's torso, finally landing on her breasts. She stroked them in a circular motion, with the taut nipples in her palms, and Ryan's breath began to come forth in ragged gasps.

Ryan felt the desire swirling and building within her body, unable to slow it. "Janna..."

"I know, love," Janna whispered hotly in her ear as one hand left a breast and moved below Ryan's waist, beginning a slow, circular descent. Each hand kept up its circular caress in symmetrical motion, and Ryan tilted her head back against Janna's, moaning loudly. Janna slowed the motion and brought her hands up to lift Ryan's shirt off over her head. She tossed the shirt to the floor and began her caressing again in earnest, suckling at Ryan's neck as she did so. As she felt her partner's body respond to her touch and felt her passion through their link, Janna's own desire began to build.

"God, Janna, that feels so good...I...I never...let anyone else take me...ohhhh...like this before."

Janna murmured her answer against Ryan's soft skin." I'm glad I'm special, Ryan, because you are the sun and the moon to me. You're the earth and the sky. You're my Universe, baby." She punctuated her point by thrusting a hand gently under the waistband of Ryan's shorts, finding slick curls and a throbbing center.

Ryan leaned back against her mate, letting her have her way with her body. Leaving herself in the gentle, loving, yet talented hands of her partner. Janna gently urged Ryan to raise her hips off of the bench and she gently pulled her shorts and underwear off, tossing them aside and leaving her beautiful mate sitting naked in front of her.

Her hands resumed their loving attention and Ryan muttered, "Take your clothes off too, baby, please. I want to feel you."

Janna quickly, silently complied, and sat back down, pulling Ryan against her as her hands took up their caresses again. Her lips, tongue and teeth gently kissed and nipped at Ryan's back and shoulders as her hands brought her to full arousal. Janna's right hand dipped into Ryan's cleft, caressing the hard, ultra sensitive nub there and Ryan groaned her pleasure. As Janna's fingers dipped and stroked more deeply within her lover, her left hand paid continued devoted attention to full breasts and their hard centers.

"Oh, fuck...here I come baby..." Ryan fairly gasped the words as the orgasmic spasms began. Janna kept up the rhythmic stroking as her partner rode the crest of pleasure, calling out her mate's name in ecstasy. As the tremors eased and slowed, Ryan became limp in her lover's arms and Janna held her tenderly. "Oh, God, Janna...oh God..."

Janna felt tears sting her eyes as her heart swelled with love for her mate. "I love you Ryan."

"Not half as much as I love you, Janna." Ryan brought a small hand up from her waist and kissed it tenderly.

"No way, love. You can't possibly love me more than I love you...not possible."

Ryan brought Janna's fingers to her lips again and gently sucked them into her mouth, caressing them with her tongue. Janna swallowed hard and her breath caught in her throat. "Mmm, Ryan..."

"Come 'ere, baby." Ryan arose from Janna's embrace and helped her love to her feet, leading her to the padded, inclined bench of one of the leg machines. She sat Janna against the incline and straddled the bench in front of her.

Janna shivered in anticipation as Ryan leaned forward and gently captured her lips. As they kissed, their breasts met gently and then more firmly as the kiss intensified, and Ryan pressed her body against her mate's. Ryan moved slowly up and down, gently caressing Janna's body with hers, knowing that her partner loved that, and possessed her tongue ardently.

When Janna moaned into her mouth, Ryan bent her head and began trailing kisses downward, down an elfin chin, across a jaw line, down her neck, to the hollow of her throat. She sucked and nipped gently at twin pulse points before moving down again, across a prominent collarbone, bringing large, but graceful, gentle hands against erect nipples at the same time.

"Oh, yes, Ryan...yes..."

Lips replaced hands on soft, full breasts; licking and caressing with a soft tongue, making Janna arch her back involuntarily against the seat back. Teeth gently raked over nubby coral nipples, alternating with a swirling tongue, leading Janna toward oblivion. A skilled hand moved lower, finding Janna's center and gently caressing there in time with her tongue.

When Janna began moaning incoherently, and her inner walls began to contract and clench rhythmically, signaling her plunge into the depths of pleasure, Ryan moved down so that her tongue could join her fingers at Janna's center.

"Oh, God, Ryan, yes...yes...deeper, please...ohh, Jesus, yes!"

As Ryan's tongue alternately licked and stroked deeply at her love's center, Janna wrapped her hands in her dark hair and her legs around Ryan's shoulders. The convulsions came quickly and powerfully, drenching Ryan's mouth with the sweet nectar that she loved so much.

"Ryan!" Janna screamed her mate's name, setting her lover's passion aflame again and Ryan rose and covered Janna's body with hers, straddling a thigh. She kissed Janna passionately and rocked against her lover, prolonging Janna's orgasm and instituting her own. They arched together as one at the simultaneous peak and screamed each other's names in unison.

As the tremors subsided, Ryan slowed her movement and wrapped Janna in her arms. Their sweat-slicked bodies melded together comfortably and they rested.

"Fuck, baby...fuck..."

"God, Ryan...oh Jesus..."

When her breath returned, Ryan laughed quietly and nuzzled her mate. "Honey, have you ever noticed how when we come, I always swear and you always call on God or Jesus?"

"Mm, hmm. What do you think it means?"

"That you're a lady and I'm a fuckin' animal."

"Shut up and kiss me, goddammit. Or better yet, fuck my brains out again."

Ryan laughed as she laid her eager mate on the floor and happily complied with the demand.

~~~~~~~~~~

As she sat quietly strumming her guitar, Janna watched Ryan try to concentrate on her book. Her mate was having a terrible time staying focused as she nervously awaited her brother's arrival. She's really anxious...I've never seen her so unfocused. Seeing him must mean a lot to her.

"Honey, he didn't think he'd be here before noon. It's just now that...why don't you come over here and relax?" She patted the sofa next to her. Ryan glanced over at her and tossed the book onto the table as she stood up.

"Yeah, okay. I don't know why I'm so unsettled...I guess it's just because it's been so long since we've seen each other. Must be three years." As Ryan sat beside her, Janna set her guitar on the floor against the sofa and reached for her mate's thigh. Ryan scooted close and settled her arm around Janna's shoulders.

Janna rested her head against her mate's shoulder and said, "Tell me about him while we wait."

"Well, babe, you know the basics. He's four years younger than I am and spent most of his teen years in Texas, with cousins who live on Indian land. Before he left, before our Dad died, we were pretty close...as close as could be expected, I guess, with the age difference. After that we basically only saw each other in the summer, when our Mom and I would visit Texas or he would come here. He joined the Army right out of high school and has advanced well. He's an MP and had been attached to the Los Alamos National Lab, but in his last letter said that he'd just been transferred to the White Sands Missile Range, with a high security clearance." Ryan looked down at Janna as she added, "In his letter he sounded happy. I hope he is. His teen years were rough."

"It sounds like he's found his niche. And he was looking forward to seeing you, he said." She rubbed Ryan's bare thigh absently.

"Yeah, and you too, apparently." She smiled, and then looked perplexed. "He made it sound like he couldn't believe I'm settling down. As if he ever knew me that well."

"That's just it, Ryan...he didn't know you well." She smiled up at her mate coyly as she added, "You didn't, um, brag about your conquests a lot back then did you...by any chance?"

Ryan looked a bit guilty as she replied, "Well, you know...maybe some."

"Well, there you have it. He knew you as a womanizer."

"Janna!"

"Ryan!"

Janna took pity and halted the teasing. "I don't care, love...you're all mine now...of that I have no doubt."

"Good...'cause you're right." She pulled Janna into her lap. "You're more than woman enough for me." As they kissed and petted softly, a loud rumbling could be heard from outside, coming down the street.

When the rumbling, obviously from a motorcycle engine, appeared to enter their driveway, Ryan slowly looked up from her kiss and out the front window.

A large smile graced her features as she saw her brother's leather-clad form lift itself from the back of what appeared to be a Harley. "Well, I'll be a son-of-a-bitch! The asshole rides a Harley!" She looked back at her mate and gave her a quick squeeze before Janna got up.

As Ryan made her way toward the front door, dragging Janna by the hand, Janna tried to hide her knowing grin. They burst out the door as the man lifted the helmet from his head.

A face almost identical to Ryan's, with a wide, white smile and piercing blue eyes, though framed with closely cropped black hair, met them. "Hey there, Sis!"

"Zachary Redhawk Zamora, you fucker...when did you get a Harley?" Ryan clasped her brother's arms as she eyed his ride with obvious envy.

Zac pulled his sister in for a proper hug before answering. "It's nice to see you too, Ryan! I got it a few years ago."

"I'm sorry, Zac...how ya doin'?" She stepped back and looked at him. "You look fuckin' great, man."

Zac looked over Ryan's shoulder at the cute blonde standing behind her. "And this must be the saint who's putting up with you." He spoke to Janna, "Does she always talk like a sailor in front of you?"

Janna grinned, "Pretty much, yeah." She approached him and held out her hand. "I'm Janna, Zac...It 's great to meet you."

"It's great to meet you too, Janna," he said as he grasped her hand warmly. His wide smile was so much like Ryan's that she felt comfortable with him immediately.

"Alright...don't even think about it, bro." Ryan grinned as she stepped between them and wrapped an arm around Janna possessively.

"Wouldn't think of it, Sis. Honest!" He held up his hands as he grinned at his sister and her mate.

"Show me this ride of yours, Zac." Ryan walked herself and Janna over to the gorgeous machine and stroked its handlebars. "Sportster?"

"Yep. Have a seat, Sis." He gestured for her to give it a try.

Ryan grinned and eagerly hopped on. She straddled the large bike and grabbed the handle grips, looking completely at home on it. It was black and sported black leather saddlebags.

My God, she looks good on that! Maybe my decision was a good one after all. Janna's wide grin matched her mate's as she gazed at the attractive site. Ryan looked like she was in heaven, as she ran her hands along the handlebars, the tank, and the engine that sat between her legs.

She began asking her brother knowledgeable questions about it's specifications and as they lost themselves in motorcycle talk, Janna lost herself in a vision of a leather-clad Ryan on a bike of her own, with Janna behind her, arms wrapped happily around her waist. She envisioned them joyfully motoring together along a mountain road, both clad in leather. She could actually almost feel the sun on her face and the wind in her hair. I can't wait!

She returned to the present when she heard Ryan say, "Yeah, I've had my eye on a Dyna Wide Glide...been saving for a few years now."

"Whoa, Sis...going for the big bucks ride, huh? No flies!" He smiled widely, silently agreeing with Janna's assessment of how good his sister looked on the bike.

"Yeah, that's why I don't have one yet. Some day though." She ran her hand longingly along the tank one more time before climbing off the bike. "Nice ride, Zac." She threw one arm around her brother's shoulders and the other around her mate's waist and walked her family into the house.

Ryan sat back against the back of the booth and stretched her long legs, relishing the cool brew as it slid down her throat. She glanced to her mate's lovely face next to her and slid an arm around her shoulders. She watched as Janna enjoyed the conversation with her brother, who was regaling them with stories of his military adventures. She was enormously pleased that the two of them had hit it off so well.

They sat in a downtown Mexican restaurant after enjoying a delicious meal. Mexican music emitted from little table top juke boxes clashed with the loud audio from a large televison tuned to a Mexican station as Ryan looked around at the partly gaudy, partly down home décor and felt very much at ease. This is my kind of place: totally unpretentious, with great food and beer. And these two are my kind of people: warm, loving and down-to-earth. My family. As Janna and Zac continued their laughing conversation, Ryan's mind flashed forward, and she imagined herself and Janna in this very restaurant with their children. The thought filled her with joy and with hope and she had to close her eyes as tears threatened to appear. I'm gonna do it...ask Zac to be a donor for us. I can't wait to start a family with her.

As Ryan's heart center filled with joy, Janna felt it and glanced over at her mate. Ryan sat with her eyes closed, looking as if she were either about to laugh or to cry. She laid her hand on Ryan's thigh and caressed it lightly. Ryan opened her eyes and Janna saw that they were filled with tears.

"Are you okay, love?"

"Great, baby...better than great. Just thinking about us...about the future." She laid her hand on top of Janna's and squeezed it, communicating silently her love for her mate. She felt it return to her and nearly choked up. She sighed and looked across the table at her brother and added, her voice cracking slightly, "I've hit the jackpot here, Zac."

"I can see that, Sis. You two seem very happy." He reached across the table and grabbed his sister's free hand. "You deserve it, Ryan. You're a good lady." He glanced at Janna as well and added, "You deserve each other. I'm glad you told me about your wedding... and I'm glad I could make it."

"We're glad too, Zac." Janna cleared her throat before continuing, "So, how do you feel about giving your sister away to me on Sunday?"

Zac looked wide-eyed from Janna to Ryan before saying, "Really? You want me to give you away, Sis?"

"I do, yeah. Do you mind?"

"Shit no, Sis...I'd be glad to... I'd be honored." He shook his head and took a swallow from his frosty beer mug.

Ryan grinned, enjoying her brother's near-miss emotional display. Jesus, he looks like Dad. She took a gulp from her own mug as memories of her father threatened to overwhelm her.

Janna missed none of the proceedings and smiled with an internal shake of her head at the supposed toughness of the Zamora siblings. They're just a couple of big, mushy, softies.

Zac cleared his throat. "So, Sis, what's the plan for the weekend?"

Ryan tried to surreptitiously wipe at her eye but was unsuccessful, as a tear escaped. Her mate reached up and wiped it away for her. "Um, yeah...well, we leave tomorrow morning. Everyone plans to gather at the house around noon. Are you taking your bike or do you want to ride with us?"

"Since I have a week and a half before I have to report for my new duty, I thought I'd travel around a little...so I'll take my bike and leave Tahoe on Sunday or Monday." He grinned and added, "You don't need your younger brother hanging around for your honeymoon, do you?"

"Absofuckinlutley not, bro. And it's little brother." Ryan's eyes sparkled a challenge.

"Younger."

"Whatever. Then tomorrow night, since its someone's birthday, Janna has a dinner planned." She looked askance at her mate and mock-frowned, but Janna just grinned coyly at her.

Ryan continued, "Saturday is do whatever you want until dinner: hike, swim, gamble, laze. Janna's parents have something nice planned for dinner and that's when we're meeting the minister and rehearsing. Then..." She looked at her mate and nearly choked on her words and had to swallow, "Sunday at sunrise I marry this woman of my dreams."

Janna gazed at her with adoration and didn't bother trying to choke back the sob that rose from her throat. Ryan wrapped her in an embrace and kissed her head, not caring about where they were. She held her mate for a minute and let the love flow between them.

"Then after the ceremony, we're having a big breakfast/brunch type thing and celebrating. After that everyone will stay or leave as they want. There's room for everyone there at the house, and you're all welcome to stay as long as you'd like. We'll be there until Thursday." She adopted a rakish look as she glanced at Janna. "Just so long as no one plans to see much of us after the wedding. We are gonna be honeymooning big time...aren't we baby?"

Janna blushed mildly but answered, "Yes, love, we are."

Zac laughed. "I'll bet you are! Okay, Sis, I can take a hint...I'm outta there Sunday night."

"Zac, that's not what I meant..."

"I know, Sis, I'm just yanking your chain!" He grinned at his older sister.

"Hey, we're just meeting up again...I'd like to see some of you before you leave." Ryan matched her heartfelt statement with a look of sincerity.

"Why don't you guys come out my way soon? It's beautiful down there and I'd love to have you there."

"We'll do that, Zac, thanks. I do want to take Janna down there. She's into spirituality in a big way and I want to share some things with her." She looked at her mate. "She's part Cherokee and has never visited the res."

"No shit...part Cherokee? That's cool Janna. Then you definitely need to visit the res. Do you know your ancestor's roll number?"

Janna frowned. "No, we haven't been able to track that down. My Mom is till trying though. I'd love to be able to join the tribe." She looked from Zac to Ryan. "Are you guys tribal members?"

Ryan answered, "Yeah, though our tribe isn't nearly as well organized as the Cherokee. There isn't even a res. left. Though that's not necessarily a bad thing."

Zac continued, "Right, though the members are starting to pull together a little more now. There's even a government compound in Oklahoma now. But, I guess, historically, the Comanche and Shoshone were a pretty fierce, independent people."

"I can see that in their offspring...and I mean that in the best possible way." She picked up Ryan's hand and kissed it.

"Hey, we're only one quarter Comanche, you know." Ryan returned the gesture and kissed Janna's hand as she winked at her small mate.

"I want you guys to plan to come out for sure, okay? I'm getting a nice little place, with a few horses...I think you'll like it there."
"Jesus, Zac, the military's done well by you, huh?"

"Well, I guess success has its perks, yeah. But, you know, I've worked hard. Been a damn good solider, I think." He finished his beer and poured himself another, offering to refill the ladies' glasses as well.

"What's your rank now, Zac?" Ryan nodded her thanks at the refill and lifted the mug to her mouth.

"Lieutenant Colonel."

"Shit! Zac, you're barely thirty, for Christ's sake."

Zac shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, I've done alright there."

"You like it a lot, don't you?" Ryan asked sincerely.

"I do. At first..." he shook his head in remembrance and laughed, "I never thought I would make it through boot camp...much less my first tour. I was one angry Indian kid." He looked up at Ryan and Janna. "But I settled into it and made it my home."

"What about personally, Zac...any special ladies in your life?" Ryan smiled warmly at her brother.

"Well, Sis, there just might be. I, uh, met someone interesting a while back when I was doing an orientation at White Sands." He grinned, adding, "Lets just say that we're both looking forward to my transferring there."

"Alright, Zac...that's super!" Ryan pounded her brother's fist with hers. "What's her name?"

"Marty. Captain Martha Greyeagle." His look of pride was unmistakable.

"A native woman? Jesus, that's awesome, bro!"

"Thanks, Sis."

Janna sadly interrupted the moment. "Hey, guys, why don't we continue this at home? I still have some packing to do. Do you mind?" She looked at her soon to be wife and brother-in-law. "We've got plenty of Corona at home..."

Ryan laughed. "Sounds great baby."

Later that night, Luna's partial face sent faint light in through the bathroom skylight, adding it's gentle glow to the candlelight as the lovers reclined together in their whirlpool.

"It was a great night, Janna." Ryan squeezed her mate tightly from behind and rested her temple against blonde hair.

"Mm, yes. It was. Zac is really a great guy, Ryan." She dipped her hands in the still-warm water and gently rinsed the bubbles off of Ryan's arm. "Um, sweetheart? Do you think he'd consent to be our donor?"

Ryan smiled against her lover's hair. "I'm hoping he will Janna. I plan to ask him this weekend. I have a feeling that he'll be okay with the idea."

"Me too. I think that maybe the Universe brought you two back together for that reason. I mean right now. You probably would have reunited at some point anyway, but it seems synchronistic that it's happening now. Don't you think?"

"Mm. Yeah. I do." Ryan cupped water onto her mate's arms and back. "Do you realize that this is our last night together here as an unmarried couple?"

"I hadn't thought about it that way, no." Janna picked up Ryan's arms and wrapped them around her torso. "God, love, it's wonderful." She sniffed. "Jesus, here come the tears again."

"Baby, don't cry, please...every time you do, I do too, and I'm too tough for that."

"Oh, you are? You could have fooled me, you big softie. Both you and your brother were getting a little teary at the restaurant tonight."

"Hey, watch it!"

"I'd rather watch you." Janna turned in her lover's embrace and sat in her lap. "I'd rather watch you make love to me on our last night at home as an unmarried couple." She leaned forward, pressing her body against Ryan's and kissed her deeply.

Ryan mumbled into the kiss, "Your wish is my command, baby."

-34-

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Ryan, happy birthday to you!" The crowd of friends and family shouted, "Hurray!" as Ryan blushed even more fiercely and threw Janna a look the likes of which the small blond had never received from her partner.

"Ryan, for God's sake stop glaring and blow out your candles before they set the cake on fire," John urged vehemently.

Ryan sighed, sucked in a breath, called up the reserves of her dignity and blew out the thirty-four candles with one irritated breath.

As her friends clapped and Janna began cutting the cake, eying her mate warily, John grabbed his friend by the elbow and led her away from the table and into a hallway.

With an air of irritation, he asked, "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Shit, John, you know what's wrong...don't give me a fuckin' hard time about it. You know I never celebrate my birthday, and you know why...why didn't you clue her in?"

"Why didn't you?" He eyed his friend pointedly. "She's your girlfriend."

"Because I love her, that's why. She was all excited about this and I didn't want to hurt her feelings. Besides, I thought I might be able to handle it, but now that it's happening, it's making me nuts...I can't handle these things John."

"You love her? You could have fooled me tonight. You've hurt her Ryan, with this childish behavior, and she fucking well doesn't deserve it." He grabbed his partner's arm and made her look him in the eye. "She's only doing this because she loves you and wanted to make this day special...look at her family...this is what they do...and they're your family now, so you'd better get used to it. Now you get in there and enjoy the party she's put so much effort into and then you apologize to her, or I swear to God, Ryan, I'll kick your ass." He stood in front of her, refusing to back down, and she saw how serious he was.

"Jesus Christ, John...you know why this is so hard for me. I didn't intend to hurt her... God, it just all kinda caved in on me. All of a sudden I was thirteen again and my Mom was getting the phone call during my birthday party." She leaned back against the paneled wall and slid down to the floor, cradling her head in her hands as tears began to flow. Her friend crouched beside her and laid a comforting hand on her back.

"I know, Ry, I know. But she doesn't. You should have told her. You need to tell her now. She has no idea why you're acting this way...she thinks you're mad at her."

Startled red-rimmed blue eyes looked up at him. "I'm not mad at her, John."

"You need to tell her that. Ryan, she's terrified. You two have never fought before, have you?"

The question was met only by a sullen shake of the dark head.

"Shit...Do you want me or Sara to talk to her? Someone has to Ryan, you owe her that."

Ryan blew out a breath and ground her palms into her eyes, willing the unwanted tears to stop. "No, I'll talk to her. I just wish she'd listened when I asked her not to make a fuss."

"Jesus, Ryan, she's not a mind reader...despite that special bond thing you two have. You blew this Ryan, not her, so face up to it, or your whole wedding will be ruined. I know you don't want that."

Ryan looked up into John's face, terrified. "No! I don't want that. She's everything to me and I want to marry her on Sunday." With a voice filled with pain and self-loathing she added, "Christ, John, why am I such a fuckin' asshole?"

"You're not, Ryan, you're just acting like one. I know how bad you're hurting but you have to suck it up, partner, and participate...and talk to her."

In the next room, Janna swallowed the pain that had formed as a lump in her throat as she handed out the last piece of birthday cake, and went looking for Ryan and John. As she rounded the corner into the hallway, she saw her partner sitting on the floor in tears, with her best friend crouched beside her, speaking softly to her.

Suddenly, she felt Ryan's pain...the pain that had been blocked by her own...and she rushed to her mate's side.

"Ryan, sweetheart, what's wrong?" She knelt beside Ryan and laid a gentle hand on her head.

Ryan looked up with tear stained eyes and sobbed, "Oh, Janna, I'm so sorry!"

Janna sat and wrapped her mate in her arms as John quietly stood and left.

As Janna held and rocked her love, she whispered, "Shh, it's okay...I've got you. I love you Ryan, it's okay." She kissed her mate's soft, dark hair as her own tears began to flow. "Ryan, please tell me what's wrong. Please let me help. I'm so sorry that I've upset you, please..."

In a small voice, Ryan croaked, "Janna, it's not your fault. I should have told you. This is all my fault." She sighed and was racked by another sob. "Janna, my father died on my birthday when I was a kid...it was the worst day of my life and I haven't been able to celebrate it ever since." She looked up apologetically at her mate as she added in a small voice, "I usually get shit-faced drunk."

"Oh my God...Ryan, love, I'm so sorry. I had no idea." Janna's tears were renewed and fell vigorously. "You asked me not to make a fuss, but I didn't listen...I thought you were just being stubborn...you can be you know." She met her mate's eyes and saw the faintest hint of a smile.

"I know I can be...sometimes I have the hardest fuckin' head on the planet. Janna, I'm sorry I didn't tell you about this. I didn't mean to keep it a secret, it was just too painful to talk about, and I thought that maybe this year, with you, it would be different. Plus, you were so excited about it." She pounded a fist into her forehead. "But I had to blow it and ruin everyone's night. Fuck!"

"Ryan, stop. I had to go and make a big production of it. Maybe if it had been just the two of us, you would have been fine."

"I think I might have. It's the party...my Mom got the call during my thirteenth birthday party. But Janna, how could you know? I wasn't big enough to share it with you." She wrapped her arms around her mate and kissed her hair. "I'm so sorry, Janna. Your friends must think I'm a complete asshole."

"Who cares what they think? You're not an asshole. Here, I'll go put an end to this and we'll go to bed. Okay?"

"No, Janna. I need to go out there and apologize."

"No you don't honey...you don't owe anyone anything..."

"Janna, come with me and help me?" Ryan implored Janna with big, blue, tear-stained, red-rimmed eyes that melted her heart.

"Whatever you want, Ryan." She stood and helped her tall mate to her feet.

Ryan stood and pulled Janna into an embrace. "I love you so much, Janna...I'm so sorry, baby."

"It's okay, Ryan, I'm sorry too."

They walked hand in hand into the large family room where their friends were eating cake and ice cream. As they entered the room, the conversation died. At the sight of an obviously distraught Ryan, her best friend and her brother rose and stepped in behind her, offering their support. Janna dropped her mate's hand and wrapped her arm around her waist.

"Um..." Janna began.

Ryan smiled weakly, interrupting her partner. "No Janna, let me. This is my mess." She looked at their gathered friends and family, two of whom she had only just met earlier that day.

"I want to apologize for my behavior tonight. I'm afraid I don't handle my birthday well, and neglected to be honest with Janna about that." She glanced at her mate and added, "We have no other secrets from each other, so I'm not sure why I didn't share this with her, except that it was very painful." Ryan's voice cracked and she faltered.

Janna squeezed her and kissed her cheek, sharing her strength.

Ryan continued, clearing her voice. "Um, my father died on my birthday when I was thirteen and I was devastated. He had been my world. My, uh, my mother got the call about his accident during my party and I haven't been able to celebrate this day ever since." She looked at their gathered loved ones. "I'm really sorry that I broke down and acted like such an assh...um, like such a jerk." She looked at her mate. "If I had been honest with Janna when she first mentioned the idea, you all wouldn't have been subjected to this. I'm sorry." A single tear that tracked down her cheek marked her sincerity.

Janna's mother, Beth, suddenly stood and approached Ryan, embracing her, and was joined by Janna's sister-in-law Kris and by Sara. They stood in a circle and embraced both Ryan and Janna, sharing their tears and supporting them with their love. Then one by one, starting with Janna's best friends, Terry and Anna, all of their guests approached Ryan and offered words of comfort and support.

Ryan was so heartened by the outpouring of love that the dark, painful shard of ice that had been hidden away in her heart on that terrible day twenty-one years before, began to melt. Her tears of pain became tears of release and of love. Janna held her mate tightly and as their friends returned to their seats, she led Ryan to a loveseat and sat beside her.

Zac remained where he had been standing behind Ryan. "I think that, thanks to your love and support of my sister, she can begin a new tradition of celebrating the day of her birth with her wife. Maybe now she can remember it not so much as a day of loss but as a day of love. I want to thank you all." A lump formed in his throat and he walked over and kissed first Ryan, and then Janna. "Happy birthday, Ryan. I love you."

"Love you too, Zac, thanks." Ryan's eyes communicated the love and appreciation she felt for her brother.

Marv, Janna's dad, stood, then, with an upraised glass. "To Ryan...happy birthday."

The chorus of voices repeated, "To Ryan."

A short time later, after even getting Ryan to share a piece of cake with her, Janna quietly asked, "Honey, how do you feel about presents?"

Ryan looked down at her lap and then back up at Janna, a smile forming on her lips. "How many presents are we talking about, Janna?" She looked expectantly at her mate, some expression finally returning to her normally expressive features.

"Only a few...from me. I told everyone else no presents, because, well...I knew you wouldn't want that." She laughed, "I knew that much at least."

"Thank you, Janna. I appreciate that. If there are only a few, then I'll be happy to open them now." Ryan knew that it was bound to be an embarrassing experience, but she didn't want to let Janna down any more than she already had that evening.
"Only if you're sure, Ryan. They can keep until we're alone."

"Nah, I think I owe it to you all. It's okay." She squeezed her partner's thigh reassuringly.

"Okay, I'll be right back." Janna returned a minute later, carrying two large, flat boxes.

As she set them in front of Ryan, her mate exclaimed, "How did you get those up here without my seeing them?"

"Mom and Dad brought them." Janna's smile further warmed Ryan's heart and she sent a silent thank you to the gods for her precious mate. "Here, this one's first." Janna placed a box wrapped with golden paper on Ryan's lap.

Ryan looked around at the assembled faces and grinned, then carefully tore at the paper.

Her brother's voice spoke up, "Come on, Sis, rip it open!"

She looked up at him and replied, "But it's so pretty...I don't want to tear it."

At which John exclaimed, "Oh, come on, Ryan...this is no time to start acting like a girl!" The room erupted into laughter, led by Ryan herself and she gave the lovely paper a hearty rip.

She removed the top half of the garment-sized box and pulled back the tissue paper to reveal a woman's white tank top with a small Harley Davidson logo above the left breast.

"Janna, thank you, I love it!" She kissed her mate on the cheek, genuinely pleased with the shirt.

"Keep going, honey, there's more." Janna grinned.

Perplexed, Ryan pulled away more tissue paper to reveal black leather. She glanced at Janna before pulling the item completely out of the box. It unfolded into black leather riding chaps. Her jaw dropped but she remembered to smile as she said, "Sweetheart, these are great...I had planned to get some just like this when I get my bike...um, thanks."

"Now you already have them. Here, this one's next." She removed the chaps from her perplexed mate's hands and set them back into the box, setting it on the floor at her feet and setting the other box in her lap.

The second box was wrapped in silver paper and Ryan tore right into it, extremely curious as to the contents. She could feel Janna's seemingly inordinate amount of excitement through their link and knew that something was up.

The second box revealed another white tank top, identical to the first, but smaller...Janna's size. Ryan held it up and eyed her mate suspiciously, smiling but saying nothing. Under the shirt, sat more black leather and she picked it up to reveal a shovelhead-style leather motorcycle jacket, size small, identical to the one she already owned.

"Alright Janna, what's going on here?" Her curiosity and confusion were beginning to get the best of her, but she retained her good humor.

Janna simply smiled and pointed to the box, saying, "There's one more."

Ryan removed the last bit of tissue paper to reveal an envelope. As she picked it up, she glanced sidelong at her mate with raised eyebrows. She opened the envelope and pulled out a card. As she did so, and saw the image on the card, her breath caught in her throat and tears sprang to her eyes. She closed her eyes and swallowed, holding the card to her chest.

"God, Janna, you didn't..." she breathed. She opened her eyes to see her mate's brilliant green eyes shining with love and a wide, beautiful smile on her face.

Janna nodded as tears began to flow from her eyes.

Ryan took a deep breath and looked again at the card, reading it for the first time. Her voice cracked as she read the card aloud. "Congratulations! You are the now the proud owner of a 1995 Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide Motorcycle." The image was of a gorgeous machine with candy blue paint and a double bucket seat with a small passenger backrest.

Ryan's vision blurred as tears filled her eyes and she tore them from the image and suddenly threw her arms around Janna, embracing her tightly. "Oh, Janna, thank you! Thank you so much, baby. I love this more than I can say." She pulled back slightly and looked at her mate, shaking her head as confusion knit her brows. "It's exactly what I wanted, right down to the seat and the color...how did you know?"

"I found the brochure on your desk when I was cleaning...you had conveniently circled everything that you wanted!"

"That's because I've been saving for it...Janna, I was only about halfway there...are you sure you want..."

"Yes! Ryan, it's been ordered. It will be delivered in about three weeks. Happy birthday, my love!"

Ryan clutched the card to her breast again before giving Janna another huge hug, which then became a long, loving kiss. Their friends let them have their moment but as soon as their kiss ended and they had torn loving eyes from each other, all the men jumped up to get a look at the card.

As Ryan's loved ones congratulated her, Janna sat back and enjoyed the moment. The evening had started out horribly, but through love and understanding, had become a beautiful event and Ryan was visibly extremely moved. She reached through the arms of her surrounding friends and found Janna's hand, grasping it tightly and sending a strong burst of love to her mate through their bond. The evening ended magically, setting the stage for the rest of the magical weekend to follow.

-35-

Ryan reclined in bed, relishing the feel of her lover in her arms. She had been awake for an hour, since the first rays of the sun had first peaked above the mountains and in through the open blinds, but Janna still slept soundly. She was lying on her stomach, across Ryan's torso, her head pillowed on her tall mate's chest.

Ryan ran her fingers gently through fine, blonde hair as she contemplated where her life had brought her. In just a few short months she had gone from being a lone wolf, firmly set in her solitary ways, to a happily involved partner in an incredibly loving, giving relationship, about to be married.

She marveled at her good fortune, thanking the Universe silently for bestowing its providence upon her. She smiled as she realized just how many times she had thanked the Universe for bringing Janna into her life. Are you getting tired of hearing it?

"Never." The answer rang loudly and clearly in her head, startling her. She blinked and shook her head, and a smile slowly played across her features. Incredible. This Universe that Janna has introduced me to is absolutely incredible. I so look forward to exploring it fully with her over the next forty or so years. The thought of the life ahead of her with her beloved brought a wide smile to her face and she hugged her mate tightly.

The object of her affection stirred and stretched, but instead of waking, settled more comfortably into her living pillow. Ryan grinned, perfectly content to remain in the same position for hours more if needed. She wrapped her arms around Janna and settled in for the duration.

Her mind drifted back to the previous night. She grimaced as she recalled her behavior earlier in the evening, embarrassed and disappointed in herself. But that pain quickly receded as she recalled how Janna's love and acceptance had transformed her. And then she thought about her mate's incredibly generous birthday gifts. She became choked up with emotion as she thought about what those gifts said about Janna's love for her.

She shuddered and sighed deeply as the emotion passed through her, closing her eyes and feeling as if she were floating. A surprising thought greeted her: I'm high! High on this woman and high on our love.

As she thought about their love, her mind drifted quite naturally to their lovemaking at the end of the evening. It had been intense, but exceptionally gentle. She had wanted to convey to Janna the depth of her remorse at how she had acted earlier. Janna had felt similarly, blaming herself for putting Ryan in the position that she had. They had shared tears and apologies, as well as promises to always be completely honest with each other.

Ryan's smile widened as she recalled her body's response to Janna's touch, and at Janna's response to hers. With the memories came a renewed response within her body. Her heartbeat sped up and her skin tingled where it was most sensitive to her mate's special touch. A gentle throbbing began between her legs and she swallowed, taking a deep breath to calm herself.

It was ineffective and she suddenly realized that some of what she was feeling was coming through her link with Janna. She must be having an erotic dream. Ryan smiled at the thought, knowing that she, more than likely, was playing a prominent role in the dream. Or, rather, my ancient counterpart is. A happy chuckle bubbled up from her heart center and she closed her eyes, trying to imagine what her mate was experiencing.

Janna sat on her bedroll in a tiny forest clearing, writing on a parchment scroll with a quill. As she stared at the ancient Greek symbols on the parchment, her focus drifted to the warrior sitting next to her, on her own bedroll. She noted offhandedly that her warrior was uncharacteristically dressed in Chinese-styled garments, and as she looked down at her own body, noted that she was as well.

The light from the campfire glinted off of the sword that her mate was cleaning. The bard felt joyfull at witnessing the nightly ritual again. It had been much too long since she had. Distance had separated them, until, with Ares' help, she had joined her partner in Chin. There, they had been physically separated again by the warrior's incarceration and emotionally so by her apparent betrayal of her warrior's trust. But their strong love had reunited them and her extraordinary warrior had overcome the odds, escaped her bondage and completed her mission, and now they were on their way home. Together again.

As she watched the warrior's skilled, determined movements, her eyes traveled to her lovely features, now furrowed in concentration. She was warmed by the sight of her lover and an insistent throbbing began in the center between her legs. She absentmindedly set the forgotten parchment on the bedroll and continued to watch her partner.

The warrior could feel, of course, the bard's intense gaze, as well as her love and desire through their link, and was warmed by the effect that she had on the small blonde. She sped her strokes just slightly, eager to be done with the usually calming task. She wanted to feel her mate in her arms, wanted to feel their bodies united as one. It had been much, much too long since she had. She felt her mate's desire and the beating of her heart increased, it's beat matching that of its twin in her soul mate's chest.

She set aside her sword, laying it next to the bedroll with its partner weapon and carefully packed away the polishing cloth. Then she slowly looked up to meet her mate's gaze, a rakish grin and raised eyebrows silently inviting the bard into her arms. The young blonde smiled and fairly leapt into her embrace. The dark warrior wrapped her strong arms around her mate's body and hugged her close, laying her cheek against the soft, blonde hair.

"Gods, I've missed you Gabrielle."

"I've missed you too, Xena." She pulled back slightly from the strong body and added, "It's been much too long."

"Mm." The tall warrior gently caressed her bard's cheek and her mate leaned into the touch. As she stared deeply into her lover's eyes, the warrior slowly leaned forward and captured her lips. The kiss was very gentle at first, as the two women reacquainted themselves with each other, but quickly became passionate, and the warrior gently pushed the bard down onto her bedroll.

As she covered the smaller woman's body with her own, the warrior felt the full force of their love and they were both consumed by their passion. They made love there by the campfire, under the stars, all night long, and greeted the dawn tired, but sated.

Ryan's eyes drifted open and she realized that she had fallen asleep. She looked down to meet a steady green gaze.

"Morning."

"Morning, Ryan."

As she came to full wakefulness, Ryan realized also that she was still feeling the aftereffects of the highly erotic dream. She cleared her throat, but her voice was still raspy as she said, "I just had a hell of a romantic dream."

"Did you?" Janna nuzzled Ryan's chest. "Hmm, so did I."

"Mm...um, it didn't happen to be warrior dream did it?"

"Mm, hmm. Yep, it did, as a matter of fact."

"And it didn't happen to take place in China, did it?" Ryan's expressive eyebrows rose in expectation.

"Why, yes, I believe it did." Janna giggled as she added, "Who was on top in your dream?"

Ryan laughed. "I was...and then you were...and then I was...and then no one was, and then..."

"Yep, same dream!" Janna kissed the breastbone under her face. "We had been separated for a while. It was linked to that dream where the warrior left on a ship...when she thought it was for forever. But they were reunited again. I knew they would be."

"Oh, you did, did you?" Ryan punctuated her question with a tickle.

Janna laughed through the tickling and gasped, "I sure did." She rolled fully onto her mate's body, and looking her in the eye, declared, "We are forever, Ryan."

"Forever, Janna." She drove her declaration home with a sensuous kiss.

They were late joining their guests for breakfast.

~~~~~~~~~~

Janna threw her head back and laughed as she smeared lotion on Ryan's back. Her friend Anna lay beside them, stretched out on her stomach on a beach towel with a huge yin and yang symbol on it.

"I'm completely serious," Anna continued. "Right there on the floor!"

"Oh, my God..." Ryan choked out, "I wish I could have seen that!"

Terry piped in from where she sat on the other side of her mate, "And that's not the funniest thing...the funniest thing is that she blamed it on the Reiki Guides!" She continued, laughing, "I can still hear her, 'It was the Reiki Guides, I swear!'"

Anna chortled. "You know, it probably was them! It's a weird sense of humor they have there on the other side."

The friends erupted into laughter again, and bent over, holding her sides, Ryan remarked, "I have got to go to one of those Reiki gatherings of yours...it sounds like a blast."

"It is, honey. Besides the camaraderie and hanging out with these two characters, the energy that fills the house is incredible...not to mention the awesome healing treatments." Janna looked fondly at her two closest friends. "It's always a great day."

Anna spoke up. "We're about due for another one, aren't we honey?" She looked over at her dark-haired mate, sitting next to her.

Terry nodded and suggested, "Why don't we have one in the next month or so, before we leave for Sedona?"
"Lets plan on it. Janna, I'll let you know." Anna, a warm, black-haired, brown-eyed Hispanic woman smiled at her friend and student.

"I can't wait, Anna." She finished lotioning Ryan and patted her shoulder. "You know, Ryan here is quite a healer. I'm pretty certain she's done it before."

Anna turned onto her side, resting her head in the palm of her hand and watched as Ryan and Janna switched places so that Ryan could lotion Janna's back. "Yes, she has, in many, many lives. Are you guys aware that you go way, way back together?"

Ryan grinned from behind her mate. "Oh, yeah!" She looked at Anna, adding, "We revisit one particular life almost nightly in dreams."

"How interesting...it must have been a very important life for you two." Terry laid a hand on her partner's hip. "We do that a lot too, only not just in dreams. We can pretty much regress on the spot. It's freaky sometimes, but at least we understand what it's about."

Anna laughed and looked over her shoulder at her wife. "Yeah, remember the time you were giving me Reiki for a sore throat and I spontaneously remembered a life where you tried to choke me to death?"

Terry laughed, "Oh, yeah. God...that was funny!"

"Funny? Shit, I'm glad you guys can find humor in something like that!" Ryan looked comically at her new friends.

"Why not? Life is just a big game...it's all about experience. We just keep coming back until we get it right." Anna grinned and continued, "You know, when we 'die', we wake up on the astral and it's just like waking from a long, involved dream. Sometimes it was a good dream and sometimes it was a nightmare...but it was experience nonetheless."

Ryan shook her head and laughed. "You know, I think I really like that viewpoint...I could get into that mindset."

"Hey, why not?" their easygoing friend asked, grinning.

Terry leaned over and kissed Anna's cheek, adding, "It works for us!"

Janna glanced over her shoulder at her mate. "Ryan, we should have Anna channel for you sometime. She brings the most amazing information through, and it's always been dead on accurate...for me anyway."

"Sounds cool, babe, we'll have to do that." Ryan finished applying Janna's lotion and wiped her hands before pulling her mate against her. The home's private beach afforded them the luxury of being able to display their affection openly. The forest ran down almost to the lakeside at each side of the property, and the occupants of the home behind them were well aware of their relationship, obviously.

"Anytime, guys." Anna lifted up and rested on her forearms as she looked out over the lake before her. "God, this place is so pristine. I love the energy here." She glanced over at her two friends, who were sitting spooned together. "You picked a wonderful place for your ceremony. The energies are clean and pure here."

"I know, aren't they?" Janna breathed deeply of the clean, pine-scented air and exhaled happily. "I come up here to recharge my batteries several times a year." She leaned back into her mate's strong body and Ryan kissed her hair.

"We come here at lot too...usually stay at Harrah's." Terry added as she grabbed her wife's hand. She looked thoughtful for a moment and then asked in her sweet, slightly accented Kentucky twang, "Janna, do you all plan to have a family? I hope you don't mind my asking."

Janna replied, "Ter, of course we don't mind your asking...don't be silly. Yes, we do plan to have kids." She looked back at Ryan, who smiled warmly at her. "We've both been feeling drawn to have two, so we think there are a couple of souls who've been waiting patiently for us to get together."

"Good, because I'm really picking up on that family feeling around you two."

Janna looked back at Ryan. "Terry's empathic, honey."

Ryan grinned, "I picked up on that, love!"

The four friends enjoyed the beauty of their surroundings and their shared love silently for several minutes, then were greeted with happy chatter coming down the beach from behind them.

"Hey! Who's ready for lunch?" John's cheery voice greeted them.

Janna's face lit up and she exclaimed, "Ooh, I sure am!" She turned in Ryan's embrace to see John and Dan, each carrying an ice chest, and Sara and Kris, who each held picnic baskets. Her niece and nephew trailed along, their small arms full of beach toys.

Janna's parents and Zac brought up the rear, arms laden with beach chairs.

Ryan watched as their loved ones set up a lovely picnic for everyone. "Hey everyone, thanks for this...it's great." Her voice was warm with affection.

Janna echoed her mate's sentiments and got up to help distribute the food. The large group of friends and family enjoyed themselves immensely on the beach for the rest of the afternoon, everyone basking in the abundant love, good cheer and sunshine.

Ryan sat in the waning light, reclining in a lounge chair on the deck, enjoying a moment of solitude as she worked on her vows. Actually, the vows were finished, what she was really doing was reading them...over and over.

She looked out over the beautiful lake as the words of love and devotion for her wife rang in her head, and was struck by the majesty of the surrounding mountains. The sinking sun was spreading a yellow-orange glow across the distant peaks, and she found the shifting colors fascinating. The lake itself, much of it no longer in direct sunlight, was also changing color. In just a few hours it had gone from a shimmering aquamarine to a deep blue, and soon would be black, until the moon rose and painted it with shimmering bands of light once more.

She felt her mate's presence before she heard the French door open. Without turning, she quietly said, "Hi, love. I thought you were helping with the dinner."

Warm hands caressed her shoulders as a soft kiss was placed in her hair and her mate replied, "I was trying to but they kicked me out...told me to keep you company."

"Well, come 'ere and sit then. Tell me what you think." She pulled Janna around the chair and into her lap. Her mate wrapped herself into her embrace and took the proffered index card.

Janna quietly read what Ryan had written and then closed her eyes and dropped her hands into her lap.

"What, Janna...don't you like it?"

Janna opened her eyes, releasing tears in the process, and breathed, "My God, Ryan...it's almost identical to what I wrote...nearly verbatim."

Ryan closed her eyes and swallowed, then pulled Janna's face against her shoulder and held her tightly as her own tears flowed. They sat quietly that way until the minister's arrival was announced some time later, letting their bond communicate emotions for which mere words were ineffective.

The day ended quietly, with a cool wind blowing off the lake as the sun set fully. Their friend, Luna, nearly full, rose soon thereafter, bathing her acquaintances in her loving glow.

~~~~~~~~~~

Ryan laughed heartily as she flubbed her entrance yet again. She looked over at her best man and grinned, saying, "Maybe I am a little nervous, after all!" Her brother, who held her arm, patted her on the back consolingly and turned her around, ready to try again.

Janna, standing near the deck railing with Terry and the minister, smiled widely before laughing with her mate.

While meeting with the minister over dinner, they had decided to modify the traditional ceremony to allow for the entrance of both brides, because both women wanted to be "given away" by family members. That, however, was about the only concession made, as the rest of the ceremony would be far from traditional - as many commitment ceremonies are, by default.

The rehearsal continued, but this time, Ryan and Zac entered first. The minister, wisely so, realized that it was probably the sight of her bride that was flustering Ryan, so she reversed the entrance order.

As Terry and John stood to either side of the minister, Sara cued the music once again as Ryan and Zac exited the house and slowly made their way to the end of the wide deck. The nearly full moon rising above the lake created an extraordinarily beautiful backdrop, and Ryan's attention was almost diverted yet again, but her brother tightened his grip on her arm and kept her on course.

Zac delivered his sister to her best friend's side, to the minister's left, and kissed her cheek before stepping back behind them. John took Ryan's arm and squeezed her hand, providing another departure from the norm. As one, they turned to watch Janna's entrance.

Despite the fact that it was only the rehearsal, Janna looked radiant standing at her father's side. She and her father sported nearly identical, wide smiles: his born of pride and love for his daughter, his daughter's born of love for her mate and joy at their union.

As they made their entrance onto the deck, Ryan began swallowing convulsively and her heart pounded furiously. She closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath, but when she opened them, Janna was even closer to her and she nearly lost containment completely. What the fuck is wrong with me? This isn't event the real thing...how bad am I going to fuck up tomorrow? Suddenly, she felt both John's hand at her back and Janna's steadying influence through their bond, and recovered her composure somewhat.

As Janna and Marv approached, Ryan couldn't take her eyes off of her mate's smiling eyes, and that helped to steady her as well. Janna's steady gaze pinned her into the point in space in which she stood.

Janna smiled inwardly at Ryan's discombobulated state. I wonder why she's so nervous? I'm nervous too, but not to the point of nearly falling down. Janna winked at her mate and grinned widely, further settling her nerves, and gladly took the arm that Ryan offered after her father handed her off and kissed her.

Ryan grasped Janna's arm and pulled her close, kissing her cheek. "Ah, ah, ah!" scolded the minister cheerily. "Not yet!"

Ryan grinned lopsidedly and shrugged cutely. "Can you blame me, Kim? Honestly?"

"No, Ryan, can't say I do." The friendly, curly-headed minister grinned and shook her head in agreement. "Okay, you both made it to the front." She aimed a quick grin in Ryan's direction. "Now I say my part, which consists of the opening, then your poem, then the statement of intent, and then, each of you will say your vows." Looking first at Janna, then at Ryan, she continued, "Would you like to practice your vows, or save them for tomorrow?"

Ryan and Janna exchanged a glance and a silent communication, and Ryan replied, "No need, Reverend. You can go on." She looked back at Janna and squeezed her hand, feeling infinitely better now that she had Janna to hold onto.

"Okay, after your vows, you will exchange the rings, I'll read the short blessing, and then I will ask you to kiss," she smiled widely, "Then I announce you as a married couple." She continued to smile at the beaming couple in front of her and added, "Are you comfortable with the routine now, or should we run through it again?"

Janna looked at her mate and grinned, then directed her gaze to the minister. "I think if we can just get Ryan up here without falling down, we'll be fine." Ryan chuckled and looked at her sandals in embarrassment.

Looking up at Kim, she said, "Janna's right. I don't think we need run through it again."

"Alright. Well, I guess you're all set then." She smiled warmly at the happy couple, adding, "You'll do fine. It will be a lovely ceremony."

Janna stepped forward and grasped her hands, "Thank you, Kim."

"Your welcome. I'll see you in the morning, then."

Ryan turned to her brother and asked, "Hey, Zac...you caught the sunrise this morning...what time was it?"

Zac threw a wide, white grin at his sister and answered, "Grandfather Sun rose above the mountains in the east at exactly 7:09."

Ryan turned and looked pointedly at the minister. "I guess we'll shoot for 7:10 then, Kim."

"I'll be here with bells on."

"Thank you, Kim. Will you have some dessert now?" Janna motioned toward the house.

"Oh, I'll have a little something, thanks. I did tell my wife that I wouldn't be too late though."

As their guests and minister moved inside for more from the delicious catered buffet, Ryan pulled Janna into an embrace at the deck railing.

"Sweetheart, I don't know what's wrong with me...I'm sorry." She looked down at Janna apologetically.

Janna buried her face into her mate's shoulder. "It's okay, baby. You're just nervous. I almost lost it too, when I saw you standing up there."

"Yeah, I just hope I don't fuck it up tomorrow." She kissed Janna's head. "I'd never forgive myself if I ruined your wedding."

"Our wedding, Ryan, and you'll be fine. Don't worry about it, my love." She looked up at her mate and grinned, "Course, maybe I should get a hold of some valium, just in case."

"Oh, very funny!" She pulled her almost-wife tightly against herself and leaned down for a kiss. Their lips met softly and parted simultaneously, their tongues meeting and stroking sensuously."

Ryan slowly broke the kiss and mumbled, "Mmm...I wish everyone would go to bed. I want you in the hot tub, baby."

"There'll be plenty of time for that in the next few days, love, when we're on our honeymoon." Janna leaned up and captured Ryan's lips again, not releasing them until they were both breathless. "And remember...I promised you a special encounter on the beach."

At the reminder, Ryan's eyes nearly glazed over and she pulled Janna into another embrace, muttering against her hair, "I remember, baby. I absolutely cannot wait."

"Monday...on the night of the full moon, okay?" Janna pulled away slightly and looked up at her mate. "Can you wait another day?"

"I can, love."

Zac, John and Dan stood watching the lovers from the window as they ate their cake. "Whew, is it hot in here or is it me?" Zac and John laughed at Dan's question and nodded their agreement.

"They sure are crazy about each other, aren't they?" Zac commented.

"They are that. I gotta tell you guys, Ryan is a different person since meeting Janna. It's like she's finally found peace or something." He shook his head. "It's amazing."

"I never thought I'd see this happen, that's for sure," added Zac.

Dan commented, "Janna too. She was always pretty wary about getting involved. I guess when you find the right person, there's just no question."

"Well, I can attest to that," supplied John honestly.

"Me too, actually," added Dan, and Zac nodded thoughtfully as well.

From another nearby window, Janna's parents also stood arm-in-arm watching their daughter and her mate. "They look so happy, Marv."

"Yes, they do, honey. For a long time I figured we'd never get to celebrate this day with our Janna, but she surprised us."

"When has she not surprised us, Marv?" His wife remarked with a smile.

Luna continued her observation of her friends, noting the aura of happiness that surrounded them. She sat in her celestial throne and watched as they shared their love with family and friends, and mostly, with each other, and she smiled.

-36-

On the morning of her wedding, in a manner highly out of character, Janna awoke first. The gray light of the predawn barely illuminated the room enough to see her partner's face, at peace in sleep. That's something that I don't see often, but that I will never tire of seeing. My God, she's gorgeous. She is every possible adjective denoting physical beauty and she's completely unaware of the fact. Janna sighed as the love she felt for her mate threatened to overwhelm her. It filled her heart center to overflowing and brought tears to her eyes.

She snuggled more firmly into her partner's arms, delighting in the feel of Ryan's warm, strong body. The movement awakened her partner, who tightened her hold on her small mate as she stirred. A few moments later, her eyes opened groggily and eventually focused on the alert green ones that were gazing at her.

"Hi, baby," she mumbled. "You awake already?"

"Hi, love. I just woke up. We can't dawdle this morning...we have someplace to be."

"Mm...where's that?"

Janna gave her a few seconds to figure it out for herself and then giggled as she saw the lights go on behind the pretty eyes.

"Oh, shit!" Startled blue eyes that shone gray in the morning light widened. "It's our wedding day, Janna!" She started to sit up, bringing her lover with her, but met with resistance.

"Hold on there, tiger. We don't have to get up immediately, and I want to start this day off right. It is the most important day of my life, you know."

Janna's matter-of-fact tone surprised Ryan and she promptly lay back down, smiling. "Okay, what's the plan then, boss?"

"You're gonna let me be boss this morning?"

"Sure."

"Mmm, I think I like that idea!" Janna moved her body fully on top of Ryan's, then rose to her hands and knees above her. Slowly, she lowered her mouth to her mate's and ever so gently touched their lips together. Then she stroked Ryan's lower lip with her tongue and pulled back to look at her lover.

Ryan moaned and mumbled, "God, baby, you're turning me on. I hope you intend to have your way with me."

"Hmm, well, I don't know...we're not married yet..."

Ryan turned her head to look at the bedside alarm clock, then growled, "We will be in an hour and a half." She wrapped her arms around her lover and tried to pull her back down on top of her.

"Hey, I thought I was in charge this morning!"

"You are, baby, just please don't tease me." Ryan's plea sounded more like a whine but Janna took pity on her.

"I'm not teasing, love. I fully intend to make love to you. Can you be patient?"

"I don't think so."

Janna laughed and laid her head on Ryan's chest, giving up. Ryan wrapped strong arms around her and hugged her tightly.

"I love you so much, Janna."

Janna mumbled against the bare skin of Ryan's chest, "I love you too, my destiny."

"You feel so good, baby."

Ryan's low voice rumbled sexily through Janna's body, causing goose bumps to form from head to toe and she shivered. She slowly slid up Ryan's body, creating a pleasant friction in several of their erogenous zones, and it was Ryan's turn to shiver. Janna's lips met Ryan's again, this time solidly and forcefully, with her tongue demanding entrance to Ryan's mouth.

Ryan's lips parted instantly to admit one of her favorite playthings and she savored Janna's taste. Their tongues slid together sensuously as Ryan rolled them onto their sides and reached a long arm down to connect with Janna sexually. Janna did likewise and they completed the energetic circuit, as they did every morning.

Today, however, neither woman was content to simply share energy passively. Their mutual anticipation of their impending nuptials ignited their passion and skillful fingers began to caress inner folds lovingly in unison.

Ryan was the first to moan her pleasure, eliciting an echo from Janna and hands and fingers stroked deeper and faster. They both fell toward blissful orgasms, spurred on simply by passionate kisses, loving strokes and a deep, abiding, all-consuming love.

Their auras merged once more as their chakras pulsated in synchrony, adding a highly spiritual component to their act of love and intensifying the physical sensations. As they plunged into ecstasy together, they called out each other's names in unison and rode out the waves of pleasure together for long minutes.

As Grandfather Sun began his ascent, the dawn light began to merge from toneless gray into shades of pink, highlighting the entwined lovers on the bed who were sharing sweet proclamations of love. As the sun's companion, Grandmother Moon, dipped below the western horizon, she sent one last beam of loving energy to her devoted friends, which carried with it a loving wish for a blissful marriage and many more lifetimes of love together. Her wish for them would come true.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Ryan, sweetheart, stop!" Janna giggled as her frisky mate helped her to towel off. "We're going to be late."

"Oh, we're not gonna be late...let me have my fun, baby."

"You already had your fun this morning, Ryan Zamora, now hands off or we really will be late."

"Okay...shit." Her pout was interrupted by a knock at their door. She stuck her head out of the bathroom and yelled, "Yeah?"

"Ry, it's John...I need the rings, bud."

"Be right there, John." Ryan walked to the bedroom door, clad only in a towel wrapped around her waist. As she passed the pine dresser she snagged the double ring box. Before opening the door she paused and opened the box, gazing longingly at the beautiful set of rings within. She sighed and smiled before pulling the door open.

"Shit Ryan! Put a fucking shirt on, will ya!" John winced as if he'd been subjected to torture.

"Oh, Christ, John, you've seen 'em before. Here." She thrust the box at him and smirked before shutting the door again.

As John, red-faced and flustered, met Zac in the hallway, Zac said, "Hey, something wrong?"

"Ah, nothing...only that your fucking sister forgets she's a beautiful woman and not a guy."

Zac's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he asked, "What did she do?"

"She handed me the friggin' rings without bothering to put a shirt on...or a bra."

Zac laughed. "That sounds like my sister!" Then he raised his eyebrows and added, "Look at the plus side...it made your day, didn't it?"

John frowned. "Shit, no! She's like my sister...is that something you want to see?"

"Uh, no...I guess not. Sorry bro!" He clapped his new friend on the back and escorted him to the living room, where everyone was busily preparing for the ceremony. Marv stood talking with Kim, the minister, who looked elegant in long, white robes. Kris was sitting with her two children, trying to keep them corralled until it was time for them to lead the procession.

Out on the deck, Beth and Sara finished placing the flowers as Anna photographed the preparations.

"Ryan, did you talk to John dressed like that?" Janna stood looking at her incredulously.

"Yeah, so what? He's seen me naked before." Ryan whipped the towel off and walked to the bed, where her clothes were neatly laid out.

Janna raised her eyebrows in surprise as she replied, "I don't think I want to hear about that right now...but I will later. Come on, now...get dressed."

Ryan grinned. "Yes, dear!"

Janna's retort was interrupted by a knock at the door. She opened the door a crack to see Terry holding her flower garland. "Come on in, Ter. Pay the naked woman over there no mind...she doesn't have the modesty God gave a gnat."

Terry laughed and tried not to look too closely at the stunning woman dressing by the bed. "Here, hon, I've got your garland...are you ready for it?"

"Yes, thanks." Janna sat at the nightstand and let her friend affix the flowered wreath to her hair. "Oh, Janna, it's beautiful...you're beautiful." Terry's eyes misted as she gazed at her friend. "I'll see you outside in a few minutes, Janna."

"Thanks, Terry."

Terry gave her close friend a hug and a peck on the cheek and left.

"Shit...Janna, honey, will you help me please?" Ryan shook her head in disgust as her usually nimble fingers refused to cooperate.

Janna stepped into her sandals and approached her mate, reaching up to clasp the choker necklace that was giving Ryan so much trouble. "Honey, why don't you leave the top button open? I think it looks nice undone...you can see the choker better and it's kind of sexy." She grinned at her mate.

"You think?" Ryan questioned. "I don't want to look sloppy." She rested her hands on Janna's slim hips and grinned warmly at her love. "You look so pretty, Janna. That dress is you."

"Thanks, sweetheart. I'm not a big fan of dresses normally, but I think this works nicely. It goes perfectly with your outfit. Which, of course, you look incredible in." She leaned forward and gave her very soon-to-be-wife a sweet kiss.

"Thanks, baby. Yeah, these outfits look great together...you did a great job, love." Ryan took a deep breath and blew it out. "Well, baby, are you ready?" She grabbed her mate's hand and brought it to her lips, where she gently kissed Janna's fingers as she gazed deeply into her emerald eyes. Janna became similarly lost in Ryan's sapphire depths.

"I am, love. Lets get married." She swallowed hard as the words left her mouth, and a tear escaped, trailing down her cheek.

Ryan's breath caught at Janna's words and at the sight of her lovely wife and a tear escaped from her eye as well. She pulled her soul mate in for a loving hug and took another deep breath.

"Lets go, Janna. They're waiting for us."

~~~~~~~~~~

Ryan took Janna's arm and they walked together toward the family room, where their guests and the minister were gathered. They were both experiencing an indescribable joy at their impending joining. For them, it was as valid as any marriage ceremony. The fact that it would not be legally recognized by the State made no difference to them or to their loved ones. As far as all gathered were concerned, Ryan and Janna were to become wives to each other in a very few minutes.

As they entered the room arm-in-arm, all activity and conversation stopped. Almost as one, twelve heads turned to gaze upon the beautiful, glowing couple. Janna wore a simple, but understatedly elegant white cotton sundress, with a wreath of miniature white and pink roses, baby's breath and fern in her hair. A lovely triangular nugget of turquoise on a silver chain graced her neck. At her side, her tall mate stood proud in a white cotton peasant shirt with a banded collar and loose-fitting white cotton drawstring pants. A delicate pink rosebud was pinned above her left breast, and she wore a wide Native American bone choker which had inset turquoise beads. They wore matching tan Birkenstock sandals on their feet and radiant smiles on their faces.

Beth and Marv rushed to them and hugged and kissed them each on the cheek, and then the minister asked everyone to take their places. Terry, John, Sara, Dan and Beth exited to the deck behind the Minister and sat in the neatly arranged chairs while Kris positioned her children side-by-side at the French doorway. Anna stood back taking photographs, while Marv and Janna, and Zac and Ryan stood side-by-side behind the children.

Outside, as morning began to break and the sky lightened, a yellow-orange glow rose from behind the glorious peaks east of the lake. The surface of the water shimmered like fiery, golden diamonds.

As the Reverend, Terry and John took their places at the garland-shrouded deck railing overlooking the beach and the lake, Sara pushed a button on the stereo system, starting the music. A beautiful, solo acoustic guitar began, playing a lovely classical arrangement of the traditional and aptly named, "Here Come the Brides".

Ryan's tears started then, as she heard her mate's beautiful rendition of the song. Zac wrapped his arm around his sister's shoulders and pulled her close for a moment before dropping his arm and linking it through hers.

Beside them, Janna felt her mate's love, pride and joy through their link, and her tears began to fall as well. She looked to her father at her side and he squeezed her arm in encouragement.

Kris nudged Britanny and Robbie gently out through the doors to the deck and they walked slowly, arms linked. In her left hand, Brit carried a bouquet that matched Janna's wreath and in his right, little Robbie held the ring box tightly in his chubby palm. They made their way slowly to the front of the deck, both wearing white outfits that complemented those of the brides, and the white roses decorating the deck. When they reached the bridesmaid and best man, they each handed off their treasures and then moved to stand beside them.

As she saw the procession begin, Ryan's stomach tightened and her heart began to pound. She took a deep, calming breath, like Janna had shown her earlier, and used her aikido knowledge to feel the energy at the center of her being and to ground herself within it. Zac took a step, pulling her slightly, and exited the house, following Ryan's future niece and nephew.

As they proceeded slowly toward the end of the deck, Ryan felt as if she were floating. She would have sworn that her feet were not touching the ground. The brilliance of the sunrise before her took her breath away and she had to remind herself to continue to breathe. They reached the front, where John stood to the Minister's left, and Zac kissed his sister, and then handed her over to her best friend. John took her arm and grinned at the wide-eyed stare on his tough partner's face. He leaned toward her and quietly reminded her to breathe as he turned them to face the French doors of the house.

As she turned and saw Janna standing at her father's side, Ryan's tears began to flow unabashedly. She felt suddenly that everything that she had ever done in her life had simply been a preamble to this moment. She watched as her future walked slowly toward her. Their eyes were locked together: they saw only each other. Janna would remark later that she had noticed neither the lake nor the sunrise. Ryan filled her vision just as she did her heart.

Her father walked her to the front, to the accompaniment of her own music, and, after kissing her, handed her to her matron of honor. Terry grasped her hand and kissed her cheek before stepping back and placing a hand on the small blonde flower girl's shoulder.

At that point, she and Ryan turned to face each other briefly and joined hands, before turning to face Kim. Ryan eyed the minister briefly, and grinned as she brought Janna's hand to her lips, kissing it gently. The Minister gave her a sparkling smile and nodded before beginning her speech.

"Loved ones. Ryan and Janna have asked you to be with them here today as they join in marriage. We come together not to mark the start of a relationship, but to recognize a bond that already exists. This marriage is one expression of the many varieties of love. Love is one, though its expressions are infinite.

Ryan and Janna have asked me to share with you a traditional Apache wedding poem:

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other.

Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there is no loneliness for you, for now there is no more loneliness.

Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you.

Go now to your dwelling place, to enter into your days together.

And may your days be good, and long upon the earth."

She looked at Ryan. "Ryan, do take Janna as your partner for life? In the presence of this warm circle of friends and family, do you pledge to love, comfort and protect her? Will you respect her ideas, values and convictions and support her in times of wealth and in times of need? Will you foster her individuality while committing to grow, love and advance together in faith, honesty and determination?"

Ryan looked at Janna as she answered, tears streaking her cheeks, "I will." Janna smiled warmly, tears glistening on her own cheeks as well, and Ryan closed her eyes and remembered to take a breath.

The reverend addressed Janna and continued, "Janna, do take Ryan as your partner for life? In the presence of this warm circle of friends and family, do you pledge to love, comfort and protect her? Will you respect her ideas, values and convictions and support her in times of wealth and in times of need? Will you foster her individuality while committing to grow, love and advance together in faith, honesty and determination?"

Janna's voice cracked as she answered, "I will."

Addressing the assembled guests again, Kim continued. "Ryan and Janna have prepared their own vows. Ryan, will you face Janna and recite your vows to her please?"

Ryan turned and faced her mate, grasping her hands. She steadied herself with a calming breath and began, "Janna, your presence in my life has given it meaning. Your love has transformed me. I no longer live only for myself, but worship you above all else. I believe with all of my heart that we were destined to be together. I promise to cherish you always as I do today. Thank you for agreeing to become my wife. I love you." She lifted Janna's hands to her lips and kissed them tenderly.

Kim smiled and looked at Janna. "Now your vows to Ryan, Janna."

Janna looked at Ryan with a depth of love and devotion that Ryan would not have thought possible and her heart swelled.

"Ryan, you came into my life and gave it meaning. Your love transformed me. I no longer live only for myself, but worship you above all else. I believe with all that I am that we were destined to be together, and that we have been together for all time. I promise to cherish you always as much as I do today. Thank you for agreeing to become my wife. I love you with all that I am."

She kissed Ryan's hands, as Ryan had kissed hers. At this point, not even the male guests had dry eyes, and even the children sat enraptured. Such was the beauty of the moment.

The Reverend smiled warmly at the two women before her who could not tear their eyes from each other, and then at their guests. Addressing John, she said, "May I have the rings, please?"

John opened the box, removed the rings and handed them to Kim, who held them in her palm and recited, "The circle is the symbol of the sun, the earth and the universe. It is a symbol of holiness and perfection and of peace. This ring is a symbol of unity, in which your two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle."

She handed the smaller ring to Ryan and said, "Ryan, please place this ring on Janna's finger and repeat after me: I give you this ring to wear upon your hand as a symbol of our unity."

Ryan gently placed the ring on her beloved's finger and stated, "I give you this ring to wear upon your hand as a symbol of our unity." She looked up into love-filled green eyes and smiled.

"Now Janna, please place this ring on Ryan's finger and repeat after me: I give you this ring to wear upon your hand as a symbol of our unity."

"I give you this ring to wear upon your hand as a symbol of our unity." As she slid the ring onto Ryan's finger, she closed her eyes and looked as if she might faint, but took a deep breath, opening her eyes to see misty blue orbs radiating love back to her.

"Ryan and Janna, may the love you have found grow in meaning and strength until its beauty is shown in a common devotion to all that is compassionate and life-giving. May the flow of your love help brighten the face of the earth. May the source of all love touch and bless us and grace our lives with color and courage.

In closing I would like to read a poem called 'Two Trees' by Janet Miles.

A portion of your soul has been entwined with mine.

A gentle kind of togetherness, while separate we stand.

As two trees deeply rooted in separate plots of ground, While their topmost branches come together,

Forming a miracle of lace against the heavens."

She looked at Ryan and Janna and smiled warmly. "Ryan and Janna, I now declare you married. Please seal your joining with a kiss."

Ryan looked down at their still joined hands and back up into Janna's eyes before leaning down and capturing her lips tenderly. They both prolonged the kiss just a bit, relishing the loving contact and letting it ground them.

When they finally parted, their guests applauded and Kim beamed as she declared, "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Ryan and Janna Norden-Zamora."

Ryan pulled Janna happily into her arms and kissed her again before they turned and faced their loved ones.

Sara was so overcome with emotion that she nearly missed her cue, but remembered just in time to press the play button. The stereo then emitted Melissa Etheridge's, "Come to My Window" as Ryan and Janna were congratulated by the Minister and then walked between the rows of chairs back toward the house and were mobbed by their family.

Grandfather Sun bore witness to the beautiful ceremony and smiled upon them, much as his Lunar counterpart was in the habit of doing. At the moment that Kim had declared them married, he had made his glorious appearance, bursting from behind the jagged Sierra peaks, as if to make his own proclamation. His brilliant orange countenance made a fiery show of the beginning of the new day, and of Janna and Ryan's life together.

-37-

As the early morning sun rose steadily, warming the chilled air through the thin atmosphere, Janna felt as if she were floating several feet above the ground: as if her new wife's grip on her arm was keeping her from taking flight. Ryan and Janna Norden-Zamora?

Ryan had not told Janna that she had intended to take her name, wanting to surprise her. Surprise her she had. After Kim made the pronouncement, it had taken Janna a few moments to realize what she had said.

They were already surrounded by their guests, who were wishing them well, when Janna turned to Ryan and said, "Ryan, what did she say?"

Ryan maintained a serious expression. "I present to you, Ryan and Janna Norden-Zamora."

Her cute features looking puzzled, Janna asked, "Um, she didn't mean Ryan Norden-Zamora, did she?"

"Yep, I think she did, love." Now she grinned and her smile lit up her beautiful face.

"Ryan!" Janna threw her arms around her wife, nearly knocking her over.

Ryan grasped her wife about the waist and held her in her arms. "Shall I take it that you approve of the idea, Janna?"

"Oh, Ryan..." Janna finished the statement by kissing her soundly.

Melissa Etheridge's romantic song faded, to be replaced by the Eagles singing, "Take it Easy."

Hearing the favorite tune, Janna released Ryan 's lips and pulled back somewhat, smiling as she said, "You're just full of surprises today, aren't you?"

Ryan smiled, pleased. "I am, baby. Are you happy?"

"Deliriously, Ryan. I'm absolutely deliriously happy!" She gazed deeply into her new wife's eyes. "I love you Ryan Norden-Zamora." She kissed her wife again and Ryan continued to hold her, not letting her feet touch the ground, either literally or figuratively. They stood together, kissing, oblivious to the presence of their guests, who stood around wondering what to do.

When the kiss finally ended, Ryan addressed no one in particular when she said, "Sorry, but we just got married!"

Laughter erupted around them and they were guided back over toward the railing to stand for pictures. As they posed for pictures together, the music changed again, this time fading into Janna's ex band's, "Teenaged Queer."

"Oh, God, Ryan...you shouldn't have gone there, love!" She giggled as she buried her face in Ryan's strong chest.

"Why not? That song means a lot to the both of us." Ryan wrapped her long arms around her mate and kissed her hair.

Janna's reply was a gentle kiss.

After Anna had procured shots of the brides with all of their guests, and in front of various backdrops, the ladies were ushered into the house to sign the certificate of union.

Their friends had also thoughtfully acquired various other forms for them to fill out at their leisure. Having been through the process of gay union, Anna and Terry were familiar with all of the ins and outs of lesbian couplehood, and knew what all of the options were, legally. Processes, such as becoming life insurance beneficiaries and legal next-of-kin, that straight couples took for granted, had to applied for in sometimes agonizing detail by gay spouses.

The formalities taken care of, Ryan and Janna were then shown to the immense breakfast spread that filled the large dining room table nearly to overflowing.

As they stood looking at the beautifully appointed table, both brides felt overwhelmed at the generosity of their loved ones. While Ryan and Janna had been focused solely on each other the last two days, their family had been busily arranging this wonderful and breathtaking celebration for them.

"My God, Ryan...look at the food."

"I see it, baby. What's everyone else gonna eat?" Her eyes and smile sparkled as she pulled her hungry mate closer to her.

"That's a very good question, love...I am hungry!" Janna eyed the bowls of fresh fruit, plates of waffles, bowls of scrambled eggs, platters of meat, dishes of several varieties of toast, bread, rolls, and pastries and all of the accompanying condiments, and was floored.

"I don't know where to start, Ryan." Janna gazed wide-eyed at the display in front of her.

"I'm sure you'll figure it out, babe! Come on, let's share." Ryan kept one hand glued to Janna's waist as she grabbed a large China plate and let Janna fill it with their favorite items.

As the lilting, Celtic strains of an Enya CD played softly in the background, the newly married couple sat together and shared a plate of delicious food. Ryan speared a strawberry with her fork, then dipped it in whipped cream before feeding it to her mate.

Janna's eyes sparkled as she accepted the sweet morsel from Ryan. "Mm, I love strawberries and whipped cream."

"I know you do, baby. So do I. Though," she looked around to make sure she wouldn't be overheard and whispered into Janna's nearby ear, "I prefer to eat them off of you." She leaned more fully into Janna and kissed her, receiving some of the sweet fruit in return.

"Let's save some of these for later, then." Janna raised her eyebrows in invitation, and Ryan's pulse quickened. She felt Janna's desire as well, and needed to close her eyes and take a calming breath. After a moment, she rose, gave her wife a quick kiss, and said, "Be right back."

Janna watched her go into the kitchen, grab a bowl from a pine cupboard, return to the table, fill the bowl with strawberries, and place the bowl in the refrigerator. She then wordlessly returned to her wife's side and said, "Now...where were we, babe?"

Janna grinned and shook her head as Ryan stabbed a bite of syrup-drenched waffle to share with her.

From across the room, Zac and John also shook their heads, having not missed any of the amusing scene. John remarked, "Jesus, sometimes I think of what I wouldn't give to be a fly on their bedroom wall...but then I realize that it would be sort of like seeing my sister in a porn film, and the moment is ruined." He took a sip of his coffee as Ryan's brother burst into laughter.

Spying her brother's fit, Ryan remarked, "I wonder what's up with them?"

"No telling, honey." Janna speared a hunk of ham and fed it to her mate.

"Mm, good. Thanks love."

A short time later, John stood and held up a champagne flute, tapping it gently with his spoon. As the room quieted, he said, "Folks, it's time for me to offer a toast."

Looking at his partner, he began. "I've known Ryan for over ten years, and been her partner for six. We've been through a lot together, seen a lot, and I consider her my best friend. I can honestly say that I've never known a finer human being...or a finer cop. But as fine a lady as she is, she wasn't complete. Even if she didn't know it, I knew that something was missing from her life. A few months ago, we both learned what that something was. A wonderful little lady named Janna came along and turned her world upside down...in a good way! Ryan told me that Janna completes her, and I can see, I think that we all can, that it is true for the both of them."

He looked pointedly at Janna and smiled. "Janna, this is for you...for coming along and settling her down. She's a lot easier to work with now...she comes to work in a good mood and never wants us to stay and work late anymore." As their assembled friends chuckled, led by Ryan, he continued, "And for Ryan, I'm so glad to see how happy you are now. You deserve the happiness that Janna has brought you. You both deserve each other and the happiness that you share." He raised his glass high, "To Ryan and Janna and a long, happy marriage!"

"To Ryan and Janna!"

After taking a sip of her champagne, Ryan stood and embraced her friend, hugging him tightly and kissing his cheek. She whispered in his ear, "Thank you John...I love you, buddy."

"I love you too, Ry." He pulled away from her and wiped the tears from his cheek, then punched her gently in the arm.

Ryan sat and was embraced by her mate, who then wiped the tough cop's errant tears away. They sat and enjoyed their champagne together, drinking from the same glass.

Theirs was a true partnership and was beginning in the right vein. It would continue as such, unabated, for fifty-three more years.

~~~~~~~~~~

Grandfather Sun was high in the sky, at the zenith in fact, when Terry gathered everyone out onto the deck to watch the gift opening. Lake Tahoe was in its full splendor. The day was a beautiful one. A deep blue sky was unmarked by clouds and a slight, refreshing breeze blew in off the lake, which sparkled like diamonds in the brilliant sunshine. Its surface was sparsely dotted with sail and other boats, some trailing skiers and parasailers, and the large paddlewheeled cruise ship that slowly made its way across the twelve-mile span.

Ryan and Janna sat together by the deck rail, in the same spot in which they had exchanged their vows hours earlier. They still wore their wedding clothes, but both now wore their trademark Ray Bans and identical wide, brilliant smiles. They made a stunning picture, and Anna, using Janna's cameras, captured dozens for them to enjoy in the years to come.

Kris handed Janna a card, which sported a large golden bow, and addressed the brides. "We know that you asked that no gifts be exchanged, but we wanted to do something special to commemorate this special day, and you two special ladies. So we picked three charities that we know that you support and we each gave a gift to one of them. These cards represent the charities we chose and the amounts donated to each in your name."

Janna looked at Ryan as tears began to flow anew from her eyes. Ryan simply shook her head in amazement and said sincerely, addressing their loved ones, "That was a wonderful idea. Thank you all so much." She shook her head as tears threatened her own eyes and encouraged Janna to open the first envelope.

Janna opened the card and read, "A gift in the amount of $200 has been donated in your name to the World Wildlife Fund." Janna looked up at her friends and family and gently shook her head, speechless. Ryan simply looked at the ground.

Kris handed the next envelope to Ryan, who took it, and after a moment with which to gather herself, read, "A gift in the amount of $200 has been donated in your name to the San Joaquin County Women's Crisis Center." She squeezed her eyes shut as she was overcome by tears. Janna pulled Ryan into an embrace and kissed her hair as she gazed lovingly at their family.

Kris handed her the last envelope as she smiled warmly and said, "One more."

Janna took a deep breath and exhaled before reading the card. "A gift in the amount of $200 has been donated in your name to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation." Janna's voice broke as she read the last words and her tears of joy became a fitting thank you to their loved ones, as she and her mate were too choked up momentarily to speak.

As Ryan and Janna sat and tried to compose themselves, Terry approached carrying two packages. They were both wrapped in beautiful white paper sporting embossed dreamcatchers. As Terry set them at their feet on the wooden deck, both brides wiped their tears, replaced their sunglasses and leaned forward to glimpse the tags on them.

"You gave me a gift?" Ryan asked Janna incredulously.

Janna matched her tone and said, "You gave me one?"

They both shook their heads in disbelief, smiling widely as they each leaned forward to pick up a box.

Dan piped up with, "Knowing you two, you got each other the same thing." Everyone laughed, knowing that he might very possibly be right.

"You first, baby." Ryan sat with her gift on her lap and gazed expectantly at Janna.

"Thanks, love." Janna carefully undid the paper, wanting to preserve it, and removed the top of the box. She gasped as she saw the contents, and carefully reached in, lifting out a beautiful Navajo Wedding Basket. "Oh, Ryan, it's beautiful. Thank you, sweetheart!"

"Your welcome, baby." She leaned over to touch the lovely article as Janna lovingly caressed it. It had a stunning, large star-shaped design in the middle, surrounded on the outer edges by a symmetrical stair-step design that very nearly matched that of their wedding bands. The design was used in many tribes to denote mountains.

Janna leaned over and kissed her wife tenderly. "I love it, Ryan." She nodded at the package in Ryan's lap. "Your turn."

Ryan proceeded to open her box, just as gingerly as Janna had, looking up pointedly with raised eyebrows at her male family members, challenging them to tease her about it. They all remained silent, but their faces were lit by smiles. As she opened the box and its treasure was revealed to her, she gasped, "Oh my God, Janna...where did you find this?"

"Probably at the same place where you bought the basket...where we got our rings."

Ryan shook her head, smiling, as she lifted the beautiful blanket from the box. She addressed their guests, "It's a Cherokee Wedding Blanket." She held it up, displaying the lovely symmetrical designs done in hues of blues and greens. She set the empty box on the deck and stood, reaching for her partner's hand. As Janna stood before her, Ryan leaned forward and wrapped the large blanket around her shoulders, and then stepped in at her side and wrapped it around herself as well. It easily enveloped them both and Ryan pulled it up over their heads and greeted her new wife with a private kiss in the traditional Native way.

Their guests applauded and waited for them to reappear...and waited...and waited. Within the privacy of the blanket, the two brides were kissing deeply, overcome by several different emotions. Gratitude and love warred with desire, spurring on the deep kiss. As their lips and tongues slid sensuously together, hands began to roam gently, prompting Zac to suggest that they get a room.

With that, Ryan's head popped out from under the blanket, grinning widely. "Sorry about that!"

She let the blanket fall to their shoulders, revealing Janna with her head resting on her chest, arms wrapped tightly around her waist.

"Thanks, everyone...from the bottom of our hearts. You've made this day more special than we could have possibly imagined."

"You've done the same for us, guys." Terry smiled warmly at her friends. "Come on in for some cake now."

Ryan and Janna's deep love and respect for one another prevented them from making a spectacle of the sharing of the cake, despite the encouragement from most present to do so. They gently and lovingly fed each other bites from the cake and kissed, sharing more of the delicious morsel with each other. The two small bridal figurines from the topmost layer were gently cleaned and packed away by Janna's mother, to be presented to them later.

~~~~~~~~~~

Several hours later, as the party continued in full swing, Ryan held Janna as they danced slowly together on the deck. She kissed her mate passionately and then laid her cheek on the blonde head. "I'm beginning to detect some real drawbacks to having our wedding night at the same place as the reception. These people may party all night."

Janna didn't look up as she mumbled against Ryan's throat, "I'm glad they're having a great time. We'll manage to find some privacy...you know that, love."

"Yeah, I do. But I'm really starting to want you bad, baby."

"And this is different from every other day, how?" Janna asked impishly.

"I've never made love to you as my wife before. I can't wait Janna." Ryan's eyes sparkled seriously at her.

"I can't wait either, Ryan." Janna reached up and captured her wife's lips for another long, deep kiss. Tongues danced and caressed before Janna moved her lips down Ryan's throat, to her choker. "I love this choker on you, Ryan. My Warrior."

"I'll wear it for you more often, then." Janna's lips and tongue continued their gentle assault. "Oh, Janna...you don't know what you're doing to me baby..."

"Yes, I do. I feel what you feel, remember," she mumbled against Ryan's throat. She looked up into Ryan's eyes. "Do you think it would be rude if we retired for a while?"

Before Ryan could answer, John appeared at her side. "Hey guys...we're all going down to the South Shore for dinner and some gambling." He grinned, "I don't suppose you'd like to come with us, would you?"

Ryan swallowed the elation that she felt, and grinned warmly back at her friend. "Not on your life, buddy...have a good time!"

"Okay. Dan and Kris will be back around 9:00, to get the kids to bed." He smirked, adding, "Just so you know."

"Thanks."

A short time later, they followed their guests around to the front of the house and saw the small caravan off. As she waved goodbye to Janna's parents, Ryan checked her watch and gleefully exclaimed, "Five hours...we have five hours of alone time, baby."

"Well let's get this honeymoon started, then."

-38-

Ryan entered the master bedroom carrying a champagne bucket in one hand and a bowl of strawberries and whipped cream in the other. Janna sat demurely on the edge of the bed, wearing nothing but a smile and her wedding necklace. And her wedding band, of course.

Ryan grinned wickedly and, kicking the door shut behind her, made her way quickly into the bathroom to deposit her goodies. As she exited the large bath she was pulling her shirt off over her head.

"No, love...let me." Janna stood and approached her. Ryan let the blouse settle back down and grinned, leering at her wife unashamedly, greatly enjoying the view.

Janna stepped up to her and reached for the topmost button, undoing it as she gazed into Ryan's eyes. Two sets of desire-darkened eyes communicated their devotion before Janna leaned forward and kissed Ryan's chest where the shirt lay open. Ryan closed her eyes at the gentle, yet sensual touch and brought her fingers up to run through Janna's hair. Janna continued until each button had been unfastened and she had left a warm trail of kisses down Ryan's abdomen.

As Ryan stood with her shirt hanging open, Janna reached up and gently pushed it off her shoulders. She brought her hands up to caress her mate's breasts through the silky bra.

"You wore a pretty bra today." Janna's voice was soft, matching her touch.

"Mm. I wanted to impress my new wife. Does she like it?" Ryan's silky voice vibrated pleasantly through Janna, setting her nerve endings aflame.

"Mm, hmm." Janna nuzzled Ryan's chest briefly, enjoying her mate's warmth and then gently kissed the curve of a breast above the bra. Ryan encouraged the contact with her gentle touch behind Janna's head and a moan and Janna happily complied. She reached around and unhooked the bra, then pushed it off Ryan's shoulders and let it drop to the floor.

As she began paying devoted attention to Ryan's breasts, her hands adeptly untied the drawstring in Ryan's pants and she pushed them off, snagging her mate's panties as well. Ryan stepped out of them and pulled her wife close to her, then embraced her head in her hands as she kissed her.

They stood pressed together, kissing deeply until they became breathless with need and Ryan bent and dipped her head, drawing a soft breast into her mouth. Janna threw her head back and grasped Ryan around the waist, thrusting their hips together.

"Let's move this into the tub, baby," Ryan murmured insistently.

Wordlessly, Janna grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the bathroom. Before they could enter the large tub, she pulled Ryan tightly against herself and kissed her again, caressing her wife's body with her hands possessively.

"I'm all yours baby...take me."

Janna looked up at Ryan, her green eyes burning with passion, and nipped at her neck, snaking her tongue under the choker. Ryan's eyes rolled back in her head before she recovered and picked Janna up bodily, setting her in the tub. She stepped in after her and sat her tall frame against one side and pulled her wife into her lap, devouring her lips all the while.

"Ryan, yes...God, I love you Ry...Ryan..." Janna fairly moaned the words into her mate's mouth and then the dark head dipped lower, lavishing devoted attention on excited nipples. Her tongue swirled and stroked them hungrily, as if Janna were a meal and she had not eaten in ages.

Janna moaned loudly, quickly becoming overcome by the pleasant sensations coursing through her body. "Baby...slow...slow down a little. Let's make this...last."

Ryan mumbled around a delicious pink nipple, "I can't help myself, Janna...you taste so good, baby."

Janna reached over to the bowl of strawberries sitting on the edge of the tub and snared a piece of the fruit. "Here, love, taste this." She held the fruit to her lover's lips and as she met Janna's eyes, Ryan bit it in half. Janna then seductively rubbed the red, juicy fruit against her nipple, her eyes never leaving Ryan's.

"Oh, God, Janna..." Ryan bent her head and her tongue snaked out in a long, sultry stroke against the excited nub. They moaned in unison as Ryan removed all of the juice from her mate's breast, and then reached for another piece of fruit. She had Janna bite it and then she coated the other nipple with the sweet juice. As she licked it off her mate, she mumbled, "This is good baby, but not as sweet as you are."

"Here, let me try." Janna picked up a strawberry and had Ryan bite it, then rubbed it slowly all over a dark nipple.

"Fuck, baby...that alone feels great..." Janna silenced her with the addition of her loving, skilled tongue on the anatomy in question and Ryan could only moan incomprehensibly.

Janna then scooped up a handful of whipped cream from the same bowl and smeared it all over Ryan's breasts, covering them completely. She then spent long minutes devotedly licking it all off, working Ryan into a frenzy as she did so. Finally, she gently urged her wife up out of the water, onto the rim of the tub, so she could attend to her immediate need. She lovingly spread the sweet white cream over her wife's dark, silky curls and dutifully licked it off, interspersing long, gentle strokes with deep, erotic thrusts of her tongue. Ryan didn't last long under the loving barrage and joyously screamed her release. Janna's name reverberated off the bathroom walls.

Janna rested her head between Ryan's thighs, catching her breath and trying to slow her breathing. Ryan's scream, and the release of her sweet nectar, had nearly sent her over the edge as well. When she regained her senses, Ryan reached down and ran her hands gently through Janna's hair.

Breathless, Ryan murmured, "Thank you baby...that was so good..." She took a deep breath and settled back down into the water, pulling Janna in for a sweet kiss.

"Mm, your welcome, but it was my pleasure. You taste so sweet, Ryan...I could do that all day."

"And I wouldn't stop you, baby." Ryan embraced her wife and nuzzled her hair. "My turn to love you, my destiny." She kissed Janna's cheek. "What would like, love?"

Janna looked coyly at her mate. "I think I'd like to be a dessert too."

Ryan's grin was breathtaking and nearly stopped Janna's heart. "Your wish is my command, baby." She wasted no time in reaching for the whipped cream and proceeded to fix herself a luscious dessert, which she slowly, gently, erotically licked, stroked and sucked and from her wife's body.

"Oh, my God...Jesus...yes...Ryannnn..." Her scream matched Ryan's in sheer decibel level. When her breath returned, Janna exclaimed, "Oh, Christ, are you good, Ryan..." She reached down to caress her mate's hair.

"Thank you, baby. Nothing makes me happier than pleasing you. Nothing." She gently pulled Janna back down into her lap and held her close.

"I think I need a drink, my wife. Will you open the champagne?"

"I'm your wife...God, Janna!" Ryan gazed at her wedding band through teary eyes, and Janna brought the ring to her lips and kissed it tenderly.

"Yes...you're my wife, love." She grasped Ryan's left hand in hers and they gazed at their wedding rings. "Get used to it, babe."

"No problem there, love." She grinned as she reached for the champagne bottle and deftly opened it. The contents bubbled up out of the bottle and she quickly lifted it to her lips, but then a better idea occurred to her and she held the bottle near Janna, letting the pale amber liquid flow onto her chest.

Janna squealed, but then giggled as Ryan began to lick up the spilled alcohol. Her giggles soon became moans, however, as Ryan's talented tongue didn't miss a drop.

The beautiful Lake Tahoe day faded into early evening as the lovers danced their dance of love once again and Luna prepared to arise. They would still be entwined in love hours later when the first rays of her silvery light entered their abode.

Ryan smiled in her sleep as the dream vision danced in her head. Her bard was writhing wildly in her arms, and the joy the warrior felt at giving her mate pleasure filled her soul nearly to overflowing. A light tapping noise pulled her from her dreamy reverie and she awakened, fuzzily shaking her head. The tapping continued and she realized that someone was gently knocking at the bedroom door.

She pulled the covers up over her wife, who was, naturally, sprawled across her, and in a sleep-roughened voice, called, "Yeah...come in."

She yawned and stretched as the door quietly opened and Terry poked her head in.

"Are you all up?" Terry grinned, because it was obvious that the lovebirds were nowhere near up.

"Not quite, but come on in. We're decent."

Terry raised her eyebrows at the comment as she gazed around the disheveled room and drawled in her soft twang, "I hardly think so, hon."

Ryan blushed as she suddenly realized what a state the room was in. She lifted her head slightly to look around, and seeing clothes strewn everywhere, and plates, bowls, glasses and champagne bottles littering the floor, lay back down with an embarrassed groan. Several candles sat on the bedside tables, burned nearly down to nothing.

Anna, who had stepped into the room behind Terry, commented, "It looks like it was quite the wedding night." She grinned and winked at Ryan.

"Shit..." Ryan's low voice rumbling through her roused Janna and she stretched, then settled more comfortably against her mate's torso, nuzzling her neck.

"Janna, love...we have company."

"Tell them to go away." Was the grouchy, mumbled reply.

Ryan grinned at Janna's closest friends, and shrugged as best she could under the one hundred twenty pounds of dead weight.

"Janna, babe...we're sorry to bother you, but we need to get on the road. We wanted to say goodbye." Terry drawled softly, amused.

Ryan felt Janna stiffen upon hearing her friend's voice, and she slowly turned over, grasping the sheet to ensure that it didn't slip down. She grinned, embarrassed. "Hi...what time is it?

"Almost ten."

Both newlyweds groaned in unison and Ryan exclaimed, "Oh, shit...sorry ..."

"Hey, don't worry about it. You're on your honeymoon...everyone understands. Stay in bed all day...we did!" Terry smiled at her mate and Anna smiled and winked at her in return.

At that, Ryan grinned and kissed the blonde head under her chin. "We would probably do that, but my little dynamo here needs refueling, I'm sure." She looked down at her wife, who was scowling gently at her. "Can you give us just a minute to throw some clothes on, so we can see you off?"

"Sure thing." After taking one more amused glance around the room, they both left and closed the door.

"Jesus, Janna...10:00!"

"Hey, we had a very busy night." She kissed the prominent breastbone beneath her and rolled off her mate.

"That, we did, baby...that we did." Ryan stretched and lay contentedly, watching her mate look for her clothes. "God, Janna, last night was great. Mmm...," she moaned happily.

As she slipped into one of Ryan's t-shirts and shorts, Janna approached her wife and leaned over her, saying, "It sure was. And tonight's gonna be special too." She gently kissed Ryan as she reached down for her arms and pulled her up, helping her from the bed.

Ryan gazed lovingly into Janna's eyes and smiled affectionately. "I can't wait, love...again. But right now, let's go spend some time with our guests."

After making plans to get together before Thanksgiving, they saw Anna and Terry, who had a long drive back to San Francisco, off. They sat at the kitchen table with Beth, Marv, Dan, and John. Ryan savored a warm cup of coffee, while Janna enjoyed a mug of tea with some toast.

Apparently, their guests had enjoyed a late night as well, most of them returning from the casinos well after midnight. Ryan smiled as she heard the laughter of the children in the yard beyond the deck. She could hear them playing a game of tag with Kris and Sara. She glanced at her mate and grasped her hand.

After a few minutes of enjoying the peaceful morning, Ryan finished her coffee and sat back in the chair. "I need a shower, babe."

"Okay, I'll, um...go with you and, uh, tidy up the room." Janna glanced shyly at her parents and brother, but they didn't seem to notice her discomfort.

As she and Ryan left the room, Janna's brother casually remarked, "Have a good time...we'll see you in a few hours." Beth playfully slapped her son's arm and scowled at him as her daughter and daughter-in-law stiffened and half-turned, blushing.

"Um, thanks. We'll, uh, see you in a bit." Ryan grabbed Janna's arm and pulled her out of the room.

Janna buried her face in Ryan's chest and giggled as they made their way back to the master suite. "I guess we're not fooling anyone, are we, love?"

"Nope, so we may as well do what we want, since they know what it is anyway...right?" She gazed at Janna happily, as a lopsided grin brightened her face. "It is our honeymoon, after all!"

"Right! Come on..." Janna pushed Ryan toward the large shower stall.

The large bathroom was filled with steam, and water vapor covered every surface in the room. Gentle murmurs arose from the large shower stall and the vague shape of two entwined bodies could just be discerned through the opaque glass of the door.

Suddenly, the quiet ambiance was shattered by a low voice moaning loudly, "Jannnna...oh, Jesus...fucking...Christ!"

Janna stood pressed against her wife with one hand down in between them and one behind her mate, both hands stroking Ryan in unison. Ryan leaned back against the shower wall and writhed uncontrollably, moaning and very near release under her wife's loving attentions.

"Oh, God, baby...yessss..." Ryan's head rolled from side to side as she lost control and Janna stilled it by capturing her lips passionately. She felt the rhythmic clenching of muscles within in her mate's body and stroked her powerfully and deeply, sending her over the edge once again. As the spasms faded, Ryan slid down the tile wall to the floor, bringing her mate with her. They sat together in each other's arms for several minutes, until both no longer felt weak.

Ryan chuckled. "I hope no one else needed to use the hot water this morning."

"Oh, God, I do too. We kind of hogged it, didn't we?"

"Mm."

Janna sighed deeply, feeling completely sated and fulfilled. Ryan felt the same way and echoed the sigh.

Ryan kissed her wife's forehead and quietly asked, "What do you want to do today, love?"

Janna simply looked at her pointedly with raised eyebrows.

"I mean in between, baby! Like right now. I hate to admit it, but I'm spent."

"Well, I could do with some lunch. Why don't we take a picnic down to the beach? I'm spent too and laying on the beach for the rest of the day sounds wonderful."

"That sounds nice. Maybe Zac would like to come...I want to talk to him about our baby plans before he leaves later."

"Mm, right...good." Janna settled more deeply into Ryan's embrace. "But I don't want to get up yet. This feels so incredibly nice."

Ryan answered her with a loving squeeze, agreeing completely.

It was a beautiful day, for the last day of summer in the mountains. Remarkably, there was not yet even a hint of fall in the early afternoon air. The sun shone brilliantly and the sky was sparsely dotted with cumulus clouds, which chased each other slowly across the enormous lake into Nevada. A moderate breeze kept the temperature in the mid seventies and the friends on the beach enjoyed their last day together.

Janna, Kris, Dan and the kids were playing in the sand, making an enormous walled fortress, while John and Sara cavorted together in the water. Beth and Marv sat in the shade of nearby pine trees, with a radio between them, listening to a Giants ballgame. Ryan and Zac sat together on towels, watching the activity and visiting quietly.

Ryan glanced at her brother and saw herself mirrored in his driving glasses. "Zac, I'd like to talk to you about something...would you like to take a walk?"

"Sure, Sis. Let's go." He stood and reached for her hand, helping her to her feet with a smile, though her six feet of height nearly matched his.

"Oh, so you're a gentleman now, huh, Zac?" She grinned widely at him. "I'm glad to see it."

"You're a riot, Sis. Come on." He started up the private beach.

As they walked, Ryan began, "Zac, this is a tough thing to ask, so I'm just gonna come out with it." She looked at her brother and smiled, receiving a smile in return. "Um, Janna and I want to have a family," at Zac's wide grin, she blushed, but continued, "And we want the baby to be related to both of us, if possible. So, our first option is to use sperm donated by one of our brothers."

They came to the dock at the edge of the property and climbed the steps. As they walked along the pier, Ryan continued, "Um, Janna wants to carry the baby, so our first choice for father would be you." They reached the covered bench at the end of the dock and sat, overlooking the lake.

Ryan looked hopefully at Zac. "Would you feel at all comfortable helping us with that?" She quickly added, "Before you answer, please know that we don't want you to feel any pressure. We know that this is a huge and very serious request, and believe me, we don't make it lightly. We both will understand completely if you aren't comfortable with the idea, and we won't be upset...there will be no hard feelings." She removed her glasses and looked warmly into his eyes. "We would want you to be completely comfortable with the idea, Zac."

Zac looked out at the lake for a long minute before answering, then turned to his sister and said, "Sis, I can't think of a single thing that would make me happier than to do this for you and Janna." He smiled warmly at his sister's shocked face. "Yes, Ryan...I would be happy...more than happy...to be your sperm donor."

Ryan sat speechless, seemingly in shock, and Zac waved his hands in front of her eyes. "Ryan, are you in there?" He laughed.

A large smile slowly lit Ryan's face and she threw her arms around her brother.

"Oh, Zac, thanks so much!" She gazed seriously at him. "You don't know what this means to us, Zac."

"I think I might, Sis. I've, uh, been having family-type feelings myself...ever since meeting a certain pretty Captain."

"Zac, that is so awesome! I'm happy for you, bro...I really am." Ryan stated warmly.

"Thanks Sis, but let's not get carried away. She and I are just starting out."

Ryan raised her eyebrows in question. "But you two are...you know..."

"Engaging in the type of behavior that you and Janna seem to be constantly engaged in?" He grinned. "Yeah...we're not quite at your level, but we're getting there." He shook his head. "I thought this might be special, but I wasn't quite sure, you know? But being away from her this week has convinced me that I don't want to do it again. I'm missing her bad, Sis."

"You've called her while you've been here, right?"

"Yes...every day...actually, sometimes twice." He looked away, embarrassed.

"Oh, yeah, you've got it bad!"

"Oh, and you're one to talk, Ms. Norden-Zamora."

"Hey, I'll admit it...happily. She's my world. Hell, Zac, she's my Universe." She gazed down the beach and a smile touched her lips when she spotted her mate holding her young nephew. She turned back to Zac. "I gotta tell ya, you definitely scored major points with your lady by calling her every day. You're gonna be one lucky guy when you get home." She smirked at her brother and enjoyed his blush.

Zac cleared his throat. "Speaking of which, I'm leaving in an hour or so, Sis."

Ryan sighed. "I'm sorry to see you go, Zac. I've really enjoyed this." Her eyes teared up and she put her sunglasses back on.

"I've enjoyed it, too, Sis. It was way long past due." He put his arm around his sister's shoulders and pulled her close.

"Yep. That it was. We're gonna stay in touch now, Zac." It was a statement, not a question.

"Yes, we are. Especially since I'm gonna be doing that special duty for you." He grinned. "When are you thinking about doing this?"

"Sometime within the next year, I think. We're both really looking forward to it. Um, we haven't worked out the details yet, but I would think that we should probably make a visit out your way and stay for a week or two...do it there. Uh, also, I think there's some testing that we would have to have done...both Janna and you...at a clinic first. Would you mind?"

"Shit, no! Whatever's needed. And I want you guys to come out...sooner if you'd like."

"Great, Zac, we'll plan on it." She leaned forward and hugged her brother. "Thanks so much, Zac. We can't ever thank you enough." Ryan swallowed hard and tears fell from beneath her glasses, but she let them go.

As she and Zac approached their party on the beach, Ryan made a beeline for her wife. Janna spotted her coming toward her with a large grin on her face and straightened to meet her. Janna thought she looked stunning in her new, white Harley tank over her black swimsuit and treasured the vision of Ryan's long, lean legs walking barefoot through the sand.

When Ryan reached Janna, she pulled her into an embrace and picked her up off the ground. She whispered into her mate's ear, "We're gonna have a baby, Janna!"

"Ryan...he said yes?" Janna looked excitedly into her wife's eyes.

"He said yes, baby." Ryan returned her lover's intense gaze and kissed her. Their family gave them the space they needed for their private moment and the newlyweds didn't return to them for several minutes.

~~~~~~~~~~

Twilight was beginning to settle over the lake and the lovely cabin that sat at its edge, and Janna waved as the minivan carrying her parents, her brother and his family turned onto the highway to begin the two-hour journey back home. They had bid farewell to John and Sara minutes earlier, and to Zac a few hours before that.

"Well, baby, it's just us now...what're we gonna do with ourselves for three days?"

Janna shook her head at her incorrigible mate and led her by the hand back onto the deck. They sat together in the swing and quietly watched dusk settle over the beautiful lake that they both loved so much and that now held such special meaning for them.

As they sat in the swing, quietly rocking back and forth and enjoying the peaceful surroundings, Janna went over in her head the short ritual that she would use later. She would basically simply be asking the moon spirit and the other benevolent spirits of the area to bless their union and allow them to express their love physically within their realm. It would involve using sacred materials to create a protected space for them and stating their intention that they wished for their act of love to be respectful of all beings present.

Their intention was to make their union as sacred as possible and to show respect for the earth, animal and nature spirits there. In all things metaphysical and spiritual, intention is of the utmost importance. Janna had consulted with a shaman friend, who had assured her that the ceremony that she had in mind would be acceptable.

Janna's plan involved waiting until midnight, when the moon would be at her highest point in the sky that night, and would also roughly mark the autumnal equinox: the start of fall. She found herself filled with anticipation and excitement and could feel that Ryan was experiencing the same feelings. Only, hers may quite possibly have more to do with being horny than spiritual, she told herself with an inward smile.

Just then, Ryan broke the silence when she said, "Sweetheart, I'm really looking forward to later." She looked down at her wife. "And not just because I'm a horny fucker, but...I don't know...it just seems so sacred. I love the sacred sex techniques you've shown me...I think they've enriched me as a human being... and I just can't wait to share this with you. I love the moon...I feel at times like she blesses us, and I can't wait to make love with you in her light."

My God, could she be any more perfect? "I'm so glad to hear that, my love. I'm looking forward to it for exactly the same reasons." She picked up Ryan's hand and kissed it before laying it in her lap. "My spirituality is very important to me and it means so much to me that you're taking an interest in it too."

"It's my heritage Janna. It is about time I took an interest in it, don't you think? In addition to that, apparently it is my spiritual heritage too...remember the Warrior dream I told you about where I was acting as a shaman? I wasn't only a warrior in that life, I was also a shamaness and a healer. I'm very proud of that fact and I'd like to regain some of that knowledge if I can." Janna watched with admiration as Ryan became pensive, looking out over the darkening lake.

I will help her. I'll teach her what I know and help her to achieve greater knowledge. We'll take the journey together. Janna picked up the long-fingered hand that sat in her lap and brought it to her lips. "Let's get some dinner, love, and then come back out here and watch Luna rise."

"Sounds great, baby."

Near the northern edge of the lakefront property, a small copse of trees sat near the shoreline. It provided shelter on three sides, with the fourth facing the lake, creating the perfect location for Ryan and Janna's special encounter.

Ryan unzipped the sleeping bags and laid them out, one on top of the other, within the circle that Janna had created out of stones. She then laid their wedding blanket over the top. The aroma of sage still sat heavily on the air from the smudging that her mate had done earlier, and the glow of several candles added their light to the rising moon's silvery glow.

Luna was now high in the east, her light creating a yellow-silver path along the surface of the lake, as if showing the way to heaven. Ryan sat quietly on the blankets as Janna conducted her ritual, silently admiring her beautiful mate and respectful of her views and of her knowledge. I want her to teach me what she knows. I want to share this aspect of her life.

Janna respectfully offered the sacred tobacco to the four directions of the earth, and to the moon and other spirits present. When the ritual was complete, Janna sat beside her mate and took her hand.

Ryan could feel how centered and balanced Janna was at that moment. She feels complete...this is truly one of her callings. The wholeness that Janna felt at that moment translated to joy, and Ryan felt that as well, through their link. Silently, Ryan pulled her wife into her arms and held her, and they waited in that position for Luna to take her place at the zenith, on her throne, so to speak.

A short time later, with Luna high above and her celestial companions twinkling dimly in her brilliant light, Janna turned in her mate's embrace and calmly sat in her lap, wrapping her legs around her torso in the Tantric fashion. She leaned forward and kissed her wife, communicating all of her love through the touch of her lips and the energetic connection that they shared. The kiss was loving without becoming passionate.

Then, she looked into her wife's eyes and recited her wedding vows. Ryan did likewise, and as tears trailed down both faces, they kissed again, letting their desire build and their love for each other begin to cascade. As they kissed deeply, Janna pulled Ryan's sweatshirt over her head, baring her upper body. Ryan did the same with Janna's heavy shirt and gasped as their torsos came together in the chilled night air.

They necked passionately for many minutes, in no hurry. When her desire began to pool in her groin, Ryan groaned, signaling Janna to help her to remove her pants. They stood together and disrobed completely before sitting again in their sacred position and resuming their lovemaking.

As their kisses deepened, hands began to roam sensuously and breasts brushed together erotically, creating the buzzing electricity that the lovers had become accustomed to when they touched. As she kissed her wife, Janna felt not only the physical sensation of building desire but a sense of emotional completeness. Of connection. Not only to her mate but to all of existence. Her body's physical reaction to her mate's sensual touch seemed to magnify the spiritual connection that she felt.

Ryan whispered into her mouth, not breaking their connection, "Janna, love...I'm starting to feel very high...I'm a little afraid."

Janna tightened her embrace around Ryan and whispered, "It's okay, love...I've got you. Just breathe, sweetheart. Here, follow me." Janna breathed slowly and deeply, guiding Ryan by example back to a safe place. "We'll go more slowly. You make our connection when you feel ready."

"Thanks, baby."

Ryan relaxed and soon felt the completeness that Janna was feeling. She let the spiritual high escalate in conjunction with her mounting physical desire and very shortly felt ready to connect with Janna.

She reached long fingers down between them and found Janna's soft, warm center. She entered her mate gently, slowly, reveling both in her partner's slick readiness and in her sharp intake of breath at the contact. She began a slow, rhythmic stroking and at the same time felt Janna enter her in the same manner.

Each stroke sent shockwaves of pleasure up their spines and caused a mounting pressure as the desire within their bodies soared. They began to moan in unison, increasing the pleasure even more. They synchronized their breathing with their stroking and when the first orgasmic wave hit, they rode it out, lengthening their breaths, which in turn lengthened the crest of the wave. The pleasure plateaued and then crested again, at a higher intensity than the first, and the cycle continued, over and over for nearly a half hour.

Luna gazed down at the entwined lovers, noting how her light bathed their slick skin in a silver glow as their bodies thrusted and gyrated rhythmically as one. She reached out with her essence and bathed their spirits with her energy, allowing them to enjoy the incredible gift of oneness with her.

Within the throes of the incredible ecstasy, Ryan felt sky high and as one with the Universe. For a brief instant, she felt omniscient; as if all the knowledge of the Universe were available to her. She gazed through glassy eyes into her mate's similarly glassy eyes and saw the same awareness. Janna smiled joyously at her and captured her lips fervently, sending them over the highest pleasurable peak yet, and causing both of them to arch and shriek their pleasure. The final orgasmic thrust ebbed and flowed for another few minutes, gently guiding them back to earth.

They stayed within each other's arms, rocking gently, silently, for long, timeless minutes. At one point (she couldn't say exactly when), Ryan pulled their wedding blanket around their bodies to keep out the chill. When they finally changed position and lay down, Luna was already in the western sky.

As the lovers lay in each other's arms, under the moon's loving light, they both felt as if they were among the most blessed humans on the planet, and felt a gratitude unlike any other they had ever experienced. Their love, as well, felt limitless: for each other and for all of creation.

As they gently kissed each other to sleep, their lunar friend smiled on them, and remembered the first time she had done so. It had been in a much earlier life. A life in which the small woman had helped to redeem the soul of her darker companion.
At the instant that Grandmother Moon set in the west, her counterpart rose in the east, bathing their friends in soft, pink light. He smiled, picking up on the energy of the scene and sent a silent question to the moon. Her answer returned, and he smiled once more. He enjoyed interacting with enlightened humans: he knew that overcoming their ignorance was a nearly impossible task and respected those who were able to shake off their modern programming. He watched as the dark one stirred, waking her mate in the process.

"Ryan..."

"Morning, Janna." Ryan stretched, letting cold air seep under their blanket, then shivered and pulled her bodywarmer closer. "Janna, was last night a dream?"

"Mm...nope. Real...all of it." She smiled against her wife's breast. "Intense, huh?"

"Janna, the word hasn't been invented yet for what that was."

Jana smiled again. "Yeah, it surprised me too. I, um, hadn't planned on the Tantra part...it kinda just happened that way."

"What did you think would happen?" Ryan gazed expectantly down at her mate in her arms.

"Well, I guess...that we'd just go at it like...like we usually do...and..."

"You thought I'd be my usual take charge, horny self and we'd fu...."

"I thought that we'd make love...beautifully, like always...I just didn't plan the Tantra as part of the ritual." Still sleepy green eyes gained a twinkle as she gently corrected her mate.

"Well, it certainly worked for me." Ryan looked down at her wife. "I want to talk about it. I want to understand what happened, Janna...and I want you to help me learn what you know."

"Let's go do that, love. We need to make our morning connection, so let's go inside and do that."

They shared a sweet kiss and rose, the dark one wrapping them in their blanket and walking her mate up the beach, onto the deck and into the house. At the door to the house, they turned as one and looked out at the lake, and Grandfather Sun winked at them. Janna felt it and smiled.

-39-

As the wind whipped in from the open window, Janna felt supremely content. She absentmindedly brushed the hair from her eyes as she drove on and reflected on her storybook wedding and honeymoon. Storybook in the sense that it had more than fulfilled all of her expectations while filling her with tremendous joy, rather than storybook in the sense that American society considered storybook.

Her partner, sitting next to her in the Explorer, felt her contentment and smiled. "I feel your happiness Janna."

"Good. I hope you enjoy it, Ryan, because I have the strongest feeling that it will only get stronger as the years go on." She looked at her wife quizzically. "I don't know why I feel that way, because it's natural for love to fade somewhat, but in this case I believe it will only get better. I believe that with everything that I am...it's what my intuition is telling me."

"God, Janna, that makes me happy." Ryan swallowed hard as tears sprang to her eyes. She reflected, as she rode, on the incredible week they had just shared. The lovemaking...my God...was beyond description. She grinned and Janna felt her emotion as a mixture of glee and lust.

"Ryan...you're thinking about the sex again!"

"Well, yeah, baby, I am...shit...don't you? I mean, come on Janna...it was incredible beyond words." She shuddered slightly and shivered in remembrance.

"Yes, love, you're right. But I've gotta drive right now!" Janna turned her head and grinned at her mate, who bestowed a brilliant, if apologetic smile on her.

"Sorry, love. Let's talk about something else then." She half-turned to face her wife. "It was good seeing Ben Blackhawk again. I think he was really happy to see that we'd married and were wearing his rings."

"Yeah, he seemed to be...he's a neat guy. And I love the pottery we bought...I can't wait to display it when we get home."

"Me too, love...I've been looking for a good, nearby source for native objects and Navajo pottery. I love the blankets we got, too." She rubbed Janna's thigh and added, "Though I love a certain special blanket the most."

"Thanks, love." Janna glanced at her briefly, and her sparkling, vibrant green eyes warmed her wife through and through. "I love this music we picked up, too. That's a great store that Ben has there. We'll have to visit whenever we're in the area." She grinned again as she added, "And, I now have a year's supply of smudge sticks and incense. Mmm, love that pinon incense."

"I don't know, babe, I think at the rate you use those things they'll last six months at the most." Ryan grinned widely at her New Age girl, happy beyond words to have found her. She added, "If you love pinon, then you're gonna love it in New Mexico when we go to visit Zac. When go make our baby."

Janna looked sharply at her wife. "Is that how you want to do it, honey?"

"It's just a thought, but I thought that would make it easier on Zac, yeah."

"I think it's a great thought, love." Janna bestowed a heartfelt look on her mate and turned her eyes back to the highway.
Ryan sighed as she watched her mate drive them back home. "The last week was magical Janna...but it's back to reality now."

Janna spared a glance at her wife and grinned. "Yeah, but honey, our reality is pretty damn nice, don't ya think?" As Ryan nodded and grinned, she added, "I'm looking forward to our game tomorrow, and beginning your aikido class with you on Monday, and, we have a big party to plan, too, don't we?"
"Ooh, yeah, we do. I was thinking..."

"Oh, no!"

"Hush! I was thinking about how cool it would be to arrive at our reception on our new Harley."

"Oh God, Ryan, yeah...in our matching jackets. That's a great idea."

Ryan grinned and looked somewhat expectantly at Janna. "Um, when is it arriving, again?"

"It should be here by the first weekend of October, love. When we get home, I'll give the factory a call and see how it's coming along."

Ryan's smile said it all, but she thanked Janna anyway. "Thank you, baby...for everything."

"It was my great pleasure, Ryan. I, uh, actually am really looking forward to its arrival too." As she recalled how Ryan had looked astride Zac's bike, a surge of lust shot through her body.

Ryan felt it and raised her eyebrows as she commented, "I'm picking up on that, baby." She then added wryly, "Are we almost there yet?"

Janna laughed and shook her head, realizing that she was just as bad as Ryan was at resisting her mate. "Soon, love. We'll be home soon."

"I'm already home, Janna."

The Native American flute and drum music played softly as they drove on, reminiscing both together and silently about their special week and looking forward to arriving back home, and beginning their married life together.

~~~~~~~~~~

Ryan drove them south towards the large softball complex as the sun set to their right, casting the landscape in an orange brilliance. A rash of forest fires up and down the state had filled the air with particulates, which had the side benefit of creating fiery, luminous sunsets.

Ryan glanced to her right to say something to Janna and instead exclaimed, "Oh, my God, Janna...look at El Diablo."

Janna looked out the window to her right, at the twin peaks of Mt. Diablo, directly behind which sat the huge orange ball of the setting sun. "Jesus...that's gorgeous."

Ryan returned her eyes to the road, but her mind remained on the otherworldly sight. "It's living up to it's name, at the moment, isn't it?" She spared another glance at the enchanting sight.

"It is. I've always been kind of amazed that the earliest residents of this area knew that it was a negative energy vortex, and that the Spaniards picked up on it too, and named it after the devil."

"They either picked up on it or took the Natives' word for it."

"Hmm, yeah...possibly...most likely, actually. As far as I know, the original natives were much more in tune with the Earth's energy than the Caucasian settlers, er, conquerors, were."

"Conquerors, baby. They were conquerors."

"Yes...I was taught the same thing by my grandfather, Ryan."

"I wish I'd known him, Janna."

"I wish he were still here, too. And Grandma. They were special people. They spent a lot of time in his hometown in New Mexico...went back every few years until he was too sick to. My Mom was born there, too."

"Whereabouts, love?"

"Deming...down in the south...not too far from the Mexican border."

"Jesus, babe, I've been there!" Ryan glanced at Janna, eyebrows raised in surprise. "Nice town."

"Wow, Ryan...what a small world."

"Small Universe, Janna. Small Universe."

"We're finding that out, aren't we Ryan?"

"Janna, babe, I have a feeling it's only gonna get more interesting as time goes on."

"Without a doubt, love."

They both became pensive and quiet as the Jeep covered the last few miles to the ballpark.

As they approached the seats at the diamond where their game would shortly begin, Ryan and Janna spotted John and Sara sitting with a teenaged girl, and talking with Carrie and Jackie.

"Hey, guys!" Ryan called out to their friends as she and Janna approached hand-in-hand.

"Hey! There they are...the newlyweds!" Carrie laughed and jumped from her perch several rows up in the stands. She wrapped Ryan in a bear hug.

"Shit, Carrie...I didn't know you cared."

"I don't, Ryan...I'm just glad our pitcher's here...we're too close to the end of the season to start losing." She pulled away from her teammate and grinned.

"Okay, that's more like it!" Ryan returned the grin and clapped her on the back.

Carrie looked askance at Ryan. "Is it okay if I give your wife a hug?"

"Oh, I guess." Ryan tried to suppress the warm grin that threatened to destroy her tough façade. Janna slapped her mate playfully and greeted Carrie with a warm hug.

Carrie kissed her cheek. "Congratulations, Janna. We're happy for you."

"Thanks Carrie. It was wonderful, but we're glad to be back."

Ryan stepped up and retrieved her wife, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as she asked, "So...how did the team do last week?"

Carrie looked sheepish. "Let's just say we're glad to have you back, Ryan, and leave it at that."

"Oh, shit, no! What happened?"

"It was a bad day, that's all. Elaine was wild and we were all pretty out of sorts. It was only about 110 degrees...in the shade...after dark."

"Shit..."

"That pretty much sums it up. Hey, the other team only scored five runs...it's not like it was a complete blowout."

As Ryan scowled at her teammate, Sara got their attention. "Ryan, Janna, we'd like you to meet a friend of ours."

Janna and Ryan climbed onto the bleachers where their friends and their guest were waiting for them.

"I'd like you to meet Ashley Davis. Ashley, these are our best friends Janna and Ryan Norden-Zamora." At the mention of their teammate's new name, Carrie and Jackie's mouths dropped open and they looked at each other, but they remained silent.

The teenager, a lanky brunette with big brown eyes, held out her hand somewhat shyly, and mumbled, "Hi."

"Hi, Ashley, it's nice to meet you. I'm Janna and this is my wife, Ryan."

"Hi, Ashley. Do you like softball?" Ryan extended her hand warmly.

"Yeah, I do. Thanks for having me out to watch." She shook Ryan's hand rather meekly.

"No problem, we're glad you're here. Do you play?"

"Oh, Jesus, Ry, always recruiting, huh?" John grinned as he rolled his eyes.

"Absolutely, John...what's wrong with that?" Ryan smiled at her friend and looked back at the teenager.

"Um, yeah. I mean, I used to. I was on the team at school."

"That's great. Well, I hope we give you an interesting game to watch. We have to warm up now, but maybe we can do something after the game...get pizza or something?" She looked expectantly at Sara and John, who nodded their approval. "Cool. See you guys later."

"Bye." Janna added as she and Ryan walked to the dugout to put their cleats on and prepare for their game.

"She seems like a nice kid." Ryan commented as she held Janna in her arms.

"She sure does. She seemed pretty overwhelmed at first, but then really started to open up at the end of the evening." Janna absentmindedly played with a bit of foam that had formed on the spa.

Ryan lazily reached for her wine glass and took a dip of the white zinfandel. "Mm. I feel terrible about what's happened to her." She shook her head. "Jesus, Janna, what kind of parent throws their child out into the street?"

"Fear-based reaction, love. People fear what they don't understand, and when religious zealotry comes into play, things can get really screwed up."

"Talk about screwed up...they think their daughter is evil and perverted...they should take a look in the mirror. Christ, how did this society become so fucked?" Ryan took a breath and blew it out, ruffling Janna's hair. "She really does seem like a good kid. I hope we can help her out. Jesus, Janna, it would be tragic to lose a kid like that."

"That it would, love. We'll do what we can, and I know that John and Sara are devoted to her too. I think she's on the right track now. Half the battle was getting her to realize that she's not alone...not a freak...that there are people who care. I'm pretty sure we, and our friends, showed her that tonight."

"I think so too, love." Ryan squeezed her mate and kissed her neck. "I love your hair this way, baby. It's so much easier to get at your tasty neck." She tasted Janna's soft skin, which had, until recently, been hidden beneath her shoulder-length hair.

"Thanks, love. I like it too. For the same reason." She turned and faced her wife. "Did you want to make love here, or go to bed?"

Ryan grinned widely. "Oh, is that the plan? We're gonna make love?"

"It's bedtime, isn't it? When have we not made love at bedtime?" She leaned forward and tasted an earlobe.

"Um, uh...what was the question?"

"Never mind, it was moot anyway. Answer the first one."

"Let's go to bed, baby."

~~~~~~~~~~

"Oh, Ryan...I love these on you." Janna's pulse began to pound as she slowly pulled the zipper along the outer leg of Ryan's motorcycle chaps.

"I'll have to wear them for you later then...perhaps with nothing underneath?" Ryan smiled wickedly at her wife.

"Ohh, God, don't give me that image now, please, when we're due to leave, or we'll never make it."

"Our guests will understand. We're newlyweds." Ryan pulled her wife up into her arms and kissed her hotly. Matching Harley tanks rubbed together erotically before large hands caressed excited nipples through the cotton of Janna's shirt.

Janna tore her lips from Ryan's, but held her tight grasp around her waist, exclaiming, "Ryan, God...it's time to go, love."

"I think it's time to come, baby." She drawled and snaked her tongue into Janna's ear.

"Oh, Jesus...it must be the leather..." She pulled Ryan's face back around and stole another hot kiss. "We can be a few minutes late." She sank to her knees and undid the buttons on the the fly of Ryan's jeans, which were easily accessible under the crotchless chaps.

The grin on Ryan's face when she pulled her beloved new Harley up outside the Rainbow Lounge with her wife holding tightly to her waist left no doubts as to the reason they had been late. The several friends who were gathered outside all grinned knowingly and shook their heads as the ladies pulled up on the gorgeous bike. Ryan's rakish grin, visible when she pushed the visor up on her helmet, didn't dispel the interpretation one iota and as she lifted herself off the bike and turned to help her wife off, she added a strut to punctuate the point.

Several of Janna's musician friends from San Francisco stood with her friends, Missy, Lisa, Doug and Jay. Her old bandmates Marci and Donna gazed at Ryan wide-eyed as she removed her helmet. She shook her head, freeing her shoulder-length hair, and grinned widely as she threw her arm around Janna's shoulders.

Janna removed her full-face helmet and handed it to Ryan as she exclaimed, "Hey guys...thanks for coming!"

"Janna, baby!" Jay Jay squealed. "Girl, you look marvelous!" He threw his arms around his friend and kissed her cheek as he hugged her.

Janna returned the kiss and said, "Thanks, Jay. I feel great." She pulled back and looked at her other friends. "It's great to see you all!" Looking back at Ryan she said, "Ryan, honey, come here." Ryan stepped forward and Janna wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Honey, you've met Missy, Doug and Jay. This is Missy's partner, Lisa."

Ryan reached for the dark-haired woman's strong grasp and shook her hand warmly, meeting her eyes. "Hi Lisa, I'm glad to meet you."

"Glad to meet you too, Ryan...I've heard a lot about you." She grinned as she returned the handshake.

Janna then addressed her musician friends with a bright smile. "Donna, Marci, meet the wife!" They both stepped forward and exchanged greetings with Janna's glowing wife.

"It's great to meet you...Janna's told me some amazing stories!" Ryan's dazzling grin captivated both tough dykes and they were rather uncharacteristically quiet.

"Hey, the sun's sweltering in this jacket...let's go in, huh?" Janna motioned for everyone to enter the building ahead of herself and Ryan. As their friends walked in ahead of them, Ryan leaned into Janna and whispered, "And I've gotta get out of these leather pants."

"Want some help, love?" Janna glanced up at her with a coy smile.

"No way, babe...if you do we'll end up having another restroom encounter. Later, though, for sure."

"Absolutely, Ryan." Janna was definitely feeling their combined desire, almost overwhelmingly so, but she did manage to maintain.

Ryan and Janna sat at the bar together, looking adorable in matching white tanks, Levi's and riding boots. They were having a great time visiting with all of their friends. Musicians, cops, ballplayers, family, and queers of every possible persuasion were all mixing jovially in the joyful atmosphere.

Missy and Lisa sat at a nearby table with Donna and Marci and a few other friends from the City. "Wow...they make a great looking couple, don't they?" Lisa remarked.

Donna added, "Amazing, huh, after living in a City full of dyke babes for all those years, she comes here and finds her woman?"

"And it was love at first sight, no less. I was there." Missy took a swig from her beer mug.

"Unreal. It's fuckin' unreal. And she rates a perfect ten on the babe scale, too." Marci, former drummer for The Tribe, shook her head.

"God, they look so perfect together. So happy...like, I don't know...soulmates or something." Donna added.

"Well, Janna says that's what they are. Says they've had hundreds of other lives together...and that they recognized each other again immediately."

Marci laughed. "She's still into the metaphysical shit, I see!"

"Oh, yeah, big time. I don't know, though, the stuff she's told us has made a lot of sense...so I can't knock it." Lisa nodded, agreeing with her wife.

"Jesus, look at them. I wish I'd meet my soulmate...any fuckin' day now would be fine with me." Marci nodded towards Ryan and Janna, who were sharing a quiet kiss, and at the moment were existing in their own private little universe.

"Hey, does Janna know that Joanie's coming?"

"No, it's supposed to be a surprise." Donna looked toward the door. "She's due any minute...coming in on a private jet. No, she told me that when Janna called and invited her, she told her she'd be stuck in Seattle, working on an album." She shook her head wistfully. "Now there was another cute couple. Janna certainly goes for the dark ones, doesn't she?"

"No kidding. Yeah, I was really surprised when they broke up. They were crazy about each other."

"Too different, I guess. Anyway, Joanie's happy now too...got a real cute Janna clone."

"Marci! That's not fair."

"Hey...I call it as I see it, Don." Marci took another healthy gulp of her beer.

A few minutes later, the front door opened again, admitting bright light into the cool, dark room. Ryan glanced up to see who had entered and was struck by the vision of a charismatic woman dressed all in leather. She had short, spiky black hair and big brown eyes, and though she was short, she exuded a sense of power and magnetism. Ryan nudged Janna gently. "Sweetheart, I think this is another friend of yours."

Janna set her beer down and looked up to see her ex-girlfriend. An immediate smile lit her face. "Oh, baby, it's Joan. Come meet her."

"It's okay babe...go greet her alone if you'd like." Ryan magnanimously offered.

"Ryan, my dear wife, get your butt over there with me. Now." She pulled Ryan off the bar stool and marched them hand in hand to where her old friend still stood.

A deep, gravely voice greeted them as they approached. "Hey, Janna."

Janna threw her arms around her ex and exclaimed, "Joanie! You said you couldn't make it!" She pulled back and looked at her friend.

"Ah, I got out of it. I couldn't pass this up." Her pretty face was brightened by a smile.

"So you flew in...from where? Seattle, New York?"

"Seattle. Not that far, babe." She looked at Janna. "God, you look good, Janna. You're glowing."

"Thanks, Joanie. Here is the reason. Meet Ryan, my wife." She beamed as she wrapped an arm around Ryan's shoulders.

"Joan, it's a pleasure." Ryan extended her hand to the rocker with a warm, friendly smile.

"Same here, Ryan. I just had to come see who had made my old friend so happy. I've heard some great things about you."

"Thanks Joan, but it's she who has made me happy." Ryan wrapped an arm around Janna's waist and Janna kissed her cheek.
"Come on, you two, let's sit and visit." Janna led her old and new loves toward a private table.

"I'll get drinks...Joan, what'll you have?"

"Carbonated water, thanks."

"Baby, Foster's?"

"Absolutely, love." As Ryan headed to the bar, Janna and Joan sat and commenced a long overdue visit.

A few hours later, the party was still in full swing and showing no signs whatsoever of slowing down when an impromptu jam session took place on the stage. Most of the musicians present had traveled with instruments, knowing from experience that incredible jam sessions could erupt at any given time whenever a group of them got together.

As Janna, Joan, and about ten other friends took the stage and began jamming together melodically, Ryan sat with John, Sara, Ray, Jose, Dougie, and Jay Jay and proudly watched her beautiful, ecstatically happy mate play with her friends. They meshed impressively, playing rock and punk classics, as well as a few of Joanie's hits. They ended with the dark rocker's number one hit from 1982, Janna and Joan pounding out the lead power chords and singing in unison, putting on an incredible show and entertaining everyone present.

As the feedback faded after that particularly impressive number, Janna turned and faced her band mates. They all nodded and a few changed the tuning on their instruments, nodding when they were ready. Marci hit her drumsticks together and shouted, "On four...one, two, three, four!" and the large group launched into a somewhat louder, slightly faster rendition of Ryan and Janna's mutual favorite, "Take it Easy".

Ryan grinned widely, matching Janna's grin as she eyed her mate, but it faded into surprise when Janna took the mike and said, "Okay, everyone, we have a special vocalist for this song, but I think she needs some encouragement. Ryan, love, come on up here!"

Ryan turned white as a sheet as she sat stock still, wide-eyed. She slowly shook her head, mouthing, "No!" but Janna continued to encourage her, smiling. She turned to the unfair advantage of using their bond and sent reassurance and love to her mate, as well as putting on big, sparkling, imploring green eyes.

As their friends yelled their encouragement and her table mates pushed her out of her chair, Ryan mumbled, "I'm gonna kill her." However, she took the stage and was pulled into a hug by her wife, who also kissed her deeply, causing a rousing ovation.

Still embracing Ryan, Janna whispered, "I love you, baby...come on...you can do this. You have the best voice here...even among all these musicians." She kissed a beet-red Ryan again. "You'll love it, I promise." Her sincere look convinced Ryan, who grinned and nodded.

Janna handed her the microphone, turned to her friends, and called, "From the top...on four."

Ryan and the band then launched into a beautiful rendition of the classic rock song. Her voice was strong, smooth and soulful and had her wife in tears by the time their favorite verse rolled around. Ryan faced Janna and they sang it to each other, with both voices catching briefly from emotion. The makeshift band jammed on, drawing the song out for many minutes, with Ryan following along on vocals as if she had been doing so for years.

When the last chord died out, the crowd erupted into a standing ovation and Janna pulled her wife into a powerful embrace. They stood holding each other, basking in the excitement of making music together, in the love of their friends and in the glow of their own incredible love.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Shove it in!"

"Give it to her Janna!"

"Show her who's boss, Ryan!"

The newlyweds pointedly ignored their rowdy friends and, just as they had on their wedding day, each gently fed slices of cake to the other.

They leaned toward each other and shared a gentle kiss as well, again sharing the delicious cake, as they so loved to do. When they finally parted, there were few dry eyes in the house.

Ryan reached down and tenderly wiped her wife's tears of joy from her cheeks and whispered, "I love you Janna...with everything that I am. For all time."

"Ditto, my love. My destiny." As their girlfriends, led by Jose and Jay, came forward to distribute the cake, they moved from the table as one and sat at the long head table, between their family members and bridal party.

At another table along one wall sat a large display of photographs from the wedding, which was receiving a lot of attention. As it's centerpiece sat a large, framed photo collage that Janna had made, which garnered appreciative accolades from everyone who saw it.

As they sat at a table near the head one, Joan remarked to Donna, "You know, Don, I don't think I've ever seen a couple more obviously in love than they are."

Donna gazed at her seriously. "Not even you and Janna, J?"

Joan looked up to where her old love sat with her wife. "No, not even us. Our love wasn't like that. I wanted it to be, Don, I really did. But it wasn't." As she gazed at the head table, the newlyweds shared a sweet kiss, and then bites of food from their plates. "She's a fuckin' awesome lady, and I'm glad to see her so happy."

"Yeah, me too. I've missed her, but now I see what drew her here." She shook her head and gazed back at Joan. "It sounds crazy, but I think she knew, on some level. Something told her that her soulmate was here."

"It doesn't sound crazy at all, Don. I'm convinced that's how everything works."

"Listen to you, tough rock chick, sounding all spiritual!"

"I am spiritual Donna, and you fuckin' well know it! Hey, the bonus track on the CD I'm cutting now? It's me chanting, 'Om'." At Donna's wide-eyed gaze, she added, "No shit! I'll send you an advance copy...or ask Kat, she's doing background vocals with me."

"Way cool, Joanie!" The two friends continued their visit as the party went on around them.

"She's beautiful, Janna." Ryan nodded toward her ex.

"Yeah, on the inside, too." Janna looked deeply into her wife's eyes. "But she has absolutely nothing on you, Ryan. I hope you fully realize that."

Ryan leaned forward and gently captured Janna's lips, capturing her eyes with a pointed gaze as well, as she pulled back. "I do, my love. Completely."

"Good." Sparkling eyes sent a message of desire. "This party can end any old time now, love. I'm dying to get you home."

Ryan picked up Janna's hand and kissed it. "I want that too, baby. But can we take a short ride first?"

"Ryan, I will go anywhere with you at any time...especially on your bike."

"Our bike, Janna."

~~~~~~~~~~

Janna held tightly to her mate's waist as she drove the large motorcycle down the curving highway. She found that the rumbling of the machine below her created pleasant sensations within her body, but at the moment they held nothing over the sensations that were coursing through the bond that she shared with her soulmate.

Through their very special bond, she was able to share Ryan's exuberant joy at being on the bike. Suddenly, she felt something else, which was even stronger than the exuberance. Ryan had just sent her a burst of love that nearly took her breath away. She answered with a burst of her own as she tightened her grip around Ryan's waist and lay her helmeted head against her mate's strong back. Jesus, it gets stronger every day. It doesn't seem possible, but it does. She was overwhelmed by tears as they drove into the sunset. I wonder where she's taking me? Besides the paradise that represents the rest of my life.

They were traveling west along the twisting two-lane highway that paralleled the rivers of the delta region. Twenty minutes outside of town, they found themselves amongst fertile peat fields of asparagus, the ferny tops of which blew gently in the slight wind. Ryan slowed the bike and turned north onto a gravel road. After just a short distance she pulled up under a copse of oak trees which sat along the bank of the river.

"We're here, baby." Ryan's voice was muffled behind her own full-face helmet. She allowed her smaller mate to dismount first and as Janna stood removing her helmet, Ryan threw her left leg over the bike and stood next to her. She set their helmets on the bike seats and pulled Janna close.

"My Dad used to bring us fishing out here. I would come mainly for the view and for the company." She led Janna to a comfortable spot against one of the tree's trunks and sat them down. "While they fished, I would birdwatch and wait for the sun to set. I loved watching it sink below Diablo."

As she gazed at the setting sun, with her wife cradled against her, she continued, "My Dad and I had some of our closest talks out here." She turned her gaze to her wife's lovely features, which reflected the orange sunset. "I just wanted to show it to you, Janna. And watch the sun set. Do you mind?"

The look that Janna gave Ryan just before kissing her deeply communicated just how much she didn't mind, and in fact just how much she loved the gesture. As the sun began to sink below the low mountain range to the west, the lovers held each other tightly and shared their love through kisses and gentle touches. They sat under the majestic oaks until the sun had long past set, enjoying the tranquility of the evening.

Grandfather Sun was pleased to see his two new friends paying him homage, and he put on a spectacularly brilliant show as he journeyed below their horizon.

Epilogue

Six years later - September, 2000

The pleasing scent of lavender, emitted by an aromatherapy diffuser, filled the air of the bright, pleasant room, while a soft, old Irish song sung by Loreena McKennitt played softly in the background, setting the mood for the tranquil scene. Ryan sat blissfully stretched out on the large sofa in the family room, cradling Janna against her as she nursed their son.

"When are they gonna be here, Momma?" The four-year old girl hung on the back of the sofa behind her mothers, observing as her two-month old brother fed.

"Soon, sweetheart. What are you and John John going to do today?" Ryan looked up from watching her tiny son eat voraciously at her wife's breast and gazed lovingly at her daughter beside her.

"We're gonna play cops and robbers, Momma!" Ryan grinned proudly and reached up to ruffle her daughter's short, black hair.

"Of course! What else?" Janna laughed softly, so as not to disturb their son. "Halley, please take turns today. John John doesn't like to be the bad guy all the time."

"Okay, Mommy...but I make the best police lady."

"Oh, you do?"
"Yep!" Just then, the doorbell rang and the tot jumped from her perch and ran to the front door.

Ryan called after her, "Halley Rebecca! Don't forget what you're supposed to do."

A petulant little face reappeared in the doorway and proclaimed, "I know, Momma. Look through the window, ask who it is, and only open the door if it's Gramma or Grampa or Auntie or Uncle." She turned and ran to let their guests in.

Janna shook her head as she smiled. "I wanted a miniature Ryan and I definitely got one."

"Oh...she only looks like me, love. She takes after you in every other way." Ryan squeezed her wife and nuzzled her neck, before resting her chin on Janna's shoulder to watch their son finish his meal.

"I do not think so, baby. She is you through and through."

"Janna, come on...that hand on the hip is totally you."

A moment later, Halley ran back into the room, pulling a slightly shorter, though nearly one year older, boy by the hand. "Mommy, Momma, John John and Kelley are here. Oh, and Auntie Sara."

"Yes, and Auntie Sara." Sara entered the room, carrying a two-year old girl. "Hey, guys. Oh, is he eating again?"

"Yes...and 'again' is the operative word. It has only been two hours since his last feeding. I'm trying to fill him up for you, Sara." Janna smiled down at her infant son as she wiped some milky drool from the corner of his mouth. Ryan grabbed a cotton diaper from where it rested on the back of the sofa and handed it to her wife, who wiped her fingers and handed it back.

Ryan threw the diaper over her left shoulder and grinned at Sara. "He should sleep for you too, after this feast."

"Well, I've heard that one before. Out of my own mouth, as a matter of fact." She grinned at her two favorite babysitters, who grinned back at her.

Little Joshua's suckling slowed and his mouth released it's tenacious grasp on Janna's breast as he nodded off. "It looks like he's done. Honey, will you burp him while I show Sara where his bottles are?"

"Sure, love. Hand him over." Janna gingerly sat up and turned, gently handing the baby to her wife, who immediately raised him to her left shoulder and began patting his back lightly. Janna fastened the closure on her nursing bra and buttoned her shirt, then stood and kissed her small son's fuzzy blonde head and then her wife's forehead before leading Sara to the kitchen.

Janna led her friend down a hallway filled with photos of her wife and children and into the bright kitchen. She opened the refrigerator door and indicated the top shelf. "There are three bottles here. If he needs more than that, page me!"

"With your son, it's a distinct possibility, Janna! He must get his appetite from you."

Raised eyebrows and a grin greeted the statement, but the three children running into the room prevented her from coming up with a retort.

"Halley, sweetie, no running in the kitchen, remember?"

"Sorry, Mommy, I forgot. The bad guy needs some water."

"Does the bad guy have a name?" Janna pulled a small plastic cup from the cupboard and filled it from the spigot on the spring water bottle which sat on the counter.

"Mommy! Yes, it's John." The little raven-haired tyke giggled, as her brilliant blue eyes sparkled mischievously.

"Okay. John John, here's your water, honey."

"Thanks Auntie Janna."

"Your welcome, John." Janna grinned at Sara. "Sara, Halley has eaten too, but you know where the snacks are. No sugar after, oh, right about now, is usually preferable...if you want any chance of a peaceful evening."

"Gotcha, Janna. What time is your movie?"

Ryan entered the kitchen, holding her infant. "7:15, so we'd better get going, babe, if we want to take our time with dinner."

"Right, hon. I just need to throw on a shirt that doesn't baby spit on it, and I'll be ready."

"Good luck finding one, sweetheart!" Ryan winked at Sara, who smothered a giggle. Ryan turned a sincere look on her friend. "Thanks so much, Sara. This means a lot to us. We know you have your hands full here."

"Ryan, I'm happy to help. You two haven't had a night out since he was born. It's time. Go...enjoy yourself. And don't worry about me. I plan to put them all down at 8:00 and watch a movie myself."

"I hope it works out for you, Sara, I really do!" Ryan smirked, knowing full well that it wasn't at all likely that her children would cooperate with their "aunt".

"Oh ye of little faith!" Sara reached for the sleeping infant. "You need to change your shirt too, Ryan. Here, I'll put him down."

"Shit...oops, I mean, shoot." Ryan looked down at her shirt and then glanced up to make sure her wife wasn't within hearing range and grinned at Sara before exiting the room.

Janna passed her on the stairs. "I heard that, Ryan."

"Jesus Christ, baby, how could you possibly have? You were upstairs."

"I have many skills."

Ryan turned and grabbed her wife, pulling her close. "You certainly do, love. Will you show me some later?"

Janna closed her eyes as her mate softly kissed her throat. "Oh, God, I hope so, love. Let's aim for that, huh?" She wrapped her arms around Ryan's neck. "I'm all healed, and I'm needing you badly."

"Mm, hmm. I can't wait, baby. I love you, Janna." Her lips sought out her wife's and they stood kissing gently on the stairs, until youthful giggles let them know they were being covertly observed. "Halley Rebecca Norden-Zamora...what did I tell you about spying?"

"But I'm a deteckive, Momma. Just like you."

Ryan's chin dropped to her chest and Janna whispered, "We need to have that talk with her again, I see."

"Looks like it. Halley, take your friends into the playroom, please, so Mommy and I can get ready to go."

"Okay, Momma." She replied sweetly, but then turned to her little cohort and whispered, "We can spy on your mommy now...she's in the playroom."

Janna took her tired, exasperated wife's arm and dragged her up the stairs to their bedroom. She closed the door, locked it, and wrapped herself into her tough cop's embrace.

"Oh, baby, that feels good. Why don't we just stay here?" Ryan breathed deeply of Janna's scent, which these days, in addition to her summer breeze smell, also carried a hint of baby cornstarch and vomit.

"Nice idea, sweetheart, but they'd find us within minutes. Come on, we've been wanting to see this movie and now's our chance." She kissed her wife's chin. "We'll have a nice dinner." She kissed her left cheek. "We'll see a good movie." She kissed her right cheek. "We'll get coffee." She kissed her wife's lips, and lingered. "Then we'll come home and make love until the baby wakes up at 3:00."

"God, Janna, that sounds perfect. Let's go!" Ryan stripped off her soiled shirt and took the clean one Janna handed her. As she pulled it over her head, she added, "You forgot something: at the movie, we'll make out."

Janna grinned, and her eyes regained a sparkle as she met Ryan's sparkling eyes. "Yes, we will, won't we?"

Janna pulled her wife close and kissed her deeply before saying, "Happy anniversary, my love."

"Happy anniversary, my destiny. I love you more every day, Janna. Let's have forty-six more of these, shall we?"

"Absolutely, my love."

And they did, more or less.

~~~The End~~~

Thank you so much for taking this journey with me! I hope it was as enjoyable for you as it was for me.

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