OVER a month had passed and the ever-happy Frances asked her parents to have another gathering. Richard and Francine, who lavished upon their kids love and money, readily assented. They were curious to know why Frances was acting so suspicious lately and would often ask her, always getting an evasive answer from their daughter. After her classes, she would return to their home and shower, only to go back out and not return until very late at night. Her parents often wondered how she managed to do her homework. But there was no doubt that she did it; her grades were excellent and there were no complaints from her professors, only praise.

But where did she do her homework?

Frances did her homework in the company of Katie, who also did her own homework with her. After the long hours of homework, they would make love for hours on end.

Katie was also curious and often asked her why she wanted another party, but Frances always answered her with: "I want to dance."

The last time Katie had asked Frances the question, and received the same answer, she stared at her with a sideways glance that said: 'Please, don’t jerk my leg.’ Frances didn’t miss it, but looked down at her books splayed out on her lap. Katie suggested patiently: "Don't you think a club would be better?" She had asked slowly, thinking that Frances wasn’t making any sense.

But all Frances did was look back up from her thick law book and smile. Then she said: "I like the safety of my own home." And it was left at that, her answer gave no room for further discussion.

About two weeks after Frances asked, the party was thrown.

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EVERYONE greeted Frances, who was already more familiar with a many of the young crowd and their parents. She was very nervous and sometimes thought of not doing anything at all. Her hands shook and little beads of sweat collected at the top of her forehead. She told everyone that there was an announcement she had to make at the party, leaving them curious and insistent to know. Katie was already at the party; she had arrived on her own, since it was agreed between her and Frances that Ross was not to know of their love yet. The hours passed and everyone was having fun and dancing.

Frances and Katie's eyes would meet across the large expanse of the living room. Mutual memories of their passion would flash into their minds; they would find themselves aroused at these moments. No one seemed to notice those few hot seconds. Finally, at around midnight, Frances decided that it was time. She asked the DJ to stop the music, then she walked halfway up the stairs, and turned to look at her guests, who were looking at her with curiosity.

"There is something that I wish to do tonight." She said, her voice broke with her nervousness. She wrung her hands and stared out at the crowd with a beseeching look in her eyes.

Everyone was respectfully silent, filled with expectancy; also with admiration; they could not get enough of looking at her. She joked, arching an eyebrow: "I admit, I have had a rather active life." Everyone laughed, knowing what she meant. In the month Frances had been trying to find Katie, many young women had fallen for her charms and beauty and expert lovemaking skills, the knowledge that Frances was not for one woman not bothering them at all. She had been trying to forget Katie, trying to tell herself that what she felt was nothing.

They’d always seen how Frances would become distant on dates, would seem to be in another world, not giving them much importance. Now they suspected why; the famous player was smitten in love, they could see it on her face. Their suspicions were confirmed when Frances continued: "But now I found someone worth a million times more to me than anyone I've ever been with, with the exception of my parents."

Everyone laughed again, Katie included. She was wondering what Frances was getting at. "I have fallen in love with the most wonderful woman in the whole wide world." Frances' hands and voice shook; she looked at Katie, who was suddenly tearful, and their eyes met. Ross was all the way across the room, but he could hear everything she was saying; he was wondering who Frances was looking at. "And I want to ask her to come up here with me." Frances said thickly, feeling the tears stinging her eyes, and extended her hand towards Katie. "Katie Rosenberg, please come to me."

Katie gasped, and slowly, as if in wonder, she walked towards the stairs. Everyone stared at her in wonder and admiration. She reached Frances and now they were facing each other. Across the room, Ross stormed out of the party, anger seething him. Oblivious to anything but Katie, her eyes never leaving her lover’s eyes, Frances kneeled, taking both of Katie's hands into her own. Katie's tears could not contain themselves any longer, they rolled freely down her cheeks. Frances spoke, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a little red velvet box: "Will you marry me?" She asked, her voice hoarse. Everyone gasped in shock.

Katie couldn't speak, her throat was tight, and she nodded quickly. Frances stood back up and pulled the diamond ring from it's box; the diamond glistened beautifully with the reflection of the lights. She nervously slipped it into Katie's left ring finger. Katie watched as she did this, then she wrapped her arms tightly around Frances' neck and kissed her. Everyone clapped and cheered. Richard and Francine walked up to their daughter and Katie.

They were as surprised as the crowd, even though they had suspected it at some time, but they congratulated them with long relieved hugs and kisses. Their daughter was finally settling down. The party continued into the early hours of Sunday morning. Frances and Katie had long before the end slipped out of the party and up the stairs to Frances' bedroom.

THE next evening, Frances and Katie were sitting with Frances' parents in her father's comfortable home office, which when he wasn't there served as library. It was full of books that stood on beautiful mahogany wood shelves. Ross hadn't been anywhere in sight and they wondered where he was. "When do you wish to hold the ceremony?" Richard asked, writing into his agenda and plan book.

Frances and Katie looked at each other. Katie answered shyly: "In six months. In October."

Francine cheered gracefully. "This is so great! A wedding that I get to plan!" She exclaimed, clapping her gracefully jeweled hands.

Richard, Frances and Katie laughed.

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ROSS had stormed into his room after the Frances' announcement. He had remained there, his pain and anger clear and deep wounds in his heart. Now he had another reason for which to hate Frances. That bitch! She didn't deserve Katie at all. He would get Katie, he had to. He loved her, Frances didn't. He had to find a way to separate them!

One thing, he wouldn't go to their supposed little wedding. He would find an excuse. He couldn't bear to look at them getting married. That was disgusting! His eyes were tearful as he swore to himself that Katie would be his.

THAT same year, three weeks before Christmas, Frances and Katie began setting up their first Christmas tree together. They were completely happy together, love was never ceasing in their new home. They’d gone all the way in their Christmas tree search, getting the tallest tree- nine and a half feet tall- and the best glass decorations to accompany it. Now, their living room was a mess, wraps strewn all over the floor. Their new Christmas tree was decorated beautifully, the lights reflected from the glass hanging decorations. They were dressed comfortably in loose shorts and torn T-shirts, bare feet against the plush carpet.

They really didn’t know how they would start picking up all the mess from the floor. They stared down at the mess with disdain, standing in front of each other across the floor. Frances snorted, shaking her head, her gray eyes sweeping the messy room and ending on Katie. Katie shook her head and pressed her hands onto her hips, leaning her weight on her left leg. She looked up at Frances, who was staring at her with undisguised desire in her lustrous gray eyes, eyes that shone with beautiful colors from the tree’s lights. An instant flash of heat spread through her body and she couldn’t help but feel that Frances was about to make love to her right there, beside their beautiful Christmas tree.

Frances moved to her and stood close, staring down into her eyes with ardent desire. She lifted her hand to caress Katie’s cheek softly, and leaned down to kiss her softly on the mouth, her silky lips opening to engulf her mouth, her tongue slipping through Katie’s opening lips. Katie moaned, and stepped into Frances’ strong arms. Her body was heating up inside, she couldn’t help her instant response to Frances’ feverish kisses.

Soon, without thought, they were naked on the floor, their bodies pressing against each other in hot sweaty ardor. Frances lay on top of Katie, driving herself wild by pressing her hips between her legs with a rhythm. Katie’s hands on her back were gripping, her fingers keenly feeling the wet of sweat on her lover’s smooth back. They were moaning loudly, kissing in a flurry of hot caresses.

Katie arched under Frances’ nimble fingers. She seemed to be everywhere along Katie’s aroused body, she knew where and how to touch, how deeply to kiss her. Her lips were gentle, her caresses strong but tender. She lay across Katie, her hips pressed between her legs. She could feel Katie’s intense wetness against her skin as she pressed herself against her. Katie let out the long moan she’d been holding. At the sound of her beautiful moan and feel of her hot breath against her ear, Frances groaned, her body shuddering and her hips jerking wildly. She moved off Katie, who sat up, her eyes on Frances lustful. Her lips were open as she panted, her full breasts rising and falling with every breath.

She was throbbing, she could feel the rush of wetness between her legs, the strong liquid sensation inside her body. She sighed as she felt Frances’ strong arms wrap around her to pull her up against her. Frances’ eyes closed, but her warm mouth still found Katie’s engorged, aching nipples. At the feel of Frances’ tender mouth sucking her with arousing sounds of pleasure, Katie’s hips jerked erratically, her legs around Frances’ waist tightening convulsively, and she felt an instant orgasm shake her body and send her mind into intense oblivion. She was crying out in exultant passion, her hands gripping Frances’ shoulders jerkily.

Frances moved her mouth to her neck, her own body responding to Katie’s orgasm with one of its own; her hips were thrusting against Katie’s, she could feel her muscles straining as she pressed. "Oh," She sighed shakily. She kissed the length of her neck as Katie threw her head back and breathed. "Katie, Oh God!" Frances groaned, wanting more of her lover, smelling the scent of only the beginning of their lovemaking. "Katie, baby." She whispered into her ear, and then she said: "Je veux vous faire l'amour sous notre arbre de Noël…" She closed her eyes as her voice trailed off and a deep shudder rushed through her body.

Katie knew enough French to know what Frances said: I want to make love to you under our Christmas tree… She felt a new rush of wetness between her legs, felt small trickles of sweat break from her body. She threw her head back and groaned. She was barely aware of Frances moving them effortlessly towards the tree, of her back touching the bare wood floor as Frances lay above her. She keenly felt the prickle of the tree on her face, and the tender silkiness of Frances’ lips on her body. She felt the wet trails Frances’ tongue left along her full chest and stomach. "Frances…" Katie groaned loudly, arching her breasts for Frances to take them into her mouth. "Oh!"

She could hear the suckling sound Frances made as she pleased her, the low groan coming from deep within her throat. Frances’ fingers trailed slowly along the inside of her thighs, parted her lips to engulf them in the delicious wetness that had been waiting for her the whole time. At the feeling of Katie’s wetness around her fingers, Frances groaned and abandoned her breasts to sink her mouth hungrily into her flesh.

"Hmm… Hmm…" Frances’ fingers dug into Katie’s thighs, her impassioned lovemaking sending Katie into a frenzy of ecstasy that left her trembling with exhaustion and pleasure. Frances rested her head along her thigh, realizing that orgasm hadn’t eluded her either. She was trembling all over, her passion still incandescent, she made love to Katie again and again, feeling her own body explode every time Katie explosively reached orgasm.

THE next year and a half had been pure bliss for Frances and Katie, their love continued to grow and to glow with brightness. Frances’ parents, very content with their daughter’s never ceasing happiness, had grown to love and care for Katie as a daughter. She was welcome to any gathering, was included as part of the family. Richard had even arranged to have Katie be able to include their last name in her name. She became Katie Rosenberg-DeValoi. It was beautiful, the harmony between Katie and Frances, the eternal happiness made people envious. Not a month after the announcement by Frances, Francine had given her daughter a gift, a gift that symbolized their love, their unity.

A home, she’d given them a house, making her daughter even happier.

As the time passed, both women began to secretly yearn for something, something that could symbolize their love for each other. Something to nurture and raise, to love and teach. A child, a baby. A little someone that could look like both of them, of whom they could say: "That’s our son, our daughter." But it was unfortunate that two women who loved each other with such intensity could not make a child together, could not make something so beautiful as a child would be. Both women didn’t talk about it; they always sent it to the back of their minds. But the thought would always resurface, would always nag.

Until one day, as they had dinner, Katie burst out with the question, throwing her fork and knife loudly on the plate: "Frances, have you ever thought of a child?" Her voice had been shaky, her hands too.

Frances had looked up from her plate of food, with a grin that left Katie smiling also. "Yes, I have." She’d replied, reaching across the table and covering Katie’s hand with her own. "I want a bébé, Katie."

Katie laughed with love and joy, her beautiful eyes glistening with tears. She bent forward and pulled Frances into a tight hug. She pulled back and gazed at her lover. "When?" She asked, ready to do it at that exact moment if they had to.

"Right now, if it were possible." Frances said, laughing also.

Katie grew serious. "But with whom?" She asked.

"Louie." Frances said, bringing a smile to Katie again. She’d been thinking about it for too long, had even spoken to him about it behind Katie’s back. "You know he and I look enough alike, no?"

"Yes," Katie said, smiling with complete happiness. "Let’s call him right now. I don't care what time it is in France." She pulled Frances off her chair, and out of the kitchen. They forgot their dinner as she pulled her towards her office.

P A R T

O N E

FRANCES sat on the barstool placidly, a cold drink on her hand. The party was going pretty boring for her own expectations. She was into wild partying, dancing to the music. She was sitting at the bar, occasionally engaging in conversations with other guests or the friendly bartender. She wore loose dark blue slacks, her shirt a soft beige V-neck, her blazer was dark blue like her pants, a small gold chain was clasped around her neck, making a perfect contrast with her bronze skin; she wore her blonde hair loose down to her shoulders.

She lifted her head up to look at the bar mirror and saw her lover walking towards her; she had a beautiful and sweet smile on her lovely face. "What is so funny?" Frances asked, turning completely around, pulling her hips between her legs and wrapping her arms around her. "Eh, Katie?"

Katie wrapped her arms around Frances and kissed her lips softly. "What's funny is that this is a lawyer's party for lawyers and you, my love, are a lawyer, are not enjoying it, but I am having the time of my life." She laughed softly. "These people are really nice, Frances. They obviously like you. They are wondering at this minute why you're not joining us in our conversations."

Frances studied Katie's beautiful, young face. Frances was considered lucky by many; Katie was an extremely beautiful woman. With a body to kill for, gorgeous green eyes and silky, straight black hair. Tonight, she wore a soft white silk shirt that hung from and accentuated the roundness of her breasts, with a flowing knee length skirt that revealed the perfect roundness of her hips; there were slits along the sides that stopped halfway up her shapely thighs. Her small feet where comfortably tucked into high heeled shoes that made her legs seem long and exotic, which in reality they really were.

Frances knew that people considered her lucky because of Katie's looks. But it wasn't because of her looks that Frances was in love with her; she loved Katie's softness, understanding, and sensitiveness; everything about her. To her, Katie was beautiful on the inside as well as on the outside. "I want to go home." She said, feeling Katie's pale, silk skinned face with her hands.

Katie looked down, considering, like she always did, then her eyes went back to Frances'. Everybody felt that she was lucky too. And she did feel lucky. People thought Frances was the most gorgeous woman ever born to this planet; some compared her smile to that of Isabella Rossellini's. With angelic features that at the same time showed no innocence, and deep, sensuous gray eyes, she was a perfect combination of beauty. But it wasn't only that which held Katie's heart, it was her charm, her loving ways, her sensitiveness, her desire to please Katie all the time. Many women wanted her lustfully, and this made Katie crazily jealous.

She ran her hands through the golden and wavy hair that belonged to her lover. "Okay, let's go." She said. "I miss the baby already." She concluded. Plus she desired a good feel of Frances' smooth body.

Frances smiled broadly, understanding the unspoken desire, feeling the same. "Great! Let's go." She said, pushing Katie back a little and getting up from the stool eagerly.

Katie pushed her back, laying her palms flat against Frances' chest. "We have to say goodbye to people." She chided in a humorous whisper.

Frances slouched, pouting her thick and luscious lower lip. "Oh, I forgot." She said.

"Come on." Katie said, laughing delightedly at her lover's charm, pulling Frances after her.

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FRANCES held the sleeping nineteen-month-old child in her arms, waiting for Katie to open the front door of their townhouse. It was very cold outside and a few flakes of snow were falling. "Katie, what is taking you so long, my love?" Frances urged, her teeth chattering.

"It's freezing, my hands are shaking!" Katie replied. I should have accepted those drinks they offered me. She thought to herself. At least I'd be a little warm! She turned around in resignation, taking the toddler from Frances’ arms. "Here," She said, handing her the keys. "You open the door." She watched as Frances steadied her cold hands and easily opened the door.

Once they were inside, Katie carefully went up the stairs and into their bedroom. She put the little boy on the bed and softly removed his clothes. She heard a soft noise downstairs and after a few moments smelled hot chocolate; she smiled at Frances' thoughtfulness. She picked the sleeping boy off the bed and took him to his room, put him on his small bed, then softly put on his nightclothes. She put the covers over him and softly left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar.

She went down the stairs slowly; at the bottom, she turned left towards the kitchen, where she found Frances sitting at the dining table and bent over a cup of the chocolate. Frances stood up from the chair she was sitting on and took Katie into her arms. "About time you came down." She said, her voice low, her French accent sensually accentuating every word she said. "I missed you." Kissing Katie tenderly, she drew a deep breath into her lungs. Slowly, she pulled away. "How is the little Rug Rat?" She asked.

"Sleeping like a log." Katie replied, slipping her fingers onto the back of Frances' head, grasping her hair and pulling her down for another kiss. "Can we go to bed?" She suggested after a while, with mischief in her eyes.

"You do not want chocolat to warm you up?" Frances asked, her eyebrows arching in inquiry.

Katie looked down, her eyes traveled slowly back up to Frances'. "No." She said. "You can warm me up better." She whispered suggestively.

Frances smiled, arousal strengthening anew. She picked Katie's light form into her arms and carried her out of the kitchen; Katie wrapped her arms around her shoulders. She laughed loudly as Frances quickly ran up the stairs and into their bedroom with Katie in her arms.