Becoming by Jourdyn Kelly

REBECCA SIPPED HERcoffee, flipping through files of potential clients. Business clients. She still owned the club but limited her time there for Cassidy’s sake. And perhaps her own. Besides, her once side job of consulting was now beginning to keep her busy. Her reputation was such that she was sought out by fortune 500 companies down to mom and pop shops. Rebecca vetted the owners as vigilantly as Mistress did her clients.

She tossed a file into the “no” pile and reached for another one just as the doorbell rang. Slightly irritated with being bothered, she pushed away from her desk and made her way to the front door. She and Cassidy had yet to make things official when it came to moving in together. Still, Rebecca felt at home enough in Cassidy’s house to answer the door when her girlfriend wasn’t there.

“Beverly!” Are they always going to make surprise visits? “You just missed Cassidy.”

Does she call everyone by their full name? Bev thought, not minding the way it sounded from the dignified blonde. “Hello, Rebecca. Actually, I came here to see you. May I?” She made a move to go into the house when Rebecca stepped in front of her.

“If you’re here to try to convince me to break things off with Cassidy, we have nothing to talk about.”

Bev sighed. “Please, hear me out. I like you, Rebecca. I truly do.”

“Just not for your daughter?”

“I only want to protect her, Rebecca.”

“I thought we got past this, Mrs. Giles.” Why now? Two weeks have gone by since their dinner. Cassidy made it a point to talk to them more often. Never once did she say her mom still had an issue. “Or were you just placating to keep the peace?”

“Perhaps a little of both,” Bev confessed. “I’ve tried to accept this. But my first priority will always be to protect my daughter.”

“Understandable.” Rebecca leaned against the doorjamb. “The question I have, though, is what do you think I’m doing with Cassidy that’s going to hurt her?”

“I don’t think you’d do anything deliberately, Rebecca. But Cass is young and impressionable. She still has time to make better decisions in her life.”

“And I’m, God forbid, encouraging her to do what she loves,” Rebecca finished when Beverly paused. “This is about her choice not to be a lawyer, isn’t it? Surely you know that she’s not a lawyer because she doesn’t want to be one. That decision had nothing to do with me. Just as it had nothing to do with you or Mr. Giles.”

“It’s not just that,” Bev insisted. “It’s hard for me to reconcile your age difference. Do you know what my daughter was doing when you graduated college? She was five, Rebecca. Getting ready for kindergarten!”

Rebecca was seriously getting tired of being called out on her age. When she and Cassidy had lunch with Miranda and her husband, Rebecca’s age was the hot topic—at least for Miranda. Cassidy, God love her, did her best to veer the conversation in other directions, but the redhead was relentless. Of course, she tried covering it up by making backhanded compliments. Rebecca saw right through her. Miranda had a problem with her. And now here’s Cassidy’s mom with the same issues.

“I’m not dating that version of your daughter! I know she will always be your little girl, but she is unequivocally a woman.”

“Which brings me to my next concern.” Bev glanced behind her, then leaned in. Not enough to encroach Rebecca’s personal space, but enough to where she could speak softly. “Women our age are getting to the end of our sexual peak. What happens when that happens to you just as Cass is entering hers?”

It probably wasn’t going to help Rebecca’s situation by bursting out in laughter. Unfortunately, she couldn’t help it. Cassidy’s mother was talking to someone like Rebecca—Mistress—about sex. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to laugh.” She cleared her throat. “I’m going to assume that you don’t want details, but Cassidy and I have absolutely no problems in that area. I don’t anticipate there will be one anytime soon.”

Bev hung her head, laughing softly. Partly because she was embarrassed and partly because she couldn’t believe her friend talked her into doing this. “I’m being ridiculous, aren’t I?”

The embarrassment on Bev’s face softened Rebecca’s heart. Not enough to invite the woman in. Mother or not, she came here to break her and Cassidy up. Rebecca had empathy, but forgiveness may take a little longer. As an alternative, she gestured to the steps and sat down.

“I learned long ago that I never had to explain myself,” Rebecca began. She looked out over the front yard. It was big for Los Angeles standards, but not so much that she couldn’t hear the rumble of passing cars. “I don’t ask for permission or forgiveness. What I do with my life is my business, no one else’s.”

“Rebecca…”

Rebecca held up a hand. “That being said, you are Cassidy’s mother and I want us to get along. Not just for Cassidy’s sake, but for our own.” She turned to Beverly, then, deliberately looking her in the eye. “During college, I was involved in an abusive relationship that lasted way too long.”

“I’m so sorry.” Bev looked at the composed woman next to her. There was so much more to Rebecca than she first thought. Perhaps her worldliness would be beneficial to Cass. “Was he the reason you turned to women?”

Rebecca gave Beverly a small smile. “Men are not the only ones who can be cruel, Beverly. I was born a lesbian, I wasn’t turned into one. Just as I wasn’t turned from women because of the inhumanity of one woman.” Rebecca exhaled. Ever since Cassidy eased Rebecca’s conscience about Samantha, she found it easier to forget about the despicable woman. Talking about her now, bringing her back to mind, wasn’t fun. “I’m not telling you this for sympathy points. I want you to understand where I’m coming from when it comes to being with Cassidy.”

Bev nodded. Her first instinct was to feel sorry for Rebecca. But that’s not what the woman needed.

“It’s been many years since my life with Samantha ended, but abuse like that lingers beyond the relationship. I cut myself off from trusting anyone. I built a wall so high I thought it’d be impossible for anyone to scale it. But your daughter,” Rebecca shook her head with a laugh.

“Tenacious, isn’t she?” Bev responded with a chuckle of her own.

“To say the least. I honestly tried to stay away, Beverly. I knew I was too old for her, but the pull I felt when I looked at her was far too strong. Still, I resisted. Hell, I left L.A. for a couple of months hoping it would cure me of this infatuation I felt for her.”

“So that’s what was wrong with her.” Bev explained further when Rebecca looked questioningly at her. “There was a time not too long ago, perhaps the time you’re speaking of when Cass was extremely moody. I’d never really seen her depressed before, so it was quite jarring. She would never say what was wrong, but I suppose I now know what caused it.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I spent the time in New York being depressed myself. It became so unbearable that I had to come back. I didn’t intend on getting in contact with Cassidy, but I felt better just being closer.”

“You really do love her, don’t you?”

“I do.” She glanced at Beverly. “It’s a testament to her upbringing how incredible she is. I never expected someone so young to teach me something as profound as my past having no bearing on my future. She saved me, Beverly. I was living with such guilt and shame buried under a bravado I’m not sure is or was real.”

Bev took a chance and clasped Rebecca’s hand. “I’ve never been in your situation, Rebecca. But I have to imagine that if you’re here, successful, and able to have a loving relationship, you’re doing something right.”

Rebecca squeezed Beverly’s hand. “I’m still in therapy but being with Cassidy has helped me be me again. And I’d like to think that I give her that same feeling in return.”

“As with her painting,” Bev assumed.

“For one. She’s pretty amazing, Beverly. The murals don’t do justice to the talent she has inside her.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing her work in the gallery.” As Bev said the words, she realized just how true they were. Seeing Cass through Rebecca’s eyes, she was seeing her daughter—the little girl that had stolen her heart twenty-five years ago—in a different light. “You’ll make sure she invites us, won’t you?”

Rebecca smiled. “She’s already put you and Russell on the list.”

Bev released Rebecca’s hand and patted her knee. “As sorry as I am for the reason I came here in the first place, I can’t regret it. I’m glad we got to talk, Rebecca. Maybe next time we can actually go inside and have some coffee,” she grinned.

“Now that you’re not trying to get my old ass out of this house, you’re welcome to come in,” Rebecca winked as Beverly snickered. “Would you like to come in?”

“Next time. I’ve taken up enough of your time today.” Bev stood, casually wiping any dust off her bottom. She gave Rebecca a quick hug when the—slightly—younger woman stood as well. “Thank you for being there for my daughter. And for letting her be there for you.”

“Believe me, it’s my pleasure.”

“Well now, I don’t need to know all of that.” Bev held her palms up. “Yes, I know I’m the one who brought up sex in the first place.” The two women laughed. “Um, would it futile to ask you not to tell my spirited daughter that I was here today?”

Rebecca pursed her lips in playful thought. “I won’t lie to her, but I don’t see why I would need to volunteer information.”

Bev let out a bark of hearty laughter. “I really do like you, Rebecca. Let’s do a less awkward dinner again sometime soon.”

“Absolutely. Be careful out there on the roads.”

Rebecca waved one last time before going back in the house and closing the front door with a heavy sigh. Her head fell back with a slight thud. While she was glad everything was now worked out with Cassidy’s mom, the exchange took a lot out of Rebecca. As it usually did whenever she thought of Samantha and her past.

“Forget about it now, Rebecca,” she muttered to herself. “You’ve done very well the past couple of weeks forgetting about it. You can keep it up.”

For a long moment, she stood in that same position, breathing in, breathing out, letting her mind relax again. Rebecca was so close to being fully relaxed when her heart rate jumped dramatically at the frantic knock at the door.

“Son of a bitch. Don’t tell me she changed her mind already.” Rebecca fixed a smile on her face just in case it was Beverly back for more. That smile turned to delighted confusion when she opened the door. “Aunt Wills!”

“Are you okay?” Willamena asked as Rebecca hugged her. “Are you hurt? Is she hurting you?” She pushed past a baffled Rebecca, looking around with a critical eye.

Once the words finally penetrated Rebecca’s extremely puzzled mind, she closed the door and turned. “What?”

“Is it happening again, Rebecca?”

“What are you talking about, Aunt Wills? Cassidy would never hurt me.” Rebecca finally got a good look at her aunt and saw the bags under her worried eyes. “Aunt Wills? What’s going on?”

Willamena put her hands on her hips, looking pointedly at her niece. “You tell me. The last time you stopped calling me it was because Samantha was… was.” She threw her arms up and whirled around so Rebecca couldn’t see the tears.

Rebecca frowned. “Stopped calling?”

“Two weeks, Rebecca! You promised to call me every day or at least once a week. So, explain to me why I haven’t heard from you in two weeks!”

After all of these years, Rebecca never realized just how much what Samantha did affected her aunt. She knew Aunt Wills carried the weight of guilt, but it was as unfounded as Rebecca’s was. This? This was more than just guilt. This was anger born out of grief.

“I’m sorry, Aunt Wills.” Rebecca walked up to the agitated woman and put her arms around her. “I’m sorry.”

REBECCA PLACED Acup of Aunt Wills’ favorite tea down in front of her, then sat down beside her.

“Before we delve into this,” she began, “I want you to know that Cassidy has done nothing wrong. I thought you knew her better than that.”

Willamena lifted a brow. “I have thought things before, Rebecca. I can’t afford to be wrong again.” She sighed. “I don’t truly believe that Cass has it in her to be cruel. But I had to make sure.”

“Why didn’t you call me?”

“I did. A couple of times. But you never answered.” Willamena looked over at Rebecca. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to have the image of you broken and bruised every night when I close my eyes? Over the years, it got better. When you met Cass, the visions came back until I realized Cass was good for you. But when I didn’t hear from you…”

Rebecca lowered her eyes. She saw those calls come in from her aunt, but there was always something more important than returning them. Or so she told herself. Was she subconsciously avoiding the calls?

“Something did happen recently, Aunt Wills.” Rebecca saw her aunt’s hands tighten around her cup and quickly explained. “Nothing bad! Cassidy took it upon herself to prove to me that I wasn’t responsible for Samantha’s death.” She explained what Cassidy had done and Hunter’s medical opinion.

Willamena sat back and listened carefully to Rebecca’s words. She watched her actions and the look in her eyes as she spoke. The psychiatrist in her observed the subtle differences in Rebecca’s behavior. As Rebecca’s aunt, she noticed the enormous weight that had been lifted from her niece’s shoulders.

“You didn’t call me back because I make you think of her,” Willamena surmised.

“No, you don’t!”

“Dr. Woodrow does. And, since the doctor happens to be your aunt, you couldn’t distinguish between the two. Do you feel you no longer need therapy, Rebecca?”

“Since I can’t ‘distinguish’ between the two, who am I speaking with now?” Rebecca asked moodily.

“Both. I get that by alleviating your guilt, Cass has allowed you some peace. However, as I recall, you were still having nightmares a mere three weeks ago. Was it all due to your guilt? And, now that is gone, so are they?”

There were times when Rebecca hated having a psychiatrist as an aunt who raised her. This was one of those times. Would she ever be able to have a normal conversation with her aunt? Or would Samantha always hold something over their heads?

“They were gone. So was the pain and fear.” Rebecca sat back and sighed. How could she be mad that her aunt had the same exact thought Rebecca had earlier. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I was afraid to talk to you because I thought this good feeling would go away. I didn’t want to have to think about it anymore. It has been more than fifteen years, Aunt Wills. I’m tired. I want her out of my head. Out of my life. I’m even selling the club.”

That news got raised brows from the doc. “That’s a huge step, Becca. I’m proud of you.”

“I should have called you,” Rebecca conceded. “I should have let you know what was going on.” She leaned closer. “Have you thought about seeing someone, you know, professionally, for these visions you get?”

For the first time since she arrived, Willamena laughed. “Oh, lord. Do I really sound like that?”

“Kind of, but I was being serious. What happened to me was not your fault, Aunt Wills. I need you to know that. To understand that. To believe it.”

“I talk to someone,” Willamena confessed. “I have been for years, though we psychiatrists prefer to think of it as simple conversation between colleagues. I think there’s a clause on our Cracker Jack diploma.”

Happy to hear her aunt joking, Rebecca chuckled. “I’ll accept that. If you try to do what I’m trying and let it go. Fifteen years is a long time to carry a burden, Aunt Wills. Believe me. We deserve better.”

“You’re right. We do. And, since I happen to love talking with you, how about we cut back on the therapy. As needed. All other times, I’m simply Aunt Wills.”

“SO, UH, HOWlong is your aunt staying?” Cass made little circles on Rebecca’s bare shoulder with the tip of her finger. Her insanely hot girlfriend was naked beside her and Cass couldn’t “get it up” so to speak.

“Just a couple of days,” Rebecca answered quietly. “Is it okay that she’s here? I can have her stay at my place.”

“No, no! I mean, yeah, it’s great that she’s here.” Plus, I hate that you still have a “my place,” she thought grumpily. “She’s welcome anytime. You sure she’s okay on the couch?”

“The pull-out is almost more comfortable than this bed, baby. She’ll be fine. Besides, she insisted on sleeping there.” Rebecca maneuvered herself until she was on top of Cassidy. The younger woman had been a bit rigid ever since they got in bed. Something that wasn’t normal. “What’s wrong, Cassidy?”

“N-nothing.” Don’t squirm! Friction right now would be a bad thing.

“Really? We’re usually on our third or fourth orgasm by this time.”

“Rebecca,” Cass whined. “Come on, babe, don’t do that to me.”

“I want to do a lot of things to you, but you’re being a bit standoffish. I want to know why.”

“Your aunt is here!” Cass whisper yelled as though it was such an obvious answer.

Rebecca looked around their room. “She’s downstairs!” she whispered back just as dramatically. “I know we can get loud, but I’m sure we can tone it down a bit.” She looked into Cassidy’s eyes and saw the desire there. But something was still holding her back. “Talk to me.”

Cass sighed. Yeah, having Rebecca’s aunt here was a little weird, but Rebecca was right in assuming there was something else.

“Does she really think I could hurt you?”

“Oh, baby.” Rebecca dipped her head and kissed Cassidy tenderly. She almost regretted telling the sensitive woman why Aunt Wills was there. “No, of course, she doesn’t. You have to understand that she holds a tremendous amount of shame for not knowing what was happening to me.”

“But you said you kept it from her.”

“I did. I took great precautions in keeping it from her. But, as a psychiatrist, she prides herself on seeing beyond what one tells her. Especially when it comes to me. She promised my mother that she would take care of me, and she believes she failed.” Rebecca reached up to sweep a lock of hair from Cass’s face. “I am the one who failed. I promised her I wouldn’t go more than a week without calling her. She’s here because I broke that promise.”

“Why?”

Rebecca felt a tinge of shame. “Because you had just purged this guilt I carried for Samantha. I wasn’t thinking or dreaming about her and that felt amazing. So, I avoided her calls because I thought that by talking to her, by having sessions, I’d bring those feelings back.”

“But she’s your aunt, babe, not just your therapist.”

She lowered her forehead to Cassidy’s. “I know, I know. Believe me, we discussed that as well as her continued responsibility.” Rebecca lifted her head again. “My point is, she doesn’t think you could hurt me. She’s just afraid she’ll miss something again.”

“Man, that’s harsh.” Cass rubbed her calloused hands over Rebecca’s smooth back. She hated that Samantha caused so much damage. Not just to her beautiful girlfriend, but to those who loved her as well. Fucking bitch.

“Mmhmm.” Rebecca began to roll off of Cassidy when she felt strong arms tighten around her.

“Where are you going?”

Rebecca smiled. “I’m not going to force you to make love to me if it makes you uncomfortable, baby. And being naked on top of you is not helping me.”

“But I like you up here.” Cass glanced at the door. It was closed, and Aunt Wills was downstairs. If they were quiet… “What, um, what would you do to me if, you know, we were alone?”

Gotcha.Rebecca had always thought actions spoke louder than words. With that in mind, she sat up, straddling Cassidy low on her hips.

Cass’s legs automatically spread until she felt the heat of Rebecca’s sex on hers. When Rebecca began to rock her hips back and forth, Cass’s breath caught in her throat. Rebecca’s ample breasts swayed with each movement as Cass’s clit was being stroked by Rebecca’s beautiful, wet clit. It was heaven. Absolute, pure heaven. At that moment, no one else existed in Cass’s world other than Rebecca Cuinn.

Cassidy reached up and cupped Rebecca’s tits, squeezing, kneading… needing.

“There’s my baby,” Rebecca crooned as she upped her pace. As much as she loved Cassidy’s ‘little friend,’ this was her favorite. Sex to sex, flesh to flesh, love to love. This was a wave she could ride forever. When she and Cassidy were like this, nothing stood between them. Physically or emotionally.

“Rebecca,” Cass moaned softly. She was so close, and she wanted her lover right there with her.

“Yes, Cassidy!”

Cass’s hands moved down to Rebecca’s hips, grasping them firmly as she lifted her own hips. She pulled Rebecca down with each stroke causing the friction between them to intensify. Neither woman was able to hold back any longer. The coinciding orgasms rocked them both. Cass gritted her teeth to keep herself from shouting out in ecstasy when she felt Rebecca’s warmth flow inside her.

Cass wrapped her arms around Rebecca when she collapsed on top of her. “Jesus! That was incredible!”

“Imagine what I could do if you were really into it,” Rebecca teased.

“I’m always into it, baby. Never forget that,” Cass grinned. “But if you want to demonstrate again, I’m all for it!”

For the next couple of hours, Rebecca did exactly that.

CASS WIPED SWEATfrom her face. Her workout this morning was extra brutal after her romp last night with Rebecca. Not that she was complaining. Hell, if she could, she would have sex with her girlfriend in lieu of everything else. Eating, sleeping, even painting. She smiled to herself. Sex with Rebecca 24/7. Heaven.

“Good morning, Cass.” Willamena’s eyes tracked down Cass’s sweaty body donned only in tight, short shorts and a sports bra. She had never been attracted to a woman, but she was secure enough to appreciate another woman’s beauty. Intriguing tattoos adorned Cass’s muscular body. A body that showcased six-pack abs that Willamena wasn’t used to seeing on a woman. She silently laughed at that thought. I haven’t even seen them on a man lately!

Cass jumped. “Fuck! Shit! Shit, I’m sorry!” She cringed. Fucking perfect. Yesterday had been her first time meeting Rebecca’s aunt face to face and she wanted nothing more than to make a good impression. Now here she stood, half naked, spewing curse words like they were the only words she knew.

Willamena snickered. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Nah, it’s, uh, it’s all good. Rebecca isn’t usually up this early, so I’m used to having the house to myself. I’m sorry about the, um, cussing and,” she gestured to her scantily clad body, “this.”

“It’s all good,” Willamena smirked, throwing Cass’s words back at her. “I can see why Rebecca is so enamored with you.”

Cass chuckled self-consciously. “I should go put something on.”

“Don’t be silly. I’m sure I can control my hetero hormones.” She gave Cass a humorous wink.

Cass’s embarrassed chuckle became full-out laughter. More relaxed, Cass strode over to the fridge and plucked a bottle of chocolate milk out. She twisted the top off and took a long swig. She caught Aunt Wills giving her an odd look.

“Can I get you one?”

“No, thank you. Rebecca showed me where the coffee was yesterday, so I’m quite good.” Willamena regarded Cass carefully. “How can you drink that stuff and still look like that?”

Cass looked at the bottle thoughtfully. Rebecca always wondered about her “obsession” with chocolate milk, too. It took a while to convince her it really was good for her. “It’s actually a great post-workout drink. Helps me replenish tired muscles, fluids, and energy.”

“Hmm. Do you keep a small refrigerator full of chocolate milk upstairs?”

Cass’s eyebrows furrowed. “Ah, no.”

“Perhaps you should think about it. After what I heard last night, you could have used all of that replenishing.”

“Oh, geez! I told her…” In the middle of her freak-out, Cass noticed Aunt Wills’s shoulders bouncing with laughter. “You’re messing with me, aren’t you?”

Willamena nodded her head, still laughing.

“So, you didn’t hear us, I mean, anything last night?” A shake of the head. “That was really mean,” Cass pouted playfully.

“And, yet, I’m sure it was pretty accurate,” Willamena baited. “Sit with me a minute. I promise not to joke about your sex life with my niece anymore.”

Cass winced a bit but obeyed. Despite her worries about being heard while doing the nasty with Rebecca, Cass liked having Aunt Wills here. While smart and insightful, the woman was also witty and fun.

“I need to apologize to you,” Willamena said once Cass was seated.

“Huh?” Cass wondered if she had missed something while thinking about how great Rebecca’s aunt was.

“I want you to know I don’t think you’d ever hurt my niece.”

“Oh!” Cass waved a hand in the air. “Don’t sweat it. Rebecca explained everything to me last night. You know, before we made hot monkey love.”

Willamena both blushed and laughed. “Touché. And she may have explained it, but I needed you to hear it from me. What happened to her will haunt me for the rest of my life. I know it’s not fair to her, or to you, to show up here unannounced with accusations.”

“Aunt Wills?” Cass interrupted gently. “I get it, yeah? It’s fucked up, ahem, excuse me. It’s messed up how Samantha hurt you both. Yeah, it happened to Rebecca, but it screwed with your head, too. Believe me, I understand. I mean, I was… what I mean to say is I wasn’t even in Rebecca’s life back then and I wish so much I could have done something to save her from that piece of shit. Excuse my language, again.”

“I’m a psychiatrist, Cass. There isn’t much I haven’t heard. And there isn’t much that surprises me. But you do. You’re very sweet.”

Cass’s head dipped in shyness. “That’s what Rebecca always says.” Normally, she wouldn’t enjoy being called sweet. But for some reason, when Rebecca and Aunt Wills said it, it made Cass feel all gooey inside.

“Because it’s true. Rebecca hasn’t had much of that in her life. Of course, she has friends who care very much about her, but they all have their own baggage to worry about. You just seem… unjaded.”

“You mean naïve.” Okay, that came out a little harsher than Cass intended.

“No, absolutely not. I don’t think you’re naïve. Simply unaffected by the world around you.” That was the best way Willamena knew how to put it.

“Look, I grew up with a good family, a roof over my head, love, and support. I didn’t have to go through the shit Rebecca went through. And, while she told me to never apologize for that, maybe people do think it makes me naïve. Thing is, I do know how awful people can be. I’ve been through the name-calling, the taunts. A little pushing and shoving because I’m too tatted up, too androgynous, not androgynous enough. Too feminine, too masculine, too muscular.” She shook her head.

“How do you deal with that?”

Cass thought about her answer for a moment and shrugged. “As an artist, I think I see things differently. I see people as art. You know, you have all of these different media. Pencil, paint, charcoal, chalk, clay, photography. You even have different genres of art. And, while I appreciate all types of art, I don’t enjoy them all. I don’t like abstract, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s still art. So, I respect it.

“I guess what I’m getting at is, opinions—like mine on abstract—are all subjective. There will always be people who don’t like the way I look or act, or who I love. But if I spent my entire life trying to please everyone, all I’d be doing is hurting myself. It’d be like me trying to paint a picture that every single one of the 7 billion plus people on this planet would like, I’d be miserable. Dying, eventually, having been unsuccessful.”

A slow smile formed on Dr. Willamena Woodrow’s face. “You, Cassidy Giles, are a remarkable woman.”

“Cass,” Cass muttered bashfully. She twirled the top of her milk bottle on the table. Quite the removal from the insightfulness just before. “And I just say things as I see them.”

“Which is part of your charm. Have you ever thought of being a psychiatrist?”

Chocolate milk nearly shot out of Cass’s nose when she snorted. “Um, that wouldn’t be a good idea. I’m a little too blunt and I don’t think the patients would appreciate me calling them crazy.”

Willamena laughed. “Yes, we tend to frown on that.” She took a sip of her tepid coffee. “In all seriousness, I want to thank you for all you’ve done for Rebecca. I feel content leaving her in your care.”

“Thanks.” Cass frowned. “Wait, what?”

The doctor smiled. “In mere months, you have managed to accomplish the one thing I’ve tried to do for years. Rid Rebecca of her guilt. I believe she’s ready to move on from therapy.”

“Whoa! But she still needs you!”

“I’ll still be her aunt, dear. However, you must’ve known she was avoiding our conversations. Because I’m her aunt, I don’t want her to dread talking to me. If that means I stop being her therapist, so be it.”

“What if she needs more than I’m qualified to give her.”

Willamena witnessed the mixture of fear and determination on Cass’s face. “Oh, my sweet girl. Rebecca needs someone to love her. To treat her with respect and impartiality. You already do that. I’m not going anywhere. I’m merely stepping up my role as an aunt. Which brings me to; what are your intentions with my niece?”

“I, uh, well…” Cass was saved by her girlfriend’s extremely good timing.

“What on earth possesses anyone to get up this early?”

Aunt Wills gave her watch an overexaggerated look. “Dear, it’s nine o’clock.”

“Exactly. Not even double digits.” Rebecca sleepily gave her aunt a peck on top of the head. “And you,” she began, giving Cass a kiss on the lips. “You’ve usually finished your shower and have joined me in bed again by now.”

“Um, well…” Cass was beyond flustered. First, there was the “intentions” question. Now her girl is talking about being in bed together. In front of her aunt!

“Aunt Wills?” Rebecca never took her eyes off Cassidy. “My girlfriend is broken. What have you done?”

“Absolutely nothing! I simply asked what her intentions with you were.”

Rebecca rolled her eyes and pulled Cassidy up from her chair. Her hands wandered down to touch Cassidy’s abs. “Go take your shower, baby. I’ll keep my aunt occupied.”

Stay calm. You’re not alone. Stay calm. Cass chanted the words over and over in her head as Rebecca’s fingertips trailed over her muscles. She was right. Right about this time, they would be making love. Or, Cass would be receiving a very intense session with Mistress. Stay calm. You’re not alone. She cleared her throat. “’Kay. Love you.”

“Love you, too.” Rebecca swatted Cassidy’s ass as she passed her. Of course, she knew exactly what she was doing. It would make for a fun time later on when they were alone.

“Minx.”

Rebecca laughed softly. “Guilty.” She grabbed herself a cup and poured coffee into it, holding up the pot in askance. When Aunt Wills nodded, Rebecca gave her a refill. “What were you two talking about?”

Willamena regarded her niece with pride. Even at forty-one years old, the blonde could pass for her twenties. Willamena took a bit of pleasure in the fact that Rebecca’s style was influenced by her. Granted, Rebecca’s fashion sense was a tad younger. But the sophistication was all due to Willamena. It was evident even when Rebecca was sitting at the table in pink shorts and nightshirt with her legs pulled up to her chest.

“A little bit of this. A little bit of that.”

“Meaning you grilled her?”

“No, Miss Know-it-all. We actually had a very nice conversation about how you’re ready to move on from therapy altogether.”

Rebecca’s legs dropped, and she sat up. “What?”

“My sweet girl. I’d much rather be your aunt than your therapist. I don’t want you to be afraid to call me. Or, to think that we must always be in a session.”

“I didn’t think that. It’s just…”

“It’s just you want to be rid of Samantha,” Willamena continued for Rebecca. “So do I. You were right before. We deserve better. I don’t want to be a constant reminder.” She shook her head. “I should have insisted you see another psychiatrist.”

“I didn’t want to see anyone else. I wanted you. Aunt Wills, I trust you. I didn’t want anyone else to know what happened to me. I didn’t want anyone else to fix me. I needed you.”

“And now you need me to be your aunt again. Rebecca, Cass has given you a second lease on life. Take it. Embrace it. And let me focus on embarrassing Cass by telling her you both need to keep it down upstairs when you have company.”

Rebecca’s head snapped up, eyes wide. Then she saw Aunt Wills’s smirk. “You are rotten! But I like it. And I love you. You’ll still be there if I need you?”

Willamena saw that same ten-year-old frightened little girl she saw after Rebecca’s parents passed away.

“Always.”