0 comments/ 81935 views/ 46 favorites Battered Bonds of Love By: MercuryLove31 The alarm clock's music filled the room at 4am and Liz reached over to shut it off. She was tired. As the years passed she grew more and more tired. She was 52 years old, a little heavier, a little softer, a little more mellow...and yes, a little more tired. She stood, tugging at the sheets and quilt as she made the bed. She would strip them this weekend and do the laundry. Same as every Saturday. She glanced around the darkened room, admiring the mahogany chest and dresser with the large oval-shaped mirror, the 35 inch television, the gold and purple paisley sofa and chair against the far wall, and the large oval-shaped gold rug. She hadn't a clue how to decorate the room when she moved into it a few years ago. Her daughter had helped. Gia, her youngest child. The only child that visited. The only child that called. The only child that accompanied her to the hospital last year when he broke her wrist for the third time. She sighed, annoyed at the thought. She didn't have time to think about this right now. Gia was still on her mind as she showered and then donned a pink blouse and charcoal gray double-breasted suit. She frowned into the full-length mirror. What happened to the five-foot-five-inch, size eight beauty who used to greet her in the morning? Well, after two kids, a size 12 wasn't too bad. She still looked good for 52. She slipped into a pair of gray leather pumps, admiring the power suit. It looked good on her. It made her feel confident. Gia had been a surprise during the episode last year. Actually, she was a surprise in general. She had been such a quiet child, one who'd never performed well in school. Now, she was working on her PhD in Physics and had moved from the Bronx to Virginia. She owned a one bedroom condominium there with her 32-year old "friend," Bobbi. Liz smiled, shaking her head. One day her 27-year-old daughter would "come out of the closet." One day. But she wouldn't push. Of course she wished her daughter were straight. What parent wouldn't? But Gia was doing so well. Bobbi was good for her. And Gia smiled a lot more now. Liz sighed. She was proud of both her children. The oldest, Paul, was a mechanic. He owned his own shop in Los Angeles. He wasn't married, but she didn't blame him for that. She hadn't seen him in three years. She didn't blame him for that either. What could she say? Both of her children were convinced she should have divorced their father long ago. That she should not have stayed with him for their sake. She never knew how to make them understand. If she'd left, she would have had nothing. Nothing. So, if she had to deal with chipped teeth, broken limbs, and a multitude of bruises periodically, so be it. As long as he never hit the children. She shook her head, wondering why she seemed stuck on such thoughts today. She had to get her head on straight. Otherwise those 6 year olds would eat her alive. She applied lipstick and mascara quickly, admiring the caramel face returning her gaze in the mirror. She brushed the dark curls, peppered with white strands, remembering when the thick, dark mane used to hang midway down her back. She loved the shorter cut Gia had encouraged her to get. It was less maintenance. She returned the hairbrush to the dresser top, examining her reflection one last time. She'd always been an attractive woman. Wide, bright eyes with pupils so dark they looked black, arched brows, full lips, dimples when she smiled. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. Okay, she was ready for those first graders. She grabbed a matching gray leather purse and her black briefcase, closing the front door quietly behind her. She was always careful not to wake him. He became enraged when she woke him and she didn't want to fight this morning. He'd insisted on taking the bedroom closer to the front door in their one-story home. He claimed he wanted to protect her should anyone break in. Her bedroom was closer to the kitchen, which housed the back door. A prowler would probably break in the back door, unless the prowler was an idiot. Their front door faced a number of other homes. And in this upper middle-class, predominantly white area of the Bronx the police rode by several times during the late hours. The back yard faced a neatly manicured, fenced in quarter acre of lush, green lawn. Of course a criminal would enter through the back. But she hadn't felt like fighting with him about it. She thought the real reason he wanted his bedroom closer to the front door was to monitor her comings and goings. Especially after she insisted on sitting for the teacher's certification exam, taking a job at a private elementary school in Manhattan and moving out of the master bedroom. He was retired now and hated being home alone. He thought she'd be home to "entertain" him. That fantasy had been destroyed a few years ago. She'd insisted on going to work...and for that she had been confined to the house for two weeks. She told Gia she'd slipped. Would that cause a black eye? She didn't know anymore. What did it matter? Gia knew she was lying. She glanced at her watch as she walked past their parked Honda Accord. 5:15am. Right on time. She took a deep breath. She loved this time of the year. It was mid May, a nice time in New York. Cool weather, chirping birds, only a few people on the street at this early hour. She held onto her briefcase, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. The private school's faculty shuttle would be along soon. Her heartbeat increased just a little at the thought. She loved her job. She'd waited long enough to do it. And she was good at it, or so she was told by her principal. The kids adored her, she got along well with her fellow faculty members, and the parents had nothing but good things to say about her. Her principal was already trying to fast track her into an administrative position. He even offered to pay for her schooling if she went back for her Master's degree. But she knew Peter would not allow her to return to school. So, she'd have to be content with teaching. But her love for the job was not the only reason she was so excited this morning. The real reason she looked forward to leaving her house so early in the morning was the shuttle ride. Or, more specifically, the driver. She was 18 when she married Peter and it wasn't until years later that she realized her attraction to women. Peter had accused her of being a bulldagger long before she understood her feelings. She'd sworn to him that she was not. She still didn't consider herself one. She just loved women. Loved the way they smelled, the sway of their hips, the swell of their breasts, the shape of their calves, the curve of their buttocks...all shapes, all sizes, all shades of brown. They were...absolutely titillating. She'd never done anything about her desires of course. She was a married woman after all, and from a different era. Everyone had expected her to marry young and have children. So she had. The option of living a gay life hadn't been available to her. And now? It didn't make sense to leave her husband after thirty-four years of marriage. Well, to be honest, at this point Peter probably wouldn't let her leave... The shuttle rolled to a stop in front of her home. It was a nice comfortable bus with wide, plush, burgundy seats and the school's name scrawled across the side in bright colors. The bus was one of five that catered to the faculty members who lived in the "other" boroughs. Peter had never cared for Manhattan and had bought their home in the Bronx at a steal while the area was still "up and coming." The neighborhood board wanted a professional black couple to "balance" the area out. She found out later they needed a black couple in the area to qualify for a development grant. She didn't really care. She didn't like the fact that her kids were some of the only black children at the local schools, but they had a nice home and the schools were excellent. At the time, her children were all that mattered to her. She sighed impatiently, shrugging off the disturbing thoughts once again, anxiously waiting to board the shuttle. The driver opened the shuttle doors and smiled. Immediately Liz's heart began to race in her chest. This was the reason she left her home early every weekday morning...Terri (Theresa actually, but she preferred Terri). Every morning, when the doors of the shuttle opened, and Terri smiled at her, she could barely stop her heart from leaping from her chest. She and Terri had a standing breakfast date. Terri stood, as she did for no other passenger and extended a hand to help Liz on board. Liz smiled, trying to calm her erratic heartbeat. To her, Terri was enough of a reason to leave her home an hour and a half early every morning. Enough of a reason to risk angering Peter. Terri was 41 years old, five feet nine inches tall with dark chocolate skin, a dazzling white smile, and mysteriously haunting blue-gray eyes. A gift from her great-great-grandmother, she claimed. According to Terri, her great-great-grandmother, a slave, had been raped. Her master had the same blue-gray eyes. Terri was a broad woman with squared shoulders, a narrow waist, slim hips, and a flat stomach. She was a stark contrast to Liz's curvaceous figure. Liz knew she had driven the school's children's bus for two years, applying for her current position when the driver of a faculty shuttle retired. They'd met about a year ago when Liz was forced to ride the shuttle because of her broken wrist. She'd been riding the shuttle ever since. Liz was Terri's first stop in the morning and the two, after a while, found themselves chatting quite amicably. Months later, Terri shocked Liz by inviting her out to dinner. Liz remembered the invitation as if happened yesterday. The school day was over and Terri was returning faculty members to their doorsteps. Liz was her last stop. Once Claire, who lived about fifteen minutes from Liz, waved goodbye and disappeared into her backdoor, Terri pulled off, heading for Liz's house. Liz noticed Terri had been unusually quiet that day and it disappointed her. She always looked forward to their talks at the end of the day. She typically rattled on about her students while Terri listened. But that day Terri simply stared out of the large windshield into traffic. When they pulled up to Liz's home, Liz noticed the Honda was gone. That meant Peter wasn't home. She was glad she could take a moment. "You're very quiet today," she began softly. No response. Liz waited a moment, "did I offend you in some way?" When Terri turned to her, Liz was taken back. As naïve as she was, even she recognized something raw in those mesmerizing blue-gray eyes. She could feel her body respond against her will and the rush of intense feelings confused her. Suddenly very uncomfortable, she stood to leave, but Terri also stood, blocking her escape. They were standing very close...too close. Liz could feel the warmth radiating from Terri's form, could smell Terri's cologne. She was afraid to look up into those eyes, afraid of what she might see...afraid of what her own face revealed. Liz watched in a trembling silence as Terri reached out and softly, tenderly, stroked her cheek. It was the first contact between them. Liz heard a sigh, she didn't know if it came from her or Terri. She only knew her body was betraying her, consumed by an unfamiliar heat, an almost physical ache. She took a deep breath. This could not be happening. Not here, not now. She stepped back, but not before Terri's lips tenderly brushed her forehead. The touch of her lips seared Liz's skin and she felt goose bumps rise on her flesh. When Terri spoke, her voice was a warm, raspy caress against Liz's cheek. "Have dinner with me," Terri demanded softly. Liz closed her eyes, taking another deep breath. "I—...I—" she couldn't form the words. She couldn't possibly dine with this woman. Not if her body responded like this when the woman simply looked at her, simply touched her cheek. She tried to speak again, after taking in another deep breath, but couldn't form the words. Eventually she strangled out a suggestion for breakfast instead. Just one breakfast, she promised herself. Breakfast was safe. It would take place during daylight for goodness sake. And surely she could keep her emotions in check for one breakfast meeting, couldn't she? When she glanced up into the depths of those blue-gray eyes, she was rewarded by Terri's intoxicating smile. She found herself wondering why the smile of this woman, this bus driver, made her blood boil. She didn't allow herself to dwell on the thought for long. Instead, she hurried from the bus, fumbling for her keys and quickly bolting the front door behind her. She ran to her bedroom, making certain the shower's water was cool enough to soothe her heated flesh. She had to get her pulse back to normal before her all too observant husband came home. Battered Bonds of Love "You look like a slut," he spat. "Is that for her? That bitch bulldagger driver? You think I haven't seen how she looks at you? Go change," his voice was frighteningly low. Liz took a deep breath, steeling herself. It wasn't the first time he'd mentioned Terri. But this morning she didn't want to change, even at the risk of pissing him off. "Peter, I have a meeting and I don't have time to—" She almost never saw the hand before it struck. Even after all these years it was always a shock. She was on the ground before another word left her mouth. Her hand covered her cheek. Goddamnit. She saw the shuttle bus stop and quickly got to her feet, grabbing her purse and briefcase before disappearing into the house. She wouldn't expose Terri to this. She would change her clothes and then Peter would let her go to work. Terri would probably wait a few minutes and then leave. Yes, that was the best way to handle things. She was sitting at the bay window when the shuttle returned. It was 6:45am, the time the shuttle was normally scheduled to pick her up. She'd sat in her darkened living room with her heart in her throat for over an hour waiting for the shuttle to return...and worrying. She had no idea what she would say about missing their breakfast date. And she had no idea what Terri had seen. She was glad Peter had gone back to bed after selecting an oversized tan jacket and matching skirt for her. She grabbed her briefcase and purse, walking quickly up the walk to the shuttle. Terri stood to help her onto the shuttle as usual, making sure she was settled before pulling away from the curb. Liz closed her eyes. Neither of them said a word, and Claire, the next passenger, was only a few minutes away. She swallowed. She had to say something. "I'm sorry, I forgot some papers and then I must have missed you," she finally gushed. She immediately felt horrible. Would she have to lie to Terri now, too? She felt a rush of resentment. But she didn't have a choice. What could she say? Terri, my husband is bored, jealous, possessive and he beats me? Terri did not respond. Liz sighed. She knew Terri couldn't possibly see the dark bruise on her cheek. She was an expert at covering up the bruises now. And the ice had kept the swelling down for the most part. "I saw what happened, Liz." Terri's voice was soft, steady...and Liz thought she felt her heart actually stop beating this time. She wanted the seat to open up and swallow her into it. She closed her eyes again, clutching her briefcase to her chest. Oh God, please no. She was relieved when Terri opened the door for Claire and they were no longer able to talk about the incident. The ride was painfully long. When the shuttle finally arrived at the school, Liz averted her eyes and hurried off the bus. She felt humiliated. She would drive to school from now on. She couldn't possibly face Terri again. She could feel the tears well up and wondered how she would get through the rest of the day. Damn Peter. She could not even imagine what Terri thought. She should have changed without protest. She should never have agreed to the breakfast dates. God, what was she doing with her life? She stood, took a deep breath, and walked to her waiting class. She was greeted by the cheerful hello of 14 first graders. She smiled wanly, realizing she probably looked as stressed as she felt. The teacher's aide raised a brow, but she simply waved her hand at the aide, indicating that she was fine. The young aide was always watching her. She probably thought she was having a stroke or something. Liz forced a cheerier smile and began her lesson for the day. Battered Bonds of Love "Why don't you hit me like you hit her?" Terri asked quietly. Liz wanted to grab her, to pull her away from him before he assaulted her. Why was she antagonizing him? Why was she goading him? She could feel panic rising in her. "Terri! Just go, please!" Suddenly Peter swung at her, but Terri stepped aside, avoiding his fist, and Liz watched in shock as Terri jabbed at his Adam's apple. He gagged, clutching his throat. Terri landed a fist in his abdomen, knocking the wind from him, and then kneed him in the groin. He yelped and fell to his knees. She kicked him in his middle and then in the face. He fell flat onto the carpet, moaning. Liz continued to watch in a state of shock. She didn't know if she wanted to stop Terri from beating her husband or leap to her feet and join in. She watched as Terri prepared to kick him again. "Terri!" Her shrill voice seemed to shake Terri from her state. Terri's blue-gray eyes settled on her and the anger evaporated, quickly replaced by concern. She knelt beside Liz. "Are you okay?" Liz shook her head, "my side hurts...and I think my finger is broken." Terri nodded, helping her to her feet. Liz glanced over at Peter who was still lying on the carpet, groaning as he held his crotch. She closed her eyes for just a moment and swallowed, "he's going to kill me when I get home tonight." "He won't be here when you get home tonight." She winced in pain as Terri grabbed her purse for her and lead her from the house, "what?" "When you tell the hospital staff what happened, they'll call the police. New York has a mandatory arrest law." Liz stopped dead in her tracks, "No. I won't send him to prison." Liz was angry with herself as the words left her lips. She watched as Terri stared down at her. Terri shook her head, seeming to resolve the dilemma in her mind before speaking. "Let me get you to the hospital and then we'll talk about it. Okay?" Liz nodded, following her out to the shuttle. Terri helped her settle into her regular seat. As the shuttle pulled away from the curb, Liz closed her eyes. She listened to the electronic beeps as Terri dialed a number on her cell phone. Terri was explaining that she needed someone to drive the shuttle this morning because she was escorting one of the faculty members to the hospital. Her back-up driver agreed to meet them there. Liz didn't remember much else. Their wait was short when they reached the emergency room. Within an hour she was led to a make-shift examination room where a doctor examined her. She then went downstairs for a series of x-rays. Two of her ribs were bruised and he had broken a finger on her left hand. They wrapped her middle, put her finger in a cast, and tended to the bruises on her face. When she told the attending physician she fell down the stairs, the doctor simply shook her head in disbelief. They were not keeping her overnight and she was both relieved and terrified to leave the hospital. Once she was discharged, she stepped into the waiting room to find Terri reading a magazine. She was annoyed with herself at the pleasure she felt when she spotted the dark-skinned beauty. She had been at the hospital for almost four hours and not only had Terri waited but, as agreed, she had not called the police. When Terri finally looked her way, she stood and quickly made her way over. "You okay?" She asked softly. Liz nodded, "I've been through worse. I need to get this prescription filled and..." She trailed off. She didn't want to go home, but she didn't feel comfortable saying so. "And I need to call the school." Terri nodded, "I already called, but the principal wanted you to call when you could. You can call on the way to the pharmacy, okay?" Terri hailed a cab for them and Liz settled into the back seat. The pain killer they had given her would not wear off for hours. She wasn't really listening as Terri gave the cab driver an address. Terri dialed the school's main switchboard and handed her cell phone to Liz. She explained to her principal that she'd been in a car accident and that the doctor recommended she take two weeks off to recuperate. Liz noticed that Terri turned to look out of the window as she told the lie. Moments later, she disconnected the call. "He's going to find a sub for me." Terri nodded, turning back to her, "are you okay, do you need anything?" Liz shook her head, settling back against the stiff leather seat. She closed her eyes. "Terri..." She didn't know what to say. "Just relax, baby. Let me take care of you." The words comforted Liz in a way she didn't think possible. She could feel the tears coming and tried to ward them off but couldn't. Terri held her close as she sobbed. Battered Bonds of Love Liz looked up into those hauntingly beautiful eyes as their lips met. The kiss began tenderly but slowly transformed into a reflection of Terri's desire. When their lips parted, Terri stared down at her, her eyes pleading for understanding. Liz could feel the drugs in her system, combined with the heat from Terri's kiss, thundering through her veins. And she was suddenly afraid. Afraid of Terri, afraid of her feelings for this woman...afraid of her own arousal. She backed away from Terri slowly, smiled half-heartedly and made her way to the bedroom, closing the door behind her. She let the tears fall, not sure why they fell. Was she distraught because of the past 48 hours? Was she distraught because she felt helpless? Or was she distraught because she wanted Terri to sleep beside her tonight...to make love to her? Guilt swept through her again. But she could also feel the heat of arousal in the pit of her stomach...and a dampness between her thighs. Her breathing was labored, her senses heightened. God, was she really that aroused by a woman? By one woman in particular? One who had the most amazing amount of restraint anyone could imagine? Unfortunately. She smiled to herself at that thought. She knew Terri was right. Now was not the time for Terri to sweep her off her feet. She was emotionally bloody. Raw from the beating, tired of her life, frustrated, heartbroken, humiliated...and angry. That realization surprised her. She was angry for the first time in years. Angry enough to defy her husband's demand to return home. Typically she would have run back, apologetic, making his dinner while he insisted she had brought about the beating. He'd buy her some ridiculous gift the next day, flowers, chocolate, jewelry and things would go back to normal until the next time. But not this time. And Terri was kind enough, patient enough...loving enough to not take advantage of her when she was so utterly vulnerable. As she slid between the damp sheets, she realized that for now she had to be content with wondering how it would feel to lie beside Terri, to relax into those arms, to sleep without the nightmares. She'd love to act on her feelings, but that wasn't fair to Terri. It wasn't fair to either of them. Battered Bonds of Love It was almost dawn when the house was finally empty. Terri had given her some pain killers and something to help her relax. She was now sitting across from her, speaking softly with Victoria. Liz slumped back against the plush sofa pillows and felt herself drift into a restless sleep. When she woke it was dusk, her head was resting on Terri's muscled thigh. She sat up slowly, her head throbbing. She looked up at Terri. She was breathing deeply, asleep. Liz sighed, she looked beautiful. She glanced down at her clothes. Her dress was ruined. The blood had dried into a large reddish-brown stain. And when she stood, quietly so as not to disturb Terri, she realized the white sofa was also ruined. She sighed again, combing her fingers through her hair. "How are you?" She hadn't realized Terri was awake, watching her. She smiled half-heartedly. "I'm not sure. Okay, I guess." She looked around. "I don't think I want to be here anymore." Terri nodded, standing, "I laid some clothes out on your bed for you. Take these," she handed her some more painkillers, "and take a quick shower, okay? We'll go back to my place." Liz nodded, making her way to the shower. She wrapped a towel around her form once she was done and stared down at the casual clothes Terri had laid out for her. She sat on the bed for a moment, allowing her spinning head and churning stomach to settle. She leaned forward to rest her face in her hands, trying to still the tears that wanted to spill forth. She wasn't successful. Terri found her sobbing, wrapped in only the towel, rocking back and forth. She sat beside her, curving an arm around her, pulling her close. Liz rested against her, absorbing some of her strength. Terri rubbed her back tenderly, whispering words of comfort. She probably should not have been terribly surprised when Liz turned to her, lifted her head and pressed her lips firmly against Terri's. She probably should have expected the hunger, the need, the absolute desperation. She knew Liz wasn't ready, but at this moment, when she knew the woman she loved was consumed by guilt and anguish, she could not reject her. The kiss grew more passionate as Terri gave in to her feelings. This woman had been battered for years, but now Terri would care for her, comfort her. Terri pulled her closer, lying back on the bed and bringing Liz with her. Liz lay partially atop her, kissing Terri with a feverish longing, enjoying the feel of Terri's strength beneath her trembling body. She moaned into Terri's mouth as Terri matched her hunger, caressing the soft flesh of her back, cupping the tender swell of her exposed buttocks. They kissed for an eternity, until Terri was no longer content to simply hold her. She shifted their positions until she hovered over Liz, carefully removing the towel. The sight of her, of the woman she'd craved for so many months, took her breath away. The caramel softness, the delicately aged breasts, the swell of her tummy, the curve of her hips...it captivated her. Liz felt the sobs rising again and turned her head, certain Terri would find her as repulsive as Peter had. She was unprepared for the onslaught of feelings that swelled within her as Terri began to plant soft kisses on her skin, absolutely shocked at the sensations coursing through her body. She moaned loudly as Terri's hands moved over her, caressing her, teasing her. Her back arched as Terri teased first one throbbing nipple, then the other. Within moments a swift and powerful orgasm ripped through her, stealing the breath from her entirely. Terri was not shocked when, as her orgasm subsided, Liz burst into tears yet again. She moved back up to kiss Liz hungrily, relishing in the saltiness of the tears she knew hailed from dismay mixed with indescribable pleasure. Her own body was exquisitely tense. She began to nibble and lick at Liz's wonderfully soft flesh once again, tasting of her shoulders, her throat, her hips. Her lips made their way down to Liz's toes, then up again, slowly, to her calves, her knees, her thighs. She took her time, devouring every inch of Liz's flesh, then kissing her tears away, swallowing her moans of pleasure. She had barely stroked Liz's slick center when Liz catapulted into a second orgasm. And when her mouth finally honed in on Liz's nether lips, Liz cried out, a third orgasm soaring through her delightfully tensed form before Terri had a chance to even part those lips. Terri pulled back for a moment, tenderly kissing Liz's inner thighs, licking the backs of her knees, worshiping those gorgeous legs. She waited until Liz's breathing had settled down before truly tasting of her center. She stoked the fire slowly this time, savoring Liz's tantalizingly musky scent, burying her face in the soft, graying pubic hair, gently nipping at the swollen lips, lapping up the free flowing nectar. She wasn't certain what orgasm Liz was experiencing when her own climax suddenly thundered through her. She lay on her side, holding Liz tightly. She realized they probably weren't going anywhere tonight. Tonight, she would make love to Liz over and over again in the home she had shared with her husband. It would be their first and only night in this house. She wanted to give Liz something pleasurable to remember about this place, other than her children. She wanted to give that gift to the woman she loved, the woman who had spent so many nights of terror here. She held Liz until she could feel her breathing deepen. She would only let her sleep for a couple of hours. They had to eat...and she was looking forward to loving this woman over and over again before dawn. And then, tomorrow, they would leave this place and begin their life together.