4 comments/ 20385 views/ 23 favorites Matrimonial Malice By: KAnneMeinel To my readers, please feel free to leave feedback for me so that I know that you liked my stories, what you would like to see, and perhaps maybe suggest one. Please also vote on how you liked it, every vote does count. If you'd like to read it over and over again, favorite it and come back to enjoy it like an old friend. I look forward to hearing from you...K'Anne * It was the granny panties that did it for her; they made her so angry she could kill something. She tempered that thought as she looked at Kathy with her eyes narrowing contemplatively. "Take them off" she ordered brusquely. Kathy looked up from where she was folding clothes in her underwear, standing by the bed sorting the laundry from the basket. "What?" she asked alarmed. "Take them off" Alice said menacingly, her strange eyes turning the yellow shade that should have frightened anyone. Kathy stared in fascination knowing she had nothing to fear from Alice she was strangely excited as she watched her wife advance on her from across the room. A strange kernel of sensation began in her nether regions and curled up her stomach and began to rise into her chest causing her nipples to harden and her heart to beat faster. When Alice reached Kathy she unceremoniously ripped the granny panties from her wife's body. "I hate those things and they do nothing for you" she said in disgust at the offending scraps of clothing she threw towards the trash can beside their bed. Kathy was amused but excited as she began to breathe faster "they are comfortable though" she said as she covered her extended belly almost protectively. Alice shook her head "not on you though" she said as she took Kathy into her arms as best she could with the distended belly between them and began caressing it and her wife lovingly. Kathy was thrilled, Alice never failed to make her feel desirable and treasured even pregnant, this third pregnancy was difficult and she had felt extremely hormonal this time. The ups and downs were terrible on Alice but she stoically bore the brunt of Kathy's crying jags, temper tantrums, and inexhaustible need for wild and passionate sex. The first two showing amazing patience for and the latter gladly supplying in vast quantities. Alice smiled as she leaned in for a kiss, making Kathy feel good was easy, seeing her dressed in ugly clothes not so much. In fact if she didn't know her wife was hidden under the girth and the hormones she would have walked out of this relationship long ago. As she began to make love to the very pregnant woman she thought back over the last five years, her very agile mind able to multi-task.... "You're gonna drive me insane with all these showings" Alice hissed exasperatedly. This was the fifth house they had just 'had' to see and it was driving her insane but she wanted Kathy to be happy and she was willing to be dragged to 'just one more' over and over. Unfortunately it wasn't when Kit was in school now that Kathy was home schooling her until they got into their 'settled' house and determined which school to enroll her in. As a result Kit was driving her crazy in and out of the sometimes vacant rooms of the listings, on and off stranger's furniture despite being told to behave, running up and down stairs and hallways, and asking millions of questions. Kathy kept her pretty much in hand but she couldn't help but be an exuberant eight year old. Kathy looked over her shoulder mischievously at Alice and in that moment all annoyance fled. Something about this woman was changing Alice in ways she had never expected. She wanted to please her, more than she could imagine, if she wanted to look at hundreds of houses until they found the perfect one then Alice would be with her to look at each and every one. Alice had dismissed the house upon entry into the estate with the overzealous realtor determined to make a sale. Her 'price doesn't matter' attitude was annoying Alice and although Alice didn't mind the prices of some of the houses they had seen she did mind not having her likes and dislikes being heard. It was her hard earned money and for Kathy she would do anything but some of these houses were just not in her style and taste. As they looked at one more over decorated and dark house she finally turned to the realtor and asked "you didn't have anything on the water or with a decent view? Where am I supposed to park my boat?" The realtor looked immediately uncomfortable as she glanced at Kathy "your wife said..." she began but Kathy interrupted. "I thought we could keep your boat at the marina and take a place with a big back yard a little inland, it would cost less and..." She stopped talking though at the disappointment on Alice's face. Normally you couldn't tell with Alice's poker face, but Alice didn't really care about the price, or the size of the place, or its location, she wanted specific things in what would be their home together. "I don't care about the cost, I said I'd like a house with my own dock or at least a view, this" she gestured at the poor imitation of a French style home with dark paneled walls and tacky gold leaf furniture "is not in my taste at all." She turned to the realtor "I don't want a condo, we want a house" Kathy preened at the 'we' in that statement. "I want light and airy and fresh" she exaggerated but she wanted to make a point "and I want beauty" "My apologies, I was going for homey, and warm, and inland" the realtor apologized "I think I know of a couple of properties that may just suit you after all." The realtor had thought they couldn't afford the places she was going to take them to as they all got in her Mercedes; after all they had driven up to her office in a Pathfinder of all things, first impressions and all that. She had to reassess her thinking for this couple. While she didn't let her feeling show she didn't approve of same sex couples but she couldn't afford to be choosy in this market with who her clients might be, no one was buying these days. Their realtor Charlotte took them to some houses in the hills above LA and Alice sighed, she still wasn't getting it. Yes, these were million dollar homes, hell they were multi-million dollar homes with an excellent view of a mountain, the city, or a canyon, faintly you could see the Pacific Ocean through the haze of LA smog but this still wasn't what she was looking for. Kathy would have bought several of the houses they were looking at, she was excited by them but they weren't what Alice was looking for. None of them felt right. "Don't you have any listings in Santa Monica, Malibu, or even perhaps Orange County?" she asked exasperated after their fruitless search that day as they sat in the realtor's office. "Well, I do have a few properties in Palos Verdes" the realtor said flippantly and then was shocked when Alice nodded. "Show me" she said. "I'm sorry but these are rather exclusive estates and before I show them to you, you will have to sign a non-disclosure statement and fill out these financial papers." Alice stared the woman down and said "fine, show me what you need signed." Charlotte was more than startled. She had shown them multi-million dollar hills estates and despite this they wanted more, they weren't good enough? She pulled out the necessary paperwork and handed it to Alice, sure she wouldn't pass close scrutiny, equally sure she was calling Alice's bluff. In the meantime she handed Kathy a series of portfolios of the various properties located in Palos Verdes Estates that were for sale. These ranged in the million dollar range to tens of millions. Charlotte was a victim of her own snobbery; after all, she dealt with some of the crème de la crème of Southern California society and properties. She should have known not to judge the couple, despite the Pathfinder they were dressed nicely but the kid was getting on her nerves. Alice looked at the paperwork. She was an excellent judge of people's character. Charlotte was good at her job but she had judged them based on their SUV she was certain, good thing they didn't have Kathy's old beater out of storage yet. She was amused, it wasn't angering her as it might have before, Kathy had given her something that she had been missing, changed something from within, a humanity that apparently her soul had craved. She filled out the paperwork without the anger; she would wait to see what Charlotte said after she ran a credit check on one Alice Weaver. She pushed the credit application across the desk after she finished it and then signed the non-disclosure paper without a worry as she stared down Charlotte. Charlotte had been sure Alice would balk. She had become most difficult with all the properties she had shown them. She typed in the information into her computer, faxing off the originals so that the credit company they used could have the information for future reference. In five minutes she had an answer back that had her impeccably scissored eyebrows raised. Alice was a quiet little woman but with a lot of buying power that even Charlotte had to slow her hard beating heart over. She glanced up and found Alice silently amused watching her reaction to the report. "Well, with this information we can proceed a bit more strategically, let me make a few calls and set up some appointments for showings" she said professionally. "You will let us know?" Alice asked sweetly, the saccharine in her voice would have scared some people but instead it just warned the realtor that she would no longer take just any property. She had very specific needs, wants, and desires, and she expected to buy them. "Certainly" Charlotte replied knowing she would have to work harder for this commission but it would be worth it and she hoped to get a double commission from selling Alice's condominium in Marina Del Ray but had not as yet mentioned it, but then neither had Alice or Kathy. "We will look forward to your call" Kathy said brightly enjoying the listings she had been reading. On their way home in the car Kathy asked "you don't really want all this space do you?" she indicated the listings with 4 or more bedrooms, huge lawns, and views. Alice glanced over, she had told Kathy to find a house for them but having failed that thus far she was going to have to take an avid interest in the process herself. It was annoying but then perhaps she should help decide where they lived, there were certain considerations that must be met, something's she couldn't explain to Kathy and would never. She could only imagine the horror on Kathy's face if she realized who and what Alice really was. "It isn't a matter of just wanting it," she glanced in the back seat at Kit who was looking out the window at the passing city "it's a matter of needing it. Safety is important and I don't want to worry about it." There was more to it than Kathy realized, Alice relished her privacy but she also wanted her comfort. Living in the condo had been fine when she lived alone but with the added responsibility of Kathy and Kit in her life she wanted a home for them and for herself. Kathy smiled; Alice took care of them very well. In the months they had lived together in the condo she had never felt so safe. She was relieved to have heard about a certain someone ending up in jail on various charges on the state and federal level. She didn't know how it had come about but by hiding out at Alice's condo they had managed to elude him and time had taken a terrible toll on him. Kathy had no idea the charges on Eli Watson had been carefully engineered and manipulated by Alice. Police and federal agents who had interviewed the four women from the cellar had been unable to identify the petite woman who had rescued them, they had nothing to go on other than a vague description and a brand new Nissan Pathfinder, other than that it was a dead end. Eli's computers had been whiped, his bank accounts missing, all his tangible assets seized. No information could lead anyone to Alice Weaver or her girlfriend Kathy Jenson. For all intents or purposes Kathy Jenson had moved away from Portland and not been seen again but they had no reason to suspect her connection to Eli since all trace of his interest in her and her daughter had disappeared. Eli was up on kidnapping, rape, sodomy, and dozens of other charges as well as tax evasion and other federal charges. He would be going away for a long time and he hadn't known what hit him. All his minions had disappeared, distancing themselves from him and his legal troubles and no one had come to his defense. People were shocked of course, his carefully constructed public persona of being a successful business person and a pillar of the community was shot to hell and even he didn't know who had done it to him. He had lines of creditors looking to collect from him including those he had hired to watch Kathy, investigate Alice, and with the seizure of his assets he had nothing to pay anyone with. Already he was under careful protection from those who used more unscrupulous collection activities when he had been found nearly beaten to death in a supposedly locked and guarded cell. Kathy was oblivious to anything in the haze of love she was in for this pretty petite blonde who she felt had driven in on her SUV and saved her and her daughter from a fate worse than death. Alice had not only been good to them, taken them in, but she had fallen in love with her and her daughter. She had provided a home for them, she wanted a future with them, she wanted forever with Kathy. Kathy was in awe of the power of this love that had taken them both, it was beautiful, it was incredible, and she wanted it to never end. Alice gave her so much, anything really that she wanted, the trips to all the Southern California attractions including Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Sea World, the San Diego Zoo and the Animal Park to name a few were just some of the fun ways she kept Kit distracted as she integrated them into her life. Kathy knew how generous her girlfriend was and with this buying them a house knew it was more than mere indulgence, it was a future for them. She was amazed at the enormity of the purchase though. She would have been content with a little bungalow, she still liked the condo, but Alice said a kid needed a place to play, a yard, perhaps a puppy, a kitten and Kathy loved her for it. Nothing was too good for this family they were creating. Alice had never felt like this before in her eventful life. This was love? She had analyzed it many times over the past few months, amazed how complete Kathy and Kit made her life. How easy it really was to make them happy. For the first time in her life she had someone else to think of. Sure when her sister Connie had been alive she thought about her occasionally but this was so very different from any feeling or emotions she had ever experienced or thought to. It calmed her, it gave her life a meaning she hadn't known was missing, she wanted more of it and she wasn't going to stop until she got everything she wanted from it. Kathy pleased her on so many levels. After telling Kathy that she wanted more sexually, Kathy had talked about it with Portia, confiding in her college friend. Portia had been surprised that they had fallen into a lesbian relationship but at the same time she was open minded enough to realize that Alice and Kathy had fallen in love. She offered her own love and support. She and Kathy had spoken like good friends are wont to do and stayed up late after Kit was in bed while Alice was away on business. They had researched Kathy's 'problem' on the internet and Alice had been pleasantly surprised at the results, questioning a blushing Kathy afterwards she had been amused and yet touched that Kathy was learning how to please her sexually. She didn't mind that Kathy had talked about their sex life, in fact she was grateful for the results, and their sex life had turned into a most satisfactory part of their life. So much of their life though was compatible, both marveled at how much they really had in common and how well-matched they really were. Both were very happy with the results as they experimented and learned each other's bodies, sexual desires, and tried new things. Alice had never shared this much with another woman in her life and was finding a side of her that hadn't existed before; she found herself opening up in several ways that no one had ever seen. With Kathy it was easy. The things she found on the internet had surprised and delighted Alice and if she hadn't known better would have sworn she was cheating on her. With whom she wouldn't have known, they went everywhere together and usually with Kit so there really was no opportunity. Alice didn't know anyone that could babysit so they spent a lot of together time the three of them. "Can you meet us in Palos Verdes baby?" Kathy was calling as Alice had stayed home to do some work on her investments, it was important to stay on top of the various things she had her fingers in, although if she were honest with herself she was sick of looking at properties and she had enough wealth that she would never be able to spend it all in her lifetime. In fact it was this wealth that she had been thinking about, she had no one to leave it to, no heirs, it was part of the reason she was willing to move out of her comfortable condo and make a home with Kathy, somewhere it was absolutely safe for Kit to play on the lawn, somewhere private and protected. Having the marina at their back door was a danger she didn't like contemplating for Kit and after their watchers had finally moved on she didn't like knowing how close they had actually come to her and her 'family.' She didn't know what she would do if something happened to either of them but she had feelings for them both she neither knew or understood, she accepted it but didn't understand it. It was a first for her in her lifetime and she was enjoying the unfamiliar feelings. Alice sighed wearily but knew she would go, she began to shut down her computers as she said into her phone "yes, give me the address." She wrote it down as she finished turning everything off. She glanced around the condo one more time and straightened up a few things, with an eight year old in the house there was always something being moved, or touched, or broken. Alice didn't mind, Kathy had been horrified, but with a child in the house it was to be expected. They needed more space, or at least Alice felt they did. A place that Kit could run off the exuberance she couldn't in the condo. Alice plugged in the address into her GPS before she drove south towards Palos Verdes Estates from Marina Del Rey. She got on the Harbor Freeway and rapidly sped down it in her powerful pearl colored Porsche. She smiled to herself enjoying the RPM's of the horsepower beneath her fingertips and thinking how Charlotte would have treated them a little differently sooner had she shown up in this car instead of the Pathfinder that Kathy was driving today. Palos Verdes or rather Rancho Palos Verdes and its estates was originally a 16,000 acre cattle ranch on a peninsula southwest of Los Angles. It had tried to incorporate in the 1960's but was unsuccessful until the early 1970's. In the early 1900's some 2000 cattle roamed the area but the southern tip was farmed by Japanese farmers who raised tomatoes, peas, and beans. The manager of the cattle ranch raised barley for hay and grain for his cattle feed. It's high mesa's and windy slopes was not ideal for anything to live on for a lot of years but developers recognized its strategic value in the expansion of Southern California and one land developer was determined to make it an exclusive and expensive community. There are essentially several communities on this large peninsula; you have Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates, although part of Los Angeles County the population remained relatively small and the estates comparatively large. Its exclusivity attracted buyers that could afford this type of privacy. It is a beautiful part of Southern California and part of why Alice had been attracted to it. As she drove down towards it she hoped they had a house she would want to see, she was tired of the endless tours of houses that she had no real interest in. Matrimonial Malice As she pulled onto Palos Verde Drive and drove towards the address indicated by her GPS she pulled into the gated drive and stopped at the end before going through. What she saw pleased her eye. Expertly manicured lawns and beautiful gardens greeted her eyes as well as an impressive gate keeping unwanted visitors from entering the estate. It was open for her arrival of course and as she drove up the curving drive she was pleased to see a Southern California Hacienda up on top of a man-made hill, several floors that would give them plenty of room. As she stopped next to the Pathfinder she read the listing she had printed out after Kathy had given her the address, it read: A private estate located in the prestigious Palos Verdes Estates offers resort style living at its best! This secluded estate boasts sensational panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean from almost every room of the home. A total renovation was designed and completed by the famous architect Don Hendrickson during the last three years. This renovation is a perfect balance of refinement and resort style living. This estate will exceed all your expectation, from the grand curb appeal, huge lobby to spacious living room, formal dining room to a great master suite, gourmet kitchen, fantastic library, multi-function media/ family room, two staff quarters with their own kitchen/ laundry/ dining facilities, N/S tennis court with ocean views, wine /cigar cellar, fantastic semi outdoor gym with its own bath and two separate garages with space for a total of 9 cars! The park like grounds are lavishly designed and surrounded by 3 sides of parkland. This is one of a very few contemporary styled architectural estates on the hill with big windows filled with sunlight and views! Please do not miss this grand estate which has so much to offer!!! They would certainly never run out of room with this size of a house and it was aesthetically pleasing to Alice's eye. As she looked around she felt like she had come home. This boded well as she entered through a lockable gate onto the steps leading up to the front door. Here too impressive gardens with huge palm trees shading the house made it all look tropical and natural. They would have to retain the gardeners but Alice didn't mind in the least, in her mind she was already thinking of buying the place. If Kathy liked it, and she must if she had called Alice to look at it, she would have it regardless of the price. Alice would of course negotiate; there was no point in throwing hundreds of thousands of dollars much less millions away. Meanwhile she was looking avidly around at her surroundings liking more and more of it as she saw the extensive grounds. She rang the front doorbell. Charlotte opened the door and said "that was certainly quick, was it a clear drive?" Alice nodded as she looked down the wide hallway, there were minimal decorations, giving the impression of open space and after her conversation with the realtor and then later with Kathy she was glad they had gotten her point and complied with her wishes better. Everything she had seen so far was favorable. "Baby, will you look at this place" Kathy enthused as she spread her arms and gave a little spin in the formal living room. Alice had to admit even she was impressed. Hardwood floors and far eastern carpets made it a lovely finished room. Beautifully decorated with chairs and couches it had little 'sections' for more intimate moments. A marble enclosed fireplace was against the inner wall and a grand piano against the beautiful windows that showed the panoramic view of the backyard and when you looked further a view of the Pacific Ocean. Kathy grabbed Kit before she could bang on the piano and said "don't touch anything" with a warning only a parent can unleash. Alice was thankful, she enjoyed Kit but right now she wanted to enjoy this beautiful house. Charlotte began talking about the architect of the house and Alice tuned her out as she looked thoughtfully at the view. They walked into the formal dining room with a beautiful table that seated eight easily. Kathy had a firm hand on Kit's and stayed silent as she watched Alice look at the gorgeous house. Something about this place, this beautiful house had touched her heart and she instinctively knew it was what Alice had been talking about. She knew it didn't have anchorage for Alice's boat but it had a lovely set of paths that led down the bluffs to the ocean and they could enjoy hiking together down the ancient paths and playing on a practically private beach on the peninsula. She hoped that Alice would love it as much as she had almost instantly. It was a lot grander than anything they had looked at but apparently something about Alice's background check had thrown Charlotte into a tizzy and with the suggestion of Palos Verdes had brought a side of her out that allowed them to see such luxurious homes. This had been the third one today and Kathy had known, instinctively known that it was the one. The kitchen had an informal breakfast area and the cupboards were all beautiful dark cherry wood, the countertops and the flooring in marble. All of the appliances were stainless steel and out beyond the breakfast area was a patio with another small breakfast area to eat al fresco. A small bar was off the kitchen this too had marble and expensive woods down a few steps from the kitchen that also led into the family room with large built in hardwood shelves, back lighting, and beautiful views of the Pacific. A bathroom was off the hallway that led from this room towards the incredible master bedroom. The impressively sized master bedroom was on the main floor with a luxurious bathroom with an oval tub big enough for two. She exchanged a look with Kathy who was blushing at her own thoughts and turned away when Alice raised an eyebrow in question. Next to the tub was a huge walk in shower, large enough for six people to shower fairly comfortably and many nozzles and sprays. This room too had a large window that overlooked the beautiful view that the house afforded. At the back of the family room was a half wall that covered the stairs that led up to the second floor bedrooms. Four of them! Alice was delighted with the size of everything she could see, the quality of the woods that had been used, it was all clean and airy and light. The bedrooms each had their own bathroom. Two of the rooms were obviously guest rooms, another some sort of 'craft' room, and the fourth a nursery. When they went downstairs Alice was pleased to see the 'basement' or sublevel floor was completely finished with a sauna, a video room, an office big enough for both of Alice's sets of computers, large desks, and Kathy could even work in this large room, two 'staff' bedrooms complete with bathrooms and a weight room with a pool off the patio doors. Each level had various balconies that overlooked the pool and backyard which was quite a large section of grass which led to natural foliage and unfinished dips, hills, and as Alice could see erosion that led down to the ocean. She was really pleased but you wouldn't know it to see her demeanor. Kathy suspected it, in fact she was quite sure of it, but their realtor Charlotte was sure they had disappointed this tough and difficult client once again. She was ready to pull her hair out, she had followed her specifications exactly this time and Kathy had been sure she would like this. She was quite startled when Alice finally asked "their asking price is twelve million?" That's what the paper had read and Alice was going from there, she had no intention of paying the asking price of course. Before the women left the property, Alice had filled out paperwork to tender an offer. Charlotte shook her head "I don't think they will give up $2,000,000 on the asking price" she began and Alice held up her hand. "Tell them this is a cash deal and immediate. I want a quick escrow and they can move on to their life. This may motivate them." Charlotte was stunned, who tendered an offer for $10,000,000 cash? Alice never blinked as she signed the papers. The negotiations began and over the next week Alice agreed to purchase some of the beautiful furniture that had been in the property, keep on the gardeners and the housekeeper, and she put the $10,500,000 in an escrow account immediately. "Well babe, after a few renovations that I want taken care of before we move in including a completely new security system" Alice shook her head sadly at the one that had been installed previously on the property knowing something about security systems "we should be ready to move in a month" Kathy wrapped her arms around her girlfriend "that place is incredible, thank you, I love it" Alice smiled a genuine loving smile as she leaned up to kiss her girlfriend, it wasn't hard to make her happy and she knew Kathy had wanted this place. It was perfect for Alice too, or at least it would be after the 'renovations' that she would oversee herself. She wasn't trusting too much to outside vendors over certain 'things' she wanted done to her property. They weren't ready in a month to move in despite the quick escrow. The renovations that Alice insisted on and the furnishings that Kathy wanted weren't quite ready. They went out to the property every day and were there often enough that their new neighbors were used to seeing them already and waved when they saw them drive by. Already the gossip had settled that a lesbian power couple had purchased the estate. Alice arranged for Kathy's possessions be brought out of storage and shipped from Portland to the house. Kathy spent days going through it all realizing all the furniture was unsuitable to their new house and giving a lot of it away to The Salvation Army along with many of her old clothes and things. Alice had promised to replace whatever she wanted or needed and Kathy enjoyed many of the presents Alice surprised her with. When her old clunker of a car gave out there was a new one in the spot they had designated hers in the new garages the next day! She protested at the expense of a Volvo station wagon but Alice pointed out she would need it for Kit and friends after she started school. For the first time in her life Alice was enjoying spending money. She had carefully saved and scrimped and acquired over the years and now she could enjoy indulging for her new family. When Kathy had protested Alice pointed out she had no one else to spend her money on and she loved her besides! She put in a complete playground in one of the gardens on the side of the house for Kit and the new friends she would have in the school they had found for her to attend at the beginning of the next semester. Alice herself wielded the drill that cut a large hole into the concrete of the subfloor in their office. She had chosen a beautiful set of wooden strips in the hardwood floor to carefully pry up and no one would suspect what was put beneath them. She had also chosen a day she knew Kathy was looking at furniture with Kit in the city and Alice was 'supervising' the landscaping and building of Kit's new wooden playground. The men knew what they were doing and didn't need Alice around, she had made it very clear what the landscapers should modify and she figured she had several hours to complete her task. Their new housekeeper that had come with the estate also had a month's vacation while 'renovations' were being done and Alice knew having another person in the house would prove trying. The new safe she had purchased and was installing was state of the art and her 'modifications' would insure no one would ever steal from it. The one in the wall was already reprogrammed and had 'innocent' stocks and bonds that anyone could access if they were really looking for something. Kathy of course had the combination and thought it innocent behind the wood shelving that was on rollers. Alice thought it glaringly obvious that a safe would be in this room and where it was. The safe she installed in the sub-floor would hold the bank accounts and cash she needed for 'other' things in her life that she would not and could not share with anyone. When the job was finished, Alice carefully vacuumed up the dust and debris and wielded a mop herself to the floor, to the vacuum, and dusted the shelves as well. No one could tell that this section of the floor contained a safe and the wood that had to come up to reveal the hidey hole could be walked on, even furniture put on it, but Alice had insisted on purchasing the desks and chairs that went in their beautiful offices and knew where everything went. Her safe was completely 'safe' from prying eyes. Alice had never lived or envisioned living in a house with such an open concept, the windows were what gave it so much light and air, it also opened up things quite a bit. She was grateful for the window treatments so they could shut out the world now and again, protect their privacy and expensive furniture from Southern California's intense sun rays, but it was all so beautiful she wasn't as particular about certain things as she had been before. She concentrated her energies on her new family and making them happy. As Kathy had carte blanche for decorating the house she had made sure to keep Alice's taste in mind and the quality of the furniture she bought recognized that. The beautiful things the previous owners had left were complimented by what Kathy bought for their attractive home. Each room had a loving touch and Kathy preened under Alice's compliments and admiration and learned from her suggestions and recommendations. Kathy was surprised that Alice decided to leave the condo with most of its furniture and furnishings and perhaps rent it out. The only thing she made sure to move to the new house was her computers, their clothing, and a few personal items and there didn't seem to be too many of those. It made sense to hang on to the condo when Alice explained how awful the housing market was right now and they would sell it later. For only a moment Kathy thought Alice was hanging onto it for another reason, one she couldn't fathom, it had hurt but when Alice explained about the market, she dismissed it as an insecurity on her part. Alice watched as Kathy supervised furniture being placed in the rooms. With all the extra bedrooms she wanted each one furnished and finished. Alice was puzzled as to why this one bedroom, the nursery hadn't been redone. The previous owners had left nothing in it but the wallpaper which made it obvious that this had been a nursery at one time. It was decorated with lollipops and dolly's in the design, the walls painted a pretty pink, obviously for a little girl. Alice had seen Kathy in here a couple of times over their weeks of renovations, moving in, and new furniture arrivals. Today as the final furniture was being delivered she saw Kathy slip in here one more time and followed her. She saw Kathy looking pensively out the windows at the incredible view. Every window in this house had a beautiful view and for that alone the estate was worth its millions. She watched Kathy hug herself with her arms crossed across her bosom as she gazed out; she herself leaned against the doorway waiting for Kathy to notice her as she observed her. Some minute sound or perhaps she sensed her leaning there caused Kathy to turn suddenly and catch Alice gazing at her fondly. "Is something wrong?" Alice asked as she contemplated her girlfriend. Kathy's face had lighted at the sight of Alice standing there and her face turned into a smile of greeting as she shook her head "no, not at all, I love this house" her arms fell from their self-imposed hug to be thrown wide and take in the entire house. Alice smiled, she knew the house pleased Kathy but there was something.... She walked forward with her unique walk, Kathy mentally registered it, it reminded her of a predator sometimes and she felt her stomach tighten up appreciatively in anticipation of what she knew not. Taking Kathy in her arms she kissed her. "Are you glad we are almost ready to move in?" she asked. Kathy returned the kiss whole heartedly, she had never been as happy as she had been with Alice, she gave her everything, well...perhaps not everything but then a girl should be happy with what she had shouldn't she? Her eyes flicked to the wallpaper and back to Alice in a second but just enough for the astute blonde to see. "Something wrong?" she repeated her eyes gazing deep into Kathy's. Kathy knew never to try to keep anything from Alice, while she had never seen Alice angry there was something there, something she couldn't quite put her finger on that told her never to anger this woman. She had been generous, more than generous in providing Kathy and Kit a home and so much more. Neither of them had anticipated falling in love with this woman or the results of that love. She smiled and tried to hedge, just a little to delay her answer "what could be wrong, the last of the furniture is in, most of our stuff is over here, we just need a few things..." she left off because of a slight change in the eyes of this women she loved. Alice smiled and waited, that's all it took as she gazed intently at Kathy. She knew this woman, she wasn't complicated, she was loving and giving, she had captured Alice's heart that which she had been sure was buried deep if it existed at all. She wasn't sure it hadn't been dead but Kathy had breathed life into it. She'd do anything to make this woman happy and the momentary glimpse had shown something in Kathy's eyes that only one who loved her as deeply as Alice could have seen the flicker of sadness. She waited patiently, but the glance towards the wall gave her a clue. "What do you want to do with this room?" she asked quietly. Kathy sighed, it was really a waste. The room was beautifully decorated already and just needed furniture to welcome a baby and make it the perfect nursery but when she had decided, or rather her heart had decided to love a woman, this woman, she had forever given up the idea of having any more kids. It hadn't stopped her from looking longingly at nursery furniture when Alice had given her carte blanche to decorate their new home together. She shrugged and tried to turn away but Alice held her firmly in her arms "I guess I should pull that down" she indicated the beautiful wallpaper "maybe we could paint" she finished lamely glancing around and then down. Alice watched as Kathy began to hang her head. She ducked her own head and looked into Kathy's attractive and definitely sad face "would you like to use it for its original purpose?" she asked quietly. Kathy's eyes flicked to Alice's and her head began to come up again, there was hope in her eyes but still she hesitated "I guess we could adopt I suppose..." she managed to get Alice to release her from her embrace as she walked a few paces away "it would be a shame to have all this" her arms encompassed the whole house again "and not share it with an unfortunate child..." she didn't sound convinced. Alice walked up behind her and took her in her arms again from behind. Being shorter she couldn't quite rest her head on Kathy's shoulder comfortably but she could at least talk over the shoulder as she breathed quietly in her ear "but you would rather have one of your own wouldn't you?" she asked astutely. Kathy turned slightly and glanced back at the attractive woman she had made a life with, a woman who gave unstintingly, who she had fallen in love with almost desperately. She couldn't ask her for more... "Well yes, I loved being pregnant with Kit but I would want the child to be your child and we do have the little problem of us both being girls" she grinned to hide the hurt and to try and make it funny. Alice looked thoughtfully out at the view, the unbelievable view from the windows of this home. There were palm trees visible beyond the balcony of this room, a set of sturdy patio doors kept locked with a special lock that children would not and could not have figured out and above their reach besides. "If you really want another child Kathy we could make it happen" her hand reached around to spread out over Kathy's stomach from behind "and it could be my baby, it would be my baby if you had it." Matrimonial Malice Kathy turned with a bitter sweet smile "I know you'd make a terrific mom too and you are to Kit" she shrugged fatalistically "I'd just like it to be yours. I don't know, I just do..." she couldn't quite explain the need. Alice started to speak but Kathy wasn't finished. "And mine..." she sighed as she too looked out at the terrific view; the ocean had a blue hue that couldn't be described in mere words. She felt its beauty encompass her each time she looked out; it was peaceful and calmed her nerves which had been jagged for a long time. Alice had calmed them initially; she had made her feel safe, she had brought peace to her on so many levels and now this beautiful home...she should be content and was mentally beating herself up that she wasn't. "It could be mine too; we could use my eggs..." Alice began. Kathy shook her head "yes, I thought of that too, but I'd only be the incubator then, it wouldn't be mine or related to Kit genetically..." she turned to take Alice in her arms this time "I know, I'm just being silly or something, I guess I'm feeling maternal and nesting in this house. I'll paint this room white and put in a few chairs or something." Alice shook her head "don't you dare, we will use this room for what it was intended..." Kathy interrupted "I'm not ready to adopt..." "We won't need to adopt, I kind of like the idea of you being pregnant with my child, let's mull it over for a while, we don't need to decide now, today, let's look at all our options first, okay?" Kathy smiled, Alice made it sound so easy but she couldn't exactly explain that the love she felt for Alice she wanted to share with her a child that would be both of theirs. She guessed the next best thing would be to carry Alice's child in her, to be the incubator. It was too bad her husband's sperm wasn't available at least to make it genetically related to Kit. They finished moving in. The condo was empty of personal furnishings but the furniture remained. They also kept the boat there at the dock for their use whenever they wanted to go out. Alice had even taken the three of them out to Catalina a couple of times on picnics and adventures, even navigating back in the dark once much to Kathy and Kit's delight. It was too bad really the house in Palos Verdes didn't have a dock but it was so big and so beautiful they compensated for this small lack. Hiking down to the beach from their own backyard through the fence and onto the ancient trails that led down to what was practically a private beach. "You do not go down there without one of us ever" Kathy instructed Kit and emphasized it. The back gate leading down to the paths was kept locked since neighbors could and did use the same paths and who knew when or where someone could be coming from. It also kept Kit from happening out this section. "You have enough playroom so stay inside the fences." Kit loved her new home. She had a huge bedroom that Alice and Kathy had decorated perfectly for an eight year old girl. All her familiar things from Portland were spread out in the room but she had new furniture and a few new toys as well. She loved her new school too and had made a few new friends. She wasn't the only one with two parents of the same sex. Down the block was a little girl who had two fathers. Most of the kids didn't care and their parents had enough money for this exclusive school to see that people's prejudice attitude was not preached to their children. The teachers were all hand-picked and a couple of them were also homosexual so it was a matter of live and let live in this high-class community. Alice loved swimming daily in their pool or playing tennis on their own private court. Both Kathy and Alice taught Kit to play and they all enjoyed each other as they adjusted to their new home. Having a housekeeper made things easier to keep clean. Alice was a neat freak anyway and Kathy faithfully picked up after Kit but her daughter learned by observation and emulation and as Alice was neat as a pin, Kit tried to do so as well. "Wanna watch a movie?" Alice asked after working all day. They shared the beautiful office, Alice with her bank of computers and Kathy with her laptop and desktop. Working from home meant they spent a lot of time together and while they both loved it, they both needed time alone. It was Friday night and while they had an excellent library of family movies to choose from on the shelves in the media room Kathy was feeling restless. "Why don't we ever go out?" she asked instead. Alice looked at her in surprise. "We go out a lot" she pointed out "we went to dinner on Wednesday." "That was the three of us, but you and I" Kathy gestured at both of them with her thumb "we don't ever go out and do anything, just the two of us." Alice had to concede she was right; they were always the three amigos. "Your right, but I thought you liked bringing Kit with us." Kathy got up from her desk closing her laptop and headed over to where Alice had her desks set up and her array of computers, she never even realized she was walking across the hidden safe under the wood floor. She plopped down on Alice's lap as she wrapped her arms around her girlfriend "why don't you and I go out and dance or something, I want to be romantic with my girlfriend in public" she murmured seductively as her lips began to travel up Alice's neck. "Maybe because we have a young child and bar hopping isn't a good idea when they are underage?" Alice was enjoying the feel of Kathy on her and against her, she wouldn't mind staying home and pursuing this line of romance....she loved it when Kathy became the aggressor. "We need to find a babysitter, I want you to myself, I want to go out and eat somewhere that they don't ask if we want fries with the meal" Kathy's lips were tugging against Alice's ear. Alice felt a corresponding tug in her nether regions as she arched her neck for Kathy to have full access. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather stay home and go to bed early?" she asked as her hands began to explore the possibilities. Kathy smiled, she enjoyed touching Alice, she enjoyed making love to her, but she wanted something besides home and work. She loved their new home and spent a lot of time puttering in the gardens, swimming in the pool, playing tennis with the overly competitive Alice who she never beat but enjoyed trying anyway, walking for miles on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific or hiking down them. She hadn't been on a real date though with Alice, ever. She loved her daughter, she loved that Alice loved her daughter, but she wanted to dress up for Alice and go out somewhere. Now that they were settled she was feeling restless. "I want to dress up and go out, let's go somewhere fun" she said as she began to nibble down Alice's neck. Alice felt her nipples hardening and she nearly forgot what Kathy was saying, she mentally shook herself as she asked "do you know a babysitter?" Kathy did and made a phone call arranging for the girl to be over in a couple of hours as they both raced to go get dressed. Alice wanted a quickie first and while they had a good time, it only wetted their appetite for more later after their date. They were both looking forward to dressing up and going out. "But why can't I go with you?" Kit whined for the third time as she watched her mother getting ready and putting on makeup. Kathy looked at her daughter in the reflection of the mirror and smiled, in the time they had been with Alice they had gone almost nowhere without all of them together. Sometimes Alice took Kit with her to stores or Kathy went alone but one of the adults was always with Kit, they had never left her alone with a sitter. "Honey, sometimes adults go to places that aren't suitable for children, you'll have fun with Jenny, and she's a terrific sitter" "I don't want to stay home with Jenny" Kit whined. "Kit" Alice called sternly from the dressing room alongside the large master bath where she was getting ready "could you come here please?" Kit glanced at her mother and obeyed Alice's summons. Kathy watched her go as she finished up her makeup and put on the outfit she was going to wear. The red and black dress came to her mid-thigh and made her feel like she was in college again. She brushed her brown hair out and was pleased with the results hoping that Alice would be as well. She glanced at the bathroom door that Kit had gone through, they were pretty quiet in there but she trusted Alice absolute and knew she would take care of her daughter. Kit came out of the door with a large smile on her face. "Mom, wait until you see" she whispered loudly. Kathy looked up and was astounded. Alice, a very pretty woman, looked amazing! The soft folds of the midnight blue dress enhanced her blonde beauty. Her legs looked longer and sculpted with the matching high heels she was wearing. She looked sophisticated and elegant and for a moment Kathy faltered at her own image but the look in Alice's eyes when she saw Kathy comforted her immediately. She could tell Alice approved of how she looked, the amazing eyes that captivated Kathy told her she was beautiful in this woman's eyes and that was all that mattered. "You look amazing" they said at the very same moment and then laughed. Just then the gate buzzer sounded. "I'll get it" Kit said excitedly. "Kit" Alice said warningly as she went to the panel on the wall to look and see who it was. She looked back at Kathy and asked "is Jenny a high school student driving daddy's Volvo?" Kathy laughed as she came to look too; with the heels that Alice was wearing they were of a similar height. "Yep that's her" she said as she looked into the monitor and pressed the button to release the gate to the drive. Alice turned to Kit and said "you can answer the front door but be sure to ask who it is" she said as the little girl raced out of the bedroom excitedly. "For someone who didn't want a babysitter she is pretty excited, what did you say to her?" Kathy asked curious. "Wouldn't you like to know" Alice said mysteriously and grinned at her beautiful girlfriend. "Are you ready?" "I should get a wrap for later" she said as she went to the walk in closet to collect one. Alice helped her on with it, reaching for a short jacket for her own ensemble and grabbing a matching purse which she stuck her keys, her wallet, and some make up in. They made a pretty picture walking down the hall together as their babysitter watched them. She had heard about them and been introduced to Ms. Jenson but had never met Ms. Weaver, wow she was all class Jenny thought as she shook her elegant little hand. Alice handed her a list of important numbers including their cells, the local police, and poison control. Kathy told her Kit's bedtime and to help herself to the pizza and soda in the fridge. They should be home about 1 or 2am. Both women hugged and left lip marks on the little girl as they said goodbye. Alice took Kathy's arm and led her down the inner staircase to the garages and helped her into the Porsche tucking her in gently as she smiled into her prettily made up face. "Where are we going?" Kathy asked. "How about we eat dinner first and then club later?" Alice asked "or would you like to do something else?" "No, that sounds wonderful" Kathy enthused. Dinner was posh and they were certainly dressed appropriately as the many admiring glances attested to. As they made their way in the Porsche to an exclusive club the parking attendants tripped over themselves to help them out of the expensive car, admiring their legs as they pulled themselves out of the low slung car, and handing Alice the ticket. Alice ignored the line into the club as she discretely pulled a $50 from her purse and smiled at the attendant holding back the line. "Ah Ms. Weaver, welcome back" he said as he leaned in for a hug and a handshake. "Hi Jules, how is the music tonight?" she asked with a smile, of course he remembered her name, her money made many people remember her name. "It's hopping, they have a live band tonight" he said enthusiastically. "Jules, this is my girlfriend Ms. Jenson, please remember her" Alice said kindly. The tall man looked at the brunette and smiled appreciatively, it was too bad she was a lesbian, she was one fine looking woman but then one would expect that from Ms. Weaver and her friends. She was all class. He opened the rope holding back the masses and waved them in to the groans of those waiting in line. Alice put her hand discretely on the small of Kathy's back urging her into the club. They were immediately lambasted by the sound of rock and roll coming from a hundred different speakers and a rendition of Pat Benatar's last hit being reenacted. Kathy looked around, she couldn't remember ever being in a gay club but Alice had assured her this was a more of a high end mix club, yes all sexes were welcome and some same sex couples paired off but it was just a healthy mix of club patrons. Alice led her up to the bar "what would you like to drink" she shouted into her ear over the beat of the music, a heavy base was playing which made it nearly impossible to hear her. "I'd like a screwdriver" Kathy shouted back. Alice signaled the bar tender whose face lit up at the sight of Alice and she hurried over. Her t-shirt read 'bar bitch' and she leaned over exposing a good set of breasts that were barely contained in the tight and stretched t. "Honey! Where have you been?" she yelled in greeting. Alice grinned and felt Kathy stiffen up beside her. "Hiya Bette, we'll have a screwdriver and my norm" she told the smiling bartender as she enjoyed the view. "Will do honey, don't you be such a stranger neither" she called as she reached for the vodka. "A friend of yours?" Kathy shouted into her ear. Alice shook her head as she shouted back "everyone's your friend when you spend money." They sipped their drinks and looked around, the bar was smoky despite the ban on cigarettes but the band had a smoke machine to correspond with their music. The bar was hopping, people dancing and chatting and drinking and having a good time. Kathy enjoyed people watching and looking around at the sites, it had been a long time since she had been somewhere an adult would go without a little kid. The band changed to a slower song and started a bubble machine and Alice finished off her drink. "Come on, let's dance" she said, not having to shout anymore with the bass stilled. Kathy finished off her drink quickly; glad she had a full stomach from dinner to absorb the alcohol and placed the glass on the bar. Alice left a $10 bill on the bar under her glass and steered Kathy on to the dance floor. They swayed to the music enjoying the feel of each other against them and looked lovingly into their eyes. "This is nice" Kathy murmured enjoying time alone with Alice. Alice smiled as she leaned in and brushed her lips against Kathy's, pulling her closer. They danced for what seemed like hours, stopping occasionally to refresh themselves with drinks. Kathy was asked to dance by others and at first she declined but then encouraged by Alice she hesitantly accepted both men's and women's invites. Alice danced a couple of dances with others but mostly she waited for Kathy to dance with. As the night wore on though Kathy found herself increasingly jealous at the attention that Alice garnered. It surprised her to feel that way. Alice was her usual attentive self and Kathy knew she had nothing to worry about, but something about others trying to hit on Alice bothered her immensely, it was an odd feeling and she had never experienced it before over a woman. Kathy had just finished a dance with a tattooed woman and enjoyed it but declined a second dance as she went to find Alice. She spotted her on the bar stool where she had left her a dance ago, just as she reached her a brunette with long streaked hair, boyishly slim body, and girl-next door looks reached her as well and pulled her into an embrace shouting "ALICE". She had freckles sprinkled across her nose and cheeks, her eyes were a grey blue, and her stubborn little chin invited someone to argue with her. Her straight white teeth gleamed in the club lights as she smiled delightedly upon seeing the petite blonde. Kathy stood there feeling foolish and waiting for Alice to notice her. Alice turned slightly in the embrace and saw Kathy looking a little miffed. She slid off the bar stool into the embrace of the woman who had greeted her so delightedly. "Deirdre, nice to see you again, I'd like to introduce you to my girlfriend" she pulled from the enthusiastic embrace. Kathy could see that this 'Deirdre' looked disappointed at the word 'girlfriend' as Alice continued "Kathy, this is Deirdre, Deirdre this Kathy." The brunette sized up Kathy and dismissed her slightly as she coldly nodded "I haven't seen you in ages" she gushed. Alice's face tightened slightly but you would have had to of known her really well to tell. Kathy noticed it immediately. Alice reached around Deirdre to clasp Kathy's hand and pull her to her side, her arm around Kathy's waist she answered the other woman "yes well, I've kept myself busy" "I guess so" she said as she eyed the competition and didn't like what she saw as Alice held Kathy possessively. Kathy carefully kept her face neutral. "Are you still living down in the Marina?" she asked sweetly, but there was an underlying tenseness to her words. It was deliberate and Kathy realized she must know the place and tried not to tense up at the question. Alice shook her head "are you still in the hills?" "Oh no, I sold that house, too many memories" she alluded as she glanced at Kathy meaningfully as if to say, I know this woman. "Yes I understand, we just bought a house in Palos Verdes" Alice answered watching with a glimmer in her eye, there was no way she was going to let Deirdre put Kathy down, even subtly. "We?" Deidre asked in surprise. Alice nodded "yes, our daughter needed room to roam so we needed some land with the house" she said it off the cuff but her words were carefully chosen and Deirdre didn't even realize she was being subtly put down. "Your daughter?" Deirdre nearly choked. Alice nodded as Kathy did too; now realizing what Alice was doing and enjoying it. "Oh that's nice" she looked around "say, I see my friends over there, it was nice seeing you again. Hope I bump into you again" she sounded sincere as she waved away. "Bye" both Alice and Kathy said and then exchanged a look that had them laughing shortly together. "Hey are you about ready to go?" Alice asked Kathy with a smile after their laughter had subsided. Kathy nodded. Alice helped her on with her wrap that had saved her bar stool and then put on her own short jacket. They made their way to the door and the parking attendant took their ticket. The line for getting in the club was still there even after all these hours inside. "Does the line ever end?" Kathy whispered in an aside to Alice. Alice chuckled shaking her head and whispered back "then there is the after-hours clubs...." Kathy shook her head, back in the day, maybe college she could have managed. She had had fun tonight but she was bushed! The valet came up driving the pearl colored Porsche which drew many an admiring glance as the two pretty women got in it. "Are you okay to drive?" Kathy asked because she knew she wasn't. Alice nodded; Kathy hadn't even noticed her 'usual' drink was cherry juice and 7-up, a Shirley Temple if you wanted to name it, no alcohol. She sped off down the road and made her way to the freeway "would you like to stop to get something to eat before we go home?" she asked. "No, to be honest, that was a fun night out but I'm bushed" Kathy said with a smile.