part0028

It seemed hardly any time at all before the plans became definite and they moved to Gibraltar. They stayed in a small hotel in the centre of town before finding a villa to rent. They kept their promises and ensured it had three bedrooms, plenty of room for family and friends to stay. The small pool was also an attraction, and Steph and Mia spent most evenings dining outside and then sitting on the terrace until it was time for bed.

When they did have a weekend to themselves, they acted like tourists, exploring Gibraltar, Spain and Morocco which they also loved. Both were surprised at how much they adored Malaga, it was far from just the airport city they expected. The combination of a city yet on the beach was great, they loved the modern harbour area with restaurants and shops, and the backroads, and thought the theatre district beautiful and hip. They walked for hours along its streets.

Within a few weeks they had found what they considered to be the ideal venue for Abby’s hen weekend. A villa with 8 bedrooms, on the outskirts of Sitges, an area which seemed particularly gay friendly. The house was secluded but sitting on a private beach, with a large terrace making the most of the sea view, and it could be rented for a weekend. Abby and Ailsa had agreed they would have a joint hen weekend, they wanted to spend time with close friends and family, when they heard about the house, they immediately booked to come over the following weekend. The agent had agreed to put it on hold until then and had arranged to take them all to see it. He drove them to the house at midday on the Saturday.

Standing on the terrace Abby had tears in her eyes when she looked out at the view. Looking at Ailsa she could see the same reaction. “My god Steph, Mia, you weren’t exaggerating, this is amazing. What do you think babe?”

“I’m almost speechless, yes it’s fabulous, it’s far better than I imagined, and I’d expected something wonderful from your description and the website.” she pulled them all into a joint hug. “Of course, we’ll take it.”

Steph was ecstatic that they liked it so much. She had kept her promise and she and Mia had worked hard to find this. “They offer catering too, for dinners anyway, I thought we’d manage lunches and dinners ourselves, if it’s all already here. There’s a range of food and drink packages to choose from.”

“That’s great.” Ailsa looked around the spacious kitchen with its state-of-the-art appliances, given she was the cook of the two. “I’d be happy whipping up breakfasts and simple lunches here, with that view. Dinner though might be beyond us, particularly after a day lounging around the pool with cocktails.”

Abby was grinning from ear to ear. “It’s perfect guys, you’ve really done your homework, I can just see us here.” She looked at the agent, an overly tanned middle-aged man. “Sign us up please, we’ll pay now.”

He looked towards Steph. “Actually, the rental is taken care of.”

Abby and Ailsa turned their gazes towards her.

“It’s our wedding present to you, if you’ll accept it, after all you’ve been living together and already combined house contents, we didn’t think you needed any more things.”

“It’s a brilliant present, thank you, Ailsa and I accept with huge thanks.” Suddenly they were all hugging again. They agreed to confirm the food packages with the agent before the end of the weekend after they’d had a chance to study them.

Returning to Gibraltar, they spent the afternoon going up the rock on the cable car to see the apes, laughing at Ailsa’s reaction when she didn’t heed the warning to get too close, and one ran off with her favourite baseball cap. Later they ate steak barbecued on the terrace, before relaxing, sipping red wine. Mia sitting in Steph’s lap as Ailsa regaled them with stories of a dinner party they had held, which included a blind date for Janie, Marie, a lawyer that worked with Ailsa.

“Well we didn’t exactly say that it was a set-up, you know how Janie hates these things, but it would have been difficult to miss it given everyone else was paired up. They hit it off though and Marie has told me that they’ve seen each other a couple of times, if her face when she told me is anything to go on then she’s certainly smitten. I’m hoping it’s mutual.”

Abby smiled. “Keeping it close to her chest, it would kill her if we were right and she actually met someone through a set-up, you know how she is.”

Ailsa poured them all some more wine, before copying Mia and lowering herself to Abby’s lap. “She’ll need to come clean soon though babe, once we tell her about this, if she wants to bring her as a plus one.”

“That’s true, if they’re still together that’s be three months by then. That’s serious for Janie. I hope they are, Marie is great I know you’d all love her. Anyway, talking about serious, what about you two, how long is that now, you’re living together, what’s next?”

Ailsa put her hand over Abby’s mouth. “God babe you’ve got no tact, that’s their business. I apologise on her behalf. Don’t feel you need to answer that. Abby promise me you’ll behave if I remove my hand?”

They all laughed as Abby nodded vigorously.

“If you don’t it’s off to bed with you.”

Abby pulled her hand away, leaning forward and kissing her cheek. “Mm, that wouldn’t be much of a punishment darling.”

“Alone, with no more wine. You’re incorrigible, you know that don’t you.”

Abby groaned, burying her face in Ailsa’s neck. “God, you know how it turns me on when you use big words.”

Ailsa rolled her eyes. “Ladies, I think someone’s had enough grape juice for tonight. Bed babe... to sleep it off, before you get any ideas.”

Abby pushed Ailsa off her lap and took the hand offered to assist her to stand up. “Good idea, I’m done in after all the excitement today, thanks again we really appreciate it, we can’t wait until the weekend at the villa.”

Steph watched as they wandered off, hand in hand. Abby’s comments had hit a nerve. What of our future, I can’t see myself without Mia, I know she loves me too, but does she want me the way I want her? Am I all she wants... for life?