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Elizabeth decided they were crazy. Maybe even beyond crazy. Certainly crazy to move right after the new year, crazy to spend a day outside in the cold, getting the furniture out of Annabelle’s apartment, crazy to spend another day getting it into the condo. Just plain crazy.
But they were also crazy in love and that made all the difference.
Consolidating their expenses was, it turned out, not just a smart move. It came with plenty of other perks. First, there were the new pieces Annabelle added to Elizabeth’s collection of Star Wars memorabilia. Elizabeth couldn’t help but nudge her after they finished it and say, “Not too bad for a couple of geeky ladies from the Midwest, huh?”
Then there was Annabelle’s cooking. As Elizabeth soon learned, it wasn’t just breakfast her girlfriend had mastered. It was also lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacks. Just when she thought it was a good thing they weren’t eating pizza constantly, it turned out she was still gaining weight from all the fantastic food Annabelle made every day.
“Don’t complain,” Annabelle told her. “You look good, though you’ll never have a rear bumper like mine.”
“Ouch. That hurts, really.” Elizabeth rolled her eyes and resumed shoving bites of beef and ale pie in her mouth. Who knew that was a thing anywhere but England? Well, she did, now.
They’d spent New Year’s Eve at the pub, counting down with their fellow rennies and celebrating the fact that, soon, they’d all be working together again.
Initially, Elizabeth was afraid she’d be bored after quitting her job. She’d put almost twenty solid years into a fast-paced, upwardly-mobile career. But she soon found out there was no slowing down. When it came to starting a new business, there was always something to do. As the manager, she carried out all of Danny’s wishes. From representing him to the media to making purchasing decisions, Elizabeth had plenty of work to keep her busy.
Annabelle fell into the role of assistant, which meant she spent as much time working as Elizabeth. She was the one who kept Elizabeth from running herself ragged by also reminding her to slow down and pace herself.
“Stop getting up every time you think you hear a noise,” Annabelle grumbled. They were sitting on the sofa in the living room of the condo, watching TV. It was an early spring evening. The nights were finally getting noticeably shorter.
“But if it’s my phone –” Elizabeth tried to get up, but Annabelle wrapped her arms around her.
“Stop,” she said again. “You already talked to Danny a zillion times today.”
“But what if the electrician –“
“The electrician is at home, relaxing, like you should be right now.” With little kisses along the side of Elizabeth’s face and down her neck, Annabelle lulled her into a state of calm. “Hush, sweetie, and just take it easy here with me.”
Elizabeth relaxed back against Annabelle, but as the kisses continued, she moaned. “You’re turning me on and that’s anything but relaxing.”
“Fine,” Annabelle murmured against her neck. “Whatever it takes to keep you from bouncing up like a pogo stick every time you think you hear your phone.” The kisses continued until Elizabeth turned around and started returning them.
There was definitely no checking her phone or relaxing after that, because Annabelle ended up on her knees on the floor, her head firmly between Elizabeth’s thighs as she pleasured her right there on the sofa.
Elizabeth gave herself up to each sensation – the way Annabelle’s tongue traced her aching folds while her arms wrapped around Elizabeth’s legs to keep them open for her. With a long, low moan, Elizabeth leaned back and let her hands drop to Annabelle’s dark hair. Reflexively, her fingers clutched at the silky tresses.
Her girlfriend’s response was to moan against her, the sound vibrating Elizabeth’s core in a way that sent tingles of pleasure through her entire body. Annabelle’s attentions grew more ardent, the press of her lips firmer against Elizabeth’s pussy.
Fingers tangled in Annabelle’s hair, Elizabeth tugged her closer as she watched the beautiful woman lapping at her most intimate area.
This was love – having someone there to keep Elizabeth grounded when everything else around her threatened to consume her. She let her head drop against the sofa cushion and let her body go. The only thing she wanted consuming her right now was Annabelle and her sweet, talented lips and tongue.
Each lick brought her closer to the edge, until she tumbled over it, shooting stars exploding behind her eyes. When her body went weak with satisfaction, Annabelle was there to bring her to bed, tuck her in, and make sure she got a good night’s rest.
Before they knew it, opening day arrived. Somehow, Elizabeth didn’t go mad with the pressure of it. She credited Annabelle’s steady presence with that. The payoff came when they opened the gates to the “kingdom” and people were permitted to enter.
Elizabeth stood backstage, taking in deep breaths.
“What’s wrong?” Annabelle asked. “You seem nervous.” She looked as lovely as ever in her brown and gold gown, her dark brown hair pulled back in a golden net.
“I guess it’s the fact that, unlike the ren faire, this has to succeed or jobs are on the line.” Elizabeth turned to her and shook out her hands, as if that would somehow alleviate her anxiety. “I mean, obviously there’d be a significant job loss if not for the faire, but this is different. This is something we want to make work for the long term and it’s scary, not knowing how things will turn out.”
Annabelle nodded and took a few meandering steps toward her. “I’m sure you’ve been scared like this before.”
“No,” Elizabeth said. “Not really.”
“Oh? So are you telling me that everything in your old job was a given – that you’d get any account you wanted, no matter what?”
Considering her words, Elizabeth first answered, “Well, I always had a paycheck and so did everyone else in the firm. It wasn’t a start-up.”
“But to get that paycheck, you had to earn it.” Annabelle placed her hands on Elizabeth’s shoulders and held her gaze. Those brown eyes of hers, so full of love and compassion, met Elizabeth’s green ones. “And to earn it, you had to prove yourself to potential clients. There must have been times that wasn’t as easy as it seems in hindsight.”
Annabelle was right, Elizabeth realized. Those first presentations had left her with the same gut-twisting sensation she felt right now. In her freshman year with the firm, it was sink or swim. What had she done then?
“You’re right,” she admitted as she recalled those memories. “I was scared out of my mind back then. It wasn’t easy, especially because I was a woman and it was still considered ‘a man’s world’ in business.”
“Exactly. And even if you work for someone else, your paycheck is never guaranteed. Remember, you’re at the mercy of your employer, no matter what. Here, at least you and Danny are running things. That means you both have the power to make the decisions, but you also have the pressure and responsibility that come with that power.” Annabelle leaned in for a soft hug, careful not to crush their dresses.
Elizabeth’s stomach calmed and her heart stopped fluttering so erratically. “You’re right. I think what’s scariest is that I’m, for all intents and purposes, queen of the realm. If I don’t rule it well, my subjects could suffer.”
She felt Annabelle nod against her. “Yes and you don’t want that to happen. None of us want that to happen. That is why we are all in it together, here for each other.”
When they drew apart, Elizabeth was able to take a deep breath. It restored her equilibrium and allowed her to cloak herself in her Queen Elizabeth persona. “Just like old times,” she intoned with a hint of British accent.
“Indeed, Your Majesty.” Annabelle curtsied to her and then stepped aside, head bowed. “I am ever in your service.”
“And we shall reward loyalty such as yours, Lady Anna.” Elizabeth reached for the door and opened it. With Annabelle just behind her, she made her way into the main hall, where customers had already filtered in for the first performance of the day.
Long, wooden tables and benches filled half the room. The other half was dominated by the large stage, where the queen’s throne stood at the center. Elizabeth ascended the one step up to the stage and then turned to face the milling customers.
“Gentle people!” she called out to get their attention.
And thus began her performance, hearkening back to five, wonderful years she’d spent at the ren faire. Annabelle remained present at her side, the loyal lady-in-waiting. Danny had resumed his William Cecil persona, and several of the players rounded out the staff, providing not just table service, but stories, songs, and other entertainment.
Their interactions with the guests were delightful, and they filled Elizabeth’s heart with joy.
When she saw Annabelle’s face, however, she knew someone was having an even better time than her. There was her lady-in-waiting, kneeling next to a couple. The man and woman were holding hands with each other, and laughing at something Annabelle said to them, clearly enjoying the immersive experience.
As for Annabelle herself, she looked radiant. Sure, she was still the brash, sassy woman Elizabeth had met almost a year ago. She remained stubborn and feisty, and a little unsure of herself at times. But she’d grown and changed, letting go of much of the animosity that’d initially held her back in the past. Elizabeth knew she’d had a role in that and she had to blink away tears of happiness.
Elizabeth had also grown, she realized. It wasn’t something she still thought possible, but Danny was the one who’d pointed it out during one of their many planning meetings.
“You’re never too old to grow,” he told her. “I don’t care that you’re forty-three. When you’re fifty-three and sixty-three, even seventy-three, you’re still going to be growing. You shouldn’t want it ever to stop, because when it stops, we stagnate, and that’s when life isn’t worth living anymore.”
A courtier stepped up to Elizabeth and said something, drawing her out of her reverie. She let out a laugh and nodded in agreement, then clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention once more.
“My good people,” she called out, “we are so very pleased that you have graced us with your presence on this special day. There is not a greater feast in all the land as we offer you now. Partake of it with the knowledge that you are our honored guests and ever welcome in our kingdom.”
Annabelle wandered toward the stage and joined Elizabeth. She lifted her face, revealing the glowing smile that had yet to diminish. Through perseverance and teamwork, they’d made her dream come true.
And Elizabeth could not help but smile in return.