Movement In Still Life: Vignette 7
Time Line (Very Important!)
Intro: Original Piece of "Movement In Still Life"
Vignette II: The Benefit - 5 Years After Intro
Vignette III: The Elevator - 10 Years After Intro
Vignette IV: The Gift - 12 Years After Intro
Vignette V: The Lobby - 14 Years After Intro
Vignette VI: The Revelation - 15 Years After Intro
Vignette VII: The Train - 16 Years After Intro
Disclaimer: Bianca, Maggie, Miranda, Kendall, Greenlee, Erica etc belong to AMC/ABC. No money/profit being made from their use here. Don't sue; take a deep breath instead. Natasha, Jacques, Pierre, and Phillipe belong to Cgirl. Susan belongs to both of us, and she was quite a find.
Rating: Strong R for the entire sequel. And we mean it. Really. Please read responsibly.
Feedback: Give, and ye shall receive.
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MOVEMENT IN STILL LIFE
VIGNETTE VII: THE TRAIN
This vignette was written by Diva
Sixteen Years After Intro
Susan was a petite beauty, just a breath shorter then her brilliant surgeon wife. Her skin the color of sweetie light brown sugar, her eyes as deep and haunting as a dark obsidian stone, but radiated with more warmth and love then should exist in any one woman.
She was a natural caregiver, and had she not been a nurse she would most assuredly been the exemplary mother of numerous children. Wee ones, admirers and friends would have seen attached to her small hips and short legs enjoying all the love she would bestow on them without reservation. The very same love she shared with her cherished wife, Maggie.
As for Susan's wife, Maggie, she was a much sought after successful surgeon whose time was spent, more often than not, repairing the sick and dying, not only in Paris, but other cities and continents in the world as well. Maggie was Susan's love, her life, her hero; the woman who appeared almost magically, or so it was told, and saved her from a life absent of love. Absent that was until the small blonde Doctor walked into Susan's ER and stole her heart.
And so it had been these many years, Maggie and Susan. Two women fate had brought together, but life was forever pulling apart and keeping at a distance. Susan waited, hoped and longed for more time with her wife, but demands from work would always come first. Something Susan understood and accepted. But then there was that part of Maggie that belonged to neither her medical calling nor her wife. A part that Susan first suspected and was finally resolved in the knowledge that this part belonged in silence only to her wife. So Susan made a conscious decision and chose not to dwell or obsess over something she clearly had no control of. Instead, she decided whatever part or parts Maggie could share or offer her were enough. Because without her, life would be empty of something irreplaceable… it would be empty of Maggie and Maggie's love.
Susan had been an ER nurse when Maggie met her, and until a year ago; but now she was retired, not due to age, but to become a stay-at-home mom for their new son. A sweet child, from the DRC, Maggie had saved and brought back for them to adopt.
A little boy whose entire family had been slaughtered before his very eyes; something they both hoped this baby would never remember when he was older, but neither knew what that life had left imprinted on his tiny infant mind. A life of blood, death and destruction, that had brought him to Maggie's makeshift hospital in that war zone and into their lives. Lives that not so long ago lost their own child, a baby girl who never lived to be born; but had been carried in her mother's womb long enough to make them love her, want her and mourn her when Maggie lost her. A loss neither wife would speak of now. A loss that was put on a dark and distant shelf in their hearts; now replaced with Aidan; the boy who they hoped would fill the holes his dead baby sister left behind. Perhaps too much for a child to take on, but since he was brought home his new loving parents had done all they could to spoil and shelter him. Though his mother, the one who found him covered in mud and blood; was slowly becoming his absent mother. Something her wife wished and prayed would change with each passing day, week and month.
Susan would never accuse Maggie of being a bad wife or mother. It was her job that kept her busy and the family left with few free days. But when she was there, she couldn't be more attentive or caring. Taking on any and all projects or duties Susan and little Aidan needed. They were her life - her responsibility and she took that seriously; even when she couldn't give them the one thing they wanted most - her.
It was another stormy, damp, fall day. The wind had been beating relentlessly against the windows of their penthouse for hours. Their son, Aiden, had been asleep in Susan's arms for about an hour, but had grown restless as his feeding time approached.
Susan smiled at her son, a precious gift, one she had hoped to share with Maggie, but as time taught her, hope was something that wouldn't and couldn't bring Maggie home any quicker or more often. But being a natural dreamer, she would never lose that hope or her love for her absent wife. So she stroked Aidan's soft cheek with the back of her fingers and enjoyed the feeling of closeness it brought. Then her body jumped, the front door slammed telling her Maggie was home, causing that smile she had for no one but her wife, as tiny Aidan, now awake, cooed, fussed and smiled back at his mother.
"There you two are. Enjoying the warmth of our home, while your wife battles with the elements outside?" Maggie said, as she leaned down lovingly and gave her beautiful wife a kiss on the cheek and tapped her baby boy's nose with her finger, causing him to giggle and coo at her.
"I see he still falls for that Stone charm, Maggie," Susan said with a chuckle.
"And why wouldn't he, you do too, my wife,"
"True, but I've been smitten for years, he's still new to your wicked ways,"
"Well, when he gets older, I will make sure he learns my wicked ways so he can snare a loving and wonderful wife, just as his tired old mother did,"
Susan stood holding their baby, expecting Maggie to take him, as she always would once home, but the blonde doctor embraced both her child and wife, kissing Susan on the lips then junior on the top of his head, before she headed for the shower.
"Mags, where are you going? Aidan wants his bottle and you know he prefers you to feed him when you're here,"
"I know love, but I have to shower, pack and catch the next train to London tonight. And I only have a little over an hour to do it all, sorry love,"
Susan held her son closer to her chest, trying not to let this last minute trip bother her. Or upset their son in the process. He was very sensitive to his mothers' emotions. But it was hard; Maggie had promised this weekend she would spend it with them - no medical emergencies would keep her from her family. But then there would be other things that popped up and kept her away - things that weren't discussed or acknowledged. Things Susan had pieced together as the years passed. Things she didn't want to know about. Things that could cost her everything if exposed. Things, that took Maggie away, on even shorter notice then any medical emergency, but were carefully veiled in lies.
Susan had lost herself in thought, about those things, when Maggie came from the bedroom showered and dressed in a towel, her hair still wet.
"Love, why are you still standing there like that? Did you go off into one of your lovely fantasy escapes?" Maggie asked, pinching her wife's ass and kissing her cheek quickly as she rushed to grab her travel bag from the hall closet.
"Yes - lost in thought. You know me, forever drifting off to far off places,"
"Well, unless they have Aidan's bottle there, I suggest you hurry off to the kitchen instead before he starts to cry and brings you back to the real world, love,"
"Yes - Maggie, how long?"
"I'm sorry sweetie, I couldn't hear you. What did you say?"
"How long, Maggie? This time, how long will you be gone?"
"Just the weekend, I hope. I have to do a consult on a heart patient for a colleague. I know I promised to be here, but this came up. I'm sorry Sues."
"I know - duty and all. We'll miss you, as always," she said with genuine love.
"Me too love, me too,"
Maggie hurried back to the bed room, packed, dried her hair and dressed. Gave both of them one last kiss goodbye, before she rushed to catch her train. Shouting she loved them as she slammed the front door once more with her exit.
"Love you more..." Susan said to the closed door, holding her only constant connection to Maggie in her arms - their son.
========
The private car, within the train, from Paris to London held but one tenant; the blonde doctor, waiting for her companion. Though, she seemed less than interested if anyone joined her at all. The door to the car suddenly slid back, making a loud bang, distracting the blonde, but not enough to cause her to look up and see who or what was about to enter her sanctuary. It caused her small frame to jump, but then continued to look out the window and concentrate on the moving scenery and the pounding rain being whipped against the windows by the relentless wind.
"God, the weather is enough to chill one to the bone. You would think it was winter instead of fall, from the look and feel of it," Bianca complained, juggling the door and her bags as she tried to enter the private car.
She huffed as she struggled, glaring at Maggie and wishing the blonde would offer to help her, but clearly that wasn't about to happen.
Bianca slammed her two wet bags down, beside Maggie's one, and proceeded to struggle out of her drenched coat, until she finally freed herself from its grasp. Tossing the wet offending apparel down next to her bags, and at last collapsing in exhaustion beside her silent and brooding companion.
Without looking at the brunette, Maggie finally spoke, "Did your umbrella fail or did you forget it,"
"Finally, she speaks - well if you must know, it was blown out of my hands by the wind. I was running late so I didn't bother to try and retrieve it. Thanks ever so much for asking and for your help," she spat out with disgust.
"You're welcome," the blonde answered, with no hint of tone or reaction.
"God, why did you even call me, Mags, if this is how you're going to behave? I don't need this shit. I'm tempted to just leave you and your cold heart once and for all. It's growing old and tiring," Bianca said, with less anger then hurt.
She went to rise and leave as promised, but Maggie surprised her and reached out taking hold of her arm with what amounted to a death grip; but continuing to avoid all eye contact.
"Please…" was all the small blonde said, with just a hint of pain in her plea. Enough to break through Bianca's anger and hurt; causing her to sit back down and gather her composure.
It was going to be one of their more complicated retreats, that much was clear to the brunette. But it was also clear, Maggie both wanted and needed her, no matter what her body language or lack of speech might indicate. And no one knew Maggie's more complex moods and how to deal with them better then Bianca. Besides, Maggie's pleas always broke through any hurt or barriers that existed between them.
After a few quiet moments, Bianca took hold of Maggie's small hand and led them both towards the dining car. There they ate and drank, but spoke very little and about nothing of any great importance. Empty chatter about others on the train and what they might be doing there and where they might be heading. It was a game they played, speculating on the lives of strangers. For them a form of entertainment, perhaps, or a way of distracting themselves from the reasons that brought them there and to this place; and kept pulling them back together after so many years.
***
The couple in the private car next to theirs was privy to the lust filled moans, screams and pounding bodies against the compartment walls. The two women appeared insatiable and driven in their desires, to any who could hear them. Causing those, who also happened to pass by their cabin, to stop and stare and smile or scowl in reaction to the sounds and foul, harsh words emanating from within.
After more time than any decent person would care to admit to, silence finally returned to that part of the train. And the two women, naked, sweaty and sated said nothing about what had just transpired. Their train ride was coming to an end and they both needed to dress and prepare to disembark from this train and proceed with the next part of their weekend.
***
A London Cambias Penthouse condo was their next and final stop. This would keep prying eyes from seeing them in public places, where word could get back to others. Something neither of them wanted or could afford. They weren't teenagers or even young adults anymore. They had careers and families who needed to be protected from their dirty little secrets. Families they loved and wouldn't hurt for the world. But this draw, they had for one another, wouldn't let go and at least in Maggie's case, had started to eat her alive - the guilt, the lies and the deceit.
"Mags, you can put your clothes in that dresser and this closet, if you like," Bianca offered, as she unpacked and watched Maggie stand motionless in the center of the bedroom.
"Sure - fine," was all the blonde said.
She wondered what it mattered. Why unpack, when she knew the chances were slim she would wear any of what she brought while here. Bianca had made it clear they weren't going to leave this place, and all meals would be delivered. Facts, which actually gave Maggie some peace of mind, though little having to do with her time with Bianca ever did.
"I'm going to take a shower," Maggie announced, dropping her bag where she stood and headed off to the bathroom.
Bianca sighed and stashed the bag in the closet.
****
It was the middle of the night and the two of them lay side-by-side; Maggie with her back to Bianca, the brunette’s body flush against hers, as the blonde stared out the condo window and listened to the wind howling its plaintive call. A call Maggie was almost certain was meant for her, as a warning perhaps, but she buried the thought.
Bianca, on the other hand, was lost listening to Maggie’s breathing. Trying to tell if she were awake or lost to sleep after hours of them making love.
Love - could Bianca in all honesty call it that? Perhaps, for there had been brief moments of tenderness - hadn’t there? But Maggie’s emotional distance seemed to grow with each new connection.
Connection - had there been connections or just sex? Bianca wasn’t completely sure. Instead it always seemed just a breath away, as if some invisible barrier stood between her and Maggie, no matter how intimate they were. Yes, there had been a connection or two, no matter how brief, but Bianca craved more…not just for herself but for Maggie too.
Bianca began to run her fingers over Maggie’s arm, down her slender and still damp hip from their heated love making earlier. She felt Maggie shudder from her touch, so she stopped for a second. Her blonde counterpart rolled onto her back and stared at Bianca with a look full of conflicting emotions. Leading Bianca to do the only thing she knew to do, to silence those emotions within the blonde - she kissed her.
Nothing heated or forced, just their lips pressed gently together with eyes closed. It felt wonderful for both of them, but almost too much for Maggie. Not wanting to end the kiss, Maggie took hold of Bianca’s hand and moved it between her thighs. Inviting the brunette in, wanting - needing her touch.
Bianca cupped her lover’s sex, filling Maggie with as much as she could take. Their kiss now heated as their bodies became inflamed once again by their passion. Maggie and Bianca’s bodies, hands, hips, mouths one - one entity fused by their inexplicable draw to one another. That wonderful tension building just before the climax. That excruciating pleasure of two loves bringing the other to incredible heights. That moment of bliss…and then it STOPPED!
Maggie broke their kiss - her head turned away as Bianca heard crying - no, not just crying but sobbing. It seemed almost out of body and surreal. They had been so close - but none of that mattered now. Something was terribly wrong and she needed to force herself from that sexual precipice they were both on just seconds ago.
“Maggie, what is it? What happened? Please baby, don’t cry, talk to me. What did I do wrong?”
But nothing Bianca said or did helped. Maggie appeared to try to say something. Her lips would move, but nothing even close to words would come out. Finally she pushed Bianca away, frantic and desperate in her actions, as if Bianca’s touch was causing her pain.
The petite blonde rushed from the bed and ran to the bathroom, slamming the door and locking it. The sound of the lock made Bianca’s heart almost stop. Clutching her chest, she ran to the bathroom door and knelt before it. Her hands placed flat against the wood veneer, trying desperately to reach her lover on the other side, but fearful she wasn’t going to be able to console or beg Maggie out of that room.
Bianca waited, prayed, hoped and cried, but finally gave into her own exhaustion and returned to their bed; crying herself to sleep.
The bathroom door opened, slowly as Maggie exited the room several hours later. She approached the bed, where she stood and stared at Bianca and then redressed, took her unpacked bag out of the closet and left. No note, no goodbye - nothing.
=======
Natasha arrived home, having spent the afternoon with an old friend playing hooky and taking in an old film at the local revival movie house. A classic, An Affair to Remember, a film that always made her cry, but she couldn't resist watching for its cinematic beauty, flawless actors and heart wrenching ending.
She found Bianca's coat and scarf deposited on the love seat, by the front door, often forgotten by her wife and left for her to hang up or put away; when Bianca arrived home weary from one of her trips.
Natasha picked them up, held both the coat and especially the scarf close to her face; inhaled her wife's unique scent only to recognize there was that ever present and lingering other familiar scent as well permeating her nostrils. One that would make its presence known too often for her liking. Injected into the blonde's senses enough to know what the tell tale perfume meant...and caused her heart to cringe with enough pain to make just the hint of tears threaten to make a show; but never enough to shatter her determined state of survival denial.
"What are you doing Tash?" Bianca asked, confused and unnerved by her wife's strange inspection of her clothing.
"Trying to see if they need to be dry cleaned, my love. Sometimes you surround yourself with chain smokers and your clothes, especially your coats, reek of it,"
"I'm sorry, I guess I've grown oblivious to it after all this time." the brunette said, as she placed a sweet kiss on her wife's cheek.
Natasha hung the coat and scar in the hall closet and eased her hand into Bianca's. Only to feel it slide quickly from hers. Bianca smiled and excused herself, asking the blonde if she wanted a drink.
"No, I just came from the cinema. I've spent the last thirty minutes crying off and on. I'm afraid liquor would only intensify my already erratic mood,"
"I know what you mean. You know how romantic films, especially the sad ones, destroy me,"
"Yes, something we both seem to suffer from,"
"What was it?"
"Excuse me,"
"What film did you see?"
"Just some old black and white, which Joyce and I wanted to see. I can't even remember the name of it. Something with beautiful people making difficult choices,"
"Well, at least you two had time to spend together doing something you both enjoy. I know you never seem to see her enough this days,"
"No, life keeps us both very busy."
Bianca stood staring at the drink she had poured, and her wife sat quietly watching her.
"Love, I've changed my mind, could you pour me a sparkling water, please?"
"Of course," the brunette lifted the heavy crystal glass, placed a few cubes in it and poured the water.
She handed the glass to her wife, as the statuesque blonde swept her finger tips over her wife's hand holding the glass, then she removed the offered drink from said hand, "Thank you, darling,"
"No trouble, Tash. Well, I haven't showered from my long trip, so if you will excuse me, I'll go freshen up and then we can get some dinner,"
"Yes, love, whatever suits you,"
"I'd kiss you, baby, but I feel so grungy. Once clean, I promise a more suitable hello from your tired, traveled wife,"
Natasha nodded, pressing her cold drink against her forehead. A new pain was pulsing between her eyes and a persistent dull thud in her heart; as that scent followed Bianca out of the room - but a hint of it still lingered on the hand Bianca had touched. But Natasha knew once Bianca had returned from her refreshing shower, both of them would feel better and find their familiar closeness, that had been interrupted by real life once again. And that phantom, forever present between them, would be put aside for yet another night, and maybe another year.
TBC