Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2012 17:54:17 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tori <letoria69@yahoo.com>
Subject: Karen and Laci Chapter 6

Ff rom

For Gina from Norway, who gets it in spite of language differences. Love, Tori.


Chapter 6

Interludes


The lamp is burning low upon my table top
The snow is softly falling
The air is still in the silence of my room
I hear your voice softly calling
If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
On this winter night with you
			Sarah McLachlan/Gordon Lightfoot

Karen woke with the dawn. Laci was tucked close to her. Karen smiled at the
sight of her child-lover's beautiful, angelic face. She decided to let Laci
sleep a bit longer. She tenderly kissed Laci's forehead, and whispered, "I
love you precious kitten." She got up and quickly pulled on her robe.

After a pause in the bathroom, she plodded downstairs to start a pot of
coffee. She poured a cup -- cream, no sugar -- and went to the breakfast
nook. It was brilliantly sunny, yet still bone-chillingly cold.

Karen sipped her coffee and looked up when she heard a soft noise. Laci
padded sleepy-eyed into the kitchen, her hair mussed and her lip curled in
a pout. Her slippered feet scuffled across the floor, and she wordlessly
climbed on Karen's lap and wrapped her arms around the woman's neck.

"Good morning, kitten," Karen smiled, embracing the girl. "Did you sleep
good?"

Laci simply nodded, still pouting.

"Cat got your tongue? Or did you forget it between my legs?"

Laci giggled in spite of herself. "You're bad," she whispered. Then, "Why
didn't you wake me before you got up?"

"Because I wanted you rested sweetie. I wore you out last night."

Laci giggled again and snuggled closer. "You almost did, but I wore you out
just as much."

Karen picked up the fresh smell of toothpaste on Laci's breath. She lifted
Laci's chin and looked at her. "Kiss?" Karen said. Their mouths touched,
and Laci naughtily pushed her tongue out to tickle Karen's lips. A nice,
warm shudder rippled over Karen. "Mmmmm," she purred. "You give the best
kisses."

Laci smiled. "That's `cause I love you," she said.

"You hungry baby?"

"A little I guess."

"Let me make us a little breakfast. English muffin and jam?"

Laci yawned and reluctantly slid off Karen's lap. "OK with me."

Karen started breakfast, dropping English muffin slices in the
toaster. "What do you want to drink?"

"Milk?"

She poured a tall glass for Laci. "You want chocolate in it?"

Laci shook her head. "No, just milk." She remembered suckling Karen's
breast last night, and a warm flush crawled over her. Karen didn't seem to
think it was weird that she liked pretending to drink milk from her like a
baby. "Karen? Are your mother and father still alive?"

Karen raised an eyebrow. It was an unusual question but innocent
enough. "Yes, they're both alive, but they live on the west coast, so I
don't see them often."

"Do they know you're...gay?"

"Yes they do."

"Were they, like, mad at you when they found out?"

Karen chuckled. "No baby, they weren't 'mad' at me. Surprised? Yeah,
maybe." The muffins popped up. "Why?"

Laci shrugged. "I dunno. Just wondering. I'll bet they didn't drink or
anything like being mean or nasty to you. Do you have a sister? Or
brothers?"

"No honey, I'm an only child. You're a curious little kitten this morning."

Laci shrugged. "I dunno. I just wonder sometimes what it's like to have
parents who don't, like, hate you." She smiled shyly when Karen set the hot
muffin down for her. She hoped Karen didn't mind her asking dumb
questions. Maybe it was better to change the subject. She spread strawberry
jam on her toasted muffin. "Are we still going to the mall?" she asked with
a touch of uncertainty.

"I plan on it. You need clothes. Desperately."

"I know. I hardly ever get new clothes."

Laci took a bite of English muffin, smearing sticky jam around her
lips. "Laci love," Karen said with a touch of awe, "You are probably the
only girl I know who makes eating an English muffin sexy."

Laci, in the middle of a second bite, looked up at Karen with genuine
puzzlement. "I do?"

Karen laughed softly. Laci was going to be dangerous someday. "Sweetheart,
you make breathing sexy. And you are all mine."

Laci swallowed and beamed. "Yes I am. Forever and always."

Karen finished her English muffin, brushed her hands together, and swept
loose crumbs from her robe. "How about we shower together," she
announced. "I'd like us to take a bath together, but it'd take too long."

Laci's eyes glistened happily. "I love when we take showers and baths
together. You said I make eating a muffin sexy. Well you make taking a
shower or bath even more than sexy! Can I do your make-up afterward?" There
was a childish excitement in her voice.

Karen shrugged. "Sure, I'd like that. But remember, if you make me look too
good, someone might try to flirt with me," she ribbed playfully.

"Let them try! I'll be jealous real fast! You're all mine and I won't
share!"

Karen laughed. Her child-lover was a treasure on so many levels. She
studied Laci's sweet face and noticed a thin film of strawberry jam around
Laci's mouth. Karen stood and lifted the girl's chin. "C'mere," she
murmured. She slid her tongue out and drew it slowly around Laci's lips,
cleaning the smears of jam. Laci shuddered and gloried in the feel of her
lover's tongue snaking around her parted lips. "Mmmm," Karen hummed. "Let's
go take our shower and get ready to go out."

*************************************************

It was past noon by the time Karen and Laci headed for the mall. The sky
had gone from a milky white to the color of asphalt on an old country
road. It spoke of the possibility of more snow. It also ended the deep
freeze of the last week. It was a balmy 27 degrees.

Laci bounced and fidgeted with restless excitement. Karen glanced at her
with a small smile of amusement. "Excited, are we?"

"I hardly ever get to go shopping, maybe Wally World once in a while, or
the times you took Amy and me to the big mall." Laci leaned over to fiddle
with the radio. "Can I ask you something? Those times you took us to the
mall, I was kinda afraid to go `cause I didn't have any money. But I
figured I could at least look and help Amy. But the funny thing was, I'd
open my purse and there'd be like fifty dollars tucked in there, and if I
said anything, you'd pretend you didn't hear me and walk away. And Amy,
she'd like grab me and pull me up close to her and stuff fifty more dollars
in my hand and go like, `I have some extra money from babysitting and
stuff. Take it and shut up, you're my best friend and I want you to have it
so we can have fun.' And she wouldn't let me give it back. I kinda wondered
how that money got in my purse." Laci looked at Karen with a mischievous
little twinkle in her eyes.

Karen turned her head slightly so Laci wouldn't see her own smile. "Imagine
that," she said.

"Was it you who did that?"

"Must've been the Mall Fairy."

"Mall Fairy?" Laci snorted. "There's no such thing as the Mall
Fairy...unless her name's Karen."

"Well, whoever did it must've cared for you very very much."

Laci slumped back, looking at Karen with a loving smile. She took Karen's
hand in her own. "Whoever it was, I always wanted to thank her with a
kiss." Watching Karen closely, she brought the woman's hand to her face,
nuzzled the palm and kissed it softly.

Laci's hand kisses were like holding a butterfly in her cupped palms. Karen
let out a contented sigh. "You know, I think we ought to stick to basic
stuff today, things you really need. Amy used to bitch that this mall was
lame, none of the cool shops. But they have the basics, and it's better
than Wally World. You good with that?"

Laci laughed, the sound sweet and delicious. "Karen, I love you so much!"
Laci felt ready to burst inside from the feelings Karen gave her, and it
was an exquisite sensation indeed. She beamed as she looked intently at her
savior, marveling that a woman as beautiful and strong as Karen was her
lover! It struck Laci that even her lover's name reflected how she was:
Karen, caring, they sounded so much alike! *She's not my mother, but she's
like my new mother who loves me and is proud of me, and if she was my real
mother we couldn't be lovers too, so maybe it really is better this way,
and maybe we're even best friends, and I can't help it, I have to make sure
she knows how much I love her*.

Karen surged with her own exhilaration. Nothing -- no one -- had ever made
her feel the way this desperately beautiful, suffering teenage girl
did. *This is what it's like to be in love, really, truly in love!* She
stopped for a traffic light, and she used the moment to squeeze Laci's
thigh and murmur, "I love you, my baby."

*This is all I've ever wanted from life*, Laci mused.

Karen drove into the mall parking lot, pleased to see it wasn't at all
crowded. She found a parking spot near one of the main entrances. She eased
the car into the space, and they both unbuckled. Karen glanced around
quickly before grabbing Laci's hand and pulling her closer. "Quick! I need
a kiss before we go in."

Laci tittered with delight. Their smiling lips touched, and then came
together. Karen risked a quick sweep of her tongue, and Laci made a
surprised but happy purring sound in her throat. Karen pulled her lips away
with a soft smack, but she kept them close to Laci's. She kissed the girl
again. And again, until she could feel herself losing control. She let out
a sigh. "God Laci baby, I could just eat you up."

Laci laughed softly. "I'd love that."

"Come, let's go before someone see's us."

Laci skittered around to Karen's side of the car. She grabbed Karen's arm
and hugged it. "Know what? Being in love with someone is the most awesome
feeling in the world! Especially when that someone is you."

No, Karen decided, she would never tire of hearing Laci proclaim her
love. "Well now, I was just thinking the same thing about you."

They stepped into the mall arm in arm, a mother and daughter for all anyone
knew. Laci's genuine excitement when they went through the doors thrilled
Karen. That increasingly familiar flush and tingle of arousal skittered
over her. For the last year, trips to the mall with Amy became more and
more tedious and contentious. Shopping trips to the mall were something Amy
saw as a given, almost a birthright. This local mall was no longer good
enough; it didn't have the right shops and it was so lame, they had to go
to the big, cool mall in South Georgetown with all of its trendy
boutiques. Then there was the whining about needing more money, and the
demands that they go their separate ways once inside so she could be with
her friends and not be seen with her Mom. She was, she proclaimed to Karen,
not a little kid anymore.

Laci on the other hand, delighted in going to any mall. Any shop was an
exciting and thrilling cornucopia of delights, and she was more worried
about spending too much money than in not having enough.

Everything about the girl today was making Karen's insides tremble and grow
tight. Laci's somewhat heavy-handed, adolescent make-up job, gaudy and
silly on an adult, fit her persona perfectly. Her thick mane of silky hair
cascaded in waves around her angelically beautiful face and spilled passed
her shoulders. The soft long-sleeved sweater and tight jeans she wore,
wrapped her taut, lithe, exquisite body in lovely embrace. Watching that
body move was almost enough to make Karen moan.

They went from shop to shop, rapidly filling the girl's need list. Within
two hours, Laci's winter wardrobe went from three pairs of jeans, half a
dozen tops, an old pair of sneakers, and a pair of decent dress boots, to
enough clothes and footwear to fill a small closet and a bureau. It was
amazing what she needed just to stay warm when outside.

At one point, Karen brought Laci into an arts and crafts store and got her
a professional sketch pad, a complete set of drawing pencils, and a book
entitled, "Sketching the Human Body". This seemed to delight Laci more than
any of the other treasures she'd gotten. Her eyes grew wide, and she turned
the leather and brass-trimmed two-sided pencil case repeatedly in her
hands. "Oh Karen!" she breathed. She impulsively grabbed Karen and hugged
her tight. Cheek pressed against Karen's chest, she said softly but
forcefully, "Thank you! I love you so much!"

Later, they passed a nail and piercing boutique and Laci slowed down. She
looked at the display of body jewelry and said, "Would you let me get a
tongue stud?"

Taken aback, Karen said, "What?"

Laci looked up at her. "You know, a tongue stud."

"No, no way," Karen said, horrified. "I won't let you mutilate your body at
your age just for decoration. Earrings? Sure. Maybe even a belly button
stud. But nothing in your love spots, uh uh, no way."

Laci knew very well how Karen would answer. She didn't really want a tongue
piercing; she just wanted to see Karen's reaction. She tried to pout, but
she couldn't hide the smile. "You're an old fuddy-dud."

"Old fuddy-dud, huh? I'll show you old fuddy-dud in just a little while,
young lady."

Everywhere they went, Laci drew looks, sometimes furtive glances, and other
times brazen leers. Her deep sensual beauty and her delighted happiness
surrounded her like a shimmering display of the northern lights.

At one point, they slowed to window shop at a chain jewelry store. Laci
gazed in awe at the gold and silver baubles, at the sparkling diamonds and
emeralds and rubies. She paused and looked with particular longing at a set
of gold bangle bracelets, and a delicate girl's watch, but she said
nothing. Karen took note. She touched Laci's back. "Come on, kitten,
there's more to see."

Laci sighed, but then she smiled. This was all so awesome.

Karen took it all in with a sense of amazement. With Laci's every gleeful,
tinkling laugh, with every bounce and every clap of her hands, the hot knot
in Karen's mound grew. She struggled against the nearly irresistible urge
to grab Laci and kiss her madly wherever they stood.

Laci held on to Karen's arm and giggled. If people only knew, she
marveled. And her little muffin surged delightfully, a warm little bubble
rolling around her insides.

As they neared the anchor department store that marked the end of their
shopping day, Karen snapped her fingers as if she'd just thought of
something. "Honey," Karen said. "Why don't you go on in there and look
around, OK? I'll catch up to you. I have to run to the pharmacy for
something I forgot."

Laci wrinkled her nose. "What did you forget?"

"Old lady stuff, prune juice and pee pads," Karen teased. "Now go, I'll be
right back."

Laci disappeared inside the store, and Karen hurried off. She had no
intention of going to the pharmacy. As soon as she knew Laci was inside the
department store, Karen stepped into the jewelry store.

The saleswoman was about Karen's age. She was extremely attractive, as
attractive as Karen, very tall and slim. She was impeccably dressed in a
navy skirt and blazer over a white blouse. Her nametag said simply,
"Gina". She gave Karen a bright smile that, in other circumstances, would
have fired Karen's imagination. "Good afternoon," she said with a distinct
and alluring Scandinavian accent.

"Hi. I don't have much time. My daughter's in the department store, and I
snuck back to get something for her birthday while she's occupied."

"Oh absolutely, I understand. Did you have anything in particular in mind?"

"Yes," Karen said, looking down at the glass case. "That gold bangle
bracelet set, and that watch," she said, pointing.

"Excellent choices for such a beautiful young lady. And she is beautiful,
exceptionally so. She certainly appears to have gotten her beauty from her
mother. How old is she?"

Karen laughed inside. *She's flirting with me. Too bad sweetie, I'm spoken
for or I'd bite.* "She'll be 14. And I certainly think she's beautiful."

The sales lady removed the items from the display case. "I know you're in a
hurry, so I won't try to sell you anything else, but would you like these
in pink gift boxes?"

"Thank you, yes," Karen said, conspicuously eyeing her nametag. "Gina."

The woman smiled softly and packed the jewelry. Karen slid her credit card
over, and Gina tapped Karen's personal information into the computer. The
transaction complete, receipt in hand, Karen picked up the bag. She smiled
at Gina and said, "Thank you for being so understanding."

"It was my pleasure," Gina said, her eyes twinkling. "I hope to see you
here again."

"You will," Karen smiled back. Never close an open door, you never know.

Karen headed for the department store, and thought, *Christ, divorced
almost a year, last woman I had before Laci was Gail last spring, and now
they're springing up everywhere.*

After Karen left, Laci wandered into the department store. She felt small
and intimidated without Karen at her side. She knew security people were
watching her like a hawk the second she stepped through the doors. As part
of the need to establish her place in the pecking order in her old life,
she'd been pressured to come to stores like this to steal things. She'd
resisted as best she could, enduring taunts that she was a pussy (pussy in
this case having nothing to do with a girl's muffin) and a loser. That
feeling of being secretly watched was only intensified by the realization
that the store was almost deserted, the only sound the pop music on the
store's sound system.

Laci drifted over to the accessories racks, not far off the main aisle,
though nothing there really interested her. It seemed to take forever, but
finally she heard Karen. "I'm back, honey. I hope you survived without me."

"I was kinda expecting a security guard to come and tell me to leave."

"What? What are talking about?"

"Karen," Laci said in her best "Duh" tone. "Girls like me coming into
stores like this all alone makes them really nervous. Trust me, I know."

Karen paused. The girl was right. Laci's workaday World was a hostile one
from every angle. "Oh well, I'm here now, and unless they want me to take
my credit cards and leave, we won't be bothered."

Now that Karen was back, it didn't take Laci long to regain her
excitement. Laci was as gleeful as ever pawing through the racks of
clothes. After several minutes of fussing, Laci had four pairs of
supposedly stretchy skinny jeans in pink, lime green, fuchsia, and teal. "I
just have to try them on, and I'll be done," she declared. "I'll only try
on one pair."

"Good," Karen said. "I'm ready to get home and be naughty with you." Her
low-grade heat was rapidly rising to a fever.

Laci, eyes sparkling, cocked her hips flirtatiously, whether on purpose or
not, Karen couldn't tell. "I won't be long."

Laci slipped into the dressing stall, and Karen paced restlessly, looking
around, unconsciously noticing how empty the store was. After a time, she
heard frustrated grunts and groans from behind the stall door. "Laci honey?
What's wrong?"

"Karen! These pants are too tight! I can't get them off. I need help!"

Karen's heart throbbed and the hot knot in her lower tummy swelled. She
took one more quick glance around before slipping into the stall.

Laci was struggling to free her legs from the pants, all bunched up and
snagged on her upper thigh. Karen squatted down to work the pants off, and
she was maddeningly close to Laci's sex. She could see the outline of her
beautiful vaginal cleft and her puffy labia under the fabric of her pale
blue panties. The workaday fragrance of her pussy was faint but distinct
and clean. Karen shuddered and a wave of dizziness overtook her. She
managed to pull the girl's pants free.

Before Laci could do or say anything, Karen stood up and pulled her into an
embrace. Laci, a bit startled, turned her face up to Karen with a puzzled
look. Karen's eyes were glowing like burning coals. "Sssshhh, don't make a
sound," Karen whispered. Before Laci could respond, Karen pounced on her
delectable mouth and thrust her tongue in search of Laci's. Laci made a
startled noise, but immediately responded by sucking on Karen's tongue.

Karen moved her hand between their bodies and firmly gripped Laci's now
awakened sex. The girl made another startled noise. Karen pulled her lips
back, and they were both panting. "Sssshhh, not a sound," she whispered.

"Mummy Karen," Laci whispered, her face pressed against the side of Karen's
face, and she wrapped her arms around her lover's neck.

Karen found Laci's mouth with hers again and ran her tongue over the girl's
teeth. She rode her fingers over the fabric of Laci's panties, pressing
into the trench between her labia. She pushed the crotch of Laci's panties
into her vagina and released a flush of nectar, wetting the fabric. Laci
squirmed and held her breath, then jammed her tongue into Karen's mouth to
keep herself from crying out.

At last, Karen drew her finger up the trough of Laci's slit, and then
plunged her hand under the waistband of the panties. Laci jumped as if
shocked when Karen firmly slid her middle finger deep into her sex. She had
to bury her face in Karen's blouse to stay silent. Karen went in deep,
diving into her girl-lover's honey-pot, wriggling it, stroking Laci's hot
spots. She fucked Laci slowly, stirring her into an overflowing
cauldron. Juice squished out and Karen smeared it over the girl's mound.

Laci was quivering, trying desperately not to cry out. Her breath hitched,
and she looked up at Karen with pleading eyes. Karen pulled her finger up
the cleft of Laci's sex and nudged the child's clit into the open. She
pressed it, fondled it, and savored the feel of the jewel on the pads of
her fingers.

Laci struggled to stay composed, but it was almost impossible with Karen
rubbing her there. She dug her fingernails into Karen's back and held
on. Bolts of lightening shot out and over her body. She let out her breath
in one gasping gust after another. She arched her back and thrust her
pelvis forward. "Don't hold it baby," Karen whispered in her ear.

Karen rolled her finger over Laci's clit, rubbed it side to side, and
pressed on it like a doorbell. Laci was flowing now, her slit dripping and
her honey pot releasing its delectable nectar. Karen stroked Laci firmly
and fast, and Laci went up, up, up and with a gasp, her orgasm surged out
like a splash of hot water. She squirmed, bit her lip, and buried her face
between Karen's breasts. She struggled mightily to stay silent as the next
orgasm bubbled up and over her.

When it was over, Karen eased her down to the bench so Laci could
sit. Karen dropped to her knees to face the panting Laci. The girl's face
was flushed and sweaty, her eyes wide with wonder. She brushed a strand of
Laci's hair off her cheek, and then caressed the girl's cheek with her
thumb. Laci stared at Karen, shocked at what just happened, wondering if it
was real or some bizarre dream. Karen smiled and leaned to kiss Laci
gently, lovingly. Laci couldn't suppress a soft whimper.

"You okay baby?" Karen murmured very softly.

Laci smiled wanly, and nodded her head.

"Can you get dressed okay?"

"I think so," Laci whispered. "But I'm all wet."

Karen smiled. "I know."

Before Karen could stand, Laci wrapped her arm around the woman's neck. "I
love you!" she whispered with tight urgency.

"I love you too, kitten."

*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

All of the new clothes and outfits were neatly folded or hung and tucked
away in their new closet and bureau homes. All except the one Laci was
modeling for Karen.

Laci was a remarkable sight, one to make Karen's -- anyone's -- breath
catch. It was a simple enough outfit, a tiered, floral lace, black mini
skirt, a long sleeved white blouse open at the front over a pastel blue
cami top which fit her like a new layer of skin. Her make-up was more
heavy-handed tonight, but it fit her perfectly.

Laci always radiated an unfocused but natural sensuality. Tonight, modeling
her new clothes, it was different somehow. Watching her pose and cock her
hips coquettishly, beckoning, it was as if she was finally becoming aware
of the force she possessed, and trying it on for size as much as she was
trying on the clothes for size.

Yes, Laci was beginning to understand she was blessed with gifts other
girls only dreamed about, blessed with a certain sensual superiority. Karen
knew in a year or so, Laci's sprouting self-confidence might easily turn
into an unpleasant, smug arrogance. Karen also knew it was up to her to
harness and control all that so the girl didn't become an overweening,
pretentious princess. Right now though, Laci's adoration and devotion to
Karen was utter and absolute.

And Karen's hunger for her girl-lover was glowing.

Karen sat on the edge of the bed, smoking a cigarette as she watched Laci
tease her. Her insides quivered and squirmed as if squirrels were fighting
in her pelvis. All she wore was a blue satin slip she'd gotten from
Victoria's Secret a year ago, but never dared -- or had much need -- to
wear until tonight.

"What do you think?" Laci said. She held her hair back from her face and
looked down to judge how the skirt looked.

Karen chuckled. "The word breathtaking comes to mind."

Laci looked up, smiling. She plucked the cigarette from Karen and took a
deep hit. There was something so brazen about that act, like something out
of a cheesy, 50's noir B-movie, that it was oddly arousing in its own
way. Karen fleetingly thought of the movie "Loving Annabelle". "No,
seriously," Laci said, delighted at Karen's answer.

"I am serious," Karen said. She took the cigarette back and finished it.

Laci pirouetted, her hair swirling out. She was so happy, she couldn't
contain her feelings of joy. And why shouldn't she be happy? She was in
love with the beautiful woman of her dreams, the woman who loved her back
just as much. And they expressed their love in the most powerful and
wonderful way possible, through making love, where they took each other to
the most magical and fantastic places imaginable. Yes, why shouldn't she be
so happy she wanted to explode?

Laci's sudden and spontaneous pirouette surprised and delighted Karen. It
was so deliciously child-like and cherubic, so...Laci. Karen laughed aloud,
and cried, "Oh, is it any wonder that I love you so much?" Karen held her
arms open, and that simple act lifted her breasts invitingly. Her erect
nipples pressed against the silk of her cami and stood out. "Come baby,
come to Mummy Karen."

Laci surged inside. Desperate for her mother-lover's touch, the feel of her
body, her kisses, her love, she skittered to Karen. She slipped between
Karen's parted knees and pressed her own knees against the edge of the
mattress. She draped her arms over Karen's shoulders and looked at her with
an impish little smile.

Laci dropped her head down and found Karen's lips with her sweet, eager
mouth. It was nice, Karen thought, to let the girl take the initiative
sometimes. Laci explored Karen's lips with hers, leaving behind the
sweetness of her lip-gloss. She swiped her tongue into Karen's mouth,
traced it around the perimeter of her lover lips, then found and fenced
with Karen's own wet tongue.

Karen had never made love with a woman who kissed as deliciously as Laci
did. Laci's kisses were always passionate acts of lovemaking unto
themselves, not merely a bridge to other passions. Laci drew her hands over
Karen's neck and held the woman's face delicately, while she made love to
Karen's lips and mouth with her own lips and tongue. Karen cooed and sighed
at Laci's sweet loving. She simply accepted Laci's offerings and gave back
her own when the time was right. Their tongues met in the space between
their lips and wrestled merrily, both woman and girl chuckling in their
throats.

"You are amazing," Karen murmured into Laci's mouth before slashing her
tongue over the girl's lips.

Laci released Karen's face from her gentle grasp. "No, uh uh, I just love
you. My kisses tell you how much I love you," Laci said with the certitude
of one speaking a universal truth.

Why would anyone even want to argue with such a delightful line of
reasoning? Karen laughed softly against Laci parted lips. "Then you must
love me an awful lot, kissing me like that." She traced the tips of her
fingers up the backs of Laci's thighs then down. Laci shuddered and
squirmed happily.

"That feels sooo good, Mummy Karen," Laci groaned softly. Wasn't it so
naughty and so sexy to call her Mummy when they loved each other? Laci bent
her head forward to resume making love to Karen's lips, neck and face with
her own eager mouth.

Karen let herself be embraced by the sensual pleasure of kissing and being
kissed by her precious lover. She savored the silky feel of Laci's skin
under the pads of her fingers, the subtly restless way the girl-teen moved
in response to Karen's caresses, her soft sighs and coos, a music as
beautiful as a dove's. Karen carefully moved her fingers up under Laci's
skirt, and drew the tips of her fingernails over the swell of Laci's
buns. Laci wriggled her body restlessly like a kitten nestling into a
blanket. She covered Karen's face with tender kisses: her cheeks, her chin,
her temples, her neck, her forehead.

Karen toyed with the edges of Laci's thong panties. Almost, she
thought. She sighed and arched to Laci's butterfly kisses. Karen drew her
lips over Laci's creamy cheeks and over her lover's ear. "Let me help you
get undressed," Karen whispered.

Laci straightened and rolled her hips gently while Karen slowly worked the
girl's skirt and panties down. Skirt kicked aside, Laci shrugged free of
the blouse when Karen drew it off her shoulders. Her dark and dreamy green
eyes and her flushed cheeks bespoke a deep arousal. She lifted her arms so
Karen could remove her cami.

Naked now, Laci stood on her tippy-toes while she shook her hair out and
raked her fingers through it. Hardly aware she was doing it, she brushed
her fingertips over her erect nipples and delighted in the tickling
sensation it gave her. She wanted to kiss Karen again, but she also wanted
her lover naked so their bodies could touch and meld.

Watching Laci become naked was a breathtaking experience. In Karen's eyes,
she was almost flawless, her nubile body only just ripening. Karen drank
her in, watched her shake her hair out then caress her nipples --
sublime. Karen's entire body tingled and flushed.

"Karen," Laci murmured her eyes heavy. "You should be undressed too."

Karen smiled. "Help me, kitten."

Laci glided into her lover-mother's orbit. Laci pulled Karen's slip up over
her head, exposing those full, firm breasts she so loved. Laci carelessly
tossed Karen's slip aside and immediately pressed her body against
Karen's. There was something elemental about the sensation of their flesh
coming together. Laci ground herself against Karen, as if trying to join
their bodies into one. Laci once again held Karen's faced cupped in her
hands, and she dipped in to make love to her beloved's mouth and face
again.

Laci's assertiveness delighted Karen. She basked in Laci's soft lips
exploring and brushing, her wet tongue gently probing and tracing, her
lithe, smooth body dancing with restless hunger. Karen let her fingers
wander over Laci, finding tender spots and giving them attention. She
cupped Laci's bottom and squeezed her cheeks.

Laci shifted and pressed herself against Karen with greater urgency. Her
insides clenched up tight and she wanted to burst, but it wasn't exactly a
cummy feeling. It was almost a frustration at being unable to express the
enormity of the way she felt about Karen. Her body seemed to tremble at the
force of the sensation.

Karen was intuitively tuned in to the inner forces driving Laci. Without
being consciously aware of it, Karen knew it was time to love. Karen lay
back on the bed and brought Laci with her. Laci cupped her small breasts
and fondled her nipples and smiled. Karen traced her fingernail up and down
the middle of Laci's front, breasts to pubis. "Have I ever told you how
beautiful you are?" Karen murmured with a smile.

Laci shrugged. "Have I ever told you how much I love you?"

"Not fair, answering a question with a question." Karen dropped her finger
further down with each stroke. "I guess I'll forgive you, since you are so
beautiful." She tickled Laci's lips with her tongue. Now she brushed her
fingers over Laci's sex.

"I love you," Laci sighed. "I don't care if I say it a hundred times a
day." She dipped down and kissed her lover deeply. Laci rocked side to side
as she kissed Karen, and as the woman lightly brushed her fingers up and
down Laci's mound.

"That feels so good, Karen. It makes me warm all over."

"I thought you'd like it."

Their mouths came back together. Karen's caresses and kisses held Laci in a
blissful state. She let her mind drift. There were no bad thoughts, just
vague, warm images of her being with Karen, loving her, and being loved by
her. Laci had no idea how long it went on; five minutes, five hours, who
knew? What did it matter?

Yet Karen's caresses slowly stoked Laci's furnace. It was subtle, a slight
quickening of her breath, a growing urgency to the undulations of her hips,
an occasional sigh or coo. As if by some silent signal, Karen kissed her
way to Laci's breasts. Laci arched and moaned softly in anticipation. Karen
gradually increased the pressure of her caresses.

Karen let a strand of saliva dribble from her lip to drip on Laci's
nipple. She drew the stiff bud between her lips, and gently held it in her
teeth. She shook her head lightly before lifting her head and drawing out
Laci's nipple. The child moaned at the sensation. When Karen let her bud
snap free, she let out a loud gasp. She buried her hands in Karen's hair,
while the older woman tended to her little breast mounds. Every brush of
her lips, every stroke of her tongue, and every nip of her teeth sent warm
pulses over Laci.

When Karen lifted her head, a strand of saliva connected her lips to Laci's
nipples. She gazed down at her young lover, the girl's eyes closed and a
rapturous smile on her lips, and oh God, she was so achingly beautiful. "My
precious kitten," Karen murmured, "love of my life."

Laci, her hands still buried loosely in Karen's hair, let her eyes flutter
open, and they were at peace. She pulled Karen's face down to kiss her
anew. Laci gasped lightly into Karen's mouth, and then gently pushed her
tongue up in search of Karen's.

Karen slid her hand over Laci's smooth mound, gliding over the soft, puffy
flesh of her labia, then back up. Laci tensed, then relaxed. "Oooooohhhh
Karen," she purred. "That feels sooo nice."

"You like it like this, hmmm?"

"Oh yesss, I do, it feels so nice. But you Karen. I want to make you feel
nice, too."

"Don't worry about me, kitten."

"I do, Karen," Laci protested in a thick but insistent voice.

Karen smiled. "Okay," she murmured. She removed her hand from Laci's vulva
long enough to guide the girl's hand to her own sex. "Can you rub me while
I rub you?"

Laci nodded. "Uh huh." And she began to gently explore Karen's treasure.

Karen took a sharp breath at the feel of Laci's fingers opening her
labia. "Nice," she whispered with a smile. She touched her lips to Laci's,
and lazily sought the girl's tongue with her own. It was a pleasant
surprise when Karen realized that Laci found and mirrored the tempo and
explorations of her own fingers. Karen skated her finger up and down Laci's
wet slit, and Laci mimicked her at nearly the same instant. Karen nudged
and massaged the girl's clit bud making her moan into Karen's mouth, and
Laci did the same to Karen. What a wonderful way to make love.

They kissed tenderly, tongues coming together like two children playing
pat-a-cake, lips never more than a fraction of an inch apart. They smiled
at each other with their eyes, rolled their hips in rhythm with their
caresses, and cooed with delight at the growing swells of pleasure
spreading through them.

Karen massaged and stroked Laci's wet girl-sex with ever greater pressure
and urgency. Laci's coos became gasps and soft, breathy moans, and her body
began to tense and hitch. Karen's body was like a bowstring, pulled back
and back, ever tighter and tighter. They rubbed each other frantically,
hips rocking and bouncing. With simultaneous cries, they scrunched
together, whimpering, and gloried in the wonder of their climaxes.

Karen had no idea how long they lay there cuddling, basking in the glow of
their orgasms.  Karen caressed Laci's lips and cheeks with the ball of her
thumb. Laci looked so angelic now, like a princess out of a fairy tale, her
lips drawn in a small smile of contentment. Karen kissed the tip of her
nose, and Laci's dreamy eyes opened. At last, Karen disentangled herself
and sat up. She smiled at the thought that it would be another fluffy towel
night. Laci propped herself on her elbow, looking a bit discombobulated.

Karen got a cigarette. "Want one?" she offered.

Laci shook her head. "I'll maybe have some of yours."

Karen took a deep hit. "You're doing a better job than I am of quitting."

Laci sat up and shrugged. She did take a drag but that was it. "That's part
of my old life," she explained. "You'll quit when it's the right
time. Anyway, I bet it's harder for grown-ups to break habits than it is
for kids my age."

"A very astute observation," Karen said, snuffing out the cigarette. Then,
a thought flashed into her head. "Oh shit," she cried. "I almost forgot
something." She jumped up.

"What? What's the matter?" Laci said, suddenly alarmed.

"I almost forgot something, baby! I have to go downstairs, I'll be right
back, don't you move."

"Aren't you going to put a robe on?" Laci said, frowning.

"Why bother?" Karen said, and she ran naked down the hallway to the
stairs. She laughed softly as she hurried down the stairs. In all the years
she'd lived here, she'd never once run through the house naked. She felt an
odd exhilaration, as though someone might barge through the door and catch
her red handed at any moment. Her boobs were bouncing as she pulled up and
stopped. She grabbed her pocketbook and looked inside. Still there. She
scurried back upstairs.

Laci had no idea what Karen was up to. It couldn't be bad -- she was
smiling when she ran off -- but even though Karen didn't seem particularly
modest about such things, running off naked was more than a little unusual
for her. Laci shrugged; she'd find out soon enough. In the meantime, she
was getting cold, so she went to the newly filled bureau and took out the
brand new Hello Kitty nightshirt they'd bought earlier in the day. She'd no
sooner pulled it on then she heard Karen skittering up the stairs.

"Phew!" Karen gasped. She set her satchel bag down and plopped herself on
the bed.

 Laci came and sat next to her. "Why'd you run off like that?" Laci asked,
cocking her head.

"Because I forgot something. Something important."

"Like what? What's so important you'd run downstairs naked to get it?"

"You don't like seeing me run around naked?" Karen teased with a twinkle in
her eye.

Laci rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. "Karen, you know what
I mean."

"I'm only teasing. Well, remember when we were at the mall and I had to go
to the pharmacy to get my old lady stuff?"

"Yeah, pee pads and prune juice, which I know was a joke."

"Anyway, you'll never guess who I ran into on my way! The Mall Fairy!"

"Tch," Laci clucked her tongue and rolled her eyes again. "Karen, there is
no such thing as the Mall Fairy. You made that up. Unless her name's Karen,
then there might be a Mall Fairy."

"Well, I beg to differ, sweet, skeptical child. I don't know what her name
is, but I know she's real because she gave me this to give to you." Karen
pulled the pink cube gift box out of her bag, and gave it to Laci.

Laci's eyebrows went up, her eyes widened, and she took in a sharp
breath. "What is it, Karen?" she said in a voice just above a whisper.

"I don't know. The Mall Fairy wouldn't tell me, said it was a surprise."

Laci's hands trembled slightly as she reached for the box. Getting a gift
just for the sake of getting a gift was something unfamiliar to her. She
felt lucky if she got something for Christmas or her birthday. She pushed
her hair back behind her ear and just stared at the box.

"Go ahead honey, open it so we can see," Karen said, patting Laci's thigh.

Laci undid the ribbon, freeing the lid, and she pulled it off. She drew in
another sharp breath and brought her hand to her mouth. "Oh Karen!" she
said in a low, soft voice. Her hand shook even more when she lifted the
bracelets from the box. "Oh Karen!" and this time her voice was
tremulous. Laci looked at her lover with wide eyes, as if waiting for
instructions on what to do.

"Go ahead," Karen murmured with a smile. "Put them on."

Laci hesitated, then slipped the bracelets over her hand, and let them
rattle down her arm. "Oh Karen! They're perfect! How did you know? I mean I
didn't say anything."

"The Mall Fairy knows everything. And we aren't done, there's something
else in here for you." Karen took out the rectangular box and gave it to
Laci.

"Oh Karen, you shouldn't have done this," Laci said, shaking her head. "I
didn't get you anything..."

Karen cut her short. "Laci, honey. Look at me." Karen took Laci's free hand
in both of her hands. "These are gifts, honey. Gifts don't come with
strings attached, they aren't given because I want a return gift from
you. They're given because I want you to have them, and because I love
you." Karen let Laci's hand go, and she gently cupped her lover's face in
her hands. She leaned in and gave Laci a long and very tender, loving
kiss. When she pulled back with a smack, she murmured, "Let's see what's in
the other box."

Hands still trembling, Laci removed the lid. Once again, she gasped at the
gold plated watch with the bangle bracelet wristband. She held it up and
looked at it, her mouth open, as if it were some gemstone found lying at
her feet.

"Here," Karen said, taking the watch. "Let me help you put it on." She took
Laci's old watch off, tossed it on the nightstand, and loosened the clasp
on the new watch. It fit perfectly on the girl's small wrist, and it
matched the bangles on her other wrist exactly.

A single tear trickled down Laci's cheek. Karen lifted the girl's chin and
kissed it away. "Why the tear?" she asked gently.

Laci shrugged. "I dunno. I'm just not used to stuff like this. I don't even
get Christmas or birthday presents any more. She says I'm too old for that
shit. The only presents I got for Christmas this year were the stuffed
ornament from you, and the make-up set Amy got me."

Karen hugged her and kissed her forehead. "Well, you don't have to worry
about that anymore. Things are different now. She can't hurt you anymore. I
promise."

Laci sniffled and turned to bury her face between Karen's breasts. Karen
held her and rocked her. *You love her, you accept her, baggage and
all. Her hurts aren't going away just because I wandered on stage* Laci's
hurts were close to the surface tonight. Best not to go picking around. It
had been such a wonderful day, full of the kind of magic love was supposed
to bring. Maybe that magic would keep the pains hidden away for another
day.

But it was not to be, just as Karen knew it wasn't.

*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

These were the nights Laci most needed to be held tightly, laying in
Karen's arms in the darkened room, for whatever reason the pains close to
the surface. Karen held her close, ever so gently, silently stroking her
silky hair. Karen hoped -- prayed -- that Laci would fall asleep before the
hurts rose up in full force.

"Karen?" That same, soft, nebulous voice as last night drifted up.

"Yes baby," Karen said, her insides involuntarily tensing.

"I can't leave you."

"Honey love, who said anything about leaving me?"

Laci shrugged. "I just can't, that's all. If I have to leave you, I'll
die. I can't go back there. Ever."

"Laci! My precious kitten. What's gotten into you? What's this talk about
leaving me?" Karen gently pushed Laci onto her back and just as gently slid
her own body atop the girl, as though protecting her from the rain. "Now
what's the matter Kitten? Tell me what's bothering you. Tell Mommy Karen
what's hurting you."

Laci was silent and still. At last, she shifted and tried to get
closer. Her chest hitched, a soft sob. "'Member the day there was no power?
You were asking me questions about... if anyone had ever done bad things to
me? An' I told you one tried, but...."

"Yes baby, I remember." Karen mentally kicked herself for raising the
subject that day, all because of her own goddamned guilt. Why did she have
to poke around wounds? Why not just let things come out naturally?

"I had that fight with my mother this week."

Karen could hear the child's voice grow thinner, as though it was about to
shatter. What was coming next?

"She said something I hardly even noticed when she said it. But I
remembered it later." Laci paused again, as if gathering herself. "She
said..." and Laci sobbed harder. "She said...that time, it was my fault, I
was trying to steal her boyfriend...Oh God!" she cried harshly. "Karen! I
was only seven years old! How could she think that? Is that why she hates
me?" And the girl melted into deeps sobs of raw anguish, tears that boiled
up from the deepest reaches of her heart.

Karen nuzzled her lips up to Laci's ear. "It's OK baby girl," she
murmured. "It's OK, you're with me now, you're with Mommy Karen, and I
won't let bad things happen to you." Inside, a fire burned in Karen's
belly. *How in Christ's name can anyone be so totally fucked up that they'd
accuse a 7-year-old girl of trying to steal a boyfriend? How can anyone be
so sick that they'd blame a Godforsaken child for nearly being molested?
What kind of mad hellhole is that world this child comes from.*

"I didn't do anything wrong!" Laci cried.

Karen's own heart was threatening to rend. She reminded herself she needed
to be strong right now. "No baby, you didn't, you didn't. It's okay, you're
with me now. Your mother is a very disturbed woman." Karen gulped. *Oh
Christ. What a fucked up world.* "But you're with me now, and I'm not going
to let you go."

All Karen could do was hold Laci's trembling, sobbing body close, and rock
her back and forth, murmuring soft, soothing sounds that were meaningless,
yet meant everything. Maybe, Karen thought, the festering abscess inside
Laci was lanced now, and the poison could start to flow out. Karen gritted
her teeth, the anger at a woman she'd never even met knotting up inside
her. *I hope you're happy, you no good, worthless piece of shit. Not enough
to fuck your own life up, have to take it out on this child and fuck her
life up, too. Joke's on you, bitch, you didn't count on me showing up, and
your days of fucking this girl up are over.*

Laci's sobs of anguish went on and on. Karen didn't try to stop the
tears. She simply reached over for a handful of tissues every so often to
clean Laci's nose. Finally, after who knew how long, the well ran dry, and
Laci lay there, spent. Trembling and hitching, Laci quavered, "Do you love
me, Karen?"

It wasn't a rhetorical question. "Yes Laci baby, I love you. I love you
right to the depths of my soul. I would give everything for you."

*********************

 In the middle of the long night, Karen stood at the window, cigarette in
one hand, smoke curling up in a ghostly stream, ashtray in the other. She
stared at the nearly full moon hovering just above the black, pointed tops
of the pine trees across the road. It cast a ghostly light, intensified by
the reflection off the solid snowpack.

The song she'd thought of last night came back, wafting up from some hidden
vault in her brain. Sarah McLachlan. Yes, that's who sang it. She had a
haunting voice, like some angel of melancholy beauty.

"Why am I hopelessly, achingly in love with a13 year old girl?" Karen
whispered to the moon. "I'm not bad."

The moon, as cold as the snow, stared back without answering. Its silent,
impassive face seemed to mock her question with its indifference. It
started to dip below the tops of the pines, no more likely to answer her
question then when she asked it.

A solitary car came down the road, its headlights momentarily cutting the
darkness. Karen watched it go by. No answers there, either.

Karen hadn't been able shake the feeling that some sort of denouement was
just over the horizon. Maybe the moon, now mostly obscured behind the
pines, could see what was waiting for them over there on the other side of
the darkness, but it wasn't talking.

"Fuck it," Karen muttered. She took a final drag from her cigarette and
snuffed it out. She set the ashtray down, and went back to the bed. She was
cold. That's what happened when you stood around in the middle of the house
on a January night in nothing more than a pajama top and panties. She
climbed under the blankets and slid close to Laci.

Laci stirred, and her eyes fluttered open. "Where'd you go?" she said, her
voice a whisper.

"The bathroom, kitten."

"Oh." She closed her eyes and instinctively pressed close to Karen,
nuzzling her face against Karen's breast. Karen protectively slipped her
arm over Laci's sleeping body.

Hardly audible, Karen murmured, "If I go down, I'm going down fighting, you
can goddamn well count on that."