Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:38:08 -0700 (PDT)
From: camou08@yahoo.com
Subject: Birthday Surprise- Part 1

    If your are under the legal age limit or you don't like the idea of
lesbians in love... what are you doing here?

This story was written by Camou08@yahoo.com and amtrake99@yahoo.com. Please
write either of us with any comments you might have. And keep an eye out,
there will be more coming soon.
    Written for the love of my life, I couldn't have done it without your
encouragement, editing, love and support. Thank you for being you and
taking a chance on me. You are truly my muse in everything I do and I love
you with all my heart.



Sitting down with Kelly, they tried to hammer out the
last of the plans for Ashley's birthday weekend. Kelly couldn't help but laugh
at her friend as she slightly pouted. "I know, I know. I'm here to have
fun. I just can't help it. This is the third birthday I've had to spend without
her."

"How you fly home, meet someone and fall so
deeply in love with them in the matter of three months is COMPLETELY beyond
me." Kelly said laughing.

As they usually did, Ashley's eyes instantly became
glossed over. "What can I say it was meant to be...fate." She replied which
instantly brought a smile to her face. As they sat there, continuing with the
plans, Ashley slipped back, remembering the trip that changed her life forever.
A flight back home to Canada with the kids for a family reunion that fateful
summer was all it took.

Ashley grew up in a small town and had met Janice
online. Somewhere along the lines the two of them started talking about how
badly Ashley wanted to go to school. Although the schools in Canada were just
as good as the ones there; this school was near Janice, and was one of the best
in that state for the art classes she wanted to attend. In truth Ashley was
ready for a change of scenery and atmosphere.

Ashley loved her family with all that was in her but
it was time to get out on her own and a change was needed. The more she looked
into it, the more and more she found that it was defiantly possible for her to
go to school there. The fact that they accept international admissions thrilled
her. With Janice's help Ashley filled out the necessary papers and sent them
off, not really thinking that she'd actually get in but thought that it
couldn't hurt to try. They were both completely shocked when a few weeks later
a packet came in the mail. Ashley had received her acceptance letter.

It took weeks of planning, making sure school would be
paid for; that the daycare was covered for the kids, and figuring out where
they'd stay. Janice had already offered for them to stay with her and even
looked into schools for the oldest two. Ashley finished off finalizing the rest
of the plans of when they'd be leaving with the kids before telling her family.
They were none too happy to know that their little ones were moving so far
away, no matter what the reason was.

It wasn't long till the four of them moved State side.
Schyler and Emily were able to finish the school year in the States. Ashley was
going to school. Things were.....fine, at least for the few months that they
were there. That was until Ashley's mother called, telling her about the family
reunion that was being scheduled for that summer. It was then that Ashley
realized just how homesick she was feeling. She hated that on a student's
salary there was no way she could afford it. All the money she had once saved
was used up towards the move here and for living at Janice's till school and
her funding started.

It seemed that everyday her mother seemed to call
talking about the reunion. Ashley had told her that as much as she would love
to come that there was no way that she and the kids could make it. Saturday
morning Ashley and the kids decided to go on a walk. The spring air was fresh
and crisp. Sky held tight to his brother's hand while Emily chatted with her
mom. On the walk Ashley decided that seeing as Janice was still in bed, she'd
be nice and pick up the mail. She spied an envelope with familiar writing on
it. "Schyler, can you hang on to these for a second?" Ashley asked as she
handed over a small pile of mail.

"Mommy, can we get a sucker while we're here?" Ashley
smiled down at her oldest..

"Yes, baby, you can ask."

Still clutching the mail in his hands, the boy who
looked to be closer to 8 years old than the 6 and a half he was talked to the
window and politely asked for a lollipop. "Ma'am, may I please have one for my
sister and brother too." He asked when the teller handed him over a single
sucker. While the kids began enjoying their treats, Ashley turned the envelope
from home over in her hand. Shrugging at its apparent weight she slowly ripped
open the end.  Inside there was four
return airplane tickets; one for Ashley and one for each of the kids to come
home for the summer and for the reunion. She was completely flabbergasted at
the generosity and wished she could quickly call her parents up to thank them.
Instead, she walked hand in hand with the kids to the park, positively
floating. Even though they wouldn't be leaving for another month everyone was
still excited as all get out. When they returned to the house and she told
Janice what they had received in the mail, Janice was a little hurt that Ashley's
father hadn't sent one for her too. After talking about it at length they
decided that if she could get the money to buy her own ticket she could come
with. Janice being Janice...she never saved.

The next month went by so slowly, but before any of them
knew it, it finally the time had come. The kids were excited to be going back
home to their family that they missed terribly. Ashley was just ready for a
break. Janice and she promised to keep in touch and although they were in a
relationship she really was looking forward to going home for the reunion.  Ashley played with the kids and doing what
she could between the two rows of seats they had to have. She whispered a
silent prayer of thanks as they finally touched down. After going through
customs with all the proper paper work and Visa's tucked away, we made our way
to the baggage claim and waited for our bags to come through. All four of us
were more than a little tired and the heat was like a slap in the fast. Ashley's
two oldest were a touch rambunctious after being on the plane and stuck in
their seats the whole time and her youngest did not want to stay put. After
finally seeing our bags come down the carousel, Ashley let go of his hand and
quickly reached out to grab the bags. Sure enough he tried to make a run for
it, only to run straight into a pair of legs.

"Hey there little one, where you going in such a
rush," a voice softly said. Ashley looked over to see a woman wearing baggy
shorts down to her knees and a black tank top. Her short hair was sticking up
all over the place and was smiling down at my little one. Her brown eyes held a
twinkle that quickly brought a smile to Ashley's own face as she pushed the
hair from her eyes. The woman kneeled down so that she was eye level with the
young boy.

"How about we go and give your mommy a hand with her
bags huh," she said looking up at the stunned mother, winking, "show her what a
big helpful little man you are."  Ashley
stood amazed as her youngest turned around and grabbed his little bag with a grin
on his face, looking up at her for her approval. No sooner had he taken his bag,
did her oldest and baby girl grab some bags of their own not wanting to be out
done by their little brother or be left out of the fun. The mystery woman
walked over to them, snagging the last of their baggage off the carousel and
placed it beside Ashley. She smiled a radiant smile and held out her hand in a
greeting.

"Hi, I'm Kaitlin," she said as Ashley slid her hand
into the woman's warm one, "sorry about that you just looked like you could use
a hand."

"Thank you, I just let go to grab a bag and man he's fast," Ashley laughed
nervously. "Thanks for the help by the way." Ashley didn't know what it was but
she couldn't take her eyes off Kaitlin's. She immediately knew she was `family'
and defiantly cute. Shaking her head and Ashley looked over at the kids who
seemed very interested in this stranger too.

"Sorry I'm being rude," She said quickly removing her hand reluctantly from where
it was still clasped with this enchanting stranger, "I'm Ashley and this is Schyler,
Emily and the little runaway is Riley." She said, placing her hand on each one
of the kid's heads as she said their name. Kaitlin gave a shy wave to each of
them to go along with her brilliant smile before turning her attention back to their
mother.
"It's nice to
meet you Ashley, and no worries, anything to help out a pretty lady," she said,
reached behind her to lift off a beaten up leather bag. She slung it over her
shoulder and turned back to smile at her once more.
"Wow does she
ever have a nice smile. It lights up her whole face." Ashley thought to herself
 "I just got in myself and am heading to gate 3.
Can I give you a hand with your bags and the young'uns?"
"Mom, don't we
have to go meet Nana," Schyler said. Remembering his manners he quickly turned
to Kaitlin, "Sorry excuse me," he said as he turned back to his mom, "but what
gate is she meeting us at?"
Kaitlin looked
down at him and Ashley swore she saw her smile get even larger and the look of
awe wash over her face.
"Yes Sky, we are
meeting her over at gate 4," She said as she smiled down at her oldest, knowing
he knew that just as much as she did.  Ashley
practically jumped as she felt her phone go off..  Pulling it out of her pocket she saw the text
from Janice, wondering if they had landed yet. Sighing, Ashley quickly sent off
a text that they had and that were just getting bags. She'd call her back
later. Stashing the phone back in her pocket Ashley smiled. She had no choice
but to accept Kaitlin's help when the woman grabbed the bag closest to her and
started walking towards the gate. Little Emi was glued to her side and chatting
her ear off. Ashley stood in awe of this woman who seemed so enchanting. Emi
never took to strangers let alone talk as much as she was to Kaitlin. She
wondered what was so special about this woman, as she grabbed the last
remaining bag and took off after them.
 The kids and Kaitlin chatted the entire way
and soon we were at her gate. They stopped just short of each other and she
handed over the bags that she had carried the entire way.
"Thanks again
for your help," Ashley said as she quickly putting down the heavy bag. For some
reason, she didn't want their time to end but she knew by now that her parents would
be waiting.
"Oh no problems
really, you know with all the chatter I didn't get a chance to ask you how long
your visit with us will be?" she said questioningly.
"Oh just for the
summer, we have a big family reunion to go to in a month's time and my parents
wanted us to come, so they flew us in." I quickly replied unsure of why I was
telling her all that.
"Well, hey, uhmm
, look I never do this I swear," she started while taking a little notebook and
pen out of her side pocket of her bag she flipped the first page over and
started scribbling on it, "but if you feel like getting away or uhmm , just
need an escape from your family...well here's my numbers, call or text and
maybe we can do coffee or tea while you're here?" she said shyly looking down
at the ground as she handed over a piece of paper.
Ashley took the
paper and smiled at Kaitlin, "I'd like that. And knowing my family I will
defiantly need to have an escape from them once they are done smothering all of
us with a year's worth of love.  I know
they will be kissed out by the time it's all said and done." She said looking
at the kids as she quickly took her phone out and programmed Kaitlin's numbers
into it. Ashley looked up and saw Kaitlin smile as she watched how fast her
fingers flew over the keypad.
"Great," Kaitlin
smiled at her, "it was really nice to meet you Ash.." She waved good-bye to each
of the kids and even snagged a hug from Emi before disappearing through the
parking gate doors. Ashley stood there for a minute, staring at the empty
doorway. She couldn't get over the sound of her abbreviated name on Kaitlin's
lips. As the kids dragged her down the fairway, Ashley shook her head.
"God what was I
doing? I have a girlfriend and even though she's back home... I shouldn't be
openly flirting with this woman... this really cute, sweet woman." The thought
brought another smile to her face as she adjusted the bag that Kaitlin had
carried and hustled with the kids up to the next gate.