Off Screen: Waiting In The Wings Part 13

Emma tried not to laugh at Addison and Adam. Addison rarely got drunk. Emma had never told Addison that she was secretly compiling stories for future years when one of their teenage or adult children might need a lighthearted tale about Momma. Two words that Emma would use to describe an inebriated Addison-uncoordinated and babbling.

"I didn't mean to, Em. She just was," Addison began to tell her story for the third time since they had left the bar.

"I think she liked you," Adam slurred from the back seat.

"Nah. They all like Em," Addison said. Emma sn.i.g.g.e.red. "Em?"

"Yes, Addy?" Emma played her role to perfection.

"She just wouldn't shut up," Addison explained.

"So you said," Emma replied.

"Yeah, but first she thought I was sleeping with Sandra. I mean, me sleeping with Sandra? These people are so..."

"Well, technically you did sleep with her," Emma said.

"What?" Adam leaned forward.

"In the same house," Emma explained.

Addison huffed. "I'm sorry, Em."

"For letting Sandra pa.s.s out on our couch?" Emma asked.

"No..."

"For idiots with too much time on their hands and no life?"

"No...."

Emma kept her eyes on the road. "What are you sorry for?"

"You know. I let the cat outta the bag."

Emma smirked in the darkness. She didn't care who knew about her pregnancy. And, she didn't care how they found out about it. Although, she was positive that a completely sober Addison would never have given up the information to a stranger, particularly not a gossip queen. "Well, I guess it's a good thing you don't hang out in bars too often," Emma observed.

"Em..."

"I'd hate for everyone to know how much you love my cookies or how much I hate when you clip your toenails in the bedroom."

Addison groaned. "I'd never tell anyone that... I mean, about your cookies.

"Everybody likes your cookies, Emma," Adam said innocently.

Emma was relieved that she was pulling up to her parent's house, and she was grateful for the darkness that enveloped the car. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to keep a straight face much longer. A small part of her was perturbed by the latest rumor about her marriage. It provided more evidence that supported her decision to step back from the spotlight. But, her irritation paled by comparison to her happiness for Addison. She had no idea what had transpired between Addison and her father, and she was aware that lots of healing still needed to take place. Nevertheless, it was evident that a major hole had been knocked out of the wall that had stood between Addison and Adam for years. The relief that rolled off both was palpable, as if they could finally breathe. Emma stopped the car and looked behind her in the rearview mirror to see her father doing the same with Addison's rental car.

"Do I need to have my dad carry you two in or do you think you can make it on your own?" Emma teased. Addison grumbled and opened her door. Emma giggled. She made her way to Addison's side and shook her head affectionately. "What did you drink?" she whispered.

"Beer," Addison replied.

"Just beer?"

"A lot of beer," Addison answered as Emma helped her through the door to their bedroom. "Em... I really am sorry-for everything."

Emma wrapped her arm around Addison. "Let's go to bed," she said. "Goodnight, Adam," she turned to Addison's father. "Do you need help to your room too?" she teased him.

"Uh-uh," Addison waved a finger. "He already likes your cookies."

Emma swatted Addison gently. "Say goodnight, Addy."

"Goodnight, Addy," Addison grinned.

"Bed. Now," Emma pointed to their room.

Tom turned to his daughter and laughed. "They are both going to be sporting headaches in the morning."

Emma smiled. "I imagine it will be worth it," she said.

"What do you think happened?" he asked.

"I have no idea, but if I knew that beer was the answer to getting them to talk, I would've purchased a keg long ago."

Tom nodded. "I think it was more than that."

"Yeah, I know," Emma said. "Goodnight, Dad."

"Night, Emmie," he said with a kiss to her cheek.

Emma opened the bedroom door and stopped in her tracks. Addison was pulling her T-shirt over her head. Emma shut the door quietly and bit her lip gently. There were moments that for no particular reason, Emma found the breath stolen from her body just looking at Addison. Once in a while, those moments occurred on monumental occasions. More often, Emma found herself rendered speechless by simple things-things like Addison pulling a T-shirt over her head clumsily. Emma smiled and closed the distance between them, swiftly taking over Addison's task and discarding the T-shirt to the floor.

Addison looked at Emma and Emma kissed her tenderly. "He doesn't hate me," Addison whispered.

Emma pulled back and stroked Addison's cheek. "Of course, he doesn't hate you, Addy. He loves you."

"Yeah."

Addison sounded like a small child to Emma. Emma lifted Addison's chin with her forefinger. Alcohol lowered a person's defenses measurably. Addison had erected numerous defenses against her emotions when it came to her father. Those had clearly crumbled. "Addy..."

Addison closed her eyes, took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "He told me a lot of things," Addison said, sobering as she spoke.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Emma asked.

Addison shook her head and opened her eyes. "Yes, but not tonight."

Emma nodded. "You probably could use some aspirin and some sleep," she observed. Addison took Emma's face in her hands and shook her head again. "Addy?"

"I love you, Emma."

"I know," Emma replied. "Come on..."

"No," Addison held Emma in place. "I love you."

"Addy?"

Addison leaned in and kissed Emma reverently. "I never want to be without you," Addison whispered.

Emma led Addison to the bed. Sometimes, words were not enough between them. Eventually, Addison was certain to confide all the details of the night to Emma. Emma didn't need any details to understand what Addison was saying. Loss never left a person altogether. She imagined that at some point in Addison's evening, loss had been a topic of conversation-the loss of the person both Addison and her father had loved the most. That topic had been taboo for years-too many years. Without question, it had made Addison's thoughts travel to their family-to Emma. Her mother's words were beginning to ring in Emma's head. "You're the steady light that helps her find her way home. Just be that." Sherry had been right as usual. Addison always found her way home, knowing that Emma would be waiting.

Emma kissed Addison's forehead and moved to unb.u.t.ton Addison's jeans. She pulled them off Addison's hips and directed Addison to sit on the bed. Emma dropped down and pulled off Addison's boots, then her jeans, and tossed both aside. She smiled at Addison, seeing both desire and emotion shimmering in Addison's eyes. Emma took a step backward and slowly undressed in front of Addison, enjoying the way Addison's eyes roamed over her body appreciatively. She gently pushed Addison back on the bed and straddled her hips. "Addy, I will always be with you. No matter what."

Addison closed her eyes. Tears escaped beneath her tightly shut eyelids, and Emma kissed them away. "Shh," Emma whispered.

"I don't ever want to miss you," Addison confessed.

Emma kissed Addison's forehead again tenderly, then the tip of her nose, and then her lips. "No one can predict tomorrow, honey. We both know that," Emma said. Addison sighed deeply. "But, I promise you that I have no intention of going anywhere for a long time, not if I have anything to say about it."

Addison looked up at Emma. "Me neither."

Emma smiled. "I love you too, Addy," she reminded her wife. She leaned in and captured Addison's lips in an intense kiss. The faint taste of beer and salt lingered on Addison's lips. Emma could smell a hint of cigar smoke on Addison's skin. She smiled inwardly. Addison never smoked unless she was drinking. Even then, Emma had only seen Addison indulge in a cigar twice. Once, after Vicki had been born with Emma's father, and after the screening of the pilot episode for Off Screen with Jeff and Tamara. She'd smelled it one other time-the night before their wedding when Addison had appeared in her room. Emma suspected her brother had encouraged it that night. All of those times had marked something significant and meaningful for Addison. Something meaningful had transpired between Addison and her father. Like each of the other times, she had sought out Emma's affection afterward.

Emma let her lips tenderly fall down Addison's throat while her hands worked their way upward gradually from Addison's hips. She breathed in Addison's scent and reveled in the softness of Addison's skin. Addison's fingertips played with the waves of Emma's hair, gently urging her on without any sound. Emma stole a glance at Addison. Addison's eyes had closed in what Emma recognized as a mixture of arousal and contentment. This night could take two directions. Emma could continue touching Addison, intentionally arousing her with her touch or Emma could gentle her explorations to a soothing caress and pull Addison into her arms to sleep. Either would likely be welcomed by the woman she loved. Emma smiled. She would endeavor to accomplish both. That was one of the things she treasured most about her life with Addison. Emotion never tempered pa.s.sion; emotion always ruled pa.s.sion. Making love could be soft and slow or fast and desperate. No matter what ruled the moment, inevitably they fell into each other's embrace. If Emma was the light that shined for Addison, Addison was surely Emma's safe harbor.

Emma's lips fell again, this time softly over Addison's shoulder. Lovingly they traveled inward until Emma's lips reached the top of Addison's cleavage. She lifted her hand to trace over the outline of Addison's b.r.e.a.s.t.s and felt Addison suck in a shaky breath. Emma moved to come face to face with Addison, leaving her fingers to continue their gentle exploration. She coaxed Addison's eyes open with a series of faint kisses. "Addy," Emma called to her. "Look at me."

Addison's eyes opened. Emma smiled at her, and Addison reached up to tuck Emma's hair behind her ears. "You are so beautiful, Em."

"Tell me," Emma said. "What do you need?" she asked.

A powerful surge of love coursed through Addison with a warm rush. Emma's question was not meant to be playful nor was it intended to impart any s.e.xual innuendo. No one knew Addison better than Emma. Emma understood that they were riding a tide of intense emotion. And, when it finally crested, it was likely to break any remaining vestiges of the dam that Addison had spent years erecting. Addison smiled at her wife. Emma had always told Addison that Addison was the gentlest soul she'd ever known. Looking at Emma, Addison wished that Emma could see herself through Addison's eyes. Emma was genuinely kind, humble, and compa.s.sionate. As much as Addison loved Emma, she also admired the woman hovering above her. Gratefulness-that was the overriding sentiment now. Addison was grateful; grateful for the woman that loved her, grateful for the life they shared, and the family they had created.

"What is it?" Emma asked Addison.

"You."

"Me?" Emma asked.

Addison took Emma's face in her hands and brought their lips together tenderly. Emma's forehead fell softly against hers. "I need to make love with you," Addison whispered. "I need to know you're here."

Emma pulled back and smiled. "I'm always here," she put her hand over Addison's heart. "Just like you are always with me." She placed a sweet kiss of understanding on Addison's lips.

Addison's eyes fluttered closed as Emma's hand drifted over her skin gently in a calming yet arousing caress. Addison sighed.

"Don't close your eyes, Addy," Emma requested. Addison opened her eyes and looked at Emma. "I need you too," Emma said.

Addison understood the implicit request. She shifted so that Emma could lie beside her. "I missed you," Addison admitted.

Emma kissed Addison again. "You taste like beer and cigars," she whispered.

Addison chuckled. "You taste like sunshine."

Emma's lips moved to Addison's neck. "What does sunshine taste like?" she whispered in Addison's ear.

Addison moaned. "You."

Emma giggled. Addison was adorable at times. Emma's hand found its way over Addison's hip and over Addison's breast. Her fingertips drew slow circles around Addison's nipple, deliberately teasing.

Addison's reply came in the form of a searing kiss. She let her lips stray to Emma's neck and behind Emma's ear, before deliberately and delicately traveling down Emma's throat to her chest. Addison's hand traced a pattern of small circles over Emma's breast as her mouth moved to encircle Emma's nipple gently.

Emma held Addison in place. The sensation of Addison's tongue brushing over her nipple instantly sent a series of small tremors through her center. Addison's hand had found its way to Emma's thigh and was working its way inward steadily. It would have been easy for Emma to become lost in the sensual haze that had enveloped her. Addison's touch was insistent, but it was always tender. Emma loved to fall away under Addison's loving exploration. But, Addison needed her as much as she wanted to feel Addison now. Addison was moaning in pleasure as she continued to touch and taste Emma. The sound aroused Emma almost as much as the physical sensations of Addison's touch. She needed to feel Addison. Reluctantly, Emma shifted and directed Addison to face her again.

"What's wrong?" Addison asked, ceasing all her explorations.

Emma smiled and moved Addison's hand back to its previous location. Addison's breath caught in her throat when Emma directed her fingers inside. Emma briefly closed her eyes to steady herself as Addison's fingers began to move inside of her methodically. She took a deep breath, released it slowly and began to stroke Addison's softness gently. "So perfect, Addy," Emma said as she opened her eyes. "Stay with me," she requested.

Addison kept her eyes locked with Emma's. She could feel her heart beating erratically as Emma's fingers faintly swirled around her. It made Addison shiver with need. She understood that Emma would not release her until they could fall together, and Addison was certain that Emma could tell Addison was close already. She'd missed Emma more than any words could have conveyed. Emma's kiss alone had caused a fire to ignite in Addison. As they moved in time with one another, Emma's b.r.e.a.s.t.s kept brushing against Addison's. Her stomach fluttered as her muscles began to tighten in response. Emma's hips rotated purposefully against Addison's fingers. Addison delighted in the feel of Emma moving against her. She desperately wanted to taste Emma. Instinctively, her eyes closed as she allowed herself to imagine Emma poised above her.

Emma didn't need Addison to speak to know where her thoughts had traveled. She had learned how Addison responded to being touched and to feeling Emma. They had been together for more than six years, and at times Addison still exhibited an endearing shyness when they made love. Both love and l.u.s.t could encompa.s.s them in the same moment. While love was always present, there were times when the powerful nature of their physical connection needed to be tempered by the devotion and the emotional connection they shared. Part of Emma wanted to give in right now to their pa.s.sion. She could move above Addison and allow Addison what her body was craving. Emma's body desired Addison too. Addison's fingers were thrusting in and out of her with tender force. To feel Addison's tongue bathing her in warm caresses at the same time would have thrown Emma over the edge of sanity in an instant. That was not what they both needed tonight.

"Addy, come back to me," Emma whispered. Addison sighed and opened her eyes. "Talk to me, but stay with me," Emma urged Addison. She felt Addison tremble. "Tell me what you were imagining," Emma said. Addison bit her lip nervously. If Emma hadn't been so aroused, she would have broken out into laughter. Addison wrote some of the most sensual love scenes Emma had ever read. Yet, she often struggled to share her fantasies with Emma, even in the heat of pa.s.sion. Emma decided to take the lead. "You want me to guess?" she asked. Addison sighed. "Mm. How about I tell you what I want?" Emma suggested.

Addison moaned. Emma's voice was the s.e.xiest thing she'd ever heard. There wasn't any song, no sound in the world that could compare to Emma talking to her like this. She loved it. She loved Emma's a.s.sertiveness in the bedroom. It had made her quiver from their first kiss. And, Addison knew that Emma enjoyed the power she held over Addison. It was intoxicating for them both. Addison surprised Emma when she answered. "Tell me." Emma's heart pounded in response, and her fingers entered Addison softly. "Em... Tell me," Addison repeated through a ragged breath.

"Look at me," Emma demanded gently. Addison complied. "Better," Emma said. She kissed Addison forcefully and then continued. "I want to sit over you and feel you tasting me," Emma confessed. Addison groaned. "I want to feel you above me again. Tease you until you can't hold back."

"Emma," Addison called out. "G.o.d, I want to taste you."

Emma trembled. She wanted to look in Addison's eyes when Addison brought her over the edge. She sensed they both needed that connection. "I love it when you do," Emma told Addison. She moved her fingers to circle Addison's c.l.i.t repeatedly.

"Jesus, Em!" Addison cried out. She felt a warm rush cover her hand as Emma drew closer to her release.

Emma wasn't certain she could find her voice to continue. She knew that her words were bringing them both closer. Her legs were beginning to tremble, and she could feel the faint quivering of Addison's body against her. "I love touching you," Emma said. "I love feeling you inside me," she told Addison.

Addison forced herself to concentrate on Emma's pleasure as Emma spoke. Emma was teasing her relentlessly. She'd completely lost herself to Emma-Emma's fingers dancing over her, Emma's voice as she spoke in desperate whispers, but most of all, Emma's eyes looking into hers. "You feel perfect," Addison replied. "The way you touch me... Emma..."

Emma's forehead collapsed against Addison's as her body unexpectedly fell prey to Addison's touch. "Addy," she whispered, barely able to speak.

Addison held Emma steady. "Stay with me, Em," Addison demanded. Emma's fingers stroked Addison more forcefully, and Addison began to fall. "Em... Emma," Addison repeated Emma's name over and over.

Emma continued touching her, unable and unwilling to release Addison completely. Tears were beginning to stream over Addison's cheeks as wave after wave of pleasure pulled her under. "I'm right here," Emma promised. "Let go," Emma said. "Let it all go."

Addison's hands moved to Emma's back, and she held on as if Emma were her lifeline. Emma gentled her touch and slipped inside Addison. "Oh, G.o.d," Addison choked.

"I'm right here," Emma promised.

Addison looked into Emma's eyes and allowed Emma to carry her away one more time. "So, gentle," Addison whispered lovingly.