Catching you

New beginnings

Selena POV :

Today marks three years since I left Radley psychiatric hospital. How time flies... But it was also our second wedding anniversary with Demi.

After we got back together, everything happened quite quickly and, as you might expect, no one around us understood our decision. So we decided to move, in a city where no one would know us, away from all the malicious stares. Where no one would pay any attention to us. Seattle.

That way, Demi was quickly able to open a second shelter for her QueerTogether organization in Seattle, which she very quickly made a success. I think she really liked the non-profit world. And the queer world needed a strong woman like Demi.

As for me, after several months of struggling, I finally found a job as a commis chef in a Peruvian restaurant called Nazca.
Honestly, it was the first time I had ever felt so comfortable somewhere. My colleagues were all really cool, and I got on really well with my boss, Luis. We were a great team. I have to say that seeing the psychologist twice a week really helped me to get through these difficult times.

Despite the tension, I went back to see my mother from time to time. I know she didn't understand my choice, but she had finally come to terms with it. So we avoided talking about Demi and everything was fine...

I was about to go home when I received a rather cryptic message from Demi.

"Meet me at this address."

Mysterious, I like that. I looked at my GPS and saw that the place was only a 10-minute walk from my workplace.

Suddenly, I felt my cheeks flush and smiled nervously before setting off to meet her.

As I approached the address Demi had sent me, I looked around at the surroundings. A long, dark alleyway, with trees as far as the eye can see and a field on one side. A shiver runs through my body.

A few dozen metres away, I see a light in the distance. As I get closer, I realise it's a string of fairy lights.

"Happy anniversary, my love!" Demi exclaims when she sees me arrive. She came up to me and kissed me languidly. I kissed her back more than willingly.

She was beautiful, just like on the first day. She was wearing a white dress with thin straps  and embroidered details, fitted at the waist and flared at the hips, just the way I like them.

Next to her was a table set for two, with beautiful silverware and candles. A few seconds later, a young man arrived with a tray offering us glasses of champagne.

"This is wonderful, thank you... I wish I could have changed though," I said, trying to smooth out my shirt.

"You're perfect just the way you are."

"You always say that."

"Because it's true," said Demi with a smile before pulling out the chair so I could sit down. Over the last few years, I had learned to appreciate how gallant Demi was.

"Thank you," I whispered.

Demi sat down opposite me and took my hand to caress it.

"I called your favourite restaurant... I hope you like it," she said just before a waiter arrived and placed beautifully arranged dishes in front of us. Several plates of sushi made my mouth water. 

"It's perfect."

The meal was almost silent. I had become much more open, but Demi was still the one leading the conversation. I just liked listening to her. That was enough for me.

"I have something to show you," she said, standing up and holding out her hand to me.

"Another surprise, you mean?" I said, getting up too.

"Maybe... come with me," she said, walking towards where there was no light.

My heart raced and I felt my cheeks getting hot again.

"Are you sure? You shouldn't be walking in heels on muddy ground like this," I said hesitantly.

"It's fine... I don't care," she said, walking faster and faster.

Despite my hesitation, I followed her into the darkness.

"Surprise!" she exclaimed, pointing to the end of the street.

A camper van. Ever since I got out of Radley, I had dreamed of travelling around the United States in a camper van with her. She wasn't just hearing what I was saying, she was really listening to me.

For a few seconds, I stood frozen. So that was the surprise?

"You don't seem to like it? I was wrong... I thought this was what you dreamed of." She looked disappointed.

"What? No, not at all... I was just in shock. It's perfect, Demi, thank you," I said before kissing her tenderly and approaching the motorhome.

"It's huge," I said as I took a tour of the room.

"And this is the bedroom. It's not as spacious as ours, but it's big enough to sleep in," said Demi, sitting down on the bed and crossing her legs.

"Not just to sleep in," I said, putting my hands around her waist before sitting down on her lap.

"Naughty girl."

"Just the way you like them."

She slid her hand into my hair before grabbing my shirt and unbuttoning it. At the same time, I heard her shoes fall to the floor. I helped her out of her dress.

She was wearing a set of white satin underwear that gave her an angelic look. I took off my trousers and lay down on the bed. Demi quickly took control and straddled me.

"You smell so good, I'm sorry," I said, playing with the strands of her hair that fell in cascades over my face.

"Why are you sorry?" she said, frowning.

"I feel like I smell like fried food," I whispered.

"You don't. And even if you did smell like fried food, I'd still want you," she said, starting to work her magic on my neck. She could be so delicate and attentive when she wanted to be.

"I love you."

"I love you more," she said, removing her lips from my right nipple.

Impossible.

—————

A few days later

"How are things going with Demi?" asked Mrs Lee.

"Everything's fine, we celebrated our second wedding anniversary last week."

"I was referring to your intrusive thoughts, the ones you told me about last time."

"Oh, that... yes, it's fine, it was just in the moment, actually."

"Haven't you thought about it since?"

"Not really."

"Listen, Selena, I'm going to ask you a simple question, and I need you to be honest with me. It's for your own good," said Mrs Lee in a soft voice.

I simply nodded to show that I understood.

"Have you and Demi started role- playing again ?"

It wasn't really role-playing, but never mind.

"No."

"Do you miss it?"

I wasn't sure whether to tell the truth. I was torn.