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“You almost ready to head home?”
Greta heard from the voice that still made her heart flutter each time it was in range. She was packing up to head back to New York, a year after they’d said their last goodbye. Carson had not left her side since that October afternoon she’d shown up at Greta’s door.
She’d expected to hear Carson enter the room. One of the things Greta had learned about Carson, after living together for almost a year, was that she was generally punctual and always got nervous about missing trains.
“I should be ready in a few minutes. I just need to pack up my makeup and accessories and strip down the bed.”
“Need any help with that task,” Carson asked, mirth and seduction filling her voice. When she heard the door lock behind her, she started to wonder if Carson was joking or serious.
She turned to see her Carson, walking slowly towards her, unsure herself of her intentions.
“I won’t turn down volunteers,” Greta said, meeting her heat for heat, seduction for seduction.
Carson had closed the distance between them standing between Greta’s legs when they heard a couple of girls running through the hall. Whatever play time they were considering got pushed to the side as they remembered where they were.
“You need to finish packing so we won’t miss our train,” Carson stated absentmindedly. Greta could see the disappointed look of the responsible Shaw battling with the lustful Shaw all over her face.
“I know sweetie,” she said with a light giggle. “We can pick this back up once we get home.”
Carson beamed at hearing her call their apartment home. Carson was well aware of Greta and Jo’s escapades at this point. As well as much of the pain that had forced them to take said escapades in the first place. When Greta called their place home, it felt like she had been able to provide Greta with something she desperately needed, a place to feel safe, loved, and protected.
“That’s right! We need to hurry up so we can get back home. Did you have anything you need me to take downstairs?”
“Not really, though if you just want to, you can take my suitcase and hatbox down. I should be down in a few minutes.”
Carson gave Greta a chase kiss on the lips and a playful smack on the ass before doing just that.
“Be careful Shaw. Don’t start anything you can’t finish.”
“Oh I can finish it. If we had more time and privacy, I’d finish it right here.”
They gave each other knowing grins before Carson exited the room for downstairs.
*
As Greta stepped off of the last step of the staircase she could see the living room and kitchen filled with players left and right.
Maybelle, who miraculously had been able to join them for another season was hugging girls goodbye and slapping butts as they left. Their shared habit of doing so has gained them the nickname The Slap-And-Go Sisters. It hadn’t deterred either one of them from continuing the habit.
Jess played their guitar, waiting for Lupe and Esti to stop arguing over the stops they each wanted to make on their road trip back to New York. When Jess caught her eye, they looked at her as if to say these two, though their smile betrayed that they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Ana and Shirley hadn’t come back this season though their letters to the team promised that they would return the following season.
Terri had said her goodbyes to Greta the night before. She’d given Greta a copy of one of Irving’s photos from New Year’s Day. The affection that was apparent in both Carson and Greta’s eyes could be felt a million miles away.
“I’ve known for some time that you two care for each other,” Terri had said, causing a shocked Greta to sit down and stare at her. She continued, “Your love is so beautiful. It was my honor to see it grow from afar. I’m glad you were able to make a life with one another, even with so many obstacles in your way.”
She was clearly referring to Carson’s ex-husband and the many rules and regulations of the league. There was no way Terri could know just how many obstacles had been in the way of Carson and Greta’s love.
“All of that to say, I’m really happy for you and you have friends in Irving and I. Understand?”
Greta nodded her head, still teetering in disbelief and gratitude.
“Thank you so much, Terri. This,” she said holding up the photo that had been resting in her hands, “means so much to me. I’m sure Carson will appreciate it as well.”
They hugged before Terri left to finish packing. Irving was picking her up early the next morning to make their long trek to their ranch in Montana.
Bev sat at the kitchen table and invited Greta to have a sit down for a few minutes.
“You look well Ms. Gill. New York has definitely treated you well.”
Greta could see a slight glint in Bev’s eye, but knew Sarge well enough to know she’d never admit to her true meaning.
“You mean my job of course.”
“Of course. That and you taking in Ms. Shaw as she went through the heartbreaking task of a divorce. It must be very difficult to rebuild after such a big life disruption. It’s good to have good friends in times like those.”
If Sarge wasn’t going to say what she was trying to say, neither was Greta. Two could play that game.
“Good friends indeed. I’m just glad I could be there for her through this difficult time.”
Greta let a small smile grace her face as she responded to Bev. Bev returned with a slight grin of her own.
Bev and Greta had traveled very different paths, yet they both were well aware of the conversation they were having, as well as the one they weren’t.
“Be safe and have a good trip back home. Feel free to write as well Ms. Gill. If you need me, my door is open, even during the off-season. And not as your chaperone.”
Greta laughed at the last part, nodding to acknowledge what Bev was saying.
“Will do and understand.”
*
Carson sat on the bench on the front porch, constantly looking at her watch. Did they have an hour until they needed to get to the train station? Yes. Was that fact going to make Carson any less nervous until they were seated in their seats? Not one bit.
She watched as various ones said their goodbyes and “see you next seasons”. It made her think back to last season when she’d been rushing out the door to say her last goodbye to Greta, unsure of when, or even if, she’d see Greta again.
Flashbacks of that day and the next flooded her mind. The realization on the staircase. Maybelle stopping her at the door. Her calling out to Greta. Her kissing Greta and promising to come back this season. Charlie catching them on the porch.
The long, devastating, and hard conversations they had to have. Him returning her money and leaving in disdain for her. Her crying herself to sleep that night, but waking up the next day breathing easier than she had ever felt in her life. Calling Bev to ask for an extra week in the boarding house. Figuring out what life would be like with no strings attached for at least 6 months.
That day had changed her life in ways she couldn’t have dreamed of. If someone had told her she would travel to cities she’d never been to. Meet so many people. Find her people at bars, delis, and bookstores across the country. And finally land at the doorstep of the woman she loved, she would’ve called them crazy. But alas that is what happened.
Reminiscing on this past year helped calm her nerves about the train. One thing this year had taught her was that everything would be fine, as long as Carson could get to Greta and had her by her side.
Finally, with 30 minutes to spare, Greta came out the front door, holding her makeup bag and purse while giggling at something Jess had said to Esti.
Making sure no one else was in earshot, Greta asked, “you ready my love?”
Carson smiled an adorable side smile at her girl . “Always for you, my darling.”
They didn’t kiss this time, though both looked in the direction of the side porch where they’d shared a mind blowing kiss the year before, and blushed, before returning to each other’s eyes.
No goodbyes, see you laters, or waiting lovers awaited them this time. They simply grabbed their bags, walked down to their awaiting taxi, and proceeded to the train station. To board the train that would take them home, together.