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"I'm tellin' ya, Val, this psychic has never been wrong before. Ma swears by her!" Fran calls over the changing room wall, adjusting her bikini top in the floor-length mirror. She has an assortment of eye-catching attire at home, but she's justifying this purchase—as well as the cruise itself—based on her call with Psychic Maria the previous week.
An invitation to yet another cousin's wedding had arrived in the mail and that was the last straw for Fran. She'd gone to visit her Ma, shoveled far too much ice cream into her face, and walked away with the number for Sylvia's favorite psychic. She had been skeptical at first, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
"She said I was gonna find the love of my life on this cruise!" Fran fastens her tiny cover-up, beaming as she opens the door to get Val's thoughts.
"Oh, you look fabulous, Fran!" Val squeals, standing up from the bench in the little hallway. "A perfect outfit for meeting the love of your life! Oh, but Fran, how will you know who it is?"
Fran lets out a dreamy sigh, sitting down on the bench with Val. "My psychic told me that I'd feel a chill come over me, and outta nowhere, my true love would swoop in and make me feel warm."
They both stare off into the distance, imagining the scene unfolding. Val tugs on Fran's sleeve, her voice a little more wistful. "Say, your psychic didn't say anything about a guy for me, did she?"
CC flips through the catalogue she stole from the house earlier, glossy pages boasting bright blue water and smiling faces. Far too many children running about, but ample bars where they surely were not allowed. She lifts her martini glass to her lips then sets it back down on her coffee table. All-in-all, not a bad choice for a getaway, and she could certainly use one of those.
Maxwell had been particularly irritating as of late. CC could still feel the exhaustion in her body from the late nights she'd been working, the legwork she'd been putting in to secure the star of their new production. And when Maxwell had gotten the congratulations, he accepted them all without a word in CC's direction.
"That little turd," CC mutters, aggressively turning to the next page. A picture in the bottom corner catches her eye. A brunette woman is reclining on a beach towel, leopard-print bathing suit and headband immediately bringing to mind the woman this catalogue belongs to. She can practically hear her incessant whine springing up from the pages.
She continues to stare at the photo, taking another long sip while she debates her options. There will be 2000 people on board, she reasons. What are the chances she'd even run into the nanny and her scatterbrained friend?
Tipping her head back, she finishes her drink and picks up the phone. She's got a call to make.
CC is lounging by the pool when she hears that voice. Just her luck. She tries to disappear behind her large sunhat, which isn't too hard as the thing is practically the size of the titanic... she probably shouldn't be making that comparison though.
"Just pick a chair already, Val!"
"Chaise location is key, Fran, you know that!"
"Oh, what does it matter at this point? That psychic is as much of a quack as my last therapist was. I'm callin' it, three strikes an' I'm out."
As the voices get closer, CC tries to stay still. Maybe if she blends into the background, they won't notice her.
"Fran, that woman looks just like Miss Babcock!" Val extends her arm to point in her direction, causing Fran to turn and look over. Her eyes redirect from somewhere across the boat to the chair two down from where they're standing, rolling her eyes at her best friend's volume. She notices the woman try to shrink further into her chair and thinks there might be something to Val's exclamation.
"Miss Babcock? Is that you?" Fran calls out, moving closer when the other woman looks like she's starting to gather her things. "Oh, Mr. Sheffield, you're here too?!"
CC turns abruptly to face Fran, finding no one but the nanny in her sight-line, a smirk on her face. "Gotcha!" And then that laugh.
"Nanny Fine," CC acknowledges her with a fake smile, craning her head around the woman to address her friend. "Val."
"Hi, Miss Babcock!" Val waves excitedly, shaking her head up and down like a bobblehead.
Fran sits down in the lounger right next to CC's, motioning for Val to move their bags closer. "Oh, stay a while Miss Babcock, please? Where else have ya gotta be?"
CC rolls her eyes, letting out a long sigh. "I suppose you're right." She sets her sunhat aside, settling back into her chair and glancing over at the other two women.
Val is looking through a pamphlet of some sort, possibly a menu for whatever poolside meats Fran had mentioned back at the house. While Val chatters away, Fran has produced a bottle of sunscreen from the depths of her purse and is in the process of lathering it into her legs.
CC vaguely registers that Val has stopped talking, and when she looks up from where her gaze had landed, she finds both women looking at her expectantly. How long had she been staring at the nanny's legs? Why had she been staring at the nanny's legs? And why was the nanny smirking at her again? Always with that smirk.
"Now what was it you said the other day, Miss Babcock?" Fran puts her index finger to her chin, pretending to wrack her brain. "Didn't you say it was degrading to be a single woman on a ship?"
Still unsettled by being caught staring, CC takes a moment to come up with a response, affecting that haughty tone that makes her feel in control. "I simply gave it some more thought, and had to admit that I could see the appeal."
All three women glance around the ship deck, taking in the gorgeous views—tanned bodies lounging by the pool, clear skies and ocean as far as the eye could see, colorful cocktails and dishes dotting the surrounding tables.
Fran is still gazing longingly at the carving station over by the bar, and CC takes the opportunity to glance down at the woman once more. She's wearing a bright red bikini, somehow even more revealing than her usual outfits she prances around the house in. Her hair is piled high on her head, giving CC an unobstructed view of her body.
She hears a throat clear to her left and her eyes dart up again, widening as they meet Fran's. Damnit.
"Oh, Miss Babcock, I think you're startin' to burn," Fran says slyly. "Your cheeks are lookin' a little red."
CC has no retort, mentally chastising herself for giving into the temptation yet again.
Fran chuckles, popping the cap on the suntan lotion and turning in her chair to face CC. "Here, let me get your shoulders. I think they are actually gettin' red." Her voice is softer, seeming to let up on her teasing a bit.
CC is still confused as to why she's being gently teased, and why she kind of likes it. Why she isn't as annoyed as she usually is with the other woman's constant presence in her life.
She startles a bit as Fran nudges her legs to the side so she can sit beside her on the lounger. Then Fran's hands are massaging cool lotion into her shoulders, the sensation soothing and arousing all at the same time.
"There, all better!"
CC barely contains a whine as Fran moves her hands back into her own lap. The skin on her shoulders is still tingling, although whether that's from the sun or from Fran's touch, she can't say. She has no idea what's gotten into her.
"Fran, we better hurry or we're gonna miss the early seating at the buffet."
Val's voice cuts into CC's thoughts and gives her a moment’s peace where Fran isn't looking too closely at her, but then the other women are packing up their things and she registers Val's words. She should feel relief at being left alone again, and is surprised when that feeling doesn't come.
Fran slips her feet into her ridiculous platform sandals, hefting her purse onto her shoulder and looking down at CC. "Miss Babcock, would you maybe wanna come to the buffet with us?"
CC is even more surprised by the invitation, a genuine one it seemed by Fran's warm and hopeful smile. As she tentatively matches Fran's smile, the feeling of relief she had been expecting finally washes over her.
"So, Miss Babcock," Fran gets her attention from over a plate filled with every seafood you could possibly imagine, "tell me what finally changed your mind about the cruise. Don't tell me it was the promise of 'marauding men.'" There's a mischievous sparkle in her eye as she quotes CC from the other day, not believing that little speech for one second, not after the way CC has been staring at her all day.
CC rolls her eyes, but her mouth quirks up at one end as she pushes a cherry tomato around her plate. "If you must know, Nanny Fine, it was one particular marauding man." She takes in Fran's furrowed brow for a minute before clarifying, "I don't think Maxwell would know what to do with himself if he wasn't stealing all the credit for the work I do."
Fran lets out a laugh, brushing CC's arm in commiseration. "Don't I know it, sister."
The two fall silent as they go back to eating their food, but Fran reads the look of surprise on CC's face. She supposes it's warranted, given she can count on one hand the times she's verbally agreed with the woman. Beneath the surface, though, she shares a lot of the same frustration about Maxwell's behavior.
"Y'know what's weird?" Val speaks up, filling the lull in conversation. Fran is ashamed to admit that she kinda forgot Val was even there. "I don't think I even know your first name, Miss Babcock! I mean, suppose I see a guy that'd be perfect for you, what do I say? 'You've gotta meet my friend, Miss Babcock?'" she gestures across the table with a lobster claw. "It's so formal!"
"I wouldn't worry about that, Val." CC risks a glance at Fran, catching her eye before quickly looking away.
Fran smirks, keeping her gaze on CC. "Even I don't know what it stands for, but Val, please meet CC Babcock." CC rolls her eyes as Val excitedly reaches her hand out for her to shake, but still takes it in hers for a moment. "Val's right, though," Fran continues. "It is weirdly formal. We're on vacation!"
"Nanny Fine—" CC is interrupted by a nasal groan meant to imitate a gameshow buzzer.
"There're no kids here."
"Alright," CC sighs begrudgingly. "Fran."
Fran feels a thrill run through her at her name being said in that low voice. It's unexpectedly exciting in the same way this whole day has been. "And I can call you…" she trails off, waiting for permission.
"I suppose you can call me CC while we're on vacation."
Fran claps her hands together briefly, a wide smile on her face. "Hi, CC!"
"Hello, Fran." CC's is much more subdued, but Fran definitely spots the beginnings of a smile.
"Hi, Steve!"
Fran and CC both startle at the loud shout from Val. They follow her gaze across the dining room as a man in a Hawaiian shirt approaches.
"Fran, remember that guy from earlier? I ran into him in the buffet line and he asked me out!" Val and Fran share an excited shriek, settling down as the man arrives at their table.
"Hi, ladies," he smiles down at them, introducing himself. "Steve Goodman. I hope you don't mind the interruption, but I was hoping I might be able to persuade Val to be my partner for tomorrow's mambo contest."
Val bounces in her chair in delight. "I would be honored, Steve! Oh, I have the perfect outfit," she starts planning, gathering the extra rolls she'd grabbed and stuffing them in her purse. "D'you think we should start practicin' now? I don't know how low to the ground I can get anymore!"
The other three occupants of the table share a confused glance before Fran smacks her palm to her forehead. "That's the limbo, Val!"
Val just shrugs her shoulders, not really caring what activity she's partaking in as long as she's got a new man. "Don't wait up, Fran," Val calls over her shoulder as she drags Steve away. "I think we'll be busy for a while!"
As she watches her best friend disappear, Fran pats her stomach, leaning back in her chair. "Boy, that seafood tower really hit the spot."
Even though Val hadn't been contributing much to the conversation, it still feels noticeable that they're alone now. CC had long ago finished her seafood salad, and now that Fran's plate is also empty, she's wracking her brain for ways to keep this interaction going.
"So, CC, what're your plans for the rest of the evenin'?"
"I thought a relaxing walk around the ship deck sounded nice."
Fran's smile falls just a bit. She knows she has no place in CC's idea of a relaxing walk, but she tries not to show her disappointment as she lets out a short hum of acknowledgement. She's placing her sunglasses back in her purse when CC speaks up again, surprising her.
"Would you like to join me, Fran?"
The sun is just beginning to set as they make their way back toward where they started their day. The pool is closed now, and few people are around. Fran remembers reading something about a big event over in the casino; it hadn't interested her, but she assumes that's where most people had ended up. It's nice, taking in the quiet evening with her unexpected companion.
Fran doesn't want to read too much into it, but it feels like CC is also slowing down, trying to extend their remaining time for the evening. She comes to a stop and leans against the railing, looking out over the water. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" she asks softly.
CC scans the horizon, taking a deep breath of the ocean air. "It is," she agrees, equally as soft. "I can't even tell you how much I needed this break. Thank you for putting the idea in my head, however unintentionally."
"Of course," Fran chuckles. Their eyes meet again, trailing off into comfortable silence. The sun is still just high enough to give off some heat, but a strong breeze off the ocean drifts up over the deck and Fran shivers.
CC looks down at her own sleeveless dress, then briefly around the ship before pushing off the railing. Fran turns, confused, and watches her walk over to the towel stand, unfolding a large towel and returning to Fran's side.
"Here," she whispers, draping the fluffy towel around Fran's shoulders, their hands brushing as she hands the ends to Fran to hold closed.
Fran gasps, the psychic's words rushing back to her as quickly as the breeze.
"Let's go sit over there," CC gently nudges Fran's shoulder, ushering her over to the chairs in the middle of the deck. "Should be warmer away from the edge."
Fran is speechless as she continues to stare at CC, only slightly unnerving because she usually is never not speaking. CC reaches out to touch Fran's arm over the towel, a look of concern on her face. She doesn't ask what's wrong, loathe to break the silence, but the question is implied.
"You're gonna think I'm crazy."
"You think I don't already?"
Fran laughs, watching a smirk appear on CC's face. "D'ya want me to tell you or not?"
"Alright, alright."
Fran hesitates, and CC moves her hand down the towel until she reaches Fran's hand, holding it gently in her own. This seems to give Fran a boost of confidence. "I went to see a psychic before we left, and she told me I was gonna meet someone on this cruise." She stops herself before repeating the exact prediction, knowing CC would run for the hills if she mentioned the love of her life. That revelation could come much much later.
CC refrains from voicing her opinions about the supernatural, choosing instead to keep softly swiping her thumb over Fran's hand curious to see where this is going.
"She said I was gonna be cold and this person would make me feel warm." She looks down to the towel around her shoulders, to CC's hand on hers, turning her hand over and latching their fingers together. "I think you might be the person," Fran whispers, awe in her voice, looking meaningfully into CC's eyes.
CC is silent for a minute, processing what Fran is telling her, assessing her own feelings on the matter. They're sitting so close now, and she can feel Fran's body heat almost as if a psychic is speaking to her too. CC decides to be bold, eyes drifting down to Fran's lips before meeting her gaze again.
"Then let me warm you up."
Fran gasps as the low tone sends another chill through her body, quickly turning into a moan as it's chased away by the heat from CC's hand threading through her hair, guiding their mouths together. As the kiss deepens, fire running through her veins, Fran wonders if this was always meant to happen—a delicious spin on the hot-and-cold dynamic they'd had from the beginning. Slowly pulling back and tucking CC's hair behind her ear, she sees a similar heat burning in CC's eyes. There is only one thought in her head.
I can't wait to see what the future holds.