Sometimes when you find yourself falling in love with someone and unable to find the words to express it to them fully, a kiss can become a most valuable form of communication. A kiss can express so much on the part of the giver and speak volumes to the one receiving it. Philip and Victoria have discovered the wisdom and value of a kiss and it allows them to finally find their voices and declare their love for one another. A magical moment that they’ll cherish forever.
ACT IX
We’d have to allow for a margin of error on the research we did that night on the effects of aphrodisiacs on people. Working in such close proximity to each other we often brushed up against one another, sometimes it was hip to hip or even the odd full frontal contact as one of us would spin away from the counter too quickly and catch the other one ferrying something to another part of the kitchen. Those close encounters were welcomed by both of us and it led to several stolen kisses while we worked. Preparing a meal together came so naturally to us as we laughed and chattered away. She even managed to get me to sing a little with her, under the guise of further practice for tomorrow night but I think she just wanted me to join her solely for the entertainment factor I provided her. The truth of the matter is I’m not much of a singer as I can’t carry a tune to save my soul, less charitable people would accuse me of being tone deaf when it came to singing. Victoria however sounded like a nightingale to me as she trilled away. She’d smile at me encouragingly and as sheepish as I felt singing out loud, I gave it my best shot, it was worth it to be on the receiving end of one of her smiles was the way I looked at it.
With our combined efforts we created a meal that was everything a proper meal should be and it contained the secret ingredient that could make even the simplest of meals a feast, we’d made it with loving care. The simple act of sharing it with Victoria made the food taste even better to me. She’d taken special efforts in laying out the table as well, using her late aunt’s best china, lighting candles and placing the rose I had given her the night before on the table to add to the ambiance of the evening. During the meal we behaved as only lovers are apt to do which there was a certain irony to as we had not yet made love to each other. We fed morsels of food to each other with playful intimacy, the tip of a finger straying too close to open lips would be gently drawn between them and suckled upon, which would cause smoldering sensual smiles to creep across both the giver and the receivers lips. Hands would find their way on top of one another and our fingers would interlock. Whoever’s hand was on top at the time would more often than not find a thumb which of its own volition would stroke itself in gentle caresses along those intertwined hands. Leaning into one another as we’d stare deeply into one another’s eyes and then that all important moment when our lips would touch.
Of course I’d shared kisses with other women in the course of my life time but they paled in comparison to what I experienced when I was joined in the blissful union of a kiss with Victoria. It was a euphoric experience and my heart would soar with each and every one that we shared. Kissing should be considered an art form and one that should be practiced frequently with a passionate joy for mastering it. Maybe I’m odd with my thoughts on it but I’ve always found a kiss to be a far more intimate act than making love. The roots of making love are based on an innate knowledge that we all instinctively possess as a living being but a kiss is something that is sacred act in its own right. Kisses can vary in the type and the intensities as to what you want to convey to the person your kissing. They can easily undergo a complete metamorphosis which transitions them into a whole new realm in meanings in the blink of an eye. Victoria was the type of woman that could make a man hunger and thirst for a kiss from her of any kind. The moment I had laid eyes on her I knew that each and every kiss would be perfect and all that a proper kiss should be. Given the time I would wax poetic on the topic of all that it encompassed to engage in this most soulful of activities with Victoria for an eternity, as it would take me that long to even begin to start to expound on the topic. For the time being I’ll simply say it is an honour and a most humbling privilege to be able to share kisses of any type with this woman whom I was falling more and more in love with each moment that we shared together.
I’ve always believed that there was a certain degree of intimacy in sharing a meal with someone that you loved. Sharing them with Victoria was taking that theory of mine to a whole new level as to the validity of that thought. The fact we were sharing a feast of foods with reported aphrodisiac properties just seemed to give even more credibility to it. From the smells, tastes and textures of the food we’d selected there was a certain sensual element to it all. We were supposed to be approaching this as research with clear heads and logical thought processes but it seemed to me the emotional side of our brains was rapidly taking control of this situation. Actually I doubt our minds had anything to do with it at this point as we seemed to only be interested in the language that our hearts were speaking to each other. I was definitely in love with her but I still hung back on saying those three little words to her. It wasn’t the fact I didn’t believe them whole heartedly or that I had any doubts about how I felt that prevented me from saying them to her. It was more a case of wanting to give her the time and the space to be sure of her own feelings for me. This wasn’t just some flirtation to me, this was the real deal. I wanted to share every aspect of my life with her, openly, honestly and with the knowledge our love would withstand anything that happened to us in life.
Normally I wouldn’t open up so much and allow any me to get so close to me this quickly as I was permitting Philp too. Somehow it was just different with him than it had ever been with anyone else I found myself involved with. He was just so easy to open up to and be totally honest with. If I were brutally honest about it, which I tended to be I think I had fallen in love with him the first time that I’d laid eyes on him. There was something in his rakish grin, and the warmth in his eyes that had struck a deep chord with me even though I stubbornly had refused to acknowledge it at the time. More often than not I was the most logical and sensible person that you’d ever want to meet, so falling in love at first sight was not something I was readily going to admit too. Maybe it was too many years spent in the boardrooms being hard nosed, to the point of being clinically by the book about things that made me pooh, pooh the idea of love at first sight. Yet here I was falling head over heels in love and I couldn’t imagine being any happier than I was right now.
In the short time we’d been together he was not only opening my mind but my heart as well. We’d known each other less than a week and yet now I couldn’t imagine my life without Philip in it. There was just this natural ease between us which we both acknowledged and reveled in. It may have taken us time our entire lives to find each other but now that we had there would be no letting go. It was still wildly new and mysterious to me how all of this had happened but for once in my life I was totally willing to take a chance and ride this wave of love that life had given me, wanting to see how far it would take me. Each and every moment we spent together was something that I treasured. As much as I desired Philip and was looking forward to the day we’d declare our love for each other and consummate that love we shared, it was his kisses I lived for. Those kisses we shared could leave me weak kneed and tongue tied, and yet at the same time they lifted me to heights I had never previously known. There was magic infused in his kisses. The kind of magic that could conquer and overcome any of the ills in the world, they were a healing balm that lifted the spirit and lifted the soul to a state of nirvana. Depending on the moment and the vein they were given in one of Philip's kisses could convey so many sentiments to me. His kisses spoke of gentle tenderness, truth, affectionate playfulness, passionate desires, and a deep and unwavering love. He offered me this and so much more. What’s more I knew it came from an open willingness to that that and so much more with me and only me.
“So should we consider our research a success” I teased Philip softly after sharing one of those glorious kisses. His lips broke into an easy, sensual smile that only made me want to kiss him yet again. “I’ll go with a yes on that, though I may be just a little biased on the issue given my research partner on this project.” He returned flashing me a come hither look. I couldn’t resist, and leaned forward so that once again I could taste the sweetness in those divine kisses of his. With one hand he stroked the nape of my neck and the other ran through my tresses in a slow sensual dance as our lips hungrily sought each other out. It made me feel like the two of us could truly live on love alone. Philip nuzzled my neck and then delicately kissed my lips once more with a final gentle kiss on the tip of my nose. “You look beautiful, positively radiant Victoria.” He said to me softly. My first instinct was to protest that it was merely the wavering candlelight in the room that was causing the effect but when I looked into his eyes I caught a glimpse mirrored in them that told me that was the way the truly saw me. In that instant I wanted so much to tell him I loved him, that my heart, body and soul belonged to him and were his for the taking but I suddenly felt so shy and awkward, despite his sincerity and the way he looked at me with such tenderness in his eyes. This was a new world to me having a man that adored me so ardently and at the still time had the utmost of respect for me.
“Thank you, Philip” I uttered back to him as I felt the soft flush of pink creeping up my cheeks at his compliment to me. “Victoria” he said cupping my face in his hands and gazing intently into my eyes. “I’m going to do everything in my power so that you realize the truth of my words. It’s not the candlelight nor is it the effects of the food or wine that’s making me think that you are. One day you’ll see the same beauty in you that I do.” I could feel the tears beginning to well in my eyes and beginning to leak out. He gently wiped them back with his thumbs. “Come here you.” He said as he pulled me over to him and into his lap and cradled me against his chest. He kissed the crown of my head. “I’m not going anywhere I’m here to stay in your life unless you tell me to go.” He told me. Which only caused me to begin to sniffle as well as I buried my head in his chest. His only response to that was to hold me even tighter and stroke my back and hair comfortingly. “Even though I’m a silly little goose that bursts into tears at a compliment?” I inquired fearful of his answer. “Especially because of that, it shows me that you trust me enough to be vulnerable and expose your fears to me. It takes a special kind of person to be able to really open themselves up to another human being Victoria.” I couldn’t help myself as I felt a shy smile creeping across my face despite my tears.
“Now” Philip said briskly “You need to relax and pamper yourself, because tomorrow it’s going to be a late night for the two of us at your show.. So while I clean up the kitchen you are going to take yourself upstairs, draw a nice hot bath, complete with bubbles and have a nice hot soak in the tub.” I began to protest but he stopped me short with a finger laid against my lips. “None of that Miss Kitty, I am quite capable of washing a few dishes and putting them away. Besides aren’t you drag queens supposed to enjoy being pampered and waited on seeing as how you’re such divas?” He teased me his eyes twinkling as he spoke. I smiled and gave my head a dramatic little toss with a snap of my fingers. “You know it, sweetie.” I quipped back. “But seriously.” I continued “shouldn’t I at least help clean this mess up and I really wanted to spend some more time with you tonight Philip.” “No buts about it, I’ll take charge in here and you go relax I’ll be waiting for you in the living room when you’re done and no need to rush I’m a patient man.” “Well if you insist.” I said still a bit dubious about leaving him to do all the work. “I insist. Now off you go.” He countered giving me a final kiss and an affectionate pat on the bottom to get me moving.
I made my way upstairs, still feeling guilty about how sweet and considerate Philip was being about everything. This man was the best thing that had ever happened to me and I couldn’t say three simple little words to him to let him know the depths of my feeling for him. Maybe he was right a meditative soak in the tub might do just the trick helping me relax and be able to sort everything out. Since Philip had insisted I not rush and should just mellow out I decided to take advantage of it. I put the plug in the tub and began to run the water being sure to add a generous portion of my favourite scented bubble bath. I shut the door securely behind me and lit a couple of the candles that I kept in the bathroom for just such luxurious soaks as these. After flicking off the light, I grabbed a freshly laundered fluffy towel and turned off the faucets. I quickly stripped down quickly, somehow acutely aware of the fact that Philip was a mere hop, skip and a jump away downstairs and here I was naked as a jaybird. Flushing at the mere thought of him seeing me naked, I gingerly dipped the toes of one foot into the water before I stepped in with both feet and eased my way down into the hot, soothing water until I was submerged in it and covered in bubbles as well. I leaned back against the back of the tub and took a couple long, slow deep breaths. It was wonderfully warm and comforting in my little watery cocoon. I shut my eyes and could here faint strains of Philip working in the kitchen below me, which made me smile. I shut my eyes and sank a little deeper into the water.
My body began to relax in the soothing water and my mind began to stray. Would there be a day in the not too distant future when I might be sharing this quiet moment with Philip. His long legs wrapped around me, his arms holding me close, as he nuzzled the nape of my neck. My hands slick with the soapy bubbles would glide along those muscular arms of his in a caress. Meanwhile his fingers so adept at molding clay into works of art would begin to work their magic on my nipples, treating them as if they were small precious jewels that he was inlaying into his work. The pleasure from that alone would have me purring with delight. As one hand explored the fullness of my breast the other would slowly and tantalizingly work its way down my tummy, over the curves of my thighs before finally nestling its way between the crossroads of my legs. Stroking the plump little mound between them, until a fingertip delicately folded the petals of the lips of it back so that he could gain access. Probing gently until he found my little pearl of pleasure, then zoning in on it. Arching my back against his chest, mewling softly as he nuzzled my neck at the same time as he continued to pluck my pearl with his skilled fingers, it was sheer heaven.
The heat of his breath on my exposed flesh only caused me to angle my head so that I could sate myself with one of his kisses. Our tongues danced in unison with the need and desire that only lovers can ever experience or know the true meaning of. The need the want, the desire on both our parts was evident. With some skillful maneuvering on both our parts in the cramped quarters of the tub we were soon face to face. To allow Philip to be as comfortable as possible I wrapped my legs around him in what was an almost lotus like yoga position. Pressed against him in this position it was impossible not to feel his manhood in all its glory. Looking deeply into his eyes, one hand resting on his shoulder I took his free hand in mine. Together we guided that pillar of his so that the tip of it was poised at my entrance of my womanhood. His free arm wound its self around my waist pulling me closer. His eyes were bright and shining with a warm glow in them that no man had ever looked at me with before. In that instant I knew that Philp was the only man in the world for me. Our lips pressed together once more, it began as a warm welcoming kiss as though we were old friends that had rediscovered each other after years apart. The kiss grew and deepened as our lips parted and tongues slipped into one another, dancing in a choreographed harmony as though we had shared this kiss a million times before and had raised it to an artistic expression of perfection together. The kiss was a profound expression of the depth of our feelings for each other. As the loving embrace continued between our lips, I pressed my hips forward so that the tip of his erection would deftly part my lower lips, I felt him beginning to enter me…”
“Victoria?” The sound of my name being called coupled with the tapping on the bathroom door broke my reverie. “I don’t’ want to interrupt I was just becoming concerned that you may have dozed off in there. Are you okay?” Philip inquired softly. “I’m fine, just getting out now actually.” I hurriedly responded as I floundered around none to gracefully in the now cold bathwater, stepping out of the tub of icy water briskly and wrapping the waiting towel around me. I gingerly opened the door and struck my head around the corner trying to keep as much of the rest of me concealed behind the door as possible. “Just give me a few more minutes and I’ll be right down, just need to throw something on.” “Sure thing.” He grinned at me. “Would you like glass of wine waiting for you when you come down?” he asked. “That would be great, thank you.” I responded closing the door behind me and collapsing with my back against it weakly. Remarkably I could hear the soft tread of his footsteps on the stairs as he made his way downstairs, despite the pounding of my heart. “Oh my god, oh my god, what if he knows I was fantasizing about making love to him. I may as well die right here and now if he does.” I was in full panic mode at this point. My fingers strayed to my mouth and I was just about to start chewing on my fingernails, like a beaver attacking a fallen tree to build its damn, when I stopped myself. “Get a grip on yourself Victoria you were having a perfectly normal and natural fantasy about a man that whether or not you’re ready to say it you are madly in love with, you have nothing to be ashamed of now pull yourself together and go down there and enjoy spending time with him.
While she’d been soaking I’d cleaned up the kitchen and had spent time watching some television with Sydney curled up beside me as we did some more male bonding with each other. Even though I’d kept myself occupied I’d missed her like crazy the entire time she’d been upstairs. I really didn’t want to bother her but I was concerned she’d dosed off and might catch a chill as the water had cooled, was the only reason I’d finally gone upstairs to check on her. When she’d opened that door though man oh man was I conscious of the fact that she may actually be naked and I found that to be a most exciting prospect of catching even a glimpse of her in all her glory. I knew that no matter what she may have thought of herself nude I’d find her to be a living goddess and want to fall to my knees and worship her. I could feel the stirring below and I knew I’d better get my mind off of worshiping her body or I’d never be able to control my desires for her when she arrived downstairs. Knowing her though she’d arrive in one of her t shirts and a pair of shorts, cute as the dickens but I’d at least be able to keep myself in check and behave myself.
Going into the kitchen I grabbed a couple of wine glasses out of the cupboard then rummaged around in the drawers until I located the corkscrew. I carried them back into the living room with me and grabbed a nice bottle of red out of her wine rack and popped it open to let it breathe until she arrived downstairs. Flopping down on the sofa I propped my feet up on the coffee table and tried to wait patiently and keep my mind off erogenous thoughts about Victoria and I. “Philip, I’m ready for that glass of wine now.” I heard the soft caress of her voice as I caught sight of her. What I saw took my breath away she was more stunning than I had ever seen her look. She wasn’t in the sleeping attire I was used to seeing her in. She had on a midnight blue baby doll ensemble with spaghetti straps that showed off her shoulders to full advantage. I tried to keep my eyes adverted from the neckline which exposed the fullness of her breasts and the cleavage between them. I gulped audibly not even allowing myself to think what was or wasn’t under the outfit. Her hair was long and loose, flowing over her shoulders. Her hair still seemed to be snapping from the vigorous brushing she’d just given it and it glowed like a halo framing her face. “So do you like it?” she asked timidly as she advanced towards me.
“Victoria you’re a vision of loveliness.” I answered her quite truthfully as I held out my hand to her. I wanted to leap to my feet and embrace her but she seemed shy and timid about appearing to me dressed in this fashion. She reminded me of the time I had chanced upon a new born fawn one spring on a hike through the forest. The fawn was a delicate and gentle creature still unsure of even of its own footing and I knew it would become skittish and flee if I advanced too closely or quickly. I had no intentions of giving any reason for Victoria to take flight or be self-conscious about having me so near to her. Encouraged by my out stretched hand and no other advances on my part she slipped her hand into mine. “I’m glad you approve.” She whispered. I patted the sofa cushion next to me and she sat down next to me. “How about that glass of wine now, or would you rather not?” “Yes please, but just a half glass if you don’t mind.” I poured the wine realizing how parched my lips felt at the moment and noticed that my hand had a slight shake to it as I poured the glasses of wine. I was thankful that my back to her and she couldn’t tell I was a little nervous about where this all might lead. I took the glasses and sat back offering her the one with the half glass poured into it. “Thank you.”
Slipping my arm around her shoulder, I was careful to ensure my hand remained resting upon her shoulder. Her skin was warm and silky smooth and she had this delightful faint aroma of strawberries clinging to her skin. If I were the type of guy that gave into his own selfish wants I’d probably encourage her to indulge more in the wine until it was impossible for her to say no to my advances but that’s not the way I wanted it to happen with Victoria. The first time we made love I wanted it to be pure unadulterated magic, slow, sensual and as perfect as possible for both of us.“It’s okay you can hold me closer if you want to. I won’t break and I won’t make a run for it.” She told me softly. “I know it’s not what you normally see me in but I wanted you to know there’s more to me than concert t shirts. I do happen to have a very soft and feminine side to me as well. I just don’t tend to show that side of myself too often or to just anyone. I just wanted you to know that I want to try to be everything that I can be for you.” Her bottom lip quivered slightly as she finished.
Ever so softly I cupped her face in my hands and looked into her eyes. “Victoria you are a very dear and silly woman not to realize that I care about you just the way you are. I love that you make no pretenses about yourself and that you feel so free to show me that. I think you are beautiful and alluring no matter how you’ve chosen to wear. You were beautiful the day I meant you, covered in paint and your eyes flashing daggers at me. You’ll always be beautiful to me no matter what but more importantly than your looks is what’s inside of you. Victoria you are everything I could ever want in a woman and I plan on doing everything in my power to prove to you each and every day for the rest of my life exactly what you mean to me. I wish that I were some sort of poetic genius with words but I’m not, but I do know one thing for certain and that’s that I love you Victoria Bellamy. I love you with all of my heart.” The words came out more rushed and not nearly as eloquently as I had hoped. When I had played this scenario of telling her that I loved her out in my head, it had sounded so perfect. I’d wanted it to be the most sublime declaration of love that a man had ever made to a woman, a memory she would always cherish. Well for better or worse I’d told her, flat out exactly how I felt about her. Now that moment of apprehension was upon me as I waited, praying that she felt the same. I studied her face intently trying to gain even some small inkling as to how she would respond to me.
“Philip I love you. It’s been on the tip of my tongue to say it to you so many times and I could never come up with the right words to say it to you, but the reality of it is that it only takes three small but very powerful words, I love you, I love you. I love you.” I kept repeating over and over. Now that they’d been said I no longer feared saying those words and kept repeating it as it were a sacred mantra that I constantly wanted to affirm. “We’re in love.” Philip said more soberly, reverently like he’d just been hit by the enormous impact of it. Then this massive grin began to creep over his face and in it I saw all the awe inspired joy of that fact and how he could barely contain it. “Victoria you’ve made me the happiest man in the world. Knowing you feel the same way that I do. I feel like a kid at Christmas and I’ve just received the gift of my dreams.” Words seemed to be failing us but the desire to express our happiness was the most pressing thing in the world to both of us at the moment. Cradling my face in his hands once more, while gently stroking my cheeks with his fingertips he looked into my eyes and the depths of my very soul. Slowly he leaned in and kissed my lips. It began as softly as a whisper but soon grew deeper, the need to wordlessly shout out to me the depths of his love for me. In that kiss a myriad of expressions were conveyed. The essence of a deep, abounding love, the purity of that love, along with the promises of hope for our future together. It was a kiss that stirred my soul and I knew that no matter how many kisses we would share in the future together this would always be one kiss that would remain forever in my heart, for this was the kiss which bound our hearts and souls together for an infinity which would only be the beginning for us.
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and it was with great reluctance that our lips finally parted. Philip held me close, cradling me to his chest, stroking my hair as he did so. For my part I snuggled into him as close as I could as we basked in the glory of everything that had just transpired. Love had just crowned Philip and I the King and Queen of its realm and we were anxiously ready to begin this journey together. My heart was overflowing with love for this man and I fought back this mad urge to run outside and shout it out so the entire would know. I started giggling at the thought of it. Philip began to giggle along with me before he asked. “Okay let me in on the joke will you, my love?” It thrilled me to hear him call me his love. “I’m just so happy and I was thinking what would happen if I ran outside and shouted it to the world that we’re in love.” His eyes twinkled in merriment as he formulated his response. “Well my dear I would imagine dressed as you are at the moment you’d cause quite the sensation to say the least. Someone would probably shout back and tell us to pipe down, because if you do go out and do it I’ll be in hot pursuit of you and shout the fact out equally loudly and proudly. Then I would imagine someone would come after us with a butterfly net and cart the two of us away for observation at the Clarke Institute.” He finished. We both just started to laugh even harder as that scenario played out in our heads.
“Right now I’d have to say this is the most amazing day in my entire life Philip. You’ve made me happier than I ever dreamed I could be. Yet I know it’s just the beginning and that things will just keep getting better and better between us. It’s all wonderfully, overwhelming, my emotions are on circuit overload but I know I’ve got you by my side and that makes it all okay. I know I’ll be able to do anything with your love and support in my life.” I told him in all sincerity. “Victoria, I feel the same way you do. With you by my side nothing can stop me, correction nothing can stop us. We will be able to move mountains together if that’s what we choose. I’m confident that we can handle anything in life because we’ll have all the love and support in the world from each other.” The clock on the mantel chimed out the proclamation that it was midnight. We’d both gotten so lost in reality that it caught us both off guard. “I had no idea it was this late Victoria, I should be going, so you can get some rest before your big show tomorrow night, or more correctly tonight.” Philip finally said though he made no effort to rise and leave. “You don’t have to go do you?” I asked him softly. “No I don’t.” he responded equally quietly. “We don’t’ have to make love but I don’t want to stay in the guest room either if I do. I want to be able to hold you next to me all night Victoria and have you be the first face I see in the morning.”
I didn’t utter a word in response but raised my lips to his and kissed him before I stood. Offering Philip my hand he took it in his and gave it a warm squeeze. The tread of our footsteps was barely audible as we slowly made our way through the living room and to the bottom of the stairs. Philip paused to give me another lingering kiss and looked into my eyes. Returning his look with a shy smile and a nod of my head, he scooped me into his arms. We ascended the stairs, his strong, loving arms wrapped around me protectively as he held me close to him. My own arms wrapped around his neck I never once took my eyes from his. The outpouring of love in them was unmistakable and I knew it mirrored my own. At the top of the stairs Philip didn’t hesitate but headed directly for the bedroom we were about to share.
It’s been said that the course of true love never runs smoothly. After declaring their love for each other and spending an idealistic evening together together planning their future Philip and Victoria hit a few bumps on the sometimes rocky road of romance. Philip innocently wanting to make the perfect breakfast to share with Victoria sets off a chain of events that covers everything imaginable from being caught quite literally with his pants off to being ambushed by Victoria’s parents who clearly think they’ll never be able to make this relationship last. Philip and Victoria know that they can and plan on proving that they can make it and will make their love last.
ACT X
Never breaking my stride, I crossed the threshold of Victoria’s bedroom and confidently crossed the room to her bed. Carefully I stood her on her feet, my arms wrapped around her waist. My arms had slipped down her torso and were now engulfed around her waist. Her arms were stretched upwards with her hands clasped behind my neck. We gazed into one another’s eyes for the longest time before she pulled me down and into a kiss. The kiss as always was perfection and as she paused for a brief moment to smile I slid that kiss down her chin and continued down her throat as I eased her down on to the top of the bed as though we were performing one of her routines and it was part of the act to lean her back so dramatically. She didn’t let go of me for an instant and I found myself drawn towards her in a combination of gravity and desire. I nuzzled the nape of her neck and stroked the smooth skin of her exposed arms and shoulders. Soon we were lying next to each other nose to nose, eyes shining and cloaked by the robe of love that the two of us now shared openly. “You should know I didn’t bring any pajamas with me. I hadn’t planned on a sleepover tonight.” I said softly to her and smiled at her warmly. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Well I could always loan you one of my nighties, seeing as how it’s a special occasion.” She teased me. “Well” I said seeming to seriously consider her offer. “Oh, you goof.” She giggled and me and kissed the tip of my nose. “I love that we can be silly together like this it means more to me than you know.”
“Victoria, you and I will always be able to share light hearted moments with each other. Right now, though I am torn between keeping things on a somewhat platonic level and very seriously ravishing each and every inch of you. I want the latter more than anything in the world. I’d be a fool not to. It would be so easy for both of us to make love right now but part of me wants to just hold you close, to kiss you over and over again, to continue to savour the fact we are in love with each other. It’s like I have this need to prove to you that I want you for more than just your body. The need to affirm to you that I want not only your body but your heart and your soul, is very strong. You need to know I really am different and I want you, all of you, not just the physical. I promise you it will be well worth the wait.” I told her as I pulled her closer to me.
Studying her face as I made my revelation to her it was her eyes that spoke to me. Her eyes told me that she had the utmost respect and admiration for what I’d just said to her. Eyes shining with a loving tenderness I’d never seen in anyone’s eyes before and I knew in a heartbeat that she understood. She understood that I truly did want all of her, that I honoured and respected her. If it wasn’t for the fact she had already declared that she loved me, this would have been the moment that she did. “I really do love you Philip, more and more all the time, for reasons just like this. There is a wisdom in your words and believe it will be even sweeter for both of us if we take our time and grow into this transition of becoming lovers.” Was her response before she kissed me, touching my heart as only she could. “I still have every intention in the world of sharing your bed with you tonight though, but I am going to make myself more comfortable for bed, with your permission of course.” I said as I quirked my eyebrow at her in a question mark. “I’m glad you’re staying and yes you have my blessings on making yourself more comfortable.” She answered that smile of hers illuminating the features of her face. I kissed her gently before rising from the bed. She pulled herself into a sitting position as I had gotten up and now sat hugging her knees as she watched me intently.
“You’re making me feel like I’m the one taking centre stage.” I joked at her as I unbuttoned my shirt and began to slip it off, then laying it over the back of a chair in the corner of the room. For some reason I felt almost a little shy about undressing in front of her like this for the first time. But my mind reasoned, fair is fair Philip and you’ve already watched her undress that first night you met her even if it was through a second story window. She was smiling appreciatively at my now exposed torso and it gave me a little more confidence about removing my trousers. I pulled my socks off first in this awkward couple of moves while I was still standing and she giggled at my awkwardness but still had that loving look in her eyes. Okay so I’d never be a force to be reckoned with on stage but this woman loved me and that was all that mattered to me. Next I unbuckled my belt and pulled it from belt loops, with a little flourish trying to show her I had a little showmanship in me even if it wasn’t of the same calibre as hers was. Next I undid the button at the top of my pants and pulled the zipper down. She was still hugging her knees tightly but now she was biting her bottom lip as if she too were a bit nervous about my next move. I eased my pants off, exposing the fact that I had a pair of my boxers on underneath. I tossed the pants over my shirt on the chair and slowly made my way back to the bed and the waiting arms of my beloved Victoria.
The butterflies in my tummy were working overtime and the thought of a nearly naked Philip next to me was a bit unnerving to me. He took a seat on the edge of the bed and took my hands in his as his eyes drank me in and searched my face. Then it dawned on me he as nervous about all of this as I was. It was something we both wanted but it was a big step for both of us. Finally he said, “It’s getting a bit chilly in here with the night air, shall I shut the window?” “I suppose you could or we could just snuggle under the covers.” I suggested. It was probably the dumbest thing in the world to have said to him but that’s what came out of my mouth, of course we were going to get under the covers together. “I like your idea better.” He said as he smiled at me and leaned in to kiss me. With a bit of effort which I’m sure looked more like a comedy routine than a romantic scenario, as I scampered on my hands and knees to draw the covers back and position myself under the covers leaving plenty of room for Philip to join me. He slipped in beside me and lay down pulling the covers over us. He wrapped his arm around me and I curled the contours of my body against his. It was amazing to me that despite the difference in our sizes we still fit together as snugly as the intricate pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
As we wound our legs between each other it struck me that last time I had felt anything so hair brushing against my own smooth ones was Sydney when he’d been burrowing under the blankets one morning trying to wake me up by nipping at my toes, when I had slumbered on long past his breakfast time. I stifled a giggle at the thought that now I had another furry beast to share my bed with. “”You must think I’m part gorilla next to your smooth silky skin.” Philip said as if he were reading my thoughts. “Actually I think of you as more of a big virile jungle cat, that’s going to love snuggling with me and keeping me warm and protected.” I answered. “I can totally live with as being thought of like that.” He grinned at me. I rested my head on his chest as we continued to talk, my hand making slow languid strokes over his shoulders and chest. “You know when I relocated to Toronto I’d had no inklings whatsoever that I’d literally find the woman of my dreams right next door to me. I don’t know what I’d expected for a neighbour maybe some motherly soul that would bake cookies for me on occasion and shout out the door at me in inclement weather to put my galoshes on before I caught my death of cold. I never expected a beautiful, vivacious, intelligent woman that I’d fall in love with at first sight and it would be the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my life.” He told me.
We talked and laughed softly sharing our hopes and dreams with each other as well as exchanging generous amounts of kisses in various forms. There was also a great deal of exploration going on despite the clothing we both remained in. Philips kisses would stray down my throat to the plump exposed mounds of my breasts and he would land feather light kisses over their exposed flesh. Stroking and massaging my breasts, teasing their very aroused nipples through the silk that covered them. My hands in turn would caress his back and shoulders. My fingers would roam down his torso so that I could stroke his thighs. It was hard for both of us to hold back on our more primal urges to couple but I knew Philip wanted our first time to be as special as I did. It’s a rare for a woman to find a man of Philips calibre and I knew exactly how lucky I was to have him in my life. Philip and I had comfortably entwined our bodies together as we both grew more and more drowsy and sleep began to overtake and claim the two of us. It was warm and comforting and to paraphrase Goldilocks “It was just right.” I couldn’t swear to it by any means but I believe that the two of us drifted off together amidst whispered “I love you.” to one another.
What a pleasure it as to wake up in the morning and realize that my reality was finally better than my dreams ever were. Nestled in my arms was the warm form of my beloved Victoria. She remained still but her eyes were cast upon me and were shining brightly at me. “Good morning.” I whispered as I drew her even closer to me. “Good morning, sleep well?” She returned to me smiling. “I’m hoping it was a major improvement after a night on your sofa, and the next one on mine.” She grinned at me as only a woman that already knows the answer to the question can smile. I didn’t answer her just pulled her on top of me, wrapped my arms around her and gave her a good morning kiss that would more than provide the answer for her. When I finally released her from it, she was more than a little breathless and fanned herself with her hand. “I’ll go with a yes on that.” She giggled happily. I’m pretty sure that it was also obvious to her that other parts of me were feeling rather amorous as well from the position she was in.
She straddled me and leaned forward to kiss me again and the view of her breasts rising to greet me as she leaned in did nothing to hinder my natural reactions to having a beautiful desirable woman sitting astride me. God this was pure torture for me, but she did it so lovingly that I knew I would control myself even if it killed me. Her breasts now pressed firmly against me, her one hand resting on my shoulder which she caressed with her soft smooth hand, her lips pressing against mine to continue our good morning greeting. I loved this rendezvous our lips were sharing and knew it would become an important part of our morning routine together. It was so easy to surrender, losing myself entirely to this woman and I didn’t want it any other way either. An indignant pawing at the top of my head told me that the other man in Victoria’s life was more than a little miffed that his mistress’s attentions were being lavished solely on me this morning. I reached my hand over my head and gave him a scratch on the top of his head. “Good morning little buddy.” Which Sydney returned with a somewhat surly “meow” clearly indicating that this was unacceptable to have to wait for his breakfast to be served and I must be taught a lesson as to who was the top dog so to speak, in this house.
“I guess I should be a responsible pet parent and get up and feed the little guy.” Victoria said. Sydney sensing he was about to get his own way, leapt onto my chest and landed squarely between Victoria and I as though he were some sort of furry little chaperone and would ensure Victoria’s virtue would be safe from my advances for the time being anyways. With a quick kiss to the top of Sydney’s head and leaning over him as I rose to meet her lips for a quick kiss of our own, Sydney let out a disgruntled meow at being trapped between the two of us even briefly. She hopped out of bed and landed on the floor as fleet footedly as if she herself were a feline. The hem of her outfit rose up exposing even more of those gorgeous legs of hers which I’d gotten to know much more intimately last night as we’d shared a bed together for the first time. She blew me a kiss and told me she’d put the coffee on if I was interested. I nodded affirmatively and told her I’d be down in a minute to join her.
I was definitely interested but it wasn’t the coffee that held its usual morning allure for me, but rather the natural sway of her hips and those legs of hers as she walked across the room and out the door. If I wasn’t trying so desperately to behave myself like a gentleman I probably would have leapt out of bed, pounced on her thrown her over my shoulder and dragged her back to bed caveman style where I would make mad passionate love to her. As it was I stretched, and hopped out of bed myself, made a quick pit stop in the bathroom and hot footed it downstairs as I found myself missing her presence after even this brief period of time. She made me smile as I came up behind her in the kitchen. She was merrily dancing her way around the kitchen as she prepared Sydney’s breakfast and refilled his water bowl. As she was gracefully rising from placing Sydney’s bowls on the floor for his dining pleasure, I caught her around the waist and spun her around to face me. She laughed and rose on her tiptoes to give me a kiss as she slid her arms up and around my neck to pull me into her. Beaming down at her when our lips finally parted, I was so enchanted by her that I found myself saying “Victoria may I have this dance?”
Now if you knew me at all you’d know how out of character it was for me to actually dance willingly let alone initiate it, but there was something about being here with her that was contagious and it somehow just felt right. I’m sure I looked pretty damn silly waltzing her around the kitchen with only my boxer shorts on but I didn’t care, the only thing that mattered to me was making this woman in my arms happy. Sydney who had gobbled down his breakfast sat licking his paws attentively and blatantly ignored our behaviour until he finished at which time he made a hasty retreat. “I thought you didn’t dance?” she teased me softly as I continued to sweep her across the kitchen floor in my arms. “Well maybe that was only because I’ve never had the right partner to inspire me.” I quipped back as she smiled at my response to her. “I’ll have you up on stage with me yet.” She continued to tease me good naturedly. “Nope, not going to happen in a million years, but I do admire your persistence on the matter.” She didn’t say anything in response but gave me one of those looks that clearly indicated that, “I so bet I could if I really wanted you to.” Finally our morning bit of madness ended and we decided to get our own breakfast on the go as we’d both managed to work up an quite the appetite.
After surveying the contents of the fridge we decided to make omelets and use up some odds and ends that we found. While she cracked and beat the eggs and got the coffee started, I chopped up some mushrooms, a bit of ham, some onion, tomatoes and grated a bit of cheese. “These are going to be so good.” She enthused as she watched me. “All they need is a few freshly chopped chives and they’ll be perfect. The secret is to add them at the end so you don’t destroy their delicate flavour.” I informed her. “I know you’ve got some growing out in the back garden, I’ll just nip out and grab a few.” I told her as I rummaged through one of the drawers until I found a pair of scissors to cut them with. “Dressed like that?” she asked with a bemused look on her face. “I don’t see any harm in it. All my essential bits and pieces are under cover and it is fenced in after all. “Be back in a flash.” I said as I jogged out the back door of the kitchen and down the steps in to the garden.
As I was bent over snipping a few of the choicer looking chives I heard a distinctive “Yoo Hoo, oh Yoo Hoo, Victoria.” I froze in horror, before standing up to my full height only to be confronted by a rather shocked looking face peering over the back fence at me. “Oh my, goodness gracious, you aren’t Victoria are you, dear?” “Uh, no, no I’m not.” I said clutching the bunch of herbs in my fist directly over the front of my boxers. This must have been how Adam felt with his fig leave in the Garden of Eden was all I could manage to think at the moment. “I’m so sorry. I heard some rustling about over and thought it was Victoria. I just picked some of the last flowers of the season and I thought she might enjoy a little bouquet to brighten up the house was all….Say aren’t you that young man that just moved in next door to her in the Barkers old home?” She inquired, and you could see she her mind was scrambling trying to make sense of what I was doing there and why I was dressed or rather undressed the way I was.
“That’s right I’m your new neighbour Philip Renault.” Somehow offering a handshake of introduction didn’t seem quite appropriate to me under the circumstances. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, madame.” I responded. “Oh aren’t you the polite one? Now dear, would it be an imposition for you to take these to Victoria for me? Oh where are my manners, I really should introduce myself I’m Louise Langford, I’ve known Vicki since she was just a wee little thing. Such a pretty little girl she was and she grew up to be such a beautiful young woman, don’t you think?” She continued to prattle on seemingly unaware of my growing discomfort at having a meet and greet with the neighbours in my underwear.
Finally I couldn’t take it. “I’d be more than happy to take those to Victoria for you Mrs. Langford, but if you’ll forgive me I really should be going now as we’re in the middle of making breakfast. Perhaps we could make arrangements to have you over for coffee or tea sometime in the near future and get better acquainted as neighbours.” I said kindly but firmly to indicate this discussion had to be drawn to a conclusion. “Of course dear,” she said as she thrust the bouquet of flowers at me. How thoughtless of me, you must be chilly dressed like that and the morning dew on your feet must be rather chilly. Another time then, lovely meeting you, welcome to the neighbourhood.” And with that her plump elfin little face disappeared behind the fence once more. I hot footed it back into the house quicker than you could say Jack Robinson. At the sound of my footsteps Victoria who was busily dishing up the now finished omelets began speaking. “I was beginning to think you got lost in that jungle I call a back yard. I knew you were starving so I went ahead and finished these. I figured we could sprinkle a few chives on top. Hope you don’t mind.” The words died on her lips as she turned with the plates and saw me clutching the flowers.
As I caught sight of the bouquet of flowers in Philp’s arms I’m sure I must have gone a bit ashen, I recognized them as ones that grew just over the back fence in my neighbour Louise Langford’s back yard. I was pretty sure Philip hadn’t scaled the fence dressed as he was and liberated them for me. “Where did you get those?” I asked in a strangled squeak of a voice, as I clutched the plates I was holding more firmly so I didn’t drop them in my shock. “Long story short they are a gift from your neighbour whom I met while I was getting the chives.” “Crap. We’ve got thirty minutes tops then.” I practically shrieked becoming visibly unglued. As I spun on my heel, hustled over to the trash bin and dumped the food off the plates into it. Philip rushed over to me and took me in his arms, “What’s wrong? Why are you suddenly so panicked? What do you mean we’ve only got a half hour tops?” I began to babble at him insanely. “Louise has known me since I was born, guaranteed she’s on the phone right now with my Mom wanting to know more about the half-naked man she just met. The minute she’s off the phone she’ll be on her way over here with Daddy in tow. This so can’t be good.” I sputtered and burst into tears. “There, there sweetheart, now take a couple deep breaths and get a hold of yourself.” Philip comforted me as he cradled me in his arms protectively. “I’m going to be standing right by your sides when she arrives.
Thanks to Philip’s cool thinking and level headedness by the time the doorbell rang almost exactly a half hour to the minute after I had gone into panic mode, the kitchen was clean, the bed had been made, we were both properly attired, the flowers were in a vase in the living room and we even managed to have a fresh pot of coffee brewing for my parents arrival. If it hadn’t been for Philip remaining stalwartly by my side I think I would have been a complete and utter wreck. He very calmly stood behind me as I opened the door to my parents. “Mr. and Mrs. Bellamy it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Philip said in a firm clear voice as he kept one hand protectively on my shoulder the other extended to shake hands with my parents. His relaxed confidant nature, not to mention his protective hand resting on my shoulder was throwing both my parents off their game and was taking the wind out of their sails. They seemed to realize a lesser man would have long since fled rather than risk dealing with the wrath of two irate parents’ intent on protecting the virtue of their little girl. Not to mention getting to the bottom of why there was a man prancing around in her back yard in his boxer shorts. Not exactly the ideal way to meet the parents for the first time. Philip had at least established a grudging respect from my parents with his behaviour.
After Philip had shaken hands with my parents and introduced himself, I kissed both of my parents hurriedly on the cheek and ushered them into the living room. My parents took seats side by side on the sofa, still on their guard and presenting a united front as to this unknown quantity known as Philip. “How about some coffee, while we all get better acquainted?” I heard Philip asking in an effort to break the awkward silence in the room. “I’d love one.” My father replied. Grumbling under his breath at the same time about being forced to abandon the one he’d been enjoying earlier and darting my mother a dark look as he did. “Please excuse us for a couple of minutes.” I said as Philip and I rose and headed towards the kitchen. Neither of us said a word until we reached the comfort of the kitchen. “See this isn’t going so badly is it?” Philip asked me as he grabbed four coffee mugs out of the cupboard and began filling them. “Better than I thought, but we still haven‘t gotten around to discussing that delicate little subject as to why you were roaming around in your underwear gathering herbs for breakfast either.” I whispered to him. “How do we answer that one?”
“Victoria, we are going to tell them the truth simple as that, no need for embellishments, just the basic facts. We are adults, we are in love, and are planning a future together and they are going to have to learn to respect that. I appreciate the fact that your parents love you and have only your best interests at heart. They also know that I’m a gentleman and I’m here in your life to stay. Trust me on this okay?” He said as he wrapped his arms around me drawing me close to his chest and kissing the top of my head. “Okay.” I responded as I reached up to kiss his lips softly and seal our bond of trust. We each carried two steaming mugs of coffee out to the living room and my waiting parents. My father was somewhat mollified further by the arrival of a fresh cup of coffee in his hands. Philip and I took our places side by side on the love seat adjacent to the sofa and my parents. Philip was clearly going to take the bull by the horns and get to the heart of their visit. “Both Victoria and I have a pretty good idea as to why the two of you have decided to pay us a visit this morning. Despite the fact that we are all adults here, I can appreciate your concerns about receiving a phone call from an old family friend informing you that some clown is roaming around your daughter’s back yard in his boxer shorts.” My mother let out a major gasp as his bluntness and my father snorted derisively. “Well seeing as how you brought it up, her mother and I would appreciate an answer.” My father responded narrowing his eyes at Philip. “That’s exactly what I plan on doing, if you’ll allow me to.” replied a completely unflustered Philip.
My hat was off to Philip for being so calm and direct with my parents. As for me, a woman that could handle dealing with a hostile takeover in the boardroom I was a complete and utter coward when it came to the wrath of my parents. I was quaking inside and Philip being my constant protector and sensing my distress slipped his arm around me protectively. My father’s lip was curling into a sneer now, but Philip was providing me with a new found sense of courage and I sat up just a little straighter prepared now to do battle with my parents if it came down to it, if push came to shove. “You have raised a wonderful daughter. It’s true that we’ve only known each other a very short while.” “Too damn short.” My father muttered from between clenched teeth, looking like he was seriously restraining himself from lunging off the sofa at Philip. Philip remained non-pulsed by it all and continued. “We’re already very much in love with one another and plan on building a future with each other. I assure you that I am a gentleman and my intentions are entirely proper where Victoria is concerned.”
“Bull feathers you’re a gentleman, what kind of a man is running around half naked after doing God only knows what with my daughter.” My father snorted at him. The colour in my father’s face was rising as quickly as the volume of his words. “I’m the kind of man that loves your daughter, respects your daughter, plans on marrying her and will stand by your daughter no matter what and protect her with every fibre of my being. Not that it’s any of your business sir, but all that happened was too consenting adults who are in love and committed to each other shared a bed, held each other close and talked about our hopes and dreams with each other for the future. I give you my word that’s all that went on. “Marry her?” My parents echoed clearly shocked at the news not to mention the candor with which Philip had used with them. “Son I hate to burst your bubble here but Vicki has always has a mind of her own and isn’t easily tamed. She’s a great girl but she’s head strong and it’s doubtful she’ll ever settle down with you or anyone for that matter.” My father said in a matter of fact manner.
“Tame me?” I spat out, my own wrath beginning to overtake any fears I had of my parent’s opinions about Philip and I spending the night together. “Now listen here Daddy. I am not nor have I ever been one to be controlled by you or anyone else for that matter.” I began. “Vicki I am well aware of that fact, let’s see there is that summer you got on the how do you like to put it “the bus” and followed around a group of long haired hippie freaks for the summer. Then there was the time you slipped off from that school trip and took off for New York of all places. You got engaged at 18. You lived with that clown when you were in university. Not to mention you gave up a brilliant career to become a writer. I love you, but you don’t’ always think with your head, you think with your heart too much. Do you honestly think you can commit to this man or anyone for that matter for life? Do you honestly think you’re going to settle down?” My father countered recanting what both he and my Mother considered to be some of my more notable highlights of the transgressions in life.
“Yes Dad I do think that, in fact I know it. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. I know I’ve done some things that have made you and Mom doubt my sanity and think I’m a complete and utter flake but you know there’s a lot more to me as well. Besides what’s so wrong with following your heart and your dreams? Life is mean to be lived, I don’t want to sit in the bleachers and watch my life parade by me, I want to be in the parade. Just because I want different things in my life than you and Mom did why can’t you two accept that I’ve got to be me?” I wailed throwing my hands in the air in frustration. The silence in the room became deafening once more. “Mr. Bellamy, Victoria has been very candid with me and has told me all the things you have and more. It doesn’t change anything though for me. I don’t want to tame her or control her either. It may come as a shock to you but the first day she met me I think she could have cheerfully doubled up her hand and socked me straight in the nose for being a thorn in her paw. I admire her spirit and I don’t’ want to change that for the world. I love her and accept her just as she is. Admittedly finding out your girlfriend is a drag queen impersonator is taking a little time to get used to but…”
“Back it up a minute there, my daughter is a what?” my father asked looking totally confused by this bit of information. “Drag queen impersonator?” my father repeated numbly. My mother just sat there her mouth open in a perfect O of shock. “Oh good God what’s next?” my father shook his head. Feeling rather brave I piped up “I also write an advice column in Pink Triangle the local weekly paper for the LGBT. It’s how I’m making ends meet since I gave up job.” I informed my parents. “I thought your Mother was just slipping you a cheque or a little cash under the table to help you out I had no idea about any of this.” My father groaned. I stood up and went to retrieve the picture of me from my desk drawer in the study. “Meet Miss Kitty” I said as I handed the framed photo over to my parents.My Mother still in shock managed a “Nice ears dear to you wear a tail too?” which made me grin despite the fact I knew she was struggling with all of this information. My father just sat shaking his head. “See she’s a still going to do her own thing no matter how old she gets. You really think she’s wife material?” he asked Philip straight forwardly.
“Maybe not for most men but she’s perfect for me. I love her not in spite of the fact she does things like this but because of them. I want to be with her because she’s not afraid to be her own person. Are we ever going to clash on things, yes of course we will but that doesn’t matter to me, what matters is the love and respect we have for each other. I’m sure you don’t’ think being an artist is a suitable career for her future husband to have either.” My father just smacked himself in the forehead with the palm of his hand. “I think you’re both nuts but I love my daughter even if she is one of the biggest challenges in my life and I don’t’ always understand the choices she makes. She’s going to do what she’s going to do and if that includes you then so be it. Just don’t ever say I didn’t’ warn you about what she’s like.” “I’m forewarned and still willing to jump head first into a lifetime relationship with her. We are both determined to make this work. We will make this work.” Philip answered him assuredly. My father seemed to look at Philip now in an appraising manner. “Maybe you can, she does seem pretty smitten with you. She was willing to give both her mother and I heart attacks over her latest shenanigans and you seem willing to support her in her antics. So maybe there is hope for the two of you. Time will tell.” My father told him.
It seemed to be a relief to the entire Bellamy clan that was before me that things were out in the open now. Her parents may not always be thrilled with her decisions or agree with them but they clearly loved her and would come around. “Our breakfast got put on hold and I’m starving so could I interest anyone in little early lunch?” I asked. “That depends on who’s doing the cooking and what’s on the menu?” My father countered trying to cover all his bases. “Victoria and I would of course do the cooking or we could order something in you prefer, my treat of naturally.” I answered. “Vicki cooks now?” Her father asked sounding skeptical about the fact. “Yes she does and quite well. We’ve cooked together a few times now.” “Well then I say we give it ago then. Just make lots of whatever it is your planning on because I’m starving too, missed my breakfast as well.” He said shooting a meaningful look at Mrs. Bellamy. “I’ll just watch some television while you two rustle something up” and with that her father picked up the remote and began surfing the channels.
“I’m going to find Sydney. Grandma has some tuna treats for him in her purse. I also want to take a look at what you did in the study.” And with both her parents occupied Victoria and I took our leave to the kitchen. “Quite the wild child weren’t you Vicki?” I teased her. She just stuck her tongue out at me. I grabbed her around the waist and planted a big kiss on her lips. “Promise me you’ll never change I don’t want ordinary from you ever. I want the extraordinary with you.” I said as I looked into her eyes and stroked her hair. “Only, if you promise me the same thing.” She answered and pulled me down into another kiss. “Lady you’ve got yourself a deal.” I answered her. Between the two of us we came up with a quick but tasty lunch for the four of us to sit down to and enjoy. As per her father’s request there was plenty and even he had to admit Victoria was “becoming much more domesticated, at least in the kitchen” he had joked at the end of the meal. Victoria had basked in his praise of her new found cooking skills. You could tell there was genuine affection between father and daughter despite their vastly different views on life.
Victoria’s mother for her part had made some tentative inquiries about her drag queen impersonating during the meal and even suggested she and her husband come out to a show some evening. We’d talked about the renovations to the house and the work that the two of us had done in the study together. We covered some of my background as well during the meal, and by the end of their visit I think both of her parents felt like they had a little more insight into me as well. Sure they may not still be fully on board with the two of us thinking about marriage but for now they’d just hold their own council on that issue. It was a far more relaxed pair of parents that finally took their leave. We walked them out to their car and her father gave me a hearty hand shake and a friendly slap on the shoulder with a “You’re a brave man to take my daughter on Philip.” which earned him an eye roll and a laugh from his daughter. Her Mom gave each of us a hug and a promise to have us over for dinner some night, assuring us that our cooking had been just wonderful but she wanted to return the favour. I stood with my arm around Victoria’s shoulder as we waved good bye to them.
We headed back to into the house still joined together and wandered back into the kitchen to tidy up. “Well I think that was more of success than you’d hoped it would be.” “Definitely, and I was wondering how I was going to broach the topic about the drag queen thing with my folks. Guess that’s taken care of now too. So all in all I’d say it’s been a good day.” Victoria summed up, as she finished running the water into the sink. “So.” She said trying to make it sound casual as she began washing dishes. “You really think we could make a marriage work?” She asked softly. “I know we can and so do you if you’re honest about it. Kind of scary I know but we’ll have each other and we love each other so we can do it.” She turned and looked at me. A soft smile crept across her lips. “That’s more than enough reassurance for me.” I grinned like the goof that I am when it comes to her and scooped her into my arms. “I really do love you.” The dish water had gone cold by the time we finished our kiss and we abandoned any and all attempts at continuing to clean up. She took me by the hand. “Come on.” Was all she said as we made our way up the stairs and to her room.
Once in a lifetime if you’re extremely lucky you’ll discover the other half of your twin soul when you least expect it just as Philip and Victoria have. Finding that one special person will have you exploring and realizing the power and magic of that love in all its glories, physical, mental and emotional. Join this couple as they begin to truly unravel the depths of this mystery that we call love.
ACT XI
Pausing at the entrance to Victoria’s bedroom I slipped my arms around her waist and looked deeply into her eyes as I held her. “So you wanted to take a cat nap?” I asked her softly. She shook her head no. “No that’s not what I had in mind unless of course you need one?” She said with a gentle little smile on her own lips. Her hand reached up and she softly caressed my hair and let it slip through her fingers as she did. “This is going to open up a whole new world for the two of us, are we both ready for that?” She questioned me. Even now after everything we’d experienced together and after her parents revelations she was still offering me an escape if I wanted to choose to take it. “I’m in, I’m all in.” I assured her as I leaned down and kissed her lightly. “I love you, now and forever no matter what.” With that we crossed the threshold ready to enter then next leg of our journey together.
We advanced slowly towards the bed shyly almost timidly in the knowledge of about what was to happen. Sitting on the edge of the bed together side by side I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and it felt like it was trying to burst out of its confines. I was so very in love with this woman that was at my side and just from the look in her eyes I knew her love matched my own. I leaned into kiss her and in our nervousness about making love to each other for the first time we actually managed to bump noses. It seemed to break the tension between us and we both giggled like a pair of teenagers over it, our lips finally connecting in a natural loving union. The kiss deepened, and the caresses of each other became more ardent in their need and urgency. I began to unbutton the blouse she had on and with each button that I undid there was a sharp little intake of breath on her part but looking into her eyes I knew she wanted this as much as I did. Each button earned me a small kiss from her, each one I thought of as a precious reward from her.
Her hands were busily responding in kind by unbuttoning my shirt with own her delicate nimble fingers. She would pause and caress my chest with each button that exposed me further to her. Maintaining eye contact the way we were, it just managed to intensify the telepathic communication we were sharing. With the last button undone she began to slide my shirt off my shoulders. The air in the room was cool with the window open and yet my flesh was burning with the warmth at my desire for her. As I removed her blouse she shivered, not from the cold but from the anticipation that was coursing through her own veins. Embracing once more, holding on to each other for dear life as we kissed again.
My fingers strayed to the lace edging of the bra that she wore and I toyed with it running my fingers along its edges the tips of my fingers making contact with the tops of her full bosom at the same time. From her kisses I knew this was pushing her further into wanting to make our coupling a reality. Massaging her shoulders I slid my lips down her chin, and along her neck which she stretched out regally as I slowly worked my way down it with kisses. Her breasts began to heave with the warmth of my breath skimming across them as I slid more sweet kisses over their swells of flesh. My hands eased down her shoulders and down her back to find that centre point with its clasps that I so desperately wanted to undo and free her breasts so I could properly worship them. “Why were the clasps on these damn things always more complicated than it would be to break into Fort Knox?” I thought. Amazingly a man can accomplish great feats such as this when he puts his mind to it even in the heat of the moment.
I sat back to look at her to make sure that she was still certain that now was the right time for us. Her own hands moved to the straps on her shoulders and she slid them down her arms and slipped out of her bra disposing of it with a careless flourish as she flung it to the floor. Her hands cupped her breasts as she presented them to me as the gift that they were. My hands covered hers and I lowered my head once more to kiss this present of herself that she gave to me so willingly. She slipped her hands from under mine and alternated between caressing my chest with one hand and playing with my hair with the other, allowing it to slip through her fingers. Every now and again she would tug on it slightly as if urging me to explore her orbs of flesh further. Following her lead I dipped my head lower until I caught her nipple between my lips. She moaned softly as I began to inhale her nipple with my lips, sucking it in gently while my other hand not wanting to neglect her other nipple began to probe it with my fingertips. Roiling it and tweaking it, as my tongue and teeth mimicked their actions on her twin nipple.
Her hands ran down my chest now beginning to fumble awkwardly with my belt buckle in the position we were in. She was as determined as I had been with the clasps of her bra and soon she was victorious, and eagerly working on the button and zipper of my trousers. I didn’t want to lose the connection we had so I somehow managed to half stand, bent at the waist so that we didn’t have to break the kiss we were so engrossed in. With a little help from Victoria my trousers and boxers slid over my hips and down my legs. With this wild little dance I managed to free myself from them and kick them aside, not once breaking my kiss with her.
I was more than primed already for this and I was achingly hard with desire for her. With one knee on the edge of the bed I managed to ease her back on to the bed and with a few more movements we were soon lying side by side. Her eyes urged me to free her from the rest of her clothing. Being a gentleman of course I would comply with her wishes. I wanted her so badly I think I could have gnawed the buttons off of her jeans and torn the zipper out with my teeth. It was taking great restraint not to do just that. I wanted this to be something tender and gentle not rushed and hurried between us. I knew there would be countless other love making sessions but I wanted our first time to be epic and something we’d both always remember. My kisses began to stray from her lips once more as I slowly and loving kissed my way down her body. Lavishing attention on her as I did so, her skin tasting oh, so sweet as I reined kisses over it and ran my tongue over her. Her heart was beating like a locomotive racing down the tracks, thundering in my ears and matching my own beat for beat. I worked my way down her tummy teasing her belly button with my tongue as a prelude to the way I soon would be tonguing and exploring another sensitive spot on her.
Reluctantly my lips left the sweet soulful presence of her flesh so that I could pause just long enough to expose her completely. I undid her jeans and she arched her back raising her hips in an effort to assist me with my task at hand. I made sure to slip my fingers under the elastic band on her panties as well so I wouldn’t be wasting any more precious time waiting, as I set about unwrapping my long anticipated gift of the woman that lay before me. They slipped off of her with little resistance and without even touching her psychically I could already detect the undeniable scent of her arousal rising to greet my nostrils. Once they off the greatest treasure in the world lay before me in all her natural glory, pausing to drink in every inch of her with my eyes, utterly in awe of her almost afraid to touch her delicate beauty lest I somehow mar its perfection. “Come here you.” She cooed softly crooking her little finger to beckon me to come nearer.
I needed no further encouragement and was soon covering her body protectively with my own, supporting my weight as much as possible so as not to crush this delicate flower beneath me. Her hands began to roam freely over my body, down my spine and over the mounds of my firm butt cheeks. My arousal could not be concealed and it nudged against her begging for some attention of its own from those graceful hands that were exploring me so lovingly. A final quick kneading of my bottom and her hands slid effortlessly around my thighs seeking that firm probing member of mine. Gently she took in her hand and squeezed ever so lightly, but the impact of even that small connection set my mind skyrocketing with pleasure. Her fingertip glided easily over the moisture that was already forming at the opening of my swollen head. It made me want to howl in pleasure like a wolf baying at the moon, calling for its mate.
Pulling Philip closer to me so I could taste his lips once more, knowing his concerns about not crushing me but not caring, just needing to feel the warmth of his fully naked body pressed against mine. Needing him, wanting him, desiring him with all the loving passions that had been pent up in me for so many years and overwhelmed with the joy of knowing that soon he I would be experiencing the wonders of taking him fully as my lover for life.
I was trying to be so careful with her, as to me she was a delicate blossom but I felt her unspoken need to have the two of us be able to connect completely not only physically but emotionally. There was a deep rooted need within her to feel my full weight on her, my warmth and my strength. She needed me to sheath her in the protective armor of my love and the only physical manifestation of that was to impress my physical presence upon her. As for me I needed to have her be secure in the knowledge of my desires of love and passion. There was an innate inclination in me to be an anchor in the tumultuous sea of life for her, to provide a mooring with my body and a safe harbour in my heart.
The way Philip gently enveloped, as he held me like a precious jewel filled me with a great strength from the protection he was offering me. Knowing I was safely harboured in his embrace from all the ills in the world. Knowing that being in his arms I had finally found the refuge I had sought my entire life, as important as his physical presence was to me I valued even more that he protected me so fiercely with his heart. For it was in his heart that the truest and purest form of protection came. The physical body would age and wither one day but love that was nestled in his heart would only continue to grow in its strength and power.
Victoria was the completion of my soul, the other half of my duality, my twin flame. As fragile as I could view her being I could also see her strength and her passions for me, which were boundless. She was the fire that burned within my soul and kindled my passions to burn bright. Without even realizing it she brought out the best qualities in me, and helped me clearly define them for the first time in my life honing them to precision.
This man that loved me so fiercely was my knight in shining armour, a warrior that would stop at nothing to ensure my safety but at the same time would also be the kindest and most gentle soul I would ever know. To know him was to know the purest essence and the truest meaning of love. He was the meaning for my very being he was everything in the world to me.
I hadn’t really been alive until I had met her. She came into my life so unexpectedly and now I couldn’t ever imagine my life without her. My life would be a barren wasteland without her. Only with her could I grow and flourish.
The frenzied kisses we shared only served to fuel both our passions further. I moaned as he began to work his way down my body once more but this time I trembled with the anticipation as well knowing all too well the final stop of his destination. All of my senses were on a heightened level of alert and I wanted him to take me to mold me and sculpt me with his hands and lips into the model woman on the wings of passionate explosion.
Slowly savouring each and every inch of her I made my way down her body, the scent of her nectar drawing me to her like a bee. She whimpered softly, like a new born kitten as the warmth of my breath flowed across her scared mound of flesh. My fingers caressing it reverently feeling it swell beneath them as the lips of flesh became more engorged with desire by my attentions. Lowering my head my tongue made its first contact and her legs parted even more to encourage my advances. Slowly as if I had all the time and world I ran the tip along her dew laden petals of flesh, lapping at them gently. Finding the cleft between them I swept up and down its length and with each stroke my pink serpent pressed deeper within her. Using my fingers I peeled back the petals holding them so that I could probe further and nibble upon her little moonstone orb. She wriggled beneath me not in an effort to escape me but to press herself more firmly against me as I inhaled her sex with my mouth and tongue.
My mouth and chin were painted with wide strokes of her creamy essence and I was determined to fully enjoy this sumptuous feast she was providing me. “Philip” she pleaded. I raised my eyes to her almost fearful she had changed her mind but her hands were outstretched to me as I took them in mine. She tugged at me with urgency. “Philip I love you and I want to please you, but right now more than anything…”the words died on her lips. Words were no longer necessary between us the look in her eyes told me she wanted the two of us to be as close as was humanly possible and connect on the deepest levels we could. Poised over her my arms I lowered my groin against hers. My already well lubricated head slipping against her moistened lips, her hand snaked between us and began to guide me into her. Her petals of flesh open like a morning glory in the morning sun as I slowly slid into her. She wrapped her legs around my torso pulling me further into her. I pressed down further my hand stroking her hair back from her face as I did. Her eyes so filled with love. I just remained nestled inside of her not moving a muscle she gripped me tighter and our lips and tongues mimicked the actions that were to come between us.
Both a tenderness and a passion that we would take a life time to explore together. Even though I had been intimate with other women in the past there was nothing that came even close to what I was experiencing now my love was all encompassing for her, and I knew she was the one that I had always been destined to share my life with. Neither one of us was ever going to look back for both of us it was a path into the future that we would follow, side by side and hand in hand. My chest crushed her breasts as I held her kissing her for all that I was worth. Even without stirring within her I good feel the pulsating throb of natural desire for her. Finally ever so slowly I began to rise and fall into her the sweet sensations of being so connected to her flooding my body and baptizing me in her font of love.
Those first small tremors were beginning to build within me as I experienced the glory of finally uniting with Philip for the first time. My soul and spirit were being freed by the power of his love for me. His protective energy spun its self around me and drew me into the depths of his heart and soul. With each movement we made we were intricately intertwining ourselves into this exquisitely beautiful tapestry of love, which our hearts would frame and cherish.
As Philip moved into me with each stroke I would raise my hips to greet him our loins kissing each other each time we connected. My arms wrapped about him stroking his back and shoulders, pulling him into me more deeply still. The heated breath of our kisses smothering our mouths, until we would break apart gasping for air and reaffirming our love for each other. His body was tensing and I knew he couldn’t hold himself back much longer, he’d waited so long for this moment so patiently and now he needed that magical release.
His tempo increased and I gripped him even more tightly between my thighs holding on for dear life as we began to ride that train of ecstasy together. We had tickets to ride, and we planned on validating them. He was far from alone on this pleasure ride we were on and my own volcano was ready to erupt at any given moment as well. Finally all of those, telltale little signs that I instinctively already seemed to know in him were pushing him over the edge. Crying out with a relief I began to feel his heated seed being planted deep inside of me. The walls of my muscles tightened around him, stretching as though a canvass for him to paint his greatest ever masterpiece upon it.
My own cries of passion were only silenced as he dropped against me burying his mouth about mine as he kissed me so intently that my vision faded, for the first time I was experiencing the magic of le petites morts. My soul fused with his and I was awed by the sheer intensity and beauty of it all. We were both panting like we would never again be able to catch our breath after our exertions. Still lying on top of me he remained inside of me, and even the after throbs from him sent shivers of delight running through my core. We continued to kiss each other tenderly, stroking each other’s hairs and faces, softly whispered I loves you floated in the air between us. Our eyes were focused on one another speaking even more of those loving thoughts, without the need for further words.
Finally Philip rolled us on to our sides, still joined together with our legs entwined and him still inside of me. “I truly do love you, my darling.” He whispered smiling at me as his eyes shone at me. My chin trembled and my eyes were misty as I was so filled with happiness and abiding love for this man. He just smiled more seeming to understand as he stroked my hair and kissed me softly holding me gently. When he finally did remove his now spent organ from me I felt strangely momentarily empty without him inside of me. “I wish we could stay connected like that for ever too.” Our connection was already so strong that we knew instinctively what the other was thinking and feeling and our worlds responded to each other thusly. It comforted me greatly to know he felt the same way and truly understood me.
“So where do we go from here?” he questioned me quietly. “Well I’m guessing we’ll have to do some serious thinking on that issue because now neither of us will be want to spend the nights apart from each other, but for now,” I said glancing at the bedside clock on my nightstand “I, correction we have to think about packing my drag bag, doing something about freshening up a bit, as well as grabbing something to eat and getting there on time. If this were a perfect world I’d be more than happy to just stay here cuddling with you and making love until all night until the morning sun comes up to greet us. “Hmm I like that last idea of yours the best.” He said kissing the tip of my nose. “If you think that’s a good plan I bet you’d love the fact that I desperately want to return that wonderful prelude to our lovemaking that you gave me earlier.” I grinned at him giving a sexy smile that more that hinted as to what I was thinking. “You have no idea how appealing that sounds to me, even as spent as I am at the moment.” Philip responded to me.
The stirring in my nether regions began once more as I felt a stiffening begin to occur. “You’re trying to do me in entirely aren’t you woman? Not even got your name on my insurance policy yet and already trying to cash in on it.” I teased her giving her bottom a playful swat. She just giggled, rolling on top of me and pinning me under her as she grabbed my wrists holding them down and kissing me deeply. “This little lady’s taking charge here, mister.” She drawled at me. I was more than happy to comply and become putty in her hands. “What about the show and being on time?” I questioned her grinning broadly. “Honey, I am the show the party doesn’t start until I arrive.” She said in her best diva voice. We both giggled madly and I wrapped my arms around her as we continued to kiss, enjoying the closeness we were sharing.
Slowly I began to nuzzle the nape of Philip’s neck and he moaned as I hit those sensitive spots there that I felt certain would start him thinking even more amorous thoughts. Working my way down his strong broad chest, my nose titillated by the scent of the pheromones that still clung to him after our recent love making. It was like a drug to me, fueling my desire to pleasure this man to show him I wasn’t going to be a selfish lover, that I desired to give him as much or more pleasure that he brought to me. I lavished attention on his nipples which I believe were as sensitive on him as my own were judging from his little moans and the way his body would tense. I could hear his heart beginning to beat in a more rapid tempo, and knew I was on the right track.
I rained soft kisses down his torso, my tongue making moist wet trails, playful gentle little nips, gently pulling on his flesh which was becoming so sensitized with desire, my hand finally cradling my prize in it, which I squeezed as my eyes locked upon his. He reached his hand down and stroked my hair the look in his eyes telling me he loved me. I smiled at him before lowering my head and my eager pink tongue stretched out flicked across the tip of his member which was swelling once more. Touching my lips to it as they open just enough to envelop his swollen head and he sighed deeply as I did. Slowly wanting to him to know I considered it an honour and a joy to pleasure him not a duty that must be completed in some perfunctory manner as some women did. To me this was something I planned to turn into an art form between Philip and I. An experience that was to be revered for the loving act of selfless giving that it was to me.
Slowly inching him deep into the recesses of my throat holding him there, constricting my throat muscles as I held him there in its safe warm confines, until I began to move my head up and down his shaft now coated liberally with my saliva. With one had I cradled his under carriage of flesh which was swelling as I gently squeezed and massaged. My other hand was caressing his lower torso as I did so. His hands were in my hair running through it as if he were lovingly brushing it out with them, the silken strands of it gliding through his fingers as he did. This tender exchange of intimacies between us only served to make me more determined to please him. My eyes locked upon his as I slid my mouth up and down his steely flesh. There was far more than mere desire in those eyes of his for me, there was a knowing, a connection of far more than just the physical.
With each stroke he seemed to swell even more. His hands were now on my shoulders bearing down, air hissing through his clenched teeth, caught in a rapture of delight but not wanting the sensations to end fighting to hold on the moment we were sharing. His hips began to buck madly and I knew he was on the brink of losing himself to me completely. My mouth, somehow managed to keep up with his pace and before I knew it he was releasing himself into a new orifice of my body. I drank down each and every drop he gave me an elixir of life, a precious gift he had chosen of his own free will to share with me. Milking each and every drop of his seed, I held him protectively in my mouth a safe haven for him to soften in. Gently slipping my mouth from him when he had, I lovingly tongued him bathing off any remaining traces of his gift to me. Kissing my way up his body until I was in Philip’s arms once more with my head resting on his chest, so that I could listen to the beat beneath his breast as his heart began to calm I was back where I belonged once more.
Despite the fact I could be and was such an independent, strong willed creature in my own right, the irony was not lost upon me that there was a refuge and peace in Philip’s arms that I had never found anywhere else in my entire life. Philip I was learning more and more each day was the one person that I could truly be myself with, to allow my vulnerabilities to be seen, to trust him completely with all that was in both my head and in my heart. Making love to him the way we just had, made the connection we already shared, sink their roots and entwined them deeper into my heart and soul. It dawned on me that loving someone this purely was trusting in the knowledge that you gave them the keys to every aspect of yourself openly and still held the faith and believe they would always be there for you and never use anything they knew about you to harm you in any way and thus destroy you.
I snuggled in even closer to Philp safe and secure in my new found wisdom about his love for me and let out contented little purr of satisfaction. “You seem pretty happy.” I observed as his arm gripped me just a little closer. “I am, more than you could ever imagine.” He answered as he looked down into my eyes which I knew were shining brightly. “Oh I can imagine.” I laughed, “I’m feeling pretty on top of the world over the moon myself right now.” I answered grinning foolishly, as I gave him a kiss that conveyed not only my happiness but my thanks as well for being the one that had given me that gift so selflessly. “I could just stay here like this forever with you.” He murmured into my ear, “Hmmmmmmm.”I purred back at him. “I do like the way you think.”
Victoria felt so right in my arms her body cradled against mine. “I wonder if we could teach Sydney to bring us coffee and then we’d be all set.” “Sets!!” She frowned and scrambled to sit up and look at the alarm clock. “The clocks ticking and I’ve so got to get my act into high gear. This isn’t how it was supposed to be, it was always so different in my head whenever I thought about it. The whole basking in the afterglow experience and…” I quieted her with my own words. “And nothing, it’s all been perfect and the way it was meant to be for us. You can’t expect a man to make love to a drag queen and not expect at least a little drama can you?” “Oh you.” She said throwing her hands up in mock exaggeration and leaning down to kiss me. “I love you like nobody ever has and nobody else ever could.” “I know and that feeling is completely mutual. Now while you hit the shower, I’m going to go order a pizza for our dinner. We’ll have that to eat, now while you’re in the shower, I’ll go grab some fresh clothes from my place, otherwise I’ll be sorely tempted to join you. While I freshen up you pack your bag for tonight, then we’ll make like a tree and leaf.” I told her in a take charge of the situation sort of a way. A final shared kiss and we put my plans into action.
While Victoria showered, I phoned in an order for delivery, one of those twenty minutes or its free deals, which would probably end up tasting like cardboard but would be better than no dinner at all and we’d just managed to work up quite the appetites. After placing the call I through on my pants and ran downstairs to grab my shoes and sprint over to my place to grab some clean clothes and shaving gear. On my way over I ran into no other than my new neighbour Mrs. Langford out for an evening stroll. “Oh hello dear, nice to see you again, lovely night out isn’t it?” She inquired. “It’s simply brilliant.” I grinned at her conscious of the fact that once again I wasn’t dressed all that well. “If you don’t mind me asking are you one of those what do they call them these days naturalists?” She asked me searching for the proper word. “Nope, just a fool in love that is befuddled by the wonders of a woman. Now if you’ll excuse me I must run. We really must get together sometime and chat. Now if you’ll pardon me.” I responded and jogged off on my mission.
Quickly snatching a few things at my place I arrived back at Victoria’s just in time to meet the pizza delivery guy coming up the front walk. “Great that’s mine.” I called out to him. The guy looked at me like I was a bit bonkers, especially when I plunked everything on top of the pizza box as I fished my wallet out of my back pocket. I really couldn’t blame the guy here I was half dressed and dumping a pile of clothes and grooming items on him. I gave him a generous tip and grabbed my box laden with everything on top of it. “Thanks buddy.” He said giving me wide grin. I might be a lunatic but at least I was a friendly one. So how managed to get back into the house without dropping anything just as Victoria came down the stairs wrapped in a bath towel. I let out an appreciative whistle in response. She just laughed. “Little overdressed aren’t you?” I said meeting her at the bottom of the stairs. “I could say the same about you.” she said reaching up to kiss me over the box in my hands. “That smells so good and I’m famished for some strange reason.” She giggled at me. She scooped my clothes and things off the top for me and placed them on the entry way table for the time being.
We headed into the kitchen, I grabbed a roll of paper towels and she grabbed us a couple drinks out of the fridge to wash it down with. “I see that we’re dining formally tonight.” She grinned. “It’s either this or we eat standing up over the sink, less crumbs and super easy cleanup that way.” I told her holding out a chair for her. “At least you’re a gentleman.” She smiled taking her seat. “Always” I responded flipping open the lid and serving her the first slice on my bachelor version of the best china in the house. We wolfed dinner down and after a few kisses and well I won’t deny it some rather friendly caressing, we moved on to the next phase of our plan.
I’d grabbed my clothes off the entry table as we’d headed upstairs and after another quick kiss just to tide us over I hit the showers while, she dressed and packed her bag. The hot water felt great as it cascaded down and I was in such a chipper mood I actually found myself belting out that old Buddy Holly classic “I wanna tell you how it's gonna be, You’re gonna give your love to me, I wanna love you night and day. You now my love will not fade away. You know my love will not fade away, not fade away. My love’s bigger than a Cadillac I try to show you but you drive me back, Your love for me has got to be real, You’re gonna know just how I feel. Love’s real, not fade away, Not fade away.”
I was surprised when I turned around as I was lathering my hair to discover her face peeping around the edge of the shower curtain at me. “Still sure you don’t want to perform on stage with me some time.” She grinned hugely at me. “You’re not half bad you know.” “Absolutely not, now grab you what you need and leave me in peace woman or I’ll have you in here with me in a heartbeat and ravish you until you’re weak in the knees my love.” As I made a playful grab for her. “I’m going.” she said sticking her tongue out at me before she closed the curtain.
Finally we were dressed and ready to go. There wasn’t much time to spare but if I drove we’d be there in just the nick of time. “By Sydney, Mommy loves you. See you later.” She called over her shoulder as she locked the door. We hustled over to my place to grab the car. I tossed her drag bag in the back seat and we were soon off and running. As luck would have it we even managed to find a parking spot directly in front of the bar. I grabbed her bag out of the back seat and went around to open, the car door for her. She took the hand I offered her and gave me a kiss of thanks. “You’re always such a gentleman.” She smiled as I slipped my arm around her waist as we hurried up the steps.
We’d only been inside for a matter of moments, not even enough time for our eyes to adjust to the dimmer lighting. “Oh my God girl there you are.” Gushed Sush as she rushed over to the two of us in full diva mode, dramatically wringing her hands. It’s a complete and utter catastrophe. Miss Conception isn’t coming. What are we going to do? Who’s going to take her place.” Sush wailed clearly in distress. “Now take a deep breath honey.” Victoria soothed her taking her hands in her own in effort to comfort her friend. “The poor thing can’t help it she was rushed to hospital with a ruptured appendix. The doctors say she’ll be just fine, I’m a wreck over that to begin with but how can the show go on without her? The show must go on who are we going to get on this short of notice. Not to mention she’s in two key sets. This is my worst nightmare come true. What are we going to do?” she pleaded as the words tumbled from her mouth in rapid succession.
I stood in the wings not really knowing quite what do to in this situation. Did I offer to grab a stiff drink from the bar, in order to help steady her nerves? My life had never really prepared me for the proper protocol in a situation like this. While Sush had a small melt down before the two of us, Victoria gave her comforting hugs of support. Suddenly her face lit up as though a light bulb had just gone off in her head. “Philip could do it. I taught him the routines yesterday.” She blurted out excitedly. “Philip could do it???” both Sush and I echoed in unison.
Victoria and her friends are hatching a scheme of epic proportions that will have Philip becoming one of the girls for just one night, kicking up his heels on stage in full drag queen style, Philip is more than a little reluctant to participate and the mere thought of doing it sends his anxiety levels soaring but his love for Victoria is even stronger. Despite his misgivings he finds himself being swept up in the energy of it all and being able to fulfill, his own secret life long dream of performing on stage if only for one night. Most importantly though he wants more than anything to see the smile on the face of the woman he loves and show her what lengths he’s willing to go to show her that he does truly love her.
ACT XII
“Oh no, Philip can’t!” I protested vehemently. The absurdity of the idea hitting me full force. “Oh yes, Philip can.” The voices of Victoria and Sush squealed at me in unison. “I’ve got nothing to wear, I couldn’t possibly.” I responded hoping that I was going to be able to joke my way out of their Lucy and Ethel style idea that these two were hatching. Sush grabbed me by the shoulders and eyed me up and down. “We can so make this work, I may have to make a couple quick alterations but if they could sew Oliva Newton John into those pants for Grease, I can sew him into a dress if I have too. Oh and Henrietta and he have the same size feet. Think you can manage a pair of high heels sweetie?” She didn’t even give me a chance to respond just kept talking a mile a minute like this was a done deal. “Oh and I’ll do his makeup I’ve got some extra eyelashes and some foundation that should match his skin colouring perfectly.” She gushed on. I was beginning to feel like I was about six and my Mom was in complete control of my destiny, there would be no arguments, you’ll just do as your told young man sort of thing being the implied message. “Right I’ll go start getting things together.” She told me before rushing off. Looking over her shoulder, she saw that I was still rooted to the spot. “Come along now, we haven’t got all night here, so don’t dawdle.” She chided me as she disappeared into the gathering crowd. “No, no, no.” I kept repeating shaking my head at Victoria. “This is so not going to happen. I’m sorry about your friend being ill and about you ladies needing a hand, but there’s just no way. I’m so not the man for this. Surely there’s got to be someone else you can call to pitch in?” I asked her.
“Afraid not on this short of notice we wouldn’t be able to get a pinch hitter in for the show. Philip, I know this isn’t something you’d planned on doing, and you aren’t very keen about doing but I’ll love you forever if you do this one little thing for me.” She wheedled in a pleading voice. Her voice combined with the beseeching look in her eyes was causing me to waver on the issue slightly. “You’ve already told me that you’d love me forever. Is that love conditional on me doing this?” I asked her. “No, my love for you has no conditions or demands placed upon it not now, not ever.” She responded empathically. “Then my answer is…” she looked a bit crestfallen as if knowing my answer was going to be in the negative. It was on the tip of my tongue to say “I’m sorry the answer is still no.” But she reached up kissed my cheek, gave my hand a squeeze and said. “I understand, and I’ll never try and force you to do anything you really don’t want to do. I love you, now and always. I have to run see if we can figure this out while I get changed.” She turned to go. I was terrified of going on stage by itself let alone going out there in drag, but when she turned I was overwhelmed by a swirling mass of emotions. To disappoint her was crushing inside and yet I felt a part of me getting swept up in that backstage energy and here was a chance to be a part of a real live show and if only for a little while it was that kind of a high I was always envious of and possibly my only chance to experience it at this level. And best of all it would delight my love like nothing else and that gave me a courage I didn't know I had.
Her hand was still in mine and I’m sure she had every intention of letting it slip out of hers at the last possible moment, so we could keep our physical connection as long as possible. I squeezed her hand and a little firmer and pulled her back. “I’ll do it.” I informed her. “You’ll do it?” she sputtered at me quite clearly shocked as if she hadn’t heard me correctly. “Call me Tootsie, if Dustin Hoffman can pull it off I guess I can too.” I replied still thinking this whole thing was beyond insane. Victoria threw her arms around me and wrapped me in a bear hug which nearly knocked me off my feet. She pulled me down and began smothering me with kisses in her excitement. She punctuated the air with a volley of “Thank you! Thank You! Thank you!” in between those affectionate frenzied kisses of delight. If I was going to make a major fool of myself and I was pretty sure I was going to, at least I was doing it for the right reasons and for a very appreciative audience of at least one person.
He nuzzled the top of my head affectionately and held me close in a warm and loving embrace. Raising my head to look up into his eyes I could see his trepidation about all of this but I could also see the immense amount of love he had for me. “I know that you’re probably freaking out about all this inside and it’s totally out of your comfort zone. But I also saw how much fun you had practicing with me yesterday and I honestly know you can do this if you choose to. I have all the confidence in the world you can totally pull this off with finesse.” I told him as I nestled my head against his broad chest.
“Are you sure you’ll still feel the same way even if I fall flat on my face and embarrass you and your friends? It may even affect your job here if I totally screw up.” I asked her. “Yes.” She responded emphatically, “I’m not going to change my mind about you or about us. I’m sure things will go well, but if they don’t it’s you that matters to me not this job. I can always find another job to tide me over financially. I’m pretty resourceful. You’re what matters to me.” She said as she looked deeply into my eyes. A snapping of fingers brought us out of our little world of PDA. “Hello. Could we move this along people? We’ve got work to do and the show must go on.” There was Sush, impatiently tapping her foot. “Are you coming or not?” She asked me quite pointedly. “I may live to regret this but I’m coming.” I’d answered her. She broke into a wide grin her impatience seeming to vanish in an instant. “Honey this one is definitely a keeper.” She said turning to Victoria. “I’ve got every intention of keeping him.” Victoria grinned back at her, before turning that grin on me. It lit up her entire face with a special radiance that only a woman truly in love is able to obtain. The next couple of minutes were a complete and utter blur to me as I was ushered through the bar. Sush barrelled confidently through to the dressing rooms, greeting regulars and friends alike as she swept confidently along bracelets jinglingly merrily away as she went. Victoria hustled along behind me her hand still firmly clasped in mine. There was a rush of adrenaline pumping through me a combination of fear about what I was getting myself into and that same rush I’d experienced as a kid performing at school plays.
t was a little overwhelming when we arrived and my eyes were darting all over the place trying to decide just how I was going to fit into all of this. This was far different than anything I’d ever seen, other than in movies of course. One performer sat dressed in a sequinned gown, skillfully applying eyeliner and would have looked every inch the lady if it wasn’t for the fact his hair was groomed into a most decidedly masculine haircut. I guess the wig when he finally donned it would be his crowning glory. I tried not to stare at anyone but it was rather hard not to as it was quite fascinating to watch these transformations occurring first hand this way, the way they painted their faces so skillfully using rouges, lipsticks, eyeliners and eyeshadows, as they created their ideals of feminine beauty. It was mesmerising to watch traces of five o’clock shadows disappear beneath coats of foundations, cheekbones appearing with strokes of various tones of blush. I watched as one queen who must have somehow bound himself up to help create the illusion of a bosom was actually creating quite a respectable looking bit of cleavage by brushing on various tones of makeup. He caught me staring at him, and I tried to avert my eyes. He just chuckled. “It’s all good, sweetie. Watching a drag queen transform into a diva is a bit like watching a magician and finding out how me makes the magic happen.” I smiled back awkwardly before Sush whisked over to me costume in hand.
“Okay Mr. Wonderful, strip down and put this on. I need to see where I need to put in a couple of tucks or pin it up. Then we’ll move on to hair and makeup. You don’t have pierced ears by any chance to you?” Sush questioned me. “No to the ear piercing and where exactly do you expect me to change?” “Here of course.” She chortled back at me. “This is no time to be shy. Honey if any of us sees anything we’ve never seen before we’ll shoot first and asked questions later.” She joked at me. “Think of it as a sort of co-ed locker room if that helps you at all. Besides at the end of the day we’re just a bunch of the guys…well with the exception of Victoria of course, she’s all woman all of the time. I grinned at that last comment of hers. As I was the only one in the room that knew just how much of a woman she was and it had been a sheer delight making those discoveries as we’d made love to each other earlier in the day. Glancing around the room one more time I could only thing, never in my wildest imagination could I come up with a locker room like this. Sequined gowns, pantyhose, boas, makeup galore, wigs draped over various places. “Would you be more comfortable if I left and changed elsewhere?” Victoria asked seeing I was a little stressed out. I shot her a look that clearly indicated to the contrary and that if she left I would make a break for it go over the wall and make my escape from this madness I was setting myself up for. “No, no, by all means stay.” I answered. With that I found myself plunked into a chair and was instantly surrounded by a circle of drag queens eagerly willing to transform me. I caught a glimpse of Victoria reflected in the mirror and she gave me a supportive smile and mouthed the words “I love you.” to me, which served to give me the boost of courage I needed to know that I’d be able to get through this whole experience.
It was rather daunting having so many people hovering around me holding up dresses against me and uttering little commands here and there as they worked. “Slip your shoes off and try these on.” As a pair of red high heeled shoes were dangled before me. “Now suck in your cheeks we have to contour in some cheek bones.” “Would you stop blinking, it’s going to be so much easier to glue these eyelashes on if you stopped doing that. Do you want to look cockeyed?” “Okay pucker your lips.” “Blot please.” I was directed as a tissue was handed to me. Victoria had slipped out to the bar and had gotten me a double scotch, which I was certain she meant to both calm my nerves and loosen up any inhibitions I had about performing. I gratefully went to take a sip from the edge of the glass and was rebuked. “Oh no, you don’t. The straw is there for a reason, you don’t want to smudge your lipstick any more than you have to before show time.” I obediently took a long sip through my straw, which I must confess was the first time in my life I had ever drank scotch that way but at least my lipstick was intact. Victoria leaned over and asked “You holding up okay? I know this has got to be one of the weirder experiences in your life.” She said as she squeezed my shoulder affectionately. “I’m okay, hanging in there.” “He’s being a total star about all of this, bless his heart.” Sush interjected. “Now it’s time to get you into this dress and see where I need to adjust it.
The moment of truth was arriving and I have to admit I’d never felt more self-conscious about undressing before somebody in my life. Not even at the doctor’s office when I knew he was going to ask me to bend over and cough. Taking a deep breath, I slipped off my jacket and began to unbutton my shirt. Next I undid my trousers and began to slip them off, I could feel myself blushing from head to toe and I kept my eyes focused on Victoria who was changed and already to go. She stood smiling encouragingly at me. There I stood in my boxers barefooted before a room full of drag queens, in full make up and feeling more vulnerable than I ever had in my entire life. “Oh you are a furry fellow aren’t you?” One of the queens gushed at me. “This is going to take two pair of dark tights to hide, unless of course you wanted to shave them for the occasion?” Sush said with ethusiam, a little too enthusiastically for my liking. I must have had a most horrified look on my face at even the thought of it and then noticed the teasing grin on her face. “Just joking, you’re being such a good sport about all of this.” She said kindly. Relief swept over me as I realized it was merely a joke and a jolly camaraderie seemed to develop as I transitioned for one night only from being one of the boys, to becoming one of the girls.
As I struggled to encase my legs in not one but two pair of tights, I silently vowed to myself that never again would I complain about how long it took any woman to get ready for a night on the town. This was a far more complex process than I’d really ever thought about. The dress was slipped over my head and Victoria zipped it up for me, after which she gave my fanny an affectionate little pat. Sush ready with needle and thread made a couple quick tucks here and there so the gown I had on defined my shape and made appear more feminine. Victoria took control of organizing my cleavage for me which had managed to become lop sided from the way I had put the brassiere on with the inserts sewn into it. I grinned at her as I she did and quipped. “You know, I think you should at least buy a lady dinner first if you want to get so bold and feel her up like this.” I squeaked at her in a falsetto voice trying to get into the spirit of things. Which brought around of laughter from those still in the dressing room and a well-timed, “Trust me you’re no, lady.” Shot back with a very cheeky wink, indicating she was clearly happy that I wasn’t, but she still gave me a quick beck on the cheek. I’d slipped the high heels on my feet once more and teetered awkwardly over to a chair to have my wig put into place and have a pair of earrings clipped on to my earlobes to complete the look.
“How on earth do people walk in these damn things and not lose their balance entirely?” I gasped as collapsed in the seat offered to me. Several bemused faces looked at me. “It’s really not so bad once you get the hang of it, besides they make your legs look utterly fantastic.” Replied Sush as she placed a wig over my own natural hair which was secured under a little nylon cap that kept my own hair slicked down. A long blonde wig with waves in it was placed on my head. “Guess I’m finally going to find out if blondes really do have more fun.” I mused. “Umph” I grunted as a pair of earrings, were snapped onto my earlobes. “That smarts.” “Oh you’ll get used to it and forget all about it when your shoes start making for feet ache. Just part of the price you pay for being a woman.” Sush laughed gaily at me as she patted me on the back. “Okay now darling time for the big reveal. She spun my chair around so that I was sitting directly in front of a mirror and for the first time saw the new me. “Holy Moly.” I exclaimed. “That can’t be me.” I marveled in disbelief as I looked into the mirror at my now completed transformation.
“Your own mother wouldn’t recognize you now.” Chirped Sush, obviously pleased as punch at how successful she and the others had been at making me over. “Actually, you did such a fantastic job she’d do a double take wondering how my sister had had such a growth spurt at this stage in her life. This is just amazing.” I marvelled rather awe struck by it all. I actually did look quite lady like and I was grateful that they hadn’t taken the opportunity to make me look clownish with kewpie doll makeup.“Well enough time admiring yourself, sweetie, time to get you out on stage for your adoring public to admire. You, Victoria and I are on next girl.” Sush informed. Reality kicked in for me once more and I was rooted to the spot, sitting here dressed like this was one thing but going out in public, I was having some serious second thoughts about all of this. Victoria seemed to sense my misgivings and quietly said to Sush. “Just give the two of us a minute okay?” “Sure hon, I understand.” She responded. “Have another drink and loosen up a little Philip, you’ll find this is going to be a lot of fun. We’re all friends here and we’ll take care of you, we’ve got your back.” She reassured me amongst a murmur of ascent from the others in the room as she slipped from the room.
“You really don’t have to do this you know. You’re entitled to change your mind about all of this. It is a woman’s prerogative after all.” I whispered in Philips ear as I wrapped my arms around him from behind and gave him a warm hug. “You’ve already gone farther with this than I thought you would and I give you full credit for that.” I said softly. “I love you dearly for even agreeing to this but if you’ve changed your mind at the last minute I don’t blame you at all. It’s a lot to ask of anyone.” I assured him. “I have to admit I am having second thoughts and doubts about all of this.” Philip’s voice trailed off. Walking around to stand in front I offered him my hands. He reached up and placed them in his then pulled me into his lap. As I snuggled in, I gave him a soft kiss. “It’s okay.” I said stroking his face with my fingertips. “If you get confused just listen to the music play. Do what’s in your heart Philip and if it’s no than please don’t do this. I never want you to resent me, especially for something as silly as all of this really is in the grander scheme of things.” I told him in the full knowledge that I meant every word of it.
He kissed me softly. “I know but at the same time I need you to know that I’m a man of my word, you are the world to me and that I will do everything and anything in my power to show you that. So if taking to the stage and potentially making a major fool of myself it part of that so be it. Being laughed at I can totally handle, disappointing you is an entirely different thing.” He said lovingly as he kissed me once more. “Okay, let’s get this show on the road shall we? Then we can get me out of this getup and out of these shoes.” I laughed at her. My eyes were filled with such respect and love for the man before me. “I love you so much.” My voice caught in my throat as I said it as I was so overwhelmed at how truly special Philip was. “Come on. Let’s go or we’ll both face the wrath of a diva.” He grinned at me. Slipping off his lap I offered him my arm to escort him out to the stage.
By the time we reached the stage, Philip was still a little shaky but somehow managing to hold his own, more than likely concentrating on not falling off of his heels I surmised. The act before ours was just finishing and the performer was thanking the crowd and introducing our little threesome to the crowd. Sush, Philip and I took to the stage, amid a round of warm applause. Sush said to the crowd. “Now as some of you already know, Miss Conception is unable to be with us tonight due to a medical emergency and I know that we all send her our love and best wishes on a speedy recovery.” It was greeted with a murmur of agreement from the patrons on the floor. “However the show must go on and in her place we are very fortunate to have for her first ever appearance in Toronto, the lovely and luscious Tootsie straight from Montreal. So I’d like you all to show her some love and make her feel welcome here tonight.” The crowd erupted into a warm round of welcoming applause, which seemed to bolster Philip’s confident. “You’re definitely straight and from Montreal.” I giggled into Philip’s ear. He turned and gave me a smile, as the music was cued and we began our first number together. “Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, go sister. Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, to sister. He met Marmalade down in old New Orleans, Struttin' her stuff on the street She said "hello, Hey Joe, you wanna give it a go?" mmm, mmm Itchi gitchi ya ya da da Itchi gitchi ya ya here Mocha-choca-lata ya ya Creole lady marmalade…”
At first I felt rather stiff and awkward as I started into the dance steps and swaying my hips in time to the music but with Victoria shooting me supportive looks I was beginning to warm up and as I did the crowd really began to warm up to us as well. “Shake it ladies.” To which we all three instinctively leaned toward the crowd and gave our bodacious ta tas a little shake, followed by a quick turn in perfect unison and a shake of our bottoms. People were laughing and applauding and I had to admit I was kind of getting a rush from the appreciative attention and it was definitely bolstering my confidence in my ability to pull this whole thing off. The number ended on a high note and I had to admit I was seriously beginning to enjoy myself and really get into the whole experience. “Thank you so much everyone.” Sush gushed. As she blew kisses to the audience and began accepting tips from the people that were pressing towards the stage to offer tokens of their appreciation. I was startled to see someone crooking their finger at me trying to get my attention. Victoria gave me a little nudge. “Bend at the knees, drop and Hollywood air kisses.” She coached me. I moved forward and did as she’d instructed me, and slipped the five dollar bill from the hand that was beckoning to me as I blew kisses. What startled me even more were other eager hands reaching forward with not only cash but with drinks as well.
Victoria and Sush flanked me on either side now and were both graciously accepting these little gifts of adoration from their fans as well. It was all very gratifying but also extremely overwhelming, finally things seemed to be dying down and Sush nodded at the D. J. who started spinning our next song. “Hi - Hi! We're your Weather Girls - Ah-huh -And have we got news for you - You better listen! Get ready, all you lonely girls and leave those umbrellas at home. - Alright! -Humidity is rising - Barometer's getting low According to all sources, the street's the place to go Cause tonight for the first time Just about half-past ten For the first time in history It's gonna start raining men. It's Raining Men! Hallelujah! - It's Raining Men! Amen! I'm gonna go out to run and let myself get absolutely soaking wet! It's Raining Men! Hallelujah! It's Raining Men! Every Specimen! Tall, blonde, dark and lean Rough and tough and strong and mean…” The three of us shimmied and shook throwing our arms in the air and wiggling our hips in time to the music as we lip synched to the words. I was actually having a total ball doing this and began to wonder what my hang ups had ever been about. It really was just playing a part after all and the dress was only a costume to ensure the believability of me in this role. It really wasn’t all that different from me doing something like this on Halloween, and I’d always loved getting into outlandish costumes for that. Granted I didn’t want to do it weekly as Victoria did but as a once in a while thing in an emergency I’d probably be willing to give it another shot. Besides, I could not believe the cash I was raking in either, this was a pretty lucrative little job. I’d even had to playfully slap one guy’s hands as he tried to tuck the folded bill into the top of my dress. “Don’t be naughty. I’m a lady.” I chided him only to have him offer an apology and a smile in return.
After we’d slipped off the stage to a final round of applause and escaped through the crowd to the sanctuary of the dressing rooms once more I collapsed into the first available chair that I found and slipped those damn shoes off my feet, which was met with a chorus of protests. “No don’t do that you’ll never get them back on your feet, your feet are probably swollen now.” So I promptly wedged my feet back into them. Victoria leaned down and gave me a massive bear hug. “You were brilliant. Better than I ever expected you to be.” She raved at me clearly tickled pink by the success of my performance. I was basking in the glow of her congratulations as Sush burst through the door. “Darling you were just fabulous.” She shrieked at me. “Are you sure that you’re straight?” She teased me. Victoria and I looked at each other meaningfully but the look wasn’t lost on any one. “Positive.” We both giggled in response. Sush extended her hand to me and I took it as she gave me a firm hand shake of gratitude. “All kidding aside you’ve been a total star about all of this and I’m much obliged and in your debt for helping us out like this.” And I could tell that she meant it sincerely. “Well that’s what friends are for, isn’t it?” I asked her. “Yes, they are.” She smiled back and I knew that Sush and Hinesh and I were definitely going to be firm friends.
“You two wild and crazy kids relax for a few minutes before our big finale together, and then you can go back to being you.” As she hustled everyone else out of the room to give us a couple of minutes together. I flashed a look of gratitude at her to let her know I was grateful, to have even a couple of fleeting minutes to be alone with Victoria. The strains of music that came through the door were silenced as the last person closed the door behind them. Victoria plunked herself down in my lap and snuggled in close. “You really were great.” She said. “Thanks.” I responded. “But we’ve only got a precious few minutes do you really want to talk now?” I asked her my eyes twinkling mischievously at her. “No but what you have in mind may smudge your lipstick and mine.” She countered. “I’m willing to risk it if you are.” As my lips met hers, it was clear we were both willing to risk it. Victoria’s kisses were like drinking salted water, they left you thirsty for even more of them and right now I was completely parched. Far too soon the door opened and a head popped in. “Sorry to interrupt but its show time. Let’s go ladies. Be sure to fix your lipstick girls.” “I tried to tell you that you’d ruin your lipstick.” She giggled. “True but trust me it was worth it.” As she applied a fresh coat to my lips for me, as well as a coat to her own. “Let’s go final number unless they demand an encore from us.” She observed as we had headed back to the stage.
As we were announced once more the three of us hit the steps to arrive at centre stage as the strains of the song rang out loud and clear. This was one of Victoria’s signature numbers as Miss Kitty and she was the star of it. Sush and I were more back up dowop singers in this number. Sush and I began to mime the words at Victoria in unison “Ooh wah, ooh wah cool, cool Kitty Tell us about the boy from New York City. Ooh wah, ooh wah c'mon kitty. Tell us about the boy from New York City.” We sang in silent unison along to the music. Victoria the consummate stage presence began to sing back to us “He's kind of tall, “He's really fine. Someday I hope to make him mine, all mine. And he's neat, and oh so sweet, and just the way he looked at me, He swept me off my feet, Ooh whee, you ought to come and see. How he walks and how he talks.” Once again Sush and I parroted the chorus back to her as we pranced around the stage. “Ooh wah, ooh wah cool, cool kitty Tell us about the boy from New York City.”
She swaggered in front of the two of us snapping her fingers as she sang. “He's really down And he's no clown He has the finest penthouse I've ever seen in town And he's cute In his mohair suit And he keeps his pockets full of spending loot Ooh whee, say you ought to come and see His dueling scar And brand new car Every time he says he loves me chills run down my spine, Every time he wants to kiss me He makes me feel so fine.” There was a special connection or eyes made as she sang the last couple of lines. Once again Sush and I kicked in with the chorus. Then Victoria took control once more as she strutted about the stage singing about the man that she loved. “Well he can dance (He can dance, take a chance with a little) And make romance (Romance baby, cause he's a looker) That's when I fell in love, With just one glance (He's sweet talking and cool) He was shy And so was I And now I know I'll never, ever say goodbye Ooh whee, say you ought to come and see He's the most From coast to coast.” She sang fanning herself breathlessly as she did. A final rendition of the chorus and music faded.
We began to take our bows and collect our tips and I honestly figured that would be it and my little foray into the wonderful world of theatre would be over and I could get changed and into some sensible shoes once more. But know they were clamouring for more from the three of us. I was panicked at the thought I’d only rehearsed the three numbers with Victoria and had no clue what to do. “You’re going to have to wing it.” Victoria whispered at me as the three of us joined hands and bowed to the crowd. A nod at the D. J. brought the strains of We Are Family. Thankfully it was a song I’d heard countless times in the past and new the words too. We basically linked arms and began to sing as we swayed and strutted together. “We are family I got all my sisters with me. We are family Get up everybody and sing Everyone can see we're together As we walk on by and we fly just like birds of a feather I won't tell no lie, all of the people around us they say Can they be that close? Just let me state for the record We're giving love in a family dose.” It was hard for me not to grin as we sang and danced to the music. All of Victoria’s friends had embraced me warmly and welcomed me into their tight knit if rather unusual blended family. It dawned on me that these people really were family to each other, and they were good people that truly cared about each other and supported one another through thick and thin. It was rather humbling to me that despite my initial contact with them and my reluctance to do any of this they still accepted me. Even if it wasn’t my world they still welcomed me into theirs.
We scampered off stage after final bows and accepting last minute gifts of tips amid applause and warm calls of appreciation from the audience. I was laughing as I entered the change room “Now?” I questioned. “Yes, now” I was rewarded with as I slipped off those wretched instruments of torture known to the rest of the world as fashionable high heels. I also plucked the earrings off of my lobes and immediately felt them throb with relief as did. Next I yanked off the wig and scratched my head. “How do you guys do this and not go nuts from either the discomfort or the itching?” Sush just shrugged. “I guess you just get used to it. Sometimes you have to suffer for the love of your art and for love. You know I thought you were going to be a judgmental jerk the first time I met you, but I’ve come to see you in a whole new light. Besides you clearly love Miss Kitty here and she feels the same about you, so you both have my blessings……provided I get to be the maid of honour of course.” And we all burst into gales of laughter.
“You’re all right yourself Sush, in fact all of you are, and it may still take me some time to really get comfortable with all of this but give me time and I’m pretty sure that I’ll come around entirely and feel more comfortable all the time.” “Does this mean we should get you a drag bag of your own as a thank you gift?” She asked playfully. “Not on your life.” And the room erupted into laughter once more. Sush cleared her throat “We do though have a little honorarium to bestow upon you and a small gift to show our appreciation for you.” And she handed me a white envelope and the pair of heels that I’d worn during the show. I opened up the envelope and was astounded to find two crisp hundred dollar bills in it. I began to protest. “I didn’t do this for the money, I did it for Victoria and because it was the right thing to help you guys out of a bind.” Sush waved me off standard payment for a new queen, once you get to be as seasoned pro it goes up considerably. As for the shoes, well you could use a bit of practice in them.” She chuckled merrily at her little joke. “Well seeing as how this is a special occasion we’re going to have a little after hour’s party here once the bar closes down. Just the family and a few close friends of course and we’re hoping that you two will stay as well. But for now I must dash, as I’ve got a couple closing solo numbers of my own to perform.” And with what pronouncement she floated off in a cloud of fabric.
The others in the room also departed in order to catch the last few numbers of the evening, and Philip and I were alone once more. He tried to stand to embrace me and moaned in discomfort as he did. “Sit” I commanded lovingly and he sank back down into the chair gratefully. “My dogs are barking.” He lamented “How do women do this on a regular basis?” He marvelled out loud. I pulled a chair over by him and gently took his legs and helped him lift them as I put his feet in my lap and began to massage them. “That feels heavenly. I could let you do that all night long it feels so good.” I ran my hands up his calves as well massaging them and working out some of the knots that were there caused by his first experience of wearing high heeled shoes for any amount of time. “You were pretty amazing out there and seemed to really be getting a kick out of it…” I was saying. Philip cut me off “I have to admit it I had a total blast once I got over the worst of my nerves. Think it went even better than my last stage performance as a kid back in grade school. But then I didn’t have you in my corner either back then. It’s good knowing you’ve got someone that’s going to completely support you.” He said earnestly reaching his arms out to me.
I carefully placed removed his feet from my lap and placed them on the floor as I sat down on his lap and wiggled comfortably into those welcoming arms that were waiting for me. He wrapped them around me and held me close. “We’re a pretty good team already you know and I don’t mean the on stage stuff either.” He said. “I know.” I agreed with him. “This whole thing may have started off as a crazy lark in the heat of the moment but someone we managed to make it work. Believe me I do know what it took for you to do this for me. Yet you still put aside your fears and anxieties and it did out of love for me. You gave me the gift of yourself and put me first and those actions spoke volumes to me Philip. I love you all the more for you being so lovingly selfless. I’m still not sure I deserve a man like you but I know how incredibly lucky I am to have you.” I said softly. “Ironically I think I’m the lucky one and still am trying to figure out what an amazing woman like you wants with a man like me.” The warmth in his eyes was hypnotic and drew me towards him as our lips met. Our lips brushed softly against one another at first, before locking together firmly, his tongue slowly working its way between my lips, my own seeking entrance to his mouth, with gentle probing in return. It was a deeply sensual kiss slow and unhurried as we savoured this moment of quite tenderness after the earlier mad pace of the evening.
“So do you want to get changed and we’ll head home or do you want to stay for the after party?” I asked as I remained curled up in his arms, feeling perfectly content with life. “It’s been such a long crazy day of firsts for the two of us. Part of me is exhausted and just wants to pack it all in and call it a day and go home and be alone with you. I mean we’ve dealt with neighbours, parents…” Philip began. “Made love to each other for the first time.” I continued “Not to mention the newest addition to my resume, drag queen performer.” Philp finished off for me. “A lesser man would have left after the neighbours and before the whole parent thing, but you hung in there and kept going my little energizer bunny.” I told him as I kissed the tip of his nose affectionately.
“I know the after parties are schmoozing that goes with it is probably part of this whole life style of yours.” He said. “It is, but I’ve already told you that you come first and I meant that.” I told him stoutly. “I know. But I’ve also still got this buzz going on from the whole performing thing and being so well received by the crowd that I figure I may as well experience the rest of it.” I grinned at Philip “Okay but tomorrow we sleep late, take a long soak in the tub together and spend the day just the two of us okay?” “Lady you’ve got yourself a deal.” Philip responded and sealed the bargain with a kiss.
To be Continued....