Finally

Maria woke up. Her body was sore and her muscles felt like jell-o. She sat up on the bed, for a moment she forgot where she was. Then, the night came flooding through. She smiled, remembering how Nicole made her feel. Never had John given her that much joy and pleasure. He only worried about his happiness. She turned over and noticed that Nicole was no longer there. A note had been placed on the pillow.

Maria,

I went to get breakfast. If I'm not back and you have any regrets I understand if you leave. You're beautiful and I will forever remember this night.

Nicole

Maria smiled to herself, there was no way she wanted to forget the night with Nicole. She got out of bed and put on Nicole's t-shirts. Her bare feet patted across the hardwood floors. She opened the door, slowly seeing if Nicole was back.

She went to the living room, sitting in a chair with her feet under her. She smiled to herself. She knew she looked a mess. Her hair was wild above her head. She had taken her makeup and brushed her teeth. Though she felt as if nothing mattered.

She sat there for awhile watching some re-runs of Reba. She hadn't heard Nicole come in. Nicole walked into the living room. "Good morning." She had a smile plastered across her face.

Maria jumped and turned, a similar smile coming to her. "I got you a muffin and coffee. I didn't know what else to get." Nicole said shyly.

"That's fine." Maria stood following Nicole to the kitchen. "About last night.."

Nicole cut Maria off. "If you want to forget it we can. I won't say a word."

Maria laughed. "No, can you let me finish?" Nicole nodded for her to continue, "I was saying it's the best I've felt in years. I never want to forget it." She smiled and walked closer to Nicole.

"Are you serious?"

"If I say it than I mean it."

Nicole smiled and wrapped her arms around Maria's waist. She moved in about to kiss her when her doorbell rang. Maria mentally groaned. Nicole walked over to the door.

"Nicole your father has lost his mind." Nicole's mom pushes pass her. her father followed. " He thinks that we should....Oh. Hello."

Nicole's mom, Jenna looked to where Maria was standing. Nicole's dad, Nicolas eyes Maria then Nicole. "Sorry sweetie, if we knew you had someone over we... no I would have called."

"Dad it's fine. Maria, come with me."

Nicole dragged Maria to her room. She shut the door, making sure her parents wouldn't hear. "Maria, I am so so sorry. I had no idea they'd come here."

Maria's mouth opened and laughter filled the room. "It's fine. It kinda felt like high school. You looked so scared."

"So, you're ok? ...With my parents finding you here?"

"Yes. I'm fine."

Nicole shrugged her shoulders. She walked to her dresser, pulling out a shirt and pants for Maria. "Here. The pants maybe a little long."

"Thank you. For everything." Maria kissed Nicole's cheek. Nicole left the room, letting Maria get dress.

"Mom. Dad. You can't just pop up here. Are you crazy?"

"Well, Your father had a brilliant idea to redo the bathroom and flooded the house." Jenna said, glaring at Nicolas.

"Well if you would have sat there like I said, I would've been able to concentrate."

Nicole was getting tired of their arguing. "Hey! Stop arguing," she let out a long breath, "How long is it going to take to fix the house?"

"The guy said a month, maybe two."

Nicole looked at her parents. She loved them dearly but, they couldn't have come at a worst time.

************

After Nicole helped her parents, she took Maria home. When they got there Maria's mother and father were in the living room.

"Maria! Where were you?" Gloria said frantically.

"I was out." Maria walked pass her mother and father, not saying a word more. "N...Officer Brian, could you follow me please?" Nicole gave a friendly smile to her parents and followed her to her room.

Maria shut the door and locked it. "Maria, are you ok to stay here?"

"Yes. It's whatever." Nicole could see the anger in Maria's eyes. "I'm tired. I'm so tired of putting my self down so my mother can feel like I'm something. I hate being around her. It took my father this long to finally say something. I just want to" Maria's voice cracked and tears flowed down her face. She dropped to get knees.

Nicole went over, helping Maria to her bed. She laid her down, feeling her body shake against her. She turned to walking to the door. "Nic," Maria's voice was barely audible. "Can..you.stay?" she asked between sobs.

Nicole looked at Maria. She couldn't say no. She crawled into the bed behind her, cuddling her in her arms. She never thought this would happen.

A few hours later, Maria woke up to Nicole still holding her. "Nic, are you up?"

"Yeah."

Maria turned, facing Nicole. "Thank you for staying with me."

"It was nothing."

Maria's eyes went from Nicole's eyes to her lips. She moved in closing the space between them. Maria felt Nicole's velvet lips and their kiss deepened.

Nicole pulled away. "You know, your parents came to check on you."

"I..." Maria didn't know what to say.

"You're brave. I don't think you get how amazing of a person you are. Even with your parents you have become this great politician. You are stronger than you could ever know."

Maria's head dropped. "Why? Why do you care? I was this total asshole to you."

Nicole laughed. "After last night, I don't think you were ever an asshole. My mom always said the meanest people care the most. I knew that you were different."

Maria got up, "How so?"

Before Nicole could answer there was a know in the door. "Maria, it's your father. I want to talk to you."

Nicole stood and opened the door. "Hello Sir, I was just leaving." Nicole looked back and saw Maria's face pleading for her to stay. "Mrs. Valdez I will be down the hall."

Nicole left and José can in the room. "Papa, I don't want to talk about it." Maria said before he could get a word out.

"I know hija. I want to say sorry. Sorry for all the years of not standing up to her. But, believe me I will make up for it anyway I can. I just want you to know, I love you." José left the room and Maria was alone.

Maria's phone rang. "Hello."

"Hi honey it's me."

John had not crossed Maria's mind once. "Hi, how is the meeting?"

"Great. I can only talk for a little while. I just wanted to make sure my favorite girl was ok."

Guilt crept it's way into Maria's mind. "Yeah, I am."

"That's good. I'll be home in two weeks. I can't wait to see you."

"Yeah I can't wait." Maria's mind was racing.

"Ok, I have to go. I love you."

"You too."

Maria hung up before John could say another word. 'What was that? You just told your husband you too. I love him. Why couldn't I just say it? I have all these years and then she comes into my life and I lose my mind. Can I be blamed. Her body is far more amazing than anyone I have ever seen.

What is wrong with me? I had sex with her...it felt so right like my body and mind were finally in the same place. I was happy in that moment, more than I have ever been with John.'

*************

Nicole was worried about Maria, she had been in her room forever. Nicole knocked on the door. "Hey, are you ok?"

Maria snapped from her thoughts. "Come in."

Nicole walked into the room, she didn't see Maria. "Where are you?"

"Taking a bath. I'll be right out."

Nicole started imagining Maria's body.

'Get it together Nicole.'

"Did you say something?" Maria emerged from the bath room wrapped in a towel.

"No. I... I was... thinking out loud."

"Ok." Maria smiled and Nicole felt her leg weaken. "Do you want to watch a movie?"

Nicole saw Maria's lips moving but didn't hear a word. "What?"

"I said, do you want to watch a movie?"

"Yeah."

Nicole followed Maria downstairs. Her parents were sleeping, leaving the two of them alone. Maria put in Scream, she wasn't one for scary movies, but she needed a reason to be close to Nicole.

Nicole watched as Maria sat beside her with her hands over her face. "Why did you choose a scary movie if you're going to cover your eyes?"

"I'm not scared." Maria said defensively.

"Really? Then move your hands."

Maria slowly moved her hands, opening her eyes, she saw Ghostface and buried her face into Nicole's shoulder. "See, we can watch something else."

Maria didn't wait another minute. She hopped off of the couch and changed to Political Animals. She went and sat by Nicole.

"Why did you decide to do politics?" Nicole asked.

Maria was caught off guard. "At first it was to show my mother I wasn't going to be her. But, as I started to work with the people, I wanted to make a change."

"What about you? have you done anything for yourself. Something to make you happy?"

Nicole had hit home. Maria knew that even when helping the people she hadn't thought of herself. She missed her own happiness. "No. If it's not John or my job, I just, I guess I just couldn't find my happiness."

Nicole let out a small oh. She had one more question for Maria, "How will this work?"

Maria never thought that far. Sure John was a factor but, she was republican and catholic. Everything she was taught goes against what she feels and did with Nicole. Yet, Nicole made her feel like nothing else mattered. Like she was the only person in the world. Nicole's touch and the way she said her name, made Maria weak in the knees and her heart flutter.

"I don't know," Maria stood walking to the kitchen. Nicole followed her.

"I didn't mean to upset you. You can forget I said anything." Nicole turned walking away.

"Nicole wait!" it had come out louder than Maria expected. She walked over to Nicole. "I really like you. You have made me feel so much joy. I don't want you to leave. I don't know what's going to happen. So for now can we not think about it?"

Maria leaned in, Nicole met her half way and they were engulfed in a kiss. Maria pulled Nicole through the house, shutting off the tv and going to her room.

Nicole laid Maria down and their kisses continued. Maria pulled of her shirt, dragging her nails across Nicole back. "Wait, you're parents are here."

"So?"

"Sooo, they might hear us."

Maria didn't say a word, she went back to kissing Nicole.

*********

Sorry it took so long. I hope you like it. It's not my best but I knew I needed to update.

Much love

-M