32. Falling Deeper

Sage

S age looked over the papers, reading line by line to ensure that nothing had been missed. She nodded as she shifted to the next page and then the next.

“It all looks good to me, Lena. Now we just need the lawyer to look it over. We want to make sure nothing is missed because that will only prolong the finalization of the papers. But I would say that we’re just one step closer.”

Lena clapped her hands together. “I feel like this is really going to happen.” She then grabbed the papers and looked them over, before looking up to meet Sage’s stare. “So, had an interesting conversation with Stassi yesterday?”

“Oh yeah? What about?”

“She just wanted to tell me how impressed she was about me going through with doing the union.” She frowned. “She hasn’t quite committed to signing the petition. And I know I’m not fully there until we get that signed with all the signatures, but I thought it was nice that she said something.” Sage nodded, then looked down at the petition in front of her. “Did you have something to do with that?”

Sage smirked. “I’ll be truthful. Stassi told me that she thought it was a great thing you were doing. I was fearful that maybe you would ultimately get scared that it wouldn’t work and back down. So, I might have casually said to her that she should really mention it to you, in passing.” Sage shrugged. “I’m pleased that she took me up on it.”

Lena nodded. “Well, I would say that you two make a cute couple.” She then looked around the cafeteria. “I probably shouldn’t say that too loud. The walls, they have ears.”

Sage didn’t care who knew. The fact remained that she loved Stassi, and if anyone wanted to balk at that, they could shove it. She didn’t care what they thought because she knew that how Stassi and she felt about one another was truly all that mattered.

“So, where’s Stassi today?”

Sage smirked. The way she asked the question insinuated a lot, her voice shifting in a curious way. “She is off. Probably at my place deciding on another delicious meal to make.” She grinned. She almost felt like a user, but Stassi enjoyed being there, so it didn’t quite feel so bad.

“You’ve been spending a lot of time together, haven’t you?”

Sage nodded. She opened her mouth when she spotted Linda walking in their direction. Her eyes appeared red, and the closer she got she realized they were bloodshot. She caught Sage staring and quickly looked away.

“Linda!” Sage jumped up, blocking her way. “Is everything alright?”

Linda sighed and shook her head. “I wanted to avoid people. At least for a little bit.” She shook her head. “Just got done talking to HR. I had some vacation that I planned on taking for a couple of days. But she said that she ran my benefits, and my days are gone. I know I have at least two days. I’m sure they trashed them. There’s no other explanation.

“That’s crazy.” Lena glared. “How can they do this?”

“They just don’t care,” Sage mumbled.

“Exactly!” Linda shook her head. “They know that the senior employees won’t do anything about it because we’re nearing retirement, but I’m not the only one who’s noticed my vacation time is missing.” She sniffed and looked down at her clenched hands. “I heard there’s talk about a union, giving the employees a voice. Where can I sign up?”

“Actually…” Lena grabbed the clipboard and pen and pushed them towards Linda. “We aren’t quite there with the signatures, but we’re getting there. With word of mouth, we’ll get there faster.”

“I can assure you that I will let everyone know.” She gave a slight wave, and Sage turned to Lena.

“That should make you feel better. This is all worth it. Everyone knows that.”

Lena grinned and looked over the names. Sage sipped on her water and thought about how she was ready to get out of there and get home to see Stassi. Just a few more hours and she would be free.

When Sage entered the apartment, she took in a whiff of marinara. It was some kind of pasta cooking, and it tingled her senses. She made her way to the kitchen, and Stassi looked over her shoulder.

“I didn’t hear you come in.” She walked over and kissed Sage. “How was work?”

“Exhausting,” Sage said.

Stassi helped her to a seat, and Sage sat down and propped her legs up onto the chair across from her. “Just relax until supper is served. I have a surprise for you, and I need you all rested up.”

Sage laughed. “What is it?”

Stassi shrugged. “If I tell you now, there will be no need to hold onto the anticipation.”

Sage stared at her, curiously. If she continued to pry, it wouldn’t give her any more clarity. Stassi wasn’t the type to break. “Food smells delicious, as always.”

“Thank you, Babe.” Stassi picked up Sage’s feet and took a seat, then rested them in her lap. She massaged them as Sage groaned, leaning back in her chair, deliriously exuberant over the touch of Stassi’s hand on her feet. She expertly kneaded at them. “Tell me about your day.”

Sage sighed. “Not much to tell. There is more work than bodies to complete the tasks.” She released a groan. “I wish you were there at registration, though. They brought a temp up from medical records, and she was all fingers, fumbling around like she didn’t know where anything was.”

Stassi rolled her eyes. “Technically, I’m sure she didn’t. That’s what they get for cutting back labor. And I barely make any money, so I’m not sure what they thought they were gaining by taking my hours away.”

Sage scoffed. “Perhaps they are just grasping at straws, thinking that cutting back the hours of those who work the hardest will somehow save them money in the end. If anything, it’s liable to work in the opposite direction.”

“Well, I guess we’ll see how it works out for them. Maybe they’ll find a way to better manage the finances.”

Sage closed her eyes and allowed Stassi’s fingers to dig into her feet. “I don’t want to talk about work. It stresses me out.”

The timer on the stove began to beep, and Stassi slowly dropped Sage’s feet from her lap and jumped up. Sage groaned, eliciting a laugh from Stassi.

“Don’t want the food to burn,” she said. Sage straightened up and waited for Stassi to grab their plates of food, two glasses, and a bottle of wine, and bring it all to the table. She poured each of them a glass, then raised her glass as she took a seat. “I want to raise a toast.” Sage raised her glass and continued to wait. “I never knew what I needed in my life until I met you. And here’s to hoping that we continue to experience everything we need.”

“I’ll drink to that.” Sage tapped her glass, and they each took a sip. Over the top of her glass, Sage watched Stassi. Her heart yearned for the woman across from her. Even when stress attempted to drag her down a long and narrow winding road, she was reminded that Stassi was by her side.

They ate the meal, avoiding topics of the hospital and work, focusing more on their relationship and small talk like any other couple—the weather, TV shows, and movies that they had never seen but wished they had.

“Favorite food?” Stassi asked.

“Anything pasta,” Sage replied, taking a bite of her noodles with marinara. “Or rather anything that you make.”

Stassi blushed. “You know how to make a woman feel special.”

Sage grinned. “What about you, Stassi? Favorite food?”

Stassi scrunched up her nose in thought. “I’m not really all that picky of an eater and I like to try new things, so I guess I would say Chili. You’d be surprised how many spices you can add to chili, in order to change things up.”

“Chili is great on a cold fall night, out under the stars, cuddled up in front of a fire.”

Stassi arched an eyebrow. “You mean like camping? You like to camp?”

Sage nodded. “It’s a favorite pastime of mine. As a kid, I would go with my parents often. We would tent camp, and there was nothing but us and the wilderness. Do you camp?”

“I can’t say that I’ve ever been.” Stassi laughed. “My parents weren’t exactly the camping type as they would choose a five-star hotel over a campground any day.”

Sage considered that. She should have guessed that would be the response that came from Stassi, but just because it was yet another thing, they didn’t have in common didn’t mean it would drive a wedge between them. There was still too much pushing them together.

“It’s a shame, though. Camping can be a lot of fun, especially when you’re with the ones you’re closest to. You should try it sometime.”

Stassi smirked. “Well, maybe you’ll take me some time.”

Sage finished off the wine in her glass. There would be nothing more romantic than camping under the stars with Stassi there in a tent with her. She would gladly accept that challenge.

“Do you want seconds?” Stassi asked.

“I’m stuffed.” Sage stood up and reached for both plates. “The least I can do is take care of the dishes since you did all the cooking.” She put the dishes in the sink, just as Stassi reached for her hand. “The dishes won’t wash themselves,” Sage teased.

Stassi motioned with her head and pulled Sage along, out of the kitchen and to the living room. “First, I want to show you your surprise.”

Sage was giddy at the mention of it. She had nearly forgotten a surprise was mentioned, but now, it was the only thing she could think about. Stassi placed her hands on Sage’s shoulder and pushed her down to the couch.

“Are you giving me a lap dance?” Sage asked, wide-eyed and grinning.

Stassi laughed. “You wish!” She tossed her a wink, then turned away and reached behind the chair, pulling out a box that had a single bow wrapped around it.

“It’s not my birthday. It’s not Christmas. What holiday am I missing?”

Stassi snickered. “Do I have to give you gifts only on a special holiday? I personally think when you love someone you should be free to gift them something any time you want. Or am I wrong?” Stassi shrugged. “If I am, I don’t want to be right.” She laughed. “Open it, will ya?”

Sage grinned and tore into the box. She ripped off the bow, breaking it in the process. “Oops, doesn’t that mean we’re going to have a baby or something like that?”

Stassi laughed. “I think that’s only during a bridal shower. I don’t see any brides around here.”

Yet. Sage considered the word and nearly choked on it. Never did she think she would want to consider that, but many things made her want to plunge into something serious with Stassi. Heck, they were practically living together, as it was. Sure, Stassi would go home and check on her plants and apartment, but after a day or two away at her apartment, she would find her way back to Sage’s.

Sage lifted the lid off the box and pulled back the tissue paper. She stared at the pair of roller skates that were packed away in the box. She looked up and gawked at Stassi. Stassi clapped her hands together, gleefully squealing.

“What do you think?”

“I’m speechless.” Sage pulled them out and looked at the size. “And just my size.”

Stassi laughed. “When you’re home alone with your closet full of shoes, you can get to know a person. But I bought myself a pair, as well. You want to skate, and I want to teach you. I thought we could start tonight.”

“Tonight?” Sage exclaimed. “But where?”

“The basketball court out back seems like a great place to start.” Sage opened her mouth, but Stassi held up her hand. “I already spoke with the manager, and he said that he’s cool with it, so there’s no arguing. Let’s get these skates on and go.”

Sage knew that no one had ever done something as sweet for her as Stassi had done with the skates. And to go through the trouble of getting the manager’s blessing for them to use the basketball court seemed even more special.

Sage put on her skates, with Stassi taking care of hers and they rolled through the apartment and to the front door. Stassi grabbed hold of Sage’s arm to guide her. It wasn’t too difficult, since Sage could also hold onto the wall. However, once they reached the back, it began to get a bit sketchier.

“I don’t think I can do this,” Sage argued.

Stassi turned so that Sage was directly in front of her. “Do you trust me?” she asked.

Sage nodded and Stassi took both of her hands. She rolled backward with Sage slowly following her, their eyes interlocked. “Just don’t let go,” Sage replied between clenched teeth.

“I’ll never.” Stassi continued to skate backward, as Sage continued to go forward. When Stassi turned, Sage did, as well. They were in-sync with one another. Stassi dropped her one hand and turned so that they were going side by side. “Just follow my lead.” Sage watched her, mimicking the steps that Stassi maneuvered. Sage felt more at ease, letting her body relax. She focused on Stassi’s cool and calm words and never once feared that she would fall flat on her face. “That’s it,” Stassi called. “You’ve got this.”

Sage grinned, believing she truly did, until her skate hit a rock and she felt that the world was shifting. Stassi reached for her to help steady her, but it was too late. Her skate went out from under her, and she skidded to a halt, lying flat on her back.

“Are you alright?” Stassi knelt down over her, staring into Sage’s eyes.

Sage laughed and nodded. “That was a rough fall.” Stassi reached for her hands and helped her to a seated position. Sage began laughing harder, until her stomach ached from laughing so hard. “Let’s do it again.”

Stassi laughed, helping Sage back to her feet. Sage moved in, and they briefly kissed one another. Stassi’s heart rapidly beat across her chest. From the corner of her eyes, Sage spotted Stassi watching her, and Sage grinned.

“This is amazing,” Sage said. “Now you’ll just have to let me take you camping. I’ll show you how it’s done.”

Stassi’s grin widened and they rolled back to the apartment building and up to Sage’s apartment. Once inside, Sage collapsed in a chair and took the skates off. She had been exhausted at the start of the evening, but now she had reached her second wind.

“This was a wonderful surprise,” Sage began.

Stassi leaned in and kissed her, her tongue gliding along Sage’s. “I’m glad you liked it,” Stassi whispered. Sage stood up and snaked her arm around Stassi’s waist. They walked to her bedroom, both so close that you couldn’t slip a paper between them. “I love you so much, Sage.” Stassi stopped in the bedroom and wrapped her arm around Sage’s neck.

“I love you!” Sage pulled Stassi to her. One hand grasped the back of her neck, the other rapidly tugged at her clothes to remove what covered her.

Sage pulled back and dropped her gaze to Stassi’s jeans, she quickly tugged on them until they were lying on the floor, then turned her attention to her own clothes. The only thing left was Stassi’s lingerie and Sage reached her hand around Stassi’s back to work the zipper. It slowly slipped off of her, leaving Stassi naked.

Sage reached around for the clasp of her bra, but Stassi reached out and touched Sage’s hand. In a silent plea Stassi said her peace. Sage stopped attempting to get her bra off and watched. Stassi touched the clasp of Sage’s bra and flicked her wrist. The bra dropped. She then grabbed hold of Sage’s panties and helped her remove them.

Stassi crashed her lips against Sage’s, and they stayed in that position, their two naked bodies crushed against each other, with growing admiration. Their love had never been stronger.