Chapter 25

Kelsey was about to call Isabella and let her know they'd made it home when the girls sat down on the couch with her.

"Uh, Mom," Dana began nervously. "We need to tell you something."

"Okay," Kelsey said, raising her brows.

"You know when I graduate I'll be moving," Emma said. "I've applied for several positions in DC and I'm sure to get one of them."

Kelsey nodded. "That was your plan all along. I'm happy for you, honey." She reached over and squeezed Emma's hand. This wasn't news to her. Emma had been planning to make this move since she started college.

"But she's not the only one moving," Dana said.

"Oh." Kelsey nodded.

"I'm going to be a traveling nurse. I've been thinking about it for a while now. It's time for me to live somewhere besides Colorado."

Kelsey smiled. "Good for you." She looked from Dana to Emma and furrowed her brow. "Why are you both so serious? This is exciting news!"

"It means you'll be here all by yourself," Emma said.

"I've been by myself since you both went to college. I think I'm doing okay, don't you?" Kelsey said, amused.

Dana sighed. "What we're trying to say is that we know we were diva bitches growing up."

Kelsey laughed. "What?"

"You never had a girlfriend for long when we were growing up and we had a lot to do with that," Emma said.

"No, you didn't," Kelsey said.

"Oh, yes we did," Dana said. "Isabella mentioned to me that we're protective of you and she's not wrong."

"Yeah, if you'll remember, you couldn't get away from us to talk." Emma winced.

"I guess what we're trying to say is, don't let us keep you from being with Isabella," Dana said.

Kelsey smiled and patted both their knees. "Next month our trip is just for us," she said. "We've kind of been dating this whole time, but just now realized it. We'll talk about everything and see where we go after this year. I hope Isabella will always be in my life, but this is all new to us. Okay?"

"Okay," Emma said.

Dana nodded then chuckled. "She's so into you, Mom."

Kelsey sighed. "She isn't the only one."

"Let's call her," Emma said.

Kelsey connected the call and chatted with Isabella for a moment before the girls took over the conversation. They switched to a video call so they could both talk to her. Then the boys decided to join in the fun. Kelsey got up and went to the kitchen and watched as Dana and Emma animatedly told Wyatt and Gus about all the things they were going to do when they were together on the summer vacation trip.

Kelsey opened a beer and knew she'd call Isabella back later after everyone was in bed. She could hear the boys' excitement on the other end of the call from their gasps and laughter. They sounded like one big happy family.

Kelsey sighed. "Now who's getting ahead of herself," she mumbled, taking a sip of her beer.

"You seem especially excited for this upcoming trip," Marti said as she watched Isabella pack.

"I am," Isabella replied. "I took your advice, Mom."

"Oh?"

"I'm doing something for me, something that makes me happy," Isabella said with a smile.

"Would it have anything to do with Kelsey?" Marti asked.

Isabella smiled. "She does go with me on every one of these trips."

Marti chuckled. "Yes, but there's something different about you."

"I know," Isabella said. "I have feelings for her and she feels the same way."

"I see," Marti said with an amused smile. "I'm guessing these feelings are more than friendship." She chuckled. "Because I wouldn't want to assume anything since you dance with her every month just as you would your other friends."

Isabella looked over at her mother and smirked. "Very funny." She sat down on the bed next to her mom and sighed. "I have no idea what I'm doing. Kelsey is the most incredible person and at first I didn't realize how attracted I was to her."

"Because she's a woman?"

"Maybe, but there's something about her, Mom. When we're together I feel so settled and safe and at the same time very…"

"Excited?" Marti asked with raised eyebrows.

Isabella chuckled. "Yeah, you could call it that."

Marti laughed. "I may be old to you, but I know what it feels like to be hot for someone, Isabella Burns."

Isabella laughed with her. "Yes ma'am." She giggled. "I'm so hot for Kelsey."

Marti giggled with her.

Isabella put her arm around Marti and hugged her. "I'm so glad I can talk to you like this. If I told any of my other friends I was falling for a woman they'd look at me like I've lost it."

"If they'd look down at you because of that then they aren't your friends," Marti stated.

Isabella looked over at her and tilted her head. "You're right. I think that's why Kelsey and I became friends so quickly. We needed each other, in a way."

Marti patted Isabella's knee. "Okay. Here's one more bit of advice. Don't let anyone or anything scare you away from this because it's different."

"What do you mean scare me away?"

"Unfortunately some people will not be as happy about this as I am. They will try to make it hard for you," Marti said.

Isabella nodded. "You're happy for me?"

"I haven't met Kelsey yet, but she has to be worth something to put this kind of smile on your face. My confident, vibrant daughter is re-emerging before my eyes and that makes me very happy. Don't think the boys haven't noticed because they have."

Isabella tilted her head.

"They told me that you are always happy when you come back from one of your trips with Kelsey."

Isabella smiled. "I am. They've talked to her and her daughters on the phone several times. I'll be happy when they finally meet."

"Listen to your heart, Isabella, and you can't go wrong."

"Oh, Mom, I hope so."

"I know so. I know your heart." Marti got up and went to Isabella's closet. "Now, let's see if we can find something sexy for you to wear when you have dinner with Kelsey."

Isabella chuckled. "Never in a million years did I think you would be helping me pack to impress a woman."

"Oh, honey. You look lovely in this blue dress," Marti said, holding it up for Isabella to see.

"The blue one it is," Isabella said.

Kelsey kept peeking down the aisle in hopes of catching a glimpse of Isabella as she boarded the plane. It had been the longest three weeks impatiently awaiting their reunion. They talked every day, but Kelsey couldn't wait to put her arms around Isabella.

She rested her head against the seat, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. When have I felt this kind of anticipation to see another woman?

"Hey, sexy. Have you got room for me?"

Kelsey opened her eyes and felt such relief then excitement when her eyes met Isabella's. Her smile couldn't get any bigger as they wrapped their arms around each other.

"Mmm," Isabella murmured in Kelsey's ear. "I missed you, too."

Kelsey pulled back and softly kissed Isabella's lips. She didn't immediately pull away, but tried to be respectful of the passengers around them.

Isabella quickly put her suitcase in the overhead bin and plopped into the window seat. Kelsey sat next to her and reached for her hand.

"Do you have any idea how good it feels to hug and kiss you right now?" Kelsey grinned.

"I do," Isabella replied, raising a brow. "Because I hugged and kissed you right back."

They both giggled like a couple of kids.

"Let's do a quick post," Kelsey said, getting her phone out. "I've got this, just go with me."

"Okay," Isabella said, grinning at the camera.

"Hey, everyone. It's Kelsey and Isabella coming to you for another wonderful trip to Coral Bay on St. Thomas. First, I want to thank you all for coming along on these adventures with us every month. In January we did winter at the beach followed by our love vacation in February. Last month we spent spring break at the beach. So much fun," Kelsey said, glancing at Isabella.

Isabella grinned. "I'm still dancing," she said, moving her arms.

"This month is for all of you workaholics out there and you know who you are," Kelsey said, pointing at the screen. "Some people actually go on vacation to rest and recharge. We're going to show you all the amenities at Coral Bay that will help you rejuvenate and reset. You're now on island time. We'll see you there!"

Kelsey winked and ended the video. She quickly posted it to the website before they took off.

"You did have that ready. Way to go, babe," Isabella said, watching over Kelsey's shoulder.

Kelsey stopped what she was doing and looked at Isabella with a grin. "Babe?"

"Yep." Isabella kissed her cheek.

Kelsey giggled and couldn't believe how full her heart felt with that simple term of endearment from Isabella. She finished posting the video and turned back to Isabella.

"What would you think about having dinner on the beach tonight outside our bungalow?" Kelsey asked.

"Like our Valentine couples did?"

Kelsey nodded. "Sort of, but it would just be us. I thought we could dress up and actually have a date tomorrow," she said. "If that's all right with you," she quickly added.

"That sounds lovely, but I'd like to ask you for something."

"Okay."

"It feels to me like when we get on this plane, we are on island time. We leave our cares and problems behind and it's just us. Yes, we're doing a job, but we're still on island time."

"Yeah, I feel that way, too," Kelsey replied.

"I know we have things to talk about, but this trip feels special. We're doing these things together as a real couple. Can we stay on island time and not let real life creep in?"

Kelsey smiled and stroked the back of Isabella's hand with her thumb. "Yes, but…"

"But?"

"Bella, I don't want to just explore us on island time. I want real life, too," Kelsey said earnestly.

"I want that," Isabella said with a sweet smile. "But honestly, all I want right now is to put my arms around you and kiss you into tomorrow."

Kelsey grinned.

"We have a lot to explore when we get there," Isabella said in a low voice.

Good God!Kelsey felt warmth rush through her as she stared into Isabella's eyes. Her heart was thumping in her chest.

"Breathe, Kels," Isabella whispered.

"We may never get out of that bungalow," Kelsey said softly.

"That's fine with me." Isabella winked.

Kelsey chuckled and leaned over to quickly kiss Isabella. When she sat back and glanced at the man sitting next to her he had a smirk on his face as he stared at his phone. He briefly looked up at her and nodded.

Kelsey knew he couldn't hear their conversation but she was relieved to know he didn't mind their kiss.

"Do you remember the first time we went to Peaches?" Isabella asked.

"Of course I do. We danced together for the first time to our song."

Isabella nodded. "They thought we were a couple. Liz told me that day that she could see us together."

"Really?"

"Yep. She encouraged me to bring us back to Peaches." Isabella chuckled. "I told her we'd be back because we liked it and them so much. But she wanted us to come back because the island has a way of making you see things clearly."

Kelsey smiled. "Can you see us together?"

Isabella nodded. "We're a couple."

Kelsey chuckled and squeezed Isabella's hand. This was going to be their best trip yet.