Fandom: The Practice

Series: Photomosiac

Title: Sombra y Negativo (Shade/Shadow and Negative)

Author: Carla

Email: cmfloresfd@yahoo.com

Pairing: LH/RK

Disclaimers: I am not David E. Kelley. I repeat I am not David E. Kelley.  This means I don't own 'em, not now not ever.  No copyright infringement is intended, the story itself and all original characters belong to me.

Archive: Okay to list archives and the Realm.  All others please ask.  This and all my other flights of fancy can be found at http://www.realmoftheshadow.com/carla.htm

Feedback:  Always appreciated and very much needed.  Send it to me directly if you are so inclined at cmfloresfd@yahoo.com

Author's Notes: The title is (as you may have noticed) in Spanish and means Shade/Shadow and Negative.  In keeping with the photographic theme I've been using for this series it seemed to go.  More importantly though Sombra y Negativo were the two best dogs I have ever known.  Sweet, loving and in the summer of 1976 my best friends.  They are long gone but not forgotten in the least, my cousin, their owner, has their great great grandpuppies now. Their names, Nikon and Kodak.

Muchas Gracias Sinanna, Harper and Alan for the feedback and suggestions which keep sparking the muse for me. And Jeff I hope you're still tagging along for the ride too.

This isn't beta-ed soany and all mistakes are mine all mine I tell you. Enjoy.

Roberta watched as Lucy walked towards her and felt the familiar rush she always got when she first saw her lover after they'd been apart for any length of time.  And this time they'd been apart a few days, Lucy' schedule hadn't allowed her to go with Roberta on this last trip to Chicago.  And then the younger woman was in her arms and Roberta lost herself in Lucy, the scent of her shampoo with its hint of vanilla and the satiny softness of her cheek against Roberta's own.  The airline terminal was crowded and the flow of people around them made it nearly impossible for them to stay where they were standing.  They kissed briefly then broke apart Lucy reaching for her lover's carry-on bag as they did so.

"Let me get that.  How was the flight?"

"Fine I slept for most of it. Julia says 'Hi', she wanted to know if you were going to be coming out with me next time."

"Not this weekend coming but the one after right?"

"Uh-huh, it would mean a lot to her I think.  Avi's parents will be there she's only met them once before at his med. school graduation, she's nervous."

"So this is a parents-meet-for-the-first-time kind of thing?"

"Yes. Why are you smirking?"

"It's just funny.  Three years ago if someone had said to me that my girlfriend's daughter wanted me to be there when she re-met her future in-laws I'd have said "No way."  It's just funny is all."

"Julia likes you."

"I'm glad.  I like her.  Oh and Hugh called this morning he's going to be in town Wednesday and wanted to know if we were free for dinner."

"Are we?" By this time they had made they're way through the terminal into the short term parking garage. "What level?" Roberta pressed the elevator call button.

"Four.  I'm not but you are."

"What are you up to?"

"I have that play I'm supposed to go to with my theater class.  Attendance mandatory."  The elevator doors opened and they got in.  They were the only passengers. Dropping the carry-on bag Lucy backed her lover against the elevator's far wall. "I missed you," she cupped the slightly taller woman's face drawing her down for a kiss, figuring Roberta's answering moan meant she'd missed her too. They reluctantly parted as the elevator doors opened on the fourth floor.

"I missed you too, sweetheart.  How's your father doing?"

"He's good, says hello wants to know when we're coming over for dinner.  He's talking about selling the house and getting a one bedroom condo in that new senior community by us."

"How do you feel about that?"

"About what, him selling the house or maybe living so close to us?"

"Both."

"I don't know...I grew up in that house. I can't imagine it not being there...in my life I mean. Part of me always thought I'd own it one day.  I mean I just can't picture my father living anywhere else."

"I can understand that when Father died and Mother sold the house to move to Florida I was devastated.  It was like a blow to my sense of self almost; you know what I mean that house was an anchor I could always count on.  It was home even though I hadn't lived there in over twenty-five years."

"That's it exactly.  Even though my home is with you...the house, Pop it's still home too," Lucy looked around trying to locate the car. "I can't remember what section I parked in," she said sheepishly.

"Did you drive your car or mine?" Roberta scanned the rows of cars.

"Yours'.  Oh! There it is," she pointed, "Over by the fire exit."  They walked hand in hand to the car Lucy idly noting a slight tremor in Roberta's hand said "You must be tired your hand is trembling."

"No I noticed it yesterday at dinner...come to think of it though it's been happening on and off for a while now.  I should probably go to the doctor."

"I'm sure it's nothing," Lucy gave Roberta's hand a reassuring squeeze.  She dropped the other woman's hand and opened the trunk to put the luggage inside.

"Lucy why is there a bag, a big bag I might add, of dog food in the trunk?"

"Relax I didn't get a dog while you were gone, this got delivered by accident and I have to return it." They got in the car Lucy in the driver's seat.  She turned the key in the ignition, the sound of Portishead's "Only You" blasted through the speakers and she quickly lowered the volume.  "Sorry about that" she shot her lover an apologetic look.

"What was that?"

"Portishead"

"Who?"

"Portishead...I burned a CD last night this is one of the songs on it."

"Perhaps something else," Roberta suggested with a wry grin.

"Beatles?"

Roberta flipped through the small CD case containing their current car collection while Lucy paid the garage attendant. "No, how about ABBA?"

"I think not.  Carpenter's?"

"Maybe, tribute to Carole King?"

"I am Sam soundtrack?"

"That works." Roberta replaced Lucy' burned CD with their agreed upon choice then sank back into the leather seat and closed her eyes.  Her left hand rested on Lucy' thigh and she smiled to feel the younger woman lace their fingers together.  "So you had a good time with Julia?"

"Uh-huh...you should see the dress Lucy I can't describe it.  She looks gorgeous.  I mean I know every mother says that about her daughter but really she looks gorgeous." Roberta beamed her pride and pleasure in her daughter obvious in her voice. 

"Well of course she does, she's your daughter after all."

"Flatterer"

"Just telling the truth you and Charles did exceptional work in the baby making department," Lucy gently teased.

"You would make beautiful babies," Roberta untangled her fingers from Lucy' and reached up with her now free hand to stroke the brunette's face.

"You think?"

"I don't think," now she trailed her fingers down the smooth column of Lucy' neck leaving a trail of gooseflesh in her wake. "I know," the blonde's cultured voice wrapped around Lucy, who shivered, a soft mewl of pleasure escaping her lips as she struggled to keep her focus on driving the car.

"No fair," she squeaked.  It was amazing to her, three years later and still the older woman could draw her in with just a touch and a few simple words.  Roberta returned her hand to its previous position on Lucy' thigh.

"Rain check then."

"So do Avi's parents know or am I supposed to lay low?"

"Julia said Avi told them."

"Good.  I hate having to watch how I am with you, you know."

"I know me too, especially with family.  Besides how would we explain you're being there otherwise; the whole purpose of this dinner is for the families to meet."

They spent the rest of the short drive to the house listening to the CD, occasionally singing along.  Lucy turned into the alleyway that gave access to the rear facing garages and back doors of the homes on their block.  She hit the automatic garage door opener and pulled into their garage. 

"Explain to me again why there's a fifty pound bag of dog food in my trunk."

Lucy pretended not to hear the question as she opened the trunk and retrieved Roberta's carry-on.  "Lucy?"

"I told you it was delivered by mistake," she opened the door that led to the kitchen and stepped aside to let Roberta pass, "They were supposed to deliver cat food."

"Cat food.  Lucy we've been over this."

"It's for Pop.  His vet put the cat on some special diet and the only pet store in town that sells it won't deliver to his neighborhood.  I meant to return it before I went to the airport but I got caught up at work."  The brunette dropped her keys on the island countertop.  She hopped up onto the counter and beckoned for the other woman to come stand in front of her. Roberta did so and Lucy draped her arms over her shoulders and leaned down so that their foreheads touched.  "You know it really blows that you're allergic.  I always had a cat or dog growing up."

"I know.  I'm sorry."

"Ah it's not your fault," Lucy brought her lips down on Roberta's for a leisurely kiss. "Welcome home my love," she whispered in the blonde's ear when they parted.

"It's good to be home."

"You should call Julia and let her know you arrived okay."

"In a minute.  I need this right now.  I just need to feel you, hold you."  She slid her hands, fingers splayed as wide as possible, up Lucy' thighs and over her hips finally settling around the brunette's tiny waist. 

"Me too." Lucy slid off the counter to hug her tightly.  Small hands ran up and down Roberta's back as if to reassure their owner that Roberta was really there, alive and warm to the touch.  "You were gone too long."

"Mmm...you know what sounds good right now?"

"What?"

"Why don't you go run a bath for us while I call Julia.  We'll have a nice long soak, catch up and whatever else comes to mind.  How does that sound?"

"Heavenly."

Thirty minutes later they were soaking in the oversized old-fashioned claw-foot tub they'd had installed when the bathroom was remodeled the previous year.  They'd found it at an estate sale and bought it immediately saying it would be perfect for when they eventually remodeled.  They sat on opposite ends of the tub flicking bubbles at each other and playing footsies under the water while they talked.

"I was thinking on the plane about...I was thinking you only have, what, forty-five, fifty credits left to get your BA right?"

"Uh-huh," Lucy said somewhat warily.

"Well I was thinking perhaps it would be...If you wanted to go full time of course...I'd be happy to."

"I can't Bobbi you know that.  Pop depends on me to help him out and besides I like working."

"Just think about it, if you wanted to you could work part-time and use that to help your father out.  We have enough saved and I'm still working, what better time than now.  I worry sweetheart you carry almost a full course load each semester as it is and you work forty plus hours a week on top of that.  You look exhausted and there's no need for that especially since we don't need your salary to make ends meet."

"It just...it's bad enough sometimes hearing people make comments about how you're my "Sugar Mama" without it being sort of true."

"Nonsense.  Being in a partnership means helping each other reach individual goals.  This house is paid for; we don't have a mortgage so that alone makes your going to school full time a doable thing.  And furthermore what do you care what other people think. You know what's true and that's all that matters."

"I know but."

"You know what's funny?"

"What?"

"If we were closer in age this probably wouldn't be an issue for you."

"How so?"

"Think about it.  You're worried people will view you as a 'kept' woman in part because you presume that their assumption will be that since I am the older woman I must be paying your way.  After all why would an attractive young woman, such as you, be with someone old enough to be their' parent, right?  But if you were with someone your own age, or at least with someone much closer to it than I, then people are more likely to assume that you are on an equal financial footing and thus you are probably paying your own way.  Does that make sense?"

"Sort of."

"Think about it you could get your Bachelor's before you're twenty-five."

"That's always been a dream of mine."

"So why not take it.  I want to give it to you.  Besides I can't have it be said around town that I married a girl who isn't even out of college yet."

"Excuse me!?!"

"Hold on a minute", Roberta stood and stepped out of the tub.  She quickly wrapped a towel around herself and disappeared into their bedroom.  When she came back she was holding a small black velvet box in her right hand.   She sat on the edge of the tub and cleared her throat.  "I hadn't meant to ask you that way.  It was supposed to be a romantic evening, maybe a long walk by the Charles or a spectacular sunset, it wasn't supposed to be me asking you like this but here we go." She opened the velvet box and held it out to Lucy as she continued talking, "All this weekend, the whole flight here I thought about how I wanted to say this.  I love you Lucy Hatcher.  And I can think of no greater honor than to stand in front of our families and our friends and pledge myself to you.  To loving you and supporting you in your endeavors in every way possible.  To say in front of everyone that I am yours and you are mine.  So will you marry me Lucy?"

Lucy stared, speechless, at the open jeweler's box.  The ring was lovely a medium sized classic cut diamond with small sapphires on either side of the center stone. The band itself was gold etched with a vine pattern. She looked up at Roberta, still perched on the edge of the tub, and then back down at the ring.  "It's beautiful...Oh my God 'YES'.  Of course I'll marry you."

Roberta told her some of the ring's history as she slipped it on Lucy' finger, "This was my grandmother's engagement ring, she gave it to my mother when she married my father and my mother gave it to me when I married Charles."

"Julia," the rest of the brunette's protest was stilled at the touch of her lover's fingertip to her lips.

"I took it with me to Chicago with that intention but when I told her I was going to ask for your hand she suggested I give it to you."

"She did," Lucy' voice held a note of wonder.

"I told you she likes you," Roberta teased, scooping up a mound of bubbles she dabbed them on Lucy' forehead. 

Laughing Lucy stood and stepped out of the tub.  Roberta held a towel open for her and she quickly dried herself.  She dropped the towel on the floor as she bridged the short distance between them in two quick strides.  She undid the tie on Roberta's robe and eased the terry cloth off of her shoulders so that the weight of the robe caused it to cascade down the blonde's back and pool at her feet.  "Yes you did", Lucy murmured as she pressed her naked flesh to Roberta's in a full frontal hug.

"Of course I like you more, you do realize that?" Roberta ran a trail of kisses across the line of Lucy' jaw, while her hands slid up the smaller woman's sides to lightly cup full breasts.  "A lot more", she pinched quickly stiffening nipples between thumb and forefinger and was rewarded for her efforts with a deep rumbling growl from somewhere inside Lucy' chest. "You like that?" Roberta stepped forward so that Lucy was forced to walk backwards until her hips hit the bathroom vanity's counter. The blonde ducked her head down to capture Lucy' full red lips with her own in a searing kiss. Lucy felt the familiar rush of desire wash over her as Roberta's hands around her waist lifted her so that she was seated on the counter.  They continued kissing, as long fingers blazed a path from Lucy' knee to the juncture of her thighs, then dipped further down to slide in the slick of Lucy' arousal.  Lucy' hips jerked forward, legs spread farther apart instinctively opening herself up for further erotic exploration.  Two fingers slid inside her and she moaned into her lover's mouth in pleasure. Roberta tore her mouth away from Lucy' and kissed her way down the writhing woman's torso till her lips closed around an erect nipple.  She bit down sharply on the diamond hard peak then began to suck in time to the rhythm of her fingers thrusting in and out of the writhing brunette.  Bracing herself with one arm Lucy brought the other up so that her hand could twine itself in silver-blonde hair.  She urged Roberta's head down with a gentle push, sucking in her breath with a hiss when her lover's tongue plunged into her naval. Then her eyes flew open and Lucy stared transfixed at their reflection in the mirror.  Roberta kneeling in front of her, Lucy' hand on the back of her head pulling the kneeling woman into the heat of her body.  At the first touch of Roberta's tongue on her throbbing clit, she cried out, hips hunching forward trying to get closer to the source of her pleasure, till she was spread wide open hovering on the edge of the vanity. She whimpered as long fingers withdrew from her completely then sighed as three fingers slid deeply inside.  Lucy looked down her body to find Roberta staring up at her and her breath caught.  Every nerve, every sensation centered on her clit, the feel of her lover's rapidly vibrating tongue against the swollen bundle of nerves.  She was vaguely aware of a keening sound filling the room and was surprised to realize that she was the source of it.  And then she was crying out in earnest as orgasm ripped through her.

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

"Lindsay could I talk to you for a minute," Lucy poked her head in the door of Lindsay Dole's office.

"Sure Lucy what's up?  Have a seat.  Would you like something to drink?"

"No thanks," Lucy sat across from the attorney. "I'll be quick and to the point, I have to get back to the office, but anyway." she held out her hand displaying the ring Roberta had placed on it the night before.

"Very nice but what."

"I was hoping you would be my one of my bridesmaids."

"Oh my God Lucy," Lindsay squealed. "When did this happen?  Of course I'd be honored.  Who's going to be your Maid of Honor?  How did she ask, details woman I want details!"

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

"How do I look?" Roberta pivoted slowly giving Lucy a chance to appraise her outfit, a tan linen suit with a light coffee colored shirt. 

"You scrub up well," the brunette teased from the hotel bed where she sat combing her hair. "Don't worry you look great.  All the other mother's at the table will be green with envy."

Roberta stuck her tongue out at this.  Lucy put the brush down, crossed the room to stand in front of Roberta and hugged her, "Later", she whispered into the other woman's ear.

"I'll hold you to that," the words vibrated against the sensitive skin of Lucy' neck, just below the angle of her jaw where Roberta's lips pressed a featherweight kiss, and she shivered.

"Good", she stepped away from the other woman and gave her a salacious grin. "We should get going Julia's nervous enough as it is without our being late adding to it."  They were supposed to be meeting Julia, her fiancée, Avi and his parents, Mendel and Leah, for dinner. It was only the second time Julia was meeting her future in-laws a fact which only served to heighten her feelings of stress and anxiety about this first meeting of the families.

"Are we supposed to meet them at the restaurant or the bar?"  The hotel where they were staying boasted a world famous steakhouse, as well as a separate but equally renowned martini bar.

"Drinks first then dinner at 7:30," Lucy looked at the digital clock display on one of the bedside tables, "We have five minutes."  She picked up her purse, checked inside to see if she had her lipstick and headed for the door. Roberta chuckled and Lucy stopped in her tracks, "What's so funny, are you laughing at me?"

"Julia's not the only one, who's nervous," she walked over to where Lucy was standing and reached out to smooth the brunette's hair back.  "Relax, sweetheart it'll be fine.  You know Avi...you know what a wonderful young man he is, surely his parents are just as wonderful, after all they raised him.  You know what I mean right?"

"Yeah. Now can we go?"

Five minutes later they were being shown to a table in the martini bar where Julia and Avi sat.  Avi stood as they approached, greeting each woman with a hug and a kiss on both cheeks.  Julia stood as well to exchange hugs and kisses with both women before all four of them sat down.

"My mother called down a few minutes ago seems my father took a nap and over slept a little.  They should be down shortly."

"Oh they're staying here too?" Lucy asked, "For how long?"

"Till after the wedding.  They got here yesterday so ten days in all," Avi answered. "I can't believe it's next weekend.  It feels like only yesterday that I asked her to marry me and that was almost two years ago."

"Time flies when you're having fun" Roberta teased her future son-in-law.

"That it does," he raised his empty hand in a mock toast. "Julia tells me congratulations to you two are in order as well."

"Yeah I figured I'd make an honest woman of her you know.  Can't have any aspersions leveled at the good jurist's reputation now can we?"

"Odd I'd heard that Roberta asked you not the other way around."

"Oh she did but that's why I said yes."  They all shared a good chuckle at Lucy' 'version' of events.

"Show Avi the ring Luce," Julia directed. "It used to be my great grandmother's.  Isn't it beautiful?"

"Very."

The conversation stopped as the hostess approached the table followed by a man and a woman; whom Roberta assumed were Avi's parents.

"Dr. Rosenstein the last of your party is here."

"Thank you" Avi rose and hugged his parents. "Mom, Dad...you had a nice nap?"

"The bed here is very comfortable, I almost didn't come down."

"Oh stop it Mendel," the woman slapped her husband on the shoulder. "You'll have to excuse my husband ever since he retired it's been his mission to sleep test every mattress between here and Jerusalem.  My name is Leah," she held out her hand in greeting. "And you must be Roberta.  A pleasure to meet you."

They shook hands. "Roberta Kittleson and this is my partner Lucy Hatcher," Roberta introduced Lucy who held out her hand in greeting.

"A pleasure Lucy and this is my husband Mendel."

"Roberta, Lucy it is a pleasure to meet you both." He shook their hands. "Avi spoke highly of you."

"Mom Dad you remember Julia right?"

"Of course we do."

"Hello Mrs. Rosenstein, Mr. Rosenstein."

"Mrs. Rosenstein was my mother-in-law," The older woman hugged Julia tightly and gave her a peck on the cheek. "I'm Leah okay?"

"Leah"

"And I'm Mendel" Julia disappeared into his arms as he crushed her in a fierce bear hug, "Welcome to the family."

"Mendel," the word was a faint wheeze barely audibly since it was being uttered into Mendel's broad chest.

"Mendel let her breathe.  If you hurt her now there might not be a wedding next week."

"Hush woman," he released the bride to be and everyone sat down. "Tell her Julia, I didn't hurt you did I?"

"Not at all."

After a round of cocktails they were called to their reservations at the hotel's restaurant.  As the women walked ahead of them chatting amiably, Mendel held his son back with a hand on his elbow, "Avi."

"Hmmm."

"You should have mentioned," he indicated Lucy and Roberta with a wave of his hand.

"I told you Julia's mother was in a relationship with another woman."

"Yes but you failed to mention how old, or rather how young, she is?"

"Does it matter?  I'll tell you something, I've not met many people as obviously in love with each other as those two."

"I wasn't trying to say otherwise.  I was just saying that it was a bit of a shock.  Don't be surprised if you hear about it from some of your aunts and uncles. Especially on your mother's side, you know how they are." 

"As long as they don't ruin mine and Julia's day I don't care what they say or think."