32: I See You Shining Through

"Wait ... wait ... wait. Back up. You had a bumpy trip to Durham and New York, we know this. You've told us you're going to accept the Sloan Kettering offer."

Cora nodded. She saw both happiness and sadness cross her friends' faces.

"Have you told Zola?"

"Of course, Edra. I told her first, no offense." Cora grinned at Jocelyn.

"Okay, how is she feeling about it?"

"She's very happy for me." Cora hesitated slightly. "I'm incredibly excited too but it will be so hard to be that far away. Her family lives in the city so I have a support system. And, I am pretty much guaranteed to see her every major holiday."

"And any time she decides to jump in her private plane and come up to do laundry or have lunch."

"Joce!"

"What?! Jesus! "

Cora rolled her eyes. "Anyway, my lease runs out on July 31st. I will start in New York after Labor Day."

"Are you moving in with Zola in August?"

"I don't know, Edra, we haven't talked about it. As it is now, I'm sleeping at Zola's at least four nights a week."

"Do you have tampons there yet?"

"Joce!"

"Oh come on! You know I speak only the truth."

"Fine, no, but lesbians share that kind of thing, like roommates. . We don't bring over our own brand of tampons. If I need one, I use hers."

Jocelyn rolled her eyes. "Fine. Toothbrush? Clothes?"

Cora shifted uncomfortably. "So there are toiletries that I use that are 'mine' and clothes that are there for different occasions that would fit me." Edra's jaw dropped. "But they're not technically mine."

Edra was caught up on the clothes again. "Wait, so they just appeared?!"

"Yes, Edra. I'm pretty sure that Zola has a staff, I just don't see them."

Joce rolled her eyes, "Okay, okay. Get over it, Edra! So, you're living together, right?"

"Pragmatically, yes. But it doesn't feel like it. Anyway, as I was saying. We have this special date tonight and I'm not really sure what to expect."

". No offense. You're hoping for an invitation to move in."

Cora sighed. "Yes, I am. All I know is Zola said it's musical. It could be anything we live in the 'music capital' of the United States and that I'll enjoy the views."

Edra raised an eyebrow, contemplating. "How are you dressing?"

"Oh, um. Marge is taking care of it."

Edra smirked. "Of course she is."

"I'm leaving a little early. Zola's picking me up after my shift ends; I swapped with Paul. Noon sharp."

Edra's eyes widened. "Jesus! Noon! You're going to end up in Monte Carlo or Paris!"

"No. No passport required."

The three women sat around the table in silence, pondering.

----

"Is everything all set, Marge?" Zola grinned, giddy with anticipation.

Marge laughed at Zola's barely contained excitement. "Zola, if you can't get her to say yes, it's not because I dropped the ball.

I have everything ready for both of you." Marge stepped to Zola and hugged her fiercely. "Good luck, Zola."

----

Cora stood with Edra, Joce, and Erin, all of whom conveniently made their way to the entrance around 11:45. Cora's eyes moved among her friends and she felt overwhelmed by their presence in her life. Her eyes washed with emotion and they all seemed to read her mind. They stood together for a moment, smiling softly, loving each other.

It was Joce that spotted Zola first. She approached wearing an indigo blue, patterned spring sheath dress that fell just above her knees and hugged her body perfectly. Edra was staring at her 3-inch heels and her hair was down, its movement hypnotizing.

"Jesus! That is so not fair." Jocelyn's eyes bounced between Zola and Cora."In so many ways."

Erin grimaced. "Ouch."

Zola's eyes were alight with excitement and anticipation. ", ! (Hello, my dream, I've missed you.)"

"(You are beautiful. I missed you too.)"

"Wow! Cora, your Italian is getting really, really good!"

"Thanks, Edra." She smiled softly at Zola. "Private lessons." Zola smiled at the women, her eyes stopping at Erin who seemed anxious.

"Hello, I'm Zola."

"Oh, I'm sorry! Zola this is Erin. Erin, Zola."

Zola grinned and her eyes filled with joy. "You're Erin!"

"Yup, that's me." Erin smiled and raised an eyebrow, not quite understanding Zola's enthusiasm.

"Wow. Sogno, well, she loves you so much." Zola's eyes moved among the group. "Cora loves you all so much that sometimes I feel like when I see her, I see you shining through too."

The group stood stunned, staring at Zola. Joce breathed out softly, "Jesus ..."

Zola smiled, turning to Cora. "?"

"Yes, I'm ready. No hints?"

Zola laughed lightly. ", this night is for you. If you'd like me to tell you, I will."

Joce immediately responded, "Yes!"

"Joce!"

"What?!"

Edra pulled at Jocelyn's arm. "Sorry, we have rounds. Have fun, ladies."

Erin started moving away and smiled. "Have fun tonight, Cora. Zola, I'm glad to have met you."

Cora nodded, smiling at her friend. "Okay, Zola, " Zola grinned. "We're going to have a quiet dinner and see a play. We should probably get going; traffic will be a little heavier on a Saturday night."

Cora chuckled. "Zola, it's ."

", we will be flying to dinner and the play." Cora grinned and walked out with Zola, asking for more hints.

----

By the time Cora and Zola were in the air, Cora had coaxed out of Zola New York City and a musical.

"Hmmmm. Dinner with your family?"

"No, Cora, this night is for you, and for me." Zola grinned, loving every moment of the suspense. "Cora, how about you let me distract you? The time will pass much more quickly."

Cora leaned forward in her seat. "How will you distract me, Zola?" "I could have you dreaming of this airplane."

Cora's eyes dilated with anticipation. "How? Exactly?"

"Would you like me to tell you or show you?"

"Tell me first."

Zola grinned,"Okay, Sogno, . Listen carefully." Zola released her lap belt and moved over to Cora. She sat across Cora's lap and leaned down slightly to whisper in Cora's ear. She grasped the arms of Cora's chair so she would not make physical contact. Her hair fell, brushing against Cora's cheek and neck.

Zola began to whisper softly and slowly into Cora's ear. She let her warm breath across Cora's skin. She mixed her words, using both Italian and English.

"First, I will use my and lick the edge of your ear and the skin on your neck. I might have to (bite you) carefully because I know how good you taste."

Cora smiled and relaxed back into her seat. Zola pursued, maintaining proximity. "I would unbutton your and slip my hand inside and search delicately for your skin. I would let my hands cover your so I could feel them tighten and rise to me meet me."

Cora gasped and she felt her body responding to Zola's words. Her hips pushed against the lap belt. "I doubt very much that I would be satisfied with touching your body with just my . I would unbutton those good-girl business slacks you have on and slip my hand inside them until it met warm, ."

Cora's entire body was on fire. She was certain if Zola touched her she would shudder with ecstasy. Zola pulled away for a moment and looked into Cora's eyes. They were clouded with pleasure and need. "

Cora swallowed painfully and barely got out a response. " Zola ..."

"Cora, I would run my fingers over your I would circle your until you soaked me."

Cora groaned in frustration, unable to draw a full breath.

"I would bring my fingers to my tongue ..."

Cora's eyes rolled and she whimpered, her body begging to make contact. Her hands and knuckles began to ache and she realized she had a death grip on the arms of her seat. "Zola, Baby, please."

"Cora, would you want me to stop there? Or would you want more?"

Cora's voice was pained with desire, her eyes rippling with frustration. "Zola, I want ..." When Cora could not form words,

Zola continued. "I know that once I tasted you, I wouldn't be able to keep my (mouth) off you for long."

Cora gasped. "No more, Zo! Please, please, Baby. I want you to show me, ."

Zola's body rolled with desire at the request. She closed the distance and began to slowly outline Cora's ear. Zola's slow, deliberate movements were exponentially maddening as Cora anticipated every tortuous touch that she now knew would come.