Tracy hung up the old rotary house phone Jasmine insisted they keep even though they both owned top of the line Apple phones that could do anything her desk top computer could do, and faster. Friday nights were always nice in their home. Nala, the maid, had been there during the day when both of them were at work and the place was spotless, rarely did either of them work on Saturdays, and it was the one day of the week they both agreed to no work talk.
Tracy sighed as she put the last of the dinner on the table and went to find her wife. Jasmine was rifling through the desk in the office. She always seemed to be organizing or searching for something, a trait that Tracy found both endearing and slightly exasperating. The office, with its dark wooden shelves and soft lighting, was a stark contrast to the bright and lively dining room where Tracy had just set up their meal.
“Hey, no work it’s Friday.”
“I’m not working,” Jasmine looked up from the pile of papers she had pulled out from the drawer. “I’m looking for our passports. I want to make sure they are still valid before we book this year’s vacation.”
“Oh,” Tracy perked up. “I put them in the safe when we got home last year, but I’m pretty sure both of them are good for another two years.”
“I’m just being cautious. I don’t want another Baja episode.”
“Well dinner’s ready, come eat.”
“Dinner?” Jasmine raised an eyebrow at the thought of Tracy cooking. “You didn’t cook did you? The last time you cooked it took us over two hours to clean all the bolognaise sauce from the counters and floor.”
“Ha Ha,” Tracy let out a fake laugh. “Not to mention the ceiling. I never knew the top of a pan could explode straight up. No, I didn’t cook. I called Babbo’s and ordered delivery. Everything is sitting on table warmers waiting for us.”
“Ok and we can finally decide where we want to go this year. Maybe a cruise.” Jasmine grabbed the passports and followed Tracy out of the office.
Tracy smiled, shaking her head at Jasmine's diligence. "You and your details. I love it, though. Keeps us out of trouble." She leaned on the doorframe, watching her wife shuffle through more papers.
Jasmine looked up, her eyes sparkling with the thrill of planning. "I just want everything to go smoothly this year. No more last-minute scrambles."
"I get it," Tracy replied, her voice softening. "But let's enjoy tonight, okay? No planning, no organizing, just us."
Jasmine's expression softened as well, a tender smile spreading across her face. "You're right. Tonight is just for us."
They walked back to the dining room together, hand in hand, the anticipation of a peaceful evening settling comfortably between them. Tracy felt a rush of affection for Jasmine, grateful for moments like these that reminded her of the strength and depth of their relationship.
“Katie called, she wants to have a family dinner next week. She said something about exciting news she wants to share with us all.”
“She’s already announced she’s marring that bumkin. I wonder if she’s already contemplating divorce.” Jasmine laughed.
“He’s not exactly a bumkin. He’s a university graduate who comes from a wealthy family and has in the last few years proven his own business savvy.”
“Yeah, I know. I just have bad experiences with that family. His mother is a ruthless, controlling, lying bitch. It’s even rumored she killed her husband because he didn’t support a business deal she wanted.”
The sweet smell of Italian red sauce mixed with the savory scents of garlic bread and red wine washed over them as they slipped into their seats at the elegantly set table for two. Any tension in the room melted away as the clean and steady teardrop flame quietly burned between them.
Tracy had taken the time to set up the table with food, candles, and long-stemmed wine glasses to create a beautifully romantic night. Tracy had been waiting for this night all week. After five years of marriage the decision has been made to increase their family by two. The problem they had had was finding a sperm bank and fertility doctor willing to follow their plan. Their plan was simple. Two sperm donors, one African American for Tracy and one Caucasian for Jasmine, to create two beautiful mixed babies to be born by c-section on the same day. Provided, of course, that the insemination was successful together and the babies were healthy.
Tracy gazed over the beautifully set table over at the love of her life. She has smooth light chocolate skin highlighted by brilliant bright brown eyes. Her long black hair done up in tiny intricate braids that fell down to her small waste. She was considered very tall, for a woman, at 5’ 9” with the muscled body of a skill gymnast.
Jasmine looked back at her with an equally intense gaze, her eyes mirroring the love and desire she felt. The flickering candlelight reflected in those bright brown eyes, making them seem even more captivating. Tracy always marveled at how Jasmine's beauty could leave her breathless, even after all these years together. Leaning forward, Tracy gently took Jasmine's hand in hers, feeling the warmth and softness of her touch.
“You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on,” Tracy’s smooth sultry voice dripped of sincere love she had for Jasmine. “I have but one question for you.”
“Yes,” Jasmine smiled and let out a small happy sigh. “I do love you too. But I think you already know that.”
“Yes, I do. The question is, are you ready to have our perfect little world invaded by tiny little mess making bundles of chaos?”
“Huh?” Jasmine was confused.
“Dr. Hossman’s office called, and she has agreed to take us as clients. We are on our way to having a couple little babies!”
“Ahhhhh!” Jasmine screeched like a little girl on Christmas morning. “We’re going to be great mommies.”
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
"To us," Tracy whispered, raising her glass in a toast. Jasmine clinked her glass against Tracy's, a smile playing on her lips. They took a sip of the rich red wine, savoring the moment, the taste, and the promise of the future.
"You know, tonight feels like the beginning of something truly special," Jasmine said softly, her voice filled with emotion. "I can't wait to see what our future holds, with our little ones running around and filling our lives with even more love and joy."
Tracy nodded, her heart swelling with happiness. "It's going to be an incredible journey," she agreed. "And there's no one else I'd rather share it with."
They shared a tender kiss, the world around them fading away as they focused solely on each other and the love they shared. The anticipation of their growing family only added to the magic of the evening, making it a night they would both cherish forever.
Jasmine sauntered her way around the table her hips swaying back and forth. Then swung the chair that Tracy was sitting in 180 degrees to face her, Quickly straddled her lap. Taking her soft face into the palm of her hands Jasmine seductively pulled her close and placed her dark red lips onto Tracy’s and sighed heavily into her mouth. Heat rose between the two women.
Tracy's breath quickened, the intensity of the moment making her skin tingle with anticipation. She could feel Jasmine's heartbeat against her own, their connection deepening with each passing second. As Jasmine kissed her, the world around them seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of them entwined in their own private universe.
Their kisses grew more passionate, their hands exploring and caressing with a fervor that spoke of their love and desire. Jasmine's fingers traced delicate patterns on Tracy's back, eliciting shivers of delight. The atmosphere was charged with electricity, each touch igniting a fire within them.
Tracy's hands moved to Jasmine's waist, pulling her even closer. The room was filled with the sound of their breathless whispers and the soft clinking of glasses as they were set aside. They were lost in each other, intoxicated by the sheer joy of being together and the promise of what was to come.
As their kisses deepened, Tracy gently guided Jasmine's hand to the small of her back, urging her to take her to an even more intimate space. Jasmine obliged, her heart pounding with anticipation as she slowly began to unfasten the buttons of Tracy's dress. The fabric fell away, revealing the smooth, warm skin beneath.
In that moment, everything felt perfect—two souls entwined in a dance of love and passion, ready to face the future together. They knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them hand in hand, their love growing stronger with each passing day.
“I love you more and more every day,” her soft voice echoed into the room around them. “You are my everything and nothing can change that.”
Tracy’s eyelids slowly closed as she felt her body melt into the soft yearning emanating from Jasmine. Each second passing by feeling like an eternity of love enveloping the two women.
“Let’s move this party to the bedroom,” Jasmine whispered as she slide off of Tracy’s lap.
“Yes, please.”
Tracy stood up and quickly blew out the candles before slipping her slim fingers into Jasmines hot hand so she could guide her into the bedroom. Before they could make their escape into the private sanctuary of their bedroom the doorbell rang.
“Ignore it,” Jasmine sighed.
“It could be something from work, or the clinic.”
“Ok,” Jasmine pouted and slowly zipped up Tracy’s dress and headed towards the door. “Who is it?”
“GTL Delivery Service, I have a package for Jasmine Bender.”
Jasmine opened the door and accepted the large thick manilla envelope from a shaggy-haired teenager wearing an orange vest with the GTL logo embroidered on the chest.
“Thank you,” Jasmine handed the boy a crisp $20 as a tip and closed the door. “It’s from my mother’s lawyer.”
“I thought your mother’s estate was settled last month.”
“It was,” Jasmine slipped into the corner of the couch as she opened up the manilla envelope and pulled out a thick manuscript and a three-page handwritten letter. “It’s my mother’s writing.”
Tears welled up in her eyes and the sultry need to make love was replaced with an immense overwhelming desire to hold her mothers’ hand, help her mother cook a batch of Malva Pudding on Christmas eve, or even hear her prattle on about the neighbor’s yappy dog. The loss was still fresh and the whole in her heart bled every day over the loss of the only person in her life to give her unconditional love before she met Tracy.
“Tracy,” Jasmine looked up from the letter before reading it. “I love you, not just with words, every cell in my body feels pulled to you. There is nothing in my life more important than us.”
“I know, we are safe. What does your mother have to say?”
Jasmine read the letter out loud.
Dearest Jazz,
If you are reading this it means I failed to gather the courage to pass along some very important information regarding our family traditions and legacy before I died. There is much about our history that is mired in mystery and lore I never wanted to drag you into the past when your future was so bright.
Enclosed is a photocopy of a book. I know you’ve seen this book because we have had some conversations regarding its value. This book, Book of Shadow’s Black Dove Coven, is currently located at the University of Oxford. Their antiquities program in one of the best in the world and they are keeping the original book in a very controlled atmosphere to help preserve it.
Here is the hard truth. Your ancestry can trace a straight line to the Aja peoples of Nigeria who practiced the art of voodoo, which has the power you give it and is passed down genetically. Our family has always been both blessed and cursed with this power.
From the age of two I knew this power was strong in you. I failed to teach you to develop this power, I’m sorry for that. For a moment think about all the fortuitous opportunities that have come to you seemingly out of the blue. Look at the little things like knowing when the phone was going to ring before it rang to the big things like seeing visions while you’re lying in bed ready to fall asleep at night.
But the importance of having this information isn’t about the past, it’s about what can happen in your present. Something big is coming, how soon it gets here I can’t determine, but you must acknowledge this magical power that is innate within you. Please take the time to read the BOS and remember all the stories I’ve told you. To fill in the blanks I’ve left a list and contact information of some others that will be able to assist you to understand what you are reading.
Above all remember that love, the kind of love you have with Tracy, is rare and can ignite the magical spark in any person. Stay safe, keep the ones you love close, and never doubt your abilities.
Always in your heart,
Mom
Margaret Jane Price
(632) 430-6323
Shayla Wells
(632) 432-1255
Josephine Mantles
(310) 622-8482
Bernice Sharad
(522) 630- 4862
Candice Cummings (University of Oxford)
+44 1865 270000
Jasmine laid her head into Tracy’s lap and began to sob. The heavy silence filled the air like spring pollen from newly blossomed cherry trees in the city park. The minutes ticked away slowly until Tracy’s eyes landed on the last page of the letter.
Tracy’s breath caught in her throat as she scanned the delicate handwriting, each word a piece of a puzzle she had not known she was solving. She gently touched Jasmine’s shoulder, her voice soft yet urgent.
“Jasmine, look at this. This letter...it mentions someone named Margaret Jane Price. Do you think she’s connected to all of this?”
Jasmine wiped her tears, her curiosity piqued despite the heaviness in her heart. She leaned closer, her eyes following the lines that Tracy pointed out.
“Margaret Jane Price... that name does sound familiar. But I can’t quite place it.”
A sudden realization dawned on Tracy. “Hey, Margaret Jane Price is my mother. I wonder what she knew about this.”
“I don’t know,” Jasmine sat up picking up the letter again. “Isn’t Josephine Mantles Jacob’s mother?” The connection between the names and the contents of the letter began to form a tangled web, one that both women were now determined to unravel.