The Photographer's Assistant

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The Photographer's Assistant

Part Thirteen

By Chris

When classes did start, Sheila was smart enough to only have to take a few electives that she hadn't gotten around to taking. Luckily they were easy classes that didn't require a lot of studying or effort on her part. Her plan all along was to end her college career enjoying it to the fullest and having fun.

However her plans hadn't envisioned someone like Caroline entering her life. Caroline, like her first semester, had packed her schedule full taking six classes all of which seemed to require her to do lots of papers. So when Sheila wasn't doing her own homework or working, she was now helping Caroline with her classes, doing some of her research and editing Caroline's papers for her. She also was spending lots of time quizzing Caroline for her classes. But for some reason, Sheila didn't mind that she wasn't getting to party her last semester.

It was a cold night in February that Sheila was lying in bed with Caroline sleeping in the crook of her arm that Sheila got to thinking about the girl sleeping beside her. They had just got finished making love after arguing all afternoon about something stupid that she was now having a hard time remembering why they even argued about it in the first place. But the argument and the lovemaking afterwards made her come to a realization that shook her up a little. Somewhere along the way she and Caroline had become a couple. She first tried to think when that had occurred and she really couldn't put a specific time or day. It was like sometime between the day that they met and now, it had occurred.

Since she had now figured out that they were a couple though not when that occurred, it led her to a much bigger problem. What was she going to do after she walked across the stage with her diploma in hand? She had discussed this some with Caroline but Caroline kept replying with "Something will come up, I'm sure of it." However when Sheila pressed her on how she was so sure of this, Caroline would change the subject and that was the end of the conversation for the evening.

By April, Sheila became a little more worried about having no job to go to however Caroline wasn't worried in the least but then she had money to fall back upon where she didn't. When she brought this up, Caroline would get pissed at her for being so uptight about her money. Now this did lead to their first real argument that only ended when Sheila promised Caroline that she wouldn't bring it up anymore. However she didn't say that she wouldn't think about it and worry over it.

The first week of May the university had a job fair that Sheila attended and when she returned, Caroline seemed to be relieved that Sheila really didn't get any leads for a job. This irritated Sheila more than a little but this time she held her tongue, not wanting to argue with Caroline over it when she knew the argument wouldn't solve her problem. All the companies there wanted to talk to the engineering and IT majors and not someone who had spend her time taking photography classes and would graduate with a degree that didn't impress anyone there.

She was also beginning to wonder if she was right about turning down that advertising job in December. That paid a lot of money and she could always finish her degree online. But when she thought of that, her mother's face came to her and the relief she saw there when she told her that she would finish her education and get her degree. She knew she made the right decision but still she couldn't help but wonder. As each day passed and no job offers, she felt the weight of the world getting heavier on her shoulders.

It all came to head for her when she returned from taking her last final and she had no job to go to after graduation. She went to the bedroom and she lay down feeling like the world was coming down on her, the weight became more than she could bear. Her parents were coming up for graduation and she wanted to prove to them that she was going to do something with her education, that she was going to make something of herself but it looked like she was going to walk across the stage just to go to a part time job at a portrait studio in the mall. That thought depressed her to the point that she felt like she wanted to lay down and sleep for a week.

"What's wrong?" she heard Caroline say when she was so deep in wallowing in her own self pity that she didn't hear Caroline come in much less feel her sitting down on the bed beside of her.

"What's wrong?" Sheila said turning over to face Caroline whose face showed her concern. "My parents are going to be here Friday for my graduation and the only job I have is a part time one that pays jack shit. That's what's wrong. But then you don't have that to worry about, you got all that money to fall back upon."

Sheila saw Caroline's face turn so red that she was sure that every drop of Caroline's blood just went directly to her face and neck. She knew that she had fucked up and fucked up good for saying that and she so wanted to take the words back but they were already out there and Caroline had definitely heard them.

"Fuck you and the horse that you road in on you ungrateful bitch!" Caroline said with such venom in her voice that Sheila feared that Caroline would never forgive her.

Sheila was speechless; she knew she had to say something as Caroline sprang from the bed, heading straight toward the door. Sheila tried to think of anything that she could say that would make things okay again however nothing could come from for lips. She was so scared that she had lost the one woman that she had really ever loved.

When Caroline got to the door, she seemed to hesitate, which gave Sheila some hope that all was not lost. Caroline seemed to be thinking something over and after what seemed hours to Sheila, Caroline closed the door and Sheila saw her shoulders relax.

"You told me once that I could say anything in here right?" Caroline said softly.

"I did," Sheila said finally finding her voice.

"And you'd listen to everything that I say and not interrupt me until I'm finished and then you will seriously consider what I say," Caroline said just as softly.

That wasn't exactly what Sheila had told her but she wasn't in a position to argue, "I did and I will." She replied.

"Stay right there and don't move," Caroline said opening the door.

"May I go pee," Sheila asked feeling like her bladder was about to burst from the fear that she had just been feeling.

She heard Caroline let out a giggle, "Yea you may do that," she said before shutting the door behind her.

Sheila did get up to go pee wondering just what Caroline had in mind. She had a funny feeling that whatever it was, Caroline had put some thought into it. She just didn't realize just how much until Caroline returned to the bedroom with her laptop and this determined look in her eyes.

Sheila was sitting on the bed with her back prompt up against the backboard with her pillow providing her some cushion. Caroline sat down close to her putting the pillow behind of her and then putting her laptop on her legs where the both could look at it.

"Since you seemed to be so consumed by my money and since I know it will come up during my presentation, I thought that I would start out by showing you just how much money I have and what I will get when I turn twenty-one." Caroline said as she got the laptop going.

"I don't want to know how much money you have and I don't..." Sheila was saying before Caroline cut her off.

"It's my turn to talk, you'll have your turn later," Caroline told her giving her that look that Sheila had learned meant to back off.

"But..." Sheila said.

"No buts, I talk you listen," Caroline said before Sheila could finish her sentence.

Sheila started to tell her that she just wanted her to know that she didn't care about her money and that she was sorry for what she said but then Caroline added, "Please just listen to me and let me get this all out and then we can talk about it."

"Okay but I will get my say right?" Sheila said.

"I promise," Caroline said.

"I'm sorry for what I said," Sheila said quickly before Caroline could begin.

"I know but you're still sleeping in the spare bedroom tonight." Caroline told her without cracking a smile so Sheila figured that she was indeed sleeping alone that night.

"Now I've prepared a simple spreadsheet listing all my assets as they stand today, as you can see most of my money is tied up with bonds and stocks that make me a great deal of money each day however I also have plenty of liquidity to play with." Caroline said pointing to numbers on the sheet that Sheila had a hard time getting her mind around.

"This next sheet shows what I am to get when I turn twenty-one. It's mostly tied up in stocks of my father's company. I had once thought about using some of my money to eventually try a leverage takeover of his company just to piss him off. But then I met you and through you, your parents and I realized that it was a wasted effort. So now I'm having it slowly turned into other investments that are not dependant on how my father and brother run the company. I think my father, while he isn't a nice person, he does know his shit but my brother I'm not so sure about." She said going on about her father's company and what he was doing to make the money and a lot of other things that Sheila didn't understand as she had taken some basic business courses and none of them went over anything close to what Caroline was telling her.

"Where did you learn all this?" Sheila had to ask.

"While my mother was his dumb blond trophy wife, I wasn't just the dumb blond daughter looking nice when my parents had their dinner parties with all the politicos and CEO's attending.

"You're not blond," Sheila said though she knew what point that Caroline was making.

"No but my mother is but not naturally," Caroline said with a conspiratorial grin.

"And she's not so dumb either," Sheila said.

"No she's not but she enjoys the good life and doesn't mind playing dumb to get what she wants," Caroline said.

"Okay you got a lot of money, now tell me what you've had planned for me all along," Sheila told her.

"I haven't had anything planned, it's just an idea I just had," Caroline said biting her lower lip which told Sheila the truth behind the lie that Caroline just told.

Sheila didn't say anything; she just held her stare which caused Caroline to bite her lower lip harder and to finally look away. "Okay I've been planning it for a while, I just had to wait to see if you found a job that you wanted to take; I had to wait to see if you were going to leave me..."

Sheila saw the fear rise in Caroline's eyes, the same fear that she saw in those eyes whenever she mentioned any job possibility, the exact same look she saw at Christmas when she told her mother and Caroline about the job offer in New York. She looked into those eyes and saw the girl that had come to mean so much to her. She knew she loved Caroline too much to ever leave her. Her heart told her that even if she had accepted a job somewhere far off, when the day came to leave, she wouldn't be able to do so.

She felt moisture in her eyes and she realized that she was crying but she wasn't sad, she was so fucking happy, "I love you too much to ever leave you," she finally said.

"You do?" Caroline asked not ready to believe the words that Sheila had uttered but obviously wanting to.

"Yea I do, I know that I haven't said it and maybe it wasn't until now that I realized how much I did love you. Seeing you so mad at me, scared the hell out of me." Sheila said seeing the tears run down Caroline's face.

"I love you too," Caroline said reaching out for her.

Sheila pulled Caroline in giving her a kiss before holding her tightly. She could feel Caroline's tears on her neck and shoulder and she felt her own tears running down her cheek. She held her for a few minutes before she eased her grip and Caroline slipped back onto the bed.

"I know that I probably should have told you how I felt before now but we, my family I mean, don't tell each other that we love each other, we show it more than say it." Sheila said reaching out taking Caroline's hands in hers. "I don't know if you noticed but when I sat by my father, he was playing with my knuckles, that is his way of expressing his love and..."

"Yea I noticed that and you do that to me sometimes," Caroline said interrupting her.

"I do," Sheila said surprised.

"Yes you do and it does feel nice, weird at first but then it felt nice," Caroline admitted.

"When my mother hugs me, she always gives me an extra hug before letting me go." Sheila told her. "It's not that we never say "I love you" to each other, it's just that we don't feel we always have to say it." Sheila explained.

"I understand, you don't have to tell me either, now that I know how you feel," Caroline said leaning in to give her a kiss that Sheila welcomed, putting her hands to Caroline's cheeks holding her there to make the kiss last a little longer not wanting it to end too quickly. The kiss did last as neither of them wanted their lips to part however it did end with them both smiling upon one another.

"Now how about you showing me what you got in mine," Sheila said though she was thinking more about how she was feeling toward the woman sitting in front of her and she vowed to learn to tell Caroline how she felt about her a little more often.

"Now remember to hear me out before you say anything," Caroline cautioned her as she slid back against the headboard and putting her laptop back on her knees.

"I promise, now tell me!" Sheila said showing her impatience and getting Caroline to grin at her.

"Well know you have always dreamed of being a great photographer and what I have in mind won't get you there..." Caroline said and she hesitated biting her lower lip as she did so, "...but I don't believe that you could ever be a great photographer."

That sentence cut Sheila to the heart and she let it show immediately with her facial expression. All that they had just talked about and expressing their love for each other went for nothing she thought.

However Caroline always came to her rescue and this time she came to her own rescue. "You see a photographer just takes pictures, most times of bad things humanity does to each other or pictures of beautiful models that most women will never become or that men will never be with. You see I don't see you as a photographer, you're an artist. Your photos are creations of art. It is that way that you'll make your mark. It's not going up to New York and taking pictures of all those beautiful models." Caroline said with conviction of her statement.

Sheila had to think this over for a moment for what Caroline had said to get past her initial anger to the real compliment that she had given to her. She had to swirl this around in her head and she began to wonder if maybe Caroline was right. When she wanted to take a photo of something, she did have to get the photo right in her head first before she ever put her eye to the camera. Still it was hard for her to think of herself as an artist, thought she had to admit she was beginning to like the thought.

Sheila wasn't ready to address the artist thing so like she always did, she turned Caroline's other comment around. "You just don't want me up in New York taking photos of those half dressed models."

Sheila expected Caroline to smile or grin at what she had said but she didn't get that reaction, she got a very honest reply, "I don't want you to be so far away from me with those beautiful women... I want to be your only model." She said.

"Oh darling, you will always be my only model," Sheila said taking Caroline's hand and giving it a squeeze.

"Good," Caroline said letting a shy smile come to her lips.

Caroline then took in a deep breath and launched into her proposal. "For a city this size there is really only one portrait studio and it doesn't have that many options to it. I think we can do a much better job at a cheaper price." Caroline said to her.

"But that's what I'm doing now, except I'll be doing it full time. How will that give me time to take photos that I really want to take?" Sheila had to ask thinking that maybe Caroline had gone crazy.

"Because you won't be working full time, you're going to hire a couple of photographers and help them out and I'll take care of the rest." Caroline said.

"And how will we doing it cheaper than where I work now?" Sheila asked curious about doing this and a bit doubtful of it as well.

"We won't have to pay some mall for space to put our shop," Caroline said now with a grin that told Sheila that Caroline had cards up her sleeve that she wasn't showing yet.

"Okay how are we going to do that?" Sheila asked knowing that was what Caroline was waiting for her to ask.

"Ah, because I have done my homework and I have the money to make it work." Caroline said and she paused as Sheila gave her a frown which was what she was obviously waiting for too.

"I found a building in the old city that was foreclosed on when the one of the investors was caught embezzling some of the money that was to be used to refurbish the building. I got it for a song and the beauty of it is that they had everything almost completed before the bank shut them down." Caroline said.

"But what if I had decided to take a job somewhere far off?" Sheila asked.

"Then it was still a great investment, that building will make money with the way the city is cleaning up the old part of the city and there is lots of new restaurants and stores opening up. Besides I was going to do everything I could to keep you here, I just wanted you to make that decision first." Caroline told her.

"But I didn't really make that decision before tonight," Sheila said.

"Yes you did, that day you turned down the job in New York," Caroline told her. "You could have asked them to wait until now so that you could graduate but you didn't did you?" Caroline stated.

Sheila didn't want to smile but she had to, "No I didn't."

"We'll put our studio on the first floor and the remaining nine floors will rent out. They'll pay for the upkeep of the building and we'll have our space for free." Caroline pronounced.

"But what if we can't rent them all out?" Sheila asked worried that Caroline was taking all this on just for her.

"Let me worry about that," Caroline told her which only made Sheila frown. "Don't worry, the location is perfect and I'll make sure that when we finish getting the building ready, the demand will outpace the floors or suites available."

Before Sheila could protest, Caroline went on, "I had Julia, who's in the architecture program, make a few drawings for the bottom floor. Now you can change anything you want, I just wanted something to give you an idea of what can be done. Julia is really talented and can draw up about anything." She said adding, "Anyway look at this"

Caroline first brought up the lobby to the building which only took up a small area of the first floor leaving plenty room for their studio. She went on to their reception and waiting room before going to the various other rooms including an area in the back where they could print out the photos. While Sheila had no clue as to how much it would all cost but she was sure the price tag wouldn't be cheap, especially since Caroline seemed intent to make everything first class.

"So what do you think?" Caroline asked with her eyes showing the excitement that she was feeling and Sheila had to admit that she was feeling it too.

"Before I tell you what I think I need to ask you a couple of questions," Sheila said trying to be as serious without letting Caroline's excitement get to her though it already was.

She saw Caroline frown but then she smiled as she said, "Okay what do you want to know.

"Just when did you start all of this and why didn't you tell me?" Sheila asked staring directly into Caroline's eyes.

"I did tell you about the building back in February when I heard about it on the news. I told you I was going to get a lawyer to check it out because I wanted to take a more active part in what my money was invested in." Caroline said.

Sheila had to think a minute before she began to vaguely remember Caroline mentioning the building and something about getting more active in her investments. "Okay I sort of remember that but what about all of this?" Sheila asked waving her hand at Caroline's laptop.

"I didn't start thinking of this until later when you weren't having any luck with finding a job. I wanted to have something ready when the time came and you didn't leave me," Caroline told her.

"Okay," Sheila said accepting this for the moment but then she had to ask the most important question, "Are you sure that you want to spend this much money for me?" She asked.

"I'm not spending any money for you; I'm spending it for us. This is something for both of us." Caroline said with such sincerity that Sheila believed her. But then Caroline let out a shy grin as she said, "Besides it has always been my dream to be a photographer's assistant."

Sheila looked her for a moment before she let out a laugh, "Now that I don't believe." She said getting a little laugh from Caroline.

"Well maybe not a lifelong dream but you know I do love photography, it is what made me stop that day." Caroline said.

"Yes it is," Sheila said leaning over to give Caroline a kiss, a light one but one that held a lot of meaning.

"So?" Caroline asked.

"So when do I get to see where I'm going to be working and creating my art?" Sheila asked.

"Seriously?" Caroline asked.

"Yes seriously," Sheila said just before going deaf from Caroline's squeal and then she found Caroline sitting on her lap kissing her.

It took Sheila a moment to recover and start kissing Caroline back but she didn't seem to notice. Sheila put her hands to Caroline's hips and that seemed to calm her down and Caroline's kisses began to slow down and linger. Caroline kissed her a few more times before she pulled back enough so that she could turn her head in toward Sheila's neck and she lay her head on her shoulder.

Sheila moved her hands to Caroline's back just holding her, feeling Caroline's warm breath against her neck. Sheila could feel Caroline's breathing slow as did her own as the emotions that they had just went through began to ebb away. In a matter of a few minutes, her world had been turned upside down again, caused once again by the woman in her arms.

"I don't know why but I'm suddenly so tired," Caroline said softly.

"Me too," Sheila said wanting to say something about how everything had just changed between them with the decisions that they had just made and the feelings they expressed but then Caroline was there with her so she was also feeling the gravity of what they had committed themselves to.

"I'm also hungry," Caroline said with a little giggle making Sheila smile.

Sheila push Caroline back so that she could look into her eyes, "Then get your fat ass up off my lap and order us something to eat," Sheila told her deadpanning her expression.

"I don't have a fat ass," Caroline said pretending to pout.

"No you don't, you have a cute ass that I'm going to eat up if you don't get us something to eat," Sheila said laughing.

Caroline smiled as she got off of Sheila's lap and off the bed, "You know I just might prefer you to eat my ass," Caroline said giggling as she wiggled her ass at her.

"That works for me,' Sheila said reaching out for that cute ass but Caroline just laughed as she jumped away.

"What do you want?" Caroline asked at the doorway.

"You chose," Sheila said seeing Caroline frown for real this time but then she smiled as she turned away.

Sheila sat there a minute thinking about what had just happened and a bit of doubt began to ease its way into her mind but then she pushed the doubt away. She made her decision and she knew it was the right decision to make. Now she just had to make it work and that wasn't going to be easy. But then she knew that nothing good ever came easy so this was definitely not going to be easy.

Sheila got up off the bed, getting a pair of pajamas before going to the bathroom to wash and change. Sheila was just coming out of the bathroom when she met Caroline coming in also carrying her pajamas. Sheila gave her a kiss before going on out to wait for their dinner. She didn't really feel all that hungry until she signed for their dinner and brought it in on the cart. When she smelled the rich aroma of whatever Caroline had ordered, her stomach growled indicating that her appetite had returned.

Caroline came in just as Sheila had put their covered plates onto the table. "You know I have been thinking about our photo studio..." Caroline said as she got them each a bottle of water to drink with their meal.

"Why do I get a funny feeling that things are about to get even more complicated than they already are." Sheila stated.

Caroline just ignored that comment, "You know we don't just have to do portraits. We can do photo shoots for some of the local businesses, maybe like you were going to do in New York but for the smaller companies around here."

"How can we do both, there's just one of me assuming that we do get the business off the ground," Sheila asked seriously.

"Like I said before, we're going to have to hire some good employees to help us. I do the staff and you start thinking of some photographers that might work out for us." Caroline told her.

"'How are you going to do all of this and still go to school?" Sheila asked and before Caroline could answer, she added, "Promise me that's you'll finish getting your degree and not kill yourself doing it."

Caroline smiled, "I promise though I might go from six classes a semester to four. I won't finish as quickly as I had planned but I will finish." Caroline told her.

"As long as you finish, that is all I care about," Sheila said.

"I will, I promise," Caroline said. "So what are we going to name it, I was thinking, Sheila's Portraits and Photography Studio."

"How about Caroline's Portraits and Photography Studio," Sheila countered getting a frown from Caroline as she expected.

"Mmmm no... how about we call it Sheila and Caroline's Portraits and Photography Studio? Caroline countered.

"How about Caroleila's Portraits and Photography Studio," Sheila suggested combining both of their names.

"We'll decide on the name later," Caroline decided.

"We'll both decide right?" Sheila said knowing Caroline and how she was apt to sneak in and name it before Sheila could protest.

Caroline hesitated for a moment and Sheila kept staring at her until Caroline gave in, "Yes we'll both decide and agree before we name it."

"I do have one more question and I promise to quit bugging you about school but how in the hell are you going to manage the building, get people to rent out the floors, help me with the photography end and still get your degree?" Sheila asked. She knew Caroline was capable to doing a lot of things but that seemed like more than anyone could do.

"You're really worried about that aren't you?" Caroline asked.

"Yea I am, I don't want this to come between us. I mean if I only see you at the studio and when you drag yourself to bed worn out, what happens to us?" Sheila asked. "If we're reduced to that then maybe we'd be better off with me finding a job someone and you just worry about school."

"What if I hire a lawyer for the legal stuff, a reality company to handle renting out the floors and taking care of the building maintenance? Then if I cut down on my classes, I believe I can help you and still leave time for us." Caroline said with a smile. "Will that work?"

"You thought of everything didn't you," Sheila said.

"I really didn't want you to leave," Caroline said biting her lower lip ever so slightly.

Sheila smiled feeling her heart swell, "I didn't really want to leave either."

"If this becomes too much then we sell the whole damn thing and live off your money," Sheila told her reaching over to take Caroline's hand giving it a squeeze.

"We'll make it work, I think it will be so cool to have our own photography business," Caroline told her making Sheila realize just how important it was to Caroline who loved photography as much as she did, just from a different perspective.

"We will, I promise," Sheila said.

They talked a little longer about how they were going to make it all work before they pushed the cart back out into the hallway. They then headed toward the bedroom; however that is where Caroline stopped. Caroline looked at her and she seemed to hesitate as if she wanted to say something.

She bit her lower lip and a sad expression came to her face, "You know you said something that upset me..." She said.

Sheila then knew what was bothering Caroline, "Yes I did and I'm sorry." Sheila then gave her a soft kiss. "Sweet dreams my darling." Sheila then turned and headed for the spare bedroom.

Sheila really felt bad about what she had said and she knew that she deserved to be sleeping alone. She could tell that Caroline's whole heart wasn't into making her sleep in the spare bedroom yet Caroline felt like she had to make a point. Sheila slipped into the bed and as she turned off the light she never felt so alone in her life. She also wondered if Caroline felt the same way. So instead of thinking of the photo studio as she lay there she thought about the woman she loved lying in the bed across the hall. She did eventually did fall asleep but it was a restless sleep. Her dreams were about her being in a strange place, not knowing where she was; only that she lost something important and she had to find it soon or she would forever be lost in this strange place.

Sometime during the night she woke enough to feel Caroline getting into the bed with her. She felt Caroline's lips kissing her cheek and she heard the words, "You're forgiven now." Sheila pulled Caroline in close and when she went back into her dreamland, she was no longer lost in that strange land.

When Sheila's eyes popped open the next morning, she saw that the sun had yet to rise nor had Caroline. She lay there trying to will herself back to sleep but sleep would not come so she slipped out from under the sheets going to the bathroom to pee and brush her teeth. As she headed toward the kitchen, she looked in on at Caroline sleeping peacefully in the spare bedroom.

While she didn't drink coffee often, this was one morning she had a craving for it. She made a cup taking it to the living room and over to the window. The sun was just coming up and she thought about how she really did need to get up one morning and take some pictures of the earth awaking from the night's sleep.

She thought about this for a few minutes but her mind went back to the photography shop. While the thought of taking on something that neither of them had any clue about scared her, but not as much as it had the night before, now she was thinking of the possibilities that it presented. She really would be able to take the photos that she loved to take. And while she loved to complain about all the kids and even the adults at the portrait studio, she really did enjoy it for the most part.

"What you thinking about?" she heard Caroline ask her as she came up beside of her holding a cup of coffee.

"Oh I was thinking about how I was going to make things work when my lazy business partner sleeps so late when she knows how much work we have to do," Sheila said giving Caroline a smile.

"Lazy... I'll show you who's lazy!" Caroline said giving Sheila a dirty look before she too smiled before leaning in closer and Sheila put her left arm around Caroline's waist.

Caroline laid her head against Sheila's shoulder for a moment, "You worried?" she asked.

"I thought I would be but for some reason I'm not, now I can't keep my mind from going what we can do with the building and the business." Sheila told her.

"I know, I've been thinking about it too, now that I know that you're on board." Caroline told her.

They stood there talking and drinking their coffee until both of their stomachs growled almost in unison. So Caroline ordered them some breakfast before they both went to change out of their pajamas and into shorts and tee shirts for their first visit to their building as business partners.

Caroline had called the lawyer that she had hired who agreed to meet them at the building that morning before they had left. Sheila could only smile because she knew if she had made such a call, she would be meeting the lawyer at his convenience and not hers. But as they say money talks and Caroline had enough money to speak loudly.

They got to the building just as some of the construction workers were arriving to finish up the refurbishing of the building that had been started but not completed. Sheila saw that while the building was old, it really was in great shape. The foreman let them in and the first thing that Sheila noticed was the marble floor in the lobby. Even thought it was dusty and dirty from all the sawdust, she could see how beautiful it was. They were there for only a few minutes before the lawyer arrived in a three piece suit. Sheila let Caroline talk to him as she looked around the lobby; she wanted to go on into what would become her workplace but waited for Caroline to finish first so that they could go in together.

Caroline and the lawyer talked for about an hour before Sheila was called over to sign several papers that the lawyer presented to her. Once they were signed, the lawyer packed up his briefcase and left to earn the money that Caroline was paying him.

"Did I just sign my life away?" Sheila asked of Caroline.

"Pretty much," Caroline replied with a laugh. "Come on and let's see our part of the building."

Sheila felt Caroline taking her hand and she felt her nerves begin to get to her. Caroline opened the glass doors and they entered. Caroline took her through each room. Sheila looked at the rooms with the drawings that Caroline had made in mind. She saw some things that she would like to change now that she had seen the floor. The problem was that she didn't want to hurt Caroline's feelings since she had worked so hard on doing it all to please her.

"So what do you think?" Caroline asked once they had made it through all the rooms.

Sheila felt herself hesitating trying to decide what to say. In the end she couldn't bring herself to hurt Caroline's feelings so she said, "I think you did a great job with what you've come up with. I think it will work perfectly."

Caroline stared into her eyes which caused Sheila to have to look away. "Mmmm..." Caroline said as she went to her bag that she had her laptop. She pulled it out putting it on the counter of the reception area that they had come back into. Sheila watched as Caroline brought up the drawings that Julia had worked so hard to create. Caroline clicked on the first drawing and hit the delete button doing the same to the second drawing.

"What are you doing?" Sheila said reaching out to stop Sheila from deleting anymore.

"I had Julia do these just so I'd have something to show you, not because I thought this is the way we should do it. We're going to make it the way you think it needs to be, the way you think will work best. You're the one that will be doing most of the work here." Caroline said and she pushed Sheila's hand away so that she could delete the rest of the drawings.

"Now let's start from scratch," Caroline said pulling out a legal pad. "Tell me how you think it should be."

Sheila smiled leaning in to give Caroline a kiss, "How about we both decide how we both want it to look?" she said.

"I like that idea," Caroline said giving Sheila a kiss.

"I wonder if the foreman has a drawing of this floor." Sheila mused.

"I would say that he does," Caroline replied.

"And a table and a couple of chairs," Sheila added.

"Anything else?" Caroline asked with a grin.

"Nope that's about it," Sheila replied, "At least at the moment, I might need more things later." She then laughed causing Caroline laugh with her.

The drawing of the floor was easy for the foreman to find, the table and chairs took a little longer but within a half hour Sheila and Caroline were sitting at the table in the middle of the reception area with the drawing spread out in front of them. It took them a few minutes to get themselves orientated to the drawing with what they were seeing.

Caroline had a pencil in her bag so they began to make changes, getting up to go see the rooms that they were talking about. Around one they went out to get a burger and something to drink which also served to refresh their minds. They came back and worked to five making changes, changing it back only to make another change. By the time that they left around five, they felt good about what they had done. However they agreed to put the final drawing away for a few days and then come back to it to see if they still liked what they had done.

They came home to shower and then they went out to eat. On the way home they had to go past a movie theater and they both decided that they wanted to see one of the movies playing so Caroline turned into the parking lot. They arrived just in time to see the movie that they decided to see.

"Wait a minute, what is that on your back?" Sheila asked just as removed her bra as they were getting undressed for bed.

"What?" Caroline asked trying to look over her shoulder.

Sheila came up behind of her, having already removed her tee shirt and bra. She put her hands first to Caroline's shoulders but then she slipped them under Caroline's arms going toward her chest.

"Oh it's just my lips," Sheila said softly a instant before her lips kissed Caroline's upper left shoulder and her hands covered Caroline's breasts.

"Oh you scared me!" Caroline protested however that protest became a moan when Sheila began to use her fingers to roll Caroline's nipples.

Sheila kissed her way over to Caroline's right shoulder and then she began to kiss her way back to Caroline's neck. She felt Caroline moving her arms and as she got closer to the back of Caroline's neck, she found that Caroline had pulled her hair up. This action also pushed Caroline's breasts into her hands. She squeezed Caroline's breasts and pinched her nipples even harder pulling on them.

Caroline leaned back onto her and Sheila moved her hands down Caroline's stomach down to her panties. She slipped her fingers under Caroline cotton panties down to her mons. She caressed the smooth skin above her pussy getting more moans from Caroline who was practically lying back against her. Sheila kept the left hand fingers above Caroline's pussy while her right hand went down to Caroline's pussy. She felt the moisture along Caroline's slit and the dampish area of her panties. She was still kissing the back of Caroline's neck while her fingers began to caress Caroline's lips.

She lightly caressed her getting Caroline's lips even more moist. She slowly eased her left hand down until her fingertips rested over Caroline's clit. She could feel the little nub coming out wanting to be caressed. She began to stroke Caroline's clit getting moans from Caroline. She pressed her fingers down harder against Caroline's clit letting her middle finger slip between Caroline's lips going into her moist crevice. She moved her finger in deeper easing it out and back in. She began to use a circular motion to Caroline's clit as she pressed upon it. She moved her fingers faster and harder against Caroline's clit as her middle finger pushed in deeper.

Sheila whispered in to Caroline's ear, "Cum for me, soak my fingers with your creamy girlcum. Cum all over my fingers so I can lick them clean."

Caroline groaned as her body stiffened with the orgasm coursing through her body. Sheila had to hold onto her until she felt Caroline get her strength back.

"Now I'm going to pull those cute white panties off of you and eat that wet pussy of yours until you scream," Sheila whispered into Caroline's ear and she felt Caroline's knees give out.

Sheila eased Caroline over to the bed, laying her down on her back. Sheila pulled her own panties off before getting onto the bed down at Caroline's legs. Sheila reached up to Caroline's waist grasping her panties. Caroline raised her hips up allowing Sheila to pull her panties off her ass and hips. Caroline raised her feet into the air so that Sheila could pull her panties on off of her.

Sheila saw that Caroline was watching her every move so she got this wicked idea. She brought Caroline's panties up to her nose inhaling deeply from the crotch feeling the moisture on them as well as her scent.

"Oh the sweet aroma of my love, and she tastes so delicious," Sheila said as she stuck out her tongue to lick the gusset of Caroline's white cotton panties.

"Oh god you're nasty!" Caroline said hiding her face behind her hands before she let out a giggle from between those hands.

"But you know I think I'd rather get a taste from the source," Sheila said leaning forward putting her hands on Caroline's thighs. She pushed them outward exposing Caroline wet swollen pussy lips. Sheila felt herself licking her lips just before she placed her lips against Caroline's clit hearing Caroline moan loudly. She also felt Caroline's hands on the back of her head holding it to her pussy.

Sheila moved her tongue down to Caroline's pussy licking the girlcum from them before she used it to part Caroline's lips getting deep inside of her. She wiggled her tongue around before going back to her lips teasing them with the tip of her tongue. She ran the tip of her tongue along her slit and on up to her clit. She teased it too but then she felt Caroline pressing down on the back of her head.

Sheila opened her lips pressing them over Caroline's clit. She sucked on her clit, easily at first and then harder. She felt Caroline raising her hips thus pressing her clit against her mouth. Sheila put her tongue against Caroline's clit teasing it with the tip of her tongue. Sheila teased her but for a moment before she used her tongue against Caroline's hard nub, licking as hard as she could getting Caroline arch her back and she let out a moan. Sheila felt Caroline's girlcum soaking her chin as she kept licking her clit until she felt Caroline pushing her away. She moved her tongue down to the girlcum that Caroline was producing, enjoying the taste as she drank it down.

Soon she felt Caroline hands come back to the sides of her head this time gently pulling her up. Sheila gave a last lick and a kiss to Caroline's clit before she came on up lying on top of Caroline giving her a kiss.

"You're so nasty," Caroline told her before pulling Sheila head back down for a kiss.

As they kissed, Sheila felt Caroline pushing on her shoulders so she put her hands up under Caroline's shoulders before rolling onto her back bringing Caroline with her with their lips only losing contact but for a moment.

"So what you going to do with your nasty girl?" Sheila asked when the long passionate kiss ended.

"Mmm something a nasty girl deserves," Caroline said blushing a little that made Sheila smile.

"Oh that sounds nasty," Sheila said seeing Caroline blush even more.

Caroline gave her a kiss just to shut her up however it was the briefest of kisses. Caroline slipped on down her body stopping when her mouth was over her breasts. Sheila felt Caroline's hands grasping her breasts just before feeling her warm breath on her right nipple making it tighten further. She expected Caroline kiss or suck it into her mouth instead she felt Caroline's teeth against her hard nipple tenderly nibbling upon it. Sheila let out a surprised groan that immediately turned into a moan as Caroline pulled up on her nipple.

"Oh bite my nipples you nasty girl!" Sheila moaned as Caroline bit tenderly on her nipple again.

Caroline did kiss her right nipple before switching to the left nipple giving it a tender bite. Sheila felt Caroline kiss her nipple before biting it again and then kissing it. She kept switching from kissing to biting and it was driving Sheila crazy. Her pussy was practically leaking its juices and she was pushing her hips upwards trying to get some friction against her clit.

Caroline raised her own hips up denying her the contact that Sheila sought. "Oh you little bitch!" Sheila cried out hearing Caroline giggle in response.

However she did give a last kiss to each nipple before moving on down her body, kissing and giving her little love bites until she got to her pussy. There Sheila felt Caroline using her fingers to open her pussy and she immediately felt Caroline's tongue go deep inside her.

"Oh god yes, eat my pussy!" Sheila cried out pushing her hips upwards and thus her pussy into Caroline's face.

Caroline just licked in deeper and harder making Sheila cry out in pleasure. She was gripping the sheets in her hands pulling on them to help her hold off her orgasm for a little longer, however when Caroline's tongue reached her clit, she was lost, she closed her thighs together trapping Caroline's head to her pussy and she let out a moan feeling her body explode with pleasure, the sweet release that Caroline had brought to her.

Sheila felt Caroline lying upon her when she regained her senses and the felt Caroline giving light kisses to her lips. Sheila put her hands to Caroline's shoulders returning her kisses.

"You know you scared the crap out of me," Caroline said as she raised her head up ending the kissing.

"Yea, but I made up for it didn't I," Sheila replied with a confident grin.

"That's the only thing that's preventing you from sleeping in the guest room again tonight," Caroline said acting all serious before letting her lips form a big grin.

"You wouldn't ever make me sleep in the guest room again now would you?" Sheila told her.

"You sure about that?" Caroline asked arching her eyebrows.

Sheila looked into Caroline's eyes and she was no longer completely sure of her statement but she had painted herself into a corner and she had to figure a way out. "Yes I'm sure thought I don't plan on making you that mad at me again." She replied.

"Good answer," Caroline said with a grin. She then slid to the side of Sheila putting her head onto Sheila's chest.

Sheila resisted the urge to let out a sigh of relief, instead she put her right hand to Caroline's back and her left she used to caress Caroline's arm. She listened to Caroline's breathing slow as she fell asleep. Sheila lay there for a moment longer before she too succumbed to sleep.

The next morning things were back to normal, in that she woke up alone in bed. Sheila lay there for a few minutes before her bladder told her that it was past time to get up.

"I got your breakfast on the table, and then help me clean up this place," Caroline said as she wiped a perfectly clean counter top.

"Don't the maids do that?" Sheila said sitting down at the table.

"Mom and dad are going to be here soon and I don't want them to think that we're a couple of slobs," Caroline said.

Sheila's fork stopped halfway toward her mouth as she was shocked that Caroline's parents would visit her. She never expected to ever meet Caroline's parents. "When are they arriving?" Sheila asked wondering how they would deal with both of their parents coming in on the same day.

"Didn't you say around five," Caroline said.

"I said?" Sheila thought to herself, "Why would I know when her parents are coming in." The sleepy fog in her head finally cleared she realized just whose parents Caroline was talking about. She had forgotten that Caroline had adopted her parents as her own. "Oh yes, but you don't have to make the place spotless."

""I just don't want to make a bad impression," Caroline said.

Sheila got up, going over to where Caroline was standing. She took the rag from Caroline's hand putting it on the counter. She then took Caroline's hands in hers, "You already made a good impression, so you don't have to worry yourself to death." She told her giving her a kiss.

"I know, but I just want them to accept me and maybe even..." Caroline said not able to finish her thought but from the look on Caroline's face, she knew what she wanted to say.

Sheila pulled Caroline in close yet leaving enough room for her to look Caroline in the eyes, "They do love you."

Caroline looked deeply into her eyes before she let a slight smile form upon her lips. Caroline then laid her head against her shoulder and Sheila held her tightly.

Caroline let her hold her for a couple of minutes before she pulled back, "I still want the place to look nice." Caroline said.

"It will," Sheila said giving in through she wanted to argue.

Sheila hurried up and finished eating her breakfast and then she put her dishes back on the cart rolling it into the hallway. She went on into the spare bedroom making room for her parent's bags and getting anything that they really didn't want her parents to see hid away. They also put their toys away, hid under some boxes so that they wouldn't be accidently discovered. There really wasn't a lot to do after wiping everything off since they didn't have a vacuum or anything to do much more. So when Caroline started to look for link on the carpet, Sheila decided that it was time to get Caroline out of there.

At first Caroline resisted until Sheila told her that they were going to their new photo shop and that made Caroline give in, though she did make one last swipe of the coffee table to get some microscopic dust speck off of it. Once at the building, they went through the rooms imagining what they would look like once they were done. They ended up staying longer than Sheila had intended so they had to hurry back to clean up and still be down stairs waiting for Sheila's parents to arrive.

It was a rather warm day so Sheila wanted to wait inside of the lobby but Caroline insisted that they wait outside. Her mother was never known for her ability to arrive on time and such was the case on this day. It was a little after five-thirty before Sheila saw them pulling up to the hotel. Sheila had to smile looking at how her parents were looking at the hotel with their eyes open wide, much like hers were the first time she pulled up to this same hotel at what seemed so long ago.

"Where's my college graduate?" her mom asked as she got out of the car.

"I'm not a graduate yet, I haven't officially gotten my diploma," Sheila replied though she had to smile hearing those words coming from her mom's lips who seemed so proud of her.

"Well to me you already are," her mom said giving her a hug and before she released her with that extra hug.

Mom then went to give Caroline a hug while Sheila went to her father who was looking at his car being driven away by one of the hotel employees. "Don't worry, they're just going to park it and bring your luggage up to Caroline's suite," She told her dad before giving him a hug.

"You know I could get used to this," her dad said before giving his daughter a hug.

"Don't get too used to it honey, come Sunday its back to parking your own car," Mom told him making Dad frown and Sheila laugh at her mom.

"Come on up, we'll let you freshen up before we take you both out to dinner," Caroline told them.

"You don't have to treat us, a sandwich will be fine," Mom told her but Sheila knew that Caroline wasn't listening and she was just as stubborn as her mother, if not more so.

"No we're going out to dinner," Caroline said though with one of her shy smiles.

She then changed the subject to Sheila's graduation to ensure that she would get her way. When they got to the elevator there was a two other couples there looking to be about Sheila's parents age so she figured that they were there for the same reason that her parents were. Once inside, Sheila hit the button for their floor and then she eased Caroline to the back of the elevator with her parents' right in front of them. Sheila put her hand to Caroline's back with Caroline giving her that look that she had better not try anything. That of course meant that she would do just that. Unfortunately Caroline was wearing shorts but that didn't stop her from moving her hand to Caroline's ass giving it a squeeze.

"Quit it!" Caroline whispered.

Mom turned her head back toward them, "Did you say something?" she asked.

"No, we're fine," Sheila said as she gave Caroline's ass another squeeze. Caroline could only smile at mom and when she turned her head back around, she gave Sheila a look that meant death that just made Sheila give her ass one last squeeze before she put her hand back to Caroline's lower back.

Once into the suite, the tour had to be delayed while mom visited the restroom. Then dad went and finally Caroline got to show mom just how clean they kept the suite. They allowed mom and dad to rest up for a little before they went out for dinner. Caroline drove with mom up front with her and Sheila in the back with her dad. Sheila wasn't sure where Caroline would take them and she was proud of Caroline in that she didn't pick some expensive restaurant but a family restaurant that had great food at reasonable prices.

While they were waiting for their orders, eating on some of the dinner rolls, Mom asked the question that Sheila knew she would sooner or later. "So have you found a job yet?" she asked.

Sheila looked over at Caroline who encouraged her with a smile, "Well we've come up with a job." Sheila said a bit cryptically.

"We?" dad asked.

"Well..." Sheila said then she turned to Caroline, "Tell them, it was your idea."

"No you tell them, it's your idea too," Caroline said though it was pretty much Caroline's idea alone.

"One of you tell us," Dad said with that voice that Sheila knew he wanted an answer and quick, just like when she was a little girl and had done something she shouldn't have.

"We're opening a portrait studio," Sheila told them getting a frown from the both of them.

"But it's going to be more than just a portrait studio, we're going to do photos for some of the local business and about any of our customer's photo needs," Caroline said with her voice showing her excitement.

Caroline went on from there; telling them about the building that she had purchased and how the rent from the businesses that rented offices in the building would pay would cover their own expenses. As Caroline went along, Sheila could see her parents buying in on their crazy idea.

However her mother was always the one who was the one that was firmly grounded and needed to be sure that they knew what they were getting into. "Is this what you want, you know most businesses fail in that first year," mom said directing her comment solely at Sheila.

"I know, we both do, but this is what I want. If we do this right, I'll be able to do what I truly love to do," Sheila told her mom.

"And what is that dear?" mom asked not so much to get an answer that would satisfy herself but to satisfy Sheila and Sheila knew this.

"To create art with my photos," Sheila said looking over at Caroline who gave her a shy grin. Mom smiled at her answer reassuring Sheila of her mother's faith in her.

"We, your mom and I, want to be the first customers," Dad said.

"You will be I promise." Caroline answered for them both.

"So what's the name of your business going to be?" mom asking the obvious question.

"Well that's still in discussion," Sheila said with a little laugh looking over at Caroline who had to laugh a little too.

"How about "My Two Beautiful Daughter's Photo Studio,"" Mom suggested with a grin.

Sheila saw Caroline beaming with what mom was really saying and she was so proud of her mother for doing that for Caroline.

"How about we shorten it to just "My Daughter's Photo Studio"" Caroline suggested.

"No, I want us both to be included," Sheila said.

"You both are," mom stated giving Caroline a wink.

"Yes we are," Caroline said returning the wink to the woman she thought of as her mom.

"Well I guess we have a name," Sheila said.

"To "My Daughter's Photo Studio" Dad said holding up his tea glass for the toast.

They all held up their tea glasses and repeated the toast to the beginnings of Sheila's and Caroline's adventure. They talked about what all that they planned on doing and how they planned on doing so.

"So what you wearing to your graduation?" Mom asked as she stood by the bedroom door the next morning as Sheila began to get ready for her final act as a college student.

"Well since it is supposed to be hot today and the gown is so damn thick, I decided to just wear my birthday suit under the gown," Sheila said straight faced.

Her mom didn't even blink as she said, "I didn't let you do that for your high school graduation and I'm damn sure not going to let you do so now." Mom replied.

"Don't worry mom, I got her a dress that she's going to wear," Caroline said going to the closet pulling out a sky blue floral dress.

"Well I'm not going to wear any panties or a bra," Sheila said just to have the last word with her mom, thought she knew what she would say.

"Yes you are," mom replied coming over to give her a kiss on the cheek and a hand to her bottom making Sheila yelp but also laugh.

"Now you go get dressed while I go make your father put on a tie," Mom said leaving the room.

"Don't make him wear a tie, he'll be miserable." Sheila said this time for real.

"This is an important day and he'll survive," Mom said ending the conversation.

"I wish she wouldn't do that, I don't want dad to feel so uncomfortable and it will be hot today," Sheila told Caroline after her mom had left the room.

"Sheila this day is probably more important to your mom than it is for you, so let her be. Your dad knows that and it's just important to him," Caroline told her with that look in her eyes and the expression on her face that showed just how in tuned she had become with her parents.

"I know," Sheila said with a smile. "Well let's get dressed, I know mom will want to get there early and I know you do too."

"Yes I do," Caroline said grinning.

As soon as they arrived at the basketball arena where they were having the graduation ceremony, Caroline pulled out her camera. Caroline wanted photos of Sheila in her graduation gown with her parents to each side of her, in front of the arena. She took a few from several angles before Sheila made Caroline stop so that they could get out of the hot morning sun. Once inside, the picture taking was started again with Caroline getting a couple of photos of just the two of them with dad taking the pictures. Then Caroline stopped a father of one of the other graduates to take a couple of pictures of the four of them. They had to stop a time or two for mom to fix her makeup since she had already started to cry.

Finally it was time for Sheila to take her place in line, so after getting kisses from her mom, dad and Caroline, in that order, she left the three people she loved the most to get her degree. While the arena was air conditioned, it was still hotter than hell for Sheila with the gown and the damn dress that Caroline had made her wear.

When she got back to her parents and Caroline after she had her picture one last time, she went directly to her father. She first loosened and took his tie off stuffing it into Caroline's purse where her mother couldn't get to it and make him put it back on. She then went over to her mother whose mascara had run with her tears. She just smiled as she used her index finger to wipe a little of it away. She then returned to her father who like everyone else was watching her strange behavior.

"Just a little grease stain on your cheek and you'll look just like the man I grew up calling dad," She said smearing a little of her mother's mascara on his cheek.

It took her father a moment to comprehend what she had said and done, then he burst out laughing, "You're still my silly girl!" he said picking her up as he gave her a big bear hug.

"I'll always be your silly girl," Sheila said softly and for the first time all day she began to cry.

When her father let her down, Sheila saw a tear in each of his eyes and she had to give him another hug before going to her mom and giving her a hug. While hugging her and feeling her mother cry, she whispered into her ear, "I love you mom, you're the best mom a girl could ever have."

"I love you too baby," mom said before she really did start to cry. Sheila cried along with her and did so until they both got their emotions back under control.

"I think we need to find a restroom," her mom said once she released Sheila who was wiping her own eyes.

"There's one over there," Caroline said and Sheila saw that her mascara was also running.

"And they said the mascara was waterproof," Sheila said, "I think we should demand our money back."

"Waterproof yes, tear proof no," mom said getting a laugh from all three of them.

When they returned from the bathroom, Sheila saw that her dad had unbutton another button on his shirt. "Who's ready to go eat?" Dad asked.

"First let us women get ourselves together and then we'll feed that belly of yours," Mom said going to her husband giving a pat to his belly but then a kiss to his lips.

"Yuck!" Sheila said as she put her hands over her eyes.

"Hush girl," mom said with a frown but then she laughed.

They went back to the hotel suite to change cloths and rest up a bit before mom decided that it was time to go feed dad before he starved to death.

End of Part Thirteen

To be continued...

Please let me know what you think of my story. I welcome all comments good or bad. You can email me at numlfl@hotmail.com