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  Billie directed Julie and Shannon to the two chairs opposite her desk. "Have a seat." While she waited for her new clients to settle in, she looked them over carefully. Shannon appeared to be the dominant partner. She was tall and slim with short dark hair. Julie was of slighter build and a bit more feminine than Shannon, with shoulder length blond hair.

  Billie sat behind her desk and picked up a pen and notepad. "Now, what exactly can I help you with?"

  "Well, I have a seven year old daughter, Kaleigh, from a previous marriage, and now that Shan and I are married, and I've taken her last name, Shannon would like to adopt her," Julie explained.

  "I see," Billie said. "That shouldn't be too difficult, given there is no other parent to contend with. May I ask how Kaleigh's father feels about this?"

  "I have no idea how he feels," Julie replied.

  Billie frowned. "Are you not in touch with him?"

  "No," Julie replied.

  "Where is he?" Billie asked.

  "Quite frankly, we don't know," Julie replied. "He disappeared when Kaleigh was just a baby."

  "You have no idea at all where he is?" Billie asked.

  "He's a deadbeat asshole," Shannon piped in.

  Billie looked at Shannon who sat rigidly in the chair next to her wife. Billie raised one eyebrow. "Would you mind explaining that statement?"

  Billie watched Shannon visibly struggle to calm her temper.

  Shannon took a deep breath and smiled when Julie placed her hand over hers. She closed her eyes for several long moments. Finally, she opened them and looked directly at Billie.

  "Billie, Julie and I have known her ex since high school," Shannon explained. "He was captain of the football team, and the most arrogant son of a bitch you'd ever want to meet. He managed to woo Jules here, and she agreed to marry him right after graduation, even though she knew her heart lay elsewhere."

  Billie watched the women carefully as Shannon relayed her story. Julie's eyes never left her wife's face. Adoration was clearly apparent in her eyes.

  "Jules settled into the role of housewife while I went out of state to college," Shannon continued. "We stayed in touch during my first semester, but pretty soon, we drifted apart. When I came home during the Christmas break, she was several months pregnant with Kaleigh. I tried to see her, but Gary—that's her ex—threw me out of the house and threatened to harm Julie if I came back. I learned later that he had a habit of beating her whenever the mood struck him. It wasn't until I came home on break during my sophomore year that I learned he had deserted her when Kaleigh was just four months old."

  "Let me interrupt for a moment," Billie said. She turned to Julie. "So, considering you had to divorce him before marrying Shannon, you must have been able to find him at some point."

  "Actually, no," Julie replied. "He's been missing for seven years. He just disappeared. No one has heard from him since he left. Not even his parents. I petitioned the courts to have him declared legally dead, and the court granted a divorce based on his desertion."

  Billie rose to her feet and walked to the picture window that overlooked the busy mall below. She turned around, leaned her backside against the windowsill, and braced her hands on either side of her hips. "You said that Kaleigh is seven years old?" she asked.

  "Seven and a half, actually," Julie replied.

  "And Gary's been gone for exactly how long?"

  "Seven years and two months. Almost to the day," Julie said.

  "When did you file for divorce?" Billie asked, confused about the timing of the whole thing.

  Shannon rose to her feet and approached Billie. "Look, let me sum things up for you. Gary disappeared when Kaleigh was four months old. I transferred to a college closer to home so I could be near Julie and Kaleigh. Julie and the baby lived with her mother for the next two years while I finished school. When I graduated, I found a decent job that allowed Julie and me to live together. Kaleigh was almost two and a half by then. We've been together ever since."

  Shannon stood behind Julie to finish her story.

  "Since we had no idea where Gary was, Julie couldn't divorce him. We researched the laws and discovered that after seven years of desertion, she could be granted a non-contested divorce in a matter of weeks, so we waited out the seven years. Four and a half years after we moved in together, we went to court and the divorce was granted. That was two months ago. Last month, we were legally married. Now, here we are, wanting desperately to make our family complete with my adoption of Kaleigh."

  Shannon stopped talking abruptly when she finished her last comment. After a few moments of silence, Billie pushed herself off the windowsill and sat down behind her desk. She propped her elbows on the desk, made a teepee with her fingers, and rested her chin on her fingertips. "If the courts granted you a divorce based on seven years of desertion, why didn't you ask for an adoption decree at the same time?" she asked.

  "We did," replied Julie. "The problem is that when Gary's parents found out about it, they filed for custody of Kaleigh in Gary's name. Billie, we've been a family for the past four years. I can't let them take my baby away."

  Billie narrowed her eyes at the two ladies. "And exactly what basis did they use for claiming Kaleigh would be better off with them?" Billie asked, already knowing the answer.

  Julie looked Billie straight in the eyes. "Because we are lesbians."

  "Okay." Billie slapped her hands down on the desk and rose to her feet. She leaned over her desk, and addressed both ladies. "You've got yourself a lawyer. See Deb on the way out to review payment plans and to sign the retainer. You'll also need to fill out complaint forms detailing the exact nature of your problem, including any information you can think of that will help me research the case. Deb will provide you with a standard package of forms. Fill them out and send them in as soon as possible. As soon as I've made some progress, I'll call you and we'll set up a meeting to review the details. Sound okay to you?" she asked.

  Shannon helped Julie to her feet and wrapped her left arm around Julie's shoulder. She shook Billie's hand firmly. "Sounds great."

  ***

  Billie was mentally exhausted. She stepped into the kitchen to find Cat at the stove, busily preparing dinner. Scenes like this brought such warmth to Billie's soul, knowing that she enjoyed a wonderfully warm and normal family life with the woman and children she loved with all her heart.

  "Hey love," Billie said as the screen door creaked behind her.

  A smiled crossed Cat's face as Billie approached her. "Hi, baby!" Cat rose to her tip toes to place a kiss on Billie's lips.

  Billie dropped her briefcase to the floor and wrapped her arms around Cat. "Come here, love."

  Cat rubbed her hands up and down Billie's back. "Rough day?"

  "Busy one." Billie looked over Cat's shoulder at the pan simmering on the stove. "That smells good. Whatcha cooking?"

  Cat looked into Billie's face. "Don't tell me that after ten years together, you still can't tell what I'm cooking?"

  Billie had the decency to look ashamed. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I guess I just don't pay as much attention as I should. Forgive me?" Billie placed a kiss on Cat's nose.

  Cat smiled. "You're lucky I know you love me, otherwise I might think you've been taking me for granted."

  Billie's face went ashen at Cat's comment. She furrowed her brow and looked seriously at her wife. "You don't really mean that, do you Cat? Do I take you for granted? You'd tell me if I did, wouldn't you?"

  Cat frowned and cupped the side of Billie's cheek. "Billie, are you all right?" she asked.

  "Do I take you for granted, Cat?" Billie pulled her closer within the circle of her arms.

  "No you don't. Baby, what's this all about?" Cat pushed a stray lock of hair out of Billie's face and tucked it behind her ear.

  Billie took a deep breath and sighed. She lowered her forehead to Cat's. "I took on a couple of new clients today who risk losing their daughter to ex in-laws in a custody battle. It reminded me to be grateful
for everything that we have. If I've taken you or the kids for granted—at any time…" Billie paused to swallow through a throat constricted with emotion.

  "Sweetheart, you have not taken us for granted. We love you, and we know how much you love us. Okay?" Cat took Billie's face between her hands.

  Billie smiled through teary eyes and nodded her head. "Okay."

  "Good." Cat released herself from Billie's embrace to tend to the simmering pan on the stove.

  Billie looked over Cat's shoulder and peered into the pan. "Chicken with mushrooms and wild rice in wine sauce, right?"

  "Correct!" Cat lifted a spoonful of savory rice to Billie's lips.

  "Oh, God, Cat. That's wonderful!"

  "Thank you, sweetie," Cat replied. "Now, tell me about these new clients of yours while you set the table."

  "Well..." Billie began.

  "Ma, what's for dinner?" Tara demanded as she burst into the kitchen and allowed the screen door to slam behind her.

  Both mothers turned toward their daughter.

  "Tara, turn your butt around, go back out that door, and come back in without letting it slam," Billie scolded.

  "Mom!" Tara exclaimed impatiently. She looked back and forth between Billie and Cat.

  "You heard your mother, Tara," Cat added. "Honey, you've got to learn not to slam the door."

  "Christ Almighty!" Tara headed out the door and back in again. She closed the door in such exaggerated gentle movements that even the hinges didn't squeak. She put her hands on baggy denim clad hips and said sarcastically, "Is that better?"

  "The door—yes. Your language—no," Cat replied. "I don't want to hear that kind of talk come out of your mouth again. Do you understand?" Billie leaned back against the stove and watched the exchange.

  "Well?" Cat stared down the rebellious teenager.

  Tara stared back in a determined effort to show her mothers who was in control.

  Cat held her own during the confrontation. She stood up straight with her arms crossed in front of her. Cat suddenly wondered where her little girl had gone. Here before her was a young lady, intent on making a statement. From the top of her spiked red hair to the tips of her Nike clad toes, she stood rigid and determined. Cat realized that with her severely baggy jeans, oversized T-shirt and leather necklaces, that her daughter was the picture of a streetwise rebellious youth.

  Frustrated nearly to the point of anger, Cat broke the gaze and looked down. She rubbed her forehead. "Tara, go to your room."

  "But I'm hungry!" Tara objected.

  "I'll call you when dinner is ready. After dinner, you'll go back to your room."

  "No way!" Tara exclaimed. "Karissa and I are going to the mall after dinner."

  "Correction, Karissa is going to the mall after dinner. You are going to your room," Cat answered.

  "But, Ma!" Tara whined.

  "Go!" Cat's gaze met her daughter's eyes as she pointed toward the living room.

  A hateful sneer crossed Tara's face and she angrily stomped through the kitchen.

  Cat counted to ten and turned to face Billie again. "That child..."

  Billie pulled Cat in close. "Cat, honey, she's just feeling her way around, trying to find out who she is," Billie said. "She reminds me a lot of myself at that age."

  Cat looked at her wife. "You had red spiked hair?" she teased.

  Billie shrugged one shoulder. "Something like that. She'll be fine Cat. Just give her some space. You'll see."

  "Billie, we can't let her run wild. There's so much out there that can hurt her. Drugs, violence, sex. Oh, my God, sex! Billie, I don't even want to think about that," Cat agonized.

  "You know, she's old enough to understand the consequences of careless sex. It might be a good idea to talk to her before she makes a mistake out of ignorance," Billie suggested.

  "Are you volunteering?" Cat asked hopefully.

  Billie looked at Cat and grinned. "You know, I should say no. After all, I had to tell Seth on my own because some cute little redhead chickened out, but I won't do that to you. Why don't we talk to her together?"

  "Okay." Cat kissed her on the nose and felt relief flooding through her.

  Billie smiled broadly at the bright eyes that stared back at her. "You are so damned cute!"

  Cat slapped Billie's arm lightly. "You're just saying that to stay on my good side. After all, without me, you'd have to eat your own cooking!"

  "Busted!" Billie replied.

  ***

  "Hey neighbors!" Jen came through the kitchen door to see Billie and Cat loading the dishwasher with dinner dishes.

  "Hi, Jen," Billie and Cat replied together.

  Jen stopped and looked at her friends. "You two never cease to amaze me," she commented. "Do you guys do everything together? Heck, I can hardly get Fred to put his dishes in the sink, never mind help load them into the dishwasher!"

  Billie approached Jen and patted her cheek with an open palm. "I keep trying to tell you, Jen, you need to find yourself a woman."

  "That thought has crossed my mind," Jen replied, half seriously. "Got anyone in mind?"

  "Jen, if I thought you were even a tiny bit serious about that..." Billie mused.

  "Stop it, you two," Cat scolded. "All you've got do is teach Fred a few lessons about housekeeping."

  "Uhh, Cat? Have you ever heard the saying, 'you can lead a horse to water'?" Jen asked through raised eyebrows.

  "What you need to do is give him a scare. You know, make him realize he's taking you for granted," Billie suggested. She glanced at Cat and remembered their earlier conversation.

  "I guess I've just made things way too easy on him over the years. I guess because I'm a stay-at-home mom I feel it's my responsibility to take care of everyone," Jen reasoned. "After all, I don't work outside the home," she added.

  "Whoa. Wait just a minute there," Cat exclaimed. "Just because you're a stay-at-home Mom doesn't mean you don't work hard. Jen, your house is spotless. Your laundry is always done. Your kids always have a parent to come home to after school. Honey, you work damned hard. You might not have an outside income, but the wealth you bring to your home and family is immeasurable. Fred is blind if he doesn't see that. What would he do without you? What would any of them do?" The indignant anger came through in Cat's voice.

  Jen stood there for several moments, brow furrowed, as she absorbed her friend's words. She took a deep breath, and nodded her head. "Maybe you're right, Cat," she said. "I guess I need to work on showing him just how much he does need me." Jen's eyebrows dancing evilly up and down.

  "Oh, oh. I'm not sure I like the sound of that," Billie said. "Jen, what's going through that wicked mind of yours?" she asked.

  Jen chuckled. "You'll see. In time, you'll see," she replied.

  Billie looked at Cat with a 'now look what you've done!' expression on her face.

  Cat smiled nervously.

  Jen turned around when she reached the door. "Oh, by the way, I actually came over to invite the two of you to the movies Friday night. Our treat," she said.

  Cat and Billie looked at each other and simultaneously nodded. "Sure. I think we're free," replied Billie.

  "Cool. The movie starts at nine p.m. Maybe we can go out for dinner first," Jen suggested.

  "Sounds great, Jen. We'll pick you and Fred up at...let's say, six o'clock. Does that sound okay?" Cat asked.

  "Six o'clock it is. I'll see you later, 'kay?" Jen waved over her shoulder and headed out the door.

  Billie turned to Cat and placed her hands on her hips. She lowered her chin to her chest and looked out through hooded eyes at her wife.

  Cat felt uncomfortable under Billie's scrutiny. "What? Billie, all I did was let her know she had a voice. She doesn't deserve to feel inferior. She works very hard at home."

  Billie visually relaxed her stance and opened her arms. Cat entered them willingly. "I know, sweetheart. I know. Maybe Fred does need to learn a lesson," she said. After a short pause, she added, "I just hope Jen doesn't go o
verboard."

  "Jen? Overboard? She wouldn't do that, would she?" Cat asked seriously.

  Billie raised one eyebrow at her wife. "What do you think?" she replied.

  Cat gulped. "I think Fred's in trouble."

  CHAPTER 3

  "Billie? It's Shannon Nash on line two. I tried setting up an appointment with her to come in later in the week, but she insisted on talking to you first," Deb said across the office intercom.

  Now what could that mean? Billie thought to herself. "All right, Deb. Thanks." Billie picked up the phone and pressed the number two on the keypad. "This is Billie," she said into the receiver.

  "Billie. Hi. Shannon Nash. Look, Billie, it doesn't look like I can break away from my meetings during the day. Would it be possible to meet one evening this week? Maybe Julie and I can take you and your wife out for dinner and discuss the case. I'm really sorry to inconvenience you like this," she explained.

  Billie thought it over for a moment. She had learned a few years earlier from a domestic violence case in which the wife finally died from the abuse, not to let herself become personally involved with her clients. It was against her better judgment, but something about this woman, and about this case, compelled her to accept. "All right. I guess that would be okay. Which night would be best for you?" Billie asked.

  "Friday," Shannon replied.

  "Friday..." Billie pondered. Did we have something planned? Damn, I wish I could remember. "I think Friday is okay," she commented. "Let's go ahead and schedule it, and I'll check with Cat to see if we already have plans. If we do, I'll get back to you," Billie said.

  "Cat?" Shannon inquired.

  "Oh, I'm sorry. Cat. Short for Caitlain. My lovely wife of eight years," Billie explained.

  "Cute. I like it. I'm looking forward to meeting her. What do you say to dinner at Trader Duke's at six p.m.?" Shannon suggested.

  "Sounds fine to me. We'll see you then."

  Billie hung up the phone and turned back to the legal brief spread across her desk. Okay, what are the facts here, she said to herself. Let's see, one absent father, gone for more than seven years. Two legally married women, one the biological mother of the child. Two sets of grandparents, one set supportive, one set combative. The problem isn't with the father. He's given up his rights through desertion. The problem is the in-laws. No, no, the problem is homophobia. That's the real issue here. "Shit," Billie said out loud.