“Home…”  She said softly, and Raul said something and Quin muttered, “Bring
me to Alice Raul, take me home.” 

~*~*~*~*~*

            Candace was lying on the couch, a bowl of chips
balancing on her flat stomach.  She was
dozing, the TV droning in the background. 
A mindless reality show was flashing on the TV and Bette walked into the living room.  She stopped, watching Candace‘s angelic face in her peaceful
slumber. 

            Bette knelt, taking the bowl gingerly off her
stomach and placing a wet loving kiss on her flat belly.  Candace stirred a bit, turning on the couch, Bette kissed her again, this time trailing her
tongue around her belly button, and Candace‘s eyes crept open.

            “Is this a dream or are you home
before midnight?”  Candace asked and Bette sat on the floor, resting her arm across
Candace‘s hips. 
Candace‘s fingers wrapped around Bette‘s and Bette winked.

            “Yes I’m home.  I went to check on Rosita.  She’s getting out this week, that detective, Alex? 
She offered to help Ro relocate, but Ro’s being stubborn, said it was
still her Barrio.”  Bette rolled her eyes and Candace nodded, understanding that.  Being a Bronx girl she knew what it was like to be
where you were from it became a part of you. 
Your neighborhood was who you were in many ways.

            “She’s got a stubborn streak, a lot
like you.”  Candace said, reaching down and popping a chip
into her mouth and Bette nodded, resting her head on Candace‘s stomach, meeting her eyes.

            “So you’d be angry if I invited her
to stay here for a few weeks?”  Candace shot up, fully away and now angry.

            “What?”

            “She’s not safe…”  Bette began.

            “You are not being in a gang banger
into our house…”  Candace threatened, feeling her blood boil.  For some reason, she felt like Rosita was a
threat to their relationship.

            “A former…”

            “She’s got the tats, she’s got the
guns, she’s got the car, former my ***** New York *****.” 
Candace snorted, and Bette pushed her gently back onto her
back. 

            “She told me no.”  Bette said, straddling Candace, and kissing her chin, then her lips.

            “Then why bring it up?”  Candace asked and Bette shrugged.