Partners in Life

Finally, unable to resist the mountain of questions that had been building inside her any longer, Ashley asked how long Laura had been around?

"Since I was sixteen, or maybe fifteen. I discovered an old trunk that my mother left in the attic. There were dozens of dresses and slips and oodles of amazingly sexy underwear in there. They were from my mother's sister, Aunt Karen, before she died."

"What happened?"

"A car accident. It was on a night like this, rainy and dizzily. The roads were slippery and another car pushed her off the road. My mother was a mess for months after that; she was very close to her sister."

Ashley nodded; she knew what it meant to be close to a sister. The thought of losing her own sister chilled her. She smiled briefly and reached over to take Laura's hand. She could feel Laura's nervousness.

"Anyway, it was during Christmas break and I was bored so I went up into the attic to look for something to do. I guess one thing led to another. Apparently my Aunt Karen was close to the same size as I was then."

"Did your mother ever see you in her sister's clothes?"

"No, thank God. It probably would have devastated her, now that I think about it."

The room was filled with silence once again. Laura twirled her fork in the food on her plate.

Ashley took another sip of her wine. She took a big breath and let it out slowly. "Do you want to live full time as a woman, Laura?"

Laura glanced up in surprise then her features softened into a meek smile. She shook her head. "No." She took a breath and sighed. "I like to come out and play sometimes but my life as Jeff with you is what I want and need."

"Are you attracted to men?"

She smiled winsomely and shook her head. "No dear, I never have been or ever will be. I'm head over heels in love with you. I have been since the first day we met." She stood up and began to gather the plates and silverware off the table. "Maybe it's my way of understanding you better, of getting closer to you, or trying to understand what it is to be a woman." She shrugged her shoulders as she walked into the kitchen to set the dishes down near the sink. "Being a woman certainly isn't easy, I'll give you that."

Ashley smiled and picked up the platter laden with the Chinese food cartons. She followed Laura into the kitchen. "It's my night to do the dishes."

"Can I help?"

Ashley turned to her a bit surprised. "Do you want to?"

Laura nodded and smiled. "Of course."

"You know, Jeff and I never do the dishes together. We always take turns. So this surprises me."

"Well, that's Jeff and I'm Laura. Besides, with the two of us we can finish much faster."

They stood side by side while the sink filled with warm water. Ashley turned to Laura and smiled. "Thank you. You know, after last night I was so scared of meeting you but now I'm glad I did. I hope we can become friends."

"Does that mean you would like to see me again?"

Ashley paused a moment. She looked into Laura's eyes and nodded. She lifted a plate out of the soapy water and ran a washcloth across it. "Yes, I would like that."

She dunked the plate into the rinse water and handed it to Laura who replied, "I'd like that too."

They finished the dishes quickly and Ashley poured a glass of wine for Laura. "Let's sit in the living room."

"Okay." Laura followed her in and walked over to sit on a chair by the fireplace.

Ashley patted a cushion on the sofa. "Come sit over here, you're too far away."

Laura sat down next to Ashley and glanced nervously around the room. "I like the choices you made in decorating this room."

"You do? Thank you. I've tried countless times to get anything out of Jeff about it and he just shrugs his shoulders and grins."

"I like it, the muted blues and lavenders are very calming. I imagine you would probably need something like this after spending all day at your office. I know I would."

"You're right, it is calming. And there are days when I need it." Ashley reached down and slipped off her shoes. She studied her wine, rolling it around and watching it cling to the side of her glass.

"What are your plans this weekend?"

Laura looked up a bit surprised. "I didn't really have any. Why?"

"I was thinking that it might be nice to do a little shopping, just us girls. What do you think?"

Laura's hand began to visibly shake. She quickly placed her wine glass on the coffee table. "Ashley, I'm flattered that you would want me to go with you but I am not sure that's such a good idea. I'm not really good in public and I wouldn't want to embarrass you. Besides, this is something I would like to stay between us."

"Oh pooh, I think you're lovely. I've been watching you all evening. Everything about you speaks feminine to me. Besides, if anyone has an issue with it that's their problem not yours."

Laura still wasn't convinced. "But what if we run into someone we know?"

"We'll go to the outlets near the beach. Nobody we know goes there yet. I'll help with your makeup, nobody will know. Please, I want to go shopping with my new girlfriend."

"I'm your new girlfriend?"

Ashley nodded with a sweet laugh. Her words were almost lyrical. "Come on, it'll be fun."

Laura sighed and smiled meekly. "Okay. I guess I'll see you Saturday. What time?"

"Nine too early?"

Laura shook her head and smiled shyly.

"Yeah." Ashley leaned over and gave Laura a big hug then kissed her on her cheek. "Thank you."

Laura stood up and finished the rest of her wine then she set her glass on the coffee table. "I should probably go, you have to work tomorrow and eight o'clock comes awfully early."

Ashley stood up and placed her hands in Laura's. "Good night Laura, tonight was lovely. I can't wait until Saturday."

"What about your husband?"

"Oh, I'll talk to Jeff later, I'm sure he won't mind."

Laura nodded and smiled then she turned and walked out of the living room. She paused at the stairs and turned to Ashley. "Good night."

She quietly climbed the stairs as Ashley picked up the wine glasses and walked into the kitchen.

A few minutes later Ashley walked into her bedroom. Jeff was lying on the bed reading a magazine. There weren't any signs that Laura had been there moments before. "Hi, how was dinner?

She unbuttoned her blouse, tossed it into the hamper, and stepped into the bathroom. "It was very nice, different, but nice. I'm glad I asked to meet her."

"Me too. Are you seeing her again?"

Ashley stepped out of the bathroom while brushing her teeth. She nodded with a big grin. Then she ducked back into the bathroom to rinse.

She wiped her mouth on a towel and looked at her eyebrows in the mirror. "We're going shopping this weekend at the outlets near the beach."

Jeff set his magazine down. He got out of bed and walked to the bathroom door. "She's pretty shy Ash, she doesn't have a lot of confidence in public."

"She'll do fine, I told her I'd help her with her makeup if she needs it but honestly, she doesn't have anything to worry about, she looks and acts lovely."

Jeff pulled his wife into a hug as she stepped by him walking out of the bathroom. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. "I love you sweetheart, so very much."

"I love you too." She kissed him and hugged his neck. "Now be a dear and rub my feet. Those shoes I wore today were killing me. I'm taking them to the Goodwill next week."

She sat on the bed and scooted across to make room for him. Then she swung her feet around and plopped them into his lap. "Ooo, yes, right there. That's the spot."

He rubbed the soreness out of her feet. "Thank you for accepting Laura into your life sweetheart, it really means a lot to me."

"Until tonight I never knew how much it meant to me either." She poked him in the arm and chuckled. "She even helped me do the dishes."

"It sounds like she's spoiling you."

She swung her legs around and snuggled down beneath the blankets and cuddled close. "Maybe a little, but I deserve it."

He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her on the head. In minutes they both were sound asleep.

=TWO=

Five minutes after nine on Saturday morning, Laura walked down the stairs and into the living room looking for Ashley. Hoping that a casual look wouldn't draw too much attention, she wore faded blue jeans, a pink top, and a pair of black espadrilles. Ashley opened the front door and walked into the living room. "Hi, you look casual, I like it."

"Thanks, I'm hoping it helps me fade into the background."

Ashley grinned and walked over give her a hug. "Laura, sweetie, you are too pretty to fade anywhere but you could use a little more help with your makeup."

She took her hand and led her back upstairs to the bedroom. She pointed to a bench at her vanity as they walked in the room. "Here, sit down and let me look at what you have for makeup."

Ashley rummaged through a small bag containing all of Laura's makeup. "You have some nice subtle colors for your eyes in here but your foundation needs to be corrected. It's too pale and, well, you can't go cheap on makeup, sweetie. We'll get a better quality later while were shopping."

She picked up an eyebrow pencil and began to retouch a few spots. "There, much better. No one will ever know."

Laura looked in the mirror while Ashley turned to her closet and pulled out a blouse and some slacks. "I was cleaning the car before you came down and I got my pants all dusty. I won't be a minute."

"You didn't have to do that."

She poked her head out of the bathroom door. "What, and take my new girlfriend out shopping in that mess of a car? It's the least I can do."

A few minutes later she stepped out again and twirled in front of Laura. "What do you think? Casual enough?"

"Perfect, as always."

"Flatterer. Come on, I'll drive." Ashley started for the bedroom door then paused. "Wait." She dashed back to her closet and rummaged around a moment, emerging with a small leather purse with a simple shoulder strap. She handed the purse to Laura. "Here, you'll need this."

"Thanks," Laura said with a nod as she dropped her wallet and keys into the purse.

After nearly an hour, Ashley pulled into a parking space near the H&M outlet store. "We have at least two hours before the place is swamped so let's go shopping."

"Where first?"

"H&M then Forever 21, after that we'll see what comes along."

Laura started to blush and Ashley turned to lean in close and whisper. "Don't you dare get cold feet on me. You look lovely and no one is going to think anything other than two good friends are out shopping for fun." She paused a moment then gave her a quick peck on the cheek. Then she got out and walked around the car. She opened the passenger door and grabbed Laura's hand. "Now come on, let's have some girl fun."

Laura got out of the car and they both walked into H&M.

Ashley started searching through a rack of blue jeans near the entrance. "What are you looking for?"

"I'm not sure, maybe a new skirt or a top?"

"You look like a size 12." She grabbed Laura's hand. "Let's go over here first."

Ten minutes later she had an armful of choices. "Let's go try these on." She took Laura by the hand and headed towards the fitting rooms.

"What, now? Together?"

"Of course sweetie, we can help each other. Now, come on, room three is open."

The fitting rooms were spacious with ample lighting and several full-length mirrors. Ashley helped Laura out of her pink top and held out a lovely teal colored shirt that buttoned up to a high neck that was covered with a simple bow.

She glanced at Laura's bra as she unbuttoned her blouse. "We really need to do something about that bra dear. The tissue isn't working. We should look online this afternoon for some breast enhancers. They'll help you complete the look you need to wear this top and appear more natural. Here," she handed Laura the teal shirt, "try this one on first."

"Thanks. What are you going to try on?"

"A couple of new bras." She glanced over her shoulder and winked at Laura. "We can't find any new ones for you until we get your silhouette fixed. Then we'll be back."

Ashley took off her shirt and unfastened her bra. Her lovely breasts fell free of their prison. As she removed the bra she noticed Laura glancing sideways at her. Her nipples grew firm and erect with excitement. "Like what you see?"

When Laura realized she was caught looking she blushed. "I'm sorry Ash. You're just, well, you're just gorgeous and I can't help myself."

"Thanks," she said giving her an air kiss. "Now tuck that top in so we can see if it fits." She helped Laura adjust her blouse then she glanced down at her crotch. "And speaking of tucking."

Laura followed her gaze to the bulge that was beginning to emerge between her legs. "Oh, shit. Now what do I do?"

Ashley knelt down with a devilish grin. "I can think of something." She started to unzip Laura's jeans.

Laura quickly covered her growing bulge. "Ashley Richards! She whispered hoarsely. "Not here!"

Ashley chuckled with a mischievous grin. "Well then you better start solving some math problems, sweetie, because you can't go out looking like that." She stood up and kissed Laura on the cheek. "You are so cute when you're embarrassed."

Laura blushed an even darker shade of crimson.

Ashley turned around and pulled the bra straps around to her back. "Now help me with these clasps."

Twenty minutes later, with their choices in hand, they made their way to the checkout counter. Standing at the rear of the checkout queue another woman held several slacks and a short jacket. She happened to turn around as Ashley and Laura approached.

"Ashley! What are you doing here? I thought you said you'd be off somewhere with your husband this weekend."

Ashley blanched as she glanced back at Laura. "Sara, sorry, I had a change of plans."

Sara looked past her to Laura who stood awkwardly behind trying not to draw Sara's attention.

Ashley noticed her glance. "Oh, Sara, this is my husband's sister Laura. She's in town for the weekend and she wanted to go shopping."

Sara extended her free hand to Laura. "It's nice to meet you."

Laura nodded and smiled. "Hi," she added softly.

Ashley looked into Laura's eyes with a subtle nod to the exit door. "Laura, I'll take your things, you said you needed to go."

Laura shrugged her shoulders with a meek smile. "Yes, thank you." She handed Ashley the tops she wanted and with a nod towards Sara, she dashed to the exit and down the corridor to the restrooms.

"She's nice, Ashley. Your sister-in-law, huh? How long is she staying in town?"

Sara Conway was the go-to girl for office gossip. And when there was nothing to talk about, Ashley suspected that she made stuff up just to stir things up. She wasn't one of Ashley's favorite people.

Ashley turned to look for Laura. "Only for the weekend. Then she has to get back to Springfield."

Sara nudged Ashley in the arm with a wink. "Well, if you're up for some fun tonight with your new sister-in-law, come check out the action at The Tropicana. The DJ they have there now is good and sometimes so is the action."

"I'll remember that Sara, but I doubt Laura will be up for it. She's kind of shy, and I think just like me, she's in a committed relationship."

The checkout clerk looked to Sara. "How can I help you, miss?"

Sara dropped her clothing choices onto the counter. She smiled at the sales clerk and then glanced back at Ashley. "You never know with the shy ones, if you know what I mean. Besides, when you're out of town who's the wiser?"

Ashley shrugged her shoulders with a half smile more meant to appease Sara than to agree with her. She turned to look outside again for Laura.

Sara took that gesture as the end of the conversation and returned her attention to the sales clerk.

Five minutes later Ashley walked out of the store and headed towards her car. Laura walked out of a nearby sporting goods store and joined her.

Ashley opened her trunk with her remote. "Ugh! Of all the people to run into." She leaned closer to Laura and whispered. "Sara Conway is a slut. She has nothing better to do in her life but wag her tongue about everybody else. The little bitch even makes stuff up."

Laura looked a bit shocked at Ashley's candor. "Should we go?"

"No, she's gone. I told her you're Jeff's sister. It looked like she bought it and in a way you are." Ashley touched Laura on the arm. "His sweet little sister who is now my new girlfriend."

Ashley closed the trunk and winked at Laura. "Come on, we have more to shop for."

The rest of the morning was uneventful, save for the sheer fun of shopping with Ashley, which, for Jeff dressed as Laura, was a real eye-opener. Sure, he had spent many hours shopping for clothes with his wife but somehow he was seeing the whole experience in a different light and he was really enjoying it.

That surprised him more than he expected. Ashley was so delightfully funny and playful and carefree. It was a side to her that he had rarely seen and he was beginning to relish it.

They bought a few more things for Laura, including some high quality makeup at Ulta. Then they stopped into Ashley's favorite shoe store.

She insisted that Laura try on some new shoes. "A girl can not have too many shoes. Here, try these on." She handed her a pair of four-inch wedges. "You should own a pair of wedges to go shopping in. They're safer and they're easier on your ankles."

"How do you know my size?"

Ashley covered her mouth with her hands and blushed like a schoolgirl. "I peeked when you were in the shower."

Laura stood up in the shoes with a twinkle in her eye. She glanced down at the way her feet looked in the shoes. "At what? My shoes or me?"

Ashley laughed as she walked down the shoe aisle. "Both."

On the way home Ashley admitted that she liked having Laura as a good friend. She confessed that she always wanted someone who she could confide in, almost forgetting that beneath Laura's exterior was her husband.

Laura looked away from the passenger window towards Ashley. "What about Jeff?"

"Oh, there are just some things a girl can't talk about freely with her husband. It's not like I'm trying to keep anything from him, I'd be happy to tell him anything if he asked. It's just easier with...a girlfriend." Ashley glanced over and bit her lower lip. "Does that make any sense?"

Laura smiled and nodded her head slowly. "Somehow, I think it does. Thanks."

=THREE=

Monday, after Ashley returned home from work, she found that Jeff had set a romantic candle light dinner in the dinning room. She walked in and found him finishing up setting the table.

Ashley dropped her purse by the front door then she walked into the dinning room. Her eyes sparkled in the candlelight. "This looks lovely."

Jeff turned and kissed her on the lips. "Thank you, how was your day?"

"Busy. And yours?"

"Not so bad." Jeff turned her around and began to massage her shoulders.

"A client called and yelled at me about the layout of a new brochure he wanted 'yesterday'. In the middle of the conversation he finally looked at his inbox and noticed that I had already finished his changes. He apologized...sort of."

"Oh God, that feels so divine." She turned and kissed him on the lips. "Let me get out of these clothes."

"Dinner is almost ready."

She turned half way up the stairs with a twinkle in her eye. "What are we having?"

He grinned as he stood looking up at her. "Salmon and copious amounts of wine."

"Hmm, are you trying to seduce me Mr. Richards?"

Jeff offered her a subtle smile. "The thought did cross my mind."

"Good." She turned and climbed the stairs to the bedroom. "I'll be right back."

Minutes later she returned in a provocative satin dressing gown with a matching bra and thong panties. Her hair was done up in curls and her makeup was smoky and seductive.