Feels Like Home

The car ride conversations became considerably less serious after that. You went back to asking her what else they talked about last night, and she mentioned that she’s probably severely overworking Paige and she’s seriously considering getting her assistant her own assistant which made you laugh a bit. Becca mentioned possibly considering Tricia for the more administrative tasks that Paige is being asked to do, which apparently included picking up your other girlfriends from their respective places of work and to drive them to Becca’s apartment tonight. She did mention it as more of a temporary measure just to possibly help Maddy’s request for possible job opportunities.

Becca mentioned something else that they made other plans, but not wanting to spoil it, said it would be better if it was a surprise. It didn’t take long after that for you to reach the busy street of Becca’s apartment building where you notice something different in comparison to the last time you drove here for your first date.

“There’s considerably less reporters waiting for a glimpse of you this time around.” You observe, as you take the turn to get inside the underground parking of Becca’s apartment building.

“The company already released a statement that I cosigned. It downplayed the severity of the rumors behind my disengagement. Father had to begrudgingly promote my accomplishments outside the company on his Bloomberg interview to hammer home the excuse that I’m trying to build something on my own and that he couldn’t be more proud of my brave decision to step down from the company.” Becca explains.

“I’ve been playing a loop of it all afternoon since it aired.” Becca admits, and you both can’t help but smile proudly at how she got her father to heel.

“I hope that’s a sign that he’s slowly letting go of his grudge against us.” You comment.

“I’d say ‘don’t count on it’; but then again, I never really considered how powerful of an influence the app may have against him. If you’ve bought all the recommended traits in terms of dealing with his stubbornness, then maybe we have nothing to worry about.” Becca replies.

“But I bet that won’t stop you from preparing for his possible retaliation.” You cheekily reply, as you park the car in one of Becca’s reserved parking spaces.

“Of course not. I’m not foolish.” Becca replies, sounding appalled at the thought, after she lets go of holding your hand and unlatches her seatbelt.

“Becca, can I ask you something?” You then ask, taking her hand again to prevent her from leaving the car yet, and Becca immediately replies with an “Of course”, almost surprised you’re not just asking her freely.

“I know you mentioned that you want to earn your father’s support without the help of magic, but I want to ask if you’ve reconsidered that stance? Maybe for your own peace of mind, I could buy the ‘Supportive Parents’ trait for you and—” You try to ask her, but she cuts you off before you can finish.

“It’s not his ‘support’ I want. What I want is for him to see me as his equal.” Becca points out, and you can’t help but just nod. You understand what she means, and it’s not your place to **** her to change her mind.

“I know it’s a selfish thought; but if there’s one thing I’ve learned being me, try as you might to buy people’s respect, magically or not, you can only truly earn it.” Becca continues, making you squeeze her hand, which makes her pause to check what it was for.

“I understand. Completely. I just wanted to support you in some way too, and it feels like magic is the only way I can right now.” You tell her.

“You already are supporting me by allowing my stubbornness.” She corrects you. “I’m aware that I’m most likely putting our group into more trouble than it's worth due to it, and I’m sure Cassie would prefer it if we just had our father be completely behind us; but like she and I talked about yesterday, it may not be as simple as she thinks.” Becca adds.

“Yesterday? You talked about this with Cassie already?” You ask her to clarify.

“She and I talked about it privately, yes. She asked me the same thing you did just now. Hoping I’d have considered the benefits of the trait being recommended for me as a way to end this nonsense with our father once and for all. She wasn’t remiss to mention that you already turned her down the night we were confronted by our father.” Becca shares, before squeezing your hand in appreciation.

“Cassie and I also came to an understanding, like we did just now. She knows that what I want out of my father isn’t something that the magic of the app can give me, nor would I get any satisfaction from having him magically influenced to support my wishes blindly.” Becca informs you.

“I hope you don’t think Cassie and I are both pressuring you to do this for us.” You then tell her, realizing the coincidence of you and Cassie bringing up the app with her now.

“I do not feel any pressure whatsoever. I am more amazed that you're giving me a choice at all. I know if I was placed in your position, knowing the possible benefits, I’d have just done it already without seeking approval.” Becca tells you.

“Then again, it’s that difference between us that I find most appealing about you. In the short time we’ve known each other, I can trust you more than anyone, and you trust me with my own decisions. I’ve only ever felt that kind of connection with one other person, and wherever she is, I consider it home.” Becca adds with a smile, before squeezing your hand lovingly.

“What I’m trying to say is…” Becca then tries to say, but can’t seem to let herself continue with the words that are on the tip of her tongue. Instead, Becca leans in for another kiss, using her other hand to caress your cheek as she does. You extend the kiss further by returning her advances, but Becca pulls back after the kissing starts to get a little more heated.

“I’m sure they won’t appreciate it if I keep you all to myself.” Becca says.

“Let’s go up. We can continue this with the others.” Becca adds, giving you a wink as she opens the car door.

An elevator ride later…

“Dad!” Stella shouts as she sees you entering Becca’s living room, and running towards you to give you a hug. “You weren’t kidding! Like… Holy shit! This place is massive!” Stella adds excitedly, and you can’t help but chuckle at Stella’s giddiness. The rest of the girls followed her to greet you with hugs and cheek kisses, before then turning to Becca to do the same.

“I assume that Marybeth has given you all a tour already?” Becca asks the rest of the girls, who all nod in response.

“You have a better stocked gym than my business!” Brooke jokingly shouts, almost sounding offended that Becca had the audacity to equal her in that regard. Becca shrugs smugly as a response, almost Jordanesque in the way she did it.

“I think that shrug means ‘indubitably’.” Viv jokes, making Brooke and the rest of the girls laugh at Becca’s expense. Becca rolls her eyes at first, after realizing that Marybeth has shared her embarrassing childhood stories with everyone, but she immediately smiles afterwards.

“You’re lucky I don’t relieve you of your duties for spilling my childhood secrets, Marybeth.” Becca tells her, trying to be threatening with her tone, but failing miserably since she can’t hide her affection for her.

“Don’t you dare, Becca!” Cassie immediately reacts, before surprising you and Becca by giving Marybeth a hug around Marybeth’s shoulders from behind.

“I wouldn’t worry, dear.” Marybeth assures Cassie, placing her hand over Cassie’s forearm. “I have security of tenure.” Marybeth cheekily adds, while looking right at Becca, who just nods to confirm that Marybeth does indeed have nothing to fear.

“I must say, I’m glad to see you two have bonded.” Becca tells Cassie and Marybeth.

“She’s so sweet! How could we not?” Tanya chimes in, sharing that it’s not just Cassie that Marybeth has bonded with.

“Not to mention full of surprises!” Cassie jokingly adds, getting the others to laugh again.

“Like a **** Egg in human form!” Viv adds jokingly, trying to continue the laughs, but inadvertently causing everyone to stop and just look at her judgingly. “Oh, fuck off, all of you!” Viv shouts in retaliation to being the butt of the joke this time, which gets everyone to crack and laugh. Well, everyone except Maddy.

“I honestly didn’t get it.” Maddy admits innocently.

“You’ve never had a **** Egg before, Maddy?” Brooke asks.

“I think we have some. Would you like to try one?” Marybeth asks Maddy.

“Oh! I’ve had one before! So it’s okay. I just don’t get how it’s both sweet and surprising.” Maddy explains her confusion.

“**** Surprise!” Viv explains in a shout.

“What’s that?” Maddy asks her in confusion.

“We didn’t grow up with that. It was banned here as a **** hazard.” Stella explains to Viv why Maddy wouldn’t know about it.

“Nngghh~ I think I just grew wrinkles on my face from hearing that.” Viv says in reaction, scrunching up her body to feel the level of disgust at the thought of growing old.

“Oh? Those wrinkles are new?” Tanya jabs at Viv, getting everyone to laugh again, including Viv.

“Bitch!” Viv reacts with a playful tone to Tanya’s jab, before Tanya immediately gives her a hug to emphasize that she was only kidding. Viv still gives Tanya playful pokes to Tanya’s sides in retaliation to the jab though, but all it does is tickle Tanya and get her to laugh harder.

“Alright you two. Save the physicality for the workout!” Brooke says to break up the two’s playful antics.

“Fine! But I’m saving my physicality for… something else. Wink-wink, nudge-nudge.” Viv jokes, as she and Tanya break apart from each other.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, V. You’re not changing the plan on the spot.” Tanya then tells her, catching your curiosity.

“What plan?” You ask.

“That’s for us to know and you to find out.” Brooke tells you, getting the girls to all smile knowingly. You can’t help but notice how their smiles contrast with Marybeth’s wide smile. She looks extremely happy for Becca and how she’s being surrounded by friends, and the liveliness that comes with it. You also notice that the lack of hominess you felt when you first came here is all but a memory with all of your girlfriends being here with you, Becca, and Marybeth.

It doesn’t just feel like Becca’s place of refuge anymore…

It feels like a home.

“That being said, part one of the plan is the workout!” Brooke announces.

“So let’s get to it!”