Unfortunately the days went by and it was time for Kathy to go back to the ranch, at the airport she promised to call everyday and she did for the first few weeks they would talk on the phone for long hours but once the classes began to get difficult Jess had to cut down a little the time she spend on the phone, Kathy missed her terribly and Jess was in the same boat, but this needed to be done so none of them ever complained, on the contrary they always gave each other support to get them thru the rough times.
Kathy hadn't been able to visit since that weekend and her desire to see and hold Jess was taking over, Jess was coming home for two weeks in a month, it was Christmas and that's what kept them both strong, they knew for a fact that during those days they were going to be inseparable.
Work was good, Kathy had everything under control and running smoothly. Every Saturday she had dinner at her in-laws and their relationship was great. She was extremely pleased with that, she never had a family that supported her and the Wells had always made her feel like she belonged there.
Josh had been doing a great deal of traveling in the last few weeks, he had been meeting with lawyers, bankers, accountants, and all sorts of business man, Kathy was wondering what was going on but didn't asked any questions, if she needed to know something he would take care of that.
Jess and Emily were very close and with her parents permission she was going to bring her over to the ranch to spend Christmas with them, she didn't really have a family to go back to and it just broke Jess's heart imagining Emily spending such an important time of the year all by herself in their dorm room.
They had a couple of big tests coming up before going on vacation, so studying was their main concern. Emily hadn't gone out for days and Jess was growing a bit desperate. Emily was studying international business and finances and Jess's career was very similar. Their classes were hard and required a lot of attention.
The big day was here and after acing their exams they took a cab to the airport. The flight was long and tiresome but the destiny had promises.
Kathy was waiting for them along with Tina and Josh. Their smiles were wide and warm.
Jess threw herself in Kathy's arms and held her tight while she whispered in her ear that she missed her. They didn't kiss, out of respect to Tina and Josh.
After greeting everyone and introducing Emily they got on their way. Jess rode with Kathy on her truck and Emily went with Tina and Josh, whom in the way offered Emily a job at the ranch as soon as she graduated from college which was going to happen around the same time that Jess did. Emily happily accepted and felt happy to belong to this family.
As soon as Kathy and Jess were alone they kissed passionately and hugged again.
"I thought this day would never come." Jess said and kissed her girlfriend on the cheek.
"I'm planning to spend every second of this week with you baby." Kathy replied merging into the highway.
Jess just smiled and entwined her fingers with Kathy's.
After Jess and Emily freshened up they went downstairs to have dinner with her parents and Wanda.
After a few minutes into the meal there was a knock on the back door and as usual Jess went to answer it.
"Hey babe." Kathy looked so hot in her jeans and white tank top, her hair was loose and wet just like Jess liked it.
"I was wondering where you were." Jess replied and kissed her cheek. Her family was behind her so she didn't go any further.
Dinner was pleasant, everybody talking and joking together like a big old family, there was so much love and appreciation mutually felt by all of them towards each other that it was easy to perceive. Kathy and Jess were sitting next to each other while Emily accompanied Wanda, Josh and Tina on the opposite side of the table.
They ate mashed potatoes, rosemary chicken and green bean salad. Wanda was a great chef and the food was healthy as well as delicious.
After dinner was over Wanda showed Emily to her room, it was right next to Jess's. Josh as usual went to his study while Tina read one of her many romantic novels. Jess went with Kathy outside to say goodnight.
"I'm so happy you're home honey." Kathy whispered to Jess as they hugged.
"I'm happy to be home." she smiled and kissed her on the lips.
"When can you sneak out?" Kathy squeezed Jess's butt letting her know what she meant by that.
Jess smiled and kissed her girlfriend again.
"We'll see, maybe I'll surprise you tonight."
Jess's room was cold, the ac was off but the cold weather of December was very strong. She got her bed ready and took her clothes off. She was dying to sleep with Kathy, to be cuddled by her and wake up in her arms, but she knew that would be wrong, she had to respect her family, they trusted her and Kathy and she didn't want to have any problems. She knew for a fact that she and Kathy were going to sleep together for the rest of their lives.
The next morning Jess got dressed and left the house after having breakfast with Wanda, her parents weren't up yet and Emily loved to sleep, so Jess got on her way after making sure she was properly dressed for the low degrees outside.
She walked to the clinic where she was sure Kathy would be at. Everything was quiet but the lights were on. She walked in and saw Kathy writing some reports on the surface of the counter, she didn't hear her come in so Jess took advantage and watched her, she was wearing her usual work clothes and a coat on top to protect her from the cold.
Kathy finished her books and turned around to begin her daily chores when she saw Jess standing in the doorway.
"Good morning sexy." Jess said smiling and walking towards Kathy.
"How long you've been there?" Kathy smiled and kissed her good morning.
"Long enough to realize that I'm the luckiest girl alive."
"No, I'm the luckiest girl alive." Kathy replied taking her in her arms.
"I'm sorry about last night, I thought it would be better if we waited just a little longer, besides I don't want to break the trust that my parents have deposited in us."
"I know baby, don't worry about it, you're here now and that's what counts."
"How's work?" Jess asked as she walked around and touched some of the instruments that were resting on the counter.
"It's good, just the routine stuff. The boys do most of it."
"Stop being so modest Miss Kathy. When will you be done?" Jess had other things in mind other than veterinary work.
"That depends. . . Maybe I could arrange something." she smiled and winked at her girlfriend.
"I'll be waiting for you at the house. I have to go wake Emily up."
"Thanks for passing by baby." Kathy kissed Jess and hugged her goodbye.
"I'll catch you later sexy." Jess exited the clinic and headed for Kathy's house, she wanted to prepare the most special night of their lives, that's why she lied by saying that she needed to go wake up Emily.
She knew where Kathy kept a hidden key in case of any emergencies.
Emily was going to bring some groceries to the house and help her cook. That wasn't her best attribute but she was going to give it all she had.
She decided to start in the room by picking up Kathy's dirty clothes and putting them all in a white hamper. She made the bed and cleared the nightstands. She dusted and removed all the perfumes and all the lotions and deodorants from the dresser and sprayed it with lemon scented furniture polish. She threw the clothes in the washer and found a box of Gain detergent inside the kitchen's closet.
The living room was fine just a couple of cups by the TV table and a coat on top of one of the couches. The kitchen was picked up and there was some coffee on the pot still warm from the morning, she spilled it down the drain and washed the pot, dried it and placed it back where it belonged. There was a knock on the door and Jess peeked through the window just to make sure it was Emily.
"Good morning." Jess smiled at her sleepy faced best friend.
"Hey." Emily managed to reply while Jess helped her with the grocery bags.
"How did you sleep?" Jess asked on her way to the kitchen table to drop of her load.
"Good, I can actually say that I rested peacefully."
"I'm glad to hear that, you deserved it." Jess smiled and began to chop onions, peppers and garlic.
"Your dad offered me a job yesterday, he wants me to occupy a really important position in his company."
"I know, he told me about it. Did you accept his proposition?" Jess rinsed her hands real quick and went to switch the clean clothes from the washer to the dryer machine.
"How could I turn him down, you know I don't have anywhere to go."
"Regardless of your professional decision you know that in my home you will always be welcomed."
"I know Jess, and I'm really happy and honored to belong to your family." Emily hugged her friend and got to work.
Emily washed and removed all the fat from a couple of chicken breasts and sprinkled some complete seasoning on them as well as some ground pepper and the ingredients that Jess had chopped. They were making grilled chicken breast and steamed vegetables. Hopefully Kathy would like it. While the vegetables got cooked, they folded the clothes and proceeded to put them away. When Jess opened the one of the dresser drawers she found a mess of underwear, boxers and tank tops. She couldn't just throw in there the clean folded clothes so she began to fold everything and organize it by category. At the very bottom of the drawer she found a fat envelope with a rubber band tied around it. She left it alone for a few minutes and tried to ignore it but curiosity took over her and as soon as she finished what she was doing and checking on the vegetables she sat on the bed with Emily and opened it.
"Is that a drivers license?" Emily asked taking the plastic card from Jess's hands.
"It looks like it." Jess replied.
"Does Kathy have a twin sister?" Emily's eyes widened, the picture had been taken a few years ago and Kathy looked nothing like the Kathy they knew now. Her hair was short and the name on the license was Jodie Lee.
"Not that I know of. Why?" Jess took a look at the drivers license and her jaw dropped. Who was Jodie?
"Well all I can say is that she either has a twin sister with a different last name or she has changed her name for some other reasons."
"Lets see what else we find in this envelope." Jess said and kept browsing thru the papers. They were letters from some girl, some pictures, in one of them Kathy was dressed in a blue uniform, with a logo on the right side of her polo shirt but Jess couldn't read what it said the picture had been taken from a distance.
Emily stood up and went to check on the food, it was time to start cooking the chicken, it was almost eleven in the morning already and Jess had wanted to have lunch with Kathy and spend the rest of the afternoon together.
Jess felt like she was invading her girlfriend's privacy and she put everything back in the envelope, wrapped the rubber band around it and left it exactly where she found it. If she needed to know something she would tell her. But at the same time she felt betrayed to an extent, Kathy hadn't been completely honest with her.
"I'm going to go get her, be ready." Emily smiled and walked out the door.
Jess prepared the table and placed a plate with the chicken breasts in the middle next to a bowl with the vegetables, it smelled so good. She cleaned up the dirty dishes from the preparation and after drying them with a kitchen towel she put them away.
She smelled like chicken and broccoli so she hurried to the bathroom to take a quick shower before Kathy got home. She borrowed a pair of white boxers and a grey tank top and threw her clothes on the hamper to be washed later.
Kathy wasn't expecting to see Emily at the clinic. She smiled and greeted her accordingly.
"Busy day?" Emily asked.
"Somewhat. I'm getting ready to wrap it up."
"Oh that's great because I've been sent to fetch you."
"Really? Where's Jess?" Kathy smiled.
"She's at your house waiting for you."
"At my house?" Kathy's heart skipped a beat. What was Jess doing in her house?
"Yeah, just go, I don't want to spoil the surprise." Emily walked out of the clinic leaving Kathy thinking. She looked serious and worried.
Jess was waiting impatiently for Kathy on the bed, she was reading some sports magazines and doing some crossword puzzles. She heard the door cracking a little bit when Kathy came in, Jess stood up to go greet her.
"Hey baby." Jess threw herself in Kathy's arms and kissed her on the lips.
"Wow, what have you done to my place?" Kathy was surprised, everything was cleaned and picked up, it smelled so good and she could see that the table had been set for two.
"I thought I could do something nice for the woman I love so much." Jess took Kathy's hand and proceeded to give her a complete tour.
"I can barely recognize my room, thanks honey." Kathy was growing more nervous by the minute, her clothes were all washed and put away, meaning that she had been opening and closing drawers.
"I'm glad you liked it, why don't you take a shower while I serve the food."
"Sounds great." Kathy smiled and thought of the perfect opportunity to go and hide the only envelope that tied her to her horrible past.
Jess went to the kitchen and as soon as she was out of sight Kathy hurried to the dresser to retrieve her package. She opened the drawer and her heart warmed instantly, Jess had folded and organized her underwear and her clothes so neatly, you could see the effort that she had put on making the house beautiful for her. She grabbed the envelope and placed it underneath the mattress. Safe for now.
Kathy was done in a few minutes, she emerged from the shower smelling good and refreshed. Jess was waiting for her at the table with a delicious meal ready to be eaten.
"Baby I don't know how to thank you for all this, you're wonderful." Kathy hugged her and kissed her one more time before sitting down to have lunch.
"I would do anything to make you happy Kathy." Jess began to eat and remembered what she had found in the envelope, she had an urge to ask Kathy about it but thought that maybe it was better to wait until they finished eating.
After lunch Jess washed the dishes while Kathy dried them and put them away.
"I just bought the first season of a show called "Dexter", do you want to watch it with me?" Kathy asked Jess while walking to the bedroom.
"Sounds good." Jess replied.
"Why are you so quiet?" Kathy closed the door behind her.
"Just thinking baby."
"About?"
"I don't know, just random stuff, like school." Jess replied lying, the truth was that she wanted to know for sure who Kathy was, she wanted to know if her girlfriend had been lying.
Kathy turned on the TV and inserted the DVD inside the player, Jess got under the covers, she was a little cold.
Kathy joined her a few seconds later throwing herself playfully on top of Jess.
"I missed you so much baby." Jess said hugging Kathy tightly against her already aroused body.
"I love you Jess, never forget that." Kathy kissed her passionately on the lips.
"I have been dreaming with this moment for the last few weeks, I wanted to hold you and kiss you and make love like two maniacs."
"We're in the same page then."
"I have to ask you something." Jess gently moved from underneath Kathy and sat on the bed with her back resting on the bed post.
Kathy looked at her waiting for the so much dreaded moment. She knew what Jess was going to ask her and she didn't know what to say. The truth wouldn't be an option.
"I found an envelope on one of your drawers today while I was organizing it. Is Jodie your real name?"
"Yes." Kathy replied.
"Where you planning to tell me anytime soon? Why is your name now Kathy?"
"I wasn't planning on telling you or anybody else, its a complicated story, you either take it or leave it."
"You are definitely not a - what you see is what you get-" Jess stood up and turned the TV off.
"How do you think I feel about you coming into my house and going thru my papers."
"I don't know how you feel, why didn't you tell me that it bothered you?" Jess's ears were getting red and she was raising her voice a bit.
"It didn't bother me that you came and prepared an awesome meal, or that you did my laundry, it bothered me that you went thru my envelope."
"I didn't know that you had secrets, I'm sorry but I don't want to be with somebody that keeps stuff from me, this is not something small, or unimportant. It's a pretty big deal for me."
"I understand."
"Is that all that you're going to say?"
"Yeah."
"You are incredible, why can you just sit down tell me everything and we can move on? Why do you underestimate me? Are you like a serial killer or something? A rapist? What in this world can you be hiding that you can't share with the woman that you supposedly love?"
"Please don't go there, I do love you, you can't imagine how much. I do trust you, I don't underestimate you, it's just really painful for me, its hard to talk about it, I'm the same person, I haven't changed."
"In my eyes you have." Jess walked out and slammed the door behind her. She walked all the way home, barefooted and in boxers.
She went straight to her room, she cried and screamed into her pillow for hours until she fell asleep.