Page 70 of No One Like You

“We took this huge, crazy step and we’re not going back? I’m not the rebound girl, right?”

“No, we’re not going back. I mean, I guess technically you’re the rebound girl, but you’re not a rebound. Are you okay?”

“Sorry, I’m having a bit of an anxiety attack. I’m just incredibly happy and I haven’t felt like this since I can’t remember when and now I’m terrified that you’ll leave me and it’s stupid and…”

Megan rolled over to face her. “Tasha, it’s normal to be anxious. Trust me, of all people, I get that. I have similar worries and I’m still working to wrap my head around the idea of being in love with another woman, but that’s the thing. I love you and I’m not going anywhere. Sophia loves you, too, ‘Mama Tasha.’ So, yeah… We aren’t going anywhere.”

Tasha felt her anxiety subside and she gently kissed Megan. “I love you, too, Megan.”

CHAPTER 42

YOU ARE THE FIRST, THE LAST, MY EVERYTHING

Megan and Tasha started quietly moving the rest of the stuff from the old apartment while Sophia slept in. Once she was up, they decided to take a break. Megan asked Tasha if she would mind making Sophia breakfast while she went out to get them coffee and hot chocolate. Tasha relished the opportunity to be Mama Tasha for a bit and agreed.

After breakfast, they spent a couple more hours finishing the move and cleaning up the old place to avoid any penalties. While they were cleaning, they discussed the pros and cons of getting a second cat. It wasn’t a long discussion as both were generally in favor of the idea.

They did a final check to be sure that everything was moved, said a wistful goodbye to their first home together, and then returned the keys.

Back in their new home, Megan suggested, “Tasha, go clean up while I fix lunch for us.” She watched Tasha walk away and noted the suggestive wink that she gave her before she disappeared into the bedroom.

“Sophia, would you like to help me make grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch?”

“I’m resting, Mommy.”

“I would really like it if you helped me, okay?”

“Yes, Mom…”

“Here’s a knife, bread, and butter. Please butter all of the bread while I get the tomato soup going.” Once the soup was going, Megan grabbed the step stool for Sophia and delegated the soup stirring to her while she cooked the grilled cheese. “Sophia, I’m sorry that we didn’t have much time to talk earlier. Did you like sleeping in your new room?”

“I liked it! Nocturne slept by my feet most of the night.”

“That’s sweet. I’m glad that she kept you company. Were you okay without me sleeping in the same bed with you?”

“Yeah, you poked me in your sleep sometimes and you snore. So I was okay sleeping by myself. Were you okay sleeping with Mama Tasha?”

Megan blushed a bit at that. “Um, yes. We were okay. I mean, I liked sleeping with your Aunt… Mama Tasha. Oh, I hope that I didn’t poke her in the night.” I’m so glad that Tasha didn’t hear me say that. “And since everyone keeps accusing me of snoring, even though I don’t snore, I hope that I didn’t keep her up.”

“Mommy, you do snore.”

“Didn’t you say that Mommy is a princess? Well, princesses don’t snore.”

Sophia pondered this for a moment, then said, “Princesses definitely snore! That’s how Prince Charming was able to find Sleeping Beauty.”

Mmmm, in my case, Princess Charming.

Megan definitely didn’t remember that part of the story, but the reasoning was pretty good. “Fine, maybe I do snore, but I don’t snore much. Like little cat snores.”

“Nope! Bear snores.”

“Ugh, and I can’t even tickle you for that because you are stirring the soup.” Sophia grinned triumphantly.

Once Tasha finished showering, they all ate lunch. After they finished, Megan said, “Alright, I’m going to wash off this morning’s dirt and dust, and then we can all go to the cat shelter. Maybe we can find a friend for Nocturne.”

Sophia was elated. “Mommy, can I choose Nocturne’s friend?”

Megan laughed. “Of course, although I think that it is more likely that a cat will choose us.”

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