A/N
Unedited.

Scream
So that one day
A hundred years from now
Another sister will not have to
Dry her tears wondering
Where in history
She lost her voice.
-Unknown.

It's been a month since I told Ms. T how I felt about her and it's been a month since she walked away.

That day was engraved in my mind and even though I wished I could go back in time and prevent myself from ever being hurt, I still forced myself to believe it happened for a reason.

I mean, she did cause the death of her lover so maybe she was right in saying loving her was a death wish.

"Aunt Justine?"

I was pulled from my walk down memory lane by my niece and I smiled as she took a seat by the island.

"Hey, you guys need more juice?"

I had a full house today and before, I would have been embarrassed to say they were all lesbians but now I couldn't care less and loved almost every single one of them just the same.

Thinking back, I remembered blaming gay people for turning straight ones just like them and maybe I still kinda believed it... but I wasn't disgusted by the fact of two people of any sex being together intimately.

"No, we're okay. I just needed some air and well, I guess I could kill two birds with one stone and ask you how you're holding up?"

"I'm fine."

"You don't have to pretend with me, I know what it feels like to have someone leave you after you've been through so much with them."

"I..." I barely stopped myself in time before I went confessing things. "You're my niece, I can't talk about these things with you."

"Of course you can. It's not like I can't understand. I've been in your position and it sucked but look at me now. We're married and are soon to be parents."

"She did something unforgivable."

"Love conquers all doesn't it? I may not know what happened but I do know... something this rare, this pure, should be cherished not forgotten."

I smile as Carol pats me on the hands before rejoining her cousin, her cousin's wife and her own girlfriend and I sighed before I too joined them.

I did want Ms. T. I wanted her more than I ever wanted anything else in my entire life.. except my daughter of course... but I just wasn't sure if I could or if I should.

She didn't love me or didn't want to love me and she did leave someone to die. I get that it was in her past but that was a woman she swore she loved.

Was that what loving her will be like and having her love me back?

I literally risked my life for her and almost lost it. I don't want to go through that again only for her to just leave me out in the cold.

But she did try to stop her husband from hurting me...

I was so confused and my head was starting to hurt so I grabbed a few more snacks and some punch and headed back to the family I knew didn't confuse me.

"Mom, oh my gosh, come settle this debate between shit head and I."

"Now Janie what did I tell you about talking to your cousin like that?"

"But she's being stupid."

"I don't care. You guys need to grow up and stop bitching with each other."

"Mom! Language." Janie mocked and I rolled my eyes as I got settled in.

"Have you heard from your dad?" I continued, turning towards Carol as she cuddled closer to veronica. Her tummy was swelling considerably and I smiled as she gently rubbed it. "Last we spoke he was still working things through with Rosa."

"They're a hot mess. One minute he wants to leave her the next he doesn't and she is no better; she defends me and then she disowns me. I can't keep up with those two anymore and besides, I have my own family to worry about now."

"I swear, that brother of mine-"

"You guys are exactly alike aunt Justine."

"We are not." I defended.

"Oh really?! One minute you have the hots for Darcy's old boss and the next you think she's unforgivable."

"You don't even know what she did-"

"So-"

"She left someone to die!"

"And?!"

"Carol!"

"No disrespect, but at least it's better than being beaten up by your ex."

"I... it's complicated."

"No, you're complicated."

"What do you want me to do?"

"If you love her as much as you say you do... then go get her."

I roll my eyes as a house full of girls half my age stared me down as if trying to prove a point before getting up, saying screw it and headed the door.

I was behind the wheels and headed over to Ms. T's house since I knew it was a Sunday and she wouldn't be at work. The drive was slow and purposeful as I tried my best to prevent the inevitable, all the while trying to calm a racing heart.

I couldn't believe I had allowed them to talk me into this. Jane was the last person I should have been taking advice from and Carol recently came out of the hospital so really, I was crazy running back to the woman that flat out rejected me.

Yes, I did reject her first... many times... but I put myself out there and I would be stupid to do it again.

Too late to back out now. I thought as I pulled to a stop at the front of her house. It was a huge mansion and I took a minute to sink in its beauty as I realized this was my first time seeing it.

Braving any and every thing known to man, I got out and walked over to the front door. Ringing the doorbell, I waited, heart in hand.

A few moments later I could hear the door being unlocked before I came face to face with Ms. T and it came as no surprise that it took me a moment to say anything as I took in the sight before me.

She was clad only in a matching red lace underwear set that accentuated every part of her that mattered and barely hanging on her slim chocolate shoulders were a thin robe that flowed towards her ankle.

Her hair was natural, as though she hadn't bothered to straighten it and instead it lay curled towards her shoulder in a mess of dark beauty.

"Justine... what are you doing here?" She asks, her voice even and the British accent barely sounding through.

"We need to talk." I respond, not waiting for her to answer and walking right pass her.

I swear, if I find her in here with another woman, I would lose my shit.

"There is nothing for us to talk about."

"Are you alone?" I divert.

"Of course I'm alone. I don't entertain people on Sundays.

"Good."

"No, tell me what you're doing here or you can just leave."

"I said we needed to talk-"

"Fine. Let's talk."

She folds her hand as she sits on the arm of her couch and I'm suddenly distracted by her dark breasts that seem to be staring right at me.

"Am... So..."

Darn it. I had no idea what to say now that I was in front of her. I knew this was a bad idea.

"Look, if you just came here to waste my time-"

"Why'd you shut me out?" I cut in, folding my arms as I resisted the urge to go to her.

"Justine-"

"I know I said I didn't want you... want this... But that was in the beginning and I was confused and I had stuff I needed to work through for myself.

But then we both knew how the other felt. We both knew it was more than just a physical or sexual connection.

I even told you I loved you even after you admitted your deepest secret to me and yet still...

You left me.

Why?"

"You know why."

"I don't."

"I ruin people and you've been through enough to have me ruin you once more."

" You don't ruin me, you make me a better person. It's because of you I've learnt that life isn't as black and white as I thought it to be. It's because of you that I've rediscovered the woman my ex husband beat into submission. You made my bitter heart find love and acceptance again. You were the one that made me realise what those people took from me in the past wasn't who I was but what I had and could get again."

"And it's because of me that you almost lost your life."

"That is not your fault."

"If you hadn't met me-"

"My life would still feel hollow. I'd still be at odds with my family and probably still hate myself."

"Justine. This life... My life, you can't accept... this is who I am. This is what brings me joy."

"All I'm hearing is excuses on why you think we won't work and all I'm thinking is that you still haven't said you loved me back."

"I-"

"Say it."

"There's still so much..."

I was getting tired of standing around listening to her find reasons to push me out of her life. She was the dominatrix... the boss... But in this moment, I was taking command.

Walking closer to her, I wanted to smirk as she backed herself into a corner. I went right into her personal space until our nose were practically touching and she had no other choice but to look me in the eye.

"Say it." I commanded.

"Justine stop." Came her hollow voice.

"Say. It."

I pronounced both words with due emphasis; never breaking eye contact, I place my hands on her hips and squeezed, earning me my prize.

"I love you." Came her automatic response.

I was so relieved to hear her finally say those words that without thinking I crashed my lips to her and relished the feel of her total surrender.

My body was all she needed and hers was what I craved.

In this moment, nothing and no one would ever rob me of what I wanted ever again.

And right now, she was all I wanted. She was all I knew I'd ever need.

"I love you." I murmur against her lips and she groaned in response.

"Prove it."