Love is in the Painting

"Come on!! Hurry!" Little Jessica Raine shouted at her best friend Scylla.

Scylla let out a laugh, running a few paces behind Jessica, clenching their ice skates. Scylla wore a thick jacket that kept her body heat inside, keeping her warm. She could see her breath. Her boots stomped against the soft white powder as they ran towards the small pond that was on the edge of town, which froze during the winter.

Jessica stopped at the bench on the edge of the pond and kicked off her snow boots. She pulled on her ice skates.

Scylla fell onto the bench next to Jessica and pulled off her boots immediately, pulling on her skates and lacing them up tightly. She let out a small giggle, watching Jessica step onto the ice and push off, floating down the frozen pond as rapidly as her little body could. Jessica’s blonde hair fluttering in the wind behind her.

Jessica was laughing and giggling as she did some spins that she had been practicing, landing each one, including the triple turn, which she had difficulty with. She just could not put enough power in her jump to perform the act three full times. But she finally landed the action.

Watching Jessica having fun skating across the pond was all Scylla wanted. She hated the cold and would prefer the summer or spring months by this pond, but Jessica enjoyed skating. She would do anything to make Jessica happy. Scylla laced up her last skate and stood up, stepping down onto the ice, about to push off, when she heard the most horrifying sound of cracking ice beneath her skate. Scylla gasped and pulled her skate back, looking across at Jessica. She gulped hard.

"Come on Scyl!!! The ice won't crack under you. It's fun!" Jessica shouted across the frozen water, jumping up, her body spinning in the air twice before she landed, gliding over the ice.

Scylla swallowed hard and slowly set her foot down on the frozen pond, hearing another gentle crack. She looked down at the ice beneath her skate; a long crack had formed that the blade of her skate could fit through it with ease. Scylla quickly stepped back onto the shoreline and watched as the crack creeped all the way over to Jessica. Scylla let out a blood-curdling scream, "Jessica!!!" Before Scylla could rush over to Jessica, she fell when the surrounding ice broke into pieces.

Scylla gasped and woke with a start, sitting up. She panted, her heart pounding against her rib cage, wanting to break free.

"Did you have the dream again?" A soft voice next to her asked.

Scylla laid back down and smiled softly, looking over at her girlfriend. Her heart stopped beating so hard in her chest. Scylla took a deep breath, "Yeah, I did." She leaned over placed a gentle kiss on the other woman's lips.

"Do you always wake up right after I fall into the pond?"

Scylla nodded slowly and rested her head on Jessica's chest, "Yeah."

"You never see the part where you dive into the pond after me and save my life?"

"No." Scylla sighed softly. "I know it happened because you're here with me. But I almost lost you and if I didn't act quickly, you would have died."

Jessica slowly combed her fingers through Scylla's brown hair slowly. "You shouldn't have to relive that part every night. It's been fifteen years since you pulled me out of the pond and kept me warm all night long." She placed a gentle kiss on top of Scylla's head, "It was the night I fell in love with you."

Scylla looked up at Jessica and smiled softly, "I know. You were shivering after I got you out of the pond. I was already in love with you." She leaned up and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "What do you say we get up and I make you breakfast?" Scylla smiled brightly.

"I would like that very much." Jessica kissed her back and slowly sat up.

Scylla set up as well and fixed her tank top before climbing out of bed. She pulled the covers up and headed to the kitchen. She pulled out eggs, sausage, and fruit. Turning on the oven on, Scylla set down a pan and splashing a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in it. She waited for the oil to heat and started on a pot of coffee, looking over at Jessica, smiling at how swiftly she moved over to the window seat, pulling a canvas in front of her. Scylla could not see what Jessica was painting, but knew it would be amazing.

Once the oil was hot enough, Scylla cracked the eggs, hearing the sizzle as they fell into the hot oil. She opened the sausage and threw them into a second pan, breathing in the sweet smell of maple. Scylla smiled and poured two cups of coffee, taking one to Jessica, "Here babe, breakfast is almost ready."

"Thank you, my love." Jessica smiled softly and winked at Scylla.

Scylla went back to the kitchen, putting bread in the double toaster and put the eggs and sausage on a plate, followed by grapes and strawberries. After the toast popped up, she spread butter over them and set them on the plates. Scylla carried the plates to the table and sat down, "Breakfast is ready baby."

Jessica smiled softly, setting down her brush. She sniffed the air slightly, "Mm, it smells good." She got up and moving over to the table, sitting down, taking a bite of toast.

"What are you working on over there, babes?" Scylla asked, nodding to the canvas as she took a sip of her coffee gingerly. She was always curious about what her girlfriend was working on.

Jessica let out a chuckle as she responded, “You will see soon. It's finished, just drying right now.” She paused, taking a long sip of her coffee. Jessica smiled up at Scylla and added, “I was thinking we could hang it over the fireplace.”

Scylla raised her eyebrow. "The fireplace? Must be a fantastic one to get that much attention." The fireplace faced the front door. The painting would be the first thing anyone would see when they walk into the apartment.

Jessica sipped her coffee slowly, a small smirk forming on her lips as she looked over at Scylla. "Wait till after breakfast and I will show you."

Scylla let out a loud groan and took a small bite of a sausage. "Are you sure I have to wait?"

Jessica rolled her eyes in the back of her head, "You weren't this impatient when we were younger."

Scylla let out a small laugh, "True, but back then I didn't know how amazing you are at painting." She winked at Jessica and continued eating.

It was not long before they both had finished eating. Scylla picked up both the plates and took them into the kitchen, setting them in the sink. She felt arms wrap around her waist and smiled softly, leaning back into Jessica.

Jessica held Scylla close to her and whispered, her lips brushing softly on Scylla’s ear, causing her to let out a small giggle. "Are you ready to see the painting?"

Scylla squealed softly and turned in Jessica's arms, her arms snaking around Jessica's neck. She smiled brightly and kissed Jessica deeply before pulling away, "Yes, I am!!!"

Jessica pulled away from Scylla and took her hand, leading the way back to the living room. She stopped just in front of the easel, its back still towards them. Jessica moved away, "Stay there and close your eyes." She moved to the other side, facing the canvas, and looked up at Scylla.

Scylla shook her head and closed her eyes, crooning as she waited for what the painting might be.

Jessica turned the painting around and moved to stand behind Scylla once again. She slipped her arms around her girlfriend's waist, resting her chin on her shoulder, "Open your eyes."

Scylla slowly opened her eyes, and a small smile formed on her lips. The painting showed that scene from the day that Jessica almost drowned in the pond. But the painting was different. The painting showed Scylla pulling Jessica out of the pond and holding her close. Tears formed in her eyes, and she turned to Jessica, wrapping her arms around her neck. She pressed her lips against Jessica's firmly.

Jessica returned the deep, passionate kiss and giggled softly. She whispered, "I take it you like it."

Scylla shook her head softly and whispered against Jessica's lips, "I love it."