“Surprise!” I blurted out stupidly.

              Carol just stared at me wide eyed with her mouth hanging open. I couldn’t help, but do a once over of the older women and I could confidently say Carol was still absolutely gorgeous. I still love her. My heart fluttered in my chest. Those feelings I thought were buried were still there.

              Well…

I stopped and really stared at her. Carol was short and cute with long blonde hair. Her eyes were hazel in color. A mix of green, brown, and gold. I always thought the inner of her eyes looked like sunflowers. They were beautiful. She had a rounded face that had no sharp edges. Some would say she was chubby, but I would say she was just thick. I didn’t mean that in a bad way. I definitely meant that in a good way. She had curves in all the right places, boobs that would make any woman jealous, and an ass that was to die for. Carol was forty-four, but she could be mistaken for someone in their thirties. She was in this nice sun dress that showed off everything. I could already feel a certain someone reacting to the goddess that was in front of me.

              “J-jo?” Carol stuttered. It seemed like her brain finally caught up with her.

              “Heeeeyyy.” I said as I rubbed my neck awkwardly.

              “Y-you’re here. How are y- I mean what ar- How?” Carol finally got out.

              “I wanted it be a surprise.” I whispered. “I mean… You are happy to see me right? I didn’t fuck everything up by coming here? I just… I-” At this point my mind was thinking the worst and I was rambling.

              “Of course I am Jo! This was just unexpected is all.” Carol said with a shake of her head.

              “Oh. Good. That’s good.” I replied.

              “It’s just that I-” Carol was about to say something, but I head a voice from inside the house interrupt her.

              “Carol who’s at the door?!” The voice yelled, but not angrily. The person inside the house was just far away, so they had to raise their voice so Carol could hear them.

              Who the fu-

              “Well, you’re here now Jo and that’s all that matters.” Carol smiled warmly. Her smile could light up the room. Everything about this woman had me entranced.

              I am so whipped…

She moved toward me and enveloped me in a crushing hug that I gladly reciprocated. I forgot just how short she was. Carol heads was wight at my chest and I could lay my chin on the top of her head. I used to tease her all the time about her height. I breathed in her scent and my body relaxed. Oh, how I missed this. It felt like coming home. It felt right. If I could remain in Carol’s arms forever, I would.

              We both disengaged from the hug and Carol started speaking again. “Alright, alright that’s enough of that.” Carols said, but I could see the tears that had started to form in her eyes. “Why don’t you come in, so you can relax some. I’m sure you’re tired from the flight.”

              I smiled back at her, nodded my head, and picked up my luggage from the floor. I internally sighed in relief. I was glad Carol wanted me here. With my fears abated, Carol led me into the familiar-looking house. My head was on a swivel. It all looked the same, but the house felt different. It felt warmer.

              “Is it hot in here or is that just me?” I said with a smirk on my face.

              “It’s hot here all the time silly.” Carol giggled.

              So that line was cheesy… Sue me! It made her giggle, so that’s a win in my book.

              “I really do mean it though Carol. The house feels warmer. Not so cold and depressing like it was when I lived here.”

              “I know what you mean Jo.” Carol said sadly.

              We didn’t get to converse anymore because I happened upon the intruder that was in our house.

              Carol stopped and started to introduce me to them. “Morgan, this is Jo my… friend. Jo, this is Morgan a friend from work.” She said happily.

              I didn’t blame Carol for calling me a friend. It wasn’t like our previous relationship still held true after the divorce. I looked the intruder up and down critically. They were almost as tall as me, had black hair that was cut short, looked to be pretty muscular, and had boring brown eyes. She was giving off heavy butch vibes. She was also wearing flannel in 90-degree weather, so that kind of gave it away. I was almost certain this woman was a lesbian. My gaydar was never wrong. And if she was, than it meant she was a threat.

              “It’s nice to meet you, Jo.” Morgan said with an outstretched hand. Her voice was deeper than most.

              “Its nice to meet you to Morgan.” I said smoothly.

              My grip was firm and I leveled my gaze at hers. I bet she didn’t even think of me as a threat. If this bitch thinks she can swoop in and steal Carol from then she has another thing coming! Was that a little delusional of me? Maybe. But I didn’t give a fuck. This was one of the reasons I came back home. I could’ve gotten a job anywhere. Do you honestly think I would have moved back to Florida of all places? Everything here is expensive as fuck. Literally.

              “I think I’ll head out of here and give you both some time to catch up.” Morgan said to Carol with a smile.

              Goddamnit! Now she’s being nice!

              “Oh, you don’t have to do that Morgan…” Carol tried to say.

              “Its fine, its fine.” Morgan replied with a wave of her hand.

              “Well… if you’re sure.” Bless this woman’s heart. Carol must be the most caring woman on the planet.

              “Let me know when you want to get together again.” Morgan called out as she passed through the front door.

              Carol closed the door after her and turned back to me. She stared for a moment and enveloped me in another bone crushing hug that had my insides melting.

              “It really is great to see you, Jo. I missed you.” She said softly.

              “Well, I’m here now, so you won’t have to miss me again.” I replied.

              Carol’s head snapped up to mine and her eyes were wide. “What do you mean?”

              “I mean I’m here for good.” I clarified. “This is if you want me.” I added.

              “R-really? And of course I want you!” Carol admonished. She really should’ve worded that better because now my brain was going into overdrive.

              “Good. Cool.” I said awkwardly. My brain was still trying to banish all of the naughty thoughts her sentence had stirred up.

              “How about we get you settled and then we can talk some more. Catch up with each other. I mean you are staying here, right? You’re not going to go to one of those hotels that are near here, are you?” She cutely, but sternly asked.

              I chuckled at her furrowed brows. “Of course not Carol. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”