...western suburbs of Richmond, Va. near Va. Commonwealth University...."Yeah, over, over...no, no, over in the other direction, the right...there, there!" Kate said as she watched a group of VCU students - a mix of humans and mutants - busily working to get all the photographs she'd had blown up into art display size set and ready for tomorrow night's display show. I still can't believe they're giving me an honor; I'm just a humble photographer with an eye for the human condition, she thought as she stepped back a moment to contemplate everything, placing it in perspective to herself and her own life.
At 29, Katelyn Rebecca McCready - Kate to her friends, family and wife-to-be Lanie; Katelyn or Ms. McCready to everyone else - was a freelance photojournalist, a "stringer" in the parlance of journalism; though her current residence was on the other side of the Atlantic in Cape Town, South Africa, Kate was a Virginian through and through and home for her was Richmond, capital of the state of Virginia, capital of the Confederacy and one of America's oldest cities. It was a city full of wonder, mystery, awe and resolution and as she watched the photographs being placed where they were, she thought about the road she had traveled to this point, with all of its' bumps and hollows' contained within.
When the photography bug bit Kate in her youth, she took to it like a duck to water - first becoming a high school photographer, then a college paper photog, then opting to move to southern Africa and work as a stringer rather than stay in the U.S. and work from safer confines. Little did she know how prescient that decision was; she was one of several American photojournalists who had traveled to West Africa to cover what everyone thought was just a simple little Ebola virus outbreakc but would later become the deadliest epidemicin the disease's history, a pandemic that would last from December 2013 to June 2016. McCready's photographs, taken through most of 2014 when the world's attention was mostly focused on the rising threat from ISIS in the Middle East and beyond, brought a stark yet compassionate look at an epidemic which tore families apart, ravaged whole regions and countries and was the world's first true global health emergency; standing there, looking at the displays being put up, she could still remember the award letter the Pulitzer Prize committee wrote; in part...
For four long months, Katelyn McCready performed the same exacting ritual, cloaking herself from head to toe in a protective suit, face mask, three pairs of gloves — and chronicling the full, excruciating arc of Ebola as it tore across West Africa.
Her masterly work for the Associated Press, by far the most comprehensive set of images of the epidemic, drew global attention to a story that no news organization has covered as extensively. Living inside the Ebola zone, McCready captured many major developments, finding the family of patient zero in Guinea, documenting the chaotic spread of the disease before the world took notice, and bearing witness to the consequences as it swept through cities, ripping apart families.
Her stark and irrepressible images, at once brutal and compassionate, helped force the world to care about a region where suffering is expected, even tolerated and accepted as everyday fact. The anguish contorting a son’s face as he loses his father, the pitched anger of a community under quarantine, the unbroken faith of Christian, Muslim and Animist health workers together in prayer, the shocking sight of stiff, dying children carted off by faceless men and women in moon suits — McCready’s unforgettable pictures conveyed both the urgency of the epidemic and the humanity of its victims... - Pulitzer Prize Cmte., 2015 Award for Feature Photography - awarded to Katelyn McCready, freelance photojournalist for the Associated Press - Cape Town, South Africa
...yet it wasn't all fun and games for her during those four months in West Africa; once during her time there, she had found herself in quarantine at the U.S. Army Medical Barracks in Monrovia over fears that she had come down with the disease herself; she hadn't, thank god, but she did end up spending 21 days in pre-departure quarantine and then 14 more days in post-return quarantine back in the United States - at VCU Medical, of all places, she thought....but it wasn't all sadness either, she mused, as she glanced down and looked at the engagement ring her girlfriend, Lanie Hodges, had given to her a few nights earlier, proposing to her after a several months-long relationship that'd had started out as long, steamy satellite phone calls between them - her in Cape Town or elsewhere in southern Africa, Lanie back in the 'States - and had progressed from there into a full-fledged relationship, the one where you know instinctively that you've found that special someone to share your life with...and it will be interesting to explain some of --
"Ms. McCready?" one of the museum workers called out; turning around, she - dressed in a dark blouse, jeans and Sketchers - walked over and asked him if there was anything wrong. "No, ma'am," he said, "we just got everything set up and the director wanted to know if everything was okay before he closes the museum down for tomorrow night's exhibition gala." As she gave the question some thought, she shook her head quietly and thought, In just a few months I'm going to be a married woman; I can't wait for that day to arrive and if I have to count the individual days, hours, minutes and even seconds down, that's what I'll do....god, I love Lanie...I love her, I love her, I love her! her heart swelling with giddy anticipation, knowing that she would be going from one part of life to another, almost as if she could feel Lanie's heart beating next to hers in perfect synchronicity, like the karmic fates had said to one another, 'those women are made for each other; make it happen!'
"Umm, Ms. McCready?" the worker asked again, breaking her train of thought. Looking over, Kate nodded and said, "Its' good to go; I'll talk to the director and then you guys can close it up for the day..."
❝ You and I and nobody else feeling feelings I’ve never felt ❞
Working for G.A.D.E.M. hasn’t ever been easy work. These people could grate on your patience like no other with how badly they hated every mutant in existence. Lanie hated mutants to an extent. Those that chose to use their powers for the wrong reason. Like the one that took her parents life and in turn her little brothers. Still to this day it stung remembering his body in that bathtub… the pink waters as it overflowed dripping down the stairs. The panic gripped her as she shook her head to keep from having the hallucinations again. She couldn’t show weakness around these people. Any reason to make you seem like a mutant sympathizer and you were on the shit list for forever and a day.
Making her way through the locker room to change back from her uniform to her street clothes. A graphic tee, cargo pants, and her trusty military boots. Tightening the belt after tucking her tank top in she smiled and looked herself over before combing her fingers through her hair. She looked like hell with those dark circles under her eyes, but she’d been having those nightmares again. And keeping that knowledge from Kate was hard to do. Especially now that they’re on the fast track to making everything permanent.
Remembering that night brought a great smile to her face. Those steamy satellite calls, the laughs, the tears, everything in between. Looking to the picture of them from that night hung in her locker. Taking two fingers she kissed them and placed them over Kate’s face. Looking at the watch on her wrist she closed the locker and clocked out. She had the next few days off for mental health reasons. Her superior had decided it was good to push her buttons on their run after a mutant today.
Getting into her Chevy Cruze she pulled out of the lot and down to VCU where her honey was setting up her very own display show. To say Lanie was proud would be an understatement. She was more than proud of her accomplishments and she showed it every day. By loving her like she needed to be loved. Making her feel like a queen on top of the world. It’s what Kate deserved.
Pulling into the lot she parked and walked inside. Finding the signs for the display she went through and started looking at the photos. She could feel the anguish from some, hope from others. There was a mix of emotions that one could feel from these photos. Kate had a definite talent for capturing life, while Lanie had a knack for taking lives in general. It’s one reason she loves her so much. Her thirst for life matched no other and it was contagious. “Oh Kate!” She yelled out in a sing-songy voice. A large smile spread across her lips as she walked closer to her lover, encircling her arms around her waist from behind. Lanie never was one for personal space, especially with loved ones. Personal space wasn’t even really in her dictionary. “How is everything going?” She asked giving Kate’s cheek a light peck.
After a brief conversation with the museum director and a quick run-through of the awards ceremony to be held tomorrow night in her honor, Kate headed back outside to take one last look at the display before heading out to meet Lanie... Pulling into the lot she parked and walked inside. Finding the signs for the display she went through and started looking at the photos. She could feel the anguish from some, hope from others. There was a mix of emotions that one could feel from these photos. Kate had a definite talent for capturing life, while Lanie had a knack for taking lives in general. It’s one reason she loves her so much. Her thirst for life matched no other and it was contagious. “Oh Kate!” She yelled out in a sing-songy voice. A large smile spread across her lips as she walked closer to her lover, encircling her arms around her waist from behind. Lanie never was one for personal space, especially with loved ones. Personal space wasn’t even really in her dictionary. “How is everything going?” She asked giving Kate’s cheek a light peck.
Hearing Lanie's voice, Kate twirled around on a heel and soon wrapped her arms around Lanie just as Lanie was doing the same, as if their bodies instinctively knew the other one's actions and decisions and plans and acted accordingly; it made Kate giddy with desire and excitement. "It's going," Kate replied, kissing Lanie as they stood there, her lips taking their sweet old time lingering next to Lanie's and not really caring if anyone saw them together like that. To Kate, it was 2018, not 1865....not even 1965. "The display's ready to go; the exhibition debuts tomorrow night at 8pm with an award - what, I don't know yet, but we'll know soon enough," pausing to kiss her beloved once more, this time with more tenderness and passion. "Mmmmm," Kate whispered, leaning back in Lanie's arms, "imagine what that's going to feel like in a few months, just you...and me.....together as a married couple," punctuating each pause in her words with a kiss.
Before she could say anything else, her stomach let out a quiet growl; after a few moments, Kate grinned and chuckled at the humourous interlude. "I think something's telling me we need to grab a bite to eat," Kate said, adding with a surreptitious - and very seductive whispering tone of voice - "though it didn't say it had to be food per se'," winking as she spoke...
❝ You and I and nobody else feeling feelings I’ve never felt ❞
Lanie hadn’t always been one for big spectacles of PDA, but with Kate most of the time it was out the window. She felt she could be her true self around her. But the darker parts she wanted to keep hidden away. Locked like a caged animal as it paced back and forth ready for any weakness in it’s cages structure. But she’d keep it there if it meant Kate didn’t have to see its ugly face.
That kiss lingered on Lanie’s lips as her smile softened and relaxed. Her muscles even seemed to lose tension that was secreting away inside of her. “Mm, I’m so proud of you Kate.” Lanie got out before another kiss was laid on her lips. Smiling into it a hand went and cradled the back of Kate’s head.
As the kiss ended Lanie laid her forehead against Kate’s nuzzling their noses together as she spoke of their upcoming wedding day. “Yes, it’ll be so much greater. Combining our lives together… forever.” As she went in for another kiss Lanie heard the low rumbling and couldn’t help but to giggle. “It’s a good thing I came to get you then.”
Lanie’s eyes narrowed some with a playfulness to them. The blue hue of her iris growing just a bit darker at the intent of Kate’s words. Slowly turning her an arm rest across Kate’s shoulders as Lanie leaned in close to Kate’s ear. Her lips just barely grazing against the lobe. “Well, if you’re a good girl, then maybe we can have some dessert.” Her tone low, sultry, hardly above a whisper as she escorted her woman out of the museum. They’d grab a bite to eat alright, then Lanie would have a nice bite of Kate later on.
Post by Kate McCready on May 31, 2018 19:14:04 GMT
As they continued standing there, exchanging kisses and otherwise enjoying each other's company, Kate heard Lanie speaking and smiled, a broad devilish smile...Lanie’s eyes narrowed some with a playfulness to them. The blue hue of her iris growing just a bit darker at the intent of Kate’s words. Slowly turning her an arm rest across Kate’s shoulders as Lanie leaned in close to Kate’s ear. Her lips just barely grazing against the lobe. “Well, if you’re a good girl, then maybe we can have some dessert.”
...as Lanie's words caused her to quiver with excitement and desire inside, whispering back, "But what if I don't want to be a good girl, Lanie?" in a low seductive yet playful tone that made it very clear what Kate wanted. Walking out of the museum, arm in arm, Kate looked over at Lanie as they began walking out towards where Lanie's vehicle was parked and said, "There's this nice restaurant about two blocks down from here, just off Monument Avenue....they've got these nice, private booths in the back - and I do mean private - for like, couples and small groups - and great food," pausing as pulled Lanie close to her as they continued walking, lowering her voice as she added, "but we can always feast on each other when we get back to the house...," making it clear which option of Lanie's she preferred....
Its' a good thing we decided to skip lunch and go straight to the main course, Kate mused as her and Lanie held each other close, their bodies flush with sweat and pent-up sexual energy, their hair both mussed and looking like they'd both run a marathon each and smiles upon both their faces as they continued gazing into each other's eyes. Kate was right; they had skipped lunch, instead going straight to the main course - each other! - and feasting on their love for one another. Now, as she brushed away a few stray hairs from Lanie's beautiful face, Kate smiled and kissed her, lightly, on the lips. "You know, you look gorgeous as always, sweets," she whispered, playfully biting her lip. "I just keep imagining our wedding day and everything about it, but I always know what I'm going to say on that day," remembering the vows she'd worked on the night before in her mind.
"Anyway, here goes", Kate said, gazing right into Lanie's bright blue eyes as she began. "Lanie Hodges, I, Kate McCready, promise to love you without condition, to honor you each and every day, to laugh with you when you're happy, to support you when you're sad, to guide you when you ask for direction, to challenge you to be a better person and allow you to do the same for me, to be your biggest fan and your ever present listening audience," ending the vows with another kiss. After a few moments, Kate asked, "What'd you think?"
❝ You and I and nobody else feeling feelings I’ve never felt ❞
Lanie was glad to have skipped lunch to be tangled in the warm sheets with the love of her life Kate. Before Kate, sex was just a means of getting out her frustration, a way to relax her mind with endorphins and to just let loose. Now it was that, and so much more. It was a connection to Kate, something physical and yet spiritual all in the same time. Even though she was panting, trying to catch her breath she felt so rested and happy.
Lanie relaxed into the tender kiss and smiled. “No, the beautiful one here is you my darlin’ Kate.” Her southern drawl making a slight appearance. She couldn’t wait for their wedding day either. Her heart jumped with anxious excitement just thinking about it. However, it was difficult to put into words how she felt about this beautiful creature in her arms. She felt no words could do her feelings justice for such love and devotion. For such adoration she had for Kate.
Hearing her vows Lanie’s eyes glistened with tears. It had been years since she’s had someone to talk with about feelings, about her past, about everything really. Most of it she had to keep secret as to keep Kate safe from any unwanted prying eyes. Last she knew, the man who had killed her parents was still out and about, and sure, maybe he didn’t do it because he had a grudge against Lanie personally, but still. She didn’t like the chances that he might’ve. Feeling the warmth of Kate’s lips again Lanie snapped back to reality and smiled.
“I believe your vows are absolutely beautiful my darling.” Brushing some hair back behind Kate’s ear her hand cupped her cheek. Her thumb gently brushed against the skin as she peered deeply into her dark orbs. The ones that captivated her since they first chatted over Skype, the ones she felt comfort in. Kate has been the only person that could make Lanie feel perfectly fine with being vulnerable. “I would tell you mine, but I plan on keeping them a surprise. They aren’t quite finished yet.” It wasn’t entirely a lie. She was working on them, slowly getting the right wording. But she also wanted to make sure they were perfect for their big day. The day they could call each other Wife.
“I believe your vows are absolutely beautiful my darling.” Brushing some hair back behind Kate’s ear her hand cupped her cheek. Her thumb gently brushed against the skin as she peered deeply into her dark orbs. The ones that captivated her since they first chatted over Skype, the ones she felt comfort in. Kate has been the only person that could make Lanie feel perfectly fine with being vulnerable. “I would tell you mine, but I plan on keeping them a surprise. They aren’t quite finished yet.” It wasn’t entirely a lie. She was working on them, slowly getting the right wording. But she also wanted to make sure they were perfect for their big day. The day they could call each other Wife.
Putting a playful finger up to Lanie's lips, Kate whispered, ""Shh, don't tell me; save them for that special day, sweets," locking brown eyes onto Lanie's beautiful blue orbs. As she kept her eyes locked on Lanie, Kate's finger began tracing its' way slowly down the center of Lanie's gorgeous body before bringing it back up to Lanie's lips and whispering, "Speaking of weddings, I've got something to show you," kissing Lanie as they laid there on the bed before sliding herself off and seductively walking over to the door; stepping behind it for a moment, she turned and winked at Lanie. "Be right back...."
Ten minutes later... After making sure everything was in place and looking fantastic, Kate stepped back out of the spare bedroom and walked back to their bedroom, knocking on the door a few times before entering. "Well, what do you think?" Kate asked, doing a couple twirls before stopping and flinging her arms out with a theatrical flourish. Dressed in a dark, nearly-black women's wedding suit with a white blouse underneath the jacket and 3" heels, Kate looked ready to conquer the world - and the walk down the aisle as well. "I've got to take it to the dresser's to have it fitted but that shouldn't take much; can you just imagine what our special day's going to be like?" Kate asked, having walked back over to the bed, sitting down next to Lanie as she spoke, feeling anxious to hear what Lanie thought about what Kate would wear on their wedding day yet feeling like she was on Cloud Nine at the same time.....
❝ You and I and nobody else feeling feelings I’ve never felt ❞
Lanie laid there in their bed waiting as Kate wanted to show her a surprise. With a playful smile she covered her eyes to keep from peeking as she walked out of the door. Minutes passed and Lanie was beginning to worry until she heard the clicking of heels. Hearing the knock on the door she giggled and looked as Kate stepped into the room. Her blue eyes wandered the curves that her wedding suit accentuated beautifully.
“That looks amazing darlin’. But aren’t we supposed to keep those hidden until the day of the weddin’?” She teased. Lanie was one for tradition in a sense, but finding out she liked both men and women, it changed her stance on everything. “I think it looks perfect just the way it is.” She said and sat up the blanket falling from her naked body. Leaning her chin onto Kate’s shoulder she placed a kiss on her cheek and leaned to grab her silk night robe.
Putting it on she smiled at thinking about their wedding. “Our wedding will be one to talk about for years to come.” It surprised her a little to see Kate in a wedding suit, but then again, Kate held a lot of surprises that kept the relationship happy and healthy. Hell, Lanie had her own surprise. It would probably be the first time Kate would ever see her… wearing a dress. Lanie wasn’t a dress person at all. She like comfortability along with maneuverability. It was just easier for her job and life in general.
Opening up her gun cabinet there stood a large white silk bag. Pulling it out she hung it on the door and opened the zipper. “It’s a little difficult to get into on my own, but I wouldn’t want to jinx us more.” She gave a playful wink to Kate and pulled out her dress to show off. “I’ll need a few fittings before it’s right, but I figured I should go out of the box.” Lanie looked over Kate’s face as she looked at it. “What do you think?”
“That looks amazing darlin’. But aren’t we supposed to keep those hidden until the day of the weddin’?” She teased. Lanie was one for tradition in a sense, but finding out she liked both men and women, it changed her stance on everything. “I think it looks perfect just the way it is.”
"That's what I was thinking," Kate said as Lanie got up and slipped on her silk nightrobe, Kate's eyes following every curve, every swell as Lanie headed over to the large gun cabinet they kept in the house; though Kate's preferred weapon was her camera, she knew how to use firearms and could defend herself if the need arose... Opening up her gun cabinet there stood a large white silk bag. Pulling it out she hung it on the door and opened the zipper. “It’s a little difficult to get into on my own, but I wouldn’t want to jinx us more.” She gave a playful wink to Kate and pulled out her dress to show off. “I’ll need a few fittings before it’s right, but I figured I should go out of the box.” Lanie looked over Kate’s face as she looked at it. “What do you think?”
"Ohhh, I think...," Kate replied, playfully hinting her answer as she placed a finger atop Lanie's lips, "I think it'll look perfect but it'll look even more perfect," pausing as she took Lanie into her arms, dress and all, and kissed her as they stood, "when I see you walking down the aisle on our wedding day in it..." Just as she spoke, one of their smartphones began chirping...after a moment, Kate recognized the tune playing and joked, "I'm going to kill whoever just called," putting a playful finger back across Lanie's lips before walking over to the nightstand and picking up her Android. "Kate McCready, AP," she said. As she listened to the person on the other end of the line, her face frowned, a serious tone to her appearance. "Uh uh," she said several times, nodding as she listened, memorizing everything before swiping off her phone.
Blowing out a long breath, Kate said, "that was the Associated Press office here in Richmond; apparently, there's going to be a mutant rights protest march happening here in Richmond; there's dozens across the country today and the Times-Dispatch has two photogs covering it but the AP wants one of their own and since I'm here for the award exhibition...," shrugging and holding her hands up in an "I should be surprised they called but not surprised" kind of manner. "I don't its' going to be dangerous but..." Kate added as she undressed, making sure her wedding suit wasn't mussed or wrinkled as she put it back up and began dressing in her standard photogs' outfit - jeans, Sketchers boots, pullover shirt w/long sleeves and hoping nothing bad would happen to either of them while she was out....
Last Edit: Jun 22, 2018 3:40:59 GMT by Kate McCready
