FINALLY I'm updating this! Life's been hell but I've gotten round to it. This is only about 60% of what I had planned for this chapter but when I realised it was already over 5,000 words and that I hadn't updated for over five months (seriously where has that time gone?!) I decided to split it.

Thank you all so so much for all your kind messages and comments, I really wouldn't have stuck with this without them! Keep 'em coming! ;)

Enjoy!

Song for this chapter: Songbird - Fleetwood Mac

It's almost quarter to seven when Bernie finally gets home. The flat is in darkness when she arrives, and her stomach drops as she wonders if Serena had had second thoughts and gone home. But then she remembers that the front door was unlocked, and so Serena must be in here somewhere.

She turns on the light in the living room, an action that is met with a groan.

"Ughhh," Serena grumbles from the sofa, turning her head into the cushion she's resting her head on. Bernie spies the bottle of wine and empty glass on the coffee table as she approaches and quirks an eyebrow, before looking to Serena. She is slumped on the sofa, wearing only a towel and her still-damp hair sticking out at the oddest of angles. Bernie smiles to herself at how domestic this feels, and perches beside her.

"Did you not manage to find the bed?" She teases, gently running her fingers through Serena's hair to smooth it down. Serena shakes her head, still not opening her eyes.

"Didn't want to... was waiting for you," she mumbles.

"You could have at least borrowed some pyjamas," she smiles, her eyes wandering up and down Serena's barely covered body. Serena grunts.

"Was going to... Your settee is too comfortable... fell asleep..."

"Yeah, I noticed."

Serena opens her eyes at that, lifting her arm to rub the corner of her eye.

"Sorry."

"No, it's fine," Bernie reassures, her hand dropping down to Serena's neck. "I did take rather a while."

"What time is it?" Serena asks, seemingly a little more awake now.

"Almost quarter to seven."

"Gosh." Serena rubs her eyes. "That is late."

"Well, I had a couple of things to do." She pauses, fondly admiring the crinkles on Serena's cheeks from where she has been lying. She stands up. "I'll get you a glass of water."

"There's orange juice in the fridge," Serena says weakly as she slowly sits herself up. Bernie goes to find it, then stops.

"I don't have orange juice." She frowns in confusion.

"You didn't have anything." Serena yawns. "I did you a shop."

Bernie wanders to the fridge, usually bare but now almost filled with food. "Blimey," she comments. "Did you get enough?"

Serena chuckles. "Never shop when you're hungry." She yawns again. "But it's a good job I did. Don't you ever eat?"

Bernie goes to find a glass in the cupboard, and smirks as she spots that her previously empty wine rack is now stocked full. "I usually get takeaway or eat at work," she explains, and Serena tuts in response.

She returns with a glass of orange juice, handing it to Serena before sitting down next to her.

"Thank you," Bernie says, her stomach feeling warm as she thinks about how kindly Serena takes care of her. "You didn't have to."

"Well, I did have myself in mind too," Serena comments. "I'm going to cook you breakfast." She goes to stand, but Bernie grabs her hand, links their fingers to hold her back.

"The only place you're going is bed," she tells her, standing. "We can eat in the morning."

"It is the morning."

Bernie chuckles, standing. "Whenever we wake up then." She gives Serena's hand a squeeze, before remembering her dizzy spell at the club. "Have you eaten anything, though? Are you hungry?"

Serena shakes her head. "No, I'm fine. I had a sandwich from Tesco." She smiles, meeting Bernie's eye for the first time since she arrived home. She wants to kiss her, but despite their earlier confessions, neither feel confident enough to close the gap. Bernie reaches out and interlinks her fingers with Serena's other hand.

"I'm glad you're here," she says sincerely. "I have to say, when I saw all the lights off I wondered if you'd bailed."

Serena shakes her head. "No, I was just so tired I couldn't stand the brightness," she explains. "Nearly broke my neck getting out of the shower."

"Is there any particular reason you thought it would be a good idea to have a shower in total darkness at 6am?" Bernie raises an eyebrow, her stomach fluttering as she watches Serena's eyes drift down to her lips.

"Well, I, er..." And she closes the gap between them, her lips meeting Bernie's in a chaste kiss that makes both their heads spin. Her hands come up to caress Bernie's cheek, smoothing her thumb over the soft skin so delicately, as if she might break. Her stomach fills with butterflies as she realises: this is real. Their confessions were heated, yes. Spur of the moment, brought on by a stressful day and elation that they made it through. But this, this was a confirmation, a promise that they meant every word they had said. This was the real confession that they were truly, devastatingly in love with each other.

Then lust begins to bite, Serena's hands moving up to thread through Bernie's hair, Bernie's hands clutching at Serena's waist as they press against one another, breaths heavy and laboured as their tongues touch. It's not the first time, but still this feels new. Serena wonders if it will ever stop feeling like the very first time, if it will ever stop being the most delicious thrill to kiss Bernie Wolfe. Probably not.

Serena's towel begins to slip, and she forces herself to pull away, gathering it back up around her and leaving Bernie in confusion. She offers her a devilish smirk, her eyes full of mischief.

"I'm afraid you're not seeing me naked just yet, darling," she teases, taking another step away. "We're having dinner first." She stops, her eyes widening. "Oh shit, the reservation!"

Bernie's mouth opens. "That was last night?"

Serena nods, biting her lip. "In all the excitement I completely forgot." She shakes her head "I guess we'll just have to find another restaurant for next time."

"We could always tell them we're doctors and got stuck in surgery, or something," Bernie offers. "Surely they'd understand."

"Yes, I suppose." Serena sighs. "Now where can I find some pyjamas?"

Bernie gestures to the door to her room. "Bottom drawer." She catches Serena's hand as she begins to turn away, gives it a squeeze. "Whatever you're comfortable with, I'll wait." Serena smiles back at her, and leans in for another quick kiss.

"Thank you."

She disappears into the bedroom, whilst Bernie goes to wash her face and slips into the old t shirt she leaves in the bathroom. When she returns, Serena is tucked up in bed wearing a nightshirt and shorts, looking at her with sleepy eyes. Bernie feels her heart swell, shuffles in beside her.

"This is nice," she comments as Serena tucks herself beneath her arm. She pulls her tighter to herself with a contented sigh.

"Yes." Serena buries her nose in Bernie's chest, breathing in deep the homely scent of Bernie's shirt. Bernie almost thinks she's fallen asleep before she speaks again. "What took you so long after work, anyway?"

Bernie takes a moment to reply. "Scarlet dragged me for coffee," she starts, then her voice takes on a more amused tone. "Had some interesting things to tell me about the nurses."

Serena's eyes were beginning to droop, but she's wide awake at that. "Oh?"

Bernie nods, a crafty grin making its way onto her lips. "They got a good hiding, by all accounts." Serena frowns at her to explain. "Apparently, just before I went on stage, one of them — the apparent ringleader, according to her — went in for a dance with one of the other girls. Left his phone on the table. His wife rang; Scarlet answered it."

Serena gasps. "No!"

"Scarlet told her where he was, and that he wouldn't be there much longer if he continued being so disrespectful to the dancers. Half an hour later — whilst we were upstairs — his wife apparently showed up and gave him a slap. Dragged him out by his shirt, informed the rest that she'd be having words with their significant others too." She laughs, settling down a little more comfortably against the pillows, pulling Serena with her. It crosses her mind briefly how different it feels, having Serena in her arms like this. It's almost as if she's dreaming, and she allows herself the luxury of burying her nose in Serena's hair, breathing her in, reminding herself that this is real, that she's finally got her and never wants to let go.

"Well," Serena grins happily. "Serves him right. And I'll be sure to make their lives hell in work from now on too."

"One of your lifelong, take it to the grave grudges?"

"Definitely. I—"

Bernie's phone buzzes on her bedside table.

"Sorry."

Bernie disentangles herself, leaning over.

"Ah, that's Scarlet home." She squints at the bright light of the screen. "I'll just plug this in."

She reaches down to her charger beside her bed.

"Oh, I put mine on charge down there," Serena remembers. "Pass it up here, it should be done now. I ought to text Jason; he'll be beside himself after not hearing from me for so long. It's been dead since this afternoon."

Bernie groans slightly as she reaches down, goes to pass Serena's phone to her but stops half way, remembering.

"What?" Serena asks with worry, seeing Bernie frozen. Bernie blinks, then shakes her head, giving it to Serena.

"Nothing," she replies nonchalantly, turning her reddening face away as she reaches down to plug in her own phone. Serena frowns, then turns on her phone.

Bernie Wolfe - 9:41pm

I love you.

Bernie had messaged her telling her that she loved her, almost six hours before she even arrived at the club. Her breath hitches, emotion clawing at her chest again. In the back of her mind, she had had doubts, had wondered if Bernie's words had been the result of a testing day and gratitude that she had showed up to support her. But this reassured her, calmed her mind. Tears form behind her eyes. She thinks she's gone awfully soft tonight.

"Serena? You okay?"

She beams, tossing her phone away and launching herself at the woman beside her, wrapping her arms around her neck and kissing her until neither can breathe.

::

When she begins to wake around 1pm, it takes Serena several moments to realise where she is. It's only when she tries to turn over and notices the warm body pressed against her that she remembers all of last night, of the club, of Bernie's words to her.

Her stomach stirs as she remembers how Bernie had taken her up to the private room, how she had whispered to her over and over the words that she had waited what felt like a lifetime to hear. She remembers how Bernie had danced for her, had laid herself bare, and remembers the feeling of Bernie's soft skin beneath her fingertips, the electricity that seemed to emanate from her every touch. And when Bernie had sunk down on her fingers for the first time, that wet, burning heat that enveloped her every sense, every thought... She squeezes her thighs together tight.

Bernie's soft snore from behind startles her, and she shivers as the other woman nuzzles herself into the crook of her neck. She takes a deep breath, momentarily considering forgetting her resolve for Bernie not to see her naked until she at least finds some semi-decent underwear to put on. I've waited this long, I can wait a few days more, she reminds herself. But she'll be damned if every nerve in her body isn't screaming out the contrary.

Steadying herself, she interlinks her fingers with Bernie's hand, rested gently against her stomach. She brushes her thumb across Bernie's knuckles, gently coaxing her awake.

"Mmm," Bernie stirs, the vibrations from her hum again causing a shiver to run down Serena's spine. She decides to try a different tact, turns in Bernie's arms so that they're face to face.

Bernie Wolfe is beautiful when she sleeps. Every second of every day, Serena thinks that Bernie is the most beautiful woman ever to grace this earth, but something about the tranquility of sleep seems to make this shine all the brighter. Serena can't resist, can't help herself, presses her lips to Bernie's in a tender kiss.

"Mmmh." Bernie's eyelids finally flutter open, closing again as she relaxes into the new sensation of being woken up by Serena's lips on hers. She lifts her arms, wraps them around Serena, holds her closer.

"Good morning," Serena murmurs, unable to tear her lips away. Bernie lets out a happy sigh, Serena taking advantage of this to slip her tongue past Bernie's. With every gasped breath, she feels her body lighting up, heat spreading though the pit of her stomach and between her thighs. Before she realises what she's doing, her hands have wandered down to clutch Bernie's behind, grinding their hips together and eliciting a low moan from Bernie.

"I thought we weren't doing this," she rasps, her voice still throaty with sleep. Serena nips at her bottom lip, for a moment wondering at her sudden confidence in how she allows her hands to roam all over the woman beside her before responding.

"We're not," she breathes, her fingertips ghosting over the skin of Bernie's bare thighs before lifting one around her waist. "But you've been teasing me for months. It's only fair I should return the favour."

She chuckles as Bernie groans, her hands coming up to thread through Serena's hair. "You're trying to kill me," she pants, breath hitching as Serena ruts against her.

With a wicked grin, Serena flips them over, her lips moving to Bernie's ear. "Oh no, darling," she purrs, her hot breaths making Bernie shiver. "I need you alive for what I've got planned for you."

Bernie whimpers, arching against Serena wantonly as her lips move to her throat.

"I've had a lot of time to think about this," Serena continues, nipping and sucking at the base of Bernie's neck, leaving little marks that her scrubs will only just be able to cover. "About you."

Bernie's breath hitches as Serena continues, her hair tickling Bernie's chin.

"How long?"

She feels almost nervous asking such a serious question, but she wants to know. Serena stops, looks up into Bernie's eyes.

"Well, let's just say there was a good reason for me deciding to try out a lap dancing club."

"You knew I worked there?" Bernie asks with shock.

"No," Serena chuckles, shaking her head. "I... someone had made me think that perhaps I wasn't as heterosexual as I previously thought. I was walking past one night and thought maybe getting a lap dance would help... clarify things."

Bernie almost looks worried. "And did it?"

Serena arches an eyebrow. "Well, I'm here aren't I?" She smiles. "Still, even if I hadn't, I still think I would have ended up with you." Her eyes flicker away, before looking back at her seriously. "Truth be told, I think I was already head over heels."

Bernie holds her gaze for a few moments, before looking away. "Uh, good. I, er, thought maybe— well, worried..." She stumbles over her words, her eyes anywhere but Serena's face. "I worried that maybe stripper Bernie was the, er... the Bernie you'd fallen for. Which is why I didn't... I wanted to maybe ask you for dinner or something, a few times, but I didn't know if that was the nature of our relationship."

Serena falters, her forehead creasing as she stares at the women beneath her. "You really thought that?"

Bernie's eyes turn away, her teeth worrying at her bottom lip. "Well, I... I wasn't sure if it was just a physical thing to you." She meets Serena's eye shyly. "I didn't know if it was just... wishful thinking, that you'd feel like I did."

Serena shakes her head, her hand coming up to caress Bernie's cheek. "No," she whispers. "No, never." She leans down, presses a chaste kiss to Bernie's lips, before setting beside her, her head resting against Bernie's shoulder.

"I did try and tell you once," Bernie confesses, resting her cheek on the top of Serena's head.

"Really?"

"I think you might have been asleep," Bernie sighs. "We were lying together after a dance and I suddenly felt very emotional, and it just came out. I said that… that I was falling in love with you. And when you didn't reply I couldn't bring myself to say it again. It felt too… too vulnerable."

Serena remembers suddenly the time they had been lying in the room, how she had though she heard Bernie murmur something but couldn't make out what it was, was too tired to ask her to repeat it.

"Oh," is all she can think to say at this point. They lie there, contemplating, wondering what could have been. Serena wonders how she would have reacted, had she heard Bernie's words. Would they have confessed all then and there, and spared themselves all the longing of the weeks gone by? Or would Serena have been scared, confused even, and fled? She thinks about how she's feeling now, and has to admit to herself, she does feel scared. Suddenly being so open with Bernie was feeling quite overwhelming, and it terrifies Serena to think of the big changes ahead. They have been the best of friends for so long, and it pains her to think that all that might be lost, should this go wrong.

She realises that she is digging herself into a hole with this thinking, and forces herself to relax. Taking a deep, steadying breath, she allows herself to focus on the warmth of Bernie beside her, on the gentle rise and fall of her chest, on the feeling of their fingers intertwined. And after a few moments, all that fear seems to drift away, her mind filled instead with only thoughts of how much she loves the woman next to her, and how right it feels to be laid here together, in companionable silence, enjoying the feeling of their bodies together.

Serena is almost drifting off again when she hears Bernie's stomach growl.

"Damn."

Serena smiles to herself. "I said I'd make you breakfast."

Bernie gives her a squeeze. "Thank you," she murmurs against the top of her head. "I'm just going to hop in the shower."

Sighing happily, Serena slowly starts to sit herself up, groaning as her back adjusts to the new angle. "I'll have it ready for when you're out."

Bernie nods, sits up too and rubs her eyes with a yawn before wandering to the bathroom.

For a few moments, Serena allows herself to just sit, to take in her surroundings and how it felt to be here, in Bernie's bedroom, for the first time. True to her assumptions, Bernie's room was anything but tidy. Clothes lay strewn across the floor, as well as a larger pile that she was certain should be too heavy to be balanced on the back of a chair like that. There was a mirrored wardrobe, as well as a large chest of drawers with a mirror and hairdryer atop it. There were no photos or ornaments, unlike Serena's room. She wonders if it is simply the fact that Bernie has not lived here very long that makes up for the lack of decor, but then thinks that it's probably just not something that occurs to Bernie. She probably doesn't see the point, for the amount of time she spends here.

Eventually she drags herself out to the kitchen and sets to work on making Bernie breakfast. Bernie doesn't have much in the way of cooking utensils, but she manages to find enough that she can make them both the best part of a full english. She's just turning off the hob when she hears the soft pad of footsteps, feels a warm body at her back.

"Smells good," Bernie comments, resting her chin on Serena's shoulder. Serena smiles at how tactile Bernie is with her, when she knows it's not something that comes too naturally to her.

"So do you," Serena replies, getting a whiff of Bernie's shampoo.

"It's supposed to be Argan Oil or something, I think. It was on offer. £1.60 a bottle." Bernie chuckles, pleased with herself. Serena turns in her arms, careful not to touch the hob.

"Well, it smells divine," Serena says, pushing a damp strand of hair from Bernie's forehead. Smiling in return, Bernie dips down to steal a quick kiss from Serena, feels Serena's gasp and how her body melts into her, and pulls away before things can get too out of hand.

"Shall we eat?"

They eat their breakfast at the table, chatting about anything and everything, just enjoying being in one another's company somewhere that isn't either work or the club. After that, Serena calls Jason to check on him and to tell him that she won't be back until later on that evening, making up an excuse about having to work on some trauma figures with Bernie.

In reality, work is the last thing on their minds. They start off with innocent intentions, laying together on the sofa to watch a bit of mindless Sunday afternoon television, but they both know in the backs of their minds that that won't last.

Bernie stretches out with a little groan, her back to Serena and her hair ticking Serena's nose. Serena's hand is draped loosely over Bernie's waist, drawing gentle circles with her thumb as she attempts to focus on the television - something that is proving quite difficult when she has Bernie's perfect behind pushing against her crotch. And when she looks down at the mop of hair in front of her, her eyes catch sight of the most delicious looking expanse of flesh, just at the base of Bernie's neck, and it would surely take a stronger woman than herself to resist.

"Mmm," Bernie hums softly, arching her neck to allow Serena better access. The other woman is only to happy to continue her work, a tender, wet trail of kisses up to Bernie's ear, taking the lobe between her teeth and allowing her breath to tickle the shell of her ear in the way she knows makes her squirm.

As predicted, Bernie writhes before her, her ass pushing back harder against Serena's crotch as she does so. Serena gasps quietly, her hips pushing forward involuntarily, arm tightening around Bernie's waist. She allows herself a soft hum of pleasure, right into Bernie's ear, prompting a shiver and a whimper from the woman before her. Bernie arches her back, pushes more purposefully against Serena, and Serena nips at the skin along the back of her jaw.

Then Bernie stops, turns her head, looks at Serena with those dark, lustrous eyes, flickering between Serena's own and her lips, and it's as though the world stops for one precious moment before Serena can't take it any more and their mouths crash together, open and hungry and fierce. Bernie turns around, careful not to topple off the edge of the sofa, her fingers fisting in Serena's hair and pulling her on top of her. Serena is only too happy to oblige, her whole body aching with want as their bodies mould together, legs entwined as they kiss with abandon.

"Oh… Bernie…" Serena breathes between kisses, her hips rocking automatically as her arousal begins to burn. Bernie seems spurred on by this, moans loudly as she clutches Serena's behind, ruts against her.

"God…" Serena catches herself, pulls back into a sitting position as she straddles Bernie. The other woman is anything but put off, moving to sit upright too, her lips fastening at the base of Serena's neck.

"God, Bernie. The things you do to me; you make me feel so…" Serena pants, trailing off as Bernie continues to attack her neck with nips and kisses. Bernie growls in response, pulling Serena's ass down to grind their hips together.

"Well," Bernie hums against her collar, nails dragging torturously up Serena's spine. "You get what you give, darling."

Serena moans again, reaches to Bernie's chin and brings their lips back together. She's never felt this level of hunger in all her life, and she's not sure if she'll be able to control it, not sure she wants to. Even now, clothed, she can tell just how wet she is, how desperate for Bernie's touch, and she knows that Bernie is desperate for it too, even if she doesn't say the words. By now, she knows exactly how Bernie looks when she's turned on — cheeks tinted pink, eyes dark and shiny, chest flushed — and knows that if she were to reach down and dip her fingers below the waistband of Bernie's shorts, she would be absolutely soaking for her.

How easy it would be... She longs to reach down, to sink her finger deep into the woman before her and listen to and feel her come around her fingers as she had last night. Is she allowed to do that now, after last night? She remembers her own words, her insistence that Bernie would not see her nude until she had dressed herself up a bit. But God... She's burning, moaning like a cat in heat as she writhes and ruts against Bernie, as she feels her lips on her throat and her hands clutching her waist, and she decides that she can keep to her promise without leaving her itch unscratched. It's nothing they haven't done before, right?

"Bernie..." She gasps as Bernie's teeth nip at the base of her neck, her hands coming up to knot in Bernie's hair. Bernie continues, kissing along her collar, her tongue darting out to taste the perspiration quickly dampening her skin.

It takes Serena a moment, a moment to remember her thoughts, to think things through, and then she knows exactly what she wants, knows where her heart is and where she wants this to head. She reaches, grasps one of Bernie's hands by the wrist and lifts it to her mouth, kisses each finger one by one.

"Bernie, I want you... I need you to touch me." Serena throws her head back, suddenly lost in her arousal, her mind blank but for the need to achieve her release. "Please," she begs, moving Bernie's hand down to the waist of her pyjama shorts.

"But," Bernie stammers, her own eyes blurred with desperate want. "I thought we weren't doing... this."

Serena bites her lip, shakes her head with a wicked grin. "I said you weren't seeing my naked, darling," she purrs, her lips grazing Bernie's, hips rocking in a steady rhythm. "I'm keeping true to that promise."

Bernie nods, then pauses. "Just promise me one thing," she breathes, shaking with the need to touch Serena but managing to hold back, for now. "The reason you don't want me to see you... Please tell me it's not because you feel self conscious, or anything of the sort. You know you're the most beautiful thing on the planet to me—"

"It's not," Serena interrupts, slowing slightly. "I just... I want it to be special, the first time, so I would very much like to be in a better state of dress." She smiles warmly at Bernie, kisses the corner of her mouth, then moves her hips more pointedly. "But now... Oh God Bernie if you don't touch me now I think I might die I've waited so long for this." Her words come out in a rush on a single breath and Bernie lets out a sharp gasp as Serena's lips fall to her neck, hips rocking and breaths erratic. There is no more hesitation as she dips her fingers below the waistband of Serena's shorts, grazes through the wiry curls she finds and straight into throbbing, wet, burning heat. Serena's breath catches in her throat, the rhythm of her hips faltering momentarily as she feels Bernie's fingers against her for the very first time.

"Oh... Oh..."

She sucks in a sharp breath through her nose as Bernie explores, deft fingers circling her clit and making her whole body feel alight. Has she ever been this sensitive, this close with barely a touch? She feels as though she might implode, can see herself gushing all over Bernie's hand and can't bring herself to care if she does. Riding Bernie's hand like this feels so... She can't put a word to it. All she can think is that she never wants this to end, wants to feel this forever.

She grunts in agony as Bernie's hand slips away.

"Wha—"

"Cramp," Bernie bites her lip apologetically. "Can we rearrange things?"

Gently, Bernie guides Serena around, squishes herself back so that she's nestled into the corner of the sofa and moves Serena to perch between her legs, her back pressed against Bernie's chest. Bernie's lips find Serena's ear as a sticky hand ghosts across the worn cotton covering Serena's stomach, back down to the waistband of her shorts.

"Much better." Her voice is low in Serena's ear, fingers homing in straight on Serena's clit this time and the other woman arches in front of her, her head lolling back onto Bernie's shoulder as her hips move erratically. Bernie brings her other hand up to Serena's chest, grins as she finds Serena has foregone underwear beneath her pyjamas and finds a nipple standing hard through the thin fabric, circles and pinches it as Serena keens and wails.

"Bernie... Oh!"

She sucks in a deep breath as Bernie's fingertips circle her entrance, and before she can beg Bernie sinks two fingers deep inside, curls and thrusts them until Serena is seeing stars.

"Oh, Bernie," she pants, craning her neck as Bernie attacks it with kisses, marvels at her co-lead's ability to multitask. "Yes... Oh, God yes."

"Mmm, you feel so good, Serena," Bernie whispers into her ear. "You're so good, so beautiful. I've waited so long to touch you, to feel you come around my fingers. Can you do that for me?"

Bernie's thumb finds her clit, two fingers still inside, and Serena loses all power of rational thought, is jerking and gasping and howling until suddenly it becomes too much. She feels herself rising, expanding, her whole body tightening and her limbs shaking until finally she explodes, contracting around Bernie's fingers, coming in her hand. Her whole body is sticky with perspiration, her hair stuck to her forehead, and for minutes she just slumps back against Bernie, listening vaguely as the other woman whispers praise, tells her how wonderful, how beautiful and utterly irreplaceable she is. She thinks she hears another 'I love you' in there, the first since their late night confession at the club, but her brain is too foggy to recollect.

"Bernie..." She eventually manages to murmur, shivering as she feels Bernie's lips on her neck.

"Yes, darling?" Bernie says softly, wrapping her arms around Serena's middle and tugging her closer, holding her tightly, as if she would otherwise drift away.

"Can we... can we go lie down?"

Bernie nods, her chin rested on Serena's shoulder. "Of course. Come on."

Serena stands shakily, waiting until Bernie interlinks their fingers to lead her to the bedroom. The curtains in the room are still drawn, and though some light shines around the edges the room is still largely in darkness. Bernie clicks on her bedside lamp, the room suddenly more cosy filled with its warm glow, and they huddle beneath the covers together, duvet pulled up to their necks. Serena reaches out a leg, intertwines it with Bernie's as her hand reaches for hers, and they simply gaze at one another, heads sharing the same pillow.

"I still can't quite believe this is happening," Serena whispers, suddenly feeling choked up. "After all this time."

"I know," Bernie replies, her voice a soft murmur. "It's a lot to take in. A big change."

"It is." Serena bites her lip. "I'm excited about it." She pauses a moment, deciding to be honest. "But also a little..." She searches for the right word.

"Daunted?" Bernie offers, her eyes shining.

Serena nods. "Yes. Not in a regretful way, just..." She takes a second to arrange her thoughts, to word exactly what it is she wants to say. "Every relationship I've ever had has fallen apart. But none of them have ever started this way." She takes a shaky breath. "You're my best friend. I've never felt so... connected with someone, the way I am with you. I suppose what I'm trying to say is: if we fell apart, I'd be losing so much more than I've had to before, even with my marriage. And I'm so terrified by that. I can't bear the thought of us ever not being friends."

It's a moment or two before Bernie replies, her voice suddenly thick. "Me too," is all she manages at first, never breaking eye contact. "I'm scared too," she whispers, squeezing Serena's hand. "But I want this more than anything in the world. I've longed for you for so long." A pause. "I've never felt so able to be open… so unconditionally accepted." She looks down momentarily. "I told you I used to dance for Marcus and Alex but… when they first found out neither of them reacted well. Marcus made me quit as soon as he found out and Alex used to joke about me being an ex-whore or whatever other derogatory term she decided to use. But you… You respected me. You understood."

Serena dips her head forward, rests their foreheads against one another. "I would never dream of judging you or holding you back."

"I'm thinking of packing it in. I spoke to them before I left."

Serena frowns, pulling back. "Not because of me?"

"No," Bernie shakes her head. "No. Well, no exactly. Just… something you said made me realise that perhaps it's time to retire."

Serena's eyebrows knit together in question.

"You asked me if I was okay with being groped all the time in my job, about how that made me feel and… although it doesn't really bother me, I think maybe I'm a bit old to be swatting away the hands of boys young enough to be my children for a living. And anyway, I work too much and I think I have a much better way to be spending my evenings now." She grins, brushing her calf against Serena's to illustrate her point. Serena chuckles.

"Well, I can't fault your thinking there," she smirks, unconsciously inching closer to her. "But what about the divorce? The money?"

Bernie bites her lip. "I have a confession," she starts. "I made back the money months ago. I was only going to work another month until you showed up and gave me the best possible reason to stay." Serena shakes her head with a fond smile.

"Just as long as you're not quitting because you think that I would feel uncomfortable in having a relationship with you whilst you're working. Do what makes you happiest."

"This makes me happiest," Bernie grins, dropping Serena's hand and wrapping her arms around her middle, pulling her to her and burying her face in her neck as Serena giggles.

"I love you, Serena Campbell."

"I love you, Berenice Wolfe."

Thank you so much for reading! Let me know if it was worth the wait x