thegirl20 | Drabbles

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Drabbles

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They’re up in the attic, trying to find something to make Halloween costumes out of. Emma is watching Livvy pretend to be a ghost using an old sheet. She giggles when the boisterous five year old trips and falls into her lap. She pulls her onto her knee for a hug. Just then, a worried voice pipes up from behind them.

“Mommy...what’s this?”

Emma turns to see her eldest sitting by an old box, with a photograph album in her lap. She strains to see what it is, but can’t.

“I don’t know, honey, just a sec,” she says, urging Livvy to stand up and lifting the sheet off her to prevent any more falls.

She stands and makes her way over to Belle. A few steps away, she stops, having seen what it is Belle is looking at. It’s Terri and Will’s wedding album. She closes her eyes. She did not plan for this to be how the kids found out. She plasters on a smile and takes a seat on the floor beside Belle. Livvy comes over to see what the fuss is about, planting herself down on the other side of Emma.

Belle looks at her with large, watery eyes.

“It’s Mama and Uncle Will. And they’re getting married,” she says, her voice quivering.

“Lemme see, lemme see!” Livvy says, leaning over Emma to pull the album closer. “Ewwww! They’re kissing!”

Emma’s not terribly fond of the album herself, having leafed through it once before while she was alone in the house. But she knows that it must have come as quite a shock to Belle to find it there, having had no prior knowledge of Terri and Will’s relationship.

“Well, honey...you see, before Mama and I were married, Mama was married to Uncle Will,” she explains, gently. “So these are the pictures of their wedding.”

Belle’s lower lip is trembling now and Emma wraps an arm around her. Livvy appears to be nonplussed by the discovery and is continuing to look through the album.

“This dress isn’t as nice as the one she has on in your book, Mommy,” Livvy decides and Emma smiles, ruffling her hair.

“But...why did she get married to Uncle Will?” Belle asks. “Why didn’t you stop her?”

Emma laughs a little at that. She has wondered what life would’ve been like if she’d gone to school with Will and Terri. The hopeless romantic in her likes to think that she and Terri were fated to be together and that if they’d met at school, they would’ve been the high-school sweethearts who beat the odds to stay together and get married and have kids. But in reality, she knows that Terri was a cheerleader and that she was the weird girl with the germ phobia and that their paths would probably not have crossed.

“Honey, I didn’t know your Mama back then,” she says, rubbing her hand up and down Belle’s arm. “I met her while she was married to Uncle Will.”

She refrains from mentioning the fact that she was pursuing Will at the time. She feels that it will only complicate matters. Belle still looks upset and Emma isn’t sure how to make it better. It’s a lot to take in, that one of your parents had a whole other life that you were not a part of.

“Do you think she liked being married to him?” Belle asks, obviously trying to wrap her head around the concept.

Emma searches for the right response to that, one which doesn’t do Terri and Will’s relationship a disservice.

“It looks like she liked kissing him,” Livvy chips in, holding up a picture of Terri and Will kissing under a tree.

Emma flinches when her eyes land on the picture, but she covers it up and turns back to Belle, who is staring at the photo, distraught.

“Yes, honey, I think she liked being married to him,” she says, gently holding Belle’s chin and guiding her around to look into her eyes.

“But...but...aren’t you sad that she liked being married to someone else?” Belle asks.

Emma thinks about that for a second.

“I...was, for a little while,” she says, slowly.

She smiles at her daughter.

“But I know that your Mama loves being married to me, and that she loves being your Mama,” she says, feeling absolutely certain in her words.

“Mine too!” Livvy interjects, frowning at Emma and closing the album.

Emma grins and pinches her cheek.

“Yes, yours too, scamp,” she assures her youngest.

“You think she likes us better than she liked him?” Belle asks, still clearly unsettled.

“What do you think?” Emma asks, hoping she gets the right answer.

“I...”

“Hey! What’s going on up here?”

Three heads turn to see Terri pop up through the opening to the attic, she smiles at them as she continues up the ladder until she’s fully in the room.

“Mama!” Livvy cries, standing up and launching herself at her mother.

Terri catches her with a slight ‘oomph’, hoisting her up onto her hip.

“You’re getting too heavy for this, smurf,” she says, walking over to where Emma and Belle are still seated. “I got the stuff for the costumes.”

She holds up the bag she’s carrying but pauses when she sees Belle’s face. She looks to Emma for an explanation.

“Is...everything okay?” she asks, tentatively.

“Uh...Belle found this,” Emma explains, putting her hand on top of the wedding album. “And she was just asking some questions.”

Terri’s eyes land on the photo album and her heart sinks. This was a subject she didn’t want to have to face with her daughters until they were much older. Livvy presses her nose against Terri’s cheek.

“You’re kissing a boy in that book,” she whispers. “And it’s Uncle Will.”

Terri smiles sadly. She puts Livvy back down and sits on the floor, cross legged, in front of Belle and Emma. Livvy takes her place beside Emma again, looking between the other three in confusion. Terri reaches out and puts her hand on Belle’s knee.

“Is there anything you want to ask me, honey?” she asks, quietly.

Belle shrugs and looks down at the floor, leaning into Emma. Terri looks to Emma for help.

“I think Belle’s just a little concerned about you liking someone else who isn’t us,” Emma prompts, nodding encouragingly.

Terri smiles in gratitude. She shakes Belle’s knee gently.

“C’mere, baby,” she says, beckoning her over.

Belle reluctantly shuffles over and climbs into Terri’s lap, allowing herself to be enveloped in her arms. Terri rocks her gently, pressing her lips against Belle’s forehead.

“I guess it must’ve been quite a surprise to see those pictures, huh?” she asks, feeling Belle nod against her. “Yeah, it must’ve been. But the reason they’re all the way up here is because they’re from the past. What’s the picture on top of our fireplace?”

“You and Mommy at your wedding,” Belle mumbles.

“And what’s the picture on my nightstand?” Terri asks.

“You and me and Mommy and Livvy making a snowman,” Belle responds.

“And what are all the pictures in the hallway?” Terri probes.

“All of us, doing stuff,” Belle says, sitting up a little to look at Terri’s face.

“That’s right,” Terri says, firmly. “Sweetie, I love Mommy and you and Livvy so much. Yes, I was married to Uncle Will. But then I met your Mommy and she changed my whole life and I knew that I wanted to be with her forever. So you don’t ever have to worry about me liking anyone better than I like you guys, okay? Because it’s not possible.”

Belle regards Terri for a long moment before leaning forward and wrapping her arms around her neck.

“I love you too, Mama,” she says, hugging Terri almost to the point of asphyxiation.

“Me too!” Livvy says, scrambling over to get involved in the hug.

Terri wraps an arm around the little blonde’s waist and pulls her in. She catches Emma’s eye over Belle’s shoulder and smiles. Emma just shakes her head, a tear running down her cheek. She pushes herself up onto her hands and knees and crawls the small distance to add herself to the pile of bodies, somehow locating Terri’s lips and pressing a kiss to them.

When they draw back, they find a curious Livvy watching them at very close range. She nods her head once.

“Yeah, I think she likes kissing Mommy more than she liked kissing Uncle Will.”

Laughter echoes around the attic.

Terri stretches up to grab the big bowl they use for popcorn from a high shelf. She gets her fingers to the edge of it just as two hands encircle her waist, under her sweater, on her bare skin. She yelps in surprise, retracting her arm and turning her head to be met with Emma’s twinkling brown eyes.

“Sorry sweetie,” Emma mumbles, her chin on Terri’s shoulder. “I just wondered if you needed some help reaching it.”

Terri scowls good-naturedly.

“I can reach it just fine, thank you,” she retorts, stretching up again and snagging the bowl, offering Emma a smirk over her shoulder as she brings it down onto the counter.

It’s Saturday night which, in the Del Monaco-Pillsbury household, means movie night. The popcorn is popping away, milk for hot chocolate is bubbling on the stove…and the kids are fighting over which movie to watch. Just a normal Saturday night.

Terri sags back against Emma as she hears a particularly indignant squawk from the direction of the living room.

“Who do you think will be through here first?” she asks, as the microwave beeps.

Terri opens it and pulls apart the bag, pouring the popcorn into the bowl. Emma drops a quick kiss on her neck and lets her go, moving to the stove to finish off the hot chocolates.

“Well, it’s Belle’s turn to choose the movie, which probably means Livvy is gonna be through here in approximately 20 seconds complaining that whatever she’s chosen is too girlie,” Emma says.

Terri nods, chewing on a piece of popcorn. Right on cue, a little voice pipes up.

“Mommy! Mama! You guys gotsta tell Belle that we’re not watching stupid Beauty and the Beast, again,” Olivia appears in the kitchen doorway, wearing a hugely disgusted expression. “Just cuz that girl in the yellow dress has the same name as her. It’s booooring.”

Before Emma or Terri has a chance to respond, Belle appears behind the four-year old, holding the DVD case aloft.

“Tell her it’s my turn to choose,” she demands, looking between her parents with plaintive brown eyes. “She got to watch Transformers last week and I don’t even like that a little bit.”

They both place their hands on their hips and stick out their lower lips in a perfect imitation of Terri’s pout. Emma raises her eyebrows at Terri.

“Honey, you wanna take this one?” she asks.

Terri sighs. She looks at both girls and bites her lip. On the one hand, it is Belle’s turn to choose the movie. On the other, Livvy’s right, they have watched Beauty and the Beast an inordinate amount of times.

“Okay, girls, now when your mommy and me decide to watch a movie together, do you ever see us fighting over what to watch?” she asks.

“Yes,” both girls answer, in perfect unison, their little faces serious.

Terri hears Emma disguise a laugh as a cough and silently curses her.

“Well, no…we talk about the different options and then we decide together which movie we both want to see,” Terri explains. “Sometimes it’s one that Mommy likes more than I like, and sometimes it’s one that I like more than Mommy likes. But mostly we try to find one that we both like. And that’s called a compromise.”

Isabelle and Olivia look at each other sceptically. Isabelle turns back to Terri.

“So, we should look for something with stuff that we both like?” she asks, slowly, testing out the idea.

“Yes!” Terri agrees with a smile. “Try to find something with dancing, and also explosions.”

Olivia nods, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” she says. “ A promrocise is good.”

“Com-pro-mise, honey,” Emma sounds out, still stirring the hot chocolate.

“Com-ro-cise,” Livvy says, grinning up at Emma.

“Close enough,” Terri says. “Now go and find something, the popcorn and hot chocolate are nearly ready and we have nothing to watch!”

The girls scamper away into the living room and Terri turns to Emma with a bow.

“I’ll accept my applause now, thank you,” she says, with a wink.

Emma nods.

“Yes, it was very impressive, sweetheart,” she agrees. “And I’m really not sure I could’ve sat through another viewing of Beauty and the Beast,” she adds with a sheepish grin.

“Me neither,” Terri says, wrapping her arms around Emma’s waist as Emma pours the rich, milky mixture into mugs set out on a tray.

Footsteps behind them make them both turn around, Terri’s arms still loosely around Emma’s waist. It’s Olivia. She’s standing in the middle of the kitchen, holding the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ dvd and looking around.

“Sweetie,” Emma begins. “Did you and your sister pick a movie?”

“Yep,” Livvy says, still glancing around the kitchen. “We picked Lilo and Stitch, cuz she likes the singing and dancing and I like Stitch.”

Finally her eyes land on a low drawer and she opens it and slips the DVD inside.

“Livvy,” Terri says. “What are you doing?”

The little blonde looks up with a smile.

“Jus’ hidin’ Belle’s DVD so we don’t have to watch it for a while,” she says, innocently. “You know, like how you hided Mommy’s one with the big boat in my toybox.”

She flashes her parents a smile before heading back through to the living room, yelling to her sister that the food is coming. Emma turns to face Terri, her mouth open in shock.

“Terri Del Monaco-Pillsbury…I cannot believe you did that!” she says, jabbing Terri in the chest. “You told me you’d loaned it to someone at work!”

Terri holds her hands up in surrender.

“I did loan it to someone! Then they gave it back to me and I…just thought a little bit of a longer break from it wouldn’t be a bad thing,” she explains, feebly.

Emma huffs indignantly and turns her back to Terri, picking up the tray with the hot chocolates and walking to the living room, scowling over her shoulder. Terri sighs and picks up the popcorn, trailing behind her.

*

The food and drink are long finished and the movie’s almost over. They’re all piled together on the couch. Belle’s seated between Terri‘s legs, Terri’s running her fingers through her hair as they watch. Livvy is asleep in Emma’s arms, cradled against her chest, her thumb in her mouth in a throwback to an early habit that she had long since stopped while awake. Emma’s head is nestled on Terri’s shoulder, although it’s taken longer to settle there this week than it normally does.

When the credits roll, Belle yawns and stretches. She turns around and plants a kiss on Terri’s lips.

“Night mama,” she says, before stretching her neck up to kiss Emma. “Night mommy.”

“Night sweetie,” Emma says. “Your jammies are all laid out on your bed.”

“Sleep tight, honey. Remember your teeth,” Terri calls after her, stretching her own cramped muscles as best she can.

Emma lifts her head up and looks down at the bundle in her arms.

“I think she’s out for the night,” she murmurs.

Terri nods and pushes herself up.

“Here, gimme her, I’ll take her to bed,” she says.

She leans down and gently takes the sleeping child from Emma. Emma brushes Olivia’s hair out of her eyes and places a kiss on her forehead.

“Night baby,” she whispers.

Terri stands up, hoisting Olivia with her. She heads in the direction of the hallway but Emma’s voice stops her.

“Terri?”

She turns.

“What, honey?”

“You do know which movie we’re watching tonight, right?” Emma says, an eyebrow raised, daring Terri to challenge her. “You can pick it up when you’re in Livvy’s room.”

Terri sighs.

“Yes, honey.”

Emma’s already looking at her watch and they’ve only been at her brother’s for an hour. He’s having his Easter barbeque, which is really just an excuse to show off his big house and fancy car and hi-tech outdoor cooking facility. She’s used to his ways. He’s brash and dismissive and insulting, but he’s always been that way. Especially with her. She just takes it. Terri’s not quite as adept at dealing with it yet.

Emma’s standing with Tom’s wife, Jane. She’s always liked her. She’s quiet and unassuming and the absolute opposite of the type of person she’d have guessed her brother would go for. A shout catches her attention and she sees Terri throw a small child over her shoulder and take off at a run while a number of other small children chase after her. She smiles to herself. Well, they do say opposites attract.

People are milling around and Tom is standing by the barbeque, bragging to a group of men about the bonus he earned this year. She tunes him out until she hears her name being called.

“I’m sorry, what?” she asks, ready for an insult.

“I was just saying to the guys,” Tom yells. “Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach. Am I right?”

She rolls her eyes. Like he’s never said that to her before.

“Sure, Tom,” she agrees. “Whatever.”

“And those who can’t teach, become guidance counsellors,” he finishes, slapping the guy next to him in the chest as they all laugh.

Emma tries to smile, but feels her face flush with embarrassment. Jane gives her a sympathetic glance but doesn’t say anything. She turns away and blinks at the burning sensation in her eyes which she tells herself is from the smoke from the barbeque. Just then, Terri’s voice floats out from behind her.

“Hey, Tom. I think you’re doing that wrong, here...let me help you wi-...oh, wow, I have no idea how that happened.”

Emma spins around in time to see Tom cradling his face, blood spewing from under his hands. The group of men seems to have dispersed quickly and Terri has her arm around Tom’s shoulders, leading him into the house. She glances back over her shoulder at Emma.

“I’ll take him in and get him cleaned up.”

Emma doesn’t have time to respond and she turns to Jane.

“What...what just happened?” she asks, utterly confused.

“I think your girlfriend just punched my husband in the nose for making that crack about your job,” Jane answers, a small smile appearing on her lips. “She’s pretty awesome. You should keep hold of her.”

Edited 2010-06-09 18:23 (UTC)

Emma feels her own face break into a smile. She abhors violence and will probably lecture Terri about this later. But some, uncivilised, primal part of her brain loves the fact that Terri defended her.

“I plan to,” she says, still beaming.

Just at that, Tom exits the house, dabbing a Kleenex at his nose and checking for blood. Terri saunters out behind him and he looks back at her. She raises her eyebrows meaningfully, but stays where she is. Emma watches all of this with growing curiosity. Especially when Tom starts to head in her direction. He comes to a halt in front of her and glances back at Terri. He turns to face Emma.

“Em, I’m sorry for all the things I’ve said to you over the years about your job, and your OCD, and your love life. I’m obviously trying to overcompensate for something that’s lacking in my own life by...”

He’s still talking but Emma’s looking over his shoulder to where Terri is mouthing the words along with him. She shakes her head in amused wonder. That woman. She drives Emma crazy in the best way possible.

“...so yeah, I’m sorry and I will be more respectful of you in future.”

She pulls her attention back to Tom, who does look reasonably sincere.

“That’s okay, Tom,” she assures him. “I grew up with you, I know what you’re compensating for.”

A quick glance down at his crotch, gets her meaning across nicely. His mouth drops open and she hears Jane unsuccessfully try to stifle a laugh behind her, but she’s already making her way over to Terri. Terri holds her hands up in surrender.

“It was an accident,” she protests, before Emma even says a word. “I was trying to help him with the barbeque tools and my arm...slipped.”

“Your arm slipped and your fist hit his nose, huh?” Emma asks, her voice warm with amusement.

“Yeah, something like that,” Terri mumbles, unsure where Emma’s going with this.

She doesn’t have to wait long to find out because Emma leans in and kisses her square on the mouth, ignoring the faint murmur that goes around the assembled crowd. When she draws back, Emma’s grinning.

“I love you,” she says, simply. “And you’re so getting lucky tonight.”

Terri raises an eyebrow, one side of her mouth curling into a smile.

“I am, huh?” she says, preening. “Maybe I should punch people more often?”

“By accident,” Emma reminds her.

“By accident, of course,” Terri agrees, pulling Emma in against her.

“Of course,” Emma says, stealing another kiss.

Lol!

Loves me some Cara/Kahlan! Richard can just, like, go build a tree house or something.

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed this silly little thing :)

Love your username, btw.

Love your username, btw. - Thank you, unfortuantly, I don't think the writers ever will. *glares*

No. Probably not. But that's why we have FAN FIC!!! ;)

This is true! I think I've read every Emmi fanfic out there. Yours are particulary JAYMAMAZING :) *COUGHyoushouldwritesomemoreCOUGH*

There's a severe lack of E/T fic out there. And I would love to write more. Maybe I will if my muse ever rerturns :)

Terri sits down heavily on a stool by the counter. She surveys the room, everything looks halfway done, nothing looks finished, even though she’s been working on it for weeks. Sometimes she thinks it’ll never be finished. Sometimes she thinks she should never have started.

It was a dream she’d always had; to be her own boss, doing something she loved. At Emma’s urging, she started to view it less as a dream, and more like a real possibility. She’d taken some college classes at night in small business management. And, again with Emma’s support and encouragement, she’d decided to go for it. She’d bought a small unit with a view to turning it into an arts & crafts supply store, with space for her to run little taster sessions and classes.

It had seemed so possible then. Now, it doesn’t. She’s still working full time, and trying to get the store to a point where it’s workable. Everything costs money, everything takes time...

She sighs and stands back up, rubbing the back of her neck. Her phone starts ringing and she digs it out of her pocket, glancing at her watch and cringing.

“Hey sweetie,” she says, surprised at the weariness evident in her voice. “I’m sorry, I’ll be home soon.”

“Mmmhmmm,” Emma says. “Open the door.”

Terri’s brow creases in confusion in her tired state.

“Huh?” she says, moving to do as she’s told anyhow.

She opens the door to reveal Emma standing with her phone pressed to her ear and a bag dangling from her hand.

“Surprise,” Emma says into the phone, smiling softly.

Terri’s heart melts. She hangs up and slips the phone back into her pocket, watching Emma do the same. Terri steps aside to let Emma into the store and closes the door afterward, locking it. She turns and leans back against the door, watching as Emma places the bag on the counter and takes off her jacket, looking around the space as she does so, a smile growing on her face.

“Wow! The place is really coming together,” she enthuses.

Terri snorts.

“Yeah, sure it is,” she says, her eyes finding every imperfection possible as she glances around. “At this rate, it’ll never be ready.”

“Hey,” Emma scolds, approaching Terri where she’s still leaning against the door. “Of course it will. Honestly. I mean, I was only here a couple of days ago and I can see all the progress you’ve made.”

Terri shrugs, her eyes on the floor. Emma stops directly in front of her and gently tips her chin up.

“You can do this,” Emma says, looking directly into Terri’s eyes. “You know you can do this.”

Terri looks at her for a long moment.

“No, I don’t, not right now,” she says. “But it means the world to me that you know I can.”

Emma shakes her head and leans in to kiss Terri, her hands going to her hips.

“Don’t,” Terri protests, turning her head away. “I’m all dirty and gross.”

Emma smiles against Terri’s cheek, slipping her arms around her waist and squeezing.

“Yeah, you are,” she agrees, wrinkling her nose. “But I don’t care.”

And it’s the truth. Emma’s still not great with messes. But Terri could be covered from head to foot in grime and Emma wouldn’t care. She presses her face into Terri’s neck and inhales the scent of a genuine hard day’s work mixed in with the comforting smell that’s simply Terri. She lifts her head and seeks out Terri’s lips again, and this time Terri acquiesces. The kiss is slow, languid; a kiss between two people who aren’t in a hurry, who know they have all the time in the world to enjoy each other.

Terri’s stomach growls, interrupting the tender moment. Terri pulls away from the kiss and scowls in the general direction of the noise, while Emma unsuccessfully stifles a giggle behind her hand. Terri shifts her scowl to Emma and she relents, bringing her hand down to rub Terri’s belly gently.

“My poor, hungry baby,” she murmurs. “You’ve been working so hard.”

“I have,” Terri agrees, her lower lip starting to protrude.

“You really have,” Emma says, rubbing her nose against Terri’s. “And I miss you. We haven’t eaten dinner together all week.”

“I know, sweetie,” Terri says, her thumbs stroking Emma’s hips through her jeans. “And I know I said I’d be home earlier tonight…I just…”

“Honey,” Emma interrupts, a gentle hand on Terri’s face. “It’s okay, it’ll all be worth it in the end. And we’re going to eat dinner together tonight so it’s fine.”

Emma inclines her head towards the bag on the counter. Terri breaks into a smile.

“This is why you’re my favourite person in the world,” she says.

“Because I feed you?” Emma asks, a twinkle in her eye. “Gee, thanks honey.”

“Nope,” Terri says, shaking her head vehemently. “Because you always know exactly what I need. Like tonight…tonight I needed food, a pep talk, and you…not necessarily in that order.”

Emma shakes her head and rolls her eyes, unable to keep the grin off her face.

“You always manage to charm your way out, don’t you?” she grumbles, playfully pinching Terri’s side.

“I can’t help it that you’re more susceptible than most to my charms,” Terri counters, pushing away from the door and taking Emma’s hand, leading her towards the food.

Emma sighs dramatically as she opens the bag and starts to bring out cartons of Chinese food and chopsticks.

“It’s true, you’re irresistible,” she deadpans. “It’s a wonder I can function at all in society when I’m really just a slave to your charms.”

Terri’s opening the cartons and picking at things with her fingers. She yelps when Emma slaps her hand away and holds up a set of chopsticks for her. She takes them with a sidelong glance at Emma.

“I have a feeling that you’re mocking my charms,” she says. “But you brought food so I forgive you.”

“Now, honey,” Emma says, looking at Terri with wide brown eyes. “Would I ever mock your charms?”

Terri’s spreading a dustsheet on the floor and Emma hands her the cartons of food. They move to the improvised picnic blanket, sitting opposite each other, cross legged. Terri raises an eyebrow at Emma as she chews on some noodles.

“You’d better not,” she warns. “Or I won’t let you get your hands on my charms later.”

Emma laughs.

“I love you,” she says, the words falling from her lips easily.

“You’re just saying that so you get to touch my charms,” Terri says with a wink.

But she leans forward and plants a greasy kiss on Emma’s lips.

“I love you too, baby,” she says, sincerely. “I could never have done any of this if it weren’t for you. Thank you.”

Emma ducks her head, blushing.

“You always had it in you, Terri,” she says, lifting her eyes to meet Terri’s. “I only pushed and prodded you a little and brought it out. Just like you brought me out of my little sterile bubble. So thank you.”

Terri smiles.

“I guess we just bring out the best in each other, huh?” she says.

“I guess we do,” Emma says, returning the smile. “I guess that’s why we’ve put up with each other for almost three years. Taste?”

Terri nods and accepts the mouthful Emma’s offering, taking it from her chopsticks , dragging her lips over them as she does so.

“S’good,” she says, around the food. “And don’t think I didn’t notice that subtle reminder that our anniversary is coming up. Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten.”

“I didn’t think you had,” Emma says, finishing off her food and tidying the carton back into the bag they came in, doing the same with Terri’s as she finishes.

She moves to stand up and throw the bag in the trash but Terri grabs her wrist.

“Not yet, c’mere,” she says, pulling Emma towards her.

Terri’s still sitting cross legged so Emma turns and sits in her lap, sighing happily as she leans back and brings Terri’s arms around her waist, covering them with her own.

“Just think, Emma says. “One day soon your name’s gonna be above the door. You’re gonna be the boss.”

“Oh baby,” Terri says, her warm breath tickling Emma’s neck. “You know talking about power gets me hot.”

“Terri, talking about almost anything gets you hot,” Emma says, shivering as Terri kisses her pulse point.

“Only if it’s you doing the talking,” Terri protests.

“Mmmhmmm,” Emma says, enjoying Terri’s attentions. “Well then, my little hottie, I think we should take this home, don’t you agree?”

“I do,” Terri says.

Emma stands up and pulls Terri up to join her, she catches Terri’s chin in her hand, looking into her eyes.

“And no working tomorrow when we have Abby, okay?” Emma says. “We already had to cancel family night two weeks in a row.”

“I’m sor-“ Terri begins but Emma cuts her off with a kiss.

“I told you, it’s fine,” Emma says softly. “But it won’t be fine tomorrow, okay? Promise me.”

“I promise, no working tomorrow,” Terri says, and she means it.

“Good,” Emma says, stealing a final tiny kiss before drawing away.

Emma puts on her jacket and holds Terri’s up for her to shrug into. They both move outside as Terri rummages in her bag for her keys to lock up. She finally locates them and inserts the correct one into the door. Emma smiles and wraps her arms around Terri’s waist from behind, leaning her chin on her shoulder.

“Hurry up,” she whispers. “I want to see those charms of yours at some point tonight.”

Terri laughs and turns to kiss Emma’s cheek.

“I hope you’re gonna do more than look,” she says, cheekily. “But I think you’re my lucky charm.”

Emma smiles and kisses Terri’s nose.

“Home. Now.”

“Yes ma’am,” Terri says, letting Emma drag her by the hand.

Emma stirs. She throws an arm out to locate Terri, wanting to snuggle with her. She opens her eyes when her arm touches nothing but cool sheets. Terri’s side of the bed is empty, again. Emma sighs. This is happening more and more often. She pushes herself up and swings her legs over the edge of the bed, shuffling around until she finds her slippers. She stands and pads to the door where she takes down her robe and slips into it.

She steps out of the room and heads to where light is shining under a doorway down the hall. She pushes the door open and, sure enough, Terri is sitting at the desk, plans and sketches strewn all around her. Her arm is on the desk, with her head resting on top of it. A pencil is loosely gripped in her right hand. Emma can tell from her breathing pattern that she’s asleep. She smiles softly.

Making as little noise as possible, Emma moves to stand behind Terri. She gently removes the pencil from her hand and then kneels down on the floor next to the chair. She puts a hand on Terri’s thigh and shakes it a little.

“Terri?” she says, her voice low. “Honey, come on, wake up and come back to bed with me.”

Terri mumbles something unintelligible before sitting up ramrod straight in the seat. Her eyes are wide and they dart around the room for a second before settling on Emma. She rubs a hand over her face.

“M’sorry,” she says. “Couldn’t sleep.”

“I figured,” Emma says, her hand sliding from Terri’s thigh to wrap around her hip, her thumb rubbing in a soothing motion. “You seem to be tired enough now. Come back to bed.”

She tugs on Terri’s pyjama pants, her fingers sliding underneath the waistband to scratch lightly at the skin of her lower back. Terri looks at the scattered papers and sighs.

“I should just fin-“

“No!” Emma cuts in, firmly. “You’re tired, you’re not going to be productive, you’re coming to bed.”

Terri looks up in surprise, her brow creasing.

“Hey, you wanted me to do this,” she protests. “You wanted me to ‘follow my dreams’ and all that crap.”

Emma tightens her hold on Terri’s waist, looking up into her eyes.

“I do want you to do this, Terri,” she says, softly. “I want you to do something that makes you happy. And you’re nearly there, you’ve put together the business case and you got the financing. What I don’t want is for you to make yourself sick now. You work hard enough on it through the day, you don’t need to be working through the night too.”

Terri’s face softens. She brings a hand up to Emma’s cheek.

“I know,” she says, rubbing her thumb over the soft skin under Emma’s eye. “I just…there’s so much stuff going on in my head that I sometimes need to get it out.”

“I know sweetheart,” Emma says, turning her head to place a kiss on the palm of Terri’s hand. “I remember what you were like when we bought this place.”

“Hey,” Terri protests, a smile pulling at her lips. “I was just excited that we were gonna have a place that was ours.”

She runs both of her hands through Emma’s hair, linking them loosely behind her neck.

“Mmmhmm,” Emma agrees, arching an eyebrow. “Excited enough to wake me up in the middle of the night with combinations of swatches for me to look at.”

Terri huffs.

“I did that once,” she says. “And you made it clear that I was never to do it again.”

Her last word stretches into a yawn and she brings a hand up to cover her mouth. Emma stands up and pulls Terri’s arm gently.

“Come on. Bed. I’m not taking no for an answer,” she says, attempting to look intimidating.

Terri laughs and stands up, wrapping both arms around Emma and hugging her close, rocking both of them from side to side. Emma hugs Terri back, smiling into her neck.

“It’s a rare occurrence for me to ever give you ‘no’ as an answer,” Terri murmurs.

“True,” Emma agrees, lifting her head to look at Terri’s face. “That’s ‘cause you’re smart.”

“Smart and gorgeous,” Terri says with a smirk. “You’re a lucky lady.”

“I certainly am,” Emma says, bringing their lips together in a brief kiss. “But you’ll be even more smart and gorgeous after a good night’s rest.”

Terri sighs and moves out of Emma’s arms, catching her hand and linking their fingers together.

“Come on then, you’re obviously desperate to get me into bed,” she jokes, switching the light off in the office

They head back to the bedroom. Terri makes a beeline for the bed and collapses into her side of it, lying on her stomach and stretching an arm up under the pillow. Emma takes off her robe and hangs it up and steps out of her slippers. She doesn’t bother going around to her own side of the bed and instead climbs in Terri’s side. She adjusts herself so that her torso is resting on Terri’s back, her head nestled between Terri’s shoulder blades, while their legs tangle together loosely. Her hand snakes around to stroke Terri’s belly through the thin wife-beater she’s wearing.

“So…you’re pinning me to the bed so that I don’t get up again?” Terri’s voice floats out of the darkness, both tired and amused.

“Yep,” Emma confirms, pressing a little more weight down onto Terri for emphasis. “Do you have a problem with that?”

“Nope,” Terri says. “I was just checking.”

“Good,” Emma says, dropping a kiss on Terri’s back. “Goodnight baby, I love you. And the store is gonna be wonderful. I know it.”

“Love you too,” Terri says, her voice fading. “G’night.”

Emma smiles as she feels Terri’s breathing become deep and even. She turns her head so that she’s inhaling the warm, comforting smell of Terri’s skin. And she lets herself drift off to join her in slumber.

I'm reading my way through the Glee ones. HI.

I think there should be Will/April, plz.

I'm really flattered that you like them. They're not exactly a mainstream couple ;)

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