Confessions

6. See you later

Sunday – 25th of April 2021

Small gestures had kind of become their thing, especially home and hand made things, so Danielle was eager to gift Stefania the box she had made for her. "So," Danielle started, putting the box on Stefania's lap while sitting down next to her, "You're not allowed to open it yet," she said while having the biggest smile on her face and clapping her hands out of excitement. The brunette looked at the excited and beautiful blonde in front of her. Mesmerized by her beautiful eyes, her golden hair parted in the middle which suited her so perfectly. "You're such a puppy. You shouldn't have, bella. Thank you!" she said as she hugged her other puppy, feeling the strong arms of Danielle wrapping around her waist. Pulling her close.

"No one has ever done something like this for me before," she said with a grateful smile as she rested her head on the blonde's shoulder. Danielle smiled against Stefania's shoulder. It was a relief that she liked the gift, she'd put a lot of effort in it. She was nervous for when Stefania would read the notes. Some were funny but some were very personal. She's never been this open with the brunette before. She just hoped it would pay off in the end, and not make things weird between them. That was Danielle's biggest fear.

"What's in the box?" she asked, releasing the hug so she could try to open the box. "That's something you'll find out on the plane. There's a letter in it with instructions. I know you're a rulebreaker ms. Spampinato so no cheating please," Danielle replied, playfully pointing her finger at the brunette. Stefania smiled bashfully throwing her head back. "I can't make any promises," she said with a smirk while pulling the blonde back into a hug. "Really, thank you," she genuinely said. "You're welcome," she replied while caressing her back.

Stefania couldn't wait to open the gift. For some reason she had the odd feeling she'd get emotional once she did. Danielle always put so much thought into the little gestures she made towards her, but she had the inkling that this gift was made with much more effort and care.

The moment that she had properly met with Danielle, she knew that they had a special connection and chemistry. Even though she was part of Shondaland two years prior to meeting Danielle, and has been in the US for a while, Danielle truly made her feel home. Which in return, made her feel too vulnerable sometimes. This was something she didn't want to admit to as much. She got so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed she was still clinging to Danielle, her head on her chest. Her arm around the blonde's waist, the blonde's arm around her own back.

They stayed in this position while Danielle turned the tv on, "What do you want to watch?" she asked. "I don't mind, just put anything on,", she replied while enjoying the blonde's scent, knowing today was the last day could spend some time together before she had to say goodbye. It was now raining outside which she would normally hate. However, it fit the mood of the coziness, yet sadness that was looming in the living room.

A few hours had now passed, both only released the other if they had to go to the bathroom, to walk Jeff or to get some food and drinks. Both were dreading having to say goodbye. The time that they had spent in their little bubble today felt different than all their previous hangouts or sleepover.

It was the first time they fell asleep in the same bed as themselves, not as their characters. It was their first time staying cuddled on the couch for hours on end. It was Stefania's first time seeing Danielle naked. It was the first time where they both admitted to themselves that it was going to be more difficult for them to be apart from each other than expected.

"Danielle, I have to leave soon. It's getting late and I still need to finish packing,", which resulted in Danielle tearing up and clinging to the brunette even tighter, not daring to talk, afraid of her voice cracking. She hid her face in the brunette's neck. Feeling embarrassed and stupid for having so much difficulty letting Stefania go.

The Italian felt a wetness on her neck and realized the American was crying. It felt like her heart shattered a bit, seeing her best friend so sad. In that moment, it almost made her not want to leave for the trip at all. She held the blonde tighter with one arm, while the other arm was stroking through the blue eyed woman's hair. "Shh, don't cry, please. We'll be okay. I'll be back before you know it," she tried comforting the blonde. Danielle's sniffles slowly stopped.

Whenever Danielle felt anxious or sad it helped when she was held tightly. It was like a safety blanket, the pressure helping her calm down. Though she was calmed down, she hadn't spoken a word yet. She slowly let go of Stefania, allowing her to get up to grab her stuff and say goodbye to Jeff as well.

The blonde noticed that the brunette was reluctant to let the blonde go, looking at her with worry over her face. "I'm okay. It's okay. Go grab your stuff,", she said with a small smile on her face, trying to reassure Stefania which worked as Stefania let go of the blonde and got up.

After a few minutes, the Italian walked back into the living room with all her stuff. She saw Jeff lying on Danielle's lap on the couch. She picked Jeff up and just held her baby for a while. She couldn't take Jeff with her. Even though Jeff is used to traveling, Stefania knew she would be too busy to give her dog the proper attention. So she asked Danielle to watch Jeff for her, knowing she would give Jeff her undivided attention whenever she could. Stefania got teary eyed now that the time was really there to say goodbye to both her puppies. Both were her puppies for different reasons. Jeff because, well she was an actual puppy and Danielle because her character and eyes just reminded her of a cute puppy.

Danielle noticed the tears rolling off Stefania's face, hence she got up and pulled her into a hug, Jeff now being in the middle of them. If someone would've walked past them, it would've come across as a small family hugging.

They walked to the front door as she put Jeff on the floor who was wagging her tale walking along their side. Danielle didn't want their last encounter to be sad so she tried to lighten up the mood by dramatically saying "please don't forget me," knowing full well the brunette wouldn't. "I mean, I think if Jeff wouldn't be staying with you, I would've. But, I want my updates from Jeff so therefore I cannot forget you cause I would have to ask you," she playfully said back while looking at the blonde. Danielle's mouth fell open as she slapped Stefania's arm, "you're such an ass,". Stefania just laughed and pulled Danielle in for a hug.

Both held each other tightly, not wanting to let go. The taller woman pressed a kiss on the shorter woman's forehead, which made her smile. As they let go of each other, Stefania crouched down one more time to pet Jeff and walked off to her car. "It's not a goodbye, it's a see you later," Stefania said, blowing a kiss towards Danielle as she got into the car, ready to drive away.

Danielle waved until the car was no longer visible. She closed the door behind her and let herself fall to the floor as the tears started rolling once more.

A/n

Hope everyone is having a good day!

How do you think both are gonna cope with not being with each other? Any wishes you want me to put in the story?

"Life is not about who you once were. It's about who you are now, and who you have the potential to be" <3