Stevie's recovery was slow and took a toll on everyone. Karen moved in to be on hand taking her to the endless stream of appointments, scans, PT sessions, police statements, and media interviews, as well as helping her physically get around.
She hated having to rely on other people, and although she slowly but surely improved physically, her mental health took a nosedive. She barely left the house and became anxious if anyone got too close to her, even for a hug. She would wake in the night screaming and in a cold sweat, but refused to let Sheryl anywhere near her to help her calm down.
"You need to speak to someone," Sheryl said gently as Stevie lay in bed one day months later, flicking aimlessly through tv channels. "Some trauma counseling."
"I'm fine."
"Stevie - you're not fine. You went through something terrifying and it's impossible to try and come to terms with that on your own."
"Sheryl, there are people in war zones -"
"Yes, and they come out with PTSD! Please, Stevie. If not for yourself, do it for me. I know how you feel about therapy but it's not the same as it was back in the 80s, no one is going to try and put you on medication or anything you don't need to go on -" she noticed Stevie flinch slightly at the memory "- I just need you to be you again, baby."
Stevie didn't respond, still switching channels.
"I love you."
Nothing.
She got up and walked out, fighting back tears.
"Brandy? Come on buddy, let's go for a walk."
~
The sun was low in the sky when she returned from her hike. The glow from the house was dim and she noticed Karen's SUV was missing from the driveway.
As she grabbed the door handle she felt it open from the other side, and Stevie was framed in the soft light, smiling at her. Sheryl's mouth dropped open slightly as she processed what she was looking at.
She had washed and blow dried her hair, teasing it into her natural waves. Her eyes were lined with kohl and her lips were a deep red, the same shade as the floor length silk robe she was wearing. She was holding two tumblers of brandy and the ice in one clinked softly as she offered it to Sheryl, smiling at the look on her face.
"Do you remember what today is?"
"October 10..."
"Happy anniversary, baby."
She pulled her into the house, directing the puppy through to the kitchen and pinned Sheryl against the door, kissing her. As Sheryl returned the kiss hungrily she could taste the brandy already on Stevie's tongue. This was the closest they'd been since June.
"Wait," she broke away, breathlessly. "What happened to you?"
"I thought about what you said. I'm going to go to therapy, but right now, I want to celebrate."
"That's just about the sexiest thing you've ever said."
They kissed a while longer. Sheryl's hands hesitantly reached around and stroked down Stevie's back before grabbing her ass.
"Is this ok?"
"It's all ok. I've missed you so much, baby. Do whatever you want with me."
Sheryl became aware Stevie was naked under the robe and pushed it aside, quickly finding her wet core and pushing two fingers into her. Stevie gasped at the sensation of feeling Sheryl inside her again, and moaned as she curled her fingers firmly against her g-spot.
Stevie fumbled for something to hold to support herself, eventually grabbing the polished bannister of the spiral staircase and clinging to it, her other arm hanging around Sheryl's neck.
She tilted her head back and Sheryl kissed her throat.
"My god, Stevie, I've missed taking you like this. You're so wet."
Despite anchoring herself as best she could, Stevie felt her legs beginning to tremble and buckle. She slowly sank down onto the carpeted staircase and Sheryl went down with her, a few steps lower so she could reach her with her mouth.
Stevie's back arched and she cried out Sheryl's name as she felt her tongue against her clit for the first time in months. She hooked her legs over Sheryl's shoulders, pressing her bare feet into her back and pulling her in closer.
Sheryl used her free hand to reach up and loosen the cord on the robe until it fell open, exposing Stevie's breasts. The gasps of pleasure intensified as she took one in her hand, rolling the nipple between her fingers.
She glanced up at Stevie and smiled. She never looked more beautiful to Sheryl than when she was like this - eyes closed, the color rising in her cheeks as she lost herself in her pleasure. Sheryl had feared she may never see her like it again.
"Oh, baby, I love you." She twisted her hands into Sheryl's hair, rolling her hips up. "Don't stop, it feels so good."
Stopping was the last thing on Sheryl's mind as she felt Stevie begin to contract around her fingers. The only sound was Stevie's breathy moaning echoing around the house, gradually becoming higher and louder as she got closer to her peak.
She held her breath before emitting an unrestrained cry as clear fluid was released over Sheryl's fingers. Sheryl smiled - the first time Stevie had squirted with her was the first time she'd done it with anyone. Sheryl had made her do it almost every time since, and it was still just as satisfying knowing she could take her to that level of ecstasy.
Stevie was bucking beneath her now, her wild cries bouncing off the walls as she felt her orgasm building. Sheryl fought her writhing frame to keep doing exactly what she was doing. Another release trickled out, this time immediately followed by powerful spasms against her fingers as Stevie came. Sheryl kept going until Stevie pushed her head away in desperation, and even then as she moved to kiss her she kept fucking her with her fingers, until a third and final gush and Stevie could take no more, clutching at her wrist and pulling her out.
Sheryl propped herself up on the stairs next to Stevie and smiled down at her whilst she gathered her breath.
"Well, I think that's officially every room in the house I've made you come in now."
"I know, and I always thought it would have been over on the piano stool. We should do it here again, though."
Sheryl's smile faltered as her eyes drifted to the huge angry scar just below Stevie's navel. Stevie followed her gaze and took her hand, pressing it against the scar.
"Oh, Stevie..."
"Look at me. It wasn't your fault. None of it was your fault, Sheryl."
"But -"
"No. You have to let go of your guilt."
"I keep seeing his face."
"Me too. But you know what? Next time we see it he's going to be behind glass wearing a nice orange jumpsuit. And we're going to see them take him down. And it will all be over."
She pressed a kiss against her forehead.
"Let's go to bed."
