bullets and bouquets

38

"Hey, I'm sorry I didn't call you earlier, I got caught up in some stuff," Jenna says to Emma over the phone.

"No worries, I figured you had stuff to do," the blonde answers.

"So how was the flight back?"

"It was good, I slept like a baby," she answers. Jenna smiles at this.

"So I have some good news."

"Ooo, okay, I'm ready," Emma squeals.

"I've found a way for us to be together," Jenna starts, "I'm leaving my business."

"You are?"

"Yup. An ally is going to take over," she explains. Emma doesn't answer, "Emma? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I just... I'm so glad. I know it must have been tough for you to make that decision," she says.

"It was, but I'm happier knowing I'll get to be with you," Jenna says. Emma blushes back at her home in the United States.

"So when will I get to see you next?"

"Yeah, so here's the thing: we have to pretend I've been killed so that I can come to the United States with a clean slate," she begins to explain

"Kill you?"

"Not like actually kill me, but make all my enemies think I've died," Jenna explains, "After that, I'm going to stay at Sadie's for a couple of months before I can fully move to the United States."

"Oh," she answers slightly disappointed.

"But you can come out to the Estate when you don't have to work. Sadie can fly you out on a private jet," the gang leader says.

"Really? She would do that?"

"Yeah, she's even offered to have a house built for us in Sicily," Jenna adds.

"A house?!?"

"Yeah, like a vacation home or something."

"I mean, I do like the sound of that, but that's too much to ask for," Emma says.

"Nonsense, Sadie likes you a lot and she's going to miss me when I go over," Jenna says.

"Yeah, that's true. I have to film for the next couple of weeks but then I should be able to come to see you."

"Okay, I should be all moved into the Estate by then. I'll have Sadie's jet pick you up wherever you are," she says.

"All right, I've got to go, we're starting blocking. Isn't it late there?" Emma asks

"Eh, I don't have to be up early for anything," the gang leader sighs, smiling, "Text me when you can and I will answer."

"I don't want to wake you," the blonde responds.

"How about you send me texts when you feel like it? If I'm asleep, I'll answer when I wake," she offers.

"Okay."

"Okay, talk to you soon. Bye," Jenna says. She hangs up the phone and returns to the game room, "She's happy with the decision."

"Awe, yay! I'm so happy for you guys!" Bella cheers, "And I'm glad you didn't have to kidnap anyone for it."

She turns and playfully glares at Sadie.

"Hey, now, you know I did it because I love you," the redhead defends. Bella smirks.

"I know, I was teasing," she smiles.

"I'm so impatient, I wish I could just die right now and move to the Estate," Jenna exclaims, "I miss her already."

"Don't worry, Jenna. We'll kill you soon enough," Sadie says.

"I don't like how comfortably you guys say that," Bella jokes, "I just can't believe you are gonna give this all away."

"I want to do it. For Emma," Jenna says.

"Would you have done that for me?" Bella asks. Sadie goes quiet, "Really?"

"Bella, I——"

"Save it. I'm going to bed," she storms out of the room.

"Bella!"

"Let her go, Sadie. She needs to cool off," Jenna says, "I shouldn't have said that. I made you out to be the bad guy."

"I mean... she's not wrong," the redhead sighs. She sits down on a stool, "I am the bad guy. I kidnapped her. I faked her death. I mean, you gave up your life so easily. Who's to say I couldn't have done the same?"

"Sadie, stop. I won't hear you talk bad about yourself," the gang leader replies, "Bella knows the dangers of you leaving. The cartel is different than the mafia and she knows that. If she didn't want this life, she wouldn't be here. She just got a little heated is all."

"But should I have kidnapped her still? Should I have let her fall in love with me?" the redhead asks.

"Stop it," Jenna orders, "Go to sleep. This is nonsense."

"I can't go into the room. Bella's mad, she won't want me in there," the mafia boss says.

"Sleep on the floor. I guarantee you she won't let you do that," the gang leader orders, "And that will prove to you that she loves you. That she isn't going to let this little argument break you up."

"I don't know..."

"Well, I do," Jenna says, "Come on."

Jenna grabs Sadie's wrist and drags her out of the game room. Bella lies in the darkness under the covers of the bed. She hears the door open and close, a sliver of light illuminating the darkness for a split second before it's gone.

Sadie doesn't say anything. She changes into her pajamas and lies down on the floor, next to Bella's side of the bed. No pillows, no blanket, just her. Bella becomes confused. Although she's a little upset, she still loves Sadie. It's just hard to think that maybe they could have a normal life without the gang violence and the threat of being killed every day.

"Get in bed," the brunette says.

"I think maybe I should stay down here for tonight," Sadie says quietly, "... as punishment."

"I wasn't asking, Sadie," Bella orders, "Get. In. Bed."

The redhead sits up and walks around to her side of the bed. She gets under the covers and lies flat on her back, not facing Bella.

"I'm not mad at you, Sadie," Bella says, turning to her girlfriend in the dark, "I was just a little upset is all."

"You have every right to be upset," Sadie answers.

"I just wonder what our life would be like when people aren't threatening to kill you every day, that's all," the brunette answers.

"Cara mia, I swear on my life, I will never let anyone hurt you," the redhead exclaims.

"I'm not worried about me, Sadie. I'm worried about you," Bella tears up, "I don't want to lose you."

"Darling, you won't lose me," Sadie answers, "I will leave this business if I ever think I wouldn't be able to come back to you."

"You mean that?"

"I do, Darling. I do."