Daylight

25 | My Woman

Madonna stared at her reflections in the water, her eyes lingering on her damped red hair that fell to her shoulders, never losing their waves. She watched the small ripples that formed every time small droplets slid down her skin or her hair.

Her naked body basked under the morning sun, feeling the warmth of it against her skin, painting her hair a brighter shade of red. With a relieved sigh, she threw her head back, closing her eyes.

The events of last night replayed in her mind, from their conversations to the things they did. The kisses that happened, the touches that lingered, the looks of love that were given, and her realization.

She was falling in love with Caroline but there was no stopping the inevitable. The only problem was, the feeling left her terrified. It truly did. Although, she never particularly showed it, she was really terrified of the future that might follow.

Their conversation from last night lingered in her mind, Caroline didn't want to live in the kingdom, she preferred to stay here in the countryside, to continue the life she built with her late wife.

That was another case, Caroline's late wife. Madonna can't pretend the woman never existed, she was Caroline's wife, the one who made her so happy, who brought her peace and gave her everything she deserved. Caroline built a life and a home with Andromeda in this place, of course she wouldn't leave all that behind.

But perhaps all she wanted, she knew deep down that all she wanted was for Caroline to also build a life with her, perhaps in the city where they can have everything they want, they can drown in jewels, golds and silvers. But she also knew that it won't be easy for Caroline.

She sighed, nothing was ever easy between them.

Then she wondered how happy Caroline must've been with her late wife, with the two of them out in the open, never having the need to hide their relationship, declaring their love for each other without thinking of what anyone would say.

Caroline must have been so happy. To be able to live the way she wanted, free and happy, with someone who loved her and wasn't afraid to show it, with someone who deserved her.

Madonna knew she didn't deserve Caroline. The woman was too kind and precious, forgiving and patient. She was willing to do anything for her, for them. And here she was, afraid of everything.

She wished she wasn't like this. She wished she could just not give a damn about what others would think of her but she couldn't, that was all she's ever known. Putting on a show for everyone, constantly having the need to appear beautiful and graceful in front of them, manipulating them.

If she wasn't like this, they would have been so much happier, without hiding their relationship.

"Donna?" the door slowly creaked open and Madonna opened her eyes, glancing at the place where the sound came from, finding Caroline entering the bathroom, wearing a green dress.

Her eyes found the sun pendant that sat perfectly around the brunette's neck before her eyes flickered up to meet her gaze "My love?"

Caroline's cheeks flushed red, admiring the woman in front of her "The girls just left." she slowly walked towards the redhead, when she was close enough, she ran her index finger from the woman's forehead to the bridge of her nose and down to her lips "I baked a cake we can eat."

Madonna raised an eyebrow "A cake?" she was never really a sucker for sweets but whatever Caroline baked, she ate it. She would eat anything really as long as it was made by Caroline.

The brunette nodded, running her finger through Madonna's red hair, combing through the tangles, easing them smoothly "A cheesecake. It's not as sweet as a normal cake, I think you'll really like it."