Empty Spaces

Always

The next few hours went by in a blur. Straight after shift they headed to the furniture store, determined to get Bella a new bed. They had decided on the way over that they'd change the study into a bedroom, and although it was small it would be perfect for a six year old.

Even though Sylvie had wanted to go straight to Bella she knew they needed to do this, it was one of the requirements and she also knew that Bella would probably feel more comfortable in her own bed and off the couch. As they walked through the isles looking at the beds, Sylvie couldn't help but smile. She never thought they'd be here, well not here but shopping, for their foster daughters new bed, who they had just got custody of. It made her heart swell again, only being brought out of her thoughts by Matt's voice.

"This one looks nice? It'll be big enough for Bella and also leave enough room for some toys." He stated, looking over the bed. It was a window bed, with a white frame and butterfly details on the side. It looked perfect.

"It's beautiful." Sylvie stated, her eyes leaving Matt as she looked over the bed frame, having a look at the price. It was only $150 which was cheaper then she had expected. "This is the one."

Matt went and found a sales rep, who said he'd load the boxes into the truck if they pulled it around back so once Sylvie had paid (she insisted this time, after Matt had spent double at Walmart) they headed out to the truck. She watched as Matt pulled around the back, allowing the man to greet them at the back door and true to his word he loaded the boxes himself, as well as a mattress that Matt had got when Sylvie wasn't paying attention.

She turned to Matt and smiled, he was already doing the same thing and it made her heart leap in her chest. "Thank you for doing all this, I know it's not for me but I appreciate it. You're a good man, Matt Casey."

And if she wasn't looking straight at him, she'd have missed the way his eye darted down to her lips then back up to look at her. It was like all the outside world was drowned out, it was just them and as she released a breath they began leaning forward, inching closer to each other, only centimetres apart when a knock on the window caused them to abruptly pull apart and turn to look. Matt wound down his window and gave the guy a polite smile. "You're all loaded up, let us know if you have any troubles with it." And just like that he was gone, another moment yet ruined by someone passing by.

Matt turned back to the steering wheel, shifting the gears into drive and heading off towards the apartment. The moment seemly lost in the drive, Sylvie would be lying if she said her heart didn't dropped a little. She was so sure they were going to finally kiss, but now her mind was trying to convince her that she had made it up and her crush was making her see things.

As they arrived back at the apartment Sylvie climbed out, watching as Kelly came outside to assist Matt in getting the bed out and Stella followed not far behind him. "Hey Brett, why don't you and Stella go pick Bella up while we put this together? By the time you get back we should be done."

She nodded her head and moved to the back seat, retrieving the booster from the back seat and walking over to her car without a word. It probably seemed weird to the boys, but she was so in her head she didn't want to speak in fear she'd blurt out something to Matt so instead she kept herself busy while getting the car ready. Once it was secured she got into the car with Stella and headed off towards the Herrmanns residence.

The ride was quiet for a while, her head too loud to start conversation which only left Stella to start it. Stella could feel the tension in the air, but she wasn't sure on what was causing it and so she spoke up. "Sooooo, how's it going on the home front?"

Sylvie took a deep breath and looked at Stella for a second, her face a little panicked as she blurted out. "I almost kissed Matt." She didn't mean to say it so bluntly, she wasn't even going to tell Stella but she knew keeping it inside wouldn't do her any good and she needed her best friends opinion on the matter.

It wasn't until she saw the slight smile on Stellas face that allowed her to breath a little easier, knowing she wouldn't judge her and could probably give her the best advice in the situation. The brunette opened her mouth to speak but closed it again, trying to think of the right words before she spoke. "Thats... new."

Sylvie looked over at her and squinted, stopping at a red light which allowed her to give more attention to her. "New? Stella, I just told you I almost kissed Matt and that's all you can say? God, I feel like I'm seeing things. Sometimes I feel like we're on the same page and then I feel like I'm making things up." She huffed, looking back at the road before she continued on their journey.

Stella shook her head slightly, a small laugh leaving her mouth as she looked at the blonde. She almost couldn't believe how blind the woman was, the crush was so obvious on both of them that it shocked her that she could think that.

"What?" Sylvie asked blindly, pulling up out from of their destination as she killed the engine and turned to Stella. Missing the point completely.

Stella looked at her again, her smile still evident as she shook her head slightly before looking back. "Sylvie, Matt is completely in love with you. Even Bella can see it, you two just have this-this connection. What man would allow you to stay in his home, sleep in his bed, raise a child together even just temporarily, if he didn't have at least some type of feelings for you?" And with that the brunette exited the car, leaving the blonde to stew over what she said before she exited herself.

She had barely made it half way up the steps before the door opened and a flurry of brown hair came running out and jumped at her. She was lucky her reflexes were on point, grabbing hold of the girl and pulling her up into her arms and giving her a big cuddle. "Oh I missed you, Teeny." She said as she ran her hand over to back of the girls hair, leaving a kiss to her head before she looked up at Cindy and smiled. "How was she?"

Cindy returned the smile, handing over the girls bag to Stella. "She was fantastic, she helped me make cookies and we did some painting. She had a little accident but we changed her pants and then she was fine." They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Cindy retreated back inside and Sylvie took Bella down to the car, noting the girl hadn't said a word since she had gotten there.

"You okay baby?" She asked as she strapped her in, making sure the belt wasn't too tight before she returned her attention back to the girls face giving her a smile.

Bella took a minute to answer, her eyes darting back and forth between Sylvie and Stella (who was now sitting in the front seat) before she spoke up softly. "You came back."

And if she wasn't as close as she was, Sylvie might have missed it. She brought her hand up to cup the girls face gently, making her look into her eyes. "I will always come back Bella. I'm not going anywhere, I've been thinking about you all day." She stated, making an emphasis on the always. She needed this little girl to understand, even a little bit, of the grip she has on Sylvie's heart. She felt her heart squeeze as Bella gave her a small smile, but now her eyes were smiling too.

"Always?"

"Always."