Dearest - truly flung out of space

32 - Catching up with the past

The weeks pass and the daily life catches up with us. Carol and I deal with the problems that every couple seems to have. After we've talked about the problem of struggling with money, Carol started looking into job offers. I told her that I had no problem with taking more shifts at the restaurant but Carol insisted that I focus on finishing my university degree. She said that she will find a way of dealing with the situation. Carol went to countless interviews, coming home devastated when they didn't go the way she wanted to. Many places didn't offer her a job because she can only work part-time. She insisted of that condition because she wanted to spend as much time with Rindy as possible. Nothing should change for the little girl and she should still be able to spend as much time with her mum as possible. Even though Carol told me to focus on my studies, I've decided to still take some more shifts for when I'm not at uni. I have absolutely no problem with spending almost all my time being at uni or at the restaurant if that means I can built a living for myself and my little chosen family.

Amelia and I have also reconnected again. After I came back from the workshop, I sent her the voucher via mail because Carol suggested that this was the best way. Shortly after Amelia received it, she came to the apartment to apologise for her behaviour. I told her that it was completely fine and that I would have reacted the exact same way when my best friend would have caused such a scene. Although we decided to put down the fight and reconnect, she asked if she could take her mother on that wellness trip. Amelia explained that she felt like she didn't get to spend much time with her mother since she was busy with university work. Se also told me that her mother recently had health problems and that she wanted to treat her mother with a little present. I obviously understood. Her mother is one of the nicest people on the planet and if Amelia wants tp spend time with her, I will 100% support her.

It's a regular Friday evening when me and Carol are at the grocery store. She insisted on doing the weekend shopping at a later hour because she thought that the store would be less crowded. While Carol strives through the vegetable section, I make my way to the coffee aisle. Even though I don't drink coffee at all, Carol deserves her coffee cup in the morning. As I walk towards the right shelf to find the brand of her liking, I notice a woman. She's much smaller than me and just like in all these cartoons, she's trying to reach a very high shelf for a specific coffee pack. But of course, she's too small. I don't pay much attention to her but I do feel sorry for her.
"Which brand would you like? I can get it for you," I offer and grab the pack of Carol's favorite coffee.
"Oh, just this one over there. The blue package," the woman answers. Somehow her voice sounds familiar but I can't put a name to it. I grab her desired coffee pack with ease and hand it to her. It is that moment when I look into her face and freeze.
"Oh my god, you're THE Therese Belivet! The famous photographer! I admire your work so much, wow," I gasp and try to convince myself if this moment is actually real.
"I am but I'm not that special," she chuckles and puts the coffee pack in her cart.
"C-Can you hold on a minute? Can we take a picture? Can I get an autograph? I'm gonna get my girlfriend. Please.... it won't take long, I promise," I stutter with a racing heart. My mouth speaks faster than my mind can think and Therese just nods. I run through the store and almost shout for Carol.
She immediately rushes towards me, thinking something severe has happened to me. I grab her hand and pull her back to the coffee aisle, being overjoyed with the situation. I want to make Carol meet one of my biggest inspirations.

When Carol spots Therese, she stops in her tracks. I do the same and give her a confused glance.

"Carol, this is Therese Belivet. You know, the famous photographer," I whisper and squeeze her hand.
"Carol," Therese whispers under her breath.
"Therese," Carol replies. Her hands are shaking.
I'm so confused. Do the two know each other? How is that even possible? There are many thoughts going through my head. I look at Carol who still hasn't moved an inch. Suddenly, she turns to me and whispers.
"Y/N, would you excuse me? I need some fresh air."
Without hesitating, she lets go of my hand and leaves. I'm left behind, completely speechless.

"I'm sorry.. I will.. Would you excuse me?" I ask and turn to Therese who is equally frozen in place. Without thinking, I abandon our cart and follow Carol outside. As I exit the grocery store, I look for Carol but I can't find her anywhere.
"Carol? Carol!" I yell out and run around the whole store before I find my favourite blonde sitting on a bench, her face in her hands. Slowly, I approach her. My heart breaks as I hear her sniffling and I carefully kneel down next to her.

"Hey... It's okay, I'm here," I whisper and take your hands in mine. I don't want to ask her about the encounter straight away. I want to give her some time. Carol isn't someone who shows her emotion so openly, especially not in public. Her whole body trembles which makes my heart sink even further into my stomach.
"I'm... I'm sorry. I just.. I needed a minute. I hope I didn't embarrass you," she whispers and wipes her eyes. The tears on her cheeks are still visible and I try to gently wipe them away for her.
"Don't worry, you didn't do anything wrong. Do you want to go home? I can go grocery shopping tomorrow morning. Tonight, we can order some takeout or we'll stop at the restaurant and I get you a serving of Pasta Fettuccine. What do you say?" I offer and give her a slight smile. Carol wipes the last tears from her cheeks and nods.

We walk back to the car and she hands me the keys. I'm happy that she wants me to drive and so I do. After making a quick stop at the restaurant and getting a serving of Carol's comfort food, I drive us home. We arrive at our apartment and I take Carol to the kitchen so she can eat in peace. Rindy, thankfully, isn't at home. She went to the cinema with Abby. Carol eats in silence. I don't want to bother her, let alone force her to talk to me. I throw a pizza in the oven and join her at the table. She seems thankful that I don't ask any questions. But of course, the topic does not go unnoticed by me. If I could, I would ask her a thousand questions about the encounter with Therese.

"I know you have questions, dearest," she whispers after a while. Her voice sounds strained and sad and that breaks my heart, "But I really don't want to talk about it right now. It's just... I have a backstory with Therese."
My mind immediately tries to connect the happenings together. Whatever happened between Carol and Therese must have really hit Carol hard.
"It's okay. I understand it. I want you to take the time you need. I'm here for you," I whisper and lean over the table to hug her. She reciprocates the hug and leans into my embrace.
"I'm sorry for throwing such a fit earlier. I'm sure it was embarrassing," she whispers into my neck and I just shake my head.

After finishing our dinner, Carol and I walk to the bedroom. Rindy has called and asked if she could sleep at Abby's house. Thus, Carol and I have the whole apartment for us. We cuddle into the bed and I decide to be the big spoon. Usually, she takes over that role but I'm certain that she will appreciate my gesture. After she has cuddled into the covers, she gives me a confused look when I lay down behind her and press my chest against her back.
"What are you doing?" she chuckles and tries to turn around. But I stop her.
"No, let me be the big spoon tonight. You deserve it, old woman," I reply and place a kiss on her cheek. Her laughter fills the room as I refer to her as an "old woman" but I know that she won't be mad.
"Shut up," she chuckles and cuddles closer into my arms, "You're so mean sometimes."
I chuckle, enjoying the fact that I can make her laugh even when she is in such a fragile emotional state.
"I love you and I want to make you feel better," I answer and place another kiss on her cheek, "I won't ask any questions until you feel 100% ready to talk about what happened, I promise."
Carol smiles and turns around so her face is now facing mine. She cuddles into me and nestles her head in my neck before sighing in relief.
"I love you, dearest. I love you so much," she whispers.

My hands carefully rub over her back since I'm still embracing her tightly. I want her to feel as safe and secure as possible, taking all the little tricks that she uses to calm me down into action. Luckily, she herself is an expert in calming me down so I have the best tricks in stock
I feel her relaxing more and more and it doesn't take long before slight snores fill the bedroom. I smile to myself and keep rubbing her back to help her have a peaceful sleep.

Oh, how I love this woman.

Carol Aird, I will always protect you. 

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(a/n:) Hello friends and welcome back to another chapter. I hope you like this one even though it is quite short, I apologise. Let me know your thoughts. 
Until next time, 
Sarah xoxo :)