I Hate the Way...

Part 61: "It Stays Between Us"

~~~~~

"Don't you think you're overreacting just a little bit?"

As they arrive back home, Hope unlocks the front door and they step inside, being greeted by Peaches.

She follows Hope into the living room, trying to bridge the distance between them.

Josie is already feeling the slight sting of disappointment from the lack of physical affection during the drive home.

"Not really, Jo," Hope finally says, walking into the kitchen to grab a glass of water, "I feel like our lives have completely changed in the past couple weeks."

Josie watches Hope carefully, her expression a mix of concern and frustration. "I thought you were happy that I was writing and performing again? You were the one who encouraged me to start singing again. I thought you wanted this..."

Hope hesitates, her gaze dropping to the floor as she takes a deep breath. "I did, Jo–I do. It's just...It's a lot to get used to. Everyone watching us, analyzing every move we make..."

Josie frowns at that, "Hope, we've been watched since the moment we agreed to get married. Why is it hitting you so hard now?"

Hope shakes her head slowly, setting her glass down as she leans against the counter, crossing her arms against her chest. She tugs her lip between her teeth briefly before saying, "I know why you turned down all of the other talk shows."

Josie shrugs, "Kelly seemed like the best fit for me."

Hope knows there's more to it than that, "Because the others wouldn't do it without talking about my...accident."

Josie immediately shudders, her eyes clenching shut and her chest becoming tight. The mention of it brings back memories that she wishes she could lock behind her own red door.

When she opens her eyes, she looks at Hope with an expression Hope hasn't seen since she was in a wheelchair, bandages wrapped around her limbs, her muscles aching and her body burning.

Josie's jaw tightens, she swallows thickly. And the brunette quickly wipes away a stray tear that falls down her cheek, "Like I said. She seemed like the best fit for me."

Hope's gaze softens, her heart clenching in her chest. She pushes herself away from the counter and walks across the room, immediately wrapping her arms around the brunette.

Josie instantly buries her face in Hope's shoulder, and Hope holds her close, gently rubbing her back.

"I'm so sorry," Hope whispers, "I don't want you turning down opportunities to protect my feelings, Jo. People know what happened. I see the messages and the comments."

Hope feels Josie shaking her head. Her hold on Hope tightens, her voice muffled but sincere. "I'm not just protecting your feelings, Hope." She pulls away, letting Hope wipe away her tears gently as she continues, "I'm protecting mine, too. I don't want to put either of us in a position where we have to relive those moments."

Hope gazes sweetly into Josie's glossy brown eyes, "I just don't want you making sacrifices for me, Jo."

Josie's expression softens, shaking her head lightly. "Hope, I'm your wife. It's my job to make sacrifices for you. You do the same for me."

Hope nods slowly, "I don't want you to lose part of your dream in the process, baby."

Josie smiles softly through her tears, "I'm not losing anything, Hope...Those moments, those memories...I just want them to stay between us. That's something that just needs to be private. Not just for you, but for me too."

Hope nods, "Okay. It stays between us."

Josie sniffles a bit, but nods, relieved.

Hope brushes through the hairs framing Josie's face, "Why don't we take a break and just enjoy some quiet time tonight? We could watch a movie? Take a bath? Whatever you want."

Josie's smile widens, the ache in her heart from before subsided, "That sounds perfect."

~~~~~

Later that evening, the house is calm, and Hope and Josie find themselves in the bathtub. The warm water envelopes them soothingly. Soft candlelight flickers around the room, thanks to Hope, casting a gentle glow on their features.

Josie leans back against Hope's front, her head resting on Hope's shoulder as the steam rises around them. The lavender and chamomile scents from the bath salts and bubbles fill the air, helping her relax.

Hope leans down to leave a kiss to Josie's shoulder, her fingers gently caressing and fiddling with Josie's.

Josie lets out a contented sigh, "I didn't realize how much I needed this."

Hope smiles against Josie's shoulder, running her free hand up Josie's arm soothingly. "Is there anything else you need, love?"

Josie hums, tilting her head slightly, making Hope lift up to meet her gaze. "Just you," she murmurs, her voice soft.

Hope's smile deepens, though her eyebrows crease slightly, "What do you mean? You already have me, right here."

Josie's eyes sparkle with a suggestive glint as sits up and turns her body, sitting on Hope's thighs as she meets Hope's gaze. "That's not exactly what I meant," she whispers, caressing Hope's abs under the water, and she grins when she feels them tighten at her touch.

Hope wears her signature smirk as she leans up, her hands sliding up Josie's sides, pulling her closer. Her lips brush against Josie's as she murmurs, "I'm all yours, love."

Their lips meet in a slow, passionate kiss, both losing themselves in the feeling.

Until they both hear a ringing sound coming from the bedroom, and Hope pulls away with a frustrated sigh, Josie with a frustrated groan falling from her lips.

She siphons a pinch of magic from Hope to cast a summoning spell, and Hope's phone appears in her hand in seconds.

Her eyebrows crease when she looks at the screen, "Who's 'Dana Lilien' and why is she calling your phone at night?" Her tone is a clear mix of curiosity and annoyance.

Hope tilts her head at her wife, a knowing look on her face, "She's just the event planner Raf hired for his and Ethan's engagement party."

Josie's expression surprisingly doesn't soften, she still looks just as irritated. "And she couldn't have waited until morning to call you? What the hell could be so important that she had to call you tonight?"

Hope raises an eyebrow at her wife, "You'd have to let me answer it to find out, babe..."

Josie huffs with a roll of her eyes, but she hands the phone over to Hope.

Hope looks at her expectantly, "Are you going to let me out of the tub?"

Josie crosses her arms against her chest, not moving from Hope's lap, "Nope. You can answer it here with me."

Hope only wears a look of amusement, a smile tugging at her lips as she clicks the screen and brings the phone up to her ear. "Hello—No, it's fine. I'm just at home with my wife. What's going on?" Hope begins absentmindedly tracing her fingers from Josie's hand, up her arm, across her shoulder, as she speaks to the woman on the phone.

Dana's voice crackles through the phone, "I've just sent over some stuff to your email for the engagement party. The itinerary, decorations, invitations, and such. Would you mind glancing over those so I can say I have your stamp of approval? Once that's done I can move forward with everything."

Hope nods, though Dana can't see her, "Sure just give me a sec to get to my laptop." She pulls the phone away from her ear, leaning forward to leave a kiss on Josie's cheek, not missing the pout on her lips, "I'll be right back, love."

Hope lifts Josie from her lap with her free hand, giving herself enough room to get up out of the tub, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around her body to make her way into the bedroom.

Josie's pout grows at Hope's absence, especially after seeing her wet and naked body fully on display like that.

And she decides right then and there, she fucking loathes Dana Lilien.

~~~~~