Breaking Free

17.

The days had been feeling lighter for Kierra and Tasha since they got back home. It was nice to have some calm after all the ups and downs. They both knew their relationship still needed work, but for now, things felt good. They were enjoying the simple moments again, like cooking together or just talking about their day.

This morning, Kierra woke up early. She lay in bed for a moment, listening to Tasha's soft breathing beside her. She felt at peace. Slowly, she got out of bed, careful not to wake Tasha, and tiptoed to the kitchen. She decided she wanted to do something special today.

Kierra opened the fridge and pulled out some fresh fruit—strawberries, blueberries, and a ripe banana. She knew Tasha loved smoothies, so she decided to make her favorite: a berry banana smoothie with a little honey for sweetness. She grabbed the blender and tossed in the fruit, adding a bit of yogurt and a splash of orange juice. As the blender whirred, Kierra felt a little flutter in her chest. She was happy.

When the smoothie was ready, she poured it into two tall glasses and placed them on a tray with a couple of granola bars. She carried the tray back to the bedroom, smiling as she saw Tasha still asleep, her face calm and relaxed.

"Tasha, wake up," Kierra said softly, setting the tray down on the bedside table. "I made you something."

Tasha stirred and slowly opened her eyes, a sleepy smile spreading across her face. "Morning, babe. What's all this?"

"Breakfast in bed," Kierra replied with a grin. "Thought you deserved a little treat."

Tasha sat up, taking one of the glasses. "You spoil me, you know that?"

"I try," Kierra said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. They clinked their glasses together and took a sip. The smoothie was sweet and cold, just the way Tasha liked it.

After they finished their drinks, Tasha stretched and got out of bed. "I have an idea," she said, her eyes sparkling. "Why don't we go out today? Just the two of us. Maybe go to J. Alexander's for lunch? We haven't been there in a while. And then we can walk around the city, see what we find."

Kierra's face lit up. "I'd love that. It's been a while since we just went out and had fun."

They got dressed quickly, both of them feeling excited about their plans. It felt like a date, like they were going back to the start, rediscovering each other all over again. They grabbed their jackets and headed out, the morning sun warming their faces as they stepped onto the street.

J. Alexander's was a favorite spot for both of them. The restaurant had a warm, cozy feel with its dark wood furniture and soft lighting. As they walked in, they were greeted by the familiar smell of grilled steaks and fresh bread. The hostess smiled at them and led them to a quiet booth near the window.

"This is perfect," Kierra said as she slid into the booth. "I've missed coming here with you."

"Me too," Tasha agreed, taking a seat across from her. "We used to come here all the time. I miss those days."

A waiter came by and handed them menus. They spent a few minutes looking over the choices, but they both knew what they wanted. Kierra ordered the prime rib sandwich with a side of mac and cheese, while Tasha went for the grilled chicken salad.

As they waited for their food, they talked about everything and nothing. Kierra shared some funny stories from work, and Tasha talked about a new book she was reading. They laughed, joked, and just enjoyed each other's company. It felt easy, like they were falling back into the rhythm of being together.

When their food arrived, they dug in with enthusiasm. The flavors were rich and comforting, just like they remembered. They took their time eating, savoring each bite and the time they had together.

After lunch, they decided to take a walk. The weather was perfect—warm with a light breeze. They strolled down the busy streets, holding hands and looking in shop windows. Every now and then, Tasha would point out something funny or interesting, and Kierra would laugh, her heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time.

They found a small park nearby and decided to sit for a while. They watched as people walked their dogs, kids played on the swings, and couples strolled by. Kierra leaned her head on Tasha's shoulder, feeling content.

"I'm glad we did this," Kierra said softly. "It's nice to just be us."

"Yeah," Tasha agreed, wrapping an arm around Kierra. "It's easy to forget how good things can be when we're caught up in all the chaos. But I'm glad we're finding our way back."

Kierra nodded. "I know we still have things to work on, but days like this remind me why it's worth it."

They sat there for a while longer, just enjoying the moment. When the sun began to set, they decided to head back home. The walk back was quiet but comfortable. There was no rush, no pressure—just the two of them, side by side.

Back at the apartment, they kicked off their shoes and settled on the couch. Kierra pulled out a deck of cards from the coffee table drawer. "How about a game of cards?" she suggested with a grin. "Loser makes dinner."

Tasha laughed. "You're on. But don't think I'm going easy on you just because we had a nice day."

They played a few rounds, teasing each other and sharing stories. The room filled with their laughter, a sound that had been missing for too long. It was simple, it was fun, and most importantly, it was them.

When Kierra lost the game, she playfully threw her hands up in defeat. "Fine, I'll make dinner. But you're helping."

"Deal," Tasha said with a smile, following Kierra into the kitchen.

They cooked together, bumping into each other on purpose and stealing little kisses as they worked. By the time dinner was ready, they were both giggling like kids. They sat down to eat, feeling closer than they had in months.

"I'm really glad we're here," Kierra said, looking across the table at Tasha. "Not just here in Detroit, but here—together. I feel like we're getting back to us."

Tasha reached across the table, taking Kierra's hand. "I feel the same way. We've got this, babe. We'll keep working on it, one day at a time."

Kierra smiled, squeezing Tasha's hand. "I love you."

"I love you too," Tasha replied softly.

They finished their meal in comfortable silence, enjoying the simple joy of being together. As the night wore on, they curled up on the couch again, ready to face whatever came next, knowing that as long as they had each other, they could handle anything.