Breaking Free

18.

Kierra and Tasha had been spending more time together, and it was making a big difference. The days felt brighter, and their bond seemed stronger than ever. It was like they were finding their way back to each other, step by step.

One morning, Kierra had an idea. She wanted to do something fun, something they hadn't done in a long time. As she lay in bed, she turned to Tasha, who was just waking up.

"Hey, I was thinking," Kierra said with a smile, "how about we do something different today? I heard about this place where we can make our own candles. It could be fun, right?"

Tasha blinked, still groggy from sleep, but her face lit up at the suggestion. "That sounds nice," she replied. "I've never made candles before. It could be a fun way to spend the day."

Kierra nodded, excited about the idea. "Yeah, we can pick our own scents, colors, and even add little decorations. It'll be a great way to relax and do something creative together."

After a quick breakfast, they got dressed and headed out. The candle-making shop was a cozy little place tucked away in a quiet part of town. As they walked inside, the air was filled with the soothing scents of lavender, vanilla, and eucalyptus. Shelves were lined with colorful waxes, fragrance oils, and jars of all shapes and sizes. A friendly woman at the counter greeted them with a warm smile.

"Welcome! Are you here to make some candles today?" she asked.

"Yes, we are!" Kierra said eagerly. "We've never done this before, so we're excited to try."

The woman guided them to a long table covered in wax, wicks, and various molds. "Feel free to pick any scents and colors you like," she said. "I'll be here if you have any questions."

Kierra and Tasha browsed the shelves, smelling different fragrance oils and deciding which ones they wanted to use. Kierra chose a mix of lavender and vanilla for a calming scent, while Tasha picked a combination of citrus and mint for something fresh and energizing.

"This one smells so good," Tasha said, holding up her chosen scents. "I can't wait to see how it turns out."

Kierra nodded. "Me too. I'm going to make one for our living room. I think it'll make the whole place feel more relaxed."

They grabbed some colorful wax chips—pink, blue, green, and purple—and took their seats at the table. The woman gave them a quick rundown on how to melt the wax, add the fragrance, and pour it into the molds. It sounded easy enough, but they both knew there was a chance they'd make a mess.

As they started melting the wax in small pots, they chatted and laughed, feeling more at ease than they had in weeks. Tasha carefully poured her melted wax into a mold, adding a few drops of her chosen scent. Kierra did the same, concentrating hard to make sure she didn't spill.

"This is actually really relaxing," Tasha said, stirring her wax with a small wooden stick. "I can see why people enjoy doing this."

"Yeah," Kierra agreed, smiling. "It's nice to just focus on something simple and creative. No pressure, just fun."

Once their candles were poured and set in the molds, they had to wait for them to cool and harden. The woman at the shop offered them some tea while they waited, and they sat in a cozy corner, sipping their drinks and talking.

"I'm glad we did this," Tasha said softly. "It's been a while since we just did something fun together. I've missed it."

"Me too," Kierra replied, reaching across the table to hold Tasha's hand. "I think we needed this—something simple to remind us how good we are together."

After a while, their candles were ready. They carefully popped them out of the molds, admiring their creations. Kierra's candle was a soft purple with a calming lavender-vanilla scent, while Tasha's was a bright yellow with a refreshing citrus-mint aroma.

"They turned out great!" Tasha exclaimed, holding her candle up to her nose to smell it again. "I'm really proud of us."

Kierra smiled, feeling a warm glow inside. "Yeah, we did a good job. I think we should do more things like this—find little adventures that make us happy."

They paid for their candles and left the shop, both feeling lighter and more connected. The sun was shining, and the day felt full of promise.

As they walked back to their car, Tasha turned to Kierra. "What do you want to do next? Maybe we can find another fun activity to try."

Kierra thought for a moment. "How about we go home and cook dinner together? We can use some of the new recipes we found online."

Tasha nodded, liking the idea. "That sounds perfect. Let's do it."

Back at home, they set their new candles on the kitchen counter and got to work on dinner. They chopped vegetables, sautéed chicken, and tried their hand at making homemade pasta. It was a bit of a mess—flour everywhere and a few mishaps with the sauce—but they laughed through it all, enjoying each other's company.

By the time dinner was ready, the kitchen was filled with the delicious smells of their hard work. They sat down at the table, candles lit, and enjoyed the meal they had made together.

"This is nice," Kierra said, taking a bite of her pasta. "I feel like we're finally getting back to us."

Tasha reached for Kierra's hand across the table, squeezing it gently. "We are, babe. One step at a time."

They finished their meal and cleaned up together, still laughing and teasing each other about their kitchen mishaps. As the evening went on, they curled up on the couch, the soft glow of their new candles lighting the room.

Kierra leaned her head on Tasha's shoulder, feeling a sense of peace she hadn't felt in a long time. "I love you, Tasha."

"I love you too, Kierra," Tasha whispered back.

They sat there in silence for a while, just enjoying the moment, knowing that whatever came next, they would face it together, stronger than ever.