Vivian had invited the blonde to stay over that night. She could tell that Siobhan didn't want to be alone. She had remained pretty quiet for the rest of the day, but she was clinging to Vivian, this was clear in her body language. she liked being able to touch Vivian, from her hands, to her neck to her face Siobhan liked being able to touch the woman. And more importantly, she liked it when Vivian would touch her. Not in a sensual way, but the small innocent touches made Siobhan feel safe and warm. Vivian was a warm person.
The two women spent the majority of the evening, intertwined in Vivian's bed. Vivian held Siobhan close, as she listened to the way her breath muffled her words. Little Jamie was fast asleep, the young boy eagerly awaiting nursery the next day. He had exclaimed to his mother and Siobhan how much he missed his 'bon-bon'. Siobhan explained that 'bon-bon missed him too' while scooping up the boy.
Jamie really was like his mum, just smaller and with rosy cheeks. Siobhan was kind of glad that Jamie had warmed up to her so soon. it was rare for other children at the nursery to like Siobhan. Maybe Jamie was just like his mum, and was able to see the good in her aswell.
Then it occured to Siobhan, not many people at work knew her like Vivian did. if any at all. For so long, people wouldn't bother talking to her, potentially due to the impatience and disinterest she so carefully exuded. But for so long she was known as the 'owners current squeeze'. She was seen as his property. She wondered if people's views on her would change now that he was gone.
"I miss work" Siobhan started as she nestled closer into vivian, "the simplicity of it, regardless of how my morning had been, work was the same" she explained as she ran her hand on Vivian's waist.
"Do you think they'll have me back at work?" she asked sadly, looking up at Vivian slightly as she did.
"I think whatever they do, will be because they care about you" Vivian started as she gently caressed Siobhan's face with her thumb. "But I do think they'll have you back at work soon enough baby" Vivian finished gently.
"Now, now sweetheart, close those pretty eyes of yours and try and get some sleep" Vivian soothed, she pressed a delicate kiss to each of Siobhan's eyelids.
...
The next morning went smoothly, Jamie was a naturally happy child, he was so excited to see Siobhan, and to be headed to nursery.
The drive could only be described as nice. It was a fresh morning, the air was crisp as were their minds. The brightness of the sun cast shadows through the car windows, painting silhouettes of possibilities across Vivian's face. Siobhan was in awe of everything this woman did. There was music playing, a mixture of Florence and the machine and Fleetwood Mac, the perfect blend of what each woman liked. Jamie was babbling along in the backseat, before passionately singing the lyrics to "go your own way". Well, even if it could be called singing. He was doing his own version of the song. Vivian joined in alongside him, and so did Siobhan. It was exhilarating, this was a nice change of pace for Siobhan.
The three pulled up to the nursery. Vivian swiftly but cautiously got Jamie out of the car before the three of them walked into the nursery.
Siobhan hung back outside the room while Vivian did drop off with Charlotte. Siobhan had a feeling that Mia would have communicated her stresses and worries since the takeover. She didn't want to exude too much energy yet. She knew Charlotte would be sweet and lovely about it, but it wasn't the time.
Vivian came out of the room and laced her fingers with Siobhan's, holding her cold hand between the warmth. Siobhan looked up at Vivian adoringly. The two walked hand in hand to the office, where they were met with Autumn and Reece. Marjorie and Reece had swapped nurseries today just so Reece could be here for the meeting.
Vivian was still holding her girls hand. She was a bit cautious though, she couldn't tell if this was too much or just enough public affection. She felt Siobhan's grip tighten as they stood inside the office, her eyes pleading silently to not let her go. And she didn't, she ran her thumb across Siobhans knuckles as a silent reassurance. She couldn't get over how cold the blondes hands were. Regardless, they weren't as cold as the times where Vivian would hold siobhans injured body. The body that fought so hard to stay alive, despite everything in its path telling her it's not worth it.
Vivian was eternally proud of Siobhan.
"Can you stay?" Siobhan asked quietly. A look of panic washed over her face. Vivian couldn't pinpoint what caused this sudden panic, but the way that Reece turned and looked to the floor suggested that he felt a touch responsible.
"I'll stay sweetheart." Vivian assured, pressing a light kiss to her temple. Siobhan softened at the contact. Reece and Autumn simply didn't bat an eyelid. If this was helping Siobhan heal and move on, they didn't care.
"oh my god, please do not tell Marjorie!" Siobhan exclaimed. this resulted in Reece laughing at his girlfriend's antics and a stifled laugh from autumn.
"Yeah Marjorie would lose her mind" Reece laughed. The manager was anything but subtle, you could hear her most severe reactions, hours before it would even occur.
The four ended up in the family room, the meeting room was off limits for obvious reasons.
They discussed the issue at hand: Rogers property.
"I'd sell it, I want maybe all of two things in that house but I'd sell it straight after. I hate that house" Siobhan explained. Siobhan had a box hidden in one of the floorboards. It had contained, the letters she wrote in rehab, the pregnancy test for the baby she thought about endlessly aswell as other little trinkets. On the outside, people didn't assume that Siobhan was a very sentimental person, but she loved the smaller parts of life. She thought that sometimes they were the most important parts of life.
"and that's totally fine" Reece started "but I want to reiterate that me and Aut don't want anything from that house, not anything financially or physically." he concluded.
Autumn and Siobhan hummed in agreement. Reece and Autumn shot eachother a look, not one that was easily read. You couldn't infer what they were silently communicating.
"Would you consider..." Reece started, "Coming back to work at some point? We need someone who knows admin, obviously we are willing to help you ease back into the role, even if that means having you work remotely, then part time until you're ready to come back to work full time" Reece was rambling by this point.
Siobhan looked to Vivian with a genuine smile. Vivian mouthed a silent 'told you so' before resting her hand on Siobhan's knee, maybe as an attempt in stopping her from flying out of her seat from pure excitement.
Siobhan cleared her throat, before uttering her agreement. She really did look forward to going back to work.
