Seraph

AU Pt 3 - 1936 - Not an Update

Once Rosalie said goodbye to her husband for the day, she left the door unlocked and returned to her son. This had become the norm lately. Her neighbor had been moved in for a few months now, and she visited daily with a sweet treat that the two could split. Rosalie would brew a fresh batch of coffee for the two after tending to William to go with their treat.

Once William was put down for his nap and she heard the coffee was ready, she served two cups and waited. And she waited. After twenty minutes, she grew concerned. Serafina was always on time. She would tell Rosalie in advance if she knew she would be late, but she hadn't done so yesterday. She made sure William was alright, then went to check on Serafina when she heard shouts from the other side of Serafina's apartment door.

"Why? Are you bored of me? It's been months since I've seen you. I only found out where you live after telling your brother I had something you left at my place. I had to lie!" A shrill female voice she didn't recognize yelled.

"There was never anything between us, Caroline," Serafina answered, "That's why I didn't tell you that I had moved. Now, you need to leave; I have somewhere I need to be."

"We've always been close! Everyone could see it!" Caroline argued, "They've stopped giving me extra songs since you've been gone."

"Ah, you don't miss me. You miss the benefits of knowing me," Serafina chuckled.

"That's not true. I miss you and your touch," Caroline corrected, "Are you saying you didn't miss me? My body?"

Rosalie stood frozen at the door after hearing. What did she mean? Who was this woman? She was agitated hearing the conversation. She supposed it was because she couldn't believe the audacity of this woman to come to Serafina trying to use her.

"Never again, Caroline," Serafina calmly responded, "You should leave."

"Why? Is there someone else?" she asked angrily.

"You were never in a position even to ask this question. And you know it," Serafina responded. There was a slight edge to her voice at this.

Rosalie felt she should help Serafina out, so she knocked.

Serafina went to answer. She was pleasantly surprised when she saw Rosalie. She was sure it meant the woman noticed her absence. Maybe she had more of a firm place in her heart now than she thought. Serafina had a large smile as she looked at the blond.

Rosalie couldn't hold back her smile after seeing Serafina's face, "Is everything alright? You're usually over at my place by now," she said.

Before Serafina could open her mouth, Caroline came over and opened the door wider so she could see the new arrival as well. "Who's this?" she asked.

Rosalie was not impressed. The woman was pretty but not on her level. She was a pretty, petite brunette with hazel eyes. She didn't think this person should associate with Serafina, so she ignored her.

Serafina was furious. "She is none of your concern, Caroline; you should leave. Don't come back, " she practically growled.

"There is someone else," Caroline exclaimed indignantly.

Rosalie had had enough. "You heard her. There's the door," she glared as she stepped forward to hold Serafina's hand and cleared away from the door. "Don't come back, " she said.

Caroline wasn't intimidated by this blonde beauty. She was about to argue when she looked behind the blond to Serafina. She had the most unnerving glare she had ever seen. She was too afraid to risk Serafina's wrath. The brunette only had to mention a slight to her family, and no one would ever hear from that person again. She guessed this was it for her benefits in the club.

She huffed in her hate, "Fine! But when you're done with her, you know where to find me," she barked as she grabbed her bag and left the apartment.

Rosalie released Serafina's hand as she slammed the door behind the brunette and couldn't help a little grunt of anger as she began clenching and unclenching her fists.

Serafina smiled at her reaction. She reached forward and grabbed Rosalie's clenched fist. She smoothed out her hand and clasped it between her hands. Rosalie relaxed as she looked toward Serafina.

The two felt a pull, Serafina especially, but Rosalie was surprised. Just before their lips met, Rosalie realized what was happening and pulled away. "I better go check on William, " she said before trying to return to her apartment.

Serafina frowned worriedly at the thought of scaring away Rosalie, "Right, I'm sorry for taking your time."

Rosalie opened the door and was about to go to her apartment but hesitated, "I'll leave the door unlocked for you. You can tell me about your little friend."

Serafina smiled with relief, "I have a new cake I want you to try. I'm right behind you."

Rosalie smiled at her relief and returned to check on William. The brunette didn't take long to join her with a small cake that the two split with a fresh cup of coffee. Serafina told her about her friend but didn't go into specifics. Rosalie was curious about what she had overheard but didn't want to make things awkward. But her curiosity eventually won out.

"Are you," Rosalie paused, unsure of how to ask what she wanted to ask, "a bit funny?"

Serafina didn't react. She sipped her coffee and glanced at Rosalie, "And if I am?"

"You don't have to be. You're beautiful. If it's a matter of not finding the right man, I can help. My husband has many successful co-workers at the bank," Rosalie said as she cleared their empty plates. She was nervous at the admittance.

"Oh, I'm sure they're amazing," Serafina scowled into her cup of coffee, "But no, thank you, I'm not interested."

"Why? It would be so much easier," Rosalie muttered.

"I don't mind enduring hardship for what I want," Serafina answered as she grabbed their cups from the table and stood behind Rosalie at the sink. She put the cups and saucers beside the sink, where Rosalie washed their dessert plates and forks. She ignored the brunette as she continued scrubbing.

The two had become more touchy over the months. With Serafina testing to see how far she could take it. Serafina grabbed Rosalie's hands from behind and made her stop. "Are you doing what's easy?" she whispered, slowly turning Rosalie around.

Rosalie avoided eye contact, "It's my responsibility," she mumbled.

Serafina released one of her hands and, with that hand, drew Rosalie's face to herself. The two held eye contact until Rosalie leaned in while closing her eyes. Serafina closed the distance and kissed Rosalie softly on the lips. It was light. Rosalie released a shaky breath but leaned back in as the two began kissing more deeply.

William's cries soon sounded throughout the apartment, shocking the two women into stopping their actions. Rosalie quickly shoved Serafina away as she ran off to check on him. She felt guilty about it as soon as it happened but was afraid and didn't know what to do.

Serafina understood and wasn't offended by what happened. But she wasn't scared off like she supposed Rosalie was trying to do. She sat down and waited for her to come back.

When Rosalie returned with her little boy bouncing on her hip, she was happy but terrified to see that Serafina was still there. She took a seat at the table opposite the woman. She avoided eye contact while Serafina greeted her son with a big smile. Her son didn't take long to reach out for the brunette.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Serafina asked as she took William from her arms to play with him.

"I want to pretend it never happened," Rosalie answered.

"I can't do that," Serafina shook her head, "I had been dreaming about doing that for months." Rosalie appeared frightened, so Serafina reassured her, "If you're afraid of anyone finding out, I can keep a secret."

Rosalie had to think about things, but there was one thing she knew for sure: She really liked kissing Serafina.