Breaking Free

37.

Kierra could barely sit still as she waited outside the airport. Her heart was racing, and her hands were trembling with excitement. It had only been a few days since Tasha left for Atlanta, but it felt like forever. The emptiness of their home without Tasha had been so noticeable that every minute apart felt like a lifetime. Kierra watched the sliding doors intently, her eyes darting toward every passenger that stepped outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of her fiancée.

The moment she spotted Tasha coming out of the airport, Kierra's heart leapt. She practically bolted out of the car, abandoning any thought of waiting until Tasha reached the car. Her feet carried her as fast as they could across the pavement, her eyes locked on the woman she loved.

"Babe!" Kierra called out as she closed the distance between them.

Tasha turned toward the sound of her voice, her eyes lighting up with a big smile as soon as she saw Kierra running toward her. Without hesitation, Kierra wrapped her arms around Tasha, pulling her into a tight hug. She buried her face in Tasha's shoulder, the familiar scent of her fiancée instantly comforting her, melting away the days of separation.

"I missed you so much," Kierra whispered, her voice filled with emotion.

Tasha chuckled softly, holding Kierra even tighter. She leaned back just enough to look at her fiancée's face and gently pecked her lips. Then she kissed her again. And again. Tasha's kisses were quick and light, but full of affection, as if she couldn't get enough of Kierra after being apart.

"I missed you too, baby," Tasha murmured, her lips brushing against Kierra's skin between kisses.

Kierra's heart swelled with happiness as she felt Tasha's warm hands slide down her back. She shivered slightly when Tasha's hands squeezed her butt, making Kierra giggle softly. Tasha flashed her a playful smirk, loving the way Kierra responded to her touch.

"I'm so glad you're home," Kierra said softly, her voice trembling slightly from all the emotions she was feeling. "It wasn't the same without you."

"I'm glad to be home," Tasha said, kissing Kierra's forehead before pulling her close again for another deep hug. "You have no idea how much I missed being here with you."

They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other's arms, oblivious to the people passing by. It didn't matter. All that mattered was that Tasha was home, and they were together again.

Eventually, they broke apart just enough to walk back to the car. Kierra helped Tasha with her bags before they headed home, the sense of peace and contentment filling the space between them. The drive home was quiet but comfortable, with Kierra occasionally glancing over at Tasha, smiling at how good it felt to have her sitting in the passenger seat again.

When they finally pulled up to their house, Kierra parked the car and turned to Tasha. "It's my last injection today," she said, her voice a little softer, a mix of relief and anticipation in her tone. "After this, it's the egg retrieval."

Tasha reached over, taking Kierra's hand in hers and squeezing it gently. "I'm so proud of you," she said, her voice steady and full of love. "You've been so strong through all of this. I'm really lucky to have you."

Kierra smiled, her eyes glistening with emotion. "I couldn't do it without you."

They got out of the car and headed inside, the familiarity of their home settling over them like a warm blanket. Kierra took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the IVF process hanging over them but also knowing that they were one step closer to their goal. She felt both nervous and excited, a mix of emotions swirling inside her.

Tasha watched as Kierra moved around the kitchen, getting everything ready for her final injection. "You sure you don't want me to do it for you this time?" Tasha asked, stepping closer to Kierra, her hand resting on her lower back.

Kierra shook her head, offering a small smile. "I've got it. I'm kind of used to it by now."

Tasha nodded, though she stayed close, watching Kierra carefully as she prepared the injection. "I just want to help," she said softly, her hand gently rubbing Kierra's back.

"You're helping," Kierra assured her. "Just having you here means everything."

Kierra took a deep breath, steeling herself for the final shot. She administered the injection with practiced ease, though her heart pounded knowing this was the last one. Once it was done, she set everything aside and turned to Tasha, who immediately pulled her into another tight hug.

"We're really doing this," Kierra whispered, resting her head against Tasha's chest. "It's actually happening."

"It is," Tasha murmured, kissing the top of Kierra's head. "And no matter what, we've got this. I'm here with you, every step of the way."

Kierra closed her eyes, letting herself sink into the moment. The fear and uncertainty still lingered in the background, but right now, all she could feel was the love and support radiating from Tasha. Together, they were strong. And together, they could handle whatever came next.