Intertwined

Aftermath

A/N:
Hi my gorgeous readers. Thank you all for your patience and support.
Thank you to Miasdarling29 for giving me direction for this chapter earlier in week. I would still be struggling without your guidance!

TW: description of abuse and emetophobia

Edit: have taken out the spice. Will use for later chapter. It just didn't feel right after I read it back. Some of you may disagree but I hope you like the gentle changes.

Both of us had a lot of information to digest after leaving Marjorie and Reece's home. We also had two sleepy girls in the back of the car and didn't want to discuss anything in case they heard.

Mia and I held hands, communicating through our touch all the way home. Once the girls were tucked in bed and asleep we went to get ready for bed.

I had a thought that maybe sleep wouldn't be the best idea straightaway. As tired as we were, there was obviously a lot going on in both of our minds.

It had been an exhausting day. So many ups and downs and twists and turns and heartbreak and relief for one day. I sensed Mia's heart was still hurting over Niko and I was worried about Bella becoming a single mother overnight.

Then there was the deaths of Adam and Roger. If I was having conflicting, confusing feelings, I could only imagine Mia was as well.

'Can we have a bath baby?' I asked pulling Mia in for a cuddle. It felt like it had been forever since we had done that and I knew the warm water, scented oils, bath salts and our bodies fitting in close together would be helpful for both of us.

Mia smiled in her gorgeous gentle way at me and gave me a kiss. 'Sounds perfect sweetheart,' and we got the bath ready to relax in together.

When we first started spending nights together, baths were a ritual every time. It was a relaxing way to be close and yes, it could lead to sex or we were in the bath after sex, but it was just a really lovely way to be close. To touch and care for each other, whisper, talk and laugh with each other. Whenever I thought about having a bath now, it reminded me of Mia and how much I love and adore her. After such a heavy day and night, we both needed that reminder, in a literal physical way and in an emotional way.

Mia put a gentle playlist on, we had candles burning and our favourite scents in the water. I lent into Mia, who wrapped her legs around me and we let out a deep breath at the same time.

'Sounds like we both needed this,' I remarked, playing with Mia's hands.
'Hmmm,' she kissed behind my ear. 'Want me to wash your hair baby?' She asked.
'That would be nice,' I closed my eyes as Mia washed my hair and gave me a very relaxing scalp massage. Once she washed it all out we swapped and I washed her hair.

After I washed out her conditioner I asked Mia if I could give her neck and shoulders a massage. That was where held all her tension. She quickly agreed. A few minutes into the massage I noticed her sniffle. At first I thought maybe her nose was just running, but then I heard her take in a shaky breath.

Have you ever been through a tough time in your life, or a time when you were exhausted and you've been going and going and you go have a massage or someone you love is just holding you in an unconditional way and you just cry? It's as if their touch on your body helps release what you've been holding in, even when you didn't realise it. This was what was happening to Mia.

'Oh my baby,' I kissed along her shoulders and then Mia turned around and I could see her eyes were full of tears.
'Can we get out now Char?'
'Of course baby,' I handed her a towel and we dried off. Mia walked over to the bed looking emotionally wrecked. She flopped down and I followed her over, facing her and holding her close.