Remy stirred awake, her arm instinctively reaching out for Drea, who was still sound asleep beside her. She watched her for a moment, appreciating the peace on her wife's face, a contrast to the tension they had been living through just weeks ago. Therapy had done wonders for them both, and the newfound closeness they shared felt more solid each day.
Remy quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Drea. After brushing her teeth and putting on a pair of sweats, she tiptoed into Brielle's room. The sight of their daughter peacefully sucking on her pacifier made her heart swell. Remy gently lifted Brielle out of her crib, cradling her against her chest.
"Mama's got you, princess," she whispered, rocking her in her arms as she headed to the kitchen.
While Remy fixed Brielle a bottle, her mind drifted back to the past few weeks. The therapy sessions had opened her eyes to patterns she hadn't noticed before—the way she sometimes avoided her feelings by seeking validation elsewhere, and how that had caused so much pain between her and Drea. She was learning to face those uncomfortable emotions, learning how to communicate better.
As she fed Brielle, the sound of footsteps behind her caught her attention. Drea appeared in the doorway, her hair slightly tousled from sleep, wearing one of Remy's oversized t-shirts. A small smile played on her lips as she watched Remy with Brielle.
"Good morning," Drea said softly, walking over to them.
"Morning, beautiful," Remy replied, smiling back as Drea leaned down to kiss Brielle's forehead.
Drea pulled up a chair beside Remy, resting her hand on her wife's knee. There was a peacefulness between them now, one that hadn't been there for a long time. It was hard-earned, built through countless late-night talks, shared vulnerability, and a willingness to do the hard work to mend their relationship.
"Can we go for a walk today?" Drea asked, looking up at Remy. "It's nice out, and I thought it might be good to get out for a bit—just the three of us."
"I'd love that," Remy said, her smile widening. "Let's make a day of it."
They spent the morning getting ready, packing a bag for Brielle and making sure they had everything for a stroll around the neighborhood. It was a simple plan, but after everything they had been through, these small moments felt like milestones.
As they walked down the quiet streets, Drea pushed the stroller while Remy kept her arm loosely around her waist. They didn't need to fill the silence with conversation. Being together, in sync, was enough. It was in the gentle way they laughed at Brielle's giggles or the easy rhythm of their steps as they moved in unison. They were healing.
At a small park, they found a bench under a tree, perfect for a break. Remy sat down, watching as Drea knelt beside the stroller to play with Brielle.
"You know, I was thinking," Drea began after a moment, "about how far we've come. It feels... good, doesn't it?"
Remy nodded, her eyes fixed on Drea's face. "Yeah, it does. And I don't ever want to take that for granted again. You and Brielle are everything to me."
Drea smiled, but there was a serious glint in her eyes. "I know. And I believe you mean that, Remy. But I need you to understand something. This—what we have—it's fragile. We've been rebuilding, but it's still going to take time for me to fully trust again."
Remy's expression softened as she reached for Drea's hand. "I understand, Drea. And I'm in this for the long haul. Whatever it takes, however long it takes, I'll keep proving it to you."
Drea squeezed her hand, a mixture of hope and caution in her gaze. "I just don't want to fall back into old patterns. We can't keep going through the same cycles."
