In Her Shadow

A Shift

The following morning, the air felt light and new, yet charged with a weight neither Navy nor Bridget had fully unpacked. Navy woke before dawn, finding herself wrapped in Bridget's arms, feeling safe and vulnerable in ways she hadn't allowed herself to be in a long time. Navy stirred slightly, Bridget's arm tightening protectively around her in response. Bridget's peaceful expression held none of her usual armor, and Navy found herself softly tracing her fingers along Bridget's brow, letting herself get lost in the quiet vulnerability that softened her otherwise steely gaze. It was only in these fragile, unwatched moments that Navy glimpsed the true depths of the person she was learning to love.As the early light seeped into the room, Navy pulled away gently, slipping out of the bedroom and stepping onto the balcony. She wrapped herself in one of Bridget's robes, savoring its warmth and the subtle scent of her. The cool morning breeze brushed against her, clearing the sleep from her mind but not the thoughts of last night.

The past few days had marked a shift in her. There were wounds in both of them, fissures from different battles. Navy knew her own; scars of a lifetime spent building walls to protect herself from people who had, time and again, betrayed her. But Bridget was different—she'd always been the one to protect others, guarding herself fiercely in the process. It was only now, in this fragile yet momentous shift, that she was letting Navy in."Couldn't sleep?"Bridget's voice broke her from her thoughts, low and slightly groggy, with that touch of morning rasp that made Navy's heart skip. Bridget leaned against the doorway, watching her with an expression that was part softness, part uncertainty.Navy gave a small smile, wrapping the robe tighter around herself. "More like couldn't stop thinking." She looked down, gathering her thoughts. "Last night... it was everything I wanted. But I don't know where we go from here."Bridget stepped onto the balcony, pulling her own robe around her shoulders as she settled beside Navy. "I don't know either," she admitted, her voice soft. "But I know I want to find out."They stood in silence, gazing out at the city below as dawn continued its ascent. Bridget reached for Navy's hand, intertwining their fingers in a familiar, grounding gesture. "You've changed me," Bridget said quietly. "Before you, I didn't let people get close. I told myself I didn't need anyone." She squeezed Navy's hand. "But you... you broke through every wall, every defense I thought I'd built."Navy looked up, her heart swelling with the unspoken confession in Bridget's eyes. "I think I needed to see that someone as strong as you could still have walls." Her voice trembled slightly. "Because it made me feel like I didn't have to be so guarded."Bridget's expression softened as she turned fully to face Navy, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You don't have to be guarded with me. I want us to be here for each other, even when it's hard. Even when it means tearing down our own walls."The vulnerability in Bridget's gaze was almost overwhelming, and Navy's breath hitched, feeling the immensity of their connection pulse between them. In that moment, a profound understanding passed between them, something beyond words or touch—a quiet vow to be each other's sanctuary."I want that too," Navy whispered, her voice barely audible. "But I'm scared, Bridget. I'm scared because I know that loving someone means giving them the power to hurt you."Bridget drew Navy into her arms, holding her tightly. "I know," she murmured, her voice steady but filled with an unmistakable emotion. "But I'd rather risk everything with you than go back to who I was before."

Bridget pulled back slightly, her hands resting on Navy's shoulders, steady and grounding. "I think we both deserve a day away from... all of this," she said softly, gesturing toward the city and the distant hum of their lives. "No work. No distractions. Just us."

Navy's brow furrowed in surprise. "You? Take a day off? I didn't think that was in your vocabulary."

Bridget smirked, a glint of humor lighting her eyes. "It's not. But I'll make an exception." She tucked a strand of hair behind Navy's ear. "For you."

The sincerity in her voice melted Navy's defenses, and she found herself nodding before she even realized it. "Okay," she said, her voice almost shy. "Where do we start?"

Bridget's smirk grew into a full smile, the kind that was rare but breathtaking when it appeared. "Leave that to me."

An hour later, Navy found herself sitting in the passenger seat of Bridget's sleek black car as they wound their way through the city streets. Bridget drove with a calm precision that mirrored her personality—controlled, purposeful, yet with a hint of unpredictability beneath the surface. Navy glanced over at her, marveling at how relaxed she looked, one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the gear shift.

"Are you going to tell me where we're going?" Navy asked, unable to keep the curiosity out of her voice.

"Nope," Bridget replied, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "You'll just have to trust me."

Navy chuckled, shaking her head. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

Bridget glanced at her, her smile softening. "A little. But mostly, I'm enjoying being with you."

Navy's cheeks flushed, and she turned her gaze to the window, hiding her smile. There was something about the way Bridget said things—so effortlessly sincere—that made her feel seen in a way she wasn't used to.

They arrived at a quiet, secluded park on the outskirts of the city, a hidden gem surrounded by towering trees and a serene lake. Bridget parked the car and stepped out, grabbing a small basket from the trunk. Navy followed, her curiosity piqued.

"A picnic?" Navy asked, raising an eyebrow.

Bridget shrugged, a hint of self-consciousness in her expression. "I figured it'd be nice to slow down for a change. No restaurants, no noise. Just us."

Navy's heart ached at the thoughtfulness behind the gesture. She hadn't expected this side of Bridget—the woman who ran a multi-million-dollar company with an iron will, taking the time to plan something so simple yet meaningful.

They found a spot by the lake, shaded by a cluster of willow trees. Bridget laid out a blanket, and they sat together, unpacking an assortment of food Bridget had somehow managed to prepare or order without Navy noticing. Sandwiches, fresh fruit, pastries—it was an eclectic mix that made Navy smile.

"This is... really nice," Navy admitted, taking a bite of a croissant. "I didn't think you'd be the type for something like this."

Bridget chuckled, leaning back on her hands. "I didn't either. But you bring out something in me I didn't know was there." They ate in companionable silence for a while, the sounds of birds chirping and the gentle rustle of leaves filling the air. Navy found herself stealing glances at Bridget, marveling at how different she seemed in this setting—so unguarded, so human.

"Can I ask you something?" Navy said after a while, her tone tentative.

Bridget nodded. "Of course."

"Why me?" Navy's voice was barely above a whisper. "You could have anyone. Why did you choose... me?"

Bridget's expression grew serious, her gaze locking onto Navy's. "Because you make me feel something I haven't felt in a long time," she said quietly. "You remind me what it's like to care about someone—not because of what they can do for me, but because of who they are." She reached out, taking Navy's hand in hers. "You see me, Navy. The real me. And that scares the hell out of me, but it also makes me want to be better."

Navy felt tears prick her eyes, the weight of Bridget's words sinking deep into her heart. She squeezed Bridget's hand, unable to find the right words to respond. Instead, she leaned in, pressing her forehead against Bridget's, their breaths mingling in the quiet space between them.

"Thank you," Navy whispered. "For letting me in." Bridget closed her eyes, her grip on Navy's hand tightening. "Thank you for not giving up on me."