Back To You /Mialotte

One Year

When Charlotte opened her eyes, she felt warm, safe, and at home. She turned on her side and saw the sleeping woman next to her. Who would have thought a year ago that she would wake up like this? When she thought back, she couldn't believe it herself.

For three years, she had agonised through a dead marriage, then a separation, without asking for help, without really talking to anyone about it. She kept up the facade that everything was fine. Until she came into her life.

Amelia Roberts.

The woman who had changed everything and was now sleeping peacefully beside her. Charlotte scooted closer to her and let her fingers glide over the redhead's arm. Sometimes life is strange. But in the end, fate had led her to the right person.

Charlotte was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even notice that Mia had awoken from her deep sleep and was watching her. Tracing circles over her arm.

"Good morning, sweetheart."

A smile immediately formed on Charlotte's face, and she lifted her head so that she could meet Mia's emerald green eyes.

"Good morning, love. Did you sleep well?"

In response, she received a kiss on the lips. Goosebumps formed all over Charlotte's body. She was always fascinated by the effect Mia had on her.

Charlotte rested her head on Mia's chest and simply enjoyed the togetherness. Mia's fingers glided over her back, and the brunette almost fell back to sleep. When Mia said something out of nowhere.

"Don't you sometimes feel like you haven't experienced enough?"

Charlotte had to think for a moment. It was true that her life was a little quieter than Mia's was. But she wouldn't have it any other way.

"No, I'm happy the way it is."

She felt Mia moving restlessly back and forth beneath her. Something seemed to be on the redhead's mind, but she couldn't seem to find the words yet. That was something she was still working on with Mia. Mia just sometimes still needs to find the courage to say everything she thought, not hiding behind jokes and sarcastic remarks.

So Charlotte raised her head so that their eyes met. "What's on your mind, love?"

"What if one day you regret going straight from a long marriage to a relationship? You never had the single life, and you could do what you wanted."

Charlotte had never thought about that before. But she didn't want to live the single life. She wanted Mia.

"I don't want you to regret anything," Mia said, stroking Charlotte's cheek.

"I will never do that."

"But what if you do?"

Charlotte laid her head back on Mia's chest. The question of her was spreading in her head. Would she regret it one day? No, there was no reason. She was in her mid-thirties. What kind of single life would she miss?

"You should have the opportunity to experiment, especially now that you know that you find women interesting too."

"Mia, stop it. I want you and I'm happy." Her voice was quiet, a slow fear spreading through her. What exactly did Mia want from her right now?

Did Mia perhaps have doubts?
Did she regret something?

Charlotte didn't want to think about that now. She simply closed her eyes again and after a while. With Mia's closeness and her heartbeat, she fell back into a deep sleep.

When Charlotte was pulled back to reality, she was no longer lying on the chest of her love but on the mattress. The sun was now shining brightly into the room. The midday hour seemed to be approaching.

Mia's side of the bed was empty. Only her perfume lingered in the air. Charlotte didn't think much of it. The conversation that had taken place a few hours ago was already out of her mind.

Charlotte was only jolted into the reality that it had really taken place when she entered the kitchen.

There on the table was a single black rose with a letter next to it.

Mia's handwriting was always a work of art. But this letter was written with particular care.

Sweetheart,

It just won't let me go. I want you to be happy and not make a mistake that you'll look back on in regret.

I want you to live your life to the full and take in everything that is possible. So I have a request for you.

I had been planning a trip for months. I just didn't know how to tell you. But there is still a lot from my past that I need to work through, and I need to do it by myself.

I'm going to be away for a year.

During this time, I want you to live your life as if I never existed.

Go out and experience everything, go partying, date, and discover your sexuality.

I will come back, then you will know if I am really your forever person.

I love you.

Amelia Mae Roberts