Shattered Perfection

Thirty Six

After a breakfast that was filled with gentle touches and heated looks between the women, they took Jamie to the park. It was a bright but chilly day. They strolled through the park, their fingers linked. Jamie ran in front eager to get to the swings. He'd accepted Siobhan's presence without question, just happy there was someone else to play with him.

'Bon bon, push me!' he cried as he got to the swings. Siobhan smiled as Vivian lifted him into the baby swing. Siobhan pushed him for a while, he giggled every time. After a while, her back began to ache and so did her head. Vivian noticed her becoming paler.

'My turn!' she said brightly, 'more swings little man or shall we go on the slide?'

'Slide!' Jamie cried, his smile lighting up his face.

'Sit down and rest love,' Viv said to Siobhan. She gratefully sat on the nearby bench and watched them play. A feeling of contentment washed over her. She felt happy. It was such an alien feeling to her that it made her pause. She thought of her relationships over the years. None of them had made her feel like this. She didn't even feel like this growing up. She was always on edge, waiting for the next explosion from her father. Then she would always been trying to agree with her partners to avoid conflict and argument. With Roger, she would always attempt to placate him, not wanting to end up being beaten. Her whole life had been a negotiation. Viv noticed she was deep in thought, a small smile ghosted her lips. She wondered what she was thinking about.

They stayed in the park until Jamie started to tire. They walked home with him between them, his small hand in each of theirs. Viv grinned at her over his head. They ate dinner then Jamie had a bath and went to bed. Siobhan settled on the sofa with a glass of wine while Vivian read him a story. Music played gently in the background and the low light made the room cosy. Vivian came in and sat on the sofa with a deep sigh.

'You tired?' Siobhan asked.

'Yes, a bit of fresh air has tired me out.' She replied reaching for her own glass of wine and taking a sip. Siobhan turned to Viv, she opened her mouth before stopping.

'What's on your mind love?' Viv asked softly.

Siobhan was quiet for a moment. 'Viv, what are we?' she finally said.

'You want to discuss our relationship?' said Viv. Siobhan nodded. 'Well,' Viv started she reached across and took Siobhan's hand. 'I think you're amazing, you're beautiful, kind and strong. I would love to spend the rest of my life with you.' Siobhan's cheeks burned.

'Viv, you make me happy. I haven't felt like that, ever. I don't want you to feel obligated towards me though. Am I here because you felt sorry for me or that I had nowhere else to go?' Viv leaned towards her, bringing her hand up to cup Siobhan's cheek.

'My love, I fell for you long before all that.' She kissed her gently. 'I do not feel obligated. I want you here and so does Jamie. He loved spending time with you today.' She smiled at Siobhan.

'I loved spending time with him too, you know I don't find children the easiest to interact with but with him, it's not hard.' She replied. 

'When your money situation gets sorted, we can arrange for you to get your own place if that is what you want?' Vivian asked seriously.

Siobhan sat and thought, chewing her lip. 'What if I don't want to leave?' she whispered.

Viv grinned. 'Stay forever then,' She said before kissing her passionately. They broke apart panting.

'Viv, I, I, I think I'm in love with you.' Siobhan stumbled as she ran her fingers through Viv's black hair. Viv closed her eyes, a smile on her face.

'Oh Bon bon, I definitely know I'm in love with you.'