My Fair Ladies

I Wasn't Expecting That

Siobhan was woken by her alarm. She rolled over and turned it off quickly before it woke Roger who was sleeping next to her. Her thoughts quickly turned to her meeting later this morning with Viv. Getting up from the bed and heading to the bathroom she showered and dressed swiftly moving through the bedroom being as quiet as she possibly could to not wake Roger. She didn't want an argument or the abuse that would follow this early in the morning.

Siobhan made it downstairs releasing the breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding. Making her way to the kitchen, she made herself a black coffee in her travel mug taking a sip before placing the lid on and heading out into the hall. Fumbling around for her shoes, Siobhan startled when a cough came from upstairs. Knowing she needed to get out of the door quickly, Siobhan grabbed for the shoe she hadn't managed to get on yet opting to put it on in the car. Siobhan closed and locked the door breathing a sigh of relief. As she headed towards her car sitting on the edge of the driver's seat, Siobhan slipped her shoe on before climbing in properly and driving off in the direction of the nursery. While on the drive, she turned the on the radio to drown out the deafening silence 'Gotta Have You' was playing. Her thoughts drifted to Viv as she drove. She had been thinking a lot about Viv recently, but she was unsure what it meant. Were they forming the bond of a close friendship or was it something more? She wasn't sure.

She pulled into the car park checking her make up and hair was immaculate before exiting her car and heading inside. Once Siobhan was inside, Agatha greeted her. "Siobhan." Siobhan kept her usual monotone. "Agatha, I have a meeting at 9 in the family room. Please send them straight down." She then turned to head in the direction of the family room. She situated herself at the table taking out her laptop and turned it on starting on the emails and documents that had built up over the weekend. As 9 am approached, she finished the email she was working on, so she was ready for when Viv arrived. Just as Siobhan closed the lid on her laptop, she heard that familiar voice travel down the corridor. "Hiya I've got an appointment with Siobhan." Smiling to herself. Siobhan stood to meet the dark-haired woman at the door. "She's down in the family room waiting for you." As Siobhan heard the familiar footsteps approaching, she felt a fluttering sensation in her stomach. She decided to ignore the feeling. Looking up just as Viv reached the door. "Morning Siobhan you alright?" She waved Viv into the room before closing and locking the door behind her.

Siobhan waited for Viv to place the coffees on the table. As Viv turned back to look at her, she suddenly felt her mind drifting back to the previous week.

Previous week

Siobhan didn't know how to ask for what she wanted. Feeling awkward, she stumbled over her word "I ... Viv ... will you ... can we..." She took a deep breath as Viv reached for her hand. "Viv can you please hug me?"

Viv noticed the shift in her mood. "Siobhan what's wrong?" The sound of Viv's voice brought her focus back to the room. "Nothing I'm alright." She wasn't feeling as nervous this week and instinctively opened her arms to welcome Viv into a hug. Viv obliged walking forward into Siobhan's arms knowing the blonde needed some comfort. Siobhan and Viv separated after a few minutes. Viv was the first to speak. "Shall we take a seat? These coffees will be getting cold. I've got you your usual." The two women took their seats. Usually, Siobhan would sit opposite a parent but with Vivian today she chose to sit beside her wanting to be close. Viv handed her her coffee. As she took her coffee from Viv. Their fingers brushed lightly causing the fluttering feeling to erupt in her stomach again. Siobhan ignored the feeling once more.

They sat talking Siobhan listened intently as Viv told stories of what happened at work the previous day and what Jamie had done to make her laugh or smile. Suddenly feeling a little braver, "if you're ever stuck for childcare, I'm happy to watch Jamie while you're at work." Vivian looked at her with a look of shock. "Yeah, I shocked myself a little bit too." Siobhan reached for Vivian's hand giving it a gentle squeeze. "But I really do mean it."

Viv pulled her into another hug "thank you. Thank you so much." The fluttering feeling erupted even stronger in her stomach giving Siobhan the strength to act on the thoughts that were swirling inside her head.

As Siobhan pulled away from the hug, she gently cupped Vivian's face before leaning in to place a soft gentle kiss on Vivian's lips. Vivian was surprised when siobhan suddenly pulled back. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done that. Viv I'm so sorry." Siobhan stood and moved around to sit at the other side of the table. "Siobhan what's wrong?" Viv asked as she placed her own coffee on the table and took Siobhan's hand in her own. "Bon Bon what's wrong? You can tell me." Siobhan looked up perplexed at the name Viv had just called her. "What did you just say?" Viv looked away sheepishly. "I called you Bon Bon. I'm sorry I didn't ... I mean ... if you don't like ..." Siobhan smiled at the flustered dark-haired woman sat across from her. "Viv it's fine I like it, I more than like it. I love it" Vivian squeezed Siobhan's hand and smiled at her reassuringly letting her know that everything was ok.

They finished their meeting; after saying goodbye to one another Siobhan was left to her thoughts. The kiss replaying over and over in her mind. Where did the sudden courage come from and what did it all mean? She brushed her fingertips over her lips. She could still feel the sensation of Vivian's soft lips against her own. As she smiled to herself, her phone began to ring. The screen illuminating with the only name it ever did.

"Roger I'm leaving now."