My Fair Ladies

Can't Help Falling in Love with You

TW: insinuation of DV/DA

Vivian and Jamie entered the coffee shop to pick up their regular Monday morning order. The barista behind the counter was already familiar with Vivian after all these weeks. "Good morning, the usual?" Vivian smiled. "Please." While Viv waited, she watched Jamie as he stood in awe, as always, at the way the machines worked and the sounds they made. Viv loved his inquisitiveness and eagerness to know what was going on around him. Once the order had been completed, Vivian took Jamie's hand and made her way back to her car. Buckling Jamie into his car seat she asked, "are you excited for your walk to the park today little man?" Jamie squealed in excitement. "Yes mummy!" Vivian smiled at her little boy. "Okay, little man, we'd better get you to nursery then, hadn't we?" Viv got herself into the car and began the drive to the nursery.

As Vivian pulled into the usual parking space, she used right by the gate after all she had a grudge to maintain with the neighbour. Viv smiled when she saw the champagne Mercedes GLE, looking in her rear-view mirror. "Ready to go in little man?" Viv exited her car and placed the coffees on the roof before unbuckling Jamie from his seat and carefully lifting him out. Taking Jamie's hand in her own Viv locked her car and grabbed the coffees from the roof before heading inside. Vivian smiled to herself as she followed Jamie down the corridor to the preschool room, her thoughts drifting between Siobhan and Jamie and how quickly he was growing up.

Once Vivian had dropped Jamie off, she headed to the reception desk again. Agatha had become familiar and greeted her "good morning, Siobhan's already waiting for you." Vivian smiled waking past. "Thank you, Agatha." As she approached the family room, Siobhan was stood in the door waiting. "Hiya Bon Bon you alright?" Siobhan smiled and waved her into the room before closing and locking the door.

Vivian placed the coffees on the table before turning to face Siobhan who was stood waiting arms outstretched. Vivian moved towards her and placed a soft kiss on her lips before embracing her. They held each other for a few moments. Both women took each other's scent in before pulling away. When Viv pulled away, she was struck by the emotion and pulled Bon in at the hips for a more passionate kiss.

As they sat, Siobhan curled into Viv's side wanting to be close and feel safe. Viv wrapped her arm around Siobhan's waist pulling her in closer. "So, Bon how have you been?" Vivian watched Siobhan nervously tuck her hair behind her ear. She had learned this was something the blonde did when she's nervous. She listened and watched as Siobhan talked. there were subtle hints of hesitation when Siobhan spoke about him. The blonde wouldn't say much, but there was something telling in the words she didn't speak. Viv wanted to wrap Siobhan in her arms and protect her with every fibre of her being, but she couldn't. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

They sat to drink their coffee as Siobhan carried on talking Viv watched closely, Viv's mind drifted back to their first meeting on how closed off the blonde had been with her. The way she was withdrawn yet stoic. This woman that was sat next to her now was a different person. A stronger person. She was slowly letting Viv in and letting her guard down. Viv let her mind drift to their first interaction and a smile crept on her face. Siobhan noticed and brought her back to the present. "What are you smiling for?" "Just the first time we spoke. You've come so far since then" Viv smiled down at Siobhan "I'm proud of you Bon Bon." Viv cupped Siobhan's face with one hand, placing her take out cup on the table and using her index finger on her free hand to gently stroke Siobhan's cheek. She leaned into Vivian's touch before leaning into kiss her.

The last part of their meeting was spent with Viv watching and listening as Siobhan went back and forth between the love/hate war she fought in her mind over him. Viv already disliked him for everything that he had put her through, but she had to hold it together. The more Viv heard, the more she hoped the day would come that Siobhan would leave. She also worried that she had fallen too hard and too fast. She allowed herself to be too vulnerable. Siobhan's safety and well being was all that had mattered to Vivian. What about her own?

As they parted ways once more, Viv smiled at her reassuringly but was left wondering if it was her own heart hanging in the balance.