My Fair Ladies

From This Moment On

Aut busied herself in the kitchen sneaking glances across the island at the brunette. "Gorgeous you look absolutely stunning tonight. That dress..." She made a sound that made the brunette's stomach flip flop. She stood and spun herself around allowing her love to get the full view. "You like it?" Biting her lip, she returned to the sauce simmering on the cook top. Marjorie watched mesmerised as the brunette tasted the white sauce and then made her way to the fridge pulling out a bowl covered in cling film. She had meticulously prepared the fresh tortellini hours ago and was ready to add them to her boiling water. Carefully she used only her hands to add them so as not to break or tear the delicate pasta. Just as she began to gently stir them the doorbell sounded. "My love, do you mind?" The brunette rose and walked toward the kitchen door with a slightly exaggerated swing to her hips. Aut bit her lip as she gave both her sauce and pasta a stir. As the timer went off and she bent to pull the bread from the oven, she found a familiar set of arms wrapped around her waste. "Autie is there anything that doesn't look good on you?" She placed the bread on the countertop rack to cool before turning into the dark-haired woman and pressing her lips to her cheek. "You're very sweet Vi. Where'd Marj and Siobhan go?"

"They've gone off to the lounge. Something about a new toy you'd bought her." Her eyebrow raised she pulled the brunette in at the waist and kissed her softly. "It's not that kind of toy Vi, but nice try. She's wanted one of those Roombas for ages." The brunette rolled her eyes. "I can't for the life of me understand why. I would Hoover for her if she hated it that much, but that is what my sunshine wanted, so that is what she got." They both chuckled as Autumn carefully drained the pasta. They continued chatting as Autumn plated the food for four and Viv helped her carry them to the table. "Babe what wine do you want me to pull out?"

"Marjorie will want the Malbec, but if memory serves Siobhan prefers white. Best to pull them both. I'll get them while you do that." She gave her a peck on the cheek and made her way to the lounge. As she passed through the foyer, she could hear Marjorie and Siobhan's laughter, and a smile spread across her face. They needed this night together. A night to just relax and not worry about the nursery or the staff or their friends. A night with just the four of them focusing on their partners and the simple joys in life. "You alright, Siobhan?" The two looked up from their place on the sofa where they had just been giggling like schoolgirls. "Yes, I was just telling Jorie about that parent meeting last week." The brunette rolled her eyes. "That mum was unhinged. Siobhan and I had to stifle laughter far too many times for one meeting. And to demand the board members attend that meeting for such nonsense." They all chuckled as they made their way to the dining room.

They ate their meal and chatted animatedly about their week and recent adventures. With their meal eaten and the individual chocolate tarts devoured, the four sat around the table sipping wine. Siobhan moved herself under the arm of the dark-haired woman just as Marjorie lifted Aut onto her lap. "Those chocolate tarts were divine Autumn. To hear Roger tell it Reece was the one with all the culinary skills." Eyes went wide around the table. The blonde hadn't mentioned him outside of private conversations in three months and never by name. Viv pulled her in closer in hopes of providing comfort, but there was no fallout. No sudden realisation she had said her tormentor's name. "Mia says not to be afraid of his name. Not to give him that kind of power over me or my life anymore." Heads nodded around the table. "Fuck him!" Startled everyone looked at the brunette. Autumn just shrugged. "Shibs I know the kind of monster my father was. How he was with me and Reece's mum. His menagerie of girlfriends that followed. No one should have to live like that. In fear." Her gaze turned downward as Marjorie pulled her in. She had never seen her vulnerable in front of other people. It had shocked even her. Not much was said after that. It was a quiet understanding. They were in this together. The four of them.

Always.