Would you Swallow all your Pride?

Chapter Fifty-Three: Clay.

A/N: This might not be the most eventful chapter, but it's one I'm proud of for it being, after nearly an year, the end of my hiatus. Thank you for everone who waited for me, I hope I have not disappointed and I can confidently say this time that more is coming very soon. Once again, thank you.

The words echoed inside Billie Dean's heart, caressing and stabbing it at the same time. She pulled away just enough to stare at brown eyes, hands cupping Venable's cheeks and caressing them with her thumbs, wiping the remaining of the tears away. Two arms wrapped around her own waist, pulling her closer. I love you. She couldn't say that yet—so soon, so fast. So she leaned closer and kissed those wine lips in front of her, pouring the words on them, speaking through caresses. Wilhemina held her even tighter, lips moving slow, gentle... lips pouring I love you's all over.

The rest of the lunch break went smoothly, and once people began to get back into the office, Venable was already kissing Billie Dean on the cheek and walking back to her table. A sigh of relief left her lips as she eyed Emma's empty table. After getting settled, she turned the computer back on and took a deep breath, excel sheet already spread out on the screen. Not even five minutes into work, heels clacked loudly to her left, indicating Emma had come back to her table. Wilhemina nibbled on her inner cheek as she kept her eyes on the monitor, avoiding any eye contact possible.

In her office, Billie Dean smiled to herself as she did her best to focus on the e-mails in her MacBook. Her mind kept on slipping to Venable, to their kisses, to their conversation... to how much she inevitably came to love that woman. I don't want to sleep alone tonight. But Wilhemina had been a loner her whole life it seemed, and perhaps she needed some personal space. Or maybe she was a loner for a lack of choice. Billie had yet to find out. I could invite her for a glass of wine at least. Billie Dean blinked twice and tried focusing on the words in front of her yet again, corner of her lips tugging up nonstop. Once Jenny got back from lunch, they started working on what was left of the Christmas special.

Two hours of nonstop work later, Billie stretched her back and took her glasses off. She sighed as her spine popped, eyes closed. "Oof."

"Right." Jenny leaned back on the chair, stretching herself as well.

Blinking a few times to adjust her sight again, Billie Dean sat back straight. "I need a cigarette."

"I need something sweet."

"Good idea." Billie got up, followed by Jenny right behind. They both walked to the kitchen, and she excused herself to the balcony, purse in hand. The first hit of nicotine instantly relaxed her body, leaving her leaning against the wall with eyes closed. She took another drag and then another one until the cigarette was gone, and then she got back to work alongside Jenny, whom ate a bag of chocolate-covered pretzels.

With eyes still on the monitor, Venable almost missed it when people began getting up to leave. She blinked twice and leaned back on the chair, saving the document she had been working on. Her mind instantly slipped to Billie Dean, and to their lunch and to their time at her place and to all the butterflies that were still present in her stomach. Would she come over tonight? Wilhemina figured sometimes Billie would need some alone time, but asking couldn't hurt... right? I will be upset if she says no, though. Being upset was worth the shot. Once she collected all of her things, Venable leaned onto her cane and got up to put her coat on. Jenny walked by the office, smiling at them as she followed to the elevator. From the corner of her eye, Wilhemina watched her. Billie should be alone. Discreetly, she grabbed her purse and followed into the hallway all the way to Billie Dean's office. The door was already open, so red waves peeked inside; there Billie was, quietly gathering her things. Venable watched her quietly, eyes bathing on the beauty of the unnoticed. She's the most beautiful creature to ever grace this Earth. "Billie?" She called quietly, as to not scare her.