Chim - Tiny Dancer

Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty Four

Gently, Kimberley lifted the covers from her body. She tried to be careful, she tried her hardest not to wake the Geordie, but failed. She was just about to stand up, when she felt a pair of arms being wrapped around her waist, pulling her back down again.

"Morning beautiful," Cheryl yawned, kissing the girls shoulder.

"It's early babe. You go back to sleep. I'm just goin' to get ready for work," Kimberley smiled, snuggling into Cheryl's warmth.

"Do you have to go?" the Geordie asked pulling the covers back over the both of them.

"Sadly I do."

"You're off tomorrow though aren't you?"

"Yeah. I'm off every Sunday."

"Good. Because I've got a suprise for you tonight."

"You do?" Kimberley asked between kisses against Cheryl's chest.

"Hmm." There was something about the way the girl touched Cheryl. The way she kissed her so gently, hugged her to tightly and touched her so lovingly. 

"After work?"

"After work," she confirmed, running her hand down the length of the girls back and cupping her bum. Patting it, she sighed. "You'll need to get up babe."

"I know," replied Kimberley. She still didn't move.

"You'll be late."

"I know," she laughed. "But I don't wanna go."

"Well don't."

"I have too."

Leaning down, Cheryl kissed the blondes forehead. "I'm missin' you already."

* * * * * 

"How's things with Justin?" Nadine asked, turning to face Kimberley and then looking back down at the bacon she was cooking.

Kimberley frowned. "What do you mean," she asked as she checked through some of the stock.

"I mean . . . you have been fine over the last few days and it's not what I expected. At first you were really cut up about the whole thing, but then you just snapped out of it and now you're happy . . . really happy!"

"What are you getting at Nadine?" Kimberley asked, raising a perfectly groomed brow. Did Nadine know?

"Nothing," the Irish woman said, the look on her friends face scaring her a little.

"No. You can't say something like that and not explain yourself."

Sighing, she turned to look at her once more. "I just thought . . . that maybe you guys were getting back together or something."

Kimberley breathed a sigh of relief, one she didn't know she was holding. "No," she smiled.

"Friends with benefits?"

"No," she laughed. Nadine really did look puzzled. "I'm just getting over it, and on with it. We're still friends but nothing more." Just then her phone rang. It was Cheryl.

"Hello."

"Hey babe!" She sounded out of breath and a bit panicked.

"Hun, what's wrong? Are you ok?"

"Aye. I'm so sorry but we can't go tonight, well I can't. We've had a power cut and the company won't be able to come out until tomorrow morning. This is the third f*ckin' time this has happened!"

"Hey . . . it's ok calm down. What time will you be home then?"

"I'll need to stay the night here. I can't leave. I only have the keys for the front entrance. The others are locked in the big safe, which I can't get open because of the cut. It's stupid really, I should put them in the small one which I have a key for. I should of known from the past experiences."

Kimberley was already taking off her apron by the time Cheryl had finished speaking. "Right babe just sit tight. I'll be over as soon as possible."

What? No it's ok, honestly. There's non point wasting the tickets. Take one of the girls.

"Tickets for what?"

Cheryl sighed. "The surprise. I got us tickets for Les Mis and then I was goin' to take you out for dinner."

"Awww! That's so sweet babe!" Kimberley replied rather dreamily, but soon snapped out of it. "Cheryl, I'm not goin' without you. If it's the money you're worried about I'll give you it."

"Aye because two tickets to a West End musical are really goin' to break the bank! Of course that's not the reason! I just don't want you missing out. Plus if you come over you'll probably shut the shop and I don't want you to do that."

"I'm comin' over and that's that . . . ok? I don't like the idea of you stayin' there yourself overnight with unlocked doors. I'm sure one of the girls can lock up here anyway." Kimberley turned to face Nadine, who was looking at her with a worried expression.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course babe! I'll see you soon."

"Ok. Bye."

"Bye. Love . . . ly day." Kimberley cringed as the words left her mouth. The Irish girl was looking at her strangely and Cheryl had gone quiet. Although the girl knew that she loved her, she had decided she wouldn't say it. She didn't want Cheryl feeling uncomfortable and pressured.

"What?"

"I . . . I was just sayin' it was a lovely day." Kimberley stuttered as she gazed, for Nadine's benefit, out of the small window, her cheeks burning red. Of course it wasn't abnormal for them to say that to each other, they were a tight knit of friends, but the way she had started that sentence sounded a bit too friendly.

"Aye . . . it is."

Kimberley could tell Cheryl thought she was absolutely off her rocker. "I'll be there soon . . . bye!" She then hung up.

* * * * * 

"Ashley . . . I'm so sorry baby, I can't make tonight. We've had a power cut and I can't leave the Studios. I probably won't be home until tomorrow morning. Don't worry about me though, I'll be fine. Love you." Cheryl then hung up the phone. After she had told Amanda she could would go home and locked all the window's it rang. It was Ashley.

"Hello," she said.

"What are you talkin' about you can't make it! We've been planning this for months! I'm goin' to look like a right tit when I turn up on my own!"

"Ashley! Calm down," Cheryl sighed.

"Cheryl do you realise that I am goin' to be the only person turning up to this dinner without a partner!? All the guys and the boss will laugh at me! I'll never get that promotion now!"

He was still shouting.

"Ashley do you realise I am in this Studio meself and will be all night!" the geordie shot back.

"Aww you'll be fine! Lock the doors."

"Do you think I would actually be stayin' here if I could f*ckin' lock them!" Cheryl was getting angry now. He was actually still going to go to the dinner, he was going to let her stay there herself.

"Stick a chair up against them or somethin'. I need to go now babe. I'll be late if I don't. See you tomorrow.

"Ok," Cheryl sighed sadly. "Love . . . "

The phone went dead.

After telling Amanda, who was still there, she could leave, Cheryl began checking all the windows, making sure they were all locked. It was still early and light outside, but she still wanted to get it all done before Kimberley arrived. In all honesty she probably could of made a few phone calls and pulled a few strings, but there was really no point. What harm would one night in the studio do?

Just as she was walking back to the entrance hall, her phone rang. She smiled when Kimberley's name flashed up.

"Hello."

"Hey babe, I'm just pulling in now with Nicola and Nadine. Will you come and open the doors for us?"

"Nadine and Nicola?" Cheryl smiled.

"Yeah. They demanded to come. They didn't want us staying alone.  Don't know who they think they are though . . . Batman and f*ckin' Robin . . . here to save the day!"

Cheryl laughed, the sound of the two girls cursing and shouting in the background could be heard. "Is Sarah lockin' up?"

"Yeah but she'll be over later."

"Ok babe. I'll unlock it for ya!" Cheryl could see Kimberley's car parking next to hers. Smiling, she stuck the key in the lock and pulled the door open, a dimpled grin still on her face.

"Cheryl! Where are you!?"

The Geordie was lying starfished out on the carpet. "Another power cut has f*ckin' decided to bless me with its presence Jess!" she said, the loud thumping of music could be heard in the background. 

"Aww again? That's sh*t! Does that mean you can't come tonight?

"Nah babe. I'll be here all night."

"Where's Ashley?"

"He's away out with his pals."

The line went silent for a minute. Cheryl could hear the familiar voices of her other friends. 

"Adele's worried we won't get into ChinaWhites without you?" Jess eventually said.

"You will," Cheryl sighed. Reaching out, she picked up a grape and popped it into her mouth. 

"What if we don't?"

"You will Jess!"

"But we might not. They know you because that boys dad from you're classes owns it. The don't know any of us."

"They see you with me Jess. They'll let ya in."

"They might not Cheryl!"

"For f*ck sake! I'll phone him and tell him you're comin' then!"

"Ok thanks. I'm goin' to go now. I need to finish gettin' ready. God knows how that's goin' to go . . . I'm already half cut!"

"Alright . . . bye."

"Bye."

Cheryl was almost knocked off her feet, when Nicola and Nadine lunged at her. 

"This is goin' to be so fun!" the redhead squealed. "You can teach me how to dance now!"

Kimberley stood back and smiled. She winked when her girlfriend looked at her.

"Am I not goin' to get a hug off of you?"

"Of course babe!" Walking over, she found a free space to the side of the girl and wrapped her arms around her.

"I'm sorry," Cheryl whispered. "I really didn't want to spoil you're evenings.

It was comical how all the girls pulled away at the same time.

"Don't be stupid," Kimberley said stroking her back. "We wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

"Yeah Chez," Nadine agreed. "We would all worry about you if we hadn't come.

Nicole laughed. "I'm just here for the free dance lessons," she winked. 

"Yeah . . . I expected that from you! Thanks!" Cheryl laughed pinching her nose.

"Nah . . . I'm kidden babe. As Nadine said, we would of just worried about you."

* * * * * 

Nadine and Kimberley were sitting in one of the gymnasiums, watching as Cheryl taught the redhead a very hard looking dance.

The Irish woman patted her friends thigh. "I love Cheryl. Do you?"

Kimberley frowned, her face turning a slight shade of red as she caught sight of the wall she had, to put it bluntly, sh*gged Cheryl against. "Of course I do," she replied, her throat turning dry.

Nadine looked at her friend, almost glaring at her. She knew exactly what she was doing. She could see it in Kimberley's eyes. Everytime the Geordie was around, the blondes eyes light up. She had saw that look before, the look she used to give Justin. "I'm not stupid," she simply said, her tone soft.

For the first time, Kimberley turned to face the girl. She had a slight smile on her face. "I know you're not," she replied.

"The others may have not noticed yet, but I have," Nadine said. 

The older girl blushed. Was she that obvious? She was just about to reply when her phone started ringing. 'Thank god!' she thought to herself, picking the device up and answering it. "Hello."

Nadine smirked as she listened to her friend talking to Sarah. She could hear the blondes voice ringing through the tiny speaker.

* * * * 

"F*ckin hell Sarah!" Cheryl giggled.

The blonde had arrived with three bags. One full of fish and chips, one full of, by the looks of it, the whole sweetie aisle of Asda and most importantly . . . one full of alcohol.

"The Harding as arrived!" Nicola laughed. Running over, she took the chip shop bag from the blonde and pulled out one of the portions. "Cheers babe!"

Helping Sarah with the bags, all the girls made their way to Cheryl's own little room.

"This in me office slash relaxation room," the Geordie smiled before opening the door.

"Wow! This is really nice," Kimberley gasped. The room was painted a nice warm red colour. The corner housed a posh looking sofa while the opposite corner had a white desk pushed up against it and a computer sitting on top. There was also a white leather swingy chair plonked in another corner.

"Well make yourself at home. You'll be stayin' here the rest of the night."

"You got any cups babe?" Sarah asked while walking over to the sofa and lowering herself onto it. 

"Aye. I think there's some plastic ones in the storage cupboard. I'll just go and fetch them."

"I'll come with you," Kimberley smiled, following the girl out of the door. As soon as the were out of sight, she playfully ran ahead of the girl, turned and quickly pressed their lips together. "You have no idea how much I've been wanting to do that," she smiled once they had broke apart.

Cheryl laughed. "Come on," she winked. Taking hold of her girlfriends hand, she lead her to the large cupboard at the far end of the building. "Now you can kiss me," she smiled. She felt better about doing it there. She wasn't sure what the girls would make of it if they saw them kissing in the hallway. "I don't think the girls would have enjoyed the sight if they had spotted us."

Kimberley's face dropped.

"What is it?"

"Nothing," she replied leaning forward.

Cheryl pulled back, avoiding her wanting lips. "Tell me?"

"It's nothing honestly," Kimberley replied. She leant forward again, only for the Geordie to pull back further.

"Kimberley!"

"Ok," she sighed. "I think Nadine already knows."

"Did you tell her?" Cheryl frowned.

"No! That's the thing. She keeps making these comments and earlier when you were teaching Nicola that dance, she told me she wasn't stupid and that although the others hadn't caught on yet . . .  she had."

"Do you want to tell her?"

It was now Kimberley's turn to frown. Cheryl was being surprisingly calm about the situation. "I dunno really. I mean it wouldn't bother me one bit, but I still haven't told my family. Do you?"

"I feel the same babe," Cheryl smiled, cupping the blondes cheek. "But there your friends."

"Our friends," corrected Kimberley.

"Their our friends. They deserve to know aswell," the brunette continued. She watched as her girlfriend nodded, she still didn't look convinced. "What about . . . " she started, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, "We wait a while longer. We stay in this happy little bubble for a couple more weeks and then we'll tell everyone! We'll shout it from the rooftops, we'll shout it so everyone can hear!"

Kimberley laughed. Cheryl was just to cute. The face she was making was adorable. "Sounds like a plan."

"Good! Now we can kiss."

The blonde wasted no time wrapping her arms around the girl and pulling her close. "That sounds like an even better plan," she whispered onto her lips before capturing them with her own. 

"I agree," Cheryl mumbled back. She smiled when she felt Kimberley's tongue probing her lips, begging for entrance, which she happily granted.  Reaching down, she cupped the girls bum as their tounges continued to dance around with one anothers. 

"You really aren't making this easy," Kimberley sighed after they had broke apart.

"And what's that?" Squeezing her bum, Cheryl winked. She knew exactly what the girl meant.

"Us takin' things slow. First you lead us to that gym . . . "

"Which wasn't planned," Cheryl butt in. "That's just the gym I prefer to dance in."

"And then . . . " Kimberley continued, "You place you're hands here." Reaching down, she placed her hands over the Geordie's.

"Do you want me to stop?"

"Of course I don't!" Laughing, Kimberley leant forward again, kissing her gently. "Never stop!"

After getting the cups, both girls grabbed some torches and blankets, which Cheryl had stored away for emergencies. They then made their way back.

"What took you so long?" Nadine smirked as they entered the room.

"We couldn't find the cups," Cheryl lied. Nadine definitely knew.

* * * * * 

"Is this Ashley!" Sarah slurred, pulling the photo frame from the drawer of the desk.

It was now three in the morning and all the girls were beyond drunk.

Cheryl walked over and took the frame in her hands. It was a picture of her and Ashley on their wedding day. "It is," she confrimed while looking over at Kimberley, who was frowning. "I forgot that was in there actually." Nicola and Nadine huddled round.

"He's gorgeous," the Irish girl gasped. Both Sarah and Nicola nodded in agreement.

"Shame his personality didn't match," Cheryl said coldly. Lifting the lid of the bin up, she threw it in. "I should of done that along time ago." Walking over to where Kimberley was, she sat down beside her. "I honestly didn't know that was in there. I forgot all about it."

"It's ok," the blonde reassured. "You didn't have to throw it in the bin . . . you know."

"Yes I did," Cheryl smiled back, patting her thigh. "I've moved on."