Officially Cumberbatched? A sequel to 'Well and truly Cumberbatched'

Chapter 73

AN: Thank you for reading, and for being patient awaiting an update. My mental health had taken a nosedive for a while which left me exhausted and unable to write. It's okay to not be okay, I remembered that, and however you my dear reader are feeling, just remember you're allowed to switch off, to do something else, and to get back to feeling more like yourself in your own good time.

If any of you ever, and I mean ever need to talk, or ask a question, or get some sort of explanation to help you understand how you're feeling, please don't hesitate to get in touch. My inbox is a safe place, and no topic is "too much" to talk about. Take care lovelies, and enjoy the Spring.

***

***

            

Tuesday morning.

Bed.

"Slipping away from Bridge and Jane to see me?" Ben lightly said rolling over to face me.

"Jane's doing work and Bridge is snoring her head off. Did you mind me coming in?"

"Of course not, I felt a bit more relaxed; I didn't sleep much last night."

I frowned sitting up. "How come?"

"Rosie, we don't usually sleep in separate rooms in the same house. It's awkward, uncomfortable, and doesn't solve anything."

"Ben, you travel a lot for work. You're used to me not being there. You didn't really lose any sleep over it did you? We needed space from each other."

"Under normal circumstances, it doesn't bother me a lot. When we've been anything but close, it does. That's all."

"I understand. It's okay Ben."

"Good. I don't want to talk about us too much today but we're okay. Okay?"

"Yep."

"Hmm, do you believe me?" he asked, a palm on my shoulder.

"I do. We're okay." I faintly smiled, my arm around him.

"Bridge's planned a soiree on the beach this afternoon. Will you be my date?" he asked, pulling me closer.

"I'd like that, but..." I hesitated.

He frowned. "But what?"

"You need to talk with Lucy, she text me that your phone was off."

He shrugged, looking ahead. "I will do, I'd turned my phone off since last night. I didn't want to think about anything, it's a distraction."

"There's no pressure to talk to her, or me. It's alright." I gently said, his chest rising and falling with each breath.

"I know, but I want you to. It's easier if you're here, get everything of recent out in the open."

"I'd like that, for both of us." 

...

"Ben you can't look."

"Why? I've seen you get dressed hundreds, if not thousands of times!"

"Because I'm trying to find something to wear to the beach and I don't want you to see."

"Are you doing the whole 'I like to look nice for you Ben' thing?"

"Maybe..."

"On one condition, I'll leave you to find your special something."

"What's that?"

"Whatever book you're reading, turn to page 23 and read me line 18 later. And stop worrying, you always look lovely."

"How lovingly put, now get out."