Hold me closer

You're mine, I'm yours

"Hal!" Quinn ran towards him and hugged him hard. As much as she usually didn't like to admit it, Hal was her oldest friend and her rock. And after what her and Nia had been through, she actually didn't have much trouble admitting it. She took a step back. Quinn hadn't seen Hal in months, so seeing him healthy and well after everything felt like such a blessing.

She looked back at Nia, who she'd just left standing there, and gestured for her to come closer. Nia introduced herself politely with a handshake. "Nia Nazari, pleasure to meet you." Hal smiled, charming as ever. "The pleasure is all mine." He took the bags off Quinn's and Nia's hands, letting them hold each other. "So, ladies, let's get you home!"

The drive home was the most fun Quinn had had in a long time. Nia and Hal made friends quickly and started telling each other stories of old times. Quinn just sat back and smiled. Nia was informed that her parents were home safe, and that her dad had already started looking to up their personal security. Of course, Hal was there to offer his services and apparently, Mr Nazari was highly interested.

They pulled up to the driveway of the Nazari mansion, and Quinn had never felt as much at home. The staff was smiling at her, instead of judging her for once. The gorgeous entry hall looked just like she remembered it. And Nia was quick to run up the grand stairs to finally meet her parents. Hal and Quinn followed shortly after, smiling.

Nia sat by her mother's bed and held her hand when Quinn and Hal stood by the doorway. Mr Nazari got up and shook both their hands, then turned to Quinn. "I want to thank you for saving my daughter." His voice wasn't as formal as the first time they met, and his eyes were shiny. "I- ... we couldn't be more grateful." He looked to his wife who was smiling and nodded her head. "It's been my pleasure, Mr Nazari." He looked her steadily in the eyes and redefined their relationship with four words. "Please, call me Deron."

Quinn felt like things couldn't get more perfect. Deron turned to Hal. "Now, I think you and I need to discuss business." Hal mouthed 'thank you' to Quinn as he and Nia's dad left the room. Nia stood up and gently took Quinn's hand. "Mom, Quinn, I think you two have already met." Mrs Nazari nodded and kindly asked the private nurse for some time alone. "Please, sit." She aimed her words at Quinn, who followed her directions slightly nervously.

"I hear you are the one that has taken such good care of my daughter. I just want you to know that you have my full respect, and that I can tell you are a good woman for Nia." Quinn nearly teared up. The Nazari's were nothing like any other client she had ever worked with. Such kindness, gratitude and respect was a rare thing to find together, and now Quinn had it all. "I-I don't know how to tell you how much that means, Sefa." Quinn stuttered. "You can call me mama." She insisted. Quinn and Nia laughed along. "Of course, mama."

Whilst Nia was getting freshened up, Hal told Quinn all about his talk with Nia's dad. He was very excited, and rightfully so. Deron wanted Quinn to choose someone to run the security for their entire family, whilst she stayed in charge of Nia's. That sentence alone was like a dream to her.

She wanted to be with Nia every second of the day, protecting her when she needed to, loving her all of the time. Hal also told her that she got to pick the rest of Nia's team, because better backup was obviously needed. So Quinn did the best thing she knew how to do, and called the rest of her friends. Kris, Reagan and Gao all accepted the job at just the sound of the payckeck.

Quinn was in her guest bedroom after getting out of the shower. She put on a black, long sleeve short dress and boots, and then looked herself in the mirror. Pulling her hands through her wet hair, Quinn took a sigh of relief. Everything was coming together better than she could've ever imagined, and she felt truly blessed.

Quinn was at her favourite spot in the library window, looking out over the city in the distance when Nia came up behind her. She bent down and lovingly wrapped her arms around Quinn's waist. "Hi." She kissed Quinn on the head. "Hi Nia." She turned around, smiling up at Nia who was standing above her. "You look beautiful." Quinn stood up, very close to Nia. "Guess who it's for?" She made Nia giggle, and the sweetness of that felt like a warm, fuzzy blanket.

"I have a surprise." Nia put her hands in Quinn's newly dried hair. "I love those." Quinn held onto Nia's wrist. "I love you." When Nia kissed her on the lips, Quinn had that tingly bubbly feeling in her stomach. The kind you get as a kid, and the kind Quinn thought she lost after Eve. "So, how long are you going to keep me waiting?" Quinn laughed. "My friends are having a 'we just got hired by a billionaire' party and we are invited." Nia looked a bit sceptical. "What if they don't like me?"

Quinn shook her head. "If they don't like you, I will throw them of the roof." Nia raised her eyebrow. "The roof?" Quinn grinned, thinking of how to explain it best. "Hal, it seems, suddenly has some money to spend. He kind of rented a penthouse with a rooftop garden." Nia's whole face instantly lit up. "I have to go change." She ran off and Quinn was left alone. She's way too good for me.

Quinn and Nia took the elevator to the top floor and went through the stunning penthouse to the rooftop. They stood at the doorway and looked around. Hal was there, Kris was there and so was her ex-partner Kieran, Reagan and Gao were there and it seemed Gao brought a date. Nia took her hand, looking nervous. Quinn called out "Hey!" To announce her prescence and everyone turned around to greet them with applause. She laughed and then spoke up again. "I want you all to meet Nia..." Quinn looked Nia in the eyes, happy out of her mind. "... my girlfriend."