Little one short I wrote following 1) A conversation with Emma regarding berena and babies 2) A late night headcanon that spontaneously hit me and wouldn't go away 3) Reading other fics and just really feeling inspired, to be honest!
This is actually written for Emma; I hope you have a very happy birthday! Enjoy! xxx
With a fatigued sigh, Serena fumbled with her keys on the doorstep, dropping her bag carelessly to detangle the newest addition of keyrings- a small scramble of pink and purple rubber bands Charlotte had lovingly made for her earlier that week- from the key itself.
"Mummy!" Came the instant cheers as she pushed on the door handle and, before she'd actually managed to place both feet onto the mat, two small children had raced through the hallway and hurled themselves at Serena.
"Hello," She smiled, crouching down to the infants and pulling them both into a hug. Cam lifted up a small boy toy car to her face, as she absently kicked the door shut and concentrated on his lively explanation into who was driving it and where to.
"Well, that's very impressive. Now, what about these?" She rooted in her bag animatedly, her facial expression turning dramatically to one of surprise- much to the toddlers' delight- when she pulled out a packet of wine gums in triumph.
"Share them!" Called a familiar voice from the other side of the house, as Charlotte ran off with the sweets, her brother following closely behind.
Despite the clear chaos (Serena had noted the complete bombsite of a living room), she felt so much more at peace here, with the ones she adored most. Serena loved medicine; it was half of her life. But this half seemed so much more fulfilled and so much brighter than the dismal scenes of heartbreak and hardship that often played out on their ward.
"Starting them early then?" Bernie walked through the hallway, as Serena bent down to untie her shoes, tiny baby Elinor bobbing on her hip.
"Oh, they'd sleep a lot better if there were alcohol in them! Actually- that's a really good business idea…" Serena smiled, her head springing up at the idea, a wide grin on her face at the sight of her wife and daughter before her.
"Hello, you." Serena cooed at her daughter, who had now woken fully and her wide eyes looking up to her with delight.
"And you," She added, turning to Bernie and placing a kiss to her softly, interrupted by Elinor's outreached arms and cheery gurgling.
"Come here then," She smiled, taking Ellie from Bernie's arms and pulling her briefly to her chest in a warm embrace, before spinning her onto her own hip and following Bernie through to the kitchen.
"Good day?" Bernie turned to face her, continuing to stir the pan of… vegetables it seemed.
"Mm," Serena nodded contently. "Busy. Very very busy because someone left their share of paperwork incomplete so someone's wife had to save the day… sound familiar?" Serena quirked her eyebrow when Bernie's no-doubt-guilty face failed to meet Serena's, as she continued to push the onions around the pan.
"Oh really?" Bernie flipped around, a small smirk playing on her lips.
"Yes, really, Bernie. It's not bloody funny. I spent half the day wading through it all!" Serena tried being serious, but Bernie's expression and Elinor's tumbling giggles faltered the- admittedly weak- façade of severity when she too broke into a smile.
"You're ridiculous." Bernie hummed, returning to the hob and finally mixing in the tomatoes.
"It was your handiwork, missus." Serena volleyed back, moving to lean against the sideboard and shuffled Ellie onto her other side.
"Oh shush."
"Mummy's going to be in big trouble with Henrik on Monday." Serena sang to Ellie, who now had Serena's finger in her own little fist.
"Mummy's going to what?" Bernie spun back around, her eyes narrowed. "What have you done?"
"Ah, that's a surprise, my darling." Serena grinned, bouncing Ellie again, causing her to giggle joyously, as if sharing their own little secret.
"Partners in crime, you two." Bernie smiled, waving the wooden spoon around, pointing to them both.
"Got to be prepared with you around! Who knows what will be next… Good job I sort the mortgage. Bloody hell, I dread to thi-"
"Alright! Alright! I'll sort it, okay?" Bernie feigned surrender and turned off the gas.
"That's what I like to hear!" Serena joyed, stalking up behind her to place a quick kiss to Bernie's cheek, before spinning back around to group together their children as she heard the clatter of plates behind her.