Lucy stands at the doorway of Alex's apartment -their apartment, she corrects herself- in full dress blue, listening to the faint giggles coming from the other side of the door. She just got back from another terrible trip to DC.
Hands shaking slightly, Lucy opens the door with her keys, eyes downcasted, head bowed.
Alex and Maggie are snuggling on the couch, chilling after a day of work when the door opens. They both turn with surprising grins on their faces.
"Lucy!" Maggie greets as she untangles herself from Alex to get up from the couch.
"Hey Luce" Alex stands, following Maggie to join Lucy by the door.
Lucy feels her stomach twists with the effort of keeping her emothions at bay, and she tries her best to stop her lips from quivering.
But Alex knows.
But Maggie knows.
Of course they know.
Because her eyes are red and wide.
Because her body is slightly too tense.
Because her face is slightly paler then usual.
Because it's not the first time she came back from DC like this.
And it breaks their hearts seeing Lucy like this.
"Oh sweetie" Maggie steps forward and takes the bag from Lucy's grip, while Alex slips behind Lucy to help her out of her jacket after closing the door.
Lucy fights hard not to cramble under Maggie's gentle fingers brushing over hers, under Alex's soft hands brushing over her shoulder.
"You're home now Lucy, it's okay to let go." Alex says softly, wrapping a supporting hand around Lucy from behind.
Knowing that cuddling would be the best for the current situation, Maggie gently tugs on Lucy's hand and lead her to the couch after exchanging an understanding glance with Alex.
The three settle on the couch with Alex and Maggie sandwiching Lucy, engulfing her in a loving and warm embrace.
Finally feeling anchored by the women she loves and who love her back, Lucy relaxes a little to sink into the love-filled embrace.
"I... It's DC... I..." She tries to tell them what happened back in DC, she wants to. But she doesn't trust herself can talk without crying, without breaking down.
"It's okay Luce" Alex whispers into her ear, planting a kiss on her temple "You don't have to talk, we know"
"Yes my love, we know" Maggie supplies, squeezing Lucy's clammy hands lovingly.
With a small nod, Lucy closes her eyes and lets the tears flow down her cheeks, knowing that she's finally safe for the first time in the week.
With all the love, all the understanding she receives from Alex and Maggie, Lucy starts to feel better. Actually she had already started feeling better at the moment when Maggie took her bag and Alex removed her jacket.
Everything just starts to get better when she's with Alex and Maggie.
Everything just starts to be alright when she has Alex and Maggie by her side.
It's like the colour of her world starts to come back when she is back at home.
It's like everything starts to brighten up when she is back with the loves of her life.
It's like the world has become a better place.