Author's Note: Inspired by a Tumblr headcanon post by tea-and-shoelaces
Wrapped up from the autumn chill in their coats, Bernie and Serena meandered their way through the woodland and into the wide open green space. Far over the other side was a winding river and a tea room with pastries, builders tea and strong hot coffee with a dash of milk; none of this pretentious 'handcrafted-skinny-no foam-latte' stuff.
They'd walked in companionable silence as they took in the landscape before them. A vast array of golds, reds and oranges; autumn in all its magnificent glory, despite the drizzle earlier that morning. Each woman had gone off into their own thoughts for a while, until they had been disturbed by a lolloping alsatian who had bounded over and proceeded to make an almighty fuss of Bernie. Serena took a half jump back, unafraid of dogs in general but wary of this over enthusiastic and unfamiliar one.
It took a matter of seconds for the realisation to sink in and tears streamed unashamedly down Bernie's face. As sure she'd know her own children anywhere, and although it was seemingly impossible, she knew in her heart that this was Toblerone.
"Toby?" she whispered to the dog, crouched low so she was on his level. He licked her face and rolled onto his back, offering his tummy to her for rubbing. Bernie could never refuse the dog, even though she'd tried to in the early days. Somehow he'd wormed his way into her heart, just as Alex had done so too. Bernie rubbed and petted the soft lump of canine beast and murmured his name over and over again.
"You know this dog?" Serena asked in awe of the sight before her. She'd never seen Bernie react to an animal in any shape or form, let alone go positively gooey-eyed over a dog.
"Yes, I believe I do." Toblerone's ears pricked up and he jumped up, his attention caught elsewhere but he seemed torn between reacting fully to it and leaving Bernie behind. The blonde thought he might end up with whiplash the way he kept flicking his head one way and then the next. "Go, someone's looking for you." Bernie commanded, with a gesture of her arm and with what she hoped was a strong tone of voice.
The dog whimpered but scampered off, only to run back moments later. He played the game several times until Bernie made out the form of a woman heading towards them. She was carrying a lead and ball thrower loosely by her side. The trauma surgeon had her suspicions but they were confirmed the moment she had spotted her. Bernie had no idea how it was possible but she had known that Alex would be the reason for Toby being there.
The younger woman eventually caught up, also having spotted what had caught Toby's attention and, with her breath caught in her throat, realised that an inevitable meeting was about to take place. Toby was even more excited to see both his former mistresses in the same place and barked for the attention that they now seemed to be paying each other rather than him.
"Hi." Alex said sheepishly.
"You've got Toby?" Bernie remarked in wonder.
"Yeah, I couldn't bear to leave him behind. Took six months of quarantine, a lot of paperwork and expense but I knew I had to give him a home here with me." Bernie was stunned but a bigger part of her wasn't all that surprised, not really.
"Uh, umm… Alex this is Serena; Serena, Alex." Before the women could awkwardly shake hands, both intrinsically understanding their place (or former place) in Bernie's life, Toby barked loudly. "And this is Toblerone, don't get me started on his name, that was Alex's idea!"
"It stuck though!" Alex chuckled and winked at Serena, she could be the bigger woman, even though her heart was breaking all over again. Serena smiled, feeling like a third wheel as the history, old feelings and tension between the former lovers and colleagues became palpable. "We've got to get move on, I've got a shift in a couple of hours."
"Are you local?" Bernie asked, the hope and slight hint of desperation evident in her voice.
"Almost, took a drive over here to see what this place was like. We're about six miles over that way." Alex gestured in the relevant direction as she spoke. Bernie desperately wanted to ask if she could see them both again but knew it wouldn't be fair on Serena.
"Well, maybe we'll bump into each other here again another day?" Even though she'd suggested it, Bernie knew that Alex wouldn't bring Toby here again for that very reason.
"Yeah, maybe. Come on Tobes, up you get!" The dog obeyed his mistress and stood by her side as she clipped the army patterned lead back onto his collar. "Right, see you around. Nice to meet you Serena." Alex's gaze lingered on the woman who she assumed had taken her place in Bernie's heart. She really didn't know what to make of her, knew it was unfair to make a judgement based on a few minutes and with the raw emotion she felt behind it.
"Likewise." Serena was in the same position as Alex but Bernie seemed to be oblivious to each woman's quiet discomfort
"May I?" Bernie gestured to Toby and went to stroke him before she realised she ought to ask.
"Of course." She kissed the top of his nose and nuzzled her own against his, trying to convey that it wasn't his fault she'd had to abandon him and that she still loved him, even though this would probably be the last time they'd see each other. Eventually she let him go with a rub of his ear and stood up.
"Thanks. Take care, both of you." Bernie's voice cracked with the weight of emotion and tears glistened in her eyes once again.
"You too." Alex went to walk away and Toby followed for a few paces until he realised that Bernie wasn't following. He stopped, turned around and whimpered. Alex and Bernie exchanged a look of regret before the younger woman tugged at the lead and encouraged her charge to move.
Bernie wiped at her eyes with the palms of her hands and took an undignified sniff as she went to continue towards the tea room where they'd been originally headed. Serena remained where she was, a contemplative look on her face and something akin to pity in her eyes.
"Go after them. Tell Alex you want to see Toby again." Serena told Bernie in a tone that left no room for doubt that it was an order.
"What?" Bernie spluttered out her surprise.
"It's obvious how you feel about that dog." Alex too, if truth be told, but Serena kept that thought to herself.
"I… I can't..." Bernie felt guilty for being so transparent.
"Yes you can. Go, I'll wait for you in the tea room." Serena wondered if she could sneak in a large G&T before Bernie joined her; she had a feeling she was going to need it.
"Thank you." It was sincere and heartfelt and Bernie was grateful for Serena's understanding. She took off on a gazelle-like sprint across the clearing and back through the woods to the car park out the other side. Hopefully Alex would still be getting Toby into the car by the time she reached them.
Bernie stopped by some trees out of sight and watched as Alex sat in the open boot of her car with Toby play fighting the towel that was being used to clean the mud from his paws and belly. She smiled widely to herself, Alex's absolute adoration of the dog clear for all to see in the expression on her face. The younger woman helped her canine companion up into the boot and wrapped her arms around his neck for a cuddle. It was a tender, private moment and for a second Bernie felt guilty that she'd intruded. But it was now or never so she stepped out from the shadows and was immediately spotted by Toby, closely followed by Alex.
"Hi." Bernie addressed her former lover as she slowly moved towards her.
"Oh, is something wrong? Has something happened?" Alex was concerned that her professional help might be needed.
"No, I just… umm…" Bernie had reached the car and presumptuously sat herself on the boot next to Alex, much to Toby's delight. The alsatian wiggled his way between the two women, head and chin over Bernie's lap and thighs and, after much trampling over Alex, his backside over hers. Bernie subconsciously began stroking the dog's head and Alex stroked the thick fur on his back. "I'd like to see you both again, I don't want this to be it."
"Bern…." Alex chided, wondering if the older woman understood just how much this conversation alone was hurting her? "What about….?" Alex inclined her head to somewhere back through the trees.
"I have permission." The brunette nodded, even though she didn't entirely understand. She wasn't sure Bernie did either if she was being honest.
"Okay. So, how do we do this..?"