So the chapter sizes are a bit whack, with Chapters 1 and 2 being shorter and then Chapter 3 being a big sucker. I suppose that's what happens when you don't plan a fic and it sort of just writes itself haha. Hope it doesn't bother anyone too much.


Janey brushed away the flowers that were scattered over the bed. Athena had stepped into the bathroom to, "Freshen up," and so she had taken it upon herself to make sure the room was as comfortable as possible for when she returned.

She finished smoothing the petals away from the covers, letting them fall around the sides of the bed, before she pulled the sheets back neatly. She went on to light the few candles that had been placed around the room, collected in little bunches on the shelf, the dresser, the windowsill. There was a touch of ritual to her fingers with every flick of the match and a pause to her breath as each wick stood resolute for a second- before curling gently against the flame. She had to hand it to Fiona and Sasha, and whomever else they'd roped in to help set up the cabin before the wedding; the room was beautiful.

Janey stashed the matches atop the dresser and gravitated toward the side of the bed she usually favoured, sitting down to unclasp her boots. She slipped them off as she heard a faucet being turned on in the bathroom, and then the sound of water running into the basin.

She glanced around for a place to tuck her boots away and caught sight of her wedding dress hanging off the wardrobe in the corner of the room. Clearly someone had managed to deliver it between when she took it off after the wedding and before their arrival to the cabin. She'd have to thank whoever it was later. But for now, she admired its sweeping gown, tinged pink along the top of the bodice and fading into white all the way down to the hem.

Her chest tightened at the thought of how this day had been both exactly what she'd always dreamed of as a little girl and also the total opposite. And that she wouldn't have wanted it any different.

In the quiet between her thoughts, the brightness of the room dug into her tired eyes. She got up to flick the lights off before trailing her way back to the bed. Athena might've been fine to see in lowlight, but Janey had only standard Elpisian eyes. She sat and waited for hers to adjust as best they could, finding herself impatient with the sparse light the candles offered, worried that Athena would emerge from the bathroom before she could see properly. She considered turning on the table lamp, and whether or not it would suffocating the mood with its artificial glow.

She glanced to where it stood on the bedside table and reached for the pull-chain, but as her fingers wrapped around the string and its little beads, she saw the note that lay curled on the tabletop, held in place by one of the napkin holders she'd insisted on buying for the reception. A smile warmed her face. She took the scroll of paper and slid it out of the holder, unbuttoning her vest and removing her socks as she read, finding her eyes had finally adapted.

To Mrs and Mrs Springs,

Congratulations on finally managing to tie the knot! We've all been waiting for the last year to see this day…

Janey tucked her socks into her boots, eventually deciding to just nudge them under the bed. She shrugged off her vest as well before sitting back against the headboard and continuing to read.

…and it was certainly beautiful. You have both had a marked impact on all our lives, and those of many others, and we hope you continue to love and enjoy this 'new life' you have created together…

Janey twisted the ring on her finger, hearing the water in the bathroom shut off. A flyaway piece of hair tickle her forehead, and she idly reached up to run her fingers through her bangs and tame them back.

…It is fair to say that no one expects to see the pair of you for the next few months. You will no doubt be going at it like rabbits the whole time so don't worry about anyone disturbing you, none of us are interested in walking in on that interrupting anything…

Janey snorted and decided she'd wait till morning to show Athena this gem of a letter.

…But congratulations again. And thank you for letting all of us be a part of it.

Enjoy yourselves, you damned lovebirds.

With love,
Fiona, Sasha xox, Maya, Gaige ;), Angel, S, Tiinyyy TINA, Ryhs Rhys–

"Well, isn't there a fine amount of Spring in this bed."

Athena's voice cut through the curve of the paper and Janey abandoned her reading of the signatures. She glanced up to see her wife lingering in the en suite doorway, one hand on her hip. The flowers were gone from her hair and her updo was now free. Her purple-blue locks fell gently around her neck, weighted with more curl than usual, their strands almost glowing in the candlelight. She still wore her wedding dress, with its flowing-trumpet shape and sleeves of transparent lace.

The image sent goosebumps racing over Janey's skin, and her legs called for her to stand, to march across the room and sweep her wife into her arms, to gather her up and never let her go.

She stood slowly, keeping Athena's eye, and absently brushed one hand down her shirt to straighten it.

"Well, why don't ya come over here and we can double that, Mrs Springs," she suggested.

Athena stepped forward with a smirk and Janey met her halfway, taking one of her hands and looping an arm around her waist, drawing them together. Athena's palm spanned itself over her chest, above the scarred remnants of her left breast, over her heart, and Janey found herself momentarily lost in deep blue eyes.

Her capture was broken as Athena sighed and leaned up to press their lips together. Janey dipped her head and kissed back warmly, closing her eyes and letting Athena take whatever she needed. She followed her wife's lead as the kiss rolled into a slow, familiar exploration of each other's lips, and she took the opportunity to trace the thin curls of lace covering Athena's back. Eventually Athena pulled away and breathed in deeply, and Janey barely remembered to do the same.

"Mm, 'Mrs Springs'…" Athena hummed against her lips. "Certainly has a nice ring to it."

Janey opened her eyes with a laugh, tailing into a groan.

"Aw c'mon, hun. Not tonight." She eased her hands down to wrap them around Athena's waist.

Athena gave her an innocent-looking smile. "I don't know what you mean, darling."

"Hell," Janey shook her head in mock disbelief. "Can't believe I bloody married you."

"Really?" Athena asked, and Janey suddenly found her hands dragged around to Athena's rear. "What, with all these ass-ets?"

Janey grinned but held back her laugh; it wouldn't do any good to encourage the woman.

"Oh you're asking for it, hun," she said, squeezing the rounded muscle beneath her fingers and savouring the little moan Athena let slip. She used her grip to draw their hips together, tucking her face into Athena's neck and whispering into her ear, "But that'll have to wait till morning. There's something else I'd rather do tonight."

"Which is?" Athena's question stretched warm and slow over her shoulder.

"Make love to my wife," Janey murmured, before gently turning Athena around in her arms, not missing the blush that rose to her cheeks. "If that's alright with you."

Athena hummed and glanced back at her with a faint smile. "…I suppose I can accept those terms."

"Good." Janey placed a light kiss on the back of her neck and began undoing the small white buttons cascading down her spine. She smiled when she felt Athena lean into the touch.


Sorry to leave it there, but that was the best spot I could find to cut it! Fear not though, Chapter 3 is close to done, so that should be up next week!