They were still cuddled up on the couch watching moving after they decided to change into more comfortable clothes. Obviously Laura had some clothes here from long ago while they were still friends. They were enjoying themselves when Taylor abruptly excused herself and went to her room leaving a very confused Laura.
Taylor got back with her hands hidden behind her back indicating that she was hiding something and a nervous smile on her lips. Laura sat up and faced Taylor. "What is it Tay?" Laura asked curiously with a raised eyebrow.
"Well I was just wondering since we had been together and calling each other girlfriends and all and we never actually asked each other and when people ask us about how we asked all in the future I want us to have a special story to tell and…"
"Tay?" Laura interrupted.
"Right sorry." Both of them chuckled.
"What I am trying to say is… Will you be my girlfriend?... officially? And I got you something." Taylor nervously asked and presented a black box wrapped with a white ribbon.
"Of course I will be your girlfriend Tay. It would be an honor and now I feel bad because I didn't get you anything." Laura said and pulled Taylor into her lap.
"No please don't feel bad. I really just wanted to get you something so I thought why not use this as an excuse." Taylor joked and they both chuckled.
"Here now open it." Taylor handed the gift to Laura. Laura United the bow and opened the box.
"Awe Tay thank you very much. It's really beautiful." Laura used her free hand to pull Taylor into a kiss. It was slow and passionate.
"I'm glad you like it." It was a charm bracelet with three charms so far.
"Can you please explain the charms." Laura wrapped her arms tightly around Taylor's midsection.
"Well let me put it on you first." Laura handed it to Taylor and she put it on her left hand.
"There you go… perfect. Okay so this star signifies the first day I saw you on set because I was sure I saw stars the moment I saw you. From that day I knew I had to get to know you better because you lit the whole room. The dummy obviously is for Ella. They day she was born, you looked so happy and beautiful and it was the best day of your life. This rose symbolize our love. Just like a rose with thorns, we have had a rough start but what we have is so beautiful and very significant to the both of us in the best way possible." Taylor finisher her explanation and smiled at Laura.
"You are amazing babe. Thank you very much and I promise I will always wear it proudly." Laura held Taylor with her hands on each cheek and pulled her into a kiss. The kiss deepened and turned into a make out session.
Taylor's hands found their way into Laura's dark locks and pulled her impossibly closer to deepen the kiss. Laura bit Taylor's bottom lip and the latter released a groan of pleasure. Laura's hands moved further down and found Taylor's boobs and softly massaged them through her t-shirt. Taylor was in ecstasy and her groans turned into moans.
Taylor's hands also found Laura's twin mounds and she moaned in delight. She always imagined what it will be like to touch Laura's boobs and this is better than any imaginations or dreams.
"Mmm babe that feels so good. But I think we should stop before this escalate quickly." Taylor abruptly stopped and got off Laura's lap as if it was burning her.
"I am so sorry Laura. I didn't mean to force you into anything you're not ready for. I was just overwhelmed and my mind went all mushy and fuzzy and what you did to my boobs I… I…" Laura interrupted her with a kiss.
"Hey Tay babe breath. You are not forcing me into anything I don't want to happen okay? I just want our first time to be special." Laura looked at everywhere besides at Taylor's eyes. Taylor put her hand underneath Laura's chin to make her face her.
"Hey babe look at me. We don't have to rush into anything you're not ready for because I know for a fact that our first time will be perfect because it will be with you. We can take it as slow as you want, until you are comfortable because I know that it is your first time with a woman." Taylor's eyes conveyed sincerity and she pecked Laura's lips lovingly.
How did I get so lucky? In fact how did I not notice sooner what a wonderful person Taylor is?... Laura thought with a smile before she answered.
"Thank you" Laura simply said.
"For what? You don't have to thank me for anything."
"For being so kind and understanding with me, for being so patient with me and for being you. I just feel so mad at myself for not noticing all this sooner and that I have been so blind to the way you always conveyed your love to me in subtle ways and I was so ignorant that I hurt you in the end." Both Laura and Taylor have tears in their eyes.
"I love you so much." Taylor didn't know what else to say. She was in awe.
"I don't say that to anyone. You have to say it back." Taylor added teasingly.
"Hey that's my line. Last time I checked I was the one playing Alex." Laura said jokingly.
"I didn't act this scene because then I was Taylor telling Laura I loved her because I thought that was the only time I will ever get to say it and actually mean it." All jokes aside. Now Taylor was vulnerable and she felt bare, naked even.
"Oh Tay I'm sorry I…" Laura paused. She didn't know how to address the issue. She was cursing herself in her brain for being stupid and unintentionally hurting Taylor.
"Anyways that is in the past now and I now get to say 'I love you' as many times as my heart desires and now my feelings are reciprocated so I am more than happy." Both of them knew the mood was ruined and they were both emotionally drained and that is enough for today.
"I love you too Tay, so much. I will always say it until you get to feel it. I know I can't change the past but I can change the future." Laura kissed Taylor softly and lovingly conveying all that couldn't be conveyed through words.
…...XXXXXXX......
Days went by with the two falling deeper in love and learning new things they didn't know about each other. Its been over a week since they last saw each other and Ben had already moved out of Laura's house. Today they decided to have a picnic together with Ella and Tank like they used to.
Unfortunately they are still in the hiding so the picnic will be in Laura's garden. Laura had prepared Taylor's favorite food, Ella's favorite and has Tank's favorite treat too. Today she decided to spoil her 'girls'.
(Guys I have no idea if Tank is a he/she but in this fic, it's a she ).
The picnic is at twelve noon and it was now ten minutes past eleven 11h10. Taylor should be arriving soon. Laura thought as she did final prep to their meal and also finishing up packing the basket.
It was now half past eleven when Laura decided to have a change of clothes and freshen up. Right when she finished up there was a knock on the door. Laura's smile grew. Laura opened the door wider to welcome her guests inside. Ben had brought Ella back since it was Laura's week to have her.
"Hey!" Laura greeted Ben and went on to take Ella from him and hugged Ben with one hand while the other held her daughter tightly around her waist. She moved to give him a kiss on the cheek but Ben turned and the kiss landed on his mouth.
... CRASH..SOUND OF A BREAKING BOTTLE…
This pulled Laura out of her confused state as both of them turned to look at what happened only to find Taylor stood by the door frozen with a broken wine bottle on the floor. Taylor fled and Laura's mind began to work.
"Ben what did you do that for? Please hold Ella." Laura was angry. She didn't give Ben enough time to explain as she chased after Taylor.
"TAYLOR…"
"TAYLOR PLEASE IT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE… PLEASE." Too late.
Laura saw Taylor's car speeding off. She cried angrily and went back into the house. She wanted to do nothing more than go after Taylor but she had to take her daughter and deal with Ben first. She took Ella from Ben and put her in her playroom before she went after Ben.
"What the hell was that?" she asked calmly but her eyes showed a storm wrecking inside her. It was the first time that Ben saw her this way and he was scared a little.
"What are you talking about?" Ben played the innocent card.
"Why did you kiss me?" Laura's voice spat with venom.
"Sorry, old habits." Ben tried to lie but Laura gave her a look that told him she didn't believe that and wanted the truth.
"Look Lau…"
"Don't"
"Sorry Laura. Look the thing is I don't want our daughter to be exposed to whatever… you know… this thing that you have with her because it might not last and I mean come on… you can't even tell people about it which means you're hiding or you're asha…" Laura cut her off by banging the breakfast bar so loud it hurt but she didn't feel the pain and Ben's eyes grew larger than a sorcerers.
"If I were you I would stop right there. Don't you dare talk about my relationship with Taylor and how it will affect our daughter because we are doing nothing wrong but loving each other. And I thought you were okay with it all, what changed?" Laura folded her arms tightly in front of her chest as if she was shielding herself from danger.
…. Flashback….
"Hey Ben."
"Hey babe. How are you doing?" Laura cringed atthe term of endearment.
"Good thanks. Um listen can you please come back to the house? We need to talk. "
"Is everything alright? Are you okay? Is Ella okay?" Ben asked worried.
"Yeah she's fine just please come home." Laura avoided all the questions and just a answered a out Ella being fine because she knew she wasn't. She felt nausea in her throat.
Twenty minutes later Ben arrived at home and the hugged but Laura moved her lips so Ben would catch her cheek for a kiss. Ben was confused but didnt ask what was wrong.
"Would you like something to eat or drink? I'm making a sandwich for myself." Laura said as she went into the open plan kitchen with Ben trailing behind.
"Yes please. I actually skipped lunch today." Ben said and Laura prepared the food for them. After she was done she placed everything for them on the breakfast bar. They ate in silence.
"Ben we need to talk." Laura was the first one to break the silence after they finished eating.
"Yeah well I guess that was the reason why I left the set early." Ben said jokingly but Laura didn't Laura which told him that this was serious.
"Sorry. What do you want to talk about?" Ben composed himself.
"I am not happy anymore…" Laura was hesitant. This was hard for her.
"Thing is Ben, I cant be with you anymore. It's not you it's just me and I am sorry. I tried so hard to stay and be happy for you and our daughter but deep down I am slowly dying. I, I love you Ben and I am thankful for our daughter but I am not in love with you. I thought I will learn to love you and I thought having Ella would make us alright and complete but it hasn't." Laura had silent tears running down her face.
"Its her isn't it?" Ben asked and Laura looked at him with wide incredulous eyes.
"Your costar… Taylor? I mean there is no denying that you guys have so much chemistry like you said and I have seen the way she looks at you." Laura was shocked to say anything so Ben continued.
"I was actually shocked that you chose to be with me because I could see that you felt something more for her and the way you would talk about her and how your eyes would light up whenever she walks in a room and your eyes always find each other." Laura's mind thought back to all the events they would be at together and how she would always look for Taylor only to find her looking back at her and they would smile and it made her smile slightly.
"Somehow I kind of knew that I only had you for a short amount of time and I cherished those moments with you and I am too grateful for the amazing daughter you have given me. I won't deny that it hurts because I love you so much but I won't deny you happiness and you being happy means our daughter being happy and I would do anything for you both." Ben took a breather.
"Thank you and I would do anything for you too. If you ever need anything I am here" Laura answered as she placed her hand on his bicep comfortingly.
"I hope she treats you well and love you the way you deserve but most of all I hope you find the happiness your soul is seeking from her." Ben finished with tears silently running down his face and Laura was sobbing as she could not believe how easy this all went and she was crying out of joy as she felt like a load had been lifted off her shoulders.
"Thank you so much for understanding and yes it is her. I cant believe I didn't notice all this or I was just in denial but now my heart is acting out of it's own accord. So… what do we do about custody over Ella?" Laura asked reluctantly.
"We will share custody equally. You can have her for a week and I for a week? Unless we have to travel then we can ask one another to keep her. What do you think?" Ben gave his suggestion.
"I think that's a great idea. Thank you once again for being so understanding." Laura smiled at him.
"I cant force you to love me or stay with me Lau. But then I will miss your cooking." Ben lightened the mood before it could get awkward and dense and it worked as they both chuckled. They shared a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
….end of flashback….
"Yeah well but we never agreed that you'd introduce her to your… your friend." Ben said without looking Laura in the eyes.
"Girlfriend and yes we didn't agree on anything but Taylor has always been in Ella's life from birth and I didn't say anything about introducing her as my girlfriend to a two years old baby. Anyway this isn't about Ella is it? Its about that stunt you pulled and I know damn well that you aren't drunk because you wouldn't dare risk the life if our daughter." Laura was still fuming.
"I might've seen her and got a bit jealous and thought I should give her a taste too. I am sorry Lau..ra I wasn't thinking straight and I am sorry about everything I said. I guess I am taking this divorce harder than I thought." Ben sighed and looked Laura in the eyes to convey his sincerity through his eyes but he came face to face with a shit storm adorning Laura's face.
Before Laura could respond her phone rang and she didn't even apologize before picking it up to answer leaving Ben to stand awkwardly from his chair.
"Hey Tasha I am sorry but I cant talk right now." She was trying to compose herself.
"Hey Pre you might want to rush to the hospital right now." Natasha wasn't her normal bubbly self. Her voice was laced with worry.
"Why what is it? Are you okay?" Laura was worried now.
"I'm okay but Taylor is not. She has been in an accident and I was called by the hospital because apparently she was dialing my number last." Tasha said and Laura felt her world come crushing down and tears began to flow uncontrollably.
"Pre you there?" Natasha asked after a little while when she heard no response from Laura.
"Yeah, yeah I hmm-hmm… 'hiccup'… I'm fine, I'm on my way." Laura ened the call before Natasha could say anything.
"Is everything o…" Ben was interrupted by Laura before he could ask anything.
"Don't. Just take Ella with you because I am not sure how long I will he gone. If she is not okay Ben… you better pray that she is okay." Laura just said and Ben was confused. Laura left for the hospital without looking back after she gave her daughter a kiss on the head. Laura arrived at the hospital in record time and luckily Tasha was waiting for her by the entrance and led her directly to Taylor's room.
"What happened? Is she okay?" Laura asked quickly.
"Well unfortunately they cant disclose any information to non family members. But fortunately for you since I am famous I managed to get the information." Natasha tried to make Laura laugh.
"Tasha…"
"Right sorry. She got in an accident. She hit a street light and it seems like she was avoiding something from the road. Luckily she didn't suffer any major injuries, just a few scratches and a concussion. She will be waking up in about an hour or two." Natasha said and Laura was relieved.
The duo waited for about an hour and Taylor's brother arrived at the hospital and joined them too. The waiting was agonizing for Laura because she didn't know what will happen and how Taylor will react to seeing her. Another half hour past until the doctor approached them.
"Hi I'm doctor Johnson, Taylor's doctor. Are you all here for Taylor?" Dr Johnson was an elderly woman in her late forties with ginger hair and grey eyes. She had a kind smile.
"Hi! Yes we are." Answered Taylor's brother.
"Miss Schilling is awake and she had asked to see a Miss Laura. She has been asking for you even when the Paramedics brought her here.
"Thank you. Can you please show me to her room?" Laura was surprised Taylor asked for her. If anything she thought she was going to be mad at her.
"Sure. Right this way." The doctor led Laura away from the waiting room to Taylor's room.
"Okay this is it. Unfortunately you cant stay longer as she needs to rest." Doctor said with an apologetic smile.
"Right thank you very much doc." Laura walked inside the room slowly and awkwardly. Taylor turned to face her with an unreadable expression on her face.
"Hi" Laura said while slowly approaching Taylor's bed.
"Hey!" Taylor replied.
"Look Tay I am sorry about what happened but believe me when I say that I was as shocked as you are and I didn't kiss him back. I wanted so desperately to come after you but I couldn't leave Ella alone. I was only kissing him on the cheek when he turned his head and when I confronted him he said he was jealous of you but please don't be mad babe I am sorry. I didn't mean for it to hap…" Taylor interrupted her.
"Laura!" Laura stopped when she heard Taylor call her name and she anxiously waited.
"It's okay. I am sorry I stormed off and I know it was not your fault. I guess I was just hurt because I still cant believe that you chose to be with me and when I saw him kiss you I just told myself that I knew it was too good to be true." Taylor said and both their eyes had tears.
"I also still cant believe that you agreed to be with me after everything I out you through. What happened when you left Tay?" Laura had silent tears flowing down her face but her voice cracked a bit.
"I left your house and I was driving to Tasha's house and I tried to call her when out of nowhere I saw a cat on the road and tried to avoid hitting it but unfortunately I hit a street light." Taylor said a little bit embarrassed.
"I am sorry that you had to be hurt because of me." Laura said.
"It wasn't your fault Laur. Now can I get a kiss from my girlfriend? And can you kiss my boo boos better" Taylor gave Laura her best puppy eyes and with her eyes glistening with tears it pulled some strings on Laura's heart. Laura laughed through her tears.
"You are insatiable Tay." She said with a big smile though and continued to lean in and give her girlfriend a kiss that conveyed all her love and apologies. They pulled back but rested their foreheads together and smiled.
" I love you so much Tay,"
"I love you too Laur." They were disturbed by the door opening but Laura didn't pull back and pretend like nothing was happening but instead she pecked Taylor's lips a few times before pulling back.
"No more hiding." She said then pulled back. Taylor was over the moon with what Laura has just said. They can go to dates now and hold hands in public.
"Uhm hi. I am sorry but Ms Schilling needs to rest now." Dr Johnson said after she cleared her throat.
"Okay. Tay I will be in the waiting room if you need me." Laura held Taylor's hand and squeezed it.
"No Laura please go check on Ella. I will be fine and maybe you could bring her along if that's okay and can you please check on Tank for me by the vet." Taylor didn't want Laura to leave but she knew she had to. Laura was reluctant and was about to give excuses so she could stay.
"Okay call me if you need anything, no matter the time okay?" Laura said sincerely.
"You know I will. Now go before I change my mind." Taylor shooed her but Laura didn't leave without a hug and a kiss on Taylor's sweet spot on her neck.
"I love you " she whispered for Taylor's ears only.
"I love you too." Taylor gave Laura a kiss on the forehead because that always comforts her. The doctor chuckled at their antics.
"The kiss was supposed to be the other way around. You guys make a cute couple ." the doctor smiled "Thank you" they said in unison and Laura left with the doctor tailing behind.
"Hey how is she?" Natasha asked first and Laura smiled brightly which relieved Sam, Taylor's brother and Natasha.
"She is okay. Well as okay as one can be after an accident but she looks better. Hopefully you guys will see her when she wakes up. I'm sorry I took a long time in there." Laura smiled sheepishly.
"It's okay. As long as my sister is okay and she definitely preferred it that way anyway." Sam said and Natasha nodded in agreement.
"I have to go check on Tank and fetch my daughter so I will see you guys later. Thanks for calling me Tasha. Laura hugged them and left.
"See you later. I'm just going to chill for a while and see if she is okay and then I'll go." Natasha said.
Laura went to the vet and everything was alright and since they have seen her with Taylor before they let her take her home. She went to fetch Ella from Ben without giving him any time to talk or ask questions she was already out the door.
She arrived home and prepared something to eat for them.
"At least he had the decency to clean up the mess he caused." Laura said to no one in particular referring to the broken bottle of wine. Ben cleaned it before he left.
Tank was then led outside into the garden to play while Laura gave Ella a bath after eating. She then put her down for her nap and went to check on Tank and brought her inside before she went to her bedroom to relax. When she was done she received a call from Taylor and her mood was lifted even more so after being with her daughter.
….Phone Call…
"Hey honey!" Laura answered.
"Hey babe!"
"How are you feeling?" Laura was sitting on top of her bed.
"I'm so much better thanks for asking. I woke up from my nap and had a chat with my brother and Natasha. They just left now actually and now I am lonely so I thought I should call you. What are you doing?" Taylor sighed at the end of the line.
"I am just lying in bed. Just put Ella to bed after feeding her and Tank. I brought her home by the way, hope it's okay?" Laura said carefully as she laid back down.
"Of course it's okay. Although you didn't have to babe. Thank you. I wish I could join you right now so we could cuddle and watch movies. I'm sorry I ruined our picnic." Taylor pouted.
"You didn't ruin anything Tay and we still have forever to have as many picnics as we want. Ella is sleeping now but when she wakes up we will come see. You and I told you not to pout when I don't see you because then it won't work honey." Taylor turned crimson at this but said nothing to that comment.
"Anyways I can't wait to see Ella. I feel like I haven't seen her in a long time."
"Oh so only Ella? What about me and Tank? What are we? Chopped liver?" Laura feigned hurt.
"Mmm I guess I cant wait to see you too." Taylor teased.
"Wow thank you very much Tay. Get some rest and I will see you soon. Love you." Laura smiled into the phone.
"I love you too and your smile is so beautiful. Keep it that way." Taylor said knowingly and Laura blushed a bit before she laughed wholeheartedly and ended the call.
Thirty minutes later Ella woke up and Laura had gotten everything ready for them to go to the hospital. She took the picnic bag she had prepared for them for earlier and left. "Knock, knock" Laura knocked as she opened the door.
"Hey you're here. Oh Ella I think you have grown taller since auntie Taylor last saw you. Come give me a hug." Taylor opened her arms for Ella and Laura handed her.
"Wow it's good to know where I stand." Laura teased.
"Oh babe you jealous? Come let me give you a kiss." Laura leaned in for a kiss. It was sweet and short.
"Good or else I was going to eat everything alone." Laura joked
"You wouldn't dare." Taylor's eyes lit up when Laura mentioned food.
"I figured we could still have our picnic but unfortunately we have to exclude Tank because she is not allowed into the hospital so I left her with Tasha." Laura laid the blanket on the floor and put the cushions from the couch and placed them the and then placed all the food there.
She placed Ella on the blanket and she too took a seat next to the bed so she could give Taylor her food easily. Taylor took a picture of Laura with Ella and made it her profile.
"Mmm this is so much better than hospital food. I just hope they discharge me before I have to eat another plate in this place." Taylor said seriously making Laura laugh. It wasn't long since her and Ella ate so they were just snacking. They stayed for a while and had fun before they had to leave.
"I will see you tomorrow babe. Rest up well and hopefully they'll discharge you tomorrow."
"I cant wait for tomorrow to get here already. I love you babe." Taylor said
"I love you too." They shared a passionate but short kiss. Taylor went on to kiss Ella on the head and with that they were gone. Taylor closed her eyes with a content smile on her face.
….. . . ... . .. . . . . . . . . . . . ...