Bernie arrives at Cam's flat; the place she's calling home for the moment. She unlocks the front door and makes her way inside.
"Cam, are you in?" She calls out before closing the front door behind herself. Receiving no answer she dumps her bag on the floor and shrugs off her coat before hanging it up. She heads towards the kitchen for a glass of water then goes to sit in the living area on the sofa. What a day, didn't expect any of that to happen and there's still this evening to go, she chuckles to herself, reflecting on the day.
Water finished she decides to have a quick shower before changing into a white shirt with super skinny black jeans.
Once showered and dressed she stands in front of the full length mirror attempting to tame her wild golden curls by roughly running her fingers through them. Don't know why I'm bothering ; Serena will only mess them up anyhow , she thinks. She takes a final look at herself in the mirror and decides she'll do, she takes a deep breath to steady her nerves before walking to the hall to retrieve her belongings ready to leave. As Bernie's about to grab her bag, the front door opens and Cameron walks in.
"Madre."
"Hi Cam." Bernie greets him with a smile. "You look nice, hot date?" He asks. Bernie smiles nervously, not quite knowing how to answer. Might as well tell him. He'll find out soon enough, she thinks before responding.
"I'm going to dinner at er…Serena's." she says looking everywhere but at him. "You're back together?"
"Engaged actually." she utters anxiously.
"Wow, Mum, you've only been back five minutes. You must've deployed some serious Wolfe irresistibility. I mean, congratulations, really but there must be more than a few issues that need ironing out. Don't me wrong, I like Serena and you both deserve to be happy but I don't want to see you hurt again."
Bernie breathes out a sigh of relief.
"Thank you. Obviously there's issues Serena and I need to work on and we've both hurt each other in various ways in the past, but I'm pretty sure we don't plan on hurting each other moving forward." Bernie smiles reassuringly. "Oh… you've been invited to dinner also, if you want to tag along?"
"Think I'll give it a miss; stuff to do and all that." Cam replies. Bernie squints her eyes suspiciously and asks,
"Sure you're not trying to avoid the situation or Serena?"
"No, of course not. I really do have plans tonight." Cam replies. "I'm going over to a friend's place." He continues.
"Ahh right… of course." Bernie smiles. "I better make a move, don't want to be late." She gestures towards the front door. Cam nods in reply. Bernie opens the front door, leaving to start her journey
After a fifteen minute drive, Bernie arrives outside Serena's home. When the car pulls up alongside the curb and comes to a halt her stomach bubbles with a combination of nerves and excitement. She breathes deeply, turns the key in the ignition shutting off the engine and exits the car.
She looks over the leafy detached briefly before walking down the drive to the front door. Never imagined I'd see the inside of this house again. It feels like a lifetime ago since I was last here . She tries not to think about the last time she had visited the house but the thoughts creep inside her mind. About coming back here after leaving Albies to collect her belongings, and posting her key back through the letterbox after leaving the house for what she thought was the last time. Don't dwell on the past Wolfe. Fresh starts and new beginnings await, so ring the doorbell! Acting upon her thoughts she presses the doorbell and waits for the door to be answered.
Moments later, she sees a figure walking towards her through the frosted glass. The front door opens wide revealing Serena from behind it.
"Hello." Serena greets, her lips stretching into a smile lit with happiness. She moves aside allowing Bernie to step inside the house.
"Hi." Bernie beams, her nerves forgotten after witnessing Serena's infectious smile.
She moves further inside and closes the front door behind her.
"Cam not with you?" Serena asks, noticing Bernie's alone.
"No, said he's things to do. Thought he was being evasive after voicing his concerns about our engagement, but he assured me that's not the case. Apparently he's seeing a friend ." Bernie explains with a unenthusiastic hand gesture.
"Ah." Serena says. "Well he's every right to have his concerns after everything that's happened. Jason's been expressing his concerns also, maybe you could reassure him?"
"Of course." Bernie smiles affectionately "Looks like we've got more than our relationship to recover."
"Yes I rather think we do, but first, dinner." Serena says before turning and heading towards the kitchen.
Before following, Bernie hangs both her coat and bag on a hook next to Serena's belongings and takes off her boots placing them next to the shoe rack.
When they enter the room, Bernie is delighted to see Jason, Greta and Guinevere sitting around the table. Guinevere sitting in a clip-on high chair attached to a dining one, clutching onto a beanie baby stuffed toy with one hand and scribbling on paper with a crayon in the other.
"Bernie. Auntie Serena didn't mention you were coming for dinner, she only said you are back together." Jason exclaims.
"Hello. Jason. Greta." Bernie greets them with a broad smile.
"I didn't mention Bernie coming for dinner because I wanted it to be a surprise." Serena says, unsure if a surprise was the right thing to do.
"I don't normally like surprises, Auntie Serena, but I like this one a lot." Serena looks relieved before Jason continues
"I am glad Bernie is here. We can talk about my concerns over dinner, as a family." Jason grins. "I do not think that would be suitable dinner conversation, Jason." Greta says wide eyed slightly panicked.
"It's okay Greta, I'd like to hear Jason's concerns." Bernie says, before looking at Jason and asking. "Maybe you and I could chat about them after dinner?."
"Okay, that sounds reasonable. Thank you Bernie." Jason responds.
"You're most welcome." Bernie replies fondly.
"Shall I place an order for dinner now that Bernie is here, Auntie Serena?" Jason asks.
"If you will please, Jason love." Serena replies.
Bernie looks at Serena puzzled.
"Doesn't someone need to go to the chip shop to do that?" Bernie asks.
"No, the local fish and chip shop offers delivery now. I use a takeaway app." Jason announces. "Ah, right, yes of course." Bernie says with a nod in realisation.
"And it's also rather convenient not having to wait until I'm back from collecting takeaways to open a delicious bottle of Shiraz." Serena quips.
Bernie honks her distinctive laugh.
"Campbell, trust you to think the only convenience is when you can open a bottle of red."
"Well needs must, darling, needs must." Serena flirts throwing a wink Bernie's way.
Speaking of Shiraz, Serena decides to open one of the lower kitchen cupboards, taking out a bottle.
"Would you like a glass?" She asks Bernie, turning to face her, eyes twinkling.
Bernie moves to stand beside Serena after noticing Jason's busy ordering food and Greta's helping Guinevere with her scribbles.
"Best not, I'll need to drive back." Bernie replies.
"Oh I assumed you'd be staying over." Serena says disappointed as she reaches into one of the drawers looking for a corkscrew.
She uncorks the Shiraz and leaves it on the side to breath then turns to face Bernie, who's looking at her with concern.
"Serena, it's not that I don't want to, god I want to, but I think it'd be er… wise not to stay." Bernie takes hold of Serena's hands and continues. "It's been an eventful day and there's still quite a lot to discuss."
"Of course. Sorry. You're right, I'm getting ahead of myself."
Bernie rubs a thumb over a back of one of Serena's hands she is holding and gives Serena a reassuring look.
"Absolutely no need to apologise, sweetheart, not everything is your fault. We'll talk later." Serena nods and flashes Bernie a beautiful smile.
"When are you going reacquaint me with our great-niece?"
The blonde turns her head to look at the toddler.
"She's growing up so fast." Bernie says wholeheartedly.
Serena retrieves her hand from Bernie's right one, entwines the hands they're still holding and leads Bernie towards the table where Guinevere sits.
"Ginny."
The toddler looks up at Serena reacting to her name.
"Remember Bernie?" Serena asks.
Guinevere frowns at Serena then moves her vision to Bernie. The little girl's eyes become wide, her face beaming, and a giggle escapes her mouth. Bernie pulls out a chair and takes a seat opposite Guinevere.
"Hi Ginny."
" 'ello." Guinevere replies, coy.
"What are you holding there?" Bernie asks, pointing to the fluffy grey stuffed wolf.
"Beanie!" Guinevere exclaims, giggling and holding out the toy wolf in her outstretched arms.
Bernie smiles bright, chuckling. Guinevere frowns again, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"You Beanie?" she asks, unsure.
Bernie shakes her head.
"No, I'm not a beanie, love."
Guinevere looks at Serena confused then turns to look at her Mother who's sitting beside her.
"No. You Beanie!" Guinevere exclaims, pointing at Bernie.
Suddenly Bernie's eyes grow wide and her mouth forms an 'oh' shape, realising what the toddler means.
"Yes. I'm Bernie." Nodding in reply.
Guinevere grins wide and shrieks giggles.
"Beanie! Beanie! Beanie!" She yells with excitement, bouncing in her seat. Bernie beams, painting a ray of sunshine all over her face as she looks up at Serena.
"It seems you've been given a new nickname by your new number one fan. Beanie Wolfe" Serena whispers in Bernie's ear with an air of mischief to her voice after wrapping her arms around Bernie's shoulders from behind. "She must recognise you from the photographs Jason shows her quite often. I'm not the only one who's missed you, he talks about you rather a lot."
Serena unwraps her arms from around Bernie and goes to pour herself a glass of Shiraz then comes back to the table, sitting beside her.
"If you don't want a glass a wine can I tempt you with a different kind of drink?" Serena asks. "Coffee would great, please." Bernie replies.
"Auntie Serena, the takeaway should be here very soon. The app has informed me it is out for delivery." Jason declares.
"That's great, thank you." Serena responds with a smile.
"I can make you a coffee if you would like, Bernie." Jason says.
"That's very kind of you Jason, thank you."
Jason stands and goes to prepare Bernie's drink.
Jason returns to the table a couple of minutes later, placing the coffee in front of Bernie.
"Thank you" Bernie smiles. Jason sits back down at the table.
"How did you reconnect with your Father, Jason? Bernie wonders, starting conversation.
"He's listed on my birth certificate as my Father so, I decided to search for him on social media. Since becoming a Father myself, I have been thinking about who my Father is. I also want Guinevere to grow up knowing her Grandfather." Jason explains.
Bernie nods understandingly.
"That's logical. When you become a parent, your perspective of the world becomes very different."
Jason nods.
"Yes, I see certain things differently now."
The conversation is cut short when the doorbell rings.
"Could you get the door please, darling, everything should be paid for. Serena asks Bernie. "I'll sort the plates and cutlery."
"Of course, anything to help." Bernie replies, getting up and placing a kiss on Serena's forehead before heading towards the front door.
After everyone has finished their fish and chips Guinevere included with her flakes of fish and some soft chunky chips, everyone except Jason and Bernie make their way into the living room. Jason volunteers to do the washing up and Bernie offers to dry. They perform their chores in a comfortable silence before Jason says,
"Auntie Serena was very sad when you went away."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Jason. It was never my intention to make her sad." Bernie says, wistfully.
"She was grumpy no matter how much coffee she had and she drank too much wine." Jason states before asking,
"Will you go away again? Auntie Serena has been the happiest I have seen her in a long time today."
"No, I'm not going away ever again, I promise. I've realised that I need to be wherever your Auntie Serena is to feel I belong. I love her very much."
Jason nods with understanding.
"I understand, I feel the same way about Greta." Bernie smiles, glad Jason understands.
"You belong here with us, Bernie. You are part of our family." Jason states.
"I'm glad you think so, I want to be part of the family very much." Bernie replies.
"You two should talk more, Auntie Serena says in a relationship there needs to be honesty and communication."
Bernie smiles to herself after hearing what Jason had just said.
"Well I'm glad she thinks so. We've lacked honesty and communication in the past but Serena and I are willing to work on bettering those areas of our relationship."
Jason smiles at Bernie's answer.
"I'm glad because I don't want you to go away again. I have missed you very much."
"I've missed you too, Jason. I'm glad we've spoken about what's troubling you and I hope you aren't worried any longer."
They enter back into the comfortable silent until Bernie dries the last plate and stacked it back in the cupboard.
"Shall we join everyone in the other room?" Bernie asks. "There's some news Serena and I need to share with you and Greta which I don't think your Auntie Serena has mentioned yet."
Jason nods in reply.
Jason and Bernie enter the living room joining Serena, Greta and Guinevere. Serena is half watching the television and Greta is helping Guinevere with her building blocks on the floor. Bernie sits on the sofa beside Serena and Jason sit in the arm chair.
"Auntie Serena, Bernie said you both have some news to share with Greta and I?" Jason asks.
Serena looks at Bernie concerned but Bernie gives her a reassuring nod.
"Ah, yes we do. Bernie and I, we, are engaged, to be married." Serena blurts out, nervously.
"That is wonderful. I am very happy for you both." Greta says happily, smiling wide.
Jason's smiling a huge grin and looks very pleased.
"Does that mean I can call you Auntie Bernie again?" He asks.
Serena breaths out a breath she'd been holding and chuckles.
"Of course, Jason. You can call me whatever pleases you." Bernie answers.
"
Thank you. Auntie Bernie." Jason responds still sporting his wide grin.
Jason looks thoughtfully at both Serena and Bernie.
"Auntie Serena, If you and Auntie Bernie are engaged, why aren't either of you wearing an engagement ring?
"Oh, I took it off before you and Greta arrived. I've been nervous about telling you both and I didn't want either of you to guess. You're both rather observant. I'll go get it." Serena answers.
Jason looks satisfied with the answer to his question.
Serena quickly goes to collect her ring and returns. She sits back down beside Bernie with the ring box in her hand.
"I had wondered why you were wearing it. I've been meaning to ask but I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the answer." Bernie says quietly in Serena's ear.
"I'm sorry darling." Serena replies. She reaches to cup Bernie's face in her hand before moving it into Bernie's hair as she leans forward, placing a brief and chaste kiss upon the other woman's lips. "I'll never take it off again, well apart from when duty calls."
Serena takes the ring out of the box and places back in it's rightful place.
"Can I see the ring?" Greta asks.
"Of course."
Serena moves closer to where Greta is sitting on the floor so she can get a proper look at the ring and offers her left hand to the younger woman.
"It is very beautiful." Greta compliments.
"Yes, it's perfect." Serena beams.
Guinevere climbs onto her mother's lap after losing interest with her toys. She lets go of a huge yawn, rubs her eyes and snuggles her head into Greta.
"I think someone is tired." Serena observes.
"Yes, we need to get Guinevere home so we can put her to bed." Greta declares.
"Of course. Shall I help you gather up her things?" Serena offers.
"Yes, that would be helpful. Thank you." Greta replies, scooping up the toddler in her arms before handing her to Serena so she is able to stand.
"Ginny, sit with Beanie while I help your Mumma." Serena says quietly to the little girl as she stands from the sofa and places her in the space next to Bernie she's just vacated.
The moment she's placed down, Guinevere climbs onto Bernie's lap and wraps legs around the woman's waist and her arms around her neck; clinging on like a baby monkey. Bernie smiles and soothingly rubs down her back. In an instant the little girl falls asleep.
"She like you Auntie Bernie." Jason affirms.
"I rather think she's smitten." Serena teases as she re-enters the room along with Greta. "Not that I blame her." She continues, making her way over to prise Guinevere from Bernie.
"Ginny, it's time to go home now. Shall we put on your coat?" Serena asks, gently placing her hand on the back of the toddlers head.
"No. Stay Beanie." She whimpers.
"Okay. Can Beanie put your coat on?" Serena suggests instead.
Guinevere nods her head. Bernie detaches the little girl from her body and sits her on her lap. Serena hands over the little coat and Bernie successfully completes the task.
"Next, shoes." Serena announces playfully slightly waving them in the air before handing them over to Bernie.
"Bub-bye Beanie." Guinevere mumbles tired.
"Bye love."
Serena picks the toddler up, gives her a cuddle and says bye before handing her over to Jason.
"Just going to see them to Greta's car darling, be back before you know it." Serena informs.
"I'll be waiting right here." Bernie replies, her face radiating happiness. "Bye Jason, Greta."
They both reply in unison "Bye," before leaving the room with Serena in tow.