The next morning, Sophie had got up early again, having been woken numerous times during the night with the same broken nightmare she'd been having every night since waking up in the hospital bed three years earlier. The only difference this time was that instead of trying to automatically lie there and to fill in the blanks, her mind kept drifting off to the lingering feeling of a particular blonde's lips against her own.
That had been as far as it had gone when Sian had kissed her the night before however, with the younger woman having quickly apologised for possibly making things worse by confusing her, and with Sophie insisting it was okay. Given that she'd lost her memory, Sophie couldn't remember ever having kissed someone before but she couldn't imagine a kiss with anyone could possibly be better than what she had shared with Sian. Maybe it was because there was quite obviously a strong connection between them or just maybe it was because deep down the feelings that Sophie once felt for the blonde were still present.
Sophie finished making them dinner and Sian had picked out a film for them to watch and they'd settled down for the evening, with Sophie taking the boxes of letters she'd written to Sian with her when she finally went to bed. She'd sat up for a couple more hours reading through as many as she could in hope that any one of them might trigger a memory for her, but also just enjoying reading the words she'd had written while quite clearly head over heels in love.
When it eventually reached what she thought was a reasonable time in the morning, she'd immediately got a shower and then set about making breakfast for herself and Sian as she had done the day before, finding it a lot easier to do since they'd also been shopping the previous day.
Hearing the sound of movement coming from the living room, Sophie looked over towards the doorway to see the sleepy looking blonde walking in wearing pj shorts and a vest top as she pulled on her dressing gown.
"How long you been up?" she asked as she wrapped her dressing gown around herself and tied it at the front, causing the brunette's attention to drop to her legs.
"Erm… not long, just couldn't sleep any longer so thought I'd make breakfast." Sophie smiled as she moved her focus back to Sian's face as the blonde walked over and scanned her eyes over the variety of different fruits the brunette was preparing.
"Did we actually buy all this yesterday?" Sian asked, getting a nod in response. "I can't remember the last time I had a fruit salad for breakfast."
"You do like it though right?" Sophie asked as she stopped slicing the mango she was holding, worried she was preparing something the blonde really wouldn't want.
"Yeah, I love it." Sian told her. "Especially mangos." She said with a smile as she reached over and picked up a slice of the mango in front of Sophie, before she popped it in her own mouth.
"If you take a seat, it'll be ready in a couple of minutes. Pancakes are already under there." Sophie said, pointing to a plate on the table which was covered by another upside down one.
"You don't have to keep cooking you know." Sian told her. It had only been a couple of times, but she didn't want Sophie feel like she had to, although she kind of liked it since the brunette had always been the one to cook, or at least cook well.
"I know." Sophie smiled back. "I like to though, it's relaxing." Sian smiled back as she walked over to the table and lifted the top plate, picking out a pancake. "Plus I figured if you were to cook we may end up going hungry for the day."
Sian quickly turned back to face the older girl who was smirking at her, and gave a playful scowl. "Hey that's not fair. I've never been much of a cook. But I make up for it in others ways." She wiggled her eyebrows, causing Sophie to raise hers as she scooped the mango slices up and mixed them into the bowl.
"Oh really?" she asked, her voice sounding intrigued. "Like what?"
"Well for starters, my pretty face of course." Sian gave a cheesy grin as she broke off a piece of the pancake she was holding and popped it in her mouth.
"Mhm." Sophie responded as she carried out on mixing the fruit up in the bowl in front of her, only to be hit seconds later by a piece of pancake. Looking up she was greeted by the sight of the blonde sticking her tongue out at her as she took a seat at the table, making her shake her head as she breathed out a laugh. Picking up the bowl, Sophie walked over to the table and placed it in the middle before taking a seat opposite Sian.
"So, erm… what day do you need to check in with the doctor?" Sian asked as Sophie walked over and placed the bowl of fruit in the middle of the table before taking a seat.
"Every Thursday, so tomorrow I guess." Sophie answered, getting a nod of understanding. "And I need to report to the Major after every session to let him know what they say."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Sian asked. She almost felt like insisting that she be allowed to go, but she knew that until Sophie properly remembered her, then she didn't have a right to, and she'd need Sophie's permission to be there anyway since they weren't married.
"You don't have to do that, I mean I'm sure you don't want to be hanging around an army base for half a day."
"If it's for you I do." Sian quickly answered, before realising she'd sounded a bit desperate and lowered her voice slightly as she fiddled with the edge of the table before looking back at the older girl. "Look… I don't want you to think you have to let me come with you, Soph, because if you don't want me there then I'm okay with that." She reluctantly told her. "But I want to be here for you no matter what, even if it means waiting around an army base for what will probably feel like a week." Sian said trying to lighten the situation a bit.
Sophie felt a smirk tug at the corner of her lips and she thought for a few moments before she answered. "In that case I would like it if you went with me." She gave a small smile getting one in return. "Now eat up, before it gets cold." She said picking up a large serving spoon and dishing some fruit on to the plate in front of Sian.
"Sophie, its fruit… it's already cold." Sian laughed.
"Well, all the more reason to eat up quicker then." The brunette smirked as she served some on to her own plate, making Sian laugh at her silliness as she picked up her fork and dug into her breakfast.
They'd agreed with Sally and Kevin that they'd visit them again that morning and they'd all have lunch since Sophie's grandfather was travelling to Weatherfield to see her. Sophie had always been close to her grandparents, especially on her dad's side of the family. Unfortunately, Sophie's grandmother had passed away two years earlier, but her parents had decided it was best to wait until she remembered everyone before telling her she'd already lost one of them.
When they'd arrived at the Webster's, Sian wasn't best pleased when Sally had decided they should go to The Rovers for lunch and a couple of drinks to celebrate Sophie being home. If anything, the blonde thought that she should be given time to visit the different places when she felt ready and slowly try and feel comfortable around people that were no doubt going to be wanting to welcome her back and talk about times she wouldn't be able to remember. However, Sophie had insisted it was okay, not wanting to be the cause of any upset or arguments and Sian had finally relented.
They'd been at The Rovers for around an hour, having been greeted by Liz, Steve and Michelle and Sophie trying to be polite while not having a clue who they were. The family had located one of the booths that was free and ended up listening to Sophie's granddad telling stories of when she was younger. He told her how he used to let her come to his workshop and would teach her some bits of the trade, also re-telling how that Sally was never too pleased as she thought Sophie should be doing more girly things rather than learning about what electricians do.
Sian had already heard a lot of the stories from when she'd first met Sophie's granddad after they'd just started seeing each other and then throughout their relationship, but she couldn't help but love watching the brunette's reactions and hearing her laugh as she heard them for what was in her mind the first time.
"Sophie?" The sound of a surprised sounding male voice saying the brunette's name caused the entire table to look around to see a young blonde twenty-something looking lad looking back at the young brunette occupant of the booth, as if he'd seen a ghost. "It is you. How… I mean, how is this possible?"
"Tommy." Sian suddenly interrupted. "I didn't know you were back in Weatherfield or I would have called and told you."
"Told me what? Sophie's alive? I mean what the… how long have you known?"
"Only two days. She's only just come back."
Tommy looked from Sian to the brunette who stood up behind her and was looking at him blankly, before he looked back to Sian again as if he was trying to work out whether he was imagining it. A few moments later he quickly stepped towards Sophie and wrapped her in his arms, startling her slightly.
"Soph, mate, this is insane. What happened? I mean I saw…" He stepped back and looked her up and down. "I mean this is too crazy."
Sian watched Sophie trying to work out if she recognised the lad in front of her and watched Tommy frown when Sophie didn't reply.
"She's been through a lot since the last time you saw her. She's having trouble with her memory at the moment so she just doesn't remember you right now."
"You're kidding me? Come on you know me, Soph." He laughed out as he looked right into Sophie's eyes trying to identify some kind of recognition, before his face dropped slightly when he couldn't find any.
"We were friends?" Sophie asked.
"Yeah." Tommy responded quietly, unsure what to do or say next.
"Sophie, you and Tommy served together in the Army." Sian told her. "He was with you right before we thought you…" Sophie suddenly paid more attention to the information being given.
"You were there?" she asked. "I mean… you saw what happened to me?"
"Yeah, I saw." Tommy answered. "And that's why I'm having trouble believing you're stood in front of me right now."
Sophie looked towards Sian and without her having to say a word Sian could tell exactly what Sophie was thinking.
"Tommy, you think maybe you'd want to come by ours for dinner tonight? You and Sophie could have a sort of catch up and I'd be good to see you again properly."
The blonde lad looked at Sian and then to Sophie who nodded in agreement before he gave a smile. "I'd really like that." He answered.
Sian went to speak again but stopped as Sophie spoke instead.
"Good. How about 7 o'clock?" she asked him and then looked to Sian who was stood next to her. "7 o'clock is okay, right Sian?" Sian smiled and nodded in response.
"7 o'clock is great."
"Okay, great…" Tommy smiled broadly. "Great…" he repeated. "I'll er… see you both later then."
As the girls said their byes and watched Tommy make his way out of the pub, Sophie turned in Sian's direction and studied her face for a few moments until Sian also turned back and noticed her staring.
"What?" she asked giving a playful suspicious look in return.
"You don't mind him coming over do you?" Sophie asked.
"I don't mind at all, Soph. I wouldn't have suggested it if I did." Sophie raised her eyebrows, already knowing after being around the blonde for one day that she would probably always go out of her way to make others happier than herself. Sian let out a small laugh as she rolled her eyes at the brunette.
"Okay, maybe I would have still suggested it, but I honestly don't mind. It'll be good for you to spend time with Tommy, you two were really close and I know you were thinking that maybe since he was there at the time you, you know… that maybe he can help you work out more of what happened to you afterwards."
Sophie's eyebrows knitted together and she squinted slightly at Sian. "How did you know that's what I was thinking?" she asked, causing Sian to smirk back at her.
"You may not be able to remember me yet, but I still know everything about you, Webster… even what you're thinking. Be warned." She gave the younger girl a quick wink as she headed back towards the booth where Sophie's family was sat chatting amongst themselves.
Sophie felt a grin appear on her face and from where she was still stood, she couldn't help it as her eyes scanned down Sian's body. Right at that moment, she couldn't imagine wanting her home to be anywhere else.
Later on that evening, Sophie was in the kitchen preparing the vegetables for a stir-fry as the chicken she'd already diced up was already in the pan cooking.
"Sure." Sophie smiled. "Can you chop the peppers up for me?" she asked as she watched Sian go to the cutlery drawer and take out one of the sharpest knives making the brunette smirk as she carried on chopping up the onion in front of her.
As Sian started chopping the first pepper, Sophie kept an eye on how she was doing it. A few moments later she walked over behind her and slowly reached around and placed her hand on top of Sian's which was holding the knife, making the blonde jump slightly.
"You'll take your fingers off like that." She said quietly, as she reached her other hand around so it rested on Sian's hand which was holding the pepper. Gently she guided Sian's fingers further back from the edge of the pepper and tucked her thumb around the bottom side of it, before lifting her other hand holding the knife and brought it over and down to slice the pepper.
"Like this." She whispered as their hands moved together to cut a few more slices. "I must have shown you this before."
"Mm." Sian hummed in response as she turned her face to look at the older girl behind her. "I guess I forgot." They looked into each others eyes for a few moments, their faces centimetres apart as Sian glanced down to the brunette's lips before the sound of the buzzer being pressed three times in a row startled them both.
Realising she'd almost kissed Sophie again without thinking, Sian quickly cleared her throat as she put down the knife and removed herself from between the older girl and the worktop as she made her way to the intercom, leaving Sophie stood in the same spot.
"Hi Tommy, come on up." Sian said into the intercom as she pressed the button to unlock the front door of the building, knowing it was him by the way he'd rang the buzzer as he always had done in the past.
Opening the door to the flat slightly, she made her way back into the kitchen and stood in the doorway watching for a few moments as Sophie finished chopping the vegetables before adding them into the wok. She had always loved watching Sophie in the kitchen, given that she herself was a dreadful cook. She found it a massive turn on that the brunette was so good and had always let her know it, only now she couldn't exactly do that without feeling like she'd be confusing her or forcing her into being a couple again without even remembering them properly.
A few seconds later a small knock made her turn towards the front door to see Tommy coming in and closing it behind himself before he walked into the kitchen with a smile.
"Alright, ladies." He said as he walked over and gave Sian a hug.
"I'm glad you could make it." Sian smiled.
"Course." He smiled as he stepped back looking towards Sophie, unsure whether it was appropriate to hug her, before deciding not just yet. "So, what we having?"
"Stir-fry." Sophie answered as Tommy walked over and looked into the wok.
"Great." He replied as she slipped his jacket off and threw it over the back of one of the chairs at the table and washed his hands at the sink before drying them on the tea towel on the side. "Well then move over, Webster, this is my speciality." He stated as he grabbed the handle of the wok and lifted it slightly as he tossed the contents in the air.
"You like to cook?" Sophie asked as she watched him what looked like expertly move the chicken and vegetables around.
"Hey, I taught you everything you know." He answered with a smirk as he looked at the brunette beside him who gave him a sceptical look in return. "Okay, maybe that's not the best thing to claim right now." He frowned causing Sophie to laugh.
Sian smiled as she watched the interaction between them, having missed the sound of laughter in the flat. Tommy and Sophie had been like best friends for about two years prior to that fateful day, with the blonde lad being a regular visitor to their flat on the occasions they were both on leave. After they thought Sophie had died, Tommy found it too difficult to continue visiting Sian, having blamed himself for not being able to save the brunette. Spending time with Sian, as much as he knew Sophie would have wanted him to be there to support her just brought back painful memories of that day.
Later that evening, after they'd all had dinner and had a catch up, Sophie was now in the living room talking with Tommy while Sian sat at the kitchen table marking some school papers, a pen held at the corner of her mouth as she read through her student's essays on their summer holidays. She wanted to give Sophie and Tommy some time alone, knowing the brunette wanted to find out as much as possible about what had happened to her. She'd heard the pair laughing and Tommy telling Sophie about funny times in the past, but for the last forty minutes their talking had been quieter and as much as she wanted to know what they were talking about, she also wanted to give them privacy.
Having taken a few weeks off work, Sian hadn't planned on reading through her students English homework, but since she had the time and already had them at home, she had decided to get them done and thought that maybe that week, she could drop them off and bring Sophie to the school to show her where she now worked.
"Sian…" The sound of Sophie's voice made her look up towards the doorway to see the brunette peeping around the side. "Sorry to interrupt… Tommy's leaving now."
"Oh right." Sian placed the pen and paper on the table and pushed her chair back as she stood up and made her way into the living room behind the brunette, to see Tommy putting his jacket on. "Thanks for coming over. It was good to see you again, it's been too long." She smiled as she hugged Tommy.
"I know, and I promise it won't be as long next time." He stated as he wrapped his arms around the blonde and returned the hug before stepping back and turning to Sophie.
"See ya, Sophie." he said as she leaned in and wrapped his arms around her as she slowly did the same. "Everything will be back to the way it was before in no time."
"Sure it will." Sian said, watching with a smile as Tommy took a step back and placed his hand on Sophie's shoulder. "You know Soph… have you ever known her to give up on us before?" she asked.
"Never." He replied shaking his head. "You're one of the toughest people I've ever known." He said looking at the brunette. "And whatever you need… I'm here."