Author's note: Remember that time I said I'd update soon? I guess this is my definition of soon. Sorry, my dearest readers. I promise, for real this time, to be more diligent. I have an outlined plan for the rest of the story.
Just to give a small shout out for my inspiration to get back into this, I want to send praise to another fellow author. If you haven't read any of Miss Maraudeur's stuff, you're missing out. Seriously. Close my story and go read her stuff. But come back, yeah?
Enjoy. R/R if you get a chance.
…
The transition to Cambridge was relatively uneventful, thanks to James. He could be a perv but he loved his sisters fierce and he had taken great pains to plan each detail. Katie and James took the train and arrived well before Naomi and Emily. This allowed the siblings to drop luggage and setup Naomi's room.
Emily and Naomi arrived, along with a nurse, within two hours. The couple didn't speak much during the ride and the nurse stayed quiet out of respect for the girls. She did check Naomi's vitals occasionally and helped keep nausea at bay for the blonde.
The truth was, Naomi was nauseous from anxiety more than her illness. Emily's words to her haunted her thoughts. She'd never really considered saying no to the surgery as giving up. Naomi was tired. Tired of lying, being sick, and quite frankly scared. She was grateful that Katie and James were so willing to help. More than that, she was grateful that they would be there if—
"Babes," Emily said softly, lightly squeezing Naomi's hand. "We're here." Cambridge University's oncology team was located at the campus for Addenbrooke's Hospital. The room wasn't terribly impressive but certainly more welcoming than London. Emily could tell that Katie had spruced the place up, even placing a small picture of the trip from Goa on Naomi's bedside table. Emily smiled and could almost feel the warmth from the sun at Anjuna Beach.
Naomi spent most of the day sleeping, exhausted from the car ride and Emily took the time to finish some work from New York. Editing her photographs didn't completely take her mind off of Naomi but it was a distraction nonetheless. Despite her determination to concentrate, she found her eyes drifting over to the picture of Goa and Naomi's sleeping form.
…
"Hi," Emily smiled as Naomi eyes opened slowly. The blonde had fallen asleep while Emily read on the beach in Anjuna. It was early afternoon and the girls had been out late the evening before dancing at a local club.
"Fuck me," Naomi said, rubbing sleep from her eyes. Emily raised an eyebrow suggestively and Naomi nudged her playfully. "Not what I meant, Ems. How long was I asleep?"
"About an hour, you hardly noticed that I made you turn over to keep from burning. Or the sun lotion I sprayed on you," Emily laughed. She smirked a bit and Naomi shook her head.
They let a comfortable silence fall between them as Naomi watched the waves and Emily finished her chapter in her book. Emily could feel Naomi's eyes drift upon her but she refused to meet the girl's gaze, teasing her.
"I will you know," Emily whispered after a moment, still studying her book. She knew Naomi was looking at her puzzled. "Fuck you. If that's what you want."
Naomi laughed loudly and pulled Emily into a kiss. "I think we're past that stage, Ems," she responded, kissing her girlfriend again. It was then the pair decided to make their way back up to the room of their resort. The rest of the afternoon was spent with the breeze of their open balcony a peaceful balance to their desire for each other as they made love.
…
"Gross," Katie muttered, handing Emily a coffee and shaking her sister from her thoughts. "You're practically glowing, no doubt what you're thinking about."
Emily blushed, "Shut up, Katie."
"Get a poker face, seriously, Emsie," Katie teased. "Naoms still sleeping I see. Being bloody lazy, that one." Emily shook her head and smiled. Leave it to Katie to find a way to make even the worst situation the end of a painfully funny and horrible joke.
"James in class?" Emily inquired and Katie nodded. "Tosser turned into a right gentleman. I guess mum and dad knew what they were doing after all. 'cept for you, of course."
Katie shrugged and smiled, "We Fitches are a team, yeah? I think we all turned out okay, despite mum's horrid cooking." The girls shared a laugh. Emily remembered the last meal she'd shared with her family as a celebration of her internship. Jenna had made a cold watermelon soup that actually wasn't too horrible. The asparagus smoothies for dessert were a right disaster though.
"How are mum and dad?" Emily asked. She hadn't even spoken to them and wasn't even sure if they knew she was back in the country. She couldn't face her mother just yet. Jenna had resigned herself to the idea of Naomily but resignation wasn't the same as acceptance. All three Fitch siblings were eternally grateful for their father and his ability to keep his wife in check when needed.
"How are you?" Katie asked softly, letting her hand fall onto her sister's knee. "Let's not talk about them just yet, yeah?"
Emily gazed nervously at Naomi and looked back to Katie. "I- Katie, I don't know. How am I supposed to be?" Emily didn't want to cry. She couldn't, not with Naomi a few feet away hooked up to machines and fighting against an illness with a ruthless army.
"Scared. Angry. Tired. But I know you, Emsie, and you're mostly just stupid crazy in love with that bitch over there," Katie said. "I know I've not always been Naomi's greatest ally or fan, but I know you love her. She can be a twat, I mean who the fuck gets cancer this young, but I love her too. Especially because she makes you so bloody happy. You bitches are crazy about each other."
Emily heard Naomi mumble and stood up quickly, followed by Katie. "What is it, Naoms?" Emily asked.
"Bitches be crazy," Naomi breathed, eyeing Katie and a devilish grin.
…
The party was dying down. Cook had disappeared, Effy asleep with Karen, and Thomas and Panda were playing a more innocent card game with JJ. Katie watched as Naomi carefully tucked a blanket around Emily's petite frame and smiled. She could tell things would be different now after Naomi's speech.
"Naomi," Katie called softly, not wanting to disturb anyone. Naomi looked up and smiled before starting to tidy around Freddy's shack. Katie moved toward the blonde and tugged at her arm. Naomi was smart enough to follow, sneaking a protective glance back at Emily.
"What is it then, Katie?" Naomi asked once they were a step outside the shed. "Jesus, it's bloody freezing out here."
"The rain," Katie stated matter of factly. "You'll take care of her now, yeah?"
"Eh?"
"You know what I'm asking, Campbell. I need to know that speech wasn't for fireworks and fuck points with my sister. Promise me, you won't hurt her anymore."
"Katie," Naomi said, looking at her feet.
"Well?"
"She's mine, Katie. I'm hers. I always have been, we both know that. She knew it before you and I were ever willing to see the beautiful woman that she is, our Emily."
"Yeah," Katie whispered before narrowing her eyes into the blue ones staring at her nervously, waiting for the twin's blessing. "I'm still watching you, lezzer."
And in that moment, Naomi knew Katie had become more of an ally and less of a raging enemy out to destroy her.
…
The following morning was spent, for the most part, in meetings with James' professor and Naomi's now doctor. They discussed the partial nephrectomy, how this particular procedure was less invasive and involved a greater chance of recovery. Naomi grew tired of the statistics and medical terms she didn't understand. Emily took careful notes to show to James once he was out of classes for the day. As much as she tried, it was nearly impossible to halt her anxiety on Naomi's behalf.
Naomi could sense that Emily was a tad overwhelmed and would squeeze her hand, however feebly, from time to time. It only made Emily hate herself more. Here she was, listening to a doctor talk about a potentially lifesaving yet risky surgery for Naomi, and she was the one being comforted. It was a bit much for her but she stayed strong, just as Effy had urged back in London.
Once back in hospital room, Katie brought in a lunch spread and sat with her sister and Naomi. Katie could tell her sister was knackered yet Naomi seemed restless. She got the odd feeling that Naomi needed to talk and it seemed important that Emily was around.
Christ, Katie thought. Now I'm having twin thoughts with the girlfriend.
"Ems," Katie said softly, touching her sister's arm. "Why don't you go get some rest in a proper bed, yeah? I'll take care of Naoms for you."
Emily, who had lightly dozed off, shook her head in protest. "No, I'm okay. I'll stay."
"Hun," Naomi practically purred. "Please. I promise I'll be alive when you get back, love. You need rest."
"Naomi, that's not funny," Emily said angrily. But she knew they were both right. She stood and stretched before kissing Naomi's cheek. "Just a short nap at James' flat. I'll be two minutes away." Naomi smiled, nodding at Emily who hesitated before grabbing her bag and leaving the room.
"Well?" Katie asked, expectantly. "What's in that brain of yours?"
"My surgery is in three days, Katie."
"So?"
"Katie. I want to marry her. Before, before the surgery. I have to."
Katie's heart jumped in her chest but she contained her composure. With a wicked grin, she said, "Yeah, and?"
"And, you have less than three days to plan your sister's wedding."