A/N: I'm not entirely happy with this chapter, but I've written and rewritten it so many times and I can't seem to get it just right, so I'm going to post it as is!


An hour later and Bernie found herself watching the clock. She'd never been one to wish a shift would go faster, but apparently this was another thing Serena brought out in her. The blonde was still tossing up whether or not to take Morven up on her offer tonight, worried that Serena may be too tired, but at the same time desperate to spend time alone with her when they wouldn't have to hide anything.

She was considering that perhaps she could invite Serena to her flat and just cook for her when the phone on the desk rang. Please don't be Hanssen. "Bernie Wolfe, AAU."

"Hi, Mum." It was Cameron's voice, and he sounded far away.

Bernie pushed herself up in her seat, back straightening. "Cameron! It's lovely to hear from you."

There was an uncomfortable clearing of a throat on the other end of the line before Cameron asked, "Are you busy tonight?"

"We…I umm…no. No." Bernie offered as she glanced at Serena's desk.

"Do you think maybe Charlotte and I could come over for dinner? She wants to talk to you."

"Oh! Is that…well, I mean, that's good. Of course you can." Bernie's free hand scrabbled around the table until she found the piece of paper with her address on. "What-what time?"

"Half past 6? And maybe you could make a roast? Dad's roasts are never as good as yours were."

Bernie glanced at the clock, wondering if she'd have time but dismissing the thought immediately, for she knew she'd do whatever she could to make her children happy. "Of course! Roast it is! I'll see you both at half past 6."

It wasn't until Cameron had hung up that Bernie realised she'd forgotten to ask exactly what Charlotte wanted to talk to her about, and dread took over from the nerves that had begun bubbling inside.

"I might have to strangle that man in bed 5, he's-" Serena began as she entered their office, before frowning. "Are you okay?"

Bernie's head flew up, blonde hair falling into her eyes. It was only for a second that Bernie considered telling her, because she didn't want to add another worry to Serena's life. No, she'd wait until she knew what they had to say before she'd tell her. "Fine. I was ahh…since it's quiet today, I thought I might head home early?"

Serena bit back a smile as she sat down at her desk, because Morven had already broken her promise and told Serena of Bernie's plans. "I'm sure I can manage alone for the next couple of hours."

Throwing a smile across the room, Bernie jumped up and reaching for her bag, blindly pushing things into it as she went through a mental list of the things she'd need for dinner.

"Any particular plans for the night?" Serena asked lightly.

Bernie glanced up and then offered another smile and a shake of her head.

Serena's light smiled faltered then. Still perhaps Bernie was just planning on calling her later after a hasty clean-up of her flat. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow, then."

Bernie nodded this time, and was half way out the door before she rushed back in, giving the stunned brunette a rather forceful kiss on the lips. "Thanks, I needed that." Bernie offered breathlessly before rushing from the office.


Four hours later and Serena sat in Albie's nursing her second glass of shiraz. Straight home after work, she'd changed her outfit and made sure Morven understood exactly what Jason would expect of her. Unwilling to get caught in a discussion with Jason, Serena had headed to Albie's to wait for Bernie's call, and was now fast losing hope of every receiving it.

Maybe Bernie had got what she wanted in the on call room and was no longer interested. No, Bernie's not like that- Serena reminded herself with a sigh. But you didn't think Edward was like that, and look how that turned out. Serena signalled the barman, eager for another drink. Or maybe the glimpse Bernie had had of her body had turned her away? Bernie's not like that! Serena reminded herself sternly, but the following thought made nervousness begin to bubble inside. You would have said the same about Edward at one time.


Bernie looked around her stark flat with a critical eye. Dinner was almost ready, and they'd be here soon, so there was no time to change anything around, and she'd changed things twice already and it wasn't looking any better. Reaching out, she grabbed the bright blanket Serena had given her as a housewarming present and put it over the back of the couch. It would have to do, and it would make her think of Serena which always calmed her thoughts.

But then the doorbell rang and her nervousness was at full blast once more. The deep breath she drew in did little to calm her, and neither did brushing her fingers over serena's blanket.

"Mum?" Came Cameron's voice through the door.

Mum. That's me.

Bernie finally kicked into gear and rushed over the door, pulling it open a little too firmly and looking down, startled, when the knob came off in her hand.

"...Classic Mum."

Charlotte was the first to speak, and when Bernie looked up and found her own nervous smile mirrored back at her, she finally began to relax. It would be okay. I hope.

"Are you going to invite us in?" Cameron finally asked as Bernie just stared.

"Yes! Of course. Sorry." Bernie stepped aside, making a sweeping motion with her arm to welcome them before shutting the door behind them. "S-sorry it's not…It's…well…I don't exactly…"

"It's fine, mum." Cameron finally offered, saving her from herself. "We're not here for the décor, anyway."

"Right. Yes. Sorry."

"…So, can we sit down, or do we have to stand the whole time?" Charlotte questioned.

"Oh! Sorry. Yes, you can sit." Bernie smiled, stepping forward to indicate they could sit on the couch as she sat on the edge of the armchair.

"Is something burning?" Cameron sniffed.

Bernie gave a slight smile. "It was. I tried to make your favourite biscuits, but I got caught up in making gravy and I left them in a little too long."

"Trying to cook favour, as usual." Charlotte mumbled.

"That's not fair, Charlotte." Cameron pointed out.

"It is." Bernie sighed. "I just… when I was home, I tried to give you all the things you were missing out on while I was away. The home cooked meals, the clean rooms, the-"

"We didn't want those things, we just wanted you." Charlotte sighed. "Dad brought us everything we needed, including a nanny and a cleaner who did everything we asked of them. All we wanted from you was a mum."

"And I let you down." Bernie lowered her head. "I'm…I know it's not going to mean anything after all this time, but I really am sorry. I loved you both. I still do. So, so much. But…I wasn't happy, and I used the army as an escape from that."

"Are you happy now?" Cameron asked.

When Bernie lifted her head, she caught sight of Serena's blanket and a small smile pulled at her lips. "I think I am, yes."

"..Are you back with…" Charlotte left the words hanging, and Bernie was so caught up in thinking of Serena that she didn't understand her for a moment.

"…With Alex? No! No. That..that ship sailed a long time ago. It was built on anxiety and heightened senses, and wouldn't have lasted in the real world." Bernie sighed, looking between her two children. "I never meant for either of you to get hurt, please believe that. I didn't want to hurt your father, either. I just…" Bernie sighed, running a hand through her hair.

"You loved who you loved?" Charlotte questioned softly. When Bernie looked up at her through her fringe, Charlotte gave a small smile. "Mum, I don't care that it was with a woman, or that it happened at all, really. We all knew you were unhappy. I just wish you'd..you'd trusted me enough to tell me."

Bernie's anxious eyes glanced towards Cameron before clearing her throat. "Well, perhaps on that note I should tell you about someone…someone I've met."

As Cameron gave a small smile and lowered his head, Charlotte edged forward in her seat. "Serena Campbell?"

"How did-" Bernie began, looking startled before Cameron gave a guilty smile. "Yes. She's…she's a work colleague and…and I am in love with her."

"Does she love you?" Charlotte whispered.

"She thinks the sun shines out of mum's arse." Supplied Cameron. As Charlotte laughed, Bernie tucked some hair behind her ear, giving an embarrassed smile.

"Well, I wouldn't quite go that far. But yes, she…she says she does." Bernie nodded, feeling a blush beginning to creep up her cheeks. "Perhaps one day, you'd like to meet her."

This surprised Charlotte, used to her mother keeping things very private. Maybe she really had changed, like Cameron had said. "I'd love that."

"Right, now that is all out of the way, I'm starving!" Cameron smiled, pushing himself up. "Kitchen this way?"

Bernie nodded, pushing herself up too. "I'm not sure it's going to be as nice as you remembered it, though."

"Nice? Mum, your roasts were terrible!" Charlotte pointed out. When Bernie turned to stare at Cameron, he gave an apologetic smile.

"I must have got them mixed up. Sorry."

"Why don't we all stop with the apologies and see what we can salvage?" Charlotte stood up with a laugh, but as the family headed towards the kitchen, there was a rather loud knock on the door. "Expecting anyone?"

Bernie frowned and shook her head. "It might be the lady from next door. She seems to think I have stolen her cat."

"Did you?" Cameron teased.

"No comment." Bernie smiled as she opened the front door. It was only instinct that made her lift a hand to stop Serena's next knock which would have hit her square in the face. "Serena! What-"

"I know, okay? I just don't see why you didn't just come out and say it!" Serena swayed on the spot as she wrapped her arms protectively around herself.

"Say what? What's happened?" Bernie frowned with concern, reaching out a hand to try and slip the car keys from Serena's clenched fist.

"You..you got what you wanted, and then I'm thrown away! Just like Edward! At least he had the guts to tell me, though. But you did what you do best and you just left and hoped I'd pretend nothing happened." Serena stared angrily up at the blonde, her voice full of hurt, her words slurred with alcohol.

"I don't…Serena, I don't understand. What's happened?" Bernie repeated.

"Morven told me! Morven told me what you had planned, and I waited and waited for your call. But I suppose what you got in the on call room was-"

"Hello, Ms. Campbell." Cameron stepped up to stand beside his mother, and a moment later another face appeared, eyeing Serena curiously.

Serena looked between them, realisation slowly dawning in her eyes. "Oh. Oh god. Shit. I'm…oh god." She shut her eyes tightly, willing herself to wake up and for this all to be a dream.

"I didn't want to add to your worry by telling you my children were coming to dinner.. I-I didn't realise Morven had spoken to you about her offer."

Charlotte watched as her mother reached out to run a gentle hand down the brunette's arm, amazed at how tactile she was being when usually she'd stand back with arms folded. This Serena Campbell must be something special indeed.

"I…I should go." Serena offered, nodding in agreement with herself before she turned away, embarrassment burning on her face.

"Stay." Came an unfamiliar, yet at the same time familiar voice. "Stay." It repeated. "Mum's made, or should I say attempted to make, a roast chicken, and she always cooks as though there's going to be twenty people for dinner." Charlotte understood this woman's hurt, though this time her mother had probably done nothing wrong. She understood what it felt like to love her so much it hurt, and for Bernie to give nothing in return, making the mind go into overdrive.

When Serena glanced back at them, both Cameron and Charlotte gave her a smile, while Bernie continued to stand there looking entirely puzzled by the situation, and concerned about the fact Serena still held her car keys tightly.

"Please." Bernie added, eyes on the keys.

Serena turned to look at her car and then back at the family, looking trapped. Finally, embarrassment still burning, she nodded.