Warnings and Disclaimer in Chapter 1. Enjoy.
The next few days were tense. Kara quickly caught up to her sister and flew them back to the house, but everyone could tell something had happened. Kara was obviously worried but wouldn't say what happened. And when Eliza finally drove back to the house they could tell she knew but wasn't saying either. She forced cheerfulness as she went about her days, proving to be a perfect hostess. Alex either stayed up in her room or outside. She barely interacted with any of them the first night, but she slowly started letting them back in. Everyone except her mother.
As Eliza's birthday drew nearer, the house became overcrowded with guests. This helped relieve the tension somewhat. J'onn arrived the day before. He pulled Alex aside, but couldn't get anything out of her either. He then tried Kara but dropped it after she told him it was a family thing.
The day of the party dawned bright and clear. Family and friends from all over were converging on the small beach house. They rented several large tents which provided shade in the hot afternoon sun. Everyone was having a wonderful time. Even Alex and Eliza were able to talk briefly. It was very formal, much like they would before Kara came out as Supergirl and everything was out in the open, but it was a start. The party lasted well into the night, with people eventually crashing wherever they could find a spot.
The next morning everyone was moving slowly. The party crashers eventually made it home, and by midafternoon all of the party guests were on their way back home, except for her daughters and their friends.
"When are you all leaving?" Eliza asked as she brought out a pitcher of lemonade. Kara quickly followed with the cups. They were gathered around a picnic table, enjoying the shady pavilions, which wouldn't be removed for a couple of days, and playing various board games that Eliza had around the house.
"The day after tomorrow," J'onn answered politely as he watched James bump Winn back to start for the third time in a row. "Why? Are you trying to get us out of your hair faster?" Winn looked up.
"You want us to leave?" he asked. He had been alone since he was a teenager and had absolutely craved the kind of family life Eliza provided.
"Of course not Winn," she said, rubbing his shoulder reassuringly. "But I thought you'd all be biting at the bit to get back there. Especially that one." She pointed a finger at Alex. Alex shrugged.
"Maybe this did do me some good after all," she said, glancing shyly at Maggie. Maggie narrowed her eyes suspiciously, but before she could comment Kara jumped in.
"Well, I know I love getting away from the city whenever I can."
"Since when?" James asked as he moved one of his pieces home. "I have it on good authority you have never taken a vacation since Cat hired you."
"Of course I have," she started, only to realize what she was saying. "Whenever she did."
"And when was that?" Winn asked. Kara sagged.
"This last year in a yurt," she said unconvincingly. She sighed. "Okay. Maybe we all work too much."
"Or maybe we all just needed a break," Maggie said, interlocking her fingers with Alex. "It's been a pretty rough year." With her free hand she reached out to Kara, who gratefully smiled and took it. "For all of us." Everyone nodded.
"When you are all done with the game, I have some pies cooling inside," Eliza said.
"Fresh baked pies?" Winn asked, looking at the game. He and James were the only ones still playing. "I surrender," he said, knocking his pieces over. James immediately agreed, grabbing the box and tipping all the pieces back in. Within minutes they were following Eliza inside. "You wouldn't happen to have made a chocolate pecan pie?" Winn asked hopefully. Eliza smiled at him.
"I actually made two," she said as everyone headed into the kitchen. Or almost everyone. "Alex?" she asked when her oldest headed to the stairs instead of the kitchen.
"You go ahead," she motioned to the kitchen where everybody was waiting for her. "I'm actually pretty tired. I'm just gonna crash."
"Is this about earlier?" Eliza asked. Alex's breath hitched, but she shook her head.
"The family just really wore me out," she admitted. Eliza watched her for a minute before nodding. She entered the kitchen just as J'onn started cutting into the pies. Kara started dishing out plates. Eliza took a slice of apple pie and headed up the stairs.
"Alex?" She knocked quietly on the door.
"Come in," came the muffled response. Eliza opened the door slowly, surprised to find Alex had changed and was already in bed.
"I brought you some pie," she said, placing the plate on her dresser. "You can eat it later, if you want."
"Thanks mom," Alex said before pulling the blankets up to her chin. Eliza came and sat down on the side of the bed. She reached over and pushed back some of her hair which had gotten loose.
"Are you sure you're okay with what happened earlier?" Alex sighed.
"I really don't want to talk about that," she said. "I can't. I don't even want to think about it."
"I know it's not fair to you, or your sister, finding out like that. We were trying to find a way to tell you." Alex sighed.
"He doesn't have a phone wherever he's at?" Eliza smiled and began running her fingers through her eldest's hair.
"He cares about you so much sweetie," she said. Alex sighed.
"I know," she admitted, "and I care about him too. All I want to do is wrap my arms around him and never let go, but I can't because the last time he betrayed us. Betrayed me. And as much as I want to trust him, I just can't. Not yet."
"He knows," she reassured her daughter. "He also knows he screwed up. He's willing to go as slowly as necessary with you. And Kara." Alex nodded.
"I just," she started, "I need time to think. I need to sort it all out myself before I even think about trying to reconcile with him." Eliza nodded.
"I understand. And so does he." She leaned over lightly kissed Alex on the forehead. "Get some sleep." Alex nodded and closed her eyes, snuggling in with the blankets more securely. She fell asleep almost immediately. Eliza watched her for a few minutes before leaving the room, nearly running into Kara who was waiting impatiently by the door.
"She's just really nervous," Kara said quietly. Eliza looked up.
"Why would she be nervous?" Eliza asked.
"About tomorrow," Kara whispered. Eliza looked confused, so Kara pointed to her ring finger. Understanding filled her eyes.
"Aww," she said knowingly. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Well," Kara said quietly, "I kinda promised I would fly a picnic out there for her, and I don't think Maggie would be impressed if they both got food poisoning."
"I'll see what I can come up with," Eliza said, wrapping an arm around Kara and leading her back downstairs. "I'll cook. You deliver." Kara nodded enthusiastically as they rejoined the group.
"Is everything okay?" Maggie asked as soon as they got back down. "Alex?"
"Is sleeping," Eliza told her. "Family reunions are exhausting and she's still recovering. I took her up some pie."
"I'll try to keep someone away from it," Maggie grinned, looking right at Kara. She held up her hands.
"I cannot be held accountable for my actions when there is an abandoned piece of pie being neglected."
"Of course sweetie," Eliza said as everyone laughed. She also handed Kara a plate with three pieces on it.
"You sure you're up for this Danvers?" Maggie asked as they slowly followed the road away from the house. "Considering you were asleep by eight last night."
"I was tired from the reunion," Alex answered absently. "Besides, this is our last night here. I want to show you something really special."
"Something so special that we need to hike to?" Maggie asked.
"Hike really isn't the right word," Alex tried again. "Maybe a better word would be stroll."
"A five-mile stroll?" Maggie teased. Alex nodded.
"With just a small hiking part at the end," Alex added. "Trust me, it's worth it."
"If you say so," Maggie said, grabbing her hand so they were walking side by side. Alex grinned and squeezed. "Just don't go getting tired and expecting me to carry you."
"That thought never crossed my mind, Sawyer," Alex said, picking up the pace a little as the road evened out. Soon they were at the start of the trail. They had to let go of each other, but they still made good time. Even while taking plenty of breaks. It was during one of those breaks that Maggie rounded on Alex.
"I take it the hard part is about to start?" she asked, looking ahead. The smooth trail suddenly got steep.
"Just for about forty feet or so," Alex said, panting slightly. She took another swig of her water bottle, watching Maggie do the same. She was finding the hike a bit more demanding than she thought it should be, which irritated her to no end. She was better, damn it, she shouldn't be getting her butt kicked by a walking trail.
"I'm sure if you asked, Kara would just fly you over here," Maggie said, taking a seat next to Alex. Alex shook her head.
"She's busy," she said, just as something streaked overhead. Maggie looked up automatically, recognizing Kara flying through the air easily. She looked back to Alex, who blushed. "Busy delivering your surprise," she said weakly.
"Oh?" Maggie asked when a second later she streaked back. "Am I going to like it?"
"I hope you're going to love it," Alex smiled at her, leaning in for a kiss. Maggie pulled away after a minute.
"Well, we better get to it then," she said, pulling Alex to her feet. "I hate to sound like a cliché, but how much further?"
"Not too far," Alex said as she led the way. Maggie was glad she was behind her girlfriend. This gentle stroll was anything but gentle for Alex and she was afraid she would actually fall on the steeper part. She moved as close as possible, just in case. "Once we climb this part the trail evens out again. Then it's another hundred feet or so to the clearing. You're going to love it."
"I better," Maggie warned. "I don't do nature for just anybody you know." Alex smiled than turned her attention to the suddenly steep climb. It was obvious Alex had made this trek several times. She knew exactly where to step and where the handhelds were, although Maggie thought some of those handhelds looked a little to manufactured. By the time they reached the top Alex was breathing heavily.
"Want to stop?" Maggie asked, wrapping her arm around her lover's waist. Alex shook her head.
"It's pretty even from this point on. I'll be able to catch my breath." Maggie nodded, not moving her arm just in case. They walked for another few minutes before Maggie started to see the trees thin.
"Oh my God," Maggie exclaimed when the clearing finally came into view. She quickly lowered Alex onto one of the logs surrounding the fire pit, giving her a chance to catch her breath while Maggie looked around her in wonder. "It's beautiful."
"It's got nothing on you," Alex said from her seat. Maggie blushed and headed back to her girlfriend. "I've been coming here since I was five. My parents used to bring me. This is where they taught me the stars, taught me about the forest and the world. When I was eight I started coming up here on my own. I would do my homework or read a book or just think. It was one of the first places I shared with Kara." Alex stood and moved closer to Maggie. "And now I've shared it with you."
"It's amazing," Maggie agreed. Alex smirked.
"Just wait till sunset," she said, looking around the clearing for the supplies her sister brought.
"Sunset?" Maggie sounded confused, until she saw Alex unfurl a large blanket. She saw the picnic basket next to it. "Are we having a sunset dinner?"
"Yep," Alex said, as she started to unload dish after dish. "And, before you ask, Kara had no part in cooking these. These are all mom."
"These look delicious," Maggie said as she helped set up their picnic, "but how are we going to get back home in the dark? It might be an easy trail, but even I know better than to go hiking at night."
"We're not," Alex grinned. "We're sleeping under the stars tonight."
"What?" Maggie asked before she saw the rest of the blankets piled underneath one of the trees. She smiled. "You're really turning on the charm Danvers."
"I'm trying to work on spontaneous acts of romance," she said, laughing slightly. Maggie looked at her thoughtfully. "Now come on. Let's eat before it gets cold." Maggie nodded and they both got comfortable on the blanket. They took turns eating and feeding each other, with mini makeout sessions throughout the afternoon. The sun continued to sink, bathing the sky in glorious pink and orange colors. It was one of the most amazing sunsets either of them had ever seen. Finally, they were both full, laying on the blanket watching the sun sink closer to the horizon.
"This was amazing Alex," Maggie said, kissing her deeply. "You didn't have to do this."
"You're worth it," Alex said, brushing her hand against her pocket. "You're worth more than this."
"Alex?" Maggie started, but Alex held up a hand. Alex glanced at the sun for a second before focusing on Maggie again.
"You're amazing Maggie. You're beautiful, and smart, and tough, and perfect. I know I haven't been out long, and I've never been with anyone else but you, but I don't need to try other women to know I've found the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. And I know we haven't known each other very long, but I knew as soon as I saw you that I would always want you in my life. I just didn't know how then, but I do now." She took a breath then pulled herself into a kneeling position. Maggie was crying, totally caught off guard at what was happening. "I love you, Maggie Sawyer, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." She fumbled in her pocket, pulling out a box. With trembling hands, she opened it up, holding it towards Maggie. The ring inside put the entire sunset to shame. "Will you marry me?"
"Yes," Maggie barely was able to voice her response. Alex smiled and pulled out the ring. "Oh God yes," she whispered as Alex slid the ring on her finger. She pulled Alex to her, their mouths crashing together as she pulled her girlfriend back to the ground. The heavy makeout session continued for another hour until the sun had truly set and it was getting so dark they couldn't see.
"They're should be some flashlights in the basket," Alex told her, breathing heavily. Maggie reached over and pulled one out, quickly turning it on. She quickly pointed it towards Alex. "Shine it over there and I can start a fire," Alex said jumping to her feet.
"Start a fire?" Maggie teased, pointing it toward the kindling. "Next you're going to say you were a Girl Scout." She expected a teasing retort and felt the sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach return when none came. Frowning, she turned back to her girlfriend, shining the light on Alex. She knew immediately that something was wrong.
Alex was standing, swaying gently, but she had gone completely rigid. There was a stream of blood trickling from her nose, running down her face and dripping off her chin. Her eyes were wide, but she wasn't looking at anything that Maggie could see. "Alex?" Maggie asked hesitantly, reaching out to her lover. Without warning Alex fell, her body hitting hard and jerking uncontrollably. Maggie was by her side in an instant, wanting to help but not knowing how. She pulled her phone from her pocket, but there was no signal. She looked around her for anything that could help. She grabbed a blanket and thrust it under Alex's head, shielding it from the worst of the seizure as best she could. Helpless, she looked to the water. Eliza's house was somewhere on the shores. With no other way to help, she took a deep breath and screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Kara!"