As they made their way to the restaurant for their reservation both of them felt differently than they had done earlier in the evening. Bea really did feel like a huge heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders, she felt her whole body relax, knowing Debbie knew about her new romance and she seemed happy enough about the whole thing was more than she imagined. She's been through her daughter's reaction a thousand times and very rarely did she ever let herself believe that the outcome would be positive. It had terrified her because if Debbie wasn't happy, there might have been only one option after that and after experiencing new levels of happiness, there's no way she wanted to have to surrender it.

Allie was just relieved more than anything else. For weeks, she sensed the redhead was scared about Debbie's reaction to their relationship and truth be told, she was too. For so long it had only been the two of them and now, it could change, it was changing and it was changing because of her. The young brunette's feelings came first for Bea, Allie would never have questioned that and that's why she had been nervous. She was quite aware what a bad reaction from the teenager would mean for herself and the older woman but thankfully that didn't seem to be anywhere on the horizon.

Arriving at the Italian, it was quite clear the place was packed full of people and despite booking a table, they were made to wait an extra ten minutes, something Allie wasn't particularly happy about, something Bea found quite amusing as they took their seats at the bar.

"I didn't know you could throw such a strop," she giggled, nudging the blonde playfully, almost gaining a smile back.

"I'm not throwing a strop. I booked a table for a reason. I just wanted tonight to be perfect,"

"And it will be, so don't worry," grazing her fingers along Allie's knee, she leaned in, lightly pressing her lips to her cheek, the younger woman relaxing almost instantly. "That's better, I love when you smile,"

"You're good at making that happen,"

Eventually, both woman were directed across to their table, the waiter apologising once then twice for the hold up previously. Bea smiled it off as they sat down, accepting the drink and food menu before they placed their wine order, the bottle and both glasses arriving five minutes later. Allie took it upon herself to do the honour of pouring.

"I've never eaten in a place like this before," Bea confessed quietly, leaning over the table slightly, gently clasping the blonde's hand before resting them together on the table. "It's full of suits and that woman over there has looked over here twice, it's like we shouldn't be here, like we're out of place or something,"

"Well, we aren't," Allie corrected, looking over her shoulder towards the older woman who was still staring firmly in their direction, a look of disgust on her face. The blonde aimed a smirk at her, resting her gaze back on the redhead's. "Just ignore her, she can fuck off. The only reason she's in here knocking back the expensive wine like no tomorrow is because she's married to the money,"

"Would you ever do that?"

"Do what?"

"Marry someone based on their wealth,"

"Fuck no," she answered rapidly. "Someone's inner beauty is much more important to me,"

"Really?"

"Really," she repeated with a nod, her thumb tracing over the same spot on the redhead's hand, the point of contact between the two woman in full view of everyone sitting around them, not that either cared, not that anyone cared really, except the odd few predictable sour faces. "This whole room is full of people with huge bank balances and expensive suits, yet I feel like the richest, luckiest woman in the World and that's because I'm walking out of here and going back to yours later. I'd take that over any amount of money any day,"

"Wow," not for the first time, Bea felt her cheeks glow, the younger woman questioning why she seemed so surprised at what she'd just said. "I think that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me,"

"Plenty more where that came from,"

"I'm really not sure what to order," she pondered a few short minutes later, both still trying to decide from the menu. "There's so many choices here,"

"Take your time, there's no rush,"

Bea didn't really need to admit that she hadn't done this before, it was obvious. At the beginning, she seemed a little self conscious and Allie caught her glancing around the room once or twice. She'd relaxed a lot more since, although, even the smallest of tasks, like choosing the food from the menu was proving to be a bit challenging. As much as she adored Italian food, Bea had never seen such an extensive menu before and she felt spoilt for choice.

Eventually they placed their order. Bea opting for the Sicilian chicken, whilst the blonde rather predictably chose her favourite pasta dish. With the restaurant only opening a fortnight ago, the place was packed from table to table and Allie was glad she'd booked when she had done. They chatted over another glass of wine each, the food arriving just over an hour later.

After clearing her plate and tasting some of the younger woman's meal, Bea sat back fully in her chair, placing her hand lightly on her stomach whilst puffing her cheeks.

"I was going to suggest looking at the dessert menu," Allie began with a smirk. "But I think I already know the answer to that,"

"I don't think I could eat anything else," she chuckled. The food was delicious, up there with the best she'd ever eaten but she was certain she couldn't squeeze in another bite.

"Well, I ain't surprised, you did eat some of mine too,"

"Sorry about that,"

"Don't be," Allie hushed. "I'm only teasing. So, as dates go, what would you rate it out of ten?"

"I wasn't aware the night was over yet," Bea's eyes glistened, the flutter in the blonde's stomach taking over her. There's no way she wanted tonight to be over.

"It doesn't have to be. We can go anywhere you want,"

"I want to go home," the redhead whispered low, her gaze never leaving Allie's, who was close to biting down on her bottom lip, almost as if to stop her from saying something. "And I want you to come with me,"

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," Allie responded, calling for the bill straight after, it arriving in front of them ten minutes later. Bea picked it up first, about to go looking in her bag. "What are you doing?"

"I'm paying half," she answered, placing her purse on the table. "It's only fair,"

"No, not at all. I'm not letting you do that,"

"Allie,"

"No arguments," Allie said firmly, pushing Bea's money back towards her before pulling out her own credit card. "This was my treat, so it's on me, it's my rule,"

"I drank more wine than you and even stole some of your food,"

"I'm not even listening. Anyway, it's paid now,"

"Well, next time it's on me, alright?"

"Deal,"

It was just after 10pm when they arrived back at the redhead's, the whole place in darkness. Both of them attempted to be as quiet as possible, respecting the fact Debbie was more than likely asleep in her bedroom. It was her final exam tomorrow afternoon and the young Smith wanted a full decent nights sleep beforehand. Locking the front door, Bea wandered into the kitchen, grabbing two bottles of water from the fridge before she led the blonde upstairs.

As soon as the bedroom door clicked shut and Bea placed the water down on the side table, she closed the gap between their bodies and pulled Allie close for a deep, passionate kiss. She'd been desperate to do that pretty much the whole evening and could barely hold out much longer.

"What was that for?" She asked, resting her forehead on Bea's as they parted reluctantly.

"No reason,"

"I may need to borrow those amazing pyjama's again,"

"Don't," she whispered, ghosting her lips over the younger woman's who leant forward, stealing another quick peck. "I want to feel you next to me tonight,"

"Are you sure?"

Bea nodded her head simply. As silly as it might have sounded to some, it was another step forward for the older woman. They'd had sex on several occasions now but afterwards she was so self conscious, she'd hurry to cover herself up in some way. It was another way Harry damaged her, he made sure she lost any confidence she ever had about herself by draining it out of her bit by bit. Allie had picked up on it before, how the redhead would always be so eager to pull on her nightwear again after they had been together. She knew the reason but she never approached the subject.

Peeling off her clothes, Bea climbed under the sheets as Allie freshened up in the bathroom. After cleaning her face and brushing her teeth, the blonde slipped into bed, her body radiating towards the redhead's naked form. It felt nice, holding her so close like this, the older woman settling down, resting her head on the younger woman's shoulder, the light feeling of Allie's fingers tracing over her exposed skin.

"I had a really good night tonight, thank you,"

"You're welcome," Allie replied, smiling to herself when she picked up on the happiness in Bea's tone of voice. "How do you feel now, about Debbie knowing about us?"

"I feel ok," she nodded in unison with her answer. "It feels so good knowing I don't have to keep things from her anymore and I'm glad we don't have to sneak around now,"

"We were apparently quite bad at that anyway," she laughed, Bea's light laughter tickling her neck, where she'd nuzzled into. "I thought we were doing well,"

"So did I. I sometimes forget how observant that girl is,"

"Yeah," Allie mused quietly. "I was scared we'd have to stop all this, that I wouldn't be able to see you again,"

"Me too but she sees how happy I am and I am happy, I can't remember if there was ever a time I felt so at ease with someone,"

"I like that,"

"Me too. Oh, before I forget, have you got any plans Saturday?"

"I don't think so, why do you ask?" She wondered aloud.

"Franky has invited us over for the night, I said I'd check with you first, to make sure you didn't have plans already,"

"No, that sounds great," she grinned, kissing the redhead's temple lightly. Bea's friends meant a lot to her and the fact she was being so welcomed into the group meant a lot to Allie. Franky was great, her sense of humour was out there and she was the biggest flirt the blonde had ever met but she cared so deeply about Bea and it meant a lot to the younger woman to build up friendships with those close to the redhead.

"What's this scar from?" The redhead asked suddenly, her index finger lightly running along the length of the mark she'd never noticed before just below the younger woman's elbow.

"Oh that, it happened years ago," she said casually, enjoying the gentle touch of Bea's fingertips on her skin. "Guess I shouldn't have climbed that tree after all. Have you got any?"

"Just one," Bea's voice was barely a whisper as she turned around in bed, baring her back to the blonde, a four inch scar showing. She'd always managed to hide it, considering where it was, it was always easy to. It was the main reason she was always so quick to cover up her body after being with Allie. "Harry burnt me with a hot iron one night,"

"Fuck," Allie cursed loudly, her stomach churning. "I'm sorry Bea, I didn't mean to drag all this back up for you,"

"It's ok, I hate it though, it's horrible,"

"Nothing about you is horrible," she whispered, Bea almost ready to turn around before she felt the softness of the younger woman's lips kiss along the length of the mark that branded her body. She clenched her eyes shut tight, sure tears would fall rapidly if she didn't. "I think this is a sign of your strength to be honest,"

"You're just saying that,"

"Hey," Allie hushed, turning the redhead around to face her properly, she ran her thumb along the older woman's cheek. "I'm not just saying it. What he did to you, that would have finished so many people. Yet here you are, you're the most amazing, kind hearted, strong, beautiful person I've ever known,"

"I couldn't let him finish me off, not when I had Debbie, if I didn't have her to focus on, I probably wouldn't be here now,"

"You do know, no one will ever hurt you again, don't you?" She was adamant, her voice stern as she locked her gaze with Bea's, a vulnerable look glazing over her face. "Not whilst I'm around, I'd kill anyone who even so much as thought about it,"

"My own personal superhero huh?"

"I won't say no to a title like that," they both laughed, Allie losing her fingers in Bea's soft red curls before leaning forward, placing a gentle yet brief kiss on her mouth. "Get some sleep, babe, you're knackered and I'll still be here in the morning, I'm not going anywhere,"

A few hours had passed and despite the redhead sleeping soundly next to her, Allie had a couple of hours of broken sleep and unusually couldn't quite settle. After laying still for twenty minutes or more, she quietly and carefully, snuck away from Bea's embrace and crept downstairs, almost silently entering the kitchen, jumping back when she noticed a tired looking Debbie sat at the table, her head buried in a book before she looked up.

"Shit. Sorry, I didn't think you'd be awake," she stayed in the doorway, unsure on whether to enter the room fully and make her drink or just turnaround and go back to bed, not wanting to disturb the younger woman.

"I can't sleep, trying to get some extra revision in for tomorrow," she raised her revision book in the air, placing it back down before stifling a tired yawn. "I guess you can't sleep either,"

"Not really, no. I just came down for a drink," Allie helped herself to some fresh water, watching Debbie focus hard on the text in front of her before she seemed to give up.

"There's stronger stuff than that in the front room if you fancy it,"

"Water is fine, thank you,"

"Did you and Mum have a good time tonight?"

"It was nice," She answered, smiling that Debbie seemed eager to take an interest which relaxed the blonde immensely. At first, she feared it might have been awkward but the brunette was making it easy so she stuck around for a few minutes longer, instead of running straight back to the comforts of Bea's bedroom. "You sure you're ok with all this?"

"It's a shock, I won't lie and say it isn't but I like you and Mum clearly bloody does, she's been behaving like a teenager for the last few weeks," she laughed lightly. "I want to ask you a lot of stuff,"

"You can ask me anything you want to,"

"I will but not tonight, it's past 2am, I need to sleep and you should probably get back to Mum before she wakes up and sends out a search party,"

"I'll head back up in two minutes," she promised as Debbie gathered her things and vacated the table, wishing the older blonde goodnight before she disappeared upstairs. Allie sat in her own silence for five more minutes before she made the same journey upstairs, quietly sinking back into bed next to the still deeply sleeping redhead.

thank you for taking time to leave such wonderful reviews, they inspire me to keep writing for guys.