"What's taking you so long?" Heather asked as she waited at the bottom of the stairs for Naya to finish getting ready.
"Perfection takes a little time." Paolo, Naya's make up artist said as he walked down the stairs, smiling at Heather.
Heather shook her head as she stood in her form fitting off white dress. "She always looks perfect."
"And that's why I keep her around." Heather grinned at hearing Naya's voice come from the top of the stairs. Looking up her breath hitched as she took in the woman at the top of the stairs in a black one shoulder Marc Jacobs.
"You are so beautiful."
Naya smiled as she walked down the stairs slowly, being careful not to trip. When she got to the bottom she took a hold of Heather's outstretched hand. "You're mesmerizing and it takes you half the time it takes me to get ready."
Heather just shook her head. "If I argued with you we'd be late so are you ready to go?" Naya nodded as she looped her arm around Heather's. Heather opened the front door for her as they walked down the front steps and got into their limo.
"If you would have told me a year ago I'd even be sitting in a limo with you I would have told said you were nuts but here we are and I couldn't be happier." Naya said causing butterflies to erupt in Heather's stomach.
"I wouldn't want to be sitting here with anyone else." Heather reached over and picked up her hand, placing a soft kiss on the back of it.
Lucky for the them the weather was still relatively nice, winter hadn't set in yet so there was no snow. Most of the ride was quiet, neither woman really knew what to say as they were both nervous. When the limo stopped in front of the long red carpet Naya could see Heather pale. "Hey, look at me." Heather did as Naya said. "It's going to be amazing and they are going to love it, almost as much as I do. Take a deep breath, relax and have some fun. I'll see you in ten minutes and if you get really nervous just do what I do and hit James." Naya smiled and kissed Heather's forehead before giving her a gentle peck on the lips.
As Heather got out of the limo she heard Naya whisper, "I love you," she smiled back at her as Naya's hand that Heather had been holding softly fell out of her grip. Closing the door she looked down the carpet and smiled. She had never loved this side of the business, she had always felt awkward in interviews but she was proud of this movie and she hoped that would come across.
Sure enough ten minutes later as James and Heather were giving interviews the crowds attention shifted as the limo Heather had just gotten out of pulled up again. It was hard for her to focus on her interview when she knew who was getting out of the limo and what she looked like. Closing her eyes for a split second she refocused her attention on the interview she was giving. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Naya step out of the limo. Lucky for her the woman giving the interview turned her attention toward Naya giving Heather the opportunity to look over at her just in time to see her million watt smile.
"So how do you feel about your co-star, it's been awhile since you two have been on glee, what sparked you two being in this movie together?" She heard the interviewer ask.
Taking one last look at Naya she smiled at the woman in front of her. Images of Naya laughing and being a goof entered her mind causing her to smile. "Naya's amazing, she's an incredible actress with so much talent. No matter what it is she gives a 110 percent and I've always loved working with her. When were casting her name was the first one that I mentioned, she has a history of doing great work and she's a great friend. The part fits her perfectly and I couldn't imagine anyone else playing that role."
"You two certainly have great chemistry even after all these years." It wasn't a question but a statement.
"Thank you, hopefully that goes over well with audiences." Heather laughed as thanked the woman and moved down the carpet.
Once everyone was inside getting to their seats Naya decided to take the opportunity to freshen up in the washroom. She stood looking into the mirror as she felt her hands start to shake. She was definitely nervous, and if she was being honest she wasn't nervous about the movie, she truly thought that it was amazing, she was nervous because she didn't know what this would mean for her and Heather. A lot of people say things about not caring about what others think about their sexuality but they don't really mean it. It's just a way of making everyone feel as though you're on their side. Naya was one of the rare few that actually didn't care what anyone else thought.
A few minutes later she was back in her seat, sitting next to Heather as the lights began to dim. Her heart sped up and her she got a warm feeling in her stomach, it wasn't like her to be this way at a premiere but the weight of it seemed to be sitting on her chest. She barely looked at Heather through the first half of the movie. She tried to focus on watching what was going on and taking in peoples reactions. Naya was staring at a few critics trying to gage their reactions when she felt soft skin brush over her hand and before she knew it her hand was starting to warm up. She hadn't even noticed that she was cold until warm fingers intertwined with hers sending a wave of butterflies through her stomach. She would probably never understand the way Heather made her feel but she couldn't complain.
Looking over at Heather even in the dark she could see the girls smile. Leaning over she kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear, "I'd risk everything for you." With that she turned around to focus on the movie. She wasn't sure why she said it but she was glad she did as she felt Heather squeeze her hand a little. A good sign that what she had just said affected Heather the same way that the handhold had affected Naya.
Later that night after the after party Naya found herself sitting in her living room in a onesie channel surfing. She had barely gotten to speak to Heather all night with them both being pulled in different directions, being hounded by questions. Not once had either of them said that they were dating. As much as Naya had wanted to she felt as though that wasn't her place. She felt that when Heather was ready to tell people she would and the last thing she wanted to do was push Heather away so she didn't say anything either.
Naya had washed the makeup off her face, taken a quick shower and her hair was now a mess but she didn't care. This was her other side and she wasn't expecting anyone to see it or care after having such a long day. As if on que she heard the door open and the sound of paws on the hardwood floor. When Maurice didn't bark she figured it was just Dianna coming over to borrow some milk or sugar for her coffee.
She stopped channel surfing when she saw that E! Hollywood was on. Maybe it was fates way of sticking it to her but they aired a video of both her and Heather on the red carpet being interviewed. She wished she could remember doing the interview but the night had been such a blur that everything seemed to mix into one.
"How does a gorgeous lady like yourself not have a boyfriend?"
Naya laughed with a little wink. "You know what they say, thirty flirty and thriving."
Cringing at the sound of her own voice she leaned back onto the couch. It was then that she felt the soft kiss on her head. "How come you didn't tell them you weren't single?"
"Heather." She turned around with a slight smile as her girlfriend moved around to the other side of the couch and sat down pulling Naya's legs up onto her lap.
"Why didn't you?"
"Keep watching." Was all Heather said before smiling and looking towards the tv. Sure enough just as she said it Heather appeared on screen. Only this time it wasn't on the red carpet it was at the after party they had attended.
"You and Naya have undeniable chemistry and you always have so how did you translate that chemistry onto the big screen?"
"When you love someone people can sense it, so I don't think we had to try, it just sort of works you know? We have great chemistry on and off screen."
The interviewer nodded with a large grin. "Are you saying that you aren't only a couple on screen anymore?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
Heather took the remote out of Naya's hand and turned the tv off as she smiled at the look of disbelief on Naya's face. "You aren't the reckless one anymore, I am."
"Did you just say what I think you said?"
"That I'm the reckless one now, yes I did."
Naya shook her head, her mouth still slightly agape. "No I mean about us in the interview."
"Depends on what you think I said. If you think I said that you and I are dating then yes, yes I did. I don't want to hide anymore and if I have to scream it from the rooftops then so be it."
Pushing herself up Naya straddled Heather's lap and rested her hands gently on Heather's cheeks as she leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "I love you." She whispered mid kiss.
"I love you too."
"Are you sure this is what you want?" Naya asked still scared of Heather leaving.
"I'm 30 years old, I'm not a kid anymore. I know what I want and it's you."
Naya laughed, their foreheads still pressed together. "I wrote two albums about you."
Heather smiled, the butterflies yet again erupting in her stomach with final hearing Naya admit that she was writing those songs about her. "Yeah well I wrote a movie about you."
"Mmm, that you did." Naya closed the distance between them and kissed Heather yet again.
"Upstairs?" Heather asked as she let her hands wander down to the small of Naya's back.
"Upstairs."
Moving her hands a little lower, Heather ran her finger tips up Naya's back under her shirt as she stood up, making sure she had a good grip on the woman that had been sitting on her lap.
By the time they got to the stairs Naya's shirt was on the floor and by the time they made it up the stairs Heather's shirt was lying on the steps. When they got to Naya's bedroom Heather fumbled for the door handles as Naya peppered her neck with feather light kisses that were driving her crazy. As if she had always known her way around Naya's house Heather effortless laid her down on the bed. Straddling her lap Heather moved back so she could look at Naya, softly brushing her hair back as she leaned down to kiss Naya's collar bone and then her pulse point.
Naya's hands trailed up and down Heather's back before finally stopped at her bra clasp. Looking up at the woman of her dreams she waited until Heather nodded before undoing it. Tossing it aside she kissed Heather's bare shoulder as she felt the other woman's hands slip around to her back and do the same thing.
Next Afternoon
Heather had had to leave so that she could run a few errands and feed Zach, leaving Naya alone with her thoughts. She sat on the stool of her kitchen island, a warm mug of coffee held between both hands as she looked out at Maurice playing in the backyard. Last night had been amazing and more than she ever could have dreamt of. Certainly more than she had ever actually dreamt of and she wouldn't change it for the world. The way their bodies moved, not knowing where one person stopped and the other started. They spent the morning cuddling and watching cartoons, dreading the moment when they'd have to get back to the real world.
She was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't hear the door open and close or the footsteps walking down the hall. "Hi darling." Dianna said as she walked towards the coffee pot and started to pour herself a cup. As soon as Naya turned around to respond Dianna set the coffee pot down. "Holy crap! You two totally got it on last night!"
"What? Why would you say that?"
"Naya Rivera I know you like the back of my own hand and I know when you get some action."
"Who got action?" Jenna asked as she and Lea appeared in the kitchen.
"Does my house have a revolving door or something?" Naya questioned as she looked back and forth between three sets of eyes.
Lea shook her head. "Oh my god! You and Heather totally had sex last night!"
Taking another hard look at her friend Jenna nodded. "You absolutely need. Was it as good as you thought it'd be, I bet it was good Heather is a dancer after all."
Shaking her head Naya looked away from her friends and down at her mug. Her cheeks now turning crimson from embarrassment. "Yes we did can we get over it now."
"No, now we want details!" Lea pushed Dianna out the way and finished pouring everyone coffee.
"You aren't getting them, a lady never tells."
Jenna rolled her eyes and sat down next to Naya. "Okay but you at least have to tell us how good it was."
Naya looked out the window again and thought for a moment. She started a sentence but stopped, then started and stopped. "That good?" Dianna asked from where she was leaning onto the island. All Naya could do was nod making them all laugh hysterically.
"It's about time!" Lea, Jenna and Dianna said in unison.
December 3rd
It had been months since the release of the movie and people were still talking about it, how amazing it was and how amazing the real life love story was and the way a movie brought two people back together after years apart.
It was snowing lightly as Heather and Naya walked hand in hand through the park. They both held their skates over their shoulders as they made their way towards the rink.
"No breaking your ankle this time okay?" Heather smiled as she knelt down in front of the bench Naya was sitting on to tie up her skates.
"Then don't run into me."
They spent the next two hours skating around and enjoying each other's company. With their schedules it sometimes got hectic so it was nice to let loose and be normal.
"I'm freezing, let's go somewhere and warm up, maybe get a coffee?" Heather asked as they moved towards a bench.
"Sounds perfect, I know just the place."
After half and hour of walking Naya smiled and leaned into Heather's arm. "Really Nay ice cream?"
"And coffee."
"We're supposed to be warming up." Heather laughed as she held the door open for her girlfriend.
"We can do plenty of that later for now we deserve dessert."
As they sat and ate their ice cream Heather couldn't help but notice that Naya was awfully quiet. "What's wrong love, it seems like something is on your mind?"
Taking a deep breath Naya looked up and smiled. "I know we haven't been together for that long, or well officially together but it feels like we were never apart. It feels like we've been together forever and nothing in the world can keep us apart. I love you more than I ever thought was possible and I'm learning everyday that that love grows a little bit more. Basically what I'm trying to say is, or what I'm trying to ask you is, will you move in with me?"
After the last words left her mouth Naya looked down at her ice cream, it wasn't like her to be so nervous but when she was Heather found it endearing. Reaching across the table she gently raised Naya's chin. "I would love to move in with you."
"Really?"
Heather nodded and kissed the backs of Naya's hand. "Really."
One Month Later
Jenna, Lea and Dianna stood outside sipping on their coffees as they watched Naya and Heather dance around their living room. There were a few boxes scattered amongst the room that Heather gracefully moved them around without ever realizing that they were being watched.
"It's crazy that a year ago we were plotting for this moment and we had almost nothing to do with it." Jenna said almost disappointed that they hadn't been able to do more but thankful that it all seemed to work itself out.
Dianna nodded with a smile. "Love is an accident waiting to happen for all the right reasons."
Inside Heather and Naya had sat down on the couch cuddling together with Heather's leg draped over Naya's lap. "Do they think we're blind and can't see them?" She asked as both her and Heather laughed.
"I think so, and I've had this sneaking suspicion that they were up to something for a long time, now I know what it was, they wanted us to make lady babies."
"Lady babies?"
Heather nodded. "Yep, we better get to it."
"Actually I have a better idea." Naya laughed at the questioning look Heather gave her as if to ask 'what could be better?' "I think it's time we helped fate along ourselves, it seems like there are two people standing out there that have it bad."
Heather grinned mischievously. "I think I like where you're going with this. What goes around comes around."
"Exactly, operation get Achele together is in full affect."
"I love the way you think." Winking Heather leaned up and kissed Naya, first on her lips then her nose before laying back down.
Later that night
"Nay?"
"Yes love?" Naya asked from where her head was laying on Heather's chest.
"I can't see the apartment."
"Why is everything okay?" Naya moved to sit up, worried.
Heather chuckled softly. "Everything is perfect, it's just it was our first New York place and I couldn't separate from it."
Naya smiled and laid her head back down. She had been having a hard time trying to let go of the apartment but she hadn't wanted to admit that to Heather because by law the apartment wasn't hers anymore. "I think you're right."
After kissing the top of Naya's head Heather looked at their bed and smiled. Maurice and Zach were curled up on the end of the bed as if this was always the way it was meant to be. "That apartment was a fortunate accident and it is one I never want to let go of because it brought me back to you."
"Something will always bring me back to you."
The END
