Debbie and Mia enter the room fifteen minutes later, the curly haired brunette heading straight for Allie and giving her a bone- crushing hug.
"As much as this is adorable, your cast is digging into my ribs" Allie grumbles jokingly. Debbie loosens her grip before pulling away completely, looking up into Allie's blue eyes and frowning.
"Don't scare me like that again please" she scolds and the blonde's eyes widen with shock before swallowing a laugh.
"Righto, you got it boss" she says seriously as she places her hand on the back of the brunette's neck and plants a kiss on her forehead.
"Mia are you staying for dinner?" Bea calls from the kitchen and Mia leans around the corner.
"I don't want to intrude but yes please" she grins.
"You could never intrude Mia" she tells the taller brunette as she dishes up a fourth plate. Mia takes two plates and Bea carries the other two over to the dining room table where the quartet take their seats.
"Mumma Bea, do you think Liz will be up for doing my hair?" Mia asks the redhead after she swallows her first bite of food.
"I'm sure that wouldn't be a problem what did you want?"
"I'm feeling ombré. The blonde highlights aren't doing it for me anymore" the teenager picks up strands of her hair between her index and middle fingers, examining her ends.
"I'm sure Liz will be happy to do that. I feel offended you don't want me to do it though" Bea jokes.
"Thankyou. And it's nothing to do with you, just Liz's voice is so therapeutic I just fall asleep" the teenager responds and the redhead just laughs.
"I'll tell her you said that she'll love it"
"So how are the party preparations coming along Deb?" Allie asks.
"Good. I've got a guest list , a design for my cake and I've even got a gift list" the young teenager announces as she hands over her gift list with a huge grin on her face. Bea takes it with a raised eyebrow before reading the list. As her eyes roam the paper she feels her heart grow twice as big as she sees there's only one point listed.
"For everyone I love to be there and celebrate" Bea repeats the words on the paper with tears in her eyes.
"I told her to ask for a car but she wouldn't listen to me" Mia jokes and Debbie just elbows her before standing up and hugging her mum.
"I don't want anything. I just want everyone I love to be there with me and make it a memorable night" she grins and the redhead pulls her face in close and kissing her daughter's cheek.
"Love you" the brunette whispers before returning to her seat and carrying on eating.
"But I do want a chocolate fountain at the party" Debbie adds and Bea laughs before nodding.
"I'm sure that could be arranged" the redhead agrees before carrying on with her dinner.
It's happening again. She's stuck in the middle of the junction with Debbie and she can't move. The headlights are coming straight for them and there's nothing she can do. She starts screaming and trying everything in the car. Making sure the handbrake is down, stamping her foot on the accelerator, everything. But nothing happens.
"Allie" she hears Debbie say but it doesn't sound like her. Her voice is panicked but it's deeper and raspier.
"Allie" the voice is more forceful and just as the car is about to hit she sits up straight. It takes a few seconds for the blonde to realise that she isn't in a car. She's in bed with the love of her life. Safe.
"Allie look at me babe, it's ok. You're here and you're safe" Bea cups the blonde's face in her hands and directs her gaze directly into Allie's crystal blue eyes. Allie looks between Bea's chocolate brown orbs, trying to get her brain to catch up.
"Bea?" She croaks out, the sleep evident in her voice.
"It's me sweetheart, we're at home it was just a bad dream" she tells the younger woman and as the words leave her mouth the blonde begins crying. Bea pulls her in close and lies back down with Allie's head tight against her chest. She rocks her in a soothing rhythm as the blonde lets it all out. All the emotion, the fear, the relief.
"I think you should see someone Allie, this is tearing you apart" Bea whispers with distress clear in her voice. It breaks her heart to see her girlfriend suffer like this. After a few moments the younger woman slightly pulls away and wipes her tears away.
"I'll call Bridget in the morning and see if she can recommend anyone. I'm sorry I woke you up" she apologises but Bea just shakes her head and wipes her thumb across the younger woman's cheek.
"Don't apologise, you have nothing to be sorry about. Remember what I said, your pain is mine too. I am with you every step of the way" Bea emphasises as she leans in and connects her lips with her lovers. Bea can feel the tension leave Allie's body as she melts into her. It's crazy how their bodies entwine and become one, as if they were created like puzzle pieces to fit together to complete a masterpiece. The blonde responds instantly and deepens the kiss, rolling her body so she lies on top of the redhead. She runs her hand down the older woman's body and tugs at the hem of her nightshirt.
"Are you sure?" Bea asks, wanting to make sure Allie's head is in the right place.
"I'm sure. I want to feel you" she mumbles against Bea's lips as she pulls her shirt off, following it with her own. Allie leans back down to reconnect their lips and the duo moan at the skin on skin contact.
"Shh, Debbie's in the next room" Bea murmurs against the blonde's lips and she can feel Allie smirk.
"Challenge accepted" she teases as she makes her way down the redhead's toned body. Allie will always be amazed at how defined her girlfriend's body is. Whoever says you lose it with age was off their head. The way Bea's muscles twitch under Allie's touch drives her crazy. It saddens her how Harry never appreciated what he had in front of him for so many years, but also somewhat thankful for him putting her in hospital that night; however sick and twisted that may sound. She will never stop feeling lucky for being able to see this incredible woman come undone beneath her and privileged that the redhead trusts her enough to completely knock her guard down and let herself become vulnerable.
"I love you" the younger woman breathes against Bea's hipbone.
"To the moon and back" she hears the redhead stutter as she tries to control her moans.
"Forever and always" the blonde completes their new saying as she moves lower and sends Bea into euphoria.
"Liz can I talk to you for a second please?" Bea asks the older blonde when they're on their tea break at work the following Monday. She would normally talk to Maxine but with her being on holiday this week, Liz is her backup.
"Sure love is everything ok?" Liz asks as she follows Bea into the office.
"Yeah I just wanted some advice, oh and I have a question. Can you dye Mia's hair sometime before Debbie's birthday party please? She wants to go ombré so I reckon a couple of weeks before so it has a chance to blend?" She suggests and Liz just smiles.
"Of course, although I do hate her hair. It's so long and thick" she moans jokingly and Bea nods with her.
"I'm actually kinda glad she wanted you to do it, apparently you have a therapeutic voice" Bea tells her and Liz just laughs.
"Just let me know when she wants it and I'll do it. Now what poor advice would you like?" The older woman jokes and the redhead laughs.
"Hey don't sell yourself short. It's about Allie, she's been having nightmares since the accident and I just feel so useless. I suggested counselling to her last night when she woke up from one and she agreed, but I just don't know how to be there for her" Bea confides in her colleague and Liz smiles sadly at the woman who she views as a daughter.
"Listen love, just being a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear is probably all she needs. Just reassure her that you're there for her and you're in this together. Support her through counselling and just love her Bea. That's all you can do, and I know that you already do that. So don't doubt yourself, you're doing enough" the older woman grabs Bea's hand and squeezes it tight.
"I just hate that she's going through all of this. She had a panic attack behind the wheel at the weekend. Thank god her old school friend was in a few cars down otherwise I'd hate to think what could have happened. I don't want to smother her and tell her she shouldn't be doing things but I don't want that happening again" the redhead expresses her concerns and Liz just nods in understanding.
"Again, just be there for her. If you don't agree with something tell her, be honest, but don't stop her at the same time. When she says she feels ready to drive again, support her. Suggest to go with her, if she doesn't want that then just trust that she knows her mind and body. From the few times I've met Allie I get the vibe that she's very strong and independent, the thought of her not being able to do something so simple probably made her feel deflated and she wanted to prove she could do it" Liz suggests and Bea can't help but giggle.
"You hit the nail on the head there Liz" she confirms and the older woman laughs slightly.
"You don't need to worry about not giving her support or not being what she needs, love. You're exactly what that woman needs Bea, a loving partner who worships the ground she walks on. That's all she wants, your love. And trust me, she's got that" Liz winks and the redhead blushes profusely. She stands up and gives Liz a hug before thanking her.
"I'm always here, so is Maxi and Doreen. We wanted to know what we could get for Debbie for her birthday" the blonde asks as they pull out of their embrace.
"I actually have an idea" she smirks as she explains to Liz what her grand present idea is.
Bea is hit with a pleasant aroma when she walks through the door after work. Assuming Debbie is cooking she walks into the kitchen and is shocked to find blonde hair facing her.
"You're cooking?" She asks before her brain registers and Allie just scoffs as she turns around.
"Hi babe, what is that marvellous smell you're creating?" She says sarcastically but with a smirk, letting Bea know she's joking.
"Sorry, I just expected Debbie to be cooking that's all. But yes, what is that amazing smell?" The older woman asks as she walks further into the kitchen and wraps her arms around the blonde's waist, giving her a quick kiss.
"I'm cooking sausage casserole" the younger woman informs her girlfriend who hums in approval.
"So how was your day?" Allie asks as she walks back to the pot and stirs its contents. Bea leans her hip against the counter next to Allie as she plays with her blonde locks.
"Quite busy today, I had a nice chat with Liz too"
"Oh yeah? What about?" The younger woman turns her attention to the redhead and Bea looks anywhere but at the woman in front of her.
"Hey, tell me" Allie encourages.
"Erm… You. I told her that you've been struggling recently with the accident and I just wanted her advice on how to be more supportive" the older woman explains to Allie, who stops and places her right palm on Bea's left cheek.
"Babe, you're already giving me all the support I need. Trust me, you've been amazing and I'm so grateful. Speaking of that, I rung Bridget on my lunch break today. She's given me a number for one of her friends who deals with trauma and PTSD. I'm going to call her tomorrow and book a session" Allie tells her girlfriend who smiles the smile that is only reserved for Allie. The smile that screams love, adoration and empathy.
"I'm so proud of you Alliecat" the redhead pulls Allie in closer and gives her a heartfelt and gentle kiss that warms Allie's entire body.
"I told Liz about her birthday present idea. She's all for it, as is Doreen and I'm sure Maxine will be too"
"I can't wait to see her face, she's going to love it" the blonde grins as she thinks of the genius idea her and her girlfriend have planned.
"Oh I also rung Summer, I'm off the painkillers as of Thursday so I asked if she wanted to meet for a few drinks at the weekend if you're up for it?" Allie asks.
"Absolutely, it will be nice to actually get to know her and not meet her in unfortunate circumstances" Bea muses and Allie giggles.
"Tell me about it. Awesome I'll text her and let her know you're up for it" the younger woman grins as she turns back to the food while Bea heads upstairs for a shower. She hears music coming from Debbie's room and on impulse she knocks on the door and walks in.
"Hey, how was school?" She asks as she sits on the end of her daughter's bed.
"Not too bad, I had my biology exam today. It went pretty good. Only maths and English left and then I'm free" she fist pumps the air as she sits up from her previous lying position and shuffles to hang her legs over the edge of the bed next to Bea.
"How are your nightmares?" The redhead asks tentatively.
"Ok. I haven't had one for the last couple of days thankfully. I'll be ok" Debbie grins and Bea ruffles her mane of brown curly locks.
"I'm so proud of you Debbie. What you've achieved, how you've grown up despite everything you were subjected to as a kid. You're a little warrior. My little warrior" the older woman admits and pulls her daughter in for a hug, which Debbie happily obliges to.
"I have a warrior of a mother to look up to. You're my hero. I will always be grateful that you put me first, never allowed him to lay a finger on me… You're the bravest person I know having to endure all that he did for so many years. You're so strong Mumma, and Allie makes you even stronger. We're like the three musketeers or something" Debbie laughs through the tears that she hadn't even realised had fallen down her cheeks and Bea joins in. She kisses the crown of her daughter's head before standing up and walking to the door.
"When did you get so mature aye? Dinner should be ready soon so head downstairs yeah?" She suggests and Debbie nods with a grin before packing her homework away and heading downstairs. The redhead eventually makes her way into the shower, desperate to get back downstairs and join her two favourite girls. Just as she's about to turn on the shower she hears the front door open and a voice bellow throughout the house.
"Honey I'm home!" Franky exclaims and Bea groans. Franky Doyle- the ultimate mood killer.