"Remember that blizzard we had awhile back?" Claire asked, holding the curtain back in a dainty fashion as she watched snowflakes gracefully fluttering by.

"You mean the one you spent at home?" Jill replied, but not without a bit of clanging and banging coming from the kitchen. Claire saw her yank out the drawer with a loud thud, then wince as a few utensils and tools crash to the floor in cacophonous discord. "Oops."

"Oh, was it that year?"

"… Yeah. It was."

"Well," Claire muttered, ashamed, "things are different now…."

"Thank goodness," Jill stated, a modest flush coloring in her face. Slowly her lips lifted into a smile. Today they were meticulously glossed with a new hue - Cashmere Rose? As she cast her gaze down onto the counter, concentrated fully on her project, Claire noticed that the tender silhouette of her face was more curvaceous, somehow. Jill had very pronounced cheekbones that betrayed her slightly masculine attitudes.

"I didn't think you were actually coming back then," she added softly.

"I could never leave you behind." Claire fingered the viburnum flowers in the rustic-style earthenware vase, tracing the petals that puckered like spring lilies. She knew that after they were done blossoming, viburnum became a precious fruit that looked like cherry candies when ripened, perfect to enjoy when the timing was absolutely right. Much like their relationship.

"What are you making?" she asked Jill, coming up behind her to rest her head and her hands on the taller girl's shoulders, white flowers in grasp.

"A chocolate cake," Jill said, turning to gaze at her. The brunette's long lashes were quite charming, her shoulders slender, her body heat comforting even from beneath her soft turtleneck sweater. "Is that flower for me? How sweet."

"Is that cake for me? That's sweeter."

"No, silly," Jill said, taking Claire's hand in her own. "Jack's birthday is soon."

"Aww."

"If you can buy a birthday gift in time for the party, then I'll make something special just for you."

"You mean it?"

"Yeah." Jill's eyes glittered happily.

"Well, then for now I wanna help," Claire stated, reaching over Jill's shoulder and fumbling for an egg beater.

"Claire, wait! You'll knock over- Awwwwwww."

A bowl of clumped cake mixture had tipped slightly onto its side, the chocolate goo molding a little around Jill's hand.

Jill sighed. "Goodness gracious." Then, giggling, she dipped her finger in the crude batter and painted a stripe on the blonde's cheek.

"I'm sorry," Claire apologized playfully, sporting the cutest child face she could manage. Then she lifted Jill's hand, pressed her lips and tongue against it to remove the cake mix. Sweet and wholesome.

"I know. Don't worry." Shyly, the older girl leaned in and kissed her cheek, licking a bit of chocolate from her face as well.

Their eyes met, as if the clouds and the sea reflected one another in perfect clarity. Jill's face sustained its flustered blush. It would still take time to get completely used to it, but maybe, just this once, they could try it and see that this was the natural way things ought to be.

She surrendered herself to their kiss, slowly but with sincerity, and in it Claire could feel Jill's nervous excitement.

"Well, I suppose I should be off now, before Jack comes in and suspects something's up," Claire said, after just that one tender second. Wouldn't want to ruin it when it had barely just started.

"What?" Jill said, startled and blinking in confusion.

"About his birthday. We don't want him to know, remember?"

"Ah, right. Be careful on your way."

"Always."

Claire's shoes crunched into the snow outside the front door. It sounded like a soft melody. For a moment she spun around in a circle, her blond hair flowing around her shoulders. Sighing contentedly, she swung her arms while she marched across the estate, helplessly unable to concentrate on buying their friend's present. She missed her already.