Peyton rolled over, crashing gently into the warm body next to her in the bed. She opened her eyes and smiled.
"Hey you."
"Good morning, sleepyhead."
Peyton stretched and yawned, looking over at Anna who placed a tiny kiss on her lips. She laughed out loud causing a pouty Anna to hit her with the pillow.
"Not the reaction I was hoping for, Pey."
"What?"
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing. It's just that this is really cool. It's like a big sleepover with your best friend only we have really hot sex", she giggled.
"Glad you think it's hot", Anna winked. "I concur."
Peyton's smile faded as she turned over and stroked her lover's face.
"What are we doing, Anna?" she asked softly.
"What do you mean?"
"Are you happy?"
"With you? Deliriously. What about you?"
"I am happy, Anna. I like you. This isn't just about sex for me although that alone would be enough. But seriously, it's more. I have feelings. Strong, romantic feelings. It's like I want to be with you. It's like I feel like your girlfriend or something."
"There's a huge difference between just getting laid and having an actual relationship, Mija."
"I know that."
"I know you do but it's different for two women. It's one thing to be affectionate in bed or in private but when you take those feelings out in public, holding hands…it's a whole new world."
"I don't care", Peyton shrugged.
"Are you serious about us?"
"I am", Peyton nodded. "This is real to me. I'm falling for you the way a man falls for a woman. I don't know how it happened or when or even why but I don't care. None of that matters. Because if the situation was the exact same but you were a guy, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. It would have just progressed naturally with no questions asked but because we're both women, there's supposed to be a problem? Anna, my heart doesn't see your gender. It just sees you."
Anna smiled.
"I want to be with you, too, baby. I've been thinking about it for a while."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Pey, what do you think about maybe moving in here?"
"With you?"
"Duh! Who else, silly?"
"Let's see. You're my best friend, we have incredible, mind blowing sex and we're together all the time anyway. Do I want to move in with you? Uh, let me take a bit and think about that…uh yes! Definitely yes!"
"Good. I want that too."
"Then it's settled."
"I…I just don't want you to regret it. Peyton, you have to be absolutely sure because your life is going to change. People are going to find out."
"So? Let them."
"We have to tell our friends. Nathan and Haley and Lucas and Brooke and the others. Are you ready for that? Can you handle it?"
"Yes."
"Even if they don't react in the way we want them to?"
"They will. They are our friends. They just want us to be happy. Yeah, they might be shocked that we found happiness together but in the end, they will be happy for us."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I know them and I know the kind of people they are. They have good hearts and open minds. That's why they're my friends. It'll be okay, Anna. Sure it will be scary to tell them but they're gonna find out anyway. Hell, I'm more scared to tell my dad. I don't know if he's going to laugh or cry."
"Your dad? You're going to tell him?"
"Yeah. Why not? I'm not ashamed. We're not doing anything wrong. He'll get over it. Just like Felix and your parents."
Anna cringed.
"Yeah. Them."
"What? You weren't going to tell them?"
"No, I mean, I will. It's complicated, Pey. They're crazy. They are going to overreact and be pissed and it'll be a mess."
"But we're long term, right? I mean, this isn't just a fling for you, is it? If we were just messing around then I'd say, whatever, it's none of their business but if we're serious about this, people are going to know and I don't feel like we should waste energy hiding it. I'm not ashamed of you and I never want you to be ashamed of me."
Anna smiled and ran her fingers through the blonde hair.
"I'm not ashamed. Never of you, baby."
Peyton grinned.
"So we're officially a couple now?"
"Officially."
"First order of business, get my stuff moved in here."
"Okay."
"Second, invite our friends over and tell them."
"Sort of a coming out party?" Anna laughed.
"Something like that. Now, third, we tell our families."
"Yikes!"
"I know but we'll be okay. We can do this together. We'll be alright. Know how I know?"
"How?"
"Because I love you", she said softly with a sincere smile. "It's weird and scary but it's how I feel. I do love you as more than a friend. So there it is. Anna, I'm in love with you."
"There it is, huh?" Anna smiled. "Alright then. Well, you know what, Peyton Sawyer? I love you, too."
They giggled and kissed, falling back under the covers. The decision had been made and they were happy. One more thing was clear. It was almost certain that breakfast would be delayed.
