Emily nuzzled into Alex's side, still breathing heavy from the exertion three orgasms in quick succession. She slung her arm around her waist, fingers trailing along the soft skin on her hip. They hadn't actually discussed the matter of cuddling after sex, but Alex didn't protest, so she didn't see that there was anything wrong with it.

They lay together in companionable silence for a long time, content to merely be in each other's arms, until Alex broke the silence with a quiet, "It's kind of strange..."

"Hmm?" Emily hummed in question as to what she'd meant.

"This," she said vaguely, as if the word explained anything at all. Seeming to feel Emily's questioning gaze then, she explained further, "I suppose I'd kind of forgotten that sex could be intimate in a way that's actually pleasant..."

Emily's brows knit in confusion and no small amount of concern. She didn't speak, though, waiting for Alex to elaborate if she wanted to.

She sighed softly, turned her head to meet Emily's gaze. She offered her a soft smile, a quick kiss, then explained, "Sex with James always felt less like mutual intimacy and more of being used as a masturbatory aid...if that makes any sense. He's the only person I'd ever slept with, so I guess I just assumed that was the way it was for everyone...or, at least, the way it was always going to be for me. But we were married, so it's not like there was anything I could say or do about it, so I just accepted it. I'd let him finish and then wait for him to fall asleep to...well..." Her cheeks flamed bright red in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry," Emily murmured, pressing tender kisses along her collar bone. "You deserve so much better than that." She seemed intent on proving that, based on the way her hand moved to cup her breast, thumb teasing her nipple.

Alex gasped sharply. "Emily..." she said and it was almost a protest...or, it would have been, if it weren't for the lack of any kind of vehemence behind it.

"Something wrong?" Emily teased, grinning to herself at the way Alex almost instantly reacted to her touch.

There was a knock on the door then, effectively cutting short their playful conversation. The two women stared at each other with wide eyes, each holding their breath and praying the interloper would go away.

"Mom?" Ethan's little voice rang out. "Are you awake?"

"Just a second..." Alex called back. She climbed from the bed, tossing Emily her robe while she pulled on her pyjamas. When she pulled the door open, she kept herself purposely placed so as to avoid his seeing Emily. "What's wrong, kiddo?"

Ethan flung himself at her legs, wrapping her arms around them and whimpering, "I had a nightmare!"

Alex brushed a tender hand over his sleep-mussed hair. "What was it about?" she asked.

"Purple elves cooked you and made me eat you!" he wailed, clinging tighter to her. "Can I sleep here with you tonight?"

"Oh...umm... I-I don't..." Alex stammered.

But before she could come up with an excuse, Ethan said, "Miss Emily?" He glanced up at his mother, confused. "What's she doing in your bed?"

Alex visibly blanched, words caught in her throat. She had absolutely no clue as to how she was supposed to deal with this situation, how to explain to a seven year old that she was engaging in a physical relationship with a woman she'd only known a week...

"I had a nightmare too," Emily lied when it became apparent that Alex was tongue-tied. "I came to see your mom because I know she's the very best at soothing nightmares. Right?"

He nodded his agreement, stepping past Alex into the room. "Was your nightmare scary?"

She nodded. "Terrifying...but not nearly as scary as purple elves cooking your mom."

He nodded too, gravely sincere. Then, he glanced over his shoulder at his still stricken mother. "Can I sleep here with you and Miss Emily?"

And, since she could hardly tell him the truth and she couldn't say no to him for any good reason when she had apparently let Emily stay the night because of so-called 'nightmares', she was forced to nod.

With a cheer, he scampered over to climb into bed next to Emily, patting the bed beside him in indication that Alex should join them.

"Try not to kick me all night this time," Alex teased, prodding him in the ribs until he giggled. "Kick Emily instead."

"Hey!" Emily yelped, "Rude!"

Alex laughed. "Go to sleep, you two."

The three of them nestled down into the pillows and were drifting off to sleep when Ethan whispered (quite audibly), "I'm hungry..." A beat. "Can I have a snack?"

"I really don't think..." Alex started.

Emily interrupted, "One second...wait here." When she returned, she came bearing what appeared to be a small pantry's worth of food.

Alex blinked a few times in surprised. "What is all this?" she asked when it became clear to her that these weren't groceries she had purchased.

Blushing slightly, Emily admitted, "I like a midnight snack every once in awhile. And I kind of got addicted to British candy, so..." She trailed off, shrugged.

Ethan, of course, was a kid in the proverbial candy store as he crawled to the end of the bed to look through Emily's offerings. He picked up one of the chocolate bars, then turned to his mother with his best attempt at puppy dog eyes. "Can I pleeeeeeeeeease have one?" he begged.

Alex caught Emily's gaze, giving her a 'look what you've done' look. (Emily's only response was to shrug as if it couldn't be helped.) She sighed, conceded, "Fine, you can have one. But then you have to brush your teeth again."

Ethan cheered, immediately tearing into the wrapper like a feral beast.

Emily could only laugh. She picked up one of the chocolate bars and tossed it at Alex with a playful little grin.