Trust

A soft buzzing made Lena open her eyes. She carefully stretched out her arm to retrieve her phone from the side table next to the sofa without waking Esme who was tucked at her side, fast asleep.

The lit screen displayed the usual message from Alex, "We're here."

Slowly and cautiously Lena disentangled herself from her goddaughter and gently placed the child's head on a pillow as she got up. Luckily, Esme was sleeping like a log after a day of fun and games with her Aunty Lena.

"Hey", Lena whispered, smiling at her friends when she opened the door.

"Hey, Lena", they smiled back and hugged her.

Lena stepped back to let Esme's moms enter and whispered, "She's fast asleep."

Alex and Kelly followed her gaze and their hearts melted at the sight of their daughter curled up on the couch.

"Seems you two had a good day", Kelly chuckled.

Lena snorted softly, looking fondly at the little girl who was already being picked up by Alex. "Yes, we did."

"Thank you for taking care of her", Alex said quietly as she rejoined them, cradling Esme in her arms.

Lena beamed, "Always."

She kissed the girl's cheek before Kelly hugged her, "Thanks, Lena."

Just as the two women were about to leave, Lena said hurriedly, "Alex, wait a moment."

Both of them turned, looking puzzled.

"Could I talk to you for a minute?" Lena asked, wringing her hands.

"Of course", Alex said and carefully transferred Esme to Kelly. "I'll be down in a bit, ok?"

"Take your time", and with a nod and a smile she said, "Good night, Lena."

"Night", Lena waved as Kelly left and Alex reentered the apartment.

"Is everything ok?" Alex asked with concern, watching Lena's tense posture.

Lena turned but remained silent for a few moments, just looking at Alex who was starting to feel quite worried.

"It's absolutely perfect, Alex", Lena finally whispered, shaking her head as if in disbelief. "And", she took a breath, wringing her hands again, "I owe much of that to you."

Alex blinked, "Me?"

"Yes, you", Lena confirmed.

"But, I don't understand. I haven't done anything."

Lena let out an amused snort, "Really, Alex? Come on!"

"What?" Alex huffed, shrugging.

"Most obviously, you and Kelly made me Esme's godmother", Lena said firmly. "When we first met years ago … never in my wildest dreams – and you know Luthor's dream big – would I have thought we'd ever be friends, let alone family and that you'd trust me with someone as precious as your daughter. This is just incredible and I", she choked back a sob, eyes glistening with tears, "I'm so grateful, Alex!"

Simultaneously, they walked forward and embraced, Alex rubbing Lena's back.

"Oh, Lena", she whispered, "I'm so glad Kara decided to put her trust in you back then and believed in you so fiercely."

She released Lena and locked eyes with her, "Honestly, after everything you've been and done for Kara – for all of us – there is no doubt in my heart about trusting you … completely."

Tears were now running down Lena's cheeks but she didn't mind. Her heart leapt and she could only smile.

"Looking back, I really wish I'd seen who you truly were sooner, like Kara did", Alex said wistfully. "But, alas, I don't have my sister's ability to see only with my heart."

"You and I, both", Lena nodded. "But thankfully we have Kara to teach us and", she smiled, "I'd say we've been pretty good students."

Alex chortled, "Yeah, I think we have!"

"Here's to us", she said happily, holding out her hand for Lena who took it and was pulled into an embrace.