Wrapped up in bed, Brianna gazes out of the window opposite the bed, memorised by the stars. She's barely been able to sleep a wink the past few days - thinking about her next meeting with Stephanie keeps the young woman awake, despite the butterflies being happy ones. Plus, Nikki's guest bed isn't as comfy as her own.
Brie's been staying with Nikki and Artem for days; sleeping next to Bryan doesn't feel right anymore, not when she's in love with someone else. Of course, Brianna's aware that this situation must be painful for him, and she wishes that things happened differently - but Bryan had his part to play in letting her go. Thankfully though, Nikki only living next door meant that nights away from Bryan didn't equal days away from Birdie.
To be honest, having a huge bed all to herself feels really odd. There's just an empty side, and it's almost lonely to lie in. It goes without saying that Brie doesn't want her husband to fill the space anymore.. but she'd give anything to have Stephanie next to her.
Hopefully, if they can persevere through the next few months, they'll be together soon, and all of shit will become worth it. Although, it genuinely can't come fast enough; words can't describe how much Brianna craves the feeling of Stephanie's skin.. hell, she hasn't even had the chance to kiss her yet. But if the feeling of simply being in Steph's arms is anything to go by - it'll be the most magical thing in the world - as cheesey as that may sound.
Catching her attention, the bedroom door slowly opens, and in walks her twin sister, wearing a BirdieBee bralette and some pyjama shorts. She peaks her head into the room slowly, then notices that Brianna is wide awake.
With a soft smile, Nikki walks to the foot of the bed.
"Couldn't sleep..?" She asks.
"I've barely winked.. I don't like sleeping alone."
"I know. That's why I came." Nikki explains, walking over and climbing into the empty side of the bed.
Brie takes a deep sigh, and thanks her lucky stars for Nicole being so supportive through this. After it all, it must've been a shock to discover that her twin sister is in love with a woman she's perceived to despise. But regardless on the absurdity, Nikki's always done her best to keep Brianna happy, even if she gets it wrong sometimes. To this day, the older twin has barely forgiven herself for some of the things she did - she's just grateful that it's all turning out well in the end.
Resting her hand on Brianna's baby bump, Nikki looks to her sister with kind eyes; she knows how difficult this is on her. Pursuing a relationship with a woman, whilst pregnant with someone else's baby isn't the most conventional of lives. Then again, the life of a Bella twin could never be described as normal. But that's another thing to think about really - when the press get hold of this story - they'll go to town. Brie and Steph are going to face some absolute shit together.. but Nicole has every intention of doing her best by them.
"When are you next seeing her?"
"Tomorrow.." Brie answers, a slight glow in her cheeks. "I know I only saw her a few days ago, but.. I really miss her."
Nikki sighs. Of course, Brie's told her that her and Stephanie are romantically involved, but she's yet to tell her that they're already in love. However, Brie really doesn't need to - because Nicole already knows. She can see it in Brianna's eyes when the conversation turns to Stephanie; the way she lets her guard down when it comes to her; the absolute devastation she went through without her.. any fool could see it. And Nicole is a lot more than any fool.
"What are your plans..? Have you asked Bryan for a divorce?"
"Not yet.. He's only willing to talk to me about Birdie right now, and I don't want to do it when she's there.. as for this little one-" Brie says, looking down to her bump. "We'll have to work out a co-parenting plan."
"Not to scare you, but can you imagine Bryan being happy about that?"
"He'll be even less happy when I tell him I want Stephanie to be a guardian."
It's small comments like this which emphasise to Nikki quite how head over heels Brianna is - she wouldn't just trust anyone to be the guardian of her children. But she definitely has a point: Bryan isn't going to like it at all. Chances are, they'll need to get a lawyer involved for the conversation to be anything close to civilised. But with the love the new couple clearly have for one another, it'll all be okay eventually.
"Come on then.. If you're seeing her tomorrow, you'll need your beauty sleep." Nicole grins, reaching across her sister to turn the lamp off.
Once the sisters were in completely darkness, they both lie down fully, and find a sleeping position which accommodates their tummies. Protectively, Nikki grabs hold of Brianna's hand. They look at one another, silently appreciating having the other in their lives. Without Nikki, Brie would be an anxious and depressed mess; without Brie, Nikki would never have discovered her own worth. They're two peas in a pod, and they simply couldn't function if they were ever separated.
"You approve, right..? Of Steph?"
"Of course.. You should've seen the look of hope in her eyes when I told her you wanted to meet up.."
Her mind casting back to their date at the coffee shop, Brie's eyes began sparkling. It was in that moment, where she was wrapped up in Stephanie's arms, that she could've existed forever. If she could have that, Nikki, and her children.. she'd be set for life. Part of her feels guilty for bringing a child into the world under such complicated circumstances; but at the end of the day, they're being brought into a world with a hell of a lot more love.
"I'm in love with her, Nicole.." she admits quietly.
"I know, Brizee.. I realised that way too late, but I know.."
Smiling to themselves, both sisters close their eyes and begin to fall asleep. Maybe they could've had a steadier road.. but they're not sure they would've asked for that. They're who they are today because of all the shit they went through..
And with such a happy ending on the horizon - why on earth would they want to change it?