The sun expanded through the tall and wide glass windows surrounding the entire bed lighting the room. Soft rays landed on Kara. Her hair shone beneath the warm waves, making her skin glow.
She stirred in bed. Kara recognized the scent instantaneously. Lavender and vanilla filled her lungs. Her arm didn't find soft skin.
She found a cold, empty pillow instead.
Kara placed the blanket on her nose. Her wife scent was calming and natural. It soothed Kara's realization and truth. Kara remembered yesterday and last night. Taking a deep breath, she kept her eyes shut.
Her thumb traveled across her ring finger. In a second, blue eyes snapped open to the ringless finger. The sight scared her instantaneously. It frightened Kara how clumsy she could sometimes be. She was used to receiving those miniatures heart attacks when she couldn't find meaningful things.
As if her speed spoke for herself, she immediately held her necklace in her hands. Her beautiful wedding ring was next to her mother's heirloom. Kara sighed, her shoulders and muscles quickly releasing tension.
In a quick blur, she opened the chain, removed her ring and placed it on her bare finger. Seeing the ring on her finger was a graceful reminder of the vows she made. It was always important, but very negligent of her when she wore the cape.
After a couple of minutes under the warm sun, Kara stood. She walked to the mirror removing her long sleeve shirt, twisting her body to inspect her shoulder over her black sports bra.
She smiled when her skin was patched and healed. "Thank Rao." She muttered.
Footsteps caught Kara's attention through her normal hearing. She quickly fetched her glasses and opened the guest room door.
Cat blinked in surprise at how rapidly Kara opened the door. She turned her head, acknowledging that she wasn't alone in the hall anymore.
To her surprise, the sight was innovative and intriguing, apparently out of the ordinary. She reminded rigid, in control of the situation with a neutral face. Cat's green eyes went to the floor and then to bare feet. She saw the cotton pants that stopped right on Kara's hips. The oblique's, strident and well formed; followed by easily visible abs.
Cat finished her observations by rushing her eyes through a black sports bra. Her eyes flashed across Kara's sunny smile and traveled over bright gold hair and fine shoulder blades.
She didn't need to stare. Years of perfecting her observations methods were enough. Cat only gazed over Kara's body no longer than two seconds. Nonetheless, the image was engraved in the media mogul's mind. She saw enough, so she gracefully turned her body back to the frame. Gaping at objects felt more suitable.
"Good morning," Kara said leaving behind any affectionate word.
Cat mind traveled to the countless time her last name was included in that sentence. It was different, and she was conceding the changes unhurriedly. "If I couldn't see my daughter's nose on your face, I'd say this picture was photoshopped," Cat spoke; bright and normal. She thought the topic would be appropriate for the occasion since she was ogling the detailed picture. "Aren't you a little cold?" She said with ease.
Kara understood the meaning behind her wife's words, so she fiddled her glasses, went back in the room and put her shirt on.
"Good morning," Cat said when she saw Kara through her peripherals.
Kara was impressed at how subtle and endearing her wife could be. Still, today, after five years, her wife methods and charms were extremely impressive and truthful. The elegance and the beauty Cat possessed was beyond words could express; even when her wife wore black sweatpants, a white long sleeve sweater and her reading glasses.
"It's not," Kara said, leaning her body against the doorframe. "Photoshopped."
Cat scoffed playfully. "I figured," She said nonchalantly. "I'd be devastated if it was." Her tone changed, lost in the niceties of the picture.
Kara moved one step out of the guest room, observing the picture over her wife's shoulder. Her apartment was bright, adorned for Thanksgiving; her nine-month belly was peeking out abruptly from her cardigan, and her maternity shirt was rolled, revealing her entire stomach. Carter's hands were both on her stomach, while Cat was kissing her belly button.
She beamed at the picture.
Cat looked at Kara, noticing the distance. "What I meant to say was… how can you have a body like that after pregnancy?" Cat rolled her eyes and turned to the picture. "Taking into consideration Ollie is four," She tilted her head back to Kara. "Still…took me innumerable encounters with a stiff bicycle seat and a yoga mat after Carter."
Kara snickered, accepting the minor rotation of her wife's eyes and the tilt of her head. "I—am not from this planet," Kara said friskily.
Cat turned to the picture. "You look… spectacular," She said casually. "Pregnant, of course." She waved her hand to dismiss any emotion.
Kara lowered her head. There was nothing she craved more than to listen to her wife's heartbeat right now.
She missed the gesture.
The hall provided the correct space and Kara provided the comfort. Cat appreciated the distance Kara granted. Her personal space reminded untouched by the millennial standing next to her. Once again, Cat was grateful, but selfish to express her feelings.
"Would you like to see Olive's room?" Kara blocked the sincere silence, pointing to a door a couple of steps down the hall.
Cat's eyes lit with excitement, her hands found each other's, using them for support as she followed Kara.
Once inside the colorful room, her eyes watered instantly. She never envisioned her future with bright rooms and toys. Cat's heart pounded fast. Her observation methods worked reckless in the area.
The horizontal twin bed placed against the wall made the room look larger, more extended. Cat noticed a red cape lying on orange sheets, followed by red pillows resting on the headboard. To her right, a multicolored bookshelf caught her attention, but the impressive mural on her left, made her turn quickly.
Tall trees stood next to each other. The green color and the details made the mural realistic. Striking. Exceptional and cautiously formed leaves enclosed the branches of trees Cat was positive she has never seen before. The beautiful trees rounded what it looked like a pool of mud with rocks and tall grass.
Cat smiled at the painting, and then at the sandbox shaped in a rectangular form underneath the long wall. She smirked, looking from left to right.
"Beautiful." She said. Her voice was soft, pure almost melodic.
Kara observed, enjoying her calmed, stress-free wife.
Cat kneeled gently in front of the sandbox. She slid her fingers delicately over white sand. The texture felt extremely comfortable as if the millions of tiny rocks weren't from a big raspy sack bought in a home décor place. Cat couldn't comprehend how her surroundings complimented her four—year—old.
"She's very particular about the things she likes." Kara's words retold Cat how much the millennial knew her. It didn't surprise Cat that Kara knew what she was thinking. In less than forty—eight hours she has managed to impress Cat like never. Kara was attentive, understanding and caring. Cat swallowed softly, forcing down how guilt-ridden she was feeling for not thanking Kara. For not apologizing.
Cat stood grazing her fingers over each other's, escaping from the sandy texture. She smiled at nothing while she ogled the room quickly and precise.
"Close your eyes." Cat found blue eyes through familiar rims. Kara had both of her hands around her waist, and a perfect sunny smile was adorning her face. Kara's tone was playful, or so Cat thought. She learned something new about the young woman and mother of her child every time she faced her. It felt like a gracious discovery, unique and charming in the most straightforward ways. Odd, and general remarks she avoided due to her professionalism. Observations that were undoubtedly there but she never acknowledged.
Cat hummed, closing her eyes, trusting Kara with ease. It was strange how not strange it felt.
She envisioned the younger woman walking past her. Cat heard what it sounded like the cylinder of a small curtain and footsteps coming her way.
"You can open them now," Kara said with a chuckle.
Cat complied. Her heart warmed at the sight of a medium size stuffed elephant in Kara's hands. She was anxious now. Excited and expecting to see Ollie. She has missed her. Furthermore, the round orange elephant, with a black bow tie around his neck made her understand her daughter's spontaneous persona. Ollie's joke was evident in her mind. Her daughter was fascinating and very bright.
"Mr. Knows!" Cat said, alarmed by her sudden tone. In a second, everything clicked. She turned toward the wall, looking at the mural. "Mr. Knows walked to the pond to wash his hairy nose," Cat mumbled, and Kara was thankful for her super hearing. "She's incredible." She said smiling, facing Kara.
"Handsome, isn't he?" Kara sneered, passing Cat the fluffy toy.
"Worthy of a bow tie." Cat laughed effortlessly, squeezing and smelling Mr. Knows.
Cat's corporal expressions were enough to ease Kara's. She decided to step closer to her wife; maintaining Cat's desired distance almost to perfection. Kara waited, expecting any constrictions of her wife's muscles; nevertheless, she stood comfortably in front of her.
"Look at his teeth," Kara said, slowly lifting Mr. Knows trunk. Cat noticed a couple of yellow stickers in the form of her daughter's favorite fruit. Cat was proud of the recent memory.
"Bananas stickers on his teeth?" Cat said, moving the toy closer to her face. The stickers were not more significant than a small button.
"Those," Kara began saying using a somber tone. "Are cavities." Cat chuckled, shaking her head. "You'll see them when nobody brushes Mr. Knows teeth before it's time to enter his cave." Kara made an apologetic face, before pushing her glasses up her nose.
"I see," Cat said arching her brow, remembering the warningly tone Ollie used toward Kara, telling her to brush Mr. Knows teeth. "I'm guessing he'll have to double brush tonight."
"Correct," Kara said, removing the bananas stickers from the row of white teeth underneath Mr. Knows trunk. Kara's eyes traveled to her wife's. She felt butterflies when Cat maintained the gesture. The sudden silence comforted both simultaneously. Kara smirked, shifting her eyes from green and unsticking more bananas from the toy's trunk. "Messy eater." She rolled her eyes, walking backward spontaneously. "Olive would put them there in the morning after he eats, too, of course, remove them later before bedtime."
"Brilliant," Cat said with a chase smile. "Sounds like a terrific idea to keep a four—year—old motivated to brush every day."
"Your idea," Kara tilted her head. "You are a terrific mother."
Cat rolled her eyes, sympathetically. She slowly squeezed Mr. Knows in her hands. She was too happy to demolish her excitement with her gloomy reality. There was no time for negative thoughts of lost memories. The feeling was there. Cat absorbed her emotions in what she had around her.
New memories.
Her memories were absent, but Ollie would be there endlessly.
"Can you stretch your arm?" Kara asked, and Cat complied quickly, feeling curious. Kara's fingers pushed the silk material of Cat's sweater revealing her wrist. Kara turned her wife's hand and placed two bananas stickers on the inside of her wrist. "Since Olive takes them off at night, we have to put them back in the morning. Just so he can eat, of course." Cat nodded. "So, you'll put two stickers on top of his trunk so that he can eat by himself."
"Understood," Cat said, retrieving her hand casually. "And I put these on here because?"
Kara sneered. "The stickers are in the kitchen, left drawer underneath the coffee maker. Every morning when you prepare your coffee, you stick them there, to later place them in his trunk before you wake Ollie in the morning." Cat was amused. She listened to every word, rewarding Kara with her smile. "I am certain that you have never forgotten about it, I think you like them there."
"I'm happy to hear that." She smiled at Kara then at Mr. Knows. "Are the stickers cavities or his food?" They both laughed at the question. Cat was starting to appreciate Kara's laugh. It was another thing Cat was grateful, another topic that was meant to be discussed.
Eventually.
"Honestly, we're not sure. If it works for Olive, works for us."
"Her methods work." Cat looked at the room one more time and then back at Mr. Knows. "Is it time to feed him?" Kara nodded, and Cat removed the stickers from her wrist and placed them on Mr. Knows trunk.
"Then you'll put him back in his cave so he can eat. Then Olive will switch them to his teeth once he finishes." Kara was not surprised at how her wife was receiving the new information. She was compromised to know everything about their daughter. Kara knew her wife's devotion and enthusiasm. She let Cat store the vital information in her mind. Keeping it safe, guarding it forever.
Something felt special about the room. She couldn't describe the correct feeling. Cat thought it was because being inside the room was as if she knew her daughter better. Nevertheless, something was refreshing and exceptional of how the toy felt in her hands. There was something relaxed whenever she gazed at the mural and the multicolored books.
She couldn't decide what was making her feel at home. The toy, her surroundings or the company.
Cat smiled at Mr. Knows one more time before blinking quickly to prevent tears. It was too early for that; she glanced at the red cape on top of Ollie's bed. The material looked substantial and real.
"Is this an original piece?" She asked, waiting for Kara to answer the sentence.
But Kara was lost in her wife's figure. She watched how her wife held Mr. Knows close to her chest while walking over the bed. She sat next to the red material across orange sheets, and slowly answered her question without the need of Kara.
Kara recognized the way her wife's fingers danced on top of the fabric, appreciating every little detail. She saw the admiration. The joy Cat felt knowing that her daughter loved Supergirl and that the hero probably gave this to Olive.
Cat took a deep breath. She couldn't understand why her mind traveled quickly to the hero, nonetheless what she did for her last night.
Cat needed to thank her as well.
Supergirl.
"Do you fancy some coffee?" Kara asked subtly. She knew the answer; it was ten minutes past her wife's coffee time. Nevertheless, Cat was different, despite the distinct look in her eyes. Cat was comfortable around her, and that was something Kara wanted to fortify. She needed Cat to be contented in every aspect. Asking if she wanted some coffee felt like the most appropriate question in the word.
Last night she discovered new things about her wife. Additional valuable information about Cat's feelings. Maybe her wife was an entirely different person. Yes, Kara could describe her body language, yet, her surroundings and all the new information was forming a separate Cat. Her wife was going to be different, and Kara respected that.
"Coffee sounds perfect, thank you," Cat said nodding.
"Okay," Kara said walking backward. "I'll be in the kitchen. Are you hungry?"
"Coffee would do just fine, Kara." Cat walked to Mr. Knows cave but turned to face the millennial.
Kara was frozen, her mouth opened and her cheeks red. Kara took a deep breath furrowing her brows and smirking slowly as if she just acknowledged what her wife did.
"My—you…said?" Cat cocked her hip and gazed at the nervous woman. Kara cleared her throat, clapped and fiddled her glasses. "Coffee. This way." She pointed to the hall and kept walking back until she hit the doorframe of Olivia's room. "Sorry, okay."
Kara jumped, floating in the air for three seconds, before turning to see if her wife followed her out of Olive's room. She held her hands firmly, smiling at the success. Her feet landed on carpet, and her smile was broad and full of ancient sentiments.
The feelings were the same, her wife calling her by her name meant everything. Kara didn't mind that the reasons weren't similar, she wasn't surprised by the dimmed light of an office without a window, or that Cat dragged her things, including her lunch across the bullpen. If so, this moment felt more intimate and precious. Cat called Kara by her name holding Mr. Knows, after stroking Supergirl cape and inside their daughter's room.
She understood that Cat was under conditions, under different scenarios. Nonetheless, the tone and pronunciation how her wife addressed her was an emotion filled with pleasant memories.
Kara flashed a smile toward Cat's favorite mug. She filled the cup with hot coffee and grabbed a couple of raw sugar packets. Her mind quickly stopped her routinely activities. The starting sugar packets were a new addition to her wife's coffee if by current you could say a couple of years. The purest flavor without dairy, helped Cat start her day. The sweet organic sugar was a touch to ease the bitterness.
Kara placed the raw sugar packets back in its container. Her wife didn't want her new coffee. Cat grew to love the flavors of coffee without dairy. She was more inclined to the taste.
Kara did what she knew best. She moved quickly over her wife's coffee, placing the correct amount of soy. Kara lifted her glasses to heat the liquid. Preparing what she bought every morning, before eight o' clock.
"Is it October?" Cat said entering the kitchen. Kara's heart sped at the thought of her wife catching her heating the coffee with her laser beam.
"Yes, October fourteen."
Cat observed Kara. The millennial walked over her and handed her the mug with her left hand. Kara's ring caught Cat's attention. The white gold band was beyond beautiful. It was a delicate and straightforward diamond. It matched Kara's descriptions; charming and candid.
Kara noticed that Cat was staring at her ring. "I'm sorry, I—I can take it off if you want." Kara moved her right hand to her left, holding her wedding ring in her fingers.
"No," Cat said, nodding slowly. "Wear it. It suits you." She looked at the mug in her hands, and without a doubt in her former assistant, she sipped the coffee.
The hot, bold coffee soothed her throat. The perfect flavor enhanced her senses instantly. The coffee in her hands was excellent.
She decided that it was time to make things lighter in between them. Cat managed to keep the conversation flowing and not dull while in the hall or Ollie's room. The surroundings didn't provide her with an excuse to mislead the discussion to a different topic. She was alone, in a kitchen with her former assistant across her.
Cat was ready to talk about multiple things now that her body endured pure caffeine. Nonetheless, the slight discomfort her assistant probably felt was because she decided to be bold and careless about her observation methods. She granted Kara the doubt and judgment when gazing accidentally directly to the ring.
"The perks of fetching my coffee every morning," Cat said, releasing tension in between them. She wasn't proud of how her conversation was fluent when it came to objects or things.
Cat was an expert diverting conversation.
Kara smiled, walking back and preparing a mug of coffee for herself. "It comes in handy, right?" She said, with liquid ten times warmer than her wife's and with a sincere smile on her features.
"You do that often," Cat noticed, sliding her fingers over the hot ceramic. "I am sure that it's always been there," She waved her hand in the air. "I've never noticed."
Kara shrugged her shoulders and squinted her eyes. "Care to elaborate?" She asked, providing her wife enough comfort to control the topic all over again.
"I've never seen you smile repeatedly. Never this frequent." Cat said, pursing her lips. At this, Kara's smile felt like the sun, warm and radiant. "Definitely a better sight than to see you cry," Cat said, organizing her thoughts, sipping her coffee. Kara looked down, fiddling her glasses. Her expressions were soft and relaxed, contemplating the possible outcome of this conversation. She was perplexed at the subtle way her wife complimented her smile. She was extremely joyful of how charming her wife was, chit chatting with her, creating a peaceful atmosphere around them, around herself. "You must know how I feel about crying." Kara nodded, smirking at how Cat diverted a pretentious sentence filled with emotions to a standard topic of things she annoyed.
"Ah," Kara beamed, pointing at her mouth. "I do this all the time."
Cat smiled back. "I believe you do."
Cat took a sip of her coffee, enjoying the flavor. She met Kara's eyes and kept them there for at least two seconds. The silence grew while she looked deeply into Kara's eyes for the first time. It amazed how clear and blue they were. The sky could camouflage in them certainly.
She was interrupted by a phone going off, somewhere in the living room. Kara switched her gaze toward Cat's purse. The Prada bag was resting on a table next to the elevator.
"It must be your assistant," Kara said, gazing at the microwave behind her, noticing the time.
Cat gulped. The coffee taste on her tongue felt sour, her throat felt dry and clogged at the idea of answering a phone to a stranger and unquestionably discuss a topic her brain was oblivious.
Her hands gripped the hot mug. Her knuckles turned white as she counted slowly the annoyingly continuous ring of her cell phone.
Kara knew it was important. She was also aware that her wife shared the same line of thought with her. Kara noticed the stiff shoulders of Cat, the tense neck, and her rigid posture.
"Hey," Kara said taking a couple of steps closer, her voice was soft and caring. "Do you mind if I… answer?" She tilted her head, in the direction of the elevator, and waited for her wife's response.
"Of course, Kara," Cat said, breaking her thoughts and flexing her fingers around the mug.
Kara smiled at the mention of the correct name and went to answer the phone. She saw her wife's assistant name on the screen.
"Hello? Oh, no it's me." Kara said.
Cat sipped her coffee again, turning toward the sliding doors of the balcony, focusing in the sky and buildings; diverting her thoughts and muscles from tension, but maintaining the correct space in between Kara and the phone call.
"I should've emailed you this morning. Everything happened so fast that—yes, she's okay, thanks for asking." Cat filled her lungs with air, imagining the exchange of words. "Oh, no." Cat turned, noticing that Kara's concerned tone matched Kara's troubled face. "National City knows better." Cat lowered the mug, listening carefully at Kara. "Yes, hopefully. We need a better line." Kara shook her head slightly. "What about the Daily Planet? What's Clark's line? Good." Cat opened her eyes slightly at the mention of Kent. "I need to see the options, put him in line, please."
Kara rolled her eyes, passing furiously by Cat. She couldn't help how intrigued she was of the conversation and how it turned; simultaneously, she was glad that Kara was in control.
Kara strolled into the kitchen and walked by the fridge into what looked like a hall that Cat wasn't aware. She followed the millennial through a dimmed hall brightened by hanging light bulbs. She saw Kara pushed a glass door, disappearing into a room.
Cat rushed her steps, eagerly to not miss the conversation. Nevertheless, her feet daunted her when she saw a mini replica of her office in her penthouse. She saw Kara clicking the computer on, the bright white light of the screen illuminated the area. Kara sat in the big chair, sipping from her mug and placing it on the glass desk. Cat watched curiously as her former assistant grabbed a remote and pressed a button.
The TV's on the wall started turning one by one in perfect synchronization. She saw Kara pressing another button. The curtains of the room folded slowly by themselves, revealing tall high windows and what it looked like another balcony.
The rustic and beautiful decoration of the office was now easily visible as Cat passed the glass doors, entering the room. She saw a mini bar on the corner with a vase full of M & M's, followed by a half of a wall covered in drawings and scribbles from Ollie.
Cat smiled instinctively, enjoying the warmth her heart induced. She had to admit that the idea of drawings on the fridge was cliché and beautiful; still, she was a little intrigued of why her fridge wasn't decorated with such vital decorations. It astounded her that the papers were in her office instead of the refrigerator.
Cat was still herself, after all, these years.
Kara's voice snapped Cat from her emotions. "I need to speak to him." She forced herself from looking at beautiful drawings of elephants with bowties and turned to the multiples screens on the wall.
She readily detected the colors of the headlines and what media they came.
Blackouts in National City
NC running by solar energy
Supergirl helps the most influential person of NC over injured citizens
Nearby cities affected by NC power plant explosion
S.T.A.R Labs and CCPD investigate cause of explosion
Cat scoffed at the specific headline. She walked closer, looking at the giant screen on the wall. Her media was passing the traffic report in the morning. She quickly reread the headlines, comprehending why her assistant called.
"Where is he?" Kara said standing up and walking over the TVs. She grabbed the remote and clicked the TV unmuting the reporter.
"Nurses at National City hospital confirmed that the only person that came in between the hero's arms was media mogul Catherine Grant—Danvers. Hospital staff confirmed that various citizens were delivered by the Man of Steel and the Martian Manhunter."
Cat shook her head, mentally cursing the Opal City news for such negligent words. Nobody was going to imply any baloney to her protégé. Kara quickly muted the reporter's voice and sat down in her wife's chair.
"Oh, thanks for joining us," Kara said dryly, holding her wife's cell phone with her cheek and shoulder as she typed quickly. "Why are we showing the traffic while Opal City reporters destroy Supergirl's and National City's reputation?" The question was simple, consistent and Cat couldn't have rephrased it better. "Why haven't I received the pictures yet? Her email, not mine." Cat was incredibly amazed by how prompt Kara deliberated her options. Kara kept typing. "No, we're not indicating how many people Supergirl flew to the hospital. We will cover the actual story, Snapper."
Cat crossed her arms at the mention of Snapper's name. Suddenly, she was feeling hot and bothered by the situation even more. She could imagine the random headlines he was providing Kara.
She was astounded by her view. Kara was managing the entire situation with expertise. It stunned Cat that Kara knew who Clark Kent was. What surprised her the most was how sharp and influential Kara was replying to Snapper. The confidence and resilience were incredible.
Cat thought that Kara knew what was happening because of her. She was probably stressed about the whole situation, and she mentioned this to Kara. However, how Kara was acting, the tone and look on her face resembled her young self.
Kara was a CatCo reporter, without a doubt.
"I," Kara said shaking her head, moving the cell phone to her hand. "I am certain that my wife would be distraught if she heard what you're implying, therefore, let's be gracious that you are speaking with me instead of her, okay? Still, unacceptable Snapper."
Cat smirked, sipping her coffee and walking over the wall to see more drawings of Ollie. She focused on the sketches, Kara just referred to her wife, and the word didn't sound as excruciating as before.
"They're not appealing," Kara said dragging her words and clicking the space bar continuously. "I don't want a picture of Supergirl. She wasn't the only one there." Cat moved a couple of steps to the front, switching her gaze over the drawings. "Did you get the email? I want a velvet headline bar, font size fourteen, preferably white." Cat raised her brow at how peculiar Kara's descriptions were. "I'll finish this now, prepare the reporter, we need to go live. Okay, thank you."
Kara typed some more before she stood, grabbing the coffee mug and sipping slowly; she drunk a little more and placed the phone on the desk after she finished the call. She noticed Cat standing close to the wall. "Do you trust me?" Kara flashed a smile to her wife.
Nonetheless, Cat was lost for words. Kara was bold, trusty and direct; a vivid image of Cat handling the situation.
"Unquestionably," Cat responded.
Kara turned waiting for the headline, and Cat walked over and stood next to the millennial. The traffic news ended, flashing the velvet bar with white fonts size fourteen.
City of heroes
Cat smiled at the headline accompanied by three heroes floating in the air conveyed by NCPD. The headline was short and powerful. Three words empowered meaningless sentences from the competition. The picture showed unity, accord, and harmony. It provided coziness and relief to National City citizens. The prompt headline brought peace and reassurance. Its meaning destroyed negativity and armed security.
Cat was pleased.
Beyond pleased.
"Brazen, Kara." She said, turning slightly, facing her. "It suits you," She began saying. "You are a reporter, an astonishing one," Cat said proudly. "I knew it since I first interview you, I always knew you were meant for more."
Kara's stomach felt warm, she wanted to kiss her wife and thank her for her beautiful words. "You inspired me." Was all Call could say.
She took a deep breath; the moment was perfect to thank Kara for everything. It was time to leave the insecurities behind and be bold about it. Cat didn't do feelings unless they were quickly returned. Additionally, Cat was confident that she held something special in the millennials heart. It was hard for Cat because even though she could see how exceptionally Kara was, her feelings were jumbled and constricted. She needed to define herself.
Just when Cat decided to rephrase the correct sentence, the phone rung one more time. They both looked down and then to each other's eyes. Cat read the name of the person calling and handling the phone to Kara.
Kara smiled at the quick shoulder shrug her wife gave her, before walking to the front of the door.
Cat placed her hand on the glass doors, listening to how Kara answered the phone one more time. Her tone was more relaxed and serene. She stopped in her tracks when she saw another glass door in front of her office. The dark room was still a mystery to her, just like her office. The only light coming out of the place was a thin line gold line, escaping from underneath the curtains.
She took two steps, placed her hand on the handle and pushed the door open. Cat turned back, looking at the curtain in her office seeking any similitude. She saw a small box on the wall. She stretched her hand in the darkroom finding the same box. The curtains started to fold next to each other's revealing the interior of the room slowly.
Cat's eyes drifted quickly to the objects around her. The room was two steps leveled down, and every corner was covered in white sand.
Small, mediums and tall easels were standing across the room; the legs swiftly buried in the sand. She saw spots of color on the white sand, underneath exquisite paintings. Vibrant colors adorned the canvasses hanging from the wall, while soft and tender tones rested on the easels ones.
Everything around her was incredibly beautiful. She took the steps down, smiling at the sand castle in the corner, next to some beach toys. She could imagine everything around her. Ollie would play in the sand, while Kara painted right across her office. She couldn't help but smile at the glass doors.
There was something special about it. She couldn't understand why she was unbelievably fond of the idea.
Cat moved her feet in the warm sand as she moved closer to one of the paintings. The canvas was pearl white with splashes of gold across the center.
The soft colors distinguished remarkably.
"Olive splattered those there, by mistake." Cat jumped at Kara's voice. "She was helping me wash the brushes but tripped with her feet." Kara giggled. "She never dropped the brush, though." Cat smiled, feeling comfortable with Kara's voice next to her. Cat was always ready for stories of her daughter. "She ran to your office, embarrassed that she ruined one of my canvas."
"It's beautiful," Cat said.
"It's not finished yet. I have to combine the light in the corner and mold the splashes." Cat turned, looking at the young woman speaking about the painting. "Maybe create a soft texture to dissipate the corners pale colors. I can probably add some pink or silver." Cat was lost in Kara's face. It was impressive how deeply she felt about the painting. She was getting to know Kara, and it was unexpected. The way Kara controlled the headlines earlier and the simplicity of how she was describing her art was proof of how brilliant and remarkable she was. "I want to create the perfect lighting, making it admirable from a distance but astonishing when closer." Kara doubled take. She switched her gaze from the painting to her wife. "I'm sorry, was I—rambling? Yes, I was." She said taking a deep breath.
"Oh, please continue. You are very passionate about everything you care." Cat complimented her. "Kara, they are all incredible. Ollie's mural, and the paintings around the house, they're all yours. They're stunning."
Kara smiled lovingly, stretching her hand in front of her wife. "Hi, I am Kara Danvers," She said, leaving behind the second last name proposedly, granting her wife the space she needed. "Former assistant of Cat Grant, queen of all media," Cat arched her brows, taking Kara's hand in hers. "Reporter at CatCo Magazine." Kara softly shook her wife's hand, resumed her speaking but never retrieved her hand. "I also own a gallery a couple of blocks down from CatCo Plaza and," Kara decided to be playful and charming. She didn't want to force the topic, but Olive was an inevitable one. "You might recognize my nose if I recall a four—year— old wears it beautifully on her face." She finished, tapping her nose twice with her free hand.
Cat chuckled, looking at her hands. Kara stretched her index finger swiftly onto Cat's pulse point. The gesture was quick, barely noticeable for Cat. The movement was subtle and incognito. It was perfect for Kara.
Cat felt how warm Kara's hands were in there. She quickly observed how Kara's fingers rested gracefully on her side.
Kara closed her eyes for a second, smiling when she felt the pulse of her wife on her fingers. The constant, tranquil thump made Kara's stomach flip. Her wife was comfortable around her, the feeling was incredible.
Cat smiled, retrieving her hand casually. "I've been prolonging this conversation because my vocabulary lacked the correct words." Kara tilted her head, placing her hands in her pockets. "First I need to apologize. It was incredibly rude of how I treated you. I was afraid and in denial." Kara shook her head and opened her mouth to speak, but Cat raised her hand, silencing Kara. "If you stop me I don't think I'll ever say it." Kara nodded, her expressions were soft, and Cat could see her eyes shining behind her glasses. "I am still afraid, less, significantly less, of course, but terrified. I'm so scared to compromise Ollie's lifestyles. I'm horrified that I can't be up to speed with my company.
"I'm thankful, but paranoiac because I don't have Carter around." She looked around the room. "I should be more careful of how I address you. You deserved to be called by your name." She said rolling her eyes. "You took care of me, and all I did was kick you out of the room you sleep every night." Cat took a couple of steps, clearing the space from Kara. She looked at buildings through the glass windows. "I was insolent, impolite and selfish; and I am not upset because you didn't answer the door last night when I knocked." Kara opened her eyes, placing her hand on her forehead. Her wife probably did this while she was getting her the pizza.
"Thing is," Cat said, holding her hands. "I might not understand multiple things; like how a young, brilliant woman like you ended up marrying an old bitter CEO." Kara rolled her eyes at the immortal topic. "But I must thank you for Olivia," Cat said softly. "She's incredible. I don't have the correct adjectives to describe how stunning and perfect she is." She chuckled. "Sometimes a reporter like me can't find the correct words."
Kara cleaned a tear that escaped from her eyes and Cat mimicked her actions.
"Thank you. Thank you for the life that I have now. For the pictures on the hall that I am sure I'll be brave enough to watch throughout the week. For preparing my coffee from five years ago, and not my usual. Thank you for showing me where to put Mr. Knows stickers, and for not blocking my personal space." Cat chuckled and turned towards Kara. She felt comfortable under the sand. "Thank you for my daughter's nose."
Kara's heart beaded fast at the raw emotions. Her wife, the woman she fell in love with years. Still, she managed to make her heart flutter with overflowing love. "You are very welcome, Mrs. Grant," Kara said, gazing at green eyes.
"Oh, please, call me Cat." The older woman said, stretching her hand.
Kara looked at the hand, her wife's eyes were inviting and sparkling. She moved slowly, observing any tension from her wife. She took another step when she didn't find any. Kara passed the stretched hand and embraced her wife.
Cat rounded her arms around Kara quickly. She could feel her heart thumping in her chest. She could feel Kara's strong arms around her, yet the embrace was delicate and soothing. The coconut shampoo reminded her of something. The scent calmed her.
Kara pulled back first, beaming at her wife with glossy eyes. "I will be here with you. I'll help you with everything."
"I believe you'll do an excellent," Cat said shrugging her shoulders, smiling slightly. She moved her toes in the sand and then observed Kara. "How did you get all the sand in here? I mean, I know how."
"I flew— I had people… people flew some here." Kara said rapidly. "From Fiji."
"I think I might like some for my office. Feels very relaxing." Cat said nonchalantly.
"Look, and right over the corner you can wash your feet," Kara said pointing at the small hose under a drain next to a table with towels.
"You thought about everything."
"Not really," Kara said scratching her neck. "You grew tired of finding sand everywhere."
Cat tilted her head. "That sounds like me."
"Yeah."
Cat turned, looking at everything around the room. "I feel better. I just need to see our daughter." Kara bit her bottom lip when her wife used the word our.
"She should be here any minute now," Kara said adjusting her super hearing to the gears of the elevator.
Right on time, the elevator beeped. Cat smiled, rushing through the two steps, leaving Kara's studio with her feet covered in sand. Kara floated in the air, blowing slowly to her feet as she left the room.
Cat reached the doors and greeted one of the aunts with a big smile. Her smile grew when she saw Ollie asleep over the young woman's shoulder.
Alex mumbled hi to Cat, while she passed Olivia to her mother.
Cat heart beamed with love when Ollie cuddled closer to her. She turned to Kara and walked toward her daughter's bedroom.
"Hey," Alex asked, stepping out of the elevator and kissing her sister's cheek. "How's your shoulder?" Her tone was concerned and lovingly.
"Healed. I guess I needed vitamin C." Kara joked flexing her shoulders.
"Speaking of," Alex said, looking at the hall and then back at her sister. "Last night we were playing hide and seek around the apartment," Kara smiled. "And Maggie tripped with the board where we pin our mail." Kara nodded, visualizing her sister apartment. "Thing is that a couple of tacks fell, and Olivia ran over some."
"Oh Rao, is she okay, why didn't you call me?" Kara opened her eyes widely, but her sister pulled a couple of tacks from her pocket and stretched her hand open to Kara. "What am I looking at?" Kara grabbed the tacks, noticing how the small sharp needle was bent over the left side. "She," Kara stuttered, turning the tack in her fingers. "She's okay, right. She walked through them?"
"Yes," Alex said excitedly. "I promise you that I rushed to get them, everything happened so fast, and Olive ran on them, sending the tacks to a corner."
"Rao, did she notice?"
"No, she kept jumping and laughing as nothing happened." Alex smiled at her sister. "She's a little you, Kara. Her skin is just like yours."
Kara's hand shook with emotion and fear. Her daughter was developing powers. "How beautiful and perfect?" Kara joked, releasing tension from her shoulders.
"Whatever," Alex said pushing her sister slowly. "How's Cat?"
Kara smiled, placing the tacks inside her pocket. "I think she'll be okay. We were just talking. I would like to take your word and do some test at the DEO, but I just want another more day until I tell her, or she figures it out."
Alex nodded, smiling at the loud laugh coming from Olivia's room.
"Do you think she'll be lethal to Kryptonite?" Kara murmured.
"It's hard to say. Right now, she can control her super hearing, and she might be bulletproof. We just need to see and wait if she inherited all your powers."
"This is oddly exciting and worrisome," Kara said taking a deep breath.
Olive ran from her room, Cat followed right after holding Mr. Knows in her hands. "Momma, Mr. Knows is tickling me." Olive laughed stopping on Kara's legs. Cat quickly pressed the stuffed toy over her daughters back, provoking loud laughter from the four—year—old.
"Olive elephants do not have fingers," Kara said in a playful voice.
"No momma, don't be silly with his tail," Olivia said in between laughs.
"Yes, momma, with his tail, don't be silly," Cat said stroking Mr. Knows fluffy tail of her daughters back.
Alex stood in awe, witnessing the beautiful scene before her.
Cat stopped when her daughter started seeking air and kissed her cheeks simultaneously. "Why don't you go and check if he finished eating?" Cat smiled, and Ollie nodded running to her room.
"Speaking of food. I am starving." Kara said rubbing her stomach. "Are you staying for breakfast? She asked her sister as she walked over the kitchen.
"Raincheck? I must be at work in a couple of minutes." Kara looked back at her concerned. Asking with her eyes what her lips couldn't say. "Nothing we can't handle." She said smiling.
Cat smiled at the young woman in front of her. "You are one of the aunts." She said stretching her hand.
Alex looked around and took her hand. "I'm Alex, the sister." Cat nodded, shaking her hand and retrieving it slowly.
"You seem like the type of sister that would deliver a warning in the first meeting," Cat said quickly looking up and down at Alex.
"Oh, I'm not worried about that," Alex said casually.
"This might sound a little odd, but I do have a question, Mrs. Danvers." Cat was bold and somehow awkward. She despised the feeling but needed to be at ease. She might be able to understand why she chose Kara, but she could try and investigate why Kara chose her.
"You can call me Alex, Cat." Alex encouraged and Cat smiled. "Yes. Shoot."
"Do we like each other's," Cat blurred. "I would rather you tell me this now than, you know, finding it later."
Alex chuckled. "Yes, we do like each other's." She quickly gazed at Kara who wore a huge smile on her face.
"Great, excellent," Cat said smiling. "Since we are on good terms, I would like to ask another question." Her hands shook a little.
"Go ahead. As many as you want, Cat."
"I can't help but think of why don't I get a warning. You know, the typical hurt my sister and I'll kill you," Cat rolled her eyes, why was she invested in the specific topic. "Hopefully figuratively." Cat was interested. She was very curious about why she was getting an unusual treatment.
Or so she thought it was unique.
"Why don't I get this the second time?" She asked again.
"There was never a first time, Cat." Alex shrugged. "Never felt like having that type of conversation with you. Of course, I was a skeptic until I formally met you."
There was silence for a second. Maybe two until Cat decided which sentence she wanted to use. She agreed that under the circumstances the word wasn't the most appropriate, but she was sure that it would please her if the answer were delivered correctly.
"Why?" Cat simply asked.
"Because I saw how you look at her," Cat reminded quiet, engraving Alex's words in her mind. She was having some trouble to voice her next question, so she reminded quiet, waiting for the young woman to continue the conversation. "You didn't need a warning, not with the way you look at her."
Alex smiled at Cat and then kneeled when she saw Olive coming her way.
"Kiss me. I have to go now." Olive slid her index finger over her aunt's nose before placing a kiss on her cheek. "I love you too," Alex said hugging Olivia. "See you beautiful."
"Bye Aunt Alex," Ollie said before walking away.
"Goodbye, Cat," Alex said pushing the button of the elevator.
"Thank you, Alex," Cat said taking a deep breath.
"anytime." She winked at Cat, waved at Kara and walked inside the silver doors.
The day went by slowly as Cat memorized everything around her house and learned mannerism and traits of her daughter. Breakfast was pleasant and full of laughter, dinner was exciting and discursive.
They discussed elephants.
Soon when the sun hid behind tall buildings, and Cat found herself tucking in her daughter for the first time, she thought that maybe the future wasn't so bad. She placed Mr. Knows in his cave, making sure there were no bananas stickers on his perfect teeth. Cat turned the lights off the room, flipping the night light switch on.
The room was instantly covered in thousands of fireflies. The bright insects shined in an unparalleled beat. Cat grinned, placing Supergirl's cape on top of her daughter's blanket.
She turned, finding the minor lights of the fireflies covering Kara's body leaning on the doorframe. Cat walked toward her, leaving the room and the door ajar.
"What a day huh?" Kara said walking backward.
"It was almost perfect," Cat alleged, removing her glasses. She missed Carter.
"He's coming tomorrow," Kara said waiting for her wife's expression.
"Whoa, you do know me, Kara." She said crossing her arms, following Kara down the hall.
Kara stopped in front of the room. "I will stop if you find it overwhelming."
"No, it's okay."
"Okay."
"Okay."
Cat looked at her, Kara was once again, providing her the precise space between them.
"Thank you for today." She said, looking up into blue eyes.
"My pleasure," Kara said opening the door of their room for Cat to enter. "Goodnight," She said, flashing a smile to her wife. "Cat."
Cat giggled, nodding and entering the room. "Have a good night yourself, Kara." Her voice was soft and gracious. "I'll see you in the morning."
Kara beamed, adjusting her glasses. "Definitely." She said quickly making her wife chuckle.
"Good night."
"Good night."
The door was slowly shut, but neither of them moved. Kara quickly removed her glasses but decided to put them back on and deliver her wife some privacy. Cat's hand was still on the closed door, while Kara's forehead was pressed against the wood.
Neither of them moved to the other.
Kara turned in the hall, walking to her daughter's room instead of where she spent the night the day before. She lifted the cape and the covers and snuggled closer to Olive.
The room was dimmed and wide for Cat. Suddenly the idea of a dull, lonely future aggravated her. Having her future planned didn't seem so appealing and vital anymore.
She found herself in an empty room. The luxurious bed sheets were her only company. She sat on the bed, looking around the empty room. Reminiscing all the happy moments she had today so that they are molded to dark and unpleasant thoughts.
She focused on what she prepared herself but never envisioned that maybe, just maybe there was a better way to spend her future. She spent years, accepting that her lonely life was going to be rewarding and exciting. She forced herself to believe that she just had to maintain a routine life until her last days.
She was so naïve.
She created the wrong idea.
She prepared herself for a normal life.
Why it took her so long to understand that she could never be normal?
She was meant for more, than breakfast at a coffee shop.
She had more to experience than the soil of a garden.
She was talented enough to write her book again from scratch and resist the urge to rewrite one.
She was meant for discussions of people adapting to a small town.
She knew the only thing sure about the future she prepared was the delicious pizza.
She couldn't resist the idea that she was scared to phase this future because she didn't plan it.
Right now, inside the dimmed empty room was a vivid representation of the future she envisioned. She had everything she planned inside the room. The silence, her thoughts to herself, the ability of proper decisions. She had it all, and she didn't want it.
She knew her future was new and vibrant; thus, she walked across the room, opened the door and walked down the hall to Kara's room.
She found the bed made, the pillows neatly next to each other. She didn't think anything wrong, knowing the millennial she was probably in Ollie's room. She stopped herself in her tracks with the sudden thought.
Cat opened Ollie's door, fireflies quickly covering her body and face as she entered. She tiptoed until she reached the bed.
She took a deep breath, she knew why she was here, but she never thought of seeing such incredible sight. Kara fell asleep wearing her glasses, her hand was on her forehead, and Ollie's small arm mimicked her mother's.
She smiled, memorizing the sight. After what it felt like forever, she turned to leave the room when she was stopped by Kara's hand on her forearm. "There's space." She said lifting the cape and tapping the mattress. Cat smiled at Kara's sleepy tone and jumped into bed with them.
Kara smiled, passing her the blanket she brought from the guest room. "Goodnight, beautiful," Kara said closing her eyes.
"Goodnight, Mrs. Grant," Cat mumbled, and Kara drifted to sleep with a content smile on her face.