Alex wiped Maggie's chin, as she gratefully passed the bucket to Eliza. Maggie had had a terrible night.
Eliza held up the syringe questioningly to Alex. Alex nodded. Maggie needed to sleep.
Eliza swiftly injected the strong sedative, and Alex held her trembling wife close. "It'll be all over soon," Alex whispered to the miserable woman.
"I'll see to the girls," Eliza touched Alex's arm briefly.
Alex nodded gratefully. She didn't know how she would have coped without her mom, and she was grateful that she had promised to stay until Maggie was better. Thing weren't going to be completely back to normal for a while, they all knew that, but Eliza was making a huge effort – and so were Maggie and Alex. And they would get there. They loved each other, they just needed to get over the past. If only Kara could forgive as easily as Addie had, but Eliza knew that Kara adored Alex, and she could only imagine the traumas she had gone through as she watched Alex suffer.
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"You stay here," Kate instinctively knew how Kara was feeling. They both wanted to help so much, but Kara still felt unsettled about the possibility of seeing Eliza. "I'll get them."
Eliza was a little saddened, but unsurprised that only Kate came to the door. She couldn't help glancing over at Kate's truck, and saw Kara making herself busy with the child seats in the back. She felt a tinge of pleasure when Kara raised a tentative hand in swift greeting, before she turned away again and fiddled unnecessarily with a buckle. It was a step in the right direction.
Kate knelt to give Addie a full, tight hug. She felt the young girl cling tight to her. She knew how much Addie loved her moms, and how she became overly anxious whenever something was wrong. "Hey, Doodle," she said softly, holding her close for a few seconds. She loved Addie so much, and was grateful for their close relationship. Addie had taken to her right from the start, and shown her so much affection.
"Hi Sergeant Kate," Addie's voice was small.
Kate pulled back and held both of Addie's hands gently. "Mommy's having a rough time, huh?"
Addie nodded, and blinked away her tears. "Mama's taking care of her. And Gran'ma 'liza," she looked up at her grandmother. "She's going to be okay. Mama says she'll likely be sick for 'nother couple of days, and then she'll be okay."
"It's awful when someone you love is sick," Kate said.
"It makes me sad," Addie admitted.
"Your moms are very lucky to have you," Kate straightened up, placing a soft hand on her shoulder. "And just how is your sister behaving?" she smiled at Jamie who was sitting comfortably in Eliza's arms.
Addie smiled. "Jamie's so cute. And she's so funny. She knocked a whole box of Froot Loops on the floor this morning, and she made Mama mad when she laughed. It was kinda funny though, wasn't it Sprout?" Addie had taken to using Alex's nickname for Jamie.
Kate's heart melted as Eliza handed her the child, and Jamie grinned and nestled into her front. She was so like Maggie it was untrue. She had inherited not only her dimples but her mischievous sense of humor. Life with her was never going to be boring.
"Are we gonna see the fishes again, Sergeant Kate?" Addie asked, picking up Jamie's bag of supplies without having to be asked.
"We thought maybe we could do the park this morning, take Gertie with us. And then we can bring Gertie back and, after Jamie's nap, we could go to the aquarium this afternoon. What do you think?"
Addie clapped her hands with excitement. "You give that bag to Kara," Kate nodded to her girlfriend who was now standing by the car. She knew that Addie was sensible and wouldn't run into the road. "I'll be right there."
"Thank you so much," Eliza looked exhausted.
"How is she really?" Kate asked.
"Utterly miserable," Eliza admitted. "But it's not serious. Just really unpleasant."
"Did any of you get any sleep?"
"I got a couple of hours. I don't think Alex has slept at all."
Kate nodded. She knew there was no point in any of them arguing with Alex. She would stay with Maggie until she recovered. "We're free all weekend. We'll take them again tomorrow. We'll see if Ellie and Aoife are in the mood for a group swim. And we'll keep them tonight too."
"Addie can check in with Maggie when you bring Gertie back," Eliza handed Kate the leash. "So she won't worry."
"And how are you?" Kate couldn't help noticing Eliza surreptitiously looking over her shoulder to watch Kara.
"I'm getting there. Thank you," Eliza's smile was warm and genuine.
"She'll get there too. I'm sure of it," Kate knew that Kara was likely listening in, but she knew she wouldn't mind Kate saying that to her step-mother.
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Campbell was nervous to raise the subject. She and Kit had only ever had one big argument, and that was when Kit had insisted on renting her own apartment when she left Ellie and Aoife's. Campbell had been upset that she hadn't wanted to move in with her, with the result that she didn't really listen to what Kit was saying. It wasn't that Kit didn't want to be with her – it was just that the relationship was so important to Kit that she didn't want to jeopardize it by moving too fast.
And now Kit's six-month lease was up for renewal, and Campbell didn't want to have the same argument all over again.
As it had turned out, they had only spent two nights apart during the past six months, and that was when Campbell had had to attend a conference in Denver and Kit wasn't able to take the time off to join her. The rest of the time, they had stayed either in Kit's or Campbell's apartment. They had keys to each other's places, and room in each other's closets.
Kit looked up, her coffee-colored skin glowing and beautiful. Campbell's palms itched; she just wanted to touch her. But they had deliberately met in the coffee shop, so that they would both be more likely to remain calm. They were both passionate and, sometimes, hot-headed.
Kit gave a small smile. "I think I know why you wanted us to meet," she said.
Campbell nodded. She was appalled to find her throat constricting. Christ, she surely wasn't going to cry. She never cried. She certainly never cried in public.
Kit reached out and took her hand, very softly. She stroked her fingers. She loved Campbell's hands. Strong, capable, and yet soft and so tender. "Your place isn't really big enough for us. Not full time," she reached into her backpack and pulled out her iPad. "And my place is no better. So I've been looking online. This one," she opened the iPad and flicked the screen. "This is just three streets away from Ellie and Aoife. Or this one," she thumbed the screen. "They've both got two bedrooms, and this one has a study too."
Campbell's eyes widened. "I thought you wanted to take things slow?"
Kit grinned. "I did. And we did. And I gotta tell you, Reilly. I'm kinda liking how it's been going. But I left my favorite boots at your place on Monday, and I'm damned if I'm going to invest in another pair so I've got some at each place."
Campbell looked stupified.
"I thought you were smart," Kit clarified. "I'm asking you to live with me. And I think we should get a bigger place. We don't have to. We can stay at yours. Or I can extend my lease. But I don't ever want to be apart from you."
"So you decided I'm perfect then," Campbell was regaining her spark.
Kit fixed her with an amused look. And then she smiled. "Actually," she leaned over and kissed her very softly. "I kinda did."
Campbell didn't even notice the tear that tracked down her own face. She was trying to process what Kit had said. She looked up at her lover, and saw love, trust and tenderness in her face. "Yeah, well, you're about right for me," she tried to sound gruff.
Kit laughed. She knew that the soppy stuff didn't come easy to Campbell. She leant forward and whispered into her ear. "Well, in that case, what are the chances that you'll take me home and fuck me until my toes curl?"
Campbell was instantly aroused. "I think that can be arranged officer," she was already on her feet and pulling bills out of her pocket to pay for the coffee they hadn't touched. "Would now be an appropriate time for you?"
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"Oh babe, I know," Alex supported Maggie through another violent bout of nausea. She was beginning to get anxious. Maggie hadn't kept down any fluids for hours.
Maggie's face was plastered with sweat and tears. She slumped in Alex's hours, and lay her head miserably on her shoulder. "This sucks," her voice was weak.
Alex felt the damp fabric under her hand, and checked the sheets, which were also damp.
Eliza watched closely, and read Alex's mind. "I'll draw a bath. Lukewarm, okay?"
Alex nodded. Five minutes later, she held Maggie tenderly in her arms, and ran a sponge over her body. The water made Maggie relax infinitesimally, as she allowed Alex to take charge. She felt like shit, but she knew she was in safe hands.
Alex kept adding cool water, until she was bathing Maggie in almost cold water. "I know," she saw Maggie flinch. "I know babe. But this is going to help your fever. And then we're going to give you a drip, just for a while. It won't hurt."
When she carried Maggie back to the bedroom, Alex was touched to see the bed made up with fresh linen. She also saw a bunch of freshly cut wild flowers on the dresser. When had Eliza had time to do that? She drew the covers up under Maggie's chin, and then swiftly installed the drip and gave her another strong sedative. "You should start to feel better some time in the next 24 hours," Alex promised, as she held the thermometer in her ear. She looked relieved at the reading. "See, the tub worked, your temp's dropped a little." She stroked Maggie's face. "It's not fair, babe. I know. Soon you'll be back, kicking ass," she smiled.
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Kara held a slumbering Jamie in her arms as they watched Addie run around crazily with Gertie. "I can't wait to tell Alex," she said. "I can't wait to tell the whole world you are my fiancée. We'll tell them as soon as Maggie's better."
Kate kissed her gently. "I still gotta get you a ring. There's one I really like."
"When did you get time to look at rings?" Kara demanded. They had been together every minute since the proposal.
"I've been looking at this one for over a year," Kate admitted shyly.
"So you've been thinking about us getting married for that long?"
"I've been thinking about it since about two weeks after I met you," Kate was slightly embarrassed.
"What took you so long?" Kara pretended to be affronted.
Kate looked directly into her. Kara was always astounded by the deep blue of her eyes. "When you know, you know," Kate replied softly.
"I have an idea," Kara said. "After we've taken Gertie back, let's go look at that ring. We can tell Addie, she'll be so excited, and it'll give her something to take her mind off Maggie. And if she accidentally tells them, it won't matter."
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"Ma, we're only going for four days," Jane reminded her mother, less than patiently. "And it's not like you have to take everything with you. You live in our yard, for Chrissakes." She knew she would regret building a guest house in their grounds.
Angela fixed her with a hard glare. Jane knew she hated blasphemy. "Sorry, Ma," she muttered. She gave her mother a quick, and completely unexpected, hug. "But it's great, right, Ma? Maura has a whole new career, and I'll be there to take care of her. And Robert's going to love New York. We'll take Mikey with us next time, when he's a little older."
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"I don't know how you're so calm," Ellie watched in wonder as Aoife watched her precious canvases being loaded into a truck, to begin their journey to New York for the exhibition. "Suppose something happens to them?"
Aoife shrugged. "I'll paint more," she was philosphical.
Ellie admired her wife so much. She wondered if she had had the same outlook on life before her accident – before she lost everything that mattered to her then. It was almost impossible to rattle her now. The only thing that made her anxious was when she thought Ellie was at some sort of risk, or one of the other members of hew new, and much-loved family.
"So you're definitely not showing them?" Ellie gestured with her chin to the stack of twelve canvases near the door. She knew that each of them held a picture of her, some of them showing her half- or fully naked.
"Never," Aoife's voice was soft. "I have included some of you, but those ones," she smiled, bashfully. "Those are just for us."
"You're such a sap," Ellie's heart was full with love. She knew that Aoife had shown all but three of the canvases to Maura, and she had also respected the way Maura had not pushed her to exhibit more than she wanted to, despite being overwhelmed with the artistry involved.
"Yeah, well, I gotta be careful. If people find out how hot my wife is, they'll start hitting on her. And then I'll have to deck them. And then you'll have to arrest me. It'd just get messy," Aoife was grinning.
"It's great that Callie and Arizona are going to be there," Ellie smiled at the thought of meeting Callie's wife. Callie had been instrumental in changing both of their lives, when she had operated and freed Aoife of her regular, devastating migraines. In the past 18 months, Aoife had had only two migraines, compared with one every two or three weeks.
Aoife nodded. "It's so sweet of them to come. I'm just sorry Alex and Maggie aren't going to be able to make it."
"Maggie should be better by the time the exhibition opens," Ellie said.
"And can you see Alex allowing her to get on a plane for at least two weeks after she recovers?" Aoife laughed. She knew how protective both women were of each other. Alex would want to tend to Maggie for much longer than Maggie would enjoy.
Aoife started to flip through the canvases by the door. Ellie smiled when she stopped at one of her favorites, a close-up sideways view of Ellie, that included her face and half of her torso – the half with the elaborate tattoo and nipple piercing. Ellie grinned when Aoife's mouth fell half open unconsciously, and she could guess what she was thinking. She approached her from behind, and pulled her to her front, hugging her gently. She used one hand to move Aoife's soft mane of titian hair to one side, to reveal her porcelain neck. She kissed the skin tenderly, loving it when she felt Aoife squirm slightly. She let one hand drift up Aoife's front, and grinned when she felt her rock hard nipple when she cupped her breast. She used her other hand to unbutton Aoife's fly. As she slid her hand into Aoife's panties, she was rewarded with a gutteral moan from her wife, accompanied by a flood of moisture. "That's it, right? The movers? You haven't got another truck coming?"
Aoife nodded. "Thass'it," she ground out.
Ellie reached up to lock the door to the studio. She turned Aoife in her arms, and kissed her, unable to hold back a deep moan when she felt Aoife's tongue. When she felt Aoife's wet mouth cover her breast through the thin fabric of her t-shirt, she lifted her off the ground and carried her to the small day bed in the corner of the room.
Within seconds, Aoife had somehow dragged Ellie's t-shirt over her head and removed her bra. Ellie was always amazed at what Aoife could do with only one functioning hand. When she felt Aoife's mouth on her now bare breast, she thought she might come. "Slow down," she gasped, rolling Aoife onto her back. Aoife's hand fumbled with her belt. God, it was like she had married a magician; within seconds, her belt was on the floor and her jeans were half way down her legs. Unexpectedly, she found herself underneath Aoife, who was grinning triumphantly. Aoife cupped her hard. "I'm in charge today," she said calmly.
Ellie bucked when Aoife's fingers reached their target. "'kay, babe," she bit out. Aoife wasn't often assertive, but it was hot as hell when she was. This was going to be a great afternoon.
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"Try it on," Kate urged Kara.
"Noooooo!" Kara shook her head, vehemently.
"Don't you like it?" Kate looked crestfallen.
"Like it? LIKE IT? Of course I like it. It's beautiful. It's also eight grand, Kate. It's far too much."
"I've been saving for three years," Kate admitted. "And it's a beautiful ring. What do you think, Addie?" she lifted Addie so that she could get a good view of the ring that had one large diamond, surrounded by eight flawless sapphires. "You have to persuade her," she whispered into Addie's ear, conspiratorially.
"It's so pretty, Sergeant Kate," Addie stared. "Try it on, Auntie Kara. Sergeant Kate really wants you to have it."
Kara realized that it was true. Kate really did want to spend all that money on her. She didn't deserve it. And then she looked at Addie's excited face. She had, of course, heard what Kate had whispered to her.
"You don't play fair, Sergeant," she laughed at Kate's grin. She let Kate slide the ring on her finger. It was perfect. She felt tears prickle.
Addie clapped her hands with delight. "You gotta have it, Auntie Kara. It looks so pretty on your finger."
Kate lifted Addie into her arms. "I think that's decided then," she turned and dropped her credit card on the counter. "We'll take it."
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"Why aren't you wearing the ring Auntie Kara got for you, Sergeant Kate?" Addie was curious. "Don't you like it?"
Kate tightened her grip on her hand. It was busy at the aquarium, and she wanted to make sure Addie didn't get lost. "It's not that, Doodlebug. I love the ring. I love it so much. But I talked to Kara, and we have both agreed that we're going to keep it just as my wedding band. I don't wear much jewelry, and I have to be careful in my job not to have more than a plain ring, or it might get caught on something. So, because it's perfect for the wedding band, we're going to keep it just for that. I checked with Kara, and she doesn't mind."
Addie nodded. "So I gotta keep it a secret that you're getting married?"
"Just for a little while. When your Mommy's better, we'll come over and tell both of your moms together."
"They're going to be real happy about it," Addie told her.
"I hope you're right, Doodle."
Addie grinned. She knew she was.
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"So did'ja have a good time?" Alex made a point of coming to collect her daughters – and Gertie – from Kara and Kate's place the next day. Maggie was much calmer, and had had a good night. Eliza had promised to stay with her while Alex went out. Alex smiled as Kate passed her a delighted Jamie, who snuggled into her mother's arms, a big smile on her face.
"We had lots of fun," Addie agreed. "Mommy wouldn't have liked the big barracuda in the tunnel at the aquarium. Jamie thought it was really funny."
"Jamie thinks everything is funny, don't you Sprout?" Alex addressed the baby, who replied with a giggle. "You two have been amazing," she addressed Kara and Kate.
"We had a great time," Kara smiled, keeping her left hand in her pocket. Addie noticed what she was doing and grinned.
"Is Mommy better?"
"She's much better Bug. She's mainly just tired now. But she has told me she wants to see you as soon as we get back, so even if she's sleeping, she's said I have to wake her, or she'll be mad. And we don't want to make Mommy mad, do we?"
Addie shook her head.
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"Something's wrong, Kara. I can tell," Kate's voice was soft. Kara had been sitting on the couch for over an hour, unconsciously twisting her engagement ring. She wasn't focusing on the sitcom playing out on the tv in front of them."
Kara turned to Kate, and saw anxiety in her eyes. She kissed her. "I hope you don't think I'm regretting the engagement. Because I am SO not regretting that. It's the best decision I ever made. I'm going to love being your wife."
"But?"
"The wedding," Kara admitted. "I don't know what to do about the wedding. I don't think I'm ready for Eliza to be there. But I don't want to make Alex sad by not inviting her. And I don't want a big fuss. I've never dreamed of a big wedding. I don't want to make anyone unhappy. I just want to be your wife."
Kate pulled Kara gently into her arms, and pulled a blanket over both of them. She kissed Kara on the top of her head as she cradled her. "I know, babe." She thought for a moment. "Beach wedding!" she declared.
"Huh?"
"Beach wedding. We'll go somewhere exotic. Just the two of us. And we can combine it with the honeymoon. I've always wanted to go to the Dominican Republic. We'll get married out there. We don't invite anyone, and then nobody will be offended. Alex will understand, I know she will."
"Would that really work?" hope bloomed in Kara's chest.
"Damned right it would," Kate was sure. "Maggie's much better now. We'll go over tomorrow evening, we'll take them some take-out and some beers, and we'll sit them down and tell them about the engagement, and the wedding plans. I just know Alex won't mind. And it saves Eliza's feelings, too. I know you don't want to hurt her," her voice was softer.
"I don't," Kara said. "I really don't. I just … I'm not ready. I know I should be, but ..."
"You'll be ready when you're ready," Kate was tender. "There's no hurry, babe. I know how hard it was, watching Alex suffering. Of course it's going to take you a while to forget that."
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Maura was hopping with excitement. She had just supervised the hanging of the last canvas, and the exhibition was perfect. She was also so pleased that she had persuaded Aoife to bring along a few sculptures, even if none of them were for sale. She couldn't decide which was her favorite – the bust of Ellie, or her most recent sculpture, one of Addie sitting cross-legged, a smiling Jamie in her arms. Addie's chin rested on the top of Jamie's head, and they both looked so happy. It was a typical pose for them; when Jamie started to tire at the end of the day, she often crawled into her sister's lap, and Addie would hold her tenderly.
"I just wish Alex and Maggie could be here to see this one," she touched the piece.
Aoife smiled. It was one of her favorites too. "It's okay," she said. "They'll see it soon. It's their wedding anniversary at the end of the month, and this is my gift to them. They've done so much for all of us, I just wanted to say thank you."
Maura smiled. "What a wonderful thank you. They're going to love it."
The exhibition was a roaring success. The critics gushed, and everything that was for sale sold out on the first morning. But what excited Aoife the most was when she was approached by the curator of the National City Museum of Art & Design. "We're having a twelve-month display of works from contemporary artists," the curator told her. "And we'd love to show this sculpture," she gestured to the bust of Ellie. "I know it's not for sale. But how do you feel about it being in the museum for a year?"
Aoife was dumbfounded. She loved that museum, and went there at least once a month. The thought that one of her pieces would be displayed was overwhelming.
"She'd love that," Ellie answered for her, and slid her arm around her wife's waist.
Aoife's mouth opened, then shut, and then she grinned. "What she said," she laughed. "Please allow me to introduce my wife."
"And your muse, too," the curator smiled. She shook Ellie's hand. "Your wife is an incredible talent."
Ellie nodded. "She's completely remarkable. In so many ways."
Aoife blushed.
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Maggie leapt up from the couch to embrace Kate and Kara. "It's the best news EVER!" she declared. She looked over fondly at Alex. "You won't regret marrying a Danvers," she addressed Kate. "Best thing I ever did."
Addie's grin was enormous. Alex realized that it was a smile of delight, but not of surprise. "You knew!" she pointed at her elder daughter.
Addie nodded. "It was a secret. I did good, right, Sergeant Kate?"
"You sure did," Kate swung her round with delight.
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"You still feel okay?" Alex checked, as Maggie changed for bed.
Maggie fixed her with a stern look. "I'm all better babe. I swear to you. I can't believe J'onn won't let me back to work until Thursday."
"It was a nasty bug," Alex said.
Maggie grimaced. "You don't have to remind me. You were amazing, babe," she shrugged on a t-shirt and boxers. She approached her wife, and pulled her to her. "I mean it. You took such good care of me. Eliza too."
"You and Mom are getting along better," Alex spoke carefully. She knew how tough it had been for Maggie to forgive Eliza, and that it was still a work in progress.
"She was very kind."
"You don't have to forgive all at once," Alex's voice was soft. "She knows it can't be magically fixed. But she's trying, and so are you, and I so appreciate it."
"She was talking about getting an apartment in the city. If she gets that uni job," Maggie said. "I think that could be good. She could see more of the girls. Addie loves her so much, so does Jamie."
"You'd be okay with that?" Alex was a little surprised.
Maggie nodded. "I think it would be good. I want the girls to have a grandma. God knows they'll never get that from my mother, and we all know how my father feels about us."
"I love you so much," Alex kissed her.
Maggie grinned. "Oh yeah? Wanna show me how much?"
"More than almost anything," Alex lifted her in her arms and carried her to the bed. "Though I'm not sure why you wasted time putting this on," she lifted her t-shirt.