Rachel was turning fourteen.

Once Sera had laid out the picnic blanket, Rose set down the cooler and joined her family in settling down. "Well, it might just be a rest-stop, but it's such a lovely day."

Of course, the setting could have been completely perfect, something out of a movie, and this still would have been an incredibly tough experience. Because she and Sera had chosen this moment in the middle of their road trip to explain something to Rachel. Something they had sat on for years. But when the time came, you couldn't ignore it any longer.

For a while they just enjoyed their chips and sandwiches, but Rose could only handle the tension for so long. "Rachel, sweetie, there's something we wanted to talk about before we go to see the justice." She found herself idly fiddling with her sandwich and staring down at her lap. The words refused to come out.

Sera cleared her throat, and Rachel glanced back and forth between the two of them for a moment. "Okay well... I mean, whatever it is, it's fine, right? We're all... together and everything. Girl power. All that."

The two women both broke out in awkward laughter. Rachel's attempt at positivity seemed to be the thing that finally gave Sera the strength to push forward. "When I... When I first joined you two, I told you that I left because I was too sad to take care of you. And that was true. But it's more accurate to say your father made me leave. I fell hard into drug use. And at the time, I would have been a... seriously shitty mom."

Just this once, Rose let the swearing go without mention.

"So... after that, you got better?"

Sera idly tore a chunk of bread off her sandwich, toying with it. "Not... right away. I was already so sad, and that just made me feel worse. I got... I got really bad there for a while. I did rehab, and even then I still had to put my life back together. A-And the only thing that really helped me to get through it was to think about seeing you..." She visibly swallowed back some tears and managed a smile. "These past few years have been truly perfect, but it was important to me you understand exactly how much it means to me to be here right now." She wiped at her eyes, and Rose quickly realized she needed to do the same.

Rachel seemed to be processing all of this information for a long time. They held their breath while waiting to see where she ended up, emotionally. "Mom..." If there was any more to that thought, she didn't bother vocalizing it. Instead, she launched herself at Sera and wrapped her up in a tight hug. "I love you so much. And it's really cool that you told me. It means a lot, ya know?" She gave her one last squeeze before pulling away. "Um, anyway, I guess we should probably get back on the road soon?"

With a soft laugh and a sniffle, Sera reached out and ruffled her hair affectionately. "We should, yeah."

"Sweetie, slow down!" Rose sighed wistfully and took her daughter's hand, tugging her back in close. "I know LA is an amazing city, but it's also a massive city, and I don't need you running off and getting lost."

The girl rolled her eyes as was demanded of someone in her position. "Mamaaaaa... There's so much cool stuff to do and we don't have forever to do it! Santa Monica! The Chinese Theatre! Rodeo Drive!" She gave a little twirl, and the people walking past all seemed equally bothered by the obvious tourists.

"Well, we can certainly make at least a few of those happen~" Sera mused softly. As they wandered the sidewalk, they passed by a few people selling things out of blankets and boxes for petty cash. Something apparently caught her eye and she stopped in front of one of them. In a swift transaction, she passed them a ten dollar bill, and took down an earring adorned with a beautiful blue feather. "But first things first. To match that dress you brought for the ceremony. And to remember this birthday by." She carefully pinned it in place and stood back to admire her handiwork.

Even Rose had to admit it looked absolutely perfect on the girl. Rachel turned and looked into a nearby window to check her reflection, gasping dramatically. "Mom! This is awesome! I'm wearing this every day forever from now on~"

A courthouse service wasn't nearly as nice as a proper church wedding. But neither Rose nor Sera were particularly religious. And the number of churches that would marry two women could likely be counted on one hand. Besides, at the end of the day, the venue hardly mattered. Rose was simply excited to make this official. She stood with her bride before the justice, Rachel at their side, as they went through the small formalized ceremony. Again, it wasn't much, but it was enough.

"If the two of you would like to say anything, you may do so now."

They turned to face one another, and for a moment her heart leapt into her throat. While Rose had gone for a tasteful white dress, Sera had insisted on wearing a suit with some black heels. She looked stunning, and her brain momentarily emptied itself.

"Baby, you know I don't like to be too dramatic about things but... Sometimes it feels like you saved me. I don't know what I would have done with myself if I'd been turned away that day. Being a mom again, making a life together, falling in love. You've made me a better person. And I swear I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you."

Rose laughed softly, and she could hear Rachel cooing softly next to her. She did her best to push past the lump in her throat and find the words. "Funny... I was going to say the same thing... I had no clue what to do with myself after James... Well, after everything. And then you wandered in and it seemed so perfect. And I suppose it was. And is. And I look forward to each new perfect day we get to spend together."

All three of them were sniffling softly as the justice resumed the service. "By the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you wives. You may kiss the bride."

They did so, happily, as Rachel cheered for them. She had tried to bring along flower petals or glitter to throw, but they had shot that idea down quickly.

Chuckling softly, the justice closed his book and smiled at them all warmly. "I've done hundreds of these since May, and they never get old. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay here in the city." He showed them out, and the three made their way back into the city for a celebratory dinner.

A low moan worked its way out of Rose's throat. Sera gave a throaty chuckle and pressed another kiss to her neck, right in that sensitive spot. "And you said getting two rooms was a bad idea. Can you imagine if we were sharing a room with Rachel right now, and we had to just lay there and not do this?"

Sera was so much better at all of this stuff than her, and it never failed to make Rose feel a little bit embarrassed. Once upon a time, there had been sexy stuff, and there had been talking, and the two rarely met. But her wife – her wife! – was quite fond of doing all sorts of things in the bedroom during moments of intimacy. It could be a lot to get used to. "You know how I worry..."

"She's not a kid anymore," she reminded her gently, rising back up so they were face to face once more.

"Mmm, that's why I worry..." she quickly replied with a sharp laugh. "I mean, high school and hormones and girlfriends and... Augh, there's a lot still on the way." She glanced down at the ring still on her hand. She felt like she'd been constantly staring at it since the service.

The only thing that could have captured her attention in that moment was Sera lightly gripping her hand and intertwining their fingers together. "Yeah, and you're gonna do amazing. We are. Together. Now, please, I love our daughter just as much as you. But we were somewhat in the middle of something." Sera didn't give her very long to respond properly before shuffling down the bed and dipping between her legs.

Excited as she was for the future, Rose was forced to admit that the present was pretty lovely too.