Back Into Bliss

Genre: Romance, Family; FUTURE FIC

Pairings: Scott and Naomi

Main characters: Scott, Naomi, Greer and Johnnie mentioned

Naomi closed her eyes, shutting back tears. Of regret? She wondered. No… no, not regret. Relief? Well, maybe, maybe not… it was hard to tell, really. The realization that there was such thing as this kind of happiness without guilt?

That just may be it, she realized, as she finally opened her eyes to gaze at Scott.

Scott himself was quiet as he held her closely, but not tightly. Naomi studied him, watching, observing. Without uttering a word, she pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, feeling the muscles tense at her touch.

"Are you okay?" she inquired, her cheek resting against his bangs, and at her words, she felt his tension relax again.

"I think… yes. Yes, I'm okay." He opened his eyes to meet hers. "More than okay, in fact." He brought his hand up to brush his fingers against her short pixie cut. "I was just thinking… oh Naomi, don't be hurt, please… that's not my intention, especially not on this day of all days. I was just thinking…" he trailed off.

"About Meg. Of course you were, you ridiculous beautiful man. She's your heart," Naomi said softly, with understanding that brought tears to Scott's dark brown eyes.

He shifted slightly, taking a bracing breath. What he was about to say was something he'd thought about saying for a while now… but the moment to actually verbalize it had seemed so far away. He blinked as he realized that time had suddenly, without warning or fanfare, arrived – several hours ago, in fact.

"She WAS my heart. Well… no… she still is, in her way. But she's cherished past. I'll never forget her, Naomi, she's what drew me to you. You're my heart now. You and Liam."

Naomi shifted only slightly under the covers they'd tangled themselves into. At the time it seemed a random shift of impulse and emotion and desire… culminating in something even more impulsive… but now, it seemed, as she thought about it, and processed it, that it had been more than that. They couldn't do what they'd just done on a moment's notice.

That would take a bit of pre-meditation, and more than a few days of not changing their minds, or snapping the hell out of it. And not only that, but bringing others into the loop, as well.

"And Kevin?" he suddenly asked, brushing his hand to her temple. He's your heart, your husband, Liam's dad…"

Another silence, only momentary. Naomi cleared her throat softly. "Kevin died before he could be the dad Liam would remember. Oh, he loved us… so, so much, Scottie. He'll always be a part of me. But he'll never really be a part of Liam. Not the way you are. You're his daddy now. For better or for worse…"

"For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health…" Scott murmured as he smiled against her skin.

"For as long as we both shall live," Naomi finished. "Past, present, future… I wonder what your parents will say when they find out," she giggled softly, as if in the sweetest conspiracy. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised you remember our vows so well… I wonder if Josie has coaxed anything out of John by now."

"I doubt it… and Greer is just as stubborn… Yarders have a habit of following confidentiality regulations. Sam hasn't a clue, I'd bloody guarantee it," Scott said with a grin.

Naomi, a Yarder herself, laughed in agreement. "I think Meg and Kevin would be happy… relieved even. Neither of them would want us to grow old alone. Kevin even said he wanted me to find someone someday, to be to Liam what he knew he'd never have the chance to be."

"I find myself agreeing, beautiful wife," Scott murmured against her ear, as he moved closer, his passion suddenly finding renewed energy. Naomi moved against him, bringing her arms up to hold him in return, in perfect synchronicity.

"Tomorrow is going to be very, very interesting, husband," she said with mild amusement. "The Nook, yes? Oh, two who are in the know, and two who aren't… I think we'd better ensure they're on their second round before we break the news!"

"Mmmmmm… you are ever so wise, you'll fit right in with the Lestrades," Scott managed, before they fell back into bliss.