Serena opened the door to her room looking for her next gift. Nothing apparent was there. Bernie followed in smiling as Serena turned to her and shrugged. Bernie laughed and embraced Serena.

"I asked Jason to set up some wireless speakers in your room", she pointed up at the speakers in 2 corners of the room.

Serena looked gob smacked, "Like at the flat?"

Bernie nodded, "Yes, exactly the same."

Serena was looking up in awe wondering when Bernie had sorted this. "Would you like me to show you how they work?"

Serena nodded as she handed the I pod to Bernie. Bernie pulled a remote control from her trouser pocket. "The speakers are all set up, all you need to do is press the standby button and adjust the volume." She indicated to Serena and handed the remote to her.

"You know how to switch on the I pod." Serena nodded as Bernie swiped at the screen. "You just have to go to settings and swipe on for the Bluetooth." She showed the screen to Serena and they both smiled as music kicked in rather loudly.

Serena listened, she knew the song, she knew that she liked the song and suspected that Bernie had intended it to come on.

Bernie put her arms around Serena as she started to mouth the words quietly to the song that resonated deeply with her.

"If I could make a wish,

I think I'd pass,

can't think of anything I need.

No cigarettes,

no sleep,

no light,

no sound,

nothing to eat,

no books to read.

Making love with you has left me peaceful warm and tired,

what more could I ask there's nothing left to be desired.

Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak,

So sleep silent angel go to sleep.

Sometimes all I need is the air that I breathe and to love you."

The song continued as they held each other, Serena broke the hold a little to look at Bernie. The sincerity of the words booming from the speakers. How could she push this wonderful woman away?

"Will you stay tonight? Please?" Serena asked.

Bernie responded, no thought needed. "I'm here as long as you need me."

"I will always need you darling." She held Bernie's hand and led her to the side of the bed so that they could sit.

Bernie whispered, "Pick another song."

Serena looked at her and started to swipe, "Anything?"

"Yeah anything." Bernie giggles as she drinks her wine placing her arm around Serena's shoulder as Serena searched the lists.

"Are there any songs you don't like?"

"On there, no." Bernie took a chance and kissed Serena's temple. Not wanting to go too far but show some affection.

Serena smiled as she hid the screen from Bernie and selected a song. Bernie gave her a look and furrowed her brow.

The next song came on and Bernie opened her mouth with a silent 'ah' as the first few notes rang out. "You know this song?"

"You know this song!" Serena said in surprised statement. "You do know it's a Christmas song."

"Pah, I play it all year round, it's a nice song."

The haunting orchestra of the song echoed in the room as the harmonies sang.

"I need you,

I love you,

The game will never be over because we're keeping the dream alive."

"Well, Major, you are full of surprises. You are quite the romantic really. " She moved in to kiss Bernie once again that night, realising that the paralysis of grief that had plagued her for so long was starting to lift a little as feeling started to return to her.

The rest of that night was spent discovering Bernie's quite eclectic music preferences and rediscovering the connection between them that had fallen by the wayside in the events of the last few weeks.

Bernie smiled to herself realising that gift she was worried about had actually drawn them closer together. Maybe music being a good form of therapy was not complete cods wallop after all.

For those interested the first song was The Hollies, The Air That I Breathe; the second song was Freiheit, Keeping the Dream Alive.