It was well past eleven by the time Hannah returned. She quietly made her way in, expecting to find both women out cold on the couch the way she often did when she came in late. However, this time, she found both women awake and staring at her intently. When she grinned at them, they both smiled back.

"So?" the brunette was first to ask. "How did it go?"

"Um, it went well."

"I expect by your grin that it went very well."

"Yeah. It did," she said, plopping down on the love seat next to them. It went phenomenally well.

"Are you going to share with the class?"

Alex sat up when she realised that Hannah's grin was a little too wide for it to have just gone "well".

"No," she said in disbelief. "You didn't."

Hannah grinned wider.

"You did! How did it happen?"

Olivia looked at the blonde next to her, surprised to hear the woman speak with such girlish enthusiasm. She was confused as to what was so exciting.

"How did what happen?"

"She told Lisa. Now stop talking. I want to hear the story."

Hannah, who had not stopped smiling since she walked in, leaned forward and nodded when the brunette asked if it was true.

"I did even better than that actually. I kissed her."

"You didn't! Okay, start talking," Alex said, joining her on the loveseat. "Ignore that one over there until you've finished. I want to hear what happened."

"Hey!" Olivia protested.

"Okay," Hannah started, ignoring the woman. "Well, I chased her like you said to. She was nearly at her place by the time I got to her. I started yelling at her to stop riding because I needed to talk to her. She wouldn't though and she didn't stop until she got to her place. There wasn't really anything I could do so I followed her into the house and I started telling her to talk to me, but she wouldn't. She told me she needed me to go, but she was upset and she was crying. I couldn't leave. Thank God her parents weren't home, so we were able to talk freely and I told her I wasn't leaving until she told me what had her so upset. I thought it was because she had seen you two, so I said that I was sorry she was upset by it but that I had told her you guys were together so she should expect that you would be affectionate with one another. Then I said that you were my friends and if she was that bothered by it, then I wasn't sure I could be friends with her anymore."

Alex reached out and touched Hannah's knee when the girl said the last part, squeezing it gently.

"That was a very sweet thing to say, Hannah, but you didn't have to. I wouldn't want you to lose such a good friend because of us."

"It wouldn't have been because of you. It would have been because of her. And how could I be friends with someone who had a problem with something like that, when it's such a huge part of who I am? I couldn't."

Alex nodded in understanding.

"So what did she respond when you said that?"

Hannah grinned.

"She told me that she wasn't upset by you two, so I asked her what had her so upset. Then her eyes started watering and she had tears down her cheeks and she told me that for such an incredibly smart person, I could be really fucking stupid. So, of course, I was like, what? And she said she was upset because she felt like it was being thrown in her face, but she said it angrily. And I was so confused so I asked her what was being thrown in her face and then she said, 'What I want with you but can never have!' and I kind of just stood there, because I was pretty sure I knew what she was saying, but I wanted to make absolutely sure, so I asked her what she wanted and she shouted 'You!' and then I pretty much just gawked for a second before I immediately made my way over to her and kissed her. Hard."

By the time the teen had finished talking, all three were grinning widely.

"So, I guess she's into you," Olivia stated.

Hannah laughed loudly and nodded.

"Yeah, I guess she is. I can't believe it. I feel like I'm dreaming. I kept asking her if she was sure. She said she's very sure."

"What happened after you kissed her?"

"She got angry and pushed me back. She thought I was messing with her when I said I returned her feelings and wanted her as well. It took a second for her to understand that I wasn't lying, and when it finally sunk in, she just threw her arms around me and hugged me. Then she cried a lot more." Hannah turned to Olivia and shook her head, "women," she said with a playful huff. "Then we lay down on her bed and just cuddled and talked until her parents came home. That's why I'm so late, sorry. We didn't do anything. We really did just cuddle."

"You're not in trouble," Olivia responded. "Although next time, you should really send us a text message. We had been waiting to hear from you."

"Sorry," she answered guiltily. "Normally I would have, but I was just so distracted with her."

Alex nodded.

"We understand. I'm very, very excited for you."

"I am too. I don't know how I'll concentrate for exams," she said, biting back a yawn.

"I don't think you need to concern yourself with that at this hour. You should get to bed. We'll worry about that in the morning."

"Okay. I'll just go put away my things."

"Don't worry about it," Alex said, reaching out to stop her going into the kitchen. "I picked them up earlier. Everything is in your backpack."

Hannah paused and smiled warmly at her.

"Thank you. You know, I really appreciate everything you guys do for me. You feel like home."

Alex got up and wrapped her arms around the teen, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"You're always welcome here, Hannah. You're a good kid and we love having you here. You will always be welcome in our home, okay?"

The young girl nodded and whispered a thank you. After she was safely upstairs in her room, Alex made her way over to the detective and sat down.

"What a night!"

Olivia chuckled.

"Yeah, it was. I'm glad it worked out for them. You're really great with her, you know."

"Thanks."

"You're going to be a wonderful mother one day," she said softly, lacing their fingers together. "I think about it sometimes…You, me…a few kids. We'd be good together."

"I think you're the only person from my past who would agree with that."

"I'm the only person from your past who knows you. Who truly knows you. If they did, they'd agree too. You're wonderful."

Alex, unused to hearing such flattering things said about her with such conviction, had no idea how to respond. Olivia understood her silence and simply kissed the top of her head.

"Why don't we go to bed as well? It's getting late."

"I don't want to let you go."

"I'll be here tomorrow," the brunette said, getting up and holding out her hand. When Alex grabbed it, she helped the woman up and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. The blonde shivered, still unused to the physical affection. However, she was not complaining in the least. She loved it.

"I know…" she trailed off, watching as Olivia turned off the lights and locked the front door. "I just miss you."

Olivia grabbed her hand and pulled her close.

"I'm right here."

"I'm afraid you're going to run away again," she confessed.

Olivia's heart constricted with guilt at the blonde's words. She pulled her close, wrapping her arms around the woman's waist and trapping her in her embrace.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I'm sorry I did that to you and I'm sorry it has made you worried. I just… I was overwhelmed and confused. I was scared, so I ran. I shouldn't have, but I did. It was a cowardly thing to do and I'm so ashamed. It's not something the old me would have done and I can't believe I did it, but I'm here now and I promise, I am not going anywhere. Okay? Never again."

Alex could feel the tears brimming in her eyes as Olivia spoke to her. The woman never broke eye contact and the certainty in her voice never wavered. Alex believed her. She felt her sincerity.

"Do you believe me?"

Alex nodded and wrapped her arms around the brunette's neck. Olivia squeezed her close and kissed her head, causing the blonde to nuzzle her nose in her neck. Olivia smiled when she felt soft lips against her throat. Her heart began to race when a thought popped into her head, her body buzzing with happiness. She debated for half a second before she decided not to overthink it and just say it.

She leaned in close to Alex's ear and pressed her lips against it.

"I love you," she whispered. "I never stopped loving you."

Alex's breath hitched in her throat as she suddenly overcome with emotion. She tried to suppress the sob of happiness that threatened to escape, but it would not be quelled. It came against Olivia's throat, causing the brunette to squeeze her tight. She had waited so long to hear those words. It had been so long since she had heard them.

Alex shifted in Olivia's embrace and kissed her throat.

"I love you too. I love you so much."

Olivia broke into a grin when she uttered those words, pulling back enough to tilt Alex's chin with her finger and press their lips together. Alex moaned into the kiss, pulling her impossibly closer. The brunette pressed her hands into Alex's lower back, slipping them underneath her shirt to stroke against soft skin. The blonde purred against her lips, and when they parted, Olivia slipped her tongue inside. Olivia's tongue met hers immediately, quickly taking control of the kiss. She explored every single inch of her mouth, running her tongue over every surface, mapping it into her brain. She then brought her tongue to stroke against Alex's, loving the way the blonde knees jerked when she did so. She easily supported her soft weight, pressing harder against the woman's tongue until she started to feel light headed.

She reluctantly pulled away and rested against Alex's shoulder, panting heavily. Alex groaned into her neck, shifting until she was standing on her own. She was uncomfortably wet, but that was nothing new. It happened any time the brunette kissed her like that. Hell, it happened even when she didn't. A simple look from the brunette could do that.

"Wow," Alex finally breathed, smiling when Olivia's chuckle reverberated against her body. She closed her eyes as she felt the brunette's lips against her throat.

"Come on," she said lowly. "It's time to sleep."

The next morning, Alex awoke smiling. She couldn't help immediately going over her kiss last night with Olivia, and the conversation afterwards when she had tried to con the woman into spending the night in her bed. The brunette had adamantly refused, stating that she wanted to take things slow between them. Alex had pointed out that technically, they had been waiting years already, but Olivia had responded that she then could wait a little while longer. Alex had feigned a pout in response, earning a playful pinch to her backside. Olivia had chuckled at her yelp, kissed her goodnight, and then made her way to her own room across the hall.

She let out a small laugh, burying her face in the pillow.

"What are you giggling about?"

Alex let out a slight gasp, surprised. She hadn't heard Olivia sneak up. She smiled when she looked over at the brunette standing against her doorframe.

"You, yesterday, pinching my ass."

"Well, you deserved it," she stated, pushing away from the doorframe and walking into the room.

Alex slipped backwards and pulled back the covers, her stomach tightening with excitement when the brunette slid in beside her.

"Hi," Olivia whispered gently, reaching out to stroke her cheek. "You're even more beautiful in the morning."

Even if she had wanted to, Alex could not have fought the grin that quickly spread over her lips.

"You're just as much of a flatterer as I remember."

Olivia leaned forward and hovered above the blonde.

"It's not flattery when it's the truth."

Alex, sensing Olivia's intention, pulled back slightly.

"I haven't brushed my teeth yet…"

"I don't care," she stated, leaning forward and pressing their lips together. Alex never had bad breath in the morning, not like Olivia anyway (which is why she had visited the bathroom before coming to see Alex).

"Well, well, well. It seems I'm the only one capable of controlling her hormones around here," Hannah clucked from the doorway.

Olivia smiled against Alex's lips and turned to face the teen.

"Good morning, Hannah."

"Good morning, Cam. Something wrong with your own bed that you had to sleep in here with Val?" she asked with a hint of humour in her voice.

Olivia chuckled and moved to the side, lying back down on the bed. She snaked one arm around Alex's waist, pulling the woman close.

"For your information, mother, I slept in my own bed. I just came in here to wake up our favourite blonde."

"Mhmm. I'm sure."

"She's telling the truth. I tried to seduce her into my bed last night. It didn't work. She insisted on being a gentleman and sleeping across the hall," Alex said.

"Well done, Cam. As for you, young lady. I am surprised and disappointed. I'm going to have to have a talk with your father about this."

Alex laughed against Olivia's shoulder.

"Now. You two should get up and get dressed. I'm making breakfast. Lisa's going to come over if that's alright with you. She wants to apologise for yesterday. She's really embarrassed."

Olivia smiled warmly at her.

"She's more than welcome to come back, but she doesn't have to apologise. We understand."

"She wants to all the same. She'll be here in about forty minutes."

"Alright."

After the teen disappeared downstairs, Olivia turned to the woman next to her.

"I think I'll get dressed and go help her with breakfast. You're going to shower first?"

Alex nodded.

"Okay," she said, kissing her forehead. "We'll see you downstairs."

Olivia slid out of bed and made her way to her bedroom, changing out of her pyjamas into a pair of jeans and a button-down top. She quickly brushed her hair and smiled as she left the bedroom, hearing the sound of the shower running. Alex is naked in there, she thought, glancing at the door. As much as she would love to see her, to touch her in a way they hadn't yet gotten the chance to, she still wanted to take things slow. Technically, Alex was correct. They had been waiting years, but most of that time had been spent apart. And much of the time they had spent waiting when they were together, they weren't a couple. They were just friends. She didn't want to rush a physical relationship. She still needed a bit more time, and secretly, she was pretty sure Alex did too.

So, she hopped down the steps, making her way to the kitchen where Hannah was in the middle of turning over a pan full of sausages.

"Hey. Smells good in here."

The teenager looked up and grinned.

"Thanks. I have bacon in the oven and I'm just flipping these over before I get started on the French toast."

"Wow. You're going all out."

"Yeah, I hope you don't mind. It's the first breakfast I'll be making her and-"

Olivia waved her hand to cut her off.

"I understand completely, sweetie. It's okay. What can I do?"

"You could start on the French toast? I have the eggs, cinnamon, abd bread over there."

"Sure."

Olivia made her way to the counter and began cracking eggs into a bowl. She looked over at Hannah and asked if she was getting excited.

"I am, but I'm nervous too. Things are going to be different now."

"That doesn't have to be a bad thing."

"I know, but nobody really likes change, do they?"

If only you knew, Olivia thought.

"You're right. Sometimes change is scary. But, it can also be really exciting."

"Were you scared when your relationship with Val first changed?"

"Yes. And very, very nervous. I didn't want to do anything to screw it up, but I've made a lot of mistakes and she still forgave me. I mean, you saw that doozy I committed, and still she wants me anyway. Not that you'll do the same mind you, but if you do, Lisa will forgive you. Women are very understanding in that sense."

Hannah nodded and watched as the other woman moved to place a piece of egg-coated-bread into the frying pan.

"How is it going between you two anyway?"

Olivia grinned at her.

"Very well."

"You've stopped being a dummy?" Hannah teased.

"Yes," Olivia chuckled. "I have. I was confused. Things changed really quickly for us, with the move and everything, and I made a mistake. Luckily, I have a very forgiving woman."

"No more running?"

"No more running," Olivia confirmed.

"That's good to hear," called out a familiar voice.

Olivia turned to find Alex smiling at her as she entered the kitchen.

"I'm sorry, honey," she said, planting a firm kiss on Alex's lips.

"I forgive you. I understand your motives, even if they were misguided."

Olivia nodded and chose not to add anything else. They had discussed Olivia's motives at length, and Alex had forgiven her for her actions. They were both eager to move on now.

"What time is Lisa due to arrive?"

"Soon. Another five or so minutes."

"Do you want me to take over so you can go do some last minute preparing? Are you ready for her arrival?" Alex asked.

"Would you mind taking over? I'd like to go to the bathroom quickly and then meet her at the door."

"Of course. You look really nice, by the way."

Hannah paused before exiting.

"You think so?" she asked, looking down at her fitted shirt and jeans.

"Yes. You chose well. Navy brings out your eyes."

Hannah grinned widely.

"Lisa says the same thing."

"Well, now you know it's true. Okay, hurry up before she gets here."

Hannah quickly turned and raced out of the room. Alex made her way to the cupboard and grabbed some plates, then turned to set the table.

"What?" she asked when she saw Olivia smiling and shaking her head.

"I remember when I was that nervous about you."

"I was the same way. I overturned my entire closet the night you took me out on our first date. I couldn't decide what to wear."

Olivia tossed in another piece of bread into the frying pan before turning to the blonde.

"You look good in everything. It wouldn't have mattered what you'd have chosen. You always look beautiful."

Alex placed the last fork down on the table and smiled widely at the woman admiring her. She always spoke with such sincerity that it made Alex's entire body flood with warmth.

She made her way over and grasped Olivia's elbow, tugging her down slightly into a kiss. Olivia eagerly complied, placing her free hand on the blonde's hip. They kissed slowly, gingerly, but for Alex, it was perfect. When they finally pulled away, they smiled at each other.

"Are we interrupting?"

Alex suppressed a gasp and turned to Hannah, who was grinning widely at her. Lisa offered her a shy smile and looked away. She was incredibly embarrassed at her actions from yesterday, and she was embarrassed that she interrupted yet again.

"Sorry," Lisa offered. "If we had known…"

"No, no," Alex started, taking a step back. "We were just-"

"Making out in the kitchen," Olivia interrupted. "Come on in, girls. Take a seat. It's nice to see you again, Lisa."

The girl gave a small smile before sitting down.

"It's pretty much all done. Val here was just finishing setting the table and then we were ready."

Hannah got up from her seat and went to the stove.

"Why don't you sit, Val? I can do the rest. Thanks for taking over for me."

"I don't mind."

"Really, I insist. You're always serving me. Let me do it to you for once."

"Okay, thank you."

Olivia and Hannah began piling the food into serving plates and then placed them in the middle of the table. Lisa's eyes widened when she saw the heaping plates of breakfast sausages, bacon, and French toast.

"Wow. It looks amazing," she stated.

"Hannah made most of it," Alex answered. "She's quite the cook."

Hannah smiled warmly at the blonde. She knew what the woman was doing: she was trying to make her look good. The teen definitely appreciated it.

"Looks really good," Lisa said, smiling over at Hannah.

"Thanks," she responded as she sat.

Olivia grabbed the milk and orange juice from the fridge before finally sitting down.

"Don't be shy, ladies. Dig in."

They began piling food in their plates, but Olivia noticed Lisa wasn't eating. She was still slowly cutting her food long after everyone else had begun eating.

"Lisa? Everything okay, honey?" she asked.

The girl took a deep breath before looking up at her.

"I need to say something, but I'm nervous. I feel really guilty," she admitted, glancing away.

Hannah reached over from her seat and grabbed Lisa's hand. She had chosen to sit next to the girl for a reason. She knew this conversation would be hard on her friend.

"It's okay, sweetie. Whatever happened yesterday, it's okay. I'm just sorry we upset you."

"You didn't," she said quickly. "And you shouldn't apologise. You should be able to do what you want in your own home. It just… it was hard because I felt like… It just reminded me of what I wanted with Hannah," she said, sending a shy smile to the girl in question, "and thought I'd never have. And when I saw you guys, I guess it kind of hurt knowing that you two had what I wanted with Hannah. It was a very real reminder. But then, well, we worked it out," she said, unable to fight the smile tugging at her lips. "But I wanted to say sorry, for the way I acted yesterday. For running out like that. I don't want you to think I'll do that every time. I won't. I was just overwhelmed yesterday."

Alex, being the closest to Lisa, reached out and squeezed her hand.

"Thanks for explaining. Everything is okay now. Hannah explained yesterday, but I'm glad you told us for yourself too. You seem like a great girl, and Hannah thinks very highly of you. It would be nice to have you around more often."

The girl nodded and smiled.

"I would like that," she said, pausing for a second before slowly resuming her thought. "Hannah talks about you guys all the time. You seem really down to Earth and… and it would be nice to be able to be ourselves without having to worry about our parents. She says you're both really kind and understanding. And caring. It's not often you find adults who aren't trying to harp all the time, who just let you be yourself."

Olivia smiled over at Hannah.

"You said that?"

The girl blushed.

"Yeah, maybe. You weren't meant to hear it though."

"We try to make this a safe place for her to come," Alex said. "But she by no means gets away with anything here. We still expect homework to be done and for you to do what's expected of you."

Lisa nodded.

"Yes, ma'am. I understand. I didn't mean to say she implied that this was a place to escape responsibilities. Just that it was somewhere where we don't have to pretend to be something we're not."

"Like at home?" Olivia asked gently.

Lisa nodded.

"I could never tell my parents I like girls, that I like Hannah. They'd flip. They like her as my friend; they think she's a good person. But if they found out the truth, I think they would forbid my seeing her."

"Your mom would act similarly?" Olivia asked Hannah.

"I don't know," she shrugged. "I don't think she'd like it, but she wouldn't freak like Lisa's parents would. She's an only child and they expect perfection out of her. Obviously, dating a girl does not fit into their perfect image of her. I think my mom would just try to find out what went so wrong in my life that I'm not into guys. Maybe she should start with her dick of a husband," she muttered, then looked up and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."

"It's okay," Alex said before turning to Lisa. "Hannah knows she's welcome here anytime, but you should know that that invitation is extended to you as well. Cam and I are always around to offer support or a safe place to stay."

"Thank you."

Alex nodded at her before looking back at her empty plate. When had she finished eating?

"So are you ladies going to spend the day studying?" Olivia asked.

They nodded in unison.

"We need to. Exams are only a few days away."

"Are you heading to the library?"

Before she could answer, Hannah's cellphone started ringing.

"I'm sorry. That's my mom's ringtone. I have to answer it," she explained, fishing her phone out of her pocket and quickly answering it. "Hello? Hi. Yes. No, I'm with Lisa. I'm studying today, mom. Exams are coming up. When did I agree to that? Seriously, mom? That was like three weeks ago! I can't. I have to study."

"What's wrong?" Lisa whispered.

Hannah covered the mouthpiece of her phone.

"Apparently I agreed to watch my siblings three weeks ago and am now getting shit for forgetting," she explained, then uncovered the mouthpiece. "No, mom. I'm still here. Exams finish this week. I can't watch them. Can't you guys go next weekend? I won't even complain. Just move it a week. Please? Okay. Yes, I know. Okay. Thank you. Yes, I love you too. Bye."

The girl sighed dramatically.

"I'm on babysitting duty next weekend."

"They're adorable, Han. You should be excited."

"Yeah, yeah," she grumbled. She really did love her siblings and they weren't bad unlike, in her opinion, everyone else's kids, but that still didn't mean she wanted to spend the whole weekend watching them.

"You can bring them here if you like," Alex offered. "Then you can have some help. Cam is great with kids and it'll help break up the day for you guys."

The teen seemed to consider it for a second before nodding.

"If you don't mind, that would actually be really nice."

"We definitely don't mind," Olivia answered, rising and grabbing plates. "I think everyone is done eating?"

She received nothing but nods in response, everyone stating that they were definitely full. The girls helped load the dishwasher while the adults put the food away. Alex wiped down the table and turned to the teens.

"Do you need a ride to the library?"

Hannah looked at Lisa, who shrugged.

"We have our bikes," she explained. "So we can bike there."

"Are you sure? I don't want you two to hurt your backs. I know you have a lot of books," Alex continued.

"We'll be okay. Thanks for breakfast."

"Anytime. I'll walk you guys out."

"Okay," Hannah said, grabbing their bags. She handed Lisa hers before following the other girl outside. "Who's working at the library today by the way?"

"Kelly, our part timer. She's very nice."

"Okay. Alright, I'll text you two later. Behave," she said, a slight sing-song to her tone.

"We'll try. Thanks for coming to breakfast, Lisa."

"Thank you for having me."

"Bye, Val!"

"Bye, girls."

Alex closed the door before turning and making her way back to Olivia, looking forward to a lazy day with her.