Emily pushed open the front door, stepping into the cool hallway. It was nearly four in the afternoon, the sun slowly drifting towards the skyline. She'd hurried home, time lost as she edited photo after photo. Emily leaned against the wall slipping off her trainers, letting them fall by the door. She hung her camera bag on a hook by Naomi's favorite leather jacket and dropped her keys on the kitchen counter. Emily moved from the kitchen into the hallway, taking the stairs two at a time, passing the spare bedroom coming to the end of the hall, her feet leaving hardwood and meeting the soft white carpet of their bedroom.

Emily slid her blue blouse over her head, slipping out of her bra as well. Stepping out of her jeans and tossing them aside, she pulled on a loose black t-shirt and a faded pair of jean shorts. She tugged her long hair into a bun that settled against the nape of her neck. She quickly made the bed, opening the shades and opening a window letting the afternoon's cooling breeze sneak in. Padding into the bathroom for just a moment, Emily took a glance at herself. The red-haired teenager living in the shadow of her sister had vanished, replaced by a small framed brunette with the same vibrant brown eyes. Emily chided herself often about dwelling on the past. Though honestly sometimes, she wished she could go back in time, just for a moment.

Emily Fitch had come into her own, intuitive and outspoken. She'd shed the bottled red hair allowing her natural mahogany locks to flourish cascading down her back. She no longer hung her head and remained quiet. Where Naomi had learned trust and love from Emily, Emily had learned strength and passion from Naomi.

Shaking her head to rid herself of those thoughts she turned and headed downstairs to the kitchen. Emily had immediately fallen in love with this home for two reasons, the kitchen and the small garden out back. Naomi had signed the papers for it that very night and they'd moved in less than a week later. Emily rummaged through the cabinets, deciding on pasta for dinner. She moved around the kitchen, setting water to boil, sliding garlic toast into the oven, all while keeping an eye on the clock.

Emily's appointments rarely ran longer than Naomi's day so she'd taken to having dinner ready when Naomi got in. Emily added the spaghetti to the boiling water and started the sauce. Emily stood by the stove, sweat collecting down her spine from the heat of the stove, idly stirring the sauce. She glanced at the microwave, its digital clock reading 4:38. Emily sighed, look at me rushing like a total twat. Emily reached over the microwave turning on the radio she and Naomi hardly used, turning up the volume. A club song pulsed through the speakers, pulling Emily's hips in time. Once upon a time, Emily had danced this way all night, so pissed she could hardly walk straight. Now she danced goofily, soberly in the kitchen of her home.

XXXX

Naomi parked her car against the curb, a cigarette burning between her lips. She stepped out of her black Volkswagon beetle, pulling her bag over her shoulder. The sun was low in the sky, hanging as if by a string. Naomi leaned against the hood of her beetle, finishing her cigarette. The breeze tousled her blonde curls, the smoke from her mouth dancing in the wind. She glanced at her home, the setting sun causing the windows to glow.

The house was much too large for just the two of them, two extra bedrooms and one extra loo. They'd chosen it anyway, having fallen in love with it. Naomi loved the path outside the kitchen window leading around back to the small garden. Flowers bloomed in the spring, the gazebo remained covered in snow in winter, leaves strewn across the path in autumn. She and Emily had spent countless hours pulling up weeds and repainting the gazebo. The house had taken most of their savings, but it was home.

Naomi dropped her cigarette to the ground, putting it out with her shoe. The blonde climbed the steps, pushing her key into the lock and stepping inside. Loud music met her ears, she kicked off her heels, wiggling her toes in pleasure. She sniffed the air, her stomach grumbling in response. Fuck, something smells delicious, she mused rounding the corner into the kitchen.

Naomi leaned against the doorjamb watching Emily dance by the stove, a smile tugging at her lips. Emily's hair was falling down from the loose bun, framing her face as she moved to the music. Naomi quietly laid her bag and keys on the counter and crept up behind the smaller girl. Naomi laid her hands gently on Emily's waist pressing the front of her body against Emily's back as she placed a lingering kiss on Emily's neck.

"You're early," Emily breathed, leaning against Naomi, her hands resting on Naomi's at her waist.

"I finished up early, thought I'd hurry home," Naomi murmured between kisses.

She felt Emily nod, Naomi bit her neck playfully drawing a quiet sigh from the other woman. Emily turned in her arms kissing Naomi hard, her small fingers threading through Naomi's hair. Naomi smiled against Emily's lips, returning the pressure. This is how it was, work and home, each other.

Emily pulled back, "Dinner is nearly finished, go change."

"Yes, love," Naomi replied, crossing the kitchen through the dining room and across the hall to the stairs.

Naomi shrugged out of her navy jacket, unbuttoning her shirt as she entered their bedroom. Tossing her clothes into the laundry basket, she unbuttoned her pants slipping off her underwear with them. Removing her bra, she tossed the pile into the basket. Crossing the room to her dresser she chose a pair of grey sweatpants and a white tank top.

Naomi padded into their bathroom and washed her face, clearing away the make-up she'd so carefully applied that morning. She dried her face with a towel and leaned against the bathroom counter, looking at her reflection. Naomi hardly recognized the girl she used to be, the girl in the picture frames downstairs. Emily had softened her rough edges, thawing the ice in her heart. Fear no longer controlled Naomi, strangely all that was left inside her was peace.

"Naoms, dinner's ready!" Emily called from downstairs, shattering Naomi's thoughts.

"Keep your knickers on, Fitch!" Naomi called back, a distant laugh the only response.

Naomi's stomach growled loudly once more as she sat down across from Emily at their four-seater oak table, eyeing the pasta with fervor. Emily laughed softly, setting a steaming plate before Naomi. The pair began to eat, Naomi's stomach immediately praising Emily.

"How'd your shoot go, Em?" Naomi asked, talking around a mouthful of bread.

"Very sexy, darling. It went well, so well in fact, they asked me to be their wedding photographer," Emily replied, a bright smile lighting her face.

Naomi set down her fork and swallowed, taking Emily's hand, "That's wonderful, I knew they'd love your work. When's the wedding?"

"Next Saturday, wanna be my date?" Emily quipped, squeezing Naomi's hand.

Naomi smirked, "It'd be terrible taste to ask anyone else."

Emily chuckled, returning to her food, "How was your day? Patrick still being a twat?"

Naomi rolled her eyes, "Always, but on top of being a wanker he's given me my first front page article."

Emily stilled, her fork inches from her mouth, "Really? Naomi, please tell me it isn't some shoddy article like petrol prices."

"People care about the price of petrol, Emily," Emily snorted as Naomi continued, "but no, it's actually on the legalization of same-sex marriage in England and Wales. Controversial aye?"

Emily laid her fork down, "Wow, this is big, Naomi, you could start quite a buzz. I know it will be amazing, I'm proud of you."

"I can't wait to start," Naomi said, eating the few remaining noodles from her plate.

Emily smiled softly, Naomi always downplayed her excitement about work. She cleaned her plate and reached for Naomi's empty plate, Naomi shook her head. Emily lowered her hand, giving her a questioning look.

"You cooked, I'll clean. That's how it goes," Naomi said, getting to her feet, collecting their plates and made her way into the kitchen.

Emily sat there, watching Naomi for a moment, her blonde waves settled just below her shoulders, her favorite ring clinking against the dishes as she loaded the dishwasher. Amazement filled Emily as it often did when she found herself thinking about where her life had taken her. Right into the arms of the most amazing woman on the planet

"Ems, Emily, helloooo," Naomi said, waving her hands from the kitchen.

Emily's attention snapped, "What?"

Naomi laughed, "Nothing babe," as she turned back to the sink.

Emily got up from the table and went into the living room. She settled on their couch, wrapping her arms around her knees, feeling content. Among the stylish furniture were scattered remnants of Naomi and Emily's past. A photo of the Fitch family on a corner table, a wedding photo of Gina and Kieran on the bookshelf among their movies and books. On the mantle a photo of a group of teenagers, some high, some drunk, one sober. Bristol echoed in this room softly so, underneath the weight of the present.

Emily heard a cupboard slam across the hall, a few seconds later Naomi walked in carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses. She smiled at Emily and plopped down beside her.

"What could be so grand an occasion to open our last bottle of Shiraz?" Emily questioned as Naomi popped the cork.

"You've booked a wedding, I've got a front page article. We should celebrate, Ems!" Naomi said, filling both glasses and handing one to Emily.

Emily smiled, "We're moving up in the world."

"Successful adults, aye?" Naomi quipped, kissing Emily lightly on the lips.

Emily sipped her wine gingerly, the bittersweet taste tickling her tongue. Naomi settled against her, resting her head against Emily's pulling the smaller woman's legs over her own. Wine was the most they allowed themselves, having agreed to leave over indulgent actions in the past.

A comfortable silence settled over the pair as the last embers of the sun were extinguished by the coming night. This was their life, a peaceful, loving existence no longer tainted by their past actions, the pain caused by those actions. Emily's father had been right, eventually things had gotten better and the past faded away.

"Em," Naomi murmured.

"Hm?" Emily responded nursing her nearly empty glass.

"The wedding next weekend, you know it'll be the first time we've been out in months," Naomi said, sipping her wine.

Emily thought for a moment, "It really has been that long. Maybe we're getting old."

Naomi chuckled, "We aren't old love, just being adults. I think it will be fun to dance and have a night out like we used to."

Emily nodded, "Seems like a lifetime ago, doesn't it?" glancing up at the photo on the mantle.

Naomi's gaze followed Emily's, immediately picking herself out in the picture. She looked uneasy, her blue eyes guarded as they gazed not at the camera but at Emily who stood by Katie, their matching red locks ablaze. Emily had kissed her that night in the middle of a rave, the second kiss they'd ever shared.

Emily turned, capturing Naomi's lips in a soft kiss, much like she had that night. Though this kiss was not tentative and uncertain, but safe and familiar. Naomi sighed against Emily's mouth, kissing her back. Kissing Emily felt like falling, her heart raced against her ribs. Emily deepened the kiss, her tongue meeting Naomi's softly. Naomi cupped Emily's face, her wine glass forgotten on the table. Emily pulled back, her brown eyes filled with heat.

Naomi smiled, her fingers trailing across Emily's neck, "Care to try and make it through a movie? It's a little early for bed, Ems."

Emily laughed, nodding and curling up against Naomi, tucking her legs underneath her, wine glass in hand. Naomi refilled both of their glasses and grabbed the remote, turning on the television. Sipping her wine, Naomi draped an arm across Emily's shoulders.

"Love you," Emily murmured as the opening credits flitted across the screen.

Naomi smiled, placing a soft kiss on Emily's cheek, "love you."

XXXX

The movie played on, a story of love as usual. The wine bottle slowly emptied as the night moved on. Emily lay there, snuggled against Naomi's side, her mind slightly foggy. She was happy, happier than she ever dreamed she'd be, doing what she loved, living with the woman she loved. She raised her eyes, looking up at Naomi through thick lashes, whose blue eyes remained intent on the screen.

Emily inched up slowly, her lips caressing Naomi's neck, her teeth grazing the skin there. Naomi's hand, slid down Emily's back, rubbing as a sigh escaped her. Emily moved, straddling Naomi's lap, her body moving at her command lazily through the haze of alcohol. Emily pushed Naomi's hair aside continuing her journey across Naomi's neck, licking along her collarbone and lower.

Naomi moaned her body reacting to Emily's ministrations as it always did. Her body tightened, Emily's touch an electric current across her body. Naomi's hands danced across Emily's back, kneading. Emily returned to Naomi's neck, biting down causing Naomi to arch against her. Emily leaned back looking down at the other woman. Naomi's face was flushed, her blue eyes dark and slightly unfocused as her hands moved beneath Emily's t-shirt, her nails scratching the skin of Emily's stomach.

Emily sighed, Naomi's eyes stayed on her as her hands ran up and down Emily's sides to her bare thighs. Naomi's hands moved to Emily's inner thighs slowly traveling up once more.

"Bed?" Emily sighed as Naomi's hands pushed Emily's shirt up baring her stomach.

Naomi shook her head, her mind quiet as she tugged Emily's shirt over her head. Emily's brown hair fell out of the hair tie and flowed around her shoulders. Naomi looked at Emily, naked from the waist up. Her nipples hard, her breasts seemed to ache for touch. Naomi leaned up catching Emily's lips, kissing her hard. Emily tangled her hands in Naomi's hair.

Naomi bit gently on Emily's lower lip, sucking drawing a moan from the other woman. Emily, tilted Naomi's head back against the couch, her hands sliding down Naomi's body. Naomi moaned into Emily's mouth as Emily's hand disappeared beneath the waistband of Naomi's sweats. Emily began teasing Naomi's sex eliciting a deep moan; Naomi grabbed Emily's wrist stilling her actions.

"Bed," Naomi said, her voice hard.

Emily got to her feet, pulling Naomi by the hand leading her down the hall and up the stairs. Emily stumbled on the last stair, Naomi catching her around the waist. They laughed, holding onto one another as they moved down the hall to their room.

Emily strode forward into the room, unbuttoning her shorts and kicking them off onto the floor and crawled onto the bed. Naomi hurriedly stripped, nearly falling in the process. She giggled at herself and turned on a lamp before lying down beside Emily. Emily kissed her, moaning quietly. Naomi, using her hand, following Emily's arm to where her hand rested at the apex of her thighs. Naomi's hand replaced Emily's, rubbing her clit.

Emily's moans grew louder, continuing to kiss Naomi. Emily's hand found Naomi, her thighs slick with arousal. Emily mirrored Naomi's movement, eliciting a loud moan from Naomi. Emily swallowed Naomi's moans, pushing her own into Naomi's mouth.

"Fuck," Naomi moaned, breaking the kiss as her thighs tightened around Emily's hand.

"God," Emily cried as Naomi pressed harder on her clit.

Naomi pulled her hand away from Emily and moved to her breasts, kneading. Emily arched against her touch as Naomi's mouth closed over her nipple. Emily's pace slowed, her fingers teasing Naomi's entrance. Naomi sighed, moving to lie flat on her back. Emily followed her movements, moving to her knees, slipping two fingers inside Naomi.

"Em, fuck," Naomi moaned, her eyes fluttering shut as Emily worked her.

Emily captured a nipple, sucking hard as Naomi's back arched, crying out. Emily moved faster, hooking her fingers inside Naomi. Naomi's body moved against Emily's hand, her moans growing louder as Emily moved that much faster.

"God, Em, I'm," Naomi cried, shattering beneath Emily.

Emily slowed her pace, drawing out Naomi's orgasm. Naomi quieted throwing an arm over her face, breathing loudly. Emily laid down beside her, her hand roaming over Naomi's stomach lazily. When Naomi's breathing had slowed, she uncovered her eyes and looked at Emily.

A moment passed, their unfocused eyes on one another, the sounds of the London night echoing outside their home. Naomi raised up on her side, sliding her knee between Emily's legs, her thigh against Emily's wet sex. Emily's had rested on the nape of Naomi's neck, her eyes closing as her mouth formed a silent "o" as Naomi began to move against her. Emily ground her body against Naomi, moaning quietly. Naomi felt Emily tug on her hair as she kissed the expanse of Emily's neck, grinding against the other woman.

"Fuck," Emily moaned, her thighs squeezing Naomi's leg.

Naomi pulled away settling between Emily' legs, pulling her blonde hair over one shoulder. Emily arched as Naomi kissed her inner thigh, nipping lightly. Emily's hand disappeared into Naomi's hair as Naomi's tongue moved over her.

Naomi's tongue move slowly, agonizingly so, circling the bundle of nerves, Emily's taste and smell enveloping her. Her blue eyes gazed upward as Emily writhed, that hand in her hair pushing her closer. Naomi moved down, forcing her tongue inside Emily, teasingly slow. Emily's hand tightened against Naomi's scalp just this side of pain.

"Naomi," Emily moaned.

Two fingers replaced Naomi's tongue sliding inside of Emily lifting her hips from the bed. Naomi's tongue found Emily's clit matching the pace of her hand. Emily moaned her free hand cupping her breast, kneading, tugging on her nipple. Naomi brought Emily higher, forcing her to the edge.

Naomi felt Emily tighten around her hand, her back leaving the bed on a long moan as she came.

Emily collapsed breathing hard, her body slick with sweat. Naomi crawled up her body, kissing her lips and curling against Emily's body, entwining their legs. Emily played with Naomi's hair, threading the blonde strands through her fingers. Naomi's head lay on Emily's chest, the rhythmic beating of Emily's heart beneath her ear.

"Shower, now," Emily groaned, smiling.

Naomi pouted against Emily's chest," Showering while intoxicated is very dangerous you know."

Emily smirked, "Campbell, get your ass in that shower."

Naomi raised up on her elbows, looking down at Emily, "or what, Fitch?"

A sultry smile spilled across Emily's lips, her hand finding Naomi's sex, wetter still. Naomi's blue eyes widened, a quiet moan escaping her.

"Or I will fuck you until you scream, understand?" Emily replied, slipping a finger inside Naomi.

Naomi nodded slowly, her eyes closing as she moaned. Emily pulled away and quickly got to her feet heading into their bathroom. Naomi heard the shower start and the fall of water interrupted as Emily got in. Naomi got up, a smirk on her lips as she closed the bathroom door behind her.

XXXX

Emily lay there, hours later, her arm curled around Naomi's sleeping form spooned against her front. Naomi had fallen asleep not long after the two had settled into bed for the night. Emily however, was having trouble falling asleep as she often did. She'd spent hours upon hours listening to the soft breathing of Naomi until the sound lulled her to sleep. Tonight, she lie there unable to fall into a sleep she desperately needed.

"Naomi?" Emily murmured, her mouth close to Naomi's ear.

"Mm?" Naomi mumbled, shifting slightly.

Emily sighed, "I can't sleep."

Naomi rolled over, laying an arm across Emily's waist resting her forehead against Emily's.

"What's wrong?" Naomi whispered, her hand rubbing comfortingly on Emily's hip.

Emily sighed, "I don't know, nothing. Weird huh? I'm just lying here thinking about how happy I am."

Naomi smiled, "Em, you've really got to turn off your mind."

Emily blushed, glad the blood rushing to her cheeks was hidden in the dark room.

"I can't help it, you know me," Emily replied.

Naomi kissed her softly, "Roll over, and try to get some sleep, Em."

Emily did as she was told, rolling to face away from Naomi. Naomi pulled Emily's body against her, spooning the smaller woman. Naomi lay there, beginning to hum softly. Minutes passed and eventually Naomi felt Emily's body relax, twitching as she slowly drifted off to sleep. The humming ceased and Naomi buried her face against Emily's back and closed her eyes.

"I'm happy too," Naomi murmured.