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They both give each other the same disappointed frown and make their way to the bed they’ll share for the night. It made more sense to do this than to use Willow’s bed. It didn’t feel right to sleep there. It was like admitting she won’t be here and none of them wanted to do that. Besides, it felt a little like old times as they snuggle up under the blankets together.
Sam smiles, “Do you remember the last time we all five stayed the night here?”
“I remember we didn’t actually sleep here,” Emily giggles.
“Somehow we drug that giant inflatable pool out into the lake and slept in it all night.”
Emily can’t control her laughter, “Do you remember how we all woke up the next morning?”
“A freaking bird landed in there with us! And we all freaked out and tipped the thing over and ended up in the lake.” More giggles escape them as Sam continues, “Was that to celebrate college graduation?”
Emily shakes her head, “No, it was a year later. It was when Nessa died.”
They both go silent for a moment, Willow and Raven’s mother had become a mother to all of them after that autumn that changed everything. Losing her was a major blow to all of them, but she had left strict instructions to not wallow in sadness. She had asked them to all come together again and honor her through their love and laughter with one another. They had done just that for a full week. It had been one of the greatest weeks of their lives and they hadn’t come together like that since.
Of course, there were phone calls, video chats, and quick visits, but adult life had fully taken over after that perfect week. This was the very first time they had even all been under the same roof since Emily and Garrett’s wedding last year, and still, it wasn’t truly together without Willow.
Sam sighs, “I will still always blame him for Nessa’s death.”
With a nod, Emily agrees, “She was never the same after dealing with him.”
A long moment of quiet descends on them before Sam speaks up, “After we get Willow back, we have to make a promise that we’ll do this once a year. We’ll all be here together to check in and remember why this family means so much to us.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
With that, they share a smile and fall asleep knowing that this will not be an end. This will become a new chapter in their friendship. One where they come back to each other.
The feel of Callie’s skin is the one thing Raven has been missing most from her life for the last five months. She can’t even explain it, but something about feeling her love’s skin is the most soothing and comforting thing in the world.
Right now Callie’s fingers are on Raven’s waist, under the hem of her shirt, pulling her closer as their tongues tangle in one of the most passionate kisses that have ever happened in the history of kisses. Their bodies are frenzied feeling this connection to the other again for the first time in so long. It’s like a junkie looking for their next hit. They have to have this. Never once breaking the kiss they take the slamming door of their beloved spies as a sign to move to Raven’s bedroom off the kitchen. This was once their room together. They had shared this space and this bed for so many years that being here together again was the only thing that could ever feel right.
They fall into the bed together and just let their bodies enjoy this moment in time. Lips never parting, they simply lay in their bed together again, side by side, taking it all in.
Finally, Callie leans her head back and looks into Raven’s face, “I want this. You know that I do, but I need to know if you want this before I go any further.”
Raven can’t even speak. The gravity of all the things she wants to tell her love is too heavy for this moment. Right now she just wants release. She wants to feel at one with Callie again. It seems that even when nothing in the world makes sense, being with Callie does and she desperately needs to feel that kind of peace right now as they are about to walk into a storm.
But she knows she can’t have it, even if she truly wants it.
She sent Callie away to a new life for a reason. Taking it back now would mean all the heartbreak, all the tears have been for nothing. It means she would only have to say goodbye again and that is something she cannot imagine surviving a second time around.
She reaches a hand up and touches her love’s face. Callie closes her eyes and releases a soft moan as she leans into the touch.
“Callie, I…” Raven can’t even finish her sentence.
Knowing what that means, Callie stands and moves away from Raven. No questions asked.
“Callie, I just can’t with everything going on,” she lies.
They both understand that there is truth in this, but that it isn’t the entire story. It hurts them both immeasurably in very different ways, but at the end of every day, no matter what their story writes, they are friends always. Seeking comfort in a friend is never wrong.
“Callie, stay,” Raven pleads as she offers her hand to Callie. She can’t share her body, but she can share her bed. She can share her love.
With hesitation only a fleeting thought, Callie takes Raven’s hand and lays beside her in the bed. Raven wraps her arms around the only person she has ever loved and cradles her until they both fall asleep.
Like the dull thud of heavy boots smashing through the mud, his fists pound into her face again and again. The noise is wet as blood pours down her face in hot, sticky strings. It all feels so familiar. She’s been here before.
Small slits of light shine into her dark world as she works to open her eyes through the stinging pain. It’s all fuzzy at first as her swollen face tries to shield her from her assailant, but then she sees it through the tears. It’s him.
