Chapter Text
“How is she?”
Jason looked down to where his aunt was peering up at him, the concern written all over her face.
“If you mean Bernie and I assume you do, she is much as she was yesterday.”
“Is she up?”, Serena pressed.
“She is and lying on the couch. I made her a cup of tea before I left.”
Serena smiled while lightly touching her nephew’s arm. “That was very kind of you.”
Jason shrugged. “I had approximately five minutes to spare before Fletch picked me up so it was no bother. I left it on the coffee table along with a fresh box of tissues and the remote control. I would have cleaned up her used tissues but I didn’t have enough time to fetch the gloves I would need to wear in order to be able to touch them. She has however promised me that they would be cleaned up before you came home.”
“Did she look very sick?”
Jason narrowed his eyes. “Auntie Serena, you’re the doctor not me, surely you’re a better judge of that. Though according to Bernie she feels less like boiled shite, I’m not too sure what she means by that. Now, if you’ll excuse me I only have ten minutes to get ready, as you know it takes me seven minutes to organise my locker and I do like to have time to spare.”
“You go on and Jason, thank you for looking after Bernie. I appreciate it and I know she does too.”
There was a half smile from Jason as he walked towards the locker room leaving Serena alone with Fletch who had been hovering in the background.
“She was well enough to throw the box of tissues at me.”
Serena bit her lip, trying not to smile too much. “What did you do to deserve that?”
“Might have asked her if her red nose was a result of being on the whiskey. May also have pointed out that her striped pyjamas made her look like a convict.”
“I bought her those and I think she looks lovely in them.”
Fletch grinned as they walked towards Serena’s office. “Not the best patient is she?”
“Not at all.”, Serena agreed. “But she’s letting me look after her, that’s the main thing.”
What had started off as a cold had turned into an acute sinus infection that had kept Bernie off work for the past three days. She had attempted to carry out her duties as normal but a surgeon suffering from dizziness, headaches and the feeling that her face was going to fall off every time she bent down was neither used nor ornament in a hospital. Not to mention that the nasal discharge was rather off putting, so much so that Dom had suggested she might want to wear a surgical mask permanently if she was going to hang around.
In the end Serena had insisted she go home, and not back to her flat either. No, Bernie was going to stay with her and Jason so they could keep an eye on her until she was better. Bernie had agreed with minimum fuss and had spent the last couple of nights being waited on hand and foot by her concerned girlfriend. She was however insisting on sleeping in the spare room, not wanting to disturb Serena when she knew her being off sick was going to create so much extra work for her fellow surgeon.
Of course what she didn’t realise was that even though she wasn’t sharing her bed with a sick person, Serena was still concerned. She had slept fitfully for the last couple of nights, rising to check on Bernie through the night, listening as she had pottered around early this morning, hoping that she would come in for an early morning cuddle but knowing that even now, Bernie would not want to risk being in the way too much.
“Can I ask you something?”, Fletch ventured.
“You may ask.” Serena arched an eyebrow warily. “That’s not to say I will answer.”
“Did you tell her? That you love her that is. I mean we’ve known it all along and well, you’ve been together for months now and I guess I just wondered….”
Serena thought back to that afternoon, Fletch and Jason outside the window with those ridiculous signs, her and Bernie stood there, the tension sparking between them. A tension that had finally been broken by the kiss she had been waiting weeks for.
“I did Fletch, I told her that day.” Serena flushed slightly before sharing something else. “And she told me then too. Not in those words, they came later but I knew what she meant.”
“Good.” Fletch smiled. “So, has she moved in? She looked pretty at home when I saw her earlier.”
Bernie spent at least three or four nights a week at Serena’s house, something that had started from a very early point in their relationship. Even before they had become fully intimate she had spent several nights in Serena’s bed, kissing, cuddling and talking. She ate with them, cooked with and for them, did the food shopping and plenty of odd jobs around the house. But still, she kept her own flat, spent a couple of nights there, or days if she was on the late shift. Serena had stayed there a couple of times but it was difficult with Jason to consider and if she was very honest she preferred being in her own home with her own things around her. Though if it meant spending more time with Bernie she was happy to have the occasional sleepover if necessary.
But was it really necessary?
“I believe you referenced one question.” Serena flashed a warning look at Fletch who held up his hands in a surrender motion.
“That’s me told. Right, better look over the patient files. See you later.” He made to walk off before stopping to say one more thing. “I think she’d like to, live with you that is.”
“I hope so.”, Serena whispered to herself before opening the office door to face the pile of paperwork that was waiting for her.
Three tedious hours later she was pulling up outside her home, noticing immediately that there were no main lights on, just a slight flickering from the sitting room. On entering the door to her left she saw just why. There, fast asleep on the couch with the TV still playing in front of her was Bernie. Her hair was messier than usual, her nose was still bright red and her skin was pale and dull but to Serena she was still beautiful.
“I love you.”, she murmured, dropping a kiss onto the blonde hair before going to make a start on dinner. She busied herself chopping vegetables and slicing meat before organising her herbs and spices. In fact she was so busy that she didn’t notice Bernie standing in the doorway for a good two minutes.
“I thought you were asleep.” Serena smiled as she washed her hands thoroughly.
“I think I’ve slept all day. How was your day?”
“Busy, hey get that look off your face, we’re well covered. Anyway, more importantly how are you feeling?”
“Honestly, still not great but far better than yesterday, better than I felt this morning even. I think I’ll be well enough to go to work tomorrow.”
Having dried her hands Serena made her way across the kitchen, reaching over to brush Bernie’s hair back before kissing her forehead. “You will not, you’re on assigned two days off as am I and we are both taking them.”
“But..”
“But nothing, you may be the most brilliant doctor in that hospital but you are not needed until Monday. And at that only if you’re better. No, you are going to take another two days to rest okay?”
“Okay.”, Bernie pouted. Normally she would be over the moon at the prospect of two days off with Serena but she knew that even if her headache and dizziness were almost gone, her still very present runny nose was not conducive to what they would normally be doing during their time alone.
“Good. Anyway, I’m making a nice spicy curry for dinner, that will help clear your sinuses. While it’s cooking down why don’t you go and have a nice hot shower. I left that eucalyptus shower gel in there for you to use.”
“Do you want to join me?” Bernie attempted to give her best seductive look but the tissue she was holding to her nose did somewhat ruin the impact.
Serena shook her head though she did take the opportunity to bring her miserable looking girlfriend in for a proper hug. “Do I want to? Yes, but it’s going to have to wait until you’re feeling a bit better. Go on then, upstairs with you and dinner will be ready when you come down.”
Sure enough when Bernie came downstairs thirty minutes later dinner was on the table along with a large glass of water for her and a larger glass of Shiraz for Serena.
“This must be very spicy, it’s the first thing I’ve been able to taste all week.”
“Is it alright?” Serena loved hot food but rarely got a chance to cook it as Jason wasn’t a fan.
“It’s delicious, thank you for going to so much trouble for me.”
Reaching across to lace their fingers together Serena gave Bernie a loving look. “It’s no trouble, you know I’d do anything for you.”
Once dinner was over Serena banished Bernie into the sitting room while she cleaned the kitchen and loaded the dishwasher. Then with another glass of shiraz for herself and a hot whiskey for her partner in her hands, she made her way into the sitting room.
“You are an angel.” Bernie sighed as she took a sip of the warm drink. “How can I repay you?”
“You can start by coming back into bed with me tonight.”
“I don’t want…”, Bernie started.
“You won’t, you’ve said it yourself that you’re feeling better. I can handle the sniffing and the nose blowing but Darling, I find it very difficult to sleep these days when there’s a wall between us. Please?”
There wasn’t a chance Bernie could resist those pleading eyes and so she nodded, squeezing Serena’s hand as she leaned against her shoulder. “If you insist.”
Despite her plentiful naps Bernie was still exhausted, as was Serena after a long day at work and so as soon as the ten o’clock news was over they made their way upstairs to bed, ensuring to leave the remote control in the allocated space in case Jason wanted it after he got back from the cinema with Cameron.
“Cam said he’d call over tomorrow.” Serena suddenly remembered as she was slipping into her nightdress. “He was worried about you.”
“He text me this morning which was nice.” Bernie smiled shyly before sharing her other news. “Charlotte did as well, said to let her know when’s a good time for us to meet her for coffee next week. You and me that is.”
“Well, that’s very good. Wednesday is normally quiet enough so maybe then?” Serena looked up with a smile, seeing the happy nod from her love. She and Bernie had met up with Charlotte on a couple of occasions now and each time it seemed the gap between mother and daughter was getting narrower and narrower, something that Cameron had said was very much down to Serena’s influence. She wasn’t too sure about that but she was however very glad that at least one of their daughters was somewhat supportive of their relationship.
Dismissing any negative thought from her head for now she patted the pillow,indicating that Bernie should get in next to her.
“Ughhh, this is not how I want to be spending a Friday night in bed with you.”, Bernie moaned as she flopped back against the pillow.
“Well, it’s not my first choice either.”, Serena agreed. “But it can’t be helped, I’m just happy you’re here with me.”
“I am too but as soon as I can breathe through my nose again I’m going to be making up for lost time.”
“Oh yes?”
“Yes.” Bernie’s eyes glinted as she turned to face Serena, moving closer in her arms as she whispered. “I’m going to have you up against that wall and go down on my knees, kissing, licking and tasting you until your legs are shaking around my head.”
“Ohhhh.”, Serena gasped, suddenly flushed with arousal. “And then what? Bernie? Bernie? Berenice Griselda Wolfe do not tell me you’ve fallen asleep just as you’re telling me how you’re going to have your wicked way with me.”
Although there were nights that sleep completely alluded her, there were others where Bernie went out like a light. Normally this happened after sex, though it appeared that on this occasion even talking about the act was enough.
“It’s a good job I love you.” Serena muttered as she adjusted their position so both were more comfortable, smiling as she heard a whisper just before she dropped off herself.
“Love you too.”
Though she was still sniffing, on Saturday Bernie seemed a lot better. Serena was still keeping an eye on her and refusing to let her go outside, especially not when it was pouring with rain. Luckily it didn’t prove to be too much of an issue. Cameron had arrived before lunch, bringing a selection of food items that he knew his mother would like. After they had eaten Jason had insisted they watch the episodes of QI he had stored on the Sky box. When they had finished those Serena had suggested they watch a film that she had seen was on BBC 2. By the time that was over it was dark outside and time to eat again.
“I quite fancy a Chinese.”, Bernie declared.
‘If you’ll pay I’ll go get it.” Cameron offered. “Well, I did buy lunch.”, he yelped as his Mum playfully punched his arm.
“We’ll be hearing about that for a year won’t we?”
“Of course, I am a poor student doctor you know.”
“I know, I know. Okay, well there’s a good place down the road, do you know it?”
Serena suddenly interjected. “It’s stopped raining and it’s not that cold out. Why don’t you go with him?”
Bernie’s eyes lit up, she was dying for some fresh air. “Okay so.”
“Just don’t let her jog down there Cam.”, Serena warned as she watched the pair pulling on their coats before leaving the house.
“I won’t, I promise.”
Jason was looking at Serena with a bewildered look on his face. “Auntie Serena, I thought you said Bernie should stay indoors.”
“I did but she does seem much better. Besides, there’s something very important I wanted to talk to you about and now seems like a good time.”
By the time Bernie and Cameron arrived back with bags of food in their hand, Serena and Jason had finished their conversation and had come to an agreement, part of which was that he would not be mentioning anything about what they had discussed until further notice.
As they watched Jason help Cameron to sort out the containers, Bernie wrapped her arms around Serena’s waist and whispered in her ear, “I’m so glad they get on.”
“Me too.”
That night they ate their food and watched film and before Cameron declared himself exhausted and said goodnight. He wasn’t the only one and Bernie and Serena both excused themselves, leaving Jason to finish watching Pointless. Again, they both quickly fell asleep after a bit of a cuddle and before Serena knew it, it was morning and she was being awoken by a gentle kiss and the smell of freshly brewed coffee.
“What did I do to deserve you?”, she asked as she took the steaming mug in her hands.
“That’s my line.”, Bernie beamed before leaning in for another kiss.
“You look even better today.” Serena commented happily.
“Must have been the good company yesterday. I do feel far better though and I’ll definitely be able for work tomorrow.”
“I’m glad.” Serena confessed. “I missed you.”
They kissed again before settling down to drink their coffee and flick through the papers Bernie had also brought up.
“What would you like to do today Darling? Seeing as you’re feeling better maybe we can go for a drive? Find a nice pub to have lunch in?”
“That sounds good.”, Bernie nodded. “Than I guess I can drop you back here and collect my stuff.”
“Collect your stuff?” Serena blinked. “Why?”
“Because my love, I’ve been here for a week and while I’ve so appreciated how you’ve looked after me but I’m better now so I can go home and leave you and Jason in peace.”
This was the moment, it wasn’t exactly how she had planned it, that was why she had suggested lunch out, but it seemed fate had intervened and made this the moment for Serena to ask her question.
“Stay here.”
“What?”, Bernie blinked in confusion. “Well, I guess I can stay tonight if you want me to, we are both on the early shift tomorrow. I can..”
“No, you don’t understand. Bernie, I love you and I love what we have together. I’d love it even more if you would move in with me.”
There was a long pause before Bernie started to respond. “Serena, I…”
“Just listen to me. You are here the majority of the week anyway, which before you say anything, I absolutely adore. This means you’re paying rent on a place for no good reason which is just silly, especially when we want you here.”
“We?”
“Yes, I’ve spoken to Jason and he is very happy for you to live with us. Sweetheart, I love you and I know you love me. Things are so good between us and I want the closeness we share all the time. I want to wake up with you and have silly arguments over who’s using the shower first and just be domestic with you. Please say yes.”
Bernie looked at the ceiling and sighed. “I want to.”
“You do?”
“I want to but love, there’s someone else you need to consider. What about Elinore?”
This time it was Serena’s turn to sign. “I knew you’d say that. Bernie, I love my daughter, you know I do and I know that the last few months have been horrible for her, they have been for all of us. I had hoped that once she recovered she’d see things differently, I do still hope that she will but she’s the one who is choosing not to accept us.”
“You mean me.”, Bernie whispered.
“No, I mean us. We are an us now Darling and as much as I love Ellie, she needs to accept that. Is she going to be thrilled at you living here when I tell her, which I will do before she can hear it from anyone else, no she won’t be. Just like she isn’t thrilled about Jason being here but that doesn’t mean I’m going to turf him out. I love him and I love you and you are both a part of my family. A family that she too could have if she got off her high horse and realised that I am blissfully happy for the first time in a long time, perhaps ever. The only thing that would make me happier is if you accept my offer. So will you? Please say you will.”
“Equal payments on everything, bills shopping no arguments.”, Bernie stated, knowing as soon as she saw the overjoyed look spreading across Serena’s face that this was the right decision.
“Absolutely. And I also thought maybe we could set up a joint savings account. Put some of that rent money you’ll be saving towards a nice holiday later in the year. Italy, Barbados, Cape Verde?”
“As long as it’s got you wearing as few clothes as possible I don’t care.” , Bernie whispered as she pulled Serena onto her lap, kissing her slowly before pressing their foreheads together. “I suppose I’ll be packing my stuff from the other place so.”
“How long will that take?” Now that Bernie had accepted Serena didn’t want to wait any longer that necessary for the official moving in to take place.
“Considering I live in a crappy rented flat and really just own my clothes, my computer a few knick knacks and a few books, probably about half an hour.”
“Lived.”, Serena corrected. “We could do it together on the way back from lunch. That way it would only take fifteen minutes.”
Bernie pretended to consider it for a moment before kissing Serena again. “That’s some very good time management there love, must be why you’re so good at your job. Okay so, we’ll do it after lunch. That just leaves one question, do you want to head off for our drive now or is there something you’d rather do first?”
“Hmmm.” Serena pretended to glance at the clock. “It is a bit early and well, I can’t help but notice that you are breathing a whole lot easier this morning. And you did make me a promise on Friday night…..”
“I did.”, Bernie agreed. “And I am more than happy to honour that promise.”
“Seems like a good way to seal the deal doesn’t it?”
“It does.” Bernie smiled before bending down for another kiss. “Thank you for asking me, you’ve made me so happy.”
Serena joined their hands together and beamed up at Bernie. “You did the same thing by saying yes.”
“Good. Oh and before I forget, the possible shower arguments, there’s an easy solution to that isn’t there.”
“There is indeed, good diplomatic skills there Major. Between those and my time management skills, I think this arrangement is going to work out perfectly.”
“So do I.”