-Author's POV-

It was late, of course Kimberley knew better than to push her luck. All she wished in this darkened night was to hold her wife, kiss her; the desiring taste of Cheryl's lips still lingers to her own.

She licks her lips, sighing in remembrance to the sweet taste her wife held.

The night was occupied in tosses and turns, a bed far too large for one person.

She sighs once more.

The frustration always getting the better of her, slowly, she creeps out of the bedroom and wanders through the halls. It was as if she'd never walked within the high ceilinged corridors, never before catching a glimpse of the light walls tinting into royal blues. It was Cheryl's idea of course, to get the halls painted in artistic captivations.

My Cheryl.

She finds herself in the piano room, keeping the lights off and soaking in the moon gleams seeping through the glassed space.

She settles down onto the cushioned bench.

Her blue-greys fall upon the piano, following her fingers being pressed against the white keys releasing musical sounds. That's how the rest of her night was spent, losing her mind and soul in the appealing melodies always managing to captivate her being in blossoming petals.

This was her escape, where time stood still and she was in control of the invisible hourglass slipping countless grains into yesteryear.

It was a night of regret, wishing she didn't speak such spiteful words, forever replaying the hurt she'd shot out to her beautiful wife. She vouches in this very blissful moment, that no matter how many highs and lows their relationship will partake, she will forever keep the glassed windows of her wife's heart undamaged.

"M-Mum?" Madison's sleepy voice cracks through the large room.

Kimberley stills her fingers, turning around in the darkened room and catching her daughter's body leaning against the high doorframe.

"I'm sorry," She apologizes, "Did I wake you?" She beckons over the teen, instantly taking her daughter down to her lap, and enveloping her in tightly.

Madison shakes her head, sighing contently against her mother's chest.

"I missed you playing," The teen yawns, her arms lace around Kimberley's neck. "Play again." She whispers, relaxing to the musical tunes playing once again.

Nobody has missed anyone more than Kimberley missing her daughter, her wife, and her home. She's missed the scent lingering in the air, the loving warmth forever swaying through the halls and dwindling upon her soul.

"Don't leave anymore." Madison brings the blondes attention back, "Please. I know Mam is upset, but she misses you.. Even if she wont admit it."

Kimberley gulps, stopping her fingers from playing the keys. "That's not up to me, if she wants me to stay.. Then I'll stay—"

"She wants you to stay, please Mum, please." She pleads; her arms grow tighter in fright of the blonde leaving once more.

"Okay, don't get so worked up," Kimberley smiles. "What ever happened to little sh*thead Madison who couldn't stand the sight of me or Cheryl?"

Madison giggles, sitting up. "Hmm." She pretends to think, "She's still here.. Except she's a lot less miserable and a lot more happy."

Kimberley melts to her daughters words, "Really? Or are you just being a little fcuker—"

"Am not!"

"You so are." They share a beautiful giggle.

"Really Mum, I'm happy here.. But I'll be even more happier," The glint in her green eyes return. "If—"

"Yeah, yeah, if I stay—"

"No—"

"You cheeky little—"

"Play me something," Madison whines, giving the blondes shoulder a playful shake.

"What do you want me to play?" Kimberley sighs, "So demanding."

"Hey, I have a question."

"Shoot."

"Do you know how to sing—"

"No—"

"Why are your cheeks turning red, eh?" The teen giggles, "You so know how don't you!"

"No I do not, do you want me to play you the bloody piano or not!?"

The teen giggles once more, "Sing to me while you play."

"I said I don't know how."

Even with the dark filled room, the moon gave the teen enough streaming light to expose her mother's flustered cheeks.

"Mum—"

"No—"

"Mummy—"

"No—"

"Mummy?" Madison whines, colliding her forehead against Kimberley's shoulder. 

"What." The blonde can slowly feel herself giving in, and as much as her mind tried to fight it, her heart could only hang on for so much longer.

"Sing me something—"

"I told you I—"

"Am I liar."

Kimberley groans, "Fine."

Madison's head shoots back, "Really? I mean.." She giggles, "Really?"

"Shush before I change my mind."

The teen bites her lower lip, nodding with anticipation thumping her free spirited heart.

Kimberley hums, preparing her unrehearsed voice.

The key's begin to play, captivating Madison completely.

"I am fallen, and I'm too weak to fly. Now my hearts wide opened, and you're the reason why.. I've been broken, from the scars that I forgave.. Spent a long time running.." She sounds the last word, not brave enough to finish the song she'd once wrote for Cheryl.

"Why'd you stop?" The teen whispers, unable to sound her voice any louder.

"That's all you get." Kimberley smiles; masking the need to cry.

"Did you write that?"

Silence.

"It's really beautiful Mum.. Did.. Did you write that about Mam?"

Kimberley forces a nod.

"When?"

"Could we not—"

"Please?"

Kimberley sighs softly; silently glad the piano room was dark.

"I wrote that song to your Mam a few days after she told me she loved me."

"Oh my god," Madison sighs in love, "That's so fcuking cute—"

"She cried—"

"Oh—"

"Then I cried—"

"Soppy cows." They laugh.

"Come on," Kimberley taps her daughter's backside, "Time for sleep."

Madison slips off her mother's lap, waiting for the blonde to take her hand and lead them out of the large space. The royals turns back into light beige's, leaving all the dark thoughts behind and feeling elevation.

"Could you stay in my room tonight?" Madison asks, already dragging her mother in.

Kimberley smiles, climbing into bed beside her daughter, and gently pulling her into a warm embrace.

They sigh simultaneously.

"Tomorrow Emma is coming over at one, could you stay and then maybe we can go out after?" Madison asks, yawning.

"Emma's still coming over then?"

"Mhm." The teen hums, snuggling close.

Kimberley gulps, "How.. How are you liking hanging with Jamie?" She asks, needing to be reassured that this was a safe connection happening between her daughter and the father soon to love like never before.

"I like it.. He's really nice Mum, honest. He's always so nice to me, and I never feel the need to filter my words.. Which is new for me, because it's hard to trust.. You know?" Madison looks up, hoping to assure her mother.

Kimberley nods, looking out to the floor length windows permitting the moon light through.

"I just.." Madison begins, unsure how to put this into words.

"You just what babe?"

"I just don't want to hurt Mam like.. I know she doesn't like it."

Kimberley nods once more, agreeing completely. She gives the teen a tight squeeze, pulling her in and pressing a sweet kiss to the forehead.

"She'll eventually come around."

"I hope so." Madison sighs, finally fluttering her eyes shut.

"I love you infinity." The teen yawns, whispering the sweet words into the peaceful air.

"I love you infinity." Kimberley echoes the words, following her daughter into dreamland.

---------

Cheryl and Kimberley keep their distance the following morning, although the blonde was waiting for the right moment to steal the Geordie away, and talk some apologies into her.

Cheryl had allowed her wife to stay, only to Madison's request. The teen had pleaded in wishful pouts, the pout forever getting the Geordie to give in without a single bit of hesitation. She didn't want to upset Madison and push her away, away into Jamie's arms.

So, she gives her what she wants.

"Emma's here!" The teen calls out, opening the door and allowing the smiling woman through the door.

Kimberley walks out of the living room, nearly colliding into her wife in the process.

"Oh," She laughs nervously. "Sorry.. I just—"

"Yeah," Cheryl steps back. "I just too." They share a light smile, walking in the direction their daughter stands with Emma.

The chestnut haired woman's heart nearly jumps out of her chest and gives its last pulse with Kimberley's daggering expression shooting through her.

She gulps.

"Hello," The terrified woman shakes Kimberley's hand, knowing this was no friendly gesture.

"Could I speak to you before the session begins?"

She takes Cheryl by surprise, turning her head and giving Kimberley a questioning look.

"Yes, yes of course."

"Mum?"

"God, calm down you two, not like I'm going to kill her." She laughs dryly, walking ahead of Emma.

The woman shrugs, following Kimberley's trail, hoping not to be killed.

"Have a seat." Kimberley closes her office door, gesturing for Emma to sit on the brown-leathered sofa.

A tensed silence lingers in the air, exactly what Kimberley wanted. She remains quiet, hoping to make the woman more nervous than she was.

She takes a seat in the armchair, sighing lightly before speaking.

"Don't think because Cheryl spoke to you while I wasn't here, and gave it to you easy means I won't be having a word with you—"

"I didn't think we had a problem.."

"Don't play all innocent now," Kimberley leans forward, propping her elbows atop her knees. "You know damn well what you were doing coming into my home, and acting your plans."

Emma takes a deep breath, "Can I just say something—"

"No, you can speak once I've spoken."

Emma nods, keeping quiet.

"If you ever, for a single second think I wont snap your neck for hurting my little girl, think again."

"I don't—"

"What'd I say?"

Emma nods, praying the sofa would swallow her whole.

"Cheryl might have dished it out easy to you, but when it comes to me, I don't have any trouble with using my hands to teach you a fcuking lesson. You come here, you teach my daughter and you get the fcuk out. I don't want to hear you persuading Madison to go out for ice cream ever again, breaks are to be given and you will remain in the house." Kimberly's blue-greys pierce dangerously. "If my daughter chooses to see Jamie, it will be to her account, not because you think it's a good idea."

Emma nods, forcing the tears back. She's unsure why Kimberley terrified her, and the raging heartbeat confirmed her fright.

"I don't want to ever repeat myself ever again, because I wont be nice the second time around."

She's being nice right now? Emma nearly dies at the thought.

"Have I made myself clear?"

Emma nods frantically, her hands clutched together firmly, sitting upright with full attention put on the blonde.

"You can speak now."

Silence.

"I said speak!"

Emma holds her startled scream, "I.. I don't plan.. Or.. Or I'm not really planning anything.. I'm just doing my j-job, I promise, I swear, I'm not telling her anything. It was only that one time.. I just come here and we do the coursework and I leave, I swear, I swear to you."

Kimberley suppresses a smirk, knowing her words had hit home.

"Good." She stands to her feet, "Now please see yourself to my daughter, you're running behind with work."

Emma nods, scurrying out of the office, hoping she doesn't fall flat on her face and make a fool out of herself.

Cheryl barges through just as Emma walks out, closing the door behind her.

"What did you tell her?"

Kimberley releases her smirk. "Nothing, we just talked."

"She looks like she's ready to burst into tears."

"Oh, she's just sensitive." The blonde falls back into the leather armchair, the smirk remaining in place.

"Kimberley." Cheryl sighs, "Please, I don't want problems, especially for Madison."

"There are no problems."

"Scaring her tutor is a damn problem."

Kimberley tuts, "I'm not arguing over this."

"Well, you can't speak to Emma like that." Cheryl sits in the space once occupied by the terrified tutor.

"And why is that?" The blonde frowns, not liking how defending her wife was being towards Emma.

"Because."

"Because isn't really an answer, babe."

Cheryl sighs softly, "I don't want Madison running to Jamie when she's upset with us, and making Emma upset will upset her."

Kimberley smiles lightly, finding her wife so fcuking adorable in this moment.

"Don't worry sweetheart," She was unable to contain the sweet talk, "It wont upset Mado.. Please, stop overthinking."

Cheryl sighs once more, running her fingers through the silk chocolate locks.

"Since we're alone," Kimberley gets her wife's attention back. "Why don't we have a little talk?"

"About?"

"Just.. General stuff."

"Like?"

"Like... Did you have a good sleep?"

Cheryl forces the smile back, "It was fine."

Silence.

"Did you...." Kimberley thinks, "Have good dreams?"

Cheryl nods.

"Did you... Dream about me?" She cheekily asks.

"No—"

"Aw, it's okay, you don't have to lie—"

"I didn't—"

"You did, it's alright."

Cheryl groans, "You're annoying."

"And you, are adorable."

The smile finally cracks to Cheryl's lips.

"Missed you." Kimberley confesses. "Come over here."

"Nope." Cheryl pops her word, "You still have a lot of making up to do, and you're not getting it back that easy."

"What?" Kimberley gasps, "Not like I'm asking you to get down on your knees and fcuk me—"

"Hey!"

"Just saying," Kimberley giggles. "Oh would you just come over here? I feel like you're oceans away."

"Quite fine where I am."

The blonde tuts; standing to her feet and dropping down beside her stubborn wife.

"Let's talk then." Kimberly grins, shifting closer, and Cheryl shifting further until the sofas arm trapped the Geordie in place.

"I don't want to."

Kimberley sighs; she really needed to fix this.

"Okay fine," She sighs once again. "I'll talk."

Cheryl remains still, keeping her eyes firmly locked straight ahead, unable to look into the deep blue-greys she loved so passionately.

"I'm sorry," Kimberley, whispers, her eyes absorbing the Geordie's profile. "I really am.. Like you wouldn't believe. I miss you so much, I spend nights, upon nights, upon nights.. Just thinking about you. All of you."

Cheryl remains silent, but her heart blares loudly.

"All I know is that I did you wrong, but, baby, we've had more good days than bad.. I promise, baby, I promise to protect you, love you, cherish you, fcuking adore you for as long as I'm fcuking living... And even when I'm not, I will still love you more than I could ever tell you.. The love I have for you can't be worded.. It can't be said, because this love has never been felt by anyone."

Kimberley's words bring tears to the emotional Geordie's brown eyes.

"Please look at me.. Please?" She whispers her plead.

"I can't." Cheryl's voice squeaks.

"Why? Just look into my eyes and see how sorry I am."

The tears slip, dropping down to Cheryl's slightly exposed chest and trickling further.

And she does, she looks into the beautiful blues and melts instantly to the connecting orbs. Browns and oceans bring the love back into Cheryl's world, colliding into her soul and drowning into the pit of her light filled passion.

"I'm sorry." Kimberley repeats with determination. "I am so fcuking sorry, weeks... Weeks I have been apologizing to you, even when you weren't around.. I was still saying those words hoping someway or another you'd feel them."

Cheryl nods, sniffing.

"You.. You promise to never say those words again?"

"I promise you.. I guess I was angry for such a long time.. I took it out on you, baby you deserved so much better than the way I treated you when I was angry. I will never sound those words ever again.. I promise." She holds her pinky up, getting a teary giggle to sound from Cheryl.

Their pinkies entwine together, both smiling widely into each other's eyes.

Kimberley tugs her wife's pinky getting their lips to connect in a passionate apology. Their pinkies unfold, arms enveloping each other instead, but lips never releasing.

Kimberley gently falls back into the sofa, taking her wife down with her. Tongues working in desperation to feel each other once again, reigniting the fireworks within them, and conveying every missed hour spent apart.

"I've missed you," Kimberley speaks in between kisses, "So, fcuking, much."

Cheryl smiles, loving the way her heart flared with this intense kiss.

"I love you," Kimberley nearly sobs, "I love you so much," It was no use holding it back, it rises up and sounds.

Cheryl tries to pull back, but the blonde shakes her head, crying into the kiss.

"I'm so fcuking, sorry, I, really, am." She cries, the tears spilling freely down the ends of her eyes, blurring her vision from the beautiful goddess hovering over her. "I'll never do you wrong," She sniffs. "I promise, to, love you like never before."

Cheryl too begins to cry; the sensitive side to her could never be concealed.

She falls into the crook of Kimberley's neck, both sobbing in apologies.

--------

Madison raises an eyebrow, slowly looking up and catching a dazed Emma.

"You alright?" She asks, tapping her pencil against the hardwood table.

"Hm?"

"I said.. Are you alright?"

"Yes, yes of course." She laughs nervously, never fooling the teen. "Hurry and get this problem done so we can work on the next focus."

Madison sighs. "Why you acting strange? Tell me what Mum told you already—"

"She didn't say anything," Emma quickly answers.

"Liar."

"I swear."

"Liar."

"I said I swear!" Emma defends herself. "Could you finish this already?"

Madison rolls her eyes, refocusing on the work given.

"I saw Jamie yesterday—"

"Could we keep the topic on your coursework and only that?"

"We always talk about other things.." The teen puts her pencil down, "Why can't we now?"

"Because.. Because you're slacking in areas and we don't have time for foolish talk."

"You're no fun—"

"This isn't meant to be fun, this is school. Now do you work."

Madison keeps her pencil placed on the table, suddenly wanting to challenge her tutor.

"I'm quite done today—"

"You still have an hour—"

"Don't care."

"Madison, please, just do your work."

"Not until you tell me what Mum told you." Madison folds her arms, stubbornly.

Emma sighs, "She didn't say anything—"

"Liar."

"I said—"

"Just tell me, I wont tell her, I promise." The teen fakes a smile, surprisingly getting what she wanted.

"She just wants us focusing on the coursework and nothing else."

"But, we're practically family.. No?"

"We are, of course." Emma smiles, melting to the teen's words.

"So we should be allowed to talk about anything.."

"Yes, but this is school—"

"So we can hangout after we're done?"

Emma shakes her head, "Please.. Just do you work."

"Wait, why?" Madison frowns. "Why can't we hangout after?"

"Because, we can't—"

"But why—"

"Because—"

"But—"

"Madison I don't want to hangout with you! Stop asking!"

The teen's heart sinks. "Oh.. Okay." Her head drops, putting her attention back to the work given, and hoping the hidden tears don't come undone.

Emma mentally beats herself for being so harsh, but it was the only way Madison would stop her asking.

"Maddy—"

"No talking remember? I'll just finish my work and you can go."

Emma sighs, "I didn't—"

"It's alright," Madison never meets the hazel eyes. "I don't want to hangout with you either."

Emma doesn't speak, she remains silent the entire course. Simply watching the teen quickly finish her work, and abruptly stand to her feet.

"Where you going?"

"We're done. You know where the door is." Madison walks out, leaving Emma to mentally beat herself.

The teen wanders to the front room, glad to see her parents sitting close and watching the television.

"Can we go out now?" She asks, hoping her sad aura wasn't read by the women.

"You done?" Kimberley asks, standing up along with Cheryl.

"Mhm," Madison nods. "Can we please go out now?"

"Alright.. Yeah, sure.. Wherever you want."

The teen smiles, "Okay let me just go change and what not. I need about twenty minutes."

And that's all she needed in this moment, was her parents connection back intact, and love to be put back into her gloomy heart.

This was needed.