Two days of Allie, full days of just her and I, reconnecting, and it was just that, a reconnection, of her back to me, our pieces all coming back together to make one. We talked for hours, did a little hiking, went to dinner, romanced each other, laughed and cried. We drank a little too much in the hot tub too, and then there was the love making, as intense as ever, to love Allie and all of the fire that she possessed.

When I wake up the second morning, I feel her, for the first time in a month. Allie's arm is still wrapped over me, her hand placed against my chest, her cheek pressed into the side of me, zero personal space. I had never wanted my personal space back in the first place, because I was happier when it didn't exist. When Allie woke up attached to me, my day started as it should, in heaven.

I look down to her, sleeping soundly and lay my hand over hers, sighing with relief, she had returned to me. I knew I was lucky, that Allie had loved me and known me so long that she knew me deeper, on a different level, and that had been her key to forgiveness. Allie understood me, finally, knowing that even though I made a mistake, that it was never intentionally and I of course only loved her.

Allie was everything, and finally with time, she realised that, that she was all I had ever wanted and needed, and with that realisation came her release, and subsequent return.

I look sideways to my phone as it lights up with a text from Teddy. I pick it up and read it quietly, shaking my head, unable to hide the smile at the message.

T- Hey, I hope you and Allie are having a good time :) we miss you, sort of... do you know how to fix a table leg? And how I could get a stain out of your couch? ;) see you tomorrow:) T x

I type back slowly as not to wake Allie.

W- Theodora, I know you are joking because I can tell you from personal experience that the dining table is STURDY and can take a lot of intense activity on top of it. ;) as for the couch... you can take it with you when you and Harper move, call it a housewarming gift, the first couch you destroyed together, how romantic. Wait... I take that back, you destroyed two, although Wren kind of took out the last one being born right beside it and all. What is it with you Jameson- Nomikos and couches. Allie and I are enjoying the get away, it's been healing, although the hot tub will never recover and the wildlife have seen way more than they should. :) See you tomorrow kid, please behave... and deep clean all communal areas before we return. Willa x

***

"What are you smiling at" Allie asks sleepily as she looks up to me from beside my chest. I place the phone down and snuggle down onto the pillow beside her, our noses practically touching "hi" I whisper.

Her lips lift slowly "hi" she replies in the same affectionate way.

I caress her cheek with my finger tips, delicately brushing her auburn hair aside "You were still there when I woke up"

Her hand runs up my shirt between us and presses against my heart "You better get used to it... I'm not going anywhere" she whispers.

I peck her nose, her freckles wrinkling up as I begin to kiss her repeatedly until she starts to laugh and roll away from me.

I pull her back by the waist playfully and kiss her neck "you said you wouldn't go anywhere you fibber"

She rolls back giggling "there are clauses... which include pecks... you know I can't abide them... give a good one or leave me be"

"A good one" I say eyebrows raised "you got it" I say pulling her back to me, my lips slipping over hers, a sweet and gentle caress. Her hand brushes my cheek, as her body presses into mine, butterflies taking flight with the contact, repeatedly until I felt like my body levitated away from the bed, with the continued and intense batting of wings against my belly.

Allie and I would spend our last morning in a heavenly tangle of limbs before we would emerge back into the land of the living. We would take a walk and then head back to Manchester. I had school tomorrow and Allie had work, our valentines break was almost over, and in the morning she could open her present. I had made a book of every poem she had ever written and vice versa, I had them bound in a beautiful hardback, with illustrations included by an artist I knew who worked with stunning watercolours. A sunset adorned the cover, it was perfect, the colours merging to form something quite beautiful and in gold leaf was the Title "Take my hand"

***
I watch Teddy feeding Wren her breakfast, and my cheeks hurt from smiling, as I nurse a cup of coffee and observe them from the family room.

My dad had left a voicemail last night about when we would be down to visit next. I had to call him back. I had much more to tell him than the usual, work news, Wren news, and my boring every day, this time I had a relationship to announce and I wasn't actually sure how he would take it. I had been a source of disappointment already as the first born. I didn't go on my mission, no longer attended church and had got him and uncle Brig involved in a little manhandling of 'he who shall not be named'. How to then confess I was actually in love with Teddy... and by the way... also her girlfriend... hmm I wasn't sure but I was not hiding her.

My dad was aware I was bisexual, it had obviously come up after the incident with 'he who shall not be named', but he never really wanted to know much more, or who it was all about, he just kind of nodded as I told him, and we didn't say anything more about it.

"I'm just going to call my dad" I call out.

Teddy turns from her fussing of Wren in the high chair and gives me a thumbs up. I walk to the furthest corner of the family room and dial my dad, no time like the present to break his heart.

"My baby girl" dad says answering after a few rings "how are you my darling"

I sit down in the chair and gulp a little, my hands feeling clammy, the phone slipping through my fingers as they clam up. "Hi dad... I'm fine" I reply "how are you guys" I ask "I saw the picture of you all at grandmas yesterday on Jennifer's facebook. The boys have grown so much since I saw you in the summer"

"Harper they have... they are huge. You will see when you come visit... when will that be my darling we miss you. I need to see that granddaughter of mine. I see her every week on your Instagram, but I need a hug"

"I know dad, I'm sorry it's been so long, things have been busy with work and we obviously had to use our Christmas vacation to be with Teddy and her family"

"Oh gosh yes that was sad. I hope you sent our regards" he returns.

I take a deep breath "yes daddy, I did. I was talking with Teddy just now actually and we are flying out to Oregon in spring break for a weekend with her family. We would also love to travel down to Utah, so we can see you and the Anderson's too. Mama and Willa will no doubt want to see them whilst we are all down. Would that work for you? If we came in spring break?"

"When you say we, you mean you and Wren?" He asks.

I squeeze my eyes shut, here we go.

"No daddy, I mean, me, Wren and Teddy" I reply. "I have some news"

He sounds as if he clears his throat "what is it Harps"

I stroke my forehead as I feel a tension headache forming. "It's... the thing is... you know I'm bisexual" I finally spit out and there is a silence.

"Right" he agrees matter of factly "so guys and girls" he asks.

I nod to myself "yes" I state "but honestly ... it doesn't matter what my sexuality is because I only want one person" I confess.

He clears his throat again, before his deep voice asks "Teddy right"

I frown at how he said that so casually. "Right" I return in the same manner. "How do you feel about that"

He takes a moment before answering.

"I feel like what I should say is, whatever makes you happy, makes me happy" he says.

I frown again "but what is it you really want to say" I ask.

"What I want to say is, that although it's not what I envisioned... I honestly do only want my daughter to be happy. I don't want you to live a life like your mother and I did. I want my children to know I love them beyond all else. Harper I would never be my father in this scenario... you know he still carries a picture of Willa in his wallet?" He reveals with an exasperated breath "he grieves her as if she is dead and she's all but a plane ride away... all his choice... which I will never understand. I will never grieve a child that is living and I won't have my child grieve me either. I will not repeat the mistakes of my father. I love you so much my darling. I would love to see you, Wren, and of course your girlfriend... is that the right term? Girlfriend?" He asks.

I smile as a tear rolls down into my lips "yes daddy, that's the one" I say, my voice strained with emotion.

"Harper Willa Jameson... I love you until my last breath and then I will love you eternally... you never have to feel unsafe with me. I'm sorry if I ever made you feel that way"

I'm literally sobbing into my forearm as Teddy walks in with Wren in her arms, she frowns and picks up the phone out of my hand "what did you say" she asks him almost accusingly.

I can't hear his reply but she tears up and says "thank you Ben... I appreciate that... and you know I will look after her... I promise"

I wipe my eyes quickly and take the phone back as Teddy offers a gentle smile and a squeeze of my shoulder.

"Sorry daddy I... I just wasn't expecting that... I love you so much"

I hear my brothers in the background with Jennifer "we love you too Harper"

***

Teddy and I watch Wren playing around us, both a little lost in thought, only good ones, everything was starting to feel...real...and it felt so good, so so good.

I rest my head against Teddy's arm and she wraps it around me. I nestle into her chest and pull up my phone "I now have eighty comments under our relationship status update" i observe.

Teddy looks over my screen "Well the picture I uploaded of you and I on my public Instagram, just hit..." and she's checks back on her phone "thirty thousand likes, and the comments section is absolutely lit" she says with a little laugh.

"Are they nice comments" I ask peeking over, and she scrolls down them.

- Upgrade!
- Teddy got a girl
- Hotties
-Jay Jones, who?
- ooh she's hot
- I wouldn't mind being the filling in that sandwich.
-🌈 YES
- New favourite couple
- I'm here for this 😍
- I thought she was straight

The last comment makes me laugh out loud as they continuously roll in, mostly positive and uplifting.

"It seems to have gone down well" Teddy muses and she looks to her texts and curses. "Oh crap" she whispers.

"What" I ask curiously.

"My manager isn't happy. I just announced that without warning her... whoops"

"She will get over it... and its at least well received so far" I add.

"God I just got fifty texts whilst I read that" she says, staring down at her phone intently, and as hers fires off pings, mine starts to too.

One from Mama;

M- I just saw your public announcement and deafened Willa in the process. Love you both! So much! How's my Wren? Does she miss me? I can't wait to see her. There is a present for you and Teddy from Wren for valentines on the bookshelf, second shelf, placed on top. Seems a good time to open it x x I love you Harper xx Mama x

H- thanks mama we miss you too x Wren has looked out the window for you twice this morning looking for her lala and her Gaga. She will be thrilled to see you tonight. Love you!!

One from Delilah;

D- You've been holding out on me Harper! You have publicly just bagged the hottest WNBA player in the history of hotties and I'm finding out about it on my daily gossip site. WTF! Your picture is spreading online like wild fucking fire. I expect a call imminently with details... DETAILS Harper! 😉😘

H- Lilah the details would blow your mind...but I will call with cliff notes ;) I see on your stories from last night that you met quite the hottie yourself at the club...did you take him home to play with? X

D- of course ;) look forward to chatting later.I have to get back to my valentine...he's a little chained up 😈 D x

H- of course he is.

***
I stand and walk over to the bookshelf, spotting the heart wrapping and smiling "mama is too cute" I say holding it up.

Teddy looks over "what is it" she asks.

"Apparently it's for us from Wren" I say, looking to Wren, who was busily stacking colourful cups in the corner.

"Wren did you make this" i ask.

She looks to me and grins before going back to her stacking.

I sit back down next to Teddy and I slowly unfurl the corners of the wrapping. She kisses my shoulder as it opens and I frown not knowing what it is as I pull it out. Teddy helps me guide it out of the packaging, and I hold it up.

Teddy inspects it with a smile "That's...adorable"

I grin myself "it's the cutest thing I've ever seen...aside from our actual child of course" I add jovially, and we look at it closely. It's a heart made out of Wrens feet, in red paint, her handprint in the middle. Mama had written in beautiful swirls underneath "Mommy & Mamas Valentine"

"Allie is so thoughtful...we will treasure that" Teddy says wrapping her arms around me and snuggling in.

"I got you a little something too" Teddy says "aside from the ridiculously large bouquet of flowers and the candy" she adds and she brings up her phone and hands it to me.

"A trip to Greece" I ask looking at the luxurious picture of a hotel beside a turquoise ocean on a vacation confirmation email.

"Yep...I promised a Vacation and that's what you get my gorgeous girlfriend...two weeks after the season ends. Travelling and experiencing a little adventure together, you, me and Wren. One week here and then a little Island hopping"

I turn and sigh lovingly as Teddy's big brown eyes study me in the same manner "The new sneakers I bought you now seem a little basic" I worry.

She laughs "I would never call sneakers basic...and you know me too well... sneakers are my drug of choice"

"I love you ridiculously" I confess.

"That makes two of us" Teddy returns with a kiss.

Valentines never felt so good, and neither did Teddy as she gave me a Valentines shake down at nap time...

***