Chapter Text
A knock on the door. “Enter,” calls out Sarah, putting her pen down and looking up at the new arrival.
Tally enters the General’s office, softly closing the door behind her. “Hello Sarah, ladies,” she says, smiling sweetly towards the biddies spread out in the room, each engaged in a different activity. “Practice ended early today, so I thought I’d join you for lunch. Unless you’re busy?”
“We’d love for you to join us, please take a seat. I just need to finish signing the annual ‘romance leaves’ and we can go to the dining room.” Sarah points to one of the chairs in front of her desk and returns to work.
“Hmm, ‘romance leaves’? Doesn’t sound like something the army would permit,” she jokes after getting settled.
Sarah smiles as she moves onto the next paper, “Indeed.” She pauses, “Every leave on and around February 14th is unofficially labeled as such, often accompanied by ample teasing. Only the most infatuated witches dare request one, so what few of them I receive, I try to approve.”
Tally grins at that, placing her elbow on the desk and propping up her chin. “General Alder, I didn’t know you were such a romantic.”
“And you Craven?” Sarah counters, “I did not see a request from you. No plans for Valentine’s day?”
“Ugh, honestly I’ve been so busy lately I didn’t even notice when January wrapped.” Tally flops back in her chair, head back and eyes closed. A soft chuckle reverberates across the room from the other women. Sarah sets the rest of her paperwork aside and stands up. She moves around the desk to join Tally on the other side, taking the seat across from her and leaning forward. Tally copies her movements and the two women rest their foreheads together, inhaling deeply, rejoicing in each other’s presence.
“How about I take the lead then? You just focus on your training,” suggests Sarah softly. Tally hums in affirmation. “Now I have not properly courted anyone since the 19th century, but I am certain I will manage.” The addition of “for you” remains unspoken.
Tally opens her eyes to see a somewhat teasing, mostly affectionate, smile directed at her. She gently kisses the other woman, “I’m sure you will, my love.” Her heart flutters at the light blush her words cause to appear.
“We don’t want to intrude …” starts Olivia.
“Yeah, but some of us are starving,” finishes Julie to everyone’s amusement.
A week before Valentine’s day, Tally wakes up alone in the room she shares with her Unit. The shower is running in the bathroom and Raelle’s melancholic singing of the Book of Love permeates through the door. She sits up and stretches while yawning before she climbs down. Abigail’s bed is unsurprisingly empty and untouched. How that girl manages to maintain two intense love affairs, along with staying on top of the ranks, is a mystery to all. Then again, Tally supposes, what are Bellweathers if not overachievers, apparently both in war and in love.
She walks to her desk and is taking a drink of water when she notices something new. Among her belongings is a small pouch that was certainly not there last night. She picks it up and carefully opens it. Inside, she first finds a brown leather bracelet with decorative blue beads, a very distinctive shade of blue. Tally smiles, her lower lip between her teeth, as she pulls out the bracelet and tries it on before she turns her attention back to the pouch. She empties it on her desk, several colorful pieces falling out. Candies shaped as hearts, a different word painted on each one. It takes Tally only a few moments to decipher the message, “I can’t wait to be with you” .
Raelle walks out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her body. She finds Tally slowly spinning in her desk chair looking absolutely giddy. “Morning Tals, shower is all yours.”
“Good morning Rae!” Tally beams, her strangely colorful tongue poking out.
Raelle’s eyebrow pops up at the sight and she half grins. “Couldn’t wait for breakfast?” Tally makes an inquisitive sound as she gathers her stuff. “Your tongue, been munching on some candy?” Raelle explains.
“Oh, that. Uh .. yeah!” Tally rushes to get in the bathroom, a slight blush suddenly on her face. Raelle’s other eyebrow rises as well once the door is hurriedly closed. She shrugs it off and goes to the dresser to get ready.
Later that week, a tousled Tally rushes to her dorm barely making it before curfew. M looks on with mock disapproval, “Cutting it close Craven. Again.” Tally shrugs apologetically, giving a small glimpse of her dimples as a peace offering. She quickly enters her room, shutting the door behind with a relieved sigh. Sarah had left another gift that morning, along with the sweet candy hearts’ message of “Have dinner with me tonight”. The adorable little stuffed toy, a fiery red fox, carefully tucked in Tally’s bed before rushing out, much to her observing sisters’ amusement.
A loud throat clearing is heard, making Tally jump. A squeak may or may not have escaped her. She turns around to find her sister looking at her expectantly. Abigail stands at attention, a perfect copy of her General mother, while Raelle is leaning against the frame of their bunkbed, her arms folded.
“Hey guys …” Tally starts.
“Where were you?” Abigail interrupts.
“Uhm, nowhere.”
“What were you doing out so late?” Raelle picks up the questioning.
“Nothing?”
“And who gave you those hickeys?” says Abigail, squinting her eyes at her sister.
“Nobody!” Tally exclaims panicky. She attempts to discreetly lift her shirt collar to cover her neck and any marks visible there. Her sisters roll their eyes eerily in sync, her poor ability to lie apparent. Maybe she should ask Petra for a spot in Intelligence after graduation.
Abigail plomps on her bed with a humph. “Oh, so you're hooking up with Odysseus now, huh?” she asks sarcastically, her gaze burning Tally who immediately blushes.
“Ugh.” Tally hides her face behind her hands. “Really Abs, you had to bring Greek mythology into this?” she tries to make a joke, but her sisters remain serious.
Raelle approaches her embarrassed sister, moving her hands away and guiding her to join Abigail on the bed. “Well Tals we are kinda desperate. We are running out of ideas and since someone insists on hiding her special friend's identity …” she pries gently. “Why are you so keen on keeping them a secret Tally? You know we are here for you no matter what.” Raelle is looking at her so openly and with more than a touch of worry. It takes everything for Tally not to cave and blurt out everything. She knows Sarah wouldn’t mind her telling, most of the Brass has guessed it already. But Tally knows a huge revelation like this will require several hours of sisterly talk and she is so tired. She made room for some alone time with her Sarah, no chance she can fit in an intense interrogation on her schedule tonight.
“There's no secret special friend. Not exactly …” she mumbles. Tally lays on her sister’s bed, the day’s, hell the week’s exhaustion hitting her at once.
“So I'm right, it's a different guy or gal every night. Go Tal!” Abigail says proudly. Tally takes to hiding again, this time using a pillow to cover her face.
Raelle snorts.”Nah, this is clearly a lovey dovey look. Plus all those romantic little gifts she’s been getting.” A grin on her face as she pokes the pillow covering her sister’s face.
“Hey! Love can be between more than just two people at a time,” Abigail retorts angrily. She glares at Raelle and punches her in the shoulder causing her to let out a yelp. “Don't be so close minded, shitbird.”
Raelle puts her hands up in surrender, hoping to save herself from the Bellweather storm suddenly brewing. “I know, I know!” She rubs shoulder. “Sorry, meant no offense. Really,” she insists.
Her sisters continue bickering as Tally is lulled into a deep sleep. They don’t notice she is asleep until she starts lightly snoring. They hush their giggles and remove her boots. “Better not think you’re making stealing my bed a habit,” Abigail warns her blissfully oblivious sister.
Most cadets are taking advantage of their day of rest to enjoy the pleasant weather outside. Tally is sitting against a tree watching her sisters playfully practice their Work. Abigail is twirling leaves in a mini tornado creating a chill breeze that surrounds them, while Raelle is growing an array of strangely adorable mushrooms. “Are you preparing for tomorrow Rae? Going to woo your necro with some mushrooms instead of flowers, clever,” quips Abigail.
“Shut up,” grumbles Raelle. “Scylla is still technically undercover so we’re meeting at Salem for a lowkey dinner. What about you Tal?”
Tally tucks her hair behind her ear, “I’m not sure.” She glances at the Administration building then quickly back at her sisters. “My Valentine has a surprise planned for us.” She sees her sisters brace themselves for what is sure to be a barrage of questions, so she hurries to add “And I’ll tell you all about it. After.” Her sisters seem appeased at that, if only for now.
“With all those romantic gifts, there better be a fitting finale. What did the candy say today, “Your smile makes me quiver” was it?” Her sister nods dreamily in response to Abigail. “Great, that means the room is all mine tomorrow night.”
At that, Tally turns to her with a grin, "Should we tie our belongings down? You and Adil going to shake things up?"
"Or are we hiding all fragile items from Libba's aggressive enthusiasm?" Raelle joins in on the teasing, wiggling her eyebrows.
Abigail, entirely unperturbed, turns to both of them half smirking, looking like every bit of the brazen High Atlantic she is. "Both," she states. The three women look at each other for a bit before breaking out in joyful laughter.
As her laughter turns to a few chuckles, Tally senses someone approaching them. She turns. There is General Alder, her biddies not far behind, gazing at them almost expressionless but Tally can see the fondness in her eyes. She knows that such displays of sisterly love are what has sustained the General across centuries.
"Cadets, at ease," says the General, not wanting to disrupt the carefree cadets any further.
"Ma'am," says Abigail. Raelle nods in acknowledgement, while Tally is just staring at her General, her lovestruck look unnoticed by her sisters.
"If I may interrupt you. Craven, a moment of your time in private." Though not posed as questions, the General's polite request, as opposed to the typical brusque command, is noted by Raelle and Abigail who share a look.
Tally rises up in an instant and stands at attention. "Yes ma'am!" she responds enthusiastically. Alder signals Tally to follow her, so they begin walking together. And if there is a certain bounce in Tally's step, well surely that is just her desire to be a good soldier. Nothing more, no need to read into it.
They pass by the biddies who smile and return the happy little wave Tally gives them. They reach the side entrance to the Administration building, the trees blocking the view from the quad providing a modicum of privacy. Sarah turns to face Tally and reaches out for her hands. Taking a step closer, Tally grasps the offered hands and the smile that is always present when she is alone with Sarah widens. "Hi," she whispers.
Her face no longer blank, Sarah now sports a dazzling smile that reaches her eyes and fills them with warmth. Tally cannot help but remember today's message, that smile makes her heart quiver and her hands tremble. Stroking the top of her palm with her thumbs, Sarah says "Hello dear." She lifts one hand to push back an errand strand of auburn hair, then lowers it to cup the side of Tally's face tenderly. A pleased hum resonates from the Biddies as Tally responds to the touch by closing her eyes and leaning in. Sarah brings their foreheads together and is about to kiss her, when footsteps are heard. They pull apart slowly with a small discontented sound, neither quite ready to have their relationship be in the public's gaze. "Will you dine with me tomorrow evening, my love?" asks Sarah quietly.
"Of course. I'll be at your office after class." At that the General gives a swift nod and walks towards the building's entrance with the biddies in tow. Tally trails the other women with her gaze. She wonders if others are able to see how the General -though still solemn- does not appear as burdened anymore.
The smell of cinnamon permeates the house. A crackling fire warms the room and its occupants. Candles strewn across all surfaces provide soft flickering light. Tally feels a deep sense of contentment as she braids the strands of hair. In front of her sits Sarah, legs crossed, enjoying her beloved's ministrations, humming a familiar tune. Elderly women, part of their family, have made themselves at home all around, reading, cooking, knitting or simply resting. A series of knocks on the door disrupts the tranquility. Tally knows her sisters are at the door but cannot will herself to get up yet.
"Oh, just open it already! I want to see what it is." Abigail's voice crashes through Tally's fading dream. She turns to snuggle into her pillow grumbling.
"Okay, but I'm blaming you," Raelle warns. Cloth ruffling, then a small thump is heard. "Oh shit. Are those …" Curious as to what brought on this reaction, Tally peeked out of her blankets. Her sisters are standing before her desk examining a bundle of rope. Raelle notices her and offers her the item, "I think your admirer is getting serious Tal. Those look like handfasting cords." Tally looks from a shocked Raelle to a sceptical Abigail back to the bindings. Last month Tally almost failed a test because she could not get out her bonds in time. She ranted to Sarah for about an hour till she kissed her and promised to teach her every method of escaping she has amassed in her 300 plus years. Tally had forgotten about it, not Sarah though. She gets up and takes her latest gift in her hands. Strong rope with silky texture and a bright green ribbon weaved in, imbued with Work that could only belong to one person. "Tal!" Raelle all but screeches in her ear, snapping her out of her reverie.
“It’s for practice, she’s not proposing,” Tally says, rolling her eyes at Raelle and rubbing her ear.
“Aha! So it’s a she,” exclaims Abigail. She reaches over and takes the rope, ignoring Tally’s protest. “Pity, had my money on M,” she mumbles as she pulls the rope testing its strength. “You know, I could use this for later …”
“No Abs, you are not using my rope for sex !” Tally makes a grab for the item.
Abigail lets go of the rope. “Of course, you want to break it in first yourself.” She nods at Tally, her expression half teasing half respectful.
Unable to handle her sisters anymore, Tally escapes to the bathroom to get ready. She shouts a final warning as she closes the door, “Leave my stuff alone!” She shakes her head at the sound of Raelle snorting. Goddess knows, she loves her sisters but they can be a handful, especially when they gang up against her.
She comes out ready to seize the day, or at least some breakfast, to find her sisters still in the room and looking expectantly at her. Tally quirks her eyebrow in a silent question.
“We want to know today's message,” says Raelle, shrugging her shoulders.
“And you said not to touch your things, so …” adds Abigail.
With a huff directed at her petulant sisters, Tally goes to her desk. She removes the candy hearts from the little pouch and slowly places them in the correct order. The message is easy to figure out, “ I can’t wait to taste your lips again ”. She’s immediately reminded of yesterday's interrupted kiss and she smiles fondly. They will have plenty of opportunities to make up for that tonight. She gets lost in her imagination, thinking about what activities Sarah might have planned for their first real time alone in a while. Which is why she fails to notice her sisters exchanging a look over her now blushing face.
“I thought it was just another sickly romantic line, but the sex rope and your blush tell another story.” Abigail looks entirely too smug, even for her. Tally furrows her brow in confusion.
“Yeah Tal,” Raelle says, trying to cover her laughter. “Which lips is she referring to?” Both women look ready to burst as Tally stares at them stunned and redder than ever. She tries to speak but ends up imitating a fish as her earlier thoughts return to her. That does it for her sisters that break out in rambunctious laughter.
Suddenly their door opens, M stands at the threshold. They silently turn their inquisitive gaze at the two witches slowly seizing to laugh, before focusing on a blushing Craven. In a moment of panic, Tally grabs the candy and stuffs it in her mouth. As her sisters start cackling and her coven leader looks at her -both perplexed and unimpressed at her poor attempts of concealment- Tally once again ponders a possible future in Intelligence.
“Do I want to know?” M asks impassively. Tally covers each of her sisters’ mouths with her hands before they can even contemplate responding. With her mouth still full, she frantically shakes her head at M, who smirks and rolls their eyes. “Don’t be late for breakfast,” they order before walking away. Tally takes a hard swallow and sighs in relief, pulling her hands back to hide her face behind.
“I thought you were all, truth above all else, consequences be damned?” Abigail continues the teasing.
Tally lowers her hands in order to glare at her sister. “I know better now,” she deadpans.
“Glad to see those Knowing lessons are kicking in Tal,” quips Raelle. Abigail nods in agreement and mockingly gives Tally an approving pat on the shoulder.
Tally walks out of the door, her eyes closed and states in utter exasperation, “I am surrounded by shitbirds.”
Gregorio looks at her confused as she passes by him.“What did I do?”
The day continues with her sisters’ incessant teasing, until they mercifully part ways for their specialization classes. Tally manages to channel her frustrations into her Work and finishes Verger’s challenges in record time. She walks across campus at a measured pace, suppressing the desire to run caused by the giddiness she feels at the praise for her performance and getting to see her Sarah soon. As she reaches her destination, she notices the lobby before the General’s office is empty. Sarah must have sent her assistant away early.
In her unthinking enthusiasm, Tally finds herself bursting into Alder's office and is confronted by the sight of General Bellweather as she is getting up to leave. Tally freezes in front of a now standing expectant Petra and a sitting impassive Alder.
"Cadet." General Alder acknowledges her presence.
"Ma'ams." Tally snaps to attention, finally regaining control over her body.
"Is there something I can help you with Craven? Or were you looking for your new CO?" asks Alder. Normally Tally would be delighted about Sarah experiencing some much earned, but rare, joy. However, seeing as it is her own embarrassment that is amusing her lover, she finds herself more annoyed than pleased.
“Yes .. no .. I mean, yes I am here for you General … Alder," she verbally stumbles. "I wanted to talk to you about …," she trails off.
"Oh, and what is this urgent matter? Something I should be aware of?" says Petra amused at the Cadet’s loss of words.
Tally desperately searches for an answer, a reason to be here, any reason, but her mind comes up empty. She looks to Sarah for help but she just blinks and takes a sip of her drink. "Bourbon!" Tally exclaims abruptly. She emphasizes this by pointing at the tumbler in Sarah's hand.
Sarah raises an eyebrow and glances down at her drink, then back at Tally. "Actually Craven, this is scotch." She takes another sip, seemingly enjoying her drink, acting as though Tally was not fighting for her sanity right before her eyes.
"Ah, see that is it, what is the difference? I don't know? But I thought to myself, General Alder would know the answer! So …," once again she runs out of words.
"I see.” Petra looks arrogantly at Tally with a barely concealed grin. Bellweathers, just a bunch of beautiful brilliant jerks with a major superiority complex. “Well, don't let me keep you then. I will have the full report for you by tomorrow Sarah." She passes by Tally as she heads for the door.
"Thank you Petra."
“Oh I almost forgot,” says Petra, clearly not in a hurry to end Tally’s torment. “Happy Valentine’s day.” She glances pointedly at the rope just peeking out of Tally’s jacket and with one last self-pleased smirk she leaves. Is teasing Tally about her romantic life a Bellweather trait, and if so, did past generations of Cravens have the same issue. She would ask her mother if they ever talked again.
Finally alone, Tally thinks as she collapses in a chair, or as alone as they can be with the biddies present. A freshly filled tumbler is handed to Sarah by Alice who smiles at Tally, only a hint of mirth in her eyes but Tally cannot fault the biddy for that. Sarah pushes the glass towards Tally with a faux innocent smile. She takes the drink without a word. She sure can fault Sarah though.
"I'm glad you feel comfortable coming to me with your inquiries about alcohol Craven," says Sarah, giving up all pretenses in favor of teasing her love. Tally’s pouty face is a close favorite of hers. Tally looks at her unimpressed and slams back the drink with a grimace, much to Sarah’s amusement. "First lesson Craven. Good scotch is meant to be savoured," she demonstrates this by taking a small amount of drink in her mouth before slowly swallowing.
"Sarah …," Tally growls in warning. Despite everything she finds it very difficult not to grin at her beloved’s antics. It is not often that the woman acts so carefree and playful, Tally being one of the very few people with whom she allows her defenses to lower.
"Yes dear?" Sarah smiles all too innocently again.
“Was me getting teased by both daughter and mother Bellweather part of your plans?” Tally folds her arms, her attempt at a no-nonsense look is wildly unsuccessful if the biddies’ giggling is an indicator.
“As much as I enjoy seeing you blush …,” her smile widens at the reappearance of Tally’s pout “your pout too.” Tally huffs. “Petra would have been long gone if you were not early, not that I am complaining.” She reaches for Tally’s hand and brings it to her lips while keeping eye contact, causing the younger woman to flush. “I am not sure what I had to do with Abigail.”
"Raelle and Abigail opened your gift before I woke up. And then they saw the message." Tally senses her confusion so she attempts to explain further. “It was a thing about sex ropes and which lips … You know what, it doesn’t matter.” Tally decides she has had enough and she is ready to enjoy her private time with her Sarah, Bellweathers be damned.
"Ah, I see. I will have a serious discussion with them about this. Opening other people's mail is a serious offence." Sarah leaned back in her chair, a foreboding look on her face. Someone else would think she was contemplating how to discipline the cadets, but Tally knew better.
"Sarah! Ugh …" Tally gets up abruptly and puts her hands on her waist. She does her best to glare at Sarah despite her glee at the silly little game they are playing.
She looks utterly adorable and Sarah cannot help but burst into deep laughter, the biddies following suit with soft giggles. Tally once more covers her face with her hands, trying to resist the feelings her love's laughter brings up. Oh, there is nothing she would not give to hear her laugh. But she cannot give up the game so easily. She hears Sarah push her chair back as she comes to stand in front of her, lightly grasping her belt buckle but not pulling.
"Sweetheart, you are not mad at me, are you?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact I am," she says, her supposed anger coming off more as exasperated fondness.
Sarah let's her right hand trail across the belt as she moves behind her. She molds herself to Tally’s back, using her left hand to push aside the auburn hair. "Mmm, I must make it up to you then my love." She starts kissing her neck softly, moving up towards the witch's mark. Tally leans back against her, lowering her hands to hold onto Sarah's arm now grasping her around the waist. Sarah reaches her ear, she nibbles her earlobe, then releases it to whisper. "Still mad at me?"
"Shut up General," growls Tally, now getting properly frustrated. She decides that Sarah’s plans can wait, she needs to kiss her now or she will implode.
"Make me Craven." Sarah smirks into her neck, giving Tally a chance to take over. Rising up to the challenge, Tally turns around swiftly and pulls Sarah into a passionate kiss.
The biddies take this as their time to leave. They quickly set their things aside and walk out of the office. Grace is about to close the door behind her when she notices one of them is missing. Returning she finds Martha still seated in a cozy armchair, knitting a blue scarf, entirely unaware of the two entangled women heatedly kissing a few steps away from her. Grace taps the oblivious woman on the shoulder, who looks up at her disgruntled at the interruption. A pointed head nudge toward the unperturbed lovers and she becomes alert, her brow raising in surprise. Quickly collecting her knitting equipment she rushes out of the room after Grace.
They have barely made it out of the room and closed the door, when a thud is heard followed by a smally crash. Her biddy sisters are waiting for her expectantly with various degrees of a smirk on each of their faces. “Wanted to stay for the show Matha?” teases Philippa, making her sisters giggle. Martha gives them all her best unimpressed look. Even steps are heard, closing in towards the biddies, when Anacostia shows up with a folder in hand.
“Evening ladies,” she nods respectfully towards them. They nod back in acknowledgement before exchanging looks among them, unsure of how to proceed. “Is my mother available? This will only take a minute.”
Devon decides to take the lead, “The General is currently preoccupied. You should come back in the morning.” Just as she finishes the sentence, a loud noise coming from the office draws everyones’ attention. One could not be blamed for describing that sound as a sinful moan. “Maybe late morning,” she adds.
Anacostia shakes off her surprise, “Yes, that would be for the best.” She smiles fondly, pleased at her mother’s new found happiness. Still, she turned and swiftly walked away, she had no desire to accidentally hear any more sounds of joy . Besides she already had enough ammunition to use against her mother and, if all the signs are right, a certain redhead.
They lie on the couch, wrapped around each other, the fire keeping them warm as the temperature drops. Their kisses are unrushed after having sated their most immediate appetite. Another hunger rears its head, interrupting the moment, as Tally’s stomach growls. Sarah chuckles at the sound and maneuvers them into a sitting position. She stands, “Let me bring out the meal I prepared.” Tally hums in agreement and pulls her down for one more kiss before letting go. She observes as Sarah disappears behind the door to her quarters.
After a few minutes she returns carrying a large tray of food. She places the tray on the table in front of Tally and goes to get a bottle of wine and two glasses from the bar. When she returns she finds Tally sitting on the floor having dug in the food with gusto. Sarah pours a glass and hands it to her, receiving a smile around a bite of bread as thanks. She joins her partner on the floor, slowly sipping her wine as she watches Tally eating, taking pleasure in the other woman’s enjoyment.
The time passes with easy conversation, Sarah sharing fond memories with Tally responding between bites. Once the meal is demolished and Tally’s stomach no longer gnarling, she leans in and places a kiss on her lover’s cheek. “Thank you Sarah.” They gaze at each other lovingly.
“You are welcome, my love. I had not realized how much I missed you,” she softly confesses.
“I wish it could be like this everyday,” Tally says wistfully.
Sarah stands up and offers a hand to Tally, who allows herself to be pulled upwards. “This brings me to my last gift.” She seems a bit reserved, as if not sure of how her offering will be received.
“The sex rope?” Tally jokes trying to relieve the tension. It works as Sarah lets out a deep laugh.
“No, not the training rope,” Sarah says, emphasising the word training. She chuckles again at Tally’s notedly unconvinced expression. “Follow me,” she says seductively as she walks to her private room, picking up the rope on her way and winking. Tally follows without delay, mumbling “can’t believe Abigail was right.”
As they enter Sarah’s bedroom she notices some changes. Most obvious is the new bed, simple just like the old one, but larger, taking up the bulk of the room. Next, she notes a new dresser on one side of the room and a second desk, empty shelves on the wall right above it. She turns her gaze to Sarah and takes in her tense demeanor. Slowly she approaches the other woman, standing before her and giving her the time she needs.
“Perhaps not every day can be like tonight,” Sarah begins. “But, should you want to, we could spend our nights together.” She gestures to the new additions to the room, “I want you to think of this space as yours as well as mine.” Taking Tally’s hands in her own, she adds “I understand and respect if you want to stay with your sisters …”
Tally hushes her, “I would love to move in with you sweetie.” Sarah blushes at the endearment, but cannot help a bright smile from taking over her face. They lean in and kiss, before Tally pulls back slightly. She pulls a little pouch out of her pocket and hands it to Sarah.
She takes the offering and opens it to reveal two candy hearts together saying “Be mine?”. Taking Tally’s face in her hands, she strokes her cheekbones and brings their foreheads together. Her voice thick with emotion as she responds.
“Always”