part0024

It was a long hot summer, unusually so for the UK, and Steph had come home one afternoon to find Mia on ladders, stringing a set of outdoor lights around the plants that now surrounded the terrace. Steph could see that she had also bought solar lanterns that she had stuck into plant pots. She had painted the sun damaged wooden table, bench and chairs a light blue and citronella candles sat in colourful glass jars on the table.

Steph walked over and held the ladder. “Hey babe I love this, it’s really beautiful.”

Mia smiled and came down the ladders into Steph’s arms. “Well if you like it now then wait until it gets dark, it’ll be great, or at least I hope so. They are solar lights given there’s no outside electricity point. I’ve started the barbeque and marinated some chicken and steak.”

“Anything I can do?”

Mia looked at her, noting the tiredness beneath her smile. “Nope, just change and get comfortable and join me. I might let you do the salad if you’re good.”

“Well at least I can’t burn that.”

“Very funny, you know you excel at cooking, like everything else you do.”

Steph had quick shower, washing the murky city off her, and changed into linen cropped trousers and a t-shirt. By the time she got to Mia she was sitting on the bench, a bottle of wine in a cooler and a bowl of crisps on the table. Two glasses of white wine were already poured. “Don’t worry I painted the seats first, they are completely dry, even though they got 2 coats, shows how warm it is.”

Steph sat down next to her. “They’re great, you’ve taken it from an unexciting English terrace to a Mediterranean oasis, in one afternoon, it’s very impressive. You’ve managed to find just the right shade of blue too.”

Mia smiled clinking their glasses together in a toast. “Great I’m glad you like it, and that was the look I was going for.”

“Have you ever thought of pursuing interior design? You’ve turned this from a boring rental into a home. I love everything about it. I think they’ll be able to rent it out for far more after we leave.” Steph sipped her wine, and leant back stretching her neck which cracked, closing her eyes. “God I could get used to this, you spoil me Mia.”

Mia’s eyes lit up at the compliment and her statement, ignoring her thoughts about the end of their lease, she didn’t want to think about that. “Well you’re easy to spoil, and it goes both ways.” Steph had treated her like no one she had ever known, like a princess. Taking her on dates to sights, river cruises, European trips abroad. However much as she loved being spoiled like that it was the simple things she most appreciated, things that Steph did in abundance, unthinkingly. The instinctive back and foot rubs, the baths run, the food prepared for when she got home late, or lunches to take with her to prevent her from needing fast food from the hospital canteen or vending machines after hours. “How was your meeting?”

Steph remained sitting back, her eyes still closed. “Good, they started hinting at another piece of work for me.”

Mia swallowed the huge lump that appeared in her throat, suddenly anxious. Maybe the idyll was going to come to an end sooner than I thought. “And are you interested?”

Unknowingly Steph’s anxiety equalled Mia’s. “Well that depends.”

Steph opened her eyes, her intense gaze finding Mia’s eyes. “You.... at least I hope it does.” Mia watched as Steph’s expression darkened, she looked down. As time went on Mia could understand less and less how Steph had such a low opinion of herself and her worth. Her lack of self-awareness continued to amaze her. She had seen photos of her previous girlfriends and Janie and Abby were right, they were not in her league. She’d even met Beth who Steph said had been texting and trying to call her. Annoyed by the fact that Steph was ignoring her she had turned up one night at the flat, unannounced. Mia could see that she wanted Steph back and that Beth had been amazed when she realised that Mia was her girlfriend.”

“The two months I asked of you is nearly through.”

Mia answered with trepidation her stomach churning. “Yes.”

Steph looked into her eyes. “We haven’t spoken about the future, beyond London that is. You’ve not mentioned any plans to travel and I suppose I’ve been scared to ask, but I’m not naive enough to assume that that doesn’t mean that you don’t have any.”

“I don’t Steph, I’ve not planned anything beyond this... I suppose I’ve been happy in a bubble, not admitting to myself that this is temporary. I should have known though... that it won’t last forever.”

“That’s just it, I don’t want it to be over, what we have Mia, it’s great, I’ve never been happier. I should have told you before, I love you.... God I’m so in love with you.”

Steph went red, this wasn’t quite the reaction she had anticipated, or hoped for. “What’s funny?”

“Oh, it’s just I was thinking that some of our most important moments take place in the garden, on benches.”

“Hm, that’s true isn’t it.”

Steph, I love you too, I think I have done from the beginning when you walked towards me at the airport, and I looked up and there you were in front of me.”

“What does this mean for us?”

“Us, I like that, I’m hoping it means there is an us beyond here, beyond the 2 months. whatever happens, whether we stay here, or move on I want to be part of that discussion Steph. If you want me to be.”

“Mia, the new job, it’s in Gibraltar. They want to extend this contract for 2 months, and then I’d start there mid-September, for at least 6 months.” Steph had been excited by the mention of Spain, but whilst Mia had worked abroad before it was unusually in English speaking countries, she wasn’t sure how easy it would be for her to nurse in Spain.

“Mm, Spain, Costa del Sol, it would certainly be hotter than our UK winter. Think of the food, tapas, cafe con leche, swimming in the sea.”

“And don’t forget the apes.”

“Yes, they live wild on the rock of Gibraltar, legend says it will be lost if they ever die out.” Steph hesitated scared to ask the next question, Mia had promised her 2 months, nothing more, and even though she claimed to love her Steph couldn’t help wondering if she would ever be exciting enough to keep her. “Mia will you come with me?”

Mia smiled at her. “Sounds appealing, yes that’s got me, I’ll go for the apes.”

Steph looked at her. “For the apes?

Mia was struggling to keep a straight face. “No actually, I won’t come for the apes, I’ll come to be with the fabulous woman that I love, all those things I’ve said before Steph, about how great you are, they are all true. If I suspected it before then these last weeks have proven it. Women come onto me all the time Steph, still even when I’m clear I’m with someone.”

Steph nodded, she’d seen it when they went to bars and clubs. She couldn’t believe some women could so openly hit on Mia when it was obvious they were together.

“Their arrogance, almost aggression is wearing thin, I cent believe that I used to see that as confidence, to find that attractive. You on the other hand are beautiful, you are so talented, incredibly loving too. You make me feel like I’m wonderful too Steph, I feel so safe and cared for with you.” Mia reached out, her hand stroking Steph’s cheek.

“Don’t say that. If I’ve given that impression with what I’ve just said then I’ve not explained myself well at all. I love you Steph, I love learning about you, you’re amazing baby, you never cease to amaze me. Besides everything you do to care for me you also excite me beyond anyone I’ve ever been with, I can’t keep my hands off you. I’m not sure... no actually I know I’ve never had as many orgasms with anyone as I have with you, and recently I’ve realised why.... it’s because I feel safe enough to really let go. No one has seen me the way you get to Steph, and I’m hoping no one else ever will. So, if you want me to come, then please sign me up.”

“Come over here,” she pulled Mia over to straddle her. “Seems there’s a tradition we need to revisit.” She pulled her closer. “Oh, and we need to get a bench in Gibraltar.”