Shelby frowns as she checks the time again. 9:51pm. Toni is normally home by now, but recently she’s been having to stay late at the office and Shelby can tell it’s taking a toll on her. So, right now, she’s in the kitchen, cooking Toni’s favourite meal for them to come home to.
It’s been 10 years since the island. 10 years since the hell they went through. They aren’t over it, they’re nowhere near it, but it has slowly been getting easier. The nightmares still occur, and they’re all still in therapy. But they have each other. Since then, the Unsinkable 8 have been inseparable, even when they’re all in different parts of the country, they’re always in touch and plan trips often.
Shelby cut ties with her family almost as soon as she was home. She finished High School and attended University with the money from the trial, eventually moving in with Toni and becoming a drama teacher at a school in the local area. Toni finished High School in Minnesota and also attended University, eventually becoming a social worker. It hasn’t been an easy ride, but they’ve had each other.
After their break up on the island, things were a little awkward, but soon after they were rescued, they realised that they needed each other more than anything else. They were long distance for a while during University. It was hard but they were strong, they made it through and moved in together almost immediately after they graduated.
Life isn’t perfect, it’s far from it, but Shelby is happy. She’s proud of her little family. Fatin and Leah are engaged, Martha became a vet, Rachel owns a Dojo and Shelby is pretty sure they have something going on but she’s been keeping her mouth shut. Nora and Rachel are rebuilding their relationship and Dot has become nothing short of the next Bear Grylls, despite all the trauma that the island has caused. So yeah, Shelby is proud of her family and how far they’ve come.
The food is just about ready when Shelby hears the front door of their apartment being unlocked. Finally, she thinks as she turns her back to the stove to greet Toni. The first thing Shelby notices is how tired they look, she frowns and opens her arms. Toni immediately steps in them as soon as his bag and jacket are discarded.
“I missed you, beautiful,” Toni murmurs into Shelby’s neck and her heart flips, Toni still has that effect on her, even after 10 years.
“I missed you too, babe. Bad day?” Shelby asks softly and Toni nods against her, she presses a kiss to Toni’s head and pulls back a little, “Well look, I made your favourite.”
Toni pulls back and takes a look at the pot, a small, appreciative smile pulling at her lips, “God, you’re amazing. I love you.”
“I love you too. C’mon, let’s eat and watch some bad reality TV. Then we can shower, ‘kay?” Shelby proposes and Toni agrees, pulling back to help her girlfriend serve dinner.
They take their bowls to the couch and they sit close as they watch TV in a comfortable silence, just content to be in each others presence.
By the time they’re done, Shelby can see just how tired and drained Toni is, so she places both of their bowls in the sink and leads Toni towards the bathroom.
Shelby turns the shower on, letting it warm up as she strips out of her hoodie and leggings, then her underwear. She turns to Toni and helps him unbutton his dress shirt, revealing their binder. Her arms encircle his waist, pressing a kiss to their jaw. Shelby loves every inch of Toni. She helps them get out of the rest of their clothes until they’re both bare.
They step into the hot spray and Shelby immediately reaches for the shampoo. She squirts some into her hand and lathers it through Toni’s hair, then rinsing it out. She does the same with the conditioner. Afterwards, she holds Toni while they stand in the warm water, whispering sweet nothings.
She grabs the body wash next, and scrubs it all over Toni’s body. And it’s not sexual. Not at all. It’s just intimate and affectionate. They bask in it. Shelby rubs at the tense muscles in Toni’s shoulders and can visibly see her loosen up. It’s Shelby’s turn next and she tries to deny Toni’s help because of how tired they are but Toni insists.
“You’re perfect,” Toni whispers as she runs the shampoo through Shelby’s hair, pressing kisses to the base of her neck, and Shelby feels so lucky.
They step out soon after, into fresh, warm robes. The pair don’t bother with drying their hair. They pull on clean underwear and Shelby pulls on one of Toni’s sweaters while Toni grabs one of Shelby’s.
Shelby stands still for a moment, just looking at Toni, admiring her in the dim light of their bedroom, “You’re so beautiful,”
Toni’s cheeks grow pink and she looks away for a moment. He looks back shyly then gestures for Shelby to come closer, “C’mere,” and Shelby walks over, letting Toni wrap her in their arms. She hums contently when Toni presses a kiss to her forehead.
They slip into bed together, wrapped up in each other. Shelby’s head lays on Toni’s chest, listening to her heartbeat and she’s hit with a sudden wave of gratitude for her partner, she feels so lucky that Toni is the person she gets to spend the rest of her life with.
“I love you,” Shelby murmurs and she can hear the way Toni’s heart stutters, it makes her smile.
Toni’s hand threads through soft, damp blonde hair and pulls her back gently, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. Shelby shifts up and rests her head in Toni’s neck instead as Toni whispers, “I love you too, bee,”
And in this moment, Shelby feels so loved - knows she is. There has never been a day that she’s spent loving Toni that she hasn’t felt loved in return. So, she leans up and presses more soft kisses to Toni’s lips, just because she can. Toni hums gratefully and pulls Shelby impossibly closer.
“You knowexactly how to make me feel better, it’s incredible.” Toni mumbles sleepily, a dopey, lovesick grin on their lips. It makes Shelby feel warm.
“I think I just know you.”
“Yeah, you do.”