Chapter 5
Bernie tries her hand at gardening. Serena is sceptical about it; Bernie really was the least domestically minded person she could think of. She could cook, yes, but cleaning… that was another matter entirely (as evinced by the state of their office upon her return from that suspension). And so she issues a challenge - keep a potted plant alive in their office before Bernie is allowed to torture any horticulture in the privacy of her own home. And of course the Major rises to the challenge, returns the next day with a small lemon balm plant. Serena merely raises an eyebrow and smirks. Bernie huffs and pouts in response. Days go by, and the plant flourishes; it is not entirely because of Bernie, of course. Serena keeps a weather eye on it, spoons a little more fertiliser in when Bernie has fallen asleep at her desk in their office, smiles a tender smile at the sleeping woman as she fingers a leaf, hitches the blanket she had brought from home (specially for Bernie, because she knew what she was going through, knew how much easier it was to lose consciousness in the ignominious surroundings of your office over your sad, lonely flat) over her slender form. Together they manage to get the plant to flourish, and Serena thinks to herself it’s rather more than worth it when she sees Bernie’s secret smiles at the green leaves (they name it Bertie, for no other reason than it made them both chuckle), takes a deep breath of that familiar scent of lemon and the faintest scent of Bernie, cotton-edged and warm.