The first thing Siobhan Serpent noticed was that there was no pressure.
It was the night Siobhan ran away from the altar. On the car journey to Vivian's home, Siobhan would catch her gaze in the review mirror and it puzzled her. Though she knows Vivian cares for her unconditionally, the blonde has expected there to be some sort of detestation in her expression. She found nothing of the sort and it was as though a weight was lifted off her shoulders. During the entirety of the ride, neither woman spoke a word. Somehow it left Siobhan feeling relaxed and with the power of knowing that there was no pressure to fill the silence or speak if spoken to.
"Bon?" A gentle voice carried her out of her thoughts, Vivian offered her hand, helping the blonde from the vehicle and draping her jean jacket across her shoulders. Even when they stepped inside there was no pressure to please. Siobhan simply walked upstairs and changed into one of Vivians's T-Shirts and plaid pyjama bottoms. No expectations to wear something physically appealing. Before descending the stairs Siobhan lifted the collar of the shirt and allowed the familiar scent to cloud her senses.
Vivian handed her a mug of hot chocolate loaded with marshmallows and sat next to her on the sofa with her own mug. There was no pressure to say thank you, Vivian could tell just by glancing at the blonde's face. After a while the adrenaline that had been carrying her through the whirlwind of a day slowly dissipated. Siobhan was the one to determine when she was ready to go to bed and she watched Vivian move about the room with the sole purpose of making sure Siobhan was comfortable. When she asked the blonde what she wanted, there was no pressure to sway her decision one way or another.
With a smile tugging at her lips, Siobhan asked her to stay with her tonight. Butterflies fluttered through her stomach as Vivian reciprocated her smile and led her to the bathroom where they brushed their teeth.
The biggest surprise for Siobhan was when they were lying in bed facing one another and she was the one to initiate a featherlight kiss. Some might not consider it that important, especially considering how brief it was but to Siobhan it was everything. Vivian returned the kiss with the same lightness, keeping it to the pace Siobhan set. They didn't need anything more than that, being in the same room, and sharing the same air was more than enough to last them a lifetime.
"Goodnight Viv."
"Sweet dreams Bon Bon."
The second thing Siobhan Serpent noticed was that loving Vivian was easy.
The night was unusually bright and full of stars but was missing. Siobhan restlessly tossed and turned, blindly reaching out a hand for her girlfriend. Instead of feeling a warm and familiar body she was met with cold air that sent a shiver down her spine. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes and getting up from the bed, Siobhan stepped into her slippers and softly left the bedroom. She would be lying if she said she wasn't afraid, she was. Padding down the hall the blonde noticed Jamie's door cracked open. Her breath caught as she peered through. Vivian was sat on the floor in front of Jamie's bed, facing the door. Her eyes had a deer in headlights look to them that broke Siobhan's heart.
She slowly approached Vivian and held out her hand, gently pulling her out of her thoughts, "Viv?"
The blonde helped her back to their bedroom and turned on the lamps, illuminating an ashamed expression as Vivian avoided her eyes. She whispered, her voice hoarse, "I'm sorry. I know you're going through a lot and you don't need to deal with my problems too."
Siobhan took Vivian's hands into hers pulling her in close and enveloping her in her arms. She quietly comforted her girlfriend, "I don't need to, I do it because I love you and loving you is the easiest thing I've ever done."
The pair lay in bed, turning off the lamps beside one opposite to the bed, providing enough light to see through the cracked open bedroom door and into Jamie's.
"Goodnight Viv."
"Sweet dreams Bon Bon."
The third thing Siobhan Serpent noticed was that she was free.
It was date night, they'd been together for a couple months now. Siobhan voiced her concerns to Vivian, unsure of what to wear. The only advice her girlfriend provided was, "Wear what you want, you could wear a trash bag and I'd still be amazed over the fact that you're mine."
The blonde ducked her head, hiding a blush and dopey grin. Sorting through their closet, her eyes landed on an old dress. Well, it wasn't technically old, since she's never worn it. She'd seen it at the mall one time and bought it, vowed to herself to never wear it until she found someone who chose her and everything about her.
Slipping on the dress, Siobhan looks herself over in the mirror and smiles softly. She has nothing to hide. The deep red brings out the colour in her cheeks accompanied by silver jewelry. The one-shoulder design perfectly captures her relaxed shoulders and fits her curves perfectly, stopping just short of her knees. She paired the outfit with a black purse and closed-toe heels. She glanced out the window and noticed Vivian waiting for her in the car and double-checked her makeup before rushing down the stairs.
"Bonnie! You look so pretty!" Jamie hurriedly scrambles to his feet and hurls himself at Siobhan whose face immediately brightens.
Cupping the little boy's face in her hands and placing a kiss on his forehead, "Thanks, little man. I'll see you in the morning okay? Be good for Sara." Siobhan thanks the brunette and opens the front door.
Jamie nodded furiously, a determined smile plastered on his face as he called out, "I love you, Bonnie!"
"I love you too Jay Jay."
The blonde stepped outside and felt no fear, she didn't feel stuck or trapped. As she and Vivian danced the night away, completely lost in one another, the past didn't seem to matter.
"Goodnight Viv."
"Sweet dreams Bon Bon."
Siobhan Serpent is living her dream.