A Little Less Alone

Beth pulled up to the airport drop-off, her fingers tightening slightly around the steering wheel as she shifted the car into park.

Neither of them moved right away. The early morning hush settled over them, only broken by the faint sounds of suitcase wheels rolling across the pavement and car doors shutting in the distance.

Beth glanced over at Viv, who was already unbuckling her seatbelt, reaching for the handle of her suitcase in the backseat. The sight sent an unexpected pang through her chest.

“Guess this is it,” Viv said, her voice quieter than usual.

Beth swallowed, nodding. “Yeah. Just two weeks, though.”

Viv smiled a little, shifting in her seat to look at Beth. “Yeah. Won’t be that long.”

But even as she said it, Beth could tell Viv was feeling the same odd weight she was. They had spent so much time together lately—seeing each other nearly every day, sharing dinners, late-night talks. Now, the idea of going two weeks without that felt… strange.

Beth cleared her throat, forcing a small smirk. “You gonna miss me?”

Viv scoffed, rolling her eyes, but Beth didn’t miss the way she bit back a smile. “Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

Beth grinned but didn’t push. Instead, she reached for Viv’s suitcase in the backseat, grabbing the handle and lifting it up for her. Their fingers brushed for the briefest second, and it sent something warm through her.

Viv took the handle, stepping out of the car, and Beth followed. Standing there in the crisp morning air, Beth found herself hesitating. She wanted to kiss Viv—just a small one, a soft goodbye. But they were in public. Anyone could see them.

Viv must have sensed something because she tilted her head slightly. “What?”

Beth exhaled, forcing herself to play it cool. “Nothing. Just… have a safe flight.”

Viv nodded, her smile small but real. “You too. Drive safe, yeah?”

Beth opened her arms for a hug, trying to keep it casual, but the second Viv wrapped her arms around her, she felt herself sink into it. It was warm, steady, familiar. Beth let her hands rest on Viv’s back, holding onto her just a second longer than she probably should.

As they pulled apart, Viv leaned in just enough to press a soft kiss to the top of Beth’s head. It was so quick, so natural, that Beth barely had time to react before Viv stepped back, grabbing her suitcase and flashing her a small smile.

“See you soon.”

Beth nodded, her throat suddenly dry. “Yeah. See you soon.”

She watched as Viv walked into the airport, disappearing through the doors. Only when she was fully out of sight did Beth exhale, running a hand through her hair and getting back into the car.

Her fingers tapped idly against the steering wheel before she shook her head at herself, muttering, “God, I’m screwed.”

Christmas had been amazing—full of warmth, laughter, and all the chaotic love that came with being home. But now, after more than a week of family meals, gift exchanges, and long walks in the freezing cold, Beth found herself curled up on the couch, a blanket draped over her, scrolling mindlessly through her phone.

She and Viv had texted a few times, just small check-ins, casual things. But it wasn’t enough. Not really.

Beth hesitated for a second before opening their chat and typing.

Beth: Hey, stranger. You still remember me, or has your family replaced me with a more Dutch-approved blonde?

She grinned, waiting for Viv’s reply. It didn’t take long.

Viv: Oh, definitely replaced. Much taller, too. Doesn’t make fun of my outfits like you do.

Beth chuckled, shaking her head as she quickly typed back.

Beth: Sounds boring. I bet she doesn’t even spoil you like I do.

Viv: Oh, you spoil me? Interesting.

Beth smirked, settling deeper into the couch.

Beth: Well, I did buy you that burger. That’s premium treatment, Vivianne.

Viv: Right, right. How could I forget? Best gift ever.

Beth paused, staring at the screen for a second before deciding to push it just a little further.

Beth: I miss you, you know.

She watched the typing bubbles appear. Then disappear. Then appear again.

Finally, Viv’s reply came through.

Viv: Yeah?

Beth rolled her eyes.

Beth: No, I just say things for fun.

Viv: That does sound like something you’d do.

Beth huffed out a laugh.

Beth: Fine, take it back. I don’t miss you. Hope you’re happy.

Viv’s response came almost immediately.

Viv: I didn’t say I didn’t miss you back.

Beth blinked, her stomach flipping just slightly.

Beth: Oh, so you do miss me?

There was a longer pause this time.

Viv: Maybe a little.

Beth grinned.

Beth: Liar. I bet you miss me a lot.

Viv: I miss you a completely normal, reasonable amount.

Beth: Which is?

Viv: Enough to be slightly annoyed that you’re not here teasing me in person right now.

Beth felt warmth spread through her chest.

Beth: You know, that’s probably the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.

Viv: Don’t get used to it.

Beth: Too late.

Beth shifted on the couch, biting her lip. The conversation felt… easy. Comfortable. Like it always was.

Beth: When are you coming back to London?

Viv: Couple more days.

Beth: Good. I need someone to keep my ego in check.

Viv: Oh, I’ll do that happily.

Beth smiled, shaking her head.

Beth: I’ll let you sleep now, but don’t forget—I’m expecting extra attention when you’re back.

Viv: You? Needing attention? Shocking.

Beth: Just say goodnight, Viv.

Viv: Goodnight, Beth.

Beth locked her phone, still smiling as she sank deeper into the couch.

Beth was still grinning at her phone, warmth settling in her chest, when she heard the sound of footsteps approaching. She quickly locked the screen, but it was too late.

Her mom, June, stood at the doorway with a knowing smile, arms crossed over her chest. “Well, someone’s in a good mood.”

Beth rolled her eyes, trying to play it cool as she stretched out on the couch. “Just talking to a friend.”

June scoffed, stepping further into the room. “Right. Just a friend.”

Beth sighed, rubbing her face. “Mum.”

June walked over, perching on the arm of the couch. “You’re smiling at your phone like a lovesick teenager. Should I be worried?”

Beth groaned. “Oh my God.” Beth huffed, crossing her arms. “It’s just Viv.”

June arched an eyebrow. “Just Viv?”

Beth gave her a look. “Yes, just Viv.”

Her mum tilted her head. “I just find it interesting how you were insisting she was just a friend a few weeks ago, and now you look like that just from texting her.”

Beth rolled her eyes again, but her mum’s words stuck with her. “She’s… we’re—” She sighed, struggling to find the right words. “We’re figuring it out, okay?”

June hummed, watching her carefully. “She seems lovely.”

Beth nodded, a soft exhale leaving her lips. “She is. She treats me really well.”

June’s expression softened, her eyes flickering with something warm. “That’s important, Beth.”

Beth glanced at her for a moment, then reached for her phone. “Actually, I wanted to show you something.”

She opened her gallery and started flipping through the pictures, stopping at the one of the dinner Viv had set up. The dimmed lights, the carefully set table, the flowers neatly arranged in the center.

June’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “She did all this?”

Beth nodded, feeling that familiar warmth in her chest. “Yeah. She wanted to do something special before we left for break.”

June’s lips twitched into a small, impressed smile. “She even got you flowers?”

Beth swiped to the next picture, showing the bouquet. “Yep. Apparently, I’ve been ‘spoiled.’”

June let out a soft chuckle. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone get you flowers before.”

Beth scoffed, shaking her head. “Yeah, well. Neither have I.”

She swiped again, landing on the candid picture she’d taken of Viv. Beth hadn’t meant to stop there, but her fingers had frozen, her gaze lingering on the image.

June leaned in slightly, observing. “She looks really pretty.”

Beth let out a slow breath, her voice quiet, almost like she hadn’t meant to say it out loud. “Yeah… she really does.”

June gave her a knowing smile. “You really like her, don’t you?”

Beth hesitated for a second before nodding. “Yeah. I do.”

June hummed, then handed the phone back. “Well, she seems good for you.”

Beth exhaled slowly. “Yeah.”

June softened at that, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind Beth’s ear like she used to when Beth was a kid. “I like her. She’s good for you.”

Beth felt something tighten in her chest, but in a good way. “Yeah?”

June nodded. “Yeah. She seems steady. And you… you deserve steady.”

Beth swallowed, looking down at her hands. “I know.”

There was a comfortable silence between them for a moment before June patted Beth’s knee and stood up. “Well, when you do figure it out, just let me know so I can start teasing you properly.”

Beth groaned dramatically, throwing a pillow at her mum as she walked away, laughing.

“Goodnight, sweetheart,” June called over her shoulder.

Beth sat there, staring at their texts, her thumb hovering over Viv’s name. It was stupid how much she already missed talking to her, how much she wanted to hear her voice. For a second, she considered just leaving it—letting the conversation sit as it was. But then, before she could overthink it, she tapped the call button.

The phone rang twice before Viv picked up.

"Beth, you do realize we already said goodbye, right?" Viv teased, amusement clear in her voice.

Beth exhaled, smiling despite herself. "Yeah, yeah, but I figured I could call and annoy you a bit more before the year’s over."

Viv chuckled, her voice softer now. "Well, I’d never turn down that privilege."

Beth relaxed into the couch, the slight nerves she felt before already fading. "What are you doing?"

"Not much, just sitting on the couch. My mom is watching some terrible Christmas movie, and I’m kind of trapped."

Beth laughed. "That sounds brutal."

"It is. I don’t think I’ve seen this many Christmas decorations in a single house before. Every surface is covered in something festive."

"That sounds… intense," Beth grinned.

Viv sighed dramatically. "I think I need an escape plan."

Beth hesitated for half a second before biting the bullet. "Well, actually, that’s kind of why I called."

Viv hummed, interested. "Oh?"

Beth shifted slightly, suddenly feeling a little stupid for even asking. "So, I’m having a little New Year’s thing at my place. Just some of the team, nothing crazy. I was wondering if you wanted to come?"

There was a pause, and Beth rushed to add, "I mean, obviously, I get if you’d rather be with your family. I know you don’t get to see them much—"

"Beth." Viv cut her off, and Beth pressed her lips together, waiting.

There was a smile in Viv’s voice when she said, "I’d love to come."

Beth blinked. "Wait, really?"

Viv laughed. "Yeah. I mean, my mom is already asking when I’m leaving so she can turn my bedroom into an exercise room, so I think she’ll be fine if I go."

Beth snorted. "Wow, kicked out already?"

"Apparently," Viv said, still laughing. "But honestly, I was already thinking about heading back to London before training starts up again, so this is perfect."

Beth felt something warm settle in her chest, her fingers gripping the phone a little tighter. "Good. I mean, great. It’ll be fun."

"I bet it will," Viv said, voice teasing. "Especially if you plan to make fun of my Dutch traditions again."

Beth gasped. "I didn’t make fun of them!"

"You absolutely did."

Beth rolled her eyes, smiling. "Okay, maybe a little, but in my defense, you said you guys eat donuts at midnight."

"They’re not donuts, they’re oliebollen!" Viv insisted, exasperated.

"Viv, they are literally fried dough balls."

"They’re a tradition!"

Beth laughed, shaking her head. "Fine, fine. You bring your oliebollen, and I’ll allow it."

Viv hummed, pretending to consider. "Maybe. But only if you promise a proper New Year's kiss."

Beth felt her breath catch slightly, but she quickly recovered. "I’ll think about it."

"You better," Viv teased, before adding, "Seriously, though, I’d love to come. Thanks for inviting me."

Beth smiled, letting herself relax. "Of course. It wouldn’t feel right without you."

Viv didn’t say anything for a second, but Beth could hear the small intake of breath, like she was taking that in.

Then, quietly, Viv said, "See you soon then."

Beth’s smile grew. "See you soon."