Berena Advent 2024
Day 8 - Icicle
Serena gets up and runs to Bernie’s side.
‘It’s ok darling, I’m here don’t worry.’
‘Oh Serena, I just had the strangest dream. It was like I could see you but didn’t know who you were.’
‘How are you feeling right now, my love?’
‘Why has something happened?’
‘Well, do you remember Charlotte and Cameron visiting yesterday?’
‘I do.’
‘Do you also remember walking out of the restaurant and then collapsing in reception?’
‘I remember feeling rather faint.’
‘Do you remember waking up this morning and not knowing who I was or where you were? Calling me a nurse?’
‘No. I remember waking up feeling a bit groggy and then falling back to sleep until just now. Oh my god, what’s happening to me? I’m so sorry Serena.’
‘Now don’t you dare apologise, you have had a traumatic head injury and amnesia. I spoke to Max McGerry at Holby and she advised me this type of thing can happen intermittently so there is nothing to worry about but we need to keep a close eye on you and you aren’t permitted to be left alone or unattended, for safety's sake.’
‘How could I not remember you of all people Serena?’
‘Well it was just like you’d driven an icicle through my heart I must say when you asked who I was but at least you remember me now, so all is well and the world can go round.’
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After Serena had helped Bernie to get dressed they went downstairs for breakfast and with the blonde’s permission she sent a message to Bernie’s children via the WhatsApp Group they had created.
Serena’s phone began beeping almost immediately with comments and happy gif’s from both Charlotte and Cameron, causing Bernie to emit her unique laugh that Serena had really missed while Bernie had been away from her.
Once they’d finished breakfast both women decided to go and sit in the solarium and chat about what Bernie wants to do once she has been discharged from the Army Medical Unit. She was taking her retirement and the Crown were having to sort out all her financial matters such as pension and settlement payments that had been held until Proof of Death had been determined.
Marcus had attempted to take over matters of Bernie’s property etc but since Serena was down as Next of Kin he wasn’t too happy when the military declined to speak to him or deal with him, advising him that Major Wolfe and he had divorced quite a while ago and he was no longer an acceptable person for the Crown to deal with.
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Charlotte was having difficulty getting immediate time off from her Law Firm in London and Cameron as an F2 was not allowed any further time off due to his behaviour and having to redo his first year due to time off after his mother was presumed dead. Bernie had asked Serena to advise her children she understood they couldn’t return to see her but she would ask to be discharged and once she knew where she was going to live they could visit.
Serena just sat looking at the blonde until she stared back at her and questioned:
‘What?’
‘Why are you even thinking of looking for somewhere to live?’
‘Why? Well I have nowhere else to go and I’m not going to waste money on a Hotel like I did before. I don’t have money to waste and don’t have a job to go to in order to earn any money either.’
‘Well you can move back in with me.’
‘You ended things with me Serena, I know you say you love me still but how can I forget what happened and return as if nothing has changed?’
‘I wasn’t expecting you to jump back into my bed Bernie but I do have 2 empty bedrooms available and we can take our relationship slowly. If that’s what you want? Do you want to get back together?’
Serena felt that icicle grow into a stalagmite and her throat almost constricted closed, she had difficulty swallowing and could feel the tears bubbling to the surface.
Bernie reached over and took her hand, she could read Serena better than anyone else on the planet and knew she’d hurt her.
‘Of course it’s what I want, I never wanted to end our relationship in the first place. I do want us to get back together but it won’t be so one sided Serena. I’ve changed and I will be heard and listened to this time. I want us to date and get to know each other once again, we’ve both experienced life changing events and need to relearn how the other has changed. If you can agree to that then I would love to take you up on the offer of a place to live because I can’t think of a life without you in it.’
‘Oh Bernie, of course I want that and this time we will do this together with no outside interference and honest communication.’