Chapter 14
As the first light of dawn flowed into the room, Carla awoke wrapped in the comforting embrace of Lisa, a sensation she hadn’t felt in what seemed like an eternity. Opening her eyes, she was instantly enveloped by the warmth radiating from Lisa’s body pressed against her. Lisa’s arm curled protectively around Carla’s waist, pulling her in closer, creating a cocoon of safety and intimacy.
Last night’s confessions still echoed in Carla’s mind, and for the first time in ages, she felt a little lighter, even though a flicker of guilt tried to creep in for unloading her burdens onto Lisa once more. Shoving those thoughts aside, she turned to face Lisa, who lay blissfully asleep beside her, a serene picture of tranquility. Carla couldn’t help but study her for a moment, captivated by the softness of her features and the way sunlight danced across her hair.
With a tender smile tugging at her lips, Carla leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on Lisa’s temple, savoring the moment as she aimed to wake her softly.
As if drawn from a dream, Lisa stirred, her eyes fluttering open to find Carla beaming at her, a beautiful sight that made her heart skip a beat. “Morning! Were you watching me sleep?” she teased, her voice a delightful blend of drowsiness and playful mischief.
Caught off guard but unable to hide her smirk, Carla replied playfully, “Hmm… might’ve been.” She reached out, tucking a wayward strand of Lisa’s hair behind her ear, her heart racing. “You’re so beautiful.”
A shy crimson hue bloomed across Lisa’s cheeks at the heartfelt compliment, and she couldn’t help but emit a soft, joyous laugh, praying Carla wouldn’t catch the telltale flush. “Not as beautiful as you, Mrs. Connor,” Lisa said sweetly, taking Carla’s hand and pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles, sealing the moment in warmth.
“Thank you for staying with me last night. You don’t know how much I needed that. And I’m sorry for burdening you… again,” Carla murmured, her gaze drifting down to their still entwined hands, a hint of insecurity creeping into her heart.
“Hey,” Lisa replied softly, her voice soothing as she used her other hand to gently cup Carla’s face, guiding her back to meet her warm, steadfast gaze. “Do not ever think you are burdening me. I want to know you, Carla, all of you.” There was a sincerity in Lisa's eyes that made Carla's heart flutter. “And whatever and whenever you want to tell me, I will always listen and be here for you.”
The weight of Lisa’s words washed over Carla, wrapping around her like a warm embrace. A part of her felt unworthy of such unwavering support, yet the glimmer in Lisa’s eyes hinted that her affection ran deeper than she could imagine. “I sometimes feel like I share too much,” Carla confessed, a slight tremor in her voice. “It’s just… everything can feel so heavy, you know?”
Lisa nodded, her expression softening further. “I get it,” she said gently. “But sharing those burdens doesn’t make you weak; it makes you brave. You’re facing your struggles, and there’s incredible strength in that.”
Carla felt a flutter of gratitude swell within her, igniting something that had long been dormant. “You always know how to say the right thing,” she replied, a small smile tugging at her lips. “What did I do to deserve you?”
“Maybe you saw the best in me before I could see it myself,” Lisa replied with a wink, causing Carla to giggle lightly. “Now, let’s make a promise: no more hiding, okay? We face things together, hand in hand, like we are right now.”
The sincerity of the moment transformed the air around them into something sacred, something that made Carla’s heart ache with warmth. “I promise,” she whispered, feeling the weight on her chest start to lift, if only just a little.
“How about we make breakfast together? I promise I won’t burn the toast.” Lisa said suddenly, her playful spirit rekindling.
With a laugh that echoed through the room, Carla replied, “You’re on, but only if I get to choose the music!”
“Deal!” Lisa grinned, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. As they both slid out of bed and began to rise into a new day, Carla realised that every moment spent with Lisa was a precious gift, a bond of trust being woven tighter. And with each step they took together, she felt more and more ready to share the complexities of her heart and mind, knowing Lisa would always be there, waiting to catch her when she stumbled.
As they made their way to the kitchen, Lisa couldn’t shake the weight of Carla’s revelations from the night before. Each step felt heavier; her heart ached for her, the intensity of concern mingling with an ardent desire to help. The shadows of Carla’s past loomed larger in Lisa’s mind, revealing just how much she had been navigating alone.
“Carla,” she began, her voice full of tenderness and vulnerability, “after everything you shared last night, I just can’t stop thinking about it. You’ve carried so much pain; it breaks my heart.” She reached out, brushing her fingers against Carla’s arm, her touch lingering, electric.
A flicker of sadness crossed Carla’s face, momentarily dimming her radiant smile. “I know… i’m sorry again for putting all that on you.” The tremor in her voice was unmistakable, and Lisa's heart ached for her, feeling the weight of unspoken fears in the air between them.
“No. You’re not going to apologise for that. I just wish there was a way i could take that pain away,” Lisa said, her voice a soft melody. “I meant it when i said you don’t have to face it alone anymore.” The memory of their first kiss flashed in Lisa’s mind, igniting a warmth as profound as the morning sun spilling through the kitchen window. “I want to be there with you, through the storms. We’re in this together, and I’m not going anywhere.”
Carla’s eyes softened, searching Lisa’s face for sincerity. “You really mean that?”
“More than anything,” Lisa responded, stepping closer, the invisible space that had once separated them now charged with newfound intimacy. “Like i said before…I want to know you—every part of you, the shadows and the light. I want to be your safe space.”
For a moment, Carla stood silent, the weight of Lisa’s words settling in. It was as if the walls around her heart began to crack, revealing the flickering hope that maybe, just maybe, she wouldn’t have to weather this storm alone. “It’s just I don’t want to hold you back, you know? I don’t want my past to ruin this… whatever this is.”
A spark ignited in Lisa’s chest, fueled by a fierce determination. “Carla, you are not holding me back. I’m here because I want to be, because I care. Those scars... they’re part of your story, but they don’t define who you are to me.”
The warmth of bravado dripped from her voice—a gentle reassurance enveloping Carla like a soft blanket. Slowly, a smile broke through the haze of doubt on Carla’s lips. “I guess... having you by my side does make it a little less scary.”
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As they busied themselves with breakfast preparation, the air around them transformed, filled with flirtation and the budding intimacy of their connection. With each whisk of the eggs and every playful nudge between them, Lisa felt their bond strengthening, intertwining with laughter and stolen glances.
Lisa leaned over, her shoulder brushing against Carla’s, igniting a spark that danced between them. “So what was all that talk about picking the music? I don’t hear anything….are you scared to show me what you’re into?”
Carla’s laughter rang out, bright and infectious, banishing the shadows and filling the kitchen with warmth. It brought a smile to Lisa’s face, grounding her in the joy of this moment—the promise of their newfound affection colouring everything they did.
Lisa watched as Carla's fingers danced over her phone, the soft glow illuminating her face. With a purposeful tap, she opened Spotify and selected “Run to You” by Whitney Houston. As the familiar melody filled the kitchen, the lyrics wrapped around them like a delicate embrace:
“I know that when you look at me
There's so much that you just don't see
But if you would only take the time
I know in my heart you'd find
Oh, a girl who's scared sometimes
Who isn't always strong
Can't you see the hurt in me?
I feel so all alone…”
Each note resonated in the air, weaving a tapestry of emotions. Lisa’s heart ached painfully for Carla; the song mirrored all the unspoken feelings they shared. Carla had endured so much pain, yet she always donned a brave smile, a mask that hid the turmoil within. But Lisa could see through that facade. She saw the real Carla, the girl who longed for understanding, and it made her heart swell with love—love she wasn’t ready to admit just yet.
As the song continued:
“I wanna run to you
I wanna run to you
Won't you hold me in your arms
And keep me safe from harm…”
A tear slipped down Lisa's cheek as she felt the weight of those lyrics, aware of the deep longing hidden in Carla's heart. Carla sang along, her voice lilting through the room with pure, unfiltered joy, completely absorbed in the melody. The world around them faded, leaving only the music and the connection throbbing between them, yet Carla remained blissfully unaware of Lisa’s turmoil.
But as Lisa stepped closer, the swell of emotions reached a breaking point. The moment she drew near, Carla stopped singing, suddenly noticing the tears glistening on Lisa's face. The brightness in her eyes dimmed with concern, the laughter on her lips silenced as she registered the depth of Lisa’s feelings reflected in that single tear.
With a gentle resolve, Lisa enveloped Carla in a warm hug, pulling her close and swaying them softly to the song's rhythm. The warmth of their embrace provided comfort, a silent promise that she would always be there for her. It was a moment filled with unspoken understanding, a shared recognition of the hurt and the hope that danced in the space between them, now harmonised by their intertwined hearts.
“Tell me, will you stay
Or will you run away?….”
As the song ended, they finally sat down to share breakfast, Lisa reached across the table, her fingers intertwining with Carla’s. “I wont run away, Carla…. Ever.”
———————-
As the days rolled into a blur, Lisa found herself caught in a whirlwind of undercover work and investigation, unraveling the tangled threads of her case while desperately seeking connections to Carla’s past. Each day was a balancing act, managing the demands of her job while still making precious time for Carla.
Late nights in the office turned into early mornings, her desk littered with files, photos, and notes that felt heavier than the weight of her fatigue. Yet, every time her phone buzzed with a text from Carla, a wave of warmth surged through her. “Hey! Can I still see you tonight?” Lisa would reply with a quick laugh and a promise. “Of course, I wouldn’t miss it!”
But Lisa could sense a shift in Carla. Despite her cheerful demeanor during their moments together, there were fleeting glances, slightly furrowed brows, and the subtle shadow of concern that danced across her features. Carla never voiced her worries, but Lisa could feel the unspoken questions simmering beneath the surface.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Carla asked one evening, her eyes searching Lisa’s as they settled into the living room, the familiar warmth of their shared space wrapping around them. “You’ve been working a lot.” There was an edge of worry in her voice, tender yet filled with concern.
“I’m fine, really!” Lisa assured her, a smile on her lips, though guilt tugged at her heart. “Just caught up with a case, nothing out of the ordinary. You know how it gets.” She leaned in closer, hoping the proximity would assure Carla, who still seemed guarded.
Carla bit her lip, uncertainty hanging in the air like a fragile thread. “I just don’t want you to burn out,” she admitted softly, her vulnerability shining through. “I worry that you might need to take a break, or that I might be demanding too much of your time.”
Lisa sighed, wrapping her arm around Carla’s shoulders and pulling her in. “You’re the best part of my day, Carla. Please believe me when I say that nothing is too much when it comes to you.” She pressed a gentle kiss to Carla’s temple, hoping to soothe her worry. “I promise to take care of myself; I just need to get through this—then I’ll be all yours.”
Despite Lisa’s reassurance, Carla’s brow remained creased with concern. There were moments when the spark lit up Carla’s eyes, but they dimmed quickly as she mulled over unvoiced fears. Still, she nodded, attempting to brush the worry aside. “Okay, but promise me you’ll at least get a good night’s sleep,” she insisted playfully, trying to lighten the tension.
“Deal,” Lisa chuckled, knowing full well she was already letting work creep into her late nights. But the sincerity behind Carla’s concern lingered, forging a pathway for deeper conversations—if only Lisa could share what she was uncovering.
Day by day, Lisa’s commitment to her work became a thin veneer over her growing worries about Carla’s hidden past. Each discovery led her closer to piecing together a puzzle that was both thrilling and daunting. A name here, a connection there—it was invigorating yet also a little frightening because of how intertwined it all felt with her budding relationship with Carla.
As she spent late nights deciphering lead after lead, Lisa felt a slight pang of guilt. Would her findings reshape their relationship? Would they pull them apart instead of bringing them closer? The more she uncovered, the more she felt the weight of discovery pressing down on her.
Yet amidst the chaos of her investigations, Lisa carved out time for Carla—be it a stolen moment for lunch or a quiet evening filled with dinner and laughter. On one particular evening, they sat on the balcony of Underworld, the sun dipping down below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. Carla had a warm cup of tea cradled in her hands, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of the fading light.
“I really am grateful for our time together,” Carla said, breaking the comfortable silence. “It keeps me grounded.” She tilted her head back, breathing in the evening air as if to find solace.
Lisa felt a pang of longing in her chest, wishing she could share everything with her but knowing she had to tread carefully. “I am too. It’s easy to forget the chaos of the world when I’m with you.”
As their fingers brushed together, Lisa felt reassured by the connection they were nurturing. She just hoped that whatever storms lay ahead—both in their relationship and the shadows of Carla’s past—they would face it hand in hand.
The tranquility of the moment dimmed as Lisa’s phone buzzed again, breaking the spell. She glanced at the screen, noting a message from DC Green with new intel. The urgency behind it pulled her mind back into the whirlwind of her case.
“Sorry, I just need to check this,” Lisa said reluctantly, turning her attention to the new task that awaited her. Carla watched silently, the flicker of concern returning to her features.
As Lisa tapped away on her phone, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the deeper she delved into work, the more distance it created. But beneath that, she felt a determination growing, a fire to protect their future together. When the dust settled, she vowed to ensure that the journey and its discoveries wouldn’t drive them apart.