This is it

Lisa turned the key in the lock, the quiet click echoing in the tense silence of the flat, and pushed the door open, her heart heavy with regret and exhaustion.

She finds Carla seated at the table, a laptop open before her, evidence of working from home. A tense silence hangs in the air.

"Hi," Lisa says softly, her voice strained.

"Hi," Carla replies, her voice equally subdued. A moment of hesitation passes before she asks, "How are you? How's Betsy? Any news on the process?"

Lisa shakes her head, her eyes filled with exhaustion. "No," she whispers, her voice barely audible. "Carla, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said those things."

Carla, her heart softening, asks gently, "Where did you go?"

"To a hotel," Lisa replies, her voice heavy with regret. "Opposite the hospital, I’ve barely slept”

Carla looks down, her voice soft with concern. "I'm sorry," she says quietly. "If you need some time, I can move out of the flat for a bit, to give you some space. I can do that."

Lisa's eyes fill with tears, and she shakes her head vehemently. "I don't need space," she says, her voice breaking. "I need you!"

With that, Carla puts her hand over her mouth, a sob escaping her lips. She runs to Lisa's arms, embracing her with all her heart.

For a moment, they hug like they depend on it, like coming home. Lisa cries into Carla's shoulder. Carla pulls back slightly, placing both hands on Lisa's head, her voice thick with emotion. "I love you," she cries. "I love you both, okay!"

"I know that you and Betsy come as a package," Carla continues, her voice filled with sincerity. "I don't want to replace Becky or push you into anything that you don't want.

“But listen… as far as I want, this is it, for me." Carla finished, her voice thick with emotion.

Lisa's eyes, already brimming with tears, overflowed.

A watery laugh escaped her lips, a mixture of relief and exhaustion. "Tantrums," she choked out, her voice breaking, "and hormonal breakdowns." a small, shaky smile forming.

"...Are we still talking about Betsy here?" Carla asked, her voice light, but with an underlying tenderness.

Lisa’s laughter mingled with her tears, then faded into a look of deep regret. "I'm sorry, Carla," she said, her voice trembling. "I shouldn't have blamed you. I lashed out."

Carla's expression softened. "It's okay," she reassured her, her voice gentle. "I get it."

Lisa’s eyes filled with fresh tears. "She's just been through so much, you know?" she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "It's been us two against the world since Becky."

Carla gently wiped away Lisa's tears, her touch soothing. "I know," she murmured, her heart aching for Lisa's pain.

Lisa's voice broke. "Carla, I swore to protect her," she sobbed, her voice raw with guilt. "And now she's in hospital... because of me."

The weight of Lisa's guilt and fear filled the room, a palpable ache. Carla pulled Lisa closer, offering silent comfort.

Carla held Lisa close, her voice soft and soothing. "Does she know how it happened?" she asked gently.

Lisa shook her head, her tears continuing to fall. "No," she whispered, her voice thick with dread. "She'll hate me, you know how she gets when she's upset. She pushes people away."

Carla offered a small, knowing smile, still holding Lisa. "Like mother, like daughter," she murmured, a hint of gentle humour in her voice.

Lisa managed a weak, watery chuckle, the tension in her shoulders slightly easing. "Yeah," she admitted, her voice barely audible. "Yeah, she does."

The moment was heavy with unspoken fears and the shared understanding of their complicated family dynamics.

Carla began gently rubbing her arms up and down Lisa's shoulders, a comforting rhythm. "Listen," she said softly, her voice firm but gentle. "She'll probably hate you, for a little bit. Okay? But I'll be there. Because it's us three against the world right now."

Lisa smiled in relief, the weight of her fear momentarily lifting.

Carla pushed Lisa's hair to one side, her hand cupping the back of Lisa's head, her thumb gently stroking her cheek. "Come on," she said, a playful glint in her eyes. "Let's face it, if we can get through this, we can get through anything."

The determination in Carla's voice, combined with the gentle touch, offered a sense of hope and strength.

With that, Carla leaned in and kissed Lisa, a soft, gentle kiss that spoke of comfort and reassurance. When they pulled back, Lisa smiled, tears still glistening in her eyes, a mixture of relief and love.

Carla placed both hands on Lisa's face, her thumbs gently wiping away the remaining tears. "Come here," she murmured, pulling Lisa into a warm, comforting hug. Lisa rested her head against Carla's chest, her body relaxing into the embrace.

Lisa closed her eyes, her voice soft and filled with emotion. "I love you," she whispered.

Carla placed her hand on Lisa's head, gently stroking her hair. "I love you too," she replied, her voice filled with tenderness.

The silence that followed was filled with unspoken promises and the quiet understanding of their shared strength. They held each other close, finding solace in the warmth of their embrace, a silent testament to the enduring power of their love.