Lazarus in the Room – part 11 A Big Reveal
By Veganpepsibabay
Chapter 1
Serena pulled up into the driveway, surprised to spot Bernie stood by the front door, who on seeing the car, strode over. A breath caught in Serena’s throat as she was suddenly transported back to her first introduction to the formidable trauma surgeon at Holby City Hospital. Bernie as then, approached her with a cigarette hanging from the corner of her mouth, with bright friendly eyes.
“Hello you. Had a good day at the vineyard?” Bernie asked, as she bent her head towards the partially opened driver’s window.
The greeting broke Serena’s flashback, “Oh, yes darling. Hard work pruning back vines, but so satisfying.” She took hold of her handbag from the passenger seat and stepped out of the car.
“Are you okay? You look a bit distracted?”
“Hmm, fine – you with that fag in your mouth, walking over. It took me back to the first time we met. Minus the blue overalls.” Serena smiled looking up and down at Bernie, “definitely dressed like a mechanic today.”
“Oh, what,” Bernie removed the cigarette from her mouth and snorted, “at least you have a working car this time!”
“Indeed.” Serena leaned in to give a peck on Bernie’s cheek. She proceeded to walk around to the car boot, “be a love and hold my handbag, I need to grab my work clothes and shoes. Received my wages too.”
“Not another box of wine? Where are we going to store it all?” Bernie raised her eyes.
“Stop complaining. I was given a few bottles of the white Rioja you like. Here, please can you take my holdall, while I lift out the precious cargo,” Serena flashed a sparkling grin at the other woman.
“You know that day at Holby, I was doubting myself over whether I had made the right decision joining civvy street but meeting you – well it brightened it up.” Bernie stated as they walked to the front door.
“Ooh, you are such a charmer, Major,” laughed Serena.
“No, it’s true! Mind your step with that box, love.”
“I’ve got it thanks.” Serena carried the wine box to the kitchen, settling it onto the table, “You know, I was quite intrigued by you that day. If only I knew then that you would turn my world upside down.”
“For good or bad,” Bernie asked as she came along beside Serena, hanging the handbag onto the back of a chair and placing the holdall on the floor beside it.
“What do you think, darling!” Serena laced her fingers through blonde hair, pulling Bernie into a kiss.
“Hmm, for good,” Bernie mumbled as her lips hovered over the other woman’s.
Serena stood back, looking at Bernie, “you haven’t an inch of grease or dirt on you. Did you do any work on the Seat today?”
“Ah, yes – I need to explain. Lucia isn’t too well.” Serena’s smile dropped from her face, “It’s okay, love. Doctor Lopaz examined her this morning.” Strong hands guided Serena to a kitchen chair to sit down, while Bernie perched herself on the table to the woman’s right side.
“What ever happened?” Serena asked as she placed her hands on Bernie’s thigh.
“Apparently Lucia had got into a panic searching for her husband’s old car keys. You see she gave me the spare ones. His ones are attached to a special gold keyring that Lucia had made for him decades ago. She had been cleaning it in her studio.” Bernie explained as she took the other woman’s hands in hers.
“Oh, something similar happened before. It was Lucia’s cigarette case. Martina said her aunt had dropped it on the beach and couldn’t find it. All hell let loose!”
“Ah, I see. Well, when I reached the villa after you left for the day, the front door was open, and I could hear loud voices. Turns out Martina had received a distressed phone call from Lucia, saying the keyring had gone missing, so she and Sophia came straight over - found Lucia on the studio floor having what they initial thought was a heart attack. The studio was a mess where Lucia had been pulling out all her things from the cupboards and boxes. They phoned the clinic. Doctor Lopaz diagnosed a panic attack, along with elevated blood pressure. The three of them managed to get her up to the living-room to sit, but when I arrived Martina and Lucia were having a row over her health. Doctor Lopaz asked for my opinion on the diagnosis of which I agreed.”
“Crickey! How is she now?” Serena asked.
“Martina is with her. She is going to stay the night – make sure Lucia has plenty of fluids and rests.”
“She is never going to give up smoking or drinking you know.”
“Yep – I caught some of the heated words from Martina to her aunt about that.” Bernie replied.
“So, were the keys and keyring found?” Serena asked.
Bernie scoffed, “Oh yes, Sophia and I spent a good hour or so tidying up the studio. After all that, I found them on a hook on the wall by the studio door – goodness knows how they ended up there!”
“I should go over there – check on Lucia.” Serena pushed herself up from the chair. Bernie grabbed her arms to halt her, “Hang on, Campbell. I told Martina you would pop over in the morning. Let them be for tonight. And you my love have had a long day too. I am cooking a special meal for you.”
Serena sat back down, running her fingers through her hair, and sighed, “Okay, Major, I shall do what you ask,” she leaned back looking up at Bernie, “so what did you do for the rest of the day then?”
“Go and sort your things out first. We can chat over a glass of wine while I prepare supper. Did you say there is a few bottles of my favourite white in that case?”
“Yes, darling. Would you like me to put one in the fridge to chill.”
“Yes, please.”
Chapter 2
As she returned to the kitchen, Serena stopped in her tracks as she spotted Bernie prepping the evening meal causing butterflies to flutter in her stomach. Bernie had pulled down the top half of her overalls, tying the sleeves around her waist, revealing a white fitted t-shirt underneath. Her toned arm muscles flexed as she wielded a knife through fish flesh.
“I think you’re trying to give me a heart attack, darling!” grinned Serena as she approached her partner.
“Huh?” came a reply as Bernie continued to concentrate on gutting the fish.
“Mechanic turned chef, with a body of someone half her age. How did I get so lucky.” Serena caressed the other woman’s arms and kissed the side of her neck.
“Oh, be careful – sharp knife here!” Bernie chuckled, placed the knife down to turn around. She kissed Serena on the lips, “You, Serena Campbell, are a flirt and a smooth talker. Go get my wine out the fridge before I cover you in fishy fingers.”
“I think you’ll find fishy fingers are for later in the bedroom!” came a dirty, deep reply.
Bernie began laughing and choking, “Y-you…, are…, t-terrible!” she managed to cough out.
The red and white wine was poured, while Bernie washed her hands. Serena busied herself with laying the kitchen table.
“Hmm, I think your wages taste delightful. Will pair nicely with the meal.” Bernie said taking a sip of wine from her glass.
“What are you making.” Serena scanned the counter noting the ingredients.
“Basque style Hake. Sophia gave me the recipe today. Straight forward, but delicious she informed me. So, I have filleted the hake, the bones are now simmering in a stock for thirty minutes. The fillets will be pan fried and served with a proper Salsa Verde, along with green vegetables.” Bernie took another sip of her wine, with a satisfied smile.
“Might as well sit here then while you keep an eye on your creation. You can continue telling me about your day.” Both women sat down beside each other at the table.
“Ah, well Martina insisted Sophia and I should leave her with Lucia – arguing that it would be easier to deal with her alone, than having an audience for her aunt to play up to. Sophia said that now they have a new sous-chef, she didn’t need to rush back to the restaurant, So, she asked if I wanted to join her to browse around the food market while she picked up a few bits.”
“That was nice love. Why are you still in your overalls though?” questioned Serena.
“I grabbed some cash, my jacket and rushed out the house – forgot what I had on.”
“You ninny!” laughed Serena.
“I was called a MILF. Sophia had to explain that to me…., and I was given a phone number while we were out.” Bernie replied, grinning as her eyes hid behind her long fringe.
It was Serena’s turn to choke when she heard this, “Good grief! Where were you for all that to happen?”
“In a café/bar called Mama Cass, tucked down a cobbled side street near the market. Sophia insisted I should pop in with her for lunch. It was… interesting.”
“I bet it was for you! Did she not explain the place before you went in?”
“No. Have you visited it?” Bernie looked more intently towards the other woman’s face.
“Well, as you are aware, I got to know Chris and Lee in the first couple of weeks of arriving here - renting this place initially from them. They wanted to release some equity so they could carry out building work on their own home. To celebrate their agreed sale to me, they took me out for the night – we ended up in Mama Cass.”
“And – what happened?” Bernie placed her wine glass down, smirking at the other woman, “spill the beans, Campbell.”
“Well, umm, it was Leather Biker Dyke Night,” Serena swirled her wine in its glass, shyly placing a hand to her neck, “Apparently it is held there a couple of times a year. I think the boys knew it was on – they didn’t seem at all surprised by the clientele.”
Bernie hooted and snorted loudly, “they were never trying to set you up?”
“If they were, they didn’t let on. It was quite an eye opener. Fleur was rather impressed, and I think faintly jealous when I phoned to tell her about it.” Serena paused to take a sip of wine, “all these women, all shapes and size, so confident and self-assured in leather and denim – it was fun.”
“Fun? Care to elaborate Fräulein,” Bernie nudged her arm into Serena’s.
“Oh, alright! I had a snog on the dance floor, which, well led to a heated grope outside in the alleyway.”
“You dark horse, Campbell!” Bernie honked out her infectious laugh.
“Yes, well now you know. It was all fuelled by drink and curiosity. And then a few days later we went into lockdown, so I haven’t been back since,” replied Serena, as she fiddled with her necklace.
“I can’t believe Chris or Lee didn’t divulge this little nugget of information to me,” Bernie said as she moved to check on her fish stock.
“Hmm, me neither, but anyway, back to the present. What’s with the MILF and phone number? Should I be concerned?”
“Oh, what, no!” Bernie sat back down, “MILF came from a cheeky young woman called Lola working at the bar who Sophia knows. They were both winding me up for going out in my overalls. Said I was a soft butch and babe magnet – I was taken aback. While we ate our lunch in a quiet corner of the courtyard, Lola slipped me a business card from a woman at a nearby table…, who winked and umm, blew me a kiss.”
Serena stifled a laugh, while she took in the look of bemused bafflement from Bernie while she relayed her story, “what did you do with card?”
“Left it on the table under my napkin.” Bernie looked directly at Serena with a serious frown, “you don’t think I would have taken the card, do you? I – I, would nev….,”
“Oh, darling of course not!” the constrained giggle was released as Serena placed her hand on a perplexed Bernie’s shoulder, “You are my babe and MILF – no one else’s,” she gave the other woman a long warm kiss.
Chapter 3
“I’m going in the shower,” Bernie said absent-mindedly as she sat on the side of the bed removing her socks.
“Hmm, is that an invitation, babe magnet,” came a light-hearted reply from Serena who was sat at her dressing table removing jewellery and wiping away her subtle make-up. A black sock landed on her head, “Oi!”
She removed the sock and swivelled around on her stall, releasing a dark, lustful smile as her eyes rested on her topless partner.
“Possibly - if you stop calling me that,” replied Bernie as she slowly slid her overalls down her long legs, while retaining eye contact with Serena.
“I think that I could do that, darling.” Making her way over to the now naked standing blonde, Serena wrapped her arms around Bernie’s waist, whispering into her ear, “I want to make you come under that hot water. A thank you to my gorgeous chef for a delicious supper.”
“Oh, do you now. Well, I better remove this clothing off your body then.” Bernie carefully unbuttoned the royal blue blouse, pulling it off Serena’s shoulders and allowing it to fall to the floor. She unfastened the black lace bra, releasing soft breasts, cupping them with her hands, rubbing the nipples with her thumbs.
“Darling,” Serena purred, “let’s get in the shower.” She pushed Bernie hands away, so she could remove the rest of her clothing.
“I’ll go get the water running,” Bernie winked.
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As the water cascaded over skin, wet kisses intensified, while soapy hands massaged arms, and backs. Serena’s fingers travelled down to playfully touch Bernie’s buttocks. She manoeuvred their tangled bodies, pressing Bernie against the tiled wall, while her own right thigh slid in-between the other woman’s legs.
Bernie’s left hand kneaded her silver-grey brunette’s right breast, causing a deep moan to breathe out from Serena, who’s own right hand slipped over Bernie’s silky opening, thumb rubbing her clit.
“I want us to come together,” mumbled Bernie into her partner’s ear as she nibbled and pulled at the lobe.
“Yesss,” came a husky reply. Bernie slid her right-hand in-between Serena’s legs, her palm rubbing hard over labia and clit. They both intuitively slipped two fingers inside each other.
Serena lent harder into Bernie’s body, as she hungrily placed kisses down the woman’s pulsating neck. “I, I need your mouth on mine – kiss me Serena,” came a breathy demand. A smiling face looked intensely into hazel eyes, “I’m coming.”
Serena’s tongue danced with Bernie’s in a deep kiss, as their bodies moved in rhythm. Powerful, throbbing sensations rose deep within each woman, as they felt each other’s bodies jolt and buck. They slumped into each other as they came down from the delights of orgasming together.
“I love you, Bernie,” Serena’s fingers twirled through wet blonde locks, as the water continued falling over them, “I love you, Serena.”
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Bedding, legs, and arms were twisted around sated bodies after more passionate love making late into the night. Bernie was tucked under Serena’s arm. She placed light, tender kisses to the side of the woman’s soft breast. Serena ran her hand up and down the blonde’s back. “You know, that flashback I had when I arrived home this evening, well it made me realise – it has been five years this month since we first met.”
“Hmm,” Bernie paused from her postcoital affections, “really, well that…, is something.”
“Yes, well I think it is.” Serena looked down at the other woman, whose eyes were shut, “Bernie, are you listening to me?” She shook her shoulder.
“Err…, what?”
“Were you drifting off to sleep?”
“Hmm, you’ve worn me out, love,” mumbled Bernie.
“You’re not suggesting I have more stamina than you Major!” Serena jibed.
“Possibly,” Bernie placed her arm around Serena’s waist, shifting in tight, “we – we have been through a lot during the last five years.”
“Indeed, but somehow we always find our way back to each other,” Serena replied. She kissed the top of messy blonde hair, while wrapping both arms around the love of her life, “night, darling.”
“Night, love.”
Chapter 4
Serena reluctantly rose from her slumber to shower. All she truly wanted was to remain tangled up with Bernie, make love and laze around in bed with her all day. Her mind drifted off to the those few halcyon months they spent together in France – harvesting grapes, swimming in the nearby river to cool down, and finding secluded spots to have sex after picnics. She laughed to herself as she remembered screaming when a kid goat landed on Bernie’s back while she was busy in-between Serena’s legs, tongue pleasuring her. Bernie had thought she had given Serena a mind-blowing orgasm, thinking the noise and the thud on her back were throws of ecstasy! As Serena turned the shower on, she made a mental note to remind her love of that story later.
Bernie stretched out, her back clicking in a couple of places, as Serena returned to the bedroom freshly showered, wrapped in a white towel.
“Morning, darling. Are you okay?” Serena asked as she sat on her own side of the bed.
“Oh, yes, I think so, thanks.” Bernie turned smiling towards the other woman. Serena leaned in, rubbing their noses together, then placed a kiss on Bernie’s lips, “you smell nice.”
“Hmm, you and this room smell of hot passionate sex,” Serena saucily replied.
“Aah, well, I am just too irresistible.”
“Oh, you think so.”
“I know so, Campbell.” Bernie drew Serena in for another kiss, “I’ll change the bedding after breakfast.”
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Serena checked her phone as she and Bernie sipped on their morning coffee and ate toast.
“Martina has messaged to say she has made my favourite for lunch, so do you want to come over to Lucia’s later to eat with us, Bernie?”
“Ooh her lasagne – of course. About one o’clock? That will give me a few hours with Chris in his workshop this morning.”
“Excellent. Martina has had to get back to help Sophia – they have a large party booking tonight. I’ll get over there now, so Lucia is not on her own too long. Hmm, what are you up to in the workshop – nothing to aggravate your back I hope?” Serena asked patting Bernie’s thigh.
“Oh, no love – just a little project,” Bernie nonchalantly replied.
Serena stood up moving over to check through her large knitting bag sat on a kitchen chair, “Not going to elaborate then, darling?”
“It is a surprise. What are you knitting?”
“Aah, that Major, is a surprise too!” Serena retorted with a wave of a finger.
“Right, okay, so a challenge then Serena Campbell – two weeks from today, we present to each other our completed secret projects.” Bernie held out her hand, staring into Serena’s eyes.
“You’re on, my big macho army medic.” Serena shook the offered hand smiling, “right, I’m off to see our patient. See you later, darling.” Serena bent across to Bernie placing a soft kiss on her lips.”
“Bye, love.” Bernie watched her partner walk out the house, wondering what Serena’s project was.
Chapter 5
Both women sat up right in bed – Serena unravelling an old jumper Lucia had given her for the wool, while Bernie browsed through the latest copy of the Lancet. She was slowly taking steps to spend longer periods of time concentrating on reading, after so many months deprived of such material.
“How was Lucia with you this morning, love? She was definitely subdued, well for her, at lunch.” Bernie asked looking up from the journal and removing her glasses.
“I think she had frightened herself the day before. After I arrived, she sat in her armchair for a good hour staring out the window, quietly chatting with me while I knitted. I think once she realised, I wasn’t going to chastise her over her health, she relaxed and became a little more animated,” explained Serena as she continued growing her ball of wool, “oh we need to sort out a birthday gift for her.”
“When is Lucia’s birthday?”
“About two weeks’ time. She is going to be seventy-nine.”
“Wow!” Bernie contemplated for a moment, “I think I know what we can buy – a picnic hamper. A lovely old fashioned one. For her Seat. Lucia wants to be able to go out for drives up into the mountains with Martina once we have it up and running.”
“Sounds perfect to me, darling.” Serena completed her task and lent over the side of the bed to place the wool in her knitting bag sat on the floor, “Ha! Speaking of picnics,” she began, sitting back in bed, with a sparkle in her eye, “do you remember that incident in France when we were rudely interrupted by a kid goat?”
Bernie looked blankly as a grin formed across the other woman’s face.
“Oh, come on, Bernie. You were in engaged in a little cunnilingus with me.” Serena patted the thigh of the woman who was deep in thought.
“Hmm, oh!” the memory returned to Bernie causing an uncontrollable honking of infectious laughter. Serena wiped away tears of hilarity. Lamps were switched of, while the couple snuggled into bed still amused.
“I think we were a little more cautious after that incident? Confined ourselves to christening all the rooms in the farmhouse?” Bernie questioned in the dark.
“Oh, yes – the long dinning table and that battered old leather sofa saw quite a lot of action. Not sure this body could do that now,” chuckled Serena.
“Campbell, you’re not doing too bad for a great auntie. Definitely, pretty nimble in the shower.” Bernie tickled the side of the other woman, extracting a surprised giggle.
“Get off, Berenice!” tittered Serena. The couple kissed each other goodnight and settled down to sleep.
Chapter 6
TWO WEEKS LATER
A red draw-string bag and a cream tote bag were placed on the wooden coffee table as Serena and Bernie sat on the sofa for their ‘big reveal’ as Bernie had named it.
“So, who is going to go first?” asked Serena facing the other woman.
“I will – I set the challenge,” offered Bernie.
“Oh, go on then. I can see you’re getting excited, Major,” grinned Serena.
Bernie leaned over taking hold of the red bag. She tipped the contents out onto the middle seat of the sofa. Ten small wooden cube blocks tumbled out. Serena eyes moved from the blocks to the pleased face of Bernie, with a questioning look.
“These are for Guinevere. Numbers 1 to 10 to help her with learning to count. I carved in each figure, so she can run her fingers over each indentation to understand how to write the numbers. The blocks have been covered and sealed with child safe paint and varnish,” Bernie explained smiling.
Serena picked up one of the blocks, marvelling at it as she turned it in her hand, “Bernie, these are incredible…, I…,” the remaining words choked in her throat, as she looked back up.
“I, umm – I want Jason to know that I am alive, and I really would like to get to know little Guinnie. Each time you have a Zoom call with them all and I listen from the bedroom, the more I want to be part of their lives again. W-would that be something you would be happy with, Serena? I know we would have to be extremely careful – plan it out, involve Alan or Greta’s parents.” Bernie bent her head down, slowly gathering the blocks to place back inside the bag.
Serena handed back the block she had been holding, then placed her hand on top of the other woman’s, “Bernie – of course I would love for Jason to know you are here with me. If you feel sure about this, then I will contact Alan to discuss the best course of action. But what about Cameron and Charlotte? They need telling first.”
“Yes, yes – I was getting to that. I wish to contact Charlotte first. She has always been far more level head then her brother. And, I, umm always had a closer relationship with her. W-what do you think?” Bernie asked eyes searching for an answer from her partner.
“Well, I…, I think that sounds sensible,” Serena shifted uncomfortably in her seat, not expecting their ‘big reveal,’ to actually be about Bernie announcing that she was ready to contact her children and Jason. She grabbed the tote bag and handed it to the other woman.
“This is for you, darling. Something to keep you warm and hopefully give comfort. I know you sometimes just want to sit quietly but get chilly quickly. Thought this would be nicer than a fleecy blanket.”
Bernie reached into the bag, pulling out an oversized multi-coloured knitted cardigan with three large wooden buttons. She held it across her lap, running her fingers over the soft wool, “Serena – its lovely, thank you.” Bernie stood so she could put the cardigan on. She wrapped it around herself, burying her face into the collar, “it feels so comfortable.”
“I was afraid all the colours may have been a little off putting for you. Mostly made of recycled wool. Are you sure you like it?” Serena looked up at Bernie anxiously.
“Yes, yes, I do, thank you. It is a wonderful gift, love.” Bernie leaned down to kiss Serena, “this is perfect for wearing while writing in my journal or reading.”
Bernie sat back down on the sofa keeping the cardigan on, “so thoughts on reaching out to Charlotte. I don’t want her to be on her own when I contact her, but I don’t want Marcus there.”
Serena nervously looked at Bernie, reaching up to fiddle with her necklace, “Charlotte’s not on her own, Bernie. She, she is married.”
“Oh…, right,” Bernie paused bringing her chin in, straightening her back, “who is, umm the lucky chap?”
“It isn’t a man, Bernie.”
TO BE CONTINUED