Chapter 12
On the way back home, Serena turned around and noticed that Maise had fallen asleep.
"I think we've tired her out."
"Don't let her fool you. She's probably just having a power nap."
"Do you want to come back to ours for a bit after we have dropped Maise off at home? I could cook us something to eat"
"I'd love to." Bernie smiled as she reached over and squeezed Serena's hand gently. 30 minutes later Bernie pulled up outside her brother's house. Louise immediately came out to the car.
"Hello." Louise smiled.
"Hi. Louise you haven't met Serena officially have you?"
"No, I only saw her at the funeral. It's lovely to finally meet you, Serena."
"You too. You have a beautiful daughter."
"Thank you. Has she been good for you both?"
"She's been as good as gold. Do you want to get her out and I'll get her things out the boot?"
"Why don't you both come in for a coffee?"
"Serena, do you want to go in for coffee?"
"Sure." Serena smiled as she got out of the car. Louise got Maise out while Serena and Bernie got her things out of the boot.
"She's only invited us in so she can be nosy." Bernie said as they walked inside the house.
"I don't mind." Serena said as she followed Bernie into the lounge.
"Where's our Stephen?" Bernie asked as her and Serena sat down on the sofa.
"He's just nipped to the supermarket." Louise said as she laid Maise down on one of the sofas. "So what can I get you both to drink?"
"I'll have a coffee please."
"Serena."
"I'll have the same please."
"I won't be a minute." Louise smiled as she went into the kitchen.
"Are you ok?" Bernie asked as she held Serena's hand.
"Yes I'm fine. Stop worrying about me."
"I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable."
"That's very sweet of you. But I don't feel uncomfortable. I want to get to know your family."
"Thank you, gorgeous." Bernie smiled as she kissed Serena softly.
"Sorry am I interrupting something?" Louise smiled as she came into the lounge with the coffees.
"No it's fine." Bernie blushed as she took a sip of her coffee.
"Mummy." Maise said as she sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"Hello, baby." Louise got up and picked the little girl up."You haven't slept for very long"
"Bern,Bern."
"Auntie Bernie's here look."
"Ena. Ena." Maise wriggled out of her mum's hold and ran over and climbed on Serena's knee.
"Have you had a good sleep?" Serena asked.
"Go Zoo." Maise said as she played with Serena's hair.
"We will go back to the zoo another day,ok.'
"I'm back."Stephen called out as he came back from the supermarket.
"Maise who's that?"
"Daddy." Maise got down and ran to Stephen.
"Hello baby girl. Hello you two."
"Hi." Both Bernie and Serena said.
"Has this little madam been good for you both?"
"Of course she has."
"Good. How are you Serena?"
"I'm good, thank you. Are you alright?"
"Yes, thanks. Are you going to help me unpack the shopping?"
"Yes." Maise said as she followed her Daddy into the kitchen only to return a few seconds later with a bag of sweets."Bern,Ena wook." Maise said as she waved the bag of sweets.
"What have you got?" Bernie asked as she lifted Maise to sit on her knee.
"Open."
"What's the magic word, young lady?"
"Pease."
"Good girl." Louise smiled as Bernie opened the bag of sweets. Maise got a sweet out of the bag and put it in Bernie's mouth.
"Mmm thank you."
"Ena." Maise reached over and put a sweet in Serena's mouth.
"Thank you, gorgeous."
"Helping me with the shopping didn't last long did it Mrs." Stephen laughed as he sat beside Louise on the sofa. "Are you two going to stay for some tea with us? You're very welcome."
"We are going back to Serena's.
"I'm cooking us something, sorry."
"Come for tea another time."
"Thank you. I would like that."
"Are you ready to go,babe?"
Bernie asked as she drank the last of her coffee.
"Yes."
"Give me a hug, baby girl."
Maise wrapped her arms around Bernie. "I love you."
"Wove you."
"Ena hug."
Serena smiled as the little girl hugged her tightly. "Wove you."
"I love you." Serena could feel tears in her eyes.
"You've definitely found a friend there." Louise smiled. A few minutes later they were both in the car.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes I'm good. You have a lovely family. I really like them."
"And they like you. But then again what's there not like about you." Bernie leaned across and kissed Serena. "Shall we go mine then?"
"Yes please." Bernie smiled as she started the car.