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Chapter Text

I ran into what I’m told is the Doctors Lounge and quickly closed the door shut. Finally I had gotten away from the camera crew, this is most definitely not what I expected when I decided to come here. 

“Don’t worry there’s no camera in here,” a female voice laughed. 

“Oh hello,” I turned around. “Elizabeth Corday, I’m a surgeon here on a sponsorship,” I extended my hand. 

“Anna Del Amico, pediatric fellow,” she smiled shacking my hand. “I’ll make us some coffee.”

“Thank you,” I sighed taking a seat. “If I had known about the camera crew I wouldn’t have left the surgical floor at all,” I laughed. 

“That’s exactly why I’ve been hiding out here as much as I can,” Anna said coming over with two cups of coffee. 

“I’ll definitely be in here until it’s safe to leave,” I said taking a sip of my coffee. 

“We’ll be safe here together,” she grinned. “To avoiding cameras!” she laughed as we clicked coffee mugs. 

“To avoiding cameras,” I replied before taking another sip. 

We stayed in there for a while, only sneaking out for moments at a time if we absolutely had too. Other then that we just talked, about anything really. 

“They’re gone,” someone opened the door and told us. 

“Oh thank god,” I sighed. 

“We can finally get back to work,” Anna laughed. “Oh Doug this is Elizabeth Corday,” she introduced us. 

“Nice to meet you,” he quickly shook my hand. “We have some food and sodas out at the admit desk to celebrate if you ladies wan to join us?”

“That does sound lovely,” I said standing up. “Let’s go.”

“It does actually,” Anna said and she followed us out to the main desk. 

Music was playing and everyone was laughing and definitely looked more relaxed then before. It felt like we all could just breathe, I took a ginger ale and a slice of pizza. 

I stuck with Anna as I didn’t really know anyone else, and honestly I just enjoyed being around her. She was kind enough to start and introduce me to the other Doctors and Nurses there. 

Eventually it gets late, I go back upstairs to grap my things and get ready to head home. Overall it was a decent first day if strange, though I dread to think how Dr. Romano is going to react upon hearing how I hid away all day. 

“Elizabeth!” Anna called to me as I left through the ER. 

Just as I turned around a pack of M&Ms came hurdling towards me and hit me square in the face before it fell to the ground. 

“Anna what the hell,” I laughed as I went to pick it up. 

“You were supposed to catch it,” she teased. 

“Maybe you’re just a bad thrower,” I teased her back, leaving the ER before she had a chance to retaliate. 

I took a deep breath as I walked into my apartment. I poured myself a small glass of wine as I thought over the strange day I had, I guess I’m just happy my sponsorship went through. 

I took out the small pack of M&M’s and ate them before getting into a nice warm bath and going to sleep.

Chapter Text

“Elizabeth, wanna go out for drinks later?” Anna asked as she walked up to me 

“Oh?” I turned to face her. 

“To welcome you to Chicago,” she quickly explained. “You’ve been here like a week, you deserve a proper welcome, I could always invite Dr. Weaver, Dr. Doyle or Carol if you don’t feel comfortable with it being just us,” she stuttered, awkwardly resting her chin on her hand. 

“I don’t really mind if it’s just you and me,” I answered her rather fast. “Not that I mind if the others come along of course,” I added quickly and stumbling over my words. 

“Cool,” she shook her head. “I’ll ask them but if they can’t we’ll go just you and me?”

“Yeah sure,” I nodded picking up a chart. “Sounds great,” I smiled walking away. 

I must’ve been distracted looking at the chart because I bumped right into an IV stand and stumbled over myself, dropping the chart. 

“Be carful of those IV stands, they come out of nowhere. You okay?“

“Oh Dr. Greene is it?” I asked picking up the chart as he nodded. “Uh yes I’m perfectly fine I just wasn’t paying attention to where I was going,” I laughed nervously.

“You need anything, coffee or water? You look flushed.”

“Oh no no no I swear I’m fine, I should um. I should get going,” I looked at my watch. “I have an appendectomy I’m assisting on,” I waved as I walked away with a smile. 

“That was a perfect appendectomy Lizzie!” Romano exclaimed as we walked out of the OR. “Say why don’t we go out for drinks to celebrate?”

“Oh I would love to,” I said taking of the surgical gown. “But I already have plans tonight.”

“Oh,” he paused. “I see, well maybe some other time,” he offered. 

“Yeah, some other time,” I smiled awkwardly as I walked away. 

I got changed out of my scrubs into regular clothes and headed down stairs to meet Anna before we leave. 

“Hey,” Anna got my attention. “It’s just gonna be you and me tonight, you’re still good with that?”

“Yeah,” I smiled. “So where is this place?”

“I was thinking we could go down to Navy Pier. There’s drinks, an outdoor arcade and a Ferris wheel,” she suggested. 

“That sounds absolutely fantastic! Shall we?” I laughed as we jokingly linked arms.

“It’s gorgeous here,” I said in awe of the colorful lights strung across the pier.

“Yeah it’s really nice here, let’s get some drinks and play some games,” she smiled.

We grabbed some drinks and started to walk around all the different games. I saw one of those strength test games, I immediately ran to play it. It was hilarious how terrible I did, I didn’t get anywhere near the top.

“Let me try,” Anna said. “I played these all the time in High School, I think I might be able to get it,” she smiled. 

“Be my guess,” I handed her the mallet. 

“Okay,” she smiled. “I got this.”

Anna lifted the mallet and lined up her shot . She swung hard and watched the ball fly up to just the bell.

“Oh my god,” I whispered. 

“Told you so,” Anna teased. “So which one do you want?”

“What?”

“Grand prize, which giant stuffed animal do you want.”

“Oh um,” I blushed. “Surpise me.”

“Can I have the giant crème teddy bear?” Anna asked the game attending

Anna smiled as she was handed the bear and immediately handed to me I hugged it tightly against her chest.

“Thank you,” I giggled. “Now, shall we get another drink?” I took her hand in my free one. 

“Sounds great.”

We continued to drink for a while and eventually decided to go back to my apartment to order some take out. 

“So what shall we order?” I asked as we walked in and I placed the bear on the couch. “I was thinking Chinese but if you want something else just let me know.”

“Chinese sounds great actually,” Anna smiled.

I grabbed the menu from the cupboard, we looked them over for a bit before deciding on what we both wanted. I called in the order and we both took a seat on the couch. 

“Tonight’s been fun so far. Thank you,” I blushed. 

“No problem,” she smiled. “It has been fun, I’d like to do it more if you don’t mind.”

“Oh, I’d love that,” I blushed even more. “So um, how long have you been in Chicago?”

“Since May. It’s really different from Philadelphia but I like it, but probably not as different as England is from here,” she awkwardly studdered as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

“It’s very different but I do like it here, I am very excited to experience my first American Halloween. You know dress up and all that,” I laughed.

“Do you have any ideas for costumes? Like do you have a theme?” Anna leaned closer to me as she asked.

“No not yet, but I’ll think of something.”

“What about we do a costume together?” she suggested. “Like we could go is Lucy and Ethel.”

“Lucy and Ethel?“

“From I Love Lucy, have you never seen it?”

“I can’t say that I have,” I shyly admitted.

“I’ll have to show it to you one day then.”

“Yes you do,” I laughed as I myself move a little closer to her.  

The two of us sat there quietly and awkwardly talking, the silence only broken by our voices. Suddenly I felt the couch dip next to me, I glanced over and saw that Anna had moved closer to me and her hand rested on my thigh. 

My heart started to beat faster, but not in a bad way. I actually quite enjoyed it, I couldn’t describe it, but I enjoyed her touching me. Especially the way it made me blush and the butterfly’s in my stomach flutter uncontrollably.

My hands went to cup her face, brushing some strands of hair from her eyes. Her gaze fell on mine and I saw her cheeks flush slightly.

“Elizabeth?” she mumbled timidly.

“Yeah?”

“I uh, I kind of want to kiss you right now,” she confessed. 

“That’s a normal reaction,” I smiled leaning forward slowly and softly pressing my lips to hers. 

She kissed back gently returning the gesture, her hands gently holding my waist and pulling me close. I moved my fingers through her long blonde hair, pulling her a little closer. After a few moments I broke the kiss resting my forehead against hers.

“Was that okay?” I mumbled.

“Yeah,” she breathed, laughing ever so slightly. “That was. That was great.”

I smiled and played with a small peice of her hair between my fingers.

We stayed quiet a few minutes simply staring at each other, neither of us moving. Just enjoying the moment until we were interrupted by a knock at the door.

“I think that would be our food,” I chuckled lightly before getting up.

I opened the door and grabbed the bag of food setting it on the table before grabbing forks and napkins. 

“This was a good idea,” she smiled, taking a seat across from me. 

“It definitely was,” I said as I took a bite of my sesame chicken. “Um, If I haven’t misinterpreted tonight I think we should do this again sometime soon,” I shyly added. 

“I’d like that too, I really would.”

Chapter Text

“You really want me to watch Romeo and Juliet with you?” Anna snickered at my suggestion as we walked into the empty lounge. 

“We can watch whatever, I just want to watch something with you,” I pointed out. “Besides what’s wrong with Romeo and Juliet?”

“I just have a thing against Shakespeare okay, I hated it in school and now I’m done with it I want nothing to do with it ever again.”

“What about—“

“No Jane Austen either,” she interrupted me with a smirk. 

“Do you have something against romance?” I teased her. 

“Says the woman I’m dating,” she raised her eyebrow. 

“Oh you choose the movie then.”

“You trust me that much?”

“No, not really but I like you enough to trust you,” I laughed as she she pressed a gentle kiss to my neck. 

I was just about to pull her closer as my pager went off, we both groaned as I checked it while I walked out of the lounge and to the admit desk. 

Cynthia was just about to hand me the chart when we heard a loud whoosh, just as we turned to face where it came from.

Bang Crash Boom

I ducked down behind the desk, glass went everywhere, everything seemed to shake violently; I covered my head with my arms hoping to protect it from any glass or anything else that could be flying around. 

The dust settled, there’s still a ringing in my ear as I tried to pull myself up. Someone came up behind me to help steady me and walk me to a gurney to sit down. 

“Elizabeth are you okay?” Anna asked, feeling my face for anything broken or any glass that might’ve lodged in there. “Is there any ringing?”

“I’m fine, just some ringing,” I brushed it off as I tried to stand up. 

“Oh no you don’t,” she pushed me back down on the gurney. “How much ringing?”

“A little but not too much.”

“How much is a little?” she asked as she looked at my ears. 

“About as much as you would expect when you’re next to an ambulance explosion,” I replied irritated. 

“Okay smartass,” she muttered as she went to put the otoscope away. “Don’t go all Red Queen on me, I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

“I heard that,” I called out to her. 

“You where meant to,” she teased as she sat down next to me on the gurney. “It’s only a little tinnitus, it should clear up within a day or so. I think you should go home for the day, or at least stay out of the OR. The beeping of all the machines won’t do you any good.”

“But—“

“No buts, it’s Doctors orders Elizabeth. You can come back tomorrow if it’s gone,” she looked into my eyes. 

“Oh fine,” I huffed like a petulant child. “Can you still come over?” I shyly added afterwards. 

“Of course,” she gave me a gentle kiss to my cheek that I immediately melted into. “I think I could be convinced into watching Romeo and Juliet tonight.”

“Hmmmm, I don’t think I feel like a sappy Shakespearean romance anymore. What about Steel Magnolias?”

“Ah trading in one type of sappy for another I see,” she gently teased me. 

“You know me so well,” I rested my head on her shoulder. “What sorts of snacks should we have?”

“Whatever you want, you pick,” she placed a soft kiss on the top of my head as we sat there comfortably.

“Pizza for dinner with chocolates and ice cream for dessert.”

“What ever you say,” she smiled. “You know we should probably move before someone finds us,” her fingers twirled in my hair. 

“No, your shoulder is too comfortable,” I snuggled into her. 

“You should go sweetie, I’ll be by at 7 with pizza, chocolates and ice cream,” she whispered gently. 

“Sounds perfect. I think I’m going to shower and take a nap in the meantime,” I mumbled as I stoop up and kissed her cheek before leaving. 

The moment I walked into my apartment I almost immediately went to my bed and passed out under the soft covers without bothering to change clothes. It’s naps like this, right after a long day at work that are always the best and most rewarding. They’re few and far between but always welcome. 

I woke up later then I wanted to do I ran and jumped into shower quickly, only rinsing off with soap and water. Without time to dry my hair I threw it into a nice ponytail and put on some shorts and one of Anna’s ABBA shirts that I had stolen the first time I stayed at her apartment. 

“And how cute are you,” Anna teased as she stepped into the apartment. 

“I was beginning to think you forgot about me,” I sighed, walking towards her.

“Never,” She smiled, putting a hand under my chin kissing my lips softly. “I ordered the pizza to be delivered here before I left so it should arrive any moment.”

“Let’s get some wine and the movie started shall we?”

“Perfect,” she smiled, kissing me once more. 

Chapter Text

“I can’t deal with him anymore!” Anna yelled as she slammed my apartment door shut. 

“Anna what’s wrong darling?” I softly asked as I got up and placed a hand on her shoulder. 

“Doug Ross is what’s wrong, he’s just. He’s,” she angrily stutters. 

“Okay let’s sit you down, take a deep breath and then tell me what happened,” I calmly suggested as she nodded and followed me to the couch.

I gently sat her down, softly stroking my fingers through her hair as she laid her head in my lap. 

“He’s just so condescending, he takes nearly every peds patient from me or second guesses my orders. Every. Single. One,” she gritted her teeth. “And on top of that he’s told me multiple times that he thinks I should see adult patients instead! I specifically came here to focus on pediatric care. I’m just so frustrated with him, I don’t know what to do,” Anna sighed heavily. 

“Have you tried talking to Kerry or Mark? They are the attendings after all,” I  offered.

“Kind of but not really,” Anna shook her head. “I’m gonna talk to Kerry tomorrow, maybe she can help me.”

“I could always you know, confront him if I happen to see him interfere with your work,” I gently suggested. 

“What do you mean by confront?” her voice softly and low.

“Oh you know, the usual. Yell at him, threaten him that if he ever messes with my girlfriend I’ll make him rue the day he was born,” I mused as my hands continue to play with her hair. 

“Doesn’t that seem a little bit extreme?” she giggled slightly. 

“I don’t think so,” I frankly stated. “If anything it’s quite tame for me.”

“Please tell me you had a better day and aren’t fighting with anyone,” she laughed and she sat up. 

“I can’t say I have been fighting with anyone, maybe baffling the other surgeons but that’s about it.”

“Mmm, I much rather you baffle them then fight with them,” she yawned. 

“I think it’s past someone’s bedtime,” I gently teased her. “Come on, let’s get some sleep.”

“Sounds like a great idea. Thank you so much for listening,” she kissed my cheek as she got up.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” I smiled, walking into the bedroom.

Chapter Text

“Oh these little stolen moments hidden away in empty exam rooms,” I mused as I saw Anna as I walked into exam two. “How I live for them.”

“And a hello to you too,” she laughed. “Do you happen to know where the gauze are? I can’t seem to find any.”

“Can’t say I do, say have you talked to Kerry yet?”

“Haven’t had time, been busy with patients,” she turned to face me. “But I told her I want to talk to her when I get the chance.”

“Good,” I kissed her cheek. 

“So how’s your day?” Anna asked, going back to look for the gauze. 

“Perfectly fine, though Romanos been pushing me to try and get Benton on his surgical team.”

“I wouldn’t blame him from what I’ve heard about Romano,” she mumbled. “Seriously where the hell are the gauze!?”

“Top shelf.”

“You knew the entire time didn’t you?” she turned to face me again. 

“For the last five minutes yes,” I chuckled lightly as my pager went off. “Oh I have to go, being called to the OR, sorry,” I kissed her cheek. 

“I’ll see you later,” she laughed and rolled her eyes as she grabbed the gauze and walked out of the room

“Hey Elizabeth,” Peter called out as I walked out of the surgeons lounge. 

“Yes?”

“Do you happen to know where I could find Dr. Romano?”

“He’s probably in post-op, can I ask why?”

“I gave some thought to what you said  earlier when I was doing dictations, I just wanna talk to him before I make any big decisions you know,” he explained. 

“I see, I think post-op. If not then he’s probably in the OR, I can tell him your interested and to find you if you’d like?”

“Yeah if you could. And uh, sorry for being kinda competitive over procedures.”

“Oh Peter don’t apologize, it’s not all you, I’ve been competitive too. How about from now on we try to help each other,” I extend my hand. 

“That’s a great idea,” he smiled and shook my hand. 

“Oh that’ll be me,” I checked my pager. “Let me know when you talk to Dr. Romano,” I said as I made my way to the elevator. 

“Elizabeth you haven’t happened to see my patient have you?” Anna asked the moment I got to the admit desk. 

“What do they look like?”

“20 year old male, around 6’3 and probably in a gray tracksuit.”

“Can’t say I have, everything all right?”

“Uh yeah, do you mind if we talk?” she nodded her head over to the lounge. 

“So can I asked what happened?” I said as I closed the door. 

“20 year old track runner with testicular cancer that metastasized to the lungs, Doug offered to help do the exam and talk to him. I told him I could handle it and now he’s run away. I screwed up,” she sighed.

“Anna this is a lot of information for your patient to handle, I’m sure he’ll be back.”

“I hope so,” she rubbed the back of her neck. “I think I’m going to talk to Doug, ask him to help me talk to him when he come back.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” I reassured her as I pulled her into a hug, her face resting on my shoulder. “Why don’t you come over to my place later and I’ll make us a nice dinner?”

“I’d like that,” she mumbled. “Thank you,” she pecked my lips.

“Anything for you, I’ll see you later,” I kissed her cheek just as she walked out. 

“You know you’re here more often then not at this point,” I teased her slightly as I threw on a pajama shirt and crawled into bed next to her. 

“Well your apartment is much nicer than mine,” she laughed lightly as she cuddled up to me. 

“You’re sure that’s not the only reason?” I raised an eyebrow as my hands softly played with her hair. 

“You’re definitely a factor in me being here a lot,” she softly teased as she rested her chin on top of my chest. 

“That’s what I thought,” I gently laughed. 

“You know, I’ve never jumped into a relationship this fast but I’m glad I have with you,” Anna quietly admitted. 

“I can’t say I have either, but I’m glad it’s with you. Something about this, about us, it feels right.”

Chapter Text

“Hey, what's going on?” Peter asked as I walked out of the OR.

“Finishing up my note,” I told him as I finished writing on my chart
 
“Dr. Hicks changed her surgery?”

“She did, I suggested she call you but she didn’t want to disturb you and told me to scrub in. So I gave you my 8:00 am bowel resection with Anspaugh. I know it’s not a gastroplasty but it’s only fair I give you something.”

“Thanks, I really appreciate it,” he slightly smiled as he walked away. 

“It’s no problem,” I told him as I started to walk away. “Oh wait! Did you meet with Romano?” I turned back around. 

“Yeah, he’s interesting? But he asked me to join his team and I said yes.”

“You’re a good surgeon, I think this will benefit you.”

“Hey,” I smiled as I walked up behind Anna as I wrapped my hands around her waist and placed my chin on her shoulder. “Do you have any plans later? I was thinking I could take you out for dinner.”

“Actually I do, Carol asked me to go with her to a meeting with a possible funder for her clinic idea,” she leaned her head back against mine. “I can stop by after and we can get some cheesecake or just any dessert and go to dinner another day if you want.”

“Sounds great,” I gently tightened my hold around her waist. “So what’s this clinic Carol wants to start?”

“Like a follow up clinic, wound checks, prenatal care, all things like that. I offered to volunteer on my days off.”

“That’s a great idea, I might volunteer as well.”

“It is, it’s partly the reason I’m going with her. That and I just want to support a friend you know?”

“Of course, I think that’s the best reason to go with her. I’ll see you later,” I reluctantly let go of her waist.

“See you later,” she smiled. 

I smiled and walked into the lounge to grab a cup of coffee. I couldn’t help but think about how lucky I am to have her, it’s nice to not feel as alone anymore. 

“You seem happy,” Carol said as she walked in. “Must be you won a bunch of money or you have a special someone.”

“I’ll admit there’s a someone,” I chuckled lightly.

“Oh please please tell me,” she begged me. “Come on Elizabeth I’m you friend I need the gossip.”

“Oh fine,” I laughed. “Me and Anna have been seeing each other. We’re really happy honestly,” I blushed. 

“Really? Oh I’m so happy for you guys,” she squealed in excitement. 

“Thank you,” I smiled brightly. “She told me about your clinic idea. If it works out I’d love to help out.”

“Really? That would be amazing, I’ll have Anna tell you how tonight goes,” she smiles as she walked out of the room. 

On my way home I picked up some Ben and Jerry’s for later Vanilla for me and Mint Chocolate Cookie for her. When I got home I put them in the freezer and took a quick shower before changing into shorts and one of Anna’s band shirts, put on my reading glasses and picked up The Time Travelers Wife while I waited for her to come home. 

After about an hour or so she’d walked in, slamming the door shut.

“What happened?” 

“You want to know who Carol was meeting with? Carters grandmother, Carter is apparently really really rich,” she fumed. 

“Wait Carter’s rich?”

“He lives in a mansion type of rich. I don’t care that he’s wealthy, I don’t, I’m just fucking mad that he lied to me. He-he complained about not having any money along with me,” she sat down on the couch next to me, placing her face in her hands. “He let me complain about struggling to pay my bills, pay back my loans and about my small, shitty apartment saying that he was going through the same thing while he’s never had to worry about any of that!”

I closed the book and placed it down before gently pulling her close and wrapping my arms around her. She held onto me tightly, burying her face in my neck and gripping me even tighter. 

“I’m just so frustrated that he lied so much,” she whispered into my neck.

“It’s ok to be angry about all of this,” I ran my ran up and down her back. 

“I was complaining that I probably wouldn’t be able to pay rent this month you want to know what he said? He said that he could barley pay his each month and yet he doesn’t even have to pay it. I don’t understand why, I-I just don’t get it,” she sighed. 

“I wish I knew,” I replied as I pulled back slightly to look at her and help her face in my hands. “But seriously, are you actually not going to be able to make your rent this month?”

“No,” she sighed again. “I don’t think I can, I’ve barely been able to make it every month since I’ve been here. I just don’t think I can this month.”

“Why don’t you move in here with me? You’re already here most days and it’ll help you save money, I love having you here too,” I said as I rubbed her arm slowly.

“Elizabeth are you sure? I mean, it’s a big commitment especially so early on…” she trailed off nervously as I gently lifted her chin up.

“I’m completely sure,” I told her seriously. “I want you to move in with me.”

“Really?”

“Yes really,” I looked in her eyes. 

“Okay,” she nodded her head. “I want to move in with you too.”

“I love you Anna,” I gave her a gentle kiss

Chapter Text

I woke up to the light pitter patter of the distant shower being turned off mixed with the pouring rain and soft footsteps padding across the wooden floor. I smiled as I snuggled down into my covers and saw the door gently open and a figure slip in taking a seat beside me on the bed. 

“Elizabeth, you’re up awful early,” she whispered gently as she tucked my hair behind me ear. 

“Your shower woke me up,” I gently teased her. 

“I have work in an hour, I had to shower,” she replied teasing back with a roll of her eyes. 

“Mmm,” I yawned. “I think you should call in sick and stay in bed with me all day. To celebrate you moving in here.”

“I wish I could,” she sighed dreamily. “But you know I can’t with Mark and Doug out.”

“It’s raining out,” I mumbled. “It’ll be hell trying to get on the EL, besides,” I said sitting up. “Anna Del Amico never takes a day off. I think she deserves too every once in a while, don’t you?”

“You really want me to stay here today don’t you,” she smiles softly, playing with my hair. 

“I do,” I breathed as I sat up. ”Just you and me laying around in bed all day, don’t you think that would be fun?”

“I’ll go call and try to call in sick but I can’t promise anything,” she smiled.

“Thank you,” I smile softly at her before leaning forward and kissing her cheek.

She stood up and left me alone on the bed, closing the door quietly behind her as she went to use the phone. 

I sighed contently, sinking back down into the warmth of the blankets and staring at the ceiling. It felt so good to just lay there like this with no responsibilities or worries for once.

After a while I crawled out of bed and threw on a robe before heading into the rest of the apartment. I saw Anna on the phone, I walked up behind her and gently wrapped my arms around her waist from behind.

“Thanks. Yeah, I’ll be fine by my next shift,” she said quietly as she hung up the phone. “Looks like I’m all you’re today,” she smiled leaning into my arms. 

“Good,” I chuckled pressing my lips against her neck gently.

“Let’s make some coffee and get back into bed,” she murmured. 

“Coffee sounds perfect” I purred as I nuzzled my nose in the crook of her neck.

A few minutes later we were back in bed with our warm, steaming, mugs of coffee on the bedside tables. I leaned back against the pillows and sighed happily as I happily enjoyed our comfortable silence, content with the peace and quiet.

“Tell me about your family,” Anna gently  prompted after a while. 

“Father’s a surgeon as, mother’s an astrophysicist. I was raised by nannies and boarding schools really,” I quietly answered. 

“You don’t have any siblings?”

“Just me,” I sighed as Anna wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight.

“What about your family?”

“Seven brothers, seven sister in laws. Countless nieces and nephews whom I absolutely adore, and I’m still considered the black sheep. My Aunt Tessa bursts into tears every time she sees me,” she laughed.  

“My parents just cope by treating me like a bachelor son,” I chuckled lightly. 

“Oh I bet they’re extremely proud of you,” she pressed a gently kiss to my neck. 

“I like to hope they are,” I closed my eyes. “My father is but I’m not sure about my mother. I won’t lie my relationship with her isn’t the best.”

“How so?”

“It’s just mothers and daughters I suppose,” I mused. 

“When’s the last time you talked to her?” she softly asked. 

“I’m not sure, probably around when I first got here maybe. Possibly longer.”

“Maybe you should call her,” she suggested softly, caressing my arm gently.

“I might, as much as I hate to admit it I do miss her,” I gently admitted. “Can we change the subject if you don’t mind? To something a bit more happy.”

“Of course,” she smiled as she kissed my jaw. “So, you’re not sick of me yet? I’m starting to think you’re serious about us,” she teased me. 

“I never could be sick of you,” I turned around in her arms and snuggled further into her chest. “You’re also too warm for me to ever get sick of you or want to let you go.”

She smiled and held me even closer, warmth radiating between our bodies. I loved how soft her skin felt against mine, her small hand running soothing circles into my back. Her body felt perfect against mine. I couldn’t believe how lucky I am to have met someone who I was completely mad for.

Between our bodies radiating heat along with the soft and warm sheets we quickly fell asleep in each other's arms.

I awoke a few hours later feeling slightly disoriented, I wasn’t quite sure of the time but I couldn’t shake this strange feeling I had. Whatever it was it possessed me to softly walk into the living room and call my Mother, so I picked up the phone and dialed her number. 

“Hello?”

“Hello Mother,” I whispered. 

“Elizabeth? What time is it where you are?”

“I’m not quite sure in all honesty,” I yawned and rubbed my eyes. “I just missed you and I haven’t really called since I’ve been in the states. So, how have things been over there?”

“Oh, the usual,” she sighed. 

It was after that our conversation went quiet. I didn’t know what to say and neither did she, in all honesty most of our conversations were like this nowadays.

“It was um. It was nice talking to you,” I spoke up eventually. 

“Yes, it was.”

“I’ll speak to you soon,” I basically whispered as I hung up the phone and sunk into the couch. 

Oh damnit Elizabeth, you had one job and it was to NOT make this conversation with your mother awkward. One conversation that’s all I wanted and I went and blew it. Maybe if I go home for Christmas and we talk in person it’ll be less awkward? Oh who am I kidding myself, it’ll probably be more awkward!

I don’t know what possessed me for a second time this night but I made my way to the kitchen and pulled out a vanilla cake mix and started to mix it all together in a bowl. 

“Hey,” Anna softly said as she walked out of our bedroom. “It’s 2:00 am, why are you baking a cake?” 

I didn’t answer, I poured the mix into a pan and placed it into the oven to bake before I turned around and leaned back into the counter. 

“Are you okay?” she walked towards me and softly touched my shoulder.

“I called my Mother,” I muttered. “It was the most awkward conversation I’ve ever had in my life. I just—I don’t know.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” she offered quietly.

“Not really,” I sighed deeply. “I didn’t know what else to do so I baked a cake. I have some frosting I’m going to put on when it’s done, do you want to help me eat it?”

“Like that’s a question, of course I will,” she smiled as she wrapped her arms around me.

“Thank you,” I whispered as she pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.

We stayed like that for a few moments, just holding onto each other and savouring this moment until the timer eventually went off. 

Reluctantly, I pulled away and took out the cake to cool off before topping it with chocolate frosting. I grabbed two forks and brought it over to the table, we decided to not place it on plates and just to eat it from the now cooled pan. We both sat down and started to eat. The cake was soft and still warm from the oven as we finished eating it. 

Afterwards we sat on the couch watching old episodes of I Love Lucy as I snuggled happily into Anna. It was at that moment I knew I absolutely made the right decision asking her to move in with me.