Together At Last

“What was the place you worked at called again? Thirteen Feet Tattoos or something?” I ask Paige, as we eat our lunch, taking an early break after defeating Chaos Witch Quelaag this morning.

She nods in response. “Any of my friends would do an awesome job!” She replies.

I sigh. “Okay fine, maybe after everything’s finished with Mathias, I’ll look at getting it done.” I relent.

Emma cheers along with Paige. “Yasss babygirl, it’s gonna look fabulous on you!” Emma says.

I shake my head, rolling my eyes, unable to hold in a smile.

In the two days since we all talked about our relationship with Emma and Lena, our level of comfort with the two of them has only grown over time.

Emma has joined Paige’s crusade to get me into being tattooed. She loved the idea of a tattoo of falling snowflakes on my shoulder, and her unwavering support of the different aesthetic choices we’re all thinking about, makes me really happy.

“I think I’d like one too.” Skylar muses quietly.

Emma rounds on her, pleasantly surprised. “Really? You would eat them up! What would you want?” She asks.

Skylar thinks about it for a few seconds, chewing and swallowing her food before answering. “I guess I really like those symmetrical pattern tattoos I see some people have, all over their body. If I was gonna get into being tattooed, I’d wanna try a small one like that.” She replies.

Emma damn near squeals. “That would look so hot on you! I know a few artists who could definitely do something gorgeous, and I’m sure Paige does too!” She says.

Skylar blushes slightly at her words. “Thank you.” She says, with a small smile.

“I think if I did get anything, I’d want something small.” Mia says. “Maybe like Sol and Luna’s pawprints or something.”

“That would be an adorable tattoo!” Lena exclaims immediately.

“It fits well then, cause I’m adorable.” Mia giggles.

“Yes you are gorgeous.” Lena flirts immediately, and the two of them share a warm look between them.

“You two are so cute!” Emma says, clutching at her heart.

“No you’re cute!” Paige says shyly.

Skylar rolls her eyes. “Most lesbian conversation ever.” She says.

Ivy wraps her arms around Skylar from behind, who’s briefly surprised by the action. “Don’t pretend like you’re not a part of this. You love it.” Ivy teases her.

“Okay fine, this is cute.” Skylar admits with a small smile, and the two of them kiss gently.

Belle makes mock vomiting noises. “I think I’m gonna be sick.” She jokes, to an amused look from Olivia.

Elsa simply watches the scene playing out, with a happy smile on her face.

“Well some of us really like romance.” Mia takes a jab at Belle, grinning at her.

“Romance is great, this is making me really happy.” Ivy smiles earnestly.

“Awww you’re too cute!” Emma says with a smile back at her.

Lena catches me smiling widely at her and Emma. “What are you smiling about?” She asks teasingly.

Emma looks over and catches my eye too, and leans forward, interested to hear my response.

“I just really like the both of you. I’m really glad you’re here.” I admit truthfully.

“Awwww!” Lena giggles immediately, standing up from her seat and rushing around the table to wrap her arms around me. “We like you too dummy!”

Emma grins at the exchange, as Paige leans in closer to her, resting her head on Emma’s shoulder and watching Lena and I.

Lena kisses me on the top of the head affectionately, and sets me giggling too, as she does it more and more.

“Guh, I wanna say it!” Lena complains.

I’m confused what she’s talking about, but Emma replies before I can ask. “Not till things are official babe, we talked about this.” She says.

Mia stands up from the table herself, walks to Lena and boops her on the nose. “Wellll, why don’t we make things official now?” She suggests.

“W-wait, for real? Is that too quick?” Paige asks.

Mia shakes her head. “I mean, I don’t think so. I’ve liked this one for a while now.” She says, bopping Lena on the nose again.

Lena grins at the athletic blonde and pokes her tongue out, very much enjoying the affectionate gesture.

I’m definitely not opposed to the idea, but I wanna make sure it’s okay with everybody first. “Skylar, what do you think?” I ask her.

“I don’t think it’s too quick. Look, I trust you. And I trust you two.” She replies, looking between Emma and Lena. “I know we haven’t spent much time together alone or anything, but after our conversation the other day, I trust you both.”

Emma reaches across the table and offers a hand to Skylar.

Skylar takes the tattooed sapphic’s hand, looking a tiny bit confused.

“You’re right, we haven’t spent much time together.” Emma starts. “But from everything I’ve seen, you are an amazing person. You care a lot about the people you love, and are extremely loyal to them.”

“I don’t know what’s going to happen between us all. But I know that we’re going to stick together, and to talk about things open and honestly. If we make things official, we might not be ‘dating’ you, exactly. But Lena and I still care about you. And we will have space in our hearts for you if things end up going that way.” Emma promises her.

Skylar looks genuinely flustered at Emma’s words, which is a rare sight from her.

“Just…just promise me you won’t exclude me.” Skylar says softly, in a moment of vulnerability.

“We promise.” Emma affirms.

“We all promise.” I tell her, and Skylar looks at us both gratefully.

After the moment has passed, I look over at Ivy, already knowing her answer, but wanting to make sure verbally. “Ivy, are you okay if we make things official now?” I ask her.

She nods with a grin. “Go for it sweetheart!”

Then, Ivy turns to Emma and Lena. “I hope you two know, you’ll be getting pampered after this.” Our caregiver promises.

Lena nods in satisfaction. “Good. I deserve to be pampered.” She says.

Ivy raises her eyebrow, and looks to Emma.

Emma, with a smirk, gives a nod to Ivy, indicating she’s okay with what Ivy wants to do.

“Or maybe I’ll have something different in store for you.” Ivy teases, and Lena’s cheeks start to flush red with desire.

Before she can say anything, I stand up out of my chair and turn around to face Lena. “Already wanting to screw my girlfriend? We haven’t even made things official yet.” I joke, and Lena snaps out of it immediately.

“No wait, I didn’t mean-” She starts, but Emma cuts her off.

“Oh she absolutely did. Don’t deny it Princess, I know you.” Emma says with a knowing grin.

“Shut up!” Lena laughs, and the rest of us laugh with her.

I throw a questioning look to Paige and Mia, who both nod in turn.

I take Lena’s hands into mine, and look her in the eyes. She smiles at me, a wide, toothy and honest grin. Her beautiful brown eyes glint in the light.

My goodness she’s beautiful.

With nothing else holding me back, I ask the question. “Lena Russo. Will you be my girlfriend?” I ask her.

“Yes!” She exclaims immediately, pulling me in for a tight hug that makes my heart soar with love.

“Yay!” I say, and Ivy and Mia laugh with me.

Lena pulls back slightly from our hug, and without any further warning, leans in and kisses me.

The world fades away around me, and my brain stops functioning as I kiss her back.

Lena wraps her arms around my waist and I put a hand on her cheek, running my fingers through her hair as we have our first kiss, her soft lips filling my stomach with butterflies.

Eventually, we pull back from one another. “I love you Gemma.” Lena says, and my heart does backflips at her words. That phrase still makes me weak, even after everything.

“I love you too Lena.” I reply, diving back in and kissing her again. I can’t get enough of how kissing her feels, and as she kisses me back with just as much fervour, it occurs to me that she probably feels the same.

We’re so wrapped up in each other that I almost miss Emma and Paige sharing the same moment, as Paige squeals delightedly and embraces Emma.

It’s a beautiful sight, and it makes me smile watching the two of them together.

“Come here you.” Mia says, and pulls Lena in close to her.

“How could I forget you?” Lena flirts, and the two of them share a long awaited kiss, with every bit as much affection and love as Lena and I did.

As Emma and Paige separate, Paige whispers in Emma’s ear. Emma nods and stands up, walking in front of me.

She wraps her arms around my waist possessively. “And Gemma Rose: will you be my girlfriend?” The tattooed sapphic asks me.

Her dark brown hair frames her face beautifully, her light blue eyes twinkling with love, affection and care, along with just a hint of teasing confidence. She already knows exactly what my answer will be.

And she is truly stunning.

“Of course!” I reply happily.

In contrast to her girlfriend, Emma gently puts her finger under my chin, resting her thumb on top. We’re the same height but somehow, in that moment, she seems taller than me.

Emma leans in slowly, giving me every opportunity to stop her if I want to. But I would never want to.

Our lips touch in a beautiful first kiss, and a warm feeling spreads throughout my chest. Emma’s lips are a little fuller than Lena’s, no less soft, and every bit as heavenly, as my world comes to a standstill once more.

I feel Emma’s fingers running gently through my hair as we kiss, and I melt into her touch, knowing in my heart that I’m in safe hands.

As we slowly pull back, Emma smiles at me, her expression mirroring all the love and warmth I feel in my heart. “I love you.” She tells me.

“And I love you Emma.” I reply with a smile.