Page 97 of Emma

“Yep. And fish and chips.”

“Okay.” Freya nodded enthusiastically as she sat back on the couch. “I’m really good at the 2p machines.”

“Then maybe we’ll have a challenge. See who comes away with the most at the end,” Vanessa said with a smile. “Don’t expect it to be me, though. I’m terrible at them.”

Freya lifted a shoulder. “I can teach you to be better if you’d like me to…”

“I would like that.” Vanessa set her glass of water down and crossed her legs. “Emma doesn’t need any help. She’s always got a pot full of coins at the end of the night.”

Freya turned to Emma. “That’s because she’s my sister, so we have the same talents.”

As Emma thought up a response, headlights cut across the living room window and a car door slammed shut.

Freya’s shoulders slumped. “That will be Ben.”

She wasn’t ready for this to be over, not yet, but she forced a smile and rose to her feet. “Come on. I’ll walk you out.”

Vanessa followed them to the hallway, slipping Freya’s coat from the hook and handing it to her with a smile. “Thanks for coming over for dinner, Freya. You’re welcome any time.”

Freya ducked her head, flustered again. “Thanks, Vanessa.”

Emma opened the front door and stepped out with Freya, the cool evening air brushing against her skin. They walked together down the short path towards the gate, where Ben was resting against the bonnet of his car.

Ben nodded. “Ladies.”

“Hi, Ben. Thanks for coming to pick Freya up. I wouldn’t have minded dropping her off myself. Saves you coming out and doing taxi service.”

“It’s alright. You can drop her off next time.” He winked and took Freya’s coat from her. “Did you enjoy yourself, love?”

“I had so much fun. Emma helped me get my chest passes right before dinner. Then Vanessa gave me ice cream with sprinkles.”

“Well, then it sounds to me like you’ll be coming back for more next time.”

“Yeah, ‘course I will.” Freya turned to Emma and hesitated as she stepped forward. “Thanks for making dinner for me.” She leaned in and wrapped her arms around Emma’s waist, still plenty of growth to come. “And for being my sister. You’re really cool.”

Emma closed her eyes as she settled a hand on the back of Freya’s head. They held the embrace for a moment, and then Emma drew back and crouched a little. “Thankyoufor finding me.” Freya’s teeth started to chatter as the cold seeped throughher jumper. Emma lifted a hand and cupped her cheek. “Go on, off you go. I don’t want you to make yourself sick standing out here.”

Freya shivered. “I’m fine.”

“Carmen is waiting to hear all about your evening with Emma and Vanessa. If we don’t make a move soon, she’ll be asleep on the couch…snoring.”

Freya giggled. “She’s the worst snorer. Let’s go.”

Emma watched Freya climbing into Ben’s car, her heart so full that it could burst. She stood there until they drove off down the road, her body aching for a few more minutes with her sister. But she could wait. They had so much time to make up for, and so many memories to make.

When she turned back towards the house, Vanessa was waiting for her in the doorway, a tear trickling down her cheek. The moment Emma was close enough, Vanessa took her hand and pulled her inside.

“She wants to come again.”

“I know.” Vanessa closed the front door and turned to Emma, wrapping her up in her arms. “And shewillcome again. You know that, don’t you?”

“I… Yeah. I think I do this time.” Emma leaned into her wife, burying her face against Vanessa’s shoulder as she let the extent of what had just happened sink in. “We did it, babe. We successfully got my sister on my side.”

“Oh, I think it was more than that,” Vanessa whispered against Emma’s hair. “Every time I looked at her, she was staring back at you in awe.” Vanessa pulled back slightly. “But I don’t blame her. I do the very same thing every day.”

“You wanna watch a film and open a bottle of wine?” Emma needed something to relax. She’d felt so wound up lately that a quiet night in, letting everything digest, seemed like the logical thing to do. “In our comfies?”

“God, I want nothing more.”