Chapter 24
Chapter twenty-four
Rosa had the fire roaring by the time Billy got the fifth basket of logs inside. It took Rosa's insistence to stop her from heading back out again.
"You're covered in snow and you look like a Yeti. Anymore, and I'll lose you out there," Rosa said sternly as she pulled Billy's glove from her hand. "You're frozen." She went to work, stripping each item of clothing from Billy's frame. Billy stood still, letting her.
"You do know I'm not Imogen, right?" Billy laughed, grasping Rosa's hands as they began to lift Billy's sweater.
"What? Of course I know that." Rosa frowned and pressed her lips together. "I'm mothering you, aren't I?"
"A bit…and I'm not against it. I just want to make sure it's coming from the right place."
"Your hands are freezing. I just wanted to…take care of you."
"Because you love me, or because it's what you're used to doing?" Billy asked gently. "Because I'm capable of looking after myself, but I'm happy to let you love me if this is your love language now."
"My what?" Rosa's frown deepened as she stared up at Billy.
“Love languages…it’s the way we show up…the things we do to show care and love without needing to say it. Mine is touch, and quality time, mostly, but I guess we can all flit between them depending on who the person is and the type of relationship we have with them,” Billy explained.
“What are my options?” Rosa asked, turning away towards the kitchen. Billy gathered up her wet things and followed.
“Well, it’s disputed whether the five original or seven newer options are more relevant. Most people go with the five: quality time, physical touch, gift giving or receiving, acts of service and words of affirmation.”
Rosa took the wet things from Billy.
"So, what do you think?" Billy asked, smirking at the hold on her wet coat, hat, and scarf Rosa had in this moment.
"Well, I'm not sure." Rosa turned and began to hang the coat over the back of a dining table chair, pulling it over towards the fire. "I'll think about it."
"Alrighty. I'll get on with making the coffee," Billy said. She stepped away then stopped and turned back to Rosa. "You're really good at looking after people."
Rosa blushed and a smile spread across her face. "Thank you. That means a lot that you think that."
"Hm Hm, I do. I think you're great, and I appreciate the effort you put into looking after Imogen."
While Billy was rummaging in the cupboard for a suitable pan, Rosa suddenly understood what Billy meant by ‘Love Languages’.
"That's my love language, isn't it?" she said from across the room. "I like doing acts of service, while hearing words of affirmation?"
Billy grinned. "Maybe." She filled the saucepan and carefully carried it over, placing it on top of the wood burner. "Hopefully that won't take long to heat for your coffee and my tea."
"I think you like doing acts of service, too." Rosa chuckled. "And where Imogen is concerned, gift giving."
"Got me." Billy laughed. She sat down on the couch and patted the seat beside her. "Come sit with me."
Rosa looked at the empty space and then at the kitchen.
"There's literally nothing else you should be doing right now." Billy smiled and patted the seat again. "It's okay to just…be."
"Just be…that isn't something I have time for," Rosa answered, flopping down into the space beside Billy. A warm arm automatically wrapped around her and pulled her closer, as soft lips pressed against the side of her hair. "And I've usually had a shower by now."
Billy laughed. "Once we've had something warm to drink, I'll boil more water for a sink wash. How's that sound?"
"Quite romantic, actually." Rosa giggled and tucked her head against Billy's shoulder. "This is nice. I think…I missed this the most."
"I'm sorry…"
Rosa reached up and pressed a finger against Billy's lips. "I wasn't looking for an apology."
"Okay. Then let's just enjoy this for a moment."
"Do you think Imogen is worried?" Rosa chewed her thumbnail.
"About us?" Billy asked, her fingers gently running up and down against Rosa's bicep.
"Of course, us, who else would she worry about?"
Billy laughed. "The only thing Immy is worrying about right now is when she can go skiing again. Or…they've cajoled Carl into taking them sledding instead."
"Don't even jest." Rosa slapped her gently.
"They'll be fine."
"What if there is an avalanche?" Rosa sat up, brows knitted, lips pressed firmly together.
Billy pulled her back down into her arms. "There won't be. They'll be fine."
"You can't know that," Rosa continued. "I need to… We should be with her. What if we're still stuck here tomorrow and we miss her birthday?"
Billy shrugged. "Then I guess she'll be having another celebration when we can be there."
"Oh, I hate this!" Rosa exclaimed.
Letting her sit up, Billy twisted so they were facing one another. She reached for Rosa's hand and held it. "What do you hate? Missing out, or not being in control?"
Rosa stared at her.
"Because either way, you can't change anything right now. It's nobody's fault, it just is what it is, and you can be frustrated about it, but you have to accept it."
Rosa smiled. "I don't remember you being this…sensible."
Billy leant closer, lips grazing Rosa's. "I don't remember you being so—"
Rosa pressed forward, cutting her off with a kiss. When she pulled back, she said, "You need to brush your teeth."