Author’s Note: This story is finally for a request from @darley1101 for Naomi x Marin for fluff prompts 6 ‘Being stuck at their house during a blizzard’, 10 ‘Watching the classics’, and 12 ‘Baking together.’ I never can shy away from a request, it may just take me ten years to finish it. And how it ended up at around 2,000 words … I dunno. This is also my extremely late contribution for the @Choices-September-Challenge day 18 prompt of ‘Bad Day.’
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Naomi shoved open the front door of their cozy ranch-style home, bringing along a gust a freezing wind behind her. A few falling snowflakes fluttered in before she could slam the door behind her, drifting down to soak the rug below her feet along with the puddle forming around her snow boots. She removed her knit cap and shook out her dark hair, tucked her gloves into her jacket pockets for safe-keeping, then proceeded to hang her warm garments on the rack in the corner of the entry way. It was only then, as she gathered her bearings, that she smelled the warm, sweet aroma coming from their very loud kitchen. “Mare?” She called to her partner, only to receive a loud clank of metal on metal in response.
As she turned the corner into the large galley kitchen, her eyes widened at the mess spread across the laminate countertops. She watched as Marin washed a large steel mixing bowl at the sink, her elbow flying as she scrubbed it fiercely. The kitchen island was coated with a layer of white, powdery flour amidst bags and jars of sugar, baking powder, and other baking ingredients. On top of the stovetop sat two freshly baked trays of gooey chocolate chip cookies … Marin’s favorite. Naomi noticed the oven light was still on and caught a glimpse of muffins baking through the glass-front oven door. Another clang of the metal mixing bowl in the sink startled her from her observations and she walked towards Marin to say hello.
“Why hello there, Betty Crocker.” She teased playfully into Marin’s ear, pulling her by the waist in a sideways embrace and placing a chaste kiss to her cheek. “What’s the occasion?” It was only then that Naomi noticed Marin’s scowl, her brows furrowed and her face downcast. “What’s wrong, Mare?”
Marin proceeded to rinse out the now-clean bowl with water, then dried it with the towel she grabbed from beside her. She finally raised her eyes to meet Naomi’s, a worrisome look plastered across her face. “Ummm, you remember that article I turned in last week? The one about Millenials taking over small-town America that I worked so hard on?”
Naomi’s heart sank as she recalled the work that Marin had slaved over for two weeks before turning it in. She knew how much that article meant to Marin, how she’d weaved her own personal stories into the narrative. Please, please don’t tell me they rejected it, she prayed internally. “Yes, of course. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever read of yours, so of course I remember it. Why, what happened?” She placed her hand on Marin’s back comfortingly, nudging up beside her to read her expression.
“Well, I got a ca-“ Beep, beep, beep. The timer from the oven sounded, startling the women. “Oh, just a minute.” Marin placed the clean, dry bowl back in it’s home in the cabinet, then scurried over to the oven. She gripped the oven mitts and opened the door, standing back as the initial wave of moist heat hurled out of the appliance. Once the zone was clear, she ducked down and retrieved the two trays of muffins, placing them on the baking rack to cool. She finally proceeded with her story as she turned off the oven and set the mitts down on the counter. “So I got a call about 3 today from the newspaper … saying they want me to come in and talk. Tomorrow.” She stopped, her face filled with nervousness as she wrung her hands in front of her belly.
Naomi waited another moment for her to continue, but Marin remained silent. “Okay, well, did they say why?”
“No.” Marin replied simply. “They just said they wanted to talk. In person. Tomorrow.”
Naomi shook her head, trying to comprehend the cause of Marin’s alarm. “But that’s not a bad thing, right? It was a fantastic article! They didn’t say anything else?” She asked again.
Marin started pacing the kitchen, tidying the messy countertop and placing the ingredients back into the pantry. “No. I’m just … what if they hated it, Naomi? What if they’re letting me go?” She stood up straight, her flour-covered hands massaging her temples and leaving a trail of white dust behind. “I have such a good thing here, working remotely with a guaranteed retainer. I can’t imagine I’d get the same opportunity starting out anywhere else when I live in Birchport.”
Naomi sidled up beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and placing a kiss to her forehead. Marin had always been a worrier when it came to her work, never giving herself enough credit for the natural talent she possessed. It was partially why she continued to be so successful in journalism … because she always strived to do better. But Naomi hated to see how frustrated she would get at times … times like today. “Mare, I think they just want to talk with you. And, in my opinion, I think the fact that it’s in person is a good sign. They probably loved it.” Naomi paused, prior experiences reminding her to never imply that Marin was overreacting. Instead, she just had to be supportive. “So did this mess you made in here help make you feel better?”
Marin chuckled, her first cheerful interaction since Naomi had walked through the door. “Yes, I just needed to do something to keep myself busy. And you know I love baked goods.” She gave Naomi a weak smile.
“Don’t we all …” Naomi jested, earning another quiet giggle from her girl. Naomi released her from the embrace, then stood in front of her and lifted her chin with her hand to meet her eyes. “Okay, here’s the deal … you are going to go take a shower while I clean up in here. Then I’ll meet you on the couch with wine and carbs for a movie night. I would take you out but …” Naomi glanced to the snow-lined windowsill above the sink and observed the freezing precipitation continuing to fall heavily outside, “I don’t think we need to go anywhere in this weather.” She met Marin’s stare again, looking her straight in the eyes. “Deal?”
Marin gave replied with a nod and a shy smile. “Deal.” She stepped up on her tip-toes to press a swift kiss to Naomi’s cheek before turning on her heel to make her way to the bathroom. “Oh!” She twirled around, her face suddenly lighting up with joy. “Can we watch South Pacific?”
Naomi grinned and shook her head ‘yes,’ knowing very well that showtunes always put Marin in a better mood. “Of course, I already had my mind set on it.”
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An hour later, Naomi and Marin had snuggled into the couch under a large plush blanket with a sumptuous spread of cookies, muffins, popcorn and wine laid across the coffee table. The tranquil notes of ‘Bali Ha’i’ danced around the living room and infiltrated their ears, bringing a giddy grin to Marin’s lips. She took another cookie from the plate and nibbled on it slowly, entranced in the technicolor storyline unfolding before them. As the song came to an end, she sighed deeply and beamed over at Naomi beside her. “Thank you, Mimi.”
Naomi glanced over to Marin suspiciously, her brow quirking in question. “Thanks for what?”
“Thank you for tonight. You always know how to calm me down when I’m being crazy and make me feel better.” Marin gave her a grateful smile, rubbing her hand gently along Naomi’s shoulder. “You always know how to make my bad days better.”
“What good would I be if I couldn’t cheer up my girlfriend when she’s down? I thought that was part of my job description?” She jested, a sly smirk curling the edges of her lips. “But only after you go nuts in the kitchen. A girl can get used to this.” She gestured at the array of baked goods in front of them.
“Oh, that’s nice!” Marin scoffed, lifting her hand from Naomi’s shoulder to swat her jokingly, eliciting another giggle from her girlfriend. As the laughter died down, she leaned forward and cupped Naomi’s cheek in her hand, pulling her towards her in a slow yet fervent kiss. When she eventually pulled away, she pressed her forehead against Naomi’s and stared deeply into her dark brown eyes. “I love you so much.” She confessed in a serious tone.
“You better!” Naomi teased, receiving an exasperated exhaling laugh from Marin. She beamed, her heart swelling with love for this remarkable woman before her. She would never stop thanking fate for bringing them together over a year ago, nor would she ever forget the sacrifice that Marin had made to stay here with her in Birchport. After everything they’d been through together, she would do everything in power to ensure that Marin never had a reason to leave again. “I love you, too.” She whispered softly before Marin could capture her lips again in another kiss. This time the kiss was heated and hungry, portraying the need and devotion they shared for each other. Naomi could feel the tingling sensation travel from her swollen lips through her limbs and settle in a pool of heat deep in her core. Marin lifted the blanket to swing a leg over Naomi’s lap and straddle her hips, Naomi pulling her flush against her as they started to writhe against each other. Suddenly the movie was forgotten and the only source of entertainment they desired was each other.
Buzz buzz. Marin’s lips popped off of Naomi’s when she heard the buzzing of her phone on the end table. Buzz buzz. She looked back down at Naomi, giving her an apologetic look as she slid of her lap to retrieve the phone. She picked it up and unlocked the screen, then started scrolling to her messages. Naomi watched curiously as Marin read silently with her brow knitted, until a wide grin slowly spread across her face. Her jaw dropped and she emitted a little squeal of delight.
“What? What happened?” Naomi inquired, shifting on the couch to read the message beside Marin.
“OMG! Naomi, read this!” Naomi’s eyes flitted over the message.
Miss Tate,
We apologize for the inconvenience, however due to inclement weather in the tri-state area our offices will be closed tomorrow. We will have to reschedule your next onsite visit for another date.
However, I did want to inform you that we are interested in developing a new weekly column with you about the life of a millennial in small-town USA. We very much enjoyed your work in your most recent article and think it would make an interesting premise for a standing column.
We will be reaching out soon to arrange another visit. We look forward to working with you more in the future.
Sincerely,
Edward Higgins
Chief Editor, ABC Periodical
As Naomi finished her reading, she peered up to find an extremely giddy Marin bouncing on the couch cushions in front of her. “Oh, Marin, I knew it! I knew they would love it!”
“I can’t believe it! A weekly column? Oh my goodness!” She bounced a few more times before pouncing on Naomi, tackling her to fall back on the couch as she hugged her aggressively.
“I’m so proud of you, Mare. You deserve this.” Naomi smiled as Marin’s cheerful affection gradually slowed.
Marin pulled back to stare into her eyes, a soft thoughtful expression transforming her face. “Thank you for always having faith in me. I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
Naomi reached a hand up to tuck a stray lock of golden hair behind Marin’s ear, absorbing the look of adoration behind her eyes. “Funny … I would say the same thing about you.” She cupped Marin’s head in her palm and lifted her lips to meet hers again, slow and gentle. Despite the swirling cold winds and downpour of snow outside, the two had all the warmth and love they needed in each other inside that cozy little ranch house.
END