The Broken Journey Back to Intimacy

Chapter Thirty-Eight

"Thanks for coming," Alex shyly says as Lena sweeps into the apartment, a permanent smile on her face from carrying around her little Kryptonian.

"No need to thank me. You know I love spending time with Esme," she assures her. "You know you could have dropped her off by us. She is more than welcome to stay the night and allow you more time."

"I know but this gives me boundaries to be home at a reasonable hour and not rush anything." Alex softly closes the front door and then leads the way into the living room. "Besides, Kara is busy working on some huge story, right?"

"Yes," Lena sighs dramatically as if her body cannot possibly stand being apart from Kara for more than a few minutes and Alex wonders how strong the magical bond becomes with each passing month of pregnancy. "I have a feeling she will be working very late this evening."

"Auntie Lena!" Esme exclaims as she comes charging out of her bedroom.

"Well, hello, little one," Lena greets her with a sappy smile slapped across her face. Esme scrambles onto the couch and hugs her especially tight. "What do you have on the list of things you want to do this evening?" She questions as her goddaughter cuddles into her side.

"I've been practicing chess with mommy and she can't beat me! I challenge you!"

Lena laughs wholeheartedly while Alex scowls for show, even though internally she's so utterly proud. "And I'm definitely not letting her win," she pouts.

"Alright, why don't you run along and get the board and we will see how far you've come."

"Come with me! Come with me!" Esme ecstatically pleads, leaping off the couch and tugging on Lena's hand like she can somehow summon Kara's strength from across the city and lift her very pregnant aunt.

Lena chuckles, wiggling toward the edge of the couch just as there is a knock at the door. Her best friend flashes a devilish smirk over her shoulder before she is dragged away to Esme's bedroom. Alex shakes her head and dashes across her apartment to welcome her guest inside.

As soon as the door swings open, her eyes land upon a black leather jacket that makes her worn heart go pitter-patter. And she knows in this very moment, this is exactly where she is meant to be in life.

"Maggie."

"Hey, is everything alright? You were a little short with your text when you asked me to come by," Maggie rambles as she struts confidently across the threshold, like she knows she is not only welcomed but belongs.

"Yeah...ummm," Alex closes the door while she pleads with herself to calm down. She hates feeling so jittery and anxious but Maggie has always seemed to have this effect on her. She scrubs her hands down her jeans and steals a calming breath. "So, I-uh...wanted to show you," she quietly says, slipping into her back pocket to produce her most prized possession as of recently.

"Is that..." Maggie snatches it from her fingertips, her face lighting up with pure joy.

"My one year chip," she shyly announces, so self-conscious about it all, yet so proud by the way her lips dance toward her ears.

"Yes!" Maggie squeals, wrapping her arms around Alex's neck and tugging her into a loving embrace, inspiring both of them to giggle. "I am so freaking proud of you! One year sober, one year of attending meetings and never giving up!"

"One year of working on myself and ensuring that I am strong enough for Esme and...for you," she softly confesses, persuading Maggie to slowly slide down her front and take a step back to assess the situation.

"What?" Maggie quietly murmurs, her thumb absentmindedly rubbing across Alex's chip as if it will somehow grant her strength to hear what's coming next.