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Snow continued to pile up outside the small cabin. It had been falling since last night and the snowman that Renee and Natalie made was now waist deep, their snow angels long gone. As far as Natalie could see there was a sea of glistening white, the static of more snow blowing in, and flat grey skies. But it was no matter. Inside the cabin glowed with warmth. A hearty fire crackled and soup heated in the large pot hung over it. She could smell it and feel the warmth it would bring. The tea helped too but there was another defense from the cold she would soon have.
The cabin’s old and worn couch was a chaotic scene. Nikola and Vauban chased each other across it, sprinting and jumping as fast as they could before rapidly changing course. And the skirmisher sitting on the couch was included in their playground. They darted over Renee’s shoulders and behind her, but didn’t dare cross her lap. Curie sat there and guarded her favorite human. The sleek black cat hissed at Nikola when he got too close and sent him scurrying away, protecting Renee as she knit. An orange sweater was taking shape, one that evoked Natalie’s trademark jacket but now stitched by Renee’s careful hands.
“You can have a sweater too since you’re being good. Unlike some of you.” Renee growled at the two cats tussling on the floor before scratching under Curie’s chin. The skirmisher sat cross legged so that they wouldn’t fight between her feet or disturb her yarn ball.
“I think all of them are good, even the boys should have sweaters. The poor kitties will be cold.” Natalie crouched down and picked up the two cats. Her arms were neutral ground. For the moment, Nikola and Vauban had a truce.
“Maybe. Curie’s will be after yours since she’s behaving and being cute. How is it looking outside?” Renee’s eyes didn’t leave her work. She was very nearly done and fully in her groove.
“There is a lot, it will be a big project to shovel us out. Tomorrow.” Natalie smiled and kissed her cats on the head before sitting next to Renee. Back on the floor, Nikola and Vauban returned to creating mayhem. Natalie snuggled up to Renee and kissed her cheek. Had the skirmisher’s hands not been busy, she would have wrapped them around the engineer.
They sat in silence (aside from the vaguely cat-like sounds ‘the boys’ made while they zoomed around the cabin), enjoying the simple comfort of each other’s presence. More kisses were stolen from the focused skirmisher, but not even the smooches distracted her from the sweater. And as the smell of chicken soup filled the cabin it felt more like home. Countless days off had been stitched out of quiet moments like these. Individually they were not memorable, but together, they were Natalie’s most cherished memories. Life was at its best when it was cozy and with Renee. A quick kiss from the skirmisher left Natalie’s heart fluttering right as she finished the sweater. The engineer pulled it on and showed it off to its creator.
“C'est parfait, thank you mon amour! I feel cozier already.” Natalie hummed and wrapped her arms around herself, twisting side to side. It was more than the yarn that made her warm, it was the love and care that Renee put into every stitch. How was it possible for someone so subtle to hold all that love inside?
“I’m glad you like it. It looks good on you, but everything does…” Renee cupped Natalie’s cheek and pulled her in for a tender kiss.
Her other hand wrapped around the engineer's waist and they wordlessly began to dance together. It was a slow and aimless waltz, stepped among their cats and drifting towards the fireplace. Natalie’s fingers curled in Renee’s shirt, intent on never letting go. As they danced they stole more kisses and touches like they hadn’t already spent days together doing this. It never got old. But their intimacy was interrupted by a very impatient meow. Vauban and Nikola sat side by side expecting something. Apparently the two had had their fun and formed a new truce.
“Oh! It is lunch time, how could I forget?” Natalie giggled and looked at Renee’s eyes. Though they were the same color as the clouds outside, they were anything but cold. “You are very distracting, you know that, chérie?” She kissed her one more time and begrudgingly slipped from her strong arms. Renee just chuckled.
There were three bowls for the cats, each customized for them and there would be hell to pay if they were in the wrong order. Nikola rushed to his and slid a meter across the wood floor, Vauban was not far behind. Meanwhile Curie was weaving between Renee’s ankles and purring, knowing she was in for a special treat. The girlfriends set their own places at the table, getting spinach and seasonings ready for their own soup. A quick peek inside the pot showed the soup was hot and ready, filling the cabin with the comforting smell of chicken soup. And with the sounds of three hungry kitties.
“We’ll feed you all, you never go hungry! Stop complaining. Don’t trip me!” Renee scoffed. The cats surrounded her feet while she carefully moved the heavy pot. Each one meowed and begged for the first serving. “Okay, okay! I’m hungry too, be patient. Silly creatures.” She chuckled and tasted a spoonful of the soup. Even without seasonings it was delicious.
A ladleful of broth, chicken, and well boiled veggies was the perfect meal for the cats. Renee carefully filled Curie’s bowl. The boys loudly begged to be fed too, and since Nikola was fed first last time, he had to wait for Vauban’s bowl to be filled. But as soon as all three cats had their lunch, the impatient meows were replaced with three very happy purrs. And it was finally time for their humans to eat. A few extra spices, some salt, and some garlic completed the recipe Natalie’s Papa had taught her. In turn, she taught Renee.
“You are quite the cook now. Very good, Renee, thank you.” Natalie smiled. Each spoonful was a taste of a simpler time, an easier time when there was no plotting with the Syndicate, no Apex Games to stress over. But it was hard to say she had a bad deal now. A beautiful girlfriend who adored her, three adorable cats, and a legion of fans; what else could she ask for?
“We have that T-U-N-A for dinner too. I could sear it for us, and I think it would go well with that wine you brought.” Renee hummed after a spoonful of soup. Tuna wasn’t just her favorite food, it was also just about the only thing to break Curie’s poise. Saying it out loud would have her meowing until she was fed again. “It’s easy too, it would give us all night to waste together.”
“Then that is our menu this evening mon chef effrayant . We can play the board games too, as long as Nikola stops cheating.” Natalie giggled. During their last game, and apparently in retaliation for losing, Nikola scattered the game pieces. But a sad meow and making biscuits on Natalie’s thigh was all he had to do to be forgiven.
After a refill of soup, everyone was satisfied with lunch and in need of a nap. The girlfriends shared more kisses while doing the dishes, each sneaking up behind the other to give them a hug or smooch on the shoulder. While Natalie put away the last spoons, Renee lounged on the old and sagging couch, beckoning her girlfriend over to cuddle. Natalie sat down on Renee’s lap and was swallowed by a cozy fleece blanket. Kisses were peppered along her cheeks and shoulders now that there was no escape from Renee’s loving arms. The cats were magnetically drawn to the coziest place and cuddled among the women, curling into small circles and purring. Nothing had ever felt so like home.
Natalie rested her head on Renee’s shoulder and watched the snow grow higher and higher on the window sill. The world beyond that thin pane of glass didn’t exist right now. Natalie’s whole world was in this cabin. Her three goofy kitties, and the woman who she cherished more than anything.