Chapter Text
Mari stretched her long, lean form through the tangle of blankets. Her hand ran over the empty pillow beside her as her lips twitched in a rueful smile. Giggles bubbled up at the thought that baker hours were even worse than farmer hours.
Closing her eyes, she pictured Eva’s soft sleeping face - a vision of silken espresso-hued hair splayed across the golden linens. How lucky I am to be loved by someone so wonderful.
The air held the cool remnants of the sudden overnight storm and a hint of damp leaves. At least the fall chill will make for a nice day for her. Summer’s warmth was pleasant enough when out and about on the island, but the baking nook became an absolute sauna during the peak of the heat.
The sweet soft bread melted in her mouth, sure. But a more delicious melting consumed her watching the sparkling beads of sweat make their way over Eva's golden skin; the heat bestowing dancing diamonds to the baker's throat.
Mari startled as she realized Eva had asked for the cookies to be pulled before they burned. Distracted and in a rush mix poorly with oven-hot trays. But the momentary searing pain became soothing hands lavishing cool balm over her. Feather-light touches like kisses of healing.
“Well, not my smoothest idea at gettin’ ya to hold my hand. Can't argue with the results though! Dinner tonight?”
At the gorgeous blush and soft giggle, Mari knew she would gladly grab a hundred burning trays for just another second of Eva's touch.
Mind pleasantly preoccupied with the thought of sweat drops tracing down her wife's neck to rest on that lovely delicate collarbone, Mari jumped out of bed and set about her morning routine with a hum.
*****
“Morning Miss Mari!” Kenny tipped his hat, blinking at the happy tune she carried with her out the front door. “Chipper kind of day, eh?”
Face turned up to the cloud-covered sky, Mari smiled. “Always Kenny!”
He gave a thoughtful nod, looking around the farm. “You good on feed or you need Pa to get some set for you?”
“All good!” A gentle grin as he pulled out his phone, like every morning. “You gotta text your folks to let them know?”
His own smile was bittersweet as he tapped at the device. “You know me Mari. If I don't do it now, it'll be gone like a breeze.”
“No worries Kenny. You know we appreciate you coming over to help out with the animals and check on us.”
Tsk’ing gently, he slipped his phone into his satchel. “Mmhmm. And I remind you every day that it's nothin’, just the neighborly thing to do.”
“Every day, hm? How lucky we are.” She sighed contentedly, giving him a friendly elbow to the side.
Then with an impish grin, she pulled her face into a study in mock seriousness and leaned over him, tapping a finger on the rim of his hat.
“Buuuutt… on my neverending quest to be the pestering big sister you never knew you needed...” *tap*
“I will still remind you.” *tap*
“Every day.” *tap*
“That we appreciate you.” *tap*
“Every day.”
With a soft laugh between them, they headed off towards the coop.
*****
Farm chores finished, Kenny headed back up the road to the ranch, pecking away at his phone. Pro'ly to set himself a reminder, Mari smiled while peeling off her gloves, then slung her bag over her shoulder and headed off towards town.
A lilting singsong greeted her on the other side of the bridge. “Good morning my gentle giraffe!”
“Hey Mill-bug! How ya doin’? Running late this morning?”
Millie waved dismissively as she fell into step beside Mari, gladly accepting the arm the taller woman offered. “A friend texted me an issue this morning, just needed to make sure things were all squared away before heading in.” A soft pat of her hand on their linked limbs, “So what are your plans for today?”
Millie’s eyes lit up and a delighted squeak echoed across the library when they walked in holding hands. Her eyes darted back and forth between Eva’s blush over her locket and Mari’s joyous grin.
“Oh, my delicate doves! Finally!!” She swished around the corner in that delightfully Millie way, sweeping them both into a hug.
A dreamy look washed over her face, hands clasping over her chest. “I always knew you'd end up together. I mean the Mountain and the Trench - if that's not fate, what is?!”
Mari's eyes rolled in a huff. “I'm not THAT tall Mill-bug!” The soft pat on her arm had her turning her face down to the laughing dark eyes of her beloved.
“No dear, I'm the mountain this time.” A playful poke to Mari's side, “You're the one named after a trench!”
Mari gawped for a moment before spluttering. “Oh good Goddess… I never… Ugh… Everest… Mariana… UGH!”
She rounded on Millie with a taunting point and a grin that melted into a raspberry. “You!! Are a giant nerrrrrrd!”
Millie pursed her lips primly and wiggled her glasses. “IIIIIII!! am fantastically well-read and a hopeless romantic. These are well known things.” She gave a fancy spin and the three dissolved into a pile of giggles.
“You MUST let me help write vows! You know, for down the road.” Millie popped a sharp elbow into Mari's hip as the taller woman's eyes widened, then she danced off behind the counter.
“From the highest of heights to the depth of the ocean, your love will span the whole of the world…. Where the heck is that pen?!”
Millie patted her arm as they reached the plaza outside the Community Center. “Alright my ebullient emu, have a nice time shopping at Sam's! I'm off to sort out that new shipment of books.” She reached into her pocket, pulling out her phone as she muttered, “I should look up those ISBNs…”
Mari waved as they parted. “I'll tell Eva you said hi. Hope your day goes well!”
*****
The soft jingle of the door bell as she entered drew Sam's attention. He wasn't the most openly emotional person Mari had met, but ever since Eva had moved away to the Community Center things had definitely felt off kilter in the bustling store.
“Mornin’ Sam! That shipment of eggplants and sweet potatoes make it over alright?”
“Good morning Mari. The produce looked wonderful, thank you.” She swung her bag up onto the counter with a wide grin.
“Great! Should have some cactus heading your way in a few days - probably use most of ‘em for mead, but figure having a few for the shelves wouldn't hurt in case anyone likes to grill it up.”
Mari stared up at the ceiling, counting and calculating as she opened her bag. “Let's see. How about we do forty-eight packets of orchids today?” The corners of her mouth pulled up into a dreamy grin. “Think I’ll make a nice little patch for the missus.”
“Of course Mari.” With a quick glance over to Eva’s old counter, Sam adeptly counted out and bundled up the seed packets. Mari tossed them in her pack and set off with a jaunty wave.
*****
“Hey Raj! New vest? Lookin’ gorrrg, as usual!”
“Mari dearest!” They blew a comical kiss her way, laughing as she plucked it out of the air and clasped it to her chest. “Sharp eyes, as always! What can we get started for you today?”
“Just a black coffee please, gotta fuel up for a mine day with Mark. Oh! And let's do a cookie too.” A soft smile drifted across her lips. “I’ll leave it for Eva, let her know I was thinkin’ of her.”
Tucking back their glossy hair, Raj nodded. “Sure. Tell you what, cookie's on the house today. The Inn crew thinks about her a lot too.” A nostalgic look washed over their face with a sigh. “She's missed.”
“Antonio was trying to teach Raj some secret family recipe, but it turned into a bit of a mess. They mixed up two teaspoons of sugar with two tablespoons of salt!”
Mari’s face wrenched in disgust at the thought as Eva giggled softly behind her hand. “It was NOT edible!”
“Oh good Goddess! I can just imagine the chaos!”
The two leaned on Mari's small kitchen island, laughing as Eva tucked her glossy hair behind her ear. “Exactly! It was the kind of chaos that makes you forget about everything else and just enjoy the moment.”
“You know what?” Eva blew across her coffee thoughtfully as Mari quirked a brow her way. “For once, I didn't feel out of place.”
Swirling her cup and peering into the dark brown whorl, she continued. “It hit me, you know? I’m special too. In my own way. I’m me, and that's enough.”
Mari’s head landed on top of hers with a sniffle. “Aww hon! You ARE special. So so special. I’m so happy you're starting to see that.”
“Oh dearest! You cry so easily.” With gentle fingers, Eva wiped away the tears from her love’s cheeks. “You big softy! Need some chocolate today?”
With a teary nod and a smile, Mari latched her lips to Eva’s neck. “Yes please. And an extra helping of my Cinnamon Roll please!”
Eva giggled as her cheeks flushed pink, sweeping her lips across Mari’s ear. “Well my love, I do believe that could be arranged.”
Mari patted their hand before picking up the bag and cup. “I’d say I was sorry for stealing her away from there, buuuuuuut…” she trailed off with an unrepentant grin. “I'll let her know the crew says hi though!” She turned towards town with a laugh as they turned to their phone.
*****
Mari headed up the ramp next to Sam's, deciding to swing by the vineyard to say hello to Taco and indulge in some quality petting time before the mine dive. Passing by the graveyard, thoughts of the lives memorialized within suddenly filled her mind.
A wave of sadness washed over her. Each stone loomed in her heart to represent a story cut short, each a persevering marker of the love of those who were left behind. She swiped at the tear which had spilled onto her cheek, chuckling as she imagined Eva gently ribbing her about how easily she cried.
Taco bounded out to meet Mari, eagerly lapping at her salty cheeks as she knelt down to pet him. “We're all big softies here, aren't we boy?” she cooed as she buried her face into his fluffy nape.
*****
Draping herself along her spear, she waited for Mark to finish with target practice. Checking the dummy over and picking up the axe, he sent a nod her way. “Hey Garden Rake. Sorry I didn't see you hiding behind that bean pole you call a weapon.”
A scoff and an eye roll accompanied Mari's response. “Old news old man.” She winked to take the edge off. “If you're jealous of my girlish figure, that's a you problem. Not my fault I'm built like a pole vaulter and you drew the shotput short straw!”
“Yup. Never forgiving Anne for spilling the beans on that one,” he groused softly. When Mari had mentioned her track and field experience to his sister, she'd been more than happy to break out all of Mark's own school age antics. At least he'd managed to put a stop to it before she dug out the pictures.
He harrumphed loudly, swinging his pack up from the ground. “Well, since you're so full of piss and vinegar today, shall we clear the fire shaft?”
At her excited nod, they headed off towards the cavern with Mari jogging ahead. Waving back over her shoulder, she signaled for him to pick up the pace.
“Yeesh. Give an old man some time. Gonna be a long day.”
Her laugh echoed across the forest as she pointed triumphantly with her spear. “No rest for the terminally grumpy! Onwards to osmium!”
*****
Mari adjusted her bag as they approached the intersection at the ranch, rolling her shoulders with a deep sigh. “Ugh. So nice to have a successful day like that, until you hafta haul it all home!”
With a distracted grunt in reply, Mark finished tapping at his phone. He grinned sheepishly as he tucked the device away. “Sorry. Takes me a few minutes to get it typed out correctly. Dang thing’s too small.”
“No worries. I know you like to let Anne know you're safe and headed home.” She waved a hand dismissively as she tore her gaze away from Kenny's adorable menagerie.
Mark acknowledged her with a non-committal sound, looking down the road towards the farm. “Guessing you've got some seeds to get in the ground? Same time tomorrow then?”
Mari nodded brightly as she bounced down the lane, “You know it, big guy!”
A gruff admonishment called after her. “You're alright, Garden Rake.” She raised a hand over her shoulder and swirled it in an ‘well obviously’ gesture. Mark snorted and headed off towards the hillside.
*****
Mari stood up from the seedbed and stretched as she saw Jim waving from the end of the bridge. Slapping the dust out of her overalls, she wandered to the porch swing he was headed towards while holding up bamboo bento boxes.
“A little birdy informed me that tonight is one of those evenings that Eva won't be home. I’m quite sure she’d rather you actually ate something in her absence. I’ve packed up two if you don't mind the company?”
A hearty grin sprawled across her face as she plopped herself into the swing, gesturing for him to take a seat beside her. “Of course I don't mind! In fact I’d prefer it!”
Mari pulled off her gloves and tucked them to the side, rubbing her hands together. “Yeah, she won't be home until quite late. She's in the middle of perfecting a new recipe.” A soft laugh bubbled across her lips. “Guess she can't stop at just one award winning dish!”
Mari’s leg bounced nervously as she nibbled another nail down to the quick. From the seat beside her, Eva laid a serene hand on the bobbing knee.
How could she be so calm? All that time researching and practicing and tinkering and perfecting. All down to this one moment.
Eva’s voice rang out from the TV, and Mari tried to concentrate on the show. She could barely absorb any of the words as her nerves danced in hope for Eva.
She caught TV Eva speaking words of thanks about Betty, and real-life Eva leaned against her with a laugh. A quiet murmur of “You softy”, and then a thumb was wiping away the tear that had leaked out at Betty’s emotional response.
Mari tried to focus on what the show was saying. Those were good words right? She stared at Eva, searching for some clue as to how things would end, any sort of balm to soothe the jangle that ran through her brain. A soft smile and another comforting pat were all she found and she turned back to the TV with a huff, nibbling at her nail stub.
Then suddenly there were the words “Congratulations, Chef Eva!” And there was clapping and cheering and she was crying and Eva was thanking Mari while Mari was trying to congratulate her, and then Eva’s lips were on hers and the nerves were gone. The universe was calm and everything was right and the whole world had had a tiny peek at how amazingly talented her love was.
“Mmm! This looks amazing!” Mari smiled over the fish and rice dish Jim had brought. “How are the ‘kiddos’?” She sketched out the air quotes with a grin, already knowing the response.
“No matter their ages, they'll always be my ‘kiddos’.” He huffed a soft laugh as always, picking up a bite. “They're doing well enough.”
Mari nodded thoughtfully, swinging her feet as she mumbled around a mouthful. “We’re talking about trying for some kiddos soon.”
At Jim's assessing look, she threw up a hand defensively. “No announcements yet, I swear! Just thinking soon'ish. I mean we have all the time in the world, but maybe in the next season or two…”
She stabbed at a piece of fish, head down and cheeks pink as she tried to corral some rice onto the fork too. “Dunno why I brought that up. Anyways, how'd Lily's work project go?”
Taking her cue, Jim bobbed his head slowly, launching into a tale of Lily's latest corporate chaos. Mari nodded along silently until her face calmed back to its normal hue, then she ran Jim through her plans for the rest of fall. The two conversed companionably into the night.