#apprentice gemma

Gemma couldn’t help but giggle a little as she squeezed into the gap between the kitchen cabinet and the wall, crouching down into the impossibly tiny space. The sun had not long set, and the heat of the day was finally easing, coaxing crickets out to chirp in chorus. With the twilight, Gemma knew, would come Portia and a basket of treats pilfered from the palace kitchens. It had been a while since Gemma had stayed the night at her girlfriend’s home, and she was eager to make the most of it.

As if on cue, the permanently unlocked door swung open, and Gemma ducked down out of sight. Portia set down a basket, heavily laden with delicious fruits and baked treats, possibly pilfered, from the palace kitchens, on the small round table. Knowing that Portia’s hands were now free of anything that could be dropped or spoiled, Gemma inched forward before leaping out in hopes of scaring her girlfriend.

“Oh!” Portia exclaimed, surprised.

“Did I get ya? Did I?”

Portia laughed.

“You sure did honey!”

Gemma grinned, standing up properly to gather her into a warm hug. Portia flung her arms around Gemma’s neck, standing on tiptoes to make up for the half a foot of height difference between them. She giggled, scrunching up her nose and rubbing the tip against Gemma’s.

“It’s a good thing you’re here to protect me, I was reeaaalscared!”

Gemma felt Portia physically relax into her arms, and heard her sigh deeply, a smile creeping across her face.

“I’ve missed you, Gem.”

“I missed you too.” Gemma whispered, softly stroking Portia’s bouncy curls.

“Oh! I almost forgot!!” Portia suddenly pulled away, skipping over to the table where she’d left her basket. After rummaging around for a moment, she whirled around triumphantly, brandishing two handfuls of flowers. “Ta-daaa!”

She handed the bigger, more neatly arranged bouquet to Gemma.

“For you, my angel.”

Gemma smiled, gratefully accepting the flowers before burying her nose in them and taking a huge sniff. When she looked up again, Portia giggled.

“You’ve got a ladybug on your nose!”

She put a finger to the end of Gemma’s nose, allowing the tiny bug to crawl onto it, and then blew it gently, prompting it to fly out of the window and into the flourishing garden outside.

“I thought we could make chains with the other ones. You know, like a daisy chain but…not with daisies.”

“Flower crowns!” Gemma beamed.

“Exactly!” Portia said, plopping down on the floor right where she’d been standing.

Gemma joined her, sitting a little more cautiously, and watched Portia sort the flowers.

“Okay so, what you want to do is get a few that are kinda the same size…” Portia selected a few yellow flowers and easily began weaving them together. In no time at all, she had formed a sturdy-looking ring. She placed it on her head and giggled.

“You see? Easy peasy. Shall I help you get started?”

When Gemma nodded, Portia shuffled over and picked up two blue flowers, using her nail to pierce a small hole in the stem of one. She took Gemma’s hand and showed her which finger to use, and gently guided her hands through the motion of making the chain. After connecting a third flower, she passed them to Gemma to try. It took much longer for Gemma to attach all the flowers, but eventually she, too, had a complete loop to put on her head.

“You’re a princess, Gemma.” Portia said, sleepily.

She got up, and wandered over to a tired, slightly sagging sofa, and flopped onto it.

“Busy day, huh?”

“It’s always busy. I love it of course, but I can’t deny, I’m exhausted.”

Gemma clambered onto the sofa with her, and curled around into her lap. Portia stroked her hair absently, and both girls sighed softly.

“Are you hungry?” Gemma mumbled, suddenly overcome with tiredness.

“Nope, I can wait. I suggest we just stay here a while.”