Chapter 98

The soft melody floating from the music room drifted through the penthouse, drawing Emma and Ashley in like a warm breeze. Emma held a tray of snacks—popcorn, sliced apples, and little bowls of dip—while Ashley followed behind with two cold sodas balanced in one hand and a fuzzy blanket draped over her shoulder.

As they stepped closer, Emma slowed and peeked into the room, a smile spreading across her face.

There, at the piano, sat Abigail and Megan side by side, their fingers lightly dancing across the keys as they attempted to play a simple melody together. Megan was concentrating hard, tongue poking out slightly, while Abigail guided her gently, her voice soft with encouragement.

“Look at them,” Ashley whispered, bumping her shoulder into Emma’s. “Your girl’s got patience.”

Emma laughed quietly. “She’s really does.”

They watched for a moment longer before Emma called out softly, “I come bearing snacks and moral support.”

Abigail turned, her eyes lighting up when she saw them. “Perfect timing. Megan’s about to compose a Grammy-winning piece.”

Megan dramatically lifted her hands from the keys and declared, “It’s true. I’ve already titled it: ‘C Major Disaster.'”

Ashley chuckled as she set the drinks down on the coffee table nearby. “I want front row seats for the premiere.”

Emma walked in and placed the tray down beside them, then leaned in to kiss Abigail on the cheek. “You sounded beautiful, baby.”

Abigail blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “We were just messing around. She asked me to teach her something.”

“I did,” Megan added proudly. “And I played an entire chord without breaking the piano, so… I expect applause.”

Everyone clapped half-heartedly, laughing as Megan took an exaggerated bow from the bench.

Then Emma turned to Megan and Ashley, who were curled up on the couch, their attention locked in.

“You guys want to see one of the things that made me fall in love with her?” Emma asked, her voice soft but proud.

Ashley sat up straighter, her eyes already wide and watery. “Yes. Oh my god, yes.”

Megan nudged her gently. “We’re ready.”

Abigail gave a little nervous laugh, brushing a curl behind her ear, then settled her hands on the keys. “Alright… but Emma has to sing with me.”

Emma nodded. “Always.”

Abigail played a few light chords to warm up, and then the melody began to take shape — rich, slow, and full of feeling. It was a song they’d written together in their early days. A love letter in music. Something private, until now.

Emma’s voice broke the quiet first:

🎵
“I didn’t know what home meant, ’til you walked through my door,
With your quiet eyes and that smile I swore I’d seen before.
Now mornings taste like laughter, and your touch feels like the truth,
I was running on empty… ’til I ran into you.”
🎵

Abigail joined her on the chorus, their voices wrapping around each other in perfect harmony:

🎵
“So take my hand in this wild city light,
We’ll turn ordinary into magic every night.
I don’t need forever to know this is true—
All I’ll ever need is you.”
🎵

Ashley had already pulled a tissue from her sleeve and dabbed at her eyes. Megan sniffled and let out a soft laugh. “You two… are gonna wreck me.”

But the music went on. Their voices grew stronger, fuller—both women pouring years of quiet devotion into each line.

🎵
“They said love was chaos, but I think they missed the part
Where it calms the storm, and teaches your heart.
If I lose my way, I’ll find it in your name—
This love, this light, this flame.”
🎵

As the final notes faded, Emma turned to Abigail, her eyes swimming with emotion, and kissed her—slow, deep, and lingering. One of those kisses that says more than words ever could.

Ashley gasped. “Y’all better stop, or I’m proposing to both of you.”

Megan wrapped an arm around her. “I’d support that, honestly.”

Emma broke the kiss with a laugh, resting her forehead against Abigail’s. “I love you,” she whispered, breathless.

“I love you too,” Abigail murmured back, her fingers still resting on the piano.

Megan looked at Ashley, blinking back tears. “They’re disgusting.”

Ashley nodded, wiping her face. “Disgustingly adorable.”

Emma and Abigail chuckled softly, still wrapped in each other.

Emma and Ashley head back to the living room to finish their movie.

“Okay, yeah,” Megan said with a laugh, holding up her hands in surrender. “I’m gonna need music lessons if I’m gonna hang out with y’all like this.”

Abigail grinned, nudging her shoulder. “You’re not that bad.”

Megan side-eyed her. “Liar.”

Abigail shrugged with a mischievous smirk. “Alright, maybe a little tone-deaf… but hey, you’ve got enthusiasm. That’s half the battle.”

Megan gave her a dramatic eye roll. “Great. So when do lessons start, Professor Abigail?”

Abigail chuckled, then leaned her elbows on the keys and said, “You’re better off asking Emma. She was the music teacher I fell for, after all.”

Megan raised a brow, grinning. “Oh, so that’s how it went down, huh?”

“Hook, line, and piano keys,” Abigail said, laughing.

From the doorway, Emma called out with a teasing tone, “I heard that!”

Abigail winked at Megan. “See? Still got her.”

Emma sauntered into the room, barefoot and cozy in one of Abigail’s oversized hoodies, her eyes crinkling with amusement. “And don’t think I didn’t catch the part about me being your music teacher. You make it sound like I seduced you over scales and chord progressions.”

Abigail smirked. “Didn’t you?”

Emma gasped in mock offense. “I was a professional.”

Megan held up a hand. “Okay, wait. You’re telling me this whole epic romance started over piano lessons?”

Abigail grinned. “Technically… yes. But it was more than that. It was her voice, her patience, the way she made music feel like home.”

Emma’s face softened, and she walked over, brushing her fingers gently through Abigail’s curls before leaning in and giving her a slow kiss on the cheek. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

Megan made a fake gagging noise. “Ugh. Gross. Love. Everywhere.”

“Jealous?” Emma teased, turning toward her with a smirk.

“Deeply,” Megan replied without missing a beat. “I mean, who wouldn’t be jealous of that kind of chemistry?”

“Sorry,” Abigail said with a grin, leaning back against the piano. “This one’s off-limits.”

Emma draped an arm around Abigail’s shoulder and kissed her temple. “Damn right.”

Just then, Ashley strolled in, a sly grin on her face. “Well, if you’re still taking applications for teachers… I can be your art teacher again, Meg.”

Megan raised a brow, clearly intrigued. “Oh? Are we talking finger painting or life drawing?”

Ashley winked. “Depends how much extra credit you’re willing to earn.”

Abigail burst out laughing while Emma shook her head with a smirk. “This house is completely unhinged.”

“Unhinged but thriving,” Megan said proudly.

Emma gave Ashley a playful nudge. “Careful, or she might actually enroll in your class.”

Ashley shrugged, sliding her arm around Megan’s waist. “Good. She’s overdue for some hands-on learning.”

They all laughed, the sound echoing warmly through the music room. Then Emma nudged Megan with her foot.

“Alright, future student. Let’s see what you remember. C major scale—go.”

Megan groaned. “This is going to be a long semester, isn’t it?”

Abigail laughed. “Welcome to the conservatory of chaos.”