Chapter Text
We will call this place our home
The dirt in which our roots may grow
Though the storms will push and pull
We will call this place our home
The entire apartment is visible from the entrance, except for the bathroom which is off to the side of the bedroom. Eggshell white walls reflect the rare Seattle sunlight slanting in from the windows, scattering the light through the empty space. It smells like fresh paint and sawdust and their footsteps echo as Mika and Jules follow Mrs, Badlani, the building manager back to the front door.
“This unit is available as of the first of next month,” Mrs. Badlani informs them. “It’s yours if you want it- provided your proof of income and credit checks are approved- but I can only hold it for a few days.”
Mika turns to Jules, her voice soft and her eyes shining with barely contained excitement. “So?”
They both agreed not to try to influence each other’s initial opinion, but Jules can see as clear as day that her girl loves this apartment.
Which is great because Jules loves it too. With its big windows, open kitchen and sleek laminate flooring, it ticks most of their boxes. Sure, it’s small, but it’s well laid out, the price is reasonable and the location is perfect, a quiet neighborhood, that's safe for Mika to run in, with a farmer's market nearby that opens every Tuesday and Saturday. Most importantly, it's not too far from Grey Sloan but still a short bus ride to Evergreen General where Mika works. Being close to a good bus route was an important factor because, though Mika is now cautiously starting to drive again, and she’s making impressive progress, she's still nowhere near comfortable enough for a daily commute. She may never be, which is completely fine, and their place of living needs to reflect what Mika needs right now.
“I like it,” Jules confirms, laughing when Mika does a fist pump. “I think this might be the one.”
“I think so too," Mika seconds. "I think we may have found it."
Then, without warning, Mika's bouncing into Jules’ arms with enough force to spin them both around and Jules hugs her tight, molding easily to Mika’s warm, familiar shape, and always happy to be caught in Mika's whirlwind. It's been a long search, and it feels amazing to have finally found what they're looking for.
“OK, here's my vision,” Mika says when they let go of each other. She gestures to the floor at their feet. “Mat at the door, obviously. And I'll get a bigger shoe rack to accommodate us both, because mine is too small. And a slipper rack too for beside that. It’s such a big entrance! I think we can even put an umbrella bucket and a coat rack. I saw a cool coat rack on e-bay yesterday. I hope it's still there!”
“Are we furnishing the rest of the apartment too, or just the entryway?” Jules teases.
“Picture it with me,” Mika says, taking Jules’ hand and Jules can't think of anything she'd rather do more. “Do you mind if I take over, Mrs. Badlani?” she asks, turning back to the building manager who is watching with a patient smile.
“Look around again, if you’d like,” Mrs. Badlani encourages.
“Great. Thank you.” Mika grins at her before turning back to Jules. “So, see that corner over there with all the sunshine coming in from the window? I'm thinking, yoga and stretching corner?”
Stretching for Mika after she jogs, yoga for Jules in the mornings. Sounds perfect.
“And we could put the plant shelf on the wall next to it?” Jules suggests.
It feels good to work out and stretch her body near other living things, and the plants would enjoy the light.
“Love it,” Mika approves. “And we could put your bread rack on the island in the kitchen. Mmm I love when you bake bread. It'll be so nice that you can do it in our home.”
Our home . Jules’ heart skips and she sways their hands between them affectionately. A part of her had expected this transition to be daunting, but so far, it hasn’t been. Searching for a home with Mika has come as naturally to Jules as the winter giving way to spring. Like it’s happened before, and will always happen again. Mika is, was, and will always be home to Jules.
“That far wall would be perfect for your family photos,” Jules points out. “And maybe we could put a table there for Chloe’s picture and her keychain?”
Mika nods. “She'd like it there,” she murmurs. “Close to the entrance. She was always the first to greet people at home.”
Her words are bittersweet and Jules passes her thumb over the back of Mika's hand, knowing how much Mika still misses her sister. Three years after her death, Mika’s still grieving Chloe, she may never really stop grieving her, and it's important that Mika knows that there will always be space for Chloe’s memory in their home, whatever that looks like.
“And the wall’s big enough that we can add more photos,” Mika goes on. “Like that one we took together at Pike Place Market. I’ve been meaning to see if any of the frames Simone gave us will fit it.”
It's a great photo, not really for the market, but for the quiet joy they felt that day walking through it together, and the way that joy shines out from both of them in the image. Plus, Jules loves the idea of having pictures of the two of them up on the walls. She’ll probably suggest a few other favourites, if there’s space.
“Yeah, and Melody could go in the living room,” Jules suggests enthusiastically, referring to Mika's guitar. “Next to Max’s old couch so you can play on it. And we could add a shelf for books and your music guides.”
“We could put your knitting stuff there too. It’s so sweet that Max is giving her couch to us,” Mika notes warmly. “Mine is OK considering how cheap it was, but hers is way nicer. We'll have to have Max over for dinner once we're settled. I’m sure she’ll be here often, or we’ll go see her.” She sighs contentedly. “This is going to be so awesome.”
“It is,” Jules agrees, but she's not looking at the apartment anymore, she's staring at Mika who is still looking around like she’s planning out where things will go.
Their things, Jules and Mika’s, coming together to breathe shared life into this empty space. The apartment is great, but all the magic stems from the fact that it's going to be theirs.
“So, you’ve made your decision?” Mrs. Badlani guesses.
Mika and Jules exchange a glance, excitement sparking between them, and Jules can’t remember a time in her life when anything other than surgery felt this right.
Jules nods at Mika and Mika turns back to Mrs. Badlani.
“Yeah. This is the one.”
///
2 Weeks Later
“And remember, if your arthritis starts acting up again you can call me and I’ll get you in touch with one of the best specialists this side of the Rockies.”
Jules is sitting on the couch in Max’s living room, wearing sweatpants and an old t-shirt that she doesn’t mind getting dirty and sweaty. It’s close to noon and they probably only have a few minutes left, so Jules wants to make sure she says everything she needs to.
“You’re moving across town, not to Albania, Jules,” Max reminds her, clearly amused by this conversation. “I’m sure you’ll be over for dinner.”
“All the time,” Jules assures her quickly. “I’d miss your meatballs and garlic potatoes too much if I didn’t. And if you ever need anything- ”
“You’re one phone call away.” Max chuckles. “Mika said the same thing. You know we’re word friends.”
The play Words with Friends together, Jules translates in her head, and she can’t help but smile at the growing friendship between Mika and Max.
“What I mean is, Mika’s a good one,” Max continues “And I can see how much you both love each other. Living with someone you love like that is a wonderful experience. You should concentrate on being happy, not fussing over me.”
“I can’t do both?” Jules questions. Max shakes her head, looking like she's going to keep arguing, and Jules rests a hand on her arm. “Just because I’m moving out doesn’t change what you mean to me, OK? I’ll be back to visit. Or you can come to our place, the dining table we ordered is coming in next week. But we’ll visit, I promise.”
I’m not moving away and never looking back like your son did.
Jules won’t put words to that particular wound, but she wants to make sure Max knows she’s not abandoning her.
The doorbell rings and Max gives her one more hug- Jules would journey back here from anywhere just for Max’s hugs- before they both get up to answer it.
“Are you excited?” Max whispers as they walk.
Sparks crackle in Jules’ belly at the thought of what’s about to happen. Excited is an understatement.
“Girl Code?” Jules checks. This is between us?
Max zips her lips and Jules grins because this is Max, and Jules can turn over and show her soft belly without fear.
“Max, I'm so happy. I didn't think I could be happy like this. I didn't know life could get this good.”
Max laughs. “My dear, from what I've seen of you and Mika together, I think you'll find that it's about to get even better.”
///
The U-Haul truck jolts as Lucas takes a speed bump about ten miles an hour too fast, and Mika shoots him a look that she hopes conveys ‘please slow down, this is a rental ’ but which also says ‘as grateful as I am for you driving me’ .
‘Sorry,’ Lucas mouths sheepishly, and Mika thinks that she at least nailed the first part.
Then her sister Lily starts talking to her again, her voice blaring out from Mika’s cell phone, and Mika turns her attention back to the call.
“Uh huh,” Mika drones. “Uh huh. No, it’s 42 Wallaby Way….. Yes it’s a real place…. Uh huh.” Apparently Lily’s having trouble finding Jules and Mika’s new address on the map. “Could you put Hana on?.... Because Hana actually knows how to read Google Maps…. No you don’t…. No, no, no, don’t get Erin, Lily wait-”
But Lily’s already put Mika on hold and gone to get their older sister, Erin. Mika drops her head back against the seat, turning to Lucas and mouthing ‘ Sorry ’.
He snickers at her and Mike feels a bit less bad about being on the phone while he drives her. She wanted to drive the truck herself, but she still gets freaked out in traffic, and when someone is in the front passenger seat, and Jules is the only person Mika will let herself be vulnerable enough around to ask for her to sit in the, somewhat safer, back seat. Not that there’s a back seat in a U-Haul truck anyway. So, Lucas is driving instead of Mika, because he’s an awesome friend, even if he’s mocking her plight right now.
Finally, Erin greets her and Mika sits up, bracing for the conversation to slow to a snail's pace.
“Hi Erin… That’s great…. Oh good for you…. No, I didn't know that about 18th Century Polish Literature… Awesome…. Hey do you have Google Maps open yet?.... Uh huh…. A first edition, wow… Anyway, did Lily give you the address?”
Beaide Mika, Lucas is actively holding in his laughter and if he wasn’t driving, Mika would elbow him because firstly rude, and secondly he’s going to make her laugh too.
“OK great, Erin, but the address is… Uh huh… Fascinating , really but-” They pull into Max’s driveway, and Lucas puts the truck into park, pulling up the emergency brake for good measure. “Sorry Erin, gotta go,” Mika cuts her sister off hastily, talking fast so that Erin doesn't get a chance to keep going. “I’ll text you the address, I’m sure between the three of you and Mom you’ll figure it out. Love you. Byyyyye.”
She hangs up before Erin can protest, and turns back to Lucas who is biting his lip to keep in the laugh that’s showing in his eyes.
“Don't judge me,” she defends. “They are three- four- grown women including my mom, they can figure it out. And if not there are three more sisters they can call in for backup. And my dad. And I guess my brother might be helpful too.” Doubtful on that last part.
“But you’re calling them back later,” Lucas guesses.
Mika rolls her eyes. “Yes, I am calling them back later. Because if they don’t know where I live they’re going to worry- and I’m pretty sure they’re not-so-secretly planning to send a house-warming gift. Which is super sweet, but Erin was going to take at least another century to get to the point, and I want to grow old with the woman of my dreams in our new place, not with you here in this U-Haul, which we're paying for by the hour by the way.”
When she meets his eyes, Lucas snorts, and they both burst into laughter. Mika shouldn’t encourage him, but she can’t help being giddy right now. Today’s a big day and she’s excited.
“C’mon,” Lucas says. “Let’s go get you moved in with the woman of your dreams .”
Mika groans. She actually said that out loud, didn’t she? In front of Lucas? What was she thinking? Obviously she wasn’t thinking, high on the glorious future unfolding before her.
Lucas opens his door, starting to step out as Mika unbuckles her seatbelt.
“OK, but we agree that you’re not gonna say that in front of everyone, right?” Mika calls after him. “The woman of my dreams thing?” It’s way too cheesy. “Adams, we agree, right?”
“Yeah, yeah,” he calls back. “Your secret’s safe with me, Cheeseball. But you know, I'm team Mika and Jules.”
Deciding to let the cheeseball thing go, because today is a big and beautiful day, Mika scampers out from her side of the truck to follow after him, her feet skipping as she takes the first steps towards what she hopes is a lifetime of living with Jules.
“You'd better be, Skywalker,” she teases back. “‘Cause Jules and I go together like led and zeppelins. And before you ask, yes, you can repeat that, ‘cause we rock.”
“You’re one of a kind, Yasuda,” Lucas teases. “And you and Jules are going to rock cohabitation.”
Lucas extends a fist and, grinning, Mika bumps their knuckles together just as Blue and Simone, who were following behind the U-Haul in Blue’s car, pull into the driveway.
/-/-/