#berenasecretsanta

[lilolilyr]

Not Fake For Long

Summary: Serena needs someone to convince her mother that she isn't single - Bernie needs somewhere to spend the holidays that isn't her pitiful one-bedroom flat. By coincidence or fate, their hopes and fears turn into a common goal...

This is my @berenasecretsanta gift for @daisydoctor13! I hope you'll like it :)

~6k, no warnings, canon divergence

Chapter 1: getting-together rated T (can be read as a stand-alone)

Chapter 2: rated E pwp

Thx so much for organizing this event, Bat & Jess, you guys are epic!

Header image sources: Jemma Redgrave - background - (Berena kiss Holby City screenshot) - Catherine Russell; all edits by me! Same edits with less colour filters, plus Jemma png:

Free to use in fanworks without crediting me, tho I'd be happy if you reblogged this post!

All Berena content by me | About me

I don't have a Berena tag list yet, but let me know if you want to get notified in the future! (Useful eg if you don't want to follow my multifandom mess of a blog but get notifs when I post Berena fics or moodboards etc)

Read 'Not Fake For Long' on Ao3

[doctorjameswatson]

Chapters: 1/3 Fandom: Holby City, Berena - Fandom Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Serena Campbell/Bernie Wolfe Characters: Bernie Wolfe, Charlotte Dunn, Serena Campbell Additional Tags: Angst, But I promise a happy ending, Mother-Daughter Relationships, Berena Secret Santa 2021, Berena Secret Santa, Berena Secret Santa (Holby City) Summary:

As Bernie's divorce draws to a close, she and Charlotte aren't talking. Can they build bridges and heal their relationship?

This is my @berenasecretsanta gift for @eraisme

I tried to combine the building bridges between Bernie and Charlotte idea with a happy family Christmas (I promise this will happen in a later chapter). I only had time to write the first chapter this month so have a chapter of angst for Christmas, lol! I hope you enjoy :)

[ktlsyrtis]

Ho ho ho - a message from your Secret Santa! "Hello, would you mind asking ktlsyrtis if she'd prefer canon divergence for her fic or a fully formed AU?"

Hello Santa! I guess in general I prefer canon divergence - it makes my heart happy to see them get some joy in the canon world, y’know? Having said that, if you have a full AU that’s speaking to you? I would love to read it! 😊

[santahanssen]

my true love will have blonde hair like waves

Berena | T | 1,104 words

a Berena AU loosely based on my favourite witchy film, Practical Magic!

my @berenasecretsanta prompt was “witches and/or water” and my giftee was @ylizam !! I hope you like it dear, it was the first thing that came to mind when I read your prompt!

fic available under the cut!

Ever since she was little, Serena McKinnie knew she was a witch. The McKinnie women had been cursed, long ago, that any man who fell in love with them would meet an unfortunate end, and they would die of a broken heart. It all started when her great great grandmother fell in love with a married man and bore his child. She was to die as a witch, but survived her hanging. After being exiled and her lover leaving her behind, she casted a spell to never fall in love again.

After her mother died when she was 8 years old, she cast a love spell: the Amas Veritas. It went like this:

My true love will have blonde hair like waves,

A smile like the sunset,

and their favourite shape will be a star.

They will be marvellously kind,

and they’ll whistle my favourite song.

This kind of man doesn’t exist,

and if he doesn’t exist,

I’ll never die of a broken heart.

As Serena grew older, she separated herself from her magical upbringing. She stopped doing spells and using magical plants, and tried to live a normal life.

She, despite herself, also fell in love. He was handsome, and he spoke well, and his name was Edward. He wasn’t anything like the true love in the spell she had cast, but she loved him dearly anyways. She even had a daughter, Elinor, who had his last name. He was a gambler, and an alcoholic, and burned through most of their money to feed his habit. Then, he died.

In her grief, Serena sent Elinor to live with her two great aunts and poured herself into her work. Vowing to never practice magic again, she instead used the skill of her fingers to become a world renowned surgeon.

Serena couldn’t pretend that she didn’t miss magic, how connected she always felt to the world and to other people as a witch, but she knew the hospital needed her and that she loved saving lives with science.

The hospital very quickly became her home, her happy place, and her everything. She held a high, respectable position, and didn’t need a man or a love in her life. She had friends, coworkers who she liked, and some she didn’t. She could not ask for more.

Sometimes, she looked at happy couples and she felt lonely. She tried to remember Edward in those times, how he had died and left her in a state of despair. How Elinor now lived with her aunts because Serena had to work and there was no Edward.

How being a cursed McKinnie woman - a cursed witch - meant that her whole life was just a little lonely.

That all changed when Major Berenice Wolfe started working at Serena’s hospital. Serena and Bernie were fast friends, spending a lot of time together, whether at work or outside of work. Bernie made Serena’s life feel so much less lonely.

When a colleague’s life was in danger and Bernie felt it was her fault, Serena might have cast a small life protection spell to make sure he didn’t die. A small bundle of herbs in her office with a little paper featuring his name should be enough to do the trick. She normally tried not to use her powers at work, tried to only use science, but it couldn’t hurt once in awhile.

The two women sat together in the hallway, Bernie fearing for his life and blaming herself, Serena trying not to give away that she had protected his life with her powers. Bernie knew a lot of things about Serena, but not that she was a witch, and Serena had lived long enough as a witch to know that was something you didn’t always tell people.

While they were sitting, the two women looked each other in the eyes. Bernie was quite upset still, Serena giving her a reassuring smile. In an instant, Bernie’s lips were on Serena’s.

While they kissed, Serena forgot about the McKinnie curse. She forgot about the Amas Veritas. She forgot about Edward, and she even forgot she was a witch. Her whole mind was full of Bernie, and all she could think about was how wonderful their kiss was.

After separating almost half an hour later, and finding out that their colleague would at least make it through the night, the two women headed home.

While in bed, it occurred to Serena that Bernie had blonde hair like waves and a smile like the sunset. She was marvellously kind, and she sometimes whistled Serena’s favourite song. She could only assume that Bernie’s favourite shape was a star. And silly young Serena had never specified gender in her amas veritas. A man like that wouldn’t exist, but a woman might.

After an awkward elevator encounter with Bernie the next day, Serena took a panicked leave of absence and went to visit with her aunties. They welcomed her with open arms, and Elinor was very happy to see her again. Elinor told her all about her night dancing naked under the full moon, and Serena wanted to be angry but ended up laughing because she remembered doing the same.

Being in the house overwhelmed Serena with memories of spells as her young self, and she sat down with her aunts to discuss her Amas Veritas. She told them about the spell, and about how Edward must never have been her real true love, especially not with Bernie in her life.

Her aunts brought out the blender and limes, deciding that the romantic crisis called for midnight margaritas. They drank and they danced and Serena’s worries about Bernie faded, especially as the aunts reassured her that falling in love with a woman was a loophole in the curse. The curse only applied to men who fell in love with the McKinnie women. Even if the curse also applied to women, wasn’t falling in love worth it?

In the morning, Serena checked her phone and discovered several missed calls and texts from Bernie, asking for them to talk about what had happened between them. Serena simply texted back, inviting Bernie to spend Halloween with her and her aunts.

Bernie arrived a day later, having hopped on the first flight there. She came to the house just as Serena and her aunts linked hands and leapt off the roof, floating to the ground happily in their dresses and witch hats. Bernie smiled, running to greet the woman she had fallen in love with.

They kissed softly, and when they pulled apart, Bernie pulled out a broom from behind her back, grinning widely.

[fortytworedvines]

Thank you! 😊

Summary:

After a challenging week on AAU, Serena books a short holiday at a cottage, hoping she’ll feel better after a few days of alone time – and some distance from her colleagues at Holby.

Things don’t go quite as planned.

For @fortytworedvines

@berenasecretsanta

[lapalfruity]

Chapters: 1/2 Fandom: Holby City Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Serena Campbell/Bernie Wolfe Characters: Serena Campbell, Bernie Wolfe Additional Tags: Berena Secret Santa 2020 (Holby City), Established Relationship Summary:

Serena Campbell and Bernie Wolfe are still very much in love and their life is settled and cosy. But Serena is concerned that they are a little too settled. Where has the excitement gone?

[berenasecretsanta]

Berena Secret Santa 2021

Hello everyone,

It’s the time of the year to be jolly and give some fandom gifts!

How to join in on Berena Secret Santa?

1. Sign up: Fill out the sign-up form by Wednesday, 24th November 2021. The link to the form can be found in a pinned post on our blog. (Tumblr doesn’t like posts with external links, so we can’t include it here.)

2. Get matched: We’ll sent you an email with all the details of your match by the end of Friday, 26th November 2021. Check your spam folder if you haven’t received an email by that time and contact us if you absolutely can’t find one.

3. Make a gift: Use the information sent to you, browse through your giftee’s tumblr, send them anonymous asks to clarify any questions you might have or just to say hello. Start creating and feel free to join in on our creative sprints!

4. Post your gift: Sign-up on the posting schedule and post your gift to your blog and ao3 on Sunday, December 26th. Make sure to @ your match and our blog, and don’t forget to tag #BerenaSecretSanta! This way we can reblog all gifts and post a master list at the end of the event.

—

General Guidelines

You will receive at least two prompts from your giftee when you are matched. While we understand that inspiration can be fickle, please try to accommodate at least one of your giftee’s requests

NEW THIS YEAR: With the emergence of the Russell/Redgrave Cinematic Multiverse, we’ve decided to open the field a bit. When you sign up, please indicate if you are willing to receive work based on characters from the RRCMV. Please keep in mind that this is simply an option, not a requirement. No one should feel they have to write something other than Berena!

Bear in mind that when you sign up you commit to making a gift for your match. It’s sad to not get a gift when you expected one and no one wants to be sad around Christmas. If you think you’re unable to post (even a first chapter), let us know as soon as possible. We won’t judge and work out a way to either change your deadline or contact a pinch hitter.

If you have turned off anon asks, be as specific as possible when filling out the form. You can also post a note to your Secret Santa on your blog. Tag it #BerenaSecretSanta (and hope for the best with tumblr’s search function). Or send us a message to forward to your giftee/Secret Santa - we’ll anonymize and forward them.

Fanfiction

Minimum of 1000 words, no maximum word limit

No lasting major character death

Please tag accordingly

At least the first chapter has to be posted on Sunday, December 26th

Fanart/Manips

One fully finished work

Medium to high image resolution

Equivalent effort to any edit or other type of graphic

Please handle explicit content by posting it with a 'read more’

If you have any questions, feel free to message us or send us an ask!

[fortytworedvines]

En route to a conference, Bernie and Serena stop at a pub. Heavy snow leaves them stuck there. Oh no!

Written for @ktlsyrtis

Happy Christmas!

@berenasecretsanta

[daisydoctor13]

7 months later, the completion of my @berenasecretsanta fic for @koboldspucke (sorry!) thanks to the @berena-cpr event which has prompted me to sit down in front of a laptop and actually write again!

Enjoy this throwback to the middle of winter which I finished writing on the hottest day of the year haha

[bonnissance]

currently untitled ~1k teen rated stocking filler for @berenasecretsanta

I wanted biscuits, Jess wanted mistletoe, the kitchen was compulsory, the tradition was accidental, and the ornament is direct in concept if oblique in execution.

CW: sensory overload, some sort of panic flare/anxiety attack, body feels, canon deaths (just the Serena’s family ones don’t worry), serena’s internalised unworthiness rears an ugly head, but it’s mainly some kitchen antics angst with a happy ending

It was Bernie idea, to begin with; once Charlotte asked to bring her partner to Christmas lunch before any of them had really decided on who should host what and where this year, Bernie leapt at the chance without really thinking.

She hadn’t spent that night on the sofa, but it was a near thing, after informing Serena they were due to host a verifiable banquet in a fortnight without so much as a shopping list in preparation.

Once the dust settled, though, Serena rather came round to the idea, of having an enormous spread and a trussed up tree, the house full of people and food and joy.

It was exactly what they needed, to put the years past behind them.

So when Bernie asked to decorate the tree in edible decorations, and to bake those decorations themselves, Serena was the one who leapt at the chance: not just to fight off the spectors of her dead dearly departed and the decorations three generations of McKinney women hung every year till Adrienne decided Elinor was old enough to do without Serena’s presence currently burning a hole in their attic because she still can’t bring herself to throw them out; but also to give her and Bernie a way forward after, well, everything.

A fresh start for the two of them, together.

So off she went to find the sturdiest looking recipes she could, plus a gluten free alternative for Charlotte. Researched everything they would need for everything to be perfect. Even managed to get them most of the same afternoon off work, barely a two hour lag between the end of their shifts, to have the evening to do everything together.

She should have known it would end in disaster.

Opening the front door to a noseful of cinnamon and clove wafting thick in the air should have been the first clue. The off key humming floating from the kitchen should have been the second; though, indeed, that did bring a frown to her brow as she tip toed up the hallway, suspicion beginning to crawl up her spine.

She would never have imagined what was waiting for her till she saw it with her own eyes: dishes stacked high on the sink, the washer ajar and waiting to be emptied, every bench space covered with something from wire cooling racks to cracked egg shells to spilt icing.

And in the middle of it all: Bernie, a halo of flour around her head, a smudge of food colouring on her cheek, dried batter on her neck as she rolled out a sheet of dough.

Serena gapes, horrified, at the state of the room before her. Inhales deeply, struggling to keep her composure, and steps over the threshold.

Sugar crunches under the sole of her shoe.

A shiver grates up her spin, locking her jaw and wrenching at the back of her throat. She swallows, thankful she left her shoes on, that she can’t feel the granuals under her socks, pressing into her flesh, as the second to last tie of her temper begin to unravel. 

She opens her mouth, intent on giving Bernie a piece of her mind—specifically, the furious and outraged part—when she notices the one thing in the whole kitchen not in disarray: a glass of red sitting primly next to the breathing bottle, loving poured and waiting for her.

All the breath in her lungs leaves her in great woosh, taking her anger with it. Something thick runs across her chest as tears springing to her eyes, and she just manages to creak out a plea.

‘Bernie.’

A head of messy blonde hair snaps towards her, the eyes underneath widening as Bernie realises she isn’t along, wider still as she finally registers the state of the kitchen around her, and wider again when she sees the look on Serena’s face.

She drops the rolling pin, knocking a nearby bowl. The clatter of porcelain on wood and the breaking of biscuits echo as she rushes forward, already apologising for the mess, reaching up to cradle Serena’s face as she promises she’ll clean everything, only falling silent to wipe away a stray tear with the pad of her thumb.

Serena shakes her head, more hot water leaking from her eyes, struggling to breathe evenly. She grounds herself by inhaling in time with Bernie’s thumb stroking her cheek. 

‘It’s not that,’ she finally whispers around the lump in her throat, pressing a kiss to Bernie’s palm. ‘I’m not impressed by it, obviously, but…Not that.’

‘Then, what?’ Bernie urges, frowning as Serena cradles a hand in her own, tangling their fingers together before guiding it to relax, palm to palm, between them.

‘You poured me wine.’

The frown deepens, accompanied by a tilted head. ‘Yes?’

Serena inhales deeply, feels her back unlock, words tumbling out her mouth with frightening honesty.

‘It was thoughtless, racing ahead like this on something we were meant to do together. Leaving me behind like you don’t want me, like you can’t wait to get away from me. But you poured me wine,’ she adds, her voice softening to just above a whisper as she tightens her grip tenderly. ‘So it was waiting for me.’

‘Of course I did,’ Bernie breathes out, barely a murmur. She looks deep into Serena’s eyes, a curl tighening at the corner of her mouth. ‘I love you.’

Serena breaks away with a sob, hand flying to her mouth to muffle the next gasp as she sucks in a shaky breath. She can’t help it, the affect those words have on her. She’s still working on hearing it and believing it.

Bernie does not move, keeping her distance until Serena steps back. Only then does she reach up to rub a palm over Serena’s back, soft sweeping circles until Serena looks at her again.

‘Serena, I love you,’ Bernie whispers, her finger under Serena’s quivering chin, keeping eye contact through tear studded lashed. Her gaze is soft but determined. ‘And I’ll always make space for you.’

Serena practically launches herself across the seven inches separating them, throwing her arms around Bernie’s shoulders to pull her as close as humanly possibly. Buries her hands in that golden halo as she catches Bernie’s lips in a deep, toe curling kiss.

‘Guess I won’t be needing mistletoe this year,’ Bernie pants softly against her lips when they finally break apart, some time later.

‘As if I need an excuse to kiss you.’

Bernie smiles, ghosting another kiss to Serena’s top lip. Draws back, barely an inch, to check the timer on the latest batch of biscuits. She hums, resolute, and looks back with sparkling eyes full of mischief and want. ‘Prove it.’

Serena beams, already pulling them from the mess of the kitchen. Pushes Bernie against the spotless dining room table to do just that.

[batnbreakfast]

Chapters: 1/2 Fandom: Holby City Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Serena Campbell/Bernie Wolfe Characters: Bernie Wolfe, Serena Campbell, Jason Haynes, Adrian "Fletch" Fletcher Additional Tags: Berena Secret Santa 2020 (Holby City), Established Relationship, Christmas Fluff, countdown to christmas, this fic contains copious amounts of coffee and other beverages

Summary:

It’s the first day of December and Bernie Wolfe finds herself unable to make a decision: Should she take the (alcohol free, because this is still a place of work) eggnog latte, the gingerbread cappuccino or should she go crazy and try the candy cane hot chocolate?

Merry Berena Secret Santa weekend, @slightlyintimidating​! A lot of coffee beans, sugar, syrups and cream were used for this fic - I hope you’ll like it and won’t find it too sweet. ;)

Thanks @wonkots42​ for organising another year of Secret Santa and @ktlsyrtis​ for betaing this.

Also editing @berenasecretsanta​ into this post to not be rebellious. 

[lilolilyr]

Hello, Santa here!

I just wanted to let you know that the creation of your berena-shaped Christmas present is going okay (well, it looks like it might be running a tiny bit out of control, if I’m honest!)

There will be Christmas cheer and, who knows, maybe a sprig or two of mistletoe?

🧑‍🎄🎄🧑‍🎄

Aww hi! Out of control sounds great xD tho well, I hope it doesn't take over your life quite too much, then!

Love the sound of that already <3 thanks so much for checking in with me!

💓⛄🎄❄

[doctorjameswatson]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Holby City, Berena - Fandom Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Serena Campbell/Bernie Wolfe Characters: Serena Campbell, Bernie Wolfe Additional Tags: Berena Secret Santa 2020, Stocking Filler, Icy Conditions, THERE WAS ONLY ONE BED, Eventual Smut, Pining, Friends to Lovers, First Time, Blizzards & Snowstorms Series: Part 1 of Berena Secret Santa Summary:

Serena and Bernie attend a medical conference in the Swiss Alps. A snowstorm, one bed, and a host of unspoken feelings, make their weekend one to be remembered.

Written as a Stocking Filler/Extra Fic for Berena Secret Santa 2020.

@berenasecretsanta

[ktlsyrtis]

Hey you! I’ve been quiet, and I would say it’s because I’ve been working hard on your present but I don’t want to sully this ask box with lies. But it’s basically written in my head! So here is my question: if you could have any characters, living or dead, turn up at a Berena holiday party, who would you have?

Oh man! That’s a good question. I do love the ladies that have been in and out of Serena’s life - my main gal Sian, Fleur, Donna, Collette. And I always love when they get to interact with Ric or my boy Raf (😥). Hope that helps!

[littlemisso]

Chapters: 1/3 Fandom: Holby City Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Serena Campbell/Bernie Wolfe Characters: Serena Campbell, Bernie Wolfe, Jason Haynes Additional Tags: soft, Fluff, Family, Gifts Summary:

A most surprising Christmas gift

A Secret Santa fic for Hartkinsao3 who prompted - Jason teaches his Aunties to Zoom - Bernie and Serena have a spa day/weekend - Bernie and Serena go to Karaoke night at Albies’ and I did my best to combine them.

I got 2.5 in. I hope you enjoy it @hartkinsao3 

As is absolutely my brand I have finished the first chapter and the rest is to follow...

@berenasecretsanta - thanks for all your hard work in organising this fab event.

[tebarambles]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Holby City Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Serena Campbell/Bernie Wolfe Characters: Serena Campbell, Bernie Wolfe, Jason Haynes

Additional Tags: Barns are good but treehouses might be even better, Silly banter, bad weather alert, Thank Goodness For Video Calls, may contain slight traces of angst, as in: Bernie gets a bit mopey for five minutes, Christmas Fluff

Summary:

With a little help from Jason, Serena finds the perfect Christmas present for Bernie. Everything seems to go according to plan - until someone spontaneously attends a conference in Boston in mid-December, where a snowstorm hits the town, and her flight back home gets cancelled. Will she make it home in time for Christmas?

Here it is, my entry for this year’s @berenasecretsanta event :)

Dear @professorflimflam

You gave me the prompts - Treehouse, snuggling, romance - long-distance Christmas - together apart - Soooooft!

And I loved all of them. I started writing something for the long-distance Christmas prompt. Then I had an idea for the treehouse prompt. And then something weird happened to my brain chemicals and I decided to combine the two. The third one is also a given ;)

Here is the first chapter - I hope you enjoy it :)

A big thank-you to @wonkots42 for hosting the event again! And another big thank-you to my wonderful beta and cheerleader @slightlyintimidating, you are a star!