“So,” Tilly said, “you two are still inseparable, hmm?” she laughed at Chrissie. “I can tell you two will do amazing things in London. Richard and I weren’t shocked, to be honest, but we somehow knew Chicago would be too limiting for Emily! I hope we can visit, though?” she smiled.
“Tilly? Anytime at all, all right? We’d love to show you around, and we’d love it. I guess we all blame Tom for this!” Chrissie beamed. “He’s always been the best brother a girl could ever want!”
Emily laughed! “See? He’s blushing again!” she laughed, and hugged me.
“So, the house sale is going through now?” her mother asked.
“With David’s help, surprisingly! He’s expediting the whole process! At least he’s good for something in the end!” she laughed.
“Be nice, Emily! I know he’s almost your ex, but…” Tilly smiled. “C’mon, kids, we’re making pizzas, okay?” she said. David and Chloe’s faces lit up at the mention of pizza. “So, Tom, is this a new position in London, or what?”
“Pretty much the same, but with a more emphasis on the risk side now. I hope I’ll be able to still get out there, and bring in new clients, though. I like the variety the position offers me,” I said.
“Your new home looks wonderful,” Tilly said. “I can just tell the five of you are going to be so happy there,” she smiled at us, but there was something else behind her smile that caught me, as if she knew more than she was giving away. All that mattered was that they were giving their support to their daughter.
The evening went so well; everyone relaxed, the conversation flowed, and the kids were spoiled. We slowly gathered everything together, the kids not too happy about leaving, but David and I had another early morning.
There were the surreptitious touches between the three of us all evening, whether passing each other in the hallway, or Emily reaching over my shoulder at the large kitchen island. Chrissie deliberately wrapped her arm around my waist as we put together the pizza concoctions, either unaware, or not concerned. I thought the latter rather than the former. I thought I could detect a little smirk on Tilly’s face, but thought nothing of it.
“If my daughter ever gets out of line, or outstays her welcome, just let me know, Tom, all right?” she whispered to me at one point.
“I can’t see that ever happening, Tilly, but if it does, I can handle her,” I smiled.
“I’ll bet you can, Tom,” she said, a bit too seductively for my liking.
“Are you coming back to ours, Em?” Chrissie asked, completely throwing us all.
Everyone looked at her, Chrissie acting so nonchalantly.
“Of course I am,” Emily replied. “I’ll see everyone in a while, all right?” she said, confidently.
We hugged, shook hands and thanked Richard and Tilly for a wonderful evening. Ems’s mother hugged me, and whispered, almost silently, “Take care of Emily, Tom,” and smiled at me.
“Always, Tilly. She’s too precious…to both of us,” I said, seeing if I could read anything else on her face, but I saw only a wistful smile, and knew everything was good.
We pulled out of the drive, everyone waving at us.
“What was that all about, Chrissie?” I asked, incredulously.
“I…I don’t know where that came from. Sorry, darling. I hope I haven’t put Em in a tough place. God! Me and my big mouth!” she berated herself.
“Shhh, okay? Everything’s good. I have a feeling Tilly knows more about things than she lets on,” I said. “You guys enjoy tonight?” I asked David and Chloe.
“Yeah!” they both yelled. “Aunt Emily’s is always fun!”
We arrived home, and readied the kids for bed, both tired, so it didn’t take that long. Emily turned up thirty minutes later, happily joining the well-run routine. The kids were safely tucked up, wine and whisky poured, as we sat on the sofa and breathed.
There was a deafening silence for thirty seconds, ’til Emily broke the silence.
“Okay. She knows, all right? I had to tell her…I hope you’re not angry with me. She doesn’t know everything, all right? I…I told her about us…how I’m…I’m in love with you both. She could tell over the last few months, and roundabout asked me. At first, she thought I had gone full-fledged lesbian, but I told her…only partially,” she smiled, and laughed. “She gets it, which surprised the heck out of me. She’s concerned, but aren’t all moms, hmm? Don’t be too mad?”
“Em, if you’re happy, we’re happy, understand? I just wish you had told us, eh? A little heads up would not have gone amiss!” Chrissie chuckled. “As long as you’re happy, we’re happy, eh, Tom?”
“I’m so proud of you, Ems. It couldn’t have been easy for you. Thanks for not telling her about us, although I wouldn’t doubt she has already connected all the dots. Your mom’s quite intuitive…like you, darling,” I said.
“Thank you both for understanding,” she sighed, kissing us both.
“So, did they have any other concerns about moving with us?” I asked her.
“Not really. Once I explained it to them, they just smiled! They know Chrissie, right, and know she is pretty level-headed, too,” she laughed. “They know we have to do
this, and whatever happens, happens!” Emily chuckled.
We quickly reviewed our lists, ticking off a few more ‘to-dos’. I suggested that David and I meet everyone at McGilly’s for breakfast, then head to Emily’s to look over her furniture, letting her and Chrissie see where, or if, everything would fit. As Ems had seen the layout, she might better know if her things would work.
“You two haven’t been out for a while, have you? Why not have a date night to really catch up, hmm?” I suggested. “I’ll take care of everything here, all right?
They looked at each other, smiled, and said yes. I thought it would be good for them to get away from home for an evening.
“I can stay in the spare room if you two need some alone time? Just be certain to…” and I was cut off!
“No!” they both exclaimed. “We’ve never used the spare room, Tom. What makes you think we’d start that now?” Chrissie asked.
“Tom…I thought it was a given that we spend every night together, all right?” Emily said, grabbing Chrissie’s hand. “I understand the reasons for that, but we are together, okay? Truthfully? It wouldn’t feel as…intimate if one of us was missing. Sorry, but you’ll just have to put up with our WILD MOANS AND GROANS!” she laughed. “Besides, I have a feeling you rather get off on it, hmm?” she smirked.
“What can I say? I’m a guy!” I said, and they both whacked me hard.
“Behave, perv! This is US you’re talking about!” Chrissie said, her look stopping me from any sarcastic retort.
“How’s your tummy, Chrissie?” Emily asked.
“Better now, darling. Tom, uh, sorted me out last night,” she quipped.
“Fuck, Chrissie!” I said.
“NO! Do you mean…? God, Tom. She’s such a tart, hmm?” Emily said, giggling.
“It wasn’t MY fault, Em. It was…his!” she laughed, my uneasiness rising.
“Yeah! And she’s the one who told me NOT to say anything! Damn! I really don’t know where I stand sometimes!” I said, exasperated.
“Good!” Chrissie said. “That’s just where we want you!” they both laughed.
We settled down, me in the middle of these two. I leaned over, kissing both of them, and pulled the sheet up. Tomorrow would come soon enough…