"Kristina, I can believe you're making me meet your family," Parker said.
"I want you to meet my dad and my sisters."
"Your mom already hates me."
"Hate is such a strong word. No one could hate you," Kristina said, pulling Parker to her into a kiss. They broke apart as there was a knock at the door. Kristina opened the door. Sam was standing at the entrance with a bottle of wine.
"Sam, this is Parker. Parker, Sam."
"Hi," Parker and Sam shook hands. "It's nice to finally meet you," Sam said. "I've heard a lot about you."
"Not all bad I hope."
"No, Kristina just gushes about you all day."
"Okay, Sam please don't embarrass me," Kristina pleaded.
"I'm not embarrassing you. Just stating the facts." Sam turned to Parker and said, "just don't break her heart."
"I would never..."
"Sam, please..." Kristina pouted.
Another knock at the door, Alexis, Molly and Sonny were there.
"Parker, nice to see you again," Alexis managed to get out.
"You too, Alexis."
"Parker, this is my sister Molly and my dad Sonny."
"It's so nice to meet you," Molly said, as she hugged Parker.
Parker and Kristina's family settled down around the table.
"Dinner looks wonderful," Sam said, breaking the silence. "Kristina, I know you didn't cook this."
"Parker made it. She's magic in the kitchen," Kristina said, her face beaming.
Alexis tried to hide an eye roll and sigh, to which Molly subtly kicked her under the table.
"So, Parker, you and my daughter," Sonny began. Molly and Sam cringed. Parker looked Sonny in the eyes. "I've never seen her be so happy with anyone and I hope you continue to, ah, make her happy."
"I will," Parker said, grabbing hold of Kristina's hand and smiling.
Alexis looked back and forth between Sonny, Parker and Kristina, aghast.
"I need a drink,"Alexis said. She held up her hands at her daughters, "I need some air. Just please," Alexis got out of her seat and exited the room.
"She just needs time," Sam said apologetically, going after Alexis.
"Mom, stop," Sam said catching up to Alexis. "You can't do this. You're hurting Krissy."
"Back off Sam,"
"No, I'm not backing off. You have to talk to Krissy and Parker. Parker's a professor for god's sake. She's not in the business. She won't harm Krisky, the way you thought Jason would hurt me. If she were a guy, you'd be falling all over yourself to make Krissy be with her."
"That's not true."
"It's the truth and you know it."
After an uncomfortably silent dinner, Sonny and Molly went home. Kristina and Parker started to clear the table. Kristina was using all her willpower to keep from crying. She didn't want Parker to see how hurt she was, but Parker knew. Parker wrapped her arms around Kristina from behind.
"I wish I could make the pain go away," Parker whispered.
Kristina sighed, leaning into Parker's embrace.
"I don't understand. Why can't my mom see what I see in you? Why can't she see that I'm happy with you and that I love you?"
"Kristina," Sam called out, Alexis walking in behind her. Kristina and Parker stepped apart.
"Mom wants to talk to you and Parker. I'm going to be heading out," Sam said, hugging Kristina.
The three women stood in silence, not knowing what to say.
"I'm going to make some coffee," Parker said, breaking the silence. "You two, have a seat."
Kristina and Alexis sat down on the couch.
"Kristina..."
"Mom," Kristina and Alexis spoke at the same time. "Go ahead," Kristina said.
"Kristina, I wanted to ... apologize for leaving the dinner. It was rude and uncalled for."
"Did Sam make you apologize?"
"No, she wanted me to talk with you and Parker. I really do want to apologize."
Parker walked in the room with a tray of coffee mugs.
"I want to apologize to you too Parker. I can't say that I understand your relationship, but my reaction wasn't the best."
"No, it wasn't."
"Kristina, give your mother a break. It's a lot to take in." Parker put her hand on Kristina's shoulder.
Kristina held Parker's hand and looked up to her girlfriend. "Parker, she had like a year to take it in. She made you leave!"
"I admit it, I made mistakes, but I was thinking of your well being. I didn't want to see you hurt. She was your professor, there was a power dichotomy."
"Mom, if Parker was my age, would you have been ok with it?"
"Honestly, I don't know."
"You were ok with Lucas being gay."
"Yes, but when it's your child, your little girl, you don't want her to walk down a difficult path."
"Difficult or different from your norm?"
"Kristina, I just need some time. Please, understand."
"Fine, take your 'time,' but my feelings for Parker won't change. I love her." Kristina stood up and stormed out.
"Kristina!"
"Alexis, you need to give Kristina some space. She feels rejected. A million different emotions are going through her. Look, I know we'll never be friends but we do have one thing in common: we love Kristina. Alexis, Kristina is an adult. You have to let her live her life."
"I know," Alexis nodded. "I can be controlling and a little overbearing."
"Yeah, you are." The two women laughed.