Staring up at the white, glaring lights, Gloria exhaled a deep and slow breath. The reclined position she was laid in caused an excruciating wave to surge down her spine, and she moved her hand beneath her back to try to alleviate the pressure against her sensitive nerves. It felt as if her child were trying to suffocate her from the inside and she gritted her teeth as her son cheekily kicked his foot into the corner of her ribs.
"Are you alright, Gloria?" the concerned voice of her doctor, Sophia Burset, asked.
"Yea," she whispered, closing her eyes.
"We'll try to make this quick and painless for you, okay?" Sophia reassured her as she squeezed a glob of cold gel onto her belly.
Gloria nodded obediently and tried to slow down the racing of her heart. She was fearful that her doctor would be able to pick it up through the fetal doppler in her hand, and she didn't want anything to interrupt the beautiful melody of her baby's heartbeat. It was one of the only things, in addition to her sonograms, that kept her looking forward to her appointments.
Growing up she'd been taught to fear doctors and hospitals, instead raised with the belief that natural remedies were the way that God intended for people to find healing, and even after having children and personally benefiting from serious medical attention, that phobia and belief had never really gone away. After all, it had been a doctor who'd given her father a terminal cancer diagnosis, and a hospital where her mother had gone and never returned from, so it seemed only natural that she reserved her right to be cautious.
"Are you getting plenty of rest?" her doctor asked her.
"Yes," she replied softly.
Dr. Burset nodded. "And drinking lots of water?" she asked.
"Mm-hmm," Gloria mumbled in the back of her throat. She opened her eyes to stare at the monitor and bit her lip in eager anticipation. It felt like yesterday that her child's life had been in danger, and despite the many reassurances to the contrary, it was a feeling she simply couldn't let go of.
Thanksgiving night had been the most terrifying night of her entire life. In addition to her blood soaked pants, and the severe abdominal cramping that left her unable to walk, Gloria had also stopped feeling the movement of her baby. Galina had tried to calm her down, but Gloria was someone who could not be consoled. Once she'd seen the blood, all rationality had gone out the window and Galina had quickly ushered her out of the house and into the car before she'd woken up the kids.
Galina had taken charge of the situation, and Gloria didn't know what she would have done without her. She sat in a daze, on the folded towel Galina had thought to put beneath her to protect the seat. Gloria's mind was foggy, unable to think of anything but the pain. She'd watched Galina run back to the house, and it was only once she'd returned and announced that she'd assigned Yuri the task of watching over Julio while they were gone, that Gloria even remembered that there was more than just this baby inside of her to consider.
"Look at that," Sophia marveled as she moved the doppler over Gloria's abdomen, echoing the words she had spoken the night she'd seen her in the county emergency room . "Looks like you've got a soccer player in there."
Gloria smiled as she watched her sons movements on the screen. "He's healthy?" she asked gently as she stroked the sides of her stomach gently.
"Very healthy," Sophia promised her. She continued to move the doppler, only coming to a stop when the baby's heartbeat registered the most clear through the device in her hand.
"Are we still thinking it's a boy?" Galina asked curiously as she scrutinized the screen. "I thought Gloria's been carrying this baby pretty high."
The doctor chuckled softly. "That's just an old wives tale," she said. "I am 100% positive that this baby is a boy. You see this here?" she pointed at the screen, "That's the male anatomy, and according to the blood work we did at the hospital, baby had XY chromosomes."
"I told you," Gloria smiled, turning her head toward Galina who had accompanied her to nearly every appointment. Usually the redhead waited for her outside, but after the scare they'd endured, she'd since been accompanying her into examination room. Her presence had always served as a welcomed distraction and as they began to enter into the final trimester, Gloria was in no position to turn away any of the support that she was being offered.
"His heart sounds so strong," Galina cooed.
"Like a little hummingbird," Gloria whispered emotionally. It was hard to believe that there had been a time, a mere few weeks ago, when she'd feared she'd be losing him. She had yet to meet him, but already she couldn't imagine life without him, and the prospect of losing him before she'd even been given the chance to say hello would absolutely destroy her.
"This is a very healthy and active baby," Sophia reassured them. "He's a little on the large size, but I still think we can expect him to make his arrival at the end of March." She reached for some tissue and gently cleaned the gel from Gloria's belly, then she clicked a few buttons on her computer and waited for the sonogram pictures to print.
"And how are you managing stress?" the doctor asked as she handed her copies of the sonogram.
"Fine," Gloria said, distracting herself as she pulled her purple sweater down over her rounded abdomen.
"Liar," Galina's thick accent interrupted.
"Galina," Gloria hissed, clenching her jaw. She looked up at her Dr. Sophia Bursett. "I'm fine," she promised. "I've been doing everything you told me to do, and I even cut back hours at work. I make sure to rest and drink lots of water, and I'm taking my vitamins."
Rolling her eyes, Galina shook her head no. Sophia, who was typing notes at a stand-up computer on wheels, arched her brow curiously.
"She's lying," Galina said finally. "She only rests because I make her, and when she does finally sleep it's not peaceful. She's up constantly throughout the night, walking up and down the stairs like a hamster spinning in its wheel."
"Galina-"
"Shh," Sophia interrupted Gloria, she then nodded her head for Galina to continue.
"She does drink water but not nearly enough. It's like having to force a toddler to eat their vegetables, but worse because Julio loves vegetables, and most importantly, no-she is not managing her stress well."
Sophia smiled kindly and cut her eyes to Gloria. "Is that true?" she asked gently. When Gloria refused to answer, Sophia shook her head and chuckled. "Gloria, I don't need to tell you that your body is sensitive to stress, especially in your condition, alright. What happened a few weeks ago, with the bleeding and cramping, it's not healthy. Your body and your son can not handle the way you choose to internalize what's going on in your mind."
Gloria sighed and stroked her hands protectively over her swollen midriff. "That wasn't even my fault," she murmured.
"Of course not," Galina reassured her. "But you were so worried about Daya and Aleida that you worked yourself up so much you couldn't calm down. It's not healthy."
"No, it's not," Sophia agreed. "Can I ask what you're stressing about now?"
"Her aunt wants her to fly home for Christmas but Gloria hasn't told her about the baby," Galina said knowledgably. "I told her she can't put it off forever but she doesn't listen. Now, her aunt is calling her and wanting to know how come she hasn't bought her ticket."
Gloria rolled her eyes up at the ceiling. "I bet you still come into your teenage sons' doctor's appointments and try to do all the talking for them too, huh?"
"If I can't trust them to be honest," Galina replied coyly.
Sophia shook her head at them. "You two sound like an old married couple," she teased, "but I'm glad someone is taking your stress levels seriously, Gloria. You need to learn how to relax."
"Yes," Gloria breathed. She wriggled uncomfortably on the cot. "Can I get up now?" she pleaded.
Dr. Burset nodded her head and offered the expectant mother her hand so she could assist. "My wife is a little further along than you are and she always complains about how uncomfortable it is for her to be on her back." She pressed her other hand to the small of Gloria's back and guided her up into a sitting position.
"This is a big baby," Gloria said affectionately, one hand was on her stomach as she allowed her doctor to help her off the table. "I feel like he'll come before March."
"Subsequent pregnancies are generally quicker," Sophia told her. "I'd like to keep him in there as long as we can, so please, be mindful of that. Stress can induce labor and we don't want that. I need you to take care of yourself alright?"
"I got it," Gloria nodded her head. Looking to Galina she asked, "Are you going to take me shopping now? You said if I was good and cooperative, that you'd take me into the city."
"Does lying count as good and cooperative?" Galina rolled her eyes.
"You're going into the city?" Sophia asked with raised brows.
"My babymoon," Gloria smiled. "She promised me a weekend of shopping and no kids." At her words, her unborn son kicked her. "Except for you," she patted her abdomen. "You're invited to the party."
Sister Ingalls had kindly offered to keep Julio for her, when the original plan had been to bring him along. Gloria hadn't been able to turn down a chance for some adult time, and SIster had become a good friend to her in the past few months. Gloria knew she could count on Julio to be well cared for for a night, and Galina's kids would be around to play with him the next day. They'd purposefully selected a weekend they were scheduled to be with Dmitri anyway.
Galina's cheeks reddened slightly. "Is that okay?" she asked uncertainly, raising her eyebrows at the doctor. "I won't let her overdo it and we can get out to stretch a lot on the drive."
"I'm fine," Gloria said impatiently.
Galina narrowed her eyes at her. "I'm asking the doctor, not you."
"Christmas shopping?" Sophia asked
"Yes," Galina nodded. "I still have a few things I need…"
"And I haven't started," Gloria chimed in. She reached for the jacket that Galina had been hanging onto for her and slipped her arms in the sleeves.
"Well, I think that will be fine," Sophia chuckled. "Have a good time."
…
It was strange to be visiting the city at Christmastime without her children, which was something that had become sort of an annual tradition over the years. They would stay in a hotel with a pool, visit their favourite sights, and help their mother hunt for bargains for everyone on her long list. It was something they all looked forward to and had no intention of changing, but when December rolled around Galina found herself inviting Gloria on a kid-free trip on a weekend that Nicky and her brothers were scheduled to be with Dmitri.
Though she felt more than a flicker of guilt about it, she felt like it was a bit of self-preservation as well. Her life had always been completely revolved around her children and now she was expected to give them up half of the time. She wasn't even going to get them on Christmas day, which seemed unfair to the point of being cruel. Dmitri was the one who had chosen to leave and move in with someone else immediately, but it was she who would be left out of the family on one of her favourite days of the year. If it weren't for Gloria and Julio, she would be all alone.
That her children were uncomfortable with their father's new girlfriend, was but a small comfort. She felt bad that they were forced to interact with a new woman, watch her be affectionate to their father, and invade their family with Dmitri's blessing. Yet, at the same time, she was glad they didn't like her. She lived in constant fear of being replaced.
Though, as she walked down the busy New York City sidewalk, Galina was smiling as if she didn't have a care in the world. She felt the snow crunch beneath her feet and felt the cold air nip her nose and cheeks. Darkness had fallen and the Christmas lights and the regular city lights made everything seem all the more beautiful. She was far enough away and surrounded by enough commotion that she couldn't really concentrate on what her kids were doing back in the country. She was fully present in the moment.
"What are you thinking?" she teased, turning to look over her shoulder at Gloria who had slowed her stride. Galina's brow creased in concern. "Are you feeling okay?"
"Yes, I'm feeling okay," Gloria reassured her for what had to be the fifth time. "I was just trying to remember the last time I walked on sidewalks made of actual concrete." It had been about seven months ago. This was her first visit back since fleeing from her husband and it felt like a pilgrimage of a sort. She was glad to be there, even if it was only temporary.
Galina rolled her eyes. "We have concrete," she argued, adjusting the many bags she had hung on her arms. She had refused to allow Gloria to carry any of it and they had bought a lot.
Gloria shook her head. "You live on a dirt road," she pointed out.
"The main road is paved," Galina replied, "and there are sidewalks along the strip in town."
"I know," Gloria agreed, "I'm just teasing you." She quickened her pace to catch up to the redhead, who was still walking briskly like she wasn't burdened down with parcels. "That just feels worlds away from here."
"Mmmm…" Galina's eyes flicked over to Gloria as she considered her. "Do you miss it here?"
"Honestly, yes," Gloria nodded. "I miss having Starbucks on every corner and living in a place where everything doesn't close down by 7 pm. I miss city life, but I wouldn't want to move back."
"Oh, no?" Galina cocked her head in surprise. "Why not?"
Gloria smiled at her. "Because there's no you," she said simply, and catching Galina's blush she hurried to add. "And your kids. I'd miss being a part of your crazy lives."
"I don't know what I would do without you," Galina said honestly. "I expected to feel really depressed, but I'm not. I'm happy."
"You seem happy," Gloria agreed.
"Overspending on all these gifts for kids who aren't even going to be there to open them on Christmas morning-"
"They'll be there Christmas Eve," Gloria reminded her. "And home the day after Boxing Day. I know it's not ideal but it's going to be fine. You said it yourself you always celebrate Christmas for the whole entire month."
It was an understatement. In the days following Thanksgiving, Gloria had rested on the couch while she watched Galina transform the inside and outside of the house with decorations that made it rival the North Pole. They'd taken the kids to a Christmas tree farm to cut down their own tree, as per tradition, and then everyone had helped to decorate it in the living room.
That wasn't all though. Once the house was dressed from top to bottom in Christmas spirit, Galina had retreated to the kitchen and started baking. Batches of Sugar cookies in holiday shapes were always set out on the table. They had butter tarts, squares, and pies galore. Galina gave out decorative plates of baked goods to lots of her acquaintances as gifts, and the house always smelled amazing. Though she secretly loved it, Gloria had playfully complained she was beginning to feel like an elf that had been taken hostage. A fat elf at that, because she was never able to resist helping herself to whatever sweet of the day Galina had set on the kitchen counter.
"I don't like them being with him," Galina said bitterly. She nodded her head at Gloria. "But I am enjoying just being with you," she conceded. "This is nice."
She had never felt freer. Navigating the snowy streets with Gloria, not having to wonder in what ways Dmitri would have trashed her carefully kept home while she was away because he wasn't there. She wouldn't be returning to a stack of dishes nearly as tall as her or be expected to have sex as a gratuity for being granted a few moments to herself, That was a wonderful change.
"Do you want to go back to the hotel now, or keep shopping?" she asked Gloria.
They had driven the car to the train station after Gloria's doctor appointment and rode into the city where they were going to stay in a hotel overnight before going home the next morning. Gloria didn't feel too nervous about leaving Julio with Sister Ingalls. Although she hadn't spent a night away from him since he was born, she knew he was fine and had no intention of freaking out. Galina had been anxious enough about it for the both of them.
"Maybe we should go back to the room," Gloria suggested, eyeing all the bags on Galina's arms. "You won't let me help carry stuff and I don't think you can possibly hold another thing."
"We did pretty good, didn't we?" Galina said, ignoring Gloria's light complaint about not being allowed to carry her own bags. She was treating her like a fragile doll-unnecessarily, she knew, but it was nothing for her to carry a bit more of the slack right now. She had been doing it all of her life and Gloria was with child. Galina remembered what it was like to be expecting her own babies and also expected to cope with things above her that she really had no business doing. Like shovelling the snow off the driveway, or driving herself to her appointments and trying to keep an eye on her older children while being examined. Galina would rather be guilty of doing too much for Gloria than not enough. It took very little effort on her part, and had her wondering why Dmitri had refused to do the same when she'd been having his babies. That he couldn't be bothered was a continual reminder that as hard of an adjustment as this was, she was well rid of him.
"I think I just want a few more things for Nicky and then I'll be done everyone," Galina said, as they began walking in the direction of their hotel. She'd booked a place in the center of everything, with all her favourite stores at her feet.
"What were you thinking?" asked Gloria.
"Sweaters."
"She's going to love you for that," Gloria smirked. Nicky didn't seem like the kind of girl to get excited about new clothes for Christmas. "Or are you blaming that particular gift on Santa Claus?"
"I don't care," Galine replied. They reached the golden doors of the hotel and she waited for Gloria to open it so they could go inside. "I'm just sick of that navy blue hoodie with the frayed sleeves she insists on wearing every other day. I'm thinking of telling her it got ruined in the wash."
Gloria pushed the button for the elevator and they both stepped inside when the doors opened. "I think you're going to like what I got you," she said.
Galina flashed her an embarassed sort of smile. "I told you not to get me anything," she reminded her.
"Like I was really going to listen to that?" Gloria rolled her eyes, selecting the number for their floor and leaning her back against the wall as the glass doors closed.
"You shouldn't have," Galina reminded her quietly. "I paid your salary, it's not much, and you should be putting everything you have into getting ready for the baby."
"Between a free wardrobe that should last him until he starts school, donated toys, you basically wanting to do a whole nursery for him, there's nothing left for me to buy," Gloria pointed out. "Besides, what I got you isn't expensive. I just think you'll really like it."
"I'm sure I will," Galina told her, stepping out of the elevator when it reached their level and then turning back to wait for Gloria. "Nobody has given me a present since I was still living with my parents in Russia. Besides, homemade stuff from the kids."
"My opinion of Dmitri gets even lower," Gloria commented, swiping her key to open the door to their suite. "Even though I'm trying to keep out of it."
"Sorry," Galina apologized gruffly. She'd never been very good at keeping her low opinions of her husband to herself and especially when her kids weren't with her, she didn't like to hold back.
"Don't be sorry," Gloria said, walking over to the bed in the middle of the room and sinking onto it. "I still just can't grapple why he was dumb enough to ever want to leave you."
She unzipped the front of her maternity jacket and slipped her arms out of the sleeves. She tossed it onto the armchair close to the bed and then wriggled her feet out of the boots. It had been the perfect day as far as she was concerned and their suite was beautiful. If Galina was so concerned about her relaxation, she had certainly found the right way to ensure she got it. Gloria hadn't felt this care-free in she-didn't-know when.
"Are you hungry?" Galina asked, setting all their shopping bags onto the desk. "We could get room service or there is this really great restaurant downstairs. We usually eat there whenever I bring the kids."
"If you're good with room service, I wouldn't mind that," Gloria replied. She fell back against the soft duvet. "I don't feel like putting my shoes back on."
Galina reached for the takeout menu and then joined her on the king sized bed in the room. They made their choices together and then Galina called down their order. They'd even ordered desserts and at Gloria's urging, she had requested some champagne for herself. Gloria didn't mind if people drank around her while she was pregnant.
"Sorry there's only one bed," Galina apologized again, laying down herself on the side closest to the door. She didn't want to admit it, but she was tired. "I didn't realize it when I made the reservation."
"I don't mind," Gloria replied. "And we both spend nearly every night curled up with our kids, I think sharing a bed all alone might be even more of a challenge."
"Maybe you're right," Galina smiled. "I keep thinking we should call and check on them-"
"No," Gloria shook her head. "Sister would have phoned if Julio was having any problems and calling him will only make him miss me. And same with your kids. If they need you, they'll call, but if you phone over there and get into it with Dmitri, you won't be able to enjoy yourself like I've noticed you are."
"Fine, I won't," Galina conceded. She reached her arms above her head and stretched. The suite they were in was gorgeous and very high up so that she didn't feel like closing the curtains. The lights from the city glittered outside the window like low hanging stars.
Beside her, Gloria slid up the bed so that she could rest her head on her pillow. She curled onto her side, wrapping an arm around her baby. "This has been a really good day," she said, rubbing her hand against Galina's arm.
"It has been, hasn't it?" Galina agreed happily. She reached across her body to cover Gloria's hand on her arm with her own. She squeezed her knuckles affectionately and they both lay there in silence for awhile. Enjoying the peace and recouping for a tiring day. The travelling had been long and every place they'd gone had been packed.
They were almost lulled into sleep when there was a distinctive three knocks on the wood of their door. "Room service," a man's voice professionally called. Gloria froze for just a second and then she climbed off of the bed and sprinted over to the door on silently padded feet. There was a peep hole and she peered into it once, before letting out a whimper and backing away.
"Gloria, wha-"
"Shhhhh," Gloria hissed.
"Do you want me to get the door?" Galina frowned.
"Don't let him in the room," she leaned over to whisper in Galina's ear. Then she picked up her boots from the floor and her jacket from the chair and scurried into the bathroom. The door closed tightly behind her and Galina could hear the click in the lock.
"Room Service?" the man's voice repeated in the hall. He rapped three times on the door in the same pattern he had used the first time. Galina wasn't sure what to do so she walked over and opened the door.
"Sorry about that," she apologized.
"No worries, ma'am," the man replied. He was tall, with wavy brown hair, and striking dark eyes that were almost black. Wearing the green concierge uniform she had spotted on others down in the lobby, he made to push the cart holding their food into the room. Galina kicked up a foot against the wheel to stop it.
"I've got it," she explained. The concierge nodded his head and this time, Galina looked away from his eyes to stare at his chest. Pinned to his lapel was a brass name tag. Arturo. Gloria's strange behaviour immediately began to make a lot of sense.
"Here you are," she said, reaching into her pocket for a dollar bill. She tipped him.
"Is there any other way I can be of assistance?" Arturo asked politely.
"Not at the moment," Galina said coolly, she pulled the trolley through the door of their suite and then closed it in his face. For several long seconds she didn't move. She could hear his footsteps walking away and once she was sure he had gone, she opened the door back up and hung the Do Not Disturb sign onto the handle.
"Gloria?" she whispered softly. Skidding around the trolley she walked over to the bathroom and gently rapped on the door.
"He's gone?" a trembling voice asked from inside.
"He's gone," Galina promised. "So that was him, then. How were you so sure?" The door unclicked and then swung open, revealing Gloria looking pale and shaky, with her arms wrapped protectively around her middle. Galina immediately reached her hand into the crook of Gloria's arm and pulled her closer.
Gloria's arms immediately wrapped around her neck and they were hugging. Gloria leaned her head forward against her collar bone and began sobbing, her salty tears rolling down Galina's skin as she held her.
"The way he knocked on the door," Gloria whispered, her voice muffled against Galina's neck. "It's uniquely him. Always used to drive me nuts whenever we'd go somewhere, and he thought he was being clever."
"I didn't even notice it was strange," Galina replied. "I suppose if I heard it all the time. Sort of like all of Dmitri's idiosyncrasies that drive me insane…"
"Fuck," Gloria hissed, "how did he find me?"
"I don't think that he did, Gloria."
"He was standing right at the door," Gloria hissed, pulling out of their embrace. She hurried over to the door and peered back through the keyhole. The hallway was empty.
"I think he just works here now," Galina tried to soothe her. "Your aunt never mentioned-"
"How would she know?" Gloria snapped impatiently. She covered her face with her hands and let out a little moan. "Fuck…" she said again.
"It's okay," Galina said. "This hotel was booked in my name, with my credit card. There's no record of you being here at all, and how would Arturo know to look for me? He doesn't know where you moved, right?"
"He just happens to be working in the same hotel that we're staying at," Gloria said, staring back at her with wild eyes. "In a city as big as New York? Really?"
"We're not far from where you used to live," Galina reminded her. "I think this is merely coincidental. If he knew you were here, he'd have beaten the door down when I tried to close it. He'd have said something. Asked me to get you to talk to him."
"What if he saw me in the lobby?" Gloria asked panickingly. "When we were coming just now, or maybe when we were checking in?"
"I don't think so," Galina shook her head. "That lobby was crowded. Love, I really think you're safe."
"If he sees me," Gloria whispered. "If he finds out I'm pregnant…"
"He won't," Galina said confidently. "Darling, I promise. I won't let that happen. I put the Do Not Disturb sign on the door so nobody will bother us tonight. Tomorrow, I can go check us out myself and then we can leave. Unless you'd feel better just going home now?"
"I'm afraid to leave this room," Gloria admitted.
"He must work the night shift, anyway. To be here now." Galina replied. "Maybe just stay in the room and we'll get an early start tomorrow morning. We can have breakfast in the room."
Gloria nodded her head. "Okay," she whispered.
"I promise I won't let anything happen to you," Galina vowed, she walked closer and engulfed her back in a hug. She had liked when they did that. "Make that either of you," she smiled, feeling the baby push out the front of Gloria's belly a little. "I already love him so much."
Despite herself, Gloria couldn't help but smile at that. "We both love you too," she said, before she could help herself.
Galina beamed at her words. "I can call us a cab if you want to go home," she offered again.
"No," Gloria shook her head. "I want to stay here with you. I'm sure it's fine…"
"You're not supposed to be stressed," Galina reminded her.
Gloria rolled her eyes. "Tell Dr. Burset, good luck with that one."
Galina sighed. "Well, at least come sit back down, then. Hmm? With me. Are you still hungry?"
"Yeah," Gloria sighed. She reached for Galina's hand and squeezed it as she passed by her. Sitting down on one of the two matching armchairs by the window. Galina opened up the covered dishes on the cart and made Gloria's plate up for her. Everything smelled delicious and Gloria was instantly ravenous, balancing her plate on her belly like it was a table. She dug in, watching Galina fix herself a plate and pour some of the champagne into a glass for herself before remembering to bring Gloria some water.
"You take way too good of care of me," Gloria exclaimed, wiping the excess water from her lips after taking a sip.
"I like to," Galina shrugged.
"I'll still never understand why Dmitri let you get away," Gloria shook her head. "You're the best wife ever."
"He didn't let me get away," Galina corrected her. "He left me, if you recall. You were there."
"You left him a long time before that," Gloria replied. "Emotionally. You were just done. I bet you were every bit as loving to him as you are to me, once upon a time."
Galina shrugged. "Maybe," she conceded. "I tried to be a good wife to him. But I never liked him as much as I like you."
She took another sip of her champagne and stared out the window while they quietly ate their dinners. When they were done eating, Galina piled all of the dishes back onto the cart and wheeled it out into the hallway for pickup while Gloria slipped into a bubble bath in the lavish bathroom. It felt a little bit like playing house. Gloria kept the bathroom door wide open invitingly, and Galina showed no inhibition in coming in to shower in the standup beside the tub, and then changing into her pajamas, and brushing her teeth while Gloria soaked.
"We need to do this again," Gloria said, later that night, when they slipped into the bed together and turned off the lights.
"Like once a year?" Galina asked.
"Yes," Gloria exclaimed. "Or even more often if we can swing it."
They sounded so much like a couple trying to negotiate date nights while navigating the busy world of parenthood. So much was left unsaid. Gloria was living in the house with her indefinitely, and they talked more and more like it was to be a permanent arrangement, though neither had come outright and said it. Gloria just knew she had no plans to move and wasn't even considering her aunt's proposal to come live in Florida with her anymore. She just didn't know how to explain to Lourdes what was going on here. She didn't even really understand it herself.
"I'm going to tell my Tia about the baby when we get home," Gloria spoke in the darkness.
"That's good," Galina murmured. She turned over in the bed to face Gloria, they had both wormed their way closer to the center of the bed so that they were nearly touching. "Is it really that worrying?"
"She's going to try to drag me back to Florida when she sees I'm a single mom of two now," Gloria said dully.
"Yes, but you're not alone with them," Galina reminded her. "I'm here."
"Yes," Gloria giggled. "But I don't even know how to describe you. Lourdes just knows you as my boss at the restaurant who also happens to rent out rooms in her house where I'm staying."
"Does she need to know more than that?" Galina asked.
"Is there more to it than that?" Gloria asked.
She had tried to keep her voice steady and her tone light, but her heart was pounding. She was thankful the room was blackened and Galina couldn't see the burning in her cheeks. It was an awkward question, but one she felt she deserved an answer to. They were lying in bed together, in a hotel, and planning future nights just like this and the years ahead with their children. That was more than just roommates. That was more than just friends.
"You know there is," Galina said quietly.
Gloria smiled in the dark and without restriction, reached out again to take her hand. "I'm just glad it's mutual," she said, and she moved closer in the bed to be against her. Their legs wrapped around one another and they were even sharing a pillow.
"Do you think anyone else has noticed?" she asked quietly.
"The boys? Not a chance," Galina scoffed. "And I think Nicky is still wrapped up in her own stuff."
"You need to talk with her more when we get back," Gloria reminded her.
"I know," Galina replied. She bit down on her lower lip and then added. "Maybe I can understand her a little more now."
"Are you going to open with that?" Gloria teased, and taking a chance she brought her lips to kiss the corner of Galina's mouth. That was all the prompting they both needed, to share a true kiss of mutual giving. It was enough for both of them, at least for now. They had all the time in the world to figure out the rest.
Thank you for the reviews and being patient with this update.