I'm trying to get chapters out as fast as possible, but with work being so busy it's harder than I thought! Hope you enjoy! :)
Holly, heads into her sisters hospital room as Ashley follows close behind. It has been a routine for her to bring by Ashley everyday for a couple hours so she could see her mom. Her grandmother has been staying also but Holly would have her stay at her apartment some nights so she didn't have to sleep on the couch that they called a bed at the hospital.
Marie should be release in a couple days they are just waiting for the okay from the doctors.
"Mommy!" Ashley says running over to her mother.
"Hey baby. How is your day going so far?" Marie asks her daughter.
"Great. Aunt Holly made me pancakes for breakfast and Gail read me a book." Ashley says smiling up at her mom.
Marie looks over to Holly and then at her grandmother. "Grandma do you think you can take Ashley to get ice cream while I talk with Holly?" she asks holding a fake smile.
"Um, sure. Ashley come on let's go get ice cream and I'll take you to that gift shop downstairs." Her grandmother says waving Ashley to come with her. Ashley hurriedly follows not wanting to pass up on the opportunity to get a gift.
Once Ashley is out of the room Marie looks to Holly. "Why would Ashley say that Gail read her a book?" Marie wonders.
"I was coming to talk with you about that, but Ashley kind of beat me to it." Holly says to Marie before walking closer to her bed and continuing.
"Gail came by last night to talk with me. We had an argument and guess what it was about. You. I hadn't seen her for the whole week and she wanted to talk with me in person. She was at my apartment when Ashley and I got home." Holly says before Marie interrupts.
"How did she get into your apartment. Does she have a key?" Marie asks thinking that Holly must be serious about Gail to give her a key. Holly isn't one to just do something like that.
"I gave her one after I had my accident. She was willing to stay with me until I was better and since we started seeing each other again and her being there all the time anyways I wanted her to have a key." Holly says trying to explain more about Gail to Marie.
"What accident?" Marie says confused because no one ever contacted her about any of this.
"I was in an accident at work where a bomb went off in the building that I was in. Gail was the one that found me and got me out. She stayed with me the whole time that I was in the hospital and ever since. I hadn't talked with you in two years so I figured you wouldn't care to know." Holly says looking down.
"You're still my sister." Marie says to Holly looking upset.
"You don't act like you are." Holly says glancing up.
Marie sighs. "I would have come."
"Why would I have thought you cared. You haven't called me or contacted me in over two years and I tried. After awhile I realized that you wouldn't care if something happened to me." Holly says opening up to her sister.
"Of course I care Holly. This is so screwed up. What's going on between us." Marie says leaning her head back taking a breath.
"You know what's going on. You don't want to even speak to me because I'm a lesbian. Not because I've done anything wrong just because that's what you think. Am I any different then I was three years ago?" Holly says staring at her sister who doesn't respond.
"No I'm not, I may just be happier because I have Gail now and I'm not going to lose her because you suddenly are back in my life. Not because you choose to be but because you need me." Holly says getting upset as she rubs her hand through her hair.
"I just, I..." Marie starts but doesn't know what to say.
"What Marie. Nothing to say?" Holly asks angrily.
"Gail sounds like she has done a lot for you and I can see how much you care about her. I know that I need to work on some things and dinner will be a good start. I'll try. I'm not promising anything but not having you in my life these past couple of years has sucked. Now with me being hurt and needing someone, even though I've treated you horribly you are still here willing to take care of me and your niece." Marie says as she starts to feel her eyes fill with tears.
"We can talk more at dinner, but I just want you to know that I'm going to see Gail even if you are staying with me. You don't have to let Ashley, but I will decide who I see for myself." Holly says confidently.
"I understand Holly." Marie says as she starts thinking of the reasons why she's shut out her sister.
"By the way I'm going to leave Ashley here with you and grandma for a few hours while I go have lunch with Gail." Holly says to Marie more as a command than a question.
"Okay." Is all Marie can say.
"I've already talked with grandma and just tell Ashley I'll be back soon." Holly says before leaving her sisters hospital bed.
As Holly leaves the hospital she gets her phone out to call Gail.
"Hey." Holly says into her phone.
"Hey Holly. Is everything okay?" Gail says thinking that maybe something is wrong.
"Yeah, yeah everything is fine. I just wanted to see if you wanted to get lunch with me?" Holly says wanting to see Gail.
"Who's going to watch Ashley?" Gail asks knowing that that's a sore subject between them.
"My grandmother said she would stay with her at the hospital with Marie for a few hours." Holly says wanting Gail to see that she isn't putting her sister and niece ahead of her.
"Okay, yeah. Give me about 15 minutes. Do you want to just pick me up right outside of the station?" Gail asks trying to finishes up her paperwork.
"That would be great. I'll see you in a bit." Holly says hanging up smiling.
As she pulls up to the station she sees Gail standing outside.
Gail gets into the passenger seat before looking over to Holly. "I'm glad you could get your grandmother to watch Ashley for a bit." Gail says to Holly grateful that they are getting to go out alone.
"Of course. I told Marie that I would be spending time with you because you are my girlfriend. She seems to be trying to be more accepting it's just going to be a slow process." Holly says looking to Gail before driving to get lunch.
Gail looks to Holly and reaches her hand over the center console to grab Holly's and interlace their fingers. "It means a lot that you spoke with her, so thank you." Gail smiles slightly.
Holly glances at Gail then looks back at the road. "We'll figure it out I know we will this is just a curve ball that has been thrown our way that we have to get through. But together not separate. We did that once and it wasn't much fun." Holly says remembering there time apart which was miserable for both of them.
"No not apart. Let's just hope the dinner goes well." Gail says to Holly as they continue to drive.
The next week Marie is released from the hospital and Holly has her and Ashley at her apartment. Tonight is the night of the dinner and Holly is nervous to say the least. Her grandmother went back home once Marie was released but she will be coming over for dinner also.
"What are you doing for dinner?" Marie asks as she wheels herself into the living room.
"I was thinking spaghetti. It's something easy and everyone loves it." Holly says as she looks to her sister.
"That sounds like a good idea. I can help make the salad if you need me too." Marie says to Holly trying to be of some help. Her sister has been a little more understanding of Holly but isn't quite there yet.
"No I can take care of it. Why don't you go hang out with Ash and I'll call you in here when it's done." Holly says as her sister nods going into the guest bedroom where they are staying for the time being.
As Holly is preparing the food she gets a phone call from Gail. "Hey babe." Holly says smiling into her phone.
"Hey, I was just calling to see if you needed me to bring anything over for dinner?" Gail asks. She has been staying at her own apartment for the past week, but they have seen each other most days since Marie can watch her daughter more now.
"Maybe some wine? Just because I don't think the one bottle I have will get us all through the night." Holly laughs as she continues to cook while talking with Gail.
"Okay I can do that. So is 7 still good for me to get there?" Gail asks Holly.
"Yeah, that would be great, I think my grandmother should be here around then also." Holly says as she stirs the meat sauce.
"I'll let you finishing cooking and I'll see you at 7."Gail says to Holly smiling into the phone.
"Thanks honey. I love you and see you in a bit." Holly says to Gail happy that Gail is trying to make this work.
"Love you too babe." Gail says before hanging up.
Once Holly is finished cooking she sets the table and hears a knock at her door. When she gets there she sees her grandmother on the other side.
"Hey grandma." Holly says as she lets her in giving her a hug.
"Hey sweetie am I too early?" Her grandmother asks.
"No just on time. You can set your purse over here, and Marie and Ashley are in the guest bedroom if you want to go get them. Gail should be here shortly." Holly says as her grandmother sets her purse down in the corner and goes to get Marie and Ashley.
When Marie, Ashley and her grandmother start to make their way into the living room, she hears the door once more assuming that it's Gail.
When she goes to open the door she sees Gail with a bottle of wine, and a stuffed animal.
"Hey." Holly says smiling as she gives Gail a hug instead of a kiss knowing that her niece and sister are right there.
"Hey babe. I brought the wine and I saw this stuffed animal at the store and thought Ashley would like it." Gail says as Holly lets her in.
"Yeah she'll love it. Come on in." Holly says moving over so Gail can pass.
When Gail goes into the kitchen to set down the wine she feels someone wrap their hands around her leg. When she looks down she sees Ashley looking up at her smiling.
"Gail! You came!" Ashley says as Gail kneels down in front of her.
"I said that I would. I also got you something that I thought you would like." Gail says pulling the stuffed animal from behind her back.
Ashley goes to take it. "Yes! and it's a tiger!" Ashley says as she runs over to her mom to show her what she just received.
As Gail stands back up she sees Holly's grandmother approaching her.
"Hello Gail. It's so good to see you again." Holly grandmother says giving her a hug.
"Nice to see you again too. I'm glad you could make it." Gail says smiling.
"I wouldn't miss this. Having both my granddaughters in the same room is nice." She says smiling before walking back to where everyone is in the living room.
Gail follows behind when she sees Marie staring at her.
"Hi Marie, glad that you are out of the hospital, I bet Ashley is happy." Gail says as she looks at Holly's sister trying to make small talk.
"Yeah she has been. It's good to be out of the hospital too." Marie starts to say before looking into the kitchen "
I'm going to go check on dinner." Marie says making an excuse to leave Gail.
Gail just gives a slight smile as she sees Marie go into the kitchen.
"Okay dinner is ready, let's all go sit at the table." Holly says as everyone makes their way over.
Holly sits next to Gail as Ashley and Marie sit on the opposite side with their grandmother in between.
"Gail what is it that you do?" Marie asks Gail while cutting up Ashley's food for her to eat.
"I'm a cop. I was somewhat born to do this job because the rest of my family is in law enforcement also." Gail says as she takes a bite of her food.
"Gail's been a cop for what? About four years now." Holly says looking at Gail smiling.
"Do you like it?" Marie asks taking a bite of her own food.
"Yes I do. I may want to eventually work in a different department, like special victims, but right now I love being a cop." Gail says as she looks to Ashley who seems to be enjoying her spaghetti.
"What about you Marie what do you do?" Gail asks wanting to know more about Holly's sister.
"I work as a teacher at one of the schools close by where I live." Marie says as she looks over to Gail.
"Wow that's awesome. So you must enjoy working with kids." Gail asks surprised that Holly's sister is a teacher.
"Yes it's a passion of mine. I love being able to see them learn and understand something that they didn't understand before." Marie says happily.
"Teaching seems like something that requires a lot of patience." Gail continues actually sounding interested.
"It does but when you love what you do it doesn't matter." Marie replies with more enthusiasm.
"Very true. It's kind of like Holly. I heard she was at the top of her class and had many job offers but chose the one that made the least amount of money because it's her passion and it makes her happy." Gail says smiling over to Holly before turning back to Marie.
"Yeah that's how she's been her whole life. Only made time for what was important to her and what she cares about, right Holly?" Marie says looking at her sister.
"Yeah. We were pretty alike when we were younger not sure what changed." Holly says to her sister.
"I would say that we still are, I just have some growing up to do." Marie says shocking the whole table by admitting that.
"Gail can you read me and my new tiger a book?" Ashley interrupts the adult conversation.
Gail looks over to Marie wondering if that would be okay, because like she said baby steps. Marie just nods her head.
"Sure, let me just finish eating and then I will read it too you." Gail says smiling.
Once Gail finishes she goes into the living room with Ashley and sits on the couch so that she can read her the story. When she sits down, Ashley grabs the book and gets on to the couch and leans into Gail so that she can see the book better holding her tiger close.
Marie is sitting with Holly in the kitchen and sees her daughter and can tell that she really is comfortable around Gail.
"She really likes her doesn't she." Marie says whispering to Holly.
Holly glances over to Ashley and Gail before looking back at her sister. "Yeah Ashley seems to love spending time with her."
"She seems like she has a good career and cares a lot about you." Marie says as she sits with her grandmother and Holly.
"She does, and she is a good person who cares a lot about other people." Holly says thinking that she may be making a break through with her sister.
"Does she make you happy?" Marie asks her sister finally looking up at her.
"Very. I don't know what I would do without her. She is a good person Marie and just because she is a woman doesn't mean you can think any less of her or what we have." Holly says to Marie wanting her to understand.
"I know Holly, I guess I just thought that you being with a woman was wrong and I didn't even give you a chance because of that. If Ashley is this in love with her after only a couple weeks then I owe you and Gail a chance. I'm sorry for the way I have been acting, and I think this accident has made me realize that you are the only family I have left besides grandma and Ashley. We need you in our lives and I hope that I haven't screwed up our relationship too much to not get that back." Marie says wiping at her eyes.
"I just want you to be accepting of what I have with Gail and not hold that against me. I love you and Ashley so much and I want us all to be a family again. I just have to know that you won't do this again." Holly says as the conversation continues.
Gail looks over to see that Holly and her sister are having an intense conversation so she tries to keep Ashley occupied while she lets them talk.
"I won't. Seeing you and Gail together helps me see that it doesn't matter who it is that you are in love with. Look what happened with my relationship. Ashley doesn't even see her father anymore so clearly that was a mistake, but seeing you so happy, so in love kind of opens my eyes." Marie says taking everything in and trying to change her ways.
"Well isn't this lovely. I really hope that we can all be a family again and not drift apart." Their grandmother finally speaks grabbing both of their hands.
"I do too grandma. I do too." Holly says smiling at her grandmother before looking back over at Gail adoringly.