In case you missed it, chapter 24 was posted earlier. Don't miss out on the family dinner!
They had grabbed a tray of shots and found a booth in the corner. Each of the four of them had downed two shots a piece as soon as they were seated. It had been a very strange evening. Steve spoke first.
"What the hell just happened?" He looked like he was in a bit of shock.
Holly grabbed a shot glass and downed the liquor before replying. "I haven't the slightest idea, but I think it went a hell of a lot better than it could have."
They all agreed. Tracy took another shot and spoke finally. "Well the good news is, your parents don't seem to be fazed at all and they seem to like Holly. The bad news is, I got upstaged so now I'm pretty sure I need to bust every gang, grow-op, and drug ring to come close."
Everyone laughed at that and settled into a more comfortable mood. They talked for about an hour before deciding to call it a night. Since they had easily each had at least 5 shots, plus drinks with dinner Steve and Traci called a cab for themselves and Gail and Holly decided to walk back to Gail's.
Gail and Holly entered the apartment which was silent. If anyone was home they were in bed asleep. Gail locked the door and hung her and Holly's coats up. They grabbed some water bottles from the fridge and made their way into the bedroom. Gail sat down on the bed and removed her shoes. Holly began to undress and was about to grab some clothes from Gail's dresser and decided against it. She instead asked Gail if she could use her shower. Gail nodded and handed her a towel.
Holly turned the shower on and stepped into it. It had been a much unexpected evening. This morning she had woken up expecting to spend a quiet evening in her apartment with Gail relaxing. Instead she had gone to dinner with Gail, Steve and Traci and had met Gail's parents as her girlfriend. She was letting the stress wash off her when the door cracked open and a slight chill crept in.
She heard the door close and rustling. The shower curtain slid to the side and Holly turned to find Gail standing naked looking at Holly almost asking her for permission to enter the shower. Holly took Gail's hand and pulled her into the shower, closing the curtain behind the woman. They shared a delicate kiss before Gail pulled back. She looked very serious and almost afraid.
Holly started to say something to comfort Gail but she was cut off before she could even start. "Holly, I know that we haven't been together that long and this was a big step, meeting my parents and all. I just want to thank you for coming, and being so great. I can't thank you enough. I really owe you."
Holly smiled at her before placing an emotional kiss on Gail's lips. She looked her in the eyes and replied. "Gail, I'm glad that you brought me to meet your parents. I know that it was difficult for you. But I'm glad I got to go and I'm really glad that they were okay with this. With you and me, because I really want them to like me."
Gail smiled back. "They love you Holly. Well as close as they will ever get to loving anyone I could bring home. They are definitely impressed with you. I knew you being a giant nerd would come in handy at some point."
They both laughed at that last comment. In a more serious tone Gail continued. "But I am really glad they approve of you because I kinda want to keep you around." Holly had that smug look on her face that Gail for some reason just couldn't get enough of. "It looks like my whole family loves you." It was out of her mouth before she had a chance to realize what that implied.
Holly caught on though and raised an eyebrow. "Your whole family?"
Gail swallowed. "Yes my whole family. I mean I know Steve loves you, and like I said before that's as much as anyone could ever hope to get out of my parents." She paused and looked at Holly, brushing a strand of wet hair out of her face. "And of course me."
"Gail are you trying to tell me that you are in love with me?" Holly was trying her best not to let herself get caught up in this in case that was not what Gail was implying. She glanced down not allowing herself to let Gail see the hope she had.
Gail removed one hand from Holly's and lifted it to her face, pulling Holly's gaze up to her own. "Holly? Look at me please."
Holly gave in and pulled her gaze back to Gail. She could feel her stomach twisting and her heart pounding. She knew she loved Gail, but she wasn't sure how deep in Gail was and she didn't think she could bear to hear Gail tell her she didn't love her.
Gail brought her lips to Holly's. It was tender, caring, comforting. They pulled out of the kiss and locked eyes once again. Gail took a deep breath and let it out. "Holly. I'm not trying to tell you anything. I am telling you everything. I love you. I love you as a friend, as a girlfriend, as anything and everything you want me to be to you. Every day I see you I love you a little bit more, I fall in love with you all over again and…"
Holly cut her off with a sudden kiss. It was full of passion and need and most importantly trust. She regained herself and pulled back from Gail. "Gail, I love you too. I am madly, deeply in love with you. I have loved you since the batting cages actually. I knew that night that there was no way I couldn't love you. It would be impossible not to."
Even through the water from the shower Holly could see tears falling on Gail's cheek. She lightly brushed them away and whatever small barrier that was left to protect Gail's heart crumbled. In that moment she let Holly in completely. They held each other in the shower until the water started to get cold. Holly turned the water off and dried them both in the towel she had brought in. They kissed, holding on to each other with unbelievable intensity. There was no mistaking the desire between them.
Gail finally relented. "Take me to bed Holly." It was barely a whisper, but it was all Holly needed. She half dragged, half carried Gail back to the bedroom and slammed the door behind her.