Chapter Thirty-Six
"So, dad told you what happened last night?" Lynn gets to the subject as soon as she and her mother reach the couch and take a seat. Even though cooking is one of her least favorite things, she'd much rather be in the kitchen with Diane and Jo right now, than talk about the conversation with her father, but she needs to get through it somehow.
"I insisted. You left without a word. You never do that. I had to find out the reason." Her mother seems worried and Lynn knows it's partly her fault, because she hasn't answered any of her calls, but she didn't feel up to this talk until she was forced into it by her presence.
"And what exactly did he tell you?" she inquires, trying to stay calm.
"That he warned you about the risks of dating anyone during the campaign," she sums up their conversation.
"He did. Not that I didn't know about those risks," Lynn sighs, still feeling the same bitterness she did last night, that not even Diane's presence has been able to soften.
"Honey, he is just worried about you, he wants you to win. Wish you could hear how proudly he talks about you to his friends. My daughter will be the mayor this time next year." Her mother's words almost bring a smile to Lynn's face, but she prevents it from spreading. She loves her father and she knows it's both their dream she has within reach right now.
"Does he think I don't want to win? I wouldn't jeopardize it. I've been hiding this secret my whole life, I know what I'm doing. And I'm finally happy. I just want him to be happy for me." She doesn't need him to be an advisor, she has Eli for that job. She simply wants him to be her father.
"And he will be. He probably needs time to get used to the idea. And I'll do everything I can to get him there," she places her palm on the back of Lynn's hand, to show her support that way as well.
"Thank you, mom. I appreciate it," Lynn smiles at her, putting her other palm on her mother's hand.
"I'm sorry, honey. I know I urged you to do this, wish it had turned out differently," she sighs, her gaze filled with regret.
"It's not your fault," Lynn squeezes her hand a little, "I would have told him anyway."
"Did you tell Diane what he said?" Rita inquires hesitantly.
"Of course. Would you believe she offered that we put our relationship on hold while the campaign lasts? She wants me to win too," Lynn smiles at the memory of their talk with Diane. She would be ready to put their happiness on hold so that Lynn could win. She cannot ask for a more understanding and supportive partner.
"And what did you answer?"
Lynn glances at her mom, wondering if she really doesn't know.
"That I don't want to wait. I need her, I don't want to do this alone anymore." She is a strong woman, she has been through a lot of things alone and while she would be able to do it on her own, she chose not to. Because it has taken her long enough to find Diane and having someone on her side makes her feel even stronger.
"I understand. You are lucky to have her." Rita's smile is honest and Lynn has no doubt that her mother really likes Diane. It warmed her heart when she saw them hug in the kitchen a few minutes ago.
"Exactly. I wish dad could see that too. He doesn't even know her." This is what bothers Lynn the most, that her father simply talked about Diane as an obstacle, he didn't show any interest in her, while Lynn tired to make it clear how important she is to her.
"He will come around. He needs to get to know Diane. You need to bring her to the next family dinner."
Her mom's unexpected suggestion makes Lynn's eyes widen.
"What? No way. Do you think Diane would want to come after all this? And I'm not too keen on spending time with dad at the moment either," she lists all the reason why she thinks it's a bad idea, not understanding how her mother could even think of such a solution.
"It's two weeks from now. Things will calm down by then. We are adults, we can work this out. I'm sure Diane will say yes if you do." This is one of the reasons why Lynn admires her mother, because she is always able to hope for the best, even when things look their worst.
"I'll think about it," she promises, which is all she can do at the moment, and hope that her mom is right.
"That's all I ask," Rita offers her daughter another smile and Lynn finally feels that talking to her actually helped.
"Thanks for coming here mom and I'm sorry for not answering your calls. I didn't mean to make you worry," Lynn apologizes, knowing she hasn't exactly been behaving as an adult in the last hours, but if anyone can forgive her for that, it's her mother.
"It's all right, I hope didn't interrupt anything," she glances in the direction of the kitchen they left a few minutes ago.
"Diane invited Jo, she obviously thought we need her company today," Lynn smiles, applauding Diane's thoughtfulness. Seeing Jo at the door was indeed the most pleasant and welcomed surprise.
"It was really nice from her," Rita agrees with Lynn's unvoiced thoughts.
"You should stay for lunch," Lynn offers, knowing neither Diane, nor Jo would mind Rita's company and it would give her mother and her partner a chance to get to know each other a little better.
"I don't want to intrude," Rita tries to reject the invitation, but Lynn doesn't want to take no for an answer.
"Why would you even think that? We'd love to have you," she insists and she can see that her mother is really tempted.
"All right," she finally accepts with a smile.
"Then let's go back to the kitchen, I'm sure Jo has a task for both of us," Lynn chuckles and they walk back to find Diane and Jo busy with the ingredients for their lunch.
Lynn stops in the doorway, resting her eyes on Diane, who's peeling vegetables. This activity doesn't suit her at all, still she and Jo seem to be having fun and don't even notice Lynn and her mother standing there. When Diane looks up for a second she's clearly surprised by Lynn's presence, but her lips curl up to a shy smile nevertheless.
"I invited mom to eat with us," Lynn declares and doesn't catch any sign of objection on Diane's face.
"If you have enough for four," Rita adds half-jokingly.
"Jo always cooks for an army," Lynn chuckles, looking around in her kitchen, that hasn't seen such preparations in a long time.
"Of course there is," Jo affirms.
"How can I help?" Rita steps inside, ready to lend a hand.
"We got it covered, don't we?" Jo glances at Diane.
"We do," she agrees, grabbing a carrot from the pile of vegetables.
"Nonsense. I won't just stand around," Rita insists and puts on an apron quickly. "Just tell me what you need me to do," she turns to Jo, not willing to take no for an answer.
"All right. You could dice the chicken and I'll prepare the wrappers," Jo hands her the knife so she can take her place at the chopping board.
"And what shall I do?" Lynn feels a little left out, even though she'd much rather do anything else than cooking.
"You can help Diane chopping the vegetables," Jo suggests.
"How about I peel and you chop?" Lynn offers, stepping closer to Diane.
"Fine by me," Diane replies with a smile and hands the peeler to Lynn.
"Do you like cooking, Diane?" Rita asks.
"Not really. Even though Jo makes it look fun," Diane chuckles.
"Because it is fun. Just look at you three. I'd like to take a picture," Jo says, enjoying the sight.
"Don't you dare," Lynn threatens her playfully and they all burst out in laughter.
"If the spring rolls turn out well, we should make some dessert as well," Jo suggests.
"I have ice cream in the fridge," Lynn cuts in, not feeling up to any other task, the pile of vegetables she needs to peel is large enough. They are in fact cooking for an army.
"But you like my chocolate chip muffins more. And they are easy to make," Jo insists.
"Don't you always say that?" Lynn reminds her of their previous 'cooking lessons'.
"I promise you will get the easiest task. How about that?" Jo tries to come to an agreement.
"You mean like turning on the oven? I'm really good at that," Lynn smiles, making the other three laugh.
No matter how much she dislikes preparing food of any kind, she has to admit she couldn't wish for a better company to be in right now. Peeling vegetables is really a small price to pay for that.