AN: I won't be posting again until after New Year, so thank you for making 2012 pretty damn epic with all of your follows and reviews and your love. I hope 2013 brings good things to all of you lovely people.

Again, thank you so much for all the amazing reviews. For those of you who wanted me to carry on with Valentine's night, I didn't really have space in my plan to carry on in the actual story. BUT instead I have written a separate one-shot entitled 'Only Love'. Check my profile for the link.

And on with the show…

Part 34

'Baby? Do you think we need to take towels or will April have enough? Will you even want to shower?'

'I don't know. I'll text her in a minute.' Heather threw down an armful of freshly-washed clothes and began sorting them on the bed. 'Hey, do you think we'll need any more clothes than this?' She gestured to the half-filled bag between them Naya shrugged. 'Well we are only going to be there for two nights. I'm sure we don't need much more. Have you packed toiletries and stuff yet?' Heather nodded. 'I've packed mine. I didn't know whether you wanted to sort yours out before we go. I mean, all of your makeup is just all over the counter. Maybe it's time to invest in a makeup bag.' Naya shook her head, smiling. 'Never.'

/

'Okay, now are you sure we have everything? You have your medication? Have you peed? It's a long car ride, so you should have gone before we left…' Naya stopped her girlfriend's blabbering by planting a kiss on her cheek. 'Baby, stop panicking. Everything is going to be okay. Yes, we have everything. Yes, I have my medication. And yes I peed before I got in the car. And I flushed and washed my hands. Happy?' Heather nodded, smiling. Naya put her at ease in a way she had never experienced before. She felt safe.

'And you're sure we don't need a navigator? I… I have one on my phone we can use if you don't have one for your car.' Heather shook her head, laughing. 'And now who's panicking? I told you before; it's one freaking road for the whole six hours. It would be kind of pointless. Plus I drive this route about six times a year. I'm pretty sure I know where I'm going.'

'Okay. I trust you.' Heather leaned across, pressing her lips against Naya's. Smiling, she turned back to face the road and turned on the engine. 'Good. Now let's go!'

/

It was dark by the time they arrived at April's house in the suburbs of Scottsdale. As Heather pulled the car into the driveway and shut off the engine, she smiled. It had been worth the six hours behind the wheel to finally get here. Glancing over at the passenger seat, she could only smile more. Naya was curled up, Heather's coat thrown over her, absolutely fast asleep. But before Heather had a chance to wake her up, she was surprised by a light knock at her car window. Opening the door and unbuckling her seatbelt, she let her sister pick her up and pull her in for a tight hug.

'Hi!' April exclaimed. Heather hit her arm then lifted her finger to her lips. 'Ssh! She's sleeping.' April peered into the car, smiling at Naya. 'Well wake her up. Dinner is almost ready and I want to spend time with you. Both of you.'

'I don't want to. She looks like a baby kitten.' April made an 'aww' sound at her sister's explanation. 'Okay. Can you take my bag from the trunk and dump it inside? She's hard work to wake up these days.' April did just as her sister had asked, carrying the weekend bag into the house and leaving Heather to wake Naya.

'Hey, baby kitten. Come on. We're here.' She had decided that it was best to be soft and gentle, not wanting to startle Naya. She had read online that shocking someone with epilepsy, especially whilst they were sleeping, could cause them to have a seizure. She wasn't sure how reliable the website was but with Naya still recovering from the trauma and her coma, she didn't want to run the risk of hurting her any more.

Naya opened one eye, then the other. Stretching out all of her limbs at once, she twitched her nose and made a squeaking sound. 'Good morning.' Heather was crouching on the ground next to the open car door, one hand on her knee. 'Hi' she responded, her voice scratchy. Heather smiled at her as she wiggled her nose again and scratched at her temple. 'You really are like a baby kitten.'

'What?'

'Nothing. Come on. April's waiting inside.'

/

'Hey, sleeping beauty'. April pulled Naya into a tight hug, kissing her lightly on her cheek. 'How are you feeling?' Naya nodded, still not really up for full sentences. 'You look so much better than the last time I saw you. It must be Heather's influence'. Naya smiled, looking down and reaching to take her girlfriend's hand in her own. 'You might be right' she said with a smile.

'Hey girls.' Naya was slightly startled by the sound of an unfamiliar male voice coming from behind her as she took off her coat and hung it on the stand in the corner of the room. 'David!' Heather exclaimed, pulling him in for a hug. 'It's been so long since I've seen you. How are you?' The tall, dark haired man smiled. 'I'm fine thank you. And this must be Naya.' Naya politely took the hand that was extended to her. 'I'm David. I don't actually think we've met properly before. I was at Crystal's birthday in California but I spent most of the day with a beer in my hand so I don't really remember meeting you.'

Naya smiled. This guy put her completely at ease. She remembered him from the barbecue; he and Jason had spent most of the day sat by the open flames talking man-to-man about all sorts of crap she probably didn't care about but he had seemed nice enough. 'Yeah, I remember. You made a pretty good job of the ribs, though, so props to you.' David smiled at her, nodding. 'Yeah, I don't usually cook. But if it's outside on a grill, I feel pretty much at home.'

'Okay! Dinner is ready.' April emerged from the kitchen holding a huge bowl. 'Everyone sit down, I'm starving.'

/

'Oh my god, April. This is so good. How come you've never made this for me before?' Heather asked between mouthfuls of the best chilli she had ever tasted in her life. 'Well, you're never here. And I'm not hauling myself all the way to LA just to feed you.' Heather rolled her eyes at her sister; their relationship had always been playful and fun. It had been the perfect remedy to their traumatic teenage years, and it meant a lot to know that she could always rely on April to make her smile.

'No, seriously' Naya joined in, 'I will pay you to come to LA and cook this for me.' David laughed, clapping his hands together. 'Oh, honey. She's worth much more than anyone can afford.' Winking across the table at April, he reached out to take her hand.

'Oh my God.' Heather dropped her fork onto her plate, instead pointing at April's hand. 'Is… is that?' April nodded, her smile almost covering her face. 'Oh my God! Congratulations!' Naya smiled at the way Heather pointed towards her sister's ring finger, a shocked expression on her face. 'En…engaged. Wow. Congratulations.' Desperately trying not to let the blush rise in her cheeks, she turned to David. 'And congratulations to you, too.'

/

'… and so then he just got down on one knee and asked me. It… it was pretty perfect.' Once the dinner plates had been cleared away, everyone had moved to the living room to talk. Of course Heather had wanted to know everything about her sister's engagement, which had happened on their vacation to Spain for their anniversary.

'Why didn't you tell me?' April's expression softened as she noted the dismay in her sister's voice. A calming hand on her forearm, she explained. 'I… well. I haven't really told anyone. Crystal found out when she came over last week, and mom found out just after when Crystal made me drive over and tell her. I wanted to wait and tell you to your face, but I forgot to take my ring off. It was going to be a big surprise.' Heather nodded, clearly understanding. Wrapping her arms around her sister and resting her head on her shoulder, she whispered into her ear. 'I'm so happy for you.'

'So will you be my bridesmaid?' Heather nodded enthusiastically once they pulled apart, clearly trying not to cry with sheer excitement. 'Of course I will. You're my sister. I'd love to.' April turned to Naya, still smiling. 'And of course you're more than welcome to come as her date. I'd love for you to be there. Well, if you feel comfortable enough to be around the family.'

Heather watched as Naya's face dropped at the mention of what they were there to do. 'April' she said, her voice strong, 'I promise I will be there. Whether your mom wants me to or not. I wouldn't miss your wedding for the world.' As April leaned in and hugged Naya, Heather smiled. It was such a good feeling to see her girlfriend accepted like this into her family. It meant so much to her.

/

'Can you sleep?' Naya shook her head, rolling onto her opposite side and curling into Heather. 'I can't switch my head off' she explained, her hand drawing a lazy pattern on her girlfriend's stomach. 'Me neither'.

It had been three hours since they came to bed. Three hours of tossing and turning and trying to get comfortable, but to no avail as their minds constantly reminded them of their plan for the next day. 'Have you spoken to April about your mom? Does she know we're even here?' Naya asked, staring into the dark room. 'I spoke to her when we were washing up. She said she doesn't know we're coming. Which is probably better, I think. And she said she hasn't mentioned anything in a while. She didn't tell April she'd sent me a birthday card or anything so I guess we'll have to wait and see.'

'I just want everything to be okay. I don't want her to upset you.' Naya leaned in closer, reaching for Heather's hand and stroking over the soft skin she found with her thumb. 'You're an amazing person. I just want her to see that as much as I do. I want her to realise that I love you as much as any guy you could ever have dated, and that you love me exactly the same.'

Heather nodded. 'I think she knows.' There was silence for a moment. Heather pulled Naya into her, pressing a kiss to her cheek before holding onto her hand. 'Nay, my mom raised me singlehandedly through some of the hardest years of our lives. She… she supported me and believed in me enough to let me move to California and chase my dreams. She's not a bad mother. I… I don't want you to think that about her.'

Naya nodded. 'I know. I'm sorry if that's how it comes across. I know she's not a bad mother. She raised you, and you're the love of my life, so she definitely did something right. I just wish she could accept this and see how much you mean to me. It would just make everything easier.'

Heather squeezed Naya's hand. 'I know. I just want my mom back in my life. She means a lot to me, you know?'

'Of course I know. I'm the same. I mean, you've seen what I'm like with my mom. I love her more than anything. She's pretty amazing.'

'She is. You're just like her. I guess that's why you're amazing, too.'

Tilting her head up, Naya caught Heather's lips in a sweet, soft kiss. 'Please just promise me that, even if things don't go our way, we'll still be strong? I… I don't want to think about it much more but I just need you to promise that you won't leave me.'

Leaning in for another kiss, Heather smiled. Locking eyes with the brunette, she spoke sincerely. 'I am never, ever going to stop loving you.'

/

The door opened before Heather had even had chance to ring the bell. 'Heather?' The surprise in her mother's voice was crystal clear. 'Hey mom.' Naya shuffled on her feet, not wanting to make eye contact. 'Co… come in.'

Naya followed her girlfriend into the unfamiliar house, copying her movements almost exactly. Slipping off her coat in the hallway, she continued on into the living room and sat down next to Heather. 'I'll make us all some coffee' Jeannie said after a second, finally tearing her eyes away from Heather and Naya's tightly clasped hands. Taking a few step she turned back around, yet again glancing towards their hands before she spoke. 'Naya, are you able to have caffeine?' Naya nodded, coughing to clear her throat. 'Yeah, yes. Ah, thank you.'

Jeannie came back into the room moments later carrying three mugs of coffee. 'Would you like anything to eat?' she asked, her voice more gentle than Naya remembered it being. Heather shook her head; 'no thank you. We ate breakfast with April and David just before we left.' Jeannie nodded, sinking back into her chair in silence.

'Look, mom. I came here for a reason. We both did. And I'm not just going to sit here and drink coffee with you and pretend that everything is okay. I physically can't do it.' Jeannie sat up straight, hands clasped in her lap. 'In all my life, I can only count a handful of times when I've been angry with you. But I can't remember any other time when I felt this betrayed.' Naya watched Jeannie gulp in anticipation.

'I am in love, mom. Never, ever before in my life have I been as happy as I am now. And that's all because of Naya. And the fact that you don't understand that makes me really sad.' Naya turned to watch Heather brush away a tear. 'That day at Crystal's was one of the worst days of my entire life. I actually felt like you disowned me. And I can't deal with that. I… I've already lost one parent and he's never coming back. So I need you in my life, mom. I love you but I need you to understand that this is me now. And I'm not going to change because you don't like it. I can't change who I am.'

Jeannie picked up her coffee, taking a sip and closing her eyes. Heather continued to speak. 'I know that it was you who sent Taylor to my apartment when Naya was away.' Jeannie put the mug down on the coffee table. 'And your plan almost worked.' Mrs Morris turned to face them. 'Taylor pushed me against the wall in my apartment and he kissed me. He kissed me without my consent. That is sexual assault. Which is illegal.' She took a breath. 'And Naya saw. She saw what he did to me, and she believed I was cheating on her. And the stress… the stress you and Taylor caused made her have a seizure. And that seizure sent her into a coma. Your stupid idea nearly killed her. So I hope you're fucking pleased with yourself.'

Heather had never cursed in front of her mother before. And she immediately regretted it. With Naya's hand rubbing gently on the bottom of her back, she closed her eyes and took a moment to regroup. 'I can't deal with losing anyone else.' Her tears were flowing freely now. Naya had also given up on holding in her emotions; it was impossible. 'I love you and I love Naya. And I want both of you in my life. So I need you to accept this and be my mom again.'

Jeannie made eye contact with her daughter for the first time since she had started speaking. 'I can see how in love you are.' Her voice was weak as she gestured to the two of them, the two girls who were holding each other as close as they could. 'And I respect you. I respect your courage in coming to speak to me. You clearly mean a lot to each other and I'm sorry I came between that.'

'Then you'll tell Taylor to lay off?' Heather asked, hopeful.

'I will tell him to do that if that's definitely what you want. But I have to be honest. I still can't really imagine you marrying anyone else but him.'

Naya stood up, dropping Heather's hand. Without glancing back she walked out of the living room, back through the hallway and out to the front of the house. Heather watched as she left, the light from the windows catching the tears streaming down her face. Standing, she made to follow her but was stopped by her mother's hand.

'Maybe I should speak to her.'

/

Naya wanted to do what she always did. She wanted to get her cigarettes out of her bag, light one up and let the smoke calm her down. She wanted to, but she had left her bag inside. And she sure wasn't about to go back in to get it.

'Naya?' The voice calling her name wasn't quite the one she had been expecting. Turning around, she found herself stood next to Jeannie Morris. Before she could say another word, Naya found the courage to speak up. 'I love her, you know.' Jeannie nodded, her lips lifting at the corners ever so slightly. 'I know.'

'I… I just thought I should make it clear. I do really love Heather. And I'm serious. I'm serious about my life with her. I'd never do anything to hurt her.' Jeannie nodded again. 'She has been there for me through some of the worst times of my life. She was my best friend first, and now she's my everything. She completes me, you know? And… and I don't care if you don't understand our relationship, or if you don't believe in what we have. Because I do. I know, in my heart, that this is true love. Your daughter is a wonderful woman. She's kind, she's caring, she's loving. And she's a credit to you. She told me herself that you made her who she is; so you're the one I have to thank. She's perfect, Ms Morris. She's perfect and I love her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I just want you to be a part of her life because I can't bear to see her this sad. Not when this is one of the only problems I'm not able to fix.'

'Naya, I'm sorry. For what I said before.' Naya almost stopped breathing. 'Part of me thought this was just some silly phase. But you're serious, aren't you?' She nodded, not wanting to butt in. 'I'm sorry for what I did.' It was all she needed to hear, but she knew Heather needed more. Moving towards the door, she turned to face her girlfriend's mother. 'Let's go back inside.'

Jeannie resumed her seat in her chair, whilst Naya took Heather's hand as she sat back down on the couch opposite her. 'Heather, I'm sorry.' Naya squeezed her hand. 'This.. this whole thing is still a little overwhelming for me. And I hope you understand that, even though I regret what I did, I needed time to get used to the idea of you dating women.' Heather was about to speak up, but her mother stopped her by holding up her hand. 'Can we take this a step at a time?' Heather looked at her confused. 'I'm trying, Heather. I am. I just need you to still be patient with me. I'm an old lady now and I'm stuck in my ways. You've always been the one to challenge me, but this' she gestured to Naya and Heather, 'this came as a bit of a shock. Will you forgive me my mistakes and let me start to get used to this?'

Before anyone had the chance to say anything, Heather had moved across the room and pulled her mother into a tight embrace. Pulling away, she spoke calmly. 'I am going to try my best to forgive you, mom. I am. But you have to understand that things are different than they used to be. I… I'm a lesbian. And that's not going to change. It's nobody's fault so don't blame yourself, or Naya. It's just who I am. And I need you to love me regardless of who I'm in love with because I need my mom, okay?'

Jeannie nodded, standing up and hugging Heather once more.

/

'So did you do anything exciting for Valentine's day? Anything romantic?' After their conversation, Jeannie had invited April to come over and have lunch with them all. Naya felt her face grow hot as she thought back to Valentine's day. Heather simply smiled. 'Yes! Naya surprised me with a night in a hotel. We had dinner at Gordon Ramsay's restaurant and I got roses and strawberries and chocolates.' Jeannie's expression softened. She could see for herself how happy Heather was. 'And did you do anything for Naya?'

'Yeah. This little minx…' Naya watched as Jeannie shuffled in her chair, the wording had obviously made her uncomfortable. 'This little minx pretended like she had forgotten it was Valentine's day altogether. And then she surprised me in the evening with my gift. We're going on a weekend break to Malibu just to relax together and enjoy some privacy away from work and cameras and stuff. Just in a little cottage.'

'How is work?' Jeannie asked, changing the subject. 'It's good, thanks. A little dramatic at times, though.'

'Dramatic? In what way?' Heather sighed. 'Well, Britt's pregnant. And, for now, there's only four of us who know at work. ' Jeannie sat back in her seat, taking it all in. 'You know,' she began, 'I can't believe how much everything has changed in five years. April's getting married, you and Naya are together. Even your friends are starting to have kids. And I'm a grandma!' Naya laughed out loud at her exasperated tone. 'It's not bad. It's just different now, you know?' Heather nodded and smiled. That was exactly the attitude she needed her mom to have.

/

'Mom, can you promise me one thing?' Heather had reached across the table and taken her mother's hand whilst Naya and April cleared the table around them. Jeannie nodded. 'I want you to promise that we'll try and see one another once a month. I… I think you'd find it easier to get to know my life if you were in it more.'

'Of course I will' Jeannie agreed, 'I have to come and visit your swanky new Beverly Hills home, anyway!' Naya laughed from the kitchen. Leaning into the door, she made eye contact with Jeannie. 'You are more than welcome to come and stay. Any time you like!'

Jeannie smiled. 'Can I ask something too?' Heather nodded, gesturing for her to speak. 'Naya, I was wondering if I could maybe meet your mom when I came to visit? I… I've been thinking about it a lot and I think she's the only person who can help me get used to you two being together. Plus, if you two are as serious as you make out to be, I'll be spending a lot of time with her in the future.' Naya and Heather caught each other's eye, smiling at her suggestion. 'Of course you can. I could even give you her number if you'd like?'

/

Insisting on doing something to thank Jeannie for lunch, Heather and Naya found themselves in the kitchen washing the dishes. 'Well, that went well' Heather said with a smile as she passed Naya the final plate to dry. Naya smiled at her. 'I'm so happy.' Heather nodded, holding her wrist and forcing her to put the now-dry plate down on the counter. Pulling her closer and placing a wet hand on her cheek, she leaned in and kissed her.

'Oh! Oh, I'm sorry!' Jeannie backed out of the kitchen door as Heather and Naya pulled apart. With her arm still around her girlfriend, Heather laughed. 'Mom, we're sorry. You can come in. We just…' Jeannie held up a hand, surprisingly still smiling. 'You don't need to explain away a kiss, honey.' Heather shrugged, 'okay.' Jeannie smiled at the pair of them.

'You know, you guys are really cute together.'

/

AN: Three cheers for Mama Morris! Please REVIEW and let me know what you think? See you next year ;)