A routine of ignoring things had started. Ignoring how easily they had fallen asleep together that night. Ignoring the fact that Rosa called both of them mama. Ignoring that they were two grown ass adults living together, raising a child together a là Full House. Ignoring the fact that neither of them had any interest in dating anyone.
Lu was watching Rosa play on the checkered kitchen floor when Andy walked in; more dressed up that Lu has seen her in ages. ''You look nice,'' Lu said, trying to remember what it could possibly be for. The hospital's bachelor auction wasn't for another couple of months… possibly a charity event or something?
''Thanks,'' Andy said, putting in earrings.
''Where are you going?'' Lu asked, curious despite knowing it was probably just some random shindig, the first one she hadn't been invited along to since she had started staying at Andy's temporarily well over a year ago now.
''Dinner… with Les,'' Andy said, trying to ignore the fact how uncomfortable she had felt keeping that from Lu.
Lu's face fell, ''with Les?'' She knew that they spoke frequently because of Jesse and Lizzy, especially with Jesse going off to college in the fall, but getting as dressed up as she was for dinner with him… Lu knew that that had nothing to do with their daughters. ''Why?''
''He asked,'' Andy said, knowing that was a terrible reason to start something with her ex-husband. In silence they stared at each other for a few seconds, the only sound heard was Rosa babbling to her doll. Andy bend down to pick Rosa up, knowing it was almost time for her to have her dinner. ''What's the problem?'' She asked Lu, feeling the tension in the room as she slowly took a step towards Rosa's highchair.
''Give me my daughter,'' Lu said, reaching for her.
Andy heard the sharpness in her tone, it took her a second to process the words and slowly gave Rosa to her. ''We've talked about this. You told me it was time to move on.''
''But why does it have to be with him?'' Lu asked, trying to conceal her emotions and failing horribly. She tore her eyes away from Andy, looking back at her daughter who had grabbed hold of her necklace and was pulling softly on it. She smoothed down Rosa's hair, giving her a small kiss on the head as she cradled her close.
Andy frowned, ''why not with him?'' When Lu didn't respond, didn't even look up, she sighed, crossing her arms. ''I know that you don't like him, but-''
''It's not that,'' Lu said, trying to keep her voice a bit low so as to not disturb Rosa too much. ''It's not about him.'' It truly wasn't. It wasn't about Les being abusive. It wasn't about Lu's dislike for him. It was about how much she liked Andy, and how much she could never tell her that.
''What? I'm supposed to stay single forever while we keep playing house?'' Andy asked. Even though she couldn't and didn't want to imagine Lu and Rosa calling any other place 'home' it didn't mean there wasn't room in her life for anyone else. She finally felt ready to move on from Milo and knew she had to take this leap.
Lu was about to respond when Rosa let out a soft ''mama'', looking up at Andy and reaching for her.
Lu and Andy both fell silent. Andy took a step towards Lu, kissing Rosa on the head, ''I'll be home at 10.''