"Rachel, dinner is delicious", Peyton smiled.
It was her father's first evening back after a particularly long job out at sea. At the Sawyer home sat Larry, Peyton, Anna and Larry's girlfriend, Rachel. A pretty woman in her early forties with a long mane of fiery red hair, a sharp tongue, wacky sense of humor and a cigarette permanently pursed between her lips. Peyton liked Rachel. She had been seeing her dad for a few years and the two seemed to be happy. They made a great couple and Rachel was understanding of his long work absences. Rachel was a friend, like a fun and crazy big sister and she had never tried to assume the "wicked stepmother" role or take the position of Peyton's deceased mother. The women got along.
"Thanks, kid but don't the rolls taste familiar?"
"Well…"
"Exactly", Rachel winked with a smile. "Call the café and thank Karen for that one. Sorry, I didn't feel like slaving over a hot stove and trying to experiment. Anna, you're a guest and I didn't want to scare you away from coming back. Larry and Peyton are used to it."
Anna smiled politely.
"You know guys", Peyton began. "Anna here is a really great cook."
"Is that so?" Larry grinned.
"Peyton, is too kind, Mr. Sawyer…"
"Hey, enough of that Mr. Sawyer crap, young lady. Mr. Sawyer is my father. I'm Larry", he winked.
"Sorry, Mr…I mean, Larry. Anyway, Peyton gives me way too much credit sometimes. I'm okay in the kitchen."
"She's more than okay."
"What kind of stuff do you like to cook, Anna?"
"Oh anything…everything. Um, mostly traditional Mexican food but I like to bake as well. And I've found a million and one ways to prepare a chicken."
"Well, you'll have to cook for us next time", Larry said. "Maybe you could show my daughter a thing or two."
"Speaking of", Rachel added. "When do we get to see this new place you moved to, Pey?"
"Um…uh, soon, I guess", the blonde said nervously as Anna visibly tensed.
"I just hope the bedroom is big enough for all of your stuff."
"Uh, it is I guess."
"Anna, don't let Peyton freak you out", Larry smiled. "I know her decorating is probably a little dark and brooding at sometimes. I told her to add some pink but she threatened to kill me. I bet your two rooms look like night and day, huh?"
Anna and Peyton just looked at each other. Peyton opened her mouth to speak but the words just wouldn't come out. Anna gently nudged her.
"Um, yeah…Dad about that…"
"Rachel and I can't wait to see it. If you need anymore help moving or painting or anything…"
"It's cool, Dad. Really."
"Good. I'm proud of you, Bug. You've done well for yourself. Graduating college and getting a degree in business, now partnering up with Karen and Deb for the club? Sounds like everything is working out. You have a good head on your shoulders. Your mother would be so proud of you."
"Thanks, Dad", she replied softly.
"And Anna you're going to be a school teacher, huh?"
"Yes sir", she cleared her throat. "Third grade. I got a job over at Tree Hill Elementary."
"Well, hot damn! We should bust out the champagne. Two working girls on their own! Any man who snags either one of you should consider himself a lucky bastard. He'd be reeling in a damned good catch."
Peyton blushed as Anna nervously gulped a huge sip of beer.
"Dad, funny you should mention that. Um, I've been meaning to talk to you about that…the uh, whole dating thing."
"You're back in the game, sweetheart?"
"You could see that."
"Good for you. Sorry about Jake but sometimes things just don't work and we have to move on."
"I know."
"Are you happy?"
Peyton looked at Anna and smile. There would be no hesitation in her answer.
"Yes. Yes, I am."
"Then that's all that matters, Bug. I just want you to be happy."
"Even if it's not with someone you would have picked for me? Or someone I normally wouldn't have picked for myself?"
"You're an adult now. I trust your judgement. I know you do the right thing. You always do, Peyton. As long as you're happy and as long as the other person is treating you right, I have no objections."
Peyton took a deep breath.
"Good. Well…in that case, pass the peas, Dad. I'm gay."
Peyton reached for the mashed potatoes to a shocked and quiet table. Anna, embarrassed, put her head in her hands.
"Well, when did this happen?" Rachel asked after a minute of silence.
Peyton sighed, running her fingers through her hair.
"Look, I'm not gay, okay? I don't know what I am. I don't like labels. But I fell in love with someone. I fell in love with a person. I fell in love with what's on the inside. And maybe society doesn't accept it but I am with a woman…this woman in particular and I'm damned happy. If society doesn't accept it, that's fine but I hope you will."
"Peyton…"
"No, Dad. Please. I know it was unfair to blindside you with this and I'm really sorry but I had this huge weight on my chest that I needed to unload. I don't need advice or a lecture. I've made up my mind. I didn't mean for this to happen but it did and I'm not sorry for it. You don't have to like it but I hope you will accept it and respect me. I'm still your daughter and I still love you and I don't want you to stop loving me."
There. She'd said it all in one big emotional outburst.
"Peyton, are you sure you're happy?" Rachel asked.
"Yes."
"Then we're happy for you, honey?"
"What?"
"Anna, do you love my daughter?" Larry asked.
"With all my heart", she nodded.
"Then what can I say? What can I do? It doesn't matter what I like or dislike. And it's not like you're seeking my approval and permission anyway. You're all grown up, Peyton. You have your life to live. You have choices to make. You have to do what you feel is right for you. Now I may not like this or understand it all but who am I to stand in the way of your happiness? I love you unconditionally."
Peyton's eyes filled with tears.
"Dad, you mean that?"
"I do. Besides there are a lot worse things you could be doing besides loving someone. I raised you the best I knew how and you turned out pretty damned good."
"Thank you, Rachel…and Larry", Anna smiled in warm awe.
Peyton got up and ran to the other side of the table where she threw her arms around her father and fell into his lap, smiling through her tears.
"Thank you, Daddy. Thank you so much."
"Anna over there is a lot better looking than Jake. I can't much blame you", Larry joked.
"Dad!" she laughed, hitting him.
"What?"
"Nothing", Peyton smiled. "It's just that I love you so much."
"I love you, too, Bug."
