Chapter 11 - First Blessing
Stacie couldn't stop smiling as she walked out of the planetarium with Aubrey. Her girlfriend laced their fingers together with a giggle and amused shake of her head as she pulled her to the side.
"Okay, you were right. That actually did get me into the holiday spirit…in a nerdy type of way. Who knew a holiday light show in a planetarium would be so festive," teased Aubrey and Stacie gasped dramatically.
"Did my girlfriend, Aubrey Posen, just admit I was right? It is a Christmas miracle. God bless us, everyone," teased Stacie and Aubrey playfully nudged her.
"Hey, I can admit when you are right about something. It just doesn't happen very often," quipped Aubrey and Stacie smiled smugly.
"Only you would try to go toe to toe with a genius."
"Intellect is a highly subjective thing," reminded Aubrey as she pulled Stacie into her arms.
"Really, because I have the I.Q. tests and Mensa membership to prove it," said Stacie and Aubrey's eyes widened.
"You never told me you have a Mensa membership!" Stacie shrugged and wrapped her arms around her.
"It isn't all people think it's cracked up to be, just a bunch of intellectuals talking about being intellectuals."
"And with that comment, I know we are in Portland." Stacie frowned in confusion.
"What do you mean," she asked as Aubrey began stroking her hair.
"Did you know that you downplay your intelligence even more when you are home, but in a different way? At Barden, you relied on the Hunter to mask the sexy nerd with a soft spot for astronomy. In L.A., you talk more about the research of others than your own, but any time we are in Portland, you downplay the importance of your intelligence, like it is just a personality trait or birthright," explained Aubrey and Stacie looked down.
"I was born with it. I didn't exactly have to learn to be smart."
"Stace, you are the smartest person I have ever met and I am not just talking about your research. You have an emotional intelligence and you sense things about people. I happen to be ridiculously attracted to your intelligence. You don't need to downplay it."
"I know that and one of the reasons I fell so in love with you is that you never pressure me to be anyone but me. Being back here just reminds me of who my family wants me to be, Anastacia Conrad, the heiress and lead scientist at Conrad Industries."
"Would that be so bad? You love the research your family does."
"I do and I love my family. You know that. I definitely don't want them to think I am not grateful. They are amazing. I just want my own path, you know? Not one that was decided for me at birth."
"I get that and you deserve to do what makes you happy. Just know that you can find a compromise with your father about the business and I will support you no matter what."
"I love you," Stacie whispered before hugging her and Aubrey smiled.
"I love you too, baby. So much that I am even willing to sit through one more show if you want," she offered and Stacie beamed with happiness.
"Really," she asked and Aubrey giggled at her excitement.
"It looks like Dark Universe is about to start and while I know nothing about Neil deGrasse Tyson, I know he is your favorite scientist, and is the narrator of the film."
"He is not my favorite scientist. I could never just pick one. He is my favorite celebrity astrophysicist."
"Is that actually a category," teased Aubrey and Stacie nodded as she pulled her back toward the planetarium.
After an evening at a Christmas festival with the family, followed by dinner at one of Portland's best and most exclusive restaurants, Stacie and Aubrey were exhausted. Aubrey wasn't surprised when Stacie curled up beside her and fell right asleep, but Aubrey was still wide awake. While her body was tired, her brain was wired and racing with thoughts, concerns, and possibilities. She managed to prop a pillow up beside Stacie and get out of bed without waking her. It always made her smile that Stacie would reach out for her. As if on cue, the brunette wrapped an arm around the pillow and pulled it closer before falling into a deeper sleep. Aubrey kissed the top of her head, put on her robe, and crept out of the room to head downstairs. The mansion was still dimly lit by the interior Christmas lights and decorations, making it easier for her to make her way to the kitchen. She smiled sheepishly when she entered and saw Helen standing over the stove.
"Mind some company," she questioned and Helen smiled warmly at her.
"Of course not, I was just about to make some tea. Would you like some?"
"Sure and I will take one of those cookies as well," said Aubrey with a knowing smile that made Helen laugh.
"Busted," she giggled and handed Aubrey a cookie before taking a bite of her own.
"Stacie gets her sweet tooth from you. We always keep at least one type of cookie in the pantry at home," informed Aubrey as she sat down on a stool by the kitchen island.
"She has been that way since she was a child. It gave me an excuse to keep the cookie jar full. I plan to give it to the two of you when you have your first child," said Helen as she put the lid back on the cookie jar. Aubrey coughed and nearly choked on her cookie. Helen smiled slyly.
"Unless of course you don't plan to have any," she added and Aubrey cleared her throat as she shook her head.
"No, I mean of course…I mean no meaning no to the idea we wouldn't have…yes…I believe the answer is yes….I think," stammered Aubrey and Helen laughed.
"I think this is the first time I have actually seen you flustered. You are such a poised young woman. It is nice to see you flail a bit." Aubrey huffed.
"Well Conrad's tend to fluster me," she grumbled and Helen patted her back.
"I was just teasing you. I know you and Stacie plan on having children, which is why I am wondering what is taking you so long to ask Eric and I what you've wanted to since you arrived a couple of days ago." Aubrey's eyes widened.
"What do you mean," she asked as Helen poured them each a cup of tea.
"You know, most people assume Stacie gets her logic-based intelligence from me, but she actually gets it from her father. I may be the neuroscientist in the family, but Eric calculates and assesses based on logic far more. She gets her interpersonal intelligence from me. I am successful in my research due to my ability to sense things about people."
"And your ability to discover new techniques, systems, and technologies to better map out the brain," said Aubrey and Helen winked as she sat down beside her.
"That does help," she agreed with a giggle. They were silent for a moment as Aubrey mulled over how to proceed and Helen squeezed honey into her tea. Aubrey took in a deep breath to calm her nerves before speaking up.
"I want to ask Stacie to marry me and I know our relationship isn't exactly traditional, but I do believe in some traditions, no matter how outdated they may seem. I want your blessing and Eric's as well," she confessed.
"You found the love of your life and want to exchange vows. That sounds like a pretty traditional relationship to me."
"I love her very much, more than I ever thought I could love someone and I promise that I want to give her everything she deserves in life," added Aubrey and Helen turned to face her.
"Then I just have one more question for you to answer before you can have my blessing." Aubrey took in a deep breath and nodded.
"Ask away," she said.
"Do I get grandbabies or what?" Aubrey couldn't help but to laugh and Helen giggled as she pulled her in for a hug.
"Of course I want babies with Stacie."
"And of course you have my blessing. I've known since the day she brought you home to meet us that you would be in the family. It will be nice to officially have another daughter," said Helen as tears of happiness filled Aubrey's eyes.
"You've always treated me like one of your own and I love you for that," confessed Aubrey. Helen cupped her face and kissed her forehead.
"You deserve everything you want in life as well, Aubrey, and that includes a family that accepts you for who you are. I cannot wait for the wedding. When do you plan on proposing?" Aubrey sighed in relief.
"I want it to be after the holidays and once things calm down a bit. I also want it to be a surprise. You know how hard Stacie is to catch off guard." Helen smirked.
"Oh I know. It was next to impossible trying to hide her Christmas presents when she was a child. She never believed in Santa and deduced at the age of five that no corporation could sustain the energy levels to run that type of business at the North Pole." Aubrey laughed and shook her head.
"I guess calling it magic was out of the question."
"Have you met my daughter," Helen teased back and Aubrey giggled.
"Well, she does love Harry Potter."
"Yes, but she doesn't believe Harry Potter is real. Do you know how hard it was even getting her to go see Santa at malls? Her brothers were adamant about it. They didn't fully believe, but loved the theatrics of it all. Not Stacie, she thought it was absurd to stand in line to sit on the lap of an old man who wasn't her grandpa."
"So what did you do?"
"We explained to her that it wasn't about the logic of it all. Some things are for fun, to immerse yourself in the make belief. She conceded that, but only after being assured she could have a candy cane and we would go get gingerbread after."
"Thank God she can be lured with sugar."
"Indeed," said Helen as she shook her head at the memory.
"Do you think she will say yes," asked Aubrey in a small voice and Helen smiled warmly at her.
"Without a doubt, so don't let that Posen head of yours get in the way or wait too long. I won't pry, but I also know you tend to overthink things. She loves you so much. Just ask her," encouraged Helen and Aubrey sighed in relief.
"Okay, I will after the holidays. Now I just need Eric's approval."
"You don't need it, but you will most certainly get it. You should ask him when you go for your jog together tomorrow. He is already expecting it. He thought you two were already engaged and was quite disappointed at Thanksgiving."
"Really?" Helen scoffed.
"It is so obvious you two are made for each other. We expect nothing less than you being a permanent member of the family. I know the boys feel the same way, but just in case you missed the signs, welcome to the family, Aubrey," said Helen as she pulled her in for a tight hug. Aubrey sighed in relief and hugged her with a bright smile. She always thought Stacie was lucky to have such an amazing family and it was starting to dawn on her that they were now her family as well.