Hi guys :) I guess this chapter is a bit over due, but school group projects have been a bitch to me lately. I've been set up with a bunch of lazy students.. At least I'll learn a lot by doing everything myself ;)
Okay, over to the story. This is the second last chapter (waaah, runs in a circle and screams)! It's just one chapter 'till it's finished, guuuys. I'm really looking forward to getting the closure, but at the same time I don't want to end it. It's my baby you know :( I wish I could write this for eternity, but I would run out of events happening to the girls, and definitely run you up a corner. Best to stop before that, yeah?
Thanks for every read and review! It makes my day, and I love every one of you.
But okay, I promised you a Fitch dinner, so a Fitch dinner is what you'll get. I don't own skins and all that yadda.
Chapter 30: Rude
Emily PoV
"Can you sit fucking still for a second?" Katie growled from behind me. She was fixing my hair, braiding it and curling it and what not. I asked her for help to look decent for the impending dinner, and she made it into a project for one of her blogs. Well, at least I hopefully would end up looking smashing, or something down that road.
"Sorry." I muttered, trying to calm my nervous shifting in the seat. I was shitting bricks, I was so anxious about the dinner.
I wanted everything to be perfect, I wanted mum to really like Naomi despite her being a girl, and I wanted our families to get along. Maybe it was a bit much to hope for, but everything had been so shit recently and I just wanted something good out of this. And besides, we had progressed since the incident in Barcelona.
"Fucking hell!" Katie huffed. "Your restlessness is making me antsy."
"I'm sorry Katie, I'm just really nervous about it all. Do you think mum really will make an effort like she said?" I turned to look at my sister with big, vigilant eyes.
"I don't know, why does it even matter? Thought you would be with wonder girl no matter what mum said?" she sighed, obviously done with trying to sort my hair.
"I know, and I will, but it would really fucking make things easier if it weren't any cold shoulders or scowling eyes going around. I love her, and I want to be with her for a really long time."
"Really? I think you'll find someone fitter when you move away for uni. Don't really understand why you chose her of every lezza out there." Katie mused.
"Katie!" I scolded, "Did you hear what I just said? I love her and there won't ever be anyone who trumps her." I emphasized.
"Whatever, I don't see how you won't sleep around for a bit and be free. Maybe you'll find out that you don't want to be tied down."
I rolled my eyes. "Really, Katie, just because I'm your twin doesn't mean I prefer the same lifestyle as you do."
"You're certainly missing out on some great shags." she winked at me. I smirked back at her.
"I don't think I am." I winked at her, making her slightly gag. But what did she expect? She was the one who was insulting me and my girlfriend. It ended with Katie sending me a disgusted look before heading upstairs, probably to post her outfit of the day. I shook my head of her childish nature before heading to the kitchen.
Mum was in full swing preparing dinner. Not that she was a great cook or anything, actually it was quite the opposite, but her meat soup was edible. And I also convinced her to make a vegan on the side for Gina and Naomi. I smiled as the smell hit my nostrils. She did actually make an effort.
"It's soon finished, Emily." she said from behind me as I was leaning over the pans. She was cutting up some bread to go with the soup. "Why don't you go out and set the table?" she asked.
It was a beautiful afternoon, not chokingly hot, but just the right temperature to be dressed lightly. I had opted for black shorts and a green silky blouse over. I hoped Naomi would find the attire rather appealing.
My mum wanted everyone to sit outside on our porch to dine, where we had a great view over the strait downside our house. I thought it was a great idea, made it all a bit less formal and tense in my opinion.
When I was done setting the table, I lent against the fence pointing towards the road, waiting for my love. Soon I heard mum start to rustle behind me, probably arranging the food. I heard dad's voice drifting through the air too, and James answering it. I think they were watching a game in the living room, and by the sounds of it, it was intense. But then everything blurred out. Because Kieran's car suddenly whirled down the driveway and parked up and I could see the blonde curls through the window of the car. The sight of her always made my breath hitch and toes curl in anticipation. I wondered if this reaction would ever go away. I prayed it didn't.
I ran down to meet them and to have a moment with Naomi before the solemnity started.
"Emily, you're looking as cute as a button!" Gina greeted me and touched my nose with her pointy finger before rushing past me with a bouquet of probably hand picked flowers. Kieran gave me a polite nod before following her. Left was Naomi, standing by the car and looking apprehensively towards the porch. She was holding a small box in her hands and her attire was absolutely stunning in a simple way. She had opted for pastel colors, and was wearing a light skirt with a long-sleeved light shirt over it. She was looking sophisticated and cute and innocent, and I knew she was anything but the latter.
"Hey girlfriend." I greeted her, stopping right in front of her. Her eyes shifted from the direction of my mum down to mine. I could see they visible relax a bit of my presence. So she was probably as nervous as I was.
"Hey you." she murmured as I took one of her hands in mine.
I leant up to kiss her, but saw that her eyes anxiously darted towards the patio again. She was obviously worried my mum would catch us like this.
"She's busy with your mum and Kieran, now give me a proper greeting." I whispered. She finally complied and leant down for a sweet kiss that made my body hum.
"I hope your mum hasn't made the torture chamber ready." Naomi said as we parted. I lightly swatted her forearm, before starting to lead her towards where everyone was.
"Stop it, she'll be nice, she promised me." I assured her. And myself.
We walked up the stairs and saw mum and Gina gushing over the flowers. Thankfully they seemed to get more along, and it was therefore more promising for my girlfriend to be accepted as well. Kieran had probably vacated inside to the boys.
Once mum saw us, she plastered on a false smile. I was well aware how to recognize it, how she seemed more stiff than usual. My heart sank to the pit of my stomach of it, but I still had some faith that she would be civil to Naomi.
"Hi Mrs Fitch, I'm Emily's girlfriend. Nice to formally meet you." Naomi said more confidently than she looked. I guessed she had probably rehearsed it. She stuck out her hand for mum, and waited for her to take it, which she did hesitantly after a bit.
"So you are." mum looked deeply into Naomi's eyes, and if I didn't know better, there was conveyed a warning in that intense stare. Naomi gulped audibly, and rubbed her hand as the handshake ended. Mum had a hard handshake, probably from the business side of her. I hated the fact that she sized Naomi up like she did with people she made business with.
"Uh, I brought some chocolate from Spain." Naomi said, holding out the small box. My mum took it from her, looking a bit more friendly at least.
"How kind of you."
"So, let's dine?" I said, hoping to cut this awkward moment short. Gina gave us a gentle but understanding smile.
"Yes. Boys, get out here and greet our guests!" Mum yelled past Katie who just walked out the patio door. There was some grunts in reply. We sat down with the table and waited for the rest of them.
"Wow!" James exclaimed as he caught eye of Naomi, "that's one top quality dyke, Emsy."
"Fuck off." I scolded her, and laid my arms on the back of Naomi's chair. I figured I would always be a bit protective of her regarding my little brother's perving. I couldn't blame him, but it was disturbing.
People around the table started to take servings. We never cared about waiting for everyone to settle before starting. We weren't that kind of polite, cause it was always a fight to get full before the edible stuff was gone. I guess old habits die hard.
Dad came out with the biggest smile ever, which transferred to everyone else around the table. He sat down with mum and greeted Gina politely before shifting his eyes to my other half.
"So Naomi, I heard you captured my girl's heart?" he asserted, giving her a much more warm welcome than my mum, luckily. Katie rolled her eyes and scoffed at this from the other side of the table.
"I guess I have." Naomi turned to give me a loving look. "Nice to meet you mr Fitch."
"Likewise." he smiled.
It was silent for a while as the rest of the people around the table helped themselves to the food. Gina complimented mum on the food as dad took the last serving.
"Naomi and my little girl…" my dad mulled, looking thoughtful with a small smile on his face. I looked at him curiously. "Nice to see that you finally got together officially. First time I saw you, you were secretly snogging right down her on the banks!" he told the whole assembly. My mouth snapped open.
"Dad!" I chided him for his little observing to everyone as the same time as mum yelled out "What!" as she turned to him. "When was this?"
"Oh, a while ago." dad gave me and Naomi a wink. I was grateful that it didn't bother him, but he really wasn't making things easier.
"Why didn't you tell me?" mum exclaimed while Naomi whispered "Why didn't you tell me he knew?" in my ear. It was too many proclaims at once that I couldn't keep up. And my siblings were just laughing silently, marveling at the exploitations of my early love life. But sadly it didn't stop there.
"Oh that sounds almost like when I found out about them!" Gina chimed out. "Only they were naked and on top of each other, of course!". mum spluttered out a spoonful of the soup. She stared openmouthed at Gina.
"Mum!" It was Naomi's turn to scold someone, and we both sank visibly down in our chairs.
"What? I thought I could participate with that little snippet as we were swapping stories anyway. Oh don't worry girls, it's all natural having such a sex drive in the beginning. Not that I'm saying that it will wear off, right Kieran?"
"Kill me now…" Naomi mumbled as she laid her hands over her eyes. I was right there with her.
"Right, well…" my mum tried to compose herself with taking a big gulp of water. She looked kind of flustered, and my dad just looked amused as he heartily dug in on the food.
Katie was grinning at me like an idiot, saying in every way without words that she would definitely give a debrief of this on her blog tonight. I scowled at her, motioning for her to help me out of this incredibly awkward pit. She rolled her eyes at me, but turned to mum and started talking to her about something that took her mind off the current, Gina soon joining in. Kieran and dad was workmates, so they always had some fishermen stuff to talk about. Uninteresting to say at least. But it made me and Naomi sit a bit taller to actually eat our food. Although it didn't help one bit that James kept sending glances towards Naomi. I placed one hand on her thigh, but I didn't know it were for mine or her sake.
The next half an hour flew by with small chatter. I was glad that my dad actually talked to Naomi about a few things, but my mum was disappointingly holding back. And I noticed the scowls she sent our way whenever we would touch each other, no matter how brief it was. I was feeling a bit forlorn of it. As if she heard my thoughts, she steered her stare straight at Naomi.
"So, Naomi…" she smirked. I didn't like that smirk one bit.
"Yes, mrs Fitch?" Naomi answered politely. Naomi had been a dream, really. But my mum hadn't even instructed Naomi to call her by her first name, as my dad had.
"Do you have any plans for the future? Careers? Interests?" Okay, great. This was great and innocent and mum just being curios.
"Yeah, I'm actually interested in causes and such around the world. Also I'm into the morals and rules the society sets, and how breaking of these should be handled. I'll probably go to uni and study law." Naomi said passionately. I placed my hand on hers that were resting on the table and gave her a loving smile.
"So you'll presumably become a lawyer, am I right?"
"Yeah, I guess that's most likely. I don't think I would be a judge or anything."
"Right…" my mum pondered, "which means that there won't be many career options for you to pursue out here on Burrhea."
"I… guess not?" Naomi said hesitantly.
"That would become a problem, wouldn't it? As Emily here wants to take over the shop."
"What!" I piped up, sitting up straighter. "I told you a million times that I don't want to do that."
"Oh, shush Emily, we all know that you'll come to your senses. Wouldn't leave your old mum in the lurch, would you?" mum reasoned.
"Mum, can't you listen to her for once!" Katie surprisingly stuck up for me. I gave her a surprised smile. I glances at dad, and saw that he looked a bit uncomfortable. I wished he would take my side.
"I have, and that photographer thing is ridiculous if you ask me." she looked back at me, "You should invest in something worthwhile, where you're guaranteed some good money."
"Photography is a great profession if you ask me." Gina said. "You can touch so many people with it. I like that you have such a creative side Emily, it contrasts Naomi beautifully."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Naomi said incredulously.
"Oh, nothing love, I'm just saying that she's well artistic. Doesn't mean you're out of talent, dear." Gina sucked up to Naomi. It resulted in a snort and shrug before Naomi turned to me and gave me a supporting look.
"Look mum," I started, for the n-th time, "I want to go to university to study graphic design. If you and dad could just lend me the money, I could pay you back."
"Emily, we've talked about this. That fund for you is so you can study business." Mum answered strictly, before gathering the plates to take inside. As she disappeared into the kitchen, my dad turned to me.
"I'll talk to her, Emsy. Maybe she'll come around."
I nodded solemnly. Of course it was great that he would talk to her, but honestly, I needed him to do more. He was such a doormat sometimes.
Naomi's hand drifted to my back to comfort me. I felt everyone giving me sympathetic looks as I just glanced at my hands in my lap. Fucking hell, would things ever change?
Mum appeared again with bowls of home made raspberry ice cream. Made by Katie, of course, for obvious reasons. Everyone took a scoop and ate in silence. The previous statements hanging over our heads.
"Fucks sakes!" Katie broke the silence earning a frown from mum. She never was good in suffering through them. "Mum, you're giving me money to study what I want to, and keeping that from Emily in return is unfair! You're supposed to give us the same shot at education." she spit out. I quite liked this new bold Katie. It was new for her to stand up to mum like this, she was always a bit scared like me. I guess the 'don't-give-a-shit' factor just hit the roof.
"Katie, that's enough. Me and Emily have decided on this."
"No mum, you decided! I never got a say in it." I grumbled.
"Whatever, it is sealed now. You'll take over the shop after me, settle down out here and hopefully will meet a cute boy on one of the neighbor islands." she said casually as she scooped ice cream up on her spoon.
"Excuse me?" Naomi finally spoke up from beside me. I was actually a bit surprised she hadn't said anything before, but I narrowed it down to her not wanting to make a scene to ruin dinner.
"Oh sorry Naomi, a nice girl then maybe." mum said the word girl with a spiteful tone. Fucking hell, had she not noticed I already had a girlfriend?
"If they are half as fit as Naomi, you should bring them over all the time." James grinned absentmindedly, probably far away in a lesbian fantasy. I scowled at him until my sister hit him over the head.
"Mrs Fitch, I'm not sure that your problem with me is caused by the fact that I'm a girl or the terrible thing that happened in Barcelona, but if you could let me know, that would be great." Naomi asked my mum.
Everyone around the table was silent at this point, looking between my mum and my love.
"No, Emily have greatly explained why what happened in Barcelona isn't your fault." mum said tensely.
"But?" Naomi probed, sensing there were more to the matter.
"But she wouldn't have been in Barcelona if you didn't swipe her away from work and responsibilities, would she?" mum said challengingly.
"I did that because Emily has been working her arse of trying to earn a fraction of what she needs to pay for the uni bills. Earning what you're not giving her. She needed a treat and a break." Naomi was not backing down.
"You could turn this on me anyway you like Naomi, but it is what it is."
"Would you stop blaming my girlfriend, she isn't at fault." I barked, getting angrier by the second.
"Jenna, that's a bit unfair against my daughter, don't you think?" Gina said after me and frowned. Mum looked between us, finally tongue tied. Her eyes stopped at dad.
"What do you think, Rob?"
"It's hardly Naomi's fault…" he started, but before he could finish mum stood hastily up.
"Well, this has been lovely. Glad to meet you Naomi, you seem like a smart young lady. Thank you for coming." she smiled tightlipped. I stared hard at her, feeling my jaw clench.
"Don't be rash, love." dad muttered.
"I'm not rash, Rob. It's late."
"Mum, stop being such a bitch!" Katie lashed out.
"Language, Katie! And you've been absolutely disgraceful the whole meal, and in front of guests too, what's gotten into you?"
"Nothing, I just finally realized that you've been a complete opposite tonight of what you use to be when I have boys over." Katie scrunched her eyebrows together.
"I have not." mum said indignantly.
"Actually," Gina piped up before raising to her feet as well. "I was really starting to like you, Jenna, but if you're not going to accept that our daughters are in love, then maybe we shouldn't indulge in such dinners in the future."
"What is this? You're all ganging up at me." mum took a step back.
"We're not, mum," I said, swallowing back tears, "but you're ganging up on me, and I'm sick of it." I took Naomi's hand in mine and started to walk off towards the driveway. "Don't expect me back tonight!" I yelled over my shoulder.
We walked to Kieran's car and slipped into the backseat. I let an angry sigh escape me, before Naomi enveloped me. She calmed me down before I had a fit. She kissed my temple, and my eyelids and cheeks before asking cutely, "Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?"
I smiled at how adorable she was. "I don't think you have." I said cheekily.
"Well, you are." Naomi grinned, and kissed me deeply.
Before we could enjoy each other for too long, Gina and Kieran got into the car.
"Don't worry Emily, it will be alright." Gina said soothingly to me.
"I hope so," I whispered as I leant into Naomi's side.
We drove back to Naomi's, and on the way I noticed how the sun already had gone down, leaving a beautiful, pink cloud cover over the islets. I made my decision right there.
So when we jumped out of the car, I tugged Naomi in the opposite direction of the house.
"Let's go for a walk, I need a breather." I suggested. She nodded and bid fare well to her mum and Kieran.
We walked on the narrow road that was curled elegantly between the islets, hand in hand. It was a nice night stroll and I felt the fresh air ease up my tense shoulders a bit.
It was really beautiful, there was not a ripple on the sea. It was like a mirror, reflecting everything perfectly down to detail. The color in the sky flowed down and melted together with the sea, and the dark islets over the strait became horizontal symmetric with the reflections. I had always preferred this lighting, but had sadly not found a way to capture everything about it on camera yet.
"I can't believe how rude my mum was." I sulked as our hands swung between us. We had walked quite a bit in silence, just now passing Cooks' residence.
"It wasn't that bad." Naomi said gently.
"Wasn't that bad? Were you even there? She was a nightmare!" I whined.
"I think she'll come around." Naomi smiled at me.
"How did you interpret that? I thought she was coming around, but I guess I just had put too much hope in it…" I stated sadly.
"Hey," she dragged me closer to her body with a tug. "She wasn't so bad, she didn't lay anything new on the table. She just needs more time. And I think she'll cave in the end and support you going to uni too."
"You're just saying that."
"No! I could see how much she loves you, Em. She just wants the best for you, she just shows it the wrong way. She'll understand that when you'll drift apart because of this. Plus, your dad is on your side." I scoffed.
"Hardly. He never stands up to mum."
"Maybe it will change." she smiled gently.
We had drifted off the main road, and was walking a bumpy gravel road towards a large hill. Towards the highest point in Burrhea.
"So your dad knew about us since the beach, then?" Naomi asked, somewhat looking amused.
"Yeah well, I could hardly lie when he saw us, could I? Plus he took it really great, he didn't want to pressure me or anything. I guess it just slipped my mind not to tell you because of.. well.. what happened that day."
"Ah, well, I was an idiot that day."
"You were." I agreed, but leaned in to kiss her cheek. Just so we could leave this topic on good terms. We walked a few seconds more, before the anger flared up inside me again. "But I just can't understand how it's such a big deal that you're a girl. My mum would have loved you if you had a penis and a couple of balls. It was so fucking out of line when she suggested I'd find a nice boy on one of the neighbor islands."
"She was just saying it to rile me up. She wanted to scare me away." Naomi said easily.
"How can you be so calm about it? I thought you dreaded this dinner, and it wasn't exactly a success!"
"Hey, I was expecting torture chambers, yeah? Totally a success in my book." she smirked. I gave her an unamused look back.
"Fine, fine," she relented as we started climbing the steep hill, "it could have gone better, but before we steered over on the heavy topics, everyone seemed to get along. And that tells me that if we could get past these issues, we would eventually be quite chummy."
"You and my mum, chummy?"
"Well, civilized at least. But Em, you said she was homophobic yeah? Just having me and my family over for dinner is a leap in the right direction, it will get better." She leaned over and kissed my temple.
"I guess…" I sighed.
"And Katie got your back."
"She does." I smiled to myself.
"And you won't get rid of me."
"No?" I grinned, "Not even if my mum locks you in a torture chamber?"
"Especially then! I wouldn't have anywhere to run, would I?" She stated playfully. I giggled.
"I love you, dickhead."
"Love you too, hairy balls, but where have you taken me?" she asked breathlessly as we reached the top. She eyed the object there with skepticism.
"This!" I gestured to the small round 'house' with windows around the whole thing, half way burried in the ground, "is an old german lookout-post. They built it under the world war, because they managed to occupy these islands for a couple of months. It was great to spot war ships drifting about. But after that, the locals had a makeover for it and made it actually a bit romantic inside. Come on!"
I dragged her down to the entrance. We had to crouch down before we surfaced inside the dome. There were benches with pillows around the whole thing, and a round table in the middle. It wasn't big at all, maybe capable of storing five people if they pressed together. It was perfect for a romantic evening, and had a great view over the beautiful night. Naomi sat down and looked curiously around herself as I located the matches to light the three candles on the table. When I was done and the dome was illuminated in a soft glow, I turned to Naomi with a smile, finding her already looking at me.
"What do you think?" I asked, giddiness of being here with her filling me up.
"It's really lovely." she shifted closer to me.
"Good. I've wanted to take you here for a while. It's the most romantic place on the island, always does the trick." I whispered leaning in.
Suddenly she jumped back, watching me with a scowl.
"What do you mean always does the trick, have you been here with Karen?" she said somewhat hurt. I didn't want to lie to her.
"Well, it was kind of one of our places…" I trailed of, searching her face. She turned away from me, chewing on her lip. I looked out the windows again with a sigh, watching how still the world was. And I couldn't even remember the last time I was here. Because everything was Naomi now.
"Look, Naomi, it doesn't mean anything that I was here with her first."
"Can you hear yourself? Of course it matters! This was your place, Emily. What are you trying to gain by bringing me here, huh? Want us to do exactly the same as you two did?" she said with a harsh voice. I knew she only did it because she was feeling insecure, but I couldn't help but flinch.
"No, Naomi, I don't want us to relive my relationship with Karen. I don't want anything to do with her, it's you that I want, and you should know that." I pleaded.
"Then why did you take me here?" she asked, eyebrows still knitted together.
"Because I want to make memories with you everywhere Naoms. I want us to do everything together. I don't think of this place as romantic because of Karen, it just is romantic, everyone will say the same, you know. And I haven't brought you because I want to erase what me and Karen had here, because that will always be. But it doesn't mean that it has any significance to me anymore, because it definitely don't." I took a deep breath.
"It's you and me forever, Nai, and I want to make every space ours. Including this. I want us to have this together. To conquer everything we want, despite our pasts. I don't want it to set a boundary on us, because you know what? When I'm with you, I know no boundary. You make me think I can do anything. Even be successful in what I love to do. So, what I'm trying to say through all this rambling, is that we should do anything we want together, in spite of what everyone else thinks. In spite of what is and what was. I want to make this romantic lookout-post-thingy ours."
She was looking deeply into my eyes at this point, her face all serious. I think I could see traces of tears by the borders of her beautiful eyes. The candles highlighted her face stunningly. Her open and touched expression reminded me of why I loved her. Of how amazing she is, of how committed she is. Then she smiled, a big, luminescent smile. It took my breath away.
"Wow, Fitch, you really know how to make a speech when I get all grouchy on you." she took my hand in hers.
"Yes, I'm a fantastic wordsmith." she laughed at this. "Can we kiss now?" I pouted, not being able to resist her in this light.
"I think we can." she whispered as she slowly leaned closer and kissed me softly. Her hand circled my waist as mine found their way into her hair. I tugged her down with me as I laid down on my back. She crawled over me, slightly giggling into the kiss.
Yes, we would take this dome and make it ours. Just like we would conquer everything else.
.
Just one chapter left! Is it just me hyperventilating here?