Party at Oliver's was fun. She and Holly sheared a kiss in public and it was a big thing for them. They were not still at the best moment, but they agreed that they must be working on their relationship. Shearing a kiss in public was confirmation to all that they are back on and that they haven't seen the last of them. Oliver's younger daughter looked at them with admiration and she looked for a moment when they would be alone so she could approach them. They were eating at the swings and she came to them.
''Hey Bella, haven't seen you around for a long time…''
''Hi aunt Gail…. I was…not in a mood to hang out with people…''
''What is wrong?''
''Can I talk to you?''
''Sure…''
Holly was about to leave them alone, but she stopped her.
''I meant two of you…''
''Oh, sure…''
''I need you not to tell this to my dad…''
''I can't hide things from him…''
Holly elbowed her and Gail stopped talking.
''You can tell us whatever you want. We will not give away your secret…''
Gail gave Holly surprised look, but Holly didn't let her ruin the chance for Bella to speak…
''How did you know?''
''Know what?''
Holly rolled her eyes at Gail and answered the question… There could be only one reason why she would talk to two of them. She didn't know Holly enough to talk about any other subject. THAT was the only thing they had uncommon at that moment.
''I was in second year of high school and there was one very pretty girl. Her name was Francesca and she was one of the most attractive girls in my PE. She was athletic, amazing ball player and she became someone I couldn't get out of my mind. We became friends and after that we dated for few months. She was my first love and she broke my heart. She left me for Jessica Stone, a cheerleader. And on the other hand, I never showed any interest in boys. Never even found them attractive. I always liked girls.''
Gail was surprised by the meaning question…. She answered it after Holly finished her story.
''Unlike Holly, I don't know how to answer it. I can't label myself since she is the only woman I ever had anything with. Before her I dated men. And after…. I never had interest in anyone. They set me up to dates with both man and woman…To me, it was never a gender thing, and to me it was Holly thing. I fell for her and it still lasts…''
Bella nodded…
''Why do you ask?''
Holly looked at her…
''Bella, are you gay?''
''I don't know… I have feelings for my best friend…''
''Oh, Bella…''
Holly put her hand on Bella's shoulder…
''What?''
''The oldest story in the book… Falling for a perfectly straight best friend who has no clue what you feel. Happened to me almost twice…''
''How did you survive it?''
''First time it was very hard. We were college roommates. She was poster child for a straight girl. Perfect daughter, every boy's and mine dream. I never told her and it went that far that I was her maid of honor.''
''Ouch! And the second time?''
Gail was not sure she was ready to listen about Holly's big loves…
''Second time…''
Holly smiled…
''The girl married me…''
Gail looked at her and smiled… Holly pecked her lips and hugged her from behind…
''It turned out she was not that straight and she married me.''
''You sweet talker…''
''I was never a sweet talker… I just knew how to battle your demons and didn't fall for your crap Peck…''
''Oh, really?''
''Yes… I was aware from the start who you are and how different you were from what you gave other people to see.''
''Oh, so now you are an expert for girls Holly… Is that the subject you got the PhD in?''
''No, the subject is something different I can't talk about in front of minors….''
Gail turned red…
''Oh…That is a rather interesting subject…''
''Sure is Mrs. Stewart…''
Holly winked at her and Gail blushed even more.
''I'll leave you two… I think I need to think about it…Before I say something more to someone else. I can't come out to my parents without being sure it's not just her or some escape.''
When Holly got her head out of the gutter, she turned to Bella.
''I get it… It took me two years to come out to my parents. Anything you need, you call us… OK?''
Before Bella left them, Oliver came buy…
''What are you talking about…?''
Gail and Bella had faces like they were caught doing something very bad…But Holly saved the day.
''Well, Oliver…. since she is bored to death with your cop stories, she asked about super cool things I do… What can I say Shaw… My job is more interesting…''
Oliver was surprised. Bella was always his biggest fan and she always was so proud of her dad's job.
''You think being a cop is boring Bella?''
''No, but being pathologist sounds amazing…''
''But you said I had the best job…''
''I was five, dad… And that was before you were hurt, abducted and all…''
Oliver was sad. Holly's little white lie really hurt him. He left them to say good bye to some guests.
''He is sad…''
''Sorry, that was the best I could think of in such a short time.''
''Don't worry… You just have to explain to me what on Earth is your job… It sounds so nerdy…. Probably sitting at the lab and playing with microscopes and such nerdy things…''
Gail almost fell from the swing how hard she was laughing.
''Yes, how did you know? You know, sometimes I had to bring her food because she forgot to eat.''
''You used that food as an excuse to see me. You had to have reason to come down and see me. You liked me much earlier than you dared to admit it…''
''Really?''
''Yes, because as soon as you landed this hot doctor you were not that often bringing me food to the lab...''
''Yes, because I had much better make out spots for us that don't smell like rotten flash and all the chemicals you use… The bench, that small place near the theater, my car somewhere hidden… Are you complaining about that?''
''No, we made up for leaving the lab when you would make me wear my lab coat at home…''
''That was hot… You and your nerdy ways…''
''I know… I noticed how you looked at me when I was in my scrubs…''
''What can I say… I have thing for girls in uniform…''
''Oh, you do? Some crush on the job?''
''Well, there was that one time in the locker room…''
''Oh, my… I totally forgot about that one… Oliver almost caught us…''
''I didn't want to hear that aunt Gail…''
''Then don't listen to it…''
Bella left them and Gail kissed her again. There was a lot of tension between them. Gail wanted more of Holly but she was still pretty scared of what could happen. Holly took her hand and whispered to her.
''Let's go home…''