Chapter IV
Gail had a plan. She was convinced that she will not survive family dinner alone. She needed distraction. She tried to delay the moment as much as possible, taking over times and extra shifts. But after her mother threatened her to directly call Frank, she decided it's time to get it over with. That's why she came up a plan.
"Steve I need a favor, the biggest favor of history of ever" said Gail walking toward her brother's desk.
"Gail? What is this about?" He didn't even bother with greeting when he saw the determent look on Gail's face.
"I need you to come with Tracy to a family dinner next week" begged Gail.
"What… are you nuts?" boomed Steve "Why in world would I do that? We are going out for like three weeks, and you want to put her thru our family dinner? I thought you like Tracy"
"I do, I wouldn't asked if it was not important" Gail answered
"What happened?" he asked
"Mom found out I'm seeing someone."
"And?" Steve get pretty good idea where this is going. The look on her face said it all.
"and she wants to meet them."
"Holly?"
"Yeah" whispered blonde "Steve, please! I can't go there alone, you know how she is."
"Ok, but you have to help convince Tracy"
"Yeah, of course!" She will have to do more begging, but she was prepare to offer her soul if necessary.
"And you will owe me. Big time."
"Thank you…thank you… thank you" Gail almost jump hugging him so hard.
"And by the way" he whispered her in to ear "I'm happy for you sis"
"Thank you."
They decided to get ready at Gail's apartment. Holly was sitting on Gail's bed watching her girlfriend go from one side of the room to the other. She never saw her this nervous. Usually the blonde was calm and collected, always safely wrapped in sarcasm and wit.
"Ok so Steve and Nash, will meet as there" Gail said putting her phone in a hand bag.
"Ok, Gail are you alright?" Holly asked standing up in from of Gail.
"Yeah just…nervous" blonde breathed.
"Do you think she will have a problem, with me being a woman?" Holly asked
"I don't know…no I guess" she answered "I don't recall her ever saying anything against it…Agrr I hate this" she whined.
All of the sudden Holly started to giggle.
"What's so funny?" asked Gail
"Nothing just… Shouldn't I be the nervous one? I mean I' meeting your family for the first time" Holly said.
"You will by fine, just don't let her get to you, and don't take anything she say personally…or you know what, just don't listen to at all her"
"That's your advice? Don't listen to her?" asked Holly with raised eyebrow.
"Yeap!" said blonde sitting on resignedly on bed
"Gail…Gail looked at me" Holly kneeled in front of the sulking blonde and put hand on her cheek "It's gonna be fine ok? We'll go in, have diner, some small talk, and after we will go to my place or back here, we put on some chick flick movie – "
"No chick flicks" Gail looked up
"Ok..so some super gory horror movie. So you can cuddle me, when I get scared ok?" asked Holly.
Gail smiled and nodded dropping small kiss on brunette's lips.
When Gail and Holly arrived Steve's car was already waiting in a drive way. Gail took a deep breath collecting herself and got out of the car.
"Gail, you owe me." Called Tracy behind her
"Yeah I know. Thank you for this." She was never more grateful that her brother is dating her friend.
"Did you ring the bell?" asked Steve
"Not yet" blonde said "you were here first."
"So do it" he urged her
"I don't wanna" Gail whined.
"O for Christ sake…" Holly laughed reaching for the bell.
When all of the sudden the door swung open.
On the other side stood Elaine Peck, her strawberry blonde hair neatly tied in small bun. She was wearing apron over her perfectly ironed shirt and pencil skirt; she looked like she would without problem fit between Stepford Wives.
"Hello can I help you?" she asked looking at Holly
"Hello!?" muttered Holly
"Hi mom" called Steve and moved forward holding Tracy's hand
"Steven, oh and you must by Tracy"
"Hello mrs. Peck" Tracy politely smiled
"Gail?" asked Elaine looking at
"Hmm mom" said Gail clearing her throat "…this is Holly"
"Holly Stewart, nice meet you" Holly said holding up her hand.
It took Mrs. Peck moment before she got over the sudden shock, but after that she did you took her guest in dining room, to meet with Bill Peck who had the same look of shock and concern as his wife, when he was introduced to Gail's girlfriend. But he was able to get over it quicker, greeting his children in hug.
After some small talk all of them gathered around the table.
"Tracy is it, Steven told me that you are detective, you seem young" Bill Peck asked sitting at the head of the table.
"Yeah, actually Gail and I went to academy together" said Tracy noting towards Gail.
"O really and you made detective already, very impressive. Isn't it Gail?" said Elaine pouring some gravy on her plate, looking up at her daughter.
"Very." Gail whispered
"And what about you, Holly is it?" continued Elaine.
"Yes"
"What is it that you do?" Asked Mrs. Peck, "Gail never mentioned you" it was said quietly, with polished courtesy, but somehow you could feel certain hostile tone.
"I'm forensic pathologist, I work with 15 divisions" Holly answered calmly.
"Oh so interesting, you met on case I assume?" Elaine asked looking at Gail
"Yes, we did" blonde answered, she was determent to be calm.
"And how long are you…together?" Her mother continued with questions
"Two weeks"
"It had to be around the unfortunate shooting at 15division?
"Yes… it was" Gail was not sure where her mother was going with is.
"I understand it had to be very emotional times"
"Mother please stop" said Steve
"What? I'm just trying to have conversation" stated Mrs. Peck
"Elaine" spoke Bill
Elaine Peck was never the one to be silenced easily, when she had something to say, she said it. But perhaps this was not the perfect setting.
They slowly finished the dinner when she spoke again "Gail would you please help me with desert in a kitchen" The way she put emphasis on the word please, was clear to everyone that she is not asking
"Yeah" Gail said, and then turned to Holly with quiet "Sorry." Holly nodded and reassuringly squeezed Gail's hand
When Gail walked in kitchen her mother had her back turned to her.
"What is happening with you Gail is this some kind of joke?" Elaine asked turning to her daughter.
"You think it's a joke?" Gail shrugged her eyebrows.
"What do I spouse to think, you brought home a woman" snapped Elaine
"You wanted to meet person I'm seeing…"
"I think it's time you focus on your carrier, you can't afford any distraction if you want to move forward" her mother say all of the sudden.
"Are you kidding me!" barked Gail "Distraction? I went on a dates you set me up twice a week. In hope I would find someone" she raised her hands "Well guess what? I did and I'm happy."
"Gail you do realize we have hold certain reputation as Pecks"
"Oh I almost forgot…" groaned Gail quietly "everything is about being Peck. I didn't want to come here because I didn't want to be criticized again. To be reminded all the things that I do wrong." she stepped back "but I never actually thought you would mind that she is a woman."
"I get it was hard for you after the kidnapping"
"What that has to do with anything?"
"Gail, you know you were unstable after…"
"O my god mother" Gail shouted
"Watch your tone young lady" she scolded her daughter
"I do everything you ask me to, I go to all your fancy affairs with you, even thought you know I hate it. I do it for you." In blondes eyes were slowly starting to form tears. "I followed the family tradition I'm cop, I like it and I'm good at it" she sniffed little "that should be enough." But it's no matter what I do it's never enough." She finished sadly.
Gail rushed thru kitchen door, tears rushing down on her face. Her mother right behind her. By the look on the faces of others, Gail new they heard everything. The sad thing was she was expecting this, all of it.
"Can we just…" she asked looking at Holly.
"Thank you for dinner, Mrs. and Mr. Peck" Holly said politely.
"I'm sorry" whispered whey they got in the car.
"It's ok, it's gonna be…" Holly tried to comforted her
"I'll just…." Gail quickly wiped her eyes and said "take you home ok?"
"Yeah sure" said sadly Holly, knowing that no movies neither cuddling will be happening tonight.
A/N So here is another chapter. I focused more on the Gail/Elaine relationship. What consequences it will have on Gailly/Golly/Officer LunchBox (whatever you prefer) will be in next chapter.
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