Chapter 11
Catherine sat behind the wheel of her car tapping her fingers nervously on the steering wheel. She hadn't seen her daughter in weeks and was excited to see her. They had talked by letters and phone calls, but the subject of her relationship with Sara was avoided. She had told Lindsey that she and Sara were getting along well and not fighting like they had in previous years. Lindsey had always liked Sara, but if she was threatened or had issue with someone, her daughter was by her side and would come to her defense. Approaching the subject of a relationship with anyone made Catherine nervous to discuss with her daughter. This relationship was so new and different, she had no idea how to even approach the topic.
"MOM!" Lindsey waved to her as she got off of the bus with the rest of the campers. A teenage boy followed her nervously a few steps behind. Catherine exited her vehicle and wrapped her baby girl in a warm embrace.
"I have missed you!" Catherine placed kisses on her daughter's face.
"Mom! Stop it!" Lindsey pulled back a bit embarrassed.
"Sorry. I just missed you so much." The boy coughed, reminding Lindsey he was there.
"Oh, Jake, this is my mom." Lindsey took the boy by the hand and pulled him in front of her mother. "He was a Junior Counselor for the boys cabin next to mine."
Catherine extended her hand to the boy who hesitantly took it in his grasp. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Willows."
"So, mom, Jake lives in Vegas too. His family just moved here a few months ago and he is going to be at the same school as I am! Isn't that great!" Lindsey smiled lovingly at the boy.
"Yes, that is great." Catherine replied flatly. "Well, at least you will know someone at a new school."
"Yeah. And Lindsey is totally cool." He grinned shyly and took Lindsey's hand in his own.
"Well, Jake. It was nice to meet you, but we need to get going. I have to be to work in a few hours and I want to take Lindsey to her favorite restaurant for dinner." Catherine picked up her daughter's suitcase and placed it in the backseat. Lindsey still hadn't made a move to get into the passenger seat. "Linds, we need to get going. Say your goodbye and lets hit the road, kiddo!"
Lindsey groaned and turned to her friend. Catherine shook her head and got in behind the wheel, patiently waiting for the young couple to say their goodbyes. Several minutes later, Lindsey finally gave Jake a parting hug at the now open passenger door and begrudgingly climbed into the vehicle.
"Isn't he just the cutest, mom?" Lindsey commented as they pulled away.
"He's very cute, Honey." Catherine smiled, remembering how she felt about boys when she was a teenager. "So, tell me about camp."
Lindsey talked non-stop for the entire drive home about all the activities, friends and boys she met. Apparently she was quite the heartbreaker. She told her mother about several boys who tried to kiss her and how one young boy had a crush on her and followed her everywhere. All too soon they were pulling into the driveway.
"I thought we were going to dinner, mom."
"Oh, we are. I thought we would drop off your stuff." Catherine smiled at her daughter.
"Oh. Ok. But we could have just gone to the restaurant." Lindsey reasoned.
"Well, Honey, Sara is going to go with us too, so I thought we would just drop off your stuff, freshen up and get Sara." Cath waited to see how her daughter would react.
"Oh! Ok, that sounds fun! Is Greg coming too? And Nick?" Lindsey got an excited look in her eye.
"Ummm. No. Just Sara."
"Oh, huh, ok. But it would have been fun if everyone could make it. I miss hanging out with the guys. They are always a good laugh." Lindsey got out of the car and grabbed her luggage from the backseat and headed for the house. Catherine still sat behind the wheel.
"Mom! Are you coming in?" Lindsey looked at her mother with confusion. Catherine got out of the car and caught up with Lindsey on the sidewalk. As they reached the front door, it was flung open and a smiling Sara Sidle greeted them.
"Welcome home!"
"Hey, Sara! Thanks! It sure will be nice to sleep in my own bed tonight!" Lindsey commented, hoping that Sara would get the hint that she wanted her room back.
"Yeah, I can imagine those bunkbeds aren't comfortable." Sara took one of the bags from Lindsey and followed her to her room.
"So, was my room comfortable for you? I'm sure you cant wait to sleep in your own bed again." Lindsey plopped her suitcase on the bed and looked around the room. "Where's all your stuff, Sara? I thought you were going to be here for like another week?"
Sara looked nervously down the hallway, but Catherine hadn't followed them to the room. Lindsey began to unpack and looked curiously at Sara.
"I, uh, well see, I uh." Sara bit at her lip for a moment. "I moved my stuff into your mom's room."
"Oh." Lindsey crossed her arms over her chest. "So, are you going to sleep on the sofa or something? Cuz I really do NOT want to sleep on that sofa after sleeping on those uncomfortable beds for so long."
"No. No. Don't worry. Your room is all yours. Not a trace of me in here." Sara smiled nervously at the young girl. "So, uh, you need help unpacking or anything?"
"Noooo. I'm just going to change my clothes and I will be ready to go in like 10 minutes." Lindsey brushed past her and into the bathroom.
Sara shook her head and went in search of her girlfriend. Catherine was in the kitchen sitting at the table with a glass of water. Sara sat down across from her and smiled.
"Your daughter asked if I was going to be sleeping on the sofa."
"Oh. Yeah, about that..." Catherine looked guiltily at Sara.
"You obviously didn't tell her about us. Do you expect me to sleep on the sofa, Cat?"
"Look, Sara. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be." Catherine put her head in her hands and let out a frustrated growl. "I don't know how to tell her. What if she gets mad?"
"Cat, we talked about this. For hours! She needs to know. She's not five, we won't be able to hide this from her. You need to go talk to her!" Sara took the older woman's hands into her grasp. "Cat, she loves you and if you are happy, I am sure she will be happy for you."
"Alright." Catherine stood and let out a sigh. "I guess I better go talk to her and tell her."
"Tell me what?" Lindsey stood in the doorway, a confused look on her face. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, Sweetie. Actually everything is better than okay. I just hope you see it that way." Catherine pulled her daughter by the hand and led her to her bedroom, leaving Sara at the kitchen table.
"Mom. You're kinda freaking me out here. What's going on?" Lindsey sat on the bed. "Is everything ok? Is Grandma okay?"
"Like I said. It's not bad news or anything like that." Cat sat down next to her daughter. "I have been seeing someone."
"Oh. Is that all. Geesh, mom! You got me all freaked out!" Lindsey got up to leave, but Catherine pulled her daughter back down next to her.
"Don't you want to know who it is I'm dating?"
"Well, sure I do. But I don't see why we need to have a sit down and leave Sara in the kitchen. You can tell me all about him at dinner." Lindsey tried to get up again.
"No Linds, it's not as easy as that." Catherine turned to look at her daughter and let out a sigh. "It's Sara."
"Huh? Sara doesn't like him?" Lindsey was confused.
"No, sweetie." Catherine ran her hand through her hair in frustration. "I'm dating Sara."
Lindsey just stared at her. Catherine was trying to read her daughter's expression, but was getting no read on her look. Several moments of silence passed and finally Lindsey broke out into a smile.
"So, you are dating a woman." She broke out into laughter. "That is just.....UGH!" She continued to laugh then all of a sudden began to cry. She jumped up off of the bed and began to pace the room. "How can you be dating a woman? Sara! Of all women!"
"Sweetie, sit down. Let's talk about this." Catherine patted the spot on the bed and Lindsey sat back down. Catherine handed her a tissue from the nightstand. "Look. I know this is a shock to you. But you have to understand that I am happy. Really happy!"
"So, Sara makes you happy? Happier than any man, even Dad?" Lindsey swiped at the tears in her eyes.
"Your dad and what we had has nothing to do with this. It's about now and where we are in life and it makes sense for both of us. We both have had a growing attraction to one another and we are in a place where it works to be together. I know you hate the thought of me dating anyone, but don't you want me to be happy? In love? Cared for? I just hope you can accept this in time, Honey." Catherine pulled her daughter in for a hug.
"Ok, mom." Lindsey blew her nose. "If you say Sara makes you happy, then I believe you. But don't expect me to be happy about it. I don't want to see you holding hands and kis...kissing! GOD! I cannot BELIEVE this!"
"Lindsey! It's not that bad! You need to stop being so melodramatic!" Catherine had not realized how hurt her daughter would be by all of this.
"Fine. Let's just go." Lindsey stormed out of the room, pushing past Sara who stood in the hallway. Catherine was right behind her but stopped in front of her lover.
"Cat, I'm sorry. She will come around. Just give her time." Sara leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss. "Maybe I should talk to her."
"Let's just go to dinner and see how that goes."
They were placing their orders at Lindsey's favorite Italian restaurant when Lindsey's cell chimed that she had a text. Sara sat next to Catherine across the booth from Lindsey. The teen sat staring at her phone and text someone for several minutes. Sara watched Lindsey as her facial expressions changed from anger to disbelief then finally to a huge grin that only a boy could bring to a teenage girl. She finally set her phone down and looked at Sara, then her mom.
"So. Sara. Do you love my mom?" Sara's eyes got wide and Catherine choked a little on her water.
"Lindsey!" Catherine warned.
"Well, if you two are going to be in a relationship and want my approval, I need to know that its love and not just some expiramental fling you two are having." Lindsey stared at them coldly.
"Look, young lady. I do NOT like that tone. We are NOT having a fling and you have no right to demand things from Sara. And further more..."
"CAT!" Sara put her arm on Catherine's outstretched arm that was currently pointed at her daughter. "I can handle it, ok?"
Sara shot Catherine that grin that she loved so much, pulled her arm down and took her hand into her grasp, setting their joined hands on the table. The older woman immediately eased back into the booth and smiled at Sara. "You're right. Sorry for blowing up, Lindsey."
Catherine took her hand away from Sara's grasp, remembering what her daughter had said about seeing displays of affection. Sara grabbed her hand forcing it back onto the table in her own. She looked sternly at Lindsey.
"I know that this is different and new. It is for us too. But what I do know, is that your mom makes me feel more loved and happy than I have ever been in a relationship. And I am pretty sure she feels the same way about me." Sara grinned at a smiling Catherine who nodded in agreement.
"So, Lindsey, I hope we can all learn together and try to get along and I hope that you accept this relationship in time. But I have one thing that I am going to insist upon." Catherine squeezed Sara's hand in encouragement. "I will not hide my feelings. Not from you or anyone else. I like holding your mom's hand. I like to show affection. Hugs. Kisses. I will NOT apologize for it or stop doing it just because someone else is uncomfortable with it."
"Is this how you feel too, mom?" Lindsey sat expressionless staring at the women across from her.
"Yes, Lindsey. It is. I love Sara. I am happy. Everyone at work knows. They are happy for us. I hope you can be too." Catherine reached out to her daughter across the table. Lindsey smiled and put her hand into her mom's left hand while Catherine held Sara's hand with her right hand. Things were going to be okay.
They ate their salads in silence. By the time their entrees arrived, Lindsey began to chatter about her experience at Summer Camp and told the women about the boys she met and friends she made. Sara kept grinning at Catherine and placed her hand on her thigh. Catherine looked at her and smiled, but quickly turned her attention back to her daughter.
The ride home was quiet. Lindsey kept yawning. When they finally arrived home, Lindsey hugged her mom and said goodnight to Sara and headed for her room. It had been an exhausting day and she was looking forward to a nice warm, clean shower and her soft bed.
Sara and Catherine sat on the couch, snuggled up together until Catherine had to leave for work in an hour. They just sat in silence enjoying the closeness of the other woman. Catherine began to nibble little kisses on Sara's neck, causing her to react. Soon they were in full make out mode, Catherine lying on top of Sara, their legs entwined, tongues dueling, lips smacking and low moans coming from both women. Several minutes later they sat up, knowing Cat had to get into the lab. They both jumped up, adjusting their clothing when they saw Lindsey sitting in the overstuffed chair across the room.
"What the hell, Lindsey!" Cat shouted out, wanting an explanation.
"Cat. Calm down." Sara put her arm around the other woman's waist, pulling her close. Catherine immediately calmed down and let out a huge groan.
Lindsey stood up and stopped in front of Sara, staring her in the eye. "You know. That is the second time tonight I have seen this."
"Look. I told you we are not going to stop showing affection just because you are not..." Sara stopped when Lindsey held up her hand in protest.
"I'm not talking about that. Although I could do without that last little display." Lindsey rolled her eyes.
"What ARE you talking about then?" Sara looked at Catherine who was just as confused.
"They way mom responds to you." Lindsey shuffled from one foot to the other. "You know, she hates it when anyone calls her CAT. And she usually ignores anyone who tries to tell her to calm down or quiet down. But when you ask her to calm down or call her CAT, she just stops and looks at you with...love! And she does it!"
Both women just stared at the young girl in disbelief. This was an aspect of their relationship they had not even realized existed. "Yeah, I guess she does, doesn't she?"
"Yeah." Lindsey stepped back and once again stared at the floor. Catherine just smiled and wrapped her daughter in a hug. "Well, I guess I'm going to go to bed now. Have a good shift at work, mom. Good night."
"Good night, sweetie. I love you." Cath kissed the top of her daughters head.
"I love you too, mom." She turned to Sara. "Good night, Sara."
"Night, Lindsey."
Catherine waited until she heard the bedroom door click shut and immediately launched herself into Sara's arms with a squeal. "Do you believe that? I think she will be okay."
"Of course she will be, Cat." Sara grinned. "She's your daughter. She's smart but stubborn."
"Stubborn? Huh?" Catherine just grinned.
"Yes, stubborn." Sara placed a kiss on her forehead. "And, in time, I am sure everything will be okay." Catherine gave her a quick kiss. Sara smiled at her. "I love you Catherine Willows."
"I love you too, Sara Sidle."
Lindsey smiled to herself as she gently closed her door, not wanting her mom and Sara to know she had been listening in on their private conversation. It seemed as if they were in love. She had no choice but to be happy for her mom and Sara. From what she had witnessed earlier, she was going to have to get used to all the PDA. She was just glad that her mom was happy. She wasn't ready to totally accept this all but in time she had a feeling she would be okay with it, just like Sara had told her mom.
A/N: Another update so soon? YES! It is true! LOL. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a review and let me know what you think! Please, even if its just to say you read it and want to keep reading the story. It motivates more writing!!! Thanks! Wendy