Hello there! A bit of a short chapter here - it was originally intended to hint at some of the things to come in the wrap-up of this story, but instead this felt like a nice spot to leave it at.

In other news: Is everyone reading 'Educating Naomi'? I do hope so - its quite excellent! I was so flattered when Miss Maraudeur asked me to help her with adding some comedy to her new story. But I have to admit that all of the funniest moments in it are her own writing. She has a great knack for comedy! Anyway, if you're not reading it, then you should be. So go now and read it. Wait, come back! Read this chapter first, then go read it.

Since that's why you were here to begin with...


Chapter Thirty One: Won't Get Fooled Again

Naomi

The elation that hit me as we took our final bow was immense. It's always a rush to know that you've delivered a well-received show, but this feeling was so much greater. Holding onto Emily, seeing how my words had affected her was the best feeling in the world.

The idea to introduce her with my own little declaration had occurred to me as soon as Cook pointed out that I would have to make a speech. I've given Emily so much to put up with lately, yet she's still here making me happy. I wanted to let her know just how thankful I am for that, and this seemed like the best way to do that.

I struggled over finding just the right words – and still felt like what I had written was completely inadequate. But I could see in Emily's reaction that she understood what I was trying to do, and that she fully appreciated my efforts.

And then just to completely cap everything else, Jenna showed up after the show and didn't act like a total cunt. Wonders will never cease. Although she hadn't developed a groovy, 'live and let live' attitude overnight, she at least seemed willing to accept our relationship now.

Although it perhaps wasn't as out-of-the-blue as it appeared to everyone else. I hadn't yet told Emily, but I had bumped into Jenna the day before.

I was heading back to the theatre to join Emily there for the night. My heart sank as I heard Jenna's harsh voice behind me.

"I want a word with you, young lady." I couldn't even remember the last time someone had referred to me as 'young lady'. Suppressing a sigh, I turned around to face her. She marched up to me, clearly gunning for a showdown. "I want you to stop spreading your perverted influence through my family." Well that's lovely, isn't it?

Caught indecisively between yelling at her or simply walking away, I ended up just standing there rooted to the spot. Jenna pressed home that advantage.

"I saw what you did to James earlier. I suppose that's your idea of fun, is it?" Right, so as well as recruiting Emily to the big old 'team gay', I was now responsible for introducing her youngest child to the delights of drag - just for shits and giggles. This time I couldn't hold back a sigh.

"Listen, I don't think you need to worry about James. He's not really a transvestite – although I don't see what's wrong with that if he was…" Jenna rolled her eyes, as if to say: 'no, you wouldn't see what was wrong with it.' "…He was just helping us to set right the shit-storm that you created for us."

"Me? I haven't done anything!" Her self-righteous indignation set my blood boiling. I jabbed a threatening finger at her.

"You told Justin about Emily! You knew we had to keep it a secret – Katie explained that to you."

"I assumed he knew! He's your husband" she garbled hurriedly.

"He's my EX husband, okay?" I snapped. "That's if he will ever let me go" I added, more to myself than to Jenna.

"I don't see…"

"He took that information straight to our rivals. He told McLair, so that McLair could announce it to everyone and ruin our show!" Jenna looked quite thrown by this information – clearly it was news to her.

"But why would Justin do that?" She asked.

"You don't know him, Mrs Fitch. He can be very charming when he wants to be, but he is also very manipulative. He doesn't want me to have my own career! He wants me under his thumb, with him making all of my decisions for me. Just like I was before." Jenna fell silent while she contemplated this new idea of Justin. Struck by a sudden inspiration, I kept going. "Emily's told me a lot about you, Mrs Fitch." At this mention of her daughter, Jenna's eyes flashed to meet mine. "I know that you're a strong, independent woman with your own business. Emily really admires you for that. Surely you don't think that a woman should be controlled by her husband, the way I was with Justin?" She stared uncertainly back at me.

"No. No, of course not." A thought occurred to her, so she continued with more confidence. "But not all men are like that! You were just with the wrong person, that's all. There's no need to swear off men altogether!"

God she is one frustrating woman! But I tried to keep my frustration in check – I felt that calm words would have more effect than shouting.

"You're right – I was with the wrong person" I agreed. "But now I'm with the right person, and that happens to be a woman. And for some reason, I seem to be the right person for Emily, too. Is that really so wrong?" Jenna crossed her arms defensively in front of her body.

"I just want Emily to have something normal."

"You're so obsessed with normal! What is normal, anyway? Do you think it's normal for a woman to deliberately sabotage her own daughter's career, just to stop her being with a woman?"

"Sabotage?!" Jenna looked positively shocked at the word.

"You wanted to wreck the show so you can get Emily back to England and back under your influence." I wasn't sure that I really believed what I was saying. Perhaps I was judging Jenna by Justin's standards, but I was too het-up to really think straight.

"Naomi, I didn't know what Justin was going to do!" Argued Jenna. My accusation must have spooked her – that's the first time she has used my name since finding out about me and Emily. "I don't want to destroy the show! How could I want that? I just want Emily to… to…" she stumbled uncertainly over her own words.

"To do what you tell her to do?" I asked, softly. I could see instantly that I had scored a bullseye with that one. Jenna frowned and fell silent. I pressed on. "Well I know what it's like to live under someone else's instruction Mrs Fitch, and it's not something that I ever want to go back to." The comparison to Justin stunned Jenna – she had no reply to make. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to spend time with someone who doesn't think that I'm abnormal." I turned and began walking towards the theatre – towards Emily.

"Naomi." It was the crack in Jenna's voice that stopped me from walking away. When I turned back to face her, she had none of her usual self-assurance. "I didn't know that Justin was like that" she said, apologetically. "I wasn't trying to sabotage the show, you must believe me." There was a pleading note to her voice. I considered her words for a moment.

"Yes" I answered with a sigh. "Yes, I believe you." And I did believe her – there was nothing but truth in her open expression.

As I stared at the mother of my wonderful girlfriend, I suddenly began to see a different side to Jenna. Her opinions may be narrow and bigoted, but she was fiercely protective of those she loved. Overwhelmingly so, and completely misguided, but her actions undoubtedly came from the heart.

"Here." I pulled three complimentary tickets from my pocket and handed them to her. I had planned to give them to some reviewers that owed me a favour, but I knew that I was putting them to a better purpose this way. "It's Emily's big night tomorrow - she's finally stepping out of the shadows. You should be there to see it." Jenna looked at the tickets as though they were alien artefacts, but she took them from me none the less. "Come backstage afterwards. If you want to." Seeing that Jenna had no more to say, I turned and walked into the theatre.

"Why don't we take everyone out for dinner tonight – my treat!" Announced Rob, bringing me back to the present. I couldn't help a little furtive glance at Jenna, just to see if she was happy for me to be included in the invite. Her face gave nothing away.

"I'm afraid we can't just yet – not all of us together." Our intention was to still keep Emily's presence under wraps for the shows to come. We planned to perform the new version of the show for a few weeks while we worked out a completely new ending. Then Emily would become a fully acknowledged member of the team, and both twins would act as assistants together.

"You guys go" insisted Katie. "Emily, you need to spend some time with mum and dad. Let them get to know Naomi properly." I chanced another look at Jenna, and saw that she bore this suggestion rather well, only biting her lip a tiny bit. Oh well, I guess that's my evening all mapped out: spending quality time with the family Fitch.

"No, you go Katie, I'm tired" answered Emily. I was surprised at that: she looked hyped-up from the show, and absolutely bursting with energy. Though I suddenly noticed that she hadn't gotten changed yet. The rest of us were already in our everyday clothes, but Emily was still dressed in her angel costume.

"You really should go" pushed Katie.

Then a very strange thing happened. Emily said two short words to Katie. At least I think she did, but I really couldn't tell you what those two words were – they weren't from any language that I've ever heard before. But Katie didn't seem puzzled at all.

"Yeah, alright" she conceded with a chuckle. "I guess it was a pretty romantic speech." Then she turned to the others and began to shepherd them out of the theatre. In no time at all, I was alone with Emily and wondering what on earth was going on.

"What the fuck just happened?" I asked. Emily didn't answer - at least, not in words. But as I took in the hungry expression in her eyes, I knew that she wasn't tired in the slightest. She turned and walked, hips swaying seductively, into my dressing room. And giving in to my most natural instincts, I followed after my little angel. Belinda Carlisle knew what she was talking about: heaven really is a place on earth.


I didn't see Justin again until a couple of days later. He snuck up on me as I was leaving the theatre alone – making me think that he had been spying on me, in order to get me by myself.

"What do you want?" I snapped, feigning a confidence that I could never feel in his presence.

"You've made your point, Moany" he said, softly. "With your little magic show." I frowned and crossed my arms, waiting for him to elaborate on his meaning. "You've had your fun. And you've shown everyone that you can make a go of it, for a little while at least. But it's time to come home now."

"I am home" I insisted. He shook his head in that patronising way that I always used to hate.

"You know this won't last! None of it! The show has a bit of popularity now, but you know what showbiz is like – they'll want something different next week." He stepped closer and placed his hands protectively onto my arms. Somehow, I felt unable to shake him off. No matter how far I've ran from him, he still has the power to make me feel like a scared little girl. Unable to meet his eyes, I just stared down at the ground. "And do you think your little tart will hang around anymore, when you're no longer so famous?" I felt my body tense at his reference to Emily. "She'll be away before the magic wears off, and onto her next chance of stardom." Still I didn't say anything. I had to admit that I was curious to see where he was going with this – he was so far off the mark with Emily that it was almost laughable. "Naomi, you know that you need me. Fame is temporary, but marriage lasts for ever." He didn't mean it as such, but that sounded so much like a threat to me.

His arguments were weak. Had I really let myself be manipulated by this man for so long?

"It's time to come home, where you belong" he insisted. "I've booked two tickets on a flight back to England this afternoon. Please say you'll come with me." Finally, I raised my eyes up to meet his. I saw no uncertainty in them at all – he was so convinced that I would just fall in with his wishes.

"Okay" I found myself saying, a plan forming in that very instant. "You're right, I suppose. It won't last, will it?" Justin shook his head sadly.

"No Naomi, it won't. You're just a novelty act. It's time to go back home. Perhaps start that family that you always wanted?" I wanted to retch at the thought of having his children, but I managed to suppress it. Instead I nodded tritely, playing at my old role of submissive wife. It wasn't that I wanted to give him a taste of his own medicine – I just wanted to shock him into realising that I was never going to change my mind. Ordinary tactics had failed, so it was time to use a language that he would understand - it was time to be underhanded.


That afternoon, Justin and I got a taxi to McLaren airport together. He still didn't suspect anything, although the game had almost been up when he reached to haul my suitcase into the boot. Fortunately I managed to grab it before he did. I didn't want him to notice how light it was – I couldn't be bothered to pack for real when I knew that I wasn't going anywhere.

As we walked towards the check-in desks, I spotted Cook strolling closer, his arms thrown across the shoulders of Emily and Katie. They sauntered nonchalantly towards us, exactly as I had asked them to. Katie was wearing a head-shawl and a huge pair of sunglasses in a failed bid to hide her identity, but I didn't care. I wanted Katie in my corner for this almost as much as I wanted Emily and Cook.

"What… what's going on?" Asked Justin as he spotted them. He was clearly thrown by their arrival, which was what I was hoping for. Cook flashed him a big grin.

"We came to wave you off! You didn't think we would let you leave without saying goodbye, did you?"

"Make it quick" snapped Justin to me, quickly regaining his composure. Spurred on by a sly wink from Emily, I chuckled at him.

"No Justin, I don't think I will" I said gently. He frowned at me.

"We need to get checked in, we're already running late!" I smiled sweetly, and tilted my head to one side.

"I don't have to do anything. But you have a plane to catch." His face scrunched up in confusion.

"What are you talking about?" He demanded. As he got angrier, I kept my own mood calmer and calmer.

"I'm not going back to England with you." I stepped closer to him and fixed my gaze firmly on his, so that he could see that I was serious. "Justin, I don't want you anymore. I don't love you, and I certainly don't need you." Justin spluttered, his bad temper getting the better of him.

"You're choosing her… over me?" He asked, pointing at Katie. He never had learnt which twin was which.

"No. I'm choosing her – well, actually I'm choosing her sister – over being alone. I already chose not to be with you four years ago."

"You're making a mistake! It won't last, any of it!" Seeing that my calm attitude was really riling him, I smiled even more broadly than before.

"But even if it doesn't, I still don't want you. There is nothing that will make me ever want you again. It's over."

"Naomi, please!" There was real emotion in his voice, and the threat of tears in his eyes – perhaps he was finally starting to believe me. "Naomi, you need me! You belong with me!"

"Actually, she belongs with me." Emily strolled forward and wrapped her arms protectively around me. Although her words were the same that Justin had used, I knew that she didn't mean them in a possessive way. I did belong with her – every muscle and sinew in my body cried out to be with Emily.

"That fucking slut won't make you happy!" Snapped Justin, his face contorted with ugly anger.

"Right, I'm bored of this now." There was a flurry of movement. Before I really knew what was happening, Justin was on the ground clutching his nose. "It's time for you to fuck off, okay?" I stared at Katie, as I realised that she had just punched Justin in the face. He looked genuinely scared of her as he cowered on the floor. "We are Naomi's family now. She's in love with my sister, and you're just some piece of shit that needs to get the fuck out of Vegas RIGHT NOW!" Justin climbed warily to his feet, and threw a questioning look in my direction.

"I want you to leave" I said firmly. "I want you to get on that plane, and don't come back. Then when you're home, I want you to sign those papers and give me a divorce." Something in my demeanour must have finally convinced him that I was serious. Either that, or it was the threatening way that Cook and Katie were clenching their fists.

"Well don't come crying to me when it all falls apart" he said, his words heavy with bitterness. He grabbed his luggage and turned towards the check-in desks. We watched from a distance while he checked in, then headed off towards passport control.

"You know there's nothing forcing him to get on that plane though, right?" Muttered Emily as Justin disappeared from view. I nodded, but somehow felt convinced that he was really going to leave.

"It doesn't matter though" I told her. "Whether he goes or stays doesn't matter, because he knows that I can stand up to him now." Emily's arms, still wrapped firmly around me, gave me a gentle squeeze.

"I'm so proud of you" she told me. I turned into her embrace and slid my arms around her shoulders.

"It was easy" I told her with a grin. "Why on earth would I ever choose him, when I have a wonderful woman like you in my arms?" I leaned down and pressed my lips fervently to hers.

"Get a fucking room, you lezzers!" I broke from the kiss to give a dazzling smile to Katie.

"You love me really, Katie!"

"Urgh, no I don't" she snorted, but her lips were curved up into a smile.

"We're family now – that's what you said!"

Katie shrugged, but didn't deny it. Instead, she turned towards the exit and began to walk away.

"Your sister loves me" I muttered in an undertone to Emily. She chuckled. "Just remind me to never get her angry" I added.


Well I hoped you liked that! Please let me know what you think!