"Just remember to breathe and you'll be fine. My parents already love you." Jessica rubbed soothing circles on Ashley's lower back, trying to calm the stressed girl out.
Ashely took deep breaths, "Your parents only know me as your friend. They don't know we're dating. They're going to hate me when they find out."
"They will not hate you. You might get the 'be nice to my daughter or else' speech from my dad, but it'll pretty much be a normal dinner. They already know how much I like you, and how well we get along. It won't be a big leap from best friends to girlfriends."
The brunette nodded and with one last deep breath she moved up the drive. The girls had been officially dating for a month now, but had decided to keep it quiet. They wanted some time just to themselves. It had worked wonders, bringing them closer than they'd imagined. The girls spent most afternoons holed up in Ashley's room. Though they hadn't gone further than kissing, both girls were happy with where they were. The stories told and secrets listened to over the month had just strengthened their relationship, giving them the strength to withstand the storm that coming out inevitably brought.
Jessica threw open the door and yelled out, "Everybody, I'm home and I brought Ashley with me. Family meeting in the den please."
Ashley hissed, "I thought we were going to tell them after dinner?"
"You'd probably pass out from nerves before it even started."
After a brief glare, Ashley consented. The idea of telling Jessica's family was freaking her out. If they didn't accept her she would be devastated. The whole family, besides McKenzie, had welcomed Ash with open arms. They made Ashley realize what she'd been missing her whole life without realizing it, a family. The fear of losing them had pushed back their coming out until Jessica decided enough was enough. The blonde had assured Ashley that her family would still love the girl.
Once everyone had gathered in the den Jessica beamed at her family, "Guys I've got big news, wondrous news."
"You've found your real parents and you're moving out?" the oldest brother said, high-fiving the other two.
"No you goober, but I did find the animal shelter Mom and Dad got you from. Anyway, my good news is that I'm dating."
The youngest brother interrupted, "Someone likes you? Are they sick? We should take them to the doctor."
Jess glared as everyone including Ashley giggled at the eight-year-old. "No smart-aleck, I'm dating Ashley and she likes me just fine."
Jessica's mom sighed, "Is that all you were going to tell us? There was no need to call a family meeting sweetheart. We already figured you two were dating. Now I have to get back to the kitchen before supper burns. Everyone go wash their hands, supper will be ready in 10."
That night supper was a lively affair. The boys were in fine form acting out their adventures at school. Ashley basked in the warmth as she truly began to feel accepted as a girlfriend instead of a friend. The only sour part of the evening. Ashley could feel McKenzie had been glaring at her when no one was looking. Ashely was finding it harder than ever to ignore the girl.
After the meal finished Ashley's nightmare began. Jess's dad pulled her into his study and shut the door. Ashley reached out to grab the back of the chair in front of her as her vision flicked. Jess's dad took one look at the girl and made her sit down with her head between her legs.
"It's going to be okay Ashley. Just take some deep breathes. There's nothing to worry about." He murmured trying to calm her.
After a couple minutes Ashley cautiously lifted her head. When the room didn't tilt she straightened up and looked Jess's dad in the eye. "I'm sorry Mr. Stone."
"It's okay Ashley. I shouldn't have tried to scare you. I wasn't aware of how well I'd succeed."
"Ha," Ashley snorted, "How else would you expect me to react? I am dating your daughter. Aren't dads supposed to be all over protective and everything? Isn't this where you tell me to treat her right because you've got a deep hole with my name on it if I don't?"
Mr. Stone laughed, "That's a good one. I'll remember it for McKenzie's next boyfriend. I trust you with Jessica. You're a good kid, plus you can't knock her up. That's soothes some worries I would have had if she was dating a boy. No, I just wanted to scare you and Jessica. She's probably outside the room wearing a hole in the floor. I'm just sorry you started hyperventilating."
"It's okay Mr. Stone. I've just been dreading this since we started dating. I've always known I liked girls, but some of the places I've lived have been hostile to gays. Even looking at the same gender to long or "wrong" was enough to get beaten almost to death. Your daughter means the world to me, but it's a work in progress. Thankfully she's patient with me."
He nodded and rested a hand on her shoulder, "If you need someone to talk to my door is always open. Just remember that if someone can't accept you for who you are then they aren't a real friend."
Ashley surprised the man with a hug and a heartfelt, "I will. Thanks Mr. Stone. You've helped me a lot more than you know."
With that she left the room. He could see her drag his daughter upstairs. He shook his head. Thank God for girls. Life was much too boring without them.
Upstairs Jessica pulled Ashley into her room. McKenzie had left after supper to spend time with a friend, so the girls didn't have to share the room. "What did my dad say? I didn't really think he would pull you in for the talk."
Ashley wrapped her arms around her girlfriend and laughed. She didn't stop until the pokes from Jessica became painful. "Your dad just wanted to mess with us. That and tell me his door was open if I needed someone to talk to. He did apologize after almost making me pass out."
"What!" Jessica screeched. "Are you okay? Do you need to sit down?"
"Jess, Jess, stop it." Ashley slapped the insistent hands away, "I don't need to sit down. I'm fine, I promise. I just started hyperventilating a little. Your dad sat me down and we got it under control. He didn't realize how much it would freak me out. He apologized. It's all good now."
Jessica pouted and finally managed to pull Ashely down on the bed. She moved in for a kiss when the door popped open. Both girls looked to the door just in time to see Jess's dad give her mom twenty dollars. The girls looked at each other and then back at the adults.
Jess's mom answered their unasked question. "We bet on whether or not you two would be making out when we opened the door. I won of course. We wanted to come up here and set some ground rules. Basically don't expose your brothers to anything they shouldn't see or hear. You're both 16, and we know that no matter what we say you'll do whatever you want, so just do it responsibly and keep others in mind. We're very content in the knowledge that all of our children will die virgins, and we don't want you two to spoil that."
When the door shut Jessica buried her face into Ashley's shoulder. "Kill me now." She moaned. Ashley just laughed and pulled her up for another kiss.