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Brinley had been joking about Santa bringing presents, but it turned out the Finches didn’t do anything halfway. Right beside the piles of presents for Annalise, Dalton, and Shelby, was a pile for her as well.
She had no idea how these people who were just meeting her had somehow come up with presents for her, but each one she opened was absolutely perfect. Most of them were things for school—pencils, pens, highlighters, enough notebooks to last her until graduation. There were also two bottles of wine from Annalise’s grandma, a nice bottle of whiskey and a glass to go with it from her dad, and a new pair of scrubs. She wasn’t sure if Annalise had anything to do with that one, but it didn’t stop them from sharing a secret, scorching smile when she opened it.
Brinley felt bad that the only thing she brought was alcohol and a pie, but Annalise’s parents both insisted that was more than enough.
After they were done with gifts, Brenda announced it was time for their yearly family picture. She handed her phone to Annalise’s grandma. “Mom, since you refused to wear the pajamas once again this year, you have won the role of photographer.”
Annalise’s grandma pointed around the room. “I’d rather sit out of a picture than embarrass myself by wearing that shit.” She pointed directly at Brinley. “I’m especially disappointed with you.”
Brinley put a hand on her chest in mock offense. “And to think, I was just going to be nice and offer to take the picture.”
“Absolutely not,” Kirk said, his voice firm, but sweet. “Everyone who wears the pajamas gets in this picture.”
“Are… are you sure?” Don’t cry. Don’t cry.
“Of course.” Brenda waved a hand at her. “Get over here.”
Brinley did as she was told and took the spot right between Annalise and her mom. When both women wrapped an arm around her, a lump formed in Brinley’s throat and she had to remind herself once again not to cry. For a moment once the picture was taken, Annalise’s hand remained at Brinley’s side. She squeezed and winked before pulling it away.
It turned out the Finches always did a Christmas brunch, so Dalton and Shelby could then spend the rest of the day with her family. When Kirk announced he was going to start cooking, Brinley asked if she could help, and Annalise insisted her dad let Brinley make the bacon since she claimed it’s the best she’s ever had. Kirk agreed, and he and Brinley went to the kitchen and cooked side by side. As they cooked, Brinley opened the whiskey he had bought her and they both had a glass. Brinley didn’t have a bad relationship with her dad, but it was nothing like this, so she cherished the moment. They talked about everything from sports to liquor to the schools Brinley was the most interested in applying to. Brinley told him her hope was to stay in the Philadelphia area and the way Kirk said he was sure that would make Annalise happy sounded like something a dad would say to his daughter’s significant other.
Just a few more weeks. Then you’ll know, she reminded herself.
Once the food was done, they all sat down to eat. During the meal, most of the focus was on Brinley, each family member, even Shelby, taking time to ask her questions that they actually seemed to care to know the answers to. By the end of the meal, her heart was filled with so much love for this whole family, she thought it might burst.
After they were done eating, Dalton and Shelby said their goodbyes and headed out. Brenda said she would clear and clean the dishes and ordered everyone else to go relax in the living room. Brinley couldn’t let her clean up alone after they welcomed her in as if she was part of the family, so she insisted on helping. Annalise looked between her mom and Brinley and it appeared as if she was going to offer to help as well, but her grandma pulled her out of the room before she could.
As soon as everyone was gone, Brinley felt the weight of the situation she had just walked herself into. She was alone with the mother of the woman she had fallen head over heels for. Play it cool.
“So, what made you want to go into medicine?” Brenda asked while they cleared the dishes from the table.
“My grandma lost a long battle with cancer almost three years ago. She was my best friend, so I spent a lot of time at the hospital with her at the end of her life. It’s not so much the medical part that convinced me but being able to be a light to people who are going through a tough time. Whether it’s a simple cold, or a life-threatening disease, I don’t know too many people who are happy to go to the doctor. I want to give them a reason to smile.”
Brenda put the dishes she was holding into the sink then leaned down on the counter, her own smile growing from Brinley’s words. “That’s beautiful. I love that. No wonder my daughter likes you so much.”
Brinley’s heart beat faster as she considered all the ways Brenda could have meant that. She wanted to ask, but that didn’t seem appropriate, so she simply smiled in return. “You’ve raised a wonderful daughter.”
Brenda scrunched up her nose in a way that reminded Brinley of Annalise. “She’s alright, I guess.” She pointed to the sink. “I wash, you dry?”
Brinley nodded and brought over the last of the dishes. As they cleaned, they talked more about medical school and Brinley’s plans for the future. Talking to Annalise’s mom wasn’t like talking to most grownups. It felt like she was talking to an old friend, someone who actually cared what she had to say. She was so captivated by the conversation, she didn’t even notice Annalise walk into the room until she was standing right beside her.
She pointed her thumb back toward the room she had just come from. “My grandma is insisting you open the bottle of wine she got you and have a glass with her. I can help with the rest of the dishes.”
Brinley handed Annalise the dish she was currently drying and leaned in to kiss her before remembering where they were and pulling back. It hurt her to do it, but she didn’t have a choice. Annalise wasn’t her girlfriend. Brinley wasn’t even sure if she was out to her family yet. In a few more weeks, she would tell Annalise how she felt and if things went well, she could kiss her anytime she wanted.
She hoped and prayed that was the case because now she wasn’t only falling for Annalise. She had fallen for the whole damn Finch family.
Fucking hell. What have I done?
Chapter 19
Annalise
Annalise could feel her mom’s eyes on her as she dried the dishes. Sweat gathered on her neck as she waited what felt like hours for her mom to say something. “I really like Brinley,” she said finally.
Annalise took a deep breath then closed her eyes and blew it out. If she didn’t say this now, she was afraid she never would and she needed to get it out. It’s not that she actually thought her family would care about her sexuality, but good or bad, it would change things, and that fact scared her more than most things. “Mom, I’m bisexual.”
Her mom chuckled lightly as she continued to scrub dishes. “I kind of figured when you brought your girlfriend to Christmas.”
