She knew that Ivy was more nervous about tonight than she had admitted earlier on that day. Cleo had accompanied Lana for the lunchtime coffee run and she had noticed a pinch in Ivy’s brow that wasn’t quite a frown had appeared when they walked in, and whenever she turned to face the coffee machine.
Cleo knew her family would love Ivy, that wasn’t why she was freaking out. It was more howmuchher family would love her. She didn’t want to put pressure on their relationship when they’d only been together for a few short months. It was too soon to admit how strong her feelings were for Ivy. Though Cleo knew she was trying to convince herself of this as much as anyone else.
She arrived at the coffee shop a few minutes late because of a phone call that had run long. So, when she made it through the door, she could almost feel the relief fall from Ivy’s shoulders.
“You really don’t have anything to worry about, you know that, right?” Cleo said as she wrapped her arms around her girlfriend and held her tight, hoping the pressure from her arms would bring Ivy more comfort.
“Logically, yes. Emotionally, though? Not even close,” Ivy admitted, as she wrapped her arms around Cleo’s waist and held her close.
Cleo noticed the slight look of concern on Toni’s face who stood watching from the far side of the counter.
As Ivy eased away from their embrace to go and get ready to leave, Toni motioned for Cleo to move over to the counter. “You make sure our girl doesn’t spiral tonight, ok? I know she told you about what happened, but she gets triggered in certain situations too. If a super stuck-up customer comes in, she freezes. Whenever she sees parents being overly strict or critical of their kids, Cleo, she physically shakes. She hasn’t done a meet-the-parents since losing contact with hers, so I don’t know how tonight will go.” Toni looked over at the office door to check Ivy wasn’t there before continuing, “I knew she wouldn’t tell you those things, but if you’re serious about this, about her, I thought you needed to know.”
Cleo reached out and lay her hand on top of Toni’s which rested on the counter as she said, “I won’t let anything bad happen to her, ever. You have my word.”
“She has your word about what?” Ivy said, wrapping an oversized scarf around her neck.
Having only caught the end of what Cleo had said to Toni, Toni jumped in with, “That she won’t keep you upallnight so that you’re here on time to open.” A huge grin stretched across her face.
Cleo wanted the ground to open and swallow her whole. Ivy’s beetroot face confirmed that she felt the same.
She reached her hand out to Ivy to bring her closer, and Ivy took it, twining their fingers together. “Will we head out for some air then?” Cleo asked her, careful with her word choice to try and keep Ivy’s stress levels at bay.
“Yeah, let’s go get some air,” Ivy agreed as they waved at Toni and headed towards the door, and out into the street.
Cleo deliberately walked a little slower; her height and work heels made her quicker than Ivy in her Chucks. She rubbedher thumb along Ivy’s fingers as they talked about their day. It wasn’t long before they turned on to the street that her parents’ now lived.
“The third house on the left there, with the red sedan and silver SUV outside, that’s where we’re headed, ok?” Cleo said, slowing down to glance at Ivy.
“Ok,” Ivy said softly. “Are you sure I shouldn’t have brought something with me? I mean, you brought Gabby a gift without even asking. I just really want to make a good impression on them, you know?” Ivy looked up, eyes darting, and Cleo could see the whirlwind of emotions flooding Ivy’s eyes. Cleo’s heart broke for the teenager who had her life ripped apart by her parents, who was still hurting inside of Ivy.
“Hey, look at me.” Cleo turned to stand directly in front of Ivy and took her other hand in her own. “Breathe, beautiful girl.” She wrapped her arms around Ivy, pulling her close against her body. She then leaned forward and spoke quietly next to Ivy’s ear. “You’ve already won them over without even meeting most of them. My mom wanted to send you a thank you gift after our second date for even getting me tolookin your direction after the past six years that she watched me go through. My dad is thoroughly impressed by your date night location choices, and Jade is just delighted to have me stop moping whenever she mentions having met a girl herself. You already know Evan and you’ve spent enough time with Sophie for her to think you walk on water. You’ve got this.” She turned her face slightly and placed a kiss on Ivy’s cheek and held it there.
When she pulled back enough to look Ivy in the eyes she added, “Not to mention, I’m pretty crazy about you myself.”
“Really?” Ivy asked, eyes glassy with emotion.
“You have no idea,” Cleo added, as she moved her hands to Ivy’s waist and kissed her, feeling Ivy’s arms wrap around her neck.
A few minutes later, they walked through the front door, hung up their jackets, and toed off their shoes. Ivy pecked Cleo’s cheek with a sneaky, “That’s better, human height,” making them both smile at the running joke that had developed over the past few months regarding their very different work attire.
Ivy’s hand slotted into Cleo’s as they headed through to the kitchen, where her parents and Jade were getting dinner ready.
“Hey everyone,” Cleo said giving Ivy’s hand a gentle squeeze as she continued, “this is Ivy.” Cleo turned to her girlfriend and smiled, then placed her second hand around their joined hands to show Ivy she had her. “Ivy, this is my mom, Fiona, my dad, Rob, and my sister, Jade. Evan and Sophie will be here shortly, but we figured it best to split arrivals.”
Cleo’s mom came over first, and in her motherly way said, “Oh Ivy, it’s so lovely to finally meet you. I’ve never seen Cleo so happy as she’s been since meeting you. Thank you for bringing my girl back to me. I’m a hugger, are you a hugger? I really want to give you a hug.” Her eyes bounced hopefully between Ivy and Cleo and back again, as she folded her arms tight to her chest. Cleo knew the amount of self-control her mom was showing Ivy right now.
“It’s lovely to meet you too, Mrs. Foster, and yes,” Ivy chuckled and dropped Cleo’s hands, “I’m a hugger.”
Cleo watched as two of the most important women in her life embraced beside her. She watched as her mom held on until Ivy was ready to let go, just as she did when they were kids. Cleo’s heart broke when she saw Ivy’s body start to shake a little, fighting the emotions that were ready to erupt. Her dad and Jade walked over and without being asked, each placed a hand on Ivy’s back. Cleo had never loved her family any more than she did in that moment.
Cleo’s dad and sister each lifted their hands and quietly told Cleo, “We’ll give you a minute,” as they left the kitchen and made their way to the sitting room.
Her mom gently rubbed a hand up and down Ivy’s back as Ivy continued to fight the emotions that were crashing over her in waves. Cleo heard her mom gently say to Ivy, “I’m going to switch places with Cleo, love, and I’ll follow Rob and Jade and go through to the sitting room. You’re going to curl into her, and you’re going to let out all the tears you need, however long it takes. Not one of us in this household judges the others for tears, you’re safe here, ok?” She saw Ivy nod in a ragged motion.
Cleo’s mom took her hand and pulled her close, yielding her spot to Ivy. Ivy wrapped her arms around Cleo’s waist, and Cleo folded her own around Ivy’s shoulders as the first sob shook free.
Chapter 40
