“Because I am,” Dani said.
“I’m going to need a little bit more than that today,” April managed to get the words past the growing lump in her throat.
Dani sighed, turned April to look her straight in the eye, placed a hand on each of her shoulders and continued. “I spoke with Lana, who explained everything to Cleo, who will make sure Jade is watching at Friday Night Dinner, which I hear is a big deal in her family. So, she'll see it.”
April smiled at the thought of Jade being surrounded by family when she watched April’s plan unfold before her eyes. A flutter filled her chest.Damn, I can’t wait to tell her I love her.
They made their way out of the hotel and into the car waiting to take them to the studio. Dani spent the drive on her phone answering emails while on a call with her assistant, leaving April to her thoughts.
Every time in the past that she’d thought about coming out, she’d only ever considered what would happenafter. She hadn’t thought much about the actual act itself. A memory of one of her earliest conversations with Jade sprung to mind, where Jade explained to her that coming out wasn’t aone-and-donething; it would be something she would be doing most days for the rest of her life.
The more she thought about it, the more she realized that going forward, the idea of coming out in day-to-day life was no longer just about her. It was about Jade. It was aboutthem. It would be a daily declaration that the person she had fallen so completely for, was a woman, and was worth sharing their love with the world.
She thought back over the past few days. Namely, to her family’s reaction to her coming out.
Her Mom had been a mother-hen and mama bear all rolled into one. She’d never seen her mom be so fierce about a subject. Her support for her and Jade once she was reassured that hermom hadn’t done anything wrong for April to feel like she couldn’t come out to her. Her disgust at the actions of Suzie that had put her in this position. Her disappointment in her dad and how he had handled the entire situation. Without consulting her.
Her Dad had spent a lot of time with her talking out on their back porch. He explained that the reason he had reacted the way he did was because he was torn over what role she needed from him first. In the moment he thought she needed him to be her manager and to squash the rumors given she hadn’t yet come out to him or her mom. He thought that because she wasn’t yet out, that she didn’t want to be, not like that. So, he came up with a plan to deny it for her. However ridiculous the plan now appeared to be in hindsight; his intentions were from a place of unrelenting love and support.
Connor and Lana were amazing. Connor had told her that while he always had an inkling that April was gay, he knew it had to be her choice to tell him. He said it was the one thing he could give her, his quiet support and his patience. He also said that Lana had explained who Jade was for her, and that he was glad his sister had met someone who was part of such a loving and supportive family unit.
She then started picturing that family unit, all gathering for dinner around the large table. Fiona making dinner and shooing Jade away so as not to start another fire. Rob observing everything that was happening and being said, yet not missing an opportunity to make a joke or smother the young ones in hugs and love. Evan and Toni, who she hadn’t spent much time with, but hoped to get to know better in the future. Cleo and Ivy, who had been in her and Jade’s corner from the word go.
Then there was Jade. The woman who had captured her heart entirely.
“Ready?” Dani asked again, softer this time.
April blinked out of her daydream of thoughts of the incredible support system she had behind her today and looked out the window. They were already at the studio.
“How long until I’m on-air?” April asked her nervously.
“Less than an hour. Then you’ll be finished 40 minutes later, ok?” Dani waited for a reply before moving.
“Ok, yeah, I’m ready.” April said, taking a deep breath and opening the car door.
Chapter 42
Jade
“Sophie and Willow, can youpleasego wash your hands? Dinner’s getting dished up.” Toni shouted at the girls who were playing in the backyard. She stood at the door, waiting for them to come into the house and rolled her eyes at Jade. “You’d swear they never spent time outside before and asking them to come in is the worst request they’ve ever heard!”
Jade chuckled, “a bit like me when I was their age.”
“You can say that again,” Fiona looked over at Jade and waved the serving spoon in her direction. “It hasn’t improved much over the years either, it’s a miracle on Fridays when you’re here on time.”
“Oooh, is this ‘everyone gang-up on Jade Day’?” Evan asked as he came into the kitchen followed by Rob. “Because I cantotallyget on board with that.”
“No, it’s not,” Jade argued, “that was last week, not my fault I wasn’t here.” She grinned at her brother but felt it waver.
It had been the longest week of Jade’s life without any communication from April. They all knew it.
Jade had gone back and forth in her mind over the past few days, but had decided that no matter what, she would make it work. If Aprilreallyneeded to follow her dad’s plan, Jade would try to get on board with it if it meant she didn’t lose the woman she loved. She didn’t really do social media anyway, and wasn’t a regular follower of entertainment news, so chances were, she wouldn’t see the photos or hear the implicated update on April’s romance with her mixed-doubles partner, Simon anyway. Yet in doing so, she couldn’t wonder if she was compromising her own beliefs for someone else? She wasn’t sure anymore.
Dinner was various stuffed potatoes and mixed salad. Jade felt herself eating it but not really tasting it as she was so preoccupied. She felt guilty as she’d been away for so long and had missed these dinners when she wasn’t there. The kids were chatty; Willow was finally opening up around them all a bit more since she and Toni had started moving their things in with Evan and Sophie over the past few days. The little spark of confidence was great to see. Yet Jade felt like she just couldn’t bring her focus to the room.
After the meal was finished and the table was cleared, they all made their way through to the living room. Her Dad had suggested watching TV for a short while before they had dessert. Jade lingered in the kitchen until Cleo came to find her.
“I know you’re elsewhere today,” her sister said as she sat in the chair beside her, “and that’s ok, none of us are judging youfor it. But I really think you need to come through to the living room just now.”
