“It’s okay.” Rory's eyebrows were drawn together. She got out of bed and reached for her vest top. Gemma then remembered that she hadn’t managed to get Rory's boxers off last night, and her words sounded even more cruel considering that. Gemma looked around in a flustered panic for her T-shirt and hastily pulled it over herself. Rory was by the window, unseeing eyes looking out over the swimming pool. Gemma thought about leaving her for a moment but remembered their talk last night and their agreement to be open with each other from now on.
“Rory? Are you okay?” She stepped behind her girlfriend and wrapped her arms around her.
“Do you still see me as a woman?” Rory's question was unexpected but not harsh.
“Sometimes,” Gemma answered honestly.
“And other times?”
Gemma swallowed around the lump that was still there.
“Other times I don't really think about it. I see you. I see Rory.” She spun Rory around to look her in the eyes. These were not words that could be spoken to her back; she needed to say them to Rory's face.
“I don't see you as a man if that’s what you’re asking.” She took Rory’s hands in hers and gave them a gentle squeeze.
“I see you as my girlfriend, my person. The one human in this world who gets me, who goes to pottery even though she hates it.”
Rory smiled at the remembrance of their disastrous pottery excursion.
“I see Rory. Just Rory. Bad ass lawyer, dedicated daughter and the best lover I have ever had!” Gemma saw Rory’s cheeks blush red. “I see my best friend, my safe space. And yes, sometimes I see a woman who is strong enough to say to the world ‘Fuck you, this is who I am.’”
Rory pulled her forward, so she nestled in her arms. The gentle sobs that came out of her broke Gemma's heart until she looked at Rory's face.
“You really see all that?” Rory managed through her tears.
“I see all that and more!” Gemma confirmed. “Although I generally see my hot as hell girlfriend and wonder when I can get her naked again.”
Rory tipped her head back and howled with laughter. “Now who’s insatiable?”
“Would you prefer partner?” Gemma asked. “I never want to refer to you in a way that will upset you.”
Rory took a deep shuddering breath and squeezedGemma tight. Just as she was about to call for mercy, Rory released her.
“That’s the thing. I do like being your girlfriend. And when you said what you did earlier, it stunned me, not because you upset me, but because it didn't upset me.”
Gemma let the implications of that statement settle in her. Any further thoughts, however, were interrupted by her phone blaring its ringtone through the room. Gemma dived onto the bed and grabbed it from the nightstand. Cursing, she saw her grandmother’s name flash on the screen just as she went to answer it.
“Gemma Louise Armstrong!” Her grandmother didn't give her time to greet her. “It’s nine thirty, and we have been waiting half an hour for you and Rory. They only serve breakfast until ten, so if you want something to eat then you’d better get here sharpish.”
Her grandmother hung up, and Gemma turned to Rory, who was already heading for the bathroom.
“We need to be quick.” Gemma raced after her. “We’ve been summoned!”
Gemma thanked the waiter as he placed the plate of food in front of her. Apparently, both she and Rory had worked up an appetite last night as both their plates were piled high with sausages, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, fried bread and, to her grandmother’s consternation, baked beans.
“Gosh, you must be hungry?” Mary sipped her coffee and eyed the plate of food Gemma was about to eat.
“Did you sleep all right?” Phyllis asked Rory. “You look ever so tired.”
Gemma spluttered into her orange juice and saw the faint pink tinge rise on Rory's cheeks.
“As well as I could.” Rory's voice was grave and serious, and Gemma wondered if that’s how she sounded in a courtroom.
Phyllis patted her hand. “Well, that’s understandable.” She shook her head and elegantly buttered a piece of toast before slathering it with strawberry jam. The silence hung around the table as she methodically chewed.
Gemma shifted awkwardly in her chair and started to eat. She remembered all the times her grandmother had chided her for her table manners and so strove to eat as much like a lady as she could. Even though Gemma rebelled against her parents’ rules, she always behaved well for Mary.
“So then, girls, what have you been up to in London?” Mary broke off a piece of croissant and popped it in her mouth. “Have you seen much of each other?”
