Rory thought back to the time they had shared at the spa with Phyllis and Mary. They had explained their reasons for wanting to keep their fledgling relationship a secret, and both grandmothers had agreed it was a sensible move. Maryespecially had agreed that Gemma's parents would be insufferable if they found out they were dating.
“They will be annoyed you've kept a secret,” Phyllis had warned, “but I think the joy that you are finally together will mitigate that.” Rory had agreed with her on that point and pressed another glass of Bucks Fizz into her grandmother’s hand.
“I think they like the idea of being part of the secret,” Gemma remarked as she picked up her small evening bag.
Rory hummed her approval before clearing her throat. “I, um, got you something.” Rory gulped and wet her lips.
“What? You didn't need to do that.” Gemma cocked her head. “But you know I love presents, so...” She grinned, and Rory felt her chest lift with that smile.
“I wanted to say thank you for everything you’ve done for me.” Rory pulled a small square box from under her pillow, where she had hidden it from Gemma’s prying eyes. She held it out to Gemma, who took it with trembling hands.
“It will never, ever be enough to thank you for your love and support. Your acceptance, your patience when I stormed out of the shops that first time.” Rory stopped before she was in danger of rambling too much.
“Oh Rory!” Gemma opened the small box and gazed at the earrings Rory had bought her.
“I know you like wearing your other grandma’s necklace.” Rory indicated the silver and ruby necklace Gemma's mum’s mum had left her. “And I thought these would go with it.”
“Oh, babe, they're lovely.” Gemma flapped a hand at Rory. “Oh, get me a tissue or I’ll ruin my mascara.”
Rory laughed as she ducked into the bathroom to get a tissue for Gemma.
Gemma dabbed her eyes and then replaced her simple silver earrings with the new ones from Rory.
“Do I even want to know how much these cost you?”
Rory eyed the platinum and ruby earrings and agreed that Gemma probably wouldn't want to know.
“Gemma. You saw me when I couldn't even see myself, and I can’t express how much that has meant to me.”
Rory pulled Gemma into a tight hug and buried her face in Gemma's neck. Her familiar perfume drifted up her nose, soothing and exciting her. “Hmm, you smell good.” Rory trailed light kisses across her collarbone and over her shoulder.
“So do you.” Gemma gasped as a wandering hand cupped her breast. “Every time I smell your perfume I remember that night at Michelle's.”
“We need to work on making some new memories.” Rory grumbled.
“We have time.” Gemma raked her nails over the short hair at the back of Rory's neck.
“Gemma.” Rory drew the word out as a warning as a bolt of desire shot to her clit.
“Just giving you something to think about.” Gemma picked up her evening bag again and double-checked her appearance in the mirror before heading for the door.
Rory drank in the sight of her girlfriend. She was again wearing the black dress that had short-circuited her brain the first time she had seen it, but this time Rory knew every inch of skin the fabric was caressing. Her hair was twisted up into an elegant chignon, and Rory itched to pull every single pin out and have that silky hair running through her fingers.
“I promise you, I think about you every second of the day as it is.” Rory grabbed the room keycard and followedGemma out. As they waited by the lift, Gemma turned to her.
“I’m glad to hear it, Ms Davies, because I won’t be able to wrap myself around you tonight to ward off every woman who set’s their eye on you. I want you to remember who you’re coming home to.” Gemma paused and cocked her head. “Is Ms Davies still okay for you?”
Rory resisted the temptation to say that Mrs had a much nicer ring to it. Wow, she was falling hard and fast for this woman. Not trusting her voice, she simply nodded in agreement.
As they entered the lift, Rory jabbed the button for the foyer and endeavoured to turn the conversation back into the light, flirty one they’d been having.
“Don’t worry, I will only have eyes for the most beautiful woman there. And I may not be able to say to the world yet, ‘Gemma Armstrong is my girlfriend,’ but it is carved on my heart.” Rory pulled Gemma to her and spoke into her ear, relishing the shiver that ran through her as her breath caressed Gemma's neck. “I am yours Gemma, only yours.”
The lift pinged to announce its arrival at the foyer, and they reluctantly stepped apart from each other to face the families.
Rory stood at the theatre bar with her parents, trying to look interested in the conversation about their golf round earlier today. The grandmas, along with Gemma and her mum, had disappeared into the theatre gift shop, and George had run off to use the loo. It was the first time Rory had been alone with her parents since the debacle of the previous night, andshe knew that, inevitably, questions about her appearance would be forthcoming soon.
“So,” her father turned to her with all the subtlety of a brick and wafted his hand up and down, indicating her suit and masculine appearance. “Does this mean that my daughter is now my son?”
