Rory sighed and gave the only answer she could. “No Father, it means that your daughter is now happy.”
He digested that answer for a moment. “Were you really unhappy, my darling?” He took her hand and, with a calm patience she’d forgotten he possessed, forced her to meet his gaze.
“Yes.” She took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I didn't realise just how unhappy I was. With Darcy, with how I looked, with how the world saw me. The more she forced me to be feminine, the harder it was.”
Rory thought back to the arguments with Darcy, the shame she felt at wanting to express herself.
“I guess we won’t be having a big wedding for a while then?” Her mother joined in, and Rory groaned. Her mother was similar to Darcy in some ways, always looking to the party, to the big show.
“I can still have a big wedding, Mum.” Rory shot a smile to her mother. “I just won’t be wearing a dress for it.”
“So, you’re still a woman but like wearing men’s things. Is that it?”
“For now.” Rory took both her parents’ hands. “I am settled. I’m happy. I have good people around me. I am accepted at work, at my gym. Life is brighter somehow.”
Rory knew that a large part of that was Gemma. Having Gemma in her life was incredible.
“Well, I don’t completely understand it, my darling, but if you are happy, then we are happy, aren’t we Amanda?”
Rory’s mother wrapped her arms around her. “Of course. I’m sorry for how I behaved last night. I guess I was used to my daughter being my beautiful daughter, and I used to love your long hair. But if you want to be my handsome daughter instead, that’s fine.” She held Rory at arm’s length. “And this suit really fits you far better than the one you were wearing last time we were here.” She cocked her head. “And I don’t fully understand everything you are going through, but I hate that you have been going through it alone. I will not always understand what you are facing or feeling. But I will always love you, my darling. You may need to give us time to adjust, but we are here for you.”
Rory felt tears welling in her eyes. She tried to swallow through the lump in her throat.
“Thank you.” She managed to get out, embarrassed at how wobbly and squeaky her voice was. “But I wasn't alone. I had Gemma with me. She has supported me through everything.” Rory wanted nothing more than to shout her love to everyone at that moment, but she had promised Gemma they would keep it a secret. Whilst her parents would be supportive of their relationship, Rory knew that Gemma’s parents would make a big deal, try to control it and ultimately kill it dead before it even started.
“She’s a good friend.” Amanda pulled a tissue from her handbag and dabbed her eyes with it.
“Yes.” Her father agreed. “Find a girl like that to marry, Rory.”
Rory fought hard to keep her grin from showing. If she had her way, then she would.
31
GEMMA
Gemma shot her grandmother a grateful look. Mary had declared that as the fathers had fallen asleep last time they were at the opera, this time around they could sit in the front row with their wives so she could keep an eye on them.
They were in the same box as last time, and again Rory and Gemma took the seats by the wall. This time though, with their parents safely in the front row and the grandmothers sending sly but pleased glances at them, they were free to hold hands. The hum of the audience buzzed around them, and the energy crackled in the air. Tonight, they were seeingDie Fledermaus, an uproarious comedy with jolly toe-tapping music.
The lights dimmed, and the audience fell silent. Gemma interlaced her fingers with Rory's as the rest of the audience applauded the conductor. The music started, and as the overture tripped away, Gemma felt her heart soar. There were few times in her life that she could say she was truly content, but this was easily one of them. She looked at the parents in front of them. For once, they sat with theirpartners. Rory’s parents were directly in front of them. They held hands and as the music slowed, Amanda rested her head on her husband’s shoulder. Gemma had noticed both she and Rory had red-rimmed eyes when she’d returned from the shop with her mum but hadn’t talked about it with Rory yet. As neither looked upset, she hoped they’d had a positive talk.
The overture sped back up, and Gemma could feel Rory tapping her foot along with the music. She turned her head and saw the most beautiful smile gracing Rory's face. Affection for Rory washed over her. She wanted to take Rory in her arms and save her from ever having to face tears again. The action on the stage tripped along and bubbled like the champagne they had shared earlier that evening. It was a light-hearted operetta and just what they both needed after the emotions of the last couple of days.
Gemma rested her hand on Rory's thigh, and all the uncertainties of her life melted away at the feel of Rory's firm muscle under her hand. They were going to watch the first two acts of the opera before breaking for dinner, and Gemma's stomach was rumbling. As entertaining as the action on the stage was, the woman next to her was more captivating, and Gemma was almost counting down the minutes until they could be alone again. Rory had mentioned wanting to take a walk around the garden, and Gemma hoped they could go by themselves. She needed time with her girlfriend and couldn’t really pay attention to anything happening on stage.
Before Gemma knew it, they were dashing into the second act. She was about to let her mind wander off to thoughts of what she and Rory could do when they got back to the hotel later, when her attention was drawn to the action on the stage. The scene was now at a lavishparty with the singers all wearing ball gowns and tails. Just as she was imagining Rory in white tie with tails, she noticed the prince swaggering across the stage. They oozed confidence and privilege. She ignored the singing and focused on the prince. Her face flushed as she realised that Prince Orlovsky was sexy, commanding and undeniably female. As she sang, her rich mezzo-soprano voice soared over the audience and danced on Gemma's ears.
Swallowing hard, Gemma looked again at the prince. She had seen women in trouser roles before, but this time it hit her in the stomach, she really found a woman in a tux attractive. She chuckled to herself. She’d wondered if she would find Rory attractive as she presented more masculine, and here she was making eyes at another woman in a suit. Perhaps she was developing a type. As the song ended and the audience applauded enthusiastically, Gemma felt a finger caress the side of her face. Rory used her strong fingers to turn Gemma's face towards her.
“Do I have competition?” Her face was full of mirth, and her eyes danced with mischief.
Gemma allowed herself to be drawn forward to Rory and gently laid a kiss on her lips. “No contest, babe. I’m all yours.”
Anything Rory would have said in response to that was disturbed by Phyllis tapping Gemma on the shoulder and wagging her finger at her. Suitably chastised, Gemma turned back to the stage.
“I think you will be very good for her.” Phyllis whispered, almost too quiet for Gemma to hear, before patting her hand as she had with Rory.
That small act of acceptance was everything to Gemma, and a deep affection for the older woman engulfed her.
