They emerged from the auditorium with the music ringing in their ears. The sun was just starting to think about setting, and a slight chill had descended. It was a stark contrast to the searing heat they had encountered in early May when they had last been. The change in them was also totemic. Then, they had been all but strangers. Now they were girlfriends, lovers, and Rory had discovered a new side to herself that Gemma was absolutely loving to see develop. Rory had asked her to go for a walk in the gardens, and Gemma rejoiced in being alone with her at last. Sitting next to her in the theatre had been sweet torture. Once away from the rest of the family, Gemma gripped Rory’s hand. They strolled along the pathway towards the art exhibition when a shrill voice cut across them.
“Aurora? Is that you?”
Gemma stilled at the familiarity of the voice. This person knew Rory, and Gemma was surprised as Rory didn't seem to have too many friends outside work and the gym. Apparently, her ‘friends’ had followed Darcy when she had called off the engagement. She turned to Rory, and a chill washed over her at the look on her girlfriend’s face. All colour had drained from Rory, and she looked like she had seen a ghost. Gemma whipped her head around to see who was talking to them and came face to face with the visage that had haunted her on Facebook all those months ago.
“Darcy?” Gemma asked as she suspected Rory couldn’t form words.
“Yes. And you are?” Darcy's icy blue eyes were as cold as the words that came out of her mouth. They took a slow look down and then up Gemma's dress before fixing on their clasped hands.
“I’m Gemma.”
Gemma felt no need to say anything more than that. Not only because she didn't know if Rory wanted Darcy to know about their relationship, but also not caring what Darcy thought or wanting to spend any more time with her than necessary. She was in Rory’s past, and Gemma was her future. She squeezed Rory's hand, hoping to elicit some sort of response from her frozen girlfriend.
“Oh, you’re Gemma.” Darcy wafted a dismissive hand at her. “I remember Aurora telling me about you. You're the friend from school, right?”
Gemma ground her teeth together but wouldn't give Darcy the satisfaction of seeing that she was upsetting her. Rory squeezed Gemma’s hand and inclined her head towards Darcy. Gemma understood in an instant.
“Actually, Darcy.” Gemma shifted their hands so that her fingers interlaced with Rory’s. It was a subtle marking of her territory, but one that she hoped wouldn't go unnoticed. “We’re dating. Rory is my girlfriend.”
Judging by the widening of Darcy’s eyes, Gemma figured she hadn't been expecting that. She preened internally and pulled Rory towards her.
“Dating?” Darcy flicked her head from side to side as she looked between them. “But we’ve only been broken up for six months.”
“Actually, it’s been more like twelve.” Rory's voice was clear as she corrected her ex-fiancée. “And what can I say? When you know, you know. Gemma and I reconnected three months ago, and it was right from the moment we saw each other.” Rory turned her head to Gemma and smiled. For a moment, Gemma lost herself in the rich brown of Rory’s eyes and the feelings that shone out from them. The shared moments of the last few months flew silentlybetween them as they both relived the moments of their relationship with a look.
“Well, I can definitely see that you’ve ‘moved on’ since our relationship.” Darcy’s look was sneering and dismissive as she looked Rory up and down. “This is the look you wanted for our wedding, if I remember correctly.”
“Not quite.” Rory grinned, and Gemma shivered. It was not the loving sort of grin that she had seen Rory shoot at her over the last few months. It was a cold, calculating grin. Similar to one that a cartoon shark would have before devouring its prey. “Gemma has been very supportive of me changing my look and has supported me in becoming who I am.” Rory tugged Gemma closer and pressed a kiss to her forehead before turning back to her ex. “I’m happy, Darcy. I hope you are too.”
Darcy pouted and pursed her lips as a thousand conversations showed on her face. She was obviously in turmoil as to what to say. Gemma stifled a giggle, amused at how Rory had easily dismissed Darcy.
“We should get back to our parents,” Gemma said quietly to Rory.
“And they support this?” Darcy waved a hand between them.
Gemma paused for a moment. Did Darcy mean their relationship or Rory's gender expression? She felt Rory stiffen next to her. They couldn't lie and say the families were supportive because they didn't know.
“Yes Darcy, they have been fully supportive.” Rory tightened an arm around Gemma, and Gemma smiled at her vague use of language. Over the past few weeks, Gemma had noticed that Rory tended towards precise language when she spoke. A by-product of being a solicitor, sheassumed. But now, she used that skill against Darcy and was intentionally vague.
Darcy looked annoyed at that and pursed her lips again.
“We really need to go.” Gemma tried her hardest to sound apologetic but really just wanted to get away from Rory's ex. Rory was her girlfriend now, and Darcy didn't matter in their lives. Gemma was certainly not going to let Darcy ruin their evening.
“Yes, of course.” Rory nodded at Darcy. “Our families are waiting for us at the restaurant. I wish you all the best for the future Darcy.”
Gemma’s heart rejoiced at the finality of Rory's words to Darcy. Hopefully, she would take the hint and get out of their lives for good.
Together, they turned away from Darcy and walked towards the restaurant.
“Sorry.” Rory dropped a kiss to Gemma's temple. That’s not quite how I expected our walk to go”
“What did you expect?” Gemma looked at Rory, who was blushing slightly. A vision of Rory kissing her passionately behind a rose bush washed through her brain, and she slapped Rory on the arm lightly. “No naughty thoughts, please.” She slowed their walk to whisper in Rory's ear. “Not until we are back at the hotel and I can strip this gorgeous suit off you.”
Rory grinned, and this time it was the heart-stopping grin that Gemma had come to love. They stopped in the bar and found the grandmothers sitting at a table nursing a drink each.
“Hello, you two.” Rory looked around. “Where are the parents?” Her head swivelled around to see where their respective parents were.
“Oh, they thought a walk around the garden would begood as well, so they followed you out. They should be back momentarily.” Phyllis waved her glass at Rory. “Why don't you get a drink for yourself and one for us whilst we wait?”
