Something Real

by Lydia Rose

  “I, ah…”

  “I know I’m rushing you again.” Diane reached over and pulled Michelle toward her. With that motion she kissed her softly.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Anna rushing into the room. “Shell,” she said running toward them, separating the women.

  “Hello, Anna. I’ve missed you.”

  “Me and mommy missed you too.”

  “So I’ve heard the news,” Michelle said looking at Diane.

  “What do you think?” she asked, pulling Anna closer to them so she could put her arm around Michelle.

  “I think I’ll miss you more now at work.” Her shoulders shrugged. “Even though I don’t see you during the day, I know you are there.”

  Diane reached over and cupped Michelle’s chin. “Do you want to stay home with me?” she asked with a wide grin.

  “Funny.”

  “Can’t blame a girl for trying.”

  CHAPTER 24

  The summer had moved quickly for the women. Little by little Michelle found herself spending more days at Diane’s home than the apartment with Donna. Diane had used her time off well. She had made plans for a special evening the night before the company picnic. Diane was now waiting for Michelle’s parents to arrive. She heard the car in the driveway and went to the door. “Hi, Holly and Mike. Did you find the house okay?”

  “Yes,” Holly said getting out of the car. “And what a house.” She gave Diane a strong hug and Mike did the same. They now carried the suitcases into the house.

  “Hi, Nan,” Anna said as she met them in the foyer. “Hi, Pop.” She greeted them with the same enthusiasm that she normally showed to Michelle.

  “Hi, precious,” Holly said as she squeezed the girl.

  “Where is Shell?” Anna asked as the front door closed.

  “Honey, she’s still at work. Michelle will be here soon,” Diane said as they climbed the steps. Her guests followed her to one of the bedrooms. “This room has a private bath. I hope you will be comfortable here.”

  “Honey, this is like a five-star hotel. We will be more than fine,” Holly said looking around the room.

  “Come down when you get settled. Cecelia made some lunch for all of us.”

  “Thank you,” Mike said as he lifted the suitcase onto the bed.

  After lunch they headed to the backyard. Mike went into the pool with Anna while Holly and Diane took shelter under the covered porch.

  “So are you ready with your big surprise?” Holly asked seeing a nervous Diane.

  “I am, but I’m still worried,” Diane admitted softly.

  “Are you actually afraid she is going to say no?”

  Diane shrugged her response. “I asked Michelle to move in months ago and I drop subtle hints, but she hasn’t officially moved in.”

  “Haven’t you learned yet that you can’t rush Michelle? She moves at her own pace. Sometimes it takes her longer to realize what the right decision is.”

  “I know. It took her a long time to realize that she had feelings for me,” Diane said with a laugh. “I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life never having something real with Michelle.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything to her?”

  “Because I never thought I would be lucky enough for her to love me.” Diane stared off into space as she thought of Michelle.

  “Oh honey, you are a wonderful woman and you show my daughter love and affection every time she is in the same room.”

  “I wasn’t always like that. I didn’t know how to feel. I grew up in a house without people showing their feelings. I was raised by a nanny.” Diane smiled. “Michelle showed me how to love and how to bond with my daughter. Anna fell in love with her quickly. I think that’s because Michelle would hug her, kiss her. Michelle never left any doubt that she loved Anna and Anna knew that.”

  Holly patted Diane’s hand. “She will say yes and you will never have any doubts again.”

  “I hope you’re right, Holly.”

  Diane greeted Michelle as she walked into the house. “Hi. How was your day?” Diane asked as she kissed her softly.

  “Glad it’s over. Everything looks good for tomorrow. The tents and chairs were delivered today. It’s going to be a great turnout at the picnic.” Michelle looked around. “Where’s Anna?”

  “She’s around here somewhere.” Diane took her hand and led her into the living room.

  “Surprise,” Michelle’s parents called out.

  “Mom, Dad, I didn’t know you were going to be here this weekend.” Michelle gave them each a hug and then looked down at Anna. “Did you know this secret?”

  “Mommy told me not to tell you.” Anna gave Michelle a warm hug.

  Michelle now turned to Diane. “Thank you,” she said taking her arm. “You are coming to the picnic?”

  “We wouldn’t miss it for anything,” Holly said smiling at her daughter.

  Cecelia announced that dinner was ready and they moved into the dining room.

  After dinner, Holly and Diane put Anna to bed while Michelle changed out of her work clothes into a pair of sweats and cotton shirt.

  Once they were back downstairs, Holly said, “I understand you have a theatre room in this house?”

  “I do. How about we all go watch a movie?”

  Michelle was tired, but she followed the rest of the group into the room. “This is beautiful, Diane,” Holly said as they entered the room.

  They all took their seats and Diane turned down the lights. “What about the film?” Michelle asked.

  “It’s already loaded into the machine.” Diane pressed play and what appeared on the screen dropped Michelle’s jaw. Instead of one of Diane’s movies, the screen showed pictures of them. There were pictures of the two of them, some with them and Anna. All the pictures showed how much they loved each other. The music added to the DVD made the pictures seem even sweeter. Michelle wiped the tears that were falling onto her cheek and she took Diane’s hand. Now she heard Diane’s voice coming from the speakers.

  Michelle, you have brought such joy to my life. A life I never thought I would have. Every time I look at you I can see the love, and my heart melts all over again. Honey, you love my daughter as much as you love me. I couldn’t ask for a better partner than you. I hope you know how much I love you and how I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

  On screen Diane got down on one knee and the live Diane did the same. She took Michelle’s hand in her own and says, “Michelle, will you please do me the honor of marrying me?”

  Michelle looked at Diane, then she looked at her parents who were smiling. “Yes, Diane. I will marry you.” She flew into Diane’s arms and knocked her on her back.

  “Wait. I have something for you.” Michelle sat up as Diane pulled a ring out of her pocket. “I will try to make you happy and never regret that you said yes to me today.” She slipped the large diamond ring onto Michelle’s finger.

  Holly jumped out of her seat seeing the ring. “Oh my god, Michelle. Is your finger weighed down with that ring?”

  “It’s not too big, is it?” Diane asked looking at all their faces, suddenly worried that she had gone overboard.

  “It’s perfect, honey,” Michelle said before she brought Diane’s lips to her. “It’s just perfect.”

  Diane pulled a bottle of champagne out of the refrigerator in the theatre room where Mike made the toast. “We wish you both nothing but happiness. I have never seen my daughter as happy as when she fell in love with you, Diane. Holly and I are so happy to welcome you to our family.”

  “Cheers,” Holly said as they all clinked their glasses.

  Diane pulled Michelle close to her. “I am very thankful to have such wonderful in-laws who have welcomed me not only into their family, but into their hearts. I love you both.”

  Tears began to fall onto Michelle’s cheeks again and Holly followed her daughter. “I love you,” Michelle said turning and kissing Diane.

  “So will you finally mov
e in here?” Diane asked with a grin.

  “Yes, Diane. I will move in with you.”

  In the morning Michelle and Diane sat Anna down in the living room. “We have something to tell you, Anna,” Diane said to her daughter and took Michelle’s hand. “I asked Michelle to marry me.” She smiled at Michelle. “That means Michelle is going to live with us.”

  “Is that okay, Anna?” Michelle asked.

  “Forever, Shell?” Anna asked looking between her mother and Michelle.

  “Yes, forever, Anna.”

  “Is Michelle going to be my mommy too?”

  “Yes, baby. Michelle is going to be your mommy too.”

  CHAPTER 25

  They all drove to the picnic together and parked the car. Diane could see that the picnic was in full swing by the time they arrived. She looked at Michelle who seemed nervous. “Everything will be okay,” Diane said touching Michelle’s hand. A slight smile met her eyes before they all began to exit the vehicle.

  Walking together people stopped them along the way to greet the group. One man walked up to Michelle ignoring that she was with Diane and started a conversation.

  “Hi, Michelle. Why don’t you let me get you a drink?” His smile was as enthusiastic as his hand was as he tried to guide her away.

  “Thank you, Peter, but I can’t right now.” Michelle pulled her arm away from his grasp.

  He looked from Michelle to Diane who was now frowning at his nerve. “Yes, excuse us, Peter,” she said guiding Michelle toward the front of the venue.

  “Smile, Diane,” Michelle whispered so only Diane could hear.

  “The nerve of that man. What department does he work in?” Michelle ignored her question. “You aren’t going to tell me, are you?”

  “In a few minutes it won’t matter.”

  Diane picked up the waiting microphone and addressed the crowd. “Hello, everyone,” she said with a wide smile. “I’m so happy that you all could join us here today.” She glanced at Michelle before she continued. “You have all made this company what it is today and I am thankful for all the hard work you all have done over the years.” There were cheers from the crowd. “I want to introduce you all to someone. Some of you might know her and she has become very important in my life. Michelle would you step up here?” Diane held her hand out to take her place next to her. “Everyone this is my fiancé Michelle Whitman.” At first there was a hush over the crowd, but then the applause began. It was led by Carolyn, Donna and Diane’s assistant. “Enjoy the picnic and we hope to have many more of these events. Thank you.” Her arm went around Michelle who stood next to her quietly. As Diane put the microphone down, people began to surround them.

  Donna was the first one to get to Michelle. “Okay. Let me see the ring.” Michelle held out her left hand. “That’s beautiful, Michelle.”

  Michelle pulled her friend to her body. “Thank you for all the support you have given me and for just being the best friend I could ever ask for.”

  Donna wiped at her tears. “Now look at what you’ve done.” Then she pulled Michelle to her again. “I love you too.”

  Now other women surrounded her eyeing the ring and giving their regards. Michelle watched as Carolyn was the first to reach Diane. “You were taking no chances of anyone else snagging her, were you?” she asked with a laugh and Diane frowned.

  “Is that why you think I asked her to marry me?” Diane asked still frowning.

  “Diane, I’m only kidding you, but there are plenty of men and women out there right now that are disappointed to hear the news. Do you know how many people have approached Michelle trying to get her to date them?” Diane shook her head. “A lot, Diane.”

  “Why didn’t she ever tell me?” Diane glanced at Michelle who was still surrounded by women.

  “For this reason,” she said pointing to Diane’s face. “You are engaged to her and you’re still jealous.”

  “I am not,” Diane insisted and then let out a sigh. “Maybe a little.”

  “Why? She said yes, right?” Before Carolyn could continue ribbing her friend, other people approached Diane with their congratulations.

  It was a long while before the two women were able to find themselves again. Diane watched as Anna played with the other children while Mike and Holly took over her care. She knew she had a lot to be thankful for and Michelle was just the beginning. “Are you okay?” she asked as she approached Michelle.

  “I’m fine. No one seems to care. Maybe they won’t say anything to my face, but the reaction has been positive.”

  Diane put her arm around Michelle and kissed her cheek. She now moved her away from the crowd. “Now why didn’t you tell me that you were being hit on all the time?”

  “It wasn’t all the time,” Michelle said turning to Diane. “Besides, it was nothing I couldn’t handle.”

  “I wish you would have told me because we could have made this announcement sooner.”

  “Honey, don’t get all jealous on me,” Michelle said with a giggle.

  “I’m not jealous,” she said, crossing her arms across her chest.

  “Uh huh.” Michelle giggled again. “And that’s why you could have put Peter down with your glare.”

  “I couldn’t believe he was asking you to spend time with him right in front of me.”

  “Honey, he didn’t know about you and me. No one did.”

  “Okay. I’ll give you that.”

  Michelle laughed and put her arm through Diane’s arm. “Let’s go find my parents and your daughter.” Once they caught up with the rest of the family, Michelle excused herself to go to the restroom. She didn’t get far before someone grabbed her arm.

  “Why didn’t you just tell me you were a dyke?” Peter asked slurring his words.

  Michelle wouldn’t have been afraid, but she found herself away from the crowd of people. “Peter, I think you should go find some coffee before you drive home.”

  “I know she’s rich, but you can’t possibly be happy with a woman for the rest of your life.”

  “You have no idea what will make me happy and unless you want me to tell your boss about this conversation, you better move on.” Peter glared at Michelle for a moment before he walked away. When she returned to her family, Michelle could tell that Anna was fading fast. “Honey, I think we should get Anna home.”

  Diane looked at Anna who was leaning against Holly. “You’re right. Why don’t you go home with your parents and I’ll take one of the cars home.” She had ordered cars for the guests who might end up to drunk to drive.

  “Do you want me to wait with you?” Michelle asked touching Diane’s arm.

  “No, I won’t be too long. I just have to make sure everything is ready to close up when I leave.” Diane kissed Michelle’s cheek. “I’ll see you all later.”

  By the time Diane returned to the house, everyone had retreated to their rooms. She opened the bedroom door and saw Michelle in bed reading from her Kindle.

  “Everyone get off okay?” Michelle asked putting down her reader.

  Diane slid up the bed until she was next to Michelle. “Yep. I left the caterers with security to finish up their job. So did your parents have a good time?”

  “They did. I think because they got to spend the whole day with Anna.” Michelle turned on her side. “I think my parents are head over heels for your daughter.”

  “She’s your daughter too, Michelle. Unless you don’t want that.”

  “Are you kidding? I love Anna as if she were my own.”

  “I’ve changed my will so that if something happened to me, you would get her. Are you okay with that?”

  “Of course I am, Diane.” Michelle leaned over and kissed Diane. “I looked up your wedding on line.” Diane’s response was to wrinkle her nose. “It looked like it was a spectacle.”

  “It was. I stayed out of it. I just showed up on the day.”

  “So you don’t want another large wedding like that?”

  Diane couldn’t hide he
r fear, but said, “I know this will be your first wedding and last,” she said with a smile. “If that is what you want, we will have a big wedding.”

  Michelle laughed. “All I care about is the honeymoon. I don’t want a spectacle. I was thinking we could go to Hawaii and get married on the beach with Anna and my parents in attendance.”

  Diane looked at Michelle. “Did I tell you today how much I love you?”

  “Yes, but I’ll never get tired of hearing it.” And she meant every word. Diane had talked about a baby and Michelle didn’t want to think about that. Now she could see her and Diane having a baby. Maybe more than one because she wanted everything with this wonderful woman. Michelle began to unbutton Diane’s blouse. “Why don’t you get out of these clothes and I’ll show you how much I love you.”

  Diane smiled at the woman who had melted her heart. Who had taught her how to love and knew that no one would ever love her the way this beautiful woman did. Now and forever because what Michelle offered her was something real.

  THE END

  I appreciate your purchase of my work. If you enjoyed the story, please take the time to review my book on Amazon

  If you have a comment regarding my work, please contact me at lydiarosebooks@gmail.com

  Other Books by Lydia Rose

  The Summer of Our Love, Jersey Girls, Book 1

  What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? Jersey Girls, Book 2

  Stay With Me

  The House on the Lake

  The Country Girl

  Coming Home

  Are You the One?

  The Story of Annabelle & Alison

  Love Comes to Alaska

  Family Ties

  The Cruise

  My Heart Wants You

  Somebody Like You

  Lost Memories

  Just What the Doctor Ordered

  Love Isn’t Always Easy, Jersey Girls, Book 3

  Return to the Shore, Jersey Girls, Book 4

  Taking Chances

  She Found Me

  Never Let Me Go