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BITTERSWEET
::  xxiii. | daughter like mother

A week passed since certain things went down. It was the second week of school for Cole, Miguel was still out of town, and Vanessa went back to avoiding Jennifer. She was still understanding everything and figuring out if she would ever tell jj the truth. But none of that mattered now since jj was with Will.

In the first time in forever, everyone woke up late. School started an hour ago and Vanessa was supposed to be at work thirty minutes ago.

Cole stretched her arms as she sat up and yawned. She glanced at her digital clock and realized it was 9:40am. She quickly pounced from her bed and ran to her mom's room. She barged through the door and hopped on her mom's bed, sitting next to her sleeping body.

Cole put her hand on Vanessa's shoulder and began to shake her, "Mom, wake up. We're both late." Of course there was no response the first time, so Cole attempted again and her mom groaned as she turned to face Cole.

"What time is it?"

"Almost ten. Could you drop me off?" Cole was surprisingly eager considering what happened.

Vanessa sat up and laid her head against the wall behind her, "Actually, I thought we could go on a trip."

"It's the second week of school. Why?"

Vanessa passed her daughter a look, "Do you really want to go to school?"

Cole thought about it for a second. She thought about what she did and how she doesn't feel up to talking to either of them yet so this trip could be a gateway, "I'm in."

Vanessa nodded, "Great. I'll give the school a call and my job."

Cole watched as her mom got up and grabbed her phone off the charger. She was highly suspicious, this was definitely out of character for her mom. But she didn't mind. If it meant getting out of school and not having to face Mia or Daniel, she would do this trip any day.

Cole got up off her mom's bed and exited her room, going to the bathroom to began getting ready for the day. She brushed her teeth, washed her face, and combed her hair. Cole didn't here or notice her phone going off in the next room on her bed. She was too excited and eager to get out the house — out the town. She realized then that her and her mom both needed this.

• • •

An hour had passed since Cole began packing well since Vanessa wrapped up two phone calls. Vanessa went and packed somethings as well. Roughly by eleven in the morning, the two were ready to hit the road for the week.

Cole and Vanessa filled the trunk with their suitcases and then they began their road-trip. They went through the drive through of Chick-Fil-A and then finally got on the highway. Cole was excited but she was curious of where they were headed and the reason why of her mom.

"Mom, where are we headed?" Cole turned to her mom whose eyes were glued to the road.

"New York." Vanessa spoke softly, "You always wanted to visit right?"

"Yeah but what's the real reason we're going? It can't just be a skip day."

"Why not?" Vanessa glanced at her daughter then back to the road.

Cole shrugged, "I just know you mom."

Vanessa sighed as she continued to drive. She didn't say anything, she didn't know what to say. She did know that she was going to come clean about everything once they got to the hotel either.

• • •

The car ride was about five and a half hours to the hotel or just getting to New York in general.

Vanessa parked in the building's garage. Her and Cole both got out, taking their bags out the trunk. They walked through the entrance and to the front desk. Vanessa told them the name and her reservation. She then was handed the key to the door and then the duo was off to their room.

It was on the third level of the building. They took the elevator up. They walked down the long hall and eventually stumbled across the room. Vanessa slid the key card in and with a click noise, the door opened. The mother and daughter walked in with the door closing behind.

It was time.

It was time for the talk.

After placing her bag on one of the beds, Vanessa sat on the edge of it. Her palms resting on her knees.

"Cole I think we should talk of why I wanted to get out of town." Vanessa began and Cole sat next to her, ready to listen. She continued, "Ultimately, it has to do with Jennifer."

"Is it bad?" Cole asked.

"No." Vanessa shook her head, "I'm just confused, I guess. I have feelings for jj and it's taken a toll on me."

Cole nodded understandingly, "That's why she hasn't been around much."

"And I wasn't sure of how to tell you that . . " Vanessa trailed off, trying to find the correct wording. She didn't want to be too literal or that would make it real for her.

" . . You like girls?" Cole finished for her.

Vanessa slowly nodded, "Yeah."

"That's fine, mom." Cole reassured her with a smile, "And since we're on that topic, I have something to tell you too." Vanessa urged her to continue and she did, "I did something bad and part of the reason I agreed to come was to avoid the situation."

"Not bad as in involving me bad?"

"No, nothing school related. I um — " Cole was a bit hesitant, "I cheated on Daniel. I feel bad and I don't know what to do."

"Communication is key. Be honest. It'll just put a weigh on your heart and it'll suck." She told her daughter.

Cole crossed her arms, "Why not take your own advice then?"

"Because it's different."

"Not really." Cole continued, "We're both dealing with communication here." Cole scooted closer, "Let's make a promise. I talk to Daniel and you talk to jj. When we're done, we talk to each other. Promise?"

Vanessa wasn't sure but she agreed nonetheless.

"Promise."

Cole lightly smiled at her mom and so did Vanessa. After a moment of silence, Vanessa thought it was time to get out of that hotel and go explore New York.

So the two got up and headed out the hotel. It was five in the afternoon and they wanted to get food first. They heard New York pizza was quite superior so that's where they headed — to pizza.

And the two continued their day from there.

a/n:
more coming soon.