Kate and I share a look, mine screamed "save yourself" and hers pleaded "May I?"

The creak of the staircase finally broke my Mothers glare, and instead of her asking us the awkward questions, Avery appeared, fully dressed thankfully, behind her. She was completely unaware of our presence, her focus on my Mother, and the tables turned, right back to them.

Rightly so.

My Mother suddenly looked like a deer in headlights, as Avery missed us and instead nuzzled into my Mothers neck from behind "Why haven't you returned with the coffee" she whispered affectionately, her arms coming around my Mothers waist.

Kate coughed for dramatic measure.

Avery's eyes flew open. "Oh" she said with surprise "oh my god" she added as it hit her fully. She took in Kate and I observing them both and looked like she wanted to drop down to the floor and crawl away. Her arms releasing my Mother instantly.

"Indeed" My Mother said.

I was in my element. My Mother was squirming. She tied the knot at her waist tighter, and backed into the wooden chair beside the table, sitting down abruptly. "I guess I have some explaining to do too" she confessed.

I placed my hand on Kates shoulder, with a slight grin appearing on my lips, and I lowered us both into the seats at the table, opposite my Mother. It appeared to be an interrogation, but I didn't want to interrogate her. I just wanted the inside scoop on what was going on with Avery Lane.

My Mother turned to Avery and smiled affectionately, a smile I hadn't ever seen her direct at another "You don't have to stay" she told her "I realise this is a pretty absurd and disturbing second date walk of shame, and you don't need to meet my girls under such odd circumstances. I'd like you to think of them fondly..." and she turned and glared at us "and not" she gestured between us with one hand "whatever this is"

Kate leant into my arm and whispered "Did she just refer to me as one of her girls" she asked.

"She did" I confirmed. "What's going on" I whispered back.

"I don't know" Kate replied "but I like it" she said clutching her chest dramatically "she's claimed me" she gushed "finally"

Avery sat beside my Mom and placed her hand on hers on the table"No, I want to explain" and she looked to me specifically "I think Junior might want to know what I'm doing with her Mom, when I kinda, accidentally, flirted with her at the pool party last week"

Junior.

My Mothers hand whipped out from under Avery's. "You flirted with Millicent" she asked.

Avery looked so remorseful, like she would quite literally do anything at this point to go back in time and it never happen. "It wasn't inappropriate at all. I promise. I didn't realise who she was Moira. I just knew I found her so familiar, which is what drew me to her at the bar. Of course now I know why. She reminds me of you... of you when we met"

I sat forward and got my Mothers attention "It was one comment" I explained, defending her "she just said she loved women in red lipstick" and I gestured to my Mother "which is not a lie it seems"

My Mother held her nerve, you could tell she was rattled but she held herself together, composed as always. "Avery you can leave now" she said, with zero tone that Avery would be hoping to hear. It was flat, unfeeling, and cold.

"Moira" she asked "please ... it wasn't anything"

My Mother bit the inside of her lip. It was one of her tells, that she was holding it back, her real emotion. She placed her hand back on Avery's, after an awkward moment of silence, and finally offered her the reassurance she sought "I'll call you, later, when this is all cleared up. You have my word"

Avery's heart was beating hard, and I could see her pleading eyes practically begging Moira for mercy. She didn't want whatever it was that this was between them to end on a mistake, one she had made unintentionally.

"Okay" was all she could say, regretfully. She looked over at Kate and I, and reached over to shake our hands "it was nice to meet you again" she greeted politely, and then she made eye contact with me once more "and you Junior... you turned out just as expected" she said with a smile. "I hope you don't hold it against me" she added, with a tinge of sadness "I hope to have the opportunity to start our introduction all over again"

"Me too" I replied. "And Avery" I asked as she stood, and turned to exit.

"Yeah" she asked, turning around.

Kate and my Mother watched intently.

"Why do you keep calling me that"

Avery smiled "Junior" she asked.

"Yes"

She walked back over to the table, and placed her hands on the back of my Mothers chair. "Because that's what I called you when you were two years old" she explained.

I felt surprised, it was unexpected, that this person had known me too.

"I didn't think Millicent sounded like a two year olds name... and your Mom wouldn't let me call you Millie. So, I called you Junior, because you were the image of your Mom. It's the only thing she let me get away with" she said fondly, touching my Mothers shoulder.

"I remember" My Mother said, letting the memory and the smile it conjured, creep onto her lips.

Kate leant into me and whispered "Well if you ain't the original MJ" she poked.

I poked her back, in the rib.

My Mother got up and took Avery's hand, and she led her out of the kitchen. Kate and I finally took a breath and listened as some words were shared between them both. When they didn't come back in, Kate and I got up and crept through the kitchen. My Mom and Avery were sharing an embrace by the front door, and a goodbye kiss.

"Aww" Kate whispered.

The front door was opened by Avery, and Veda and Josephine fell in, landing on the floor between them both.

My Mother groaned, Avery gasped.

"Jo, what are you doing here" Avery asked. She held her hand out to help lift her to her feet.

"And Veda" My Mother noted, assisting her up as she also dusted herself off. "I see Millicent brought an entourage"

I walked out and tried to explain "we actually came to spend the weekend. The kids and I. I thought it would be nice to invite Wren for dinner, and give us all some quality time together"

My Mothers gaze, was disbelieving.

Veda gave me up instantly "she came to spy on you... the dinner is the cover story"

My Mother smiled, and placed her hands on Veda shoulders "we are going to get on just fine" she noted, taking little MJ under her wing.

"Aunty Avery" Josephine said with a hug. "I guess..." she asked gesturing to Moira "that you are dating Millie's Mom then"

Good ole Josephine, asking the questions we all wanted to know the answers too.

Kate appeared at my side from the doorway, as we all waited to hear the answer.

What was this?! Dating? Girlfriends?! Love?! Casual?!

Avery looked to my Mom, and they shared a look that made me want to sigh. I think my Mom might have feelings for this woman, deeper than I even expected.

"Moira and I are old friends" she began to explain "We bumped into one another at the pool party. It was a surprise for both of us to reconnect, but yes, I think she would allow me to share now... that we are dating"

My Mom looked nervous, and she glanced sideways to catch my reaction before answering. I nodded slightly, pushing her to jump, because I could see she was hesitant, but she wanted to, my goodness she wanted to.

She licked her lips nervously, and turned back to Avery, reaching out and brushing her hand over hers "We are" she confirms "dating"

"That feels nice" Avery comments, leaning over and kissing her cheek. "I told you it would"

My Mom let out a breath, and looked relieved "it did... it felt great" she agreed, reaching over and pulling her by the shirt toward her.

We all backed up as there lips met, and a passionate kiss ensued.

I gathered Veda and Josephine, and pushed them and Kate back through to the kitchen "come on kids... let's let them say goodbye in peace"

Something smashed on the floor, it echoed through the parlour. The kiss had taken a turn.

I snuck out the back way and moved my car so Avery could actually leave, and Kate headed back to hers, making me promise she could attend the dinner later. I of course agreed.

When my Mother finally met us in the family room, she was dressed, and ready for the day, and she looked so happy I thought she might break her perfectly made up face. She had never smiled so much in her life.

"So, you're making us dinner tonight are you" she asked me, sitting down in a high back by the fireplace. "I didn't think you even knew how to work an oven. And where is Katherine" she asked. She crossed her ankles, and looked to us all, folding one hand over the other on her lap.

"Kate left a man in her bed this morning, she had to go back and make sure he wasn't a figment of her imagination" I explained. "And yes Dinner at six thirty if that's okay. I am going to attempt to cook. You can of course invite Avery. If we haven't scared her off"

"Of course that's okay. I love having you visit. Despite what you think" she accused. "And I would love to spend time getting to know my daughters girlfriend. I will invite Avery if you are sure. I know she would love to be included"

"I'm sure" I replied.

She looked to Veda and Josephine "and of course you two... I would love to spend time with you two. Teddy and Harpers youngest daughter right" she asked Josephine.

Josephine nodded "Yes"

"You look just like Harper" she noted "and you" she said gesturing to Veda "Would you like to come shopping with me" she asked.

Vedas eyes lit up "shopping" she asked.

The magic words to a teenager.

Veda loved nothing more than to shop "What are we shopping for" she asked her.

My Mother clasped her hands and leant forward "For Clothes of course darling. I bet Millicent hasn't taken you to get your fall ball dress yet" she asked her.

I frowned "Mother, the fall ball is practically two months away"

My Mother shrugged "Millicent it's never too early to prepare. This seasons best dresses are in store now"

Veda clapped her hands together excitedly "Millie please" she pleaded to me.

"Fine, let's go shopping. I'm coming too" I let them know.

***
We collected our things and made our way over to the shopping centre, the largest one in Eugene.

Josephine and Veda ran ahead whilst we followed them around the stores. They were excited to shop, and all the bad feeling from earlier had dissipated.

As my Mother and I trailed behind, we talked.

"So" I began.

"So" My Mother said in the same tone.

"You met Avery when you were at college" I asked.

She nodded "Yes, she was in her second year, and I was almost finished. I was in my last year before graduation"

"And you were her girlfriend" I asked curiously. "Honestly Mother I had no idea you were even slightly gay"

My Mother almost laughed, a slight little melodic sound came from her lips "No, we were never a couple... and I'm not surprised you didn't know. I've never really connected with that side of myself. We never even dated"

I frowned "Oh, I assumed there was some romantic connection with Avery that's been reignited"

She bit her lip slightly, containing her answer.

"Spill" I direct.

We stopped outside a store. Josephine and Veda went inside, whilst we waited for them. My Mother sat down on the bench beside it, and I joined her. She was casual smart today, she never looked completely casual, although I wondered if that would change now that she was dating someone so visually different to her. Some couples took on one another's style.

"Avery and I were friends. She played basketball for the college. She was fantastic. I used to take you along to the games sometimes. She and I began to hang out more, between classes. It became clear pretty quickly that we both had developed feelings for one another"

She looked to me to see if I was following. I nodded for her to continue.

"The thing was Millicent, I wasn't in a place I could share my life with anyone. I had been moving about to stay away from your birth father, and I kept most people at a distance so they didn't ask questions. Avery began to ask more questions, because she cared about me. I tried so hard to keep her at arms length because I didn't want to lie to her"

I understood that, that she didn't want to lie.

"We started to spend more time together, always as friends, but frequently turning to more when we were alone. There were many nights she would come to keep me company when you had gone down to sleep, and those were the nights that one thing led to another"

"Oooh I see. You were friends with benefits" I ask.

She shrugged "I think it was more than that. For us both. She did ask me what I would do if she asked me to be her girlfriend, once" she revealed.

I sat forward and eagerly looked to her for more.

She looked sad, like her mood switched instantly from happy memories to sad ones. "She asked that to figure me out, and to test my feelings. And I... I ran" she explained.

I frowned "you ran" I asked.

She nodded "I finished my classes, and moved us to the west coast from Minnesota. I only went back for graduation"

"So, you didn't keep in contact" I ask.

She shook her head "I hadn't spoken with Avery in over twenty years until that pool party"

"So, you what? Just disappeared?" I asked, feeling really sorry for Avery if that was the case.

She nodded "Yes, I did. I left her a letter though, just explaining that I wasn't ready to date, not with a little one. I had a career to start and I couldn't be held back from my plan. I cared for her. I wished her the best"

"Wow" is all I can say.

"I know. I did follow her career though, from afar. She was incredible, and she had a wonderful life. I knew she was happy. So, when I was finally settled and in a job I loved, I didn't reach back out, like I had planned, because I could see she was okay. She married too, and when I found that out...I thought that our story was over"

"Until the pool party" I add.

"Yes" she replied, and she sighed. "That was quite the surprise. It's a shame I was already a little drunk when we bumped into one another, but I guess it helped ease us into the awkward encounter"

"Can you tell me what happened" I asked curiously.

Veda and Josephine came out of the store laughing, with a bag each on their arms "onto the next" Veda called out to us "the dress store is this way"

My Mother and I stood up and followed behind them "You want to know how the reunion went" she asked.

I smiled "of course"

"Okay" she replied. "Well, it started as a tale as old as time... our eyes locked over a crowded room..."