Chapter Text
"Do you want to talk about it?" Hannah asked quietly.
"I'd rather not." Shira shook her head.
Hannah understood. Shira had never done well dealing with her mother and rarely talked about it. Hannah realized it was this difficult relationship between mother and daughter that had kept them from each other for so long. The distaste Hannah felt towards Mrs. Bolitar was palpable.
The women readied for bed in silence. They moved quietly and purposefully. Shira did one final thing that she hadn't done up to this point. She wedged a chair under the door handle. She would not let her mother walk in on them. Then, Shira climbed under the covers and wrapped herself up to Hannah. Hannah wrapped her arms around Shira and held her tightly, comfortingly.
Hannah and Shira fell asleep wrapped up together. Hannah knew Shira would talk to her at some point and would give her the time she needed.
Shira woke before Hannah and extricated herself carefully so as not to wake Hannah. Shira felt conflicted and needed a chance to think. She bundled up and made her way to the roof. It was still the only place in the house that she felt she could think freely without interruption. Shira sat in her spot and then crossed her arms across her chest. She was furious her parents had come so unexpectedly. Why couldn't they call or text like other people when plans are changing. No, they just showed up. Sure, it is their house... Still, they could be more considerate.
Shira then felt the shock and realization that she had come out to her parents. That was something she never really planned to do. She took a deep breath and sighed. What would her parents do? She knew her dad would be fine. He was always pretty easy going. It was her mother that was the wildcard. She knew she needed to get herself together and head down to make sure Mickey got off to school. And she couldn't hide forever. So, with a deep breath Shira stood and made her way to the kitchen.
Hannah was puttering around the kitchen when Shira appeared. "I am making pancakes." Hannah told Shira and then gave her a kiss.
"Have my parents made an appearance yet?" Shira asked.
Hannah shook her head. "I did see Mickey for a moment. He asked for pancakes. I told him his grandparents are back."
"How can I help?" Shira asked.
"I've got it. You sit. Were you on the roof?"
"Mhm," Shira nodded.
"I am proud of you." Hannah said as she moved purposefully around the kitchen. "Do you want to do your work at the restaurant today instead of here?"
"I think that might be a good idea, if I can focus. That is not easy near you." Shira smiled.
Hannah blushed.
It was at that moment that Shira's mom appeared. Ellen eyed both Shira and Hannah but said nothing.
"I am making pancakes if you would like any." Hannah offered.
"I am sure they would be delicious, but I don't like to eat a heavy breakfast." Ellen quickly made her way to the fridge, pulled out a yogurt drink and left without saying anything else.
"I am definitely going to work at the restaurant today." Shira said when her mother left the kitchen.
Soon after, Mickey appeared, ready to eat. He managed to eat eight pancakes before being full. Shira ate three and then cleaned up for Hannah.
"Do you need a ride to school?" Shira asked Mickey.
"Nah, Ema is picking me up. I will see you guys after school." With that Mickey slung his backpack over his shoulder and walked out the door.
"I am going to go get ready. Shower. I will be as quick as I can." Shira told Hannah.
Hannah smiled and nodded.
Hannah was sitting at the table working on the menu for the restaurant when Ellen came in. Hannah looked up and smiled at Mrs. Bolitar. Ellen said nothing, moving around silently. Hannah finally said, "Did you want to say something to me?" She could feel the tension radiating off of Ellen.
"What is there to say?" Ellen spit out.
"Obviously, you have something to say." Hannah stated. "I have known you most of my life."
Ellen stared at Hannah. "Actually, I do have something to say. How could you do this to your husband and son? You were the perfect family. You can't be gay. What have you done to Shira to make her think this is a good idea?"
"First, I know we looked perfect from the outside. I made sure it seemed that way. It wasn't. I was never in love with Ken. I was planning to leave Ken before Shira came back, I just hadn't worked up the nerve." Hannah explained. "As for Troy... my son understands that I wasn't happy. He wasn't surprised. Of course he is sad, but he understands that I deserve to be happy with the person I love."
"How could you convince Shira she is a lesbian? She needs to find a nice husband."
"Shira was never going to marry another man. She tried that once. He helped her come to terms with herself. That is why they divorced." Hannah explained.
"No, this is your fault. You should have left her alone. I should never have invited you to my party."
Hannah took a deep breath, trying to keep her cool, but not doing well at that. "It is because of how you are acting now, how you have always acted, that Shira ran away all those years ago. She loved me and was afraid because of how you made her feel. You are in denial if you think I caused this. We have always loved each other. If you do anything to get in the way again..." Hannah left the threat unspoken. "You need to deal with your own backward beliefs on us. IF you don't, you will lose your daughter even though she lives in the same town." With that, Hannah walked to the room she was shared with Shira and waited there.
Shira came in, wrapped in a towel. "Would you know why my mother is beat red and glowering in the kitchen?"
"We had a conversation. She was less than thrilled with what I had to say."
"Got it. I think maybe we should find a house sooner rather than later." Shira said as she dressed.
"I think you are right." Hannah replied with a smile. She walked up to Shira and pushed her against the closet. Shira had her bra on, but not a shirt yet. Hannah trailed her hands up Shira's stomach. Shira’s breath caught in her throat. Hannah leaned in and captured Shira's lips in a searing kiss. The women only broke apart to catch their breath, both breathing heavily.
"We absolutely cannot do anything right now with my parents in the house." Shira choked out.
"It will just be the two of us at the restaurant for a few hours..." Hannah grinned.
"Then why are we still here?" Shira threw on a shirt and grabbed her briefcase.
Hannah laughed happily.