Page 45 of Trust Fall
“You brought me a present? Ivy, I’m sold, she’s a keeper.” Gabby laughed as she made her way over to the island to open the bag while Lucas walked over to Cleo.
“Great to finally meet the girl who is behind the stupid grin that’s permanently plastered on this one’s face.” Lucas hugged Cleo and walked back to the island to investigate the contents of the giftbag, landing a punch on Ivy’s arm on the way past.
“Ow! What was that for?!” Ivy tried to scowl through a laugh but failed.
“For keeping her from us for over two months before introducing us. We should take offense.”
“Oh Cleo, these are fab!” Gabby squealed as she removed two tiny white baby onesies. The first read “Mommy’s Future Gym Buddy” with a tiny barbell underlining it, and the second one read “Freshly Brewed” with a cartoon coffee cup underneath with steam rising from it, the foam art in the design of a heart.
“Baaabe, they’re so cute!” Ivy reached up and kissed Cleo’s blushing cheek.
“Wait, you hadn't seen these?” Gabby asked Ivy.
“No, I had no idea she’d evenboughtthem,” Ivy replied.
“So, she took it upon herself to get custom onesies made that match the theme of our businesses... and you had nothing to do with it?” Lucas asked, skeptically.
“Nope,” Ivy turned to look at Cleo as she continued in an embarrassingly dreamy tone, “that’s just how thoughtful she is.”
“Awww,” Gabby said, then turned to Lucas, “why can’t you be more thoughtful like Cleo?!”
Ivy chuckled, then regretted it when Gabby turned on her, “I don’t know what you’re laughing at, your girlfriend gave our baby a gift beforeyouhave.”
“Well, that’s just because, erm, that’s uh,” Ivy failed to come up with a reason.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Gabby smirked, turning to Cleo. “Thank you for the lovely thoughtful gift, I can’t wait to see our bambino in these.”
“Yeah, thanks Cleo, they’re great,” Lucas added.
Ivy felt Cleo relax beside her, and she knew they could now both enjoy the night.
Dinner had finished, and Ivy walked into the kitchen carrying the last of the dishes from the table. But the sight before her made her stop and take a moment. Cleo was rinsing the dishes and passing them to Lucas to load in the dishwasher, and Gabby was boxing up leftovers to put in the fridge. All the while they were chatting comfortably.
Cleo fit right in with both Gabby and Lucas, and Ivy couldn’t hold back the emotions it brought, as a single tear trickled down her cheek which she couldn’t wipe away because of her full hands. It was at that moment that Cleo had turned to her with a look that meant she knew exactly why Ivy had a tear track on her cheek.
She walked over to Ivy and wiped the tear away, before leaning in to kiss her cheek softly as she whispered so the others wouldn’t hear, “Everything ok?”
“More than ok,” Ivy replied as she tilted her head to lean into Cleo’s hand.
“Good,” Cleo smiled as she placed a chaste kiss on Ivy’s lips. “Here, let me,” and she took the dishes from Ivy’s hands to carry them over to the sink.
“I know I said it earlier,” Gabby started, as she turned to face Ivy, “but given she’s brought a gift without being prompted, and is now doing dishes without being asked, I think she’s a keeper, Ivy.”
Ivy smiled as she looked over at her girlfriend and could see the glow on Cleo’s cheeks from across the room.
“You know she’s right here and can hear you, correct?” Lucas added with a chuckle.
“You know what, Gabby?” Ivy asked with a smile, waiting for Cleo to turn and look at her, their eyes locked, “for once, I couldn’t agree with you more.”
Chapter 39
Cleo
Wednesday night had gone really well, Cleo thought. So much so, that Ivy had convinced her that it would be a great idea to keep the momentum going, and that she’d accompany Cleo to Friday Night Family Dinner at her parents’ house. With Jade. Plus, Evan and Sophie. It would be fine. Absolutely fine. Cleo was definitelynotfreaking out.
They had agreed that Cleo would meet Ivy at the coffee shop after work where they would then walk to Cleo’s parents’ house. Ivy had left a few things at Cleo’s house already so they would stay at hers that night. Ivy was working the opening shift the following morning and Cleo’s house was much closer to Ivy’s work than her apartment. Cleo figured this would give them an excuse to leave early after dinner if her family were being too wild. She really hoped they wouldn’t be in case it scared Ivy off.
She had asked Ivy’s permission to not tell her family the whole story but give them a slight heads-up so that they could reign in their usual antics, given how different and difficult Ivy’s experience of a family dynamic had been.
