“Reconciliation”

A Gaby FanFic

The first thing I have to do is to publicly thank Angharad, KarenJ and last, but certainly not least, Jillian, for all their efforts to decipher my scribbles. It was also their encouragement that gave me the courage to submit this to Maddy, in the first place.

I also extend a warm ‘thank you' to Maddy, for creating this ‘universe' and giving my mind a place to occasionally wander.

Setting the scene: I mentioned in the prologue of “Notes of a Journey”, that I had several slightly different scenarios go through my mind, before arriving at one that eventually became “Notes of a Journey”. “Reconciliation” is one of those slightly different scenarios.

However, it's strongly suggested that “Notes of a Journey” be downloaded from the ‘Gaby Zone' and read first, if only just to give an idea of what has happened to Gaby and the ‘gang', between 2003 and 2008!

All else being equal, “Reconciliation” takes place in Germany, and focuses on the events surrounding the reunion & eventual marriage of Maddy and Gaby. Chapter 1 picks up Gaby's story at the point when Gaby and Maddy are both 18 – the year is 2008.

… now to “Reconciliation” , chapter 1 ……….

One

 

“… Sure, I'll tell her ... I'll get her to call, Maddy - don't cry, dear, it'll be ok … Auf Wiedersehen”. Gaby noticed her mum just putting down the phone, as she entered the room.

“Maddy again?”

“Uh huh. Why don't you talk to her, honey? God knows how much you've wanted to do that, these past few years.” Gaby never did have a defense against her mum, when Jen looked at her with that pleading look only a mother could give.

“… She was in tears when we said good-bye just now.”, Jen added in a somber tone.

Gabs eyes started to water. “Was it that obvious? I mean, my wanting Maddy…”

“Yep … here, you'll need this …”, handing her daughter a tissue. “Com' on, give her a call. Carol's number's programmed in the phone, so you've got no excuse.”

As Gaby dried her eyes, she thought back to the ‘old gang' and the times they had – then came that fateful trip to Virginia and later, her 14th birthday. Despite it all, deep down, she never did loose her feelings for Maddy – a love that started back with Drew, another lifetime time ago… it's just that ... Heaving a big sigh, her thoughts began to fade.

She opened her eyes and came back to reality as she found herself listening to the musical tones of Carol's number, being dialed up by the phone. Why am I so nervous?

“Peter's residence…”

“Uh, hi… Uncle John? …. ummmm, it's Gaby … is Maddy there? Mum told me she called.”

Why AM I so nervous? It's not like I'm some shy boy speaking to a pretty girl for the first time. It's only Maddy and I've certainly talked to her before - sure it's been awhile, but I have … talked to her….

“... Just a minute, Gaby … MAADDDYYY!, it's Gaby!, Hurry up, it's lon …” A sound not unlike a herd of stampeding rogue elephants was clearly heard in the background.

(sniff) " … GOT IT! HANG UP …please?” (click)

(sniff) “… Hi, Gaby”. Maddy had clearly been crying and despite her efforts, the evidence was there for Gaby to hear.

“You ok, Mad?” Gaby knew it was a rhetorical question, but she had to ask.

“No…”, her voice taking on all the quality of a little girl's whine. (sniff) “… I just called to ask if you'd let me come see you… (sniff) … maybe this weekend? There's things we … (sniff) … no, I have to talk about. I'm sorry it's taken me a while to get to this point, but I've had a lot of time to think and I've finally admitted to myself what my ‘rents probably knew all along & looking back, I guess I did as well …. (sniff) ….

… I love you, Gabs and I want to be a part of your life again … if you'll have me.”

Maddy was met with silence. Trying to lighten the conversation a tad, she went on to say “I guess that makes me a lesbian, doesn't it…” ... more silence. “… you still there Gaby?”

Now it was Gaby's turn to try hold back the tears & Maddy heard it through Gaby's voice. Thank God for mum's tissue! “… yeah, I‘m still here … (sniff) ... tell me when you want to come an' someone will meet you at the airport ... (sniff) … hopefully me…”

“Mum will let me take the Friday off, so I figure if I took a morning flight ... Will Auntie Jen or Uncle Dave let you take the day off school to meet me?” Maddy's voice was a little stronger with hope ...

“I'm finished ‘til next September, when I start university, so meeting you won't be a problem. (sniff) I know mum or dad will give me the day off from training. Just give me a ‘ring' when you have all the details, an' I'll be there – ‘kay? ”

“Yeah, I guess … Gaby?… I love you …” Maddy's voice became faint.

“I've always loved you Mad, and that's not gonna change in my lifetime ... Call soon with your flight information … Gotta go, mum's trying to get my attention … ‘bye ... luv you” and with her voice trailing off, Gaby blew a kiss into the handset, slowly returned the phone to it's cradle and quickly dabbed her wet eyes.

“Well? What'd she say?” Jenny was all over her daughter like a schoolgirl starved for gossip!

Gaby, looked up from the phone at her mum and trying to display all the emotion of a rock, just casually mentioned; “If I tell you, can I have Friday off and take the Volvo to go meet her?” Jenny just smiled, gave her a hug, then told an elated Gaby to sit down and tell her all about it.

“You realize your dad won't get that guest room looking respectable, by the weekend?”

“Oh ... what a shame.. “

“I guess we could double you and your sister, letting Maddy have your room …”

Gaby quickly responded with an enthusiastic “… or we could let Jules have her room, an' …” She then realized her mum is giving her ‘THAT' stare.

“WHAT?” Gaby shouted …

Gaby suddenly clued in and quite seriously added, “It's not like I'm gonna get her pregnant or anything!!”

Jenny wasn't able to keep a straight face, causing the two of them to burst into an all-out giggling fit. Calming down somewhat, Jenny managed to add; “ok… you win, Maddy's sharing with you”.

As way of a thank-you, Gaby gave her mum a hug and a peck on the cheek.

Remembering they'll be going out for dinner with the Pinger's, Jenny hinted that they should be getting ready – before Dave and Jules come home from their outing. It's wonderful now that Jules is on her summer break from university; we once again have a full house . With impeccable timing, Maddy phoned back with the flight information. It was going to be a long four days, as far as Gaby was concerned.

At the restaurant, Gaby learned from Maria and Jenny, just how hard and long those four days would be! With the Jr. World Cup tour scheduled to leave for Beckley, W. Virginia in two week's time, the Jr. Team Apollinaris would begin full-day training along side Team Apollinaris, including training rides, ranging from 70 to 120km and having to, as Maria said, 'tolerate George'! Jenny went on to point out that, especially in the States, the riders they'd face may be older and a bit more experienced, but since they weren't considered pros, they'd ride against the junior team.

Gaby felt she could easily put up with George, if it meant that she could finally train full-time with the pro team, even if it was only a temporary thing.

Maria turned to Gaby and commented, “Your mama has informed me that you've asked for Friday as an off-day.” Upon hearing Maria's comment, Gaby suddenly felt a bit apprehensive about getting the time. Maria went on to add, “I've no problem with that, but could you spare an hour for a team meeting around 3pm.? She's mentioned your ‘friend' is scheduled to land at noon, so you should have plenty of time to get back from the airport. Bring her along if you want.”

“We'll both be there, Maria, thanks …” Giving a mental sigh of relief, Gaby went back to her food and since the discussion moved on from cycling, she once more found herself turning her thoughts to being reunited with Maddy. Both Jules and Kat looked at each other, knowing exactly what Gaby was thinking about.

The next few days flew past in a flurry with Gaby and her team-mates, Kristen, Nina and Judith, putting in long days along side the pro team, each morning beginning with a ride starting at 7am and finishing with a relaxing soak in one of the hot tubs in the Team Apollinaris' facility, then finally dragging themselves out of the building, at around 5-6pm. They were constantly drilled in team tactics, put through road drills to enforce what they learned, attended daily meetings and worked out on the various pieces of equipment in the gym. Near the end of the week, the girl's of the junior team were chuffed in not only that they trained with their mentors, but they matched them, kilometer for kilometer!

Friday finally arrived, much to Gaby's heartfelt delight! Having awakened to an empty house, she took pleasure in getting herself ready to meet Maddy – even to the extent of going through several outfits just to find the ‘one'. After a quick breakfast, the mandatory washing up and a final check of her make-up, she took the car keys from their hook on the kitchen wall and proceeded out to ‘her car', or at least that's how she felt when she got in behind the wheel!

She had one stop to make before heading out and tackling the Autobahn . Checking her watch, she saw she had roughly three hours before Maddy's plane was scheduled to land, giving her plenty of time to make her stop and get to the airport.

She found she had no problem on the Autobahn or even when she entered Bonn proper, but rather it was the stop and go traffic approaching the airport that was unreal! Finally she entered the car park and took the keys out of the ignition. Upon exiting the car and making her way to the ‘Lufthansa arrivals', only then did Gaby become aware of her mixed feelings of nervousness and anticipation. Once inside the terminal, looking up at the ‘arrivals board', she noted Maddy's plane arrived moments ago and figured that she should be exiting the ‘arrivals gate' any moment.

Noting that a large number of people began streaming out of the gate, Gaby intently watched for Maddy, but as that group started to thin out and no Maddy, she started to feel anxious. As Gaby looked and wondered what happened, a tap on the shoulder made her visibly ‘jump'.

“Hi Gaby”. Maddy's voice was quiet, almost apologetic. Gaby turned to look at Maddy in the eyes … Oh God, not the puppy-dog eyes…

 

“Hi Mad … welcome to Germany … oh! … this is for you”. She then handed Maddy two silk,

short-stemmed, red roses, with the stems twisted together. Maddy gratefully accepted the flowers, but looked rather quizzically at the strange arrangement.

Picking up on her look, Gaby just casually mentioned, “… it's us … two roses, two of us … two stems as one, two hearts as one …”.

Upon hearing that, Maddy embraced Gaby in a hug; then without warning or caring about her very public surroundings, she planted a lingering kiss on Gaby's lips. Considering how they parted, this was not a reaction Gaby had even considered, but then again, life is good….

“How ‘bout we get outta here an' grab something to eat, before we hit the Autobahn? Maria wants me to attend a team meeting at three. That'll give us a bit of time to get you squared away and maybe even talk a bit, before we have to show up for the meeting, ‘kay?”

“ Yeah, I guess … Gaby? … You never really answered me on the phone … can I come back?” Maddy's voice had gone quiet.

“ … You were never gone, Mad …” . Gaby's reply was equally quiet.

After a rather ‘wet' hug, Gaby took both Maddy's bag and her hand and led her out of the terminal. Back at the car, Maddy wondered aloud if it might be better going directly back to Gaby's house, since she had a meeting later that afternoon. So, some 60km and a little more than an hour later, they were in the Bond kitchen making lunch and as Maddy tried to apologize, the proverbial ‘dam' broke.

Gaby's reaction was to put her arms around Maddy and hold her tight, revisiting Drew's take on life with ‘his' oft used phrase and a gentle voice …“What's done is done …” and adding “don't worry about it” followed by a peck on Maddy's forehead. In the way of a reply, Maddy gave Gabs a squeeze of her own and tenderly laid her head on Gaby's shoulder.

After finishing lunch and following the completion of the ‘grand tour' of the house up in her room, Gaby finally told Maddy they were ‘roomies', at the same time placing Maddy's bag on the bed. This resulted in a long, emotional, silent, hug. It was one of those moments where so much is said, without a word being uttered. After what seemed an eternity, yet not long enough, they reluctantly broke the embrace and decided they had just enough time to comfortably make it to Maria's meeting.

The girl's figured they must've made it in fairly good time, as Maria and George were standing beside George's car, talking. Maddy directed Gaby to an empty slot and she pulled in beside her dad's van. Just as Maria started to head into the building, she caught sight of Gaby and motioned for the girl's to join her.

“Willkommen, Maddy. How long are you staying with us?” Maria's choice of words was not missed by Maddy, but she let it slide – for now.

“Only the weekend, I'm afraid. I fly back, late Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately I've still a week of school left.”

“Well, I hope you enjoy your stay. Come on, we'll get started”, Maria stated, as they strode towards the conference room. Jenny and Dave soon joined the others gathered in the room.

Once inside, Maria did the introductions and it was right down to business. This informal meeting was just another of the daily ‘brainstorming sessions' to help the girl's prepare for their first international tour. Today's agenda was summing up and reviewing the past week's training sessions.

One very notable announcement came at the end, when Jenny piped up that both the sponsor and George were very impressed, with the performance of all the girls in their junior development program, but in particular, the Jr. Team Apollinaris.

“They both thought the level of performance shown by the jr. team, training along side Team Apollinaris, was magnificent. As a result, Dave, George and myself, are going to continue to have the two teams train together on a permanent basis. By working and training together, even in the short span of a week, the interaction between the two teams and the progress made by each one of you, we think more than justifies the change in training.”

The meeting concluded with Maria announcing, “See you all bright and early, Monday.” After a week like they'd just went through, a body almost felt like running out the main entrance and shouting at the top of their lungs, “We're freeee …” – the key word being ‘almost'.

Jenny caught Gaby just as she and Maddy were about to leave the room. “We'll be home soon, dear. Your dad and Jules are just catching up on a few things. Meanwhile, why don't you two go on ahead and think of what you'd like to do about food”.

“ ‘Kay” and without thinking, Gaby just linked hands with Mad and headed for the car. Jenny just smiled, mumbled something to herself and went back inside the building. A little more than an hour later, Dave, Jenny and Jules walked into the house.

Walking into the lounge Jenny, seeing both girls cuddled up with each other on the couch and listening to some CD's just had to ask “Any ideas?” Gaby, in obvious need of some prompting, just looked at her mum. “… for food? Remember?”

Gaby replied with the first thing that popped into her head. “Out?”

“I can live with that … saves me from cooking. I'll tell your dad he's taking us out for dinner”. At that Jenny left the two lovebirds alone and went off to inform the other two of dinner plans.

Returning to the lounge after a few minutes, Jenny sat down in the chair near the couch and in a serious tone, asked if the three of them could talk, while the other two were getting ready. That invoked an immediate response, with both girls untangling themselves and sitting upright on the couch. Upon witnessing the girl's reaction, Jenny just smiled to herself. After all these years, the kids have finally learned…

 

“I take it, that's a ‘yes'?” Jenny asked. Both just nodded and Jenny proceeded.

“After seeing you two when we came in just now, I can assume things are ok between both of you?” The two girls linked hands, looked at each other and again nodded their agreement.

“That's very good to know, because what I'm about to ask could be rather awkward if you still were at odds with each other.” That got their undivided attention.

Jenny went on to ask Maddy about her plans for further schooling and for the summer.

“I've been accepted at UMIST, majoring in ‘Molecular Biology',” Maddy casually replied.

Now THAT impressed both Gaby and her mum, to no end! With Maddy set to take ‘Molecular Biology' and Jules already taking ‘Computational Science', Jenny couldn't help but wonder if Gaby felt a bit under whelmed with her choice of majoring in ‘only Geography' like her mum?

Maddy went on to say that she had a part-time position as a filing clerk in her dad's workplace and that she hoped to continue through the summer to get a bit more cash to help her parents deal with the cost of university.

“Why do you ask?” Maddy was curious as to Jenny's questioning.

“Maddy, would you be interested in working for the junior team during their ‘tour'? It'd be five weeks of travel, work and … Gaby – not to mention getting paid very well! When it comes to financial remuneration, you'll find George knows how to treat his people.” Jen paused to gauge Maddy's response.

After excitedly grabbing hold of Gaby's arm and without even inquiring to the nature of the job offer, she just looked straight at Jenny and in a very clear voice, said “Yes!”

“Don't you want to know what you'll be doing?” asked Jenny.

By way of a reply, Maddy just offered, “It won't change my answer, but I would like to hear about it.”

Jenny then proceeded to outlay Maddy's projected duties. She'd be accompanying Jenny and a mechanic – probably Hans, on the trip. In effect, the three of them would be the only support for the team. That meant doing everything from handing out water bottles and food during a race, to helping prepare the bikes for the day's events as well as assisting in the packing and unpacking of team equipment.

She also laid out the team's itinerary, for Maddy's benefit – listing stops in the US, Canada, Holland and finally Germany. It was further agreed that Carol and John would be informed that Maddy was spending the summer with team, returning to Bad Neuenahr the Sunday following the end of school and back to Warsop the last week in August, in time to get set for university.

“I'll call George just to let him know I've found someone to help out,” Jenny said, making the comment to empty air, but obviously directing it at Maddy, as she dialed the phone. “You two go freshen up … and put something nice on – no jeans!”

When the girls met the others waiting at the door, all they got as a greeting was “Gaby – keys!”

After sorting that out, all of them piled into the Volvo, Maddy and Gaby being relegated to the back seat with Jules. Almost sounding as an after-thought, Jenny informed Maddy that George would be dropping by around nine am tomorrow, to meet her. She went on to say that George mentioned that Apollinaris would be taking care of her return transportation between Manchester and Bonn, when she signed on with Apollinaris for the summer. Both girls figured that with George coming around so early, they would have the rest of the day free.

Turns out Jenny's idea of dinner plans included the rather ‘posh' restaurant in the Steigenberger Bad Neunahr hotel . Once they arrived and everyone was finally seated at their table, it was Maddy's turn to ask the questions, addressing both Dave and Jenny.

“Warsop College's year-end disco is next Friday and since, it'll be my last one, I wonder if it would be possible for Gaby to take me?” Looking at Gaby, she quickly added, “I don't expect you to be just another girl friend and dance with boys, like the other times. If you go, I want you to go as my date.”

That was Jenny's cue. “Gaby? It's up to you, dear.”

Dave and Jules were listening intently, looking back and forth, from the girls to Jenny. They were beginning to feel like they were watching a tennis match.

Putting her hand over Maddy's, Gaby simply replied, “I'd really like that, but what about

Mr. Woods and the others – will they allow it?”

“I'm pretty sure they would. Mr. Woods still stresses ‘tolerance' of others … but I'll talk to him when I get back, anyway ... ok, darling?”

Maddy used the “D-word” for the first time since they talked on the phone, a week ago and it's impact didn't go unnoticed. Gaby's eyes started to tear up as she just nodded and gave Maddy's hand a squeeze.

Again mum produced a tissue and Gaby carefully blotted her eyes. It occurred to her that she could accompany Maddy back to Bad Neuenahr, in time to depart on the World Cup tour. Jenny just nodded. Gaby also agreed to check next Friday's departure times to see if she could at least get her morning ride in, before having to depart for the airport. That way, she wouldn't require the full day off.

After an enjoyable meal, the three girls, thinking the parents would walk over to the casino, decided they'd like to stay around and catch the live band at the hotel's ‘club'. Once Dave and Jenny found out the band was to be a Beatle's tribute band, they decided catch the show as well, making it a true family evening.

It was midnight when everyone finally walked back into the house. The next day being Saturday, Maddy was set to explore the shops in Bad Neuenahr with Gaby and Kat. Now, she was just looking forward to a fitful sleep, crawling under the covers and snuggling up with her Gaby.

Jenny peaked in the door, “Guten Morgen ! Kat just phoned saying she was running a bit behind and she'd be here in about an hour. If you get up now, Kat will never know you tried to sleep the day away”. Gaby thought her mum sounded way too cheerful for that time in the morning!

Gaby's eyes opened, meeting Maddy's, then drawing Maddy closer, planted a kiss on her mouth.

“Gutenmorgen Liebling”. Guessing what Mad was going to ask, Gabby added, “German for ‘good morning, darlin'. ” Maddy replied with a lip-lock of her own.

Gaby was the first out of bed, so she got the shower first and Maddy just savoured the extra few minutes under the covers. When Maddy returned from her shower and saw that Gaby was dressed and just picking up her hairbrush, Maddy suggested they do each other's hair, after she got dressed.

While pulling up her jeans, she noticed a framed photo of Gaby, on the dresser. “I'd guess this was taken not long after your 14 th birthday, right? … Pretty …,” nodding to the photo.

“Dad took that at the airport, the first time we left for Germany. It was also the first time that ‘Gaby' used her new passport.”

“Is that what Jessica gave you?” pointing to the photo and in particular, the Indian ‘jewelry' Gaby was wearing.

“Some of it. Jules and I still have our ‘dream-catchers' …” gesturing to the dream-catcher hung on the wall, over the headboard of the bed. “An' I still have those earrings and the ‘feather' …”

Since Maddy didn't see them with her other earrings, she asked where they were. Explaining that she always carefully put them away in their storage box, after use, Gaby pulled them out for Mad to see. Maddy noted that even after four years, they were in very good shape. She then asked if Gaby would wear them for her.

Gaby agreed, knowing full well that despite having worn them many times before, she was guaranteed to get a few ‘looks' from the ‘locals'.

Just as Gaby finished putting in the ‘feather', they heard a muffled sound from the door.

“How long have you been there, Kat?” wondered Maddy.

“Just arrived – ready?” Examining Gaby as she walked past her, Kat commented, “Maddy coaxed you to wear them, huh? Always said ‘the Indian look' suits you Gaby,” as she easily sidestepped the playful ‘swipe', offered up by her friend.

Considering it was already later than they had planned to start exploring the shops, they decided to leave and get something to eat once in town. Gaby noted Maddy had not lost any of her fondness of shopping and this was all new territory for her to conquer! They hit all the clothing, craft and jewelry stores.

It was in one jewelry store, Gaby suddenly mentioned, quite ‘out of the blue', that Jenny suggested Jules and Gaby get ‘registered'. Kat was about to say something, when Gabs shot her one of those ‘be quiet!' looks, then looked on as Maddy also was ‘registered' with the store.

Coupled with an excellent lunch, all agreed it was a thoroughly enjoyable day. It was three tired girls who reluctantly got back into the car and headed for home. As Kat left the two girls, she still had a ‘curious' feeling about Gaby's behaviour at the jeweler's. Gaby caught her eye and unseen by Maddy, mouthed ‘later'.

Sunday was reserved for Maddy and Gaby to spend together, even talking at times. It seemed all too early when Jenny reminded them to get ready to take Maddy to the airport.

At the Airport, it was an emotional good-bye, only made easier knowing that they'd see each other in a week's time. As Maddy walked through the boarding gate, she was seen carrying her ‘roses'. When Jenny arrived back home with Gaby, she remembered to call Carol to inform her of Maddy's new job.

The following week of training was as rigorous as the first, with the pro team and the training staff, putting the junior team through its paces. A notable difference was how much easier the girls of the junior team seemed to handle the intensive training.

On the home front, Jenny noticed how quiet Gaby was the last couple of days, when she wasn't hanging around with Kat and their friends. Jen also thought that Gaby and Jules seemed to be in deep conversation, much more than usual. Finally, curiosity got the better of her and she couldn't take it anymore.

“Gaby, anything you want to talk to your mum about?”

How does she do that?? “Yeah, but I was gonna wait a bit before I talked to you”, replied Gaby.

“Oh? How much longer would that be?” Jenny asked.

“… Dunno ...”. Although Gaby's voice was weak, it was clear to Jenny that Gaby was a bit uncomfortable.

“Sit down, dear … I'm listening”. At this point, Jenny was quite anxious, thinking the worst, but trying to stay in the role of a ‘caring mother.'

“Maddy's going off for a few more years at UMIST,” Gaby's voice took on a ‘pleading' quality.

“You'll still be able to see her every so often,” Jen countered in a voice she hoped would calm her daughter.

(Sigh) “Mum, I know it sounds weird coming from another girl, but I love her and I can't bear the possibility of losing her again – not now. Having her here just re-enforced our feelings for each other.”

Then in a welling of emotion, Gaby dropped the bombshell … “I want to ask her to marry me…”

Just as Jenny sat back in utter silence, staring at her daughter, Jules walked in … and abruptly turned around to head back out.

“Get back here, Jules … please?” The voice struck Jules as only sounding somewhat like her mother's, but not wishing to take any chances, turned around, picked a chair and sat down. Whether it was because of the potential of her mum's wrath or whether her sister was just on ‘the brink', Jules decided Gaby needed her, even if it was only for moral support.

“You knew about this, Jules?”

All Jenny got in reply was a silent nod. “I take it, this is what you've been discussing with your sister, all week?”

Again, a nod from Jules.

“Well?” prompted Jenny.

Feeling that she had to say something, Jules intoned, “You, dad, everybody, has always thought these two would stay together, even get married!”

Jenny quickly snapped back, “Yes, DREW and Maddy”. As soon as it came out, Jenny wished she never said it, but it was too late …

Her statement hit a raw nerve for both the girls. Gaby started to shed tears at hearing her mother say that. Jules , without a second's hesitation, rose to her sister's defense, a rare occurrence when it involved their mum.

“You've seen them all this weekend, mum! Is this really such a shock? Gaby knows exactly what she's doing and what kind of life she'd like to see for her and Maddy. Why can't she be happy, like the rest of us?? Everything in Drew's life radically changed, as soon as he got Dr. Sanwari's letter – including how the family treated her. Can you even begin to imagine what he went through – waking up one day as a boy, then a few hours latter being told the world made a mistake - you're a girl? Can you?!!” By now, Jules was on the verge of shouting to make her point.

Calming down somewhat, but still feeling the emotions rise within her, she went on to say, “Maddy was the only ‘thing' in Drew's world that remained constant and that Gaby was able to hold on to and bring over with her.”

Still on the ‘emotional high', Jules continued, “We spent a lot of time talking about how the world would look upon them as a couple and we concluded - generally speaking, quite favourably ! If Gaby turned pro, fans wouldn't blink twice at her being a lesbian – you know it and so do I! All one has to do is read about the other celebrities and sports figures that have come ‘out' and ‘it' certainly hasn't hurt their popularity… “

Perceiving a weakening of Jenny's facial expression, Jules went on with her lecture. “Did it ever occur to you, that for the entire weekend, those two never once tried to hide the fact they were together, either with Kat, Maria or even in public? I bet they kissed at the airport when Maddy left … an' it wasn't any peck on the cheek, right?”

“More and more of this planet is embracing the notion of same-sex couples, even legalizing

same-sex marriages – something these two want to take advantage of and to have the type of life they see for each other. Current German and English law says it's legal for them to get married, so it's a path Gaby hopes they've both decided to go down, together! Is that so terrible? You and the world were right … these two are destined for a life together, but as Maddy and Gaby! “ Jules was now trying to appeal emotionally, to her mum.

Now on the verge of tears herself, Jules continued “… all she wanted from you … was your blessing … she's already got mine … and dad's … I'd be totally shocked if Uncle John and Aunt Carol didn't agree. An' by your look, you'd know they'd give their blessing to them, don't you…. “

By now, Gaby was a ‘basket case', clutching one of the couch pillows and sobbing big tears. Jenny, unused to being addressed like that by her oldest daughter, was now also in tears. She also knew Jules was right on all counts. Jenny rose and gave Jules a hug.

Moving as much on maternal instinct as guilt, Jenny went over, apologized to Gaby and tried to comfort her youngest daughter. After awhile, she got Gaby calmed down enough to talk of her intentions, while Jules stayed and held her sister's hand.

“When do you plan to ask her, dear?” Now it was Jenny's turn to be all quiet-like.

Gaby looked up at her mum. (sniff) “Friday night, before the dance. (sniff) The jeweler will have the rings sized and ready for me to pickup Thursday evening. (sniff) I should be able to get there before they close”.

“You said ‘rings', plural … you bought a diamond for each of you? How'd you get Maddy's ring size?” Jenny's voice was soft, but it still conveyed a genuine interest in Gaby's scheme. Then before Gaby could answer, Jenny asked “… two rings… ‘Specialized'?” Gaby just nodded knowing her mum meant the money she earned from her contracts.

“When we went into town last (sniff) Saturday, I took Mad into a jewelry store, giving her a (sniff) story of how you thought it'd be a good idea if Jules and I were ‘registered'. I suggested Maddy might like to get ‘registered' as well.” (sniff) Like an automatic reflex from a hurt child, Gaby moved to cuddle with her mum.

“... And from there you got her ring size ... You are one devious woman, Gabrielle Bond! Jenny sounded like she just cracked a major case for Interpol.

“… When did you actually buy them?” Now Jenny's curiosity had returned.

“Jules drove me into town during lunch, last Monday.” (sniff)

“Ok, now why two rings?”

Blotting her eyes and with a voice that showed signs of strengthening, Gaby continued. “I fancied a ‘double ring' wedding like you and dad and I know Maddy talked about having a ‘double ring' wedding, back when we were kids. Besides, we're both women an' an engaged woman wears a diamond!”

With that last statement, Gaby's voice was much more assured and she sounded like a confident lawyer up before a magistrate, presenting her case to the court. All that was missing was a declaration of “… an' the defense rests, Your Lordship!”

Jenny only gave her youngest daughter a simple hug, but it spoke volumes.

“We'll make sure you get into town before the jeweler's closes tomorrow ... ok, honey?” Jenny quietly intoned.

“... Love you, mom..” and Gaby gave her mum a big squeeze.

To be continued:

PB 26.11.06 © 2006

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