Love's Autograph (39 page)

“
Okay, why?” Maggie asked. “Good morning by the way.”

“
Good morning,” Ellie said. “Because this is one of the times you would run into a bear. Here put this on.” She handed Maggie the bells. “It scares bears away.”

“
I saw you and Mom on the couch this morning,” Maggie said.

“
Yeah, is that okay?”

“
You guys looked cute,” Maggie said. “Not like Gwen and her. She was mean-looking even when sleeping. Do you mind Mom's frequent snoring? Did you guys have sex?”

“
What? No, we didn't have sex, and you know I'm not going to answer that anymore. That's a question you should not be asking an adult. And no I don't even notice the snoring,” Ellie said.

“
Why shouldn't I ask about sex?”

“
Because it's private,” Ellie said. “It's not something that a kid and an adult talk about. Adults should not talk to their adult friends about it. It's something that's between you and whoever you…”

“
Have sex with?”

“
I prefer to say who you're intimate with,” Ellie said.

“
Okay I won't ask you anymore,” Maggie said. “Does this mean that you and Remi might move in with us?”

“
Let's not jump ahead of ourselves,” Ellie said. “We're dating. There might be some nights that I stay over, but your mom and I've not discussed moving in together.”

“
Well, I support it,” Maggie said. “Mom and Gwen never asked me about Gwen, but I am going to be the first one to say that you should move in.”

“
Thanks, but let's not put any pressure on your mom okay?”

“
Okay, I am glad you guys are finally dating,” Maggie said. “It is about time.”

“
That's what I say,” Ellie said.

They walked to a crossroad and then turned around heading back to Ellie's. Remi kept running ahead and then back to them. The sky started to get brighter as the sun rose. There was a fog filtering through the trees and across the road.

“I like it out here,” Maggie said.

“
Yeah? Why?”

“
It is quiet,” Maggie said. “There aren't all these people. I feel lighter. Do you know what I mean?”

“
I do,” Ellie said.

“
Is that why you moved out here?”

“
It's one of the reasons,” Ellie said.

“
What was the other reason?”

“
I needed to get away from everything I guess.”

“
Like Mom and I,” Maggie said.

“
No, well yes. I needed to get away from your mom, but never you. You're what I miss the most out here. You're my best friend.”

“
I am?”

“
Absolutely,” Ellie said. “You and Remi here.”

They walked in silence and reached Ellie's driveway.

Maggie stopped and looked at Ellie, “Did you have to move away from Mom because you were so in love with her that your heart hurt?”

“
Yes.”

“
Yeah,” Maggie said.

“
How did you know that?” Ellie asked.

“
I read a lot. I am smart for my age,” Maggie said.

“
Thanks,” Ellie said.

“
For what?”

“
For understanding me,” Ellie said. “I have a question to ask and I need you to be honest with me.”

Maggie answered,
“What? And I am always honest.”

“
Would it bother you if I kissed your mom in front of you?” Ellie asked.

“
No, that would be okay. Not all too mushy or something,” Maggie said. “Gwen and Mom never kissed around me. That would make me throw up.”

“
Okay thanks,” Ellie said as she patted Maggie on the back and they continued on their walk. They walked through the front door and Ria was in the kitchen cooking up breakfast.

“
Sausage!” Maggie yelled. Remi barked. “You can only get three Remi. I mean, good morning Mom!”

“
Good morning Maggie. How did you sleep?” Ria said as she averted her eyes from Ellie.

“
Great,” Maggie said. “Remi snuggled with me all night on the bed.

“
Remi you aren't supposed to go on the bed,” Ellie said to Remi. Remi lowered her ears and head, walked out of the kitchen and curled up on the living room floor. “Good morning Ria.”

“
Good morning Ellie,” Ria said as she turned to the stove. “Western Omelets.”

“
Nice, smells great,” Ellie said as she walked over to Ria. Ellie grabbed Ria and swung her around to face her. She gave her a kiss on the lips. Ria looked at Maggie and then back at Ellie in panic.

“
It’s okay. We had a talk and I said you guys can kiss in front of me,” Maggie said.

“
Not too mushy though,” Ellie laughed.

“
Oh, in that case,” Ria said as she leaned in and gave Ellie a stronger kiss on the lips and held her close.

“
Bordering on too mushy,” Maggie warned.

“
What about if I allow you four sausages?” Ellie asked.

“
Deal!” Maggie said.

“
Ellie, we won't bribe her with food,” Ria said.

“
Oh, I can be bribed with food,” Maggie said.

“
Three sausage limit applies,” Ria said. “Did you guys have a nice walk?”

“
Yeah, Ellie also said that I’m her best friend,” Maggie said. Ria looked at Ellie and tears welled in her eyes.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
, Ellie, Maggie, and Ria went hiking, to the movies, played board games, played around in Ellie's studio, and laughed. Friday night Maggie insisted that Ria and Ellie slept in the loft. Maggie's logic was that there were two of them, and she wanted to be able to sleep with Remi on the couch since she was not allowed in the bed. Ria and Ellie did the impossible and avoided having sex in the loft. They fell asleep with two pillows between them, and always after a passionate goodnight kiss.

They went to bed late and woke
up early. They wanted to spend every minute, every second they could awake and with each other. The only time they had apart was while they were showering or going to the bathroom.

On Sunday afternoon
, Maggie hopped in the car after a long goodbye hug with Remi. Ellie helped Ria put the luggage in the back of the car. They embraced and Ellie kissed Ria as if she was heading to war.

“
We'll see each other soon right?” Ria asked.

“
Yes, soon. I have to talk to Dina and see what she has set up for me. You aren't going to call me or text me once you see our picture in a tabloid and they say we shouldn't be together.”

“
Let them take all the pictures they want, and say anything they want,” Ria said. “I'm in this for the long haul. I promise.”

They kissed once more, and Ellie walked Ria to the driver's side door.

“I saw you guys kissing,” Maggie said. “How do you breathe when kissing that long?”

“
Your mom will explain it,” Ellie said as she leaned in and kissed Ria again.

Ellie was on the speaker phone with Ria and Maggie.

“
So you can't come to Boston before you fly out to Chicago”?” Ria asked.

“
I'm flying out of Boston,” Ellie said. “So I could do lunch at the airport or something. I have to do this. It's only five days.”

“
I know,” Ria said.

“
Where are you going?” Maggie yelled through the speaker phone.

“
Chicago,” Ellie said.

“
Oh, that is by where my grandpa and grandma live. Can I go with you and see them?” Maggie asked.

“
Maggie she's going on business,” Ria said.

“
Ria, if it's okay with you, I can bring her,” Ellie said. “That would be no problem.”

“
See,” Maggie said.

“
Wait Maggie, it's up to your mom. She's the boss,” Ellie said.

“
Mom?”

“
You sure Ellie?” Ria asked.

“
Yes, I'd love the company,” Ellie said. “I'm renting a car at the airport. I have time to drop her off, and get to my meetings. Then you don't have to worry about camp or Maggie-sitters or anything while you're at work.”

“
So, Mom, can I?” Ellie asked.

“
Let me call my parents, I'll let you know,” Ria said. “I wish I could go, but I'm covering that week for someone who's out.”

“
It would be great if you could come. Maybe another time,” Ellie said. “We have time to take vacations.”

The day of the flight
, Ria and Maggie met Ellie at the airport. Maggie was wearing a backpack and Ria was only carrying her purse.

“
Hi,” Ellie hugged Maggie and then straightened to give Ria a kiss and hug.

“
Hi,” Ria said. “She’s beyond excited. You and her grandparents in the same trip is the best combo in the world.”

“
I'm excited too,” Ellie said. “No bag?”

“
I don't like checking luggage,” Maggie said.

“
Oh, okay,” Ellie said.

“
So here are her meds, and here are the instructions for my parents,” Ria said. “Here are directions to my parents house. John and Sophia,” Ria said.

“
Got it,” Ellie said. “This isn't my first rodeo.”

“
Rodeo?” Maggie said. “We're going to the rodeo?”

“
Just a saying,” Ellie said. “We can talk about it on the plane. I should get you a copy of a book of idioms; I think that's what they’re called. Anyway, we'll be fine.” Ellie said to Ria.

“
I have to use the restroom,” Maggie said as she handed her backpack to Ria. Ria pointed to a door twenty feet from them. Ellie watched Maggie push through the restroom door. She turned and Ria pulled her into a kiss. Ria put her hand behind Ellie's head and pulled her closer to her. Ria's tongue pushed between Ellie's lips. Ellie smiled and gently pulled away.

“
I'm pretty sure that kiss will be on a tabloid,” Ellie said as she saw several cameras pointed at them. Ria looked over Ellie's shoulder and saw Clara leaning with her arms crossed behind her back. She stood like a soldier, at ease.

“
Is she going with you?” Ria asked.

“
Tailing me,” Ellie said. “This is the first time I'm taking a commercial flight since I don't know when. We should be fine. We're in First Class. I fly under another name, so we should be fine.”

“
So, about my parents,” Ria said.

“
I'm not nervous,” Ellie said. “Who do they think I am? A friend dropping Maggie off?”

“
Well, last night I told them you're my girlfriend,” Ria said.

“
Oh, how did that go?” Ellie asked.

“
It went well,” Ria said. “They were happy for me. I think they could hear the happiness in my voice. They might give you the third degree. My dad is overprotective.”

“
I'll survive. If anything, I'll use Maggie as a shield,” Ellie laughed.

“
I hope I'm that calm meeting your parents,” Ria said as she kissed Ellie again.

“
Oh, you want to meet my parents now?” Ellie asked.

“
I saw an interview with them as part of a music television special. They seem fun,” Ria said.

“
Oh, you’ll have to wait and see,” Ellie said as she kissed Ria. Maggie walked out from the bathroom and over to them.

“
You guys done kissing?” Maggie asked.

“
Not at all,” Ria said. “We just got started.”

“
Oh no, I think I've created monsters,” Maggie said. Ellie and Ria laughed.

“
Wow, Maggie again with a sense of humor,” Ellie said. The three ate lunch and then Maggie and Ellie boarded a plane for Chicago.

“What did you say to my father?” Ria asked.

“
What do you mean?” Ellie asked.

“
And my mother loved you,” she said. “They never spoke so highly of Faith and they knew her for years.”