Citrus [completed]

Chapter 39

"What are you so worried about?" I grunt as I have to physically drag Vanessa.

Vanessa may be small but she can put up a hell of a fight. I barely move her a few feet before she tugs and I wheel back a bit. Her face shows how stubborn she is and set on just standing in the driveway.

Her eyes bug out at my question and she lightly scoffs, "Well, it's Blair and Eden." Vanessa pulls again against me and my hold on her arm slips a bit.

I stop pulling overall and turn towards her. It's not wrong that Blair heard all the juicy details of our temporary break, but she had also heard all the things I had loved about Vanessa when I had vented to her.

I reach up and tuck an errant strand of hair behind her ear. Vanessa looks genuinely concerned to walk into our apartment.

I lean in and plant a soft kiss onto her lips. Vanessa is stiff, still worried about what awaits her, and I reach and grab onto her cheeks.

I move my lips against her, slipping my tongue in between hers as I try to take her worries away. It's not long before her body loosens and she grabs my wrists and kisses me harder, losing her worries. I pull away and lean my forehead against hers and look at her face as she takes a deep breath and leans further into me.

"Trust me," I whisper to her, "You made them a lemon pie?" I motion down to the small bag she's carrying and Vanessa follows my eyes as we stare at the bag.

"I just hope they don't throw it into my face." Vanessa sighs. I chuckle as I turn and go to knock on the door. Vanessa seems to jitter as she waits for the door to open and I smile wide when the door swings open.

Blair has opened the door with a bland face and Eden looms over her shoulder. I can't help but feel like I'm presenting Vanessa to my parents.

"Vanessa brought pie," I say simply as I smile over at Eden. I know that is enough to win him back over. I can tell from the way his eyes scooch to the pan. Blair however, remains unmoved as her eyes take in Vanessa on the doorstep.

"As a bribe," Blair sniffs. Vanessa's wide eyes fly over to me but I smile in Blair's face.

"Well of course," I lightly snicker but Blair's face doesn't budge. She's clearly in a mood.

"It's a lemon meringue pie. Followed my grandmother's deep south recipe," Vanessa says softly.

"You think that a pie is enough to apologize for what you did to Jamie. What you did to us?" Blair leans her shoulder onto the doorway and I feel my eyes narrow slightly at her question.

Vanessa, however, doesn't so much twitch as she stares up at Blair.

"Nobody knows more than me, how wrong it was to leave without a trace. I apologize for disappearing on my friends and especially when you all meant so much to me."

Blair scoffs lightly and Eden lightly knocks her shoulder. Blair's glare doesn't lighten at Vanessa's words. "Pretty words. How do we know she won't flake at the sign of the first fight?" Blair asks harshly as her eyes slide to mine.

Part of me is frustrated at her questions but I know she's just worried that Vanessa could become another Angel. I heave a breath and begin to end the conversation when Vanessa pipes us.

"I know my actions will only prove me, but let me say this loudly. I promise that I will never abandon Jamie. It'll kill me if I do," Vanessa quietly says. While she's quiet, her words captivate all of us so much it seems like she's yelling. Vanessa clutches the pie a bit too tight, the foil wrinkling but she throws her shoulders back.

"I'm willing to fight for Jamie. You can hate me all you want. I deserve it. But I won't let that stop me from showing every inch of love Jamie deserves."

Vanessa's sturdy eyes don't waver from Blairs, "Jamie is the type of girl that her love is treasured. She sees the good in everybody, even if there isn't any. She's willing to fight for everyone. I want to return that. She's more than just the woman I love. She's my stars and my moon and even the lemons from back home. I love her and I won't lose her."

Vanessa finishes her rant as her chest heaves a bit. I stare at her in surprise and Eden lets out a soft whistle as he looks over Blair's shoulders. Blair looks her up and down and silence falls over all of us. Vanessa seems to be holding her breath as she is examined and I watch the two of them, prepared to step in if need be.

Blair nods once, stepping back and holding open the door, "I want that first slice,"

Vannesa lets out a quiet breath and I can feel her anxiety drift out her body. I bump my shoulder into hers as I look over and grin at her. Vanessa smiles back before she walks slowly into the apartment, putting her southern charm to use.

I shake my head as I follow.

🍋

I grab her hand as we walk down, the grass tickling our ankles in the long patches. I pause as Vanessa bends down and takes her sandals off before smiling and continuing over towards the lemon tree. Her smile sated, happy, and nostalgic.

Rightfully so. This lemon tree was the first time I started feeling something for Vanessa. The first time I had given her the necklace that claimed her as mine. It was special to me and I wanted to erase the one moment that I had felt horrible here with Vanessa.

Vanessa plops down onto the grass, looking up at me and smiling widely as the sun shone down through the branches of the tree. I sit right in front of her and plant a kiss on her.

"Your therapist is a lesbian? You see to have a gay magnet on you" Vanessa leans into the bark on the tree, accepting my weight as I lean back onto her. I tilt my head back as I hum in agreement.

"It's not my fault. It's like they can smell it on me. I can't wait to give random lesbian advice like her when I get older," I joke. The thought of passing it on and being a mysterious old lady who helped younger gays did have an appeal. Vanessa slightly shakes as she laughs. Her giggles ring like bells and I close my eyes as I listen to it.

"We'll do it together," Vanessa mutters as she brushes a kiss on my forehead, wrapping her arms around me and pulling me closer. My eyes open and my heart swells as she says this and I know in fifty years we'll make the cutest old couple to give little gay children advice.

"Yeah. Together," I say as I brush my thumb against her necklace before she leans down and plants a kiss onto my lips.

--

Author's Note:

I'm astonished at how this is almost over. If you're reading this, you've stuck with me in a way I can NEVER REPAY YOU.

You have my heart and I must say thank you for dedicating your time to this book. But I'll save my really sapping moment for later.

Of course, Like, comment, share and follow but I'm not your boss.

-Jasmine