Just Rosalie

Vacation

Abbi's request didn't go unfulfilled. All three of them were excited to see Henry for Christmas. After a long plane ride, and a hassle at baggage claim, they made their way through the streets of California in a taxi.
The snow had fallen early that morning, and Abbi couldn't wait to play in the snow with her brother.
As the taxi pulled up on the curb, Henry stood in front of the house with his hands stuffed inside of his jean's pockets.
"Henry!"
Abbi squealed, as she jumped out and ran over to him. Picking his little sister up, Henry spun her around till her tummy tingled.
"Henry, she's going to puke all over you."
His eyes widened and he immediately placed her onto her feet. Frowning, Abbi kicked the snow in front of her.
"Mom, you got older."
He pulled her into a hug, but not without a huge frown on her face.
"That's such a nice thing to say to your aging mother," Elizabeth pushed him back, "help with the bags, would you?"
Rosalie pulled Henry in. She noticed the blonde highlights in his brunette hair, and wanted to laugh. But her conscience wouldn't allow her to.
"Missed you, kid. How's the girlfriend?"
She whispered the last part quietly. Henry didn't want Elizabeth to know, but Rosalie had already spilled the beans the second he'd told her. But she could still pretend that she didn't.
"I'll tell you later."
He grabbed the suitcases from the trunk and carried them inside of the house.
"Mommy, can we play in the snow? I wanna build a snowman." Or a snowwoman, sweetie.
Rosalie nodded and picked up her little girl.
"I'll even spin you around for a bit, just don't tell your mama."
"I'm aging, not deaf. If you're going to do that, prepare to be puked on."
Elizabeth nudged her wife's shoulder in passing, as they headed into the house. Rosalie stuck her tongue out, and Abbi did the same. They both giggled, as they earned a glare from Elizabeth.
"I can't even be fun mom," Rosalie snickered, as Abbi poked her face with her little fingers, "who do you love more, me or mama?"
Abbi's eyes widened, as she looked up into the sky, pretending that she didn't hear a thing.
"Don't make her choose. That's bad parenting." She's too hard on herself.
"I'm sorry, Abbi. Just know that we both love you very, very much." I wish you'd love me more than her.
Abbi pulled on Rosalie's scarf and nodded. She didn't love one of them more than the other. But to Rosalie, she seemed to be the least favorite.
"Mama, are we gonna see Aunty Zoe in New York too? You promised."
"For the Summer, we're here to see Henry now," Abbi pouted, "maybe Easter?"
Elizabeth gave in. She disliked disappointing her daughter. They entered the living room and plopped onto the couch.
"Beth, we're spending Easter with mom. Remember she wants us to take a trip to see my grandparents."
"Oh, right."
Abbi shuffled in her seat. Rosalie leaned back and closed her eyes for a few seconds. Motherhood was sometimes harder than her frail heart could manage.
"We'll facetime them later, okay? And I promise we'll go see them for the Summer."
"Soon I'll be out of work with all these vacations we're taking."
Elizabeth chuckled as she took off her coat.
"Aren't you the boss or something? I thought you vacation for the most part of your job?"
"You know I've stopped travelling since Abbi started Preschool."
"I know. We both have," Rosalie looked at her daughter and smiled, "and I don't regret it one bit."
"Easy for you to say. You can work from anywhere," Elizabeth pulled her hair into a ponytail, "I'll get something to drink."
Elizabeth stormed into the kitchen, leaving Rosalie a bit confused.
"Is this a bad time to-" Henry walked in with his girlfriend. Noticing his mother's change of mood, he cleared his throat, "this is my girlfriend, Yasmin."
Rosalie's eyes widened and she got up. Wiping her hands on her jeans, she walked over and stretched out her left.
"It's nice to meet you. Henry's told me lots of wonderful things," Abbi rushed over with the biggest brown eyes, "sweetie, say hello."
"You didn't tell me you have a girlfriend, Henry," she turned to her mother, "mommy, when am I gonna get a girlfriend?"
"Or boyfriend," Rosalie sheepishly smiled, "when you're as old as Henry. Maybe even older."
"But he's so old. I want a girlfriend now."
Elizabeth came back from the kitchen with a glass of wine in her hand. Rosalie became worried. Elizabeth never drank around Abbi.
"Abbi, you'll get a girlfriend when you graduate high school."
She noticed the woman next to her son.
"Mom, this is Yasmin, my, uh, girlfriend."
Elizabeth mustered up her best surprised face and walked closer.
"I didn't know that you-"
Henry looked at his mother with speculating eyes. Her poker face was terrible.
"I should've known better. What did Rosalie tell you?"
Rosalie cleared her throat and stepped back, slipping her hand in her wife's with a cheeky grin.
"Uh. Everything?"
She responded and pulled her wife closer.
"Figures. You two cling to each other like leeches."
"Mommy, can I have some grape juice too?"
Abbi stretched for her mother's wine glass, and with widened eyes, Elizabeth handed it to Henry.
"That's wine, sweetie," she lifted her daughter up and placed a kiss on her cheek, "Yasmin, it's nice to meet you. I would've loved to meet you sooner, but my son seems to only introduce me to the girls he really likes."
Elizabeth looked carefully at Yasmin. From what Rosalie had told her, Yasmin was a college graduate and working at an insurance company.
"Oh, really?"
Yasmin blushed. Elizabeth, of course, had to help her son win bonus points. They headed over to the couches and sat down. Abbi sat on Elizabeth's lap and leaned against her chest.
"I'm guessing you two are serious."
Henry nodded and wrapped his arm around Yasmin's shoulder.
"Yeah, we are."
Yasmin answered. Rosalie noticed how comfortable they seemed together, and was happy that Henry finally found a significant other.
"Tell me the details. I've been depending to get them from my wife for all these months."
Henry glared at Rosalie and she shrugged.
"Actually, Yasmin moved in a few days ago."
Elizabeth's face flushed. Henry was really serious about that girl. Smiling to hide her concern, she looked down at her daughter who had fallen asleep.
"That's great."
Rosalie chimed in to save Elizabeth the worry. She decided to take the conversation to a lighter note.
"I've been working on a painting for your living room. It's back at home, but I'll post it as soon as it's finished."
"Wow, really?" Yasmin seemed elated. She leaned forward with that sparkle in her eyes, "your mom's amazing. I attended a conference where she'd given a beautiful speech. Truly inspirational."
Rosalie had to then hide her own discomfort. Of course Henry's girlfriend had to be a fan of Kaitlyn Watson.
"Mom, we were thinking about spending Christmas at the cabin instead of here. It'll be nice to go sledding on the mountains."
Elizabeth wasn't too fascinated with the idea. She didn't need a town full of bigots judging her for Christmas. It was the last thing that she wanted since everything had been so stressful lately.
"That would be nice. We can head up there-"
"This weekend?"
Elizabeth's tight smile didn't go unnoticed by Rosalie. She leaned over to help Elizabeth with Abbi.
"I'll take her to bed," Rosalie lifted Abbi into her arms, and positioned her little head against her shoulder, "it sounds like a great idea, Henry. I'm sure Abbi will be excited."
Rosalie allowed Elizabeth to catch up with her son and his girlfriend. Taking Abbi up the stairs and into the bedroom, she got under the covers for a nap as well.