Princess Charming (gxg)

Part 53

A/N: So sorry that I haven't updated in a little bit! I have been sick, and getting used to a new role at work, and I appreciate your patience so much! ❤️

A week after Hallie gave me my ring, and we had the conversation about eloping- we got our marriage license.

We had to make an appointment in Philadelphia to obtain the license down at city hall, so we went on Friday after Hallie had work and we made a night of it.

Before we walked into city hall, Hallie turned to me and asked, "Do you think we will get treated differently because we are gay?"

"If we do, then whoever is working there should be fired immediately." I said, "It's going to be okay."

Hallie gave me a smile and said, "You're right. Let's do this."

After Hallie and I got the marriage license, which we obtained from a very nice woman- who just so happened to be a lesbian- and then we went out to dinner.

We had 60 days to get married from the time we got the marriage license- and we had to wait at least 72 hours to get married after obtaining the license.

"I honestly wish we could've just gotten married now." Hallie said to me at dinner, "What is 72 hours going to do? Show us we suddenly don't want to get married?"

I laughed and said, "Maybe for some couples- yes. They get cold feet all of a sudden. I would've have done it today if we could."

"We can do it whichever day feels right to us." Hallie said, and she gave me a warm smile.

After dinner I drove us back home.

We were planning on moving out by the end of the year- and we were hoping to do it even sooner.

The thought of having our own space excited me more than anything. The thought of building my life with Hallie made me feel like everything was going to be okay.

Hallie and I sat on the bed and I heard her say, "Alina, are you okay? You look a bit dazed."

I turned to her and said, "Yes, I'm okay. I was just thinking about everything coming up. Getting married, moving out, just starting our life together."

Hallie gave me a smile and said, "You know, I get that people may think we are kind of young to get married. But I don't look at it that way. It just gives me more time with you to build our future. And sure we could do that just dating- but I love that we will be doing that married, and with you as my wife."

"I feel the same." I said to Hallie, "We have more than half of our twenties to really figure things out- together. And then we can focus on even bigger things. Buying a house. Even kids one day."

I've known for a long time that Hallie wants to be a mom one day.

I had never imagined it for myself until I met her. When I was younger I didn't even know if it was possible as a lesbian.

When I was with Jocelyn, I was so focused on just surviving each day that I didn't even think about us building a family in the future.

Of course for two women it's not the easiest process, and it can be expensive. But it was something I actually started to think about when I met Hallie- as something I could want in the future with her. I didn't know if we would adopt- or if one of us would carry a child. Hallie had expressed before that she would possibly like to- but I knew we had so much time to figure that out.

Together.

"I love that you want to build our family one day too." Hallie said, and right after she spoke- her phone started vibrating.

It was pretty late- close to 11 PM. She looked down at her phone, and I saw the color drain from her face. I looked down at her phone as well to see who was calling her.

It was her mom.

Hallie picked up her phone and I mouthed to her, "Do you want me to leave the room?"

She shook her head no, and then immediately held onto my hand.

Hallie hadn't spoken to her mom in around 9 months. The only family member she had spoken to in that time was when we saw Victoria.

I could see that her hand that I wasn't holding was shaking when she answered the phone. "Hello?"

Hallie at the volume up just enough so I could hear what her mom was saying.

"Hi Hallie." Courtney's voice came through, "I'm sorry to call you this late."

"Is something wrong?" Hallie asked.

"No, no. Everyone is okay. I just wanted to...check in".

I could hear a certain sadness in Courtney's voice. Possibly regret even.

"Oh, um...I'm okay." Hallie said, "Thanks."

"Where are you living right now?" Courtney asked.

"With Alina." Hallie said.

I could feel the hurt in her voice as she spoke to her mom.

"I see." Courtney said, "Your sister told me that she saw you a couple of months ago. She said you looked happy. And that you were okay."

"Yeah." Hallie said, "I am. Both those things."

"I'm sorry I haven't called you sooner." Courtney said, "It was just a lot...everything that happened with the videos and the photos..."

"If it was a lot for you, imagine how it was for me." Hallie said.

"You were the one that got yourself into-"

"Mom. If you called to lecture me on something that I obviously regret doing and that turned out terribly- I don't need to hear it." Hallie said, with a fierceness to her tone that I rarely hear.

"You're right." Courtney said, "I'm sorry. I just wanted to let you know that if you ever want to see me, I am here. Your father is here. Your sisters are too."

Hallie closed her eyes for a moment. She then said, "Thanks. Maybe one day in the future I'll take you up on it."

I could tell in her tone that she didn't quite mean it.

"I'd like that." Courtney said, "How is Alina doing?"

"We're engaged." Hallie said, "And she is amazing. As always."

"Oh...congratulations." Courtney said, "I'm glad you found someone who accepts and understands you."

Hallie rolled her eyes as she said, "Only took over 20 years."

Her family never accepted her for who she is.

"I'm sorry, Hallie." Courtney said, "Just know that I am thinking of you."

"I...appreciate it." Hallie said.

"I'll let you go now." Courtney said, "But the offer stands. Have a goodnight."

"You too." Hallie said, and then she ended the call.

She let out a shaky breath afterwards.

"Are you okay?" I asked Hallie, putting my hand on her shoulder.

"I'm alright." Hallie said, "It felt like talking to a complete stranger, and not my mom. Even though in a way, she was always a bit of a stranger to me. For the twenty one years I lived with my parents, I always felt like a guest in their home."

"You'll never feel that way again." I said to Hallie, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

"You're my home, Alina. No matter where I am, you are my home. And my family." Hallie said.

I reached over and pulled her into a hug. This is what she has deserved for a long time. It's what we both have deserved. It just took us a bit to find each other.

And now- we were going to make it official next week- by marrying each other.

Everything had lead up to this.

And I was ready to take the leap.