Uncompromising (Age Gap, gxg)

Chapter 27

"I was going to tell you," I whispered to Hollie while Zee and the younger girls were swimming. I was sitting in the hot tub, letting the warm jets of water wash over my aching back and help to make me feel better. Hollie was next to me, just because I wanted to talk to her. She and Zee decided that they would wait to leave until after dinner so they could spend as much time with me as possible after the attack. It would get them back to their dorm late, but they didn't mind. I sure wasn't going to complain because I needed the company. I was already worried about how I'd be with the younger ones at school. "I really wanted to let Zee have a chance to make a good impression on you, so you could accept me dating her. I know it might not be what you expected, given our ages, but I really do like so many things about her."

"Mom, it's okay. I get it. If you want to try being with her, I'm going to support the two of you. She's been a good friend to me, and she saved you. I'll still kill her if she hurts you though!"

I smiled gratefully, happy that I didn't have to worry about Hollie, who had been the only one in the dark. It also made it easier to move forward, even if I knew that she and Zee would be leaving soon. But when they returned for Thanksgiving, there would be no delay. Zee and I would be ready to try a few dates, and we could act naturally without having to find the right time to talk to Hollie about things.

On the other hand, I still had fallen down in talking to Hollie about other things, and I wanted to make sure that was accounted for. "You know, when I realized that Gracie and Jashanna were together, it dawned on me that I never had a discussion about that kind of thing with any of you. We talked all about the birds and the bees, but never really about sexuality. I know I'd told you about me dating girls when I was younger, but I never came out and said that I would support you no matter who you love, as long as they treat you right and make you happy. Jashanna and your sister may very well get married, as happy as they are. I have no idea where Zee and I will go, as it is all too new. But I don't know what kind of relationship you want, if any."

Hollie didn't reply for a while, she just sat in the tub with me and relaxed. "I'm not sure either. I like the idea of being with someone. It seems like a nice concept, and I can imagine myself snuggling with a person, but I guess I've never met the right one that makes me want to go there. Or maybe I need to warm up to them more. Honestly, I can't even visualize them yet. I'm not too sure what that means. Or maybe I can, but I don't know yet."

"Hollie, you have plenty of time to figure it out. Nobody is going to force you into some neat little box to decide who you can and can't date, or if you even have to date anyone at all. Just take your time, and you'll know what you want to do. Don't do it just to say you did it."

"You're not going to pressure me on grandkids then, huh?" She gave me a little grin, and I just bumped my shoulder into hers.

"No, no grandkids talk." I stretched a little, allowing the warm water to help loosen up the muscles in my back. I knew I was going to work from home over the next few days, I didn't feel like driving would be fun with the aches and pains. "If you're smiling and happy, that's all I care about."

"That's all I want for you too. Until dad showed up last night, I can't remember the last time I'd seen you smiling so much, and I assume Zee has a lot to do with that."

I sighed happily and nodded. "She does. I know we still have a ton to work out and learn about each other, but she really seems like a great person. I think if things can keep progressing, we have a chance."

"Are you going to have her move in here for the internship?"

I scoffed, shaking my head at the absurdity of it, then shut my mouth. No, it wouldn't be a good thing for her to just move into my room, but the basement still had an empty room, and could be made into a mini apartment. She could even commute with me. Would that be an odd set up? "I'll have to think about it. Do you think it would be weird to set her up in the big bonus room in the basement? Make it her own little apartment so she can have her own space, and that way we're not living together, but will still see each other a lot?"