One and the Same

20

-'How are you gonna ask her?', Maria asked Lukas while they were in the pool, -'I'm not sure. Any ideas?', -'...You guys could go to the beach and-', -'No beach. Too cliche', Maria nodded understandingly, -'...Write her a song. Listing all her qualities, and then at the end ask her if she will marry you', Lukas eyes went big, -'...Thats an excellent idea actually', Maria grinned big, -'I trust you with her. She's all I have', Lukas hugged his stepdaughter, -'I know that, M', -'I know you love her a lot. You know every inch of her and her temper. You know what you're up against', -'Against? Nothing will make me happier than making your mother Happy Maria', the girl nodded, -'I wish you guys all the best'.
****
Maria called her mother up to her bedroom, -'Mom I have news about dad', Gaga rolled her eyes as soon as she heard that word, -'Whats up', -'...He says he's gonna be free in two weeks and I can go visit then', Maria's huge green eyes looked up at her mother like a pair of spotlights, Gaga snorted and bit her lip, -'...I'll have to make space in my agenda, I dont kno, I think I'm busy those days', -'So, I can go alone mom. Come on? Please?', Gaga sat down beside her and looked at Angelo's profile picture on iMessage, -'...You have to be 100% sure. Think about it baby. Think long and hard', Maria nodded, -'I will, mamma', -'And then if you go and come back, we have to enrole you in college and-', -'I know, dont worry mom' Maria grabbed Tux from a pillow and cuddled him carefully inside her blazer.
Gaga stared at her daughter. She was such an amazing young lady now. Almost seventeen. Second place honor roll of her senior year on her way to study finances. Virtuous in ballet and piano. Spoke three languages. But Maria was also wild, and a lowkey rebel. Just like Gaga.
-'You remind me too much of myself' Gaga said, laying a hand on her daughter's tanned leg, -'...Grandma tells me that a lot' Maria chuckled and caressed Tux's small head, -'Grandma knows how to handle you. I don't.
Maria frowned, -'Why you say so?', Gaga took a deep breath, -'Well I was a teenager when I had you. I was your age! So I didnt have time to look after you properly. Your grandparents know you more than I do...and thats fine, I guess. It's what I deserve for not being 100% there in the first few years of my life', -'Mom. My relationship with you is priceless. Of COURSE I dont tell you EVERYTHING I do. Nobody does. But thats fine. I am who I am, and you know me as that', Gaga smiled and nodded, -'I just feel guilty sometimes and-', Maria shook her head, -'You've given me everything. And the fact that youre willing to let me see my father is very admirable of you'.