SEEK And Find

Chapter 36

"Ohhhh boy."

As they descended the escalator toward baggage claim, Anna smirked over in Elsa's direction. "What, having second thoughts?"

"In a word... yes." Clearing her throat, she glanced over at Anna. "What about you?"

"I mean, I'm worried. But not that much. I know my parents pretty well by now, and I think we'll be okay. Once they get past their surprise." With a shrug, she stepped off the bottom and turned to catch Elsa's hand once she did the same. "There's gonna be an adjustment. I mean, before now, me being gay has been kind of... hypothetical, right? It might be different now that there's gonna be real evidence right in their faces. Or maybe not."

"Maybe your father will throw silverware at me," Elsa sighed nervously. "It will definitely be a high-profile case, but I'll be recovering in the hospital and won't see any of it."

"Elsa! Come on, they aren't violent criminals!"

"Maybe not, but I'm..." She leaned in as they began walking. "You're their little girl! So doesn't that make me the boy? Shouldn't I be afraid of... of your father shooting me, or whatever standard protocol is?"

Smirking, Anna bumped her with her hip as they walked. "The point of lesbians is that neither of us is 'the boy', I'm pretty sure."

By the time they had collected Anna's bags, Elsa had worked herself up to being a nervous wreck, but Anna was doing her best to pet along her back and soothe the poor pop star as much as she could. Then they were getting in the car with her parents.

"So, where to?" her father asked. "There's a nice steakhouse not too far, maybe five minutes. Or a Japanese one, if you like Japanese food."

"I do," Elsa said in her most practiced diplomatic voice, a serene smile hitched into place. By now, Anna could tell it was fake; before the whole crazy week, she might have believed it. "But honestly, whatever you guys want is fine by me."

"Oh, don't be shy," her mother insisted, trying to glance at her in the rearview mirror. "Or we could do something else. Seafood?"

Glancing over at Anna, she said, "Whatever has the best atmosphere. I just want somewhere relaxing and pleasant, without a lot of loud music. Honestly, I couldn't care less about the food as long as it's not made of horse."

That got her father chortling, and eventually Anna and her mom couldn't help but join in. Of course, Anna knew what Elsa was doing all along; trying to get them in a good mood. Make the "news", such that it was, easier to bear once she finally dropped it on their heads. It was wise, even if she thought it bordered on being the slightest bit manipulative.

Then again, blasting them with the news the minute they saw each other would have been cruel and jarring. Maybe this was the best plan, after all.

"So, what do you even do in Ibiza?" her dad asked once they had been seated. The restaurant they had chosen wasn't quite as intimate and subdued as Elsa asked for, but it was close, and inexpensive. Anna already knew they would grab for the check to beat Elsa to the punch.

"Mostly swim, hit the beach. A little shopping - Elsa got me a couple of really cute dresses, which I know will make you happy, Mom."

"Now, now, why can't I be happy about cute dresses, too?" The girls laughed at him, and he folded his arms as if he were truly offended.

"It's true, though," her mom said, still laughing slightly. "Even to prom, the closest I could get Anna was into a skirt and a T-shirt with Spider-Man on it."

While Elsa was gasping, Anna pouted and muttered, "Spider-Woman. Jessica Drew is so underappreciated."

"You wore a t-shirt? To PROM?! Oh, that won't do- no, no, no." She raised her finger, paused before uttering a word, and then snapped her fingers as she reached a conclusion. "I'm taking you with me to the Grammys. And don't worry, you won't have to pick out the dress or do your own hair or anything; I know that's not something you find fun. But you're going to be in formal wear, at least once."