Surfacing

19

Janet and Toni

A week later and Momma K still was keeping Journey and Journey acted as if she didn't want to leave. Toni and Janet had been inseparable since they left Dr. Grayson's office. They were beginning to build their friendship as well as their romantic relationship. They went on a few dates and just spent their time learning who they were as women now. Motherhood had definitely changed Janet and Toni loved it. Janet was different because of Journey. Toni loved how Janet would always think about Journey before herself and that she spoiled her daughter with love. Seeing Janet interact with Toni made her want to call her mother but she really didn't know what to say. Evelyn had taken it upon herself to call Toni.

"Toni?"

"Mommy?"

"Yes, I wanted to talk to you. Tamar told me about Janet. I was wondering when I would hear from you?"

"I wanted to call you Mommy but I didn't know what I was going to say to you. I apologize for everything. Jan forgave me and I'm grateful. We are taking things slow but just know that I love her and she loves me. For the past few days we have been spending a lot of time together."

"I prayed for Janet and for you. I'm glad that you finally realize the extent of your feelings for her because you hurt her something terrible."

"I know that Mommy and my therapist helped me to process through my feelings and why I did what I did. Janet and I had a conversation with out therapist there. We worked through things and I want to build a relationship with her."

"Toni I'm so glad for yall. Bring her by Tamar's house this weekend. I'm cooking yall a special dinner."

"Saturday or Sunday?"

"Saturday, I want to be able to spend as much time with you two as possible. So let's say...hmm...let's make it lunch and dinner."

"Okay we will be there."

When Toni hung up from talking with her mother she was smiling and completely happy. She hadn't been that happy in years. She was working on beginning a relationship with her best friend and woman. There was so much going through her mind. She just wanted to be near Janet all the time for some reason. Maybe it was the way in which she just felt a connection with Janet. Toni was planning a special date for them in a few days.

Time flew by and it was now Saturday. To say Toni was anxious would be putting it mildly, she was terrified of what could happen. Although Evelyn said she was ok with her Toni knew how her mother could be. She dressed in jeans and simple navy blue t-shirt with red heels. She met her driver at her car and they went to pick up Janet. Journey was with Momma K again. Janet was a little nervous too she would be seeing all the Braxton sisters and she hadn't seen them in years. She spoke with Tamar often and Momma E every now and then but the rest of the sisters she hadn't any contact with. Janet was waiting patiently for Toni to arrive. She was dressed in black jeans, black patent leather red bottoms with a white shirt and motorcycle style jacket. Janet checked her make-up which was light and then heard her phone ding with a new message.

Toni got out of the car when Janet approached and kissed her girlfriend and made sure she got in. Her driver Camden closed the door. The ride to Tamar's house where Momma E lived was short. Tamar lived about two miles away from Janet. The pulled up to the door and Camden opened the door for them. He made sure the women made it inside before pulling off. Tamar had opened the door for Toni and Janet. She hugged Janet first making Toni laugh.

"Well, I guess I'm not standing here, huh?"

"Aww babe it's ok." Janet said and kissed Toni on the cheek. She whispered in her ear, "I still love you."

Toni just blushed and tried to walk away but Tamar jumped on her kissing all over her face.

"What did Jackson say to you that got you all red in the face?"

"Nothing Taymie, where is everybody?"

"In the den off the kitchen, you know they ain't going too far from the food." She turned to Janet, "Mommy made all your favorites."

Momma E was in the kitchen finishing up dinner and she had indeed made all Janet's favorites. Fried Fish, greens, yams, corn on cobb, mac n cheese and peach cobbler for dessert. The aromas filling the house were heavenly. The sisters had been banned from the kitchen for stealing food.

Toni went t the kitchen to greet her mother.

"Hey Mommy, it smells good in here."

"Hey my oldest child, how are you? Where is my other daughter?" She asked looking around Toni for Janet.

"She was swept away by Tamar."

"Uh-oh, please go save my baby. You know how your sisters are."

"I'm not your baby anymore," Toni said with a fake pout.

"Girl go on somewhere. Get my child so I can hug her."

"Damn I didn't even get a hug." Toni mumbled walking away.

"Michele don't make me slap you. I heard that."

In the den Janet was laughing about something the sisters had said to her. It was just like old times but not because now Toni and Janet were in a relationship. Toni stood behind Janet and kissed her ear and told her that she was being summoned to the kitchen.

"Excuse me yall, I'm being summoned to the kitchen."

"Hey sisters. I've really missed yall."

They all got up and group hugged Toni. Each one saying something along the lines of finally. She was glad that they all were so accepting of her feelings and relationship with Janet. They had loved Janet before but they loved her even more now.

"Hey Momma E, how are you?"

"Baby come give me a hug, I missed ya." Janet gave her a tight hug. "I'm much better now that I know you and my hard headed child are back together."

"That is by the grace of God. There's a lot I went through to get to this point. Despite everything I still love her to the moon and beyond. She has my heart."

"I could tell when she came in here. Here demeanor and presence is different because of you. It took me a while to understand and accept your love for each other but I knew a long time ago how yall felt. Yall just kept denying your feelings."

"You're so right. But we are here now and I can't wait to see where this goes." Toni walked in the kitchen and hugged Janet from behind holding on to her waist.

"Mommy can I have my girlfriend back now?"

"You sure can and tell them other heathens of mine that dinner is ready."

Toni and Janet walked back to the den to deliver the message about the food. When everyone else got up to leave Janet grabbed Tamar's hand along with Toni's. She looked at Tamar and tears began to form in her eyes. Janet quickly wiped them away.

"Tay, you are my angel. You saved my life and if it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here. I love you from the bottom of my heart." Tamar and Janet hugged for long time Toni watched how the dynamic of their friendship had changed.

"What's taking yall so long? Mommy won't let us eat without yall?" Traci asked.

"They needed a moment Trai. We'll explain it later."

The four women walked to the dining room immediately off the kitchen and sat down. They passed all the food around getting their fills of what they wanted to eat. The conversation around the table was light and the evening progressed well. The women all talked and had fun, drinking wine, playing games and watching movies. Toni and Janet ended up staying the night. The went to bed kissing and cuddling and Tamar had to take a picture of them while they were sleeping, it was too cute of a moment not to.