A Brighter Palette by Brigham Vaughn

Author:Brigham Vaughn
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Two Peninsulas Press
Published: 2017-06-29T03:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“I can’t believe them!” Annie snarled as she unlocked the door to her apartment. She wasn’t quite sure why she’d headed there instead of to Siobhán’s place, except for the fact that it was closer. “Well, her.” Her tears had quickly turned to anger.

Siobhán gave her a perplexed frown. “I’m still not sure I understand what happened, Annie.”

“My mother,” she spat, “is convinced my bisexuality is a phase. According to her, I’m just ‘experimenting’ with you. I should be settling down with a man and making babies. And getting a serious career. Apparently, the things I actually want aren’t good enough.”

“I’m so sorry, mo grá,” Siobhán said softly. “That was unfair of her.”

“Unfair?” Tears sprang to Annie’s eyes, and she fumbled to remove her shoes. “It’s ridiculous. I always thought my parents were supportive. Turns out, I was wrong.”

“Your father was lovely.” Siobhán’s tone was placating. She was right, but Annie wasn’t in the mood to be soothed.

“Good. Maybe I won’t have to yell at him.” Annie grabbed her heels and stalked toward her bedroom, Siobhán trailing after.

She stripped out of her clothes, tossing them on the little chair near her makeshift desk. “I’m just fed up with it. Why is it that people think our relationship is somehow less valid just because I’ve dated a man before?” she ranted.

“Annie.” Siobhán reached for her, but Annie pulled away. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Of course, it matters!” she exploded.

“Hear me out, Annie. Yes, it matters to you, but it doesn’t matter in our relationship.” She frowned. “Unless ... Do you not want to be with me? Does what your mother thinks matter more than ... than us?”

“What?” The words stopped Annie in her tracks, and she turned back to face Siobhán.

Siobhán took her hands and looked her in the eye. “Does this change how you feel about me, Annie?”

“No! Of course not! Why would it possibly matter if my mother ...” It occurred to her that Siobhán had probably had a similar conversation with Laura at some point. And Laura had picked her family. “Oh, God, Siobhán. No. Don’t think that! I want to be with you. My mother can fuck off,” Annie said grimly. “I’m not giving you up for anything. Much less her.”

Siobhán gave her a tremulous smile. “I’m sorry I doubted you, Annie, I just ...”

“No, I’m sorry,” Annie said. “Come here.” She drew Siobhán close and brushed their lips together. Siobhán relaxed against her, softening, and Annie deepened the kiss. She needed to show Siobhán exactly how much she meant to her. “I love you, Siobhán,” she murmured between kisses. “I’ve been so happy since I’ve met you, and I love being with you. I’m not going anywhere, I promise.”

Siobhán shuddered a little in her arms, and Annie’s heart ached when she caught a glimpse of Siobhán’s face. She didn’t know what else to say to reassure Siobhán how important she was to her. Maybe if she showed her physically, she’d understand.

“Sit down,” she coaxed. “Let me show you how much you mean to me.

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