by Twila

Feedback is always welcome: twila@e-scribblers.com.

Copyright © 2008 by Twila. All Rights Reserved.

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The weekend visit had been weird for Lizzie. It was okay meeting everyone, but Molly and Bryan had a ton of questions. It was embarrassing for Lizzie.

“Molly, Bryan,” Allie called after her kids. “That’s enough questions for now. You can ask Lizzie lots more when we all get home.” Allie shooed her children away and smiled at Lizzie.

Lizzie returned the smile gratefully.

“What grade are you in, Lizzie?” Andy asked as she sat down beside Lizzie with Katie on her lap.

Lizzie looked over the woman beside her. Even with the youngster on her lap, this woman somehow looked ‘tougher’ than her partner. Allie was petite with blonde hair and bright blue eyes and a smile that radiated warmth. Andy, as Lizzie had been introduced to her, was almost a foot taller than her partner with dark black hair and grey eyes. Her smile seemed sincere, but Lizzie could tell she had some reservations about Lizzie joining her family.

“Eighth,” Lizzie said softly. “My parents kept me back from starting kindergarten,” she added as explanation when she saw Andy’s brow furrowed in concentration.

“Do you like school?” Andy asked, curious about her newest daughter.

“No!” Lizzie said vehemently.

Andy was a little surprised by that forceful response, but held her tongue on correcting Lizzie. “Why not?”

“It’s stupid.”

“I see,” Andy said and tensed when Lizzie jumped to her feet.

“You don’t see anything,” Lizzie practically yelled at her. “You don’t know anything about me.” Lizzie wasn’t sure where those angry emotions came from but she instantly regretted them when Katie started crying.

“Shhh, baby. It’s okay,” Andy soothed her daughter, holding her tight as she watched to see what Lizzie would do next. She didn’t miss the embarrassed look on her face.

“I’m sorry I yelled,” Lizzie mumbled, totally embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to scare you Katie,” she added softly, as she sat back down and addressed the little girl.

“Otay,” Katie replied around her thumb in her mouth.

Lizzie smiled, thinking she looked absolutely adorable and an awful lot like her mom holding her. Lizzie firefly wondered how two women had kids, but pushed those thoughts aside for another day. “Thanks, Katie.”

Andy let it go, very pleased with Lizzie’s response and handling of Katie. She mentally made a note to discuss this with Allie. Lizzie’s anger was an issue they needed to address, as well as her tone when she spoke to them. Those discussions could come at home when they got Lizzie settled. Andy also thought that Lizzie might do well with helping Allie with the younger kids. She seemed drawn to Katie.

“Can we have a civilized conversation without the yelling?” Andy asked softly, once Lizzie had settled back down and Katie stopped crying. She didn’t miss the flash of red on Lizzie’s cheeks at her rebuke.

Lizzie had to bite her tongue to keep from retorting what popped into her head. Normally she would have just let loose and then regretted it when her books were taken away as punishment. She realized that now the nuns wouldn’t be taking them away, this lady would so she’d better watch how she talked to her. Instead of answering, she nodded.

Andy let it go for now. “What, exactly, don’t you like about school?”

“Everything,” Lizzie answered, quickly.

Andy knew she couldn’t have actually thought about that answer, but continued, “So, you don’t like reading?” Andy knew she did.

Lizzie turned to look at her and realized she had a grin on her face. ‘Is she teasing me?’ Lizzie immediately got mad, then stopped herself. She had seen Andy do this with Megan when they first arrived and had been envious of it. Now she was doing it with her, in fun. Lizzie let herself relax and grinned back. “Well, yeah. I do, but not always what they want me to read.”

Andy relaxed at Lizzie’s response and laughed. “That I can understand. It’s not always fun when it’s work.” Andy paused a minute before speaking again. “You do know that your new mom will now by your teacher, don’t you?” Andy asked gently, watching Lizzie closely to see her reaction to this news. She watched Lizzie stare at Allie as minute and then turn back to her.

“Ya’ll home school?” Lizzie asked, incredulously. She never would have picked these two women to be into that.

“Yes, we do,” Andy said. “I hope that’s not going to be an issue for you.”

“Oh,” Lizzie said, still stunned. She had to think about that for a minute. ‘Would it be worse? Having someone standing over your shoulder all day fussing at you to get your work done?’

Andy could see the wheels turning and wondered what Lizzie was thinking. She almost reached over to hug her, but contained that urge, not sure Lizzie was quite ready for that. “Maybe it’ll be easier and you’ll like it,” she suggested.

Lizzie shrugged. “Maybe.” She didn’t like much of school so she could only wait and see what would happen.

Allie joined them at this point and, unlike Andy, she sat down by Lizzie and hugged her briefly before letting her go.

Andy didn’t miss the surprised look on Lizzie’s face or the look of wonder. She wished she’d gone with her urge and hugged Lizzie earlier.

“How’s it going?” Allie asked, smiling at her family.

“I was just telling Lizzie about you being her new teacher,” Andy said, smiling at her partner.

“Mommy my teaper too,” Katie added, actually removing her thumb to tell Lizzie this.

Lizzie couldn’t help but grin at her. “And what are you learning?” Lizzie asked and laughed when Katie immediately launched into her alphabet song.

Allie and Andy grinned at the display between the girls. Allie hugged Lizzie again and Andy squeezed Katie tight. When Katie finished her song, Lizzie joined in the clapping and praise of a job well done.

“How about some lunch, babe?” Andy asked after Katie was done impressing them.

“Good idea. I’ll tell the headmistress.” Allie headed over to her.

Andy didn’t miss the disappointed look on Lizzie’s face at Andy’s question. She smiled at her. “Is there anything you need to get before we go?”

Lizzie’s head flew up and she stared at Andy in confusion. “Go?”

“To lunch,” Andy clarified, still smiling at her.

It took a minute for it to dawn on Lizzie. “I get to go too?” she asked incredulously.

This time Andy couldn’t resist and she reached over and hugged Lizzie to her. “Yes, you do and I’m really sorry you can’t go home with us today, but don’t worry. It’s only a couple more days and things should be straight.”

Lizzie had a hard time keeping herself from crying. She had been shocked when Andy hugged her but the relaxed and enjoyed it. Before long, Allie came back and the rest of the kids joined them. After a bathroom break, they headed out.

Continued in Part 3

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