Chapter 53 Goodbye, Victoria!
GOODBYE, VICTORIA!
LEAH
“Ithink it’s too big,” Lou sighed, sitting on my dressing room couch.
I pulled off my fake eyelashes and spun. “Lou, it’s perfect.”
“Is it? I don’t think it is. Leah, the address is unheard of. Seven bedrooms. Six baths? And that price tag? I could never.”
“It’s not your money.”
“Leah, it’s—”
“My dads are buying it for us. Calm down.”
She protested. “I couldn’t accept that—”
“They bought Charlotte a house, Lou. I tried to protest, but they won’t shut up. Papa gets something in his head, and it is no good to fight it, baby. Trust me.”
She groaned.
“I just closed out a Broadway show carrying our baby. The least you could do is just go look at it with me. Yeah?”
She wouldn’t protest, continuing to flip through phone pictures.
“Look at the bedroom overlooking Regents Park,” I said.
“Can we have the one with the massive wardrobe?”
“I’d insist. Or at least I will take it,” I said.
“Leah Roughy, you will not take the whole wardrobe!”
I giggled. “Fine. I will give you space.”
“It’s our house. You must share.”
I grinned. “I will. That wasn’t the room I was talking about, though.”
I slathered cold cream on my face.
“The green one?” Lou asked. “What about it? The views are pretty.”
“The window seat,” I said. “It’s a dream. And given that all your baby inspo was very Edwardian dreamscape, I think it is perfect.”
“How did—”
“I found your secret board,” I said. “You left it up on your computer the other day.”
She blushed.
“I love it. All of it, Lou. Go mad.”
“You just want to make sure you can decorate the drawing room.”
“It is in my blood. And once we have a proper family portrait—”
“Leah, slow the fuck down, would you?”
“It will happen.”
She snickered. “You are mad.”
“Well, what do you think? Is it a good nursery?”
“It’s a beautiful nursery,” Lou said. “I’d kiss you if you weren’t covered in that rubbish.”
I wiped my face and continued. “I will go look at it, but it’s too much. It’s a palace.”
“So, it’s perfect for Queen Victoria and Princess Alexandra.”
She rolled her eyes. “I could never imagine being worthy of this place.”
“Leah, the neighborhood needs more queer ladies. I am convinced of it.”
I heard a knock and spied Mac in the doorway.
“I am glad I wasn’t too late.” He entered with a bouquet and bag.
“You’re just in time,” Lou wiped tears. “We have one more contractual obligation and a quick race to the airport..”
“Brilliant,” he chuckled. “I’ll drop this off and get out of your hair.”
“It’s alright. I’m glad you came,” Lou hugged him.
I stood to do the same.
He handed me the bouquet. “That’s for you both, but somehow you look more like a flowers person, Leah. I did want to give you this, though, Lou.”
“It’s a nice thought,” Lou took the bag and dug inside.
“It’s a little heteronormative, but they don’t make much for two women.”
“What is this?” Lou pulled out a book.
She revealed the title—The Ultimate Birth Partner Guide. Big tears ran for both of us. She hugged Mac and planted big kisses on his cheeks.
I handed her a tissue. “That’s really adorable.”
“It’s sweet, yes. Thank you Mac… for everything.”
“Of course. I’ll miss you both. But hopefully I’ll see you in London when I return in a few weeks?”
Lou smiled. “Yeah, after Leah gets her Oscars.”
I laughed, “Now it’s two Oscars?”
“I’ll find a way to watch,” Mac said. “By then, I’ll be back across the ocean, but I have a feeling Her Majesty will organize something. Anyhow, you’ve got the reception and I should go.”
“Thanks for coming,” I said. “Oh, shoot! One more thing you can settle for us. What do you think of Regents Park?”
“For what? I grew up there.”
“I know. But there is a house like two blocks from your parents’ place with a huge backyard. What do you think?”
Lou rolled her eyes. “She wants to buy a palace.”
“The neighborhood is made of elites, but it’s safe and people don’t bother you. Your dads apparently are taking an apartment at KP. It’s not too far.”
“KP?” Lou asked, confused.
“Kensington Palace.”
“Good lord, Leah! Are you suggesting we should just drop the baby off at a palace?”
“Sure. They’re the grandparents. I would assume we might drop them with your parents in Sussex, too?”
Lou groaned. “Thank you Mac.”
“Sorry if I made it worse, but it’s in her blood. I am sure it’s a nice house. I’ll drop by sometime.” Mac extricated from our argument.
I turned to Lou. “You’re getting all of me, baby. Like it or not.”
She rose, approaching me and kissing my makeup-free face.
“I will love all of you until my last breath, Leah, but have mercy on my commoner arse, okay?” She pulled back and moved my face with my chin. “Hand me a wipe.”
She finished, getting the spots I hadn’t. “It was driving me mad.”
I snickered. “You’re good for that, I suppose.”
I noticed my phone buzzing. “My dads are asking how much longer we’re going to be. They’re holding the table and want to order food.”
They went ahead to the restaurant where the cast headed with their families. We’d attend the dinner and skip a trip to the clubs after. We were too old for that shit. I wanted to be home with back rubs by one.
“So, Prince George gets hangry just like you?” Lou joked.
“How did you know?”
“It’s so predictable, baby.”
I smiled and rose. “Hand me that dress.”
She followed through, handing it over. I dressed and stood at the mirror, zipping it as much as I could.
Lou followed up, finishing it. She kissed the back of my neck.
I spun, kissing her. It was the last time I’d do this in this dressing room—the place we’d spent so much time. I didn’t want to let it go.
“We closed it out,” Lou read my mind. “We gave these women life, Leah. Again and again, we played these parts. But the best is yet to come, I promise you.”
I nodded and wiped my tears. “I love you. It’s time.”
Lou stepped through the door and looked back.
It’s time, Leah.
I followed, flicking the lights off. I closed the dressing room behind me. One chapter was over, but our life together was just beginning.