Chapter 31 Gemma
GEMMA
Gemma shot her grandmother a grateful look. Mary had declared that as the fathers had fallen asleep last time they were at the opera, this time around they could sit in the front row with their wives so she could keep an eye on them.
They were in the same box as last time, and again Rory and Gemma took the seats by the wall.
This time though, with their parents safely in the front row and the grandmothers sending sly but pleased glances at them, they were free to hold hands.
The hum of the audience buzzed around them, and the energy crackled in the air.
Tonight, they were seeing Die Fledermaus, an uproarious comedy with jolly toe-tapping music.
The lights dimmed, and the audience fell silent.
Gemma interlaced her fingers with Rory's as the rest of the audience applauded the conductor. The music started, and as the overture tripped away, Gemma felt her heart soar. There were few times in her life that she could say she was truly content, but this was easily one of them. She looked at the parents in front of them. For once, they sat with their partners. Rory’s parents were directly in front of them.
They held hands and as the music slowed, Amanda rested her head on her husband’s shoulder.
Gemma had noticed both she and Rory had red-rimmed eyes when she’d returned from the shop with her mum but hadn’t talked about it with Rory yet.
As neither looked upset, she hoped they’d had a positive talk.
The overture sped back up, and Gemma could feel Rory tapping her foot along with the music.
She turned her head and saw the most beautiful smile gracing Rory's face.
Affection for Rory washed over her. She wanted to take Rory in her arms and save her from ever having to face tears again.
The action on the stage tripped along and bubbled like the champagne they had shared earlier that evening.
It was a light-hearted operetta and just what they both needed after the emotions of the last couple of days.
Gemma rested her hand on Rory's thigh, and all the uncertainties of her life melted away at the feel of Rory's firm muscle under her hand.
They were going to watch the first two acts of the opera before breaking for dinner, and Gemma's stomach was rumbling. As entertaining as the action on the stage was, the woman next to her was more captivating, and Gemma was almost counting down the minutes until they could be alone again. Rory had mentioned wanting to take a walk around the garden, and Gemma hoped they could go by themselves. She needed time with her girlfriend and couldn’t really pay attention to anything happening on stage.
Before Gemma knew it, they were dashing into the second act.
She was about to let her mind wander off to thoughts of what she and Rory could do when they got back to the hotel later, when her attention was drawn to the action on the stage.
The scene was now at a lavish party with the singers all wearing ball gowns and tails.
Just as she was imagining Rory in white tie with tails, she noticed the prince swaggering across the stage.
They oozed confidence and privilege. She ignored the singing and focused on the prince.
Her face flushed as she realised that Prince Orlovsky was sexy, commanding and undeniably female.
As she sang, her rich mezzo-soprano voice soared over the audience and danced on Gemma's ears.
Swallowing hard, Gemma looked again at the prince.
She had seen women in trouser roles before, but this time it hit her in the stomach, she really found a woman in a tux attractive.
She chuckled to herself. She’d wondered if she would find Rory attractive as she presented more masculine, and here she was making eyes at another woman in a suit.
Perhaps she was developing a type. As the song ended and the audience applauded enthusiastically, Gemma felt a finger caress the side of her face.
Rory used her strong fingers to turn Gemma's face towards her.
“Do I have competition?” Her face was full of mirth, and her eyes danced with mischief.
Gemma allowed herself to be drawn forward to Rory and gently laid a kiss on her lips. “No contest, babe. I’m all yours.”
Anything Rory would have said in response to that was disturbed by Phyllis tapping Gemma on the shoulder and wagging her finger at her. Suitably chastised, Gemma turned back to the stage.
“I think you will be very good for her.” Phyllis whispered, almost too quiet for Gemma to hear, before patting her hand as she had with Rory.
That small act of acceptance was everything to Gemma, and a deep affection for the older woman engulfed her.
They emerged from the auditorium with the music ringing in their ears.
The sun was just starting to think about setting, and a slight chill had descended.
It was a stark contrast to the searing heat they had encountered in early May when they had last been.
The change in them was also totemic. Then, they had been all but strangers.
Now they were girlfriends, lovers, and Rory had discovered a new side to herself that Gemma was absolutely loving to see develop.
Rory had asked her to go for a walk in the gardens, and Gemma rejoiced in being alone with her at last. Sitting next to her in the theatre had been sweet torture.
Once away from the rest of the family, Gemma gripped Rory’s hand.
They strolled along the pathway towards the art exhibition when a shrill voice cut across them.
“Aurora? Is that you?”
Gemma stilled at the familiarity of the voice.
This person knew Rory, and Gemma was surprised as Rory didn't seem to have too many friends outside work and the gym. Apparently, her ‘friends’ had followed Darcy when she had called off the engagement. She turned to Rory, and a chill washed over her at the look on her girlfriend’s face.
All colour had drained from Rory, and she looked like she had seen a ghost. Gemma whipped her head around to see who was talking to them and came face to face with the visage that had haunted her on Facebook all those months ago.
“Darcy?” Gemma asked as she suspected Rory couldn’t form words.
“Yes. And you are?” Darcy's icy blue eyes were as cold as the words that came out of her mouth. They took a slow look down and then up Gemma's dress before fixing on their clasped hands.
“I’m Gemma.”
Gemma felt no need to say anything more than that.
Not only because she didn't know if Rory wanted Darcy to know about their relationship, but also not caring what Darcy thought or wanting to spend any more time with her than necessary. She was in Rory’s past, and Gemma was her future.
She squeezed Rory's hand, hoping to elicit some sort of response from her frozen girlfriend.
“Oh, you’re Gemma.” Darcy wafted a dismissive hand at her. “I remember Aurora telling me about you. You're the friend from school, right?”
Gemma ground her teeth together but wouldn't give Darcy the satisfaction of seeing that she was upsetting her. Rory squeezed Gemma’s hand and inclined her head towards Darcy. Gemma understood in an instant.
“Actually, Darcy.” Gemma shifted their hands so that her fingers interlaced with Rory’s. It was a subtle marking of her territory, but one that she hoped wouldn't go unnoticed. “We’re dating. Rory is my girlfriend.”
Judging by the widening of Darcy’s eyes, Gemma figured she hadn't been expecting that. She preened internally and pulled Rory towards her.
“Dating?” Darcy flicked her head from side to side as she looked between them. “But we’ve only been broken up for six months.”
“Actually, it’s been more like twelve.” Rory's voice was clear as she corrected her ex-fiancée. “And what can I say? When you know, you know. Gemma and I reconnected three months ago, and it was right from the moment we saw each other.” Rory turned her head to Gemma and smiled. For a moment, Gemma lost herself in the rich brown of Rory’s eyes and the feelings that shone out from them.
The shared moments of the last few months flew silently between them as they both relived the moments of their relationship with a look.
“Well, I can definitely see that you’ve ‘moved on’ since our relationship.” Darcy’s look was sneering and dismissive as she looked Rory up and down. “This is the look you wanted for our wedding, if I remember correctly.”
“Not quite.” Rory grinned, and Gemma shivered.
It was not the loving sort of grin that she had seen Rory shoot at her over the last few months.
It was a cold, calculating grin. Similar to one that a cartoon shark would have before devouring its prey.
“Gemma has been very supportive of me changing my look and has supported me in becoming who I am.” Rory tugged Gemma closer and pressed a kiss to her forehead before turning back to her ex. “I’m happy, Darcy. I hope you are too.”
Darcy pouted and pursed her lips as a thousand conversations showed on her face. She was obviously in turmoil as to what to say. Gemma stifled a giggle, amused at how Rory had easily dismissed Darcy.
“We should get back to our parents,” Gemma said quietly to Rory.
“And they support this?” Darcy waved a hand between them.
Gemma paused for a moment. Did Darcy mean their relationship or Rory's gender expression? She felt Rory stiffen next to her. They couldn't lie and say the families were supportive because they didn't know.
“Yes Darcy, they have been fully supportive.” Rory tightened an arm around Gemma, and Gemma smiled at her vague use of language.
Over the past few weeks, Gemma had noticed that Rory tended towards precise language when she spoke.
A by-product of being a solicitor, she assumed.
But now, she used that skill against Darcy and was intentionally vague.
Darcy looked annoyed at that and pursed her lips again.