Chapter 34
Jade
Jade still couldn’t believe the events of Friday night.
It had been five days, and she still wasn’t over it.
Introducing April to her family was huge.
For them both. Yes, April agreeing to it while still very much in the closet was huge for her, but Jade introducing the first girl ever to her parents wasn’t something to be sniffed at either.
Then there were the events that happened after. Jade smiled as she remembered the way April’s hands shook while they clung to her shirt collar as she said the words that Jade knew had slowly been fighting their way out for weeks.
The entire night was amazing. But the one thing that stuck with her most at that particular moment? It was waking up to April lightly tracing a fingertip along the fine lines of her tattoo across her back. It felt like the most intimate thing possible.
*snap*
A hand in front of her face alerted her to Will’s presence and reminded her that she had drifted off again.
“Sorry,” Jade said, grinning like the cat who got the cream.
“You’re not even close to sorry! Now, we’ve got paperwork to complete for the next lot of venues, and I’m not staying late tonight to do them.” Will said with a smirk.
“Hot date with that husband of yours?” Jade asked.
“Hardly, there’s some gala he’s dragging me to for his work, but it takes a while to get this face ready for the posh public, not just the general public.” He said with a smile.
“Stop, you couldn’t get any more handsome if you tried,” Jade smiled as her phone alerted her to a new message.
“I know that look,” Will started, “what’s her name?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jade said with a wink.
“You’ve been nothing but happy for months now. I know it has to be because of a girl, and I know it isn’t multiple girls either.” He crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows waiting for Jade to answer.
She took a deep breath and slowly let it out.
“Three things,” she held up her fingers to count them off, Will nodding in agreement for her to continue.
“Number one, yes, I have been seeing someone for the past few months and that’s why I’m happy.
” Will nodded and smiled, “Number two,” she let out a sigh, “she’s not out yet, and it’s not my place to do so even to my friends until she decides that she’s in the right place to come out on her own terms.” Will slowly nodded in understanding.
“And number three, yes, she’s just text me and I have to open it as she’s dressed up for an event today and I need to see her in the dress I sat for hours in a boutique helping her pick out. ”
Will laughed and sat back from his place at her desk to give her privacy to look at her phone.
APRIL
Hey babe, as promised many weeks ago now, here’s me all ready to go to Dani’s wedding! The outfit is only complete because of the stunning jewelry you gave me. I love them! What do you think? Passable? X
Jade’s eyes just about popped out her head.
Passable didn’t even come close to describing the woman smiling back at her from her phone screen.
April had taken the selfie while she stood with her back to a full-length mirror which allowed Jade to see both the front and back of her partner in that dress.
April had left her hair down, Jade’s favorite, but she must have used a different product as each ringlet was defined and sleek.
Yet she had pulled each side of her hair back to tuck in under the back ringlets, highlighting her jaw and cheekbones.
She had dark slate grey smoky eyes that went with the stunning petrol blue satin dress.
The jewelry that Jade had given her sat perfectly with the neckline of her dress, and her hairstyle let the earrings catch the light to the point of distraction.
Jade really wanted to be there to appreciate the outfit in person.
JADE
Baaaaaaaaabe!!! Are you kidding me??? PASSABLE is the absolute WORST word to use! I can think of far more appropriate ones: smoke show, gorgeous, stunning, beautiful, sexy, irresistible – do I need to go on? Because I can!! X
APRIL
OMG stop, you’re making me blush!! My Mom is already wondering why I’m standing here with a grin on my face while looking at my phone.
She’s taking me to the wedding, and my folks are going to the reception.
I really wish I was brave enough to have you by my side today.
I’d say you’d look amaaaaazing all done up X
JADE
You know I’d be there in heartbeat, showing you off on my arm and proud to be by your side.
BUT, that’ll happen on another day. Just not today, and we have to be ok with that.
Mostly because you know if I was there right now, I’d just distract you from enjoying Dani’s big day ;) so go have fun, but make sure to remember you’re spoken for when everyone’s drooling over how amazing you look X
APRIL
Not like you’re biased in any way about any of that! ;) You know you’re the only one for me babe! I’ll send you a photo later with Dani X
The grin on Jade’s face was all Will needed to know, right?
Jade knew it was there, covering her entire face.
She wasn’t embarrassed. She had no shame about the new levels of pure joy she was experiencing recently.
Hopefully one day she’ll be in a position where she really didn’t care who knew. And neither would April.
“Firstly,” Will began, “let me just say, that any girl who can make you look like that simply by seeing a photo of her, must be incredibly special.” Will raised his eyebrows, and Jade nodded her blushing head for him to continue.
“Second, the fact that you have this level of happiness, and yet are willing to keep it between you until she’s ready, proves to me that what you have together is good for you. ”
“Even if it feels like we’re hiding?” Jade’s smile faltered as she asked, knowing Will completely understood her position.
“Please, listen to this if you listen to nothing else that I ever have to say to you again.” Will waited for Jade to nod before continuing.
“Jade, know that in doing this for her it doesn’t mean you’re hiding.
Trust me, I’ve seen hiding, I know hiding.
This, Jae, is choosing to support your.. .” Will waited.
“Partner,” Jade said through a smile and glassy eyes.
“Partner.” Will said with a small smile and nod in approval.
“This is choosing to support your partner through a very difficult and vulnerable time in her life. It’s that simple.
There will come a time when the topic is different, but the roles are reversed, and you’ll lean on her for support.
It’s not easy, and I understand why you’re feeling the way you are.
But Jae, you’re not hiding. You’re protecting her. That’s something not many would do.”
“Thanks, Will. It means a lot to hear that,” Jade said softly.
“Now, I don’t want to know her name, or see her face, but given the huge grin you had moments ago I’m going to need you to zoom in on that photo to hide her face but show the fabulous outfit you helped her pick.” Will chuckled.
Jade shook her head with a smile as she did what Will requested, but took a moment to look at her stunning partner once more before adjusting the photo to show her work-husband.