Chapter 38
Ivy
It had been a couple of weeks since they had opened their hearts to each other, and Ivy had never felt closer with anyone in her life.
She enjoyed every aspect of being in a relationship with Cleo.
Even the mundane parts of it like washing dishes together after dinner at either of their places. And usually, Ivy hated doing dishes.
Another thing Ivy was thoroughly enjoying was on nights that she stayed at Cleo’s, she would find herself bundling into one of Cleo’s hoodies for the morning before getting ready for whatever the day ahead needed.
She had never known such comfort as being completely surrounded in the heady mix of Cleo’s perfume, laundry powder, and whatever intoxicating scent that was just… Cleo.
She had started to notice though, that if they weren’t together later that night and had to video chat instead, Cleo had started wearing whatever hoody of hers Ivy had worn that morning.
It had made Ivy’s heart swoon and skip a beat, and her belly flip-flop all at once the first time she noticed it.
It also hadn’t gone unnoticed that Cleo had been the one doing the coffee runs for her and Lana more often than before. However, she couldn’t help but write little love notes on Cleo’s cup regardless of whether it was her or Lana who came into the shop for their order.
She was floating on Cloud Nine, and even though tonight was the night she was introducing Cleo to her chosen family of Lucas and Gabby, her nerves weren’t anywhere near where she’d expected them to be.
They pulled up in front of their house in Cleo’s SUV, and Ivy reached over and gave Cleo’s thigh a slight squeeze. “You ready for this?” She asked with a smirk as she saw the nerves on her girlfriend’s face.
“If I say no, does that mean we can turn around and head back to mine to hide for the night?” Cleo asked, and Ivy knew there was some truth to the question.
“C’mon, you’ve got this, they’ll love you,” Ivy said with a laugh as she leaned over and kissed Cleo’s cheek. She then got out of the car and waited for Cleo to join her at the bottom of the steps that lead to Lucas and Gabby’s home.
Cleo arrived by her side a few minutes later after retrieving a gift bag from the back of the car that Ivy hadn’t noticed.
“What’s in the bag?” Ivy asked, curiously.
“A gift,” Cleo smirked at her and dipped her head to place a kiss on Ivy’s lips.
“Smart-ass,” Ivy laughed against Cleo’s lips as she kissed her again before pulling back and linking their fingers together. “Stop getting distracted, it won’t work, you’re going to meet them,” Ivy said, as she led Cleo up the stairs and through the front door.
They took off their coats and shoes, and Cleo reached for Ivy’s hand again before they headed through to the kitchen where music was playing, and dishes were clinking.
“We’re here,” Ivy called just as they made their way through the arched entrance to the kitchen.
“Ivy! Cleo!” Gabby set down the vegetables she was dicing and wiped her hands on the towel that was draped over Lucas’s shoulder before making her way over to them. “I’m so glad you could make it!” Gabby said as she enveloped Ivy in a hug before turning to Cleo.
“It’s lovely to meet you Gabby, Ivy’s told me so much about you,” Cleo said as Gabby wrapped her arms around her for a hug before pulling back with a laugh.
“I hope you don’t believe a single word of it, or maybe just some of it,” she winked at Cleo and Ivy could see her girlfriend’s shoulders relax a little.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” Cleo said, offering the bag to Gabby, “I picked you up a little something, I hope you don’t mind.”
“You brought me a present? Ivy, I’m sold, she’s a keeper.” Gabby laughed as she made her way over to the island to open the bag while Lucas walked over to Cleo.
“Great to finally meet the girl who is behind the stupid grin that’s permanently plastered on this one’s face.” Lucas hugged Cleo and walked back to the island to investigate the contents of the giftbag, landing a punch on Ivy’s arm on the way past.
“Ow! What was that for?!” Ivy tried to scowl through a laugh but failed.
“For keeping her from us for over two months before introducing us. We should take offense.”
“Oh Cleo, these are fab!” Gabby squealed as she removed two tiny white baby onesies.
The first read “Mommy’s Future Gym Buddy” with a tiny barbell underlining it, and the second one read “Freshly Brewed” with a cartoon coffee cup underneath with steam rising from it, the foam art in the design of a heart.
“Baaabe, they’re so cute!” Ivy reached up and kissed Cleo’s blushing cheek.
“Wait, you hadn't seen these?” Gabby asked Ivy.
“No, I had no idea she’d even bought them,” Ivy replied.
“So, she took it upon herself to get custom onesies made that match the theme of our businesses... and you had nothing to do with it?” Lucas asked, skeptically.
“Nope,” Ivy turned to look at Cleo as she continued in an embarrassingly dreamy tone, “that’s just how thoughtful she is.”
“Awww,” Gabby said, then turned to Lucas, “why can’t you be more thoughtful like Cleo?!”
Ivy chuckled, then regretted it when Gabby turned on her, “I don’t know what you’re laughing at, your girlfriend gave our baby a gift before you have.”
“Well, that’s just because, erm, that’s uh,” Ivy failed to come up with a reason.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Gabby smirked, turning to Cleo. “Thank you for the lovely thoughtful gift, I can’t wait to see our bambino in these.”
“Yeah, thanks Cleo, they’re great,” Lucas added.
Ivy felt Cleo relax beside her, and she knew they could now both enjoy the night.
Dinner had finished, and Ivy walked into the kitchen carrying the last of the dishes from the table.
But the sight before her made her stop and take a moment.
Cleo was rinsing the dishes and passing them to Lucas to load in the dishwasher, and Gabby was boxing up leftovers to put in the fridge.
All the while they were chatting comfortably.
Cleo fit right in with both Gabby and Lucas, and Ivy couldn’t hold back the emotions it brought, as a single tear trickled down her cheek which she couldn’t wipe away because of her full hands.
It was at that moment that Cleo had turned to her with a look that meant she knew exactly why Ivy had a tear track on her cheek.
She walked over to Ivy and wiped the tear away, before leaning in to kiss her cheek softly as she whispered so the others wouldn’t hear, “Everything ok?”
“More than ok,” Ivy replied as she tilted her head to lean into Cleo’s hand.
“Good,” Cleo smiled as she placed a chaste kiss on Ivy’s lips. “Here, let me,” and she took the dishes from Ivy’s hands to carry them over to the sink.
“I know I said it earlier,” Gabby started, as she turned to face Ivy, “but given she’s brought a gift without being prompted, and is now doing dishes without being asked, I think she’s a keeper, Ivy.”
Ivy smiled as she looked over at her girlfriend and could see the glow on Cleo’s cheeks from across the room.
“You know she’s right here and can hear you, correct?” Lucas added with a chuckle.
“You know what, Gabby?” Ivy asked with a smile, waiting for Cleo to turn and look at her, their eyes locked, “for once, I couldn’t agree with you more.”