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~* The Wedding Planner: Pt. 2 *~ “Um, Aunt Jane?” I hesitantly asked. She paused, turning back to me. “Yes dear?” “Can I ask you a really personal question?” I bit my lip. She stepped closer, concern washing over her face. “Robin, what’s wrong?” “Are you really okay with … with me? With Margie and Kelly?”

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I had another basketball game Tuesday evening, and even though it was a home game, I was beginning to understand what Moira meant the other day. I now had three days’ worth of homework to catch up on in addition to the game, but Allison and I talked it over with Jennifer and Nicole, agreeing to meet up after the game and go straight back to Allison’s to work on it together.

I had just come back downstairs again after a quick e-mail check, when someone knocked at the door. Figuring it was Allison coming to see if I was ready yet, I bellowed, “It’s open!” then turned to head for the kitchen. The door swung open, and I glanced back to catch a glimpse of Sensei Rogers standing there, roses in one hand, and a rather large smile on his face. I stopped abruptly, spun around, and rushed over to wrap him in a hug.

“Hi Sen-Oops, I mean Ash.” I giggled as he placed his free arm gently around my shoulders to hug me back.

“Hi Robin. Is your mother home?”

Eyeing the roses, I shot him a knowing smile even as I shook my head. “She called to say she would be just a few minutes late. You guys are still on for dinner after my game, right?”

“Yes, I thought I’d surprise her and take her to Chez Marceau.”

I couldn’t help giggling at that as I stepped away, motioning for him to follow me into the kitchen. At first I didn’t say anything, instead pulling a small knife from a kitchen drawer, and using it to brutally assault a fresh orange. I dramatically inhaled the pungent, sweet smell, and finally, he laughed.

“Okay, I give up. What’s the inside joke?”

I started giggling again. “Let’s just say, Nikki has a reputation there. Tell the maitre d Nikki Morgan is your future step-daughter’s girlfriend.”

“That won’t get us thrown out will it?” he teased, fighting a laugh. I poked him playfully in the stomach with my orange-holding hand, setting the knife aside now that it had served its purpose.

“Not at all. You might get a better table, though. The head chef’s a really nice guy.”

“Who’s a nice guy?” I heard Mom call from the kitchen door. Both Ash and I spun to face her, still dressed in her hospital scrubs. She stood in the doorway with her arms folded, eyeing us both suspiciously, at least until she saw the roses. “Oh, Ash… You shouldn’t have!”

“Oh, I didn’t. They’re for my other girlfriend,” he joked. I glanced between them, causing Mom to laugh.

“He’s kidding! Or at least he had better be!” she replied as she stepped closer. I giggled, biting into my fruit snack as I watched them embrace. The way Mom looked into his eyes, and the way he smiled so gently back at her, they were well and truly in love. It reminded me a lot of Nicole and me.

Ash glanced back at me. “So, has she asked you?”

“About the wedding? Yes! Aunt Jane took down my measurements so I get to model for the others,” I bubbled excitedly, and then asked, “Hey, what time is it?”

“Quarter to five,” Mom answered, nodding toward the electric range’s bright green clock face. “What time is your game?”

“Five-thirty. I’d better go see if Ally’s ready yet.”

Ash reached out to catch my arm gently. “Robin, before you go, I wanted to ask you something.”

“Sure, what is it?” I asked, as I turned back. I couldn’t help smiling. He smiled nervously, but Mom gave him a light, encouraging nudge.

“Well, I’ve been thinking. If I’m going to be a part of the family, I’d like to get to know you a little bit better, not just as your Sensei, but as a friend as well.”

“What he means,” Mom to the rescue! “Is that we talked about it while you were on your ski trip, and we both feel that you two could use a little father-daughter bonding time.”

“That sounds like fun!” I responded immediately. I had to try very hard to fight the giggle at the relief etched on his face. “What’d you have in mind?”

“I haven’t quite worked that one out yet,” he admitted with a sheepish smile. “What do you want to do?”

“You know, I’ve lived in Connecticut for like six months now, made regular trips to New Haven for my doctor appointments and a couple of dates with Nikki, but I’ve never really just ‘played tourist’.”

His smile broadened at that. “You know Yale University is in New Haven?”

I stared blankly back at him. “Wait, what? You mean THE Yale University?!”

“The same,” he answered simply. I knew what I wanted to do!

“Do you think it wouldn’t be too boring to visit? I mean, in addition to anything else we do together. I could always just go with Nikki though,” I quickly offered, but he shook his head.

“Not at all. It’s more than just a school. There’s the Yale University Art Gallery and the Peabody Museum of Natural History just to name two.”

“Oh jeeze, now you’ll never get me back out of there!” I giggled. “That sounds perfect though! I can’t wait!” I squealed, running up and hugging both of them. Mom smiled as she kissed my forehead.

“You’re only a sophomore, but it can’t hurt to explore collegiate options too.”

“Mom, you’re not seriously suggesting that I should go to Yale?” I asked, a little surprised.

“I’m just saying you should keep an open mind, sweetheart,” she answered and leaned forward to kiss my forehead. “Now, you’d better to get Allison if you two are going to get a ride to the game with us. Are you still coming home with Nicole?”

“Yeah, we’re going over to Ally’s to finish our homework,” I responded even as I turned to head out.

~oOo~

Saturday came far too slowly for me! Ash and I hadn’t set a specific date yet for me to tour the university campus, though I had been thinking about it all week. I just couldn’t picture myself at a place like that.

I always took pride in keeping up my grades mostly because Academics were the one thing I knew I could do. I would’ve been destroyed in guys’ sports, and girls’ sports weren’t much easier. At least the other girls weren’t actively trying to tear each other apart though. Even Brittany had really lightened up since September.

Carol generously offered to drive us in her SUV so we could save gas by just taking one vehicle. Margie had some sort of problem at Touch of Style that required her personal supervision, but she promised she’d be there for the next fitting. As we reached the New Haven city limits, I felt Nicole gently squeeze my hand. I glanced back at her with a smile.

“You okay? You’ve been quiet the whole ride,” she offered, leaning over to plant a peck on my cheek. I smiled back at her and nodded.

“Yeah. I’ve just been thinking about college.”

Nicole laughed. “Jeeze, I thought you were going to slow down!”

I giggled. “Oh, no! Not like that. I just found out this week that Yale is here in New Haven is all. Ash is going to take me on a campus tour some time.”

Allison leaned forward to stare at me. “You didn’t know Yale’s in New Haven? You DO realize Nikki’s dad graduated from there, right?”

Nicole grinned silently, as if waiting to see how I’d respond. I just stared blankly at both of them, which caused them to start giggling.

Jennifer reached out to lightly pat my shoulder. “You should definitely consider it if you can swing the tuition. I’ll probably be attending CSU at least for my two-year, but I’m trying not to think about it too much yet.”

I nodded. “I am too. I don’t even know what I’d want to do for a degree yet.”

“You’d make a great doctor or nurse, for what it’s worth,” Allison offered. “I’m thinking about business myself.”

Nicole stretched her arms out, folding her hands behind her head in an exaggerated relaxed pose. “Me? I plan on being famous like Moira.” Allison and I glanced at each other, and goosed Nicole’s sides in unison, causing her to squeal. “Ow, hey! I was kidding! Naw, really I’m thinking about a veterinary degree, maybe specializing in large animals like horses. What about you Jen?”

Jennifer rolled her shoulders lazily. “Like I said, I’m trying not to think about it too much.”

“But you have thought about it,” Allison responded, shooting Jennifer a knowing smile. Jennifer hesitated.

“Okay, okay. Promise you guys won’t laugh?”

“We promise,” Nicole answered solemnly.

I added a moment later, “Why would we? You’re like, coolness incarnate.”

She giggled. “Okay, I’m thinking about Marine Biology.”

Nicole’s eyes widened as she turned to stare at her. “Seriously? Jen that’s so cool!”

“You think so?” she asked, surprised.

“Totally!” Allison chimed in.

I noticed Mom and Carol exchange a brief glance during our conversation, but neither of them said anything. I guess they were just happy their daughters were seriously discussing career options. We passed the next ten or so minutes to Jane’s penthouse with idle chit-chat about school and the new gowns.

I knew Jane’s building would be upscale, but nothing could have really prepared me for it. After Jane buzzed us in, we entered a spacious lobby that would put some hotels to shame, with its marble floors and high-polished brass fixtures, though the centerpiece impressed me the most.

Beethoven’s “Für Elise” filled the air, albeit at a slow pace, coming from a large black grand piano sat at the center of the room. A familiar freckle-faced bassist sat at it. I almost didn’t notice the security guard lazily reading a comic book, reclined behind the counter in the far corner of the lobby. I couldn’t put my finger on why, but the song sounded different from when Kelly played it. I’d have to ask her about it later.

Moira smiled up at us as we approached. “Hi girls,” she offered as she stopped playing and stood. Nicole giggled.

“Moira, that was amazing. How come you didn’t tell us you can play piano too?”

“Jessica taught me a few things,” she responded, rolling her shoulders lightly. “I’m more at home with a stringed instrument, but I like to come down here once in awhile and entertain visitors. Jane’s expecting you, if you want to go ahead and head upstairs.”

“It’s the 22nd floor, right?” I asked, just to be sure. She nodded.

“Yeah, corner penthouse,” she replied with a smile, returning to the piano. The security guard regarded us with a casual glance as we approached the elevator, but since he didn’t say anything, we simply stepped inside.

Aunt Jane’s floor, unlike the lobby, had lush, dark red carpet offset with golden diamond patterns, each diamond possessing a flower-like pattern at its center in gold, blue and white. Wall lamps set against cream-colored wallpaper lit the way to our destination.

“Hi Linda, Carol! Hello girls!” Aunt Jane offered cheerfully as she opened the door. Without hesitation, she and Mom exchanged a quick hug. She motioned for us to step inside. The penthouse wasn’t what I was expecting.

Jane always struck me as being a very organized, neat individual. She never had a hair out of place, but it looked like a tornado had been through here, with bits of fabric and half-finished gowns stretched out across furniture.

“Don’t mind the mess,” she mused with a chuckle. “I’m normally more organized than this, but I wanted to get the prototype gowns finished as quickly as possible. Linda, Robin, if you’ll come with me, I’ll get your gowns.”

She paused and turned to the others. “Can I get you anything to drink? Tea, coffee? Moira keeps a stock of sodas in the refrigerator too.” As if on cue, the door opened, Moira stepping inside.

“Oh, speak of the devil,” Jane teased.

Moira grinned. “Shouldn’t you be fitting your models? Go on, I’ll take care of our guests.”

As Jane ushered us into the master bedroom, I overheard Moira repeating Jane’s earlier question, and Nicole stifling a giggle.

“Oh, Jane,” Mom practically gushed. A dressmaker’s dummy sat in one corner of the room with Mom’s gown delicately draped over it. Well, the beginnings of a gown, at least. Mom’s dress still lacked the finer details, but the basic shape was there.

Jane smiled proudly. “I still have a lot of work to do, but I wanted to get the basic feel down as soon as possible so I could see how it looks on you. Robin,” she added, turning to me, “I have yours ready as well, but before I show it to you, I want to warn you that I made some changes.”

“That’s fine, Aunt Jane,” I offered. “You and Margie are like, artistic geniuses.”

She chuckled politely, motioning for me to follow her into, what I thought, was just a closet. Her ‘closet’ had to be the size of my bedroom. At the center, another dressmaker’s dummy stood, holding a lavender gown. The only real change I could spot was that the cris-cross v bodice didn’t swoop as low, and that the hem looked like it would hang just at my mid-calf.

“Just like your Mother’s, I’m not finished with this yet. I’m also going to add some accents to the Maid of Honor’s gown. Now, there is one thing I need to discuss, though I’m not entirely certain how to approach the subject. How much are you ah… ‘developing’, as a girl?”

“Developing?” I asked, a little uncertain what she meant, exactly. She bit her lip.

“Your breasts, dear.”

“Oh!” I giggled. “They’re real, if that’s what you mean. They’re small, but they’re real.”

“Ah, so you’re taking female hormones, then?”

“Yeah. They just recently upped my dosage a little bit, but they said I should still expect a gradual change.”

“Hm. I’ll measure you again about a month before the wedding, just to be on the safe side. I’ll give you some privacy so you can change. Just ask if you need anything.”

“Um, Aunt Jane?” I hesitantly asked.

She paused, turning back to me. “Yes dear?”

“Can I ask you a really personal question?” I bit my lip.

She stepped closer, concern washing over her face. “Robin, what’s wrong?”

“Are you really okay with … with me? With Margie and Kelly?”

She frowned, but not in anger or disappointment. It was more like a perplexed, contemplative frown. Suddenly she blinked. “You mean, ‘Am I okay with my only daughter in a lesbian relationship, and her transgendered half-sister’?”

She smiled despite her blunt answer, pulling me into a hug. “Sweetheart, I can never fully make up to you the way I acted when we first met, but I love you both. Am I disappointed that I can’t plan a big wedding for Margie? A little, but I would be more disappointed if she didn’t follow her heart.”

She exhaled slowly as she looked away. “When I was young, I married for the wrong reasons, and I regretted it. I regretted that Margie had to see us arguing. I regretted that I put my baby in a position like that, in a loveless household. I don’t want her to make the same mistake.” She turned back to me, fresh tears in her eyes. “And even though your situation is different, the sentiment is the same.”

I smiled and hugged her tightly. “Thanks, Aunt Jane,” I whispered, leaning up to kiss her cheek. “It’s not that I hadn’t forgiven you, either. I was worried about you.”

“You have a good heart,” she offered softly, and kissed my forehead. “And who knows, I might yet get to plan a big ceremony for Margie and Kelly some day.” She grinned, turning to step out again.

Now at least, I had my answer. I had to believe she was telling the truth. To not believe her now would be to not trust her, and that would undermine everything we had all worked toward to make our unconventional little family work.

I felt a lot better though, as I draped my gown into place. I noticed a shoebox resting just behind the dummy, and smiled as I opened it to find the matched lavender sandals.

“She really does think of everything,” I mused as I stepped into my shoes, and then turned to step back into the main bedroom.

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