At Last

What follows was one of the most joyous nights of your young life.

You and Elsie go upstairs and wash up then head back to your room. You sit and play a few games and chat about a few things. What had just happened down stairs, what you were going to do with all of your old stuff back in your old bedroom, and most concerning...what was going to happen tomorrow. Being apart from Elsie was soul rending, a strange type of agony and longing that was just indescribable. Neither of you knew what you were going to do when you were **** apart.

The mood is brightened when you hear Fiona and Allison laughing from behind Fiona's closed door. You and El look to the hall and smile, it sounded like they were getting along in there. There is some louder talking then more laughter. Heck, they might even be hitting it off!

After a couple hours your mother comes up stairs and peers in through your open doorway. "Dinner's ready." You and El are sitting side by side on the bed wearing near matching pajamas, you both turn your head in unison and nod. Your mother just stands at the door and gazes at you. She finally shakes her head and laughs. "Peas in a pod..."

She turns and knocks on Fiona's door and repeats. "Dinner's ready."

"We'll be down in a bit." You ear Fiona's muffled voice.

Some extra chairs are brought to the table and you all crowd around. Together you share a delicious chicken with truffle sauce along with an out of this world Fettuccine Alfredo and steamed asparagus and fresh rustic bread. With Peggy here it looked like the menu was about to become decidedly more upscale. A fine red wine is served to everyone but you, due to your recovery. You break bread and share company. It was simply wonderful. The laughter, the stories, the bonding. At the table you now see there is absolutely something happening between Fiona and Allison. They keep stealing glances at one another and your older sister is on her very best behavior. Her snide bitchy comments almost nonexistent. The meal is finished and still you sit and talk and open up with each other. You hear stories from Aunt Peg of your mother's childhood that you had never heard before. The place roars with laughter as your mother blushes and grins. It sounded like your mother had always been an odd duck.

At one point, as Fiona was sharing a tale of the Bailey sisters raiding old man Frasier's garden as kids, you notice Allison was sitting silently and just watching. She was having a contemplative moment. You could just make out the sparkle of a tear in the corner of her eye. She was looking around the table in something approaching awe or reverent admiration. From what you had heard from her she had grown up in a very well to do but very cold and emotionally distant family. Her parents were strict and had isolated her from the world for far too long. As an isolated only child she had no stories like the ones she was hearing here. She often spoke of how wonderful university life was, finally being away from all that. Now, here, seeing the Bailey's easy warmth and love and companionship she was seeing a whole different kind of family life. You reach across and squeeze her hand. She looks to you and you both share a little smile. Your expression conveying, 'You are welcome here.'

The only possible sour note of the whole otherwise perfect meal was your regret that Chloe wasn't there. Peggy felt it too, she brought up her daughter from time to time with obvious pride. She laughed about how when Chloe was growing up she would serve her girl fine fare like you had just enjoyed yet Chloe always just wanted pizza or hamburgers or mashed potatoes. Especially mashed potatoes. You learn that Chloe adored her Aunt Helen's cooking. Not the fancy stuff, just the basic day to day meals your mother would make. Your mom was flattered to hear it. More than ever you wanted to get the whole clan under one roof. Maybe it was just a fantasy, but you had to try.

Eventually your mother stands up and announces. "Well...it's Sunday night."

You, Elsie, and Fiona all groan at once. "Oh nooooo! Not tonight!"

Allison and Peg look at each other in confusion. Your mother takes her empty wine glass and walks to the counter and grabs another bottle of red. "Come on everyone."

You look at Peg and explain with a sigh of exasperation. "It's Simon and Simon night."

Your aunt bursts out laughing. "Oh my..." She looks at her sister with a wide open smile of disbelief. "You still watch that? Oh my god, you had such a crush on those two!"

"Still does." Gripes Fiona. "She wants to fuck the one and be fucked by the other."

Your aunt is laughing so hard she has to take off her glasses and wipe the tears from her eyes. "I know..I know.." Looking up at her sister with a look of utter amusement. "I love you so much!" She starts laughing all over again.

"What's Simon and Simon?" Allison wonders aloud.

Your mother walks around to her, tucking the wine bottle under her arm she takes Allison by the hand. "Come on Allie, don't listen to them. It's the best show ever. You are in for a real treat." Allison stands and is lead to the living room by your still talking mother. "I have the DVD box set, it was actually quite hard to find, what I had to do was..." And they are gone.

The rest of you laugh and get up to follow. Clearing the table could wait.

Together you sit and watch a few episodes of the old detective comedy. Your mom kept Allison right by her side the whole time, telling her all about the show and weird insider details of this particular episode or this particular scene. You and El cuddled together on the floor as Fiona sits in a nearby chair and patiently watches the shows you'd all seen dozens of times, she seemed lost in thought. Occasionally she would glance at Allison, Allie would sometimes catch one of these glances and smile back, and you see a confused look come over your big sister. Peg was sitting opposite Allison beside your mom. For her this was a nostalgia trip, and one she was very much enjoying. The wine was flowing and both your aunt and mom were getting tipsy.

At one point your mother says. "Look at those two boys. They're both so..." She sighs. "Which do you like better Allison?"

Allie shrugs. "The blonde one. He's cute."

Your mother's face brightens and she nods. "Hah!" Forgetting who she was talking to she puts her hands out then pulls them back toward her, making an obvious 'male' type thrusting motion. "Could you imagine!? Reaming that sweet little ass..."

"Um...no actually." Allison quips. The whole room bursts into laughter.

After a few episodes some nice background music is played and the group of you settle into talking once more. Allison is able to escape from your mother and takes a seat closer to Fiona. You notice a subtle unspoken exchange between them as she sits. Fiona didn't say anything but she was happy Allison moved.

This conversation is less mirthful and more intimate. There is a lot of talk about house hunting and how happy everyone is about Aunt Peg moving in. You and El buy yourselves a little time by saying you were going to stay home the next day. Your situation is brought up and there is a lot of quiet consternation around it. By you now looking exactly like El it would be a hard sell that you simply had a sex change. Peg was also still confused by it all and makes you promise to come back to the lab at some point so she can look the two of you over thoroughly. There is talk of the future and some planning as well.

Both Fiona and Allison are quiet for much of the night. You notice at some point Allie had reached across to rest her hand on Fiona's. She held it there naturally and comfortably and was slowly stroking Fiona with her thumb. Fiona sat stiffly and didn't return the attention, but neither did she reject it.

At one point an old song comes up on the playlist and your Aunt gets a funny look in her eye. She suddenly stands, she wobbles a bit from the wine but soon finds her balance. She reaches down and offers her sister her hand. "Shall we?"

Your mother has a wistful tearful grin. "Oh Peggy..."

She stands. As the rest of you watch they walk around the front of the coffee table and take each other in their arms. They begin to dance. A slow romantic dance. Their eyes are closed as they rock slowly and smoothly to the music, holding each other close, neither leading and neither following. You sit silently and watch the two star crossed lovers find each other at last. You think about what it would have been like for them, denying their feelings for over twenty long years. What regrets they must have, but things were finally set right.

You and El look at each other and fall in love all over again. You would not make the same mistake. Together you stand and take each other in your arms. You too begin slow dancing with the woman you love.

After a little you hear Allison's voice whisper. "Come on..."

Fiona responds. "Um..." And there is an awkward pause.

Allison then says softly. "It's okay baby. I'll teach you."

And soon there are three couples swaying softly to the old love song. The time drifts by dreamily as the six of you dance the night away.