A New Future

Space.

The final frontier. Also the word that comes to mind as we begin looking around the apartment above the Free Ride. Just so much space. Two bedrooms, bathroom, living room, separate kitchen, this place is a palace. Even with the noise pollution it's insane to think no one snapped it up. I mean, earplugs aren't that expensive, and it's hard to hear much when my head is between my girlfriend's thighs anyway.

Said girlfriend looks amazed at flat too, I guess home is pretty small compared to what she's used to, especially with so many people. She wanders around the empty space as if she's in some kind of trance, before halting in the middle of the room and turning to me. She has that mischievous look on her face as she beckons me to come closer. I oblige and she places one of my hands on her shoulder, before placing one of hers on my waist, leaving the other hands locked together.

Slowly, she begins to sway to some non-existent music, then slowly takes a step to the side, bit by bit, inch by inch, she shows me the steps, staring into my eyes the whole time.

"You like it?" I ask, with a grin forming on both our faces as we continue our dance around the empty living room.

"It feels... Like home." She replies, pulling me closer, until my head is resting on her shoulder. It really does feel comfortable, but more than that.. It feels like it's where we're meant to be right now. Together, in this flat... My mind races with thought of the things we'll experience here. Maybe planning a wedding? Maybe looking at options for kids? Friends, family, meals, sleepless nights, stupid arguments, trials, tribulations, the whole thing... I want all of it.

We finally pull apart as we hear footsteps following us up the stairs, soon enough we're joined by a familiar face. "Hey, I hear you're our new tenants!" Skye greets us.

I look to Elise, then back to her. "I... We didn't say we'd take it yet." I correct her. I mean, we are, very clearly, but Jessie doesn't know that.

"Me and Rob had to find a place, remember? I know what it's like to find a decent home around here, this place is a steal, you're obviously gonna take it." Skye laughs.

"Alright, you caught us." Elise smiles. "How come you, Anya, and Jessie aren't taking it? I'd have thought you'd be first in line now that it's not occupied."

The rocker snorts at the implication. "We basically live here already, we all agreed it's better to stay at our place, keep that work/life balance separate, you know?" She explains. "That's the nice thing with being poly, three heads are better than two, we can think about this stuff, more processing power." She adds, tapping her head.

"Hmm... Lapin, remind me to check the bathroom for video cameras before we move in. Skye with a brain is a worrying thought." Elise chuckles, forcing a fake look of shock and offense from Skye. I can't help but feel joy at Elise's excitement, it makes me feel just as excited... Which gives ma another thought, a benefit of the noise.

No one will be able to hear when I make her scream.

*

We finally arrive home, after a long day. Elise has our contract firmly in her hand, Jessie's looking to get someone moved in as soon as possible, so it could be within the next few weeks... That means another thing to celebrate on my birthday on Saturday... But it also means I can't hold off talking to Mum anymore. We walk through the door and Ruby's barking greets us, at this point the sound is soothing.

Elise greets the pup with pets and leads her up the stairs as she heads to my room. Based on Ruby appearing from the living room, I'd say that's where Mum is. Why does it feel so daunting? I mean, she's gonna be happy for us. She's always supportive, but for some reason I'm more worried about this than I was about coming out... Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration, but my heart's still beating at a million miles an hour as I enter the room.

"Hey Mum." I say hesitantly. Mum looks to me, before turning off the TV program she was watching and patting the sofa next to me.

"Okay." She answers worriedly. "I know that tone, come sit down and tell me what it is." She continues, patting the seat next to her.

I'm not that obvious am I? What am I saying, I'm the girl who only had to come out once since everyone else figured it out, I'm bad at secrets. I follow Mum's instruction and take a seat on the sofa, allowing myself a deep breath before I respond.

"Well, I need to tell you something. And I get if you don't approve, but we came to this decision, and I'm really excited about it, and-" I begin, before my words are stolen from me.

"You and Elise are moving in together." Mum states for me. I feel the expression of surprise form on my face as a smirk forms on hers. "I was wondering when you were going to, I had a bet with Camille that it'd be before you graduated... Don't suppose I'll ever collect that now." She thinks aloud.

Right, I know I'm obvious, but people were actually making bets?

"So... You're okay with it?" I inquire, trying to gauge my mother's reaction, maybe she's hiding the disapproval? Try as I might, I can't find anything to support my worried.

"Oh, honey." Mum coos, stroking my cheek. "You've grown so much over the last year... So much. You're so much more mature now, you astound me every day. But more importantly, you seem so much more happy now, since you started following your heart. I know your sister gets all the glory for her accomplishments, as she should, but you... You amaze me just as much. I'm so proud of you." She tells me, placing a kiss on my forehead. "I assume this means you've found a place?" She asks, almost sounding as excited as me.

I'm still reeling from the emotional whiplash I've just endured, so it takes me a moment before I can respond. "We... Yeah, actually, it's above the bar we go to, It's great, it's big and affordable, and it's close enough that we can visit, and-" I stammer, before I'm cut off.

"You don't have to sell me on it. If you like it, then I'm sure it's perfect." Mum cackles, clearly enjoying how much she's thrown me off-balance. I guess, after finding out Rouge got married in secret, finding out I'm moving in with my long-term girlfriend isn't a shocker. Still, I was hoping for some kind of emotional reaction... Is that bad? I mean, I expected tears at least. I should consider therapy.

After a long hug I bid farewell to Mum and head upstairs to report to Elise. I expected more drama from this evening, maybe I'm getting cynical. I climb the stairs and turn through the door into our room and spot Elise, stood next to my desk, it looks like she's staring at her phone.

"Well, Mum basically did the talking for me... Do you think we're a bit obvious?" I joke, swaggering into the room. The lack of reaction from Elise chills me. "What's wrong?" I ask instinctively.

Elise turns to me, a look of shock on her face. "It's... It's nothing unexpected, I just got a text from my mother, my parents are leaving." She explains.

Am I having déjà vu? "I thought you already knew that?" I ask, confused at her reaction.

"No... I mean, they want to meet me tomorrow to say goodbye, after that..." She explains, seemingly in another world entirely.

"After that they're going to the airport. They're leaving tomorrow."