Part 52

The drive up to Seattle was long but as soon as we pulled into my street it didn't feel long enough.

Billie was behind the wheel as always - one hand wrapped around the wheel, the other one resting on my thigh in a comforting manner.

"Does he know that I'm coming?" She asked, pulling her gaze away from the street for a second to meet mine. I nodded.

"Well, he knows that I'm bringing someone. The conversation kinda died down before I could mention your name. It also didn't feel like the right way to tell him that I'm bringing you." I watched her carefully . Every sift of her expression telling me exactly what she was thinking.

"I want to tell him that you're my girlfriend, but I want to tell him in person and not over a dry text. " I explained, and I could see the way her jaw relaxed again.

Billie pulled into the driveway of my old home, and a wave of memories hit me like a brick wall. We stayed seated for a second as I watched Billie take in the small front yard and the way a patch of roses covered the front of the porch before her gaze drifted to the Hollywood swing .

I thought of telling her that this swing was the place my dad told me that my mom had passed away that morning when I was at school, but I didn't feel like ruining the moment. Instead, I grabbed my bag and pushed open the passenger door.

Billie followed me close behind, her hands clutching an expensive bottle of wine she insisted on bringing as a present.

"You ready?" I asked, standing in front of the door. Billie nodded, slipping her fingers between mine , giving my hand a gentle , reassuring squeeze .

The door opened as soon as I rang  the bell, and there he was, my dad in his usual shirt and tie - the one my mom had loved so much. He wore it every year.

His gace landed on me first–a soft smile spread across his lips before landing on Billie.

I wasn't sure if he would be able to recognize her . It had been years and dad had never been good with recognizing people .

"Hello, Mr. Benett. I'm not sure if you recognize me, I'm -"

"Billie. " He finished.

I could see Billies face light up a little bit.

"I recognize you. How could I forget my daughter's best friend. " He chuckled before stepping aside to let us inside."Im glad you made it, Valerie. "

The warm afternoon sun shined through the blinds in the living room . The beams of light catching the steam of the hot tea in front of me. The radio was softly playing in the background , filling the silence while my dad roamed through the kitchen.

"Jessica, a woman from the community center I go to on Thursdays, baked a cake for us." He called out bringing in a chocolate cake.

"Your favorite, Valerie. "He smi, ed setting it doin frontont of us.

"That's really nice of her." Billie smiled, loading a slice onto my plate before getting one for my dad as well. I couldn't keep the smile from spreading onto my lips. She was on her best behavior today.

"Yes, she's– really nice." He smiled.

–I was helping my dad load the dishwasher while Billie was in the livingroom trying to stream one of her latest performance on the TV because my dad said he wanted to see what shes been up too , when I took the opportunity.

"Dad ? I have to tell you something. " My gace shifted to Billie, who was in my view on the couch.

"What's up, princess?" He said, placing the last plate in the dishwasher.

I smiled at the way he still called me princess even at 22 years old.

"Billie and I - were not only friends again. She's actually my girlfriend now."

"Oh, I know, princess. I could see the way she was looking at you at the table. " He smiled before looking out the window like he sunk into deep thoughts.

"It reminded me of how your mom used to look at me when we were younger. God I was so in love with her." He almost whispered .

"It was about time you two get together. " He chuckled, looking back at me.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

"Your mom always told me that she thought you two were secretly dating. I didn't believe her back then, but looking back on it now, I can see what she meant."

He leaned back against the kitchen counter. " She would have been so happy to see you two together. "

A small smiled creeped up my lips.His words hit me harder than expected.

"Actually I've been wanting to tell you something too. But I wanted to tell you in person and not over those stupid phones." He stopped for a second his finger nervously tapping against the counter behind him.

"I met some-and we've been dating for about 2 months now. I've been wanting to tell you." His gace didn't meet mine.

"Its Jessica isn't it?" I asked. I kinda thought about it earlier when he said that she made cake for us - specifically my favorite.

He nooded.

"I'm happy for you, dad, really. You deserve to have some and be happy again. " I smiled, closing the space to wrap him in a tight hug.

After all, both my dad and I were able to find someone who made us happy after mom.

"Is she coming over for dinner later?" I asked, pulling away. His face lit up.

"I can ask her if you like. I wasn't sure if you'd want to meet her. " he smiled.

"Of course I want to meet the woman that makes you happy."

"Wait. Henry, you met someone?" It was Billie who just came back into the kitchen. The TV behind her in the living room showed that she finally pulled up a stream from her last show.

"Yeah. Jessica and I've been dating for 2 months. Oh, and Valerie told me you two are dating. I'm really happy for you guys. Anyway it's time for our walk , it's getting dark soon." He smiled, pushing off the counter and left the kitchen leaving me and Billie behind.

"Wait, you told him?" Billie asked as soon as he was gone. I nooded with a smile.

Billie moved in, an instance, her arms wrapping around me in a tight embrace ."Im so glad you told him. Really.  It means a lot to me." She whispered, pressing a quick kiss to my lips before she pulled me out of the kitchen.

__

My dad had brought new flowers to replace the old ones as usual. The walk to the cemetery wasn't too long, and the trail led through a small forest part . It was relatively warm for April, the sun filtering through the leaves illuminating everything in a soft green glow.

My fingers were laced with Billies not letting go while she was deep in conversation with my dad about music and everything else.

I was glad they got along so well. And actually this year , my relationship with my dad actually felt worth rebuilding.

Once we reached the gate of the cemetery, Billie slowed down a little- falling behind.

"You coming?" I asked .My dad was already waiting, holding opening the gate for us.

"I think it's better if I give you two space . I'll be here waiting, okay?" She asked.

God, i loved this woman so much . Somehow, she always did the right things and was so thoughtful.

It's not like I didn't want her there. Actually, I wanted her there with me. But she knew that something inside me needed this moment alone with my parents.

"Okay." I whispered with a smile before going back to follow my dad through the gate.

__Just like she promised, Billie ws still waiting for us at the gate. She was talking to someone on the phone , probably someone from management about the tour starting up again in a few days. But as soon as her gace met mine she smiled and her stressed expression vanished.

My dad said he'd walk ahead and pick up Jessica on the way and that we would meet back at home. So I stayed waiting next to Billie to finish her phone call.

I could tell she was trying to finish this call as quickly as possible as she kept repeating, "I know." and "Can we talk about this tomorrow. "

Luckily, I didn't have to wait too long till Billie had enough and just hung up.

I couldn't stop myself from laughing and I lowkey felt bad for the person who had to deal with Billie like this all the time.

"I'll call them back tomorrow. I specifically told everyone not to call me today." She huffed out before her eyes met mine again and softened.

"Come on lets go back." I said lacing our fingers again, pulling her with me.

The walk back was slow and calming. The wind blowing around us making out hairs tangle a little. This moment felt perfect –just us and no one else. No fame , no paparazzi, no unanswered questions about the future.

We took a little detour, making the walk back a little longer trying to prolong this feeling of closeness and easyness. We would only have a few days together back in LA before Billie would leave again, so this felt like exactly what we needed.

Jessica and dad where already at the house in the kitchen, starting up dinner.

She seemed really nice . She asked about my internship and told me how pround my dad had been when I told him that I got that job.

She's actually an elementary school teacher who does voluntary work at the community center where she then met my dad.

The way they worked around each other kind warmed my heart.

She was really sweet and made it clear from the beginning that she wasn't trying to replace my mom.

Her and Billie got along just as well. It was funny to me how similar Billie and Maggie actually were.

Dinner was just as easy. Jessica was a great cook and was actually vegan aswell. Another thing Billie and her bonded over. They shared recipes and stories about how and why they became vegan.

They got along so well that at one point me and my dad had eye contact and tried not to laugh.

"The wine is really delicious. Thank you once again. " He said filling his last glass."No problem. I'm glad it's a good one I'm actually not a specialist when it comes to wine." She chuckled, her hand still seated on my thigh under the table.

It was already pretty late when Billie and I dragged ourselves up the stairs our bags slung over our shoulders.

My bedroom still looked the same. Maybe a little colder and and emptier.

I sat down my bag on my bed before watching Billie snoop around my room, with a smirk. "Found anything interesting?" I asked with a chuckle after a second.

Her head whipped around like she didn't realize what she was doing.

"It feels like you." She smiled her hands catching ahold of a picture frame on my dresser.

I walked closer catching a glace at the picture in her hand over her shoulder.

It was a picture from years ago. 13 year old me on stage at a performance –and right next to me ,Billie. Looking just as stupid in those weird costumes they put us in.

"Omg God I remember that dance." I chuckled. "It was awful. " Billie cackled before setting it back on its spot on my dresser.

We got unready together in my bathroom before slipping under the seats of my small queen size bed. But we didn't care we were pressed against each other eighter way.

The room was dark and the only light came from the moon shine filtering through my blinds. Billes head was tugged in under me chin her hand softly drawing patterns on my side.

"I'm glad you came with me." I whispered into the quiet. "Today was truly a good day and I think me and my dad could really rebuild our relationship ."

Billie shifted a little so that she could meet my eyes. "Im really glad Valerie. You know I only want the best for you . " I nodded pressing a kiss to her lips before pulling her into my side again.

A.NI think I've been mixing up 'mom' and 'mum' but oh well. Also I'm back. I know i said there were only 2 chapters left but there is actually one more. Hopefully I'll get it out soon. Hope you enjoyed. Feel free to leave feedback.