Part 39

Timing was important to Brooke. It always had been and likely always would be. So Beyoncé sighed when Brooke Brooke flashed up on her phone screen, with a picture of her smiling.

Beyoncé already knew what this was about but she answered with a smile, despite her stomach dropping. She knew this call was coming.

She started by asking Brooke about her day and trying to ease into the conversation. Brooklyn went along with it, talking to her mom and telling her about her life before finally she sighed and asked, "mom what happened?"

"It's complicated."

"No mom tell me, complicated doesn't mean anything."

"I..." Beyoncé sighed running a hand through her hair. She'd tried to avoid this for as long as possible. She never wanted Brooke to know how bad things had gotten. She never wanted to affect her relationship with her father. He was a good dad.

"I didn't want you to find out. I never wanted to get in the way of your relationship with your dad."

Brooke rolled her eyes. She was old enough to know that parents argued and that it had nothing to do with her, "mom just tell me."

"Okay," she swallowed, swiping her hair from her face. "He wants to get back together. I tell him no and he asks for more. He's been calling me, sending gifts, showing up unannounced. He keeps pushing."

"Okay but you don't just get a restraining order because of that?"

"He tried to kiss me Brooke," she exhaled a breath. "Last week after the dinner, he pushed me against the car and tried to kiss me. If it wasn't for... I don't know what would've happened. And it's not the first time. He barges into the house, I have him blocked but he still calls on private numbers and new phones. And my hotels, he always knows how to find them, I don't know how. I thought it was you telling him at first but there's the times I haven't told you where I'm staying. He still finds them."

Brooke frowned, "oh."

A silence spread over the conversation. Brooke was deep in thought about her dad. She hadn't ever seen her dad as that type of man. He was always her hero. He would've killed Levi or any man if he treated her like that.

She wanted to ask if her mom was sure but she knew it wasn't a lie. It was just hard to reconcile her image of her father with the one her mother was painting.

"It's okay if you have a lot of feelings about this," Beyoncé said reaching into her psychology background. "We can talk about it if you want or you can t-"

"No mom it's fine, I just want you to be okay," Brooke said simply. Her mom wouldn't have filled a restraining order unless she felt like she had to do that. But the idea of her dad making her mom feel unsafe stirred something inside of her.

"I love you Brooke and I promise it's not your fault."

"I know mom, I didn't think it was," she laughed a little bit but it felt like everything was changing. As a child, her mom and dad were perfect humans who could do no wrong. But in the last 5 years her whole image of them was shattering.

She'd learned, her mom couldn't protect her from everything, sometimes her mom would be the one who hurt her. And it cut deeper when her mom made mistakes simply because they were so close it hurt so much more. It was pain that she sometimes tried to hide so their relationship could work.

And her father. Her perfect dad, who was funny and always seemed like the smartest person in any room. He wasn't always so perfect. He'd hurt her mom. Multiple times. Brooke had seen the hurt on her mother's face when the word divorce first came up, seen how her mom tried to hide it and seen how her father didn't seem to care.

And now there was this. On one hand, she hated that her dad had hurt her mom, on another she didn't want to believe it was really him.

"How's the baby?" Beyoncé asked, trying to change the subject and because she knew she had to ask.

"He's good, it's like he started kicking and won't stop."

"He?"

"I think it's a boy. Levi thinks girl."

"He does?"

"Yeah," Brooke bit the inside of her lip extra hard. "You could've given me more time to tell him."

"Brooke it was—"

"No mom you didn't even give me a chance. It was my news to tell, you can't just ruin it like that. I would've told him."

"When?"

"When I was ready."

"God Brooke," Beyoncé rolled her eyes. "When would you have been ready? When they were telling you to push?"

"Mom I would've told him, I already said that. It was mine. My baby. My news. You took that from me, how can you not see that was wrong?"

"Fine but you should've told him months ago."

"He's already said that, I don't need you to say it too."

Beyoncé wanted to say good but she suppressed it and instead settled for a subject change. Eventually Brooke got off of the phone. She had a lot to think about with her dad and her life.

Beyoncé was happy to let her go. She had her own stuff to deal with and Shawn's retaliation was just one aspect. He'd obviously called Brooke just after finding out. She just didn't know what else he had planned.

Being away from home was opening Ryan's eyes. She ended up spending the rest of the weekend with Coco and her parents which felt much better than any time spent with her own parents. They actually treated her like they loved her. Coco was who she turned to for support and Cocos parents were always there if she needed them.

Ryan was starting to feel a lot worse about how her parents treated her. She wasn't around it all the time so she wasn't used to it anymore. She also saw how other people treated their children and she didn't deserve this.

They'd called her after that dinner to apologise for embarrassing her in front of all her friends. Ryan thanked them and said it was okay but she knew it didn't mean anything really. It was strange that they'd even apologised for anything but immediately after apologising, they'd started berating her again.

There was a test she was worried about and they said she wouldn't be nervous if she studied. They wanted her to be better but that was always expressed through shame and disappointment. Ryan just wanted to stop letting them down so much. But that was beginning to feel impossible.

Beyoncé had started going to therapy again. She'd studied enough psychology to know that she'd been making some really questionable decisions lately. She knew it was bad when she started wanting to text Ryan again.

The whole situation was on her mind a lot. She couldn't explain why she'd had sex with her in the first place knowing that she shouldn't do it. Knowing it was wrong given Ryan's relationship to her daughter. She'd done it anyway despite knowing better. Sure she'd been attracted to her but what a terrible idea. And why couldn't she get this girl out of her mind? Beyoncé broken her heart and all she wanted was to talk to her and apologise.

She knew Shawn wasn't right, but maybe he was right. Maybe she was a slut. And maybe she was a terrible mother. Brooke was definitely still mad at her.

She didn't care about telling Levi but she still felt guilty about how she'd treated Brooke following the divorce. She was mad at herself but she also mad at Brooke. She wished Brooke would've just told her what was wrong instead of making her guess for all these years. She was still so mad at Brooke for even getting pregnant. She hated the idea of becoming a grandmother. She ended up speaking about that more than anything in therapy.

The other situations were just too embarrassing.

Because of this, her therapist had suggested she go and see her mother again. She thought it might help her to sit down with her mom, and tell her everything. Even if her mom couldn't understand.

Beyoncé hadn't seen her since before she was admitted to hospital. With everything going on, she'd been distracted and busy. But her mom was out of hospital now, and Beyoncé could go and see her. Besides, she had to let her know at some time that Brooke was having a baby.

"Hey mama," Beyoncé said, taking a seat in the armchair right beside her.

"More tea?" The older woman asked. She'd barely looked up from the spot on the floor she was focused on, not even reacting to Beyoncé's voice.

Luckily, Beyoncé was used to this so she had a cup ready to give her. "Here you go," she handed her the mug which she'd already added cold water to so it wouldn't burn her. Their eyes met briefly and her mom looked at her absently.

"Thank you honey," the old woman said accepting the mug between her hands.

She took a sip and Beyoncé asked, "I missed you mom, what have you been doing?"

Her mom stayed silent, just sipping her tea every so often and staring at an uneven spot on the carpet. Until Beyoncé noticed a photo album beside her, "have you been looking at old pictures?" She asked, lifting up the album.

Her mom didn't reply and Beyoncé flipped it open. It was one of those old photo albums with the plastic tearing a little at the edges. The first page had a picture of Beyoncé with her sister, she was about 5 and Solange was a newborn. Beyoncé looked at it and smiled, remembering how she'd taken care of her sister, learning to hold her head properly and how to be a good big sister.

The next page was from when Beyoncé was about 6 years old standing beside her mom. Next to that was a matching photo of her mom and Solange at about the same age.

Tina glanced over, "my kids?" She smiled at the page but she didn't look sure.

"Yeah!" Beyoncé grinned. "Who's that mama?" Beyoncé pointed to Tina in the picture.

"Me," she nodded. At least she knew what she looked like.

"Mhm, look at your hair. You look good."

"Hmm," a smile tugged at her lips as if she was unsure if that was really her.

"This is Solange," Beyoncé pointed at the baby.

Her mom smiled pensively. "Solange, I like that name."

"And this is Beyoncé"

"Beyoncé?"

"Mhm, that's me."

"She got tired of taking care of me."

"No mama," Beyoncé sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I'm right here."

"I wish she'd visit but wishes don't make reality," she shrugged

"I know." Beyonce rolled her eyes running a hand through her hair. She always said that. "Mama look at me."

The woman turned to look at her and a wave of familiarity passed over her. But it was rare that her mom remembered her or could even hold a conversation. "You look like her," she said, frowning.

Beyoncé just nodded. It didn't really upset her anymore. The dementia was easier to handle than all that she'd dealt with as a child.

"You think?" Beyoncé asked.

Tina nodded but Beyoncé could tell she didn't quite understand. She had that look in her eye like she was still thinking about her past.

Beyonce just stood up to do her mothers hair. It didn't get done if she didn't do it so it was a mess. All the money she paid these people and they couldn't even do her mom's hair.

"Well mom I should tell you, you're about to be a great grandmother." Her mother hummed, Beyoncé running a comb through her head, and the younger one continued talking. "Brooke Brookes having a baby"

"Brooklyn? Beyonce's baby?"

"Yes mom! Brooklyn," Beyoncé smiled, grateful she could at least remember Brookes existence. "She's having a baby."

"Baby Brooklyn. She's so small. Beyoncé's too young for a baby but she loves her."

Beyoncé smiled. At least she remembered the love, she just struggled to recognise them or to remember any of the last 15 years. But at least the love was there.

Then her mom sighed, running a hand through her own hair. "She's gonna spend her life taking care of people. Always has. First me and the baby, and now she has her own baby." She sighed.

"Mama, it's okay," Beyoncé hesitated. This was stoking up her fears of being a grandmother even more. She was just beginning to get out of that caretaker cycle that she'd been in for her whole life. First she took care of her mom and then she took care of Solange. And then Brooklyn. And now what? Brooklyn's child? When would she finally be able to take care of herself?

"She needs someone to take care of her. Shawn's too busy, too lazy" she shuffled, finishing her tea and rolling the mug between her two hands.

"Mama I'm not with Shawn anymore."

Tina looked at her turning around. "Good, that's good," she said warmly. "You need to be with someone kind."

Beyoncé tucked her lips. "I'll try— Wait, mama you know who I am?"

"When did you get these wrinkles?" Tina frowned reaching for her.

Beyoncé rolled her eyes. She did not have wrinkles, her skin was just a little looser in certain parts. She couldn't stop herself from hugging her mom though. She missed her so much. She'd missed her for years.

Sure her mom was there but she wasn't anymore. She even missed the parts of her mom that had got her into this position. She used to be so much fun even if that fun sometimes put them in danger.

"Okay mama. I love you."

"I love you too Beyoncé. I don't want you here all the time looking after me. Get Solange to help you, she's not a baby anymore."

Beyoncé smiled, "okay mama. You get some rest, okay?" Beyoncé stood to fluff her pillow. She wanted to stay but she could knew with her being lucid that the anger and violence weren't far behind. Beyoncé really wasn't in the mood for that today.

"I have to go, okay?" She planted a kiss on her cheek. "I'll see you soon, Brooke, Solange and Julez send their love okay," Beyoncé wanted to stay, to spend more time with her, to have her mom back. But the mom she knew wasn't there anymore. So she got up and left, running a hand through her hair and calling Solange when she got in the car.

Solange sounded dejected. She'd given up on their mother years ago but Beyoncé stayed. Beyoncé had memories of when she wasn't so bad. Solange didn't remember that. Solange was 3 when she started disappearing for days, and coming home unable to do normal things, and forgetting to take them to school and acting strange. For Solange, her big sister was all she knew when it came to having a caretaker.

"That's cool Bey," she tried to sound happy but she really didn't care. Beyoncé had been the one to raise her honestly. She probably would've died if it wasn't for her big sister.

"You should come and see her."

"Does she even remember me?"

"She said your name today."

"Really?"

The two continued talking as Beyoncé drove home. She had a lot to think about but she'd save that for her therapist. She just wanted to be calm for this moment.

Though later that night, she found herself in her pool, trying to forget everything when Brooke texted to ask her if Ryan could come and stay with them for the weekend. She texted back with an excuse but then she texted Ryan.

Peaches: Sorry to ask you this but please tell me you told Brooke no

Ryan: ?????

Peaches: She just asked me if you can come for the fourth

Ryan: idk what you're talking about

Peaches: Okay

Beyoncé sighed, before ducking her head in the water. She was getting back into swimming, doing laps up and down the pool. It was a good work out and it usually helped her to focus and put things into perspective. Brooke's question had thrown that off a little though.

She was trying to tell Brooke no as little as possible so what was she supposed to say to that? She tried to tell her the house was a mess but Brooke asked why she didn't just hire the cleaners back. Then Beyoncé said her grandmother was coming but Brooke said Ryan wasn't judgemental like that so it didn't matter.

Beyoncé knew Brooke was only asking because she still felt betrayed by her mom with the Levi thing. And Beyoncé was only listening because she didn't want to say no to her again.

When Beyoncé got up the next day, she still couldn't get her mind off of Ryan. She didn't expect to miss her the way she did. She thought it was temporary, that therapy would help her.

But that wasn't working. She still found herself thinking about the younger girl at the most inopportune times. Her body yearned for Ryan's skin pressed against hers. The younger one liked her, liked all of her stretch marks and blemishes, and even the wrinkles she was trying to pretend didn't exist.

And so she swam again, trying not to think of Ryan. Trying her best to forget how Ryan made her feel, and how she felt about Ryan. Then her phone dinged on the side of the pool. She dried off her hands reaching for the phone.

Ryan: dw i said no

Peaches: Good girl

Ryan looked at her phone, stared at it actually. Good girl? The last time Beyoncé had called her that was for a very specific reason. The last time she'd said that, they'd both been naked and Ryan had been soaking her fingers and her tongue. Beyoncé only spoke like that when she was being horny.

But Beyoncé couldn't have been flirting. She wasn't being horny with Ryan so this was a mistake. That must have just been muscle memory or something.

Ryan: since you asked nicely...

Peaches: So I just need to ask nicely to get what I want from you?

Ryan stared at her phone again. Flirting?

Ryan: within reason

Peaches: I'll keep that in mind

Ryan: you do that m...

Peaches: Don't you want to finish that sentence?

Ryan: nope 🙊

Peaches: How rude

Ryan: maybe im a bad girl now 🫢

Peaches: Maybe someone should fix that attitude of yours

Ryan: someone like who?

Beyoncé didn't reply. Instead she washed off and thought about the message Ryan sent. She shouldn't feel like this about someone she wasn't with. She shouldn't be thinking about how her hand sounded against Ryan's flesh, how she looked so beautiful being punished, cumming while she cried out in pain. How much she missed her.

Beyoncé still didn't reply, instead her pussy throbbed with all of her thoughts. She wondered if Ryan would still like being with her like that. She wanted nothing more than to have Ryan bent over her bed again. Beyoncé couldn't stop thinking about it. The little tremors on Ryan's skin, the way she moaned and begged for more pain underneath the pleasure.

Peaches: Okay fine I'm still jealous

Ryan: but you don't even like me like that

Beyoncé bit her lip. She hadn't said that, she hadn't said anything actually. Ryan said she loved her and she hadn't said anything. She felt so guilty.

Peaches: I know I sound crazy

Ryan: 🙄Ryan: yes you do

Ryan put her phone down and went back to watching tv with Gabby, who currently had her arms wrapped around her.

Ryan loved being touched. Not necessarily in a sexual way, just a touch to let her feel someone's presence. The stroke of a hand over her spine, the touch of two legs pressed against each other, the feeling of an arm hanging over a shoulder. She liked that physical sensation that reminded her that a person was close.

Which was why Ryan had liked Beyoncé so much. The older one never hesitated to hold her hand, or to kiss her unexpectedly, or just to pull Ryan closer to her. All things that let Ryan know she was wanted.

Gabrielle did that too - she touched her a lot. She was good at that, maybe even better than Beyoncé because it wasn't always so sexually charged when she did it. It made Ryan feel safe, a small reminder that she wasn't alone and that someone wanted to be close to her.

Gabby would run her fingers along Ryan's skin, and press her lips to non sexual places all the time. Gabrielle would just touch her all over. Ryan liked that. She liked being touched in that way.

And Gabrielle always made her feel wanted. Even more so when she asked if she wanted to go on a date. Ryan hadn't considered Gabby in that way much. They were just having sex and that was all. But Gabby had been getting closer to her and the two were getting along really well.

Ryan's eyes widened a little, and Gabby stopped running her fingertips along her skin. "I- um, like a real date?" She asked scanning the older one's eyes.

Gabby watched her, surprisingly nervous as she confirmed what she was asking. "Yeah a real date. You get dressed up, I will too and we can go to a restaurant and tal..."

Ryan cut her off by kissing her. She'd been waiting for Gabby to ask her something like this. It had been obvious she wanted that, but she'd never asked and Ryan didn't want to be so presumptuous.

Gabby moaned into the kiss, stroking up and down Ryan's legs with her hands. "Mmm," Ryan's head fell back, and she hummed as Gabbys lips attached to the skin on her neck.

"That's a yes right?" Gabby asked in between kisses and taking off Ryan's clothes.

"Uh huh," Ryan moaned. "It's a yes. Take this off."

Gabby did as told, removing her bra which made Ryan's eyes darken. She liked this part, seeing Gabby eager for her. Her mouth quickly attached her the older one's chest, tongue gently swirling around her nipples. "Fuck babygirl, I love the way you do that."

Ryan hummed laying her flat as she continued to toy with her nipples. Gabby stroked a hand over her face, admiring her beauty as she shuddered at the touch. She loved the way Ryan's teeth grazed her nipples. She loved being with Ryan like this.

Gabby's lips wasted no time making their way around Ryan's skin. They kissed down her stomach and then down to her pubic bone. Ryan's clothes came off next, one by one until Gabbys face was in her pussy.

"Next week?" She asked before running a long lick along Ryan's centre.

"Huh?" Ryan asked, rolling her hips.

"For our date?"

"Oh fuck... yes" she moaned as her body melted into her.

——————-[A/N]Thoughts? I decided to not overthink and just post it

Thoughts on Ryan and Gabby?

Thoughts on Ryan and Bey?

Bey and Brooke and her mama?