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She just laughed and hugged us both again.

*^*^*

“A mother knows,” she said over generous servings of seafood pasta, garlic bread, and salad.

“But . . .” I was still playing catch up.

Mom rolled her eyes and went for another piece of garlic bread.

“I always knew you’d be together, I was just waiting for you to figure that out.” Molly and I shared a bewildered look.

“But you didn’t know that we both liked girls.” Mom snorted.

“Of course I did. But I didn’t want to push and I didn’t want to interfere. I wanted everything to blossom in its own time.” This was wild. I’d never thought of my mother as the diabolical type, but damn. She had kept that quiet.

I shook my head and looked at Molly. She just smiled and shrugged.

“This is just . . .” I kept shaking my head.

“Go with it,” Mom said.

“What she said,” Molly agreed.

“That’s my girl.”

Was this some sort of conspiracy? Molly started to laugh and Mom just patted my shoulder.

“I still have no idea what’s going on, but I think I’m outnumbered so I’m going to sit here and eat my food and pretend that everything is normal.” Molly picked up my hand and kissed it. Mom sighed dreamily.

“That’s what I wanted to see.” Unbelievable. It was so unbelievable that I started to laugh and then I couldn’t stop.

“Now I’m not going to be pushy or anything, but winter weddings are really lovely. You could do a Christmas theme with a carriage and beautiful lights. Oh, it would be so beautiful.” Mom was off her rocker. I looked over at her, but she was off in her own world.

“So I guess you’re okay with this?” I asked, meaning me being with Molly.

“It’s all I ever wanted for you. Someone who lights up when you walk into a room and loves you unconditionally. Who will take care of you.” I was still dumbfounded.

“That’s quite an endorsement,” Molly said, blushing a little.

“I meant every word. You’re my other daughter. Always have been. Always will be. I couldn’t have picked anyone better.”

“I think I need a minute,” I said, getting up from the table and walking outside. I sat on the porch and looked out at the yard. The sound of the screen door alerted me that Molly had followed me. She took a few moments before she sat down next to me on the glider.

“You okay?” she asked, putting her hand on my knee.

“I honestly don’t know. It’s all happening so fast and I can’t seem to catch my breath. You’re here and you like me and we’ve kissed and it was amazing and you’re amazing and my mom is like, shipping us together and she wants us to get married? What the fuck is even happening, Molly?” She leaned over and kissed my cheek.

“Love,” she said. I turned and met her eyes.

“What did you say?”

“Love. That’s what’s happening.” I waited for her to tell me that she was joking.

“You love me?” She laughed.

“Are you kidding? I’ve loved you my entire life. I might not have known, but I’ve never felt this way about anyone. It’s the most obvious thing in the world. Of course I love you. How could I not?” I opened my mouth and closed it a few times.

She loved me? Did I love her? The answer to that question hit me over the head and it was like my brain exploded.