A Proper Young Lady (26 page)

First Class boards without me. It’s not like anybody’ll take my seat. Group Two bunches up around the entrance while Group One files down the ramp. After a while, nobody remains but me.

“Final boarding call, Gate B15, flight 2452 to Atlanta.”

Oh great. Here come the tears.

I’m done.
I hop up out of my seat and hoist my bag over one shoulder.
Maybe I can make it down the ramp before I have my breakdown.
 

Dani grabs my arm and drags me to a stop. “Not even a kiss goodbye?”

“No.”
Not after you ignored me for the past hour.
 

She kisses my forehead. And my nose. Violet eyes study me, waiting for an answer.

I’ve never kissed a girl before, not even an intersex one.

Not fair to count Daniel, you know.

Okay, so he had buds of breasts. And a small vagina. But he had a little post between his legs. And he said he was a boy. Even if only for pretend.

He’s gone, and you’re here. Yeah, well, I’ll show you what you’ll be missing.

I slink my arms inside Dani’s jacket, around her waist, and pull us closer till we breathe as one. I kiss my intersex girl—the father of my babies—like we’ll never see each other again. ‘Cause we won’t. 

Nothing else even exists.

Dani blinks first, and gasps for air.

My feelings for her bleed down my cheeks. “Come with me. Please.”
Otherwise, I’m gonna die.
 

“I intend to.” She wipes my cheeks dry, then nudges me toward the ramp.

The airline attendant checks my boarding pass. Dani hands the lady her cell to scan.

“Danièle?” Cooper strides up to us and grabs the girl’s wrist. “What are you doing?”

She never gets mad. Ever. But Dani’s glare leaves ice crystals hanging in the air. “Unhand me.”

“Your mother suspected you might run. If you leave, you’re on your own. Entirely. Even the trust will cut you off.”

Dani, are you really gonna give up everything for me?
I open my mouth to protest, but somewhere deep inside enough hope survives to still my objections.
We’ll be okay. Somehow.
 

Dani slips her phone into the Marine’s shirt pocket. Her debit and credit cards soon follow. The girl shakes free from Cooper’s grip and takes my hand. “Let’s go, love. We’ve a wedding to attend.”

Chapter 30

Dànaidh

We descend through broken storm clouds into a rainy Atlanta afternoon. Droplets scurry down the window next to me while our plane taxis to the gate. Melanie snuggles against my shoulder and waits as impatient travelers jostle for their carry-on luggage and work their way down the aisle.

After the last person disappears, I follow Melanie out of the aircraft. We take the airport train from the terminal toward baggage claim. A familiar face springs from the crowd waiting outside security. Melanie shrieks and runs on ahead to greet her mother.

By the time we reach baggage claim, my hip throbs, so I collapse into a chair and wait for my luggage. Melanie sits next to me. “You okay?”

“Yes. Just worn out.”

“Yeah. Me too. My legs are swollen and this weird pain runs down my leg from my butt. Mom says that’s normal for a pregnant girl.”

“I’d like a word with you,
princess
.” Randy steps out of the crowd, his arms crossed and his face a battle of fierce emotions. 

How did you get here? There wasn’t near enough time.

Mrs. Fairbairn grins at me from behind him. “The girls have already won, you know.”

My uncle—not quite the gentleman at the moment—scowls at her. 

I retrieve an envelope from my purse and hand my uncle a copy of Dr. Pierson’s affidavit. “Exhibit one, counselor.”
...having fathered children...
 

Melanie eyes me with angry curiosity. She never did like my keeping secrets from her. I unfold a copy of my new birth certificate and give it to Randy. “Exhibit two.”
Dànaidh Ailean Welles.
“Proof the children are mine. And that I’m legally male.” 

My uncle spends more time than necessary inspecting the documents. Almost, he keeps emotions from his poker face. Almost. “I doubt these will sway your mother.”

I slide the papers from his grasp and pass them to Melanie without breaking eye contact. “Perhaps you can persuade Mum, then. If she wishes further contact with her grandchildren or me or Melanie, she’ll relent.”

“Very well. Send me copies of both of those papers. As well as your marriage license when you get one. The trust will continue to cover medical and educational expenses.”

“Thanks. We’d love to see you at the wedding Saturday.”

“I’m in town for a conference, but I’ll see what I can do.” After taking a dozen steps toward the exit, he returns and hugs me. And Melanie. “Congratulations. Both of you.”

Melanie turns to me after he leaves. I expect anger, but find in her eyes only tender concern. “Dani, what happens the first time you have to show ID? Huh?”

“My driver’s license still says female.”

“And when they find out you changed your birth certificate?”

“They already know that, love. My legal sex is male, but Dr. Pierson filled out a form that says my gender’s female, so the DMV kept that on my license.”

“Somebody’s not right in the head.”

“Lots of people have a mismatch between sex and gender.”

“You don’t.”

“No. I suppose not. But Virginia won’t put hermaphrodite on my paperwork.”

Melanie eyes me like I’m crazy to even mention that.

Yes, for your sake I’m glad my license says female. But I’m not ashamed of being intersex.

Melanie

Beatrice and Fred have a feast waiting for us when we arrive—food on parade. Hors d’oeuvres and sweets overrun the kitchen countertops. I grab a sausage roll and crash on the couch in the living room. I close my eyes and relish the quiet. 

“Is that any way to greet your favorite sister?” Hands on her hips, Beatrice stands in front of me, trying hard to appear upset.

I hop up off the couch long enough to hug her. “I gotta keep the little ones fed, don’t I?”

Greg runs into the room, screaming, and jumps up on the couch. “Can Joey and me build a fort again?”

My sister plucks him off the couch. “Tomorrow. Okay? And no shoes on the sofa.”

“Aw, Mom. Aunt Melanie’s here. Me and Joey gotta sleep somewhere.”

“She and Danièle are staying on the new sofa in the den. It folds out into a bed. Remember?”

“Oh, yeah. Can I have one of them little pies?”

“Yes. But only one. I don’t want you ruining your supper.”

Dani strolls into the room, hugs my sister, and collapses on the couch beside me. “Your mother would like a few minutes alone with us. Whenever you’re ready.”

“Now’s fine.” I struggle to my feet again and follow her into Mom’s room.

Somebody painted the walls since the last time I saw the place. And banished the scent of death. Maybe even replaced the carpet.

My mother pulls the door closed. She nods at Dani, but takes my hands in hers. “You’re sure you want to get married?”

The tight ginger curls covering Mom’s head bring a snarky grin to my face. “Yes, ma’am.”

She hesitates a moment. In surprise at my politeness, probably. “All right. Dani asked me to arrange things for you two. Pastor Hawkins has agreed to perform the ceremony at the park.”

“The one with the lake? Isn’t that place private?”

“The company’s agreed to let us use it this Saturday. We can try to find something else if you’d rather.”

“No, Mom. The park’s awesome.”

“Good. Shall we invite the Welles family then?” While Dani and I gawk at her, she picks up her phone and dials, then puts the call on speakerphone.

“Hello, Keela.”

“Are the girls safe?”

“Yes, they made it here just fine.”

“Then you’ll send Danièle back home?”

“They’re old enough now to make their own decisions. And what’s so wrong with their dream, anyway?”

“You’d allow your daughter to marry another woman?”

“I’m stage four, Keela. I’ll be gone soon. Our daughters are getting married Saturday. If you want them—or your grandchildren—in your life, you need to be here.” 

“Grandchildren? Yours certainly. Not mine.”

“Like it or not, Danièle’s their biological father. Randolph recognizes the twins as heirs. Why don’t you call him?”

“I most certainly shall.”

“See you at the wedding, then.”

Mom sets her phone on the nightstand. “She’ll come.”

“What’s stage four?” Fear runs down my throat and pools in my stomach.

“I’m sorry, honey, but the cancer’s back.”

No.
The air freezes in my lungs 

Breathe.

“You can do chemo again.”

“It’s spread too far for that.” She pulls me into a gentle hug. “After your wedding, I’m moving to Saint Andrews Island to stay with an old friend.”

“No, Mom. You can live with Dani and me.”

“I want you and Beatrice to remember me the way I am now.”

“You gotta at least let Dani and me visit when the babies are born. Or come see us.”

Mom’s eyes glisten with unshed tears.

The doctors don’t give you that long, do they?
“It’s okay to dream, Mom.” 

After a moment, a faint hope lights her eyes. “If I’m still alive—yes, I’d like that.” 

“I love you.” I close my eyes and bury my face in her shoulder.

Yeah, Mom. I’ve got Dani. But I’m sure gonna miss you.

Chapter 31

Melanie

A lone Canada goose leads her yearlings across the withered grass and splashes into the water. Fish play in the shallows. Maybe bluegill—Dad would know for sure. Winter sunshine spills through the pines and sparkles off the lake. I pull up my skirts and step wide of the mud. No way am I gonna let my Cinderella gown get dirty. 

Mom said the dress arrived a few days ago in a package Jake sent. Maybe it reminded Mrs. Welles too much of me. Or could be the old gentleman thought I needed some cheering up. Anyhow, I’m happy to wear the dress again. Even though the thing is falling apart.

Behind me lies a crazy trail of feathers and beads and little bits of lace—the antique gown giving up everything to delight a young bride. 

Mom saved the old lace handkerchief I used in our childhood ceremonies. Like she expected me to need it when I grew up. The thing has gotta look horrible sitting on top of my head, but Beatrice insists it’s fine.

My sister offered me a necklace to cover the one bleak spot of my outfit, but I turned her down. Nothing can replace my missing locket.

Fred checks his watch. “Five minutes yet.” Somebody has to give away the bride, you know, and my sister volunteered him. He’s not my father, but the thought’s still nice. The guy rented a suit that some English butler might wear. The tails hang down almost to his knees.

One of those stretch limos drives up the narrow blacktop that runs through the park. Sleek and black, with heatwaves rising from the hood even on a cool winter afternoon. I pull up my skirts again to make sure the car doesn’t run over them.

The limo stops beside us, and the driver’s door swings open. Out steps Cooper—all dressed up like he’s the best man or something. He gives me a genuine smile before opening the passenger door. 

My heart pounds, trying to break out of my ribcage. The last thing I need’s an argument with Mrs. Welles.

Breathe, girl. Just breathe. She can’t stop you now.

Dani’s mother steps out and closes the distance between us—in no particular hurry—till she stands facing me. “I had hoped better for you, child. You have a natural charm my daughter never quite mastered.” 

Mrs. Welles slips off her gloves, hands them to Cooper, and retrieves a fine silver chain from her pocket. “I understand now that Danièle’s heart was never mine to give. I’m sorry. In that, at least, I erred.” She fastens the necklace—along with Daniel’s locket—right back where it belongs. 

I clench my hands tighter on my dress to keep from grabbing my silver heart. I dip my head and thank her.

She chews on her lower lip for a moment. “Please come back to Victoria Springs when—when you’re ready. I promised your mother I’d look after you when she’s gone.” The woman’s eyes glisten. She turns to leave. 

I gape at her back in stunned silence. Too late, I reach out a hand.

As I stare at the retreating limo, the processional begins. Irish pipes float on the breeze—a fairie melody that brings a smile to my face. Daniel and I never had proper music at our pretend weddings. 

Fred holds out a white-gloved hand. In my imagination, though, my father stands beside me, dressed in motorcycle leathers and boots—his idea of formal attire. I take his hand and coax my eyes away from his face, lest the illusion fade. 

Longing for my father pulses ragged through my body.
I miss you, Dad.
 

Fred squeezes my hand tight and urges me forward.
Everything will be all right
. 

No. Not till this pregnancy’s done.
Pain and numbness radiate from my butt down one leg. I pause long enough for a trembling sigh to work its way out. Then take one step. And another. I waddle down the lane. 

As we round the bend a gazebo comes into sight—an open-air structure made of cedar. In front of it stands— 

Daniel?
No. Dani cut her hair in that ubercute pixie style she always wore when young. Her locks tumble down over her cheeks and into her eyes. Atop her head, at a wild angle, is her father’s dusty old top hat. Draped over the girl’s shoulders, like a cape, is the still-too-large tuxedo jacket. Black satin pants and a frilly white blouse replace her old flannel pajamas. 

Sweet.

Mom and Beatrice wait on the stairs, off to one side. Grace, Dani’s old college roomie, and Cooper stand on the other. In the shade behind them gather the Welles.

Dani takes off her hat and hands it to the Marine. Then she steps close, brushes a fingertip across my locket, and absolutely beams at me.