Same But Different - Chapter 59: Chapter 59

No More Secrecy
"Okay, I've got this" I murmured adjusting my hair. It was a huge night, and I knew I needed to do my best. I stared at the mirror one last time to ensure I was dressed properly.
"If you've got this, what am I doing here?" Jason muttered under his breath. He had his arms crossed with a frown on his face.
"For support, if I get eaten alive, I'd rather you be there to go down with me" I smirked.
"I just cancelled a movie night with Paige to be here so you better do well" Jason stated. I nodded slowly wondering what Mrs. Williams would be thinking about me. Knowing Yuri had the talk already, made me feel the tension in my body.
"I wish Yuri would've just told me what Mrs. Williams said, instead of leaving the note that said 'goodluck'. Now that just terrifies me" I said looking at the yellow sticky note stuck on the mirror. She had done her part and now all I had to do was do mine.
"Sasha is terrified of something? Okay now I know you're human" Jason mocks while sitting on the bed. I knew I shouldn't have called him. I could handle this on my own, and no matter how many times I keep saying that to myself, I knew it wasn't true. Having Jason next to me, comforted me in ways I couldn't imagine.
"You and Paige . . I never got to ask you, what happened with her father?" I asked looking at him. His face didn't show much reaction to my question. I gulped getting the feeling Paige's father's disproval might be the reason.
"We're not on the same page . . yet. Paige moved out and she's living at my house now. It's a long story and it can wait. Right now, you go and you do your thing" Jason stands up, reaching for my shoulders and squeezed me softly. I stared at him through the mirror, he was being strong for me. I was grateful for that and for once I wanted to be there for him, not just Yuri, me. I smiled slightly.
"What if . . ." I begin but Jason doesn't let me continue.
"No what if's. You love her, and you want her. So you can't back out now. You both have come too far to back out now" Jason pushes me towards the door. I open it after letting out a huge breath. I walk downstairs clearly feeling my legs shake with every step I took. My throat tightens as I lay my eyes on Mrs. Williams who stood near the kitchen counter.
"Oh god, I can't do this" My mind screamed. I feel Jason's hands stroking softly at the back of my shoulders.
"Mrs. Williams . ." My voice was soft, I stared at Mrs. Williams to say something but instead she cleared her throat and pointed her finger at the door to her bedroom. I guess this conversation wasn't the one to have at the sitting room, it was a lot more private. I nod politely and walk towards to the room, with Jason following me.
"Not you Jason, just her. I'll deal with you later" I heard her words while my mind was filled with panic.
"Oh Okay, shit" I hear Jason mutter behind me.
I was to be interrogated by Yuri's mom. I didn't know how much Yuri had told her mom. Was I supposed to start from the top to explain?
As I walked inside the room, the first thing I noticed was the unfinished crib at the corner of the room. I looked behind me as Mrs. Williams walked in and slowly closed the door behind her. I held my breath for a solid minute wondering how this conversation was going to go.
"Hello Sasha . ." Her voice was firm and I knew my identity was recognized. Thus began a very intense conversation.
*BLANK*
Three Hours Ago
"Mom?" Yuri blurted out, making her way inside Mrs. Williams room. She let out her breath not realizing that she has held it all the way from her room to this particular room. The room where she was going to tell her mother, something she's kept for a long time.
"Yuri . . come talk to the baby" Mrs. Williams patted slowly on her bare stomach. She couldn't wipe the smile off of her face even she had wanted to. She looked way too happy, and Yuri wondered if it was the right time to bring such a topic.
"You're talking to the baby?" Leaning over Yuri asked, placing her warm hand on her mother's stomach softly patting it.
"He can hear me" Mrs. Williams replied after a second.
"He?"
"It's just a hunch for now. You know something like a mother's instinct" Mrs. Williams laughed slowly.
"Mom I am so happy for you"
"I am happy for us too, I am glad you and Daniel are getting along well. I thought there would be a bloodbath but it's really helped me knowing that this doesn't complicate things" Her gaze was now at Yuri's. Deep down Yuri already felt that Mrs. Williams knew that she was about to break news.
"He's a cool guy and as long as he makes you happy, I am good with him" Yuri replied honestly. Today was all about honesty. She needed to spill out the truth to her mother, no matter what. How bad can it get? She found herself wondering. It wasn't as bad as having a tumor in your head, she concluded in her mind.
"Is something bothering you?" And there it was the question Yuri had dreaded. Yuri changed her seating position on the bed, trying to get comfortable but she knew she felt uncomfortable within herself and there wasn't a position to cure that.
"I . . umm I have to tell you something mom" Tucking her hair behind, she finally spilled out the words. She wasn't dying. She wasn't pregnant. She was just in love.
"What is it?" After adjusting her dress, Mrs. Williams looked at Yuri, wondering what she was about say.
"It's about a . . girl" Yuri said quietly reminiscing about everything that happened the past two years. The thought of Sasha coming to her life made her feel stronger. And now it was time to share that with her mother.
"Oh okay. Tell me what's going on?" Mrs. Williams took Yuri's hands and asked.
Yuri stared at her mother for five long seconds. Dreading the words, the situation, why did it feel like someone was choking her and not letting her talk? She had watched over ten coming out to parents videos on you tube, with each video turning out to have good responses. So why was this so hard? Maybe it was because this one is completely different, she concluded again. With all the tension, Yuri wondered where Sasha's voice in her mind had gone? One of her good luck's will do, right about now.
"Honestly, I have no idea how I am going to explain this to you. It's so complicated and I am not sure you'd approve" The words stumbled as if she was vomiting them.
"Why are you worried about me? When have I ever denied something from you Yuri? I would never come in between you and your happiness. You know that right?" Mrs. Williams squeezed Yuri assuring her it's safe to talk. But Yuri on the other hand wasn't so sure yet.
"Mom, this is not going to be easy to explain but right now, it would really help if you have an open mind about things and if you'd support me no matter what"
"Yuri, what is it? You're scaring me now"
Taking what it seemed to be, her last breath Yuri closed her eyes, wishing the storm would pass soon. This was it, she felt the strong kick in her body. She was ready, but nervous. Who wouldn't be? She could do this without hesitation or waiting again. Because she was done waiting and so was Sasha.
"Mom, let me tell you a story about a host and an alter" Yuri looked straight at her mother's eyes. And without any more wasting time, she began to tell her mother about the story of how she first met Sasha and how Sasha became her purpose of living.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"We've been together ever since . . . she loves me and I, gosh mom, I love her so much" Yuri's voice shook as she had concluded her story. Tears flowed across her cheeks, wanting and wishing for the woman who gave birth to her to understand and accept her for who she is.
"Mom?" Yuri called out tenderly to Mrs. Williams who seemed to look a little lost. "Say something please?" Yuri stared at Mrs. Williams trying to read her face, wondering if she had just made a huge mistake by telling her.
"I don't know what to say" Mrs. Williams replied still not letting go of Yuri's hand. She was speechless and Yuri could understand.
"I am not crazy, please don't think your daughter is crazy. It happened that way, we meet in this place in our minds. And yes it sounds crazy and it's not even possible, which is why Dr. Nick wanted us to publicize us but we denied that offer" Yuri babbled a little not knowing how to proceed with the conversation.
"She . . this Sasha girl, gave up her life?" Mrs. Williams asked looking at Yuri.
"Yes mom, all to protect me. She saved me"
"That's why you had that mental breakdown? You loved her and you couldn't bear that pain . ." Mrs. Williams voice trailed off while trying to put the pieces together.
"Yes. But she came back, she always comes back to me" Yuri defended her girlfriend. It was time to give Sasha that title officially.
"Yuri, I am speechless . . . I knew you had an alter, I didn't know the rest. I always wondered why you wouldn't tell me"
"Wait, you knew?" Yuri felt the shock in her body, wondering just about how on earth her mother was able to learn the truth about her so called disorder.
"I paid a little visit to Dr. Nicholas Reid when you had the breakdown, trying to make sense of that situation because whenever I asked Jason, I knew he was swallowing the truth. That boy is a terrible liar. And when I asked you, you'd just look at me with this emptiness in your eyes. Dr. Nicholas told me about the disorder, just the basics and how it was gone and I had nothing to worry about. He also told me how fond you were of your alter" Mrs. Williams spoke finally letting out an untold truth. Yuri stared at her mother speechless as she continued.
"I could've filed a lawsuit against him for not telling me about your whole medical condition in the whole tumor situation, but I didn't. I trusted your instincts, your instincts of not telling me, but I'd wished you would've opened up when you were drowning in your sorrows" The atmosphere in the room had changed as the emotions from both sides were taking over.
"I am sorry mom, I always wanted to tell you but I couldn't. Having an alter was hard at first, but we managed over time and just when everything was getting good, she was gone and that just tore me apart. She made me become a better person, mom. She helped me find myself when I was so lost" Yuri felt her heart getting lighter; her words weighed nothing but the truth.
"No you were always a better person Yuri, you just didn't know that"
"I know you'd want a normal daughter, one that isn't a lesbian and isn't in love with her alter." Yuri wiped her tears while Mrs. Williams took her in her arms hushing her.
"Normal is typical and expected, I've never once expected you to live your life being unhappy. You are normal, in fact everyone is. The thing about this world is that they only accept what is typical. If I'd forced you to marry a man and live your life in misery, I could never forgive myself. That's not parenting."
"I fell in love with her. . . "
"And you should never apologize for that" Mrs. Williams whispered back.
"I cannot live without Sasha. And I really want to introduce her to this family as my girlfriend. She cannot pretend to be me for the rest of her life..." Yuri's voice broke off as more tears spilled out of her eyes. You cannot help yourself when you're in love, no one can . . . and for some reason Yuri knew that very clearly now.
"You can introduce your girlfriend to your family, Yuri"
"Mom . . ."
"I am saying that this isn't the only rare case in the world. I am a lawyer, I've seen miracles happen and some unexplainable things. Everything is not just science, maybe its fate.. And if my daughter loves somebody, I think I have a right to meet who the lucky girl is." Mrs. Williams smiled weakly.
"This is not how I imagined how this conversation was going to go . . ." Yuri muttered under breath trying to make sense of what her mother was saying.
"Did you think I was going to throw a tantrum and deny you of the one thing that makes you happy? I am still surprised, yes. But I am not going to be that parent. If you love her, I'll understand it. It doesn't matter who she is, where she's from. I will always be on your side Yuri. I thought I was going to lose you once, and the first thing that came to my mind was the fact that I hadn't been the parent I should've been. I was never there; I didn't know my own baby girl was hurting so much. How blind I was back then. Once you were okay, I made a vow not to be that person anymore. I will not be the cause of your suffering because I want to see you happy." Mrs. Williams sniffed as she spoke.
"You've never lacked in parenting me mom, ever. You've been busy to make a living for us and I neglected that fact for a long time until I was able to understand it. I love you for how well you've parented me. I grew up having a roof over my head and having good food to eat, all because of your hard work. So thank you mom, for being such a strong woman" Yuri closed her lips tight to avoid crying out loud.
"Oh my baby . . . I gave birth to you thinking that I will give you everything that wasn't granted to me, an understanding of a parent.." Yuri looked at her mom, with clarity in her soul. She felt free from the cage she's wanted to get out of so too long. Knowing her mother was on her side, Yuri felt complete.
"Are you sure you want to meet her?" Yuri asked sniffing her nose.
"Yes of course Yuri, I accept you for who you are, that means I accept your choice of girlfriend as well. It's okay. I am fine with it, you can stop shaking now"
"I swear I did not think it would go down like this"
"I didn't either but as long as you're happy my baby girl . . as long as there is a smile on your face, I know I did my parenting right" Mrs. Williams pull Yuri for another hug. Yuri was now sure about her life, she was ready to face the world knowing that whatever the challenges that lay ahead would include the support of the closest person to her.
"Mom, thank you . . so much" Yuri repeated softly again and again. Who knew life could be that simple if you'd just stop being so afraid? She wondered.
*BLANK*
Present
"Hello Mrs. Williams" I replied graciously. So far I was doing a good job, I think.
"Is this weird for you?" She surprised me by asking.
"I guess I should be the one to ask that question" I chuckled quietly. She was literally seeing her daughter face, it would be weird for her more than me.
"It's a little weird for me to be honest. But mostly its curiosity" Mrs. Williams spoke truthfully. I smiled at her. This wasn't as bad as I thought.
"If you're curious, you could ask me anything. I'll answer them" I replied. I still couldn't believe I was talking to Mrs. Williams being me. No hiding, no lying, just telling her the plain truth. It felt good. It felt right.
"I've heard quite the tale about you . ." She grins at me while I try to remember the English Language. I was getting nervous; I wanted to impress her and now is my chance. I knew I couldn't blow this opportunity. "I am not going interrogate you and make this awkward, so I'll ask you the same question I asked Jason when he first started dating Yuri. Can you take care of Yuri?"
"Yes" I answer without any hesitation. "I can assure you that I can keep her happy, that she'll be happy with me. If you could just give me a chance to prove to you that I am worthy of her . ."
"She chose you, and I trust her. So I . . trust you. But there are a lot of things that could go wrong here. You both may have worked stuff out but if you both break up, it's gonna be so hard on Yuri to move on, since you know . . you're there wherever she goes" Mrs. Williams pointed out. She was being practical and I wasn't prepared for it. I felt a pinch of hurt inside but I shake it off.
"I understand your concern Mrs. Williams. And honestly I have thought about that and I have no intention on hurting her. I could never . . ever . .hurt her. I just want her to be happy . ."
"Yuri cannot hear this conversation, can she?" Mrs. Williams asked quietly making me so nervous, that my feet started to shake.
"Yes she can, but she won't remember it, when she comes . . back" I assured her while Mrs. Williams nodded in realization. I take a huge breath and found the courage I was after. "Mrs. Williams, I know this isn't the typical girlfriend meeting parents meeting, but I will still say the same things because I am not Yuri. I may look like her and it can be confusing to many people, but Jason and Belle has overcome it and I think with time, you will too and so will Mr. Daniel. I have been through so much with your daughter, I've understood her happiness, her grief, her wishes and her nightmares. I've held her hand through it all and I plan so doing so for as long as I can. She means the world to me. I know, I am still in Yuri's body. I know how the world will see us. But I'm willing to hold her hand through it all. I'll walk on fire for your daughter. So if you give us your blessing, I'd like to date her"
"What if I don't give you my blessing?"
"Um . . ." My throat dries up and I feel the room spin in my head.
"Oh dear, I'm joking. You should've seen your face through. I've already given my approval to Yuri but you've just made my decision even clearer. In time yes, Sasha, I hope I could differentiate you both. Right now that's the only concern I have and the fact of how I am going to explain this to Daniel. I'd still like an appointment made with Dr. Nick, just to be sure of Yuri's health though if you're okay with that"
"Of course Mrs. Williams. Thank you . . for understanding" I smile at her knowing fully well that once I used to think of her as my mother and some part of me still does.
My mother in law, if I'm lucky. If I get there.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I walk out of the room smiling to myself. We've done it, I thought knowing in my heart as it felt lighter as ever.
"What did she say?" Jason walked towards me and asked. "Did she scold you? Did she call you a worthless piece of crap?"
"Wait, what? Is that what Paige's father said to you?" I asked slowly, quickly forgetting my happy moment. I stared at Jason who was quiet for a second. I knew something was troubling him and I knew it was bad. I guess I was being a bad friend by not even bothering to ask him how he was. He had attended to every of our shenanigans that I've forgotten he had a life of his own. The very one, he was trying to mend by talking to Paige's father.
"He had a lot of things to say . . and he didn't waste a breath as he told them off" Jason murmured. "But enough about me, what did Mrs. Williams say?" His eyes showed grief, and I couldn't take it anymore.
"Mrs. Williams, I have an errand to run, I'll be back soon" I called out like we had our first conversation ages ago.
"Sasha, what are you doing?" Jason asked as I dragged him out of the house. I pointed at his car and eyed him to get in. "Where are we going?"
"We're going to solve your issue" I said as I got into the car. I looked at him, to find a sense of relief on his face. Jason is terrified and I could feel it. "Is it that bad?" I asked quietly while Jason starts the car.
He nods slowly before we ride off together.