Let's Party (C)

A/N: Thank you to everyone who followed this story. Your reviews were awesome and I am so grateful that you took the time to read it at all. I am going to consider it complete. I am still writing on a RB/RI crossover which is a lot different than this. It's more humor than drama. Check it out if you like both fandoms.

Gail

I honestly do not know what to expect as I follow my mother into the private room that we shared less than 2 hours ago when Linda and I trumped my mother's attempt at getting even with both of us. All I can think about was the speech that she had just given at the party. She sounded so sincere, but I had given up hope of her being capable of sincerity a long time ago. I had to expect that I was going to be manipulated. Or at least that she was going to try to manipulate me. I am pretty annoyed with myself right now. Despite the fact that my mother can be such a jerk, I still love her and a part of me still wants her favor. Now here I am squaring off with her once more and I have no idea what she is about to unleash on me, so I do what I do best.. strike first.

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"Mom, what was that all about? That was a very kind speech, but a little out of character for you wouldn't you say? If you are trying to get in our good graces you don't have to work that hard. We already told you that we are not going to turn you in." Okay, maybe that was a little nastier than I intended it to be. Gail thinks as she stands in front of her mother.

"Ha. I suppose I deserve that, Gail." Elaine says as she turns away from Gail and begins to casually walk around the room.

"Unquestionably, you deserve it", Gail snaps causing Elaine to look up quickly, her eyes twitching with mild annoyance. She is not used to Gail speaking to her this way and she has just received her second-helping of the day.

"I didn't ask you to come in here to fight with you, Gail. I want to apologize. And I meant everything I said in that speech. I am sorry for the things I did, and the things I didn't do." Elaine's face, after rendering an apology looked like pain itself.

Gail said nothing; studying her mother's face for any sign of deception. Gail runs through her memory and can't seem to think of another time that her mother apologized to her for anything. If she had, Gail probably would have thought she was sick.

"Mother, forgive me for being less than convinced of your earnestness. Linda and I just completely pulled one over on you. An apology and motherhood epiphany is by far not what I expect from you." Gail knows that this is another jab, but she is determined not to let up or allow herself to be ensnared by false hope that her mother is actually being genuine.

Elaine nods her head and grins. How could she have missed it before? Gail is so much like her. She is intelligent. She is not easily fooled. She is a fighter. She has actually turned out to be a pretty damn good Peck.

"Yes, Gail. About what you did. Do you remember when you walked in on Holly and me in her lab all those months ago? I had been rubbing your break-up in Holly's face when you interrupted." Elaine sat down on a couch not far from Gail and motioned for her to sit. Gail reluctantly agreed and sat across from her.

"Yes, mother, how could I forget? You nearly ruined our relationship by what you did. Making me go out with that guy. I take responsibility for the things I did to Holly, but you.." Gail couldn't finish. She could feel the anger rising up in her. Although it had been quite a while now, she could still see the hurt and anger in Holly's face as Gail taunted and humiliated her in that bar by being stupid with that guy.

"I don't think I can ever forgive you for that, Mother." Gail finally choked out, avoiding eye contact.

"I know, Gail. I am not sure that I expect you to. But, I need to tell you that I was proud of you that day. I was angry, but I was proud. You stood your ground before me for the very first time. Since then, you have started to make a habit of it. I still thought I controlled you then." Elaine paused and looked at Gail.

"Yes, well, you had never jeopardized something that was as important to me as my relationship with Holly. Honestly, mother, that was nothing compared to what I am capable of if you still want to persist in trying to stop our relationship." Gail narrowed her eyes. Just hearing her mother mention Holly's name was enough heighten Gail's guard.

Elaine can hardly believe the woman before her. This was a mature woman who was not intimidated or fearful in the least.

"I know, Gail. Do you remember what Holly said to me before I left that day? She told me that I needed to be "careful." Said that I might end up trying to intimidate the wrong person someday. Nobody could have ever convinced me that that person would be you, Gail. But it was. So, I am not mad about what happened anymore. Not even about this situation with Linda. I am not going to get in your way. Not out of fear over what you are holding over me, but out of respect. I respect you, Gail."

Gail had no idea how to process those words. Out of everything she could have wanted out of their relationship, her mother's respect would be at the top of the list. She knew her mother loved her. She was just demented about it. But she never had her respect.

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Gail and Holly arrive home after the evening's events. Holly was dying to ask Gail about her meeting with her mother. The party was too crazy to have that kind of conversation and the ride home in the limo was not the right time. While Gail seemed to be having a good time, Holly knew her and realized she needed to talk.

"Gail, is everything okay? You seemed okay when you came back from meeting with Elaine, but I just want to make sure. What happened?"

Gail recounted the story to Holly and what her feelings were. She explained that she agreed to meet her mother for lunch next week. She was not sure how Holly would feel about that.

"Gail, I can't hold it against you if you want a relationship with your mother. I would just tell you to be careful. But I know you will be." Holly said, trying to sound as supportive as possible.

"I will be. Holly, I cannot tell you how much it meant to me that you were there with me tonight. I can't thank you enough for everything you do for me. But I do know that I'll never stop trying."