A/N- This one took a bit longer because I'm also writing an Atomic Blonde fic but here is the sixth part of the whole Emily/Andy saga, complete with chapters this time!
Hope you all enjoy it.
I own nothing, all rights go to their respective owners.
BACK TO YOU
Every time that Emily had gone back to London, she'd been happy, content, but this time it felt like she was going to be on trial as soon the plane hit the runway.
Her parents, but more so her mother, were shocked by this turn around and change in their daughter. Emily hadn't expected it herself but maybe she could put a positive spin on this, maybe going back to London for a few days, maybe even a week, could help Emily set her mind straight, figuratively speaking anyway.
Emily let out a breath and tried to calm her nerves as the pilot announced that they were about to touch down in London.
She could picture it now; her parents would be waiting at the gate all prim and proper, no sign with her name emblazoned on the front like she imagined Andrea would have when she returned to New York.
A small smile crossed the Brit's face as she pictured this; Andrea with a big smile and holding up a sign, maybe she would even have balloons with her, Emily wouldn't put it past her.
She walked down the terminal and towards the gate, taking deep breaths and trying to appear calm and collected.
"You can do this." She whispered to herself as she turned the corner and found...
No one.
She stopped, nearly making the man behind her bump into her.
"Sorry..." She apologized distractedly, as he moved past her.
No one was here to greet her? Why?
They normally did.
Emily's heart sank.
They really were ashamed of her if they didn't even want to come and meet her at the gate.
The Brit bowed her head as she walked forward, deciding on whether she should have a drink before she went home or just grab a taxi and go straight there.
As she moved forward, she heard heels clicking very fast on the floor, like they were running and she looked up.
Someone was waving at her and it took her a moment to realize it was her friend form years back. The occasionally talked on the phone from time to time but since Emily had moved to New York, that had become less and less and now, they were lucky if they even spoke once in about six months.
Emily plastered a small smile on her face and gave her friend a small wave.
"Hi, hi I'm so sorry I'm late. Traffic was a bugger but I'm here now! How are you? You look good, have you lost weight?"
Her friend rambled on and Emily lost track of what question to answer first, so instead she hugged her friend tightly.
"It's good to see you, Cam."
"I know it's been a long while but...your mum, she said if I could pick you up."
Emily forced the smile to stay on her face.
"She did? Well, it's nice to see you." She repeated, not knowing what else to say.
"So, how has New York been? I want to hear all about it."
"There's not much to tell really..."
Oh but there was, so much.
Emily wondered if Cam knew already. Had her mother told her about her and Andrea?
"Well you can tell me what you've been up to in the car."
She then looped her arm through Emily's and walked them through the airport and out to the car park.
Emily stopped when she saw Cam's car.
"What happened to the Porsche?"
"Oh, well Dean and I broke up, so he took back everything he'd ever bought me. The car, the ring, the gym membership, you know how it is."
Emily wrinkled her nose distastefully.
"I know you would have had to make a few cut backs here and there but a mondeo?"
Cam just shrugged.
"It gets me from A to B."
Emily only nodded as Cam took her bags from her and put them in the trunk.
She then climbed into the passenger seat and waited for Cam to slid in behind the wheel.
"So, tell me everything."
"How much do you know?" Emily asked, not wanting to feel like a fool spilling everything if Cam did know more than she was letting on.
Cam's blue eyes took on a strange look, like she had been playing this part and now the mask had fallen off.
"Your mum told us that you were seeing someone-or well-were thinking about it."
The way Cam said it, she knew that Cam knew everything.
"So you know it's another woman."
Cam bit her lip.
"Don't lie to me, Cam." Emily warned.
"OK. Fine. I know. Your mum told me. She wanted to be here but she-"
"-couldn't because she's ashamed of me." Emily finished for her.
"No, no, not ashamed just...shocked? Is that the right word?"
Emily sat back in the seat, feeling depressed.
"You don't have to sugarcoat it, Cam. She's ashamed of me."
"I think she's just surprised. None of us even thought that you were...you know, that way inclined."
Emily's blue eyes widened.
"Well neither did I! This just happened, okay?! One minute, I hated this girl and the next thing I know, I'm feeling jealous about her going on a date with some playboy!"
Cam gave her friend a sympathetic look.
"It'll be OK, Em. I promise. We'll go home, you'll talk to your parents, make them see how much you care about this girl and they'll be fine with it, you'll see!"
Emily gave her friend a sidelong glance as she pulled onto the motorway.
"You really believe what you're saying?"
"No. No, I don't but you have to be positive about these things."
The drive home was going to be a long one with all this talk of being positive and optimistic, and Emily, hoping and praying that her family wouldn't turn her into some sort of pariah the second she crossed the threshold.
Oh this was going to be fun...
Cam pulled up on Emily's parent's driveway and killed the engine.
"Are you ready?"
Emily nodded and opened the car door, as soon as she did, both her parents came out as though they'd been waiting behind the door.
"Darling! So wonderful to see you!" Her mother gushed, enveloping her daughter in a massive hug.
Emily frowned in confusion at Cam over her mum's shoulder.
"Hi mum."
Her dad also came over and gave her a more gentler hug.
"Hi honey."
"Hi dad."
"Well come in, lets make you some tea and then you can tell us all about New York and ...your life...at Runway." Her mother said awkwardly.
Emily gave her a dad a quick look and he only shrugged.
At least he was acting normal around her.
Emily's mum went in first, followed by her, then Cam and then her dad.
Once the tea was made and they were all sitting down, Emily's mum looked at her daughter and smiled.
"So Emily, how is New York?"
"Oh it's great. It's er...a little chilly this time of year but apart from that, yeah, it's nice."
"That's good and Runway, how is that?"
Emily nodded after she'd taken a sip of tea.
"It's a little demanding but it's going well. I mean the pressure is off quite a bit since Miranda hired Andrea."
Emily saw her mother stiffen at the mention of the other woman's name and she bit the inside of her cheek and pretended to ignore what an effect that had on her.
Her father spoke up this time. He didn't seem as opposed to Andrea as Emily's mother did.
"And Andrea, she's from New York?"
Emily smiled.
"Yes, she is. Born and bred, I think."
"And so how long have you been working together?"
"Oh I don't think that matters." Her mum interjected.
Emily shot her an annoyed look and her father mirrored it.
"I want to know about Andrea, is that such a crime to want to know who is making my daughter happy?"
"No but there is a time and a place and this isn't it."
"What? In her own home?!"
"Dad, please, it's fine-"
Her dad got up, anger showing bright red on his face.
"No it's not fine! Mary, our daughter has met someone who makes her happy, why can't you just accept that?! So what if it's another woman?! At least we know she won't get pregnant by mistake!"
Emily colored up a little at that.
"Dad, please stop-"
"Well then we'll never have grandchildren, will we, Edward?"
"As long as she's happy who cares?! They'll get a dog!"
"I'm more of a cat person." Emily said, her voice low and soft and then she instantly wondered why she'd even said anything.
Cam looked slightly amused by this but the embarrassment was the biggest emotion in the room.
"It's the not the same and you know it! How can she ever expect to have a normal life with a woman?! She can't come home to our parties or meet up with other couples because she'll be seen as a freak! You know our social standing!"
Emily had had enough and got to her feet.
"OK, I think I've been quiet enough about this; mum, I know you're not thrilled about the fact that I'm in love with a woman but I am...there's nothing I can do about it, believe me I've tried. Dad-" She began, turning back to him, her voice softer now.
"Thank you for sticking up for me but you will never sway mum when she feels strongly about something, you know this, and Cam-" She said, turning to her old friend.
-"I am so sorry that you're sitting here listening to this and no one has even offered you a custard cream to go with your tea! I mean, come on mum, you always offer custard creams to your guests!"
Everyone fell into silence at that point until Cam started laughing and then everyone else did too.
"It's true, I would like a custard cream." Cam managed through a chuckle.
"I'll get you one." Mary muttered as she stood and went out to the kitchen.
Emily thought that her mum was grateful to escape the strange conversation but she knew they would have to come back to it later.
A/N- Chapter two will be with you guys shortly. I tried to add some English humor. Hope it worked! x