I glance at the clock on the kitchen wall and count in my head. It's 9:30am, perfect timing. I put the lid on the pot and reduce the heating on the cooker's hob...it still needs a good three hours to simmer. I hear the elevators door and know Amelia is back from her run. She enters the kitchen, surprised to find me there so early in the morning cooking lunch. She wraps her arms around me and kisses me good morning as she had left before I woke up. I grab the largest Starbucks mug we have and pour her fresh coffee I just made for her, knowing she hasn't had breakfast yet. I have no idea how she does it....I can literally do nothing with an empty stomach and often joke I need my six meals a day like Hobbits. I'm always carrying snacks around and usually end up eating Lily's. Going out for a run before breakfast would leave me unconscious on the side of the road after two minutes.

Amelia sits on a bar stool, the mug between her hands and I settle next to her with a smaller mug and swallow half a pill with a sip of coffee. I make toast with honey...a second breakfast is never too much.

"What are you making for lunch?"

"Boeuf bourguignon."

"Hum say that again." she says into the mug, her piercing blue eyes staring into mine.

"There is nothing sexy in me saying that." I roll my eyes at her but can't help smiling.

"What's in it?"

"Gosh Amelia, you're so clueless....Beef obviously, carrots, lots of red wine. Don't worry I saved some for you."

"It smells awesome already."

"Amelia, I think I'm ready to tell Lily." I say, more seriously and a bit worried. Although Amelia told her her feelings for me, I have no idea what's in my daughter's little head and I have avoided kissing Amelia in front of her, or being too touchy. But we both can't take it anymore and want to be able to cuddle without constantly keeping an eye on the living-room door. I know Lily likes her but I fear her reaction all the same.

"Let me have a shower real quick and then we can tell her ok?" She kisses my forehead and squeezes my hand for reassurance before leaving for the bathroom. I start stressing out and do one of the things I know will prevent me from overthinking : I do the dishes. I space out and am brought back to reality as I hear Ameia calling my name from the living room. I join her there and see she has already asked Lily to come sit on the couch. I sit next to my daughter, facing her, and Amelia comes behind me, resting her hand on my hip.

"Mon coeur, there is something Amelia and I need to talk to you about." Lily has topped fidgeting on hearing my serious tone.

"It wasn't me, I didn't break the lamp."

"What lamp sweetheart?" Amelia inquires gently.

"The one on my bedside table." I have no idea what Lily is talking about but I know she feels guilty and notice her bottom lip trembling but Amelia answers before I do.

"No it's alright sweetheart, it's probably just the light bulb...and besides broken things can be replaced. Sometimes they break, it's not your fault. Your maman and I would like to talk to you about something else."

"You are a very bright little girl and I think you have noticed Amelia and I like each other a lot and..."

But I don't have the time to continue, Lily cuts in "I know, I've seen you two kiss on the mouth and you told me only two people who love each other very much can do that, otherwise, you get germs."

Amelia starts laughing. "What? I told Lily she was too young to kiss her "boyfriend" from day care on the mouth....I had to explain things to her."

"So you love Amelia? and Amelia loves you?" I nod "and Amelia is going to live with us then?"

"Actually, I was wondering if it would be alright for you if we moved in with Amelia. Here."

"But...and my toys, and my bed from home?"

"We can get all your things from your home and bring them here. And you can choose another colour for the walls of your new bedroom." Amelia explains, which satisfies Lily greatly and she beams but the corners of her lips drop as some connexions are made in her small brain.

"Do you love Amelia like you love mommy?"

"I...I loved your mommy very much. Loving Amelia will not make me forget your mommy, I will always have her in my heart."

"Is...is Amelia my new mother now?"

I didn't expect that. I gap, not finding my words, and surprisingly, Amelia answers for me.

"Lily, I love your mother and I love you very much too. I know you miss your mommy very much and I will never replace her in your heart. But I want to be there for you, to take care of you and to love you as much as I can, if you'll let me."

I have no idea how much of that Lily grasped but she just rushes into our arms and we wrap her tight, kissing her head and crying. Gosh I'm so relieved.

"Can we get my things from home soon?" Lily asks and Amelia promises she'll get everything by the end of next weekend. I look at her questioningly, as we had never discussed that and she starts acting weird again.

"Unless it's too soon for you babe? I haven't called the removal company yet I just thought..."

"Baby, it's fine, the sooner the better."

She's grinning now, and maybe I should not have said that because I know what else is on her mind. "So....can we go meet my family this afternoon?"

"Too soon." Her smile vanishes but I quickly peck her lips. Gosh I need to be more careful, she really doesn't get my jokes. "Kidding. I'll be more than happy to finally meet your parents."

"Really? I'm going to give them a call."

I sigh, not ready at all for that. I had never been given the chance to properly meet Kelly's parents. They had refused to meet me and Lily and seeing them at the burial of their daughter was not how I had pictued it... Meeting in-laws would be a first for me. And now all the dishes are done so I'm only left worrying and overthinking.

After lunch, which was exquisite as always -Amelia's words- I spend an hour in the walk-in dressing of our bedroom trying to make up my mind on an outfit. Amelia notices me pacing up and down, taking one piece of clothing after an other and putting it back in. "Whatever you wear, my mother will have something mean to say about it."

"How is that supposed to make me feel better? Gosh, Amelia. Just, help me please? I've been standing for an hour, I can't take it anymore. Why would I ever agree on that." I walk to the bedroom and sit on the side of the bed, taking another half pill in my mouth, not even bothering with water anymore.

Amelia joins me with a black skirt and one of her blouses. "You'll look so hot in that."

"I'm not trying to sleep with your mom...or your dad."

"About that....my mom is not the most open-minded woman. Just...don't be offended by her comments." I open my eyes wide and wonder if it's too late to back away. "But my brother is great though. You'll love him. And his wife. I called him. I thought we could need some moral support."

"Amelia, please, just stop talking. I'm already so freaked out, and you're not helping in the least."

I pack some colouring books for Lily and her stuffed animal and Amelia takes us to an undergroud level of her building I had no idea existed. She stops in front of a closed gate and presses a button on her key chain and it opens, revealing several sports car. I freeze, my eyes wide and mouth open. Being reminded Amelia is a millionaire comes at unexpected times and always provokes a reaction in me. Right now I just can't comprehend why someone would need that many cars. I enter slowly inside the garage and walk past each car but stop in front of one that looks totally at odd: a Porsche Cayenne Turbo. It is bigger than the sports car and you can actually sit more than two people inside.

"I bought it last week. I thought a family car might come in handy. Oh and in case your mommy brain is wondering...there's a car seat for Lily."

"Can't stop amazing me." I smirk and walk to Amelia to kiss her lips. "You don't know how much those little things mean to me."

"I have an idea." She winks at me. "Come on girls, my mother hates tardiness." I figured.

After a half hour drive we reach heavy iron gates that open as Amelia types a code on her iphone. We enter a large park and finally I catch a glimpse of the mansion. Holy Fuck...forgive my French.

Amelia parks the car and opens my door for me. "Great Adam is here already." She nods in the direction of another car. She hands me out my crutches and grabs Lily's hand. As we enter the front door we hear excited squeals coming closer. "My nephews" Amelia mouths. They are followed by a tall handsome man with piercing blue eyes. Adam supposedly. "Hey kids, give auntie Amelia a hug, she loves them."

And to his surprise, she squats to take them both in her arms before planting a kiss on their foreheads. "Guys, this is Lily. Lily, this is Alienor and this is Alexander. Could you do me a favour and show her your playroom ?"

"Adam, this is Juliette."

"I've heard so much about you! I'm so pleased to finally meet you. Come, mother is expecting you in the drawing-room."

I feel Amelia's hand on my back, pressing me to follow her brother, and she leaves it there for reassurance. As we enter the drawing-room, I notice a young woman, already sitting on one of the couches but she stands up immediately to hug me and I feel less awkward thanks to her. Amelia's dad comes next, and he shakes my hand warmly, grinning. I gather from his demeanour Amelia and him are close and she must be his pride and joy. Amelia's mother finally stands up and slowly walks to us. She eyes me sternly up and down and extends her hand for me to shake, but doesn't hold my stare. So rude.

Amelia and I sit down on another couch and discussion starts, lead mostly by Adam and his father. Amelia's mother listens intently and nods slowly in disagreement mostly.

"And what is it you do for a living?" Adam's wife genuinely wonders.

"I'm a teacher. I ..." But before I've had the time to give any more details, Amelia's mother interrupts me "Is it your aspiration for the future? Surely you don't want to spend your life doing that."

"Mother..." Amelia warns and I quickly put my hand on her arm telling her I don't need her to fight my battles.

"Actually no. Teaching was my dream job and there's nothing else I would want to do. It's a tough job but very rewarding when you see you can make a difference in students."

In support, Adam's wife adds she finds it's a wonderful job even if she would never have enough patience and that her kids are already being a handful. And since we're on the topic of kids now, Amelia's mother can't help but ask:

"Where's that daughter of yours?"

"She's playing with Alexander and Alienor."

"And where's the father?"

"Mother!" Adam and Amelia exclaim both at the same time.

"Actually, Lily's mother died when she was 2 years old." The woman in front of me is not moved in the least and she keeps on, staring hard at Amelia. I feel she's about to say something mean but I'm not ready to hear it so I excuse myself and ask where the restroom is. I feel beads of sweat forming on my head and my palms, I need water. But I linger a bit and eavesdrop, sensing the words Amelia's mother have been holding are about to get loose.

"You're already a lesbian and a disgrace to our family. Why did you feel obliged to bring a crippled pauper with a child?" I don't hear Amelia's answer. "Amelia, you better make her sign a prenup, I won't have it any other way."

Unbelievable. I walk back to the entrance hall to get my purse and once in the restroom I put some cold water on my forehead and on my neck. My eyes are bloodshot and my hands start shaking again. Seems like my body is behaving weird these days...I take the pill bottle out of my purse and empty the content on the palm of my hand. Ten left. Shit. My appointment with the surgeon is in two weeks... How the hell am I going to survive the pain ?

I don't want to join Amelia and her family and linger on the first floor where I hear laughter coming from a room. I tiptoe there and peep inside, and notice a huge playroom with the three kids inside. I choose to remain there for a while and sit on an armchair to watch them, and soon Alienor brings me a doll to play with her, which I happily do. Gosh those kids could teach their grandma a thing or two on how to greet strangers into her home.

After a short while I make out someone standing against the door frame and studying us. " I see my mother scared you." He seems embarrassed but keeps his eyes on mine. "I feel I need to apologise on her behalf. She can be....really blunt. She made it really hard for Katherine until well after our wedding. She's just starting to be civil with her. She's an over protective mother and she thinks no one will ever be good enough for her children."

"Her behaviour has nothing to do with being a protective mother. She called me a crippled pauper."

"I'm sorry you heard that. Her choice of words are questionable."

"Do you share her opinion? That I'm only interested in Amelia's money?"

"That's what happened with her previous girlfriend. And that's what we always assume when a family member brings someone from....a different social status. But I won't go that far. I don't know you and I won't jump to conclusions but I must say I have my reserve..."

"Thank you for being honest."

"Come on guys, there's cake downstairs and ice cream."

The three kids squeal in excitement and run down the stairs while I go extra slow, blaming it on the crutches, but in reality, I don't want to hear any more words coming out of Amelia's mother's mouth. Adam senses it and gently squeezes my shoulder as we enter the dining-room. Amelia stands up from her chair when she sees me, and quickly walks up to me. "I'm so sorry" she whispers in my ear as she kisses the side of my head. I don't want her to feel bad and give her a reassuring smile for an answer. We sit side by side at the table, but the devil is not far away. She's watching Lily and disapproving strongly on everything she's doing but refrains from commenting. Katherine is sending me sympathetic glances from across the table and I sense she badly wants to speak to me alone. A piece of cake is placed in front of me despite my polite refusal...I have lost my appetite and feel nauseous. I dug in but eat very slowly, taking small bites.

"You don't like the cake Juliette? You French are so picky on food. I had it made by one of the best pastry chefs on the east coast."

"Me being French makes it really hard to appreciate amateur desserts."

"Didn't you hear me? It was made by.." But I won't let her finish.

"Loud and clear. Culinary expertise runs in my blood and I would strongly advise another chef. The chocolate mousse is thick and sticks to my palate, the caramel croquant is squishy and the sponge would have needed an extra five minutes in the oven." I sip on the wine Amelia's mother had poured me regardless of my medication and refusal and conclude "and the wine you're serving doesn't go along with chocolate at all. I would recommend a Clairette de Die, more fruity and smooth than this rough white wine."

Amelia's mother is shocked. Her jaw drops and her eyes are wide open but she quickly closes her mouth remembering etiquette forbids staring with an open mouth. The others are suppressing their laughs. For a second she remains speechless and I feel I have won this battle but the war is not over. If she wants to play that game, I will. And I hate losing. Besides, the woman I love is clearly on my team and she's all the strength and comfort I need.