by @00katrinka00.bsky.social
This story is a prequel to Not A Love Story. It follows Ainsley's father Graham as he navigates becoming a father at 18.
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 She let out a dramatic sigh before saying "we were friends in elementary school. Then in middle school I met Evie, and Bree and I kind of just drifted apart." "That's all?" he asked. Annie nodded resting her head on his shoulder, "that's all, I swear it."
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "I just want to know how you and Bree know each other, that's all," he said calmly. "What'd Gloria tell you?" "Nothing." Annie's brows rose and she took this opportunity to do the one thing she's always been good at, lie.
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "Can we start over?" he asked taking a defeated breath. "I want to ask you a question, and I want you to give me an honest answer. There's no ulterior motive behind my words, I swear." "I'm tired," she complained. Graham draped an arm over her shoulder pulling Annie closer.
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "No- I didn't say that," he quickly added. "All I want to know is how the two of you know each other." "So just because some old lady decided she doesn't like me, you're just going to believe her when she says I'm like Satan reincarnated, that's it? I thought you were better than that, Graham."
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "Can we talk?" Graham asked as soon as he locked the apartment door. "About what?" Annie asked sweetly. "How do you know Bree?" "Does it matter?" "Gloria made it sound like you two have history, and not the good kind." "So you think I'm a bitch that's what you're saying?"
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 Graham only nodded as Gloria pulled him in for a hug. "I know this might not have been as nice as spending Winterfest with your parents, but I hope you had a nice time." "You mean sitting in a stuffy auditorium, wearing an itchy suit watching ballet?" Graham raised a brow. "This was much better."
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "Sure." "Watch your back with that one," Gloria told him, her voice grim. "Something tells me she isn't as genuine as she may appear." "Annie and Bree have history don't they?" Gloria nodded, "Just ask her about it, and then ask Bree. See if their stories match up. I have a feeling they won't."
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "Thank you," Graham said as he tore away at the wrapping. Inside there was an array of baby things, onesies, books, diapers and wipes. "You don't understand how this, all of this, means to me." Gloria smiled at him before asking, "can I give you a piece of advice?"
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "Plus," Gloria continued. "It's less for you and more for the baby. I'd always wanted to be a mother, but it never quite happened for me. Over the years I've settled on being a supportive adult in the lives of my employees. I know things are hard, so I wanted to get a few baby things you."
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 When the meal was over, Annie excused herself insisting she needed a nap. This left Graham alone in Gloria's apartment. He helped her clean up the dishes, and on his way out she stopped him. "I do have a little something for you." "You didn't have to," he said. "But it is Winterfest after all."
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 Graham flashed Annie an irritated look, as the conversation continued. Annie didn't bother to contribute, as far as she was concerned the sooner this meal was over, the better. Perhaps she'd sneak out without having to explain things to Graham, or maybe he'd forget Gloria's comment all together.
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "Their youngest, right?" Graham asked. "Oh yes. She comes in quite often with him and their girls. It's only taken 9 months, but Garreth's finally to the point where he'll let me hold him without crying so Christine can browse with the girls." "This baby better not cry that much," murmured Annie.
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "I know Christine White. She and her husband are members of the country club. They're good people," Graham added. "We go way back. She's been doing book signing events here since her debut novel. It's been a while since she's had a recent release, though. Not since before Garreth was born."
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 Gloria dropped the subject, for now, she figured it'd be quite difficult to get Annie to admit to anything with Graham sitting right there. Better to warn him when she wasn't around. So, she launched into conversation with Graham about a few author events coming up this winter.
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "Does Bree know?" were the only words she could manage. "Does Bree know what?" "That this is your girlfriend. The one you're about to have a child with." Graham turned his attention to Annie, "do you know Bree?" "The food smells wonderful," she quickly said. "We better eat before it gets cold."
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "Happy Winterfest!" Graham exclaimed as Gloria opened her door. Annie did her best, but failed, to offer a smile. Gloria grinned then turned her attention to Annie, alarm bells began to ring inside her head. She knew this girl, had kicked her out of this very bookstore for harassing her employee.
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "Plus," Graham added. "You kind of already said you'd go." Annie groaned. Normally she wouldn't think twice about going back on her word, but this was Graham and she wanted him to like her. "Fine, I'll go," she relented. Her only hope now was that Gloria wouldn't remember her.
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "I just don't see why an old lady would be so interested in meeting me," Annie continued. "I mean, she's my boss, and my landlord, and probably the closest thing I have to a parent at this point. I think it makes sense she'd want to meet my very pregnant girlfriend," he explained.
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "Do we have to go over there?" Annie asked for what felt like the millionth time that morning. "You don't have to do anything," Graham reminded her. "But, Gloria invited me over for Winterfest dinner, and I'm going. She did say she wanted to meet you, but I'm not going to force you to go."
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 Annie has spent the last few days with Graham at the apartment. He didn't question it too much, mostly because it was nice to have her around and not in a rotten mood for once. Things were almost back to the way they were last summer, if you ignored the fact that they had a baby due in the spring.
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "You waltz in here every few months and spend a few weeks pretending like you own the place. Then you disappear again without so much as a note, leaving me alone for months on end only to repeat the cycle. So, I don't really care to listen to you," with an angry stomp Annie stormed out of the house.
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "Then I suppose it's a good thing I'm already pregnant, because now it can't happen again for another 7 months," Annie snapped. "Watch your tone with me young lady." Annie rolled her eyes and scoffed, anger bubbling up inside "please you don't actually care about me, not really." "Is that so?"
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 Annie immediately hung up and made her way towards the front door. "Where do you think you're going?" "None of your business," she bit out. Tiffanie's eyes narrowed, "I'm your mother. Where you go most certainly is my business. Especially since you're pregnant."
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 The wheels in Annie's head began to turn. Perhaps it wasn't the lavish lifestyle she'd been hoping for by staying with Graham, but it was certainly a way move away from her mother, whom showed no signs of leaving any time soon. "Can I come over?" she asked. "I want to see it." "Yeah, if you want."
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 A few days later, after Graham had officially signed the lease, he decided to give Annie a call and give her the good news. "It has everything I'd need, and Gloria said I could turn the bedroom in a nursery, which would be perfect for baby girl. Speaking of, have you thought any more about names?"
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 Gloria left allowing for Graham to get acquainted with his new apartment. He still couldn't believe it. How had his luck turned around so quickly? He took a seat on the bed leaning back and taking the whole place in. Finally, somewhere that was his. Something his mother couldn't take away from him.
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "I- well, yes," Graham finally choked out. "Perfect!" Gloria exclaimed. "I can have the leasing agreement and everything drawn up for tomorrow, but in the meantime, make yourself at home." "Thank you," he said. "This means a lot to me, it really does." "It's not a problem, truly."
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "I think 400 simoleons a month is more than fair for this place," Gloria continued. "And I know you can afford it, I'm the one who signs your paychecks." Graham stood there in a stunned silence. "Are you sure?" he finally asked. "Positive," she smiled. "So you'll take it?"
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "You don't mean..."Graham trailed off not wanting to believe what she was implying. "I'll show you," she stood gesturing for him to follow. "It's small, but I've done my best to make it homey. There's one small bedroom, not quite big enough for a double bed, but just the right size for a nursery."
馃巸 Katie 馃巸 "I also think it'd be rather difficult for my employees to show up to work on a consistent basis if they were homeless," Gloria continued. Graham sat there in silence, unsure of what to say. "Did you know, I have a vacant apartment upstairs that I've been looking to fill for quite some time."