Everything Has Changed

Mum

"Okay we'll do Christmas day at my sisters, and you can bring your nan and then we'll do Christmas eve here," Lizzie said as we finalised our plans for Christmas.

I nodded as I took the lasagne out of the oven, "do I get to meet your sisters before Christmas?" I asked.

She hummed in response, "yeah we can round tomorrow for dinner?"

"Tomorrow?" I said nervously, plating our food.

Lizzie sensed my nervousness and stood up to stand next to me, "they already love you as much as I do Y/N."

I nodded and turned my head to face her with a smile before leaning in to give her a slow kiss, "mhm I love you baby," I mumbled against her lips.

"I love you too Y/L/N. Now- are we going to eat?" she said laughing.

I nodded before passing her a plate of food.

"Y/N?" she asked, dropping her fork onto the plate.

I hummed in response, looking at her.

"You know a few weeks ago you um- you got a call from um- from your mum?" She asked looking at me cautiously.

My smile dropped and I nodded slowly. I had been trying to avoid this conversation because what I did that day was not something I wanted to talk about but if this relationship was going to work, she deserved to know.

*Two weeks ago, moments after Y/N left her apartment*

I feel fucking awful for avoiding Lizzie this morning and even worse that I had to deal with the shit dhow that was my mother. I hadn't actually seen her in over 14 months as my nan dealt with all of the expenses of rehab and her care. I told myself that after everything she put me through, I can't put my life aside just to be a good enough daughter to stop her from relapsing.

I knew as soon as I got the missed calls that weren't going to work, in fact, I messaged Arthur straight away and said there was a family emergency. I wasn't going to tell that to Lizzie though because I know how much she worries and overthinks.

I instead left my apartment and pulled out my phone to redial the number my mum had called me from. Taking a deep breath, I brought the phone to my ear to hear it ringing.

"Y/N?" Mum's voice echoes down the phone.

Fuck maybe I'm not as ready as I thought I was.

"Y/N, hunny is that you?" she asked again.

I took a deep breath, "yeah," I whispered back.

"Oh, I'm so glad you called back. I called earlier and Lily picked up?"

"Lizzie, her name is Lizzie mum," I replied bluntly.

"Is she your girlfriend?" she asked curiously.

"Yeah, look mum why did you call?" I asked.

"Oh, I um, I got out and I would like to see you," she said nervously.

I hummed in response, not really knowing what to say.

"Can you meet me somewhere?" she asked again after not getting a response.

"Uh- yeah I guess," I replied after some thought.

She hummed and thought for a second, "can you meet me at the park near where we used to live?"

"Uh- yeah I'll see you in 15 minutes?" I replied as I began walking towards the park.

She hummed and I could hear her smile as I pulled the phone away from my ear to hang up, not wanting to hear any more.