My Only Exception (gxg)

Part 16

My heart raced as I looked at Poppy and asked her softly, "How do I know you're not going to do the same thing to me that you did to Emily?"

The question slipped out. I was starting to feel safe with Poppy, which wasn't something I was used to. I knew at this point it would break me if she fucked me over. Whether I'd want to admit it or not.

Poppy looked taken aback by the question at first, but she then answered, "A couple of reasons, Delilah. The first being, I have learned from my actions. I don't do that anymore, screw people over like that. The second being...I like you. More than I ever liked Emily. I know that it may be difficult to fully trust me, but I'm going to show you that you can."

"I like you too, Poppy," I said back softly, "A lot."

"I feel the exact same way. Have I given you a reason not to trust me?"

"You haven't."

"And I'm not going to."

I couldn't help but believe Poppy, even if my brain was trying to scare me out of it.

I might have to go with my heart on this one.

"I know you don't sleep," Poppy said to me at 1:30 AM, "But I can't stay up as late as you. Do you mind if I lie down in your bed?"

"You don't have to ask. I'll lay down with you, even though I know I won't fall asleep," I said to Poppy.

We got in my bed, and Poppy lay next to me, cuddled up against me. We had laid in this position many times already after hooking up, but this was different.

Poppy was staying over at my house.

When I woke up in the morning, she would be there.

We then heard the sound of the door opening from the first floor, and I said to Poppy, "Don't worry, it's just my mom."

"I can't believe she's just coming home now, and then works in the morning. As a Doctor, might I add."

"I don't know how she does it either. Truly."

"How long has she done this for?"

"As long as I can remember. She would go out when I was young, and my grandmother would watch me. When I got old enough to stay home by myself, it increased. And by the time I graduated high school, it was all the time. She has a lot of friends to go out with, and occasionally I know she's out with a man."

"I think she's the highest functioning alcoholic I've ever heard of."

I was quiet for a second, and then said, "I just fear the day her body gives out, and she's not functioning as well anymore."

"Would she get help?"

"She doesn't think she needs it, but everyone around her can see she does. We used to argue about it more when I was younger, but I've kind of...given up. I got tired of trying to help someone that doesn't want to help themselves."

Poppy turned her head and gazed up at me, "It sounds like you've really tried, Delilah. And that's all you can do."

I leaned my head down slightly and kissed Poppy lightly in response.

I could tell that she was getting sleepy, as she kept closing her eyes, and oddly...so was I. I kept feeling like I could drift off, and soon enough, I let myself.

With my arm around Poppy.

Waking up next to Poppy was almost surreal. There were times when I still couldn't believe that I was...whatever I was...with her.

Poppy was still asleep when I woke up at 7:30 AM, and I quietly slipped out of bed to brush my teeth and let my mom know that the car outside was Poppy's.

When I went downstairs, my mom was in the kitchen, eating a yogurt parfait. She wore a very pretty dress with a white coat over it, and her light blonde hair was in a low bun.

"Hi honey," she said, "Good morning, you're up early."

"Good morning," I said, holding back a yawn, "I wanted to let you know that the girl I'm seeing slept over. The Honda parked in front of the house is hers."

My mom perked up, "Can I meet her?"

"She's still sleeping," I said back to my mom.

"Well can I at least know her name?"

I tried to rack my brain for a moment to see if I had ever told my mom about Poppy when Emily was dating her.

I really don't think so.

"Fine. Her name is Poppy."

"What a pretty name!" my mom said.

I then heard Poppy's voice from the top of the stairs say, "Delilah? Are you downstairs?"

Well, I guess Poppy is about to meet my mom.

"Yes," I called back, "You can come down."

My mom looked excited as Poppy walked down the steps, and when she walked into the kitchen, her eyes widened.

"Dr. Shay!" Poppy exclaimed, "Good morning, I had no idea you were Delilah's mom."

I looked at Poppy, "Are you a patient of my mom's?"

"I used to be. She helped me clear up my skin," Poppy smiled at my mom.

My mom gave Poppy the warmest of smiles and said, "It's so good to see you, Poppy. Might I add, your skin looks great."

"Why thank you," Poppy said to my mom, she then turned to me, "I'm going to go back up and brush my teeth. It was nice to see you, Dr. Shay."

"Please, call me Julia," my mom said back to Poppy, "But it was nice to see you, too."

Poppy gave me my mom one last smile, and then made her way out of the kitchen.

My mom turned to me and smiled, "How do you know Poppy? She's a sweet girl."

"We work together."

"I'm glad things seem to be going well with her. Emily must be so happy for you, too. I know how much she wants you to get a girlfriend."

"First, Poppy isn't my girlfriend. Second, Emily can't know."

I had to tell my mom about Poppy and Emily's relationship. If Emily came over and my mom mentioned Poppy, I would be completely fucked.

"Why not?" my mom looked confused.

I let out a deep breath before saying, "Poppy is Emily's ex."

My mom's eyes widened, "What? You're dating your best friend's ex?"

I almost winced hearing my mom say it out loud.

I know. It's bad.

"I don't need any judgment; I already feel guilty enough about it. But I like Poppy too much to stop."

My mom shook her head, "You know you're going to have to be honest with Emily at some point."

"I know. Today is not that day, though. So don't say a word."

"Alright, not a word will be said."

"Thank you," I said to my mom, "I'm going to go back up to Poppy. Have a good day, I'll see you later."

As I went back up the steps, I knew my mom was right. I'd have to tell Emily.

And I dreaded that day.