My Only Exception (gxg)

Part 25

I knew that telling Emily that I was going to keep seeing Poppy no matter what was going to be difficult.

I also knew that we likely would not be friends after it. But if anything had been proven during this time, it was that I truly valued Poppy as my girlfriend. I didn't want to be without her.

Emily would have to accept that if she wanted us to still be friends.

A few days after I went to Poppy's apartment after learning about her dad, Emily asked me to hangout. I went to her house, knowing that I likely would be leaving soon after.

"I feel like you've been MIA this past week," Emily said to me, "Is everything okay?"

"Em, I'll be honest with you. I've been with Poppy."

Emily visibly tensed up and she asked me, "You've been with Poppy?"

"Her dad passed away," I said to Emily.

Emily's expression softened, "Oh...I'm really sorry to hear that."

"It's not just that. Polly and I...we're back together. Listen, Em. I value our friendship. And I am still incredibly sorry about lying to you for so long. But I love Poppy, and I'm happy with her. I've been miserable without her, honestly. I know you want me to be happy with someone, and it's with her."

Emily was silent for a moment, and she then nodded, "I understand, Delilah. Just...give me some time to think about this, okay?"

I stood up, "I'll head out. I understand if you need time to think. I just wanted to tell you that I'm not going to stop seeing Poppy. I can't."

"I appreciate the honesty. At least you're telling me the truth now," Emily said to me.

I left Emily 's house unsure about what was going to happen, but I was okay with it.

As long as I was with Poppy.

I was with her the whole day of her dad's funeral. I told Layla that I needed off work that day, to go be with Poppy.

Layla smiled at me softly, "Listen, Delilah. You don't have to tell me your business. So you can choose to say, 'no comment'. But are you and Poppy together?"

I had a bit of a mental debate before admitting, "Yes, are. How did you know?"

"I just had a feeling," Layla said to me, "Go be with Poppy for her fathers funeral. Please, give her and her family my love."

"I will," I smiled at Layla, "Thank you."'

As I was leaving Layla's office, Sydney caught up to me.

"Hey," she said, "I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but I was in the storage closet and overhead you talking to Layla. I just wanted to say...I'm happy for you and Poppy."

I looked at Sydney, "Thank you, Syd. That means a lot coming from you."

As I walked back to the front, I couldn't help but realize that Poppy and I could be much more open about being a couple. We had nothing to hide anymore.

And that was such a relief.

I've only been to two funerals in my life. My grandfather's funeral, and the funeral for Emily's aunt Kaia who I got to know well being friends with Emily.

The funeral for Poppy's dad was my third.

The service for him was beautiful, and a lot of people showed up. Everyone from his law firm, other friends, and of course Poppy's whole family, including her mom and stepdad.

Poppy held my hand the entire time of the funeral, except when she went up to the front to speak about her dad. I dabbed my eyes with tissues as she spoke from the heart.