Page 76 of State of Grace

But this time, it was the most natural feeling in the world.

As the house lights came up, Alexis ran backstage to change out of her costume before going straight for her friends who were still waiting for her in the theatre. Sophia intercepted her first with a huge hug and a bouquet of gorgeous roses and more compliments than Alexis could register. She quickly said hello to Maddie, Emily, Patrick, and Jordan before Harper jumped into her arms. Alexis swung her around excitedly as Harper framed her face with her hands.

“You were the bestest, Mommy!” Harper’s compliment was the absolute best of them all.

“Thank you, baby.” Kissing her cheek, she sat Harper back down on the ground and walked over to Blake. They stood a few feet away from each other for a few moments while Alexis took in the sight of her. She looked beyond stunning in the light grey pantsuit she’d purchased for the evening. It was tailored to her perfectly, and the black shirt she was wearing underneath showed enough of her cleavage to pique Alexis’s interest. “So, how did I do?”

“You were wonderful, babe.” Blake pulled her close, and Alexis ran her hand under her suit jacket and around her waist. Their lips met slowly and softly, and Alexis smiled. She didn’t care that people were around anymore, and she was glad that Blake felt the same way.

“Thank you.” She soaked up Blake’s complement, surprising herself. Typically she would have said that Blake was wrong, but she was flying high and didn’t want to spiral into her usual rabbit hole. Turning around to face her friends, she caught a glimpse of the last person she’d expected to show up.

Her mother.

Walking toward them, Alexis could swear she caught a glimpse of pride on Moira’s face.

“Hello, everyone.” Moira nodded her greeting to the group. Beside her, Alexis was keenly aware that Blake’s hand was still on the small of her back. Sophia took a step closer toward her as if to protect her from whatever Moira was going to say. Harper moved closer to Alexis, holding onto her arm tightly. “Alexis, you were wonderful, sweetheart.”

“Thanks, Mom,” her voice slightly cracked. “I’m happy you made it.”

“I am too. It was nice to get out of the house.” Moira looked tired, more tired than Alexis remembered seeing her before. She knew that her father’s illness was taking a toll on the rest of her family, but her mother was clearly taking the brunt of it. Alexis wanted to match her gesture of showing up at the play and decided to introduce her to Blake.

“Oh, Mom, I’d like you to meet Blake.” She smiled up at Blake before looking back over at Moira. “Blake is my, um,” the words were on the tip of her tongue but were stuck for some reason, “girlfriend.”

“Oh, hello.” If Moira was surprised, she didn’t show it. In fact, there was little change in her uncomfortable, tired facial expression at all. She extended a hand out and shook Blake’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Blake.” Her eyes slightly narrowed. “Do I know you from somewhere?”

“That’s a loaded question.” Blake’s laugh was nervous.

“Blake is on the TV show The Things We Left Behind, but I’m sure you haven’t…”

“Oh! That’s it.” Moira snapped her fingers and pointed at Blake. “My eldest granddaughter watches that show. I’ve seen a few episodes. It’s not bad.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Holland.” Was Blake blushing?

“Well,” she let out a long breath, “I should get back home. The home health aid is already staying over, and I don’t want to monopolize her whole night. Alexis,” Moira swallowed hard as their eyes met, “thank you for the tickets. You were wonderful. I am…I am proud of you.”

Not giving Alexis any time to respond, Moira turned around and headed toward the exit. Alexis stood stunned as her arm dropped from around Blake’s waist. She pulled Harper close to her, and a wave of emotion washed over her. In her twenty-seven years, her mother had never said she was proud of her. Alexis wasn’t entirely sure how to process the whole thing. Looking at Sophia, Alexis shook her head and laughed.

“Did that really just happen?”

“I believe it did, mon amour.” Out of their friend group, Sophia knew the rocky relationship between Alexis and Moira better than anyone.

“What’s the big deal?” Blake looked back and forth between them. “What am I missing?”

“My mom has never said she’s proud of me.”

“Aww, baby.” Pulling her in close, Blake kissed the tip of her nose. The rest of their friends seemed to fade away as she relished the glow of Blake’s attention.

“Are we all still going to the bar for drinks to celebrate?” Emily asked, interrupting their quiet moment.

“You all can, but I’m going to take Harper home.” Sophia picked up Harper and put her on her hip. They both looked like they were about to fall asleep at any moment. Alexis told them goodbye as they all headed out to the parking lot. They piled into the cars, and Alexis was thankful that she and Blake had ended up in her car alone.

“You were so great, babe.” Blake ran her fingertips up and down Alexis’s bare thigh. She’d chosen to wear the dress she’d recently purchased because Alexis rarely had an occasion to dress up, and at that moment, she was beyond thankful she’d decided to wear the cotton fabric dress. Alexis struggled to concentrate on the road as Blake’s finger inched dangerously close to her warm center. She gripped tighter onto the steering wheel, driving well over the speed limit to get to the bar.

A local band played on the small stage as they entered the restaurant and took seats at a table near the stage. Despite Alexis’s best intentions to focus on Emily, Maddie, and Mason, she was keenly aware of Blake’s hand still on her thigh. She didn’t care how obvious it was when she’d insisted they leave after only two drinks. Little protest came from their friends, and Alexis knew her intentions had to be noticeable.

Once again, Blake’s hand found its way up Alexis’s thigh as they headed to the farmhouse. It had been too long since she’d ever let anyone touch her like that, and never in her life had she wanted anyone to touch her more than she wanted Blake to. There was no chit-chat as Alexis parked the car, and they headed up the stairs to Blake’s apartment.

As soon as the door was closed behind them, their lips met as if they were magnets. Their kissing intensified significantly; and Blake’s body pressed firmly into hers. Alexis pulled her head back slightly, looking into Blake’s blue eyes as she framed her face with her hands.

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