436 Plan worth a good try!

Lia's suspension began with a healthy bowl of oatmeal and words of encouragement to fight for her justice. But soon, it had shifted to her granted watching cartoons heartily.

Lillian was helping Giselle with the dishes where one washed and the other wiped the plates dry to put them back on shelves. Lillian had been obedient all along ever since Giselle told her they would have private conversation about last night. Lillian looked at Lia and saw her enjoy watching television on a school day. For a suspended student, she was cherishing every moment. Noticing how the little girl was busy, Lillian thought this could be the chance to initiate the implied private conversation.

"So, about last night…" Lillian casually began.

Giselle patiently stood while witnessing Lillian stammer her way to get through her words. She sure didn't even come close to sounding casual and very briefly addressed the unexpected encounter with Diego and how she was planning to stop with just a single drink. Lillian knew all of her explanation weren't getting through Giselle's calm defense. Eventually, she ended up apologizing for what had happened the previous night.

"It's alright, Lilly!" Giselle returned very politely.

It appeared that Giselle had forgiven her, but something within Lillian couldn't just blindly believe or accept it wholeheartedly. Still, she knew she wasn't going to go against Giselle on that subject. Moreover, what mattered to her was the absence of memories about what had happened when Diego dropped her home. Lillian could clearly remember Diego and Giselle meeting each other but what came next was blank in her head. And that's why she started the conversation and drove it to inquire about the missing piece.

To her disappointment, Giselle responded that nothing happened as Diego only helped Lillian get inside since Giselle by herself couldn't carry her. Lillian grinded her teeth in frustration behind a complete smile.

"Are you sure nothing happened? I'm just worried if he- did anything or said anything to hurt you," Lillian said to move closer. She did mean in that respect to worry about Giselle since Diego was the one who came in between to separate them. Along with his sinful threats, Lillian couldn't help but get concerned for Giselle's sake.

"Lillian Grey! We're together. Do you think I have a reason to lie to you about Diego?" Giselle exclaimed.

Lillian ended up surrendering to her words.

"Alright! I believe you," she said to come even closer, closing in the distance between her and Giselle. Lillian wished to kiss Giselle so badly. But she had never done such a bold move in front of Lia. Even so, Lillian was so moved with Giselle admitting they were together that she had to kiss her that moment. Hence, Lillian went in confidently just as Giselle's phone rang to disturb the mood and the distance.

Giselle's flustered face recognized the name of the person calling from glancing at the glitching screen on the counter. It was Mrs. Beth, and that wrecked the romance at once as Giselle rushed over to answer the call. Annoyed by the intrusion, Lillian refused to give up. She followed Giselle to pull her into a kiss so needy and tender that it had destroyed Giselle's priorities for a few seconds. The two stayed kissing each other as Mrs. Beth's voice began to echo between them aloud. Eventually, Lillian stopped after realizing the increasing volume of the desperate call for Giselle. She smiled and let go of Giselle before planting another sweet kiss on her cheeks. Lillian then left to join Lia, who caught sight of what had happened since the call came to bust her attention back to the kitchen.

"I saw that!" Lia smirked as she commented.

The little girl hoped that Lillian would get shy from her witnessing, but unlike what Lia anticipated, Lillian's reaction was the complete opposite. She proudly reacted to Lia witnessing the kissing scene. Added, she bragged how much she loved Giselle and frankly wished to continue if not for the intruding phone call from Lia's vice-principal.

Lia was enjoying her time witnessing the love in the air, but as soon as she heard Mrs. Beth's name in the conversation, she couldn't help but get worried. Lillian patted her on the shoulders to comfort her, and the two waited in the living room.

***

Giselle gets the green signal to actually meet Luther and his mother. Mrs. Beth made arrangements so quickly that Luther's mom was willing to meet with Lia's mother to settle their issue. With the exception that they visit her at their place since Luther's father would be away for work. Mrs. Beth suggested they pick an outdoor spot to discuss, but Luther's mother couldn't risk seeing outside, especially when Luther's father had several friends in the neighborhood. If they wished to speak and reach for a solution smoothly, then it had to be when Luther's father was away. And that their home was the safest place to converse freely.

Lillian and Lia waited in the living room as they watched Giselle speak with Mrs. Beth with such an intense expression on her face. Lillian could decipher how and where the conversation went, but she still didn't know that Giselle was planning to visit Luther's mom. Meanwhile, Lia was sweating cold panic sweats as she waited, trusting her mother.

Soon, the call ended, and Giselle came to reveal the news.

"I'm sorry! I don't think I quite heard that clear," Lillian exclaimed in utter disappointment.

"What?" Giselle blinked.

"I'm sorry when you said we'd fight for our peace, I thought we were going to sue that bast- Luther's father if he was seriously going to expel Lia," Lillian revealed.

Giselle stopped Lillian from her ridiculous imagination. She advised how this might work better because this way, she could talk to Luther and try to get him to understand what was going on. By talking to the little boy, who started this mess in the first place, Giselle thought it was for the best before the word of it got spread around the school. Besides, consulting with Luther's mom would settle this matter. It could at least give them a chance to take a step forward in establishing their peace.

Lia agreed with her mother and thought it was a good idea. She requested if she could accompany her to visit Luther.

Both Giselle and Lillian thought about it for a moment before Giselle agreed regardless. Lillian kept her opinion to herself.

The little girl jumped up in joy and ran upstairs to get ready.

**

Now that Lia left in glee, Giselle looked at Lilian, who kept herself quiet during the whole time.

"Are you angry?"

"What? No,"

"Are you disappointed?"

"Wha- No!"

"Then, why are you making that face?"

"What face am I making?"

"The face that doesn't believe!"

Lillian blinked.

"So, I'm right? You don't believe in my plan?"

"What- No, Giselle! Come here," Lillian said to pull Giselle close to a side-hug.

"I didn't- I'm not disappointed or that I don't believe in you! I was just wondering if it would work. Because you weren't there to see how Luther's dad reacted. He looked at us in disgust- pure disgust like we're some kind of- I don't even want to say anything," Lillian demurred to sigh.

"I know. But we can't fight back or play dirty like him!"

Lillian exposed how their plan already sounded like a dirty little game to her. Giselle chuckled to admit that it was and how being a lesbian and going through a rough life gave her the exception to be so if it demands.

"Is that so?" Lillian laughed at her logic.

"Still, what I meant was that Luther's dad is a pure homophobic, true to his beliefs, Giselle! I've lived encountering homophobes here and there, but most of them were clueless and scared, but these people- they don't know anything but simply spread the hatred. Do you think talking to his wife could help us return Lia's school life to the way it was before?"

Giselle remained in silence, pondering to herself as she rested her head on Lillian, and they held each other in silence.

"I don't know. I have to do something. I can't just sit back and have other people helping for me and my child while I hide somewhere."

"And you think this plan of yours is doing something?"

"I guess!"

Giselle knew how there could be other kids like Luther who are influenced by their parents and may think Lia was weird. And that's exactly why Giselle wanted to take a step to try talking to one kid. It was honestly a risk, but Giselle wanted to cross the line for the sake of their future. If she could help Luther understand, then it's a hope that Lia can live through the change and rise stronger rather than letting others bully her.

Even if she wished to sail this storm, underneath all that anxiety, Giselle couldn't help but reveal her honest thoughts to Lillian, merely to share the burden with someone.

"Who am I kidding! I'm not sure it is the best plan, but this sounds like a good try, right?" she confided.

"Of course!"

Giselle looked up to find Lillian's face debatable.

"You still don't believe me!" Giselle tried to leave the cuddling, but Lillian kept her locked within her grip.

"Giselle! Me too! I also think the same. I'm not sure if this might work for the best of our girl, but it's a good try- I agree that. Besides, this is so like you that I'm left speechless!"

Giselle stopped struggling further and returned to cuddle. Seeing her give up so easily made it difficult for Lillian to play around.

"Ah… I love you so much, Giselle!" she admitted shamelessly, out of nowhere, and threw Giselle in a surprise.

"What's this confession all of a sudden?"

"You have no idea how much I missed you the past weeks. We decided to live together, and then you had to leave for Jayce's book tour! Imagine my pain, my darling!" Lillian foolishly parodied as she kept squeezing Giselle under her embrace.

"That's... my... job," Giselle spoke under the loving grip.

"I know! That's why I have to refill myself with Giselle."

It was impossible to escape from Lillian anymore as Giselle sacrificed herself in the end.

Lillian realized how frightened Giselle was underneath all that newfound poise because her heartbeat kept pounding faster and faster. At first, Lillian thoughtlessly believed she was the cause, but seeing the dreaded look down on her face, she couldn't help but find a way to cheer her up.

"I trust you, Giselle. So, don't be all worried and follow through with your plan, okay?"

Lillian's words of comfort gave some strength for Giselle to believe in herself, something she often lost the grip of it when in doubt. Regardless, now that there was someone to share her life with, Giselle thought she should not throw herself into negativity. After all, the love of her life was right by her side.

While Giselle overcame her trepidations, all this talk about the courage to take a step led Lillian to recall Jenna's offer. Lillian still hasn't shared that with Giselle, and since now they were alone, she risked going with the flow.

"Giselle?" Lillian called, finally loosening her hold to give some personal space.

"Hmm?"

"I- have something to talk to you about," Lillian said.

"What is it?"

The snuggling no longer existed as the suspense between them grew more from Lillian's hesitance. Giselle felt sad for a second before she assumed what could have seriously happened for Lillian to mull especially.

"You see, Jenna- she visited me yesterday and had a proposal arranged by Shane. She and Shane wanted me to consider this offer seriously."

"Wow- okay, what is it?"

Giselle's eyes were curious to hear. And so, Lillian killed the silence to admit how Shane wanted her to give a personal interview on a radio show.

"That sounds nice."

"Well, it is-"

"And… this is a personal interview?" Giselle asked.

"Well, it is!"

Somehow it became difficult for Lillian to admit it willingly. She knew Giselle would have her own worries about this, but having to declare suddenly turned to a dare. Eventually, Lillian confessed that Shane suggested she disclose their relationship. Shane had wanted Lillian to consider revealing her romantic life to the public ever since pictures of her and Lia started circulating the school and a few media outlets. Her recent fame was the reason behind the interrogations about her personal life.

"Oh-" Giselle gasped in awe. She was willing to expect something like this in the future, but having to live in such a reality so quickly was different from what she had thought.

"That's what I wanted to discuss with you."

It came as a surprise at first, but more than hearing that, Giselle was curious to know Lillian's thoughts on this.

"What did you tell Jenna?" she inquired.

"I declined obviously- but she insisted that I re-consider."

"What do you want to do?" Giselle bluntly asked.

"I- don't know. I- we are together. That's for sure. And I'm never letting you leave again. So, it's only natural that we tell everyone. But it's not just me, right? You are my partner, so I have to consult with you too. You have your life- job, etc. Anyways, that's my opinion and if you don't want me to do this. I'll stubbornly decline. It's not a big deal."

Giselle went silent to think about it. She chose no longer to hide or run away. However, revealing their relationship on a radio show seemed too sudden.

"I mean, I still work at Keyline, and I'm Jayce's editor, so I'm not sure how he's going to respond and all..." Giselle exclaimed to worry.

"Hey, hey- it's fine. I told you, right? If you don't like it. I will decline. You come first for me."

"Thanks, Lilly."

Giselle was grateful to have Lillian considerate of her situation as well. Nonetheless, it isn't like she was against the idea.

"What? Really?" Lillian gaped upon learning.

"Yeah. I mean, it's a great opportunity, but I'm just starting to take a step forward. I definitely don't want to fly right off the bat. I'm not that bold. But- if you'd like-"

Seeing how Giselle wished to have both ways, Lillian asked her to calm down.

"Okay." Giselle sighed.

"Tell me honestly what you think," Lillian asked, all on a serious note.

"It's a great opportunity."

Lillian listened attentively.

"But can we do it later- in the future? Like after several months! First, I want Lia to go to school without anyone trying to bully her. Maybe after that, we could have you take that interview. All I'm saying is not so fast. It feels like rushing, which- also contradicts what I just said a while ago."

"Hmm... that works, but Jenna told me that I don't need to say names, but if they got pictures of Lia, then it's easy to figure out that you are my partner. So, postponing the interview might work!"

Giselle went on a rant, but once Lillian spelled it for her clearly, she was able to make a decisive decision. She didn't want Lillian Grey to lose this opportunity, but at the same time, she couldn't have their relationship out in the spotlight. That means the only solution was to try talking to Shane about it.

"Maybe I'll talk to Shane?" Giselle suggested.

"No- you don't worry about it. I'll handle Shane. and Jenna too."

Giselle agreed, but somehow, she laughed from the context.

"What's so funny?"

"It's always those two names all I hear when it comes to you."

"Well, they practically raised this mess."

"Yeah, you are-" Giselle said to laugh out loud.

"Alright. Alright. Enough imagining my pathetic past self without you!"

Both kept fooling around friskily when the little girl finally came down to witness her mother, all in smiles with Lillian Grey. Lia hid behind the stairs to watch the two in love. She recalled her father talking about how Giselle would always shine when talking about her first love. Lia could see the two adore each other so caringly. Feeling left out swiftly, she left hiding to make a dash at them while screaming to be included in their little loving circle.

"Don't leave me out!" Lia cried as she ran towards Giselle and Lillian.

Giselle caught her daughter to lift her in the air, and Lillian joined to catch her. Together, the three played until they all ran out of fuel. The two women retired soon before the child, whose adrenaline was only getting warmed up from the little airborne stunt. As the two rested on the couch with Lia running around the house, Lillian asked if she should accompany them to their little visit. She had the thought for a while since Giselle made her decision and have been wanting to ask her.

"No! I think I'll be fine. Besides, Lia will be there too, so we'll try to manage ourselves," Giselle replied, now sounding a little more confident in herself.

"Okay. If anything happens, you know who to call!" Lillian informed.

Just then, to her startle, Lia ran by her side to scream that they should call Lia's father if something were to happen. Teased by the little girl, Lillian left the couch to follow Lia, and the two ran around the house playing tag.