Unexpected Visitor
So many things could change in a month, for instance, the weather had now warmed up to a more suitable temperature for the middle of March, Linda the panda, had swapped her overgrown stomach for 5 new born Cubs and most importantly, Tobin and Alex were friends.
It was an odd concept to Alex , which a few weeks ago, she would have shunned. But the Tobin she knew now, largely contrasted the Tobin she had conjured up in her head prior to said month.
**
"Morning sunshine." Alex said through a bright smile.
"It's a bit too early for that big of a smile." Tobin mumbled as she lazily took a seat at the kitchen counter across from Alex.
"Would you like some coffee?" Alex asked sympathetically; Tobin was not much of a morning person and although amusing, morning Tobin couldn't hold a stick to regular Tobin.
"Ye-" Tobin's reply is interrupted by the chime of the doorbell. Both Tobin and Alex's faces contorted in confusion as neither woman was expecting someone, at least not this early anyways.
Tobin sighs before reluctantly leaving her seat and answering the door.
**
"What are you doing here?" Tobin asks, more annoyed than in shock. It was far too early for unexpected visitors.
"Can't I come and see my daughter?"
"Mom you live across the country. You could have atleast called." Tobin says, rubbing the bridge of her nose.
"Why, do you have something in here that you don't want me to see?"
It was an innocent, sarcastic question, but Tobin was brutally aware that there was in fact someone in there that she didn't want her mother to see.
Tobin never really got around to explaining the Alex situation to her mother, it's not really a conversation you'd like to have over the phone ... With your mother.
Brushing past Tobin into the foyer area, Tobin's mother continues.
"I did call, but you don't answer your phone. I don't know why you have one."
"In here smells great what are you cooking?"
"Uh, nothing." Tobin lies trying to keep her cool.
Her mother was obviously on her way to the kitchen and Tobin closed her eyes, preparing for the inevitable.
"Well ..." Her mother said smugly, taking in the sight before her.
"Now I see why you haven't called, it appears as if you had someone else occupying your time." She teases lowly.
Tobin could do nothing more than stare at what was currently going on in her kitchen, there was something painstakingly domestic and mesmerizing about the scene that made her heart race and her face soften.
She could definitely get used to mornings if she got to wake up to this often.
Alex, still in her pajamas, was dancing along idly to a song Tobin had never heard before while she expertly flipped a few pancakes.
Tobin couldn't even image what was going on in her mother's head right now.
"Hey Alex." Tobin said interrupting her little performance.
"This is my mom."
Alex's stomach dropped, she didn't plan on meeting Tobin's parents, and definitely not like this.
"You didn't tell me your mom was joining us for breakfast." Alex said, putting on her most charming smile and moving to greet Tobin's mother.
"Yeah well, she didn't tell me either."
"And you Tobin, didn't tell me that you would have company. Who is this lovely lady?"
"This is my - , shit, Alex."
"Well, my Alex it's nice to meet you, I'm Tobin's mother. I'm in town for a business trip and I thought I'd drop by and check to make sure my daughter was taking care of herself, but I can see she's doing just fine." She says glancing between Tobin and Alex.
"Nice to meet you too." Alex smiled, trying her best to mask her discomfort.
"So you finally fixed the guest room huh Tobin?" Tobin's mom asked trying to get to the bottom of Alex's role in Tobin's life.
Both Tobin and Alex's faces flushed. She's good. Alex thought to herself.
"No, Alex uh, she sleeps with me."
"Interesting ..." Tobin's mother finished, sizing up Alex. She wasn't too thrilled at the prospect of Tobin seeing other women again, especially after her last relationship. Her daughter was too nice and trusting, a lovely flaw to have, but sometimes it is our good qualities that bring about our downfall.
"Maybe we can all meet for lunch, and Tobin you can formally introduce me to "My Alex" " Tobin's mother suggested.
Alex looked to Tobin, who appeared to be just as uncomfortable as her.
"I don't think that's a good idea, mom"
"Why not?"
"Tobin and I, were gonna go to the park ... To play some soccer." Alex answered quickly.
Both Tobin and her mom shot Alex an incredulous look.
"Soccer? Really? You didn't tell me you were thinking about playing again." Tobin's mother said thoroughly surprised.
Tobin quickly collected herself.
"Um, not really, we were just gonna go play around you know."
"Okay so maybe dinner then" Tobin's mother suggested, taking a look at her watch.
"I better get going, sorry we had to meet like this." She said, looking sympathetically at Alex.
"Take care Tobin, I will most definitely be giving you a call young lady."
**
Tobin let out a large sigh as she closed the door, signaling her mother's exit.
"You owe me big time." Alex said glaring at Tobin as she once again joined her in the kitchen.
"Sorry about that, she can be a bit ... different."
Alex didn't reply, opting to take a large bite out of her pancake instead.
Tobin studied Alex then, she looked to be deep in thought.
"What are you thinking about."
"Do you think she thinks we're dating?" Alex looked up at Tobin.
"Possibly, I wouldn't put it past her, she knows I like pretty girls." Tobin replied before she realized what she was saying.
Alex's eyebrows shot up momentarily, before her eyes lessened into a challenging squint.
"And do you know what pretty girls like?" Alex said quietly.
"I have a few ideas." Tobin said, matching Alex's tone.
Tobin noted to herself the darkening of Alex's eyes before continuing.
"But most of them require me to take them on a date first."
"I was going to say, having a peaceful morning free of mothers, but a date works too, pick me up at 7."