//------------------------------//
// Making A Plan 
// Story: Blue Eyes and a Beat 
// by TheOriginalDash 
//------------------------------//

"You were right, that was really, really good," Vinyl said, slightly uncomfortable after eating five slices of cake. "I think you'll have to bring me here more often."

"I think you're right. That was the best cake I've had in a long time. I might just need to steal the recipe." I was definitely full, polishing off half a cake, even after Mom warned me not to. She was right, again. When will I ever learn? Oh, wait, never.

I looked around the living room, checking to see if anything had changed. I glanced over the school pictures of my brother and sisters, and I winced when I saw Mom and Dad's wedding photo. They both looked so happy; it was almost unbelievable that it fell apart. I took note of the new lamp on the table, replacing the one I broke last time I visited. I had accidentally bumped it with my left hand, and it fell over. Luckily, I wasn't in too much trouble.

I did notice one thing out of place, and its absence was a huge shock. Mom wasn't wearing her wedding ring anymore. She had always worn it, even after the divorce. I had always wondered why she never took it off, but the bigger mystery was why she finally had. I decided to let it rest, though, because I had already caused enough commotion. I could always ask her about it later.

Checking the time on the clock by the couch, I saw that it was almost four. I figured that it was about time for our visit to be over, and I nudged Vinyl to get her attention. She glanced over, and I pointed at the clock. She nodded, and reached for her jacket. I stood up and walked over to where my mom sat, softly playing our baby grand. She looked so happy; I hated to disturb her, but I couldn't leave without saying goodbye. I touched her shoulder with a careful hand, to let her know that I was there.

"Hey, Mom, I think it's about time that we left. It's almost four, and Vinyl has to get back and prepare the club." I shifted nervously when I mentioned my girlfriends' chosen career, but my mom didn't say anything. She just nodded and closed her music folder.

She scooted over and patted the bench next to her. I sat down and waited for what she was going to say. She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.

"You know that I don't exactly approve of your choice, but I will accept you for whoever you are. I will say this, I am glad that you have her. You chose well, and that's all I could ever ask. As long as she makes you happy, you two are welcome in my home." She looked me in the eye, and I could see tears shimmering inside their azure depths. "It is your home still, you know." Her voice quavered on the last word, and I felt bad for leaving.

"I know, and I'm sorry that I left, but it seemed like the best thing at the time. I'm not going to move in, even though I'm not yet eighteen; I have my own place, and I'm used to being alone. But that doesn't mean I won't visit." She smiled at that, and I was glad that I made her happy at least once. Heaven knows she needed it, after all that had happened.

I got up, and walked over to Vinyl. I held out my hand and helped her up off the couch. She handed my jacket to me, and I shrugged it on. I took her free hand, and came back to where my mom was standing. I waited for Vinyl to say goodbye.

"It was really nice to meet you, Mrs. Dash. I'll be sure to drag her back here soon." She nudged me with an elbow as she smiled at me. I nodded, and hugged my mom goodbye.

"Oh, and Dash, don't forget, we still need to plan your birthday. I need to know what you want so I can set the party." My mom looked at me hopefully, knowing that I was going to be seventeen in a couple of weeks. I groaned softly; birthdays always meant talking to all of the relatives, and having them tell stories about when I was little. And of course, Aunt Carol always was there to disapprove of my sexual preference, telling me that a proper young lady should find a young gentleman.

I sighed, and turned around, facing my mom to talk. "Yeah, I think that it would be nice to celebrate it. It will be here, like always? Because I'm pretty sure no one knows where I live." Not that I wanted them to, either. Mom nodded her head, understanding what I really meant. "Good. Now, as for the date, how about a week after my actual birthday; my friends and I have something planned for the actual day. That, and that would make it a Saturday, which is convenient for most everyone." Mostly, I just wanted to make it so that Dad and Cloud could come. Moony and Sunny were still in school, so I didn't have to worry about where they'd be.

Mom nodded her head, and smiled at me. "I think that would work. Any particular design or gifts in mind?" I laughed inside at that one, because we both knew I wasn't particular about things like that.

"Mom, you know better than that. I don't care, you can surprise me." I hugged her again, and got ready to go.

With that taken care of, we went back through the white, rose-scented hallways and stopped at the door. I took one last look around, trying to lock the memory in my head. I pulled my free hand out of my pocket, and opened the door, Vinyl right behind me.

We were blinded by the sunlight as we stood on the porch. I was blinking like an owl, trying to clear my vision. Finally, I could see again, and waited for Vinyl to give the okay. She did, pulling me after her onto the busy sidewalk.