Work Text:
The snow glistened outside of the school laying in piles on the cold ground. It hadn’t snowed enough to cancel the school day, but the teachers of Abbott Elementary decided collectively that they would bring their classes together in the gym for a big Snow day Movie watch party, of course it hadn't taken much to convince Ava. She asked Mr.Johnson to set up the projector and then she and Melissa made popcorn for the whole school while the rest of the teachers got the kids situated in the gym.
The first movie on the list happened to be Wreck it Ralph, letting the kids take a vote, that one won for the first shown for the day. So, Ava popped the movie into the dvd player and then took her seat off to the side as she started to scroll through her phone.
The movie was ten minutes in and Melissa, Barbara, Janine, Jacob, and Gregory were congregating in the back of the gym gossiping and talking about just little things throughout the day as their eyes scanned the room to make sure the children were behaving, which thankfully they seemed to be engrossed enough in the movie and the popcorn that they weren’t bothered with anything else, except for one child in particular.
“Melissa?” Gregory asked as he scanned the row where his kids were to be seated. He counted heads three times before asking Melissa. “Do you have Ella?” His voice went up an octave as he scanned the room.
Melissa’s head instantly shot up as she scanned the room answering him with a soft no before sighing. This wasn’t the first time her child snuck out of the room when they were all supposed to be in the gym. She took a deep breath putting her thumb and pointer finger on the bridge of her nose to stop a headache that was brewing.
“I’ll go get her.” Gregory offered as he patted Melissa’s back on his way out of the gym. The good thing was, Ella always went to the same spot when she snuck away. It was a safe haven when she wanted to rebel, but didn’t want to get into too much trouble and luckily all the teachers had picked up on her hiding spot pretty quickly.
“I wish she didn’t act so much like me.” Melissa sighed. “It makes it even harder to discipline her.” She ran a hand through her red curls as Barbara wrapped an arm around her back to pull the woman into a hug.
“It’s that Schementti charm,”Barbara teased before getting serious. “She’s six, you still have a long way to go, but you’re not alone.” She promised. “She’s a good kid, you did a great job raising her.” Barbara smiled as she looked up to see Gregory walking back in with Ella, her head hung low as they made their way over to the teachers.
Ella looked up as soon as she landed in front of Melissa. She sniffled softly as she wrapped her arms around her mom’s waist, her chin resting on her stomach. Melissa sighed softly, moving the light brown hair behind her daughter’s ear.
“I’m sorry mommy.” She said softly. “I shouldn’t have snuck out.” She took a deep breath and whispered “again.” Before letting go of her mom and stepping back. The teachers had to stifle their laughter as Melissa kneeled down to be on her daughter’s level.
“You can’t keep running off Isabella.” She said softly. “If you need a minute, tell someone, we will step out of the gym with you to let you breath.” Melissa had learned early on that Isabella got overwhelmed easily when it came to big crowds. So, she would sneak away to be alone for a bit, which was understandable, but Melissa had been trying to get through to the younger schemmenti that a teacher would gladly give her time alone if she just communicated with them.
“Now, what do you need to say to Mr.Eddie?” She asked softly as she looked at her daughter. Watching as the small brunette turned around and looked up at her teacher.
“I’m sorry Mr.Eddie, I will try so hard not to do it again.” She promised as she wrapped her arms around his waist. He was still taken back when a student hugged him, but he was getting more used to it by the day and it was starting to warm his cold heart.
“Thank You El, Now please go take a seat.” He said looking down at the young girl. She nodded softly before going down the line to hug each of them individually. She then turned to head back to her seat.
“Thanks Gregory, she really does listen to you more than she does me.” Melissa commented as she looked out at the students making sure everyone else was acting right. Leave it to her daughter to be the one who stirred the pot.
Gregory shook his head. “No need to thank me, it takes a village.” He added as she nodded softly.
“Yes, it does and thanks for being mine.” She said looking around at her little group. She wasn’t one to get emotional, but she was thankful they had helped her shape her daughter into a wonderful girl and one day an amazing woman. She needed the help on occasion and was glad they were all willing to give Isabella what she needed.
Finally settling back into their previous conversations with each other as the movie played in the background. Barbara looked down at her phone and sighed softly leaning against the wall behind them to read the message that just came through.
“What’s with the change in tune?” Melissa asked as she leaned against the wall beside her girlfriend, their arms brushing against each other’s.
“Oh..Gerald needs me to come over and fix his tv again.” She rolled her eyes softly. She loved her ex-husband. He was the one who brought to light her feelings for Melissa, but sometimes he got lonely and wanted Barbara to come over for random little things. Sometimes he even asked her to bring Ella over because he’d have a little gift for the young girl. It was really sweet how much he did care for the Schementti girls even though they were part of the reason for the divorce. No one held that against them. Barbara and Gerald had collectively decided to part ways. He’d even begun to date here and there, but relying on someone for so long had left him feeling vulnerable at times.
“If you need to go over there after work Bella and I can start on dinner.” She said softly. Melissa was aware that Gerald would always be in their lives and she was absolutely okay with that. It was just how it was going to be and Melissa thanked him greatly for the sacrifice he made for Barbara to be happy. They both knew she wouldn’t have left if he hadn't opened her eyes.
“Thank you.” Barbara said, smiling softly at the red head letting their hands linger together for a moment before they pulled away. Everyone knew about them, but they were very cautious around the children, which meant very little PDA at the school.
Melissa sighed softly, spotting her daughter making her way back up to them. Isabella was a mini version of Melissa, but she’s picked up little quirks from Barbara as well as the rest of the Abbott crew the more she spends time with them.
“Mommom.” Isabelle said, wrapping her arms around Barbara. It always melted the older woman’s heart when she called her that. It was something Isabella came up with when she started talking and it just stuck through the years.
“Yes baby?” She asked, looking down at the young girl. “Can you take me to the bathroom?” She asked, batting those beautiful blue schementti eyes at the teacher.
Barbara nodded. “Of course sweetheart, go tell Mr.Eddie.” She said running a hand through the Girl’s brown hair before she walked over to Gregory to let him know she was going to the bathroom.
“She loves you.” Melissa said, smiling as she shoulder bumped Barbara softly.
“I love her.” Barbara commented watching as Ella made her way back to them. “and I’m in love with you.” She said softly before turning to grab Isabella’s hand as they made their way out of the gym leaving Melissa to stand with her mouth slightly agape staring at their retreating forms.
It took her all of two seconds to compose herself then quickly retreat after Barbara and her daughter. Finding the woman in question standing outside of the bathroom.
“Melissa?” She asked watching as the redhead approached.
“You said you were in love with me.” She stated matter of factly.”You can’t just say that and walk away.” She put her hands on her hips and tilted her head as she looked at her girlfriend.
“I’ve said I love you multiple times.” She tried to explain, but Melissa shook her head and put a hand up.
“I love you and I’m in love with you are two very different things.” She said softly, stepping closer to the woman. She looked around carefully before wrapping her arms around her neck feeling Barbra relax against her, her hands resting on her hips as their lips connected moving together. Melissa pushed them older woman against the wall feeling her hands wrap around her waist her palms resting flat against Melissa’s ass. She had to pull back to stop herself from what she knew could happen quickly.
“For what it’s worth.” She whispered, pecking her lips once more, hearing the familiar sound of the water in the sink. “I’m in love with you too.” She winked softly as she turned around to head back to the gym, before her daughter exited the bathroom and caught them, leaving Barbara to mimic Melissa’s stare for a moment before pulling herself out of it and grabbing Isabella’s hand on the way back to the gym knowing exactly what her and Melissa would be doing that night.