Archive of Our Own ^beta

This isn't exactly her scene anymore. She has long traded her weekend habit of blacking out with her friends, for more mellow get togethers. But it is The Mikey Lim’s birthday, her friend cannot celebrate anything without memories made from alcohol influenced bad decisions.

…..and Stella is on the verge of making one.

Well, she might be. Stell isn't quite sure yet. She is one shot away from marching up to the pretty girl with plump limps, who has been steadily maintaining very keen eye contact with her the whole night.

Stella knows what she looks like, this isn't the first time a stranger has been blatantly obvious with their attraction to her. Usually, she would take on the role of the more reserved party, waiting by her table, acting coy when approached. But it's been hours! And Stella is not in the mood for this hiya hiyaan sapphic slow burn.

She immediately downs the shot the bartender pours for her. Stella loudly hisses as the tequila burns down her throat. Bwisit na liquid courage. Why does it have to hurt?!

“Kaya pa?” The lemon is barely out of her mouth as she comes face to face with the stranger that she's been lowkey drooling over the whole night. Just my luck.

“You really chose the perfect time to finally come over, no?” Stella makes sure to add extra sass in her tone as she stealthily makes herself presentable.

“That's me! Josefina Robles, the girl with perfect timing. Jo na lang for short. And it's nice to meet you…??” The woman pauses for quite some time, clearly waiting for Stella to introduce herself.

“I don't just give my name out to cute randos, Jo.”

“Ah, so cute ako?” Josefina rests her back on the wooden bar, confidently leaning closer to Stella. Even in the low lighting of this club, Stella can't deny how attractive the woman before her is. She studies Josefina’s features carefully, not like she can help it. It's a different type of satisfaction to confirm that the random person she has been making eyes at is without a doubt the very definition of her type. From Josefina’s sparkly eyes to the two tiny moles above her lips, Stella wants it all.

“Cute nga ako no?” Shit. Get it together! The smugness snaps Stella back to reality. Josefina's mouth quirks up into a confident smirk.

“Cocky too.” Stella states plainly. The smirk on the woman's lips transform into a full on smile, and Stella wonders what magic this woman possesses. Apparently a smile from her is all it takes for Stella to feel absolutely charmed nowadays. A smile?!

It was clear that Jo had a quick quip ready, but something seemed to suddenly distract the woman. She pauses dramatically.

“Tara, let's dance.” Jo pushes herself off the bar, offering a hand to Stella. “I love this song.”

“Why would I dance with you, stranger?”

“First, alam kong alam mo na pangalan ko. Second, why not? Don't tell me takot ka?” Stella should be annoyed. How dare this woman talk to her like this? But it's been awhile since she’s found someone that she's been this attracted to, and who could take her playful bantering.

“Takot? Bakit naman ako matatakot?” Stella is already standing up from the metal stool much to Jo’s pleasure.

“Baka hindi ka kasi makasabay.” Jo baits her further, offering her hand again, complete with a raised eyebrow, daring Stella.

“Let’s go, Cute Stranger.” She humors the woman, leading the way to the dance floor.

“Okay, Ganda.” Jo smoothly retorts. And if Stella’s cheeks are suddenly warm? It’s the alcohol, okay? Definitely not because of the shameless flirt walking behind her.

______

It was supposed to be one chorus, then they'd be done, find a seat, and maybe talk some more. Jo moved surprisingly well with her though, matching each sway of her hip, knowing the right places to hold her. So, she internally negotiates with herself that they'll just finish one more song, then she’ll push temptation away. But Jo started to smell too good. Kind of addicting really. So, Stella indulges herself in an extra few songs, that should be enough, right?Nope. That was a whole set ago.

Now, they’re basically intertwined. Jo’s arms securely resting across Stella’s waist. Her hands lazily placed around the woman's nape, barely a breath separating them.

It's comical how anyone paying attention could tell they weren't there to move to the music, just dancing around something that felt inevitable instead.

“Pangalan mo?” Jo’s words tickle her ears.

“Why?” Stella leans away. For her sanity.

“I plan to kiss you. And I would really like to know your name before that, Ganda.” She can feel the arms around her grow tighter. Pressing their bodies closer, no more hiding from feeling the clear want heating their skin.

“Stella. I'm Stella.” She makes the mistake of looking at the woman’s eyes. Stella feels her whole center shift, even gravity pulls her close to Jo.

“Hi, Stella. Pwede ba kitang halikan?” She doesn't even get to fully nod before thick lips surround hers. The payoff of the tension they built was definitely worth it. Stella forgets how to breathe, she forgets where they are, as she feels herself gripping the fabric of Jo’s shirt harder.

If her cause of death is making out with a hot stranger whilst surrounded by nameless faces that couldn't care less? Then, so be it! Judging by the way she involuntarily whimpers against Jo’s lips, then it must be worth her unexpected demise.

_____

“Mommy!” Her daughter snaps her back to reality.

“Yes, anak?” She tries to gather her bearings. The effect of that flashback still buzzes through her body.

“How did you and Mama meet nga po?” Clearly her trip down memory lane has made their five year old impatient.

“Uhm.” Stella's brain stalls, unable to slither away from their daughter’s curiosity without having her morning coffee. “We met at a party, anak.”

“Party? Birthday party?”

“Uh, yes. Tama, birthday. Actually, it was your Ninang Mikey’s.” She turns around, searching for her mug. She needs that coffee. Stat! Even if she doesn't know how to operate the incredibly complicated espresso machine her wife insisted on getting for their home.

“Ninang Mikey! She got me my fairy wings!” The child squeals at the memory of her favorite accessory.

“Yes, baby. Ninang Mikey's the one that gifted you the fairy wings for your birthday.” Stella sighs in relief. No matter how smart their child might be, she still is an easily distracted toddler.

“She always has red sa hair niya, Mommy.”

“She does.” Stella agrees distractedly, as she deciphers the buttons and knobs of the espresso machine. Nasaan na ba asawa ko?!

“Red din hair ni Ninang nung nagmeet kayo ni Mama, Mommy?” How are we back here?!

“Yes, anak.” Stella faces her daughter. “Why do you suddenly want to know how me and Mama met, baby?”

“It's our homework po. We have to make comics about it! Ask daw po kami ng help from our parents sabi ni Teacher Grace!” Stella stiffens at the thought alone of their sweet daughter knowing how her and Jo truly met, now their baby has to illustrate that night for an academic requirement?! Lord, eto na po ba yung bawi?

“Mommy, help mo po ako mag down sa seat ko. Get ko po yung pang drawing ko po. Please.” Stella just follows her daughter's request mindlessly, still stuck at that thought how is she supposed to deal with this. Wala atang parenting book for this?! What does she Google?

“Thank you, Mommy!” The little girl shouts as she runs to her room.

Stella focuses the little energy she has to finally decoding their coffee making device. Caffeine is non-negotiable, especially if she has to deal with her daughter’s invasive questions alone.

A few minutes had passed, and Stella had given up. Her 3 in 1 cup of coffee proof of how little faith she had in herself. Just as she hears the familiar pitter patter of tiny feet approaching her, their main door click opens.

“Good morning, Ganda!” Jo rushes to her with a brown paper bag in hand. “Wow, nakagawa ka ng coffee mo? Sakto, may pandesal ako.”

“This is instant coffee.” She yanks her wife closer to her as soon as she's within reach. Jo smiles widened at what she assumes is her wife’s eagerness to welcome her.

“Miss ako ag-”

“Shh. Listen. Your daughter has been asking how we met for an assignment. Ikaw magexplain sakanya kung gaano ka kalandi.” Stella assumed her wife would seem a bit shaken, but of course Jo just laughs at her current state of distress.

“Love, yun lang pala. Ako bahala.” Right on cue, Stella’s mini me comes into view. Her Bluey school bag bouncing behind her as she eagerly approaches the two. Her eyes instantly brighten when she realizes her other Mother is home.

“Mama! You’re home!” Her little legs triple in speed, and of course Jo matches their child’s energy. She runs toward the little girl scooping her up into the air, Stella swears her heart triples in size at the sight. Their daughter's eyes reduced to tiny slits, giggling freely as her wife smothers the child with tiny kisses.

“Mama! Stop na, please!” Jo presses one loud smack on their daughter's chubby cheek.

“Okay, last na yun.” Her wife says still not holding their child in her arms. “Good morning, baby ko.”

“Good morning, Mama ko.” Stella loves seeing the two match each other's energies. She doesn't say anything, just silently taking everything in.

“Mama! Mama! I need your help.” Here we go. Their daughter gestures for Jo to put her down on her high chair.

“Sa ano, anak? Nandito na ako.” Her wife rests her chin on her hand, already locked in as their child is busy taking out her drawing materials from her bag. In all the commotion, Jo catches her staring. The woman gives her a sly wink before refocusing her attention on their child.

“How did you and Mommy meet po?” The child asks, now with her favorite purple marker and paper in hand.

“Oh, we met at a party.”

“Mommy said that already na po. Birthday ni Ninang Mikey.” Their daughter states like a dissatisfied journalist.

“Sorry naman, baby. Tama si Mommy, birthday ni Ninang Mikey. Pero ‘di ko pa sila kilala nun.” The toddler gaps, unable to perceive her parents ever living separate lives.

“Shocking? I know. Iba kasama ko nun na friends, nag celebrate kami kasi maganda yung grades namin.”

“Can I celebrate there, Mama?” Jo panics a bit. Not anticipating that unique query.

“Uh..” Her wife looks at her, seriously considering saying yes. Stella mouths a stern No. “Sadly, anak. Closed na siya. Sa Jollibee na lang tayo mag party.” Their daughter squeals with joy at this.

“Yun ka na nga, ‘nak. Doon ko una nakita si Mommy mo.” Stella’s sudden laughter at her wife’s tone catches her two girls off guard. She mouths a sorry, she motions for her wife to keep going.

“Unang kita ko kay Mommy mo, nainlove ako agad. Ang ganda niya eh.” Jo's eyes never leave her, years ago she would have shied away from the intensity of her wife’s gaze. But years of basking in the woman's unabashed deep admiration for her has made her quite comfortable sitting in its warmth.

“Pero I felt it na, baby. Alam mo yung feeling mo when we bought your favorite stuffie?”

“Opo, Ellie my elephant!” The pink animal plushie was their daughter’s first toy she ever asked for. Never one to cry over toys when they went out, their then two year old child made grabby hands at the stuffed animal as soon as she saw it. When they’d try to move away, the child would cry hysterically. As exhausted new parents, they decided to just give in. Ever since, the two have been a buy one take one deal wherever they went.

“Diba, sabi mo nun sure ka na you want her? And ever since, hindi ka umaalis without Ellie?” Their child nods vigorously, very familiar with the feeling her Mother's describing.

“Yun yung naramdaman ko nung nakita ko si Mommy mo sure na agad ako. I didn't want to be without her.” She is sure that this will be the first of many times they would have to tell this story to their child. But Stella can't imagine ever getting used to how uniquely cherished she feels at this very moment.

“Kaya naging brave si Mama kasi medyo nakakatakot si Mommy, diba?” Their daughter snickers along. Stella takes that as her cue to playfully scowl at their child.

“I said hello, nagpakilala ako, told Mommy na ang ganda niya. And the rest is history.” Her wife pulls her closer. She kisses Stella's cheek as she finishes her whole spiel.

“Is that true, Mommy?” Even at her young age, their daughter has caught on to her Mama’s habit of telling the larger than life tales.

“Mhm, your Mama’s very lucky she was cute. If not, ‘di ko siya kakausapin." That causes the little girl to giggle. Her wife just scoffs as she buries her face against Stella’s shoulder.

“Mama, I’ll get Ellie from my room po! Then, we can draw na may assignment na po.” Their daughter declares as she gingerly makes her way down her high chair. They both watch as the tiny human gallops to her room.

“Our daughter's whole class is going to find out kung gaano ka-downbad sa akin.” Stella expected Jo to be defensive. But the woman just hums softly behind her.

“Balang araw malalaman niya rin na ikaw yung may ayaw magpauwi sa akin. One night thing na naging breakfast date? Hm? Tapos same weekend pinakilala ako sa Mommy niya?” Her wife states smoothly as she plants a kiss on Stella’s shoulder, she can feel the smugness radiating from behind her.

“May higit ten years ka pa para i-figure out kung paano mo idedefend sarili mo sa anak natin. I just bought you some time.”

“Wala na bang emergency sa cafe? Dun ka na ulit.” She tries to wiggle free from her wife's embrace, but the woman just holds her in place effortlessly. A realization dawns on Stella.

“You know what, I’ll gladly take that. Basta ikaw mag explain sakanya why she's named after the bar we met at.”

She laughs wildly when she feels Jo stiffen behind her. It only takes a beat before her wife joins her. The melody of their loud cackling filling their cluttered little home.

It’s ridiculous really how they ended up here. Who would have thought that even love that started off as questionable as theirs could build such a beautiful life? Definitely not Stella. If someone told her then that she'd marry the incredibly hot yet cocky smooth talker she took home that night, she would have called that person insane. But she's here! With a child to boot.