Note: All characters are at least 18 years old.
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It was sod's law that myself and Andi were talking to Lily when Laura arrived home. As soon as I heard the front door open and my daughter announce her arrival with a loud "hey!" I knew what was going to happen. A quick look at Lily confirmed it as she got to her feet and ironed the creases out of her clothes with her hands.
Laura walked into the kitchen and dropped her bag on the floor. She looked at the waiting Lily, then to my wife, and then finally to me.
"Hello Laura," said Lily, slowly walking towards her.
"Umm... hey."
Laura was nervous and suddenly seemed very panicky, because she knew exactly what was going to happen next. I had already seen their 'greeting' but Andi hadn't, and both myself and my daughter knew that she was about to get an eyeful of it.
Before Laura could disappear Lily was standing expectantly in front of her, resting her hands on Laura's hips. I took a fleeting look at Andi who was looking as shocked as I must have earlier, as Laura reciprocated Lily's embrace. Another affectionate kiss passed between them, and then Lily sat down as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened. Laura once again seemed ashamed, looking down at the floor.
I turned to Andi at exactly the same time as she turned to me. She must have known from the look on my face that I knew what had just gone on, and got to her feet. I got up as well, guessing she wanted me to follow her.
"Hi honey," said Andi to Laura after clearing her throat. "Good day at college?"
Laura nodded as we walked passed her. I followed Andi upstairs and into our bedroom. She held the door open for me then closed it behind her.
"What was that?"
Her tone was accusing, as if I had somehow been involved in it. I shrugged, and tried to play it off as nothing.
"Just Lily's way of saying hello. Friends do it all the time in Romania, apparently."
Andi put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at me. I wasn't sure whether she was weighing up the answer or my sincerity; was she considering if the greeting excuse could be true, or had I somehow given her a reason to doubt me?
"Don't you think it's a bit... odd?" she asked, relaxing a little. I breathed a small sigh of relief.
"To us it is, I guess. But if it makes Lily feel more at home and Laura is happy with it then I don't see a problem with it."
I could tell my wife was still worried, so I walked towards her and cupped my arms around her.
"Do you think we should talk to them?" she asked, pressing her head into my chest.
"What are we going to say?"
I was hoping she'd drop it, knowing that if we confronted Lily about it – even though in Andi's mind it was an entirely innocent gesture – that I'd once again be at the mercy of our houseguest, the girl who could bring my life crashing down at any minute.
"Just, I don't know... warn them to be careful where they do it?"
Andi craned her neck up and looked at me, hoping for approval. I took a deep breath in, raising my shoulders, and then released her slowly.
"If it'd make you feel better," I replied. Andi smiled softly. She led me back downstairs and into the kitchen, where Laura seemed to have gotten over her embarrassment as she chatted with Lily across the table. That awkwardness soon returned though as she saw my wife and I entering the room and moving to stand in front of them. The typical parent double team – Laura knew 'a talk' was coming, she'd had plenty of them.
"Look, girls, you need to know that there is nothing wrong with your little... greeting, but..."
Andi paused and looked at me for help. Laura was staring up at us, mortified that we were having this discussion. Lily meanwhile came across as completely innocent, which my wife bought completely.
"Just don't do it in public, okay?" I said, finishing Andi's sentence for her. I was trying to support my wife, but only made the situation worse. Andi's expression changed to shock before she rolled her eyes at me. Laura's head fell into her hands, and although it took a moment or two Lily eventually managed to look hurt as well.
"What he means is that some people might get the wrong idea," said Andi, trying to undo my damage. It didn't help Laura, but Lily was happy to play along.
"What wrong idea?" she asked, convincingly. I added 'actress' to the list of her talents.
Andi sat down and explained that some people over here might interpret their greeting as something more... intimate. Lily played dumb at first, forcing Andi to explain further. Every now and again she glanced over at me, making sure I was still paying attention to the increasing control she seemed to have over the three of us. Not just me anymore, but my youngest daughter and wife as well.
"So people might think we're... gay?" Lily asked, finally having 'got it.'
"Well, yes, some people might think that. Not that that's wrong, just... be careful, is all I'm saying."
I thought it was over as Andi got up and Lily nodded. Laura also removed her face from her hands; she had turned beet red and could barely look at anyone.
"Do you think it's weird, Craig?" said Lily.
My stomach suddenly seemed to empty as the three of us turned to Lily. Laura and Andi then turned to me, forcing me to come up with a quick answer. I'd soon regret what I said.
"Not really, it's quite sweet, I guess."
I have no idea what possessed me to say that, and Lily's face seemed to light up.
"Maybe you should try saying hello to Andi like that whenever you see her?"
Now I looked at my wife, who looked slightly taken aback.
"Well, I guess we could..." I tried to appease Lily's desire to toy with me, but it only drove her on.
"Why don't you practice?" she asked, knowing she'd got me - again.
Both Laura and Lily were watching my and Andi keenly. I glanced over at Andi and saw the slightest look of concern on her face. Lily had managed to trap us – if we did it then she had got what she wanted, even though my wife wouldn't know that. If we didn't my wife would thought she'd hurt Lily's feelings or made her feel weird.