The sun burst through the bedroom window as a reminder that it was now morning. Their legs interwined, they continued to writh and moan. The love-making session was still yet to end.

It has been 6 months since Olivia and Riley had first begun seeing each other. What began as an accidental meet-cute  in the local supermarket had now grown into a passionate love affair.

Soulmates might be one way to describe it.

Olivia Bennet was still in college. She had grown up in an extremely conservative household, leading a regimented life. This new relationship had opened up a whole world she never could have imagined previously. Love, genuine connection. Lust, an appetite she was unaware of. These are some of the things that Riley Morgan had brought to her.

Riley was what some might call a free spirit. With freckles scattered across her nose and cheeks, the local artist had an infectious smile. And it warmed Olivia to the bottom of her heart.

Breathlessly, Olivia whispered into Rilley's ear, "I love you."

It was the first time she had said it to anyone who was not her parents. She blushed in anticipation of Riley's response. Her acknowledgement.

Nuzzling Olivia's neck, planting one soft kiss after the other, "I love you," she whispered back.

The smile on her face broadened. She herself couldn't believe how well this relationship was progressing. Riley, who had already come out as a lesbian when she was a teenager, felt proud that the usually uptight Olivia, was able to express her love.

It broke Riley's heart when she thought about the repressive environment she had grown up in. The level of control that her parents had, well, still have if she's being honest, over her life decisions. Her mindset was something that Riley still struggled to understand.

Knowing that, Riley did not push her in the relationship. Nor did she want to force Olivia to 'come out' to her parents or society. Riley knew how nerve-racking it could be to reveal your sexual orientation to others, and that it needed a supportive environment.

She couldn't even begin to imagine what it might be like coming out to Olivia's parents.

"What do you want to get for breakfast?" Olivia lazily asked.

"This!" said Riley, as she kissed her way down to Olivia's core.

Olivia giggled, "Stop, please. It has nothing more to give today." Grabbing Riley's head, she pulled her back up and gave her a deep kiss on her soft lips. "Although this isn't a bad entrees."

Their make-out session lasted for another 5 minutes before they finally got about of bed and into the shower.

Olivia, who'd exited the shower first called out, "What's on for you today?" while she looked at her phone.

"Just going to the studio." Sticking her head out the bathroom door, "I'm feeling inspired to paint today, " she laughed.

Looking at the message on her phone, Olivia replied, "Mmmm."

Riley walked up from behind and wrapped her arms around Olivia's waist. The scent of their freshly cleaned skin filled the others' senses. "What you looking at?"

"Message from my parents," Olivia frowned. "They asking me to go back for dinner tonight. Michael will be there."

Michael Thompson. He was in his late 20's, recently completing college, and had entered the business world already. Their parents had known each other for a long time, and had determined that their children were 'suitable' for each other. Thus, they had been 'engaged' since Oliva was sixteen.

There was nothing official. Just a tacit agreement between parents. Olivia had only met Michael a few times growing up, and had no real opinion on the matter before. She usually went along with her parents' arrangements. After meeting Riley though, she was struggling. She wanted to tell her parents that she didn't want this engagement, that she didn't even like men. She just didn't know how.

She also feared the potential repercussions of how her family might react. It actually terrified her.

"It's fine," said Riley. "Message them back. Tell them you'll be there."

A tear started to roll down Olivia's cheek as she spun around to face her. "How can you be so understanding? I really do love you, Riley Morgan."

Kissing her on the tip of Olivia's delicate nose, "I love you too! Now reply. Then we'll go get some proper breakfast," Riley grinned.

------------------------

While they ate quietly, Olivia looked out the cafe window at the world going by. She saw people laughing and smiling, and children playing. On a nearby bench, she saw an elderly couple sitting down, holding hands. The elderly woman leaned over and kissed the old man on the cheek. He patted her hand back.

"I'm going to tell them." Olivia stated.

"Hmm? What now?"

"I'm going to tell them that I'm gay. My parents. I'm telling them I'm gay, and about us," Olivia looked at Riley hopefully.

Riley, initially choking on her coffee, said, "Are you sure about this? There is no rush from me, babe. Understand?"

"I'm sure," nodded Olivia. She smiled and looked again to the elderly couple on the bench. "I'm sure."

"What's the worst that could happen?"

"Repeat what you just said!" Olivia's father yelled. "You want to do what now? Become a lesbian? Not in my house, you're not." David Bennet's face was now a deep red from anger, the veins on his neck bulging.

To the side was Margaret Bennet, Olivia's mother. She was no longer looking at her daughter, but merely sobbing into her hands. Occasionally, she'd mutter, "Where did I go wrong?"

"Have you even thought about what this type of thing would do to my...our reputation?"

David was a wealthy and influential businessman. Valuing his perceived reputation highly, he would often place societal expectations above his and, by extension, his family's happiness.

Turning so his back was to Olivia, he said, "You will stop seeing this girl. Immediately." He then placed a hand on Margaret's shoulder. "Michael and his parents will be over this weekend for dinner to discuss your engagement."

"But, Father!" cried Olivia.

"That's final! That is the end of the matter." David then strode out of the room, leaving Olivia and her sobbing mother.

"Mother, please? Help me? I don't want to marry Michael! I don't, and won't ever, love him," Olivia begged her mother.

Margaret briefly looked at her daughter, shook her head, then continued sobbing.

The tears that Olivia had been fighting back finally broke free. With the anger welling up inside her, she wiped her cheeks and ran out of the house. She ignored the calls from her mother as she jumped into her car and drove off.

Tears limiting her vision, she drove erratically down the street, fumbling with her phone as she tried to dial Riley. Initially, the phone went through to voicemail. After the third attempt, Riley picked up.

"Hey, babe? How did it go?"

Olivia could only sob into the phone.

"Oh, baby. What happened? It didn't go well, I take it? Tell me where you are; I'll come to get you," Riley said.

"I'm just driving around," Olivia managed between her deep breaths. "Near the park."

"Alright. Stop driving now and send me your location. I'll come and pick you up. You're in no state to be driving," Riley pleaded.

"Okay." Olivia pulled over to the side of the road, then sent Riley her map location. Resting her head on the steering wheel, she cried as she waited.

After what felt like forever, there was eventually a knock on her window. She looked up to see the smiling face of her lover, the girl who had brightened up her world.

They slowly drove back to the dorm rooms in silence. Olivia rested against Riley's shoulder. The tears had finally stopped, only because she had no more to shed.

Once inside, Riley pulled her to the bed and made her lie down. Covering her with a blanket, she said, "Get some rest first, okay? Sleep. Then we'll talk after you've had some rest."

Olivia just nodded, then closed her eyes. She could smell Riley on the pillows, which gave her heart some comfort.

When she woke in the morning, she could feel an arm wrapped around her waist. Looking over, Riley was still sleeping peacefully. Olivia gently kissed her on the forehead.

"Morning, my love," said Riley with her eyes still closed. "Are you feeling any better this morning?"

"Not really," Olivia said as she snuggled into Riley's body. She wanted to remember this warmth. Always.

"So, what happened?" Riley asked, then patiently waited for her to answer.

"My father ordered me to stop seeing you. He claimed that I wasn't really gay. He's in denial. My mother just cried to herself. She wouldn't even look at me."

"My baby... Come here..." Riley hugged her more tightly. "And then?"

"He said that I had to come back for dinner this weekend to discuss..."

"Discuss what?"

"My engagement to Michael," Olivia started to weep again.

Riley had some understanding of the type of life that Olivia had been raised in and the amount of pressure she'd been enduring over the years from her parents' expectations. It was completely different from the free and easy lifestyle that Riley had grown up in.

"So, what do you want to do then, babe? You know that I'll support you, whatever decision you make," Riley comforted.

"I don't want to do anything. I just want to stay here in bed with you," she pouted.

"Then that's what we'll do," Riley laughed.

For the remainder of the day, the two just lay in bed. Occasionally, they'd watch some TV or order in some food. But other than that, they just enjoyed each other's company.

The following day, as Olivia walked out of the shower, she said, "I can't avoid this, can I?"

"No, babe. You can't. Go home this weekend and talk to your parents. Maybe they'll have had some time to think about it and process it," Riley suggested.

"That's what I love about you... Optimistic to a fault," Olivia laughed.

Riley threw a pillow at her head. "I love you too."

Saturday evening, the Bennett's and the Thompson's settled down for dinner. The parents had purposefully seated Olivia and Michael together. It had been a few months since she and Michael had last spoken, but they had known each other since they were young.

"Aren't they just the perfect couple?" Michael's mother cooed.

"I agree. Just think of what the children will look like?" Margaret replied. The two women were in complete agreement.

"I think we can have the wedding at the beginning of this summer," commented Michael's father. "Before Michael needs to return to work. What do you think, David?"

"I'll leave it to the women to handle. But early summer should be fine, just before we start our joint project," David winked.

Olivia slowly ate her food, wondering how she was going to get out of this situation. Maybe she could discuss it with Michael?

"So, Michael? Are you looking forward to marrying our Liv?" queried Margaret. "Does early summer work for you?"

"Yes, Mrs. Bennett. If Liv's happy, then I'm happy," said Michael with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

Olivia gave him a sideways glance. "Can we please speak outside?"

"Sure. We're just going for a walk."

"Good, good. It's good for the two of you to spend time together," smiled Margaret, while Michael's mother nodded her head.

As they stood on the deck, Olivia looked up at the night sky. She took a deep breath. "I don't want to get married, Michael."

She watched for his reaction. As usual, there was none. Michael had always been like this.

"Why is that?" he asked nonchalantly.

"Because... I'm in love with someone else," Olivia hesitated, "I'm in love with a woman."

"Mmm... okay? What is it you want me to do about it?" Michael asked.

"Support me in rejecting this engagement?" Olivia looked at Michael hopefully.

"Sorry, Liv. I can't do that. This is something my parents have been planning for years now. It's one thing if you manage to convince them to call it off, but I'm afraid I can't help you with it. It would kill my mother if I did that," Michael shook his head. "Sorry, Liv."

He turned and walked back inside. Olivia could only stand there, the urge to cry welling up inside. She looked back towards the sky and thought of Riley. I need to do this for Riley!

Olivia returned back inside. The Thompsons were getting ready to leave. After bidding farewells, the house became silent again.

"Father? I would like a word, please?" Olivia said quietly.

"What is it, Olivia?" the air immediately becoming tense.

"I...I want to call off the engagement. I don't love Michael...and he doesn't love me...Please, father..." Tears were already beginning to fall. Margaret stood off to the side silently, watching her husband to see his reaction.

Speaking through gritted teeth, "Enough, Olivia! I will give you a choice. You can either stop seeing that woman and marry Michael in the summer. Or, you can leave this house with the clothes you're wearing on your back.

"W...what?! What do you mean? You'll disown me?" Olivia could not believe what she was hearing. "But...you... that is unfair!"

"These are the choices I'm giving you, Olivia. It's for your own good. You have until tomorrow to let me know what you decide," said David as he turned to leave.

Olivia watched his retreating back, then looked to her mother for some kind of support. The woman was only looking at her feet, not saying a word.

*****

Olivia wasn't sure how she got there, but she was standing outside Riley's room. She had been hesitating to knock for almost 30 minutes. Her thoughts had been filled with what her father had said. She tried to imagine her life without what she currently had. No money for shopping, college, rent, food. Anything. She hadn't held a job before; she hadn't needed to.

She jumped back when the door suddenly opened. "Liv? What are you doing here?" asked Riley. "Come in."

Olivia explained everything that had been said and the decision she was being forced to make.

"Olivia... my darling. I love you, you know that. Whatever your decision, I'll support it. As long as you believe that you're making the best decision for you. Understand?" Riley pulled her close to hug her as Olivia burst into tears.

"I love you, Riley. I love you more than I've ever loved anyone..." Olivia trailed off.

"But?" pushed Riley.

Oliva closed her eyes, "But... I can't be disowned! I would have nothing! I'm still in college. I don't work. Where would I live? I couldn't become a burden to you.." she cried. "I....I....." she couldn't finish the sentence.

"We need to break up," said Riley matter of factly. "It's what's best for you, right now."

Riley cupped her cheeks gently, and gave her a long, lingering kiss. A tear slowly rolled down her cheek, "Go, my love."

"Go," she whispered.

Olivia fought back the tears that were threatening to come out and stood up. She took a last look at Riley before running out the door and into the night.

Riley finally broke down. She had appeared strong for Olivia, because she knew what needed to be done. It was the only decision that Olivia's upbringing would allow for. There was no point dragging it out, no matter how much it hurt.

*****

Olivia came crashing through the door of her home, her eyes red from crying.

"Liv? Are you ok?" asked her mother.

"No! Mother, I'm not okay! Riley and I have broken up!, Are you happy now?" she screamed. "You've got your fucking way and ruined my life!"

"Olivia!" David shouted. "How dare you speak to your mother like that."

Olivia could only hold in the hate she was currently feeling. Pushing past After her father left, she sprinted into her room and locked the door.

*****

Two Months Later

Knocking on the door quietly, "Liv, darling? It's time to get ready."

The door slowly opened, and Olivia stepped out.

"Oh, you look beautiful, Liv. Aren't you excited?" her mother grinned. The memories from two months ago had already been pushed to the back of her mind.

"Don't push it, Mother," said Olivia flatly as she walked downstairs to the waiting car.

Her mother followed behind her, carrying the train of the dress. Her wedding dress. Sitting down in the car, Olivia could only sigh.

*****

As she walked down the aisle, she was glad that the veil she was wearing could hide her expressionless face. People clapped; relatives gave her a thumbs up.

She looked up at the altar to see her soon-to-be husband. Michael had the same look that he had always had: mild disinterest.

This is going to be my life?

"...Do you, Olivia, take Michael to be your lawfully wedded husband?...."

The crowd leaned in to hear her answer. Olivia was still silent. She looked at her mother, her father, then Michael.

Lowering her head, she said, "I do."