Post by rsafan on Feb 28, 2007 5:55:05 GMT -5
Chapter 48
“Good morning.” Rex said as he came from the kitchen with a cup of coffee in hand.
Mimi, having just checked on Zach, who was still sleeping, jumped three feet in the air, “Don’t scare me like that so early in the morning.” she scolded. It had been three weeks since Rex had moved in and she was still getting used to him being around.
“Scare you?” he asked puzzled as to how exactly saying, ‘good morning’, could be at all scary.
“I just didn’t expect you to be standing on the other side of the door practically.” she explained.
He shrugged, “Coffee’s ready.”
“I can smell that.” She said walking past him and into the kitchen to get a cup herself, “So what are you doing today?” she called to him from the kitchen.
“Meeting my other half sister now that she’s back from Europe.” He called back, referring to Carrie who had arrived back in Salem the night before after she and Austin had spent the last few months travelling.
“Are you nervous?” she asked.
“Kind of, I’ve heard so many things about her. All of them good, it doesn’t seem as though she fits into the ‘Roberts/Brady’ group of people I have come to call siblings.”
“You haven’t met Eric either though; the two of them are very much alike.” she commented as she walked into the living room carrying a bowl of cereal in one hand and her coffee in the other.
“I’ll get that.” He practically jumped off the sofa when someone rapped on the door. Opening it, he wasn’t at all surprised to find Shawn on the other side, “Hey man.”
“Hi.” Shawn replied as he walked in. Rex, as was his custom whenever Shawn arrived at the apartment, vacated the room and left the two of them alone.
“Shawn, what are you doing here?” Mimi asked, “Are you not supposed to be working today?”
He shook his head, “Max actually took my advice and got another mechanic, so my hours at the garage have been reduced. I no longer work week-ends and my days are shorter too. I thought I’d drop by and find out what you and Zach were up to today.”
“Well, Zach is staying with your parents today because I unfortunately am not so lucky as to have this Saturday off. I’m working till one then I have to go house hunting with Patrick. If you want though, you can take Zach and I’ll pick him up there, just let your parents know.”
He nodded, “Okay then.”
“He’s still sleeping, if you don’t mind getting him ready yourself, without waking him.” she warned, “You already know where everything is and his bag is already packed so you can just grab that. I need to get ready.”
“Sure no problem.” Shawn said and walked to Zach’s room. Mimi could hear the exchange between Shawn and Zach, who had obviously woken up upon hearing his dad’s voice, over the baby monitor. Shawn was talking to Zach and every now and again he’d make gurgling noises in response. By the time she’d gotten dressed, Shawn and Zach were waiting for her on the sofa, reading a book, though Zach was doing the reading.
He glanced up and his face just lit up, “Mama.” he squealed delightedly and held out his arms for her to pick him up.
“Hi there, did you sleep well?” she asked him lifting him to her for a kiss. He mimicked her actions and planted a wet one on her cheek. “You must be so hungry. Mommy is too, maybe we could eat together.”
He seemed to like that idea and she went to the kitchen to prepare his own cereal. She had yet to start on her own, Shawn had arrived just as she’d been about to fetch the milk. She turned around, Zach still on her hip and saw him leaning against the doorframe, watching her.
“What?” she asked when all he did was smile at her.
“Nothing, it’s just nice to see you prancing around a kitchen with a baby on the hip.”
“Is that a bit of chauvinism I just heard?” she teased him.
“I was simply saying what I felt.” He said as she handed Zach back to him.
“You want a cup?” she asked, indicating the coffee pot that was almost empty, Rex had really attacked it that morning.
He shook his head and they walked to the table together, he to feed Zach and she to finish her own breakfast.
*****
Shawn and Mimi were not the only ones enjoying breakfast together, Chelsea and Billie were doing the same.
“Abby said you have some early morning classes.” Billie commented; it really had been a long time since the two of them had had any kind of conversation. Chelsea was always talking to Abby, on the computer or with her head in a book.
“Hmm-mm.” Chelsea nodded between mouthfuls. She was already late, she had a class at eight and she didn’t want to miss it. If she did, she’d have to take the repeat at two and that would ruin her lunch plans with Nick.
“So, if you’re taking the early classes, does that make you free for lunch today?”
“Sorry mom,” Chelsea responded, jumping from her seat as she heard the car pull up outside, “I’ve got plans for lunch and I have to go now. See you later.”
“Okay,” Billie said, picking up her coffee cup, “I’ll see you later.” She didn’t bother to mention what she had planned for lunch. For one Chelsea was already out the door and for another, she didn’t think her daughter would be all that interested in her activities. Still, they had to find their own place to stay and her mother ha sent her a list of available apartments.
She was going to take a look this afternoon and if she saw anything she liked, she’d have Chelsea look it over before making any final decisions.
*****
Minutes before leaving the house, Hope got a phone call. It was said phone call that delayed both herself and Bo from leaving on time. Instead they decided to call in to the station and report that they’d be in late. The phone call had been from an informant; apparently something bad was brewing in Salem, something really bad. So Bo put on a pot of coffee as they waited for the folder that had been promised was already on its way…
She knocked on the door, she hadn’t been this nervous since the first time she’d walked through it into her parent’s living room. She waited, she knew they were home, could here voices inside. Those voices grew louder as someone approached the door.
“So anyway…Oh my God!” She was enveloped in a hug, she breathed in a scent she’d almost forgotten, her mother. Hope held on for longer than was necessary, it had been almost year since she’d last seen her daughter, she was allowed to hold on to her as long as she wanted.
“Mom, I need to breathe.” Hearing that word, only made Hope’s grip on her daughter tighten. In the conversations they’d had since she’d left, Victoria had called her mom many times. But never; never had she heard it face to face.
“Hope, I think the girl needs some air, she’s turning blue.” Bo walked in from the kitchen. He’d been worried when he’d heard his wife’s exclamation, but now stood in the doorway watching the two of them. Hope had been praying for this day since Victoria had stepped onto that train and out of their lives. He’d been praying for it too, though not with the same passion as Hope had. It most likely had a lot to do with the way they had parted. When Hope finally released their daughter, Bo walked towards them, enveloping Victoria in an equally emotional, but somewhat less fierce hug.
“Welcome home.” Was all he said, all he could get out before Hope shoved him out of the way and dragged their daughter away, demanding a closer inspection, “Look at you! You’ve changed, your hair’s shorter. Have you grown taller? What are you doing here? Are you not supposed to be in Europe now?”
“Mom, would you relax? I’m glad to see you too.” She smiled at Hope but put up her hands when Hope moved in for another hug, she could see the tears brimming her mother’s eyes, waiting for the slightest encouragement to fall. A hug would likely be encouragement enough.
There was that word again, mom. Hope had to blink back the tears, she’d never get used to that word, never get over the magic of it. But Victoria was right, she needed to calm down. She pulled her daughter down onto the sofa with her, “Okay, so where do YOU want to start?”
“So much has happened; I don’t even know where to begin. I guess I have to start by telling you what I’ve needed to tell you for some weeks now. The thing is…Well, I…”
“It’s okay,” Hope encouraged her, “whatever it is, it can’t be that bad.”
At this time, Bo was accepting the package they’d been waiting for. He let it fall from his hands when he heard his daughter’s next words.
“I’m married.”
“You’re…” Hope looked down at her daughter’s hand and sure enough there was a set of rings where a wedding band would be. “You’re married?”
Victoria nodded excitedly, “Isn’t it fantastic and I can’t wait for you to meet him, he’s so amazing. I met him while I was in Italy; it was love at first sight. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.”
“You’re married?” Bo repeated Hope’s words; both were too stunned to think of any other response. Nine months ago, she’d been madly in love with Max and now she was married to a stranger, someone they didn’t know, someone they didn’t know if they could trust, especially with their daughter.
“Does this husband of yours have a name?”
“Of course, it’s Luc. Well, his full name is Lucien Fredericks. I’m Mrs. Lucien Frederick’s, can you believe that?”
“I don’t think I can.” Hope said.
“What’s even better is that I’m moving to Salem, on a permanent basis. Isn’t that just fantastic? I could…Sorry.” She apologised as her phone started ringing. “I have to go. New house and everything, we can catch up later okay?” She hugged both her parents and almost skipped happily out of the house.
“How can this be happening Bo?” Hope looked to him for some answer to what they’d just heard, “She’s not old enough for marriage.”
“Well she obviously is.” he replied, pointing out the obvious.
“That’s not what I meant. Nine months ago she wasn’t even ready for a long term relationship. She is in no way emotionally mature enough to deal with a commitment as serious as marriage.”
“Don’t worry so much, it’s not such a big deal, she’s got a good head on her shoulders and between myself, Shawn and the other Brady men, we’ll be able to keep this guy of hers in check.”
“No big deal? Our twenty-one year old daughter just announced that she’s married to someone she’s known for all of three months. Given her history, I think I should be the one asking you why you’re NOT worried. Bo, a year ago she couldn’t even deal with the fact that she was our daughter. Her reaction to finding out about Victor’s – ”
“That was natural.”
“Be that as it may, she still deals with pain by walking away. When she can’t handle a situation she simply removes herself from it. THAT’S why I’m so worried Bo, because she might have a good head on her shoulders, but she’s spent s much of her life with her nose buried in books that she hasn’t cultivated working relationships. This is all new to her, Max was her first serious relationship and the way that ended was devastatingly painful for the both of them. She’s still so naïve when it comes to relationships and she might be able to spew out valuable advice to others but that doesn’t mean she’s willing to accept it herself. She thinks she has this fairytale life and she’s married to prince charming but what happens when she finds out he’s all too human? Is she just going to walk out the first time he hurts her?”
“Maybe he won’t.”
“Bo, stop being as naïve as your daughter. Of course he’s going to hurt her; they’re going to hurt each other. Especially since they don’t know each other yet, what was she thinking?”
“She’s thinking that she’s in love; that she’s happy and if she’s happy, I’m willing to give this relationship the benefit of the doubt. She’s not as naïve as you think and the last nine months have obviously been an eye-opener for her. She’s grown Hope; you can’t go through what she has and not be changed.”
“I’m not denying that she’s grown Bo, I’m just saying that she still believes in fairytales. You heard her, sitting here gushing at how wonderful he is. What happens when he doesn’t live up to her expectations? What happens if this falls apart?”
“We’ll be here for her. Her family will be here for her. She needs to make mistakes Hope and if this is one of them, she has to learn from them. But we’re going to be there for her regardless of the outcome, because that’s our job right now.” Hope nodded, agreeing with Bo on that at least, “Now lets see what we have here.” He said as he bent to pick up the package he’d dropped following Victoria’s announcement. Pretty soon, all thought of her had left their minds.
*****
“Hello?” Victoria called into the foyer. She stepped in and admired the foyer; the house looked as amazing inside as it did out.
“Ah, there you are. Where did you disappear to?” Luc asked as he came out of the living room towards her.
“I went to my parents place; I had to tell them before they heard from someone else. News in this town travels fast.” She explained as she wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted her face to the kiss she knew was coming.
“I was thinking,” he said some time later, “that we should take an official tour of the house.”
“And I can see what needs replacing and redoing.”
He looked at her, a wounded expression on his face, “I bring you to my family home, one I have yet to see properly and the first thing you can think of are ways to start tearing it down?”
“Improvements Luc, improvements. I’m not going to tear anything down; at least I don’t think so.” She hopped out of bed and pulled on a jeans; their luggage had been unpacked while she’d been away.
“I have a surprise for you.” he whispered in her ear as he hugged her from behind.
“You do?”
“You might not like it.” He said, as he nibbled on her earlobe before turning his attention to her neck.
“What is it?” she asked, barely able to keep up with the conversation. He was so distracting, doing the things he was to her neck, then her shoulder blades.
He dropped tiny kisses down her arm as he raised it to arch around his neck, “My mother.”
“Hmm?” she asked, more than halfway to delirium.
“I said, my mother is going to be paying us a visit. Probably over the next week or so.”
“Okay.” She said, turning around and shoving him down onto the bed, “That means I have a week in which to make you my sex slave. That way there’ll be no interfering mother-in-laws.
*****
“Where is she staying?” Shawn demanded of his mother. Hope had called him minutes earlier to tell him the ‘good’ news.
“She didn’t say.” Hope replied, which worried her more than she let on.
“At least we know she’s in Salem. Have you run a check on this guy yet?” he knew it was a pointless question; it would’ve been one of the first things Bo did.
“Your father saw to that, we’re still waiting for the results.”
“Does Max know she’s in town?”
“I don’t think so. It shouldn’t male much of a difference though, she’s probably already told him.”
“Oh mom, you know its going to make a difference. It’s going to affect everything, most especially his relationship with Abby…Look mom, I have to go, there’s someone at the door.”
He put down the phone as he walked to the door. Zach was sleeping and Mimi would be picking him up pretty soon, she’d already called to let him know she was on her way. Shawn figured it was probably her.
“Big brother Shawn.” Victoria was on the other side, huge grin on her face.
“Come here.” He pulled her into a hug. “When did you get back?”
“Early this morning.” She saw the frown and sighed, “I guess mom’s been on the phone.”
“You guessed right. Married? Victoria are you crazy?”
“Yes,” she said smiling, “I’m crazy in love.”
“No,” he said shaking his head, “just crazy. Only really crazy people marry someone they’ve known for three months.”
“And only really dumb people let the woman they love slip away. I guess if I’m crazy, you get to be super dumb.” she retorted.
“Not that I’m letting you change the topic, but Mimi and I are working on rebuilding our relationship.”
“Did you tell her about Belle and the rooftop kisses?” she asked him.
He looked away, “Not really.”
“Yes or no.”
“No.”
“Then you’re not rebuilding anything. The reason your relationship fell apart was lack of trust, you can’t start rebuilding one if you’re still lying to her.”
“Who’s lying to whom?” Mimi asked from the door; then when she saw who Shawn was talking to, shrieked, “When did you get back?”
“This morning. Oh my God, you look fantastic.”
“As do you,” she grabbed Victoria’s hands in her own. “Is this…” Mimi’s eyes questioned as her fingers felt the rings.
Victoria nodded, “Yes.”
“Congratulations, now everyone’s clued up, we can get back to the topic at hand. How could you marry a guy you’ve known for three months?” Shawn demanded.
“I’m meeting his mother next week.” Victoria stated.
“I don’t like this; I don’t like this one bit. You haven’t even met his family? How do you know he’s not some con artist?” Shawn demanded.
“He’s not. Would you trust me to know what I’m doing? I wouldn’t marry some guy unless I really loved him Shawn.”
Shawn shook his head, “I don’t like it, that’s all I’m saying.”
“Good morning.” Rex said as he came from the kitchen with a cup of coffee in hand.
Mimi, having just checked on Zach, who was still sleeping, jumped three feet in the air, “Don’t scare me like that so early in the morning.” she scolded. It had been three weeks since Rex had moved in and she was still getting used to him being around.
“Scare you?” he asked puzzled as to how exactly saying, ‘good morning’, could be at all scary.
“I just didn’t expect you to be standing on the other side of the door practically.” she explained.
He shrugged, “Coffee’s ready.”
“I can smell that.” She said walking past him and into the kitchen to get a cup herself, “So what are you doing today?” she called to him from the kitchen.
“Meeting my other half sister now that she’s back from Europe.” He called back, referring to Carrie who had arrived back in Salem the night before after she and Austin had spent the last few months travelling.
“Are you nervous?” she asked.
“Kind of, I’ve heard so many things about her. All of them good, it doesn’t seem as though she fits into the ‘Roberts/Brady’ group of people I have come to call siblings.”
“You haven’t met Eric either though; the two of them are very much alike.” she commented as she walked into the living room carrying a bowl of cereal in one hand and her coffee in the other.
“I’ll get that.” He practically jumped off the sofa when someone rapped on the door. Opening it, he wasn’t at all surprised to find Shawn on the other side, “Hey man.”
“Hi.” Shawn replied as he walked in. Rex, as was his custom whenever Shawn arrived at the apartment, vacated the room and left the two of them alone.
“Shawn, what are you doing here?” Mimi asked, “Are you not supposed to be working today?”
He shook his head, “Max actually took my advice and got another mechanic, so my hours at the garage have been reduced. I no longer work week-ends and my days are shorter too. I thought I’d drop by and find out what you and Zach were up to today.”
“Well, Zach is staying with your parents today because I unfortunately am not so lucky as to have this Saturday off. I’m working till one then I have to go house hunting with Patrick. If you want though, you can take Zach and I’ll pick him up there, just let your parents know.”
He nodded, “Okay then.”
“He’s still sleeping, if you don’t mind getting him ready yourself, without waking him.” she warned, “You already know where everything is and his bag is already packed so you can just grab that. I need to get ready.”
“Sure no problem.” Shawn said and walked to Zach’s room. Mimi could hear the exchange between Shawn and Zach, who had obviously woken up upon hearing his dad’s voice, over the baby monitor. Shawn was talking to Zach and every now and again he’d make gurgling noises in response. By the time she’d gotten dressed, Shawn and Zach were waiting for her on the sofa, reading a book, though Zach was doing the reading.
He glanced up and his face just lit up, “Mama.” he squealed delightedly and held out his arms for her to pick him up.
“Hi there, did you sleep well?” she asked him lifting him to her for a kiss. He mimicked her actions and planted a wet one on her cheek. “You must be so hungry. Mommy is too, maybe we could eat together.”
He seemed to like that idea and she went to the kitchen to prepare his own cereal. She had yet to start on her own, Shawn had arrived just as she’d been about to fetch the milk. She turned around, Zach still on her hip and saw him leaning against the doorframe, watching her.
“What?” she asked when all he did was smile at her.
“Nothing, it’s just nice to see you prancing around a kitchen with a baby on the hip.”
“Is that a bit of chauvinism I just heard?” she teased him.
“I was simply saying what I felt.” He said as she handed Zach back to him.
“You want a cup?” she asked, indicating the coffee pot that was almost empty, Rex had really attacked it that morning.
He shook his head and they walked to the table together, he to feed Zach and she to finish her own breakfast.
*****
Shawn and Mimi were not the only ones enjoying breakfast together, Chelsea and Billie were doing the same.
“Abby said you have some early morning classes.” Billie commented; it really had been a long time since the two of them had had any kind of conversation. Chelsea was always talking to Abby, on the computer or with her head in a book.
“Hmm-mm.” Chelsea nodded between mouthfuls. She was already late, she had a class at eight and she didn’t want to miss it. If she did, she’d have to take the repeat at two and that would ruin her lunch plans with Nick.
“So, if you’re taking the early classes, does that make you free for lunch today?”
“Sorry mom,” Chelsea responded, jumping from her seat as she heard the car pull up outside, “I’ve got plans for lunch and I have to go now. See you later.”
“Okay,” Billie said, picking up her coffee cup, “I’ll see you later.” She didn’t bother to mention what she had planned for lunch. For one Chelsea was already out the door and for another, she didn’t think her daughter would be all that interested in her activities. Still, they had to find their own place to stay and her mother ha sent her a list of available apartments.
She was going to take a look this afternoon and if she saw anything she liked, she’d have Chelsea look it over before making any final decisions.
*****
Minutes before leaving the house, Hope got a phone call. It was said phone call that delayed both herself and Bo from leaving on time. Instead they decided to call in to the station and report that they’d be in late. The phone call had been from an informant; apparently something bad was brewing in Salem, something really bad. So Bo put on a pot of coffee as they waited for the folder that had been promised was already on its way…
She knocked on the door, she hadn’t been this nervous since the first time she’d walked through it into her parent’s living room. She waited, she knew they were home, could here voices inside. Those voices grew louder as someone approached the door.
“So anyway…Oh my God!” She was enveloped in a hug, she breathed in a scent she’d almost forgotten, her mother. Hope held on for longer than was necessary, it had been almost year since she’d last seen her daughter, she was allowed to hold on to her as long as she wanted.
“Mom, I need to breathe.” Hearing that word, only made Hope’s grip on her daughter tighten. In the conversations they’d had since she’d left, Victoria had called her mom many times. But never; never had she heard it face to face.
“Hope, I think the girl needs some air, she’s turning blue.” Bo walked in from the kitchen. He’d been worried when he’d heard his wife’s exclamation, but now stood in the doorway watching the two of them. Hope had been praying for this day since Victoria had stepped onto that train and out of their lives. He’d been praying for it too, though not with the same passion as Hope had. It most likely had a lot to do with the way they had parted. When Hope finally released their daughter, Bo walked towards them, enveloping Victoria in an equally emotional, but somewhat less fierce hug.
“Welcome home.” Was all he said, all he could get out before Hope shoved him out of the way and dragged their daughter away, demanding a closer inspection, “Look at you! You’ve changed, your hair’s shorter. Have you grown taller? What are you doing here? Are you not supposed to be in Europe now?”
“Mom, would you relax? I’m glad to see you too.” She smiled at Hope but put up her hands when Hope moved in for another hug, she could see the tears brimming her mother’s eyes, waiting for the slightest encouragement to fall. A hug would likely be encouragement enough.
There was that word again, mom. Hope had to blink back the tears, she’d never get used to that word, never get over the magic of it. But Victoria was right, she needed to calm down. She pulled her daughter down onto the sofa with her, “Okay, so where do YOU want to start?”
“So much has happened; I don’t even know where to begin. I guess I have to start by telling you what I’ve needed to tell you for some weeks now. The thing is…Well, I…”
“It’s okay,” Hope encouraged her, “whatever it is, it can’t be that bad.”
At this time, Bo was accepting the package they’d been waiting for. He let it fall from his hands when he heard his daughter’s next words.
“I’m married.”
“You’re…” Hope looked down at her daughter’s hand and sure enough there was a set of rings where a wedding band would be. “You’re married?”
Victoria nodded excitedly, “Isn’t it fantastic and I can’t wait for you to meet him, he’s so amazing. I met him while I was in Italy; it was love at first sight. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.”
“You’re married?” Bo repeated Hope’s words; both were too stunned to think of any other response. Nine months ago, she’d been madly in love with Max and now she was married to a stranger, someone they didn’t know, someone they didn’t know if they could trust, especially with their daughter.
“Does this husband of yours have a name?”
“Of course, it’s Luc. Well, his full name is Lucien Fredericks. I’m Mrs. Lucien Frederick’s, can you believe that?”
“I don’t think I can.” Hope said.
“What’s even better is that I’m moving to Salem, on a permanent basis. Isn’t that just fantastic? I could…Sorry.” She apologised as her phone started ringing. “I have to go. New house and everything, we can catch up later okay?” She hugged both her parents and almost skipped happily out of the house.
“How can this be happening Bo?” Hope looked to him for some answer to what they’d just heard, “She’s not old enough for marriage.”
“Well she obviously is.” he replied, pointing out the obvious.
“That’s not what I meant. Nine months ago she wasn’t even ready for a long term relationship. She is in no way emotionally mature enough to deal with a commitment as serious as marriage.”
“Don’t worry so much, it’s not such a big deal, she’s got a good head on her shoulders and between myself, Shawn and the other Brady men, we’ll be able to keep this guy of hers in check.”
“No big deal? Our twenty-one year old daughter just announced that she’s married to someone she’s known for all of three months. Given her history, I think I should be the one asking you why you’re NOT worried. Bo, a year ago she couldn’t even deal with the fact that she was our daughter. Her reaction to finding out about Victor’s – ”
“That was natural.”
“Be that as it may, she still deals with pain by walking away. When she can’t handle a situation she simply removes herself from it. THAT’S why I’m so worried Bo, because she might have a good head on her shoulders, but she’s spent s much of her life with her nose buried in books that she hasn’t cultivated working relationships. This is all new to her, Max was her first serious relationship and the way that ended was devastatingly painful for the both of them. She’s still so naïve when it comes to relationships and she might be able to spew out valuable advice to others but that doesn’t mean she’s willing to accept it herself. She thinks she has this fairytale life and she’s married to prince charming but what happens when she finds out he’s all too human? Is she just going to walk out the first time he hurts her?”
“Maybe he won’t.”
“Bo, stop being as naïve as your daughter. Of course he’s going to hurt her; they’re going to hurt each other. Especially since they don’t know each other yet, what was she thinking?”
“She’s thinking that she’s in love; that she’s happy and if she’s happy, I’m willing to give this relationship the benefit of the doubt. She’s not as naïve as you think and the last nine months have obviously been an eye-opener for her. She’s grown Hope; you can’t go through what she has and not be changed.”
“I’m not denying that she’s grown Bo, I’m just saying that she still believes in fairytales. You heard her, sitting here gushing at how wonderful he is. What happens when he doesn’t live up to her expectations? What happens if this falls apart?”
“We’ll be here for her. Her family will be here for her. She needs to make mistakes Hope and if this is one of them, she has to learn from them. But we’re going to be there for her regardless of the outcome, because that’s our job right now.” Hope nodded, agreeing with Bo on that at least, “Now lets see what we have here.” He said as he bent to pick up the package he’d dropped following Victoria’s announcement. Pretty soon, all thought of her had left their minds.
*****
“Hello?” Victoria called into the foyer. She stepped in and admired the foyer; the house looked as amazing inside as it did out.
“Ah, there you are. Where did you disappear to?” Luc asked as he came out of the living room towards her.
“I went to my parents place; I had to tell them before they heard from someone else. News in this town travels fast.” She explained as she wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted her face to the kiss she knew was coming.
“I was thinking,” he said some time later, “that we should take an official tour of the house.”
“And I can see what needs replacing and redoing.”
He looked at her, a wounded expression on his face, “I bring you to my family home, one I have yet to see properly and the first thing you can think of are ways to start tearing it down?”
“Improvements Luc, improvements. I’m not going to tear anything down; at least I don’t think so.” She hopped out of bed and pulled on a jeans; their luggage had been unpacked while she’d been away.
“I have a surprise for you.” he whispered in her ear as he hugged her from behind.
“You do?”
“You might not like it.” He said, as he nibbled on her earlobe before turning his attention to her neck.
“What is it?” she asked, barely able to keep up with the conversation. He was so distracting, doing the things he was to her neck, then her shoulder blades.
He dropped tiny kisses down her arm as he raised it to arch around his neck, “My mother.”
“Hmm?” she asked, more than halfway to delirium.
“I said, my mother is going to be paying us a visit. Probably over the next week or so.”
“Okay.” She said, turning around and shoving him down onto the bed, “That means I have a week in which to make you my sex slave. That way there’ll be no interfering mother-in-laws.
*****
“Where is she staying?” Shawn demanded of his mother. Hope had called him minutes earlier to tell him the ‘good’ news.
“She didn’t say.” Hope replied, which worried her more than she let on.
“At least we know she’s in Salem. Have you run a check on this guy yet?” he knew it was a pointless question; it would’ve been one of the first things Bo did.
“Your father saw to that, we’re still waiting for the results.”
“Does Max know she’s in town?”
“I don’t think so. It shouldn’t male much of a difference though, she’s probably already told him.”
“Oh mom, you know its going to make a difference. It’s going to affect everything, most especially his relationship with Abby…Look mom, I have to go, there’s someone at the door.”
He put down the phone as he walked to the door. Zach was sleeping and Mimi would be picking him up pretty soon, she’d already called to let him know she was on her way. Shawn figured it was probably her.
“Big brother Shawn.” Victoria was on the other side, huge grin on her face.
“Come here.” He pulled her into a hug. “When did you get back?”
“Early this morning.” She saw the frown and sighed, “I guess mom’s been on the phone.”
“You guessed right. Married? Victoria are you crazy?”
“Yes,” she said smiling, “I’m crazy in love.”
“No,” he said shaking his head, “just crazy. Only really crazy people marry someone they’ve known for three months.”
“And only really dumb people let the woman they love slip away. I guess if I’m crazy, you get to be super dumb.” she retorted.
“Not that I’m letting you change the topic, but Mimi and I are working on rebuilding our relationship.”
“Did you tell her about Belle and the rooftop kisses?” she asked him.
He looked away, “Not really.”
“Yes or no.”
“No.”
“Then you’re not rebuilding anything. The reason your relationship fell apart was lack of trust, you can’t start rebuilding one if you’re still lying to her.”
“Who’s lying to whom?” Mimi asked from the door; then when she saw who Shawn was talking to, shrieked, “When did you get back?”
“This morning. Oh my God, you look fantastic.”
“As do you,” she grabbed Victoria’s hands in her own. “Is this…” Mimi’s eyes questioned as her fingers felt the rings.
Victoria nodded, “Yes.”
“Congratulations, now everyone’s clued up, we can get back to the topic at hand. How could you marry a guy you’ve known for three months?” Shawn demanded.
“I’m meeting his mother next week.” Victoria stated.
“I don’t like this; I don’t like this one bit. You haven’t even met his family? How do you know he’s not some con artist?” Shawn demanded.
“He’s not. Would you trust me to know what I’m doing? I wouldn’t marry some guy unless I really loved him Shawn.”
Shawn shook his head, “I don’t like it, that’s all I’m saying.”
