Post by rsafan on Mar 9, 2007 1:05:34 GMT -5
Chapter 51:
Victoria was up early the next morning, dressed in a jeans and t-shirt, she was off to see her parents. She’d gotten the most brilliant idea last night, midway through dessert and stock market conversation, she’d latched onto the idea that she should have the family over for lunch one day. That way they could get to know Luc, see that he wasn’t as bad as they imagined, and she could get caught up on what everyone was up to. It could turn out to be a really great day but she needed her parents to convince the others it was a good idea to come.
But they weren’t home, assuming they’d already left for the station, she decided she’d go there and invite her uncle Roman while she was at it. She’d cleared everything with Luc on the way home the night before and he had no qualms about letting the Brady family come over. Even though he must’ve known that they would look at everything with suspicion. Roman was in but her parents weren’t.
Knocking on his office door, she poked her head around the door, “Are you up for company?” she queried.
Roman glanced up, “Victoria, what can I do for you?”
“I come bearing gifts.” she said as she produced the coffee and doughnuts she’d stopped for on her way to her parents, it really wasn’t her fault they hadn’t been at home and it would be a shame to let the delicious confectionary go to waste.
“Now I know you want something.” Roman replied as he took the box from her.
“I have no ulterior motive.” she promised, “just dropping in on my folks, but since they’re not in yet, I thought I shouldn’t let them go to waste.”
Roman looked slightly uncomfortable at the mention of her parents. “Your parents will be in late today,” he explained, “your dad called to say they overslept.”
“That’s funny, I was just there and they weren’t home.”
“Maybe they’re having breakfast at the Pub.” Roman offered.
But she shook her head, “No, I distinctly remember grandma Caroline telling me the pub would open late today.” Another guilty look form Roman, “Is there anything you want to tell me Uncle Roman?”
Roman shook his head, “No nothing.”
She decided to drop it for now and get to why she was really here, “Well in that case; what are you doing next Saturday?”
“Not much why?”
“I’m having a family do, sort of a homecoming and housewarming party combined. I’d love it if you could come, and tell Sami and Carrie too. Tell everyone.”
“I can’t promise anything, but I’ll see if I can attend.”
“Okay, well I’m off.” She slipped her bag onto her shoulder and opened the door, “Oh and tell my parents they have no need to worry. I haven’t been brainwashed or anything, so they don’t have to come up with some plan to get me away from the Dimeras.”
Roman stared at her in shock, “Have you ever considered joining the force?”
“It’s crossed my mind a few times and it’s certainly in my blood, but I wouldn’t make a good cop. Long hours, crummy pay and no designer wear.” She shook her head, “Nah, I think I’ll stick to being a trophy wife.”
“Has anyone ever stopped to consider that maybe she knows exactly what she’s getting herself into. That she doesn’t care, as much abut the fact that he has Dimera blood than she does about the fact that he loves her.” Rex asked.
Most everyone stared at him as though he’d lost his mind, “That’s assuming he does love her.” Hope commented.
“What’s to say he doesn’t?” Alice asked, while she might not like the idea of her great-granddaughter living with and being married to a Dimera, she didn’t see why the family felt they had to intervene.
“He’s a Dimera.” Shawn Sr. Stated, as though that were all the argument necessary.
“And so incapable of having any human feelings?” Caroline asked, she was with Alice on this one. She wanted her granddaughter happy and if the person to make her happy was Lucien Dimera, who were they to argue? “How does being a Dimera automatically make you a bad person?”
Shawn looked at his wife as though she’d lost her mind, “Have you forgotten all the things that family has done to us over the years? All the pain and suffering they’ve caused?”
Caroline shook her head, “No, I haven’t forgotten. I just don’t think it’s fair to judge this boy on what his father or grandfather might have done. As far as we’re aware, he was not raised as a Dimera. And he obviously has some redeeming qualities or our Victoria wouldn’t have fallen for him.”
“Victoria’s judgement is impaired. She hasn’t recovered from the accident and so-”
“That’s absolute nonsense.” Max cut Hope off, “I’ve spoken to her and if any one of you had bothered to actually listen to what she has to say, you’d realise that she really loves this man. It’s not a rebound thing, she’s certainly thinking clearly and she knows who he is. It just doesn’t matter to her what his last name is. The only reason I came here today was to try and convince the lot of you to drop this stupid idea you have that the two need to be separated. They don’t, what they need is your acceptance and support.”
“I agree with Max, I’ve known Victoria longer than any of you and while initially I had my doubts, I have to say that she seems to be happy and it’s Lucien Dimera that makes her happy. If things between them don’t work out, let it be because of something that’s happened between the two of them. Don’t let it be because you intervened, she’ll blame you and will likely never forgive you either.”
“I think that these two boys have made their point. We should leave her to live her own life, make her own mistakes, if that’s what this is. You cannot deny your child the happiness she deserves simply because you dislike the person who makes her happy. If that were the case, half of the people in this room wouldn’t be together. Your parents, your family, allowed you to cultivate a relationship, allowed you to love each other, why are you so intent on denying her the same thing?” Alice asked of them.
“I don’t want my daughter hurt. I don’t want another Brady hurt by a Dimera. It’s different this time; she’s in love with him.” Bo explained, “If this is some plan to get at our family, and he hurts my daughter in the process, there is no place on this Earth he’d be able to run to. I’ll find him and I will kill him.”
“I think,” Hope said as she placed a hand on Bo’s shoulder in an effort to calm him down, “That that is a natural reaction of a father when it comes to the happiness of her daughter. She’s made a choice, I don’t like it but I’ll have to accept it. You were willing to do that when you learned she was married, it shouldn’t change because of who she married.”
It seemed, as though they were all in agreement on the subject, no one brought up any more arguments to the contrary and Victoria, who had been standing in the kitchen doorway for a while, walked into the kitchen. “I’m glad you feel that way, most of you. I’m glad you’re willing to give my husband the benefit of the doubt. I thank those of you who have defended him, knowing full well what his family has done. I’m glad you love me this much, that you’d be willing to save me from myself if ever I needed it. But I think I should make something clear, to all of you. I’m married to Lucien Dimera, I love him and that’s not going to change, you can say or do what you like but as far as I’m concerned, if you ever try and come between the two of us, things between us could get very unpleasant.” She walked over to the kitchen table and picked up one of the doughnuts, braking off a piece, she popped it in her mouth.
Everyone else was struggling to regain their composure. The shock of finding out she’d been listening coupled with the threat she’d just issued was enough to render them all speechless. Victoria chose this rare moment of silence, to announce her plans for the following weekend, “Since we’re all together, I may as well take the opportunity to inform y’all that you’re invited to my home next Saturday. I’ve decided it was high time you all got to know Luc and so I’m arranging a little family get together. I expect you all to attend.” She left as quietly as she’s arrived.
Chapter 52:
“I just got word that your mother arrived in town this afternoon.” Roman informed Carrie over the phone. The information had come from one of his contacts at the airport, “Apparently she flew in on the Dimera jet.”
“I don’t know anything about that.” Carrie responded, “We haven’t been in much contact with each other recently.”
“I just thought I’d let you know.” Roman replied, it had been yeas since Anna had been in Salem and he couldn’t for the life of him come up with a single reason why she would suddenly feel the urge to drop in, “She might be in town to visit you.”
“I don’t see why she would; she hasn’t bothered to keep up with my life so far. Why would she have a sudden interest now?”
“I’m saying; don’t be surprised if she suddenly appears on your doorstep. Maybe she wants to congratulate you on your marriage to Austin.”
“Dad, that was almost two years ago. I’d say congratulations are pretty late wouldn’t you?”
Just then, one of the rookies walked in with a forensic report Roman had been waiting for. “Listen Carrie, I have to go but call me if she shows up.”
“I will, love you dad.”
“Love you too.” He opened the file, but all the while couldn’t help wondering what Anna had to do with the Dimeras. He hoped she wasn’t involved with them again.
“Would you relax?” He came up behind her and taking her hands from her hair, he placed it at her sides, admiring her in the mirror, “It’s only my mother.”
“Exactly,” she said, “all the more reason to be nervous. What if she doesn’t like me?”
He turned her to face him, “She’s going to like you. I like you and that’s a very big determinant for her. Everything’s going to be fine.” He comforted her.
“If you say so.”
He gave her a reassuring kiss, “I do. You look beautiful and you have absolutely nothing to worry about.”
“He’s right.” A voice said from the hallway.
They both spun around at the intrusion. Luc was the first to recover, smiling; he opened his arms to the woman standing in the doorway, “Mother.”
“Lucien, it’s been too long.” she said, stepping into his arms. When they broke apart, she turned to study her daughter-in-law. “I didn’t know my son had quite such good taste.”
“Ma’am-” Victoria started, but Anna waved the comment off, “Please, call me Anna. Or even better, you can call me ‘mom’, but not ma’am, makes me sound old.”
“Anna,” Victoria corrected, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“As it should be. Now what’s all this nonsense about getting married without family present? I expected to be there at my only son’s wedding.” she demanded.
Victoria avoided her gaze; she’d had enough of probing questions from family members. She only hoped Luc’s mother wasn’t going to behave in the same manner as the rest of her family had. “Look at her mother; do you honestly think I could have waited the long months it would’ve taken to plan a wedding that would satisfy both yourself as well as Victoria’s family?”
“No, I guess not, but still, it would have been nice to be invited to the wedding.” Anna replied. “So,” she addressed Tory, “are you a native to Salem? Is that why my son’s decided to give up Europe in favour of this small town?”
“Not a native no, but my family is from here. Luc thought that since he didn’t have much in the way of family, it might be great to stay close to mine.” Victoria informed her.
“Did he now? And who is your family exactly?” Anna asked, her curiosity piqued. The girl reminded her of someone but she didn’t know who.
“My mom spent some time in Salem a while back.” Luc informed Victoria.
They were interrupted by the butler, “Excuse me sir, there’s a call for you. A Mr. Lockhart on the line.”
“I’ll take it in the study.” Luc informed the butler and excused himself. Leaving the ladies alone.
“Bo and Hope Brady are my parents.” Victoria stated in response to the question Anna had asked before they’d been interrupted.
“Bo and Hope?!” Anna exclaimed, “I didn’t know they had a daughter.”
“Apparently, neither did they. It’s a really long story, one I certainly won’t bore you with now.” Victoria murmured then she brightened up, “You must be exhausted, why don’t we get you settled in. You’re going to love the room…” she took Anna by the hand and walked her up the stairs to show her the room.
Anna admired the view from the window, it had been years but things had hardly changed. She turned and looked at her new daughter-in-law and frowned. “Tell me Victoria, why did you marry my son?”
“I love him.”
“But he’s a Dimera.” She pointed out.
She didn’t miss the shadow that crossed the young woman’s face, “Why should that matter?”
“You’re a Brady, Bradys and Dimeras don’t mix socially. I was just curious as to why you would marry my son given the family history.”
“Like I said, I love him. That’s the best and only reason I have. Who his father is, has no bearing on our lives together.”
“It should, you’re living in his house, living off his money. And your family cannot be too pleased.”
“My family is coping. I have a question of my own though, since we’re being so candid.”
“I’m all ears.”
“Why didn’t you tell him?”
There was no reason to ask Victoria to elaborate. Anna knew she was talking about having kept Lucien’s parentage a secret, not only form him, but from the rest of the world, “I mean, form what Luc’s told me, you were very much in love with his father.”
Anna nodded, “I was, once…You have to understand, he wasn’t the same man back then that he is today. He hadn’t been corrupted by the Dimera name and power. I loved him and he’d left me, what was I to do when I found out I was pregnant? Go back to a man who didn’t want me? I didn’t tell Luc or Anthony for that matter not because of who he is today, not because he’s a criminal, but because he didn’t love me. Yes we were married and I’m sure he did love me in his own way but by the time I found out I was pregnant, we had parted ways. Did I want to go back, of course, I dreamed that I’d go back and run into his arms and everything would be okay but the reality was that he was probably happy with someone else and I couldn’t infringe on that happiness, not even for my son.”
“You loved them both too much.”
“I’d rather have lived with Luc’s hate than subject him to being a part time son. Oh I’m sure Tony would have taken care of him and I know he certainly does love him but I didn’t know what would come out of the situation so I decided to keep quiet, for both mine as well as my son’s sake. I’d already given up one child, I wasn’t about to do so again.”
“Given up?” Victoria asked confused, Luc had never mentioned having a sibling, “You had another child?”
“Have, I have a daughter. She lives with her father, your uncle Roman.”
Victoria had to think about it for a while, work backwards along the family tree, “Carrie. Carrie’s you daughter?”
“That she is.”
“Does Luc know that he has a sister I mean?”
“No, I never did tell him. In fact, I didn’t tell anyone.”
“Luc should know. You should tell him.”
“I know, its part of the reason I decided to come back to Salem. To see both my children, I’d heard she got married. Seems I missed out on both my children’s weddings.”
“All I can say is that your visit is going to be eventful indeed.” Victoria responded. Two years ago, she’d never imagined her life would be this eventful.
Victoria was up early the next morning, dressed in a jeans and t-shirt, she was off to see her parents. She’d gotten the most brilliant idea last night, midway through dessert and stock market conversation, she’d latched onto the idea that she should have the family over for lunch one day. That way they could get to know Luc, see that he wasn’t as bad as they imagined, and she could get caught up on what everyone was up to. It could turn out to be a really great day but she needed her parents to convince the others it was a good idea to come.
But they weren’t home, assuming they’d already left for the station, she decided she’d go there and invite her uncle Roman while she was at it. She’d cleared everything with Luc on the way home the night before and he had no qualms about letting the Brady family come over. Even though he must’ve known that they would look at everything with suspicion. Roman was in but her parents weren’t.
Knocking on his office door, she poked her head around the door, “Are you up for company?” she queried.
Roman glanced up, “Victoria, what can I do for you?”
“I come bearing gifts.” she said as she produced the coffee and doughnuts she’d stopped for on her way to her parents, it really wasn’t her fault they hadn’t been at home and it would be a shame to let the delicious confectionary go to waste.
“Now I know you want something.” Roman replied as he took the box from her.
“I have no ulterior motive.” she promised, “just dropping in on my folks, but since they’re not in yet, I thought I shouldn’t let them go to waste.”
Roman looked slightly uncomfortable at the mention of her parents. “Your parents will be in late today,” he explained, “your dad called to say they overslept.”
“That’s funny, I was just there and they weren’t home.”
“Maybe they’re having breakfast at the Pub.” Roman offered.
But she shook her head, “No, I distinctly remember grandma Caroline telling me the pub would open late today.” Another guilty look form Roman, “Is there anything you want to tell me Uncle Roman?”
Roman shook his head, “No nothing.”
She decided to drop it for now and get to why she was really here, “Well in that case; what are you doing next Saturday?”
“Not much why?”
“I’m having a family do, sort of a homecoming and housewarming party combined. I’d love it if you could come, and tell Sami and Carrie too. Tell everyone.”
“I can’t promise anything, but I’ll see if I can attend.”
“Okay, well I’m off.” She slipped her bag onto her shoulder and opened the door, “Oh and tell my parents they have no need to worry. I haven’t been brainwashed or anything, so they don’t have to come up with some plan to get me away from the Dimeras.”
Roman stared at her in shock, “Have you ever considered joining the force?”
“It’s crossed my mind a few times and it’s certainly in my blood, but I wouldn’t make a good cop. Long hours, crummy pay and no designer wear.” She shook her head, “Nah, I think I’ll stick to being a trophy wife.”
*****
At the same time, most of the Brady and Horton families had gathered in Alice’s kitchen for doughnuts, coffee and the emergency meeting that had been called. They were arguing amongst themselves as to how to get Victoria away from Luc. Shawn’s plan had been to kidnap her and send her off to Europe, Bo and Hope were in favour of less severe action as was everyone else.“Has anyone ever stopped to consider that maybe she knows exactly what she’s getting herself into. That she doesn’t care, as much abut the fact that he has Dimera blood than she does about the fact that he loves her.” Rex asked.
Most everyone stared at him as though he’d lost his mind, “That’s assuming he does love her.” Hope commented.
“What’s to say he doesn’t?” Alice asked, while she might not like the idea of her great-granddaughter living with and being married to a Dimera, she didn’t see why the family felt they had to intervene.
“He’s a Dimera.” Shawn Sr. Stated, as though that were all the argument necessary.
“And so incapable of having any human feelings?” Caroline asked, she was with Alice on this one. She wanted her granddaughter happy and if the person to make her happy was Lucien Dimera, who were they to argue? “How does being a Dimera automatically make you a bad person?”
Shawn looked at his wife as though she’d lost her mind, “Have you forgotten all the things that family has done to us over the years? All the pain and suffering they’ve caused?”
Caroline shook her head, “No, I haven’t forgotten. I just don’t think it’s fair to judge this boy on what his father or grandfather might have done. As far as we’re aware, he was not raised as a Dimera. And he obviously has some redeeming qualities or our Victoria wouldn’t have fallen for him.”
“Victoria’s judgement is impaired. She hasn’t recovered from the accident and so-”
“That’s absolute nonsense.” Max cut Hope off, “I’ve spoken to her and if any one of you had bothered to actually listen to what she has to say, you’d realise that she really loves this man. It’s not a rebound thing, she’s certainly thinking clearly and she knows who he is. It just doesn’t matter to her what his last name is. The only reason I came here today was to try and convince the lot of you to drop this stupid idea you have that the two need to be separated. They don’t, what they need is your acceptance and support.”
“I agree with Max, I’ve known Victoria longer than any of you and while initially I had my doubts, I have to say that she seems to be happy and it’s Lucien Dimera that makes her happy. If things between them don’t work out, let it be because of something that’s happened between the two of them. Don’t let it be because you intervened, she’ll blame you and will likely never forgive you either.”
“I think that these two boys have made their point. We should leave her to live her own life, make her own mistakes, if that’s what this is. You cannot deny your child the happiness she deserves simply because you dislike the person who makes her happy. If that were the case, half of the people in this room wouldn’t be together. Your parents, your family, allowed you to cultivate a relationship, allowed you to love each other, why are you so intent on denying her the same thing?” Alice asked of them.
“I don’t want my daughter hurt. I don’t want another Brady hurt by a Dimera. It’s different this time; she’s in love with him.” Bo explained, “If this is some plan to get at our family, and he hurts my daughter in the process, there is no place on this Earth he’d be able to run to. I’ll find him and I will kill him.”
“I think,” Hope said as she placed a hand on Bo’s shoulder in an effort to calm him down, “That that is a natural reaction of a father when it comes to the happiness of her daughter. She’s made a choice, I don’t like it but I’ll have to accept it. You were willing to do that when you learned she was married, it shouldn’t change because of who she married.”
It seemed, as though they were all in agreement on the subject, no one brought up any more arguments to the contrary and Victoria, who had been standing in the kitchen doorway for a while, walked into the kitchen. “I’m glad you feel that way, most of you. I’m glad you’re willing to give my husband the benefit of the doubt. I thank those of you who have defended him, knowing full well what his family has done. I’m glad you love me this much, that you’d be willing to save me from myself if ever I needed it. But I think I should make something clear, to all of you. I’m married to Lucien Dimera, I love him and that’s not going to change, you can say or do what you like but as far as I’m concerned, if you ever try and come between the two of us, things between us could get very unpleasant.” She walked over to the kitchen table and picked up one of the doughnuts, braking off a piece, she popped it in her mouth.
Everyone else was struggling to regain their composure. The shock of finding out she’d been listening coupled with the threat she’d just issued was enough to render them all speechless. Victoria chose this rare moment of silence, to announce her plans for the following weekend, “Since we’re all together, I may as well take the opportunity to inform y’all that you’re invited to my home next Saturday. I’ve decided it was high time you all got to know Luc and so I’m arranging a little family get together. I expect you all to attend.” She left as quietly as she’s arrived.
Chapter 52:
“I just got word that your mother arrived in town this afternoon.” Roman informed Carrie over the phone. The information had come from one of his contacts at the airport, “Apparently she flew in on the Dimera jet.”
“I don’t know anything about that.” Carrie responded, “We haven’t been in much contact with each other recently.”
“I just thought I’d let you know.” Roman replied, it had been yeas since Anna had been in Salem and he couldn’t for the life of him come up with a single reason why she would suddenly feel the urge to drop in, “She might be in town to visit you.”
“I don’t see why she would; she hasn’t bothered to keep up with my life so far. Why would she have a sudden interest now?”
“I’m saying; don’t be surprised if she suddenly appears on your doorstep. Maybe she wants to congratulate you on your marriage to Austin.”
“Dad, that was almost two years ago. I’d say congratulations are pretty late wouldn’t you?”
Just then, one of the rookies walked in with a forensic report Roman had been waiting for. “Listen Carrie, I have to go but call me if she shows up.”
“I will, love you dad.”
“Love you too.” He opened the file, but all the while couldn’t help wondering what Anna had to do with the Dimeras. He hoped she wasn’t involved with them again.
*****
“Okay, when exactly is your mother supposed to be arriving?” an anxious Victoria asked Luc as she examined herself in the mirror for the fiftieth time, ensuring that nothing was out of place.“Would you relax?” He came up behind her and taking her hands from her hair, he placed it at her sides, admiring her in the mirror, “It’s only my mother.”
“Exactly,” she said, “all the more reason to be nervous. What if she doesn’t like me?”
He turned her to face him, “She’s going to like you. I like you and that’s a very big determinant for her. Everything’s going to be fine.” He comforted her.
“If you say so.”
He gave her a reassuring kiss, “I do. You look beautiful and you have absolutely nothing to worry about.”
“He’s right.” A voice said from the hallway.
They both spun around at the intrusion. Luc was the first to recover, smiling; he opened his arms to the woman standing in the doorway, “Mother.”
“Lucien, it’s been too long.” she said, stepping into his arms. When they broke apart, she turned to study her daughter-in-law. “I didn’t know my son had quite such good taste.”
“Ma’am-” Victoria started, but Anna waved the comment off, “Please, call me Anna. Or even better, you can call me ‘mom’, but not ma’am, makes me sound old.”
“Anna,” Victoria corrected, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“As it should be. Now what’s all this nonsense about getting married without family present? I expected to be there at my only son’s wedding.” she demanded.
Victoria avoided her gaze; she’d had enough of probing questions from family members. She only hoped Luc’s mother wasn’t going to behave in the same manner as the rest of her family had. “Look at her mother; do you honestly think I could have waited the long months it would’ve taken to plan a wedding that would satisfy both yourself as well as Victoria’s family?”
“No, I guess not, but still, it would have been nice to be invited to the wedding.” Anna replied. “So,” she addressed Tory, “are you a native to Salem? Is that why my son’s decided to give up Europe in favour of this small town?”
“Not a native no, but my family is from here. Luc thought that since he didn’t have much in the way of family, it might be great to stay close to mine.” Victoria informed her.
“Did he now? And who is your family exactly?” Anna asked, her curiosity piqued. The girl reminded her of someone but she didn’t know who.
“My mom spent some time in Salem a while back.” Luc informed Victoria.
They were interrupted by the butler, “Excuse me sir, there’s a call for you. A Mr. Lockhart on the line.”
“I’ll take it in the study.” Luc informed the butler and excused himself. Leaving the ladies alone.
“Bo and Hope Brady are my parents.” Victoria stated in response to the question Anna had asked before they’d been interrupted.
“Bo and Hope?!” Anna exclaimed, “I didn’t know they had a daughter.”
“Apparently, neither did they. It’s a really long story, one I certainly won’t bore you with now.” Victoria murmured then she brightened up, “You must be exhausted, why don’t we get you settled in. You’re going to love the room…” she took Anna by the hand and walked her up the stairs to show her the room.
Anna admired the view from the window, it had been years but things had hardly changed. She turned and looked at her new daughter-in-law and frowned. “Tell me Victoria, why did you marry my son?”
“I love him.”
“But he’s a Dimera.” She pointed out.
She didn’t miss the shadow that crossed the young woman’s face, “Why should that matter?”
“You’re a Brady, Bradys and Dimeras don’t mix socially. I was just curious as to why you would marry my son given the family history.”
“Like I said, I love him. That’s the best and only reason I have. Who his father is, has no bearing on our lives together.”
“It should, you’re living in his house, living off his money. And your family cannot be too pleased.”
“My family is coping. I have a question of my own though, since we’re being so candid.”
“I’m all ears.”
“Why didn’t you tell him?”
There was no reason to ask Victoria to elaborate. Anna knew she was talking about having kept Lucien’s parentage a secret, not only form him, but from the rest of the world, “I mean, form what Luc’s told me, you were very much in love with his father.”
Anna nodded, “I was, once…You have to understand, he wasn’t the same man back then that he is today. He hadn’t been corrupted by the Dimera name and power. I loved him and he’d left me, what was I to do when I found out I was pregnant? Go back to a man who didn’t want me? I didn’t tell Luc or Anthony for that matter not because of who he is today, not because he’s a criminal, but because he didn’t love me. Yes we were married and I’m sure he did love me in his own way but by the time I found out I was pregnant, we had parted ways. Did I want to go back, of course, I dreamed that I’d go back and run into his arms and everything would be okay but the reality was that he was probably happy with someone else and I couldn’t infringe on that happiness, not even for my son.”
“You loved them both too much.”
“I’d rather have lived with Luc’s hate than subject him to being a part time son. Oh I’m sure Tony would have taken care of him and I know he certainly does love him but I didn’t know what would come out of the situation so I decided to keep quiet, for both mine as well as my son’s sake. I’d already given up one child, I wasn’t about to do so again.”
“Given up?” Victoria asked confused, Luc had never mentioned having a sibling, “You had another child?”
“Have, I have a daughter. She lives with her father, your uncle Roman.”
Victoria had to think about it for a while, work backwards along the family tree, “Carrie. Carrie’s you daughter?”
“That she is.”
“Does Luc know that he has a sister I mean?”
“No, I never did tell him. In fact, I didn’t tell anyone.”
“Luc should know. You should tell him.”
“I know, its part of the reason I decided to come back to Salem. To see both my children, I’d heard she got married. Seems I missed out on both my children’s weddings.”
“All I can say is that your visit is going to be eventful indeed.” Victoria responded. Two years ago, she’d never imagined her life would be this eventful.
