Chapter 35

Pixie

It has been a few days since the breakin and I have been staying at Viper’s house. I thought it would be weird or awkward. But it is the opposite. It feels like we have been doing this for years. The way we naturally work around each other. We were in the kitchen the other day making breakfast together. When Viper wasn’t trying to keep his hands on me or steal kisses if I got too close we would move around each other effortlessly. It was like a perfectly choreographed dance. I moved to get the bacon out of the pan. Viper had a plate with paper towels ready. When I grabbed mugs for coffee he had sugar and creamer ready.

When we sit and watch tv I would curl up at his side or lay my head in his lap while he ran his fingers through my hair. It wasn’t planned or anything, it just happened. And I like it. A lot. And that surprised me. I didn’t think I would like it so much. For the first time since all this with Viper and me began it felt like we were truly married. That we had a future together. And that scared me a little. What if I give in to this and he hurts me again. Each day I fall more in love with him. And if he cheats again or walks away he will break me. More than anyone could.

I have to get over that part or I will lose everything. If I want my marriage to work I need to talk to Viper about my fears. And the thing is the more I stay here away from everyone else. Just Viper and me. The more I do want it to work. The question is how do I tell him? At least with sounding like I’m accusing him of something. Viper likes blunt and straight forward talking. He doesn’t beat around the push and can’t stand when others do.

So that is what I’m going to have to do. Just tell him how I feel. Even though it makes it hard to breathe just thinking about it. And I need to do it when he gets home. If I put it off it will keep weighing on me. I’m making dinner for us with my faithful guard Goof. I have to tell you this guy is awesome. He takes his duty seriously but he can cut up too. He likes to make jokes. My size is one of his favorite things. He has taken to calling me Pocket. He says because I could fit in his pocket and he could carry me around.

And he wasn’t being mean about it. That was the best part. And he treats me like a kid sister. And he is handsome as hell. If I wasn’t married to Viper and I met him I would definitely go out with him. He is sweet, helpful and he loves kids. He likes to tell me about the latest antics of the club kids. And you tell by the way he smiles when he does he loves all of them. He calls them his nieces and nephews. And they call him Uncle Goof. I can tell he loves that name.

Any girl will be lucky to have him. But if she hurts him I’ll beat her ass. So right now it is just me and Goof in the house while I make dinner. I’m slicing potatoes when there is a knock on the door. Goof goes to check it out. I hear the door open and close but don’t pay attention. I know Goof has it. I hear “ Where is my sexy girl?” Rocket,of course it is. Goof brings her into the kitchen. “ Oh, just in time for dinner. What are you making me?” Rocket asked. I laughed, “ I’m making Barbecue chicken, potatoes au gratin and seared asparagus.” “ Look at you being all domestic, making dinner for your husband.” Rocket chuckled.

I took the towel that was over my shoulder and popped her hip with it, making Rocket laugh harder. “ Did you come by just to pick on me about my marital bliss or did you have a reason?” I asked. “ Both,” Rocket said. I didn’t notice she had something in her hands until she set them down on a clean spot on the corner. “ We have almost everything cleaned up but there is still a lot of work to be done. I thought you might like these back.” Rocket said.

I looked over and saw she had brought my photo albums. I place the potatoes in the glass baking pan and pour the cheese sauce over them. After stirring them around making sure they are completely covered I place the pan in the oven. I wash my hands quickly then give Rocket a hug “ Thank you.” “ I know you would be worried about these.” Rocket told me. “ Give me a second to put these away and I’ll get you some sweet tea.”

I grab the albums and turn around when I do three photos fall out on the floor. That was weird. My mom always made sure the pictures were secure. After all these years no picture has ever fallen out. I place the albums back down and bend down to pick the pictures up. Since they are laying face down I see the date and caption. Another thing mom did. She said it was her way of going back in time. I smile when I pick them and turn them over. Then my smile drops.

Rocket takes one of the pictures from my hand. “ Wow, your mom was a hottie.” she said. I couldn’t answer. I could say anything. I kept staring at the photos in my hand flipping it over reading the date then looking back at the picture. I don’t know how long I did this. “ Pixie?” Rocket asked but I couldn’t answer. I didn’t know what to say. “ Sabine? Honey?” Rocket tries again. I can hear the worry in her voice. I know I need to say something. I don’t move but I croak out “ Nixon. I need Nixon.”

I feel Rocket grab me by the shoulders and move me around. I don’t know where we are going. I just let her lead. “ Here, honey. Have a seat. I’ll call Nixon.” she said as she helped me sit at one of the kitchen chairs. “ Dinner. I need to finish it.” I say never taking my eyes off the pictures. “ You got it going. I’ll take care of the rest, Pocket.” Goof said. I just nodded.

I was numb. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It couldn’t be right. It didn’t make sense. I just sat there not moving. Hardly breathing. I needed Nixon. He could explain this, right? I could hear Rocket and Goof moving around but I tuned it out. “ Sabine?” someone calls out. “ Sabine,I’m here. What happened?” Nixon asks. I look up and see he is sitting across from me. I was zoned out and I didn't hear the chair move. I slid the two pictures I have over to him. “ Mom always wrote the dates. But this one has to be wrong.” I said. I looked at the picture again then back to Nixon.

I pleaded with him, “ Please tell me the date is wrong.” I watch as Nixon looks down. He picks up the picture and flips it over. I see his eyes go big for just a second before he schools himself. “ Sabine, where did you get these?” he asks. “ Rocket, brought the albums over. They fell out. But Nixon, the date is wrong. That is all it is. Mom wrote the wrong year.” I’m begging him to agree with me. Nixon puts the picture on the table and runs both hands down his face as he mutters “ Shit.”

“ Sabine, I think you need to talk to mom and dad.” Nixon said. He didn't agree with me. Why wasn’t he agreeing with me? Why do I have to talk to our parents? “ Nixon, just tell me the dates are wrong.” I shouted. “ Sabine, just calm down. Just sit for a second and breath.” he said. Rocket sets a glass of tea in front of me. “ Drink honey.” I nod and take a sip. If I don’t she is going to hover. I see Nixon on the phone “ I’m going to put you on video. Sabine found something and she needs some answers.”