Chapter 39

Pixie
I can’t believe how my life turned upside down yesterday. My mom wasn’t my mom and a man I viewed as a brother is actually my brother. I had been lied to all my life. And then I confessed to Viper that I was in love with him and wanted to work on our marriage. And it was true it just wasn’t the way I had planned to do. Just after wonderful love making. I thought my heart was going to burst when Viper said he loved me back. I didn’t think he was going to say it. I didn’t expect him to. I wasn’t sure he was there yet but I was wrong. We made love three more times last night. Viper told me he loved me over and over. I ate it up everytime. I loved hearing those words coming from his lips. But I don’t have time to lay in bed and dwell on everything.

I had to get to the rink to practice. I only had a week until the competition. I could afford to waste any time. After a quick and hands on breakfast Viper drove me to the rink. Hands on as in Viper had his hands on me the whole time. If it wasn’t for practice I would have let his hands stay on me. And there was also something else I needed to do. I was sure I was ready but it had to be done. I had to talk to Casper. I was angry, yes. But it wasn’t his or Nixon’s fault.

I talked it over with Viper last in between sessions. He helped me understand that they were just kids when I was born. They may have not liked what was happening but there was nothing they could do about it. So they did the only thing they could do. Stay by my side. I will talk to Nixon as well. But Casper I needed an in depth talk. I had questions. So many questions. And he had most of the answers. They rest I will get later. Hopefully. It depends on how willing my parents are to talk.

I had just finished a few warm up laps on the ice when Casper and Nixon came down the ramp. I waited for them to get to the wall before I went over to them. They looked miserable and heartbroken. I have never seen them like this. I don’t like it. When I stood in front of them they were talking over each other trying to apologize. I couldn’t make out a word other than sorry. I hold my hand up for them to stop talking.

“ I need one at a time. But I want to go first.” I said. I look at both of them. “ I forgive both of you. It wasn’t your secret to tell. And you have always been by my side. So thank you for that.” I told them. I reached over to hug Nixon. He reaches over the wall picking me up and sitting on it. I laughed when he wrapped his arms around me squeezing me so tight I almost couldn’t breath. “ I love you little sis.” Nixon said. I laid my head on his shoulder. “ I love you too. You are one of the best brothers a girl could have.” I said.

Nixon pulls back “ One?” I giggled. “ Yes, I do have two brothers.” I said. I motioned for Casper to come closer. I reached out to him and he wrapped his arms around me. “ I thought I was protecting you. I’m sorry.” Casper said. “ I know. You have always been protecting me. This time is no different.” I told him. I pulled back so I could look at him. “ So you really are my brother?” I asked. I already knew the answer but I needed him to say it. “ Yea, I am,” he said.

“ I have questions. Lots of questions. But not now. Come over to the house tonight for dinner.” I said. I held my finger up telling him to wait. There was something I was forgetting. I was staying at Viper’s. I can’t just invite people over. “ Viper, honey. Could you come here please?” I asked. He wasn’t more than a foot away but he was giving us privacy. When he was close I asked “ Viper, I had invited Casper over for dinner so we could talk. But it is your house so is that okay with you?”

“ Baby, sounds like we need to talk too. But we will get to that later. Short answer: yes Casper can come over for dinner. Anyone you want to invite over you can.” Viper said. Oh, so sweet. I smile at him. “ Thanks. So Casper come by Viper’s house. I’ll make us all dinner.” I said. Casper nods and says “ I’ll be there.” After giving all of them a quick hug I get back to practice.

Later that night
I was putting the finishing touches on dinner when there was a knock at the door. Goof ran and grabbed it for me. I knew it was Casper. I grabbed the garden salad from the fridge and set it on the table and went out back to check on how Viper was doing with the steaks. Since it is close to the competition my diet is high protein and low carb. I see Viper taking the steaks off the grill just as I walk out. “ Want some help?” I asked. “ Just grab the door for me.” Viper said. I slid the door open all the way and went back to the kitchen. Casper was just walking in. “ Looks like I got here just in time.” he said, rubbing his stomach.

“ Wash up and have a seat. I’ll grab you guys a beer.” I told him. He knew the drill from eating with Nixon and I. I grabbed my water and their beers and took them to the already set table. “ Goof, dinner.” I called out. A blur raced past me to the kitchen sink. There are times that man reminds me of a kid. Once we were all sitting we passed around the food so everyone could load their plates. In addition to the salad and steaks I had steamed green beans, and baked potatoes and yeast rolls for the guys.

I took a few bites of my food to gather my thoughts. I had so many questions I didn’t know where to start. Or how to bring it up. I hear the clank of a fork hitting a plate. “ Sabine, stop it. Just ask what you want.” Casper said. I looked up and saw everyone was staring at me. “ Huh?” I asked. “ Sabine, I have known you since you were an infant. When you push your food around your plate you have something on your mind and aren’t sure how to say it.” Casper said. “ You know it sucks sometimes how well you know me.” I said.

“ As long as you eat you can ask anything you want.” Caper said as he cut a piece of his steak. I took a bite of my salad and prepared my first question. “ Why did you stay with me? I have seen the pictures. You were at the hospital.” I asked. Casper set his fork down, placed his elbows on the table and tented his fingers. “ Sabine, you have been my blood. You have been my sister since that pregnancy test showed positive. There was no way I wasn’t going to be in your life.” he said.