Chapter 47

Pixie
I didn’t want to have this dinner. Viper knew that. But he insisted I needed it. My parents were still here. I needed to at least hear them out. I wasn’t ready by a long shot but I agreed to listen. I told Viper I couldn’t promise more. He said that was fine. So I was already tense when Goof brought up me being Viper’s ol’e lady. I didn’t mean to snap at him. I haven’t brought it up to Viper. I don’t know how. I’m not sure I want to. If Viper wants to make me his ol’e lady he needs to take that step freely. When he is ready.

I thought I recovered enough so Viper wouldn't see but I think he knew something was wrong. When I let it slip that I was questioning how long we would be together he didn’t hesitate and gave the perfect answer. So I won’t let the ol’e lady thing get to me. I had to get away from him before I stripped him down and fucked him in one of the chairs. I don’t need my parents walking in on that. So I sent him for a shower while I literally stuck my head in the freezer to cool down. Damn that man gets me hot. With just a look most of the time.

I just placed dinner on the table. Chicken parm, pasta, garden salad and cheesy garlic bread. I hear feet coming down the stairs and look up to Viper. Damn him. He is wearing a tight black tee-shirt that shows off his six pack abs. The sleeves looked like they were going to tear. And those tattoo’s. “ Honey, I thought we were saving dinner for later?” I asked when he got close to me. I breathed in the scent of his woodsy body wash. “ We are.” Viper said. “ Then why did you come down looking good enough to eat?” I asked, batting my eyes at him.

He comes over and leans against the table. He grabs my hands and pulls me to his chest. “ Later, I promise,” he says. He shakes his head and asks “ What am I going to do with you and your sassy mouth?” I have a few ideas but what comes flying out of my mouth wasn’t on the top of my list. “ Love me forever.” I said looking up at him. Viper leans down pressing his forehead to mine. There are days like this when I hate being so short. Leaning down like he does can’t be good for his neck and lower back.

“ Baby, that is something I’m going to take great pleasure in doing. And you have my word on my bike that’s exactly what I’m going to do.” he says. I get on my toes, place my hands on his shoulders and kiss him. It was supposed to be a peck. That was until Viper took over. When I feel his tongue trying to breach my lips I moan. I know he loves the sound. I feel his hands slide from my waist down to my ass where he grabs two handfuls smashing me into him. I’m about to reach down and lift Viper’s shirt so I can have my hands on bare skin when I hear “ Aww, my eyes.” I pull away from Viper and laugh as I see Nixon with his hands over his eyes.

“ Come on man, not in front of the food.” Casper said but I could see he was smiling. Viper looks over at them “ What can I say? My woman is just so damn kissable.” “ Well, you might want to put a hold on it for a little while. Our parents pulled in behind us.” Nixon said. And those words made it feel like I had a bucket of ice water dumped on me. I get out of Viper’s arms and straighten my clothes. I open my mouth to tell them to sit when there is a knock at the door. I guess there is no turning back now.

Goof being the sweety he is, answers the door for us. He escorts my parents into us. “ Have a seat and I’ll get everyone drinks.” I said. I just needed a minute to escape. I grab my parents and me an iced tea and beers for Nixon, Casper Goof and Viper. Yes, Goof was staying for dinner. He had been on duty all day and I wanted to make sure he was fed. I was the last to sit. I told everyone to get their plates. Viper helped me with mine though it wasn’t needed. He just liked to do it. He did it when it was just the two of us as well.

We all sat in silence while we ate. Well, they ate. I pushed my food around. “ Sabine.” Viper wipers. I look up at him. “ Eat.” I take a couple of bites to make him happy but I don’t have much of an appetite. After another minute or two I can’t stand it. I place my fork down with a clatter and say “ You wanted to talk, so talk.” I said looking at my parents. The woman who begrudgingly raised me looks at Viper “ Does he have to be here?” Is she fucking kidding me? I slap my hands on the table so hard plates rattle. “ You want to know if my husband, the man who invited you, has to be in his own house? Yes, he has to be here.” I snapped. “ But Sabine, this is a family matter.” my dad said.

“ He is family.” I told him. “ But he left you. He cheated. How can he be family?” Dad asked. I laughed but it wasn’t because I thought he was being funny. It was a sarcastic laugh. “ Really dad. You want to play that. I’ll explain it to you. Viper and I were drunk when we got married. Him more than me. He didn’t remember he got married. So he left. He slept around. But it wasn’t cheating since he didn’t know. When confronted he has been trying to fix what had happened. He has taken his vows seriously and has done everything in his power to make it up to me. And I haven’t made it easy on him by a long shot. He has been a good husband to me.” I yelled.

“ Sabine, I.” he began. “ No you don’t get to say shit about my marriage. You have no right. You were married for fourteen years. You knew you were married when you slept with another woman. And so did she. Had me because of it. Had your wife pretend to be my mother despite the fact she was unhappy about it and hid it for over twenty years. I always thought I had done something wrong for my own mother to hate me like she did. I tried everything to make her like me. Being a skating champion to getting straight A’s in school. Never causing too many problems but it was never enough to get her to like me. But it wasn’t me. It was because of you. She hated me because you had her raise the evidence of your cheating. And you denied me knowing my biological mother. So don’t you dare think you can say anything about my marriage.” I yelled.

I look over at Viper. He was leaning back in his chair, his arms across his chest smiling at me. I could tell he was only going to jump in if I needed him. Other than that he was going to let me handle it. Casper and Nixon eating and watching like they are getting dinner and a show. Dad looks down at his plate and doesn’t say another word. “ What about him? He isn’t family?” mom said motioning to Goof. At this point I’m ready to throw my food at ehr and I’m not violent. “ What makes you think he isn’t family? Is it because he is sitting at my husband's table wearing his colors? Or maybe it is the fact that Goof has been watching my ass since the Renegades were brought in to help protect me from a crazy stalker? Or that he was by my side because Viper couldn’t when I found out the truth? Or that in the time we have spent together he and I have become close friends? Which part doesn’t make him family.” I growled at her.

Nixon, Casper, and Viper look at Goof like they are ready to beat his ass. It takes a second for me to understand why. “ Shit, honey. He didn’t literally watch my ass. He won’t even be in the same room as me if he thinks my shorts are too small.” I said. “ Now, if you are done insulting my family and still want to talk, go ahead.” I said. “ Hold on.” Viper said. “ Baby, you can listen while you eat. If you don’t I will throw them out. I’m not having them stress you out. At least eat some bread. You have been looking forward to it all day.” he said.

I grabbed a piece of gooey, cheesy bread and stuffed it in my mouth. He smiled and went back to eating. Mom was the first to speak. “ I didn’t hate you. And I never meant for you to feel that way. I did love you. I still do. Just not the way I should have. And that is on me. Not you. You are innocent in all of this. And I should have never taken my anger out on you. I know I never hit you or called you names. But my indifference was just as bad. It hurt you in ways I could have never imagined. For that I’m so sorry. And in time I hope I can make it up to you.” she said.

I was about to say something but Viper stopped me. “ Eat first. Let them talk. If you don’t eat half your food before saying something, no dessert.” he said. I look at him like he just told me he was growing a tail. I narrowed my eyes at him “ You wouldn’t?” I said. “ Don’t eat and find out,” he said. I know he is watching out for me but damn don’t take away my dessert. I stab a piece of chicken and eat it. Goof ruins the whole thing by asking “ What’s for dessert? I want dessert.” I start to laugh but end up choking. Viper jumps up and hits my back so hard the food flies out. Fuck I know that is gonna bruise. Viper crouches down and gives me my tea. “Sip slowly.” he said.

I did as he asked. When he was sure I was able to drink and was no longer choking he put my drink down. Viper whipped my eyes with his thumb. “ You okay baby?” he whispers. I can see the worry in his eyes. I take a deep breath to show him I can. I see some of the worry fade but not all. I take his hands in mine and kiss his knuckles. I keep his hands in one of mine, with the other I place it on his cheek. I rub my thumb along it “ Yes, honey. I’m good now.”