Part 7: It had to be you.
Chapter 7
Lady Veronica watches her visitor carefully. Frank Blanchard is an interesting man. She watches him squirm in his seat, clearly uncomfortable. She's not sure if it's what she does for a living, or the space in which she does it or the damaged side of her face he's trying so hard not to stare at - but something has him on edge. "Please, make yourself comfortable General Blanchard."
Frank glances around nervously, "So, can you just tell me where my boy is? Name is Frank Jr. I heard he might be around here."
Lady Veronica nods slowly, "I do know your son. He is… a friend." She says carefully.
Frank smiles proudly, finally relaxing a little. "Yeah, my Junior always does have a lot of…uh, friends." He chuckles.
"Yes, well," Lady Veronica says with a lopsided smile, "He's not here now. "
Blanchard's smile fades, "Ah, well okay." He lets out a heavy sigh. "Any idea where I can find him?"
"Yes, he's usually over at the Lucky Nickel this time of night. I expect you can find him there."
"Nope. We looked there. Nobody'd seen him."
"Well, he doesn't play in the main casino. He's a member. You have to go around to the back tent. That's where he'll be."
Blanchard is clearly unsettled by this news, "Well, damn. Isn't the Nickel a Patriot hangout? Do patriots gamble with the members?"
Veronica's exposed eye narrows and her fists clench. It's just a moment, and she composes herself quickly, but he catches it.
"You don't like the Patriots?"
"You could say that, yes." She takes a deep breath before continuing. "The Lucky Nickel is not a Patriot casino, but yes it has become a hangout. The real members hate the Patriots. What they don't hate, is Patriot money."
"Ah, I see. Well my kid has something that he wants to sell to them. I need to get it before he can do that."
"Well, go around to the back. There's a second tent. You can't miss it. Big red door. When you get there, ask for Bull or Leonard. Tell them Lady Veronica sent you and you'll have no problems."
"They'll help me find my kid?" He sounds hopeful.
"Yes, of course they will."
Blanchard stands to leave, "Thank you Lady Veronica. You've been a big help."
Lady Veronica stands, "General Blanchard?"
He turns, "Yeah, Sweetie?"
"I can tell that you are worried about something else. There's something not related to your son that has you bothered. Would you like to talk about it?"
He shakes his head ruefully, "Well, now that you mention it there is a little something."
"Your traveling companions maybe?"
"Well, yeah. They're good kids. Kinda grown fond of em both. Don't suppose you can tell me if things will work out okay for them?"
"Tell me a little bit about them. It will help with my reading."
"Well, sure Lady Veronica." Blanchard goes on to tell the Fortune Teller about Bass and Charlie and about why their relationship is sometimes strained. When he's done, he stands again, "You know what, I guess I'll just wait and see what happens. I've spent too much time here as it is. And truth is, they'll be here in a few minutes. Probably ask you about Junior too. Would you mind not telling them what you told me? Just maybe give them a reading and send them on?"
"Yes, of course." Lady Veronica walks Blanchard to the door, but stops him by placing a hand on his shoulder before he can exit. "Blanchard?"
"Yeah?"
"It's going to work out for them. I'm sure of it."
He nods, a happy smile spreading across his face, "Good. That's good."
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bass and Charlie are out of breath but smiling when they exit the kissing booth. Bass pulls her into an embrace, placing a kiss on her temple. "That was amazing, Charlie."
"Mmmm" she mumbles softly as he strokes her lower back. "We need to find a place to stay tonight so we can…"
"Sleep?" he asks, laughing.
"Among other things."
Just then they see Frank Blanchard walking their way. He is grasping at his generous stomach and moans a little as they meet him.
"I'm not feeling good kids. Gonna go to sleep this off."
"Where are you staying?" Bass asks.
"With a friend. I'll meet you in the morning at the lucky nickel." Blanchard doesn't waste any time, moving on quickly.
"Well, let's go ahead and check out this palm reader real quick. Then we're going to find somewhere we can finish what we've started today." Bass grins.
"Shit." Charlie says with a frown.
"What?"
"Patriots, dead ahead." She leans into him and he starts kissing her again.
Bass feels the danger all around as the group of soldiers in khaki split around them. He feels the danger, but is far more aware of Charlie's heat pressing against his body. "Let's just go find that place to stay."
She chuckles and shakes her head. "We're here Bass. Might as well go in."
He sees the purple tent and realizes she's right. "Fine, but I can tell you your future without any help from a psychic."
"Oh yeah."
"Yeah. A lot of your future is going to be spent with your legs wrapped around me while I – "
"I don't think you need to be psychic to see that coming." They've reached the tent now and Charlie ducks inside first. Bass follows just behind her. They look around what appears to be a waiting room. The interior of the tent is cool and dark.
"Please have a seat." A woman's raspy voice says. Charlie and Bass both look around and seeing nobody, assume the voice is coming from the next room.
In moments, a curvy red head in a purple flowing gown comes into the area. She might be beautiful but its hard to tell for sure. The space is very shadowy, but it seems like something is off with her face and speech.
Bass speaks, "We're looking for a guy. Name is Frank Blanchard Jr, might be going by just Junior."
Lady Veronica nods, "I know him. He's not here now. But your friend Blanchard came before you and he paid for each of you to have a reading. Who wants to go first?"
"That's weird…" Bass says, but shrugs. He's in a wonderful mood and says he'll go first. Leaning down, he kisses Charlie softly on the lips. Their eyes lock, "I'll keep it quick." He says. They are both eager to take their relationship to the next level, and agree silently that this will be their last pit stop before they find a room. Charlie grasps his fingers in hers and smiles at him before sitting in one of the old chairs.
Bass is grinning as he follows the Fortune Teller into her inner chamber. She sits behind a round table that is covered in blue velvet. On it surface sits a pedestal and a crystal ball. Candles flicker all around the room.
Bass looks at the woman across from him. Her face is in shadow, but she seems to be wearing a mask of some kind. Her long red hair is luxurious and hides even more of her face. She's interesting to be sure, but he finds his gaze drawn to other parts of the room as well. "I don't believe in all this, just so you know." Bass says when his gaze returns to her.
"You don't have to believe in it for it to be true." Her voice is low and a little sluggish, but he can hear confidence and humor in her words.
He leans back crossing his arms. He's still grinning, "Okay Lady V, give me your best shot."
The Fortune Teller nods, accepting his challenge. Her hands move to hover over the crystal ball. She stares into its depths for a while. Finally she speaks, "You are haunted by memories of lost loved ones."
Bass's grin fades, "Isn't everyone?" he asks, suddenly irritated.
She ignores his outburst. "They watch over you, you know. They want you to find happiness. They want you to move on…to heal."
"Bullshit."
"I see two young girls…your sisters maybe, an older couple…I think they are your parents."
"I'm leaving." Bass says, standing.
She continues on as if he hasn't spoken, "And a young woman with curly hair…she's holding a baby."
Bass sits down heavily, his expression blank. "What?"
"They are watching you. They love you. They want you to find love again."
Bass shakes his head, speechless. His eyes are glassy with unshed tears.
"They approve of her. The girl you are with. They think she is the one who will help you heal… She will help you move on. They see that she makes you happy…"
Bass struggles to speak, "That's not possible. This isn't real."
"Isn't it?" she asks, staring at him with her one good eye.
"Fine," he finally says – his voice rough. "Let's say this is real. What would make them so sure of her? She's only just coming to terms with maybe accepting me even after all I've done…"
"She has struggled, but her heart knows what it wants. You."
"I just don't know. I adore her but she deserves so much better."
"You're wrong about that. You are a much better match for her than you might think. Everything is coming together. You will need to be patient, but happiness…real happiness awaits."
He stares at her for a long time, suddenly wondering if he ever met her when he was in the old version of this gypsy town. "Were you around New Vegas last year? You seem familiar. We may have met... Honestly, a lot of that time is a blur."
"I think I saw you fight once." She says with a crooked smile. "You were very good."
He pauses, not sure she's really answered his question, "Well, if I ever treated you wrong I'm sorry. I was in a bad place… I wasn't a good guy. I'm still not. Not really…".
"At some point you'll find you aren't apologizing as much for your bad choices. You're going to come to terms with your past and accept it. You're going to be happy inside your own skin again. Not all that far from now, actually. She will have a lot to do with that. She's going to give you hope again. She'll give you a family."
He looks away, his eyes brimming. He takes a deep ragged breath, "A family?"
"Yes. A baby…at least one. I see others surrounding you as well, supporting you both… friends, family, a brother who isn't really your brother… he will be there. You'll never be alone again."
"That's great. It is. I would love it if it's true…. But what about my son? He left me. I don't even know if he's okay and I want to repair all that was broken between us. I at least want to have a chance…."
Madame Veronica is quiet for a long time. Finally she speaks. "Your son will return to you after your first new baby arrives. He will travel to see you and meet his new sibling. He will ask for your forgiveness and you will find a new understanding… from the ashes of your old relationship, a new one will arise."
"So, he's okay? He's alive?" Bass has tears streaming down his cheeks. He doesn't even believe in this stuff, but the world she's painting for him is too perfect not to believe in a little.
"He is alive. The future I see could change some, but a reunion with your son, and a future with the girl…these are things I see as not changing." Lady Veronica moves her hands away from the crystal ball and makes it clear that she is done. "You can send her in now."
He thanks her and leaves.
He'd been gone less than five minutes, and the last time she'd seen him, he'd been grinning so it is a shock to see that Bass has been crying. Charlie moves to him quickly and he envelops her in his arms
"Are you okay?" she asks, wiping a tear from his cheek. Her expression is concerned.
"Yeah I am." Bass smiles shakily. "Finally, I think I am." He leans in and kisses her softly. She kisses him back, holding him tight for a moment. "Go." He says quietly against her lips. "Your turn."
Charlie walks through the flap to the inner room. Lady Veronica sits behind her table. She is perfectly still. Charlie crosses her arms and scowls. "What did you say to him? He's upset."
"I told him some truths." Lady Veronica says simply.
Charlie snorts. "Whatever. Let's get this over with. I'm going to meet someone from my past. I'll find true love when I least expect it. I'll come into some money…. Hit me with your best shot Lady Veronica."
The Fortune Teller smirks in her lop-sided way, but doesn't say anything for a while. She motions Charlie to sit and after some hesitation, she does.
"I'm waiting." Charlie says, frowning. She's worried about Bass and wants to go back to him.
"You are stronger than you even know and you should trust your instincts more." Lady Veronica finally says after placing her hands along the sides of the crystal ball.
"Which instincts are you referring to?" Charlie asks.
"The ones that say you can forgive him the ones that say maybe you can have a life with him. A future."
"I don't know. I don't…." Charlie is shaking her head, unsure.
Lady Veronica sits up straight. Her one exposed eye closes. She holds up both hands. "Wait, someone is here."
Charlie glances around, suddenly nervous as the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. "What? Who?"
"Someone named Danny is here. He wants to speak to you."
Charlie is livid. "Is this a joke? Did Bass tell you to say that?" but even as she speaks the words, she knows Bass would never play that kind of trick on her.
"No trick." She says simply. "What do you want to say?" she addresses the empty space to her left. Charlie feels sick to her stomach.
Lady Veronica's voice lowers, "Stop being an idiot Charlie. You don't have to blame him for everything bad that happened. Maybe he was part of the problem, but he wasn't all of it… and now he can be the solution. He can be your solution. You need to give him a chance. You can be happy together."
Lady Veronica's head drops swiftly, but when she raises her head, her eyes are still closed. Charlie is crying now, but the Fortune Teller doesn't seem to notice. "Someone else is here. His name is Ben – "
"My father, Ben Matheson?" Charlie interrupts, suddenly wanting to believe in all this psychic bullshit.
"No." She shakes her head. "Not Ben Matheson. Not Ben…. The name is Benji. His message is very short. He wants you to know that he forgives you for how everything happened. He knows it wasn't your fault."
Charlie is assailed with images of the night they'd attacked the Patriot camp. She remembers Benji, and how it felt to take his life. She remembers the pain and anguish on Shotgun Girl's face. She remembers the guilt. The floodgates open and Charlie begins to sob. Bass hears her from the outer room and comes bursting through, fearing something awful has happened. When he sees Charlie crying, he goes to her and holds her while her shoulders shake. Lady Veronica exits silently, leaving them some space.
Charlie takes a deep cleansing breath. Reaching up, she touches his face lovingly. She reaches up and touches his face. "So, I'm ready."
"Ready for what Charlie?" his voice is hushed. He feels a hope stirring in his gut that he didn't think he'd ever feel again.
She smiles, "For whatever comes next, Bass. I'm ready to move forward… with you."
He grins slowly, "Yeah? Yeah. Me too." Bass takes Charlie's hand and pulls her to her feet. "Let's go find a place to stay."
"That is exactly what we should do."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
They begin searching for a place to stay. Every room is booked. Every tent is rented. Twice they have to stop to make out when they see Patriot soldiers approaching. Bass is going crazy. They are almost to the Lucky Nickel when they see a casino tent that is dark and appears empty. The sign across the door says "Closed because Big Al died. Will re-open Friday."
Bass pulls Charlie closer to the door and they sneak under the tent flap. The place isn't wonderful but it is empty and moonlight filters through the paper thin tarp of the tent. Bass sees an old but sturdy Craps table along the back and he grins.
"You said that you wanted our first time to be different…" he grasps her hands, staring into her eyes as he leads her toward his destination. He stops when his ass bumps into the edge of the table. "This different enough for ya Charlie?"
Charlie returns his grin and nods, "Yeah. This is different enough." Bass begins to kiss her then. His lips are urgent but gentle. He wants this to be perfect.
Charlie pulls back, her eyes search his. "Bass?"
"Yeah Charlie?"
"When I said that, I still wasn't sure what was happening between us… or why. The truth is that this is already different because it's US. It's you and me…" She leans up and presses her lips to his. "It's different because this means something. This is… this is different because you are important to me…because I care about you."
"You do?" his hands are running softly up and down her arms. His heart lurches as what she's saying sinks in. "You're sure?" She nods and he sighs contentedly, "I feel the same way. I care about you… more than I even thought I could."
Bass picks Charlie up and tenderly sits her on the table's top. He climbs on as well, crawling toward her as she scoots back to make room for him. Their eyes hold and heat surges between them. Charlie leans back on her elbows with her legs bent to the side. He stops at her ankles where he admires the silver shoes with the straps that wrap up her calves. "God, these shoes are hot." He murmurs.
She stretches the leg he's been admiring, resting it on Bass's shoulder. "So, you like them?"
Bass grasps her ankle, holding it close to his face, "Mmmm." He presses his lips to the flesh there and slowly trails kisses up her calf. Charlie shudders as the touch of his lips sends a shiver down her spine. "I don't like them. I love them… because they're on you." He smirks against her inner thigh, nipping lightly at the tender flesh.
"You would like anything I wore? Good to know…" Charlie's breath catches roughly as Bass's hands begin to move under the hem of her very short hooker dress. "Ohh…" she moans.
"Anything." He agrees, moving to lie at her side, he caresses her jaw softly, pulling her chin closer to him. He kisses her with a gentleness she's never known before. The heat of the kiss radiates through her body, and she feels wetness pooling in her panties as her need escalates.
Bass buries his hands in Charlie's hair, pulling her deeper into the kiss, delving his tongue into her mouth. He tastes her and knows he'll never have enough of her. He moves his attention to her jawline and then her throat. Bass sucks gently at her pulse point, loving the way she feels under his touch.
Charlie is reveling in the way he makes her feel. His hands and mouth are everywhere at once, and her center aches for him. His touch is gentle and sweet. Every stroke of his fingers against her skin sets her on fire, and the tension growing in her core is exquisite. Charlie bites lightly on his lower lip and smiles at his responding moan.
Bass finds the zipper on the dress and pulls it down slowly. He takes his time, removing one strap and then the other, pulling the bodice of the dress down to her waist with his teeth. Working his way back up, he takes a nipple into his mouth. Bass runs his tongue gently over the puckered flesh as Charlie winds her fingers into his curls. She holds him to her breast, loving the way he licks and sucks. He uses his fingers on her other breast, molding the mound of flesh before pinching at her exposed nipple.
Charlie is soon writhing under his touch. He pulls away long enough to slide the dress over her hips and toss it on the floor. She's back on her elbows, watching as he memorizes her every curve with his eyes and his hands.
"Please," she begs.
"Please what?" he asks, his breath hot against the tender nipple he's been laving.
"Need to see you too." She says.
He leans back a little, his eyes hot on hers. "Okay." He says, but clearly is waiting for her to undress him. She is only too happy to oblige. Charlie unbuttons the old flannel shirt, shoving it off his shoulders. Next she takes his t-shirt and pulls it up. He lifts his arms so she can take it all the way off.
"Damn." She murmurs, reverently running her hands over the hard planes of his leanly muscled chest. Charlie leans in and kisses his flesh, pressing her lips against every line, every scar, one after the other. She feels him tense as his own desire begins to grow.
"Charlie…" he runs his hands down her naked back as she begins to suck at one of the tight little nipples. "Pants are a little tight right now."
She chuckles and moves her hands to his waist. "I see what you mean." She says as she lowers his zipper and his throbbing cock springs free. She hears his groan of appreciation as she wraps her small hand around his base, slowly. She is sitting next to him now, and kisses his mouth while she works his dick with her hand. He lifts his hips, thrusting into her fist. She lets go of him long enough to help him take off his boots and shimmy out of his jeans.
Charlie admires Bass in all his naked glory. "Damn." She says again, devouring him with her eyes. He lies down and pulls her down onto him, their bodies flush. She feels his erection between their bodies and she's never wanted anything more than to have him buried deep. She drops her knees to his sides, the only thing separating them – the damp fabric of her panties. Charlie moves against him, pivoting her hips so that she strokes the length of his penis with her heated sex over and over.
He rubs his thumb over her panties, finding her clit and stroking it through the fabric. The sensations of this touch almost send her over the edge. Not to be outdone, Charlie reaches between them, and grasps his cock again, pulling gently.
"Enough." He growls, flipping her easily so that it's now Bass on top. He kisses her mouth more urgently this time. His fingers wrap around the panties and soon they are off and no barrier remains. He settles between her thighs, the head of his cock resting against her swollen sex. He presses his lips to her ear. "You ready, Baby?"
Charlie tilts her hips, pressing against him. "Yes." She cries hoarsely. "Ready."
His mouth is on hers again. He reaches down and strokes his cock up and down her drenched slit. "Yeah, you are." He says before slowly sinking into her tight heat.
She lifts her pelvis and opens her thighs wider. "More." She begs.
He pulls out almost all the way, pushing back into her – deeper this time. She's so tight. This is more than he'd ever expected. Charlie's pussy grasps tightly around his cock as he thrusts deeper yet.
"More." She cries again, "You're so big, so hot. I want all of you."
He groans, picking up his pace. A few more strokes and he's buried to the hilt. Bass pauses for just a moment. He kisses her heatedly, "You have all of me Charlie. I'm yours." He says and then he begins to move purposefully, finding a rhythm that works for both of them.
Charlie wraps her legs around him, sinking her heels into his ass. Bass strokes her clit while he moves inside her. He feels her orgasm as her soft flesh tightly grips him. He pushes through her clenching orgasm, feeling her shudder as her world explodes. "Oh my God." She says in a shaky whisper.
He feels his balls beginning to tighten, and growls into her ear. "Don't want to leave you."
"Then don't." she says.
"No, I mean…"
"I know what you mean Bass. Do it. Fill me."
"Fuck." He moans, picking up the pace, loving how she's pulling him closer into her body - his thrusts become harsher – almost punishing.
She loves the feel of his cock thrusting and slamming into her. She's never felt so full, so stretched. His engorged penis hits all the right spots. Bass shoves into her as deeply as he can, bottoming out before pulsing hot and thick into her depths.
She revels in the way it feels to be filled like this, his seed hot and thick, coating the deepest depths of her pussy. It feels so amazing, so intimate, so perfect. He's still buried deep, his cock now still. "Oh Bass. That was better than… I never knew how good that would feel."
"You mean nobody's ever…"
She shakes her head. "No, Maggie used to tell me I shouldn't temp fate, so I never did."
Bass remembers the Fortune Teller's prediction about a baby, "Consider fate tempted." He says against her mouth. He starts to move from her, afraid he's too heavy, but she stops him.
"Not yet. Stay inside me for a little longer. Please."
"Okay." This isn't something she'll ever have to ask twice. He's never felt more at home anywhere than he does buried inside Charlie.
Later, he does pull from her to lie at her side. He takes her hand in his and they turn to look at each other. "Are you happy?" he asks.
"Never happier." She responds with a smile. They lie like that for a while, sated and happy. The mood is broken when they hear raucous laughter from the Lucky Nickel tent next door. There has been noise emanating from the neighboring tent all night, but till now they've ignored it.
Ignoring the noise becomes impossible when they hear Frank Blanchard's voice, clear as day, "For the love of god Boy, what are you doing?"
Bass sits up and stares in the direction of the voice. "Blanchard?" They both scramble to get dressed and move to the exit. Bass pauses for just a moment to look down at her. Their mouths meet in another kiss. It is sweet and loving and full of promise. There will be a lot more of that in their future.
Quietly they leave the abandoned casino and make their way next door. They peek through a hole and see Frank talking to someone but they can't make out the other guy. They hear a scuffle, followed by "Give me those damn papers Junior." By the time Charlie and Bass get inside the tent behind the Lucky Nickel they find Blanchard sitting sadly at a poker table. He's all alone.
Frank looks up sadly, "Hey kids."
"You found him?" Charlie asks.
"Yeah."
Bass sits next to their friend, "And?"
Blanchard shakes his head, "Kid's still a piece of shit."
"Did he still have the lists?"
"Yeah, he hadn't sold em to the Patriots yet. He'd been holding out for more money." Frank hands a brown envelope to Bass.
Charlie is worried. Blanchard suddenly looks old and very tired, "What did you have to give him in exchange for this?"
"All the diamonds I had and all that Texas allocated." Frank sighs. "He was happy with the money, but he's a greedy prick. He's going to want more and he knows you are in town, so…."
"The bounties?" Charlie asks, a chill moving down her spine.
Bass stands. "Let's get going. We can't stay in New Vegas."
"Yeah." Blanchard agrees. "Probably right now."
Charlie grasps Bass's hand and looks at Fran, "Ok. Lets go."
Frank stands slowly, "I think it's time we parted ways. You two don't need me. My friend who I was going to stay with…well, she owes me. Said she'd give me two of her horses. I'm giving them to you. I'll take my wagon and go the short route with the main roads and lots of towns that isn't good for you two. You guys take your time and go to wherever you are supposed to meet Miles at. Lots of time to talk and you know whatever without an old man like me to bog you down."
The three exchange looks. Charlie breaks away from Bass and gives Frank a big hug. "We're going to miss you."
"Oh you'll see me again." He seems to brighten a bit. "You should keep that dress Charlie. Looks good on you."
Charlie slaps Frank playfully, "Stop staring at my boobs."
The older man sighs, "But they're just so pretty…"
Bass chuckles, "I can't argue with ya." He slaps Blanchard on the back, "Thanks Frank… it's actually been fun to travel with you. You're a good guy."
Frank leads them to the horses he's promised, and they say their final goodbye. Charlie and Bass glance back and give their friend a nod and a wave. As they leave the town limits, Charlie looks over her shoulder at the gypsy city. "So we're leaving New Vegas for the third time.."
Bass grins, "And the third time WAS the charm."
"Yeah, your luck changed." She's smiling back at him, her eyes lock with his. "So did mine."
"For the better." He says.
Their horses are walking close together, and he reaches out to take her hand. She squeezes his fingers and sighs happily. The future is wide open.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Madame Veronica watches in the moonlight as the couple leaves her town. She smiles as best she can when she sees them hold hands and look at each other in a way that means something. She is sure they have a chance. The road might be rough at times, but the ride will be worth it.
Her companion enters, "They left?"
"Yes. You okay?"
He shrugs. "It was weird to see my Dad again. I wish things were different between us."
"You'll see him again. Things will be different next time. Your Dad really does love you."
He nods, "I listened to your readings you know. Haven't ever heard you do a séance before."
"Never did one before."
"Well, it seemed effective. How did you know all that stuff?"
She shrugs, "I knew some of it from things you've told me. I knew some from before…from when he was Jimmy." She chuckles, "And Frank told me a lot too when he was here."
"Frank is a character, that's for sure." He pauses, pulling her into an embrace, "Hope he found his kid."
"I'm sure he did. You know Frank Junior. Never does leave the Nickel. Shouldn't be hard to find.
"Well, I hope that everything works out for them. Junior is an idiot, but I like his Dad."
"Me too." The Fortune Teller agrees. "Time for bed?"
"Sure," he says, but stops. "Hey what you said about them having a baby… is that true?"
She pauses. "Yes. I don't know how I know, but yes."
"And the other part?"
She comes back toward him. "The part where I said you'll go back to Willoughby after their baby is born?"
"Yeah that part…."
"Yes Connor, that part is also true. If you want, you can even take your much older disfigured fake psychic girlfriend with you. I do love to travel after all."
Connor Bennett smiles at Lady Veronica. She had been his salvation when he'd hit rock bottom. He loves her. Sighing happily, he leads her toward their bed, "I didn't know that you like to travel."
"Oh, there's a lot you don't know about me yet. Stick around and you'll learn it all."
END
A/N There will be an epilogue. Look for it in the next week or so. I'd love to hear your thoughts, so leave a comment if you have a minute. Also…if you write charloe fic, and love the holidays…check out thegoodshipcharloe (dot com) to learn about their holiday fan fic gift exchange. I'm doing it and hope you will too.
