Chapter Ten
The day of Cathy's Passion Party finally arrived. Venus spent a good part of her day getting prepped for the event. Her morning was spent at the salon, where she paid her stylist, Jeannie a visit.
Venus had been a client of Jeannie's for years. She knew how to do a roller set like no one else, and, being from the south herself, was a firm believer in the old saying, "The higher the hair, the closer to God."
"Hey girl! " she exclaimed when Venus walked over to her station. Venus was one of Jeannie's favorite clients. She was always entertained when the vivacious Ms. Van Dam had an appointment.
"Hi Miss Jeannie, how are you, Darlin?" Venus asked as she gave her a hug .
"Oh, you know, busy as ever. You keep sending me new clients, so I'm running around like crazy." "How about you? I want to see a picture of these babies I keep hearing about."
"Here." Venus pulled out her phone, and flipped through some snapshots she'd taken of the girls.
Jeannie flipped through to the first picture of Tig sleeping with Violet on his chest, another of Amelia running around in a princess tiara and holding a magic wand, wearing nothing but a diaper, one more of Venus laying down with the two girls on either side of her, Amelia, kissing her cheek. Venus was smiling her trademark smile, her eyes half-closed in bliss, looking so at ease.
"Honey, these are great! Look at the curls on Amelia! You're doing a really great job keeping them looking good"
"Thanks, darlin. I'm going to bring her in one of these days for a little trim. I just love those curls."
"All right, what are we doing today?"
" I could use a trim, and one of your famous roller sets, of course, Miss Jeannie."
"Pageant contestant realness, coming up!" Jeannie said as she got to work.
Venus sat back and let Jeannie work her magic. The time flew by, as they chatted about everything from kids, to the latest celebrity scandal.
"Ok, darlin, 45 minutes under the dryer, and you'll be ready to go".
"Yes, Ma'am" Venus said as situated herself under the hood. She busied herself by reading the latest gossip magazines.
Two hours later, Venus stepped out of the salon, her long waves looking bouncy and just perfect.
Her next stop was the nail salon for a mani/pedi. After her nails were shaped and polished to perfection, she headed home.
Venus opened the door to find Amelia and sitting down on the floor next to Gertie, looking at a picture book. Amelia and Gertie were both wearing tiaras.
Venus walked over, to greet her little girl.
"Hi love bug. Are you and Gertie playing dress up?"
"Hi Mama! I am a princess and puppy is too"
"Oh, well Hello Princess Amelia. I am pleased to make your acquaintance." Venus said, extending her hand and curtseying.
Venus looked up to see Brooke, coming back into the living room from putting Violet down for a nap also wearing a tiara.
Venus giggled.
" Princess Brooke! To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Brooke shyly took off her tiara . "Hey Venus" she said. "Yup. It's apparently princess day"
"Everyone behaved while I was out?"
"Yes. We went to the park for a bit, came back for lunch. I put the baby down for a nap just now, and here you find us, just chilling out."
"Excellent. Thanks for tiring them out for me."
"No Problem. You look really nice, by the way."
"Thank you, darlin. I think it's always important to make a good first impression. Especially with groups of potential mean girls. " You heading out?"
"Yup. I have my first drawing class tonight"
"How wonderful! Enjoy yourself."
" Thanks. Dinner's in the oven. I followed the instructions you left me, so it should be done in an hour or so."
"Princess Brooke, you spoil us so. Thank you so much, sugar."
Brooke kneeled down next to Amelia.
"Bye Princess Amelia. I'll see you tomorrow.
Amelia looked up from her book, and hugged Brooke.
"Bye Princess Brooke." She said, and went back to her book.
Venus walked Brooke to the door. "Honey, you have great time in your class tonight. "
"Thanks, I'm looking forward to it. Did you need me to check in with Tig later tonight, in case he needs anything while you're out?
"Darlin, I think he'll be ok. You'd be surprised."
"Ok. See you tomorrow, then."
Venus closed the door and walked back to the living room.
"Princess Amelia, how about we have story and snuggle time, just you and me?"
"Ok, Mama" Amelia closed the book, and climbed onto the couch with her sippy cup in one hand, and the ever-present lamby in the other. Venus sat down next to Amelia as she settled in, snuggling close to her.
Story and snuggle time was suggested to them back when the girls were in the hospital as a way for Amelia to bond with Tig and Venus, and quickly became a favorite pastime.
"I think since it's Princess day, the story should be about a princess." Venus said, softly.
Amelia nodded and looked up at her mama, ready for whatever fantastical tale Venus was about to spin.
"All right, then. Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess….."
Amelia sat rapt with attention, as Venus told her tale about the princess. By the time she wrapped up the story with the closer,"…and remember, while it's always nice to meet a handsome prince, a princess should always be able to think for herself.", she heard the front door open and the friendly bellow of Tig calling out, "Hey Girls, I'm home."
"Baby, we're in here. Just finishing story and snuggle time." Venus called back.
Tig walked in and exclaimed, " Aww man, I missed it!" He leaned down to kiss Venus and Amelia.
"How was your day, baby?" Venus asked
"Busy. Good. I, uhh wanted to run something by you, baby."
"Sugar, I'm all ears. Everything all right?"
"We got a call today from the San Bernadino charter, one of Packer's guys is getting hitched, and they're throwing him a huge club bachelor party."
Venus narrowed her eyes.
" Baby, I know you're not asking for my permission, but I don't have a problem with you going"
"Nah, baby, that's not what I meant. I figured when we go, you can take the girls down to Norco, have them meet their abuelo Nero, I'll meet up with you there, have our first family trip. Maybe even bring Brooke with you, since Ratty will be with us. I'm sure she'd love to see Wendy and the boys."
"Alexander, I think that sounds like a fine idea. I'll give Nero a call, and make sure he's ok with it, but I don't see any reason why he wouldn't be"
"Great. And don't worry, I'll behave" he said as he patted her behind.
"You had better, Alexander, San Berdoo whores aren't anything to trifle with. Their middle name is 'Penicillin'." She said laughing.
"What time are you heading out?
"After supper. I have to be there by 7:30. I'm sure it won't be too late of an evening, darlin. I'll have the girls ready for bed before I go."
" Ok. I'm going to take a shower before supper."
When supper was over, and the dishes done and the girls bathed and dressed in their pajamas, Venus quickly changed and touched up her make up.
As she made her way into the family room, she heard Tig let out a wolf whistle.
"Damn, baby! I'm jealous. You're wasting all that pretty on a bunch of uptight soccer moms."
"Yes, but who gets all this pretty at the end of the night, Alexander?" She said, pursing her lips .
Tig couldn't argue with that and kissed his love softly.
"I hope that's a promise baby." He said as they parted.
" I'll see you later. Let me give my babies a kiss before I go."
She leaned down to kiss Amelia and Violet.
" All right, ladies. Mama's going out. You mind Daddy while I'm out, and go to sleep when he tells you."
" Bye, Mama." Amelia said and turned back to watching tv. Violet gurgled.
Venus found Cathy's house with no problem. She parked her SUV, and headed up the walkway to the front door, and rang the doorbell.
Cathy answered the door, "Hello, Venus! So glad you could make it!"
"Thank you so much for having me, Cathy. Here, darlin, this is for you." Venus placed a bottle of Moscato in Cathy's hands. She had picked it up in her travels earlier that day.
" Ooh, Moscato! How did you know it was my favorite?" Cathy squealed as she led Venus inside.
Venus was always a good judge of whatever demographic she found herself in, and could adapt accordingly. It was one of the skills that she honed early on in her career.
"Oh, just a guess, darlin. You have such a lovely home! "
As they made their way into the living room where the other women were waiting, Venus smiled widely, ready to see what the night had in store for her.
" Ladies, this is Venus. Venus, please make yourself at home, we're going to get started in a bit, I'm going to take this into the kitchen."
Venus managed a small wave as she stepped down into the large sunken family room, where the women were congregated happily chatting away. As she surveyed the room, she noticed two groups were formed. The first, seated on the sectional couch all seemed to look like Cathy, similar haircuts, and outfits. They barely looked up from their conversation. Two women standing up near the table where sweet snacks and drinks were set up, made up the second group. Venus caught the eye of one of the women, a brunette with cat-eyed glasses, who beckoned her over.
" Hi there!" she said. "I'm Bea, and this is Nora. " she said, pointing to the curvy woman standing next to her. " We're the fun girls."
"Hello! "Venus replied. " Well then, it looks like I'm in the right place."
During their conversation, Venus learned that Bea taught English at the local community college, and Nora was a dental hygienist and that they also had infant daughters and toddlers. They seemed open, friendly and funny, and Venus liked them immediately.
The party itself was just as Venus suspected. The items on offer were no more than novelty items. Furry handcuffs, that wouldn't restrain anyone, edible body paint and panties, things of that nature. Venus picked up a bottle of fruit punch flavored lube, as a courtesy to her hostess, and also since it was a flavor she hadn't tried.
As the night came to an end, Venus said her goodbyes and thank you's to Cathy, and walked out with Bea and Jill.
"So, so great to meet you!" said Bea as they made their way to their cars.
"Same here." Venus replied.
"Let's definitely get together again. I feel like the three of us are a good group."
"I'd like that, Bea. I've got to get home. If I'm lucky, Alexander will still be up and I can try this out on him." Venus said, holding up her purchase.
" Ha! Great minds think alike. Take care!"
Venus headed home, happy to have made two new acquaintances. She pulled into the driveway and killed the ignition, quietly opening the front door. She could see the light of television flickering from the front hallway.
She walked into the living room where Tig was watching some old action movie.
She sat down next to him, as he instinctively wrapped his arm around her.
"Hey baby. Did you play nice with the other girls?" He asked, half joking-half serious. He knew she had a temper when put on the defensive.
"Alexander!" she drawled, " Have you ever known me to be less than nice? I surely did, and made two new acquaintances, ladies I'd actually want to have as friends."
"So, Cathy, the lady who had the party was…"
" Just as I suspected. A basic bitch, and a Stepford wife to boot. But, I'm glad I went.
She nuzzled closer to him.
"And how was everything here? She asked, her hazel eyes gazing fondly at him.
"Fine, baby. Everyone went down with no problems. Gert, as usual is in with Amelia. I just fed the baby, and here you find me."
"Well thank you for holding things down, while I had a night out. And what do you know? As promised, all this pretty made it home in one piece to you."
Picking up on her cue, Tig quickly found the remote, and shut the TV. Casting it aside, he turned to face Venus, his blue eyes glinting, his voice an almost inaudible growl.
" And now I've come to claim my prize"
Venus smiled. For her, Princess night had just begun.