Process, process, process kept running through Vicki's mind.
"You know, " Vicki said shaking her finger at Bes, "I'm really not sure what is happening here, but I do know this: we have a lot of work to do and a lot of things to figure out. YOU, " she said pointing at Bes, "will stay put for tonight. We will deal with all of this tomorrow." She flopped down on the couch and put her head in her hands.
"I"m too tired to discuss anything else. Besides, we've got company coming tomorrow and I look and feel like hell, everybody out, I'm going to bed." And with that, Will took Bes with him, no second thoughts with Vicki heading towards the bedroom. She never looked back at Henry, if she had, she would have seen him standing there, still astounded.
"Come on, daddy, let's go..we'll talk later, let's get some rest." Henry followed her into the room. She was already in bed, snuggling under the covers. Henry disrobed and climbed in spooning behind her.
"Uh, Vicki," she stopped him, "NO NO, not a word. Go to sleep Henry." Henry kissed her on the neck and settled in. Oh, what a night...
The next morning, Samantha Orion arrived at her daughter's house.
"MOM!" Maggie exclaimed, hugging her as closely as she could with her large belly bumping her mother.
Samantha was a beautiful woman. She had long flowing blonde hair, she looked extremely young for her age, she was Maggie's height with eyes so blue they were almost transparent. Her smile made her sparkle all over.
"Maggie, you are more beautiful than ever.." she returned the hug and kissed her on the cheek.
"Well," Samantha whispered, "where is she?" Maggie cocked her head to one side and said, "Mom, she is still sleeping I'm sure."
Samantha smiled, "Well, we have time to get acquainted. Where is that angelic grandchild of mine?" Maggie rolled her eyes and pointed upstairs, laughing at the irony of that statement.
Will entered the living room, planting a big kiss on Samantha's cheek. "Welcome, welcome, I'm so glad you could come." He flashed that winning smile of his.
"Why thank you Will, I'm glad to be here.." as she finished her sentence, Tori came bounding down the stairs..."Sassy!!!"Tori squealed, Samantha refused to be called grandmother, "you're here, I'm so glad to see you, " she threw herself into Samantha's arms. "Now we can get rid of that mean man that keeps trying to steal my brother..." Samantha shot a look at Maggie and Maggie shrugged her shoulders...she didn't know what to do with her either...
Vicki awoke to the smell of breakfast: eggs, bacon, toast, and headed straight for the bathroom. Henry could hear her and immediately ran to her, pulling her hair away from her face as she talked to ralph, the toilet lord. He got a washcloth from the cabinet, wet it and wiped her face. Vicki sat down, cold and clammy and pissed.
"Man, this is going to be a long few months," she sighed. She did not like this feeling of helplessness.
"I'm sorry, I forgot you might be sick this morning, here," he offered her his wrist as he had the night before. She shook her head no, she didn't think she could handle that first thing this morning.
"I kind of feel a little bit better. I'm going to shower and brush my teeth, then I'll join you." Henry nodded and left her in there.
He went back to the kitchen and felt someone in the room.
His eyes blackened, a low growl came from his throat, "Who's here?" he demanded turning a slow 360 to see if anyone appeared.
Nothing. He knew someone had been there, he felt it. He was disturbed, with all of the information from last night, he was fearful for Maggie and Vicki, for his child or children whatever the case may be. I am going to be a good father, I am thankful I can even be a father, I promise you Vicki, with all of my heart and soul, I will be there for you, even if it means giving my life for you and our child.
When Vicki entered the kitchen, she saw something in Henry she had never seen before. She saw a tenderness, not like before, with her, but something different, then she heard what he was thinking...she smiled.
"Well, I"m glad to hear that." Henry narrowed his eyes at her, "I didn't say anything."
"Yeah, uh huh, so whatcha got to eat there?" she asked peering into the skillet.
"Hungry now?" he asked teasing her. "Yes, I'm famished, " she said as she leaned into him for a kiss, but he backed away.
"What?" she said her eyes were wide with anger. "Um, Victoria, you know I love you, ALL of you , but did..."
She grabbed his face and kissed him before he could finish his sentence, "Oh, yes you did..." he said smiling at her.
"You'd better be glad that I'm in a good mood now or I would have been offended."
"Now, feed me sir!" she said sitting down at the table.
Just as they were finishing breakfast, there was knock at the door.
"Come in," they said in unison.
"Good morning!" Maggie called. "Did you sleep well?"
"We should be asking you that." Vicki responded. "Care for a gourmet breakfast?"
"Wow, you cooked," said Maggie looking at Vicki. Vicki laughed, "Hardly, not my strongepoint. Thank goodness it is Henry's though." Maggie politely declined and told them that Will had filled her in. She then filled them in on the statement Tori had made..great.
"So, my mother is here. Are you ready to meet her?" she was looking at Vicki intently.
"Is there a reason I shouldn't be?" Vicki asked somewhat perplexed.
"No, none that I can think of. I think I'm the one that's nervous. I don't know why..I think it's a bit..weird I guess."
"Weird why?" asked Henry.
"Well, Henry, I'm sure you had other siblings. How would you have felt meeting their mothers? Would it have been awkward?"
Vicki walked over to Maggie and put her hand on Maggie's shoulder, "Maggie, we are grown women, your mother seems very strong and smart from what you have told me, there is nothing to be nervous about. Really, I'm fine." Vicki smiled a reassurring smile at Maggie.
"Okay, let's go then, shall we? By the way, what's your mother's name?" Vicki asked.
"Samantha...Samantha Orion." Vicki stopped dead in her tracks.."Orion? As in the constellation?"
"Yes," sighed Maggie, "she changed it after.." Maggie stopped and looked at Vicki, with Vicki finishing, "after our father left. It's okay, I sure as hell don't blame her, come on, let's go.." Vicki linked her arm in Maggie's, helping her up to the main house.
Vicki sure was getting good at this mushy, family stuff..it was really starting to piss her off too...