Chapter 11

The days leading up to the trip had Venus going nonstop.

Between taking the girls to the pediatrician for their checkups, meeting with family services for the final check in for the filing of their adoption papers, checking out a baby ballerinas class for Amelia with her new friends Bea and Nora, and making sure everyone was packed up for their trip to Norco, her plate was full.

"So what do we think?", Bea asked the group, as they sat down for a coffee after their trip to the dance studio.

The three women had become fast friends after meeting at the Passion Party. Bea and Nora, as luck would have it, had daughters the same age as Amelia, and the three toddlers all played well together.

"I liked it. The teacher seemed very nice." Nora said, as she reached for a corner of the brownie the three of them bought to share.

"Same." Venus said as she blew on her cup of tea to try and cool it down before taking a sip. "When I was small, I would have killed to take a dance class."I think our girls are going to love it."

"Great!" Bea said. " I can go sign them up when you're away, Vee, and we can work out a carpool schedule when you get back."

"Thanks, Bea.I appreciate it, darlin." Venus said, smiling. "I am so looking forward to this trip."

"Now remind me," Nora said, "You're going to see your Dad in Norco?"

"Well, he's not my blood relative, but he's family to me for sure. He's been in my life for so long, and has been so good to me, I do consider him my dad, by choice."

"How cool!"Bea said. She and Nora knew all about Venus' history. The three of them had bonded over a couple of bottles of Rose' during a get together at Bea's house, and their acceptance of her without question, heartened her.

"Amelia keeps asking me when we are going to see Abuelo and his goats. She's obsessed. " Venus said, shaking her head and laughing. "Tomorrow's the day! I can't believe it."

"Well, we'll have to get together when you get back to hear all about it. "

"I'd love it. My place, this time?" Venus asked.

"It's a date."said Nora, getting up to hug Venus as the three women said their goodbyes.

"Bye, ladies, see you soon!" Venus blew a kiss to her friends as she walked to her car.

At home, she found Tig animatedly going over instructions for taking care of Gertie in their absence with Chuckie.

"Hey baby, Hey Chuckie" she said as she entered the kitchen, taking off her sunglasses.

"Uhh Hello" Chuckie said trying not to stare at Venus' bosom.

"Ok,nubs. You should be good to us if you have any problems while we're away"

Tig said, slapping Chuckie on the back.

"Alexander!"Venus exclaimed. " You could be nice!"

"It's ok I accept that." Chuckie said, sheepishly. " I'll see myself out. Don't you worry about the dog, she'll be fine."

"Where are the girls?" Venus asked after Chuckie walked out.

"Family room." Tig said. "All set for tomorrow?"

"All set, Baby. I'm looking forward to some downtime with you and our babies., she said as she hugged him, her head on her shoulder.

"How did I get so lucky?" Tig said, as they swayed together, as if they were dancing without any music playing.

"I could say the same thing, Tiger"

They broke apart and headed into the family room to check on the girls. They walked in to find Amelia, mid sentence, talking to Violet in her bouncy seat.

"… and there are baby goats, too. And we are going with Mama and daddy"

Tig and Venus looked at each other and said, at the same time, " Obsessed."

The trip from Charming to Norco started around 3 am. Venus and Tig loaded Amelia and Violet into their car seats trying not to wake them. Venus figured they'd sleep most of the way, and that she'd make good time.

Tig planned to meet her at the farm in 3 days, after the bachelor party festivities were over. Brooke was supposed to take the drive down to Norco with her, but at the last minute she decided to drive down with Rat.

"You sure you can manage this on your own, Baby?" Tig said after he gingerly shut the door to Venus' SUV, wincing when he saw Violet squirm, and then settle herself back to sleep.

"Yes, Alexander, I'm a big girl, I'll be fine" Venus said shaking her head and smiling. " It's a straight run down to Norco. We'll be there in no time."

"I know you can take care of yourself, Mama."he said, holding her close in their driveway.

" Call me the minute you get there, all right?"

"I will, Darlin.I know I've got precious cargo in the back seat she said, motioning to the car. I'll call you from Nero's."

She wrapped her long arms around him and pulled him close to her.

"I love you so much, Alexander. Behave yourself around those San Berdoo whores, ok?" she said, as he breathed in her sweet scent.

"I promise, baby. I think I'm just gonna be the chaperone this time around."

He wasn't kidding. Ever since he and Venus had become an item, after he had committed to the idea of her being his, he was a changed man. He never felt the urge to stray. Venus satisfied him in so many ways, that he felt his whoring around days were behind him.

"I miss you already." she said, after kissing him.

Venus hopped into the front seat, clicked her seatbelt into place and checked herself in the rearview. Tig shook his head. "That's my gir"l he thought to himself. Even at 3am, in her velour tracksuit, her hair pulled into a low pony tail, she made sure she looked her best.

She blew him a kiss from the car, and slowly backed out of the driveway, ready to hit the road.

As she eased onto the freeway, she glanced in the rearview at her babies fast asleep in their car seats and smiled.

6 hours later, pulling off of the freeway, she was relieved to see the sign which read, "Welcome to Norco, Horsetown USA" She knew she'd be at Nero's farm shortly. She was amazed that the girls were still fast asleep.

She'd let them stay up a bit later the night before, to make sure they slept through the ride, and was grateful her plan had worked.

She pulled onto the dusty road leading to the farm. As she made her way to the main house, she could see in the distance a tall figure in a cardigan, coffee cup in his hand. Parking the car and turning off the ignition, she leapt out of the front seat, and burst into tears at the sight of Nero partly due to exhaustion, partly due to sheer happiness "Hi Papi she said, tearfully, as she ran up to hug him.

"Hi Mija " he said, wiping a tear from her eye. "Welcome home"