Chapter 21
She's the first thing he notices when he drives through the gates. She's reading a book and enjoying the sunshine in the back of their garden. Her bare legs stretched out underneath her sundress.
He walks up to where she's sitting in some kind of garden chaise lounge. He notices that she's listening to some pretty heavy rock music.
She smiles when she sees him walking up to her and she takes off her sunglasses. He loves how she smiles when she sees him. It doesn't compare to anything in the world.
She looks at him as he walks over to her. His predatory grin is always the first thing she notices when he's in a good mood like this.
"Hey" she muses.
He leans down and pulls her into a searing kiss as she wraps her arms around his neck. She moans against his mouth. She's missed this.
He sits down and pulls her on top of him, into his lap, as he kisses her hungrily.
Right after the night he made her his mate, S.H.I.E.L.D. sent him on a mission that took about 48 hours.
Bad fucking timing because he had better things on his mind now. So he couldn't be happier to be home again.
"Hmmm, did you miss me?" she teasingly asks through his hungry kisses as she moves against his hard groin.
"Yes" he growls "And why the fuck were you in your own bed when I came home last night?".
He came home around 4 a.m. and expected her to be in his bed. But he found her in her own bed and decided not to wake her.
She chuckles "You know why. Because we haven't told Zoe yet and I don't want her to just find me in your bed. Like she almost did last time".
Victor growls. "I want you in my bed from now on. Our bed".
She let's her fingers run through his hair "Have a tiny bit of patience okay? We should do this the right way. Zoe's been through enough".
He knows she's right, but now that he has her, he hates sleeping alone.
"You know" Rae hesitantly starts up another conversation that's been on her mind for a few days now "I don't wanna ruin the mood, but we never spoke about that night".
He knows exactly which night she means. The night where he made her his mate. But before that, he killed the other feral in front of her eyes. Out of vengeance and blood lust for the creature that threatened his mate.
She takes a deep breath "I just want to say that I never want to-"
"Look at me" he interrupts her "I will never do that to you again" he promises as he gazes into her eyes intensely. He's talking about how he made her witness the kill "But let me explain one thing Kitten. He could've come after you. I'm not always around. Sure, you have a healing factor and you probably could've taken him on. But what about our cub hm? He could've easily tracked you by your scents and come after Zoe or you. Yes, I enjoyed killing him and taking my time with him. I let the animal take over and followed my blood lust. Because that's who I am. But I need you to understand that it was a necessary kill also".
She lets his words sink for a few seconds before she smiles a little and kisses him slowly.
"Alright" she replies as she breaks the kiss "I understand. And it's fine. It just can't happen again. Not like that".
"It won't" he reassures her "I'll take you on better dates from now on".
She burst out a laugh and pushes him playfully "Stop it, you can't make jokes about it yet. It's too soon".
"Made you laugh, so" he snorts.
"It's not funny" she chuckles.
He wants to debate her more on this, but they both hear Zoe coming around the corner and Rae quickly gets off his lap to sit next to him.
"Daddy!" Zoe exclaims as she runs towards Victor and hugs him tightly.
He lifts her up and kisses her "Hey little one".
"Can I go into the pool now?".
"Yes" Rae instantly answers, thankful for the distraction "But I'll come with you and sit by the pool so I can watch you".
"Okay let's go!".
Zoe's already off to get the water wings.
Victor stretches his arms and legs "I think I'll come too" he replies as he gets up and looks at Rae in daring manner.
"Didn't you have that debriefing session on Skype in like 10 minutes?" she replies with a mischievous smirk.
He curses her mentally as he narrows his eyes at her.
She quickly moves her lips over him "I missed you too by the way. See you in a little bit, bye".
30 minutes later
He eyes her as she sits in te grass with her sketchbook in her lap, keeping a close eye on their cub while Zoe plays around in the water and sometimes on the side of the pool.
She's so focused on the little girl, she doesn't notice until the last second that he's come to sit behind her in the grass.
"Sleep in my room tonight" he whispers into her ear.
Her body temperature rises significantly. She turns her head a little and notices he's half naked, only wearing swimming trunks.
She fights off the little smile playing around her lips "No I will not" she casually replies as she turns her head to look at him "I can't. Not yet. I won't hear Zoe if she wakes up".
She feels his hand creeping under her shirt and around her waist as he teasingly pinches her nipple.
A small moan escapes her lips "Stop" she gasps as she holds up her sketchbook in front of her chest to make sure Zoe won't notice what's happening "You can't do that with Zoe around" she whispers.
"Then do as I say".
"But I-".
"If Zoe wakes up, I'll wake you up" he nuzzles lustfully into her hair as his hand continuously roams the naked flesh underneath her shirt "Then again, you'll probably be awake cuz I'll be fucking your brains out".
She exhales slowly. The image is extremely vivid. She closes her eyes for a moment, biting her lower lip in agony. Something about this man's touch drives her mad. And the things he whispers into her ear are anything but charming, and yet when he does it, she instantly wants him.
His hand is still roaming under her shirt as he slowly slips his other hands into her shorts. She exhales as she feels his finger slide through her wet folds.
When she opens her eyes, she sees Zoe giggling at them.
"Shit" Rae gasps as she shifts a little and pushes Creed off her "She saw that".
"So? Not like she understands".
"But, she shouldn't see that" Rae replies "Not until-, well, she just shouldn't see that. Ever".
Victor understands the how and why all too well. And he knows Rae's right about not confusing Zoe. But he dislikes having to hold back nevertheless.
He gets up to enter the pool.
"I'll see ya tonight in my room".
She laughs and shakes her head at him "You forgot the magic word mister Creed".
He cocks a brow, pretending not to understand her.
She smiles mischievously as she mouths the word 'please' to him.
He narrows his eyes on her. She simply continues to smile in the same tempting way as she waits for him to say it.
He growls and flashes his fangs.
"In your dreams Kitten" he finally grumbles, almost inaudible.
She purses her lips together "Fine. I'll think about it".
"If you don't, I'll have to come and get ya".
She chuckles "You're legally not allowed to do that, until our contract has been disbanded, remember?".
"Yeah" he muses "I care a lot" he replies sarcastically as he thinks about all the times he's opened her door in the night just to look at her sleeping.
After Rae went inside to do a little bit of work, Victor stayed with Zoe in the pool. She also needs to think of a way to tell Zoe about Victor and her. Her only real experience with raising a kid is Zoe herself. And she doesn't really know how to explain this mate thing to a four year old.
She just knows she wants to explain it, and soon. Because she thinks Zoe will like the idea of a complete family ans she doesn't wanna have to sneak around with Victor either.
She looks out the window at Victor and Zoe in the pool. She loves this sight. It's endearing and when she first met him, she didn't think there would be a real father inside of him.
"Daddy?" Zoe suddenly asks after he lifts her out of the pool and wraps her in a big towel.
"Hm?".
"Can you make mom stay forever?".
Victor frowns a little and wonders what this is about. He sits down and lifts Zoe onto his lap.
"Why do you ask that?".
Zoe simply shrugs and makes face without answering.
"Are you afraid she will leave?" he continues.
"I don't know" Zoe replies as she pouts a little "I asked her once. She said she will stay for a very long time. But that is not the same as forever, right?".
Victor wonders where his daughter even comes up with these questions, but then he knows.
Rae had theory about it which worried her. Zoe's real mom left without any explanation. And even though Zoe may not understand the concept of life and death yet, she understands that her mom is never coming back. The memories of her biological mom will fade because she is so young, but somewhere deep inside there may always be this fear of people leaving her. People who she loves and needs in her life.
"Will you stay forever?" Zoe asks with big eyes looking up at him.
"Yes" he instantly replies. His instincts tell him to hug her, so he does. He kisses her little forehead and then looks at her, a promising look "I'm not going anywhere little one. I will stay forever and always be there for you. And so will Rae. I mean, your mom".
Zoe smiles and relaxes "If you marry Rae she can be my real mom".
Victor chuckles and tries to think of a reply that won't confuse his daughter even more, but at the same time holds no promises.
"Sure" is all he comes up with though "Why not".
He finds her in the kitchen making tea.
She feels his hand reaching into her hair before she feels his hard body from behind. He presses her between the counter and himself as he tugs her hair, bringing his lips dangerously close to her ear.
"Zoe's upstairs with Ana, getting ready for bed. So I have about 10 minutes to give you what you deserve".
His sharp talons scrape the sensitive flesh on her neck. His smell, the warmth of his body pressing against her and his hot breath against her ear are just so addictive.
"Yeah?" she defiantly answers him "And what's that?".
He smirks wickedly "Glad you asked".
He roughly bends her over the counter as he spreads her legs apart.
Why his dominating behavior gets her soaking wet every single time, is a question for later.
When he pushes straight into her, her breath hitches in her throat. She can sense he's agitated for some reason. She knows it's unhealthy, but she likes it when he's like this. When he's rough with her, dominating her entire body as he fucks her hard. Like she belongs to him and only him.
When he's done fucking her aggressively he slowly lets go of her neck, his fingers trailing alongside her back.
She turns around and smiles at him "Fine, I'm going to tell Zoe tonight. Best to just get it over with" she decides.
He kisses her slowly "Good girl".
That night they sit around the kitchen table eating dinner.
"Zoe, honey" Rae start a little uneasy "Your dad and I want to tell you something".
Zoe makes a worried face.
"No, I mean, it's something nice" Rae quickly explains "Like, a fun surprise, okay?".
"Okay".
"So your dad and I have decided to be like a real-, I mean, not a real, I mean, like the other moms ans dads. Who are together. Your dad and I decided to be together".
Zoe remains quiet.
"Do you understand what I'm saying sweetie?".
"No, not really" Zoe replies.
"So" Rae tries again, this time with hand gestures "Your dad and I are like really close friends. But we are also your mom and dad. Right? But uhm, now we live together like we are both friends and your parents. Does that make sense?".
Zoe's face is even more confused now and Rae is getting more nervous by the second. Her explanation sucks and she knows it. It went better when she rehearsed it in front of the mirror. Right now she's saying a lot of things that she didn't plan or rehearse before.
Victor leans back with a bemused ook on his face. This was getting good.
"Uhm, okay" Rae takes a few seconds to think about her next words "You know how Sarah's parents are together? They live in the same house and together they are the parents of Sarah? That's what your father and I are also, from now on".
Zoe makes another face "But you already live together".
"Yes, but now" Rae continues slowly "We are also-".
Zoe's face suddenly lights up and a figurative light bulb appears above her head "You're getting married?!".
"Oh, God, no sweetie, that's not what I meant" Rae stammers.
Damn it, this was really not going very smoothly "What I meant is-".
Zoe's face shows disappointment "So you're not getting married?".
"Yes we are". Victor suddenly interrupts as he straightens his back "What your mom is trying to say it very simple. Your mom and I are in love. We love each other and we are getting married. So now we are like all the other parents. Do you like that?".
"Yes! Yes! Yes! I love it" Zoe squeaks "I'm gonna tell Ana!" she yelps as she gets off her chair and runs out of the kitchen in search of the housekeeper.
Rae is flabbergasted by Victor's interference and doesn't really know what to think of it. She actually liked the things coming from his mouth, but they were also completely unexpected.
And not entirely true.
Rae slowly gets off the table and walks over to the counter. She turns around and looks at Victor who's smirking at her.
"What the hell was that Kitten?" he chuckles as he shakes his head "I thought communicating was your department, so what the fuck was that?".
"I just-, I dunno, I find it difficult to explain this to a four year old".
He gets up from his chair and walks over to her. When his body is almost against hers, he pulls her against him, one arm wrapped around her, keeping her in place.
"You have a problem with the L-word or sumthing?" he muses as he brushes her lips with his. Teasing her was definitely one of his favorite things to do these days.
She looks down, a little embarrassed "No, it's just... That's not really what this is, is it?".
"Isn't it?" he simply replies.
"Well, I mean, what we have is a feral bond. It's not really the same is it?".
He cocks a brow as one finger lifts her chin, forcing her to look at him.
"Can't it be both?" he whispers against her lips.
She feels her cheeks burning at his confession. She never expected these kind of words from him.
"Well, I, suppose there could be, I mean, it's not impossible or anything, it's just that-" she doesn't really know what else to say about this topic "I'm not doing the marriage thing though. Just so you know " she exclaims "Marriage is an institute designed to suppress women, so".
He chuckles and kisses her again "Why am I not surprised" he replies "And no worries, I only said that so that Zoe would understand it better".
Rae looks away for a few seconds to gather the courage to ask her next question.
"And the L-word?" she carefully asks him as she looks into his dark eyes "Did you also just say that to make Zoe understand it better?".
He smirks as he licks his lips. He loves how vulnerable she is being with him right now.
His right hand gently caresses her cheek as he looks at her intently "No" he finally replies "I said that because I meant it".
The end :-)
AN: I think this should wrap things up ^_^ I have a few ideas for a cute epilogue or two. So I will add those.
Thanks for all the support and helping me to finally complete this last Victor Creed story. I appreciate it so much! :-D You really helped me out guys.
I don't think I'll ever write another Victor Creed fanfic because I am completely out of ideas (in my head, I've done every possible story imaginable for him and an OC). So soon I'll start on revising "Little Wolf", getting all the flaws out of there :-)