AN: This is a little shorter than normal, but it was a good stopping point. More to come, soon! Thanks for reading! All mistakes are still my own.
Ch. 21
Vic climbed into Cady's truck and buckled in.
"I don't know if I'm ready for this."
"I wish I could do something for you. Help you in some manner."
"You do, Cady. You have. I've never really had a female friend. Getting to know you has shown me that I've missed out."
"Is this why you were so adamant about me and Dad fixing our relationship?"
"Yeah. I didn't want you or Walt to experience what my father and I were. I knew when I heard the fight you two had in the office that I had to do something. I thought delaying the move to the cabin would be a catalyst, but I underestimated the Longmire stubbornness. Of course, that wasn't the only reason for the delay, but without you two talking and no real reason for you and I to interact nothing could be resolved."
Vic smiled as Cady laughed.
"We are both stubborn, I suppose."
"Ya think?"
Cady turned into the Red Pony and Vic saw that her truck was already there, meaning her Dad was inside.
"Thanks for coming. I apologize in advance for the awkwardness and possible arguments you are about to endure."
Cady slung her arm around Vic's shoulder as they walked together.
"Don't worry. If you want to leave say the word and we'll go."
"Thanks."
Vic's mind wandered to the recent interactions her Dad had with Walt. He sounded so different, it gave her hope which also bothered her. If you have high expectations, you can be disappointed and hurt. She was so tired of dealing with her family. It was a relief when she finally confided in Walt about what was going on. She never expected him to intervene on her behalf, but she was grateful for it. It provided her some much needed relief.
They walked into the Pony and headed for the table Henry had reserved for them tucked away giving them a bit of privacy from the rest of the patrons. Henry was getting them drinks from the bar and Walt waved her over. The table was a 6 person circular table and Walt had Victor to his left and Vic on his right. Henry would sit on the other side of Victor and Cady would sit next to Henry. The men stood as they approached the table.
"Hi, Dad. This is Cady, Walt's daughter. Cady, my Dad Victor."
"Hello, Victoria. Cady, pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise."
They all settled in their seats, but before an awkward silence could settle Henry brought a round of drinks.
"Ladies, I didn't know if you were taking your usual tonight so I brought waters."
Vic glanced at Cady. Seeing that she nodded, Vic answered Henry.
"Water is fine for both of us tonight, Henry. Thank you."
He nodded and sat down, signaling the server to give them a few minutes to order.
Vic looked at her Dad, still surprised that he was actually here. She supposed it would be up to her to set the tone for tonight, as he had come all this way. She felt Walt's hand wrap around hers, which eased some of her tension.
"Dad, I'm glad you're here. After all that's happened, I really didn't think that anything would change. When Walt told me he had called you and mom I was shocked, but I really shouldn't have been. He's had my back since he hired me. He shared what was said on his side and yours. I'm still angry and hurt by what you, mom and my brothers have done, but I'm willing to meet you halfway. The two men I trust the most both believe you to be sincere in your effort to make amends. What you did with Nonna and making the trip all the way out here makes me want to believe. To hope. I will listen to everything you have to say once I say a couple things."
Walt squeezed her hand in silent support as she gathered her thoughts. She made eye contact with Henry, who nodded to her and with Cady who took her other hand. With the quiet support and love her Wyoming family gave her, she was able to speak to her Dad about her feelings without shouting at him for the first time in over a year. Maybe for the first time ever.
"First - Walt, Henry and Cady are here because they are my family. They have each in their own way shown me unconditional love and support when I needed it. They all know what I did back in Philly and how my family back home has treated me since. Whatever you say to me, you can say in front of them until I am comfortable being alone with you. I don't know when that will be, but if you can accept this we can spend as much time together as you want while you're here. It doesn't have to be with all of them, as we all have different schedules and responsibilities, but I will insist for now that either Walt or Henry be present. You might see this as weakness, but it's self-preservation on my part. Are you ok with that?"
"Yes. I understand, Vic. I'll do whatever I need to for you to be comfortable."
She nodded to her dad and took a deep breath.
"Thank you. Second – I need you to understand that I didn't tell Walt what was going on with my family at home until he questioned me on the calls I wouldn't answer and the letters and packages that were showing up once we moved in together. Even when I told him about everything, I never asked him to intervene on my behalf. I didn't want to subject him to the view of me that you all had. He is always accepting of all my quirks and flaws, but I didn't want him to see who I was with you and mom and my brothers. How I never measured up. How I was the outcast. How I was named after you in your disappointment in having a girl. How I was always treated like a son, but was never feminine enough either. But Walt, ever the gentleman, decided he should talk to you about his intent to marry me. So he called you. And called you. And threatened to show up in person, apparently, so you and mom would hear him out. He told me what he said and those were things I already knew. He chose to hire me for the reasons you think he shouldn't have. He loved me for the reasons you turned your back on me. He admired me for the reasons you thought me a traitor. He loved me when you refused to."
Her dad nodded his acknowledgment. She could see none of the attitude or self-righteousness usually in his eyes.
"Finally, you need to understand that you hurt me. Deeply. You betrayed my trust. You said things a parent should never say to their child. You taunted me, threatened me, harassed me and denigrated me. By far, the worst was making Nonna feel that I was the one who turned my back on her. I know one of the boys did it, but it wouldn't have happened if you didn't allow it. And while I will thank you for fixing what happened so quickly, the damage had already been done. I have no doubt that I have deep emotional scars from this and while these three beautiful, selfless people have helped me to begin healing and restoring my confidence in myself and those around me, I don't know if we will ever get back to where we were. I don't even know if I want to go back to being Vic the terror. Vic the disappointment. Vic the snitch. Vic the underachiever. I don't think our relationship has ever been healthy. Please Dad, if you're not serious about this just leave. Don't get my hopes up, then go home and change your mind. I don't think I can handle being rejected by you again."
Vic leaned into Walt's embrace, trying and failing to keep her composure. He whispered to her and they both got up, along with Cady and went to Henry's office, leaving a stunned father and a proud Henry in their wake.
TBC