An Awkward Reunion

The following evening around half past six at Bill's request, Elle Driver picked up Vernita Green at the airport. At first she was peeved that she had to pick her up, but then realized it was good to be out of the hacienda. The night before, she had reflected that she wasn't crazy about B.B. Oh, she was cute, no doubt about it, but what the hell? Elle figured she could lie down and spread her legs for Bill and have a cute kid too if she wanted to. That would never happen, her getting pregnant by Bill. Love-making and screwing around? Yes. Kids? Hell no. And she was sick of B.B. asking about Vernita. Her pipsqueak voice grated Elle's nerves.

What time is she coming? How come she can't bring her daughter to play with me?

Didn't your Daddy ever tell you it's annoying to fucking whine? Elle thought, clenching her teeth. Her "Auntie Elle" façade thrown aside, Elle was back in full gear as the "hateful bitch" that Budd used to call her back when they worked together. Elle despised competing for Bill's affection. First, it was against Black Mamba who miraculously awoke from her coma. Then there was Budd. Lazy-ass Sidewinder. He was never in the picture anyway, not since he and Bill had a falling out after the massacre. But he was Bill's brother so his mere existence and the fact that he still breathed meant he blocked her path.

Now there was B.B. Elle tried hard to pretend she was interested in the little girl for Bill's sake. She knew better than to show outright contempt. Elle was well aware of the fact that the same day she showed any shred of hatred towards B.B. would be the last day she lived. If he was merciful, Bill would simply kick her out of his hacienda. But Bill was Bill. He considered himself a murdering bastard and Elle was no stranger to that fact, especially after Two Pines.

So she played up to being the doting "Auntie" to B.B. Brought her a tea-party set and hated playing it two hundred times a week. Eventually, B.B. stopped asking her to play as if she got the hint. Good riddance, you stupid brat, Elle wanted to say. Instead, she had put on her saddest face and pouty lips: aw, no more tea- party for B.B.?

Let's watch Sailor Moon, Auntie Elle! And "Auntie Elle" sat through numerous episodes of the Sailor Scouts using the planets' power to demonstrate love and justice. Elle felt she would fall over from boredom and she liked to fantasize how she'd skin alive each Sailor Scout leaving Sailor Moon for last. In Elle's dark and twisted mind, she felt Sailor Moon hogged the spotlight and Tuxedo Mask—just like Beatrix hogged the spotlight when she was involved with the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad and how she did ballet around Bill. B.B. always cheered along with the Sailor Moon's catchphrase: In the name of the moon, I will punish you. Elle swore that one time B.B. had looked directly at her when saying it as if she meant it. Punish me, my ass. Not before I get you first and poison your sushi. Just like I did Pai Mei, that miserable old fool. Back to B.B., which in Elle's mind, stood for "Big Brat."

She loved fantasizing about killing off B.B. even though she knew it was impossible. Still, it didn't hurt to dream right? After all, how many times had she imagined beating the living shit out of Beatrix before finally getting to do it at Two Pines? Too many times to count, that's for damn sure. Back to B.B., Elle thought of the four-year old again. She's devil spawn, Elle thought. Anything that came from Beatrix was bound to be the dirtiest and most rotten scum of the earth, worthless and trashy.

For now, she would keep pretending as long as it meant she could stay by Bill's side. If swallowing her hatred and faking love and sincerity meant she could sleep in Bill's bed and have him climb on top of her to use her in any way he damn well pleased—then Elle would act her bony ass off. Anything for Bill, the man she loved.

Elle snorted. Bony ass. An infamous colloquialism Budd often used to describe her. He hated her for the way she manipulated Bill. Budd saw through her thin veil. He had tried to tell Bill—that was one reason the two brothers weren't talking. He despised her and she knew it, but she didn't care. Like B.B.—Budd would end up six feet under. All in good time, my friend, she thought, smirking. When, she didn't know, but it would be sooner than he thought. Now she turned her attention to her former co-worker who had flown in from Pasadena California.

She watched as Vernita approached her in the terminal, a black shoulder bag slung over her shoulder and a leather purse by her side. She looks like a wispy little soccer mom, Elle thought, reaching inside her pocket for her lighter and a stray cigarette. Vernita Green was dressed in black sweat pants, a blue suede sweater with a fat black stripe across the chest area outlined by white stripes, and matching blue sneakers. Her hair was tied back into a high ponytail, completely boring compared to the lovely cornrow braids she used to sport. Elle shook her head, dismayed by the obvious change in the woman she had once known as "Copperhead."

Elle was dressed in her favorite black pants suit with a black matching eye-patch. People in the airport had given her long stares as if she wore the eye-patch to demonstrate a snazzy fashion statement. She was tempted more than once to lift it up just to scare those gawking jerks. Let them see how great it is to have one useful eye along with an empty eye socket. Enough of that bullshit, she thought, as she lit the cigarette. She felt a tap on her shoulder. It was an airport security guard.

"No smoking in the airport, ma'am."

She promptly put the cigarette and lighter away and then flashed the guard a broad smile, too wide to be genuine. "Absolutely, honey. Whatever you say."

The guard squinted at her and then walked away.

"Wouldn't want to burn up the fucking place, huh?" she spat. The guard turned around to peer at her as if he had heard her, but kept going.

Elle turned around again and realized that Vernita was right besides her, waiting with her arms folded across her chest. Right away, Elle could tell that she didn't want to be here. She kept looking around her as if she were looking for the next plane to take out of Mexico even though she had just arrived.

"Hey Vernita! It's been awhile, huh?"

Vernita nodded stiffly. "It has."

"C'mon cheer up!" Elle elbowed her. Bill can't wait to see you. How was the trip?"

"Bumpy, but alright."

"Good! It'll be like old times, you'll see—you, me, Bill, and Budd."

Vernita's quick smile was replaced by a deep frown as she followed Elle out of the airport and into the spacious lot where her Pontiac Firebird was parked close by. She remembered Elle always liked to park close whenever they did assignments together in the past. They could off the target and drive away in her "get-away car" before being noticed.

"Same old Firebird."

"Of course, honey," Elle said, patting down the front passenger seat.

Vernita got in, after tossing her bags in the backseat. As she buckled her seatbelt, she heard Elle flick her lighter over a cigarette. Elle took a drag and puffed on her cigarette.

"You don't mind if I smoke do you?" Before she could answer, Elle tossed her head back and cackled. The wind caught her long blonde hair, blowing it around. "Of course you don't!" She put the car in drive and raced out the airport's parking lot and started towards Bill's hacienda.

As Elle drove, Vernita remained cloaked in her own thoughts. She had received a phone call from Bill the day before. He'd briefly told her over the phone about what their meeting was about, and said he'd give her full details when she arrived. She had to concoct a lie to her husband, Lawrence Bell, that she was visiting old friends from college for the weekend and that she'd return by Sunday evening. He had brought the lie, just as he had brought the lie that she was a struggling student living on her own when he met her in Pasadena California. Vernita didn't like to lie, but she knew she could never reveal her past to him. Her past was dead and buried, like all the people she had murdered while working as an assassin. Dead and buried like Beatrix should've been, she thought. She did let her little girl know how much she would miss her, but that she still expected her to be on her best behavior.

"You're going to be a good girl while Mommy's away, right Nikkia?"

Nikkia Bell, her heart and pride, nodded. The brown curly hair framing her face bobbed gently.

"She'll be fine, Jeannie. I'm off for the weekend and don't have to go in until the day after you come back."

Vernita was inwardly relieved that they would be okay, she knew they would. What bothered her was this 'business' as Bill called it. She hadn't heard from him in four years, not since she left the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad to start her own life. All she knew for right now was that Beatrix had awakened from her coma—that was the most Bill had told her. From there, he told her she had to come down right away because the seriousness of the matter could not be told over the phone.

"So what's up, Copperhead? You're pretty quiet," Elle said as she steered past a yellow light that quickly turned red.

"There's not much to say."

"Ah, that's what you think for right now. Wait till Bill tells you the news…then let's see if you're still mute."

Vernita rolled her eyes. Back when they were acquainted in their Deadly Viper days, Elle Driver, known as "California Mountain Snake" was famed for being obnoxious and abrasive along with her psychotic streak. She was the worst one during the massacre at Two Pines, Vernita remembered. Elle kept shooting the reverend and his wife even after they were long dead. And when it concerned Beatrix, there wasn't anything she hadn't done. She had yanked and ripped out Beatrix's blonde hair, punched her eyes repeatedly until the right one was swollen shut, kicked her throat with her heeled boat, and even slapped her pregnant belly for extra measure. Vernita had been just as vicious, but watching Elle that day was unnerving. At the time, they were all intoxicated by the pure brutality of the assignment. Elle went overboard while Budd and O-Ren took their shots, but also hung back waiting for it to be over. Vernita felt like a mixture of Elle, Budd, and O-Ren—she was thrilled to beat her former co-worker up. She knew it was wrong, but continued onwards.

It wasn't until after the massacre when Vernita really took the time to honestly think about what she had done, her role in it, and how everyone had taken turns obliterating their fellow Deadly Viper. When she finally gave birth to beautiful Nikkia, and held her tiny body in her arms, only then did Vernita fully realize the horror she had inflicted on her former friend. Sometimes she regretted what she had done and she had tried to put it behind her. In actuality though, she knew she deeply regretted the fact that the job had not been finished because now Beatrix was fully awake from her coma and God only knew the extent of her plans of revenge. Listening to Elle brag about the final moment in Two Pines when Bill shot Beatrix point blank sickened Vernita and she was tempted to tell her to just shut the hell up and drive. But, she remained silent and Elle took her silence to mean consent.

"Wasn't that something, Vern? Bea sputtering 'Bill, it's your baby—BLAM!" She cracked up laughing. "I dream of that moment every night, watching that cunt's blood spill all over the chapel's wooden floor."

Vernita kept her eyes on the road. She didn't want to hear Elle describe the gory details. Witnessing it that day had been more than enough. A part of her that loved gore before that day, (after all her job was a gory one as an assassin for Bill) died after the incident at Two Pines.

"Alright," Elle said, giving one last puff on her cigarette and then tossing it out window. "Let's talk about your queasy little life. Are you content living the American Dream? The white picket fence, two-point-five kids, doting husband, and pet Lassie?"

"Yes, I have a daughter, a husband, and a dog," Vernita said defensively. "And I'm damned happy with the life I've made for myself."

Elle pressed on the gas pedal; they were almost at Bill's hacienda as they went through the desert and passed several large adobe houses.

"Aw, that's cute. What's your dog's name?"

"Barney."

"Your daughter's?"

"Nikkia."

"The lucky man?"

"Lawrence."

"What's he do?"

"He's a doctor."

"Ahhhh." Elle nodded as she steered the car over and pulled in front of a beautiful Mexican hacienda. "What kind of doctor?"

"A pediatrician."

"Very nice. You scored big time, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I didn't do so badly."

Elle turned off the car and grabbed Vernita's bags from the backseat, and tossed them at her. "Here we are, home sweet home at the Villa Quatro, Bill's humble abode."

They got out the car and headed toward the doorway. Elle was already ahead of her, as she opened the door and rushed inside. Vernita took her time, glad to have a few minutes to herself. Being in the same car with Elle was mentally draining, but now she'd get to see Bill. Vernita allowed herself in the hacienda and placed her bags down by the door. Where the hell did Elle go? Vernita closed the door and went to find her.

oOo

"Over here, Vern," Elle said, gesturing for her to come down the hallway.

Vernita did so and took in the beautiful surroundings. Bill wasn't a man who lived on barely adequate means. He had plenty of money and it showed in the comfortable house furnishings. She realized she was at the entrance of Bill's bedroom. Inside, Bill paced in front of a king-sized bed, while holding a frantic conversation on a cell-phone. The first thing that caught her eye was the long sleek samurai sword displayed on the wall in a glass case. Vernita knew that wasn't just any sword, but one crafted from the legendary Hattori Hanzo, one of Bill's many mentors.

She was going to greet Bill, when she realized his conversation with the party on the other end was intense and didn't allow for any interruptions. Bill waved to her briefly and continued to pace back and forth like an anxious prisoner in a cramped cell, awaiting his execution to be carried out.

"Listen…why can't you understand that you must come out here…Budd, this is no fucking joke, I swear on my life that it isn't…you need too—"

Bill's free hand was clenched into a tight fist. With his other hand, he gripped the cell-phone, pressing it against his ear as if trying to crazy-glue it there. Elle smirked and walked out the bedroom leaving Vernita standing with the infuriated Bill.

"Would I—you need to let that go—it was four years ago—"

Vernita realized that Budd was the only one not here with them, that is, aside from O-Ren. Based on the heated conversation she heard between him and Bill, he didn't plan on coming out to Mexico to hear what his older brother had to say. She was unaware of the tension between them after the massacre at Two Pines. She knew there was always some kind of sibling rivalry between them even before Beatrix had disappeared for three months. Whatever it was, it had worsened.

She could tell from Bill's eerie low voice that he was in angry to the point where he'd snap and cut someone's life short if they had happened to be standing in his path. How he'd do it? She didn't like to think about it. She knew he had a tendency to overreact and get nasty when truly infuriated. Beatrix had been a victim of Bill's rage, but then again, Vernita thought—she did it to herself by running off like that leaving the squad. She looked up again when she heard the familiar throaty voice complete with a Texas drawl.

"Hell no! I ain't comin' down there just so you can act like nothin' took place. Let 'er have 'er revenge all she pleases—this is what you get fer draggin' O-Ren, Vernita, Elle, and me into yer love affair with that blonde broad—"

Bill started talking in his usual slow manner, but Vernita could hear the anger building behind each syllable.

"Budd…if you cleaned the wax out your ears…you would realize that I'm not acting like nothing happened…I need you come down here…tonight…yes, I said tonight…" Bill paused as he listened to Budd on the other line. Then he marched to the wall and smacked his palm flat against it, trying to get his aggression out in a way that wouldn't cause too much harm on him or Vernita. "You're being really stupid…damn you…fuck you…I'm looking out—"

"—an' even worse you go hookin' up with that crazy blonde bimbo whose more crooked than a cop dealin' crack t'the guys he locks up! Then you expect me t'be calm an' cool about it—well, I ain't!"

Vernita noticed that Bill was doing his best to keep his temper down. It wasn't working. The lower his voice dropped and the calmer he sounded, the more enraged he became.

"B.B. would love to see you…she keeps asking for you…she loves her uncle."

"You ain't gettin' me t'come out there t' see B.B. as cute an' cuddly as she is. Stop usin' yer little girl fer yer own twisted means."

Budd said more, but Vernita couldn't hear it. Bill lashed out. His words struggled to come out between his clenched teeth.

"Why? Because you're my damned brother that's why! Shit, what else do you want me to say! And how dare you…say that I would use my little girl…for my own agenda…"

Budd shouted back, his words in a mad rush: "Then why the hell did you put a bullet in 'er head? Why'd you get me an' the rest of the Vipers to go an' beat 'er up when all she was gonna do was wake up an' kill Renny?"

She killed O-Ren!

Vernita's eyes widened. Bill caught her shocked expression and held up his index finger to indicate he'd be with her as soon as possible. He motioned for her to close the door, which she did. Meanwhile, Budd continued to rant on the other line.

"—now you playin' t' be a good Daddy when you ain't even told B.B. the truth about what you did t'her Mommy—you know what? Fuck you, Bill and go straight t'hell! Don't call my phone anymore as long as you live—an' that won't be a long time, now that she's up an' about after wakin' from that coma—"

"Budd, shut the fuck up and listen closely…first off, I didn't know she was going to wake up…none of us could've known that…hello?" Bill held the cell-phone away from him as if he had a hard time getting reception and then brought to his hear again. "Hello? HELLO?"

Fed up, Bill threw the phone at the wall. It slammed down to the floor. Bill took a deep breath and glanced at Vernita.

"I'm sorry, Vern…that you had to see this…son of a bitch hung up on me."

There was a knock from outside and the door opened a crack. Then it opened wider and B.B. entered the room, her brown eyes wide and bright.

"Hi baby," Bill said, bending down to give her a kiss on the cheek. B.B. hugged him and then turned to their visitor.

Vernita's heart had cemented when she heard Budd mention O-Ren's death, but immediately upon seeing B.B., her heart softened like clay. Apparently, B.B. had the same effect on her father because he calmed down immediately.

"Vernita is a good friend that Daddy hasn't seen in a long while. We have grown-up talk to talk about. How about you watch a movie and then sleepy time?"

"Okay." She turned to Vernita. "Me and Daddy had time together for dinner."

"Really?" Vernita asked, sincerely interested in what B.B. had to tell her. She was startled at how adorable Beatrix's little girl was. Beatrix would've been extremely proud.

"You mean we 'spent' time together. Daddy and Daddy's little girl," Bill corrected.

B.B. nodded. "'Spent' time together," she parroted. "Daddy's little girl and Daddy." Then she switched the topic. "Is Uncle Budd still coming over?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Awww." B.B. squinted as if she were about to cry. She was obviously disappointed. "I miss Uncle Budd…he doesn't come over no more."

"Anymore." Bill sighed. He hated to let her down. "I'm sorry, B.B. Daddy tried." He flipped back the topic. "So what does B.B. want to watch tonight? Full Metal Alchemist? Battle Royale?"

"Isn't Battle Royale too bloody and violent?" Vernita asked with motherly concern.

"Uh-uh," B.B. said. She looked upwards at Vernita. "Daddy lets me watch Shogun Assassin! We watch it together."

Vernita blinked in astonishment. What was Bill thinking! Leave it to him to let his little girl watch the most violent films. Bill turned to her as if he had read her mind.

"I'm teaching her self-defense. Those films and anime programs are violent…but this is a violent world we live in…I'm sure you know that as well as I do, Vernita."

Vernita nodded. She understood Bill's warped thinking. Then again, it wasn't exactly warped. He didn't want to shelter B.B. from the harsh realities of the world. And maybe he was exposing her to cartoony violence so that later on he would feel more prepared to tell his daughter what he did to her mother. She doubted Bill had told B.B. the full truth about that and she knew Budd felt the same way based on what she had overheard. However, Vernita knew better than to ask that question.

B.B. said, "I wanna watch Sailor Moon."

Bill pretended to faint, but caught himself before hitting the ground. B.B. giggled at him, entertained by the show he put on. It was obvious they played like this often.

"Oh no," Bill said, clutching his heart. "Looks like Sailor Moon wins again. Why not Dragon Ball-Z?"

B.B. wrinkled her nose as if her father had farted after eating a can of baked beans. "That show sucks!"

They left Bill's bedroom and passed by Elle who sat in the living room, flipping through a magazine. B.B. grabbed her father's hand and he held hers firmly. Vernita decided she'd go with Bill to walk B.B. to her room rather than share the same space with Elle. Eventually she would have to later, but for now she was in no rush.

Elle tossed the magazine aside and stood up. "Need help with anything Vern?"

"No thanks."

Elle turned her attention to B.B. "Hello sweetie!"

"Hi, Auntie Elle."

"Did you enjoy dinner with Daddy?"

"I did."

"Good! How about we watch Sailor Moon tomorrow?"

"Okay." B.B. yawned. "We watch Sailor Moon tomorrow when I come home from church."

"Sounds like a plan."

Elle ruffled B.B.'s hair. Then she went back to the couch, picked up the magazine and resumed flipping through it. As an afterthought she said, "I'll prepare drinks or take some out from the cooler—whatever you and Vernita want."

"That's fine," Bill said, still clutching B.B.'s hand in his.

Vernita's heart nearly fell out her chest and landed on the floor. She had watched B.B. very carefully when Elle spoke to her. And immediately she knew how B.B. truly felt about "Auntie Elle." For starters, B.B. had squeezed her father's hand when Elle stood up. Then the way she looked at Elle…there was a faint sparkle in her eyes like the sun hitting a dime. It was so brief that one could almost miss it, but Vernita saw it for what it was. Through raising her daughter and working with other children from coaching Little League, Vernita had learned that kids could read adults really well—much better than adults could read them. Their intuition was so accurate that it was frightening. You ain't foolin' her, Vernita thought smugly.

"I'll be downstairs waiting for you guys," Elle said, her voice floating upstairs to them.

oOo

B.B. plucked the framed picture sitting on her dresser and gave it to Vernita. Meanwhile, Bill set up her television. Vernita stared at the picture of Beatrix. She marveled at the golden hair and the radiant smile of the woman she had once called a friend before betraying her four years ago. Of course, they weren't friends anymore….

"Did you know my Mommy?"

"Yes, baby."

"See, my Mommy's gorgeous."

"She certainly is."

B.B. smiled and then looked at the floor as if embarrassed. Then she looked at Vernita again. "You're gorgeous too." She blushed and stared at her feet.

Vernita gently cupped B.B.'s face in her hands. "And you take after your Mommy: you're gorgeous too." She brushed the little girl's hair out of her face.

"What do we say?" Bill started.

"Thank you…Miss…"

"Vernita."

"Vernita!" B.B. said. "Can I show you the kimono Daddy got for me when he went to Japan? You'll like it!"

"No, B.B. I have to talk with Vern—"

"Let her show me…" Vernita said, winking. "It'll mean a lot to her."

Bill sighed and nodded at his daughter. "Go ahead, sweetie."

B.B. smiled widely and went to find her kimono. While her back was turned, Vernita mouthed Japan? Bill mouthed back Sofie. Vernita nodded in understanding.

"Look at me!"

B.B. wore the new kimono with floral print, the sleeves coming up just above her wrists. She wore it like a bath robe.

"One of these days…I'll teach you the proper way to put it on." Bill said with deep warmth. "There's a lot that goes into wearing a kimono. It's very elegant attire from Japan."

"Elegant a tired?"

"No, B.B., elegant attire. That means clothing." Bill kissed her on the cheek and then went to her anime collection that was stored in a medium-sized treasure chest. While he looked for the anime, B.B. chatted with Vernita.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it. I wish Daddy brought me one from Japan," Vernita said playfully. Bill glanced over his shoulder, a smug smirk flashed across his face.

"I'll tell Daddy to get you one next time."

"Thank you, baby. What design should I get?"

"Mine with the blue and flowers!"

"Hmm…I'm not sure, B.B. I don't want to be a copycat." Vernita shook her head and pretended to pout. "It looks beautiful on you."

"You mean gorgeous!"

Vernita nodded. "Gorgeous is today's word. I see Daddy's been teaching you words straight from the dictionary, huh?"

B.B. smiled. "Yes, Daddy teaches me lots of words." She carefully took the kimono off and placed it on her bed. "I want to verse you in Chinese checkers."

Vernita furrowed her eyebrows, confused as to what she meant. B.B. took out the box from her drawer and placed it on the floor. She patted the floor next to her, indicating for Vernita to sit down with her.

Bill turned around holding two videos. "She means she wants to play against you, Vernita. You… versus B.B."

"Yeah!" B.B. said. She jumped up and gave Vernita the biggest hug she could muster with her little arms.

Vernita leaned over and hugged B.B. She'd be a wonderful playmate for Nikkia, she thought. If only Bill and I had more time…if only what happened four years ago didn't happen…

"B.B.," her father said slowly. "I'm afraid Vern can't play Chinese checkers with you…I have to talk with her."

"Can she watch Sailor Moon with me? Please?"

Bill thought for a moment. "The first fifteen minutes. Afterwards, she has to join me and Auntie Elle for important grown-up talk."

"Okay! Thanks Daddy!" B.B. gave her father a hug.

"I'll be outside waiting for you, Vernita. As for you sweetie…I'll tuck you in bed for sleepy time within the hour." He headed towards the doors. "Enjoy your time ladies." He closed the doors to B.B.'s room and went downstairs to check up on Elle about the status of the drinks.

oOo

Fifteen minutes later, Vernita walked out of B.B.'s room after giving the little girl a bear hug and a kiss good night. B.B. hadn't wanted her to leave and if it were up to Vernita, she would've stayed there the entire night watching Sailor Moon, Full Metal Alchemist, and the rest of B.B.'s expansive anime collection. But she was here on serious matters and Bill was expecting her…as was Elle. Bill was punctual as he was waiting her in the dimly lit hallway.

"How was she?" Bill asked. They started down the hallway.

"She was excited—and she's quite the chatterbox." Vernita smiled. "She told me about her preschool, learning colors, numbers, and ABC's…very fast learner, I'm sure you had a hand in that. She did more talking than actual watching."

Bill was extremely pleased. A tight smiled tugged at his lips. "Well…if she doesn't like you…you got to kill her to say hello. But, if she likes you…you can't shut her up. She's a chip off the ole blonde in that regard."

Vernita remembered the earlier interaction between B.B. and Elle. B.B sounded almost as if she didn't want to respond back to her and that she had finally spoke up as an afterthought. Her voice sounded forced and choked.

"She loves you though…" Bill said calmly. "I can see it in her eyes. She knows you're a Mommy and wanted you to bring your daughter…her name is Nikkia? Right?"

She nodded. "I carry her picture everywhere." Vernita fished in her pocket and pulled out a tiny picture of Nikkia on her fourth birthday. She gave it to Bill.

"Wow…she certainly takes after her mother…beautiful…gorgeous…I wonder if she'll be like her mother." He handed the picture back to Vernita, who shoved it in her pocket.

"I hope not…at least, I don't want her living the life I used to lead."

Bill had a quizzical expression on his face and he was going to say something about it, but in the end, decided not to. He and Vernita would bring up their daughters as they saw fit, however different—or similar—their upraising would be.

"She showed me the picture…of Beatrix."

"I noticed."

They were at the top of the stairs now.

"Still love her after all these years?"

Bill couldn't speak for a moment and he merely nodded. "I did love her…in the best way I knew how. I guess I still do. At one time…I showed her my sweet side…" He halted as if he realized he was revealing a dark secret that he wanted no one to know. He continued in a firm confident tone: "B.B. has the right to know who her mother is."

"You still feel for her…even after what she did to O-Ren?"

"O-Ren is the reason we're here."

They started down the stairs.

"Bill?" Vernita said, halfway down.

"Yes?"

"Your daughter is precious and beautiful…not to mention very polite. You should be proud. I know Beatrix would be."

"Thank you." Bill nodded. He titled his head in deep thought. "I'm doing…the best I can…given the circumstances."

"You're doing a fine job."

"And I'm sure you are too…with Nikkia."

A sad smile spread across Vernita's face. They continued down the stairs and entered the living room to meet Elle where now they would have their "reunion."

Minus Budd and O-Ren.