When I walked into the house with Vic and Magenta it was not even two hours later and there was BiBi, she was reading with a now nearly empty cookie jar between her legs while Warren slept. Jennifer was sleeping her head resting on my husband's chest as Bandit with slow movements snagged BiBi from the floor moving to the wall. Vic just gave me this wide-eyed look, Magenta grinned kissing Bandit on the cheek while I stared at the scene in front of me.
Every nerve was filled with fire, Vic just touched my shoulder "Bexi, calm,"
"Bexi no calm," was muttered from Magenta, I saw everything in red as my voice was more a snarl. "Get my daughter to her room, brush her teeth," Bandit and Magenta bounced fast, as BiBi reached out for me but now was not the time. I just placed a kiss on her head but my eyes on the sleeping couple who are on my sofa.
Vic cut this short, his tone was hurt and angry. Even though we're both sure nothing physically happened they are sleeping together on the small sofa that Warren doesn't even fit on. "Are we interrupting," loud enough, Warren his eyes shot open, first he was calm taking stock of things, his arms wrapped around a body. The long hair and female scent, a head-on his chest but then his eyes locked with mine and the way his eyes slowly moved down seeing the pale blonde hair of his ex-girlfriend.
Then he panicked and tossed her back, she woke also looking disgruntled and then it hit her, and she was up fixing her skirt. "We are leaving Jennifer, I think I need to drop you off and take a few days to myself," I felt the twinge of hurt and anger, he would forgive them, his hand on my shoulder as he whispered in my ear. "Don't murder him,"
Jennifer started sobbing she couldn't even look me in the eyes, I snapped, "I am putting my daughter to bed, the girl was eating a jar of cookies while Bandit watched her. I will deal with you after," leaving him to look like a deer in the headlights.
BiBi was in her room in jammies and clean teeth, Bandit gave me a look he hardly ever spoke. "They fell asleep about an hour ago, nothing more happened. But I noted it was not correct to be sitting together as such. Come on Mage, they need to talk without us here,"
Magenta gave him a look, "What," I just tucked BiBi in, she smiled and in her hand was a tooth, the poor snot lost her first tooth as I just took it. "Here you go," handing her a ten-dollar bill.
She giggles, "Not even going to pretend the tooth fairy is real?"
Oh fuck, "I assumed you knew,"
"I do," still smiling as I roll my eyes this girl was giving me gray hair already.
Magenta and Bandit are in the front room, she hands me the bag and Warren's eyes follow but Bandit just gives him another look, whispering when Warren just groans. "I know," but did he.
I just blow like a raging volcano.
"GET OUT,"
Warren gave me a look, Magenta backed me standing at my side and away from her man. "You heard her; she wants you out for now. Warren, we arrive back seeing you and Jennifer cuddled on the love seat which you can hardly sit alone by yourself. You brought this on," she spoke, keeping her tone level as Bandit gave her a look.
"Don't Bandit, I am taking her side because she is right you even said so. But why are you standing with him, because he is your best friend? They will work it out, but she needs space, so help him get a bag," fiercer now as everything was tinted red, my temper starting to get to another level, a dangerous one at that.
Warren bless his stupid heart he stood his ground, and it was ground zero. "I am not leaving my house,"
He was serious too, "Look I fucked up, Jen fucked up but you're my wife and this is our home," he wasn't lying but again he didn't ever come home to me and Vic cuddling on the sofa, and I never dated Vic he was my best friend and like a brother.
There was stillness on both sides. If anger and pain was visible the air would have been scarlet. Then suddenly movement, so much force in every blow. He looked shocked, shocked that I would resort to violence. I feel the tension and hear the intensity in his tone. There's a great deal of emotion behind these words he is speaking. And then I do something my hands grabbing his tee and shoving him right out the door and down the path. "Get him a bag," Bandit did but the Commander arrived with Jet Stream, seeing the fight.
Magenta was fast, "Warren got caught with Jennifer sleeping on him, he started it. She asked him to leave so she could cool down and he refused," Commander just gave a seriously angry look to my husband.
"If she asked you to leave and refused after such a lapse in judgment. Please take the bag Mr. Bandit has collected for you, you will not come within one hundred feet until she asks it of you. You may, of course, take BiBi and see her as she is with both of you," my God-mother spoke low as Warren looked ready to blow.
I just walked away heading into my house leaving Warren fuming, Magenta took off with Bandit. I was left with cleaning up the mess they made, after that I was alone. Unzipping the black bag, I noted two journals are gone and a single picture of me, simmer down, simmer down Bexley.
Nausea swirled unrestrained in my empty stomach. My head swam with half-formed regrets. My heartfelt as if my blood had become tar as it struggled to keep a steady beat. My melancholy mood hung over me like a black cloud, raining my sorrow down on me wherever I went. It had been four days since and nothing was better, right now Warren has BiBi they're off doing something.
I have not spoken to Jennifer or Warren; Magenta was the one to talk to Warren since I was just so hurt my anger was gone it was the lingering hurt that was undoing it all. Streaming tears cleansed my red cheeks. Few droplets remained, forgetting their way as the path was swept from beneath them, consequently blurring my vision with waves of sadness only the broken encounter. The salty release calmly flowed.
Bitter. Unforgiving. Pain.
My drink sitting in front of me my face shielded by the umbrella keeping the sun from burning my skin. My cell vibrated the screen lighting up and it was Vic, another text message. "My number one, I get off work in an hour and will meet you at Dutch and word on the street is you're already there. Don't leave," no plan on it, this was my place and felt better being here.
I didn't answer, my mother came and spoke to me, but nothing was going to get through to me. I was not retracting the papers this situation he put me in only worked in my favor for a divorce. I wasn't shocked he was showing his face right now, his deep voice cut into my pity party. "Hello love, can I get you another coffee or a smoke," I just take the smoke while he orders another for me. I hate him and Warren, but at least I never really cared for Kai like I stupidly do for Warren.
I inhaled that grey stench, the odor that foretold of tar-infested lungs and my future death-bed. Another drink was set in front of me, "Here you go love, Abby made it and we all know she won't cross you," Nah, she wouldn't.
I looked up, "What do you want, Kai?"
"I heard the word, young villains talk, and they come to me when it concerns you. James and Peace were caught coddling each other," I knew Becca Faith wouldn't run back to him, she was close to Layla now too. "Yup, much like you and Becca Faith while we dated. Now, what else do you want?"
"Peace dead, and my journals back. If you read them you know nothing but my innermost feelings are in them," I see. "Haven't looked at them, Kai. Been busy,"
He nodded, "May I have them back," he was asking in a pleading tone.
"Sure, I will drop them off later," it was that simple, he wasn't lying about them and if they held no value, they are his. "Thank you, just text me when. For now, I will leave you," but he placed a small kiss to my forehead saying nothing more. I was so going home after this and read them before handing them back to him.
Vic, he sits like it cost him, his face is as bad as mine. "Hey, babycakes,"
"Hey Vic, how're you?" I hated seeing him looking so sad and tired.
Letting out a low chuckle, "Pretty shit right now, Jennifer and I talked all last night and are going to work it out. I love her, they didn't kiss, or any bullshit just passed out together, as wrong as that already is," he stops as we sip our drinks, I wasn't shocked hearing this, it was known.
He continued, "And you?"
Waving my hand around, "I'm grand, just having a drink and a smoke. If you want to forgive her, I am not stopping you, if you thought I would,"
"No, I didn't. I just can't deal with your hurt and if me being with her hurts you, I will call it off,"
"You always need to consider yourself over me, you deserve so much happiness. And if she makes you happy go for it, in time shit will work out with her and I. I need to go food shopping," BiBi was coming home tonight so she needed food, I scrubbed the entire house, Magenta, Becca Faith, and Layla helping. Layla hid a framed picture of Warren, BiBi, and me it was just a sore topic.
"Well let's go," he was game to just run around with me, we ended up dropping his Ninja off and taking my car since it was stupid to pollute the air and waste gas. I tossed nearly everything as it was about to expire, and I haven't wanted to eat much more than chips and Snickers.
With list in hand he picks me up placing me into the seat inside the cart, "You just relax you look sick," was feeling ill but it was due to stress and bad eating habits. I just smile this was not very comfy but adjusting as he reads off the list, I just point, and he gives me a sigh. "You are spoiled, "and I snap back. "You put me in here like a toddler," he just shoves the Life cereal into my chest.
People just gawk at us, even people we knew, Mrs. Peace smiles "Hello Dear, my son is an imbecile," walking off, she wasn't lying either as I let my feet hang off the bar. "I need some spicy mustard and that will be all," was muttered my ass was numb but in pain, I felt like I might be stuck in this cart.
"You two are not children, you should act your age," the cashier finally snapped at us. Vic gave her a look that had her flinching back. "Shut it and stay out of our life. I doubt we have caused any discord in the store,"
I pay and he pushes me out when I froze, he was here, and Vic saw my face and his eyes scanned the lot. "Just chill and act normal, he has BiBi,"
Going to yeet him and take her back, "Easy for you to say,"
His eyes broke my heart, "It's not,"
I also looked like a toddler in the cart, then BiBi was in my lap furthering the pain of the thin metal bars digging into my skin. "Hiya, BiBi," smiling at her.
"We're getting shampoo and conditioner," fascinating.
I just nod and smile, "Well you have a ball, I will see you later Aunt Magenta will be picking you up," she looked me in the eyes the little destroyer was an emotional little hummingbird.
Warren picked her up, his eyes on Vic who was half blocking me from my husband. "Thank you for forgiving Jennifer, you're a good man. Come on Hummingbird," was glad he didn't look at me or address me, it would have been painful. But it ticked me off he never texted me, but Jennifer is on his list.
But when he gave a heave, I was out of the cart. "Look at my legs," I doubt the marks would fade fast, small reddish-purple indents litter my thighs. Working together we get the bags into the trunk, my legs killing me.
I looked over my shoulder seeing Warren, coming from the store a small bag in hand the prissy bitch. Vic just helps me into the car, "See you later BiBi," he smiled before he drove my car, heading home.
Later that night I stood alone with Kai; I had all his Journals in hand. "Here you go," he gave me a look. But now that I have read them all with Vic, a small newer side was seen a side he never wants another to see, not even me.
"This is too easy,"
I just give him a look, "Sorry, did you want to fight? Want me to leer at you now that I have read them. Not happening, they are yours so take them," shoving them into his hand, he took them.
His words soft, "Thank you," he just pulled me into a warm hug, placing another kiss to my forehead. Insistent calls are starting to bother me, I finally answer my cell.
Answering, "It's Bexley," not the best greeting. Kai just held them close, he was so going to burn them and destroy any real emotions. He had been visiting my father when I refused, something was going on. "Get to the hospital, it's Aurora," shit, I just spin around heading for my car.
He called out, "Now you know me, how I feel. I am leaving the country for a little," I just wave "Yeah, I do. Shame you refused to show it," But right now those thoughts are shoved down under a boulder as my foot hits the gas, I drove faster than possible. I blew every red light, every stop sign hearing other drivers' horns blaring at me nothing not even the wailing of sirens stopped me, I lost them and spun into a stall. The fear sits on me like a pillow over my mouth and nose. Enough air gets by it, allowing my body to keep functioning, but it's crippling all the same. I walk into the hospital heading to her room, adults are the only thing I can see my mother, Summer, Josie, and Mrs. Peace are all around her bed. "What is it?"
Like a wave they all turn at the same time, she looks horrible. But she is awake, "Look she lived," smiling.
My mother just put her head into her hand shaking it, "Hello my dear, Bexley. For now, I am awake, but soon I will perish. My time has run out,"
"Shouldn't take like that, negative thoughts are bad during recovery." My mother's own words rush from my mouth, my mom smiled now.
But guess she was dying, she couldn't recover. "Look, BiBi needs you, fight it,"
"Oh dear, I have but I walk forward to this next adventure. You will have to take care of BiBi now, I shouldn't have put such a burden on such a young girl. But you're what is best for her, you will protect her and most of all you love her," I do.
I just look at her, "Is she on her way, I mean if this is the end, she needs to see her mother and say her goodbyes."
Mrs. Peace gave a faint sad smile, "I called dumbass and he is on his way,"
BiBi she looked ready for the news, we give them time together the Sirens staying in, but Warren and I asked to wait outside. My body slumps to the floor with my back pressed into the freezing wall. I texted Vic knowing he would arrive soon after, Commander was looking between us. "You both need to talk, that little girl needs you,"
I just looked up at him, "She has us, how am I going to raise a near ten-year-old when I am again sixteen." but not together was the point.
My honorary Uncle just got on his knees, his hair looking windblown. Uncle Steve might be the Commander, but he was such a teddy bear under all that. "You of all people can, you're stronger than any give you credit for. You fight and love with your all, you have done well with Beatrice since you have taken her in. Now you need to find the balance," Warren just watched us, his emotions so torn.
"Look at my marriage, again sixteen and him nineteen now together we have to raise a little girl who lost her mother,"
His mother walked out in tears, "Yes, and my son should learn a lesson. The Judge is wanting to favor her divorce but is going to give it three weeks to see if your relationship can be healed. With this death BiBi needs you both so he offered to wait and see," I stood, and Warren punched the wall in rage.
His mother smacked him, "This is your doing, son. You act like a child; you love her and have had feelings for her since her seventh-grade year. Come clean with her, you messed up falling asleep with Jennifer. But Warren did you attempt at all to contact Bexley while she had you at our home, no you didn't. But you had her tailed and followed, her cell tracked, my god child grow up because you are married with a daughter now," she was angry as I just slunk away hiding behind Uncle.
It was nearly three in the morning when I got her to sleep, her face red but for now everyone is crashed here to offer her support. Jennifer was not here, I walked from her room my mind was tired more than my body for once, Warren was waiting by the bedroom door. His eyes on me, "Are you okay," the first words he has spoken to me since that night.
"No, not at all. But nothing to dwell on right now, everything has to move forward for her. The Sirens are taking care of her funeral and reception, so we have nothing to worry about on that front,"
His arms are long, and I was not paying attention, they wrapped around me. "I am as normal very sorry, sorry that I fucked up and added to this. My mom is right, Bexley, I have liked you for some time. At first, it was just you were too young than it was you were dating the guy who killed my cousin. Now you're my wife and I am absolutely in love with you,"
Vic interrupted. "Go to bed, both of you. Let him crash here tiny Satan,"
I gave him raised brow, but Warren took Vic saying it as fact picking me up and dropping me on the bed before crawling in close to me. That was how we fell asleep fully clothed.