chpt 8
"Anyway, I think what Logan is trying to say is, he's sorry." Nikki smiled softly over at Lottie who sat across from them on the sofa in the Creed's house. Logan reluctantly sat next to his wife, scowling and tense, having entered the enemies simply smiled and glanced down to Victor, who was lay on the floor, on his back, reading a John Sandford novel in a pair of cut off jeans and an open plaid shirt while his twin sons, Slade and Conrad, crawled over him as if he were a play thing.
"Apology NOT accepted." Vic muttered, not looking up from his book. Nikki scowled and nudged Logan, urging him to say something. The little canadian pulled a face and grumbled.
"I didn't even start it…" He complained, only to receive another sharp jab in the ribs from Nikki.
"I think ya'll find ya did runt…" Victor retorted.
"Don't start Creed!" Logan warned, his muscles twitching.
"Logan!" Nikki hissed. "Stop. Now." Lottie sighed as they squabbled and pet Vicky's hair as the child sat beside her with her own small tea cup.
"Listen." Nikki finally overruled Logan and Victor. "I just wanted to invite you both out for dinner. This weekend maybe? I promise I'll keep Logan on a tight leash." She assured. Lottie looked like she was about to speak when Victor butted in.
"Sorry Nikki, but unless tha runts left at home in his kennel, I wouldn't possibly be able ta keep my food down…."Logan growled and balled his fists in anger. His wife, however, sighed and stared down into her coffee.
"I should have known that was coming."
"I think its a lovely idea." Lottie said round her tea cup. " ignore Vic. of course we'll come." The man in question huffed from his spot on the floor and continued to read.
"Wonderful!" Nikki laughed.
"Great…." Logan muttered is despair.
"I'm only goin' if I can have steak and eat like a pig." Victor added.
"Victor…"Lottie sighed from behind her hand.
"Wear a dress shirt and I'll agree." Nikki countered with a smirk.
"Least I got manners." Logan growled.
"Oh hush." Nikki shot him a glare. Wolverine snorted and threw himself back into his seat like a sulking child. On the floor, Slade, one of the Creed twins, paused and stared up at Logan with big black eyes. "Look. see? your probably scaring the kids." Nikki hissed at Logan after seeing Slade.
"Nah. Thats just his face." Victor sneered, petting his son's head.
That weekend the four met at a restaurant in one of the main streets of Toronto. Logan stood outside in the cool night air smoking the end of his cigar when a metallic black maybach pulled up at the steps leading up to the restaurant. He felt his stomach start to churn as he looked on, knowing it was Creed. It made him sick how all the Creed's money was stained with blood, yet it brought them more than he'd been about to afford throughout his whole lifetime. Well, until he'd met Nikki of course. But everything he had was still brought for him by her. Even the house they lived in was brought with her money.
Creed and Lottie however, worked their own contracts and made their own deals. They had separate offices in the house and separate bank accounts. Logan had never really needed a bank account. He even turned Nikki down when she'd offered him the chance to get one. He shook his head at the thought of all that blood money festering in Creed's account.
Lottie only wore designer labels, clothes, jewellery, and perfumes brought from expensive stores back in London and Europe. She even dressed the children in fine labels. Her shoe and bag collection was ridiculous, or so Nikki had once laughed. So was her clothing bill too, but Logan suppose that was only because Victor would rather tear clothes off then remove them normally. On that note, most if not all of Creed's clothes were specially made. His suits at least. But that was only because Lottie was so incredibly anal over him not having things off the rack.
Logan had to stop himself from wincing at the mere thought of being married to someone as particular as Lottie. Nikki would nitpick and roll her eyes at some things he wore or did, but Logan imagined living with Lottie was a nightmare. Many a time had Nikki and even Vincent returned home with stories of the little British feral's odd behaviour or worrying need to clean. Since moving in, he'd often observed her first thing every morning in the front yard. She'd scrub the steps on her hands and knees, something the little Canadian had not seen a woman do since the 1950s. He put it all down to her age. Though his time in weapon X blurred most of his memories, especially of Lottie, he was aware she was younger than Victor, but not by much which probably meant she was older than him. if only by a little bit. Some old habits were hard to get out of at their age. Still, he sometimes wondered how someone as unstable as Creed, dealt with someone as obsessive as Lottie. It was probably not an easy feat, but they pulled it off regardless. Logan put it all down to the feline nature of both their mutations. Creed must of enjoyed everything spotless as much as Lottie loved making things spotless.
Victor climbed out the car first, cracking his neck and rolling his shoulders, testing the strength of his custom made suit. Lottie shuffled out the same door, swinging legs out first as she climbed out before proceeding to straighten her red and black chequered pencil dress with matching red and black toeless heels. At a mere 5'6 with heels, Lottie's already tiny frame looked even smaller against Creed's 6'6 as she took his arm and they began to make their way towards Logan.
"Jesus christ frail! Look Lottie! It's in a suit! please tell me ya brought a camera?" Victor laughed at the sight of Logan in the suit Nikki had found for him. He was sure it was Vincent's….
"Fuck you Creed." He spat and threw the butt of his cigar on the ground before stomping it. Victor grinned ferally and eyed wolverine.
"Didn't realise Nikki was still shoppin' fer kids shit…."
"Victor! enough ready." Lottie hissed. "You look lovely Logan." She smiled at the smaller of the two men, reaching to softly touch his arm.
"Oh yea. He looks real chipper….even if he does smell of wet dog…" Victor snapped, grabbing her wrist and pulling it back before she could touch Logan. She pouted and huffed out a breath.
Logan walked ahead, partly to show them where Nikki and himself had been seated and partly to avoid anymore jibes from Creed. Nikki saw them coming and stood from her seat, arms wide as she passed Logan and clutched Lottie happily. Logan sighed in aggravation and Victor reluctantly let go of Lottie as she was squeezed.
"You look beautiful! You always pull it off, I don't know how you do it!" Nikki giggled and fussed the smaller woman.
"You look just as beautiful. That dress is stunning. And it smells so clean." Lottie commented, nuzzling at the off the shoulder little black Chanel dress that hugged Nikki's curves.
Nikki blushed and grinned. "Thats possibly the strangest compliment I've ever been paid, but thank you all the same wifey." Lottie smiled and nodded, moving round her to take her seat and Victor stepped closer to Nikki. He lent in and sniffed, as was his way, and shrugged.
"Ya look good. But ya smell like the runt, so it kinda ruins it." He told Nikki blankly. She frowned and glared back.
"Oh, well y'know. that might be down to the fact I'm married to him."
"Yea. I suppose." Victor looked thoughtful for a moment. "But then again, that romp ya had in the car while ya were waiting is also clingin' ta that nice dress and addin' to the effect. Thanks Nik, now I really aint in the mood fer eatin'" he added with a sneer and stalked passed a very red faced Nikki to sit beside Lottie who was laughing into her hands. "It's like fuckin' cigar smoke…" He snorted to Lottie, who could no longer hold her laughter and burst into a fit of giggles.
Dinner was relatively civil. The occasional jibe was spat across there table between Victor and logan, the glaring constant. Lottie and Nikki ignored the two for most of it. They might as well have been sitting at a different table.
"Vicky started her new school this week didn't she? How's she liking it?" Nikki asked, sipping her after dinner coffee. Lottie shrugged and set her tea cup down, gently dabbing the corners of her lips with a napkin.
"She's not one for other children's company outside the family. She'd rather be at home with me and Victor. She has this higher-than-thou attitude with most of them." she said bitterly, shooting a glance over at Victor who sat glaring at Logan. "Victor told her she was better than them and she took it on board. so she doesn't have many friends at the moment. Oh, except another little mutant girl. she's new too. they warmed to each other instantly."
"Awww." Nikki cooed. "Thats wonderful. I'm glad."
"Me too. She came over on Thursday. Jessie I think she name was. We kept Victor locked in the study, just for safety reasons."
"It was probably for the best" Nikki laughed. The two giggled and Victor finally broke his glare at Logan who was brooding over a plate of chocolate cake.
"What? Ya think I'd 'ave eaten her or somethin'?"
"We never know with you…" Logan growled and the glaring was suddenly their heads, the two wives went back to their conversing over after dinner refreshments.
"Hows Vinny?" Lottie inquired. There was a crack beside her as Victor shattered the glass he'd been sipping water from.
"Is he dead yet?" He spat through gritted teeth. His hand was bleeding heavily, to the horror of the other people who were eating around them but it healed and Victor simply shook his wrist, his sleeve now soaked with water and blood. Lottie clicked her tongue it disgust and reached for her handbag, reaching into it and pulling out some wet wipes and a handkerchief.
"No. He's alive and kicking sadly for you Victor…" Nikki snapped back, watching as Lottie took her husband's hand, cleaning away the blood with the wet wipes and then gently dabbing it with the handkerchief. She almost laughed at how much Lottie mothered Victor at times. Not that he minded. He seemed to like having someone to fuss over him and clean up after him, like a spoiled brat. It could only have gotten better for him had Birdy still been alive to fawn over him too. Logan shook his head and continued to stab at his cake with his fork.
"Has he seen much of Aaron recently?" Lottie asked, still fixed on her task of cleaning Victor's hand, claws and sleeve. Victor merely sat back, content with being mothered.
"They broke up." Nikki sighed sadly, sipping her coffee.
"Awww, poor baby. why'd they end it?"
"'cos he's a little prick…with a little prick…." Victor muttered, yelping when Lottie uppercut him with a wet wipe.
"Don't be so cruel to him. He's your son."
"Oh no." Nikki shook her head, setting her coffee down. "It doesn't matter Lottie. Vinny isn't bothered by his fathers attitude. Don't worry yourself."
"Exactly…So don't you dare hit me in public again, or I'll backhand ya." Victor hissed in Lottie's ear dangerously.
"Touch 'er Creed, and I'll fuck you up." Logan growled, slamming his fork down.
"Same here." Nikki scowled.
"She's a big girl…she can look after 'er se-" Victor's sneer was abruptly cut short and he tensed. Lottie smiled pleasantly and tucked her things back into her bag, one hand still under the table.
"Thank you both." She smiled at Nikki and Logan. "But Victor's very right….I can look after myself just fine. Cant I husband?" She grinned. Next to her, Victor whimpered, his eyes watering. Nikki and Logan looked at each other before looking back at Lottie. Nikki coughed and lent forward, towards the smaller woman.
"You…er….wouldn't happen to be grabbing Victor's balls would you?….He only whimpers like that when his balls are being squeezed." Lottie burst into laughter.
"You caught me!" She giggled and finally released Victor, who gasped and sighed in relief, sinking down in his seat, clutching his crotch protectively.
"Nikki!" Everyone at the table turned to see a man and woman approaching the table. "How are you darling we haven't seen you in forever!" The man chimed happily, his french canadian accent making Lottie wince.
"Jean-Paul!" Nikki sprung to her feet and threw her arms round him.
"Oh..great." Victor growled, playing it a few stray shards of glass on the table in front of him. Logan sunk down, trying to not be seen by his former teammates.
"I have nothing against them…" Lottie whispered to Victor. "But I really hope Nikki doesn't invite them to sit with us…..I might end up fucking slapping them purely for their accents…." Victor snickered and coughed, trying to hide his laughter.
"How are you? You look wonderful tonight!" Jean-paul grinned before looking at her company, the grin disappearing. "Er…Nikki?" Nikki shrugged and forced a smile.
"It's a long story babe. Just leave it at that."
"Logan?" Jeanne-Marie, Jean-paul's twin sister called to him. Logan bit his tongue and tried to sound reasonable.
"Hey…Been….a long time…." He forced. At that moment he really envied Creed and Lottie for being ignored by the bother and sister team.
"It's been too long Logan." She said in a very snotty way, her gaze slipping to Creed. "I didn't realise you kept such…company…either."
Without missing a beat, or even turning to look at her, Victor snorted. "Bitch, yer just pissed 'cos you aint gonna get ta ride my dick again…" Lottie almost slammed her face down onto the table. Jeanne-Marie's face turned bright red.
"That was rape you pig!" She almost yelled.
"Oh, an' not ta mention I gave ya a whole new face….nice scars by tha way." Victor added, finally looking at her. When Victor had joined the newer weapon X program, he hadn't been there long before going awol. Jeanne-Marie and wild child had been sent to pick up his tracks when he'd ambushed them, attacking, abusing and mauling Jeanne to within an inch of her life. The program had managed to reconstruct her face, but there were still faint scars left on her jaw and neck. The black haired woman's mouth flapped, no words coming out as she stood stunned. silence had fallen over the restaurant as everyone else in the room watched.
"Mrs Creed!" Jeanne finally screeched. Lottie physically cringed and shivered.
"Oh god! please don't speak to me!" She scowled. "your accent makes feel sick and a kitten dies every time you speak…" She blurted, quickly covering her mouth with her hand in shock. It seemed like the silence lasted forever before Victor broke it with a roar of laughter, soon followed by Logan from across the table.
Jeanne heaved in a huge breath as if to scream when Jean Paul slapped a hand over his sister's mouth. "I'm so sorry Nikki….but maybe we should go." Jean paul said quickly, hurrying away with his enraged sister.
"It comes ta somethin' when yer sister's manlier than you JP!" Victor yelled after him in between fits of laughter.
Once dinner was over, Nikki and Lottie said good bye before climbing into their separate cars. Logan and Victor simply blanked each other and waited for their spouses to climb into the seat beside them.
"That was lovely." Lottie smiled as she seated herself in the seat beside Victor. Dante has driven into town to pick them up again.
"Lookin' at the runts ugly face all tha time made me feel sick…" Victor muttered and began to pick his teeth with a claw. Lottie swiftly took his hand, stopping him.
"you could have ignored him." She said softly.
"I did!" he snapped back. "If I hadn't been ignorin' him, I'd 'ave been smashin' in his fuckin' skull while you ate dinner!" Lottie shook her head and opened her purse once more, taking out her compact and began to fix her hair. Victor eyed her closely and slumped back in his seat, reaching to pull off his tie.
"Wanna go to a bar?" his wife asked, not looking up from her compact mirror.
"sure, why not?" Victor grunted and pulled his ponytail.
"You were rude. We took them out to dinner to say sorry for you starting a fight on Vic." Nikki scolded Logan as they sat in the back of their cab.
"He started it! He always starts it!" Logan bit back, feeling more than a little ganged up on.
"Yes, well I want to finish it. You've been on edge ever since they moved in." Nikki retorted.
"Of course I have! The guy has the uncanny ability to kill everyone I love!" Nikki sighed and shook her head, reaching to take Logan's hand. He resisted weakly but gave in as she leaned to kiss his cheek.
"I love you Logan. But you know he won't get me. If anything I'm more worried for Lottie's safety then my own."Logan scowled and huffed.
"Maybe she shouldn't have married him if he was that dangerous to her. I didn't even think that creep'd get a girlfriend, let alone get married." Nikki smirked and shrugged, sitting back and leaning into him.
"Lottie's an odd one Logan. She's probably perfectly content with him as long as he doesn't get mud on her floors."