The buzz of Victor's phone pulled him out of a restless slumber. Once his eyes opened, he gently pulled himself away from Delylah's deep sleep clutch and grabbed the phone. Seeing his mother's number on the screen, he was intrigued more than surprised. He'd wondered when she was going to stop in. Hannah had been released from the hospital days ago, and he'd heard nothing. He was sure James had told her of their little cabin meeting, and that was what kept them both away. He expected silence from James, but not from her. The quiet had shocked him a little, made him uneasy.
"Hello?" he whispered. "Mom?" He'd stopped calling her Mama long ago. It was after another relentless teardown from James, a battle Victor had lost. James was pissed about his grades again. He questioned Victor's future in medicine. He questioned Victor's future in everything, and Sarah stayed away. She hadn't protected him from the smacks and emotional blows. Instead, she let James hurt him over and over again. When James had left for the hospital that morning, Sarah kept in, as she always did, to fix him. It was then that he shook her away.
"Go, Mom," he'd whispered, just as he whispered the word hello now. To Sarah's credit, she didn't fight it; she knew what she'd done. At thirteen years old, Victor didn't need her anymore. He was a man. He always wondered if Sarah was proud of him or ashamed. He didn't know if he'd ever know.
"Victor," she breathed. Her accent wasn't a typical Southern drawl, but it was still a sound that brought him comfort and fury-all at the same time. "I hope I didn't wake you."
Of course you woke me, he thought, but he didn't say it. When James was out of the picture, the relationship between mother and son was almost normal. It was only when his father stepped in that everything became complicated.
"Nah, I'm fine," he mumbled. Standing, he walked towards the door, opened it, and walked into the hallway. It was gray and dim. The sun hadn't quite made it to the horizon yet, but it was peeking through the mountains, ready to make its presence known. Victor headed down the steps and made a pathway out the door. The late summer dawn struck him as he stepped onto the porch. Magnolias and pine. It was a strange and beautiful smell. It was the smell that kept him alive while in the sands of Afghanistan and Iraq. It made him want to go on when he felt like dying. Between that, his sister, and now, Delylah and her family, it made him want to call North Carolina home again.
"How is Hannah?" Sarah's voice sounded genuinely concerned.
"She's at the hospital with Abel," he answered.
"I heard he woke up," Sarah replied. Victor's head snapped to attention.
"How did you-?" he began.
"Your father hears everything that goes on in that hospital," Sarah answered quickly. The pause of silence that came after was full of the truth Sarah couldn't say. Jack Petty actually told me. Your father is laying right along with Lucius, on Da's property. Victor heard her clear her throat. Would you be proud of me, if you knew? Will you be proud, son? Will you love me again? Those were the only questions that kept her awake at night.
Victor released a sigh of annoyance. "So what do you need, Mom? You wanna see us, see Hannah and the baby?"
He knew the drill. Sarah only wanted to be conveniently open-there for the big events, detached for the difficult shit. Victor wondered how Hannah would react to their mother's call. Something wonderful happened over the summer-Hannah's backbone was now made of steel. She was almost ferociously protective over Abel. If anyone threatened Hannah's husband, she didn't hesitate to make her feelings known. Conversely, she readily let her guard down around Jax, Tara, the rest of the Tellers, and the members of SAMCRO. Anyone outside of that circle was dispensable. Victor was proud and worried for Hannah. He didn't know how long the new side of her would stick around, but he knew it was a product of the most horrific and hellish summer she'd experienced.
"I think I'm ready for it, if you are," Sarah answered. "That's why I am calling. I hear the Teller kids are getting better. Ophelia is holding her own, and Abel's gaining his strength back."
"Op is doing well, surprisingly," Victor said with a low laugh. "She's still pretty fragile. But Abel-since he's woken up, he's just been making leaps and bounds towards recovery."
"I think your sister has had a lot to do with that." Sarah's words were honest. Jack Petty had told her of Hannah's change in attitude. Apparently, James' beloved daughter had been changed by her capture and her subsequent release. She was closed off and refused to answer his questions, much to Sarah's relief and chagrin. Every bit of silence bought Sarah more time to figure out what the hell was going on, but it also bought Hannah more time to figure out exactly who her captors were. I wonder if she and Opie have figured it all out. Sarah knew if they hadn't, they would soon. Both girls were whip smart.
"She does," Victor agreed. "His doctors are amazed. I mean, he's young, so that's in his favor, but having Hannah and that little girl around has made all the difference."
"Little-what?" Sarah choked out. Daughter? The word stabbed her in the heart. It couldn't be a boy? Fiona gets a granddaughter too?
"Hannah's having a little girl come winter," Victor said with a smile. He was excited-excited that his sister was alive, that Abel was alive, and that he was going to be an uncle. As the sun twinkled just slightly above the mountains, Victor felt hopeful for the first time since the summer began.
"A girl?" Sarah murmured. "I can't believe it."
The door opened, and Victor turned. Delylah crept through the opening. Clad in loose pajama bottoms and a tight tank top, she walked towards him, a cup of coffee in hand. Carefully, she walked towards him with a beautiful, sweet smile.
"I can't either," he said, as he eyed his beloved up and down. So fucking beautiful. She sat the coffee cup on the side table and stood next to him, wedging herself between his body and the porch posts. Her hair fell around her shoulders and tickled his bare chest. Victor closed his eyes and reveled in his close proximity. She was quite the distraction.
"Do you think I should pop in to the hospital?" Sarah asked, and Victor's attention was turned back to his mother.
"I think that's a bad idea," Victor stated. "Maybe you should wait? I mean, by week's end, Abel may even be home. I think it's better to keep your distance."
Sarah was silent again, but only for a moment. "I'll let you take the lead on this, son. You're around them every day; I'm not. You'll be able to feel them out-maybe talk to Hannah for me-soften the blow?"
Victor didn't miss the hope in his mother's voice. What he didn't realize is that the hope he'd heard was the falsest hope of all.
"I can try, Mom," he relented. "I'll keep you posted, okay?"
The minute Delylah heard the word Mom, she pulled away. It was no secret that she detested Sarah. She thought it was completely absurd that Victor even entertained talking to his mother.
"I know you will," she returned. "Goodbye, son. I love you."
"Bye Mom," he replied and hung up the phone. His dark eyes met Delylah's. He wasn't surprised to see the fury that rested there.
"Really?" she queried. She folded her arms beneath her breasts.
"Don't, babe," he cajoled. "I only answered because I didn't want the ringing to wake you. She wanted to come to the hospital. I had to tell her something; otherwise, she would've showed up there."
"You're not actually considering asking if she can come here, are you?" Her blue eyes, eyes identical to Jax's, were narrowed and assessing.
"No." He spoke carefully. He didn't know exactly what he was going to do. Until he did, the less Delylah knew, the better. Sarah was the couple's only bone of contention. He didn't want her to worry about a woman that was barely there. "I don't want her here."
Delylah breathed a sigh of relief. He's just telling her what she wants to hear. She placed herself back in Victor's arms. It felt like the most natural place to be. As her face nuzzled the base of Victor's throat, she placed a gentle kiss on his Adam's Apple. Delylah smiled as he pulled her closer, and she reveled in the sensation of his hard abdomen pressed against her soft belly, as her heart thumped hard in response. Standing on tip-toe, she sweetly pressed her lips to his. To her surprise, the kiss didn't intensify; it stayed slow, careful, and languid. Spellbound, she leaned into him, amazed at how wonderful the sensation was.
They didn't hear the sliding door open, but they did hear the good natured groan that escaped Thomas' lips. Reluctantly breaking apart, both Delylah and Victor blushed as they met Delylah's older brother's eyes. Still in pajamas, his blonde hair disheveled, Thomas looked comical, but devastatingly handsome. He left the sliding door open, and Will followed, closing it behind him. They sat on the swing that hung from the porch's ceiling. Thomas draped a sweetly possessive arm across his beloved's shoulders. Will laid his head on Thomas' shoulder, and Delylah felt like her heart was going to explode. It was an amazing thing to see her older brother so happy.
"Mornin'," Will drawled sleepily. Delylah loved her brother's boyfriend. In the time that had passed, especially when Ophelia was gone, Will Latrie had become a close friend. His quiet, loving demeanor calmed and helped Delylah through her deepest fears. He was peaceful and protective, but he had a deep devotion to both Thomas and the Tellers, a devotion which Delylah noticed and greatly appreciated.
"Morning," Victor replied. Bending over, he grabbed and sipped at the cup of coffee Delylah had placed on the table. Lowering the cup, he pressed his lips together.
"Whatcha doing up so early?" Thomas asked. He knew that Delylah wasn't one to wake up at the crack of dawn. She was lucky some days to get up before noon.
"Victor's mother called, wanting to see if she could stop by the hospital to see Hannah and Victor," she said. Her blue eyes flashed with annoyance, but that passed quickly.
"I told you she isn't coming," Victor said low. "I won't let her. Not now."
"What about your dad?" Thomas asked. "Has he been to the hospital? Has he reached out at all? To you? To Hannah?"
Victor shook his head in the negative, but remained silent. His jaw was tight. He stared out at the Appalachian horizon. Thomas could see how agitated he was, even if Delylah couldn't quite see it. James and Sarah were fucking weird; there was no question about it, but to not see your kids in their greatest time of need was a foreign concept to Thomas. Even though Jax and Tara had basically lied about their identities throughout the children's entire life, Thomas knew that, at the end of the day, Jax and Tara would die protecting any one of their kids. James and Sarah Sinclair couldn't say that.
"Which is why I don't want her anywhere near us," Delylah chimed in.
"Can you drop it, please?" Victor asked. His voice was low and the words came through clenched teeth. "I told you she wouldn't be here."
"I just want to make sure, okay?" Delylah fired back. "I know that you have a soft spot for her-"
"That went away at Hannah's wedding," Victor finished. "It went away the minute she walked out on my sister. It went away the minute she let James keep doing what he's always done-pick me apart and hurt me, in front you and your entire family. The conversation this morning was only to pacify her, to keep her at bay until your family can heal, until Opie and Hannah can give the cops the information they need. Everyone is fragile right now, Lala. I fucking get it, okay?"
"Do you?" Delylah was fired up now. Will's eyes widened.
"Why are you going in on-" Will began, but Victor jumped in before he could finish.
"I do," Victor seethed. "I get that you hate her. I get that the whole fucking family hates her, okay?! But I also see how wonderful your family has been to me, and I wouldn't endanger you or them by having them here! If nothing else, I am a man of my word. It's fucked up that you question my honor."
"Honor has nothing to do with your DNA," Delylah said. She wasn't yelling. "You wouldn't have snuck out of our bed to talk to her if you were dead set against her coming, you would've let the call go to fucking voicemail."
Victor said nothing. His lips were drawn tight, and his dark eyes were ominous.
"Delylah, stop," Thomas spoke up.
"You're hurting him, Lala," Will stated.
Looking at her lover, she knew it was true. His eyes were dry, but his clenched fists and stiff body spoke volumes. Without speaking or even acknowledging any of them, Victor pivoted on his heel and walked back into the house. Delylah went to follow him, but Will stood and stopped her.
"Hell, no ma belle fille." The Creole slipped from Will's mouth every now and then. "You need to leave Victor alone. You go up there now, and you'll be rattling a hornets' nest. Let him chill, let him relax, let him be."
"But-" she resisted Will at first, but his gentle means of interjection stopped her.
"Non, fille douce. Vous devez laisser le bien," he murmured. Delylah gazed at him, confused.
"Leave it alone," Thomas quipped. "He's telling you to leave it alone, Delylah. Let Victor have his moment. If you go up there now, it may be explosive. You don't want that. Let him be, Sister. Please."
Delylah was immediately contrite. She knew that Victor spoke the truth, but it was hard to believe it. She had such a strong connection to Tara, she couldn't imagine not trying to love her. She couldn't imagine not having her there. In a strange way, Delylah wasn't looking to win; she was looking to see if there was even a piece of Victor that still felt like a son should have felt about a mother. When she didn't get the answer she expected, she pushed, and it was the wrong thing to do.
"What's going on?" a voice came from the door. Victor had left it open. Will and Delylah turned to see Venus now standing in the doorway. Already dressed for the day, Venus was stunning, as always. Today, she was dressed in a soft, tea-length cotton dress. It was sky blue, and it highlighted her deep tan and honeyed locks. She smiled brilliantly as she stepped out onto the porch, but smile faded once she saw the sadness in Delylah's expression.
"What's wrong, Delylah?" she asked. Stepping forward, she brushed a strand of dark hair from her face.
"I pissed Victor off," she said bluntly. "I talked about his mama."
Delylah grimaced. "Where is he now?"
"Upstairs, angry."
"Well, he needs to get downstairs," Venus said with another gorgeous smile. Delylah was confused. Why is she smiling? How could anyone be so happy at seven in the morning?
"What's going on?" Will asked. "Everything okay?"
"It's wonderful," Venus said, her molasses drawl more than a little excited. "Alex-I mean-Tig-he just called. They're letting Abel and Ophelia come home today." Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them back, careful to keep her carefully drawn face intact.
Thomas stood abruptly, a megawatt grin on his face. He intertwined with Will and reached out for Delylah's hand.
"You're serious, Venus?" Thomas asked. "Really?"
"I am. The doctors think Abel is recovering beautifully. Ophelia is still regaining some of her strength, but she's bouncing back faster than before, thanks for Abel crushing his recovery. Everyone thinks Ophelia will do better at home, so-she's coming home! Today! We'll-" Venus paused for a moment and caught her breath. "We'll finally be all together. After all this time." Her lips trembled as she tried not to cry. "I just can't believe it."
"We can't either," Thomas breathed. His mind was drifting in a thousand different directions. He was worried for Ophelia, but he rejoiced for his brother. Soon, they would be together, and maybe they could just round the summer out in peace. Before his brain could settle on that idea, the gnawing, untied ends attacked again: there will never be peace until we know what the fuck happened. The thought made his blood run cold. Maybe being together shouldn't be an ongoing thing. Maybe-
"Oh, I must look a mess," Venus said with a laugh, interrupting Thomas' thoughts. "I'm gonna run in and fix my face. Lala, go upstairs and apologize to that man of yours and get ready. Y'all think you can get your shit together in a hurry, so we can all drive over together?"
The boys nodded in agreement, and Delylah nodded as well, and within minutes, they went their separate ways. Thomas and Will got to their room first.
"I can't believe this is happening," Thomas whispered. "I mean-I really can't."
Will paused for a moment and drew Thomas into a gentle embrace. Thomas wrapped his arms around Will's waist and just sobbed. For a few moments, he let his guard down and wept. The last few months had been complete and utter hell, and now, almost magically, everything was working out.
"It's too good to be true," he sobbed. "It's not going to last."
"Il ne neut pas durer. Tout ce quit importe est que profitez de la bonne et de prendre le mauvais comme il vient."
"It may not last. All that matters is that you take advantage of the good and take the bad as it comes," Thomas repeated in English.
"Grandmere Bette said that to me all the time," Will said softly.
"She spoke the truth," Thomas said in return. "She was a wise woman."
"She was," Will said as he gently pulled away from Thomas. "C'mon babe. Let's get ready. We have a lot of celebrating to do."
Just two rooms down, Delylah Teller stood alone in her bedroom. By the time she climbed the steps and entered, she walked into her room to find it empty. Victor was gone. To her relief, his clothes were still there, so he hadn't completely left, but Delylah had no idea how he snuck out of the cabin without anyone hearing him. Staring blankly into the space, she spied a folded piece of paper on the bedside table:
I'm not mad anymore, just hurt. I just need to clear my mind. I have my phone. Just need some space.
I'll come home when I feel better. I won't be long, but you have to trust me. If you need me, I'll be there.
Always. I promise.
Delylah, heartbroken, crumpled the paper in her hands. As she looked in the mirror, she hated what she saw. Once again, her mouth had gotten her into trouble, and it may have cost her someone she loved. For the first time ever, she realized just how much she loved Victor Sinclair. Losing him would be a fate worse than death. Leaning over the dresser, she breathed deeply.
"He just needs his space for a little bit," she said aloud. "If I need him, I can call him." She looked in the mirror. "I'll let him have it. Right now, I have to focus on the family. I mean, that's all I really have—"
A knock rang out in the silence.
"Delylah? Everything okay?" Venus' voice sank through the door.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Delylah said. "I'll be out in a bit."
She hoped Venus would believe the lie. Because Delylah wasn't anywhere close to fine. She was panicked. She was scared. She was hurt and confused and upset with herself, and what bothered her more than anything was that she knew that deep down Victor felt exactly the same way-and he had the option to stay away. Forever, if he chose.