They had been sitting at the kitchen table for a while, one waiting for an answer and the other trying not to give it. “I’m waiting Vivian,” Lydia said.
“I didn’t mean it that way Lyd. It’s just that when you left I felt like you had abandoned me. You and Nan are the only family I have left,” she said trying not to sound too harsh. “I never wanted to hurt you Viv, but I had to make my own life somewhere else. Anywhere else, New York reminds me too much of my parents of their kinds of people,” she said reaching to hold Vivian’s hand.
“You know all of this could have been avoided if you had giving me a call once in a while,” Vivian said looking away. She heard Lydia sigh, then say, “I was going to but, then I got pregnant and I knew you weren’t ready to hear that from me.”
“Anyway, what else haven’t you told them?” she asked her, knowing there had to be more. “They don’t know about my fortune, and I don’t intend to tell them. It’s not that I don’t trust them, it’s just that I no longer belong with money,” she said wistfully. Something clicked in Vivian’s mind and helped her understand what starting again had really meant to Lydia. “You really have changed, no more Christian Dior, no more weekends at the Bahamas?” she asked a bit hopeful.
“Nope, none of that for a working man’s wife,” Lydia said looking genuinely happy. Vivian wondered how she could be so happy, having so little. “It was never me Viv, it was you that fit perfectly into that world. It was me that just didn’t fit, but you…you’re the image to perfection,” she mumbled. Vivian gave her a sharp look, “Now whose being cruel? I’ve never asked for what I have, and I’ve worked for it ever since I would. Why do you think I took charge of the business?”
“I know Viv, it’s just that look at you, you are aristocracy at it’s purest. Old money, tall, blue eyed and damn smart. And being of not so good stock, I would have just hindered you,” Lydia said sincerely. Vivian tried shaking off the anger that was rising but couldn’t help it. “Whatever Lyd, you’re way smarter and prettier. And you have nothing in common with your parents. And if you can remember they’re old money too,” she pointed out. “Anyways enough of all that let’s head back before they start imagining killing scenes,” Vivian said to Lydia.
“I’m glad you found happiness, but where did you find that hysteric they call Marie?” Vivian asked laughing. Lydia rolled her eyes and said, “She’s Scott’s girlfriend, and since they are some of Ryan’s closest friends, I’ve had to deal with that sort of stuff for a long time now.” They both got up and headed for the living room. “Well if she starts screaming again I’m just going to have to shut her up the old fashion way,” Vivian said laughing again. “Don’t you dare. So we’re ok now right?” she asked before they entered the room. Vivian just smiled and said, “As long as you don’t bring up my love life we’ll be just peachy.” Lydia took that as what it was a compromise.
When they entered the room Vivian noticed another man sitting with Becca on the sofa. “Ello, I’m Abs, a friend of Scott’s,” he said standing to shake her hand. “Hi,” she said, noticing how cute he was. She turned to Ryan and said, “I’m sorry for causing such a scene and also if I offended you by anything I’ve said.” Instead of saying anything he gave Vivian a hug. “I know how it can be when to friends don’t talk for a while, there’s always things needing to be worked out,” he said looking from Lydia to Vivian.
“So what else do you have prepared for today?” she asked turning to look at Lydia. She went to stand next to Ryan. “Nothing, we weren’t sure that you would stay this long,” Ryan answered for Lydia. Vivian blushed a deep red and then decided to take charge like she always did. “Well since I just had about the longest five hours of my life, I think I deserve a treat. How about I treat you guys to dinner?” she said, addressing the whole group. That’s when Vivian noticed that they were missing someone. “Where’s Marie?” she asked Scott. He opened the window and pointed towards the black SUV parked in the driveway. “She refuses to come in until you and your dog leave,” he said a bit embarrassed. “What?” Vivian asked not understanding. Scott pointed down at his feet, there lying soundly asleep was Snuggle. “I thought you had taken him out,” Lydia commented.
“I tried but he just wouldn’t step outside, so I let him stay in since he wasn’t acting up anymore. But when we came back Marie tried to pet him, and he growled at her,” Scott explained. Abs who had been a witness to everything began to laugh. “Should have seen it Lyd, the moment she came close he got all ferocious. And he followed Scott all around the room. Scared M all the way out of the house,” he said tickling Becca. Vivian now had a look of disbelief on her face. “But he’s always so friendly, only when he thinks I’m in danger does he act up. I’m sorry if he scared your girlfriend,” she said apologizing to Scott. “You’re not ah, taking him to dinner are you?” Scott asked timidly.
“What? Oh no of course not, he’s staying here,” she said making her way to where they both were. “So how many cars are we taking? And let me just warn you all that I want to sit with Becca, cause me and her have two years of catching up to do,” she said leaning to take the baby from Abs. “In that case you’ll be in my car. I’m dying to hear how our dear, sweet Lydia could have a friend as hot tempered as you,” Abs said standing next to her. Vivian gave Lydia a look as if to say ‘what’s he talking about, nice?’ but Lydia just ignored her. “Alright then, Scott me and Ryan will drive with you then. If you don’t mind,” Lydia said pushing everyone out the door.
When they got outside Marie instantly ran behind the car. “Did you leave him inside?” she yelled to them. Vivian gave her a disgusted look and walked to what she guessed was Abs’s car. “Lyd, where’s your car seat?” she asked impatiently. Ryan ran to switch the car seat to Abs’s car while Scott attempted to calm Marie down. “I like her,” Abs said to Lydia. “Yeah well, just don’t mistreat her or you’ll have to mess with me, alright?” she said in a threatening voice. “Yes drill sergeant sir, I mean ma’am,” Abs said saluting Lydia, then running to his car when she tried to punch him. At last everyone got into the car they were assigned to, with Scott leading the way.
“So how long have you known Scott?” she asked him. Abs was trying hard not to say how beautiful he thought she was, and didn’t hear her at first. “Hello, I asked how long you’ve known Scott for?” she asked once more. Abs blinked twice and turned to look at her. “Oh Scott, we’ve worked together for three years now,” he answered looking into her eyes. She noticed how it didn’t look like he was paying much attention to the road. “Ah, would you mind greatly if perhaps you were to look at the road instead of me?” she asked getting nervous. Abs realized he had been staring and turned his head. “Sorry about that, kinda got lost there,” he said embarrassed. “I don’t mind, just try paying more attention to life saving facts, like driving with your eyes on the road,” she said smiling.
At that moment Abs was thinking, no wonder Lyd never told us about her, she’s too good to be true. “Why thank you,” she said laughing. Abs caught off guard laughed too. “Did I say that out loud? You must think I’m a total buggard,” he said turning a shade of red. Ahead of them Scott was parking his car into the parking lot of a Pizzeria. “Pizza, how uhm, how nice,” Vivian muttered. Abs gave her a weird look as he parked the car. She went to take the baby out of the chair and noticed she had fallen asleep. “Oh no, she’s taking a nap,” she said pouting. Abs came around to close the car door and put his arm around her waist. “Isn’t she beautiful?” Vivian whispered. “Yeah she is,” Abs said looking at Vivian.
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