Woman of my dreams
VINCE
I watched with a smile on my face as the cars trooped into my house. They stopped a little distance away from us.
The guards opened one of the doors and Cheryl popped out, excitedly. She was finally discharged from the hospital. Both her and her son, Bryan.
She indeed looks healed. She's all radiant and elegant, like the old Cheryl.
“Cheryl!”
“Elena!”
Their screams were ear-bugging, and it got worse as they got into a tight embrace, laughing and sobbing at the same time.
Watching them gave me a bittersweet feeling. Also made me realize Cheryl's literally the only mother figure Elena’s got now. There's no more Lucy and there's no more Vanessa. Just Cheryl.
No doubt they're gonna miss each other so much when we eventually move to Switzerland. I can't allow that. I can't separate Elena from the only motherly affection left for her.
So I'm gonna have to make arrangements for Cheryl to visit us every month or once every two months. I'll have a private jet to pick her up if I have to.
Anything to make sure she visits.
She was done with hugging Elena and now she was hugging Claire. They look like they've known each other for ages, when this was their first formal meeting.
“Hey, man.” Leo approached me. He had Bryan in his arms. The boy's one hell of a cutie. Trent was too. God, I'm not trying to jinx the baby. I just have an unhealed trauma about sons.
“Hey.” I folded my fists and aimed for Bryan's. He didn't hesitate to bump his on mine. The little man knows how to bump fists. That's fucking impressive.
“Where's Richard?”
“He got a call from a hospital. Lucy's sick. It sounded serious.”
“Why should he care about that witch?” Leo snorted. “Well, except he went there for Tracy.”
“Yeah, my guess too. The man loves his daughter. No one can talk him out of it.”
“It's pathetic. But yeah, family is always gonna be family at the end of the day, right?”
I didn't get to answer that. My guards were already up at the sight of Cheryl heading in my direction.
“Hey, you.” Cheryl flashed me her signature taunting smile.
I gave her a mock bow with my hands folded behind me.
“Hello, Cheryl. Welcome home.”
“A hug?” She grinned, spreading her arms out.
“I don't think so.” I declined without a second thought. I love her, but she's a hell of a mischievous woman. She could end up suffocating me in that hug. I don't wanna take any chances.
“Well, I'm not gonna beg you. So whatever.” she snorted, flipping her hair dramatically and walking past me. I laughed, watching her cling to Leo, who was telling her about the surprise in the backyard.
Elena found her way by my side, and she was holding Claire as we all headed to the backyard.
The place was buzzing with countryside music, an endless line of buffets. Toys sprawled in the swimming pool and literally every detail that makes up a good, warm, family welcome home party.
There was a big banner in the air with bold letters. WELCOME HOME, CHERYL AND BRYAN.
“God, this is beautiful!” Cheryl squealed, jumping on Leo. “Thank you baby.”
“It's actually Vince you should be thanking. He went out of his way to prepare this.” Leo said. I wish he didn't. I mean, I don't mind if he took credit for it. I didn't do it for credit. I just wanted her to be this excited about coming home.
She pouted dramatically and came to me. I stepped back carefully, avoiding any form of proximity.
“You did this?”
“Yes, Ma'am.”
She spread out those arms again. “Come here.”
“I…”
“I'm not gonna suffocate you. Geez.” She laughed.
“Don't suffocate me,” I warned her, just so we're clear. “My daughter's gonna bite you if you do.
She laughed and when I went in for the hug, it was normal. Tight but normal.
“Thank you,” she breathed out.
I nodded, getting out of the hug before we both got emotional. I don't want that today.
“C'mon, let's go dance.” Leo opted, dumping his son into my arms. “Watch him, will ya?”
“No fucking way!”
But they were already gone, Cheryl was laughing and sticking out her tongue at me. I don't know if she thinks it's totally impossible to damn the consequences and drop this kid on the ground. Like literally drop him and watch him break into bits.
Then again, he's such a cutie. I'd never do that to him. And he seems to love me. Because why's he smiling so much and patting my face?
God, I love him already. I hope we can be a great Uncle-nephew relationship. I haven't had that before.
“Vince,” the voice behind me got me turning. It was Luke. “And…. Leo's son?” He playfully pinched Bryan's cheek.
“Yup. Isn't he adorable?”
“He sure is.” Luke stretched his hand for him and I handed him over. In exchange, he handed me an envelope.
“What's this?”
“I got it from the deliveryman lingering outside your gate. He says it's from Prince Declan.”
Right. I quickly opened it, eager to see the content. It's been three days since my men did the great slaughter, wiping out every fucking toxic old geezer elders from existence.
I haven't heard from Declan since then. I had no idea how it went with convincing his people to evacuate Richard's Pack. The letter's long overdue.
I read the content inwardly. He started off by telling me that he succeeded in convincing his people that those elders deserved the fate that was handed over to them.
And then he'd succeeded in convincing them to evacuate the Pack. They leave tomorrow. After that, the pack will be free and available for Richard to go back to it.
And then lastly, he thanked me. Says he's not trying to be dramatic or overly optimistic but maybe in the nearest future when I don't detest my roots so much anymore, we could meet, have a few drinks and bond as rogue brothers. Until then, he hopes I stay alive and healthy.
I was getting touched not until I saw the PS part. It goes…
PS: I wrote Elena a letter. Hope you don't mind?
The fuck. This little daredevil.
I searched the envelope for the letter and opened it. I read the line fucking fast that I definitely missed a few words. But it's all apologies, harmless love confessions and hopeful thinking they could be a thing in their next lives.
This very audacious kid. I gritted my teeth as I tore up the letter.
“Why? Did he say something wrong?” Luke asked, as I ripped the letter apart.
“Not just wrong. Suicidal. That kid wants me to snap his neck.” I was both annoyed and impressed. Very impressed. Declan has bloody guts. Something I wished Trent had. Guts. Good guts. Not a weak mind and a bitter heart.
Elena showed up in front of me out of the blue. Good thing I already tore the shit up.
“Let's dance,” she snatched the envelope from me and shoved it into Luke's hand. So now he has the baby and the envelope, while I get dragged to go dance with the woman of my dreams.
It's beginning to look a lot like the life I've been yearning for.