Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Victor watched the last rays of sun glint off the pool and tried to keep his nerves under control. Vivian’s flight had been delayed, which meant the carefully planned moment he and Belle had prepared to tell her about their relationship hadn’t happened before the Welcome Home cookout.
Perfect fucking timing, as always.
The party had been in full swing by the time a travel-weary but joyful Vivian appeared.
Pip had leapt into her mother’s arms and remained there for a full hour despite the fact she was getting too big to be carried.
Not that Vivian had minded. Eventually, she’d plopped the two of them down in a lounge chair, mother and daughter sitting with their heads touching as Pip inundated Viv with questions about her trip, regaling her with all of her own summertime adventures, then asking if she’d brought home a present for her.
Vivian had narrowed her eyes at Victor, blaming him for her daughter’s belief that every out-of-town trip required a gift. Not that Victor would apologize for that. Also, not that Vivian hadn’t brought home many gifts for her daughter.
While the party had been a way to welcome Vivian home, and his sister had loved the idea when he’d suggested it on the phone—claiming she’d missed everyone terribly—it was clear to Victor the only person he’d needed to invite to the shindig was Pip.
Just an hour ago, the yard had still been alive with laughter and the smell of grilled meat.
Belle had moved through it all with her usual ease, serving as the perfect hostess, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, a bright smile on her face.
Despite their heart-to-heart eleven days earlier, they’d maintained the secrecy of their relationship at home, both agreeing it was best to tell Vivian first, then loop her in when they broke the news to Pip.
Well, Victor thought with a grin…he and Belle had tried to keep things on the down-low.
There had been more than a few near misses, because now that she was his, Victor was hard-pressed to keep his hands to himself, sneaking kisses as often as he could, some ending only a split second before his niece caught them.
Pip had made a few comments this past week about Victor’s ever-present smile, asking him why he was so happy all the time, which wasn’t surprising considering he typically looked like the world’s grumpiest bastard.
He’d been looking forward to his sister’s return, counting down as excitedly as Pip, who’d been religiously drawing X’s on the calendar her mother had hung on the refrigerator back in June.
For one thing, he’d missed the fuck out of Vivian, and while they had FaceTimed almost daily, those too-brief conversations hadn’t been enough.
But more importantly, with her return, he and Belle could finally stop hiding and he could scream to the entire world that she was his. He would also know if all the worrying over Viv’s and Pip’s reactions had been justified or a huge waste of time. He prayed it was the second.
With the last of the guests gone, Victor picked up the tray of empty cups, beer bottles, and plates Belle had loaded.
Taking a quick glance around to make sure they were alone, he gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll take this into the kitchen, then come back for more.”
She nodded. “I’ll keep cleaning up out here.”
Victor passed the living room on his way to the kitchen, peering in. Pip was curled up on the couch, completely zonked, and Victor chuckled at her tiny snores.
Continuing to the kitchen, he placed the tray on the island and started unloading it.
Vivian, surprisingly cheerful after a long trip, was at the sink, drying dishes. She hummed softly, filling the kitchen with her calm energy, while Victor tried to think of how he and Belle were going to start their conversation.
“How long do I have to wait until you confess?” his sister suddenly asked, spinning around with a knowing grin.
Victor groaned, rubbing his neck. “Are we that obvious?”
“Only to the trained eye.”
Vivian had always been sharp.
“Besides, your teammates—with all their sideways glances and “wink-wink” nudges—are about as subtle as sledgehammers,” she deadpanned.
While he was still hiding his new relationship at home, he really never had a snowball’s chance in hell of keeping it from his buddies. Preston had texted at six a.m. the morning after his teammates told him to stop being such a fucking coward at Pat’s Pub.
Six a.m.!
Victor had given his buddy shit for waking him, especially considering he and Belle had woken up twice during the night to “consummate” their relationship again, certain that if one time was enough, then three times must be stellar.
His anger toward Preston didn’t last long when his friend told him that he might want to start getting used to early hours if he hoped to become a father someday.
With that image in his head, he’d promised to call Preston later, muted his phone, then “practiced” making a baby with Belle, who’d made it back to her own room just five minutes before Pip woke up.
“We’d intended to tell you before the cookout,” Victor admitted, sighing. “But your fucking flight got delayed.”
Vivian’s grin widened, her finger pointing toward the swear jar. “Our Disney fund is looking good. Especially considering we’re going to need four tickets for the trip,” she said, clearly pleased with the turn of events. “Unless you intend to let Belle go without you.”
“She’s not going anywhere without me.” Victor crossed his arms. “You’re really okay with it? Me and Belle?”
Vivian laughed, tossing the dish towel on the counter.
“Vic,” she said, shaking her head with fond exasperation, “you’ve been in love with Belle since Pip first learned to talk.
I was just wondering how long it would take you to figure it out.
To be honest, I was starting to worry your stubbornness would win.
Fortunately, your brilliant sister saw a way to kill two birds with one stone…
or, with one trip to Africa. I got to finish my book and push a little bit of that forced proximity shit that’s all the rage in rom coms, on you and Belle. ”
Victor gaped, shell-shocked at that, because he’d had no idea his sister was setting him up. Once the disbelief wore off, he shook his head, amused. “Remind me again why I missed you?”
Vivian leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, the affection softening her mischievous grin.
“Because I’m wonderful and brilliant,” she said simply, and somehow, that was enough to dissolve the last of the tension pressing on his chest. “And I want you to remember that come Christmas, because I’m expecting one hell of a thank-you present. ”
“Duly noted,” he replied with a grin.
Vivian wasn’t used to this new version of him, the one who smiled and laughed all the time, so he wasn’t surprised by her pointed staring. “You’re happy.”
Victor nodded, aware her words were an observation, not a question. “I am.”
“It’s all just so perfect,” Vivian gushed.
“It is. Now,” he replied. “For a while there…”
Vivian tilted her head. “Uh-oh. What did you do?”
“Why do you assume I did something wrong?”
Vivian put her hands on her hips, not even bothering to dignify that question with a response. They both knew if someone was going to fuck things up, it would be him.
“Let’s just say it took me a bit of time to pull my head out of my ass, and then even longer to tell her how I feel.”
Vivian lifted one shoulder, as if that had been expected. “I knew you wouldn’t succumb easily. Good thing Belle is patient.”
“That will definitely serve her well with me,” he said, only half joking.
“So it’s all good now?”
“Better than good. Belle belongs here. It feels like all the pieces are finally falling into place.”
“You’ve been in love with her for years. It’s about time you finally figured out how to let her in.” Vivian followed her statement with a punch on his arm.
“No one—least of all you—has ever called me too bright.”
Vivian laughed. “What was it Dad used to say? I got the brains and you got the athletic ability.”
“Then he’d follow it up by saying between the two of us, he had one perfect kid,” Victor added. Their dad had been a funny bastard with a wicked, teasing sense of humor. It was why he and Vivian were both well-versed in sarcasm.
“I love the way you look at her,” Vivian said quietly. “It reminds me of the way Phil used to look at me.”
“Viv,” Victor said, reaching to pull her in for a quick hug. As always, the mention of Phil’s name put a lump in his throat.
However, this time, Vivian didn’t get that same forlorn look in her eyes that usually appeared when she talked about her husband. The memory didn’t make her sad. Instead, it looked like one she was recalling him fondly.
Victor had been right about her turning a corner in Africa.
“It’s beautiful,” Vivian continued. “Exactly what Belle deserves. She came into our family when we were at our lowest, and she held us together until we stop floundering.”
That was exactly what she’d done.
Victor swallowed heavily. “I’ve spent my life defending the net. Turns out, the best play I ever made was letting her in.”
At that moment, Belle stepped into the kitchen. She paused, gaze flicking between Victor and Vivian, and then, as if the universe had finally aligned, his sister and his true love shared a long look, their friendship so tight and close that words weren’t necessary.
Both women moved toward each other at the same time, and Belle hugged Vivian tightly, tears and laughter mingling. Victor watched it unfold, overwhelmed by relief and gratitude. He was one lucky son of a bitch, because he had not one, not two, but three incredible females in his life.
“You’re okay with everything?” Belle asked Vivian, glancing over at him. “We intended to tell you together. Before the party.”