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[Lovely]

December 18, 2008
12pm
Veinna Estate

She was tired from all the pre-travel packing and then the long trip itself, boat, car, plane and then more car.. and traveling so far with a four year old was not exactly fun. Chip was tired and worn out as well, he dragging behind her a bit as they headed toward the house. Coming through the gates had been a quiet slip in as it had been arranged. She didn't want a big affair or comotion with their return. Chris was lagging behind them, she wasn't positive when he would arrive. A few hours, days? She kinda hoped he'd get lost and not show up, the light bruise on her arm was one of many reasons why she felt this way.

As they came through the side door into the kitchen, Chip scuttled ahead of his mother with a burst of childish energy at the thought of some yummy treat he might find. His laughter was cut somewhat short as he collided with legs of a tall man and tumbled to his butt on the floor, blinking wide eyes up at the man, his blonde hair mussed from sleeping in his mom's lap in the car. "You gots candy?"

"No, no candy," the man shook his head, offering the little boy a grin and a strong-gripped hand to help him up from the floor. "Some mighty dusty paw prints on my dry-cleaning though. You alright?" He looked up as the figure behind the boy emerged and whatever warmth was in his hand left it for the moment. "Flo?"

She was chuckling about Chip's rambunctious nature and giving final instructions to the maid about their things when she heard the voice say her name. A voice she would never forget or mistake.. and voice she could still feel whispering hotly in her ear from once upon a time. The color drained from her face for a moment and she blinked several times before opening her mouth to respond. "Biff?" Her voice was soft with wonder and shock, Chip craned his neck to look up at the two adults.

He looked back down at the boy, offering a more nervous grin and nodded to the fridge. "You must be hungry... see what you can find in there - nothing bigger than your head, though, okay? The cook will help you. Agnes... got a growing boy in here, Rustle him up some chow, would ya?" He called out to wherever the cook had gone off to, but his eyes didn't leave the boy for that moment, even if the woman was a breath and step behind him. He looked up slowly to Florica again. "So.. um.. family life's good, then, huh?"

She shook her head, sneering lightly as she glanced away. "It leaves much to be desired.. " She murmured softly, watching her son nearly dive into the fridge and rumage around. "Well.. not him. He's my world. but the rest of it.. eh." She couldn't look back at Biff yet, so sure he'd see the truth in her eyes, in a glance he'd see what was inside her.

"Guess it's been a few years. He.. he um... he looks a lot like you," he said, fumbling a bit as his hands found his pockets, slipping his shoulders into a shrug. "Oh, hell, sorry... um... come on and sit down. Yeah, um.. have a seat.. coffee? It's fresh."

"He doesn't.. look much like me.." She spoke softly again, not finishing the thought out loud, Flo finally turned her gaze to Biff and smiled gently. "Thanks.. coffee.. five years and I get no hug. I get coffee.. but hey, I'll take it.. more than I deserve right?"

"I didn't th-.. of course you get a hug. Just didn't... I mean... where's ... what's his name... Chris?" Biff looked back to the hallway as he came up to her with an arm out, awkwardly offering where once he'd offered so much more. "It's really good to see you. I mean that," he whispered.

She glanced back to the hall and chuckled softly. "Don't worry he's not nipping at my heels today.. you can hug me without worrying about a fist fight." He could, but she had to be damn sure his scent wasn't on her when Chris finally did show up. She tensed for a brief moment at that thought, before pulling him to a real hug. "You just had to be the first person I saw, didn't you?" She scolded lightly, her fingers digging into his shirt and perhaps giving away the depth of emotion she withheld in the hug.

"Person? I've been promoted," he teased, feeling the sudden tension. He kissed her cheek lightly before letting go, reluctant to let loose. "I just got off shift. You're lucky to see anyone at all besides the help. It's been a little crazy around here lately."

[Lovely]

"So not much has changed then?" She managed a smile as she pulled slowly away from him, resisting the urge to dive into him and not let go for days... how did he do that to her? No one could make her feel like he did. "You're off shift.. so you don't have anywhere you have to be right now?" Her expression turned hopeful, asking him to stay awhile, not to run right off.

"No, not really anywhere right off. Josie had some errands in town, but not until later. Why? You must be exhausted. How about hungry? Before he... um... s'he got a name? The little guy?"

"I'm both.. but just not wanting to go off alone right now.. thinking.. some company would be nice. It feels like forever.. it was like exile.. I miss.." She glanced at her son and nodded, changing mid sentence. "Chip.. Chris calls him Chip."

"Chip, huh?" He chuckled and turned to see the boy giving the cook a good show, though she appeared to be a good sport about it. "So he's just about.. what.. five then? Guess that's good. Not waiting too long to get started. He's a cute kid." Biff watched her expression as he turned back from watching the boy. "Yeah... it's okay. I'm here for a while, babe." The word slipped out as it always had.

Her eyes closed briefly as he mentioned starting right away, if he only knew how true that was. One night.. one amazing night that had kept her for five years. How she had longed to feel his arms around her. "Yeah.. right away.. " She cleared her throat and kept her eyes lowered, feeling a bit of blush creep into her face. "He reminds me of you.. adventureous.. strong willed.. crafty.. maybe it's the blonde." Her husband had dark hair and here was this little blonde haired pup who really didn't look anything like him.

"A mouth with legs," he teased watching him pile up a plate. "At least a hollow one. Does he think he's gonna eat all that? Crafty? Whaddya mean crafty?" He turned back with a smile. "I'm right up front if anything... when have I been crafty, huh? And don't bring up Detroit. That wasn't my fault," he shot a warning and teasing finger up to keep the thought from coming up of some time in their past that he remembered fondly just the same. "What would you like on your plate. He's not gonna eat all that."

She chuckled at the memory as well, shaking her head and nipping playfully at his finger. "Since when do you get to tell me what to do?" She winked and caught his hand in hers, meaning to swat it down in play but found herself holding onto it as she gazed at the man across from her. "I'm.. fine.. good right here.." They were standing there in the kitchen like old times, when the radio started playing a song with special meaning for them. It started and Flo looked at Biff, smilling a little as she tugged his hand or maybe he tugged hers and she was pulled into his arms. They danced, singing to each other a little.. it was very touching...

Biff looked around the place a little first... " good, no one's watching... dumbasses..." It wouldn't stop him if they were but he'd know who to tackle first later if the rumors got outta hand.

Her finger lifted to his lips "shhh no one here but me and you... and thats all that matters right now."

He smiled and pulled her closer "... you me and Chopper over there..."

"See nothing to worry about." Flo smiled and almost kissed him as she shifted to rest her head on his shoulder.

Biff watched her, confused a little. "Flo... um, babe, look at me a sec."

"What?" She lifted her head, with a questioning expression on her face.

"That's what I want to know... what?... you're hiding. How come?"

[Lovely]

"I'm not hiding.. I'm right here.." She laughed a little, very softly and didn't quite look him in the eye. "I thought it was called snuggling.."

"Mmmhmm... right here, but I can't see you. C'mon babe... what's the matter, hm? No coincidence about that song either, I guess, huh... you're here, I'm here... Chris ain't here and look at this, huh?"

"Look at what?.. us?.. Biff.. you know I don't love Chris.. never did.. it was.. it doesn't matter I guess.. I'm right here.. right now.. and I don't want to think about anywhere else."

"Then don't," he offered quietly, reaching for a kiss.

She met him with a kiss that had been waiting, saving up just for him since the last time they had. Her arms wrapped around him and didn't want to let go.

Something in the kiss still held the distance that had separated them for nearly five years, although every bit of intent to remind her of his feelings was given in that long moment. He was never good with words the way he was just good with her and it had cost him and lost her to someone she didn't care about. The confusion tickled over his lip with a question he was trying hard not to ask, but it fell out just the same. He nodded at the boy who was busy with his plate and amusing the cook. "What about him?"

She faltered, confusion in her eyes as she met Biff's for a brief moment, maybe guilt.. maybe something deeper but she looked away, biting her lower lip. "What do you mean.. what about him?" She started to curl into herself a little, shifting as if she needed to sit down or at least lean against the counter.

His arm tightened to keep her from fidgeting away, or worse providing any leverage to force herself away or swing at him. "You know... Chopper over there. He's a pretty special kid... sure his dad takes really good care of him."

She glanced to him, her eyes shining and then looked away, fighting tears she hadn't known she had left in her as she sighed softly. "I bet he would.. "

"What's that supposed to mean? Cuz if that sonuvab*tch ain't lookin' after you both," he started to hiss out his intention to give Chris a piece of his own mind, but the tears in her eyes stopped him. "Yeah... see, you do care, at least a little."

"What? Care.. of course I care.. Biff.. I.." She turned back to gaze in his eyes, through her shimmering damp ones and she touched his cheek softly. "I've always cared about you.."

"Wasn't talking about me, but thanks," he said, calming under her touch. "But if he's not taking care of his son... Flo... that kid's a part of this family. Any disrespect on him is disrespect on the rest of us... I can't just let it drop you know. If h-...," he paused a moment, watching her eyes and hearing the tremor of words unsaid between the ones that repeated in his ears. Looking back to the boy, the tousled blond and the lack of any ounce of shyness, he wondered aloud. "f*cking hell...," he murmured as his heart sank a little and he turned his gaze back to Flo. "Five years... it's been five since we... you mean he...?"

"Either that or spontanious pregnancy.. there is not even a remote chance that he's not.." She spoke quietly, sadly.. the regret in her voice was clear, the apology and sadness of not having been able to tell him. "I'm sorry.. "

"Sorry... ? Five years.. and not so much as a hint or anything? Flo... you're sure... absolutely? I mean, you were whisked straight to that honeymoon and lord knows he... you know... ," his face was aghast with disgust and dismay for the way the man had conducted himself before he and Flo had left. "You sure you don't want to sit down now ... maybe have a drink with me?"

[Lovely]

She turned her face away, wiping at the tears that ran down her cheeks. "Biff.. we never.. I.. Chris and I.. we never.. he thought our wedding night we did.. but you know what happened.. and.. we never.. I couldn't.. Definitely.. yours."

"Never..?" He didn't seem convinced except by the tears and hushed his voice a little more. "And Chris is going to show up later and he has n-... of course he doesn't know. Flo, what am I supposed to do now?"

"Forgive me?" She answered and asked softly in the same breath, looking back up at him again. "I'm sorry.. if I could have made things different.. I was scared to try to tell you and we were so far away." Her head shook a few times in silent protest of what had been done. "Chris and I fight all the time about it.. that I wont.. I can't.. not with him anyway. I just.. and I can't ever make it up to you or fix it. I did it.. I didn't tell you all this time.. I mean look at him, he's a little you.."

"You better have a drink, cuz I'm having one... or five. I don't care if it's just noon. Let him finish up. Agnes has it under control in here. Come sit with me, okay? Hmm... and he's not a little me. He's sitting still."

"Only until he's eaten his fill.." Her eyes focused on the little blonde boy who seemed intent on finishing the big plate of food he'd gathered. Flo nodded, turning her gaze back to Biff. "A drink.. sure.. yeah.. I guess I just gave you a pretty good reason to need a few.."

"One to calm down, and I guess another to celebrate... we have a son, Flo," he added as if it was news to her as well, the shock mixing with a small amount of awe. "I mean.. when I said he was part of this family, I meant.. you know... -this- family... not you and me. Kinda like that, don't you?"

She smiled at him, even through the tears that still ran gently down her face, wiping impatiantly at them as she nodded to his words. "Yeah.. I do.. you have no idea.. "

"Beginning to think I do," he smirked, dabbing at her cheeks as well. "Let's go in there for a few minutes." He nodded to the sitting room just down the hall.

Flo cast a look to her son.. their son, and nodded again, visually making sure Chip was fine, which he was, still engrossed in his food and entertaining the cook. Flo turned slowly, reassured in one way and nervous in another, Biff knew the truth now.. what would this mean for them all? She'd loved the boy.. man since they were teenagers -Biff had been her best friend and so much more but she'd been arranged to marry Chris.. and never really thought that Biff wanted to settle down and do the family thing anyway.. but it still killed her a little every day she'd been away.. every day being another man's wife. Having their son and pretending it wasn't.. she didn't want to live a lie anymore. She was silent as they walked towards the sitting room.

The pop against the wall would be a sound she would be familiar with as his knuckles met the paneling without hardly blinking and without saying a word about it. In times past, his fist would have cracked the plaster underneath, but he knew the house well and pulled it enough to emphasize, but do no damage. He was furious with himself for ever letting her go. His hand was pulled back to his side as he walked in with her to the sitting room, heading straight for the bar in even strides. "Do you want ice before I just take the bottle?"

Her tongue flicked nervously over her lips and she shook her head, she hated feeling nervous.. unsure. "Just bring two bottles.. that's if you're feeling generous enough to let me have one." She expected him to be furious with her, and he had every right to be.. five years and she'd not said a word to him.. their son was four now and he'd not even met him until the boy literally ran into him.

"Hm? Sure... heh, just like old times, right? A bottle a piece and a few words said... and a few things done that we might regret later," he shrugged as he gathered two glasses and two bottles. "That's not why, right? Why you didn't.. couldn't tell me?"

[Lovely]

She laughed and her hand set to her hips as she stared straight at him, her eyes narrowing some. "I should f*cking knock your head off." Her voice was edged yet still soft. "Of course that's not why.. for goodness sakes Biff.. you should know that night.. was.. it was incredible.. it was special to me.. it was us.. and even if the circumstances were screwed up.. I wouldn't.. didn't want anyone else to share that with me.. I couldn't tell you.. because I was married off to another man.. because I was so far away and you know a letter or a quick call just didn't seem right.. because I was scared.. because I didn't know how you felt or what you'd do or say or think.. because I wasn't brave enough to tell you... because I didn't want it to hurt you."

He set the bottles down on the coffe table and poured himself a glass full while he listened. "Makes two of us, I guess," he muttered before downing the first of many to come then looked back at her, offering her choice of seats beside him or across in the next chair. "I don't know how I feel, Flo. Happy, sure. He's a cute kid. Pissed, sure as hell yeah. Cuz you're miserable and I could ha... can... still can fixt that. You know it can be done," he said in a cold sort of serious that no 'discomfort' was too small to be removed.

She watched him, waiting a moment to let the words sink in as she reached to pour her own glass, taking a long drink before looking to him again. "Yeah.. I am miserable.. been since they told me I had to marry him.. been since I left your arms that night.. " She shook her head, making a sad snorting type of sound and then watching where he'd motioned a seat beside him. "You sure you want me that close to you? Aren't you pissed as hell at me?"

"I'll get over it. It's not what you need right now, anyway. C'mon over here. Yeah, I'm pissed... that I ever let you go and that he's too much of an ass to see what he's got."

She sipped more of her drink as she moved around the coffee table to shift down onto the small couch next to him. "He had me given to him.. he never earned it.. You didn't have a choice in letting me go." She finished softly, looking down at her glass and then adding. "You.. earned it.. had it.. still do.."

"Stop it. You're not a f*cking trophy, Florica. You're... you're not like that. Nothing about you is like that. Stupid rules and arrangements.. I could have said something or done something then, but I didn't. That's why I'm pissed, alright, babe? Just... don't talk yourself down... not for him... not for me or anyone. You shouldn't have been set up in the first place."

"No.. you didn't.." She agreed softly, looking at a random spot in the carpet. "I don't blame you.. but that is part of why I didn't tell you.. I just didn't know if you'd even want to know."

"I know now. I'm glad I know. I just don't know what you want me to do now. I don't like that you're fighting with him. I don't like that that boy's not getting what he fully deserves. I just really don't like Chris, is that okay to say? You could leave... just leave..go wherever you want."

"You don't like Chris?" She chuckled. "You haven't had to live with him for five years.. at least he doesn't hit Chip or I don't let him anyway.. Chip gets what he needs from me. He's a good kid.. very smart. A little wild.. likely his parents and the ferality.." She finished off her drink and reached to pour another. "I can't go.. where would I go?.. either Chris would be after me or the family would be hunting me down.. you know better than that.. I'm just glad to be back.. it was like Siberia.. maybe now they will see.. maybe I won't have to.." Her sigh was heavy and she downed the second glass in a few large gulps.

"You won't have to. It'll take some explaining, but you won't have to and he won't be an issue," he muttered, the gears and ideas clicking away like they did in any deal he worked. "Let him hunt. You're with family if you stay here, right?"

She lifted the bottle with a slight tremor in her hand and poured a third glass for herself. "It sounds like you think it's a done deal.. so cut and dry.. so simple.. You think they will just..? Biff, I don't want to go away again.. I don't want to be with him anymore.. I don't want to hurt.. inside.. " She sniffed back at the tears again, lifting the glass to drown them if she could.

"You forget who I am, babe," he smirked, nearly teasing if it would reassure her. "You also forget your sisters, hmm? You think they'll stand a minute for having you in an abusive, non-supportive family when they hear the rest?"

"No." She lifted her eyes to his face. "I didn't forget you.. I'm not sure I want my sisters to know.. It's bad enough you know.. I don't want everyone knowing he's been knocking me around.. please?"

"Then just tell them the boy's mine. That's all they need to know. Give it some time, things will work themselves out," he said, seeming to visualize it being as simple as he said. He refilled his drink and took down half in a gulp before meeting her gaze. "He's mine... ours... and if you never... talk to Aberto... he'll get whatever proof is needed.. tests and whatever to show that the boy's mine, but also that you never... that that was the only time, right? Get an anulment and stay, Flo... just stay."

"I never.. there was only you.. " She reached to run a finger down his jaw line if he didn't flinch away. "Only you.." She repeated it again, as if to reassure him or perhaps ask him to believe her, she was being honest with him.