Silence III

{3}

{Aspen's Pov}

"Eh, Penny pass the bread rolls."

My gaze moves from the stunningly decorated hall. Tables line the sides, and a large but elegant dance floor is in the center. The tones range from white, to white marble, to crystal. People are just starting to get up from their seats and go in the middle to dance. I spot a lot of friends, mafia members and other people who have no ties to the mafia, but I wanted to invite anyways.

I look to Hudson in the seat that's meant to be Fay's. How he managed to get a seat at our bridal party table is beyond me. Osirus and Trev are beside Arlo who is on my left, and directly beside me is Hudson. Edith is beside him.

Fay is beside a bickering Jasper and Yarrow.

Hudson messed with my seating arrangement.

"Call me Penny again and I'll break your arm." I warn with a smile and cheery tone that doesn't match my words. The loud laughter and music makes me have to raise my voice louder than normal.

I slide the basket of bread towards Hudson who now has a weary look on his face, glancing between myself and the rolls every few seconds.

"Love." Arlo gets my attention. I look to my right at my husband and hum in response. "I have someone I'd like you to meet."

Arlo stands from his chair and I take that as my cue to as well. He leads us through the tables and crowds of people dancing. We greet some people we pass by.

When we make it to one of the far corners of the reception hall, I look confused at Arlo when he stops.

"I've told you about him before, but never really went into depth." Arlo explains. I nod my head understandingly, still waiting for the mystery man to show up. "He's a construction worker." Arlo mumbles his next words, "who doubles as a serial killer."

Before I can question Arlo further, I feel a presence to my side.

"Arlo."

"Herman." Arlo greets the man.

I look to the side where Herman stands. He's older, probably late thirties to earlier forties. He has some graying hair, but a full head of hair. He is well built but surprisingly short. Well, not short, but shorter than most. Maybe 5'7.

"Herman, this is my wife. Her name is Aspen." Arlo introduces, I glance between the two men.

Herman holds his hand out for me to shake and I gently place my hand in his, but give a firm handshake.

"I'm Herman Dolores."

I raise my eyebrows, my hand going slack in Herman's hand. I look to my husband who has a sheepish look on his face.

"Dolores?" I repeat.

"You know my parents left." Arlo tells me softly, "And I told you about the man who took care of me."

Arlo nods his head towards Herman.

Everything connects in my head now. Arlo was dropped off at an orphanage as a kid. It was a bad situation though, hardly fed and abused, Arlo ran away.

He ran into Osirus who introduced him to some man. This must be the man Arlo always talked about. Herman.

I wipe my face clear of surprise and plant a small smile on myself instead.

"Thank you for coming Herman, I'm glad to have finally met you." I tell him.

"Thank you for inviting me Aspen, and thank you for getting my Arlo in line." Herman replies, slapping Arlo gently on the back of the head.