Paragon

Chapter 18

"Everything alright?" Patrick asks sternly, now beside Stellan.

"Yes... everything's fine," Stellan replies calmly, nodding. He sits down slowly beside me and reaches over for my hand. I don't feel him take it. Victoria brings the water, looking hesitantly at the drunken mess in front of me.

"Ma'am? Your water?"

I reach out and take it for her, nodding unsurely. "Thank you..."

"I brought some tissues as well."

I nod gratefully, taking them from the attendants hands. Standing, I set them down in the chair beside her and sit again, shaking my head in disappointment. Our landing is smooth and completely silent. Vivienne's sobs soon fade into hiccups- until she's sleeping.

I watch her face, so much like mine, feeling boiling anger. So much of it I can barely breathe. Why the hell did I agree to this? I don't need this woman or her problems in my life. I have my own shit to worry about.

She remains still even as we begin to pack up our things. I want to leave her here- I really do but knowing I can't, I bend, touching her arm. "Vivienne."

She jumps as if awaking from a nightmare. "What?"

"We're here."

"Oh... Oh. Alright. Alright." I'm amazed when she chuckles unsurely as if any of this were funny.

Rolling my eyes, I skirt around the seats, nodding to Victoria and the pilot- I have no doubt she's informed everyone on this plane of the ridiculous show my mother performed.

"Have a good trip, Miss Tremaine."

"It's Reid now, Iris Reid," I answer sternly, noticing as Stellan's eyes flicker to mine as Patrick hands him a suitcase. Only a couple feet away, I know he heard. The tender, unexpected smile on his face when he looks away is enough to make the correction worth it in my eyes. However, I soften my voice and add, "And thank you. Have a good evening as well."

Stepping into the twilight, I grab ahold of the railing with one hand, preparing to step down. My lips turn up as his lips are suddenly by my ear. "You know, Iris Reid has a good ring to it."

My smile widens considerably. Turning, I wrap my arm around his shoulder, holding up the line of people behind us. "Then I guess I should thank you for gifting it to me, huh?" 

"Seems only fair."

I press my lips into his lightly, comforted by the soft, familiar feel of them. "Well, I'd be happy to... later tonight."

He chuckles and with the luggage in his hand, curves his arm around my waist, pulling me closer. "I'll hold you to that, Mrs. Reid."

"Please do, Mr. Reid."

I kiss him again, sighing as he manages to warm my bitter heart. He does it so easily. I let go of him reluctantly as Vivienne approaches the doorway and turn, not wanting to talk to her.

"Everything will be alright," he murmurs quietly as we make our way down the steps.

"Will it?"

He settles onto the ground beside me. "You're meeting your sister. I think this will be a good thing."

"Yeah, let's just hope she's not anything like mother dearest."

Stellan smiles, hiding his disapproval weakly and holds out his free hand to help Vivienne down. She takes it, squinting. "I've got your bags."

"Oh, why, thank you, Stellan."

"Course."

The car ride is short and crowded- her two-story house is rather close to the airport. She's sobered up slightly on the way back but that's probably because we're all quiet. Stellan's hand is my only safe ground. I thought I wouldn't be scared to meet Dari and David. But as Patrick shuts off the ignition, I get a overwhelming urge to jump out and run. Run as far as I can.