Taming the Bitch (COMPLETED)

Chapter LIII - WHIRLWIND

Gabrielle watched her daughter seated in the high chair between her and Vincent, the three of them sharing the dinner Vincent had prepared. He had roasted a turkey with raspberry jus and made fresh mashed vegetables for Veronica. The toddler kept glancing at the tall, broad-shouldered man she now called "Dada," while Vincent, in turn, stole glances at the little tyrant he was dining with for the first time.

Every time he looked, Veronica would quickly look away, pretending to focus on her food, only to peek again a moment later. Gabrielle had been watching this quiet battle of glances for the past ten minutes, the remnants of raspberry purée still staining their skin from earlier chaos.

Gabrielle dabbed at the bits of broccoli stuck to Nic's lips, sneaking a glance at Vincent. He flinched, biting back a groan as he reached for his cheek, swollen and still sore from the toddler's earlier bite. Veronica's little lips pouted in embarrassment, clearly aware of the mark she had left, and Gabrielle could see the guilt written all over her daughter's tiny face.

Suppressing her laughter was impossible. Vincent threw her a confused look, while Nic pouted apologetically. Gabrielle's shoulders shook as she finally let loose, laughing hysterically at the sight of her daughter's guilt and her husband's misfortune. Vincent gritted his teeth, attempting to maintain his composure.

"It isn't funny, Bella," he growled, voice tight with suppressed pain, though a part of him felt lighter seeing Gabrielle laugh—even if it was at his expense.

Gabrielle tried to stifle her laughter as she turned back to her food, but one more glance at Veronica's embarrassed face made her break again. Tears formed in the toddler's eyes as Gabrielle continued to laugh.

"Gabrielle..." Vincent warned softly, watching their daughter's eyes well with tears. Before Gabrielle could stop, Veronica began crying loudly, throwing the baby fork she had been holding.

"Nic... hush, baby, it's okay..." Vincent tried to soothe her, holding her little face, but the toddler only cried harder, kicking and flailing her arms atop the high chair tray.

"Shhh... Dada isn't mad... don't cry..." he whispered, trying to calm her, knowing she had already realized the weight of her bite. Gabrielle rose from her seat and approached, gently taking Veronica into her arms.

"Don't cry over his bites, darling... he won't turn into a zombie overnight," she murmured, unclipping the high chair tray as Veronica swiped at her arm in protest. Gabrielle understood her daughter's tantrum: she was embarrassed, worried, and still processing her first "attack" on Dada.

Vincent flinched, uncomfortable with Gabrielle's little game.

"Veronica!" he barked, voice louder than intended. Terrified, the toddler buried her face in her mother's neck. Gabrielle soothed her, whispering, "He won't be here for too long... don't feel bad for him."

Vincent's ears burned. What was she telling their daughter?

"You want Mommy to send him off now?" he snapped. Gabrielle simply smiled sweetly and teased, "Shooo... now, will you feel better if you don't see him again, love?"

Veronica shook her head, then reached out her tiny arms toward Vincent. Gabrielle kissed her temple before handing her over.

"I'm sowee..." Veronica whispered, resting her head on his shoulder and brushing against his cheek. Vincent groaned and flinched at the contact, while Gabrielle stifled her laughter.

"Mommy...!" Veronica whined, annoyed at being teased for her little but deadly attack.

"Why don't you bite the other side to be fair...?" Gabrielle asked, and both father and daughter glared at her.

"Moooooom!!!" Veronica shrieked.

"Bella...!" Vincent groaned.

"Fine! Fine! Can we eat normally now without you two checking on each other every second? It's disturbing!" Gabrielle laughed, taking another spoonful of mashed vegetables and lifting Veronica onto her lap to feed her properly.

"He'll be fine, Nic. One bite won't be enough to kill him... not even enough to turn him into a zombie," she whispered to Vincent, who could only watch, utterly helpless.

Gabrielle then returned to feeding their daughter, whispering softly to ensure the little one felt safe while allowing Vincent to watch the tender moment unfold.

Later, as Gabrielle prepared bottles in the nursery, Vincent approached cautiously.

"Bella, can we talk...?"

Gabrielle ignored him, moving with graceful efficiency as she sterilized the bottles and organized Veronica's things.

"What do you think you're doing?" Vincent asked patiently.

Gabrielle turned, eyes sharp. "Vincent...! What do you think you're doing here?! Do you think you can be her father with just a snap of your fingers?!" She swayed her hand away from his grip, pointing an accusing finger.

"Do you even know how to read her mind? How to tell when she's upset, or crying for help? Do you think being a father is just about having fun and spoiling her?" she continued, touching the painful bite mark on his cheek. Vincent flinched, and her fist landed lightly on his chest.

"And why does my daughter have to feel bad for you in the first place?! You abandoned us!"

"I never abandoned you! You hid yourself from me!"

Gabrielle's voice rose, tears streaking her cheeks. "And why is that?! That night when you crushed my heart, you abandoned me as your wife! All your promises... all your love... gone! Don't even deny it!" She hit his chest again.

Vincent's voice softened. "Bella..."

"Fuck yourself and stay away from us, Vincent! It won't work!" she spat, turning away—only to stop as he gripped her wrist and pulled her back to face him.

"It will work! You're just afraid to admit it to yourself! Open your hea—"

Her slap cut him off.

"And it's my fault I have this fear, huh?! You've ruined me, Walton..." Gabrielle's misty eyes spoke volumes, shattered and wary.

"You've broken me into pieces that even Nic had a hard time putting back together... and now you're here... fucking up my peace of mind again. Taking my daughter's attention, her innocence... giving her false hope like you did to me!" She sobbed.

Vincent closed his eyes, feeling the weight of her words.

"I love him... I'm so afraid of losing him... I love him too much..." he remembered her whispering once, intoxicated, on the phone.

Yes... she loved him. And yet now, every word reopened her wounds.

He knelt before her, taking her hand gently in his. "Let me in, Gab... let me love you. I will never give up on us. Please... give me this chance. Let me stay."