Little White Lies (editing)

Yawkey Way

Iris took slow steps towards her daughter who was curled up in sleeping ball. She had dried tears on her face and looked stressed but alive. She was alive.

"Jo." She whispered breathlessly. She turned her head back to look at Vincent but he was gone. Iris picked up her sleeping daughter rocking her back and forth.

She placed light kisses over her face. Jolene's little eyes fluttered open sleepily locking with her mother's. She placed her small little hand on her mom's cheek "Hi mama." She yawned before snuggling into her arms drifting back to sleep.

Iris's tears of happiness shower as she carried her baby back to her room. She placed her on the bed as she started the bath. Vincent had expensive soaps and bubbles stocked in his extravagant home. She would finally have use for them. She stripped Jolene of those awful clothes causing her to wake up.

"We are gonna take a bath Jo okay?" Iris cooed. Jolene nodded warily. When Iris walked in the bathroom Jo's face lit up looking at the bubbles in the tub.

Iris removed her robe and climbed in the tub with Jolene. Iris washed Jolene's hair and let her pretend to style her hair. The two giggled and splashed around. Before Iris knew it she was laid back against the tug holding her baby who fell back to sleep.

She must have had a long day. She got the both of them out, dried and dressed before placing her daughter underneath the covers. This bed was too huge for her but she looked so comfortable and Iris would not have her baby sleeping anywhere she wasn't.

Her heart was so full. So so full she could sob. And she did quietly for a moment. She was so happy so grateful. She thanked God tremendously for this opportunity to have her daughter back in her arms.

She got up and wiped her tears.

Iris softly closed the door before hunting down Vincent's office. She opened the door but he wasn't in there. She immediately took off in the direction of his bedroom. Once she open the door her mind didn't even register that he only had a towel wrapped around him.

"Iris what are y-" she cut him off by wrapping her arms around him as tightly as she could. She felt him tense up in shock but she was too grateful to let him go.

______________________________

Am I dreaming? Is she really hugging me? Vincent wondered. He had just tied a towel around himself before Iris barged in his bedroom like the police.

Hug her back you lunatic! You don't know when she'll ever hug you again.

Vincent slowly wrapped his arms around her. Breathing in her scent relaxed his muscles instantly. He didn't know a hug would really make him feel so...complete? Hell he didn't know. But it felt right. Being with her like this felt so right and so innocent.

He felt Iris reluctantly pull back. She had the brightest twinkle in her eyes. Vincent must have really did good this time.

"Thank you Vincent I can't believe you found her." Her eyes welled up with tears. Vincent mindlessly wiped one of the tears that escaped. "I Uh, you're welcome." He stuttered looking into her eyes.

The two stood there looking at each other not moving. Vincent needed her to move or else it was about to get very embarrassing under his towel. Her brown eyes studied his face like it was a puzzle. Like she needed to remember it.

They were in a trance before a little voice calling mama broke them out of it. Iris shook her head of the confusion seemingly before walking out to tend to her baby.

Vincent stood there eyes following her. Things have definitely changed. Hopefully for the better. Maybe she will see him in a new light. He knew if he wanted her he wouldn't be able to keep it a secret from his men but he was still waiting.

Dangers from the Italians and Rupert would get in the way. But maybe, just maybe he had an in.

_____________________________

Iris was woken up by Jolene sitting up yawning. "Mamma mi manchi!" She smiled stretching her arms around her mother.

Iris's giggled and embraced her. "English baby speak English for me." Jolene smiled and tucked her head in her mom's chest shyly.

"Who are you hiding from missy?" Iris tickled her. Jolene giggled before looking back at the door and hiding her face again. Iris turned around to see what she was looking at. Vincent was standing in the hall talking to James not noticing the attention he earned.

"You think Mr. Vincent is silly looking?" Iris teased. Jolene nodded laughing "yes very silly." Iris sighed shaking her head.

"He is silly looking but don't tell him that." She kissed her forehead.

"Let get you dressed baby." Iris began braiding her hair and placed the smallest T-shirt she could find on her. It fit like a gown. She would need to get clothes for her.

She knocked on Vincent's door. He came out looking clean hair styled nicely growing some stubble back since his last shave. He was truly a sight for sore eyes.

"How can I help you doll?" He asked leaning against the door. "I need to get clothes for Jo." Vincent nodded.

"I can take you both later today I would rather be with you, streets are getting pretty ugly." Iris nodded in understanding. She didn't want to be in the middle of this anymore than she already was.

"I'll be back in an hour or so then we can go." Vincent said keeping eye contact. Iris tried to hold it as long as she could but she broke eye contact first. Those eyes were equally beautiful as they were terrifying.

He smirked before walking by her. She exhaled scolding herself mentally. What was going on? What the hell were all these awkward silences. She ignored her head and marched to the room where she found Jolene playing with the blankets. Iris scooped her up and carried her to the kitchen.

They ate grapes and played with the little kitchen supplies as toys together. Iris lived for these bonding moments with her daughter. It was a dream come true to have her back.

Now she could leave Rupert, leave Boston as a whole and go back to the Carolinas. She smiled at the thought of home. She would have to tell her family everything but it would be okay. As long as the four of them were together.

Iris and Jo were doodling losing track of time only to be reminded when Vincent came through the door. Jolene looked at him and waved shyly.

Vincent gave an awkward wave back. Iris watched the interaction humorously. She wanted to laugh at his obvious discomfort. Jolene was always an attention seeker even as a baby, but only if she liked you.

And by the way she was smiling and waving at Vincent Iris could tell she definitely was a fan. "Are you ready to go?" Vincent asked trying to fix his tie.

"Yes I'm ready when you are." He nodded fumbling to fix his tie. Iris got annoyed and approached him before replacing his hands with hers. She swiftly in did it before redoing the process.

She didn't stay to look at Vincent because her new view of him had her very confused. She was probably picturing him as some sort of hero because of her daughter and hopefully it would pass. She could go back to the way things were just with out hating him.

She STILL didn't like him. That was the truth. But in the back of her mind strange thoughts swirled.

But these thoughts were dangerous.