Hold my heart, it's beating for you anyway

chapter 8

I shoot upright in fright. He sees Jaime with me and shakes his head.
"Slut" he hisses before leaving the room. Really? I feel my blood boil as I run after him. He's heading downstairs.
"Who the hell do you think you are? Define slut, Vic." I say, anger coursing through my body.
"Someone who sleeps around" he hisses at me.
"Ok. And I sleep around do I?"
"Looks like it. Best tell Jaime to get to the STD clinic" he smirks. That doesn't last long as I slap him.
" Not that it's any of your business, but I've only slept with one man my entire life. I loved him with everything I had and now he's gone. So don't ever call me a slut again." I turn and head back to the stairs. I check on Scarlett and she's just waking up. I hold my arms out to her and she willingly lifts her own out to me. I pick her up and cradle her to me, singing to her. She giggles so I tickle her tummy, getting more laughter. I smile. It's the most beautiful sound in the world, the best medicine after my meltdown.
"Come on baby girl, lets check on your daddy" I say to her.
"Dada" she replies. I open Tony's door slightly and peep around the door. He's still asleep and his next round of medication isn't due just yet, so I change Scarlett's nappy and take her downstairs for her breakfast. Jaime is sitting with Vic in the lounge. I walk through into the kitchen where I put Scarlett on the floor while I get her porridge and milk ready. She's gurgling away quite happily. I switch the kettle on to make coffee and shout through to Jaime to see if he wants some. I don't offer Vic any. If I pretend he's not here maybe he'll go away. Jaime comes through to the kitchen and makes us all coffee. I take Scarlett's food and bottle to her highchair then get Scarlett and feed her. I hand her to Jaime when she's done so I can take Tony his pills and get dressed myself.
I gently shake Tony to wake him up. He seems very groggy.
"Are you ok? Do I need to take you to the hospital?" I ask, slightly worried. He smiles and shakes his head.
"I'm just still tired" he says, quietly. I sigh with relief and help him sit up before handing him his pills and a glass of water.
"Scarlett's downstairs with Jaime" I say. He nods and asks if I'll help him with the stairs. I help him put on some jog pants and a t-shirt before we make our way slowly down the stairs. Scarlett sees us coming and starts shouting "Dada" again. Tony's eyes light up at the sight of his baby girl. He takes a seat on the sofa and I go outside for a cigarette. Jaime follows me, leaving Vic with Tony.
"I heard what Vic said earlier. I have never known him to act like this before. I honestly don't know what's gotten in to him." I just look at Jaime and sigh.
"I just want him to leave me alone. I've done nothing to him."
Jaime takes my hand in his.
"I'll talk to him, ok?" I smile weakly. I have a feeling it won't achieve anything.