Page 77 of Going Home

What Gunner says can't be heard in the back, but at one point, Lane starts to falter. Lex hurries and helps steady her, staying beside her until Lane regains her strength before sitting back down in her seat.

"She refused the chair Lex suggested. I heard she gets tired easily, but this was more than I expected," Brock whispers.

The ceremony feels quicker than normal, and Zane walks down the aisle with this new bride. A mixture of frustration and happiness shows on his face, and it both saddens and annoys Felicity. Lex walks with Margaret behind them, and everyone quickly follows suit inside for the party.

"This is the saddest wedding I've ever been to," Summer says, her voice low.

"It really is," Felicity agrees. "Put on your happy face, though. Otherwise, we're getting kicked out."

They both put on fake smiles as they walk into the main room, unsure what to expect now.

Thefoodanddrinksaren't bad, but when Summer abandons Felicity to dance with Brock, she feels out of place in the room. Lane disappeared shortly after the ceremony, returning only for some food and the first dance before retreating again. Likely to Zane's apartment to rest. The poor woman must be exhausted, and Felicity's just glad she was able to hug her and congratulate her. It might be the last time she sees her.

Felicity walks outside to leave, but she stops when she spots Lex standing at the trunk of her car with Zane shouting in her face. Nothing he says can be made out, and it sounds like garbled shrieks from where she stands. The look on Lex's face doesn't get missed by Felicity. She's seen it many times before. She's detaching to get through whatever onslaught of insults Zane hurls her way. It's her default coping mechanism, learned at a far too early age.

"Mom's going to die," Margaret says from beside Felicity, making her jump.

Startled, she looks at the girl. "I'm so sorry, Margaret." What else can be said?

"Dad does that a lot. Yell at Aunt Lex."

"Your dad is going through a very difficult time right now. He doesn't really know how to express himself any other way."

She nods, but the longing in her eyes is obvious. One for her father to comfort her. "Mom says he yells at Lex because he can't yell at her. But it doesn't seem fair because Lex does so much for us. And Dad says such terrible things to her. I don't know why she keeps coming back."

"Because she loves you and your family," she says. "How are you holding up, sweetheart?"

"I'm scared. I don't want my mom to die, but she's in so much pain. She didn't want to take her meds today because they make her sleepy, but I know she hurts. Dad said Lex couldn't stand up with Mom and me, but I'm glad she was there to help when Mom almost fell. She can't stand for long anymore."

Reaching out, she rubs the young girl's back, unsure what else to say. How does she comfort someone about to lose her mom? On top of that, what can she say when the girl's father is being a complete asshole?

Ky walks out and saves her from having to respond. "Hey, kiddo. Your mom's asking for you. She's in the apartment."

Nodding, Margaret walks inside, and Ky takes her place. "That was the most heartbreaking conversation I think I've ever had," Felicity says. "I didn't know what to say. How can I comfort someone about to lose their mom?"

"There's not much anyone can say," he says. "You leaving?"

"Trying to, but they're fighting right behind my car."

He nods and watches. "Lex has taken a lot. I know that so many people feel a certain type of way about her and how many think she believes she's the Princess or whatever, but can you name another woman here who can deal with that half as well as she does?" he asks and points towards the siblings.

"No one's ever had to try. Thankfully."

"She's been checking in with Dani in Summerville almost daily. Dax's wife who was tortured for three years. And Lex took two teenagers in who had a shitty home life. Her brother hates her because she's doing him the biggest favor he'll never admit to. Lacey says she's a godsend for the two in the morning pregnancy panics she's had, and Lex is still here for all of us. Even when she has every right to tell us to go fuck ourselves with everything else she has going on."

Turning, Felicity leans back in shock at the Vice President patch on his kutte. "What the hell is this?"

He looks down where her finger touches the patch, and he chuckles. "Oh, yeah. Jennings, VP, and TK stepped down. Said it was time for some new blood in charge. Jennings passed his seat to Colt, and Colt chose me as his VP. Which won't be confusing or anything with Lex's dad."

"Who replaced TK?"

"Venom."

So much has changed in such a short amount of time, and Felicity feels the tears sting in her eyes. It's all changing, and she's not a part of it. "Congrats, Ky."

"Lex was your friend, and she's certainly not your enemy now. If anything, I'm the enemy, Felicity. Hate me, but don't hate her."

Venom pushes past Ky, and Felicity gasps when she sees Zane's fist raised in the air. "Touch her, and you will be dead on your wedding day, motherfucker!"

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