IN LOVE WITH THE ENEMY

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Rosalinda

At three o'clock a.m. Vic was having another nightmare but this one wasn't about the shooting. She woke up screaming "NO". Bolting up in the bed. Alex burst into the room in nothing but pajama bottoms.

"Are you okay?"he asked. He had, had a nightmare of his own. He couldn't get back to sleep. So he was on his way to the kitchen when he heard her scream.

She was drenched in sweat while gasping for air. When she looked at him. Vic's eyes were as big as saucers. Looking over at him she said "Yeah, it was just a bad dream."

Alex told her "I was going to make tea." then asked "Would you like to join me?" She agreed so they walked to the kitchen together. He desperately wanted to ask what her dream was about. Knowing she wouldn't tell him. Then he got the idea to ask while offering to tell her his. He really hated that idea.

They sat at the small breakfast table in the kitchen drinking tea. Alex said "I had a bad dream too. You want to talk about it?"he asked. She simply said "Not really." Alex offered "It might help. I'll tell you what. You tell me about yours and I tell you mine."

They had both already forgotten about their stupid fight earlier. She whispered "I really don't want to. If you need to talk I'll listen." Alex thought that maybe telling her. Would make her want to tell him hers. "I was in Iraq. Our base was taken by surprise by insurgents. We weren't prepared. It ended badly."

She looked at him with a form of understanding. Letting out a deep sigh Vic said "I was tied to my bed naked. My father was choking me as he... well in ended badly too." She had tears streaming down her face.

Alex wanted to hold her, to tell her she'd be okay. Instead he just said "Some scars don't heal right." Vic simply nodded then remained silent. They sat there drinking tea for a little while. Neither saying a word.

Sunday morning came. Vic told Alex "I'm going to visit my grandmother." Then she asked if he would like to join her. Telling him "She said she wants to meet you. She also told me to tell you she's ninety three and could go to god any day now. So you should consider it her dying wish." Vic smiled at him as he chuckled.

They climbed into his car heading for Helena long term care. As Alex drove they discussed baby names. "What do you think of Steven Andrew?" Alex asked. Then he told her "It was my uncle's name. She had the oddest since she had heard it before. Vic said okay then she asked "How about we name his brother Franklin Ryan? After my uncle." Alex agreed pulling into the parking lot.

After Alex helped her out of the car. They walked in to the building. As they past the receptionist she smiled saying "Good Morning miss Davies." Vic replied while smiling back. "Good Morning, Cherie."

They walked down a long corridor to Vic's grandmother's room. As they reached their destination Alex noticed the name plate on the door. It said "Mrs. Rosalinda Alvarez". He made the assumption that she was Vic's maternal grandmother.

As soon as they entered the room Vic's face lit up as she said "Good morning grandma." Rosalinda set her bible on the side table. Stating "Victoria, young lady I have told you to visit after church. Your grandfather would roll in his grave if he knew you missed Mass."

"If I did that grandma what would you complain about?" Vic asked still smiling. Her grandmother looked at her with a look of frustration. Then she said "You know I have plenty to complain about. Your mother hasn't come to visit me in over a year. Last time she did it was for money I don't have. God is testing me with that one. You know your uncle Frank would have put her in her place. He knew how to respect his parents." Vic needed a subject change immediately so she just nodded saying "I know grandma. I brought Alex to meet you."

Rosalinda turned to finally look Alex in the eyes. She hadn't even noticed him. 'Quiet as a mouse.' she thought as she sized him up before asking "When are you going to marry Victoria?" "Grandma!" Vic exclaimed. Alex just smiled at Rosalinda while saying "I asked but she said no."

Rosalinda glared at Vic while Vic glared at Alex. At that moment he could undoubtedly see the family resembles. They had the same hazel eyes with a hint of gold. They both scrunched their nose just a little too.

Vic turned her head away from Alex to look at her grandma. As soon as she did Rosalinda looked her dead in the eye and told her "You marry this man. Those babies don't deserve to be born bastards." Vic lost it "Grandma, I love you with everything in me. If you ever call my children that again. I will not come back here." she said. Rosalinda pointed at her as she stated "If you don't want them called that you marry their father."

Vic was done she grabbed her bag walking toward the door. She looked back at her grandmother and said "It's time for us to go. I love you grandma. I will see you next Sunday." Rosalinda picked her bible back up saying "Come after Mass."

They walked in silence back to Alex's car. He could tell Vic was trying to hold in the tears. He wanted to comfort her but he agreed with her grandmother. They needed to get married.

They were sitting in the car when Alex said "I know you're not going to want to hear this but she right." Vic looked at him. She was feeling ganged up on. She was also extremely emotional. Pregnancy was doing her no favors.

Alex started the car pulling out of the parking lot. Vic had tears running down her face. Like a water fountain as she said "Fine I'll marry you."