Conflict dances in her irises, caught between longstanding family loyalty and a new attachment to her intended. Jackson could be a pitbull when provoked. Cold blue eyes and a stiff upper lip. It took weeks of planning this wedding, their life, and their future to see beyond that. There’s a goodness that lives in him, but she fears that his impulse would only drive her own flawed family further away. “They were wrong, about everything.” Veronica agrees. “But they don’t need to be right about us, and our marriage.” She reasons softly, appealing to him with kindness instead of her usual piety. “We’ll pick each other and our family. And if they can come around, then good. And if not…” She sighs, shaking her head. She loved her family. But she loved her child more, and protecting them came first.
“She’d be insulted, I’m sure. What mother wouldn’t be?” She speaks from her own instincts. “I hoped she’d come on time, though. Maybe we’d get a chance to get to know each other.” Though she had her doubts that she’s what the great Mrs. Talbot intended for her own son. Veronica’s family was wealthy, but they weren’t from this American upper crust. Their values, their religion, even their language… It would be different from what she knew. Veronica only hoped that charm would land on her side. Sighing, she curls comfortably into his lap, inhaling the scent of his perfume mixed with his natural musk. This happens more and more, and Veronica used to assume it was his way of being a good father… Her cheek turn a twinge of pink, hidden under his chin. Maybe it’s not all it was.
“He’s in the past now.” She promises, her hand resting comfortably on Jackson’s chest. “And the only man that’s ever really had me is…” Her voice trails off, a small and demure smile against her face. “You.” Even if it was a one night stand, that turned into a hostile engagement. He’s the first man she’s been with in bed, and there’s some irony in marrying him. “That’s right.” Veronica promises, lifting her head from the crook of his neck to look at him. No matter what, she knew she’d never leave. Her eyelashes fluttering as his hand follows to her stomach, a small and almost unnoticeable bump against her tiny frame. But present, and there. She allows a soft hum from her throat, taking in the delicate way he kissed her. It was a puzzle, what this was and what they were to each other. One that could only be solved after they were married, it seemed. There were no new answers tonight, only the look in his eye.
“Jackson… Are you sure about tomorrow?” She asks softly, lips a small distance from his. It’s a question that’s lived in her head, amidst all the spectacle of the wedding. She’d forced his hand, and he’d forced hers. The situation put all this in motion, but Veronica couldn’t sleep until she knew. “I know I wasn’t your first choice. I know we don’t even know each other all that well. And there’s my family, and all the other mess of things that can make me… Difficult.” Putting it lightly, and with a small laugh. “But are you sure? Because this, us… It is forever for me. And I’d like you to be happy, even if we’re not like every other married couple.”
It took Jackson a second to not simply retort, to try and point out that these people didn’t deserve Veronica’s kindness. That they had humiliated her, ambushed her with that waste of a man. They clearly didn’t value Veronica how she should be seen - Jackson’s mother would never ever do that to him and as uninvolved as Jackson’s father was the man knew about sticking by your own. “Yes, if not, then I’ll utterly destroy them for hurting you and not giving you the reverence you deserve for putting up with their...I’ll stop before I insult you via them.” Jackson paused, trying his best to not be a complete bully about it. Even though the family made him feel the need to shred and destroy.
“She wouldn’t just be insulted. She’d be venomous.” Jackson said, unable to help the smile curling across his lips at the just thought of what his mother invoke upon her future-in-law’s for the audacity of their display. The gall. The weight of Veronica in Jackson’s lap had become a familiar and comforting experience. Jackson told himself that it allowed him to just hold his child close in a way. It was about the baby. All of this was - it certainly couldn’t be about Veronica herself. “She’ll like you, you’re smart and driven.” He added offhandedly, just because it was the thing to say. Not to assuage her at all.
The promise helped settle the snakes roiling in Jackson’s chest. Fickle things desire to latch onto flesh and inject something toxic and burning into any who would slight. That man was gone, forever. Jackson and his pit of vipers had made their home here in the warmth of Veronica’s being. It would be the place where his child was nurtured and loved. As Veronica came in close and looked him in the eye, Together with his hand there they held what truly mattered amongst all of this. This tiny little being who had done no wrong, who they would both love something fearless and give the best life.
“Of course I’m sure, we planned this all.” The blond said with a roll of his eyes. So silly, women and their emotions, or maybe it was her pregnancy. “M-Our child deserves the best and the best will be a happy home with two loving, doting parents who will attend all their things and be present in the home. We will give them that with this marriage. I don’t know you, but I’ve had you investigated, we’ve proven paternity - quietly - and it shall be. Your mess will become mine and it will fall in line.” Jackson sounded so sure, he felt he had to. It was how he needed things to be or else he wouldn’t be able to control it. “I’ll be just happy, wife and child at home, women and men of my choice in my quiet dalliances. Best of both worlds.” A sharp grin and a reminder Jackson didn’t plan to give up his indiscretions. Just be better about hiding them.