Andy had expected Dess to get inside and sit down, but all she wanted to do was rush around and play hostess. Mrs. Montgomery was nowhere to be found and Andy felt his anger coming to the surface. Dess shouldn’t be doing this alone and as Andy looked around the room he didn’t see her anywhere. Feeling a small hand land on his arm, Andy looked back towards Dess’ Aunt Kitty and smiled at the old woman.


“What is it you do again Andy?” The older woman asked, her eyes taking in his lip and nose rings silently.

“I’m the singer of a band…” He didn’t even bother naming anything because he knew that she probably wouldn’t know or care to know much else about it.

“Oh that’s right. Black Veil Brides. Moira was such a fanatic. You know I slept with Jim Morrison back in my day…my my he was delicious in bed.” Andy felt his mouth drop open as this little old woman just smirked up at him.

“I-I had no idea.” He was speechless at this confession.

“Oh yes. Odessa gets her taste in men from me. So it doesn’t surprise me that she’s so in love with you…How are you in bed my dear?” This little old woman had some balls on her and all Andy could do was smile.

“As far as I know everything is fine in that department.” This was really getting awkward.

“Oh good. When can we be expecting a baby? Now with Odessa’s hair color and your beautiful eyes I’m sure your children will be absolutely perfect.” The smile on this little old woman’s face just made Andy smirk even more.

“Oh, um, well we aren’t married yet…but thank you.” He looked down at her and Andy could now see where Dess and Moira got their outspoken ways from.

“Well that doesn’t mean you can’t have babies! But my goodness I would love to see Odessa married off.” Andy cleared his throat, looking around the room he finally saw the back of Dess’ head as she moved towards the kitchen.

“It was great talking to you…please excuse me.” Andy smiled down at the woman before rising to head off in the direction that he saw Dess.

“I still would love to see some babies before my time is done!” The old woman called after him and Andy just shook his head as he entered the kitchen.


Dess was at the counter, a platter sitting in front of her as she tried to shove as many mini sandwiches on to the plate as possible. Andy came up from behind her, his strong arms enveloping her and Odessa felt herself relax against his touch. She continued to make the platter and smirked as Andy’s hands reached out, his fingers grazing over hers as he tried to help. He kissed her neck, his breath tickling her as he whispered into her ear.


“Your Aunt Kitty REALLY likes me…” He laughed and felt Dess chuckle softly.

“Did she tell you about Jim? That’s her claim to fame you know…” She turned then and Andy could see the exhaustion in her eyes.

“Yes and then she asked me how I was in bed…” Dess just shrugged, her lips pulling into a Cheshire grin.

“And?” She asked, her eyesbrows raising.

“I said we weren’t having problems in that department…even though it has been awhile.” His voice was sad and Dess felt her heart sink.

“I’m sorry…” She leaned in and kissed him softly.

“I understand…she also asked me when we were going to start having children. She thinks my eyes are beautiful and now I see where you get your balls from.” He leaned in, his forehead coming to rest against hers.

“Yep…Aunty Kitty has always spoken her mind. You do have gorgeous eyes by the way.” Andy chuckled as Dess turned back towards the counter and picked the tray up.

“Why don’t you let me do that. You haven’t sat down since we got through the door…” He moved to take the platter from her, but Dess just dodged out of the way and headed back into the livingroom.


Andy sighed, running a hand through his hair as he glanced around the kitchen and saw CC sitting at the small table, shoving as many particles of food in to his mouth as possible. Andy smirked and walked over, taking a seat next to his bandmate. CC offered him a sandwich and Andy took it gratefully, not realizing how hungry he was until watching everyone else eat.


“Dess is going kinda crazy with this whole thing…” Andy just nodded and continued to eat.

“You doing okay ‘lil buddy?” CC asked as Andy set down his food and looked to the drummer.

“How do you think I’m doing?” CC just smiled over at Andy.

“Dude…you get to be her knight in shining whatever after this…what are you bitching about?” Andy thought about it and CC had a point.

“You are absolutely right.” Andy said, setting his food down as he moved to get up and seek out Odessa.

“Fuck right I’m right.” CC mumbled to himself as he moved to grab another sandwich.


Andy finally found Dess, sitting in the pantry with the empty platter in her hands and tears running down her face. Why was she crying? Andy knew she wasn’t just crying because of the funeral or losing her sister and silently he walked towards her. She looked up at him, her red eyes watery and she seemed to cry harder at the sight of him. Andy held his hands up as he walked over and then he sat down next to her.


“Dess…give me the platter.” He said softly, his fingers reaching out to take the empty platter from her.

“No. I have to go refill this!” She said, her voice weak and Andy realized he couldn’t remember the last time he saw Dess eat anything.

“I can refill it while I go get you something to eat.” He said, his knuckles white as he held onto the offending serving piece.

“I’m not hungry!” She shouted, pulling the platter from him and holding it to her chest like a five year old.

“Odessa! Stop being ridiculous and hand it over.” He was losing his patience, but he couldn’t help but find this entire situation rather amusing.

“I don’t want to eat right now!” He moved towards her and Andy felt his fingers reach out and finally he was able to yank the platter away from her.

“Dammit Dess! What is wrong with you?!” She just sat there, her eyes staring at the dish that he now held in his hands.

“I-I don’t know!” Her hands covered her face and she began to cry.

“Just stay here.” He said and then was gone. Odessa could only look around her, her eyes coming to focus on a box of old Lucky Charms cereal.


What was wrong with her? Better question-what WASN’T wrong with her at this point? She was a failure, she had failed Moira and now she was failing as a hostess. Dess cried then, her face hot and her tears making everything sticky but she just wanted to cry. She felt lost and she felt guilty. She hadn’t always been the best big sister in the world, especially when she was teenager, but Dess had always loved Moira dearly. Now she was gone.


“Here.” Andy had placed a plate of food in front of her face and Dess took it into her hands hesitantly.

“I told you I’m not hungry…” She muttered as she watched him pick up a sandwich and bring it to her lips.

“Odessa…” He warned, his voice low as she took the sandwich from him and took a bite. He watched her, making sure that she both chewed and swallowed before he moved away from her slightly.

“I don’t know why you’re being so protective…I’m not five.” She snarled, her eyes rolling as she took another bite of food.

“Well you sure as shit are acting like you’re five…” His voice was low and Dess felt the hairs on the back of her neck prick.

“Oh really? So since losing my sister I’m not entitled to react?” She dropped her food back to the plate and twisted so that they were face to face.

“You are very entitled to have any type of reaction you want. Unless it starts to affect your health and our relationship…then I’m going to have a problem.” His eyes were serious and Andy could see that Dess was biting her tongue.

“Well I’m sorry…lucky you for never having to lose someone.” She grumbled and then jumped as she heard him smack his hand against the wood of the closed door.

“Fuck! Dess you are not the only person in this fucking room-no house- who lost someone recently!” He was angry, his nostrils flaring and Dess felt her hands shaking slightly.

“Moira was like a baby sister to me! I loved her and I miss her every day! The guys-they fucking miss her too, especially CC so don’t you dare sit there all high and mighty and act like you’re the only one fucking suffering over here!”Andy snarled as he reached over and took the plate out of her hands and replaced it with his own.

“I love you Odessa but I will not let you sink down and drag me a long with you…” He was done, so done in fact that Andy could feel his hands trembling.

“Do you honestly think that I want this for myself? For us? All I wanted was to be with you and I’m sorry that life got in the way!” She sobbed and now Andy felt like the biggest ass ever. Silently he pulled her to him and felt her small hands come to rest on his shoulders. Andy felt his own tears come to his eyes and he finally felt at peace. They needed this, he and Dess, they needed to mourn together over Moira and finally Odessa was allowing them to do just that.

“Ready to get back out there?” He asked as she pulled away from him.

“Not really, but as long as you’re with me…” She smiled and he leaned in, placing a soft kiss to her lips as they stood.

“I will always be with you…always.” With that they both headed back out, hand in hand, as it was meant to be.

Notes

Whoa...what a roller coaster of emotional bullshit. Um...so I love Aunt Kitty, I don't know about the rest of you but she cracks me up. : )

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A Demonic Love

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