Hellos and Goodbyes

“I have to say, this doesn’t seem vanilla at all.” Becca says upon entering the VIP room.

You’re drunk, but you’re pretty sure what she’s seeing is a wild sight out of context. Okay, even with context it’s probably wild. Two half naked women, one of whom is sitting on your lap while the other is dancing to the music with your cousin. At the center of the room is another woman bent over with her pants down while another woman is holding a bottle and seemingly about to stuff the bottle in one of the other’s orifices. All while everyone in the room is going to watch them do it.

“Hey Becca~, is it that late already?” Viv asks, not moving from her bent over position.

“I guess we don’t have to explain this to you since you have a hand in this.” Celeste remarks.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I am only here to pick you up for our meeting.” Becca answers Celeste.

“You’re the fifty grand girl!” Stella shouts at Becca upon seeing her.

“Excuse me?” Becca asks. Viv immediately stands back up and pulls her pants up.

“Well, Game’s Over. Looks like nobody wins!” Viv shouts out.

“What?” Tanya asks.

“What about the fifty grand?” Cassie asks next to Viv.

“Did I say fifty grand? Didn’t I say a lifetime of free meals at my restaurant was the prize?” Viv innocently asks, trying to wash her hands from making you all believe there was a huge cash prize for winning this game.

“Holy shit! You used me to not doubt you! You knew I wouldn’t bat an eye if you said the money came from Becca! That’s like pocket change for her.” Celeste shouts.

You didn’t even consider that. Maybe it was partly Celeste’s assurance that Becca would do something like sponsor fifty grand for a stupid game that made all of you think it was possible. If not for that, you all would have probably considered the possibility that Viv was bullshitting and playing another one of her practical jokes.

“I don’t fully understand what’s transpiring, but I heard my name. Does anyone care to explain?” Becca asks.

“Viv told us you promised whoever wins this game of Truth or Dare—” “TODD!” “—would win fifty thousand dollars.” Celeste explains to Becca.

“I see. It would seem Vivian has played another one of her practical jokes. However, I dislike my name being used to fool you all.” Becca tells all of you. “Well, that amount of money can be arranged if you wish to continue with this game. Although, there must be an exchange of equal value, Vivian.” Becca continues, to yours and everyone else’s surprise.

“Oh wow! Are you serious?” Brooke asks her.

“Sorry to disappoint all of you, but her price is something I’m not willing to pay. I hoped you guys enjoyed the game, but if you only played it for the cash, sorry to disappoint you.” Viv tells you guys.

“Understood. You’re still very adamant about that I see.” Becca replies.

“Right! You mentioned that earlier! I should’ve known!” Celeste says in agitation. If your brain was a little less hazy you’d find that intriguing, but you’re honestly getting really sleepy because of the ****.

“Well, the offer stands, Vivian. If you ever reconsider, you know where to find me.” Becca tells Viv.

“Nah. I have a hot date soon, so I think I’ll never have to be **** about that.” Viv says, before glancing at you. Becca looks at you in a pensive manner, before she switches to look at Tanya, Cassie, Stella, and Brooke.

“He’ll need training to tame you in the bedroom, Vivian. I’ll expect your call soon enough.” Becca tells her.

“Okay~, I’m going to call a pause on that conversation. Shall we go?” Celeste interjects between them.

“Yes. I’m good to go if you are.” Becca replies.

“I’ll just say my goodbyes.” Celeste tells Becca before going for hugs with the other girls. She hugs Brooke, Tanya, and Cassie, before pausing to hug your drunk daughter. “Stella, you probably won’t remember this goodbye tomorrow, but mission accomplished on giving me a fun send off. Take care of your dad, alright?” Celeste tells your daughter.

“You’re so pretty Aunt Celeste. No wonder Dad has a crush on you.” Stella drunkenly admits to your cousin, who laughs at her admission. Tanya and Cassie look at you but you just laugh, not really caring if she knows or not.

“Are you still on that? I thought Diane would’ve stomped that out of you after all these years.” Celeste says after turning to you for a goodbye hug. You return her hug. As she breaks away, you just smile stupidly at your cousin, thinking she’s really pretty even when she’s kinda blurry.

“You knew about his crush on you?” Cassie asks.

“When we were kids? Oh yeah, it was pretty obvious.” Celeste says with a laugh.

“You know he had a plan to date you while you were visiting. Before he found out about your boyfriend.” Tanya admits, and Celeste can only smile.

“You were the best babysitter when I was growing up, and you’re the best cousin now. Of course I have a crush on you. Of course I wanted to date you. I’m sure your boyfriend is really lucky to be with you.” you tell her, and she gives you another hug.

“Based on Diane’s stories about your dates, you would’ve planned something boring, and still somehow make it romantic.” Celeste says with a laugh, while Tanya and Cassie glance at each other before laughing, agreeing with her guess.

Celeste looks at Cassie, Tanya, Stella, Brooke, and turns around to look at Viv as well, before looking back at you.

“You don't need me to be happy; and you’re right, I’m happy with my relationship back home.” Celeste tells you.

“This weekend has been the happiest I’ve ever seen you. I’m sure you’ll be even happier when you’re all official. That date on Saturday’s just a formality at this point, I’m sure.” Celeste says with a laugh, glancing at Brooke, who gives her a hopeful smile.

Celeste turns to look at Viv next.

“Maybe next time I drop by, you’re one of his girlfriends too, huh?” Celeste says with a wide smile to her old friend.

“It’s all but a formality, right?” Viv asked with a laugh.

“He’s going to love you, and you’re going to love him. I already know it.” Celeste assures Viv after they both go for a tight hug.

“I missed you.” Celeste adds while she hides her face in Viv’s shoulders.

“I missed you too, C. I’m sorry I ghosted you.” Viv says, hugging her tightly.

“You just had to find yourself. We understood that part completely. I’m sorry we had to **** you to talk to us. We didn’t want to lose you. You’re more than a friend to Hal and I, so we’re sorry for hurting you.” Celeste answered.

“Stop. I should’ve just been honest with him from the start. I should’ve been honest with you too. I shouldn’t have hid what I felt until I couldn’t take it anymore. I’m moving on from that now.” Viv tells Celeste, before glancing back at you.

“I know you are, and I’m really happy for you. It’s good that you were honest and just asked Jay out. I know he’s going to ask about our history sooner or later, and I don’t want you to be put in a tough spot and lie to him. So tell him when he eventually asks.” Celeste tells Viv, to the latter’s shock.

“Are you sure? You know my threats earlier were just jokes right? I know how important it is for you to keep that life separate from your non-community friends, especially your family.” Viv replies.

“Just make him call me so he doesn’t go blabbing about it to the rest of the family. I can’t imagine Jesse enjoying learning that about his mother.” Celeste assures her.

“Thanks, C.” Viv tells her.

“Next time I come back to visit, maybe we could go on a double date with Hal?” Celeste suggests.

“Okay, you can shut up about that now. The more you act like it’s a sure thing, you might just jinx it and he changes his mind about dating me.” Viv tells Celeste with a laugh.

“He’s not going to, V. Just don’t make him choose between you and his other girlfriends alright?” Celeste advises with a genuine smile.

It gets a chuckle out of Viv before she says, “I won’t make the same mistake twice.”

“Say hi to Hal and Claire for me.” Viv adds after tightening her hug.

“I will. Of course.” Celeste says tightening her hug one last time, as well, before letting go.

“Goodbye you guys. I had so much fun! I’ll try to be back soon!” Celeste tells them.

“Bye Aunt Celeste!” Stella shouts and goes in for another hug. You all say your goodbyes to Celeste.

“I hope to see you all again soon as well.” Becca says before leading Celeste outside the VIP room to leave for their meeting.

“So~, do you get a boner for every one of your relatives or just the hot ones?” Viv asks you.

You were unable to answer Viv as you sit down on the sofa and subsequently pass out from the ****.