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"Hmph. Fine. But I'm not apologizing"
"Thanks."
With her leading you by the hand the two of you approach the table where Bege and his family is sitting. His distaste is immediate apparent as a subtle "great" dripping with sarcasm escapes the mouth of Bege. Thankfully it looks like Nutmeg is less interested in him and more in her own sister.
"Chiffon..."
"Oh. Nutmeg. Sorry I couldn't go over to congratulate you. But you know."
She vaguely gestures at her family members.
"Yeah. I know. And no worries. I... I understand. Look Chiffon. I just came to apologize."
"Sorry Nutmeg. Don't take it the wrong way but a simple apology is not going to cut it. Not after what your husband did to my family."
"It wasn't him. It was one of his crew. And she only did it because your husband... Sorry. I'm rambling a bit. I'm not good at this. Look that's not why I'm here. That's their business. I came to apologize to you. On my behalf."
"What do you mean?"
"For everything. Heh. It's quite funny. We always talk about how we don't have anybody to rely on but each other. That's our family motto. But here you are. Spurned by Mama for something you never did, something stupid. And we did nothing about it. For all our supposed loyalty we just watched Mama ostracize you and then, we did the same. And I'm... sure you know that when you stopped showing up at sibling gatherings we... said a lot of things about you."
You then feel her hand tightening around yours.
"But now I think I get it. Now I know how it feels when someone cares about you. It's obvious why you'd chose those that actually stand by you. And only now I'm realizing that I never congratulated you when you had your wedding. So... I wish both of you only the best! And for Pez too!"
But Chiffon just shakes her head.
"Nutmeg. It's not that I didn't show up on my own volition. They never invited me. Nobody wanted to associate with me, lest they attract Mamas ire. But... I can't be mad at them, at you. If it was someone other than me I'm... not sure I would've acted any differently. I understand how terrifying Mama is. So you have nothing to apologize for! Besides, we're family. Are we not? I wish you the best too! I just know you'll be a great mom one day!"
"L-LET'S NOT GET CARRIED AWAY NOW!"
They both laugh it off and then Chiffon turns to you.
"Hey. Cavalier. I heard you stood up to Mama and helped my little sister Pudding. If you promise me that you'll use that courage to protect Nutmeg I promise I won't bear a grudge against you. Deal?"
"I don't have to promise that! I always take care of my own! Kekeke!"
Chiffon smiles and then jabs Bege in the side when he refuses to acknowledge your presence. With a grumble he begrudgingly looks at you.
"Just make sure to keep that psychotic broad away from me. Brother..."
The last word left his mouth with so much vitriol it makes you grin from ear to ear.
"As long as you don't cross us you won't hear from us again!"
