Bright and early the next day, Meg shows up at Matt's apartment building.
“I'm glad you came by,” says Matt cheerfully. He's still wearing his boxers when he lets her in. “Tori's in taking a shower, but she should be out soon.”
Meg looks over the apartment with a critical eye. She puts both hands on her hips, clucks her tongue, and says, “This place is just sad. Are you seriously planning on raising a kid in here?”
“I don't know. I'm still sort of figuring things out,” admits Matt. “This happened really quickly.”
“The answer to that question should have just been a firm no. Matt, this place is a dump!” Meg waves her hand at the peeling wallpaper, the rusted kitchen sink. “I wouldn't spend the night here with a chick, let alone my wife and kid! I already told you once, you need to buck up and get a grip on yourself.”
“I'm trying! Look how much I've stepped up; look at what I've been able to do so far! We were in Vertsea yesterday, Meg, and I spent the week before that trying to comfort Tori! Do you know how upset she was?”
“I can imagine. After getting kidnapped by your friend - “
“We aren't doing this,” snaps Matt. “I told you last night, we aren't doing this! Either take her out without throwing a fit over shit, or just go.”
Meg sighs. “No, no, you're right. That wasn't your fault, and it's not fair of me to keep bringing it up. I'm just sort of amazed that Killian would sink that low. I mean, I know he's a freak but...I didn't think he was this big of a freak. She's doing better?”
“She needs to get out of here for a bit,” says Matt. “And she needs to be shown that we can have a fucking great wedding even without her parents’ money.”
The water in the bathroom cuts off. Matt shouts, “Got company, Tori. Pull something on before you come out here!”
Victoria says something in response, but her voice is too low for the words to really be made out.
Meg smiles in the general direction of the bathroom. “I'm kind of excited, I'll admit. You've put her on a high pedestal, Matt. Is she going to live up to even half of it?”
“She's better,” says Matt jokingly.
Victoria comes out not too much later wearing a pale blue blouse and a white skirt that stops just shy of her ankles. Her hair is still wet, but it's been pulled up in a loose ponytail. She smiles at the sight of Meg, always a gracious person to be around. “Oh, hello. I think we've met before.”
She crosses the room in just a few steps and takes Meg's hand, giving it a dainty little shake. Meg laughs. “Yeah. I own the bar that you two hooked up at. I think that's going to be a pretty good story to talk about at your wedding, huh? I mean, I'm basically the reason you two got together.”
“If that's how you want to look at it, I suppose I should tell you thank you.” Victoria gives a little laugh to make it clear she's joking. “I'm very happy with him.”
“I can tell.” Abruptly, Meg hooks an arm around Victoria's middle. “Now come on, girl. We've got a few things to go over.”
“What?”
“You and me. We're going out for a bit. Call it a girls’ day or something.”
Victoria looks startled, but she doesn't protest too much. In a matter of moments, she's been swept outside and away from the crumbling apartment. Meg chatters a mile a minute, pointing out different stores, shops, and confection stands as they go by.
This trip through the city is like none Victoria has ever taken before. It's strange because they just walk down the sidewalk. It's strange because the conversation comes easy and fast, even though Victoria finds she doesn't understand most of what they talk about.
Eventually, the two young women settle down at a small yogurt shop. The sight of it enthralls Victoria, completely trapped up in the outdoor sitting, the fairy lights strung up on the walls of the shop, and the cheerful demeanor of the waitresses. It's nothing like the five star restaurants she usually frequents. It's nothing like any place that she's ever gone with her parents. “Thank you for bringing me out here.”
Meg smiles. “Honey, this is just the start of it. Soon as we get something to eat, the two of us are going to hit the thrift stores and get you a good dress to wear at your wedding.”
Victoria gasps. “You're joking!”
“No! I mean it. There are tons of places around here where we can go to get a good, cheap, beautiful dress for your wedding. If there's something I know, it's how to make life great on a budget.”
“I can't! I don't have any money. My parents have already put a hold on my cards, and they've taken the money from my bank account.”
“That doesn't matter. I've got a credit card with no limit. We'll use that right now, and you can just pay me back later.”
Victoria stares at her, surprised. “You would do that for me? You don't even know me!”
“I might not know you,” says Meg. “But I know Matt, and I know you make him happy. Now let's quit talking about all this serious stuff and go back to picking out our yogurt. The peanut butter one is probably the best thing ever.”
Victoria smiles but it's small and uncertain. “Could I just have that one, too?”
Meg smiles back at her. “Sure thing, honey.”
It doesn't take long for the yogurt to come out. Victoria picks up her silver spoon and scoops out a bite. She stares at it for a long moment, thinking, this isn't something that I would ever be able to eat if I still lived at home.
Then she pops it in her mouth, closes her eyes, and hums. “This is amazing!”
“Everything's better with peanut butter,” says Meg cheerfully. “Next time, you should try the vanilla bean cinnamon. Oh, come out here with me this winter! They always have the best holiday flavors, like pumpkin pie and eggnog!”
“Those sound really good, too,” says Victoria. She gives the other woman a small smile. In that moment, it feels like Victoria has just found her first real friend. “Thanks, Meg. This whole day, it's maybe one of the best that I've ever had.”
And Meg isn't sure whether to feel proud of herself for giving Victoria that moment or to feel pity over for the princess that has never done anything more wonderful than getting frozen yogurt out in town.