Revealing Destiny

by C. J. Corbin

  "Wow!" I said swallowing a piece of coffee cake. "That’s really generous of you."

  Christina waved me off. "The only requirement is they stay in school and get their degrees. I don't care how long it takes them,, but they need to continue their education."

  "The kids are okay with this?" I asked.

  "Are you kidding?" Debi responded, "They’re thrilled. They’re so happy to be together. Tammy will be starting her next quarter at Stanford."

  "She was able to get in?" I asked.

  Debi laughed. "Well yeah, if you have someone who can pull strings."

  I looked over at Christina, who held up her hands. "It's my alma mater, and I contribute to the university. After all, their servers were integral in the start of my business. Mom helped too. She happens to know a few people at the admissions office."

  I shook my head in disbelief. "I'm glad things have worked out."

  "It's one heck of an engagement present!" Debi's said as her eyes sparkled.

  "Engagement?" I said astonished. "They’re engaged?"

  Debi shook her head quickly. "Not yet. But, we're expecting any time now. Isn't this going to be great? We're all going to be family!"

  At that comment, Christina caught my eyes and I quickly looked away.

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  Since the weather shaped up to be a beautiful spring day, Christina left to work with her house contractors. Debi helped me shower and get dressed.

  "Damn girl, those bruises look fierce," she remarked as she helped me into the shower.

  I frowned and looked down. My ankle was a putrid shade of yellow, blue, and black. My shoulder was worse with the bluing of the bruises. The scar where Kevin had stabbed me looked a vicious white. "They don't feel very good either."

  She hugged me around the shoulders as I sat on the stool in the middle of the shower. "Honey, we are so glad you and the baby are okay. When Michael called us in the middle of the night to let us know you had gone, he was so..." she paused, "so...panicked."

  "I was scared too. Being hurt and not being able to get to the main road," I lay a hand on my stomach, "Oh god, what if something would have happened to my little muffin." The tears began to pool in my eyes.

  "Enough of that Elizabeth," Debi said sternly. "You're okay. The baby is okay. Everything is fine. Let me help wash your hair."

  But, everything wasn't okay. I missed Michael so much. I needed him and he wasn't here. Why couldn't he understand how I felt? I didn't want him to dictate my life to me. I wanted both of us to be each other's strength. There was a part of me which knew he had a right to be upset with me. I admitted it was stupid of me to have climbed the tree, but oh god, what if I hadn't been there? Ethel would surely have been shot.

  "Hey, Earth to Elizabeth!" Debi pulled me back from my thoughts. She looked at me seriously, "Where did you just go?"

  "I'm sorry, Debi. Michael and I had a bad fight yesterday. I was reliving it all over again."

  "Is that why you're sleeping in your cabin and not wearing your engagement ring?" The concern was written all over her face.

  I nodded. As she rinsed my hair, the tears started falling. "He's being so controlling. Damn it! He bought me a new car."

  Debi laughed, "Really Elizabeth? That's what you're complaining about? I wish someone would buy me a new car! It's a nice one too. A really nice, expensive one."

  "But I liked my old car." My voice did start taking on a whining tone I normally wouldn't tolerate in someone else.

  "Yes, but your old car isn't working. Don pronounced it dead."

  "Does Don still have it? Maybe I can get it back?"

  Debi hesitated before answering. "No. He doesn't have it. Don had it hauled to the junk heap. Stop it Elizabeth!" She grabbed my chin and her eyes were flashing with anger. "I don't know where all this nonsense is coming from and I don't understand you. Michael didn't all of the sudden get controlling." She threw her hands up in disgust. "He's been this way since day one. That's what you love about him. The fact that he’s willing to take care of everything and look out for you."

  "He's crossed the line," I said firmly.

  "Oh please, Elizabeth." She handed me the sponge. "Your hair is done. Can you manage the rest of the scrub down?" I nodded and she handed the nozzle to me. She left the bathroom without another word.

  Was I being unreasonable? She was correct. I loved the way that Michael took care of me. It made me feel secure. I knew he’d never lay a finger on me in anger. It wasn’t his nature. He was different from Kevin.

  I picked up the sponge and squirted gel on it. It felt good to scrub down. It was as if I could wash the pain away. I didn’t press hard on the bruises; they were still sore, but everywhere else- it felt marvelous. I had taken a small shower at the hospital with Michael’s help. The thought made me smile. He’d been so tender with me and he soaked his jeans with the effort. Afterwards he picked me up and carried me back to the bed. He had asked the nurse for lotion and he rubbed it softly all over my body. There was nothing overtly sexual about his ministrations, but I could feel the electricity sparking between us. He was my hero. Why couldn’t I let him have the control he wanted? I sighed heavily, picked up the shower nozzle, and rinsed myself off with the warm spray.

  I called Debi and she came back into the bathroom to help me out of the shower. As I dressed, I peeked out of the window to check if Michael had come back from his meeting in San Diego. All I saw was that big hulk of a SUV sitting there. The sun hit the hood and it looked like it was winking at me, taunting me with its newness. I let the blinds down with a snap and sat on the bed to put my pants on.

  “What’s wrong?” Debi asked.

  “Oh nothing,” I sighed. “I hoped Michael would be back home.”

  Debi looked at her watch. “It’s a little bit early for that. I wouldn’t expect him back until tonight.”

  “Did he tell you when he’d be home?” I asked hopefully.

  “Yes, early tonight.”

  “Okay,” I said frowning.

  She smiled kindly and handed my blouse to me. “In the meantime, aren’t you supposed to be thinking?”

  I smirked. Yes, that’s what I was supposed to be doing.

  “Let’s get your mind off all of this. Want to watch T.V.?”

  I nodded and my phone rang. I almost fell as I launched myself for my cell. It was Michael! No, it wasn’t, it was Nancy. “Hi Nancy,” I said keeping the disappointment out of my voice.

  “Hey girl, I just heard. Are you okay?”

  “Yes. I’m fine. My ankle is sprained badly, and my shoulder is messed up, but otherwise I’m good.”

  “The little one?” Her voice hesitated.

  “My little muffin is fine too.”

  She breathed out a sigh a relief. “Oh Elizabeth, when Marcus told me I almost collapsed.”

  Debi caught my eye and pointed to the living room. She mouthed, “I’ll find something for us to watch.”

  I nodded. “I’m fine. What are you up to?”

  “Making the final wedding preparations,” she said, “and trying not to strangle Simone.”

  “Is she bad?”

  “She tries to thwart me at every turn. Damn, you’d think it was her wedding.”

  I giggled, “I’m sure you’re exaggerating.”

  “Oh no I’m not. It is getting absurd. I say one thing and then she goes behind my back and changes it.”

  “What does Marcus say?”

  “He’s no help at all!” Nancy complained. “He gives in to her all the time. He’s driving me crazy! If he wouldn’t be so damn hot I would have called this off a long time ago.”

  “You wouldn’t?” I questioned in surprise.

  “Of course not! And now, he’s up in the middle of nowhere when he should be home supporting me against Simone. Damn woman… sometimes I think she’s just evil!”

  I laughed, “So you have your own bitch from hell.”

  “Have you heard from Margaret lately?”

&n
bsp; “No, thankfully she’s been quiet.” I told Nancy about the house solution for Tammy and Jason.

  “That’s fantastic. Wow, Christina sounds great. I’m looking forward to meeting her.”

  “Is Christina coming to the wedding?”

  “Oh yes. She’s like one of the family. Marcus even had a little fling with her at one time, but he’s assured me they were really only friends, especially when Michael threatened to kill him.”

  “You’ve invited an old girlfriend to the wedding?” I asked incredulously.

  Nancy laughed, “Apparently she isn’t the only one coming. I have found the Big Easy is a very small town. Everyone knows everyone and you have to be careful who you piss off.”

  “And you’ve been pissing people off?”

  She laughed again, “Of course. Listen, I received a call from Raven Jay, can you make it down to Los Angeles week after next?”

  “If they don’t mind me hobbling on crutches, it shouldn’t be a problem.” I wondered what Michael would say about it.

  “Good, I’ll let them know. They’ll contact you with the arrangements.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “I miss you and I’ll see you in three weeks. We’re going to have so much fun!”

  I laughed, “I’m looking forward to it. I can’t wait to see you married!”

  “That goes for you too!”

  I hesitated before replying. I decided not to drag Nancy into this mess because she had enough stress as it was. “We’re going to have a great time,” I reiterated.

  When I finished my call with Nancy, I joined Debi in the living room and we watched three movies in a row. The movies were the schmaltzy romantic movies making me miss Michael even more. I periodically excused myself ostensibly to visit the bathroom, but I really wanted to check if he had arrived home. I don't think I was fooling Debi, but she didn't say anything about it to me.

  Finally, shortly after sunset I peeked out of my bedroom window. Parked next to my new car was Michael's Jeep and the lights were on his bedroom. How long had he been home and why didn't he come over?

  When I joined Debi back in the living room she quirked her head after looking at me. "Michael home?" She asked.

  I nodded.

  "Well then, I better be going." She stood up from the couch.

  "No! You don't have to leave Debi."

  "Oh yes I do because you two need to talk. I'm sure he'll be here shortly. Are you okay for dinner?"

  I nodded again. Debi had fed me so much food during the day dinner wasn't a thought on the horizon. "I'm good, Debi. Thanks for spending the day with me."

  She smiled one of her bright grins that made her eyes crinkle, "It was fun. We haven't done this in a long time. We need to more often."

  I agreed. She hugged me and I watched her leave.

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  I started watching the news while I waited for Michael to appear. Christina arrived home around seven, after the news.

  She looked surprised to see me sitting alone on the couch. "Where's Michael? He's home, but there are no lights on."

  I shrugged. "I don't know." I said unhappily. "All I know is he didn't show here."

  "This is ridiculous!" She turned on her heel and marched back out of the cabin. She was gone about five minutes and then returned looking frustrated.

  "What?" I asked.

  "He's sleeping! He told me not to bother him. I can't believe him! Now he's being obstinate."

  I could feel the tears beginning to brim in my eyes. "He doesn't want to talk to me." I said quietly. "He's been home for a while now."

  Christina pinched the bridge of her nose with two fingers and then looked squarely at me. "The two of you need to talk about your issues. Elizabeth, don't let him get away with this. He's thinking he can wait you out now."

  "I'm not going to play games. He knows where I am, and if he wants to talk to me, he can find me here. In the meantime, I’m going to try to get some work done." I rose from the couch and limped over to my desk to fire up my laptop.

  She threw her hands up in the air. "The two of you are so stubborn. I give up."

  I turned around in the chair and looked at her. "Maybe we aren't meant to be together. Maybe we are too different."

  She leaned up against the arm of the couch, "You know what I think?" she said emphatically? Her blue eyes were flashing, and she looked exactly like Michael when he was angry.

  I frowned, "No, what do you think?"

  "I think the two of you are scared."

  "Oh, that's ridiculous," I replied waving her off.

  "Why else haven't you set a date?"

  "We do have other things happening in our lives at the moment." Taken aback by her comments, I did not want to justify any part of my relationship to Michael's sister.

  "There will always be excuses, Elizabeth."

  I paused for a moment, "Christina," I said, "I appreciate your concern for us, but I feel you are overstepping your boundaries here. I don’t want to analyze my relationship with him. I'll thank you to butt out please. When Michael wants to discuss this with me, he’ll know where to find me."

  She closed her mouth abruptly. Hesitantly she said, "I'm sorry, Elizabeth, you're right. You both are miserable right now and I was only trying to help."

  I smiled at her, "I know. I appreciate your efforts, but we have to work this out for ourselves."

  She nodded. "Do you want dinner?"

  I shook my head. "No. I just need to work for a bit. Maybe it will help clear my head."

  "Okay. If you do get hungry, let me know. I'm going to work in my room. I've got a bunch of fabric swatches I need to sort through."

  "Have fun with that," I called out.

  Turning back around, I put my headphones on and opened my current work-in-process on my laptop. My eyes skimmed the files and the eagle book Michael and I were working stood out on the screen. Would we finish the project?

  Somehow, I immersed myself in my work. At eleven, an instant message popped up on my computer. Who would be sending a message so late?

  It was from Michael. I looked at my phone; I had missed two calls from him.

  The message was simple, "Elizabeth, do you feel up to talking tonight?"

  I typed back, "OK."

  Instantly he returned back with, "Your place or mine?"

  "I'll come to you. Christina is in her bedroom." I sent.

  "Good idea. She's nosey." The reply came.

  By the time I made it to the back door, he was already on the porch. Did he run over here? He looked good. Really good. He wore my favorite jeans with the holes at the knees and the rip around the back pocket. The top button was undone. No shirt and no shoes. He had bed head too. Yes. He'd run over here.

  Before I realized it, he slipped an arm around my waist. "Let me help you down the stairs."

  He held me close and almost lifted me off my feet. His familiar scent wafted over me, a wonderful mixture of my favorite Chanel cologne, soap, and a bit of his masculine scent that I loved. My resolve was fading. I knew it was a plot, but at the moment, I didn't care. We didn't speak as he half-carried me over to the house.

  He sat me down on the big leather couch in the living room and he finally spoke, "I'll make some tea."

  On his way to the kitchen, Michael walked into his bedroom. I heard the drawer open, and he came out with a t-shirt in his hands pulling it on over his head. Normally I would have teased him about getting dressed, but his eyes were too serious.

  He brought two mugs of steaming hot tea and set them down on the coffee table. "Let them cool."

  I nodded. He smiled as he sat, but the smile didn't go to his eyes, there was only sadness there. This whole situation made both of us sad. Were we at an impasse?

  He reached down to put my legs in his lap and he hesitated. "Do you mind?" He asked.

  Shaking my head, I managed to squeak out, "No."

  He unfastened the boot on my left foot and let out a hiss. "Oh baby. This looks hor
rible."

  He called me baby! Perhaps things could turn around.

  "It's just the bruising. The boot is helping a lot. It's not nearly as bad as it was yesterday."

  He sat there stroking my foot. I craved his touch. I wanted to crawl into his lap, lay my head on his shoulder, and have him hold me close. I wanted to make love to him.

  Closing the boot back up, he sighed heavily and ran his hands through his hair. He started slowly, "I want us to dance at Marcus and Nancy's wedding next month." He looked over at me, "Is there still an us?"

  That was the question and it stabbed me through the heart. "I'd like to believe there is." My voice hitched. Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry.

  "Elizabeth, the past week has been hell for me. When we couldn't find you, part of me started dying. The worry was beyond..."

  "Michael," I interrupted, "I know you were worried about the baby."

  He held up his hand and said with frustration in his voice, "Please let me finish."

  I nodded, "I'm sorry."

  "It wasn't just the baby that concerned me. It was you. I can't lose you and I feel an overwhelming need to protect you. When I'm with you, I’m no longer alone. You wiped away the loneliness I had deep inside. I've wanted you my entire life. I don't know if I can explain it," he hesitated. "You're the one I asked for."

  His words took my breath away. I didn't know he felt this way and it confused me. "Then why do you run away from me? You always accuse me of running away from our problems."

  He leaned his head back against the couch and closed his eyes. "Yes, I did that with Margaret. I'm not sure. I think it was a self-defense mechanism to help me cope. And you're right. I do it with you too, but I think for a different reason." Michael shifted again to look at me, "I feel like sometimes I overwhelm you and it's my way of backing off."

  I couldn't stop the tears. "You do overwhelm me sometimes. I'm not used to being loved like you do. You are so all encompassing." Sure enough, the tears started streaming down my face.

  "Oh baby, please don't cry." He pulled me into his lap, wrapped his arms around me, and rocked me slowly. He whispered, "That asshole Kevin. What he did to you...if I ever get my hands on him again... shhh baby, I'm here."