Lyfe Changing
Page 20
I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment just then…saving another youngster from a hard life. “They really look up to you don’t they?” I instantly froze at the sound of that sweet voice; even though I hadn’t heard it in a while I still remembered those sweet familiar sounds in my ear. I turned my head and focused in on the beautiful woman that I had been missing terribly.
Destiny looked lovelier than ever in white from fitting dress and her long dark hair. It took a minute for me to speak but eventually I said something. “Yeah…you know how kids are just need someone teach them…” We stepped closer to each other taking in this moment of being reunited. “How have been Destiny?” I finally asked her. She took a deep breath as if he were hard for her. “I have been good…given everything that has happened…that’s was a very inspiring speech you gave up there?” I chuckled a little realizing Destiny had been there all this time. “Yeah a little impromptu but it is what it is.” She smiled at my embarrassment but it quickly faded.
“I miss you Derrick…” It pained me to know I was causing her so much grief but she had to understand, I lived a hard and even though Julio was in jail her safety was no guarantee. “You better get to the kitchen before all the good food disappears.” I said without looking into her sad eyes. Destiny caught the dismissal and nodded as she began to walk away. “I miss you too Des…” I unwillingly admitted as she walked pass me. Destiny stopped for a moment but soon continued on. I sighed deeply through the pain hoping the decision I had made was the right one.
Destiny
It was a long drive so late in the afternoon but I made it anyway. There was so much on my mind I just had to get away to the only safe haven that I had. The cabin was a little cold and dreary but when I thought about the reason I was there it really made no difference. I stared at my almost finished painting, the mystery man that stayed in my dreams had been finally revealed to me; he had been failing to make an appearance lately and I knew why. I came to realize who had been entering my dreams and my heart. I took my time finishing it up even though I felt extremely anxious with every stroke of the brush forming lips, eyes, and a nose.
As I slowly came to completion, my heart felt overwhelmed and tears formed in my eyes. This painting held so much truth inside of it; it held my feelings, my pain, and my love. It finally revealed to me the one thing that deep down I knew all along, it showed me the man that had my heart…Derrick. I finally felt sense of clarity in that moment and I knew what I had to do. I quickly shut everything down in the cabin and headed back home.
I had a lot of things to do with in the hour and I was finding it difficult to wait. Ok…I thought. I need to do something with my hair…find a sexy outfit…cook a nice big meal…. I was so excited about my big plan for Derrick that I was damn near bouncing out of my car. I finally pulled into my condo’s parking lot and was skipping up the stairs to the elevator. I made it up to my place and opened the door. I took a deep breath and pulled my hair back to get ready to execute my master plan to get my man back. I set out some meat to defrost and bumped up my overhead radio to get me in the mood.
Kicking off my shoes I entered my bedroom to find something nice and sexy to wear. My jaw damn near hit the floor when I flicked on the light. Derrick was sitting on my bed as if he were anticipating me coming in. He slowly stood up as I came closer. “How…how did you get in here?” I asked confused and anxious. “I bribed the doorman…” He chuckled nervously. “Look…I know this is strange me being here but…I needed to see you.” I felt my heart in my throat blocking me from breathing as he spoke. “Baby I made a mistake…I thought I was protecting you by keeping us apart but in reality I have been miserable without you…I love you…can we just…” I barely let Derrick finish his sentence before I jumped on him. I kept kissing him all over until we both fell back against my bed. “Oh Derrick…Derrick…I love you…” I said in between kisses. “I…I love you too baby…” Derrick and I continued to devour each other while we lay in the bed. I had been waiting for this moment for so long, to feel this euphoria again when our bodies interlocked, and damn was it satisfying.
Epilogue
A new start
Destiny
I patted my hair down and pressed out the wrinkles in my dress. I had been fidgeting all morning; I was a nervous wreck as I walked down to Central park to meet Derrick and his children. “Ok Des deep breathes…deep breathes.” I kept telling myself trying to calm down. I tried to look as conservative as possible in a yellow sundress and sandals. I wore my hair down with soft makeup looking very Mary Poppins like, which was a little ironic because children were not my strong point. But I loved Derrick so much I was willing to go above and beyond to make this work. “Destiny…” I turned around to face Derrick and the four most beautiful kids I had ever seen. They all were bright skinned, with dark curly hair, and dark eyes just like their father. “Hey there…”
I said nervously. They all looked up at me curiously before looking back to their father. Derrick looked down to his children and smiled. “All right guys… This is daddy’s girlfriend Destiny…” The small children looked back to me and in unison said. “Hi…” “Hey kids…I’m Destiny. What are your names?” Although I already knew their names and ages I thought it would be more relatable if they told me themselves. They went in order from oldest to the youngest.
“I’m Danton…Dante…Dean…Delilah…” I nodded after they spoke politely one after another. “Nice to meet you…” Derrick nodded in approval as well. “Well now that the awkward phase is over let’s get to some ice cream huh?” “Yaaaahhhh!!!!” The kids screamed. We all walked down to the nearby ice cream parlor and sat down with our treats. The conversation between all of us was pretty much rated G, with talks of sponge bob, new Disney movies, and school projects. Somehow along the way it took an unexpected turn. “So dad is Ms. Destiny gonna give us another brother or sister?”
Dante spoke up eyeing is father curiously. Derrick nearly choked on his ice cream while my eyes widened shockingly. After he cleared his throat he finally spoke. “Why would you say that son?” Dante slurped down more of his ice cream before speaking again. “Well when you always bring a new lady around we get a new brother or sister…” He said innocently. I chuckled at the harsh reality but stayed quiet. Derrick looked at his son in way that any parent would when their child stepped over the adult line.
“No son there is no baby coming. Destiny is just a special lady in you old man’s life that he wanted you to meet.” He said smiling while grabbing my hand. I smiled back loving his recognition. Dante eyed me curiously. “Daddy isn’t she the same woman you were staring at through the window of that building.” The young boy said pointing to my nearby gallery. Derrick sighed and shook his head at his outspoken child but I found him quite charming. “Looks like we got a little detective on our hands huh?” I said touching his small arm. He smiled at me and nodded. “Yep…I watch law and order.” We all burst out laughing finding a loving connection amongst one another.
“Are you and Ms. Destiny getting married?” Danton asked Derrick biting of the head of a Popsicle. “What’s married?” Delilah asked me tapping my arm. I smiled at her nervously. “It’s when two people who love each other make a vow to spend the rest of their lives together and they have a big party to celebrate.” “Oooh can I come.” Dean spoke up excited. “Yeah me too.” Delilah squealed. “Guys…Guys…” Derrick finally spoke up. “Were not getting married yet... I have to ask first.”
Derrick said looking at me nervously. “So what are you waiting for?” Dante inquired smiling brightly for some reason. “Your right…” Derrick nodded. I looked at him peculiarly as he got up and stood in front of me. “Derrick what is going on?” I asked nervously. Derrick grabbed my hand as all the kids gathered around us. “Destiny I didn’t bring you here just to meet the most important people in my life. I brought you here to see if you would like to be a part of our lives…forever.”
My eyes teared up and my throat
became dry as he got down on one knee and pulled out a beautiful pink diamond ring. “Oh my God.” I gasped. “Destiny Witt…” He smiled. “Will you marry me?” “Yes…” I nodded leaping into his arms. “Yes…Oh my goodness… I can’t believe this.” I shook uncontrollably as he placed the beautiful ring on my finger and pulled me into his arms. I kissed his face repeatedly, beaming with joy that he had just proposed. I was in such shock that the man I met just a short year ago was making such a huge commitment to me. “Now daddy…now can we have the party?” Delilah asked jumping up and down. Derrick smiled. “Yes baby. We can have the party now.” The kids all cheered and engulfed us in hugs as we continued kiss each other. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could have something such a blessing. So much had changed for me in my life this past year. There was no more loneliness, no more heartache, just pure attainable love. Derrick Lyfe had given me something I used to dream of but never thought I could have…he was definitely Lyfe Changing.
The End