Destiny 1: Life Choices: From the Evei Lattimore Collection

by Blue Saffire

  Though my waist had gotten smaller after the babies my thighs and hips were still very curvy. The way the dress was draped on me only accented those features. I had on a beautiful pair of pink Prada pumps to go with the dress.

  My mother insisted on doing my hair and makeup for me. She had curled my hair into large Shirley temple curls and put false lashes on my eyes and gave me a really nice natural look. I thought I looked really pretty despite the swollen breasts popping out the top of my dress. I sighed as I fumbled with the dress giving up on the fight with my extra baggage.

  My mother was getting the boys ready so that we could take a cab to meet Alex at the courthouse. I wasn’t too thrilled about that either. I had never taken them anywhere before without Alex driving us.

  I grabbed my pink pea coat that I bought to go over my dress and my matching purse so I could go to see if my mother was ready. She had the boys in the living room dressed up in their little suits and coats ready to go. We each took a carrier and went downstairs to catch our cab.

  I was so anxious. My mother wouldn’t let me call or text Alex. When we got in the cab, I didn’t have a chance to anyway.

  Baby Alex was being so fussy and that seemed to be annoying baby Victor. They were both crying and I was trying to quiet them down. My mother was sitting in the front of the cab telling the driver my life story and how proud she was of me.

  That took me by surprise. Just a few months ago, she didn’t want anything to do with me. I was happy to hear it though.

  When we got to the courthouse, we went inside to meet Alex just as planned. He was not there yet when we arrived. I tried to get baby Alex comfortable so he would stop crying. My mother was trying to convince me not to call Alex to see if he was okay. After twenty minutes. I was ready to burst.

  I had a million thoughts running through my head, the main one being not again. I was not going to lose the man I loved again. I wanted to know why this was happening to me.

  As my phone rang, my heart started pounding. When I looked at the caller ID and saw it was Juan my heart sank into my stomach. My hand started to shake as I answered the call.

  “Hello,” I rushed into the phone.

  “Hey Mama, it’s Juan,” I heard come through the phone.

  “Hey,” was all I could manage to murmur out.

  “Listen, I’m sorry. I threw my boy a party last night and we woke up late. Don’t worry, I promise I’m going to get him there. We’ll be there in five minutes.” I wanted to strangle Juan.

  “Okay. Can I talk to him?”

  “Nope, he’s driving and your moms told him no phone calls to you,” Juan chuckled.

  “Oh.” I was so frustrated. I wasn’t going to relax until I could see Alex for myself.

  “See you, Tali.”

  “See you,” I replied and hung up.

  Baby Alex was screaming his head off. I started to pace back and forth with him. That was helping just a little.

  I was trying not to be so nervous. I thought maybe he was upset because I was. I just couldn’t help it.

  Last time the man I loved was with Juan and promised to come home to me he didn’t make it. I felt sick to my stomach. I was just about to lose it as I paced when I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist.

  “Why do you look so worried?” Alex whispered in my ear. “Don’t you know nothing can keep me away from you, Mama.”

  I turned toward him and threw my arm around his neck. I hugged him so tight. He rubbed my back and kissed my cheek. I was so happy to see him. I pulled away, biting back the tears. He reached for baby Alex who was still whining.

  “What’s wrong, papa?” he crooned. “I’m still going to marry your mommy. Don’t worry.” The baby relaxed with his words.

  “Tell him he’s late,” I pouted to the baby.

  “Sorry, Tali, my bad,” Alex grinned. “You look beautiful, are you ready?”

  “Yes,” I murmured.

  Within an hour, I was married to my best friend. I was Mrs. Alex Delgado. I was getting my wish after all, my sons would be raised as Delgados.

  Alex was extremely happy. We went to a restaurant after to celebrate and Juan came along with us. I was happy he was there. It was truly one of the happiest days of my life.

  chapter twenty-three

  Complete

  It took us a little while to get used to the idea of being married. It was funny to wake up every morning and see Alex laying next to me. I was doing everything I could to make him happy with me. I would make sure dinner was ready when he came home from school, if I didn’t have classes too.

  I would massage his back while he studied. I listened to him when he had bad days and needed to talk about missing Victor. How he wished he knew they were brothers. I did everything I could do to make him happy.

  There was just one thing I wasn’t able to do. We had been married almost four weeks and had not consummated our marriage. Alex had been really patient about it, but I could tell in the way he looked at me that he really wanted to.

  I was extra excited the morning of my six weeks doctor’s appointment. I would find out if I had the all clear to finally be with my husband. I had planned a really romantic night and I was hoping everything went well so it could happen.

  Alex had midterms, so that made it easy to get everything ready when I got home from the doctor. My mother promised to watch the babies for the night. I was able to go to my appointment and rush back home to get my plans under way.

  Alex had given me my own car, so I wasn’t so dependent on him anymore. He wanted me to be able to take care of the babies if they needed something while he was out. I have to admit a lot has changed in just four weeks.

  If the hood was jealous before, I’m sure they were having heart attacks now. I drive a brand new BMW 750. Alex traded his Benz for a brand new truck.

  I had gone shopping and bought everything I needed and got everything ready. I made him dinner and I was planning on being his dessert. While the food was in the oven I was in the bedroom setting up.

  We had bought a new bedroom set and painted the room over, a week after we got married. Alex thought it might be a good idea to change things around and make the place less of a memory factory. I was willing to do anything that kept us happy.

  I set up some scented oils on the end tables and draped fabric over the lights in the room to dim them later on. That one was a suggestion from my over helpful mom. She really likes Alex. It’s amazing how she is so excepting of him.

  I hung the corset set I bought on my closet door, so I could change into it later. Alex loved the color of my wedding gown on me. So I picked my lingerie in the same fuchsia for tonight.

  I checked on dinner before going to shower and get dressed. I had this really nice black dress that was very figure flattering for the night. I put on a cute pair of ankle boots to complement the dress. I had my hair done the day before, so that was one less thing I had to worry about.

  I was ready and going to see about the babies one more time before Alex came home, but he was stepping in the apartment as I came out of the room. I ran over and wrapped my arms around him to welcome him home. He grasped a tight hold of my waist and kissed me.

  “You look hot, Mama,” he crooned and kissed my nose. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you too. You hungry?”

  “I could use something to eat. My brain is screaming. I don’t want to see another book for a week,” he laughed.

  “I’ll get your food ready.”

  I took him by the hand and led him over to the table. I lit the candles I had placed there, before going to get dinner onto plates for us to eat. Alex had a huge grin on his face as I walked over to the table with dinner in my hands. He was appraising my outfit as he watched me.

  I sat across from him and we started to eat. I wanted to give him a few minutes to enjoy his food before we started to talk. I was really pleased with how things came out. Alex was nodding his head and rubbing his stomach as he ate.

  �
��This is good, Tali,” he crooned.

  “Thank you. How was your day? Did the exams go well?” I quizzed.

  “Yeah, they were cool. I did my thing,” he grinned. “How did the doctor’s visit go?” I could tell the real question he was asking by the way he was looking across the table.

  I grinned and slowly placed my fork in my mouth. I was seductively eating the food from it. His grin widened and he sat back in his chair as he placed his fork down on the table. He raised an eyebrow at me and looked me over.

  “Really?” he asked in a seductive tone.

  “Yup.” I bite my lip and looked him over. I was sure we weren’t going to finish dinner by the way he was looking at me now.

  “Where’s your moms?” he asked and looked toward her bedroom.

  “She is with the babies for the rest of the night. It’s just me and you,” I replied.

  He smirked at me and pushed his plate to the side. As I thought, dinner was definitely over. I blew out the candles and got up to clear the table. He watched my every move. Alex got up and came to hug me while I emptied our plates.

  “I love you,” he whispered in my ear.

  “I love you too,” I sang and turned to kiss him. Alex took my hand a led me to the bedroom.

  “Why don’t you go shower so you can relax,” I suggested. That would give me time to get ready. He pulled me in his arms and kissed me before he disappeared into the bathroom.

  I quickly changed into the lingerie I had waiting and put on a pair of stiletto sandals to take it over the top. I lit the oils and turned on the lights to set the mood. I was feeling a little nervous.

  I didn’t know what to expect of our first time. I had only been with Victor. I didn’t know if Alex would like being with me. That was one of the reasons I started asking my mom questions. She really helped me plan this whole thing.

  It was cool to be able to be so open with her about all of this. She gave as many pointers as I felt comfortable with. After a while, I had enough of hearing certain things from my mother. She thought it was funny.

  I heard the shower cut off in the bathroom and I raced to get the massage oil ready. I was surprised when Alex came out of the bathroom in just a towel. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I expected he would be in his sweats like any other night. He looked great though. I motioned for him to come over to sit on the bed and he did as I asked with a smile.

  As he sat, I rubbed the oil in my palms to warm it. I began with his neck and his shoulders. He was nice and relaxed under my touch.

  I was happy he was playing along with what I wanted. I was afraid he was going to want to rush things along. As I rubbed his back, he started to moan a little.

  “Tali, Baby, that feels nice,” he moaned.

  “You like that?” I seductively whispered in his ear. He turned to meet my face and kissed me.

  He reached for the back of my head and pulled me deeper into the kiss. It felt so nice, I forgot what I was doing and released a deep moan. He reached to pull me from behind him onto his lap.

  As I wrapped my arms around Alex’s neck, he lifted me to turn and place me down on the bed as he climbed over me. He was being so gentle, yet so passionate at the same time. I moaned as he dragged his hand up my thigh and reached to begin to undress me.

  Alex started to kiss his way from my neck down to my stomach. I shivered as his tongue dipped into my belly button. I really wanted him, I could feel my folds flood with moisture.

  Alex dropped to his knees in front of the bed and reaches for my legs, pulling me to the edge of the bed. I gasped out, startled as his strong arms wrap my waist pinning me in place. His head dipped between my legs and I shivered when he licks first one thigh then the other.

  His mouth wrapped around the flesh on my thigh and sucked it in deep. My hips bucked, but his arms keep me pinned in place. I reached above my head and tug at the sheet. I try to claw for anything that would help me stay grounded.

  He hadn’t even touched my core and I felt like I was going to go insane. Alex moves his mouth to my center and blows his warm breath against my core. My slickness started to run between my crack, I was so wet for him.

  Alex inhaled me and groaned. “My wife,” he rasped.

  I smiled at his words and seconds later cried out as his tongue circled my clit. My hands went to his hair, but it was too short for me to gain purchase. I held on to the back of his head instead.

  “Alex,” I breathe.

  For the next fifteen minutes, my husband took me to new heights with just his mouth. I felt so free and sensual with him. I surprised myself when I reached for my own breasts to squeeze as he ate me ravenously.

  When he had his fill, I watch him lift to his feet and climb onto the bed. Wrapping an arm under me, Alex lifted me further onto the bed as he sucked on my neck. I wrapped my arms around his neck.

  Alex placed a kiss between my breasts. “I love you, Alex,” I moaned.

  When he reached to cup my face, and kissed me again, I felt his wedding band against my face, I smiled. This was my husband.

  “I love you too, Taliyah,” he whispered as he pulled his towel away and found his way to me.

  As his heavy erection slides into me, I gasped. He filled me in a way I’d never felt before. I could feel Alex in my soul, not just in my body. This was the way I had always thought my first time would be like.

  I’d never known a touch like his before. Alex’s watched my face as he stroked into me long and deep. It was like he was using his body to tell me what was in his heart.

  I could feel the tears well in my eyes. As the first one fell, Alex dipped his head to kiss it away. He laced his fingers with mine and his hips started to move a little faster.

  “You feel so good,” he groaned. “I can’t believe I’m inside you. Finally, damn, Mama.”

  “Oh God, you do too,” I cried out. “Alex, please.”

  He swallowed my cries and plunged his tongue in my mouth. I rocked my hips into him as he rolled his hips into me driving me crazy.

  Just his touch and kiss were making me want to explode. My toes curled as I dug my heels into his firm backside. I held on for all I was worth. I don’t want to come too fast. I wanted this to last forever.

  “Don’t hold back,” Alex groaned. “I can feel you. Come for your husband. Never hold back from me.”

  His words triggered my release and it was like nothing I’d ever felt in my life. I wrapped my legs tightly around him and squeezed my hands on his back.

  I’d never been happier and by the way Alex was moaning and holding me, he was happy too. His hips continued to plow right through my orgasms as I rippled around him.

  “Alex,” I cried out into the room.

  It was official, I was his in every way I could be. He didn’t need to ask and I didn’t need to scream it for anyone to hear. He already knew I would always be his. I had gotten what I really wanted after all and it was more than I could have ever imagined.

  In that moment, I realized that Victor had stepped out of the way the only way he could. He knew this was who I was meant to be with. It was clear in the passion that was running through us that I was with the exact man I was meant for. It didn’t matter the road that brought me to this point, I was exactly where I needed to be.

  chapter twenty-four

  Perfect Destiny

  And now I look back on all the pain and tears that gave me my joy. I don’t regret any of it. Sure, I lost a lot and so did Alex. Juan never made it through that next summer. He was the last tie Alex had to La Mafia. After he was killed we decided to move to a tree lined community in New Jersey to raise our children.

  We didn’t want them anywhere near our past. We bought a mansion where they could play in the yard. Their biggest worry would be what toys to play with.

  We agreed that someday we would tell the boys about their real father, but I want them to know the Victor I fell in love with. They never need to know his pain or the life that stole him from them.

&
nbsp; When all is said and done, I am living out my destiny. I have a wonderful husband, two beautiful three-year-old sons and two beautiful two-year-old daughters. My husband runs his own Fortune 500 e-commerce business and I am working my way through preparing for the bar exams. I’m still focused on being a lawyer. My triumphs are much greater than my pains.

  Now, as I stand in a room full of our new family and friends, in the life that we built together, I know nothing but joy. Alex is holding Aliyah as she rests on his shoulder sleeping and his other arm rests around my waist while we dance and laugh. I can see my mother with Alexis fast asleep on her lap and little Victor and Alex are running around Alex and me giggling away.

  This has been the best wedding anniversary I could ever ask for. Little did Alex know his surprise party was not the only surprise for tonight. I had been thinking about how our lives turned out all day because I had a surprise of my own.

  “I love you, Tali,” Alex said in my ear.

  “How much?” I teased.

  “So much I’d marry you again.”

  “I love you too, Baby,” I beamed and kissed him.

  “How much?” Alex smiled and pressed his forehead to mine.

  “So much I’m having your baby again.”

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I want to thank you all for your support. Destiny 1 is one of my first novels written. It was actually my second. I love this story for so many different reasons. I thank you for exploring a different voice from me. I hope you enjoyed it. This family grows and so do the characters. I can’t wait for you to meet the twins as they get older.

  I can never thank you enough for your reviews, messages, and emails. I appreciate them all. It is my hope that you are ready to take more out of the box journeys with me as I build more worlds and love stories. I’m an author so I always writing what my heart tells me to. Thank you for reading my heart.

  I’m so grateful for a God without limits. He has made it so that I don’t have limits either. One of you lovely ladies decidated a song to me that was right on time. I thank God for allowing me to be faithful so that I can stand and say. Yes, this is my time. I declare and decree that from this hour this cup runneth over and the books shall pour out abandantly, because I AM and it shall be. Thank you, Lord.