Chapter 13 - The Aftermath
Six months later...
It's been a little over six months since I nearly lost my life and JC nearly sold me to some dealers who I never had the chance of meeting. It's been the same amount of time since I last spoke to Justin or heard his voice. I'm not going to lie, these past few months have been hard but my life before I woke up in the hospital with a crying Rachel at my side was harder.
I never knew what life would be like without Justin in it, and now that I've gotten a taste of it, I hate it. I actually hate the freedom because despite everything I ever went through with him, I felt freer then than I do now. It's hard to explain, but with Justin, I always had an outlet for my emotions. Now that he's gone, I feel like I'm suffocating and the walls are closing in on me, because I have to keep everything inside considering he's not around for me to let anything out. Maybe that's weird but I don't care.
What I do care about is to know what happened all those months ago on JC's estate. I mean, I woke up about three weeks later to a completely different life. There was Rachel holding my hand as tight as ever with tears streaming down her soft cheeks and my baby girl sitting in her lap. There were law officials swarming outside of my hospital bedroom and the first thing that came to mind was that Justin was either dead or in jail. You could have imagined the anger I felt when I learned that neither was the case and he willingly chose to leave. He left everything behind that day Rachel said he ‘came to my rescue.'
She refused to tell me what happened even up to this day. She stated that it was better I didn't know and the only persons who knew everything that went on was Justin and JC. Unfortunately I learned that JC was dead, and even if he was psychotic it still hurt to know that he lost his life in all of this.
Rachel won't tell me how he died but every time I ask just to try my luck with her, she gets this far, empty look in her eyes like she's reliving the moment or something. I hate being in the dark, but if she says that it's better I don't know, then it's better that I don't know and I'm not going to ask again.
What I do want to know is where Justin disappeared to but no one can tell me that, not even Rachel because according to her, the moment I was in the doctor's care, Justin was storming out of the hospital like some enraged crazy man. I'm thinking his deranged side was alive and well.
I don't understand how he could just up and leave like that. He left his life and his career behind. He left me and his little girl behind.
Ronnie and Jacob are doing well in filling in while he's not around but how long are they going to be able to do that? I mean, part of Justin's success in this business is the fact that he runs it and he's popular with the crowd. If he's not back soon to regulate things he won't even have an establishment to come back to.
I still don't understand why he left. Rachel won't cooperate except to let me know that he'll be back. I think, the first few weeks I was in the hospital and the month after I kept hoping and believing but half a year later, I'm not so sure anymore. He had no reason to leave. The officers I spoke to assured that he would have only been brought in for questioning and that the same Edwina reporter chick had all the information they needed on JC and Grant who I later found out was dead too. They said Justin was in the clear which I found hard to believe because he has such a colorful past but I guess he's lucky that his past remained that way and didn't catch up to him.
I tried to get information out of the officers on what exactly happened but they claimed it was classified information and I didn't need to worry myself with details. I even tried Ronnie and Jacob but the most I got was that they would be there if I ever needed them. There was one time that Ronnie broke down in front of me and hugged me for dear life as he cried but that was just once and he never allowed that weak side to show again.
So basically, I've been living these last few months in the dark with everyone simply stating that ‘Justin will be back, just give him time.' Give him time? What about me? What about what I went through? I couldn't even remember anything at first. It's like a chunk of my life was missing in my memory that I'll never get back. But he walked out on his family when we needed him the most. How the fuck do I let that pass? There is a big if, that he'll be back. He maybe has a new life now. I wouldn't put it past him because he can still be coldhearted at times.
I don't want to wait years for him with Courtney growing up without her father asking me where he is and I can't give her an answer because I don't know. God this is not fair. It's not fair and I'm so tired of crying myself to sleep at night. I hate it. The other girls haven't even given me shit like they usually do. They actually sympathize with me since they found out what I went through. Some told me they would not have been as courageous as me but really I did nothing. I let JC win. I was a complete coward.
Even Bethany is nicer to me now. She even apologized about two months ago stating that you can't control who your heart belongs to and Justin's heart will always belong to me whether I see it or not. How fucked up is that? It's like...he died or something and everyone was just moping around. I know he can be a heartless asshole but when he's in a good mood he's amazing to be around. His girls...we all miss that. We miss his presence, especially me.
I mean, I've taken it upon myself to sleep in his room on his bed every night since I've been out of the hospital. It's a regular routine for me now. I barely leave the house as it is. I spend most of my time in here with Courtney while the other girls head down to his establishment and continue with their regular shows and seeing clients under Jacob and Ronnie's watch.
I've been a complete mess but I'm not going to change any time soon. Not until Justin comes home. God I hope he comes home...
There's a knock on the bedroom door and I jump up in shock, gazing at the wooden barrier in awe.
"Yeah?!" I say groggily before sitting up and fixing myself on Justin's king sized bed.
The door creaks open slowly to reveal a smiling Eve.
"Hey girl, how are you doing?" She asks.
"I'm good just...relaxing, about to nap why?" I inquire, trying to hide the fact that I've been crying for the last hour or so nonstop.
"Ok, well Rachel just took Courtney. She said she'll have her back first thing in the morning so you could have a little time to yourself tonight." Eve points out and I nod meekly. Rachel has been a godsend taking care of us and looking after us. Especially when I end up having my breakdowns spontaneously.
"Thanks." I mutter while resituating myself on the bed until my head is resting against the soft pillow.
"He'll be back Diane. Justin won't leave you or Court. Just have faith." She smiles and I shake my head in response, waving her off. I don't need to hear any of that now. How can she say that and no one is sure if he's even still alive? I think I'm going to be sick. "Well ok, we're going to head down for the show tonight so you're in here alone. We'll lock up and put the alarm system on. Try to get some rest ok? We're leaving now; the limo is out front waiting for us and Jacob and Ronnie are already down there setting up."
"Ok, have a good show and wish the other girls luck for me." I mumble into the pillow.
"Alright girl, Bye." Eve silently makes her exit, shutting the door softly behind her and I listen intently at the chattering and commotion going on downstairs until I hear the front door slam shut and silence takes over...
Great, so I'm in here alone with no one to voice my sorrows to. I guess I should get some sleep then...
I haven't been on stage since all this chaos began and I'm not sure if I'll ever be back up there doing what I do best...being an ecdysiast.
It's what got me into this mess in the first place. If I hadn't left my parents' home all those years ago who knows where I'd be today? It's not that I hate this life. I don't hate it as much as I used to, not since Justin began to change for the better. I have been missing my parents recently though, wondering whatever became of them and their failing marriage. It's just been so long ago...over a decade. I have no clue as to if they are alive and where they are. Sometimes I wish I could see them again, and other times I hope I never have to cross their paths ever again. It's a conflicting feeling but I don't care too much to see it through.
Rolling unto my back, I gaze at the ceiling fan deep in thought. I can't even sleep. I can't even sleep without having terrible nightmares of Justin lying dead in a pool of blood with my baby girl right next to him. I can't get over the paranoid feelings of JC not really being dead but instead hidden in the shadows just watching us and planning on the perfect time to take me again.
Things have been hell here even if I pretend like I'm doing well.
Shaking my head sadly, I seat up in bed, gazing around the room as flashes of times spent in here consumes me. Not all of them were good. Some resulted in me being dragged in here by my legs or hair. Still, I've managed to forgive Justin for those times and bury them. What I do remember was the last time we made love in here. It wasn't planned, but it was the most beautiful thing because gentle Justin was amazing. I knew what he was feeling then. I could see it in his eyes even if he never said it.
Then there was the night when I chose to take Courtney and leave. I think that was my mistake. I should have never left, then maybe none of this would have happened and Justin would be here with us now. But still, he...he begged me not to go. He, he told me he loved me. I haven't forgotten about that. I saw the look in his eyes when he said it too. He wasn't just trying to get me to stay. He meant it. Too bad we were never granted an opportunity to discuss it. I mean, I never told him I loved him back. Up to this day, he's never heard me say those words even if I'm sure he maybe knows it. Saying it makes it that more real.
I need to stop this. I need to stop thinking about him like this. I've been doing this for months and it's killing me emotionally.
Whipping at a few stray tears, my head snaps in the direction of the room door when I hear a loud thud coming from somewhere downstairs. Shooting up in bed, I rush over to the drawer of the dresser where I know Justin keeps one of his guns. I swear he owns like a whole shop of weapons. But that's nothing to think about now. There's a burglar in the house and I so do not need this right now. The girls, Rachel and Courtney are gone.
It's me or the intruder and that's an easy choice to make. Gripping the gun tightly in my palms, I pull back the safety, jumping slightly when I hear another noise. Shit, why didn't the alarm go off? Maybe I should call the cops, but the nearest phone is downstairs in the living room. Shit...
Ok, breathe Diane. This will all be over. Maybe it's just a bunch of teenagers trying their luck on gathering shit to sell. It doesn't have to be a masked man or men who are armed as well. That would be bad. Oh god.
Walking over to the room door, I cautiously pull it open before wiping my already sweaty palms over my red cotton sleeveless dress. I could just stay up here and pretend that no one is home, but Justin has taught us to always fight back to protect what is ours and never give up. So, with his teachings, I'm going to do a really stupid thing and head downstairs to see what made that noise.
If I'm lucky, the glass doors to the pool were left open and a creature like a squirrel or something got in here and it's nothing serious.
Cautiously heading down the winding stairway, I make it unto the platform, listening intently for any sound and that's when I hear it. It's a light painful groan and I know there is another living breathing person besides me in here. Maybe I should...maybe I should...
Then the person coughs slightly and I hold my breath when I turn in the direction of the living room. Oh god. It's pitch dark in there but that's where the voice came from.
Swallowing hard, I walk over to the entrance of the living room, noting the figure that seems to be hunched over next to the coffee table. Inhaling sharply, I raise my hand to the switch and flick it on, keeping my aim on the intruder as I whisper, "Don't move."
The person instantly tenses with their back to me, rubbing at their leg. "Turn around...slowly." I hiss, watching how the person inhales sharply before spinning around on their heels.
Standing in awe at the sight in front of me, I drop the gun to my side with a large frown on my face wondering what the hell is going on.
"Don't shoot, I promise I'm not breaking in." The man says and I eye him strangely, tightening my hold on the gun that's now at my side.
"Sure looked like it." I snap, noting the bunch of keys in his hand as he tugs on his grey t-shirt with his other hand.
"Shit, he told me no one would be home and..."
"Wait? What? Who are you and who the hell is ‘he'?" I inquire, noting the curiosity on the man's face.
"Are...are you Diane?" He says this like some star struck fool with wide eyes and a bright smile. Oh great, am I missing something here?
Taking a step back, I raise the gun again when the strange man advances towards me causing him to stop dead in his tracks.
"Look Justin said..." But that's as far as he gets before I scream out in astonishment.
"Justin!?" I belt at the top of my lungs hearing the front door open and close behind me seconds later. Jumping in shock, I whip around and accidentally fire a shot from the gun hearing someone gasp.
"Jesus, don't fucking shoot!" The person screams out with their hands in the air as they dodge the bullet.
"Oh my god I'm so sorry." Dropping the gun on the floor, I slap my palms across my mouth when the person I accidentally shot at comes into the light to stand before me and the stranger in the living room.
"I swear to god, this is not the welcome home greeting I was expecting but maybe I deserved that." He says with a bright smile on his face and all I can do is watch in shock as my entire body goes weak and my knees buck under me, causing me to fall into his embrace.
"Oh my god what's happening?" I gasp for air, feeling like I'm having a panic attack as my hands latch onto his firm, muscular arms.
"Di? What are you doing home?" He whispers softly and holy shit, I've lost my damn mind.
"Oh my god..." I mutter again, because I refuse to believe that...that Justin is standing in front of me right now, helping me regain my balance to stand on my own. I refuse to believe it because....because oh god I nearly shot him.
"Is that all you can say?" He wisecracks and I frown before taking a step back, reversing as I finally allow my browns to gaze into his blues noting the warmness in his stare. Dear god, I've never seen him look like that before! He has an apologetic smile on his face as he stuffs his hands in his pockets awkwardly before breaking eye contact with me.
Tensing when I feel a pair of hands on my shoulder from behind, I remain in place as the same strange man walks around me and makes his way over to Justin.
"You weren't lying man, she's a feisty one that's for sure." He chuckles with Justin and I'm looking at them like hell just froze over. I really am missing something. I mean...hello? Justin is acting like he hasn't been gone for half a fucking year leaving everyone wondering if he was alive or not. Am I the only one who thinks that maybe I really should have shot his ass? Ugh!
"Just get the shit and mom out of the car, I'll handle the rest." He mutters to his ‘friend' I'd assume and my eyes widen.
"Hello? What?" I scream out, watching how Justin cringes by the harshness in my tone.
His friend gives me one last glance and pats Justin's shoulder before he makes his way out of the front door leaving Justin and me alone. Somehow, this is not how I imagined Justin's return. In fact I'm beyond pissed right now.
Walking over to the discarded gun, I bend down and pick it up in my trembling hands, pointing it at Justin with a smirk on my face.
"You better start talking else I'll wound you and send your ass to the hospital." I growl angrily.
I note the horror on his face as he remains in place, smoothing his hands over his...grown out hair? What the hell? "Di..."
"Shut up." I snap before taking his form in. I was in so much shock that I failed to realize the significant change in his physical appearance. He looks...bigger...buffer. His arms are more defined like he's been working out and his complexion looks healthy with a slight glow to it. His hair has grown out a lot. It even has small curls in it and looks practically tamed. His beard is shaped up and he's wearing a simple light jeans, white sneakers and an off-white t-shirt. No fedora hats? What? As I continue to study him, his large smile slowly creeps back unto his face.
Frowning, I gaze into his blues, noting his concern, curiousity and even amused stare. "You can't seriously be thinking about shooting me." He states and I scoff.
"Oh I'm thinking about it. I mean...where the fuck do you get off showing up like this after...after..." And I drift off unable to continue because it finally hits me like a ton of bricks. I haven't seen him in months and now he's standing there facing me looking like a completely different person. God, the Justin I knew never smiled, but this one, he just can't seem to stop.
And against my will, a few tears escape me causing me to sniffle.
"Jesus Di..."
"Don't." I warn when he tries to move towards me. "Just let me get over my shock please." I whimper as my tears begin flowing freely.
"Di, give me the gun." Justin says calmly and that's all it takes for me to cave. Dropping the gun from my hold again, he quickly rushes up to me, gripping me around my waist and engulfing me in a hug. "Jesus Di." He breathes out, kicking the gun away from us in the process. "You're so fucking crazy." He coos and all I can do is latch unto him for dear life. Inhaling sharply, I take in his masculine scent, loving the warmth of his body mixed with mine. It does nothing for the displeasure that's still plaguing me that he left me and his little girl to fend for ourselves all those months ago.
"You left us." I mutter against his firm chest, refusing to make eye contact as he begins stroking my dark locks affectionately.
"I know." He replies.
"You left us Justin!" I snap. "It's been months...it's...been forever." I cry out and I feel his head shake in agreement.
"I know Di and I'm sorry." He apologizes but it's not good enough. If I'm right, he came here now in hopes that no one would be home to see him. That means he had no intention of making his presence known. For how long and why?
"No!" Coming back to my senses, I push away from him. He's not getting away that easily. "You left us! You left me when I...I could have died Justin! You heartless bastard!" I shout, watching how hurt instantly takes over his features by my words. But he doesn't say anything. He just bows his head in shame. What? Hold on, who the hell is this man? He's not...he's not acting like himself at all. He seems so different to me now.
"I know Di, I know I made a mistake." He says this softly, barely audible but I catch it.
"What happened to you?" This time he's the one who's shocked as Justin's head snaps up by my line of questioning and I think he's embarrassed by my question.
Chuckling nervously, he scratches under his chin and I'm still gazing at him in awe.
"I'm still me." He forces out in a cracked, strained tone but I shake my head ‘no.'
"You're different." I point out, letting out a sigh of relief because even if this is not how I expected his return to be, it still feels amazing now that he's actually back.
"I uh...well I..." But he's cut short when the front door swings open and the same stranger who I pegged as his friend makes his way towards us followed by...a woman?
I notice how Justin's eyes light up by the sight of her and again I'm completely dumbfounded.
This woman, she's small with amazing eyes like Justin and big bright sun-kissed curls on her head. She's in jeans and a t-shirt with a young girl at her side who looks like a female replica of Justin. Wow...
Regaining his composure, Justin stretches forward and grips my hand to pull me at his side. Slightly struggling against his hold, he shoots me a warning glare and I immediately stop squirming. Well, the old Justin is still somewhere in there, that's for sure.
"Di, firstly let me explain by saying I came here when I did, hoping no one would be home so I could surprise you guys but this works out well too. And secondly, I'm sorry for leaving like I did, but it needed to be done. It wasn't the best timing in the world, but know that even if I was gone physically, I still made sure that you were doing ok." That sparks my interest but I remain quiet as he continues to pour his heart out. "Now Di, I know for all the years we've been together I never really spoke much about my past before I lost my Dad. But, I do have one, and this woman right here is the reason why I'm alive on this earth today. This is my mom Di, and...my baby sister Katie." Justin looks over at me with pride on his face and all I can do is nod in shock and awe. "And guys, this is...Diane, the one I told you so much about." Justin says proudly and I gush despite myself because he was talking about me? I guess he didn't forget about me after all huh?
"It's a pleasure Diane, I've heard a lot about you." His mom smiles before giving me a tight hug and all of this is unreal.
"Hi Diane." I look at the girl at her side and smile warmly for her. She's adorable and has a head full of curly hair much like Courtney. Oh those genes I say are a curse if you ask me when it comes to taming that hair.
"Hey, it's really nice to meet you guys too." I say in all honesty. It's amazing that Justin showed back up here with his family. He really has changed a lot.
"Yeah, when I left, I went to California to visit my mom and you know I've been there ever since." He explains and I nod, wondering why he couldn't have called or...
"I know I should have gotten in contact with you guys, but I sort of needed the time away to uh...reinvent myself completely and my mom was really understanding when I told her I needed help." He explains.
"Help?" I inquire and he nods with a bashful smile on his face.
"Yeah, I've been seeing a psychologist." He winces by the admittance but I can still see the relief on his face that he actually did this for himself. Well, that would explain why he seems so different. With time, I'll know if the help he's been getting really worked.
"We had a lot of catching up to do and even if Justin and my husband don't see eye to eye, they were able to settle their differences for my sake. It's been a long time coming but I was too happy to have my son back to ever send him away. I am glad he had you all this time to take care of him though." Justin's mom explains and I'm wondering just what exactly he told her.
"Oh..." I respond not knowing what else to say.
"Ok, ok well I invited mom and Katie out to spend some time with us before they head back down to California." Justin tells me and I nod. What else can I do really? I'm still not fully back to reality quite yet. "Oh and I forgot, this is my old childhood friend Juan, but I call him Trace. We grew up together until I left all those years ago."
Finally the stranger has a name. He gives me a cheeky smile with a nod of his head and I'm only now realizing how much shorter he is standing next to Justin.
"Nice to meet you Trace." I point out.
"You too Diane." He beams.
"You might be seeing a little more of him around since we got back in touch with each other." Justin points out.
"Ok."
"Great so now that introductions are over, I know I will be doing this all over again when the girls are back and I know Rachel will want to see you guys too." Justin states knowing that he's the reason why Rachel was estranged from their family all those years ago as well. "Uh T, you can show mom and Katie upstairs to get settled in while I stay here and uh, catch up with Di. Just head to the end of the hall on the left where the guest bedrooms are. Pick one out for yourself too."
Agreeing, Trace easily escorts Justin's Mom and sister who's been gazing around in awe up the winding stairway towards the guest bedrooms with their luggage.
When we're left alone, I brush past Justin and storm into the kitchen heading straight for the alcohol cabinet. Pulling out a bottle of scotch, I grab a glass and pour some of the substance out, not bothering to add any ice. Bringing the glass up to my lips, I throw back the hot substance, grimacing a bit. Before I can pour myself another glass, the bottle is ripped away for my hands by an amused Justin.
"I've told you before alcohol does not solve your problems." He says firmly and I scowl at him.
"I can't believe you're here." I admit.
"I can't believe you are. I was sure that all those months ago you...you..." But his voice easily fades off as he continues looking at me. "I've missed you Di." He whispers. "I'm sorry for everything...I really am. I never meant for you to get hurt..." Justin whimpers slightly as his eyes gloss over with unshed tears and oh my god...
Rushing over to him, I engulf him in my arms as he rests his head against my shoulder, his arms snaking around my waist to hold me tightly against his hard body. "It's ok Justin. I'm fine, you're fine. We'll be ok."
"No, you nearly...god I could have lost you." His voice cracks as his hold on me tightens and I begin scheming his back gently realizing that he was only pretending to be strong and unaffected by everything that happened.
"Justin it's ok now. You're here now. You're back."
"I didn't want to leave you I just...I couldn't stay. I would have lost my mind if I did. I needed to get help. I needed to change for you...for us. My mom was my best bet. She saved me...god I'm so sorry." He's crying now, his sobs racking his entire body as he trembles against me. God, he needs to stop this. He needs to stop because he's making me want to cry too. I can't do this with him now. I'm all out of tears.
"I know Justin. You did what you had to do and I forgive you ok? I do. I'm not angry anymore. You're here now and that's all that counts."
"Ok." He groans before pulling away to look at me with puffy eyes.
"You baby, stop crying I'm fine. I'm looking right at you." I coo while wiping his tears away.
"You must think I'm the biggest pussy." He laughs uneasily, squeezing my sides affectionately.
"It'll be our little secret." I smile before gripping his hands and leading him out of the sliding doors in the kitchen that lead to the pool.
Laying down on one of the lounge chairs, Justin pulls me to lay on him as he keeps his protective hold around me, pinning me in place.
"Not a day went by that I didn't think about you Di." He admits.
"Same here."
"But, at least I got the help I needed and I'm going to continue here until I'm well enough to deal on my own again. My psychologist referred me here. He even suggested I took you along with me, that is...if you want to come."
Lifting my head to look at him and then the ripples in the pool, I sigh with contentment as I think of what life could be like if Justin really did find a solution to tame his demons.
"I'd like that." I whisper against his chest, listening to his steady breathing and heartbeat.
"Good. Where's Courtney?"
"Rachel has her, they'll be back tomorrow morning and in for a surprise. Courtney has been asking me for you non-stop. She misses her daddy. Rachel misses you too." I smile and Justin chuckles softly.
"Yeah I miss them too. Rachel was a lifesaver."
"Mmmhmmm..." I mutter, feeling comfortable in his arms.
"Hey Di?"
"Yeah?" Leaning up, I gaze into Justin's blues, noting how they've darkened slightly.
"I love you...so much..." He whispers and I gaze at him, realizing that's the second time he's said this to me in less than a year. It's something I never heard him say before and now it seems to spill out of his lips so easily.
I can feel my tears resurfacing and stinging the back of my eyelids but I won't cry. No, because I know he loves me, he's made it clear for some time now even if he was fighting it.
"I love you too Justin. Always have...always will." I reply and it's his turn to be a little shocked by my words. I guess he never expected me to say that and mean it? He maybe thought I'd hate him forever but he's wrong.
"You do?" He asks incredulously and I arch a brow at him.
"Yes dummy." I giggle before sealing it with a kiss.
The moment my lips connect to his own, I feel a spark of electricity shoot through my body, traveling up and down my spine. Squeezing me tightly, Justin takes the initiative to deepen the kiss as we get lost in each other, laying out pool-side on one of the lounge chairs.
This is...perfect. I never thought I could have a perfect moment in my life, but now is perfect. I don't ever want this new Justin to go away. I could get used to this...all of this.
To have a life with him I never even dreamed of? Yeah, this is amazing.
Moaning into the kiss, Justin shifts beneath me, allowing me to feel his already growing arousal. Gasping, I pull away from him, giving him a light peck before I smile. Licking at his lips, he grins without saying anything before he casts his vision to the sky.
Gazing at him, I note how his demeanor changes as he gets lost in his thoughts. "Give me some time and I promise I'll sit and tell you everything that happened." He says and I shake my head silently, still staring at him. God he's gorgeous, the lights from around the pool painting his skin with a light yellow glow. "And...I have some serious reinventing to do. I'm going to switch around my business. It needs to be done. Once I get in contact with Ronnie, Jacob and Hugh we should get the ball rolling on that."
Well, businessman Justin is also alive and well, but I'm not complaining because I know he's never going to let me set foot on that stage again and I'm grateful for that.
"I'm going to open that nightclub Di. And you're going to help me run it." Bending his head to look at me, Justin winks for me and I giggle because his boyish persona is shining. But I love him now more than ever.
"Ok, sure."
"Yeah and Courtney is going to be my sole heir unless we have more kids then I'll split it between them evenly." Justin points out nonchalantly and what?
"More kids?" I ask in a state of shock.
"Well yeah, once I make you my wife I'm going to want more kids Di." Justin says in a matter-of-fact manner and I think my heart just skipped a beat. Make me his wife? What?
"Wow..." I breathe out and he laughs. He actually laughs.
"What you didn't think I'd marry you? I'd be real stupid not to. I can't picture my life without you and Court Di. We're stuck together till the day we die and beyond." He muses and I slap his chest playfully.
"Ok badass." I mock him and he groans.
"I still am a badass, don't get it twisted. I'm just...a badass who's got a soft spot for his woman."
I guess he has a point there.
"You're something else Justin."
"You love me like that." He retorts.
"No complaints here."
"Uh huh."
"So..."
"So we stay here and chill for a bit, then we'll head in to check on my mom and my sis and deal with everyone else when they come home later. And tomorrow, you Court and I can spend the entire day together void any interruptions. Then, we'll sit and have that talk about what happened all those months ago with Rachel. How does that sound?" Justin's fingertips continue to gently graze my back as he makes circular patterns with them awaiting my response.
"That sounds...good." I sigh, getting lost in his infectious touches.
"Good. But first put this on..."
Seating up, I watch as he digs into his jeans pocket, pulling out a piece of jewelry. It's...it's the necklace he gave me some time ago. That simple piece of fine jewelry has so much history behind it, it still amazes me. Slipping the chain around my neck and clasping it, Justin plays with the diamond pendant for a few brief seconds before he regains his position on the lounge chair, pulling me with him.
"I have a surprise for you." He voices minutes later.
"Really what?" I state.
"You'll see...when I open my new nightclub. I figured that should be enough time to prepare you." He snickers and I don't like the sound of that but I let it slide, too engrossed with this man to really care about anything else right now.
"Fine." I relent.
"We've come a long way Di. I'm glad it turned out for the better..."
"It's not over yet." I respond because if anything, it's just the beginning for the three of us if we're going to be a real family. Still, I wouldn't have this any other way.
"Oh I know it's not over...not by a long shot." Justin says this knowingly as he exhales deeply and should I be worried?
Either way we're here now and I'm not going anywhere. So, whatever challenges are in store just waiting for us, bring it on, because if I could survive the past years of my life with him, then I'm pretty sure that we could make it through anything...