Destined 2 Love ( Sequel )

N O W W H A T ?

"How's everyone feeling?" Destiny looked around the table at her siblings. There was an awkward silence amongst them. "I know I should feel sad, in shock even, but I don't." Lani broke the silence with a shrug. Destiny nodded, "Our mom wasn't always the best. It's understandable." Darnell leaned forward into his chair, "So, what, we supposed to arrange funeral plans and honor her memory as if she was something to remember?" He questioned.

"We can't just not bury our mother. She gave us life." Deedra chimed in. "Dee, I love you to death, but you got to shut the fuck up speaking highly of a woman who abandoned us every chance she got." Darnell balled up his fist. "We not doing that! Each of you have a right to feel however you want towards her, without judgement from the others." Destiny stopped the two from going back and fourth. Now wasn't the time for that.

"I asked you all to come here so I could check in with y'all. The last thing our family needs is separation. I'll handle all the funeral arrangements and see to it that she has a decent home going." She told them. "I want to help. You're pregnant and shouldn't have to do this alone." Deedra offered her assistance.

Lani sighed, "I'll help wherever I'm needed, but only for you Des." She could put her feelings to the aside when necessary. Destiny slipped her a faint smile. "Well y'all can count me out that shit. I'll show up, but that's the most y'all 'bout to get from me." Darnell stood from the table. Deedra shook her head, annoyed. "You gone live with hate in your heart for her forever?" She asked, her eyes still puffy from all the crying she'd been doing.

Darnell screwed his face. "I should probably go before I say sum' that I can't come back from no time soon." He grilled his sister. "You don't have to question peoples emotions because they're different from yours." Destiny looked over at Deedra. She folded her arms across her chest, sitting back in the chair. "Just seems like I'm the only one who cares to forgive." She rolled her eyes in another direction.

"Did she have a fucking gun pointed at your head?" Darnell got in her face, slamming his fist down on the table. Destiny rushed to defuse the situation. "Back up, take a breather." She used her hands to gently move Darnell from hovering over Deedra. "I saved your ass from having to experience what being on the other end of a gun feels like! Me or Lani can't undo that shit." A single tear fell from his eye.

There was anger in the way he spoke, though it was stemming from a place of pain. Deedra wasn't there to witness the traumatic ordeal firsthand— in fact, if it weren't for Darnell that day, both of his sisters would of been the two on the end of the gun aimed by their own mother. He sometimes felt guilty for not being able to prevent De'Lanice from having to physically go through that moment.

He loved his sisters, each of them in a different way. "I-I'm sorry." Deedra finally mumbled. She hadn't thought much about how the situation effected her brother and sister until now. "None of us can take back or undo all that's happened," Lani spoke up, "Let's not cause ourselves anymore pain." She wiped her eyes.

"It's pretty late, does anyone want to stay the night?" Destiny asked. "I have to be up at six for work." Deedra said. Lani stood up shortly after, "I'll stay. There's barely people on campus anyway." Destiny nodded then looked at Darnell who was still heavily breathing. "I don't want you driving in the state you're in." She took a seat beside him but still gave him his space. Deedra had already left and Lani had gone upstairs to see the kids.

His silence was worse than his anger. Yet his silence said volumes. The silence lasted for about a minute until he cleared his throat. "How do you do it?" He asked, looking off in another direction. "Do what?" Destiny was confused. "Live with grace. I know you haven't completely forgiven her or the nigga we supposed to call dad, but you carry it all so... neatly." Darnell's shoulders went up then down.

She listened in silence while looking at her brother who was now on the verge of reaching manhood. "It hasn't not been difficult— in fact, I'm still getting the hang of this whole healing process." Destiny admitted. "Therapy has definitely helped me to unpack some of it though." She added. "We was never taught to seek help, just to deal with it." Darnell replied.

"That's exactly why I'm breaking that cycle," Destiny gently touched his shoulder. "We can't keep living with the hurt other people have caused. It's our responsibility to pack it away." She told him. "I hear you," he nodded. "Hopefully that day will come soon." He was open to trying therapy— however, he knew he wasn't physically ready to sit in front of a stranger and talk about his family issues just yet.

"I'll always be here for you, you're my baby brother." She reminded. Darnell smiled briefly, "No doubt about that." The two then shared a hug that lasted a while. "It's cool if I crash on the couch?" He asked, pulling away. Destiny's eyes squinted, "Why? We have plenty of rooms upstairs. Besides, don't nobody sleep on my expensive couch." She used her finger to point.

Darnell laughed. Success looked good on his big sis, especially remembering how she bussed her ass working two jobs. He respected how she had elevated her life and created a strong foundation with Kross. "I won't argue with you in your house." He jokingly held his hands up in surrender. "Oh, I ain't expect you to." She giggled.

Darnell cleared his throat, "I love you." He issued his sister a wholesome smile this time. Her heart fluttered in the moment while her eyes grew watery. She was proud of the amazing young man her brother had grown to become. He did a complete one-eighty with his attitude since graduating from high school. "Why is you crying right now, and you not gone say it back?" He always found a way to lighten the moment.

"Hormones." Destiny laughed, swatting her tears away. "Don't go blaming my nephew for nothing, a'ight." Darnell took a minute to touch her round belly that had grown a lot since the last time he saw her. "Nephew?" She sucked her teeth, "What makes you think it's another boy?" She questioned. Darnell scratched his head, "Speaking it into existence. Been said this family needs more masculine energy." Destiny rolled her eyes. She was secretly wishing for another girl.

"Anywho, I love you, always. You know I'm here forever, could never get rid of your big sis." She playfully mushed his head. "Yea, or Lani and pain-in-my-ass Deedra." He made a funny face, "Wouldn't trade y'all for a bag of chips though." Destiny smirked. They began walking up the stairs. "See you in the morning?" She stopped midway. "See you in the morning." He assured with a smile.

- - -

Vote + Comment!

Thanks for reading! 💕