Jack & Destiny

Chapter 21: Destiny

When Jack and I got back from our trip to the sunflower farm and I told him what I feel, he asked if I would like to stay.

For good. For real.

"I don't want to impinge on your plans. If you have any." We were on the bed, lying face to face, our naked bodies still in a rush and on a high.

We've done this so many times.

But this was the very first time when I fully allowed myself to let go, to take and be taken without the thought that all of this was temporary.

I let Jack in, opened my heart and exposed all its pain and cried out for joy.

"I'm not really the type to plan anything." I gently rubbed the side of his face where the dark sideburns met the pale smooth skin close to his ear.

"I go where the wind takes me."

He laughed.

"What is the wind telling you now?"

"Let me listen." I closed my eyes and lay still.

The only sound I could hear was our steady breathing.

When I opened them again, Jack was smiling.

His eyes were bright, warm, liquid.

"Any messages?" He grinned.

"The wind told me to stay put. For now."

"Can you give the wind a message from me?"

"Sure."

"Tell the wind I am coming with you next time. Wherever it takes us. Because I don't want to be without you."

I felt my heart jumped for joy.

I kissed the tip of his nose and as his lips closed on mine, I let myself be swept away one more time.

The following days were filled with stuff to do.

He had a list because that's what he does.

I had everything on my brain but he would have none of that.

"Memory fails. Write it down or put it in your phone please?

He was so adorable.

We went furniture shopping with an excuse that we needed a new bed.

"This one is at the end of its life. Time to get a new one."

We were folding the sheets one morning, with him on the other side of the bed, holding the edges.

"Is that really the reason why? Or is it because you once shared this bed with Kate?"

"That too."

I didn't press the issue anymore.

Before I agreed, I told him I want to share in the expenses.

He argued but if we're going to start over, to do things as a couple, I cannot let him spend for everything.

"You have me now." I winked.

Jack only laughed.

I wanted to take care of him too.

The way he took care of me when I came knocking on his door one night.

Jack did not hesitate to give me shelter.

I came to him because I know he would not disappoint.

He was one of the few people I trust.

We cleaned the house before repainting it.

The once drab green walls were repainted a sunny shade of yellow.

Once it was done, we stood in the middle of the living room admiring how bright and more open it looked.

We donated the bed and things we don't need to a homeless shelter, rearranged the furniture and replaced the dark brown drapes with sheer white curtains to let more light in.

Ralph, our baby, was included in the home improvement plans.

I bought him a cat tree.

It was positioned beside the sofa where the three of us could watch TV together.

I would be cradled in Jack's arms while we binge watch a thriller and Ralph would be asleep on the topmost part of the tree.

When we finished repainting the rooms, we printed some pictures and put them in a frame.

Jack disappeared to the bedroom and came back with a brown paper bag.

"What is this?" I asked, puzzled.

"Open it." He urged.

I removed the tape and when I saw what was inside, I almost cried.

It was the framed photograph of my grandmother and I.

Back when I was young and we visited during the summer.

I still had my braces then and was skin was so dark from swimming.

I had one arm on her shoulders.

We were both smiling in the picture.

I still had my braces then.

"How did you get this?"

"I was mad at Annie that day."

I just laughed at the thought of Jack swiping a picture from my grandma's place just to get back at my cousin.

I knew I was not going anywhere when I finally unpacked my suitcase and took out what little possession I have.

Jack cleared the closet for my things.

Where there was once a lonely deodorant and a hairbrush, there was now a set of make up, skin and hair care products and bottles of perfume lined up beside his things.

I saw him grinned while checking out the different fragrances I liked.

He took the one in a clear bottle with the amber liquid, remove the top and lightly sprayed his wrist.

"This is my favorite. It smells like candy" He replaced the cap then put the bottle back in the topmost drawer.

"That is the one I wear when I know I'm going to see you."

"Ah. No wonder I couldn't get enough of you." Jack pulled me by the waist then kissed me hungrily.

I knew him to be affectionate.

Ever since we cleared the air about who we are to each other, he showed just how loving he was not just by taking care of me but with his tender and gentle ways of letting me know how much he wants me--a stolen kiss here and there, an embrace when I had my back turned or the way how our kisses start our slow until I can't help but ask for more.

It was intoxicating to feel like this.

There are times when I ask myself if any of this is true.

But when I see Jack trying to follow the recipes to try and make a casserole, I know I wasn't dreaming.

All I needed was someone to love.

When I found it with Jack, my heart and my mind finally agreed on something.

The voice that was always questioning was silenced.

Just like what the wind told me, I would stay put and just be.

I went with him to the registry to officially change his name.

Jack was very excited.

When he gave the papers to the lady at reception, he looked at me.

There were tears in his eyes.

He embraced me and whispered thank you.

I said the same thing to him.

For the first time in my life, I found the home where my heart can rest.

THE END