Heartbreak 'n Heels

Chapter 23

Deacan shot up at the sound of the alarm going off. He silenced it then turned to see Erica sprawled out on her back. She'd had her hair in two afro puffs but she must've been sleeping good because now they were lopsided and messy. He grabbed his phone and snapped a picture of her. She would never not be beautiful to him.

At that moment, she turned in the bed and reached for him. Her eyes opened slowly when she didn't feel him next to her.

"It's shower time, baby. And don't be tryin' to take advantage of me!"

Erica stretched and chuckled at him. "I need to watch out for you!" He grabbed her hand, pulling her up into his arms, planting kisses on her neck. "See! You startin' stuff."

"Teaser for later. Gotta keep you interested," he replied as he walked to the bathroom and turned on the shower. They agreed to shower separately to make sure nothing happened, though Erica definitely took a peek at him when she brought his house shoes in to him.

Erica had laid an outfit on the bed for him, black cargo shorts and a navy blue tank top. He listened to her humming as he dressed, thinking about how considerate she was. She didn't have to bring him his house shoes or lay out his clothes, but he loved that she did. It showed he mattered to her and that put him closer to crossing into the "love zone". Deacan didn't think he was ready to say it to her yet, but the feeling and the words were swirling around in him.

Did she feel the same? What if he said it and she didn't say it back? Though no one wants that to happen, Deacan knew it wouldn't change anything for him. If she wasn't where he was feelings-wise, he would wait for her to get there. All he knew was he liked her, possibly loved her, and wanted her in his life. Hell, she was meeting his uncle and they'd only been together five months. Jennifer didn't meet him until a year into the relationship. They had casually spoken on the phone before that, but nothing deep. With Erica, Deacan was near bursting for her to meet the man that helped shape him into who he was today.

Erica hurried into the room in her towel and grabbed her phone. She texted her parents and asked where they wanted to meet.

"Have you heard from your Uncle Mitchell," she asked.

"Yeah. Uncle Mick is on the way. Should be here in about two hours."

"Mick? Isn't his name Mitchell?" she asked as she adjusted her red maxi dress. Deacan laughed as he spoke.

"When I was younger I couldn't pronounce that "tch" so Mick stuck."

She laughed softly as she envisioned toddler Deacan, running around, begging his Uncle Mick to pick him up. That dream morphed into Deacan chasing their son, high pitched squeals punching the air when Deacan caught and tickled him. Erica slid her feet into her red sandals as she disappeared into her thoughts.

They were walking through the zoo, their little family of three. Maya was there too; she was walking with their son showing him animals. Erica felt a hand on her face, bringing her back to the present.

"Where'd you go?" Deacan pulled her in, wrapping his arms around her.

"The future, I hope."

"Was I in it?"

Erica pecked his lips then made her way to the door with him trailing behind. "Stick around and find out."

"That was delicious!" Everyone murmured their agreement at Deacan's statement. "Did one of you cook," he asked, looking between John and Lacy.

"Not this time," Lacy replied, "these were leftovers from yesterday." She stood and began picking up the dishes to take back into the resort's kitchen. Deacan stood to help her, grabbing his and Erica's plates.