(18+) These Three Words | A DeVanté Swing Fanfiction

Chapter 27: Without Your Permission

Please excuse ANY errors.

December 26 & 27, 1998

~DeVanté's P.O.V~

"Don't be on edge because I was that type of man once upon a time. Not to my wife, but to some other women. As long as the past doesn't coincide with the present and future, I think you're fine. I respect you too because it took me a little longer than you. You're still in your twenties and have it figured out." Daryl explained to me. "As long as my daughter is good, you are fine with me."

That made me smile because that's some real shit I wish my pops could understand. "Thank you, Daryl. I appreciate that. I'm not on edge, but I ain't want that to cloud the person I am now. But there were some key things that I want pops to take heed of. If the past doesn't coincide with the present or future, then there's no need for it to be mentioned. If you still on the same stuff that you were in the past, you ain't grown a bit."

I continued. "My actions were a reflection of my life which was dark. They aren't now. I was happy when I was single for a long time and now I'm happy in a relationship. Can't nobody make me do what I don't wanna do? Love or not." DeVanté finished explaining himself.

"Love can make you do crazy things. It can blind you, son." Pops said in a serious tone.

"With all due respect. I love you but didn't listen to you. You didn't want me or none of us making the type of music we do or listening to it, but I still did it. I did what I truly wanted to do regardless of your words and actions. You and mother both. I was like that since I was a child." I told him. "This just doesn't make any sense about y'all mentionin' people's past, but get mad when somebody mentions yours"

Senior shook his head. "You're young."

"I may be what many would consider young, but I'm old enough to know better, pops. When I was into that, I felt superior to most and anyone who thought otherwise was tossed to the side. Now- at this very moment, I know that everything and anyone can be snatched away from me, including my life. That's what's keeping me on the right path. Plus, I know I let those who were genuinely there and care for me down and in turn let myself down." I explained. "And now someone else important to me is added to the list and with her comes her people too."

"I just want you to think about it," Pops told me.

"What is it with my daughter that you so worried about? She's fully capable of taking care of herself, respectful, love your son, treats him right, not lazy, a damn good cook- what is really your issue?" Daryl asked my pops. "I'm curious. I heard what was said before we took flight. And another thing to add to us is that she ain't on no damn drugs. She just gets excited sometimes and I would too if I was a woman and my dude did something like that for me."

"She seems standoffish from the first day we met. Then she brought up her finances to throw it in somebody's face as if she's better." Pops explained. "Plus, drugs is what industry people seem to dibble into eventually. Look at Junior. Before that, he was way better."

"Don't project what your son ended up doing onto my child. Your son explained to you what's what. He seems level head now. She grew up seeing the consequences of junkies. The girl is so scared that she doesn't even take pills. Did you not listen to your son?" Daryl frowned. "You should definitely try listening instead of having your opinions and assumptions cloud people's words."