Another Chance

Family Vacation

Dario POV

A few weeks had passed. We were still in a comfortable space in our relationship. It was nice and felt good. I could tell that she felt secure with us and so did I. There was no drama. Finally. And hopefully it'd be that way for a while.

Well a little with Wissam being in jail. Every now and again his family would push back for time with Eissa. Janet was reluctant at first, and I could understand her hesitancy. She was very protective of him, and he had already been through a lot not having his dad around. I had just told her to make sure it was on her terms and no one else's.

I could only do so much. I wasn't trying to replace him. I know I could never be his dad, but Janet reassured me that I was still a great substitution. I loved that little boy too pieces and I already thought of him as my son anyway. We spent so much time together. I felt like I was teaching him a lot. The questions that he would ask... When Janet couldn't handle it or she didn't know what to say or how to explain, Janet would immediately send him to me to answer or give some insight as a young boy.

We had planned everything out for us to go camping. Well more like I did since it was something that I was into. I found a cabin by a lake in Northern Michigan. Me being from Michigan, I had spent quite a few summers camping with friends and family so I was familiar with the area.

Me being geeked up to go was an understatement. I couldn't wait to show Eissa and her around. Well...mostly Eissa. I wanted to take him fishing, teach him how to start a fire, learn the area, roast some marshmallows, swing on a tire rope before jumping in the lake, and to swim in the lake without fear, and to grill outside on the fire pit that was near the cabin.

I knew it wasn't really Janet's thing and she was just doing it to make me happy. Which I appreciated. Just like she knew I couldn't stand to go shopping, and I went to make her happy.

That woman always had to buy some shoes.  She was obsessed especially when it came to boots. She had to have any type of boot that was out there whether it was a sneaker or high heeled boot. Obsessed!

Joey was good at making sure that we had the stores to ourselves. It was starting to slowly get out that she was seeing someone. It was never confirmed who, but there were bits and pieces on Instagram or the gossip sites. I'm sure it was from when we went out shopping and she closed it down for privacy or us eating at some of the restaurants. 

"Darius this makes me nervous." She whined coming into the living room. "And why do we have to go all the way to Michigan? We are already here in London. I'm sure there is some place we can camp out here."

"We'll be fine." I was currently packing up some of my fishing gear and checking the first aid kit. "Plus I don't know anything about this area. I know that place. I know we'll be safe."

"We are gonna be black in the woods babe. Black people always die first in the woods. Especially in the movies. And black people don't camp."

"You are hilarious. That's not even true. Black people camp. All that other stuff only happens in the movies." I glanced over at her smirking. She was legit concerned. The uneasiness and wary look on her face spoke volumes. "I've been camping since I was a kid. It's not that deep babe." 

"You're not the average black person! It's just not normal."

"Nothing's ever happened to me. I'm telling you that we will be fine." I reiterated. 

"I'm being serious! You're going to have me out there with my baby." She glared at me now, her hands on her hips standing in the middle of the room.

"I thought Joey was staying in the other cabin?" Shaking my head, I finally glanced at her.