divine order

Ties

Marshalls Pov
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I was finally back home, the familiar chaos of the house wrapping around me like an old, comforting blanket. I'd just dropped Precious off at the hospital, her son Malachi being the reason for the rush. The worry etched on her face was something I couldn't easily shake. But I needed to focus on the here and now, and that meant catching up on life at home.

As I stepped through the door, the buzz of activity in the house greeted me. The girls were running around, their voices blending into a joyful cacophony that was both invigorating and exhausting. I spotted Kim in the kitchen, her back turned as she sorted through a pile of dishes. She seemed absorbed in her work, but I could tell she was aware of my presence.

"Hey," I called out, trying to keep my tone light despite the heaviness in my chest.

Kim turned, her face lighting up with a smile that made me feel a little lighter. "Hey, you. How was the day?" she asked, her voice warm and genuine.

"It was... a day," I replied, running a hand through my hair. "Busy. But good to be back."

She nodded, moving to set a plate on the counter. "You look tired. Want some coffee or something?"

"Yeah, coffee sounds good," I said, sinking into a chair at the kitchen table.

Kim poured a steaming mug and handed it to me, her gaze lingering on me with an unspoken understanding. There was something different in the air tonight, a softness that hadn't been there before. I could feel it, like a gentle undercurrent connecting us.

Being sober with Kim around...the both of us being sober—we were so different. We weren't fighting, Kim was supportive and kind...I enjoyed her company. It wasn't a burden. I regret not doing this sooner...so many things would have been so different.

"So, what's new?" she asked, leaning against the counter.

I shrugged, trying to come up with something that didn't involve diving into my thoughts about Precious. "Nothing much. Just catching up on things. Dre hasn't called yet. I'm starting to wonder if he's too busy or just forgot."

Kim raised an eyebrow. "You've been waiting for him to call?"

"Yeah," I admitted, taking a sip of coffee. "It's been a while. I get it, he's got his own life, but... I don't know. It's weird, you know?"

Kim nodded thoughtfully. "I get it. Sometimes it's those small things that feel like they matter the most. Like a call from an old friend. But you've got a lot of people here who care about you, too."

Her words hit me in a way I wasn't expecting. I looked at her, really looked at her, and saw the depth of sincerity in her eyes. "Yeah, I guess so. Thanks, Kim. That means a lot."

She smiled, and there was a moment of silence between us, filled with a kind of mutual understanding. The connection between us felt tangible, and though Kim was trying to be supportive, I could sense her struggle to hide the longing that mirrored my own.

As we chatted, there was a subtle shift in the way we spoke, a shared acknowledgment of the feelings we both felt but were reluctant to name. Kim's laughter, her eyes meeting mine, and the way she seemed to lean just a bit closer all hinted at something deeper than friendship. I couldn't let that happen though.

When the girls' laughter echoed through the house, Kim suggested we join them in their game. I agreed, eager for a distraction from the weight of my thoughts. But even as we played, I couldn't ignore the undercurrent of attraction and unspoken emotion between us.

Later, as the night settled in, Kim and I found ourselves sitting on the porch, the soft glow of the porch light casting a gentle halo around us. The conversation flowed easily, touching on everything from everyday life to deeper reflections. But beneath the surface, there was a palpable tension, a longing that neither of us fully acknowledged but both felt keenly.

"I've been thinking," Kim started, breaking the comfortable silence, "about how hard it must be to juggle everything—being a dad, making music, trying to keep it all together."

I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "Yeah, it's a lot. Sometimes I wonder how I'm even managing."

Kim's gaze lingered on me, her eyes soft but intense. "You're doing better than you think. Sometimes it's the small things—like just being here, being present—that matter the most."

Her words, though comforting, carried a weight of unspoken sentiment. There was a look in her eyes, a softness that I couldn't ignore. I found myself drawn to her, sensing that she felt the same way. The moments we shared tonight felt like a dance around something unspoken but deeply felt.

But I knew that it was just nostalgia from the past that I wanted to revisit. I couldn't let my feelings implode and take over to the point where things began to start between her and I.... Weve already been through this. And deep down, I knew that it wasn't gonna happen. I wasn't going to let it happen...because it wasn't right.

When we finally said goodnight, I headed to bed, hoping for a restful night's sleep. Just as I was about to drift off, my phone buzzed with a message. It was from Precious.

"My boy is okay."

A wave of relief washed over me. I quickly texted back, asking for more details. Precious responded after a short delay.

"Malachi, he's been diagnosed with some weird condition that causes severe joint pain—I have no idea what's going on..."

I stared at the screen, my heart sinking at the thought of what Precious and her son would be facing. It wasn't the worst news, but it wasn't easy either. I texted back, offering my support and asking if she needed anything.

"Thanks. It's just been a rough day. My friend, Sarah, the girl I'm staying with—she isn't home tonight, and I'm feeling pretty lonely. If you're up for it, you can come over. It would be nice to have some company."

She sent a hesitating double text back.

"Only if you want to, Marshall. I know you're busy, I don't wanna be a burden on you. If you can't make it, I understand. Just let me know (:"

I hesitated, glancing at the clock. It was late, and I was tired, but I could sense how much Precious needed some support right now. After a moment, I texted back.

"I'll be on my way. See you soon."

I grabbed my keys and headed out, my mind racing with thoughts of Precious, Malachi, and everything else. It was late, and I was tired, but I knew this was something I needed to do. The connection between us was growing, and it felt right to be there for her, even if it was just to sit in silence.

As I drove through the quiet streets, I couldn't help but think about the uncertain road ahead. But tonight, all that mattered was being there for Precious and offering her the support she needed.