Conflicted Heart (Completed)

Thirty Eight

Zane

17 days. That's how long I have been in prison locked up. I still can't believe this shit is happening. Just when shit was going good for me, here I am. I'm going crazy in this place, but I am really trying to keep my cool. As soon as Yani could come to visit she has been here every day with our babies. I love that woman. I lov emy family. I shouldn't be in here I should be out there, but I made mistakes in my life. I understand that and I know I have to pay for them, but I never thought like this. My children deserve to have me in their life. I shouldn't have to talk to them through a glass wall. I hate that shit. I can't even touch or kiss my children or Yani. That's the worst. Being in here for something I had nothing to do with is even worse. I know I was set up. I have tried to explain to the police what happened but I have to do that without giving away what the hell I do because if I do that, that would put me in an even worse situation. I sigh as I lie back down on my bed. It's still the morning, but maybe closer to 12 p.m. I close my eyes, but I am awakened immediately by the opening of my cell door.

"Zane.....gather your things. You're out of here," the correction officer said. I look in shock. What? How?

"What? I.....how?," I asked in shock.

"Someone took the fall for you. You're out no strings attached. Get your things," the correction officer said. I just look at him confused. Someone took the fall? Who? I get out of the bed and I quickly gather my things as a million thoughts run through my mind. I don't understand this but I won't question it. Once I have all of my things, the correction officer leads me to an area when I can change back into my street clothes. As I am escorted out of the prison, I see Mr. J sitting in handcuffs. I look at him in shock.

"Mr. J?," I called out. He looks at me and smiles softly.

"Hey Zane," Mr. J said. I move closer to him and the correction officer gives us space.

"You.....you did this for me?," I asked. Mr. J nods his head quickly.

"But....why? Why would you do this for me?," I asked softly. My heart is so grateful right now.

"Zane....you're like a son to me. You're smart and driven and you can be anything you want to be. You have a beautiful family that loves you and I know you love them. You would do anything to protect them. You deserve to be with them Zane. They deserve to be with you. I don't have any of what you have so I am taking the fall for you."

"Mr. J....I don't even know what to say.....I can't let you do this."

"It's already done Zane. Go home. Kiss your kids for me." I nod my head slowly as tears fill my eyes.

"Mr. J....thank you. Thank you so much."

"It's ok son. I'll be ok," Mr. J said while looking me in my eyes. I nod my head and I lean down and I hug him for dear life. This man has giving me a second chance at life. I could never say thank you enough. I wipe my tears and I am escorted out of the prison. Luckily my phone still had some charge and I did have a bit of money in my wallet so I called a cab. I can't believe I am about to go home and see my family. I won't ever want to let them go once I hug them. 20 minutes later the cab comes and 45 minutes later I am dropped off in front of my home. I pay the cab driver the cost of the trip plus a tip and then I get out of the cab with my things. I look at our town home and I smile. I take out my keys and I go up to the door and I unlock it and I walk inside.

"Hello?," Yani's voice called out. My gosh her voice sounds amazing. I slip off my shoes and as soon as I look up I see Yani looking at me from a distance. It looks like she is stunned in place.

"I'm home baby," I said while smiling softly. She puts her hand over her mouth as tears stream down her cheeks. She runs to me and wraps her arms around my neck as she balls out crying on my chest. I wrap my arms around her waist and I hold her tightly as I cry on her shoulder. Damn I missed holding her like this. I missed her so much.

"I missed you so much Zane," Yani said through tears.

"I missed you too Yani. I missed you so much," I said through tears as well.

"Let me look at you baby," Yani said. She pulls out of the embrace and I wipe her tears as she admires my face. She then leans in and kisses me deeply. Her lips feel amazing. This closeness to the woman I love feels amazing. I kiss her back just as deeply as I hold her close to me. After a few minutes, we both pull away and hold each other again.

"Where are the kids?," I asked. Yani smiles and takes my hand and leads me upstairs to our bedroom. I smile widely when I see Nia sitting on the bed and ZJ sitting in his baby chair on the bed. Nia gasps and jumps off the bed and runs to me.

"Daddy!!!!!," Nia yelled in happiness. I pick her up and I hold her so tight. I missed my baby girl!!!!! Meanwhile in the background ZJ is screaming in happiness. Most beautiful screams I have ever heard to be honest.

"My baby girl daddy missed you so much. More than you will ever know," I said.

"I missed you more daddy. Are you home for good now?," Nia asked.

"Yes baby I am home for good." Nia kisses me all over my face and then hugs me again. I kiss her all over her face and then I set her down and I look at my lil' man. He kicks his hand and legs and I smile widely.

"Are you happy to see daddy lil' man? Huh??," I said in my baby voice. I pick ZJ up and I kiss him all over his chunky face as he squeals in happiness. I love my son.

"I missed you ZJ! Did you miss daddy?," I asked. He just laughs and I hold him close to me. I sit on the bed and Nia sits on my lap and Yani sits next to me. I can't even put into words how damn happy I am right now. I have a second chance and I have to make the best of it. I have to do it right. I look at my beautiful kids and then I look at Yani.

"You look so good baby," Yani complimented.

"Thank you baby so do you.....Yani be my wife," I blurted out. Yani's eyes widen in shock.

"....What?," Yani whispered in shock.

"Marry me Yani. Be my wife. I have this second chance and I want to live my life the way I want to live it. First thing I want to do is make us official. I want to be your husband and I want you to be my wife." Yani just looks at me in shock and more tears stream down her face.

"Just say yes baby," I said.

"...Yes Zane. Yes," Yani whispered through tears.

One Year Later

I'm sitting in the backyard of our town home at a table while I watch Nia, ZJ and Yani play in the pool. I smile as I watch Nia swim around and ZJ splash happily as Yani glides him across the water. I can't stop smiling. I'm so damn happy. Yani and I got married just a month after I suggested we do so. We had our families there and it was really special. I explained the entire situation with Mr.J to Yani. She couldn't believe he was willing to help me the way he did, but she was as thankful as I was. A lot has changed but only for the better. Yani went back to work at the tattoo shop and I have actually gone into business with her. I have helped design tattoos since I have always loved art. We are doing really well for ourselves and it worked out really well. Our babies are growing up by the day. Nia is doing well in school and ZJ is walking now and practically talking. I'm a married man with the best family in the world. I was lucky enough to not have the scuffle with the law have any effect on my criminal record. Mr. J did end up taking the fall, but because of lack of evidence, he was let go as well. I was ecstatic when I found that out. We have been in contact since. We have become even closer. He will never understand how thankful I am for him. I have a true friend in him. I look back at Yani and she looks at me. She smiles widely and waves and blows kisses and I smile back at her. I never thought I could love any woman the way I love Yani. I thought for sure in the profession I was in, I was bound to be in love forever. My job always use to conflict with the feelings I thought I shouldn't have. Now I realize that I deserve love. I no longer have any conflicts in my heart; only love.

THE END!!!