Turned Out

Chapter Thirty Four

Ashleigh.

A cold chill moved through my spine causing me to wake out of my slumber. The covers were pulled down off my body as I laid in nothing but one of Shannon's tshirts and my Victoria Secret underwear. I opened my eyes slightly, staring at Shannon. "Put the covers back on me, doofus." I groaned. A yawn and a stretch followed as I sat up to retrieve the plush blanket.

"No, no, no. Wake yo ass up!" Shannon slapped me on my thigh. The sound of his hand meeting my bare skin sounded throughout the room. He laughed, making me scrunch up my face. The slap hurt honestly. "It's almost three in the afternoon. Get up babe. We got shit to do." He put his water bottle to his lips and turned to walk out the room. Sweat was dripping from his bare back. A pool of sweat was around the rim of his grey cutoff sweatpants, making them dark in that area. I smiled to myself seeing his back muscles and calves flex as he walked away from me. I still couldn't believe that this gorgeous piece of man was mine and no one else's.

Shannon had started my shower water for me. I washed up, brushing my teeth once I was out of the shower. I followed by doing my makeup. I felt good today. Once my makeup was done I unwrapped my hair and touched up the ends. I had gotten my wild mane professionally pressed a couple of days ago and today it looked even better than when I first got it done.

After I was dressed, I met Shannon in the living room. He had used the downstairs shower and was already done. He looked good in his light colored jeans and white polo tshirt. He wore a white Polo hat on his head and fresh Air Force 1's on his feet. He looked simple, like a regular guy and I loved that. He smiled noticing me staring at him and I saw that today he chose to pop in his gold bottom grill. I felt my stomach turning just looking at him. It was like I had never seen him before. I had a school girl crush on my own man. "You gone keep looking or come get some of this chocolate?" Shannon side eyed me with a goofy grin on his face.

"I'm diabetic. I'll skip on the chocolate."

"Aw man, you just gone shoot me down like that? It's like that?"

"Yeah, straight like that." I laughed as he pulled me into his lap. I don't know when, but I had somehow found myself walking towards him in the midst of our conversation.

"Lying ass. You cute though, so I'm letting you slide. You ready to go?" I nodded even though I had no idea where we were going.

We sang back and forth to each other for the entire car ride. Shannon seemed so up and happy today. Things were off to a great start. This man made me love him more and more each day. Even when I hated him, I couldn't help but love him, as silly as that sounds. Every queen needs her king and he was definitely mine. I felt so giddy and elementary when it came to him. We were serious at times, but the memories I enjoy the most come from times that our maturity was thrown right out of the window.

Our first stop was to my favorite sandwich shop, which I was grateful for. I hadn't ate anything since before this time the day before. Shannon ordered my usual and his sandwich. He liked to try a new one each time we went. We ate and enjoyed our late lunch together before hitting the streets again. Shannon pulled up to a shopping strip. We went into a few stores. I didn't really want anything, but he insisted on buying anything that I said was cute. I turned down a lot of items. I knew that even if I thought they were cute I probably wouldn't ever wear them.

We did a little grocery shopping before heading back to the house. Shannon carried the shopping bags, telling me that I was not allowed to help him at all. I rolled my eyes, but listened. When I got in the house I took off my sandals and headed to the room. My jeans were replaced with heart printed sleep shorts and I slipped my black Uggs on. I left my fitted, white tshirt on and went back downstairs. All the bags had been brought into the house. I placed the shopping bags on the couch and the grocery bags in the kitchen then proceeded to put the groceries away.

We had decided that tonight we would just order pizza. Shannon was being funny about us having a "Netflix & chill" night that actually turned into a reality. The pizza arrived and we had already made a pallet on the floor with all the covers and pillows from inside the house. I cherish nights like these. They were sweet and innocent. Work was forgotten. Business was forgotten. It was just us and I was fine with that.

-6:30 am-

I jumped out of my sleep. The house smelled of bacon and coffee and Donell Jones 'Where I Wanna Be' was playing loud throughout. I stood up and found my Ugg boots on the floor by the bed. I slipped them on and followed the smell and music straight to the kitchen. I found Shannon in the kitchen. He sang along to the music as he cooked. I smiled at the scene before me.

I watched silently as Shannon maneuvered through the kitchen. He looked so at peace and like he was enjoying himself. Slow love songs played one after the other.

It was Sunday morning so I couldn't understand why Shannon was up so early. He majored in sleeping in on Sunday's. It was his "chill" day.

After so long of me sitting there without a word, Shannon finally faced me and smiled bright. "Good morning, baby." He moved towards me and kissed my forehead before going to the fridge. He pulled out the orange juice and set it on the counter. A pot of coffee and tea kettle were already on the counter. He went to the cabinet and grabbed two glasses and two mugs. After he filled the cups, the glasses with orange juice and one of he mugs with tea, the other with coffee, he started to make plates of food. He had made turkey bacon, eggs, and toast with butter and strawberry jam spread on top. He placed some cut up strawberries on each plate.

He got everything placed and joined me at the bar. He sipped his coffee and looked at me with a smile. The food was good, nothing was burnt surprisingly. Breakfast wasn't a hard meal to make, but you just never knew with Shannon. It was always hit or miss, no in between. "Thank you... Why you up so early?"

"We're going to church today... Eat your food." Another surprise. I nodded and finished my food. This man wanted to step into church with me and I wasn't going to say a word to make him change his mind.

Two hours passed and we were ready to go. We were in the car on our way to church. We drove for a while before I started to see places and streets that were all too familiar. I could tell we were going to my fathers church. I hadn't seen my family in such a long time and I wasn't sure if this was a good idea. I didn't know if they would be happy or upset. I took deep breaths as the car got closer. The church was now in plain view. There was no turning back. We pulled into the lot and I took a final deep breath. Shannon exited the car and I sat still. It was like I couldn't move. I watched all the familiar faces pass by me. My door opened and my hand was grabbed. "Come on babe. They're starting soon." I snapped out of it and grasped his hand, exiting the car.

The moment we entered the church I felt all eyes on us. I couldn't hold my head up to face the eyes that were burning holes into our entire being. I just slowly let Shannon lead me to his chosen pew with my head hung low. I was still registering the fact that we were in my fathers church. I was in my fathers church... Again... For the first time in what seemed like forever. I hadn't even thought about ever returning to his church. Our last encounter went so wrong that I had no idea how to make it right. I didn't want to face him just yet and especially not this way.

The entire service I sat and listened. I felt several eyes on me but I couldn't turn to look back. I just let the eyes watch me as I silently sat with my head down. Shannon's hand held mine the entire time. I couldn't let it go. When they passed the collection plate around I still held his hand tight even when he asked me to let it go for just a second so he could get his wallet.

The entire sermon felt as if it was directed towards me. I could feel every word and knew that my father was speaking to me. When it was finally over, I was one of the first to stand up. I pulled Shannon up after me and hurried towards the exit. We couldn't get halfway to the exit before I heard my name being called.