Only You

Twenty-Four

Michael
Imani hurls herself on Fallon in excitement. Fallon groans in pain. Harris stands behind her with a big brown paper bag. He sets it down on couch.

"Get her down." I tell Harris.

Harris grabs Imani and takes her off of Fallon. She screams in frustration.

"Gentle, Imani. Fallon is hurt." I tell her.

"Yeah, mama. Gentle." Fallon agrees.

Imani frowns and crosses her arms.

"Gimme a kiss." Fallon says noticing her attitude.

Harris picks Imani up to help her kiss Fallon. So sweet. My heart twists in bittersweet happiness. After putting her down, Fallon gives Harris a look that who stands frozen.

"Harris." She says.

Wait. Is homeboy crying? His face scrunches up as he lets out a sob. Tears roll down his face and Fallon opens her arms.

"Come here."

Harris steps closer and leans over for a hug. The rest of us in the room watch the emotional reunion of the two friends. My mom watches and takes notes. What is she thinking?

We make eye contact, and she raises an eyebrow. Uh, no mom. The hug breaks and Harris speaks.

"The house wasn't the same without you." He says with a smile.

"So I heard. I missed you. All of you." Fallon says with a sniffle.

How much will tears be shed today? Harris retrieves the brown bag he held and holds it up.

"I bought dinner for you. Hope you're hungry."

Fallon claps her hand and grins.

"Yes. I'm starving. You're so sweet, Harris." Fallon says fawning over Harris.

I roll my eyes. Oh please.

Fallon
Harris brings out a plate of food and places it on my lap. My mouth waters at the sight of the warm food. He made my favorite: ziti, grilled chicken, Caesar salad, and stringed beans.

"Harris, you're the best!" I squeal.

"I know!" He says imitating my enthusiasm.

Michael sucks his teeth, but I ignore it. I can't flex my fingers so the spoon sits awkwardly in my hand.

"Help?" I ask.

Michael and Harris both make a move towards me at the same time. They look each other in the eyes and move again. Michael cocks his head with a "Really nxgga" look. Harris backs away with a smirk.

"Let me help you." Michael says taking the spoon and plate away from me.

"Well! I gotta go to my book club meeting." Michael's mom announces loudly.

"Aw. Okay. It was nice meeting you, Karen." I say.

"Same to you, honey. I'll swing by the house more often to see you." She says while patting my wounded knee.

Everyone says goodbye before she finally leaves. The air is more relaxed now. I feel myself relax.

"So that's your mother." I say to Michael.

"Yep. That's her."

"She isn't that bad, Michael. She was actually nice." I say.

"She likes you, that's why." He says with a soft smile.

Agh! He's gorgeous! As Michael feeds me, we all try to talk about something other than the incident. Imani lays at the foot of my bed and watches cartoons.

"I'm full, Michael." I say while turning my face away from the food.

"Are you sure?" He asks.

"Yeah. I know you want the rest so eat it."

I seen the way he was looking at the food.

"You the best, baby." He says before eating.

"You already ate, fat ass." Harris says while shaking his head.

"Stay over there, Harris."

I laugh realizing that the three most important people in my life are around me right now. Life began only when I came to meet them. Tears of happiness run down my face and they both mistake them for tears of sadness.

"It's okay, Fallon. We're here now." Harris says.

"I really do love you guys. I wasn't living a life until I came here." I say.

Michael kisses me and wipes my tears. I smile at him and squeeze his hand. Harris rubs my arm and nods.

"How long do you think Donnell is gonna get?" I ask.

"Well, for kidnapping and abuse, 15-30 years. Maybe." Michael says with a shrug.

He really doesn't give af. I don't either.

One Week Later
Michael wheelchairs me up the ramp of the house after a week in the hospital. Doctors say I should be fine.

"I have a couple of people coming over tonight for a little dinner. Is that okay?" He asks while searching for the key.

"Yeah, even though I won't know them...." I reply.

Luckily, the paparazzi didn't follow is to the house. Michael was threatening to press charges if they followed us.

"Don't worry." He says while unlocking the door.

The door opens and people jump out and yell,"Welcome Home!" I cover my mouth in surprise and cry. There's confetti on the floor and balloons in the air. A banner is hanging on the ceiling that says,"Welcome Home, Fallon!"

Old friends from college back home, old church friends, cousins, my mother and father, aunts and uncles, brother and sister, and many more people I don't know. I break down in tears at the overwhelming emotions.

I haven't seen or talked to these people in over nine years! My parents come to me and hug me.

"Mom. Dad. I'm so sorry." I say.

"It's okay. Everything's okay." They say.

One by one, everyone comes and says hello. Tearful hellos after years of being apart. Donnell restricted me from talking to these amazing people. This isn't a small dinner, it's a party.

I turn to Michael with a grin.

"You did this for me?" I ask with a raise of an eyebrow.

"Well, I had some help from Harris and a couple a friends who helped me find people." Michael says with a smile.

"Michael, I don't know how to thank you. I don't." I say honestly.

He gets down on one knee and takes a small box out of his pockets. He opens it to showcase the huge diamond engagement ring.

"Marry me." He replies.

To Be Continued

Author's Note
Dis tew much!😫😭😭