Costly Decisions (Book 2 of The Costly Decisions series}

CHAPTER SEVEN

Once outside, she walked around the neighborhood looking like a lost soul. Never could she have imagined that her marriage would end like this. The pain she felt behind the recognition of their failures, was indescribable. Leaning against the gate of her son's school, she let out her pain the only way she knew how; she cried a heart wrenching cry.

Her phone began to ring. Pulling her phone from her coat pocket, Vincent's face was on the screen.

"Hey," she sniffled.

"Are you crying? Why are you crying? That nigga didn't put his hands on you, did he?"

"No, he didn't."

"So, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"I finally asked him for a divorce." she sobbed.

"Oh! Really? Good for you! We should go out to celebrate." he joked, trying to lift her spirits.

"Not really in the mood to celebrate," She sighed.

"Where are you at, yo?"

"Outside, just walking around."

"Get in a cab and come over. We aren't going to do nothing but just chill."

"I don't know, Vincent. We don't just "chill" and I am not in the mood for sex tonight."

"I am serious. I don't want to have sex tonight. I just want to hold you, in your time of need." He sincerely replied.

She thought for a minute and decided that she could use the companionship. "Alright, I am on my way."

"I'll see you when you get here," he hung up.

She called the cab. Ten minutes later, she was in route to see him, for the second time that day.

When she got to the house, she was blown away. He had the table set with candles, a single rose in a vase and two plates of chicken parmesan and linguine noodles.

"When did you have the time to do all of this?" she asked, astonished by his efforts.

"Well, I went out and brought the stuff for the candle lit dinner today. I had planned this evening for us tomorrow night but it seemed more appropriate tonight. So, please join me for dinner." he gestured to the table.

"Where did you get this beautiful meal?" she asked, as she sat in the chair he pulled out for her.

"Around the corner, at the Italian restaurant."

"It looks delicious."

"Natasha says, they have the best Italian food on the island."

"Where is she? I haven't seen her since that first day."

"She's out with her man for the night." he responded as he unraveled her silverware.

"Oh ok. So we have the place to ourselves tonight?

"Yea, but enough with the chit-chat. Let's eat,"

They ate in silence as they gazed at one another occasionally over the candle light. When they finished, he took her hand and guided her to the bathroom.

"What's in there?"

"Just follow me, no questions."

He opened the door and once again she was blown away for the second time that night. The bathroom was lit by candle light; the tub was filled with rose petals and bubbles, and there were a few scented oils sitting on the sink.

"This is beautiful, but why? Why did you do all of this?" she asked tearfully.

"No questions, remember?" he replied as he wiped her tears.

He began to undress her and once she was completely nude, he held her hand as she stepped into the bathtub. She sank into the warm water and relaxed as he massaged her feet. He massaged each limb, her back and then slowly washed her from head to toe. Twenty minutes later, he retrieved a large body towel from the linen closet and helped her out of the tub. He dried her and then led her to the living room.

Laying her down, he reached over and picked up a bottle of oil and began to oil her body. When he finished, he gave her a T-shirt of his to put on. He climbed into the bed next to her and pulled her on his chest. The feel of warm tears falling on his chest made him look down at her.

"Thank you, Vincent." was all she said as she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

The sound of her phone's morning alarm woke her up to sight of him packing.

"What's going on Vincent? Where are you going?"

"I have to go back to D.C., I was going to leave tomorrow after I saw you today but you came back over last night. So, I brought my ticket a little earlier."

"Oh, okay." Her disappointment was apparent in her tone. "Do you know when you're coming back for another visit?"

"Not at the moment. But you know that I'll be in touch with you so I'll let you know when."

"Thank you again for last night," she said getting out of bed and getting dressed.

"No thanks needed babe. That was for you. You know I am going to miss you, right?"

"I am going to miss you too," she said trying to hold back the tears.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her. This kiss for some reason felt different than their other kisses. It was more passionate, affectionate and emotion filled.

"I'll see you soon, baby." She broke their hold and walked out the door towards the gas station.

The smell of French toast and bacon greeted her at the door when she walked in to her house. Knowing her husband was not one to cook, she knew something wasn't right. Assuming the worse, Victoria snatched off her earrings and ponytail, shoved them into her bag and ran upstairs ready for war.

"I know you don't have another motherfucking bitch in my house, DeMarcus! You must have lost your rabbit ass mi-" To her surprise, DeMarcus was standing over the stove with her apron on, flipping over two pieces of French toast.

"What? I would never disrespect our home, Victoria. I know I haven't been the best husband but I would never cross that line."

Feeling like an idiot, Victoria lowered her head in shame. "I'm sorry. I smelled breakfast and thought the worst."

"Damn, am I that bad? I can't even cook breakfast for you without you thinking I had the next chick in here. That is ludicrous." He sat the plate of French toast on the table.

She was so riled up that she didn't notice the other foods on the table when she came in. There was a bowl of grits, a dish of scrambled eggs, a plate of fried salmon cakes, and a pitcher of orange juice.

"What are you up to, DeMarcus? What is all of this?" she questioned.

"Can't a man cook and have breakfast with his wife without getting the third degree about alternative motives?"

"Yeah, a good man could. But you, I am suspicious as hell of."

"I guess I deserved that. Can you please take a seat and have breakfast with me?"

"You poisoned this food, didn't you?" she halfway joked.

"Why, would I do that Victoria? What have you done to me, for me to do something like that? Shit, I am the one who was living trifling as hell, I know I done had a few spit seasoned dishes from you," he chuckled.

"Nah, but seriously I just want to have breakfast with you, my wife and to talk.

"If you say so," she responded and sat at the table.

They sat and ate breakfast together as they talked about his indiscretions. This was a talk that should have been had a long time ago but it was better late than never and it proved to be an eye opener.