BY DEMARCO'S STANDARDS (Part 5)

Reckoning

I've faced down brutal killer's, ran for my life many time's, escaped narrow near misses, stood in the middle of bullets raining down but none of that was hard compared to this. This was by far the hardest thing I had to do. To leave Samantha behind when she was all that I wanted, needed.

Make no mistake, I would have stayed if she allowed it but no, Sam wants this. It's my fault, I'm soley to blame. I should have left Ivy alone, sent her somewhere else but no. I had to wonder what if. I'll tell you now, the grass is never greener on the other side. Sam and I's grass was lush and green. It grew wild and thick without using components to help it grow, make it beautiful. It wasn't the fake grass you see spreading over exquisite lawns. Like mine and Ivy's grass is. Mine and Ivy's grass is fertilized to look lush and beautiful. Forced to grow into something spectacular and make people think we have it all. That everything is perfect. Not a weed in sight. But those weeds, those weeds is what you need. No, their not pretty to the eye but they stand tall and proud. It shows the milestones, the heartaches, the triumphs, and accomplushments as well as the rocky path it took to form something amazing. I'd give up this luscious green lawn any day to share that tired, beaten lawn that's full of weeds with Sam in a instant.

But I can't. This is what Sam wants and I will respect it. Sam wants her freedom and to make her own adventures without me. She wants me to find happiness and succeed as king. As I pulled further away I looked in my rearview at her small form standing by her front stoop. For a instant I thought of slamming on the breaks and forcing her to come back with me but then I saw her dainty little hand stand up and give me a final wave. Then she disappeared inside her home, gone forever.

Instead I pushed harder against the gas pedal and moved forward. Forward into the life Sam wanted me to lead without her. I'll keep those promises, I owe her that much. I'll never interfere with her life unless she needs me. I'll always protect her but I want keep tabs on her. She would never forgive me if I did that. No, I must cut all ties and let her reach out if she needs me.

I will also give Ivy a chance just like Sam wants me to do. When I return I will do right by Ivy and try to love her, give her the husband she deserves. My feelings for Sam I will wrap away in a tiny neat bundle and tie off with a silk ribbon. I'll tuck them into my heart right beside all the darkness.

Once home I entered my apartment and saw Ivy standing at the kitchen island with a cup of coffee. It was obvious that she had been crying. Her eye's were puffy and red. She knew that I had raced off to rescue Sam without so much as a goodbye. I assumed that she was worried that I wouldn't return to her. That I'd fall back into Sam's arm's and that would be it. And I would have but Sam doesn't want me.

Sam's word's came to me then. "Give Ivy a chance. Find happiness".

I looked up at Ivy who was on the verge of more tears. At this moment she looked so frail and vulnerable. Her mind riddled with worry as to what my next move would be. Had I came here to tell her that we were through, that I was going back to Sam?

I stood there taking this woman in, seeing all the hurt and pain on her face put there by me. This woman loved me unconditionally. She'd been there through my illness, my escape and my treacherous split with Sam. I married her to save her yet I wasn't a husband to her.  I ran around, came home when I pleased, just left the arm's of my ex wife yet here Ivy stood with hope and love in her eye's. Never did she question my unfaithfulness. Never did she argue and demand I stop. All she did was sit idle in anticipation that I'd love her one day.

I peered at her harder and saw the shimmer of tears glistening her eye's. This is my wife who loves me.

 
Ivy is my wife who is doing all she can to hold us together why I run off. It's time to stop this, give myself to her entirely.

In three strides I reached her and pulled her into my arm's. The shock was evident on her face. "I'm sorry Ivy. I've been so bad to you. I've cheated and".

Ivy cut me off and replied back in a sob. "Shhh.... I don't care Demarco. What you've done is in the past. All I care about is now and what lies ahead".

I hugged her tighter and said the three word's I swore I'd never say to anyone else. "I love you".

Ivy broke and squeezed me as she professed her love to me over and over.

This was our beginning. Our book is just starting. My kingdom is rising. My crown has been righted and I am the king. I'm unstoppable. God have mercy on those that cross me.

I led my queen to our bedroom in hope's of creating my heir. My legacy.

And there you go! I hope you enjoyed the story and thanks for reading! Sam's book will be coming out in a few day's so stay alert!! You will hear more on Demarco's rise and Ivy in this book as well. Be prepared because it's packed with drama and a entirely different Demarco!