Aphrodisiac (Completed)

16. Forever My Lady...

"Girl it says you're pregnant, how many more of these do you need to take?" Toni says as I sigh damn I am pregnant.

"No more...He asked me to marry him before I puked my guts out...don't you think its too soon Toni?" I say as I look at the pregnancy stick.

Pregnant yet again and although I am excited I am also scared thinking about my older kids and if I am moving too fast.

"Hell no Lena! Why are you running from your happiness? He makes your light shine bright, brighter than it ever has and your kids love him probably more than that canine sperm donor so Lena why are you so scared?" Toni ask and I think.

"I don't know...I am just being stupid I mean he didn't know where those things came from and I guess I don't want to go through what I did with Bernard...but Prince really isn't like him...you're right I'm just tripping..." I say chuckling to myself.

"Right besides he rents this cabin out who knows what type of weirdos stay here hell it could of been from Jerome's floozies..." Toni says with a bitter tone and I cock my brow.

"Why are you giving that man a hard time? What are you so scared of Toni?" I asked nudging her with her own words.

I was smiling until I seen tears fall from her eyes concerning me. 

"What's wrong Toni?" My hands rubbing her back.

"Remember when I was dating Elijah Clarke?" Her words came out like a tremble as I nod.

"Well he was...he...Dammit Lena this is too hard to say...I didn't know who that girl was..." Her tears rushing down.

"Toni you are my girl I love you I would never judge you sister...come on I am here for you like you are for me..." I reassure her.

"He used to beat me Lena, tell me I was not worthy or capable enough...he took my mind, my spirit, and my body...I was always told how lucky I was to have him thinking there couldn't be better..."  Toni confesses shocking the hell out of me.

"Toni why you never told me before?" I asked hugging her.

"You had your marital problems and two kids you didn't need extra baggage from a weak friend too dumb enough to know her self worth I thought I did until he took that away momentarily...After awhile I got tired and fought back ending the relationship and walking away..." She says looking at me as I wipe her tears.

"One day I went out on a date it was awesome and when I got back there Elijah was with a knife in his hand lunging at me pressing the blade to my throat...Lena I thought I was going to die but far worse happened...he raped me repeatedly that night taking away the little strength I had rebuilt completely breaking me..." Hot tears roll down my cheek as I embrace her.

"If it wasn't for my neighbor he would of gotten away with it she help me take him to court, get him charged with a restraining order although he didn't serve much time...look after that ordeal I promised myself Lena to focus on me and rebuild my life that no man would ever get my heart like that again they aren't worthy of me all they want to do is break me well no not anymore I date on my terms, I make decisions and take charge can't no one make me inferior anymore!!!" She raises her voice although her eyes tell the real deal.

"Toni you are making yourself inferior...to love you are closing yourself off letting him win the battle he want you to feel miserable to not have love and to be hardened that's not you or who you are like you told me every man isn't the same and when you open yourself up you maybe surprised at what you will find..." I say trying to use some of her own advice on her.

"But I am not you Lena..."

"Exactly you aren't me and you aren't this person either You are Toni the lovable, crazy,  loyal, beautiful and talented sister I always wanted and have the pleasure of having you are strong and resilient and most of all you have a heart now use it Toni stop running away from it...it don't have to be Jerome but don't turn your nose up at every guy who look your way..." I say as she smiles.