Destined

Fifty Nine

Vince and I left Delaware for Blake City two days before new year's. He was taking me to meet Dayna and the boys and I was so nervous that I couldn't sit still. It was a three hour flight, and I spent the entire time fussing while my dearest boyfriend peacefully slept.

"Relax, they'll love you," he said to me as we made our way out of baggage claim.
"You don't know that,"
"Of course I do,"
"How?"
"Because I do," he kissed my knuckles.

I noticed Dayna immediately. She was tall and had wild red hair that stood out even in the crowd she was in. Vince spotted her too, and with an arm around my waist and his other hand dragging our suitcase, he led me to her. Beside Dayna, was Nicholas, the youngest of the boys, his black hair looking as scruffy as I'd always seen it in pictures.

"Dayna," Vince released me and the suitcase to hug her.
"Vincent," she hugged him back, clearly happy to see him. "Welcome home,"
"Thank you. This is my girlfriend, Kristina,"
Dayna smiled at me, "A pleasure to finally meet you," she said and hugged me before I could respond.
"Thank you, you too," I responded, vaguely aware that Vince and Nicholas were in the midst of some guy/hug/handshake thing. "I've heard so much about you,"
She laughed, "And vice versa. This is my youngest son, Nicholas ,"
Nicholas smiled at me, "Hi Krissy. It's okay if I call you that, right? Vince said everyone calls you that?"
I nodded, "Yes, Krissy is fine,"
"Well, come on, let's get out of here, home is waiting," Dayna said spinning around and leading us out of the arrivals terminal.

Vince grabbed my hand and squeezed it in reassurance.

I was amazed by how little I remembered of Blake City. Nothing looked familiar as we drove down several roads to get to Dayna's house. The ride itself was quite comfortable though. Nicholas talked to Vince and I the whole way. Told us about his pet turtle, his best friend at school, that he'd lost a tooth the previous week, how excited he was to go into a new grade, every little detail his eight year old mind found fascinating was shared with us.

Vince listened to him with rapt attention, chiming in with a question or a nod whenever it seemed fit. Dayna just rolled her eyes in good humor as she drove us.

It was a half hour drive to their house, but my stiff legs felt like I'd been in the car for hours when I finally got out. Immediately, Nicholas went running into the house shouting out that he needed to pee. We all laughed. Vince got our bags out of the trunk as Dayna led me into their house.

The first thing I saw, was a foyer. It had a warm and cosy feel to it, and several pictures lined the wall. I didn't have much time to dwell on them because I was being led into the next room which I discovered was the dining room, already set with what looked like a beautiful home cooked meal.

"I'm sure you're hungry, I made sure I cooked something before I left," Dayna said to me. "Please, have a seat,"

I sat down just as Vince walked in, sans bags and smiled.

"You cooked?" He asked.
Dayna nodded, "I made lasagne, figured since you haven't outgrown your love for everything cheese, it was a safe bet," she said.

He walked to her and hugged her spinning her around in the process causing her to let out a shrill scream.

"Put me down," she admonished. "You'll drop me,"
He placed her on her feet and kissed her cheek, "You're the best," he said.

I couldn't help but laugh at his antics. He seemed so...childish. It was cute. Just then, Nicholas returned with his brothers.

"Vince!" Nathan practically ran into him, hugging him.
"Hey buddy," Vince answered ruffling his hair. "Hey Julez,"
"Hi Vince," Julian answered.
"Guys, this is Kristina," he said to them, gesturing to me.
"You're prettier than your pictures," Nathan said to me.
"Um, thank you?" I responded.
"Nice to meet you, Kristina," Julian came to shake my hand. So formal.
"Please, call me Krissy," I said.
"Okay everyone, let's eat before this food gets cold," Dayna said.