Josh's Destiny

Chapter 11

The four men watched Destiny run to the bedroom and slam the door. Then three sets of eyes turned to Josh. He had nothing to say, he had not been expecting Destiny to turn him down. Why? Why had she done it?

Danny and Sam were quiet but Jake said, "Well, that's that. Now she can leave and things can get back to normal around here."

Josh looked at his twin. He stared a long time until Jake began to fidget. "What?" Jake asked, sounding annoyed.

"She's not leaving, I won't let her." Josh started slowly for the bedroom. "You guys can see yourselves out, right?" Danny and Sam headed for the door, followed slowly by Jake. Jake opened his mouth, closed it, and then simply said, "Women."

When they had left, Josh knocked on the door of his own bedroom and waited. Finally he heard "Come in" in a very small, muffled voice. Josh opened the door expecting to find Destiny packed and ready to go, but she sat in the middle of the rumpled bed hugging her knees.

Josh walked slowly to the bed and sat on the edge at the foot. He leaned over slightly, clasped his hands between his knees, and stared at the floor. At length he said, "You wanna tell me about it?"

Destiny was silent. They both sat upon the bed while the silence spooled out before them. Finally, Destiny gave a tiny sigh and said quietly, "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what, Des? The situation? Turning down my marriage proposal? Not telling me the whole story? Or are you sorry for ripping my heart out?"

Destiny wiped away her tears which were flowing again.

"You have every right to be angry, Josh. You have the right to be furious, but I wish you wouldn't."

"I'm not angry, Des, I'm hurt. I'm damn near broke with hurt. You're not telling me the whole truth and I thought we'd passed the part about secrets. You don't trust me."

That proclamation made Destiny cry all the harder. Josh let her cry it out, shedding a tear or two himself. Was this the end for them? Oh, God, he had no idea how to go on without her, despite the prospect for dangers yet to be. She was in his very blood, she was in him down to the smallest of molecules, and he couldn't lose her, he just couldn't.

He wiped his eyes and sat up straight. "We're making New York the last stop on our tour. I'd appreciate it if you'd work the job until then."

"You want me to go?" Destiny asked, as her heart seemed to drop to her feet and fresh tears appeared in her eyes.

"Never. I never want to be without you, Des", he said as his own eyes gleamed.

"But" she whispered, terrified.

"But I need you to trust me, Des, and it's clear you don't. I don't know how to get on without you, but I can't go on with you like this."

Josh turned to her at last. She could tell he'd been crying too. Suddenly, through sheen of tears, she saw him, really saw him, the man she had been trying to see that first night at the restaurant.

There was no guile in him. He didn't want bits and pieces of her, he wanted all of her. And he loved her. He loved her totally and unconditionally, with nothing withheld from her. Destiny made up her mind. In New York, she would tell him everything. At least she would be home if things didn't work out.

She tentatively held out her hand and Josh took it without reservation.

"You're right. I haven't told you everything, and I should have, long ago. But I'll make you a promise. When we get to New York, I'll tell you everything you want to know. Then we can decide the important issues, like marriage and whether I go or stay. Besides, that settles your having a hospitality manager for this tour."

Josh waited a moment, and then he squeezed Destiny's hand. Suddenly, she knew things would be okay, at least until New York. Josh moved closer and took her in his arms. It was an awkward position and both had the same idea at once.

Josh and Destiny did not lose contact with each other as they wriggled about until they were lying side by side. Destiny was facing Josh and she softly whispered, "Round two?"

To her surprise, Josh shook his head.

"This is nice, Des. I love to make love with you, but for now, just let me hold you. We had our first, well, fight tonight, and I want to make up for that. Round two will come, no pun intended, I promise."

She loved that he had said "make love with you" instead of to you. That implied she was involved on an emotional level and he knew it. She also loved that he just wanted to hold her now.

She felt him lightly stroking her back and she moved even closer to him. He kissed the top of her head and sometime later, Destiny knew he had fallen asleep.

She lay awake, wrapped in Josh's arms. They had never discussed what was to be done with the box Josh had gotten. The police would get no leads from it she knew. Besides, no one would kill Josh ---- yet. She knew who was after her. But she did not want him, did not love him, and did not belong with him. She belonged with Josh Kiszka. She only prayed that he would still want her when he found out about her. She gazed at his sleeping face. He was calm in his sleep. She very lightly brushed his lips with her own and she could swear he smiled a faint smile.

"I love you, Josh and I always will" she whispered as she settled in and promptly went to sleep.