Beyond The Broken Glass3: Finally Mended [complete]

15.) All The Changes

We woke them up before the sun even got the chance to peek through the sky. They groggily moved around as we readied ourselves for this new adventure. I was nervous, to say the least, but Brandon says he trusts Drew and Taylor with his life. However, we also trusted Rosa but that didn't stop her from turning on us. Then an instant flashback to Chloe's lifeless body sprung into my mind and it shook me.

Chloe was the first one to grow on me. She was professional and casual at the same time. I could recall the times when we both could hold a casual conversation. I didn't know her long but if she were still alive she's definitely the only person I would trust with my life.

We haven't heard from Ralph in months, each conversation was the same, lay low, and keep a tight profile. He would never tell us where he was or what he was up to. He told us that phones were the devil and they could so easily be tapped so it's best to not share that information over the phone.

After Chloe died Ralph went into hibernation. Apparently, he hasn't spoken to any of the family. That's what Brandon told me. His own son didn't even know where he was. He just knew he was alive and he was even weary of that.

I paused in my self-care routine when he came to block the door of the bathroom. From a short distance away I could hear the kids shuffling around.

"You ready to be a single man?"

"Never single." He mumbled as he crossed his arms. "One day you gone learn to love me."

"Nah, but one day you'll learn to love me instead."

It wasn't hard to love me. Or so I think. All I want is healthy communication, respect, and honesty. It wasn't hard, he just made it hard. He wanted to be right so bad all the damn time. He wanted to solve everything in his way or no way. He has yet to understand that we are a team and that we need each other. The way Boone's men worked together is the same way we needed to work together. A team divided is a team defeated.

I did love him though. Even when it didn't seem like it. It was just so hard to understand why he refused to let me be completely a part of his life. I mean sometimes it was like living with a stranger. We'd walked past each other and not speak. We'd sit at the table together and not a word would be spoken. It seemed the most communication we did only happened when we were discussing the kids.

He may not be the perfect boyfriend but he was a damn good father. Those kids meant the world to him and he'd do anything for them.

"What will you do while we're apart? Party and bullshit?"

"Nah. I got a score to settle and business to launch."

"What business?"

"I wish I had more time to explain this shit to you at least—but there really ain't no time."

"If only you would have realized that you could have talked to me sooner."

"Brielle—it's new day damn. Please don't start."

"I'm just saying, you claim we're family but you sure do keep me in the dark a lot."

"Can we please just end this on a good note? Who knows how long we about to be apart and yo ass wanna argue."

"And that's just it," I said as I shook my head. "This is a conversation. I'm not getting hostile with you. This isn't an argument."

"You be throwing in your subliminal shade and call it talking."

"What subliminal shade?"

"wHaT aRe YoU gONna dO pArTY aNd bUllShit?" He mocked my earlier statement. I rolled my eyes and washed the rest of the soap off my face.

"If you wanted to know some shit just ask."

"Since when have you ever willingly given up any answers to any of my questions? You forgot your track record  Mr. Closedbook."

"I just came in here to give you some love before y'all left but yo ass trippin'." He said as he prepared to walk away. He stopped a short second and then came in to kiss me. I kind of didn't want him to but the subconscious part of me was aching to just be touched by him.

"Tell me you love me." He spoke lowly in that rough voice of his. His lips were so close to my ear that I damn near turned into a waterfall. I admired him through the mirror.

"I love you." I groaned as he engulfed me in his arms.

"I love you too." He spun me around and pulled my body into his arms. His lips were pressed to my neck now. I wrapped him in my arms as we swayed side to side. Just soaking in each other.

I know we argue and fight a lot. But I did love him and hopefully in our time apart he'll come to realize just how much I love him. We literally walked through hell together. There is no one who could take his place in my heart.

I may not have spoken the words out loud, but he's done so much for me. From the very beginning, when he found out I was in danger he came in like a hurricane and wiped out all my enemies. He saved me from death on so many occasions. How could I not love him?

And although he had a funny way of showing it sometimes, I know he loves me because you wouldn't keep sacrificing yourself for someone you didn't love.

"You enjoy giving me hell don't you," I murmured as I closed my eyes. I needed a positive lasting memory of him as he prepared to spend some time apart.

"It keeps you on your toes don't it?"

"Haha." I dryly chuckled. I opened my eyes to take him in. "You be careful. Okay?"

"Imma try. No promises though."

We packed ourselves in the car one last time. And headed to the airport. It was quiet the whole way there. But he did hold my hand. When we got there the sun was barely peeking and the sky consisted of orange and purple. He hugged and kissed both Kyson and Milani. He held them so tight that it looked like he didn't want to let go.

When it was my turn to hug him he squeezed the life out of me and slapped me on the ass swiftly.

"Be good. Hold my kids down."

"I got you," I told him as I kissed him heavily. I motioned for the kids to follow and we headed to our designated area to board our plane.