Beyond The Broken Glass3: Finally Mended [complete]

48.) The Epilogue: What It Means To Live

Different people had different meanings for the term living. Some thought it meant making risky decisions or taking leaps of faith. Some thought it meant graduating college, finding a partner and settling down, and popping out some children. Others would take a chance on their dream career, and make millions.

Me, well I thought it meant being secure in life. Financial security with a few decent people. And now living meant to be at peace. In our home, it wasn't any bad blood or lack of trust. I'd put my life in her hands again and again and again.

We were blessed with two children. Kyson and Milani. Bri birthed two more for me, twin sons, and soon she'll birth the last of our tribe. A baby girl. All of their names tattooed on my skin like a badge of honor. Milani, Kyson, Ralphael and Tamir, Kahlani. And of course the woman who blessed me with my seeds, Brielle.

At first, I was set on living in Miami and living out Darius's dream then I realized this was my life and I couldn't live for anyone but me. I still owned the strip of land there, I put it to use. We opened a center for troubled youth and provided them services so they wouldn't have to turn to the streets. We provided them counseling to deal with their grief. And beside it, Bri opened an art center where people of all ages and backgrounds could come and create art of all kinds.

I watched in complete content as they sat in the courtyard enjoying each other's company.

Ralphael was playing roughly with Kyson like they were the same size like Ky couldn't put him on his back. While Tamir sat with Mimi and let her blow bubbles in his round chubby face.

Brooklyn played in Bri's hair while Bri and Taylor, the bump buddies, rubbed each other's bellies, and laughed about how they both were ready to pop. She changed my life, and I know I changed hers.

A while back when we weren't really in a good place she called me broken glass, in truth it hurt. But in hindsight it was true, but she was the one to put me back together again. I felt guilty in the beginning because as she struggled to fix me I fought against her as if she wasn't doing me a favor.

She cut her hands on my jagged edges and when I saw the damage I tried to patch her up in return. Now for us to be sitting in a nice home, with our family and close friends just made that wild-ass journey so worth it.

Kay and Kyra lounged on floats in the pool while Herb lounged nearby.

"Peaceful isn't it?"

"Man—I really been missing out."

He smirked as he plopped down in the seat beside me. He gave me a glass of whiskey and a cigar. I sipped the brown liquor and lit the cigar. He chuckled softly as he stretched out his legs.

"Aww home—how I've missed you!" He joked as he enjoyed the Italian air and soaked in the sun.

"Enjoy it while you can. In the morning we have work to do."

"The family business is never done." He touched his glass to mine and together we watched our lives in front of us.