Chasing You (Terrell Clarricoates Fan Fiction)

Chapter 33

About 10 Years Later

"Happy birthday!!" Terrell and I shout in unison as we walk into Maria's bedroom holding a birthday cake. She groans and sits up.

"I thought I said no cake," she says but I can see that she's still thankful for the gesture.

"It's your seventeenth birthday. You're getting a cake," Terrell laughs. I hold the cake out.

"Make a wish!" I say happily. She thinks for a moment before blowing out the candles. Terrell leans in and kisses her forehead.

"Happy birthday Maria," he says.

"Thank you," she mumbles with a smile.

"Get dressed and come downstairs for your birthday breakfast!" I say. She laughs.

"Okay, get out. Both of you," she says. We hustle out as she shuts her door.

"Teenagers," Terrell shakes his head. I laugh.

"We were teenagers once," I say. He dips his finger in the frosting and goes to swipe it on my cheek but he's too slow. I wrap my lips around his finger.

"The frostings good," I smile. He chuckles as he walk to the kitchen. Maria's favorite breakfast is laid out on the kitchen table. Chicken and waffles. It's an odd combo but it's her favorite.

Maria walks down stairs and her eyes light up as she sits at the table.

"Do you remember the first time you ate chicken and waffles?" Terrell asks her. Maria thinks for a moment.

"No I don't," she says curiously.

"It was the first morning of us having you. You were six and we took you to a diner. You were so excited to eat and you chose chicken and waffles and you've been obsessed with them ever since," Terrell says. He holds my hand under the table and squeezes. I remember that. It was at the mafia.

Terrell had left the mafia when Maria turned twelve. Maria knows about the mafia. We don't keep any secrets from her. Terrell made the decision to leave on his own. He was concerned for the safety of us. We didn't have an exact date for Maria's birthday so we chose the day we found her. It's hard to imagine that we've only had her for ten years.

After breakfast, Maria took off with some friends. Terrell left to go pick up groceries for her birthday dinner. I began dishes from breakfast but was forced to stop when the phone rang. I turned off the water and dried my hands before quickly answering.

"Hello?" I speak into the phone.

"Princess?" A deep voice questions. I tilt my head. It can't be, can it?

"Handsy?" I question.

"How have you been? I haven't talked to you in a couple years," He says with a laugh.

"I'm doing well and you?" I say.

"As good as I'll ever be," he says.

"You just missed Terrell. He should be back any minute," I say.

"He said to call about this time. He's the worst at this stuff," he laughs.

"You've talked to him recently?" I question. Terrell never told me.

"Yeah- for a while now," he says. Why didn't Terrell mention this?

"He didn't say anything?" He questions cautiously.

"No, he didn't," I say. Handsy coughs nervously as he just got Terrell busted.

"Is if business related?" I question. The silence over the phone tells me my answer. The front door opens.

"I'm gonna have him call you back okay?" I say into the phone.

"Sorry princess," he says before hanging up. I set the phone down.

"Who was that?" Terrell asks as he sets the bags down. I fold my arms.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I question. He looks confused until it hits him.

"It was Marcus, wasn't it," he says.

"You're back in the mafia," I state.

"I'm sorry. I missed it and it's what I'm good at," he says.

"I'm not mad about the mafia. I'm mad that you kept it from me," I say.

"How long?" I ask. He furrows his brows.

"How long have you been running the mafia again?" I ask. He hesitates.

"Eight months," he says slowly.

"Terrell! You've been doing this behind my back for eight months!" I raise my voice.

"I was worried about what you would say," he defends.

"I don't know if you remember, but I fell in love with you when you ran the mafia. I don't care. If that's what you want to do, I will support you. I just can't believe you kept it from me," I gape.

"Caroline I'm sorry. I shouldn't have. I thought it would keep you safer than before. Plus I was testing it out," he says. I can't stay mad at him when it comes to the mafia. He's always doing shitty things but for the right reasons.

"Come here," he holds his arms out. I walk over and he pulls me to his chest.

"I'm sorry," he says sincerely.

"I forgive you," I pout. He laughs before kissing my lips.

~

We sit at dinner. Our plates fill with pasta and garlic bread with a side of salad.

"How was shopping with your friends?" I ask.

"It was fun. I'll have to show you everything I got after dinner," Maria says happily. I smile and agree.

"There's something I wanted to talk to you guys about," Maria speaks slowly. Me and Terrell glance at each other.

"Okay," Terrell speaks first.

"What did you guys say happened to my biological parents?" She asks. I look at Terrell as he swallows his food harshly.

"Uh- well, your biological mother was addicted to drugs. She overdosed. Your biological father was a very bad man and he was killed," Terrell says honestly. Maria scuffs.

"How long is this story gonna play out?" Maria asks harshly.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"I got a letter from my birth mom. I can't believe you guys lied to me," she says angrily as she stands from the table.

"What? No Maria, wait," Terrell tries to call her back but she runs to her room and slams the door.

"What the fuck?" I say.

"Her birth mom is alive?" I question.