Fates' Destiny (9 page)

“You want me to come back?” That’s a bit surprising.

He nodded. “I can’t be with my children all the time Ms. Re… Destiny and I would like you to be there when I can’t.”

“Why?” She found herself asking.

“Are you kidding?” He asked on a incredulous laugh. “Because in the short time you’ve been in my house Ali actually put her phone down, you earned a little respect from Jason, and made Anna fall completely in love with you. If you can do that in less than 36 hours I can only imagine what you can do in a week or a month or a year. You’re good for my kids…” He paused and looked dead at her. “You’re good for me too Destiny. I believe you are the only one who can fix my broken family.”

Awe.
Tears formed in her eyes. That was the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to her. “Really?”

He nodded. “And plus, if I don’t come home with you Anna may never speak to me again.”

“That mad?” She asked and he nodded. “That mad.”

“Well...” She acted as though she had to think about it even though she wasn’t going to tell him no. Not after what he said. There was no way in hell she was going to give up this family.
But she wanted to have a little fun with him. Make him sweat for a second. He deserved it.

“Well…” One of his dark brow rose as he prompted her.

“I guess I could come back.” She gave a nonchalant shrug and he laughed.

“I knew you wouldn’t say no.”

“Of course I wouldn’t. I adore your children. Even Jason.”

“Yeah, t
hat kid’s a handful.”

“You’re telling me.” She held up her still dyed hands as proof.

“Ok.” He sat his bottle down on the table and rose to his full height. “I can expect you at the house in an hour or so?”

She sat her glass down and stood. “Actually all I have to do is put on some clothes and grab my suitcases. You’re more than welcome to wait and help me with my stuff.”

“Ok Destiny.” He lowered back on the sofa and grabbed his beer. “I’ll be here when you’re ready.”

She smiled and headed for her room. Just before she
entered her room she turned back to see him perfectly relaxed with one ankle resting on his knee and his arm stretched across the back of the sofa.

“Thanks Adam.”

His smile made her heart leap in her chest. “Thank
you
Destiny.”

~              ~              ~

For the first time in a long time Adam felt content. As he sat and waited for her he reflected on their conversation.

Balance.
Yes, he could find balance. It was time for him to step up and be a father. His kids need him. He only wished he would’ve realized it sooner. He may have saved them a lot of pain and resentment.

He shook his head. He couldn’t focus on the past. He needed to focus on the now and now he was determined to prove to his children that they come first in his life
… And he would start with this weekend.

He dug his phone out of his pocket, dialed his brother, and took a drink of his beer as he waited for Luke to answer.

“Calling to tell me not to book your flight?” Luke answered.

“I’m going to fly out Monday. I trust you to find out what’s going on.”

“No worries Adam. I can handle this. My flight leaves tomorrow at noon.”

“Noon?”
Adam’s brow drew together. “You couldn’t get an earlier flight?”

“I could’ve.” Luke answered. “But I have a breakfast date in the morning.”

Did he say ‘date’? Adam about choked on the sip he’d just taken. “Did you say you have a
date
in the morning?” Luke didn’t date. To him, dating equaled relationship… And Luke didn’t do relationships.

“Yes.” Luke laughed. “And trust me. I’m just as surprised as you are.”

“With who?” Adam had to know.

“Destiny’s friend,
Kenna Roberts. She stopped by your house tonight to see Destiny and almost died on your front porch…”

“What?” Someone almost died on his porch?
“How?”

“Calm down Adam. She had an asthma attack and couldn’t get to her inhaler. I walked out just in time to help her… Or save her life as she put it.
Anyway. She was too weak to drive so I took her home.”

“And asked her out on the way?” The thought of Luke asking a woman on a date had Adam… just flabbergasted.

“Well… Yeah. I like the way she looks at me Adam… Like I’m her personal hero.”

Wow! “Well, I hope you two have fun. Just call me before you get on the plane.”

“I will. I’m glad you changed your mind about leaving tomorrow. Now when are you going to beg Destiny to come back to work for you?”

Adam had to laugh. “I just did. I’m sitting in her living room waiting for her to get her things together.”

“Good for you Adam!” His brother praised. “Anna really likes her… And I think you do to.”

“No I don’t.” Adam snorted. “I respect her and think she’s the best thing for my family. But other than that…”

“Yes you do.” Luke persisted. “That’s why you rushed home from work today and agreed to go watch the girls this weekend and…”

“Ok Luke.” He silenced his brother
and rolled his eyes in annoyance. “I do like her but not in the way you’re referring to. I think she’s interesting and easy to talk to. She seems to understand the children and me…Honestly, she makes me want to be a better man for them.”

“Uh huh.”
Luke didn’t sound satisfied by his answer. “I think you’re wrong Adam and soon you will see that.”

Just then Destiny’
s bedroom door pulled open and for a brief moment he forgot he was on the phone with his brother. Gone was her robe and in its place a fitted white tee and jeans that accented her curves. Her dark curls were clipped up, ringlets framed her flawless face. She looked… stunning. And he found himself captivated by the sight of her. 

“You ready?” She ask
ed.

“Uh,” He shook his head, bring
himself back to reality. “Yeah. Where’s your bags?”

“By the door.”
She pointed towards the front door.

“Ok.” He said to her and then turned his attention back to his brother.
“Gotta go Luke. Talk to you tomorrow.” Without waiting for his brother respond he disconnected the call and slid his phone into his pocket.

“You ready?” He asked and she nodded.

Adam grabbed two of her suitcases, took one more breath taking glance at her, and walked out of her apartment. His brother’s voice echoing through his ears.
You like her. You know you do.
  

He shook his head.
Not in that way.

But remembering his reaction to her when he saw her had him doubting his own feelings. 

Adam smiled as he hovered over Anna’s sleeping form. She looked so peaceful… So beautiful… His little angel.

His mind drifted back to the day she was born. He fell in love with her the moment she was put into his arms. He vowed that day he’d do anything to make her happy.

What happened to that man? He knew the answer. Death happened to him. Losing Liz was more devastating then he could’ve ever imagined.

It was hard enough to lose her but to be reminded of her every day was shattering.
Every time he looked at his daughters he saw her and it killed him all over again.

That’s why he sunk himself into his work. That’s why he kept himself from them.
But no more. It was time to heal. It was time for him to see past his own pain and focus on his children. They need him. He was determined to piece his torn family back together. And he would start with giving Anna the only thing she wanted.

“Anna.” He whispered, gently shaking her shoulder. “It’s time to get up Baby.”

Anna shook off his hand. “Leave me alone.” She said sleepily and rolled over.

“Anna, Honey,” He gently grabbed her shoulder and turned her back over. “I have a surprise for you.”

“I don’t care.” She snapped and rolled back over.

“You will when you see it.” He jerked her comforter off of her and scooped her up in his arms.

“Put me down Daddy!” She wriggled as he carried her from her room.

“Stop Anna.”
He shifted her as his grip started to loosen. “You’re going to make me drop you.”

She stopped struggling and folded her arms across her chest with a huff.

“There’s nothing you can get me that’s going to make me like you again Daddy.” She told him as he descended the stairs.

“Is that so?” He asked on a chuckle and she nodded.

“That’s so.”

“Wow Adam! She really is mad.”

The second Anna heard her voice she perked up and looked around. Destiny was waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs.

“Destiny!”
Anna screamed and this time when she wriggled he lowered her to her feet.

“Hey squirt.” Destiny squatted and spread her arms just in time to catch Anna as she threw herself at her.

“Oh my gosh!” Anna hugged her tight. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too Sweetheart.”

Adam smiled as he watched the two hold each other for a moment and then Anna lifted her head.

“I thought Daddy fired you.”

Destiny smiled as she glanced at him and then back to Anna. “He did but he came to my house last night and asked me to come back.”

“He did?” Anna gasped in surprise and Destiny nodded. “And…” She ran her hand down Anna’s pink nightgown,
straightening where it was bunched up from their hug. “He’s not going to Miami until Monday.”

She snapped around, her big blue eyes finding him. “You’re not?”

He shook his head. “I’m going to be at your competition tomorrow. Front row.”

“Yea!”
She pulled away from Destiny and darted for him. He lowered just in time to receive her hug. “Thank you Daddy.”

Her happines
s made his heart swell with love.

“You’re welcome Baby.”

He held her tight for a moment and then he glanced up to see Destiny dabbing under her eyes with her fingertips. He knew exactly how she felt.

Suddenly Anna popped back. “I
gotta go tell Ali.” And in a split second she was out of his arms and running up the stairs screaming, “Ali! Ali! Guess what?”

Once Anna was gone he turned his atte
ntion to the woman who now had lines of tears streaming down her cheeks.

“You ok?” He asked and she nodded. “I think that was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

He chuckled as he crossed to her, stopping right in front of her. “And it’s all thanks to you.”

She shook her head, wiping her tears
away with the back of her hand. “I didn’t do anything.”

He felt the overwhelming urge to pull her into his arms and not let go but he didn’t. Instead he wrapped an arm around her
shoulders and said, “Come on Destiny. I’m sure you need to get Jason’s chair ready at the table.”

That did ex
actly what he wanted it to do, made her laugh.

“Yes I do.”

~
              ~              ~

“Welcome back Destiny.” Jason smirked at her and then shoved his equipment bag and backpack out of his chair.

“Thank you Jason.” She continued to help Anna mix salt into her eggs.

“I think the odds are becoming more and more in my favor Destiny.”

She cut her eyes over at her boss and grinned. “Don’t get excited yet Sir. This battle is far from over.”

Once breakfast was done,
the children on their way to school, and Adam getting ready to go to the office Destiny made her way into the kitchen where Dela was washing up dishes.

“Need some help?” Destiny asked as she moved to her side.

“Sure. If you want.”

Destiny started taking the dishes that Dela had rinsed and placing them in the dishwasher.

“So,” Dela struck up conversation. “How did he get you to come back?”

“Honestly
Dela, he listened to me.” She answered.

She casted
her a smile. “I’m glad he did. You do something to this family. Something wonderful. I’m happy they didn’t lose you.”

Destiny felt her cheeks heat
. “I haven’t done anything Dela.”

“That’s where you’re wrong
Dear.” Dela patted her hand. “That’s where you’re wrong.”

Just then Adam appeared back in th
e kitchen, buttoning the black jacket to his suit.

“
Dela what time are you guys leaving?”

“As soon as I’m done here
.” Dela answered as she wiped down the counter.

“You guys are leaving?” Destiny asked her and she nodded.

“We leave every weekend to go visit our daughter. She’s in her second year of college.”

“Really?”
Destiny was shocked. She didn’t know they had a daughter. Of course, she didn’t know a lot about these people. “What’s she studying?”

When
Dela said, “Psychology” Destiny laughed.

“Then we’ll have a lot to talk about when I meet her.” 

“I suppose you will Destiny.” Then she turned her attention to Adam. “If you have any problems don’t hesitate to call us.”

Adam rolled his eyes playfully. “I’m a big boy Dela. Everything will be fine.”

“Sweetheart! You ready?”

Destiny’s eyes widened when she heard ‘Sweetheart’ come from Richard. Her eyes widened even more when he walked into the kitchen dressed in jeans and a dark tee shirt.

She’s never heard him speak or look so casual before. It was… shocking.

“Yep.”
Dela tossed the paper towel she was using into the trash.

“Adam,” Richard held his hand out to him. “You know how to find us if you need us.”

Adam? She’s only heard him refer to Adam as ‘Mr. Fates’ or ‘Sir’. Could she be anymore shocked?

“You guys have a safe trip.”

The two shook hands and after Adam gave Dela a friendly peck on the cheek the two walked out the backdoor, hand and hand.

“Wow!” Destiny didn’t mean to say that aloud.

“What?” Adam looked at her. “Surprised to see them so casual?”

She nodded. “And I’ve never heard Richard call you by your first name.”

“Destiny,” He laughed. “I only have 3 employees I allow to refer to me by my first name and all 3 live with me. He and Dela just keep it formal when new people are around.”

“They live here?” That was news to her.
“Where?” Was there another underground wing of the house or something?

“The apartment over the garage.
I had it completely remodeled when they started working for me.”

Destiny found
herself very curious. “How long ago was that?” She asked as she slid onto one of the bar stools and wrapped a hand around her coffee cup.

“5 years.” He answered, claiming the stool next to her. “I hired Richard and then when Liz got sick Dela offered to help.”

“5 years? Your wife was sick for 5 years?”

He shook his head. “She had a bad headache for about a week. Finally I made her go to the doctor. That’s when they found a small tumor on her brain. Chemo took care of the tumor and everything went back to normal. Then,” His dark eyes were heartrending. “3 months before she died her headaches returned. Another tumor formed.
Larger than the first. After that everything went downhill and they weren’t able to save her.”

Her heart ached for him. “Adam,” She laid a comforting hand on his sleeved forearm. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”

A hint of a smile formed as he laid his hand atop hers. “Thank you.” Then he said, “She was a wonderful woman. Smart, beautiful, great sense of humor, got along with everyone, went out of her way to help.” His eyes wondered to the window over the kitchen sink. “I miss her.”

“As you should Adam.”
Destiny gave his arm a gentle squeeze.

“Everyone keeps telling me that I need to let go
and move on but,” His eyes focused back on her. “I don’t think I can.”

Again she smiled. “Time is a great healer. You’ll move on if and when you’re ready. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

His eyes glittered with restrained tears as he smiled. “Thanks Destiny.” He squeezed her hand. “You have no idea how good you just made me feel.”

Knowing that made her feel good.
“A girl does what she can.