~Los Angeles,

•05/13 {Saturday, 4:54 P.M}

~*~ Dorian ~*~

"You don't remember me, right ? " She asked after what felt like thousand years of silence. I was still in shock, wondering if I was going to be a father in a few days. She looked like to be in her last semester and ready to pop the baby out very soon. But if it was mine, why would she do something like that to me ? Why did she not search me ? I had a right to know that I was expecting a baby.

But maybe it wasn't my baby.

She chuckled, "My future husband and I are going to have this baby."

I heavily sighed in relief. I was free and feeling good again, "Thanks God. I wasn't ready for this. Congrats for you and your future husband."

She smiled, "Thanks. How have you been ? "

It was a little strange to talk to her, but she was being nice to me so I had no reason to be rude to her. I was still upset because of what happened with the jeweler and his stupid assistant, but it would be wrong of me to take my anger out on her.

That's what I'd been working on lately, not taking my anger out on people who don't deserve it. It wasn't easy, but I had to do it for myself. I couldn't be walking around with a lot of rage weighting on me anymore, it wasn't good for my well-being. You can say that since I got out of the mental hospital, the only thing I wanted now was to be a better person and so to finally be happy. I'd been through hell those past seven years and now it was time for a change. I was out to chase my happiness.

"I've been great and what about you ? Except the baby, what have you been up to ? "

"Well, I met this man, who is now my baby daddy and soon to be my husband and fall in love. I got pregnant and I've only been busy with the pregnancy actually. I tried to stress the least possible."

"Princess ! Sorry, to be late bu-Oh ! You again, in the same day and you still seem a little mad." The universe decided to fuck with me today, it wasn't liking me at all. Joke or not, it wasn't funny. At this point, the better me was going to leave its place to the old me and it wasn't going to be pretty in here.

"Oh...Do y'all know each other ? " Rita asked and I rolled my eyes.

I was ready to go, "We met before." Mr. Jorry answered with a fake smile. I was two seconds away to slap that smirk off his wrinkled face.

"About thirty minutes ago, to be exact, princess." She could be his daughter. Seriously, this relationship was disgusting me. And they were really going to have a baby together ? This man will have like sixty years apart with his child.

Life is crazy.

But hey, love has any rules. You can fall in love with just anybody, whether you like or not. Love has its reason and the heart knows what it wants. We have absolutely no control over this. Sometimes, it seems like you can only go through the route of love with closed eyes.

"How do you two know each other ? Where did you meet ? " The old man questioned, looking at us as his chest was moving up and down a little faster.

I was about to answer something smart, but fortunately Rita spoke before me. Lucky for her that she was so fast, because I would've ruined her little relationship. I still had to work on my petty side, "We're old friends. Our families uh, that's how we met. I know his mother and he knows mine. I was babysitting him sometimes. Then my family moved and we didn't saw each other since then. He was going to high school last time I've seen him." She sure knew how to lie. What can be a great advantage in certain situations. Like this one.

Mr. Jorry nodded his head, "Oh okay. Well, it was nice seeing you again. And uh, Paul will eventually calmed down and hopefully won't press charges against you." He better not if he values his life.

Rita looked at him confusingly, "Press charges against Dorian ? For what ? He's a sweetheart."

"Not really, he just assaulted my assistant." He said with a fake innocent tone of voice. I wanted to punched him so badly.

"You know we can take y'all to court for racial discrimination or something like that ? It wouldn't look too good for your business, don't you think ? " RJ spoke up as Mr.Jorry suddenly tensed up.

"But I'm not a racist."

"You think ? " I asked raising my eyebrow.

"I have--"

"Please, don't say it. You can ''have black friends'' and still be a racist, what you are." I explained, getting irritated all over again.

"But I'm not ! " I could see sweat forming on his forehead, "Okay, it's true uh, I do have some prejudices about certain groups of people..." He trailed off, "But I'm not a racist." He cleared his throat.

"Oh really ? We could've never guessed it. That's crazy. Wow ! I'm surprised. How are you feeling about this, cuz ? He's living by stereotypes."

RJ dramatically gasped, "O-M-G ! I can't believe this, it's so insane."

"He won't press charges against you, I promise. I'll personally make sure of it. Are you still taking the ring though ? You can even have a discount. What about $70,000 ? "

We hummed in unison before RJ gave him a response, "I know someone who can give me a better discount."

"$65,000 ? It's my final proposition." He said through gritted teeth, causing my cousin and I to smile hugely. This day was getting better again. Maybe I'll go to bed with a smile plastered on my face.

"You got a deal."

∫

∫

∫

•05/25 {Thursday, 12:35 P.M}

"Hello, beautiful ! " I greeted Docia as she was walking towards my car. We'd been in good terms those past two weeks and I couldn't wait to see what the future had in store for us. I could say that I was falling for this woman more and more each and every day. She was amazing and made me want to live to the fullest. Something serious was happening here.

The bullshit with Herica was definitely done and I heard that the two of them hung out already two times and everything went well. Two times and I had nothing to do with this. Incredible ! I didn't have to beg them to be nice with each other, they were really becoming friends. And that's all I was asking for.

She frowned a bit, "Hey..."

"You're not happy to see me ? " I pouted and she laughed slightly, wrapping her arms around my neck. We leaned in and kissed.

"I wasn't expecting you to show up. What are you up to ? "

"Me ? Nothing ? Well..." I smirked and pecked her cheek quickly, "According to your schedule, you're done for the day, so I thought that maybe we could do something together." We didn't went to a date since months now and I felt like I had to make up for this this morning when I woke up.

"Something ? Like what ? "

"Do you like picnics ? I bought some food, got a blanket and I reserved a spot for us in this park. We can chill for the rest of the day."

"Wow ! "

"I know I'm amazing." I grinned and kissed her forehead, "Your carriage awaits mi'lady." I took her hand and led her to the passenger side, then opened her door and helped her to get in my car. After that, I fast walked to my side and got in also. Soon, we were on our way to the park for our romantic picnic.

~*~ Docia ~*~

"Thank you so much, Dorian."

I couldn't stop smiling as I was living one of the best days of my life. Dorian was so adorable for doing this for me. It was a good surprise and I really appreciated it. It was happening at the right time. I couldn't believe that God sent a man like him into my life, but it was the reality. My reality. And I was loving every pieces of it. Though it was just missing a little something for it to be completely perfect.

My Elijah.

As much as I wanted to be fully happy, I knew that I'll never be able to completely find my happiness because there will always be that little piece of my heart missing. This part was gone forever and I will never be able to take it back. Never.

"Are you okay ? "

I wiped the single tear that I didn't realize was falling from my eye. Those past few weeks, I had this weight on my heart that was making me feel depressed. I was crying at least tenth time during the day, every day and at night I couldn't help it but repeat the day of my son's death again and over again.

"Docia, you've been crying a lot lately. What's going on ? "

"I'll be fine, but...I'm just thinking about Elijah a lot and it's getting me so sad. I'm trying to smile and stay positive, but it's like it's becoming harder as the days come. But don't worry, I'm going through that depressing phase at least twice every year. I just miss him so much."

He placed his hand on mine, "I really admire you for your strength."

"Thank you, but I'm not that exceptional. I'm just trying to make it through life the best way I can. But seriously, if one day som-"

"Please, don't do this to me. You have so much to live for. I know how it feels like, but you have to stay strong and positive. I know how the idea of death can seem like the perfect solution to solve all of your problems sometimes, but you can't talk like that. Please, Docia. Don't give up."

Insane how the roles reversed so quickly in a matter of one minute. He was now in the position of the therapist and I was the patient. Crazy, right ? But then again, everybody can actually be a therapist. A diploma is not always needed. 

He'd seen me break down like this once before and it was actually strange for me to show that face to him once again, but I knew that he knew how it feels like to be depressed and how important support can be, so I was sure he'll be by my side through all of this the best way possible. I really needed him to show me some support, because I felt like I was going to lose it.

I felt like I couldn't go one more year through this phase without a support system. Yemi had always been there for, but this time I wanted her to stop worrying about me and enjoy her life. I wanted her to be concerned only about herself, and Ryver too of course. I was feeling like a burden to her, but not to Dorian. 

I needed to be supported by someone else, someone different than a friend.

"I won't do it, don't worry. I know that he wouldn't be too happy with me if I ever consider really doing it. It's just...when it really gets tough...the thoughts suddenly began to invade my mind." I smacked my teeth, "How did I not see that you were depressed ? Seriously ?! All the signs were there ! I'm a horrible therapist."

It's true though ! Why was I so horrible at doing my job with Dorian ? Was it another sign for something else ? It really confused me how all of sudden, I couldn't do my job correctly when he came into my life. I was already annoyed with the ''therapy world'', but with him, it was like I'd never been a therapist before. It was so insane. 

"No ! You are just a human. And humans make mistakes, we're not perfect. Plus, I was being really difficult. I think you could only notice my depression with a total breakdown from me anyways. You're not a bad therapist or else this prestigious school would've already fired your fine ass."

"I'm not a fine ass."

He raised a brow as a smirk appears on the corner of his lips, "What are you then ? "

"A strong, black, smart, independent and beautiful woman. You better remember it, I'm not gonna say this no mo'."

"You watched that interview too ? " He laughed and I joined him.

"Ryver showed me. He makes sure I stay tuned with the new ish this generation has trending." I answered and grabbed my glass of red wine.

"Oh, I got it."

"Yeah, but I still can't understand that ''Damn, Daniel'' thing. Why was it so cool ? Like, I really don't get it or maybe I'm too old for that." I shrugged and put a grape in my mouth. 

"Can't explain this to you because I'm an ancestor too."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Those jokes are so lame now. I'm older than you, we got it. Can you change the CD, please ? "

"I can't believe that I still don't know your age though. I won't stop those old jokes until you tell me. So, how old are you ? "

"You don't ask that to a woman."

He kissed his lips, "You're lucky I didn't spend this last birthday with you, but on the next one I will find out."

"Never." I winked and he groaned.

"You're so annoying."

"You too, but I still like you."

He grinned, "I know. How could you not like me ? I'm too awesome, everybody wants to be my friends and don't let me start on the ladies part." He rubbed his hands like Birman and I narrowed my eyes at him. 

"You won't see tomorrow, keep playing."

He slightly laughed, "Okay ! I stop, for now. Can I ask you a question ? "

"You already did." I smartly answered and beamed while innocently fluttering my lashes. 

He playfully rolled his eyes, "If it's too personal, you can refuse to answer." I frowned a bit, wondering where this conversation was going. I sat up and listened to him, "Uh..." He cleared his throat, "What exactly happened with uh, Elijah ? "

"Oh..." I simply exclaimed, taken back a little by his question. I wasn't expecting that, but since I'd been talking to him about Elijah a lot more lately, it was kind of normal of him to ask me that. Seemed like we were about to reveal some secrets today, "If I tell you uh, would you tell me why you went to jail ? "

His eyebrow arched as he looked at me, "So...If I say no, you won't tell me about Elijah ? That's it ? "

"Not really. You don't have to tell me now, but Elijah's death is not something I'm telling everybody like you go and tell a fairy tale or a joke to people."

He nodded his head, "I understand." He sighed heavily, "You know what, let's do it. Fuck it ! We're getting serious and it would be unfair if you reveal me a secret like this one and I don't do the same. We both have to give some things, parts of us little by little into this relationship for it to work properly. The effort can't only come from one person. And I think it's gonna help me more than anything else to talk about it with someone. Since it happened..." He paused as his jaw stiffen.

I could see all type of emotions in his eyes. Anger, sadness, embarrassed, regret, guilt, everything. I didn't know what he did, but it was weighting on his shoulders for the longest now. I could see that he wanted to get rid of this feeling to keep going on his road to recovery, but I could also see how painful it was for him to just think about telling someone and it was heartbreaking. 

"We don't have to do this today, we can wait a bit more."

He shook his head, "No. I have to do this today or else I would never do it. I think it's the next closure I need. I've been feeling like there is this obstacle, this big wall that I have to take down and I think that to do this, I have to talk about it. It'll forever haunt my mind and eat my conscience, but talking about this can help me to live better with it. I have to forgive myself for what I did, but I don't know how and maybe you can help me, like you did before I went to the mental hospital."

A tear fell on my cheek, "You're right. It's gonna help us to get better and allow us to let ourselves be truly happy. I didn't forgive myself since it happened either, but maybe you can help me to do this today." Every person that God put into your life are there to teach you something, to help you to grow and more the days were passing by and more I was spending time with Dorian and getting to know him, more I was getting to the reason of why we met. Why was he becoming so important to my life ? 

He smiled, "I'm ready." 

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Feel free to comment and/or to vote =)

A/N: I was supposed to end the book at chapter 43 or 45, but it seems like we're going for more chapters 😩 I have to stick to my plan and stop adding more chapters though or I will never finish the story 😒🙄 I'm gonna write a long one next time to kill two birds with a stone. 

I'm going away this weekend and then I'll have to study more for my exams, so I won't update before...well I don't know, but stay tuned and be patient please 😁

Anyways, are you excited to finally know what happened to Docia's son ? What do you think about Dorian and Docia ? What are your thoughts about their relationship now ? 

THANKS FOR READING ! 💗

CissyItsMe 💋✌🏾❤️