Destiny

Tuli

Before I knew it, Thanksgiving week was here. I found myself packing up to spend the week with my dad, a tradition Daniel and I had kept up with for years.

My phone buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. I smiled as I answered. “Hey, babe.”

“Hey, baby girl,” Jayce’s voice came through the speaker. “What’s up?”

“Just packing.”

“For what?”

“I’m heading to my dad’s for Thanksgiving.”

“Aww,” he sighed, and I could practically see his pout. I giggled.

“Don’t be such a baby,” I teased. “I spend more time with you than I do with my own roommate.”

He chuckled. “That’s because your roommate doesn’t give you hot kinky sex.”

I rolled my eyes just as Daniel called my name. “I gotta go. You’re not going to die of loneliness while I’m gone, are you?”

“Nah,” he said, “I’m actually going to hang out with my sister. She’s been having some marital problems and needs some company and help with the kids.”

I frowned. “Is she okay?”

“Not really. Her jerk of a husband didn’t want any more kids but she ended up pregnant. She thought he’d change his mind, but when he found out, he just took off. Can’t handle the responsibilities he’s already got.”

“That’s awful. Do you want Megan and me to track him down?”

Jayce laughed. “No, it’s okay. My sister’s thinking about divorcing him and taking all his money. I think she just needs some comfort and a push to move on.”

“Okay. Well, have fun.”

“I will. You too, and be safe. Love you, babe.”

My heart fluttered. “Love you, too.”

The call ended.

A knock sounded at my door as I pocketed my phone. Daniel peeked in.

“Are you ready to go? Megan’s getting impatient.”

I rolled my eyes. Megan was always in a hurry. “I’m almost done,” I told him, “just let me—”

Suddenly, my stomach lurched.

I clamped a hand over my mouth, trying to suppress my gag reflex. Daniel rushed over, concern etched on his face.

He pressed the back of his hand to my forehead. “You okay, sis? You feel a bit warm.”

I croaked out, “I think—ugh!”

I bolted to the bathroom, emptying my stomach into the toilet. Thank God Daniel was there to hold my hair back.

“That’s not good,” he muttered as I wiped my sweaty brow.

I stood up shakily. “I’m okay, I think,” I mumbled. “I had poached eggs for breakfast. Maybe they weren’t cooked all the way.”

Daniel raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. “Are you sure you’ll be okay for the drive?”

“It’s only an hour,” I dismissed his concern. “I’ll be fine.”

The hour-long drive was tough, but thankfully, there were no repeats. I didn’t want to keep stopping, or worse, throw up in the car.

My stomach seemed to settle, but just to be safe, I took some Dramamine to prevent motion sickness.

When we arrived, Kiara was bouncing excitedly on the porch. She rushed down the steps to pull us into a group hug as we got out of the car.

“Oh, it feels like I haven’t seen you three in ages!”

We all laughed and Daniel kissed Kiara’s cheek. “How are you doing, mom?”

She waved her hand dismissively, a big smile on her face. “Oh, you know, the usual. Your father’s too lazy to get off his butt and come say hello to you all.”

“I heard that,” dad grumbled as he came over and hugged me. “How’s my tulip?” he asked, kissing the top of my head.

“I’m good, dad,” I replied with a smile.

After hugging Daniel, he wrapped his arm around Kiara’s shoulder. “Ignore her,” he told us. “We’ve been stressed, trying to get her pregnant.”

Kiara frowned and smacked him on the arm as we all exchanged surprised looks.

“You’re trying for a baby?” Megan asked.

Kiara nodded and smiled. “We know it’s a bit late, but I’ve been feeling a little moody lately. I never thought to bring it up with your father, but he figured it out on his own. So we decided to try.”

“It’s fun when she ovulates,” my dad grumbled. “Not so fun when the pregnancy tests come back negative.”

I frowned. “That sucks.”

Kiara leaned in and kissed my cheek. “We just have to keep trying,” she said with a wink. “Now, how about we head inside for some spiced apple cider?”

Jayce

“I thought we were going to pig out on popcorn and binge-watch ~Grey’s Anatomy~,” my sister sniffled as we pulled up to Pearl Street Mall.

I rolled my eyes and opened the car door for Gabrielle, who carefully hopped out while engrossed in her 3DS. Kids these days, I thought, shaking my head.

I loved her dearly, but ever since she got that video game system for her birthday, she hadn’t put it down.

“Janelle,” I said, unfastening Dmitri’s car seat and securing it onto his stroller, “you need to get out of the house. Fresh air, the kids, and me—that’s what you need. Not moping around indoors.”

She grumbled, taking hold of the stroller’s handles. I planted a kiss on her forehead before scooping up a drowsy Allen, who was still rubbing sleep from his eyes.

“Trust me, sis. I’ve got your back. But I can’t let you wallow in your PJs all day.”

“Fine, fine,” she sighed, “let’s just get this over with.”

I rolled my eyes. She’d perk up soon enough, especially once I shared the news I’d been holding onto. I just needed to find the right moment.

“Who’s up for Build-A-Bear?” I asked.

Gabrielle let out an excited squeal. Allen woke up fully and wriggled out of my arms. I took both their hands and we started walking.

“You’re footing the bill,” Janelle muttered.

“Absolutely! But can we make a quick stop before we leave?” I pointed to a jewelry store.

She shot me a puzzled look as we walked in. “Why are we in a jewelry store?”

I flashed her a grin and she gasped.

“For your girlfriend?”

She clapped a hand over her mouth. She dropped her hand and whispered, “but you’ve only been dating for a month. You barely know each other.”

I scratched the back of my head, giving her a sheepish smile. “Actually, I’ve known her almost my whole life.”

Her brows knitted together. “What do you mean?”

I leaned in and whispered Tuli’s identity in her ear. Her eyes widened. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

I raised an eyebrow. “I’m surprised you didn’t recognize her name. How many Tulis have you met?”

“Just one, if we’re not counting your girlfriend,” she huffed. “She said her parents loved the name Tulip, but she always went by Tuli. I’m serious,” she added when I gave her a skeptical look. “And sorry, but I don’t remember all your childhood friends.”

“Her older brother used to hit on you, Janelle,” I said, rolling my eyes.

She frowned. “Well, maybe I forgot about him because I was too busy avoiding him.”

I bit my lip. Daniel was a creep as a teenager, so it didn’t surprise me that Janelle wasn’t fond of him.

“You really love her, huh?” she asked. I nodded. “Well, then, let’s find you a ring!”

We spent a good hour looking, but none of the rings had the spark that reminded me of my first feelings for her. I sighed.

“What?” I asked when Janie gave me one of her knowing smirks.

“I have something you might like.”

We drove back to her house, put on a movie for the kids, and I followed her upstairs to her bedroom. She went straight for her jewelry box.

“Janie, I love you, but I’m not giving her your old, cheap jewelry.”

She flipped me off and rummaged through the box. “Not mine, idiot. Mom’s.”

She pulled out a small, worn jewelry case and handed it to me.

“She would want you to have this.”

I opened the case and gasped. It was my mom’s wedding ring. The one my dad gave her, not the cheap one my jerk stepdad bought.

The blue diamond sparkled, reminding me of Tuli’s ocean-blue eyes.

Tears welled up in my eyes. “I haven’t seen this ring in years. I didn’t even know she still had it.”

Janelle sighed. “She had to hide it from that jerk. You know how much he hated dad.”

Anger surged through me, but I took a deep breath. How could I be mad when my sister had just given me the most wonderful gift? It felt like fate.

“Thank you, Janie,” I said, pulling her into a hug. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”

“Mom would be so proud of you, Jayce. And dad, too.”

I nodded and smiled. Now all I had to do was tell Tuli the truth. I hoped she would take it well.

And I hoped she would agree to be my wife.

I slipped the ring into my pocket, sending up a silent prayer that everything would work out.