Chapter 28: Chapter 28

A Lot can happen in five years especially for me. In less than the span of five years I graduated high school, watched my dad get married to the love of his life who I might say surprised me to this day because she was way out of his league and I found the meaning behind my past traumas. But the most important thing that happened was my decision to move overseas with my best friend who I've grown impeccably closer towards.

For once life was neutral in a good way, there was no drama or traumatic situations but rather peace but for how long was always the question running through my mind keeping me awake at night. Ever since I moved in together with Malcolm life has been one continuous ascending roller coaster.

We did so much exploring getting to know America and we went to so many places that were a sight for sore eyes. Every week was an adventure for us as we made a rule that we each take turns each different week to plan something whether it be adventurous or simple as a picnic on a hill or in a park. Every week was exciting for us as we made sure to keep each other on our toes and never get bored easily.

Personality speaking I changed a lot, I went from a meek submissive person to more confident and not caring about what people thought of me and loved myself more. Not only did I change my personality wise but I changed my appearance as well, I got a nose piercing and a few more piercings around my ears. I got my haircut to a pixie style and got tattoos that littered my left arm like it was a canvas. Overall I liked the new me because it was the real me and I wasn't afraid to show the world who I was.

Malcolm on the other hand hadn't changed much; he was the same protective, boisterous guy I knew but something in him did change.

"Mommy!" Elijah came running towards me, nearly knocking me over. Elijah was my four-year-old son, well, adopted son if you want to get technical. I got him when he was barely six months due to his mother not wanting a child so she gave him up but I was lucky enough to have found the little bundle of joy. He was a very tiny little kid with smooth caramel skin and curly black locks.

"Slow down champ," Malcolm came running behind Elijah completely out of breath, Malcolm somehow still maintained his built form due to him going to the gym every day to maintain his mouth-watering body.

The thing that changed with Malcolm was his interest in girls. He was never interested in any girl let alone thinking of marrying one. I never understood why he had no interest in girls and if I asked him why he would give me this answer, "I don't need a woman in my life to love me or give me children I already got you and Elijah that's enough for me,", it was a cryptic answer that had no logic behind it but I accepted his reasons nevertheless.

"What's the matter, love?" I asked Elijah who hugged my leg tightly.

"Daddy is trying to put a spider down my back," he whimpered with his eyes tightly closed.

I turned my icy glare to Malcolm who gave me a sheepish smile holding up a plastic spider.

"Keep that thing away from him," I warned Malcolm who chuckled, putting the toy in his pocket before picking up Elijah with such ease that I envied.

"Sorry buddy I promise it's gone now," Malcolm said gently rocking Elijah back and forth until he calmed down.

Elijah was our pride and joy, he was the bow that tied Malcolm and me even closer than ever. Originally I was the only parent signed as Elijah's adoptive parent but when I told Malcolm about my plans he sat me down and we had a pretty long conversation about our future.

He told me he wanted to raise Elijah with me if I accepted. When I asked him why he didn't want to raise a family on his own he answered with something that broke my heart.

"A woman will come and go for my looks only but you stayed no matter what and I want to spend the rest of my life with someone like that and that someone is you if you'll have me that is,"

He didn't make much sense but in a way I understood, he was just afraid to get hurt once again especially for something he can easily avoid and perhaps afraid he may never get back up again.

It made my heart bleed to hear his voice crack at his explanation and so I accepted his offer and we both signed the papers as Elijah's adoptive parents. There was nothing romantic between us considering I was gay and he never showed any interest in me romantically. Nevertheless, he treated me as a sister, best friend and lover all rolled up into one and weirdly so he made it work and because of our love for each other, we were great parents to Elijah.

Not for one moment did he think we weren't his biological parents and that warmed my heart more than anything in the world. He acted as if we were his biological parents and we acted as if he was our biological son. Our bond with him grew every day to the point where every time we couldn't see him it hurt us physically and emotionally. No matter what wrong he did, my love for him was unbreakable. It was as if he was a part of my soul and I couldn't let him go.

Malcolm felt the same way I did for Elijah. I would even go as far as to say Malcolm and I were better parents than our parents combined could ever be. It was a wonderful feeling having a child, a feeling that made us smile every day and look forward to the next day and what it brings.

"Ready to see grandma and grandpa?" Malcolm asked Elijah excitedly, which got Elijah's attention quite quickly.

"Yes," Elijah said, his eyes shining in the wildest excitement. Considering we lived billions of miles away from the rest of our family when we got the chance to see them it was always exciting with the thought of finally seeing them again.

"Well we leave in about two hours so let's finish packing," I excitedly said checking the time to make sure we weren't wasting time.

"Right you are love," Malcolm beamed following me to the master bedroom where suitcases and clothes littered the floor and bed.

"Do you need all these clothes?" Malcolm asked me with creased brows cringing at the clothes on the floor.

"Yes I do because I don't know the weather, it might be raining this week and next week it'll be hot as hell," I justified myself even though I knew that wasn't a legitimate answer.

"There's google weather for a reason," Malcolm said with a raised brow not believing my reason for wanting to carry a lot of clothes each time we travelled.

"Fine I'll reduce the pile," I grumbled stepping over clothes to put my suitcase on the bed. Malcolm chuckled before he placed Elijah down on the bed sorting out his suitcase.

"Did you finish packing his suitcase?" Malcolm asked me.

"Ya I did, he's ready to go," I answered, speeding up my packing as I watched the time.

"Are all the presents packed?" Malcolm asked.

"Ya I'm pretty sure can you double-check please?" I asked, finally closing my suitcase only taking clothes I knew I would wear, the rest I packed away trying to race against time.

"Slow down mother gothel there's no need to rush we have plenty of time to get there," Malcolm said holding me in my tracks as he held my shoulders.

"Don't call me that," I sighed before calming down, willing my mind to calm its racing thoughts.

"Good now let's double-check that we didn't miss anything because we don't want a mistake like last time," Malcolm said, shivering at the thought of the last holiday we spent with my dad. Last time I forgot Elijah's favourite teddy bear that he was so attached to he never slept without it, let's just say it was a complete disaster during the night. You try calming down a four-year-old on a tantrum; it's practically impossible.

"God forbid that won't happen again," I shivered before checking the house to make sure we didn't forget any of Elijah's favourite toys before we headed out the estate to the cab we ordered.

Malcolm chuckled as he opened the car door for me before he let Elijah get in the middle seat making sure he put Elijah's seat belt on before following suit closing the door behind him.

***

"Merry Christmas," I said in joy, hugging my dad the moment I saw him in the waiting area of the airport.

"Merry Christmas to you too kiddo," he happily said, hugging me back tightly. I embraced the comfort and warmth his body provided, missing his axe scent that stung my nostrils.

"Oh I missed you guys," Lauren cried, picking up Elijah in a massive hug.

"We missed you too auntie," Malcolm chuckled, hugging his aunt gently.

"Good to see you, too old man," Malcolm smirked, hugging my dad.

"Likewise Goldilocks," My dad smirked, hugging Malcolm back.

"It's so good to see you," Lauren sighed in content hugging me tightly with tears dancing in her eyes.

"Same here," I smiled in content, missing the comfort she provided. I suppose over the years our relationship had strengthened and I was beyond happy for our closeness, you could even say she was my second Best Friend.

"Hi Elijah," Devontae greeted Elijah, hugging him gently. Devontae had grown so much taller even though he was only twelve but he had come such a long way that every time I saw him, tears streamed down my face in joy because in a way I saved him. Devontae was in a way Elijah's role model because Elijah always followed wherever Devontae went which we thought he would get over when he grew up but it seemed they were attached at the hip.

You would think the two were siblings but they just had a tight bond. Elijah held Devontae's hand the entire time we walked to Laurens minivan, it was honestly a cute sight for sore eyes. We all found our spot in the car while my dad started the car up.

"Home sweet home here we come," my dad said happily. For a Christmas Day, you would think the weather would be great but it was rather chilly with dark clouds obscuring the sky.

To my old home, the adults caught up on things while Devontae played games with Elijah on his iPad.

A lot changed with my dad as well, it turned out Lauren was pregnant which was wonderful news to hear. I could tell my dad was beyond excited about the news with the way he never stopped talking about it but who could blame him? He's always wanted a second child and Lauren granted him that wish.

"Truly I can't wait to have a younger sibling," I excitedly said at the dinner table that was beautifully decorated with Christmas decorations.

"Nor can I," beamed Malcolm, happy for his auntie.

"How's school Dev?" I asked Devontae who was telling Elijah a story.

"It's great actually, I got a hundred per cent for my English exam and eighty-nine for my maths exam," he proudly said with a wide grin on his face.

"Wow well done little man," Malcolm smiled.

"Ya well done Dev that's amazing," I complimented making him blush.

"Thank you," Dev blushed, smiling widely.

The rest of the dinner went splendid as always but being back home always gave me an unwanted chill as unwanted memories clouded my mind. I may have found a way to deal with my past traumas but that doesn't mean those thoughts don't invade my mind now and then.

No matter how much you try to change everything about you and your life the one thing you could never change was your past and that's something that haunted me every night and probably for the rest of my life. But I learned to live with my demons thanks to Malcolm and Elijah who always kept my mind occupied with wonderful thoughts and their adorable faces always clouding my mind.

"You ok?" Malcolm asked me in the guest bedroom we were sharing.

"As long as you're here, always," I smiled wrapping my arms around his neck staring at those alluring hazel eyes of his that I often got lost in.

"Good," he beamed, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Mummy bedtime story," Elijah impatiently said pouting on the bed waiting to be read his favourite bedtime story; The Lion King. He was obsessed with that story in an unhealthy way and no matter how many stories I bought him he would only want to read that so I left him hoping he would tire himself of the story.

"Coming," I chuckled, giving Malcolm one last hug as a thank you for always sticking by me.

I suppose with all things changing in the world the family you choose to stick with will always be there for you no matter what and if they aren't then are they really family besides the blood flowing through their veins.

I realised that the most important thing in life is the people you are surrounded by. They shape you into the person you become hereafter. So are you proud of the people you're surrounded by because I sure as hell am and look where I ended up with the most loving family and one incredible best friend that was there for me no matter the weather.

A bunch of people that I'm proud to call my family and it was growing bigger which meant more love for me to give out and receive.

"Can we read something else?" Elijah asked with a pout, Malcolm and I hid a snicker before I pulled out a brand new story; Beauty And The Beast.

"Chapter one..." A new chapter meant a new change which is something everyone had. I considered everyone's life as a book. That's why I never judged anyone because I haven't read their book yet to know what they've been through.

My book was just finally beginning and I couldn't wait for what adventures await me but with Malcolm by my side, it was going to be one hell of an adventure, one I look forward to.

FIN