Chapter 18

18

" I think it worked," Destiny said. "The only anger I have left is for Gloria, but even that doesn't feel as intense. When we win that contract I think it will be gone, too."

Faith smiled. She knew Destiny had been holding back her anger. Faith could see it in her eyes and feel it at times. She wanted to gain Destiny's trust again, and she didn't want her to live with that anger and pain if she could help her ease it.

When Faith realized she'd made a huge mistake by not going to Destiny with the video, she could have run away like she'd done before, but something made her stop and look at herself. She chose to believe it was their love that still lived in her heart. It was trying to help her see. That night in the shack with Destiny asleep, her head on Faith's shoulder, it all became clear.

"I have a song for you," Faith said softly. She searched through the songs and hoped the music and lyrics would be there.

Destiny raised her eyebrows.

"You'll know it," Faith assured her. "We used to watch the show."

Faith found what she was looking for and queued up the song. She turned to Destiny and reached for her hand. "Do you remember when we watched The Fosters ?"

Destiny nodded. "Oh yeah, we loved that show."

"I always loved the theme song," Faith said. "I came across it on my phone the other day and I realized the words are how you make me feel."

Destiny furrowed her brow. "I'm trying to remember."

"You will as soon as you hear it," Faith said. "It's sung by Kari Kimmel."

The soft melody of "Where You Belong" began to play and Faith watched the recognition dawn on Destiny's face.

Faith began to softly sing, "If you're feeling down or weak, you can always count on me, I will always pick you up."

The song continued then Destiny finished the verse, singing, "I will always hold you up."

Faith could feel tears stinging her eyes but she had to sing this next part because these were the lyrics that rang true then and still did now.

"It's not where you come from, it's where you belong," Faith sang softly.

When she couldn't continue, Destiny picked up a few lines later. "You're surrounded by love and you're wanted, so never feel alone. You are home with me right where you belong."

Faith smiled and listened while Destiny continued with the song. She glanced between the words and Faith several times.

Faith tried to join her, but instead listened as Destiny sang, "Even when you mess up, you always got my love. I'm always right here."

Faith was the one who messed up and she wouldn't let herself believe Destiny would still be there. Instead she'd run, but not anymore.

She knew where she belonged. She knew where Destiny belonged. It may take a little more time, but Destiny knew it, too. Faith just had to help her see.

Karaoke didn't turn out quite as Faith had intended. She wanted to sing the song to Destiny, but when she couldn't get the words out, Destiny could. As the last notes filtered from the speakers they leaned closer and closer to each other.

Faith stared into Destiny's warm brown eyes and saw their love. She hoped Destiny could see it shining in hers. Their lips were so close… Faith leaned in?—

The four people in the bar plus the bartender began to applaud.

They both pulled back and their eyes widened like they were in some kind of cartoon.

The moment passed but Faith could still see the love in Destiny's eyes.

"I need another beer," Destiny said.

"I'll get them." Faith quickly went over to the bar and came back to the table with two fresh beers.

"Thanks," Destiny said. "You keep paying for everything. It's my turn."

"It's okay," Faith said, sitting back down.

"I have to admit," Destiny said. "You have surprised me, Faith Fields."

Faith smiled. "I hope that's a good thing."

"Oh, it is," Destiny replied. "While we were singing, I had an idea."

Faith took a sip of her beer. "About the project?"

"No," Destiny replied. "About us."

Faith smiled. That's a good thing, she thought. She raised her eyebrows. "Are you going to tell me?"

"Were you serious about being more social?" Destiny asked.

Faith leaned over the table. "I'm sitting in a bar, singing karaoke on a Monday evening," she stated.

Destiny laughed and Faith felt a luscious feeling of warmth pass through her body. God, it had been ages since she felt a rush like that.

"Your birthday is coming up," Destiny said. "I always wanted to throw you a party, but you wouldn't let me. What if we came here and sang karaoke? We could invite Mark and your workers, Monica and Kim, and a few other friends. What do you say?"

Faith sat back and smiled at Destiny. "You want to spend my birthday with me?" she said gently.

Destiny smiled. Faith watched as she took a deep breath and slowly let it out. She recognized this behavior. Destiny always did this when she was gathering her words.

"Yes, I want to spend your birthday with you," Destiny said. "We have a lot to work through and I don't know what's next in our story, but I'm not ready for it to end just yet."

Faith smiled. She'd take that. It wasn't a no and it meant Destiny was willing to at least try. "I was afraid to share some things with you because I've always felt damaged in a way," Faith said. "I had a counselor in college who helped me with that, but I sometimes still feel that way. I wonder why you feel like you let me down?"

Destiny raised her eyebrows. "Okay, we're going from birthdays to…"

"Things we have to work through," Faith explained. "I have to share things that are scary. It's things that I was afraid would make you leave. In my eyes, you could never let me down, Des."

Destiny looked at Faith and took a drink of her beer. Faith could practically see the thoughts running through Destiny's mind.

"In my eyes," Destiny said, sitting her beer back down, "there's nothing you could've said that would've made me leave."

Faith smiled and nodded. "See there. We have to be brave and share more. How often do the things we're afraid of never happen? We've wasted a chance to know one another better on a deeper level."

Destiny nodded. "I let you down because you didn't feel like you could come to me with the video. It makes me wonder what other things you couldn't share with me. What other things bothered you, scared you? I was the woman you loved?—"

"Love," Faith corrected her.

Destiny smiled. "I was the woman you love. I'm supposed to be your safe space. I let you down because I thought I was that person, but I didn't make sure you felt that way."

"I was afraid that you would think I was too much work," Faith said.

"What! Too much work?"

"Yeah," Faith said. "I'm so fucked up with my thinking that we can't have a normal relationship. You always have to be thinking about Faith's messed up background that makes her think fucked up thoughts."

Destiny's face fell. "I have never thought of you that way, Faith." She sat back in her chair. "I thought you were the most interesting, beautiful woman I'd ever known. All I wanted was to know you better, so that way, I could love you more."

Faith smiled and shook her head. "Wow! Listen to us. You're turning my mistake into yours, which is crazy. And the things I hid from you are what you wanted most."

Destiny chuckled. "What is a normal relationship? I'm not sure they exist."

Faith scoffed. "Certainly not my parents, but what about yours? Gretchen and Mike are definitely relationship goals."

Destiny shrugged. "They've had their issues. Everyone does. We aren't special."

"Yes we are," Faith said. "I don't care what you say, we are special."

Destiny laughed.

Faith joined her laughter and held up her glass. "Here's to being brave. You didn't let me down."

Destiny held her glass to Faith's. "You're not too much work."

They both took a big drink and Faith narrowed her gaze at Destiny. "You wouldn't have left me. I think I knew that deep down and that's why?—"

"You ran," Destiny said.

Faith nodded. "I'm right here now. As the song says, where I belong."

Destiny took another drink of her beer.

"It's okay, Des," Faith said. "You don't have to say anything. Thank you for singing with me and sharing with me."

"You're welcome," Destiny said.

They finished their beers and Faith drove them back to Destiny's office. She pulled up next to Destiny's truck and got out.

"What are you doing?" Destiny asked.

Faith walked to the back of their trucks and held out her arms. "I think we could both use a hug."

Destiny was hesitant at first, but then pulled Faith into her arms.

Faith nestled her head on Destiny's shoulder and ran her hands up Destiny's back. She had always felt safe in Destiny's arms. Destiny was a few inches taller than Faith, but they fit together perfectly in Faith's opinion. She loved how her nose was in the perfect spot to inhale Destiny's scent and her lips were only millimeters away from Destiny's pulse point. Faith hoped she'd get to kiss that highly sensitive spot again one day. But until then she was content with Destiny's arms holding her close.

Faith didn't want to pull away, but she also didn't want to overwhelm Destiny or seem pushy. Destiny knew what Faith wanted. She'd told her, and she'd also agreed to give Destiny time.

Faith smiled up at Destiny and stepped out of her arms. "See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow," Destiny replied. Before Faith got back into her truck Destiny quickly added, "Uh, thanks for this evening. I had a really nice time."

Faith chuckled. "Stop draggin' my heart around," she sang, then got into her truck.

It didn't take Faith long to drive home. She pulled around to the back of the building, stopping to close the gate. Instead of going inside her tiny house she walked into her office. It only took a moment to boot up her computer and get her notebook out. She was beginning to build the garden with a fountain as the centerpiece when her phone pinged with a text.

Get some rest. You'll need it because we'll be working late all week.

Faith read the text and chuckled. She and Destiny may have been apart for three years, but Destiny still knew her. Faith couldn't wait to get started on the project. She felt like if they won the bid then nothing could stop them from rebuilding their relationship. Faith knew one had nothing to do with the other, but right now they were the most important things in her life.

She typed a text back to Destiny and sent it.

I will if you will.

It only took a moment for Destiny's response to appear on the screen.

I have more important things to think about tonight.

"Hmm," Faith mumbled. "I didn't see that coming." She figured Destiny would be excited to get going on the project.

Faith smiled as she typed out her reply.

Could it be Friday?

Destiny quickly replied.

Maybe. See you tomorrow.

Faith knew that was the last she'd hear from Destiny tonight, but what a good day it had turned out to be.

The hope in her heart was growing with every thought of Destiny.

She opened a drawer in her desk and looked down at a framed picture of Destiny. She'd kept it there since she'd opened Lush Fields Landscaping. It was out of sight, but she knew it was there. Maybe it was time to put it on her desk.

"Keep the faith, babe," she whispered to Destiny's picture and smiled.