Not Broken: The Happily Ever After(118)

She leaned forward, forcing us back until I was again laying down. Her head rested on my chest. She picked up one of my locs and twirled it around her fingers. I moved my hands up, slipping them under her shirt so I could feel her skin.

“You saved me too.”

“No, baby. You saved yourself.”

I felt her shake her head. “No. You did. The day this all started, at my session with Dr. Carr she’d asked me if I was happy just being content with my life. It was right after she’d told me you went to see her. Entertaining the idea of a relationship on any level, well, you know I was opposed to it. I was alive, Malcolm, but I wasn’t really living. I didn’t want to feel. I didn’t want to let anyone get close again. I didn’t want anyone to know just how bad things really were and how much I was faking my way through life.”

I leaned up to kiss the top of her head. My fingers continued to draw circles across her silky flesh.

“You and your determination to have this with me, it was the life preserver I didn’t know I needed. I was drowning in my own head. In all the things I’d felt so guilty about. I was drowning in the fear. True to your word, off the deep end and all, you’ve stayed. So yes, you helped save me too. I love you, Malcolm.”

Her words penetrated me. They took hold and filled me with a warming sense of humility. Loving Ginger came as natural to me as breathing. I never considered something so simple and out of my control could have such an impact. I only ever wanted her to experience unconditional love, and I could die a happy man knowing I’ve been able to give her that.

“I love you too, baby.”





Chapter 59


Calida





The house was alive with activity. Shawn was eating up the attention he was getting from Malcolm’s nieces. His nephews were arguing over who got to play on his Playstation next. Cooking for a large group had me a little out of my comfort zone, but per Frankel family code, new house meant you hosted the holidays. So, they were all here for Thanksgiving, and the whole clan would also be back for Christmas before we fell into the rotation.

“Malcolm tells me you got several offers on your house.”

I looked over at Momma D, who was pulling her delicious smelling red velvet cupcakes from the oven. “Yes, but I’ve not decided which to counter just yet. I have til Monday to decide.”

It’d only been on the market for about two weeks before I got four offers. I’d been surprised things happened so fast. I’d decided to sell it furnished if the buyers wanted the stuff. Otherwise, I’d do an estate sell. The only thing I’d kept had been Seth’s piano. It’d been moved into storage until I figured out what to do with it. The idea of selling it felt wrong, and I’d been worried Malcolm would be upset with me over that, but he wasn’t.

“Once it’s sold, that’ll be the last piece to close out that chapter of your life?”

I looked over at Mal, who sat on the floor while his youngest niece braided his dreads. I shook my head. “I don’t know if that chapter will ever be complete, but a much happier one is being written.”

She gave me a hug. “I can understand that.”

The doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” Macy said.

From the greetings, I could tell my parents had arrived, with Dorian in tow. They all came in carrying dishes, even though I’d told Mom she didn’t need to cook. I should have known she wouldn’t listen.

“Glad you came, Dorian.”

“Of course. I moved here to be closer to family, so I guess it means I need to actually spend some time with everyone.”

“Yes, well, glad you could pencil us in. There’s wine if we get to be too much for you.”

Mal walked over, stepped up behind me, and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Smelling good. When do we eat?”

“Soon. And the bows are a good look for you.”

Just as I said it, Macy snapped a picture with her phone. “Blackmail for later.”

He flipped his hair over his shoulders in dramatic fashion. “Psh, blackmail? I look fabulous bows and all.”

This is how holidays should be; good times with family. If only the nerves in the pit of my stomach would go away. They only intensified when Malcolm would get close to me, or hell, even look in my direction. I picked up my wine glass and took a sip. I could get through this.

Dinner ready. Mom and Momma D helped me get the dining room all set for its inaugural use. I looked around the table. A sense of happy bliss filled me seeing it packed with all of his family. It’d been awhile since all his siblings were together. It was crazy and noisy, but everyone was laughing and having a great time. I knew Mom and Dad wouldn’t miss out, but Dorian’s acceptance of the invitation shocked me. Her pleasant behavior was even more shocking. She and Macy were even managing to be civil to each other. That was something to truly be thankful for.

Malcolm reached over and took ahold of my hand. “You okay?”

I nodded and gave a weak smile. The look he gave told me he wasn’t sure if he believed me or not. Damn nerves. I’d thought this through. It had been all I could think about for the last few days, but now I felt sick to my stomach. I took a deep breath before finishing off the wine in my glass.

“What’s going on with you? You’ve been acting kind of off all day.”