Page 32 of When Darkness Comes Knocking
“Of course. That’s why you’re here. You’re my forever. I’ve never required much in a man, yet you’ve shown me repeatedly that I deserve everything.”
“That’s because you do, and I’m going to continue to show you that.” I kissed the top of her head and stared at the ceiling. Perrae was the woman of my dreams. Now it was all a matter of making forever a reality.
<<<
Jason and Lina kept the kids while we enjoyed our weeklong vacation. JJ stayed home because he had to work. This summer, he was employed full time at my company. JJ was pretty good too. He learned quick. I walked past a few tourists on the same trip as us.
My eyes trailed over Perrae’s features in the peach short set she wore. She listened intently to the hostess explain the different types of wine at their winery. We took a tour there because that was what she wanted to do on the trip.
It was a quaint place. I enjoyed it because I was a wine lover myself, but what was on my mind heavy lately was my life with Perrae. We met under unfortunate circumstances, yet we survived and came out on top together.
She deserved every blessing that came her way. All she’d ever done was cater to everyone. I wanted to be the one person in the world to cater to her every need.
Perrae knew she was loved and safe with me, but I needed her to fully feel that way forever. I cleared my throat and walked over to her and the hostess. She looked at me with a wide grin.
“You’re back from the bathroom. Babe, you are going to love this fruit yet dry wine. I know dry wine is your favorite. I found a couple bottles of Merlot and sangria I’m going to happily enjoy,” Perrae announced.
I chuckled and kissed the top of my head. “We’ll take all the bottles you want. Before we cash out, though, I wanted to ask you a question.”
“Of course, love. What’s up?”
I lowered to one knee and removed a dark red box from my pocket. The hostess smiled and stepped to the side. Perrae’s eyes widened, and her hand covered her mouth.
She shook her hands out at her sides. I guess she was nervous. “Fortune, baby, what are you doing?”
“Something I knew I’d do the moment I met you.” My eyes roamed her deep brown eyes, deep dimples, and full pouty lips. Perrae was a literal angel in my eyes.
“You’ve accomplished so much in your life and on your own. You’re the strongest and bravest woman I know. I made the decision to help carry the load right with you.
“From day one, you were in my corner, and I cannot let you go. I will not let you go. You’ve changed me in ways that made me softer and more understanding.
“You are it for me, sweetheart. No other woman does it for me like you. You’re the only woman’s face I want to see when I wake up. That’s why I wanna serve a life sentence with you. Will you make me the happiest man in the world and be my wife?”
Epilogue
Perrae
Two years later
Today was the twins’ twelfth birthday. My backyard was filled with preteens from their class. Madison and the twins had grown and matured so much. They were big girls and the IT girls in their class.
Fortune, Lina, and Jason manned the party while I stood at my mailbox. I watched as the construction crew tore down the Packers’ house. It was nicknamed the house of horrors, so the city decided to get rid of it.
It was an out of sight, out of mind thing for them, but for me, that house would forever be with me. I said a prayer for the Packers and Ms. Notes. Their deaths were unnecessary and unfortunate.
Surprisingly, their deaths weren’t in vain. Antwan was only in prison for a year before he was killed. He must’ve got on somebody’s last nerve.
I looked away and at my mailbox. There was a single letter inside that caught my attention. It was stamped and addressed from the corrections facility. I sighed.
The letter was from Big J. I opened it and read it out loud.“Dear, baby mama. I know I wasn’t shit to you. I’m probably still not shit to you.
“But I’m grateful to have known you, Perrae. You were my legit high school sweetheart. I regret every day how I mistreated you.
“You are the best woman ever. It takes a strong ass person to endure what I put you through and still come the fuck out on top. You’ve raised all three of my kids on your own, and I’ll forever regret making you raise them alone and all the shit I put you through. I’m so sorry for hurting you.
“I know there’s no way I can help you out there, but I handled what was in my control. I’m going to die in jail, but I killed that muthafucka Antwan Price. He targeted you and my kids, and I refused to let that nigga breathe another day.
“It was all over the news, but my identity hadn’t been released. My lawyer took care of that. I just wanted you to know that you could sleep peacefully from here on out because I killed that fuckin’ monster. I’d do it all over it again for y’all.
