Chapter 21
Dru stared at Dreya, refusing to believe what she was hearing. They’d spent so much time looking out for each other, that even with Dru doing everything she could to make sure Dreya would be okay, Dreya was also trying to look out for Dru too.
Yesterday, Dru introduced Caden to Marilyn and Dreya, and they both loved him. They ended up spending the day watching movies, making ice cream, and shopping. Dru enjoyed herself so much she ended up staying behind, and Caden had Ian pick her up when she was ready to come home.
Home.
That was what she’d been calling it now.
Her home.
She’d stopped by to see Dreya after she got out of school before going to the lounge to see Stevie, and that was when Dreya dropped a bomb on her big sister.
“I’m sorry? I don’t think I heard you correctly,” Dru said, rubbing her ear.
Dreya smiled, looking just like her and their mother. “I said I don’t want you to have to move out of Caden’s house on account of me. Like, I still want to do the guardianship thing, but I’m okay staying here with Granny.”
Eyebrows wrinkled, Dru shook her head. She was hearing her sister clearly, but her words were so unexpected the conversation wasn’t making any sense.
“I don’t understand. Yesterday, you were so happy about the guardianship and moving in with me.”
“Okay, so don’t take this the wrong way, Sister.
” Dreya turned on the couch and took Dru’s hands into hers.
“I love you soooo much, and I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me.
You’ve sacrificed so much for me and Tina.
This is the first time in my life that I’ve seen you so happy.
You don’t look tired or stressed out. You’re not walking around angry at the world.
You’re happy and in love, and I love that for you.
What you have with my future brother-in-law has made me really happy, and I can tell he’s a great guy.
I can’t come between that just so I can live with you. ”
“But he understands . . . but I want . . .” Dru’s head shook as her mouth hung open.
“Listen to me. I’m not saying I don’t want to live with you.
I’m saying I want you to live your life.
Granny is okay with me staying here until I go to college.
If Tina’s parental rights can be terminated and she has no say in my life, that’s more than okay with me.
I can come and stay with you and Caden on the weekends and every summer or something, but no.
You stay with him and live your life, Sister.
Go back to school, . . . paint! We both gotta live.
I’m so much better now, thanks to you and Granny.
Please tell me you understand what I’m saying. ”
Dru’s mouth twisted to the side as she nodded. Her smile was bitter, and her eyes watered as she gently tugged a few of Dreya’s braids.
“How’d you get to be so selfless and wise, kid?” she teased, breath shaky.
“I got it from you. I want you to have guardianship, but Granny said she’s willing to do it too.
You’ve laid the groundwork, but she said she will take over if you want her to.
She actually wanted to talk to you about this, but I said I wanted to.
I wanted to make sure you know how much I love you and appreciate you even offering to do this.
“You didn’t let me suffer; you didn’t let me get put in the system.
You stayed so you could protect me, and I’m just .
. . thankful for you, Dru. I really want you to live the life you deserve.
You’re still so young. I don’t want your life to revolve around me.
I’ll be in college soon, having the time of my life.
Start your family and give me some nieces and nephews to play with. ”
Dru laughed and sniffled, fighting back her tears.
“Jesus. I was not expecting to hear you say that. Well, whatever you want, baby sis. If you want to stay here, I will one hundred percent support you and help Granny get guardianship. But I want to make sure you understand nothing or no one is more important to me than you, not even my relationship. If you want to stay with us, or if you want me and you to get our own place, that will always be an option.”
“I know, and I love you for it. But I mean it. Granny said you’ve been existing, not living, and she’s right. I want you to live, Sister. Promise me you’re gonna do that.”
When Dreya held up her pinky, Dru wrapped hers around it, like they’d been doing ever since Dreya turned five.
“I promise.”
“Good,” Dreya replied before pulling her sister close for a hug.
That Weekend
“Bae, if you let me fall—”
Caden sucked his teeth. “The only time I’ll let you fall is when it’s in love with me.” Caden scooped her up and carried her bridal style, causing Dru to fall into a fit of laughter. “Is that better, sweetheart?”
“Perfect,” she almost hummed, tightening her grip around his neck.
When he said he had a surprise for her and to spend some time outside of the house, Dru had no idea what she was going to be walking into.
As soon as she stepped inside of their home, Caden blindfolded her.
She’d only made it a few steps down the foyer before not being able to see got the best of her, and she was glad Caden picked her up and alleviated her anxiety.
She noticed he didn’t carry her upstairs, but wherever he’d taken her had quite a few turns. When he finally did put her on her feet, he said, “Aight, so the surprise is kind of in different rooms. You’ll know what I’m up to after this, so you can take the blindfold off now.”
Gasping, Dru covered her opened mouth. Through the glass patio doors, she noticed men outside in the backyard digging.
“Don’t tell me this is what I think it is!” she yelled excitedly, gripping his wrist.
“It is. Your pool will be ready this spring.”
“Ah! Yay!” She jumped into his arms, and he immediately held her close and laughed. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! Ahhh, I’m so excited!”
“Good. I’m glad. There’s more though.”
“Aww, Caden. I promise I don’t need anything else.”
“You might not need it, but I want you to have it. Not only do I want you comfortable here, but I want you to know this is as much your home as it is mine. Also, I know I’m busy as fuck, and I never want you to feel like you can’t enjoy yourself here if I’m not home.
Sooo . . .” He waited until they were in front of the door of his game room to say, “This is for you.”
When he opened the door, she gasped again.
“My game room will be down in the basement. This will be your book cove, and next door, we’re gonna make that your art room.
” He took a few steps down the hall and opened the door, but Dru was stuck staring at the shelves that already had so many books.
“I figured you’d want to design it yourself, but I went ahead and had three of the four walls lined with shelves. Here, come look.”
Dru’s eyes blurred with tears as she took small steps in his direction.
She was so overwhelmed and surprised, she honestly didn’t know how much more she could take.
A whimper escaped her at the sight of easels, canvases, and a rainbow of paint selections.
He’d even gotten a coat rack and hung up several aprons for her to put on while she painted.
There was a vinyl player in the corner along with Al Green records.
If she hadn’t been in love with him before, she certainly was now.
Speechless, Dru wrapped her arms around his neck. The harder she cried, the closer he held her. Rocking her back and forth, Caden whispered in her ear, “Welcome home, sweetheart.”