Chapter 48
She waited for him. Regardless of how angry he’d be that she put herself in harm’s way to get the closer she needed, she waited for him.
On the stairs, the lit candles served as light.
Her satin night shirt providing her warmth.
The hours ticked by into the night before Markus turned the doorknob.
Duffle bags were hanging off his shoulder, his glasses on his face, his suit gone. Burned, she assumed.
Reign stood on her bare feet and trekked toward him, reaching for a bag.
His voice tender, yet stern. “No.”
She retracted her hands and secured the door when he moved past her.
“Come up here so we can talk.”
Her feet followed his every step toward the bedroom. His duffle bags were opened – shirts, pants, sweats, underwear. All being placed into the empty drawers, she left free of her things for him.
Markus briefly looked up at her, taking in the softness she held now versus the shell of the woman he’d met months ago. “I got it. Sit down.”
Reign sat on the ottoman and watched his movements, waited for his words.
“I’ve been at the house since the business was handled. Reflecting,” he started. “I didn’t want to come in here with my ego leading the way. Although seeing my lady, I left at the house at the drop being sprayed by bullets, damn near sent me into a spiral-”
“Markus, I just needed-”
“Let me finish, please.”
Reign pressed her lips together and nodded. “Okay.”
“Above all else, my job, my purpose here is to protect you. And all that you carry. That light, that power, and when God smiles on me, my seed. That’s what I was put here for.
I’ve been a dope boy all my life. That’s what I do.
It’s not who I am, nor is it my purpose.
My purpose is you. And all that you are.
It goes beyond the love that’s budding in my being for you. You understand?”
“I do.”
“Then I need you to fully understand that you can never do that again. I understand why. I understand what you needed. I understand that weight you carried. It’s laid by me every night.
It whimpers while you slept. It rests in your eyes.
It’s scarred over your body. I know your pain cause I feel my own.
But I know that this wasn’t just because I saw something that I liked.
You are for me, and I am for you. I need you safe and sound.
Because if you get ripped from me, there’s nothing left to live right for. Nothing. You feel me?”
“I do. I’m sorry.” She moved closer, stopping his hands from unpacking. “Can you look at me?”
“I’m over the fuckin’ crying,” Markus muttered, tapping into emotions he had the ability to drown out before she came into his life.
“I know.” Her reply was soft. Her touch, even softer.
“I got to bury my aunt in two days.”
“I know.”
He looked at her. “I need to feel something other than this rage.”
“I’m right here. I’m your well.”
His brows pinched with question.
“If you're thirsty, drink. Hungry, eat. Need some place to lay your head, do it. Because even though I messed up, my love for you extends past it all. I’m right here.” She gently cupped his face and kissed his marijuana smoke flavored lips. “Can I?”
Markus lightly grabbed the back of her neck. “You can’t do that shit again. I don’t care how soft you talking to me.”
She kissed him again. “I know.”
“You sure?”
“I am.”
“Aight. I’m moving in,” he spoke, pushing the duffle bags to the floor.
“That’s not a problem.”
“When this shit is over, we’re moving out of this house.”
“Okay,” Reign agreed.
Every declaration was accompanied by each of them removing an article of clothing.
Reign wrapped her hand around his dick after she repositioned them.
Markus fell to his back, his eyes low as he watched her kiss down his body with tenderness.
Her hair was bundled in his grasp as she kissed the tip of his length before making it disappear in her mouth.
No sex wasn’t a cure-all, but their connection could keep the darkness away. Reign’s moans were soft as she sucked and bobbed her head upside down. Not in a rush to the end, but to allow him to feel anything other than pain.
“Mmm,” Markus groaned, feeling the weight lift from his chest. Reign’s eyes were trained on him. “I love you.”
She buzzed. “I love you.”
Markus hooked her chin and pulled her upward. Her wet hands pressed against his chest as she eased herself down on his length. The tightness wrapped around him felt better than any high he’d experienced.
Reign moaned, squeezing herself around him once he filled her to the hilt. Markus sat up and wrapped his arms around her. “I will restore and cover you whenever you need it.”
She peppered his face with kisses before kissing his lips.
Markus shuddered. “I’m gonna give you my seed.”
Reign pressed her forehead against his. “I’ll take care of it. I’ll take care of you. Just like you do to me, Emilliano. I love you.”
He groaned, eyes shut, a tear slipping from his eye. Reign kissed it away and continued her motion nice and slow. Inhaling his exhale, moaning for his groans of release, tender strokes, and soft touches.
“You’re my man. I’ll take care of you.” Her hands gripped the back of his neck and head. “Take what you need.”
The exchange of love went on through the night until Markus was lightly snoring against her midsection. Once he rolled over, she finished unpacking his things, started to prep the food for the repast, took his suit out, and prepped it for what would be the heaviest day of his life.
Majestic Heights Fellowship Church was packed.
Everyone who’d been touched by Lucille throughout her life showed up to send her home.
The church was blanketed with white outfits, orchids, and irises.
Lucille was done up like all the photos Reign had seen of her.
Her hair was blown out in Nia’s signature swoop, the fur pillbox hat placed perfectly on her head.
The fur coat only emphasized that Lucille was and will forever be that girl.
Reign stood to Markus’ right, her hand placed on his back as he whispered his final goodbyes. He leaned down in the casket and kissed her chin. “I hope I did right by you. I hope I made you proud. I love you, Auntie. Rest well. I got us from here.”
Reign dapped her eyes, and as Markus stood upright, he clasped her hand and squeezed it. They talked about this, about how much support he’d need today. The squeeze of her hand let her know that he needed her to stay as close as possible. He needed her comfort.
Reign sat between Markus and Nia, holding their hands and caressing their knuckles. The pastor spoke his words of comfort, and Reign held onto every word.
“Isaiah 61:3 states to give unto them, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Trust and know that while you’re heavy, the Lord is waiting on you to hand it over.
Give it all to Him. Your ashes, your mourning, and your heaviness.
He wants you to stand in the light. Darkness can’t have you.
Death can’t hold our sister. Lucille lives in all of us. The city will feel her spirit.
“To the family, I say, if the Lord watches over every sparrow and dresses every lily, He loves you more. He holds up, He covers you, He grants you peace. Hold your heads up and rejoice. Our sweet Lucille is free from sickness, free from a broken heart, free from the ways of this world. Rejoice, I say! The pain is behind her, and it’s behind you.
Step into the light and out of the darkness. Amen!”