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The day had arrived. The day I had been waiting for. She had returned.
It was a Saturday; the birds were chirping, the clouds were scarce, and I woke up early.
It was a simple measure to cross the freshly cleaned room, my hips swaying with each step as I thought of the talk I would have today. It would be simple. It was a done deal. I had been buttering the man up for years now.
He had to say yes this time.
She was back today.
I saw myself in the mirror, the silk cloth she made me tight on my skin. I shouldn't sleep in my work clothes, but they remind me of her too much. I had grown in many ways over the years she had been gone, but I was sure she would appreciate the sight. She always did.
I looked through my closet, the "ratty" and "ill-fitting" clothes moving to the side as my final plan was pulled to the forefront.
A suit. Tailored to be a half size small, by Sabah, and made of what little material Taylor could send. Not a cape suit, no.
It was a pantsuit. I was going to be professional this time. He would say yes.
Getting it on was a chore, I couldn't exactly use some power for it, and it was purposefully tight on my already plump body just in case she saw me.
But it was worth it.
I glanced at the mirror again, striking a pose this time to flaunt my full curves. My high cheekbones and long hair pulled back highlighted wide eyes and a wild grin.
I cleaned up good.
My alarm went off, I had an hour to reach his house before he went to work.
I would make it in 10 minutes at most.
Rushing through the large house, filled with kids I had stolen from others by following her example, I grabbed my keys. I would drive, I would be there in under 10 minutes, and I would succeed.
Or Else.
I hip checked the door as one of my kids shouted down the stairs, my ears already rushing as I dashed to my car. I would need to rush so I could give my reasoning. The steps were too long, so I vaulted the railing to get to the driveway, my jeep. Not the most luxurious car Lisa had gotten any of us, but the best for our environment nowadays.
It was time to be a proper hoodsie!
With a whoop and holler I roared with the engine, my heart racing as I sped towards my goal for the day. I would succeed or die trying. I would accept nothing less.
It was as I was pulling onto the street that I saw her, walking up to the door of that old wood and stone house. How was it still standing after everything?
It didn't matter. What mattered was that I was going to have to wait.
I was being proper.
The engine of Carliah was nice and loud in comparison to most cars, but it was still quiet enough in a city that she wouldn't notice my slow trip as I passed.
It took everything in me to not stop. To not stare at her. To not goggle at her.
But I would succeed today.
I would be Strong!
Nobody would notice a peak at her ass or legs would they? My eyes trailed through Carliah's passenger window, the view a bit messy but enough to see. She was taller. Over a full head taller than I. Her bag over her shoulder relaxed on her side, showing off that pronounced hip and beginning those long legs of hers.
Why was she wearing fucking sweats!?
Who sealed away the view!?
My hands gripped the wheel with force, my power relaxing, I could fix that here and now…
No. Proper.
I turned away, continuing on my route around as I prepped my speech in my head.
I would win.
I pulled back around, prepped as can be, no sweat under my arms thank you, and pulling into a park across the road.
It was time. The steps loomed in front of me. I had repaired the creaky board months ago, when I had learned of the stupid hazard.
I couldn't let an accident stop my goals.
The door was so far though.
My hands twitched at my side, my feet refusing to make those steps as my body shook in my suit. The sick feeling in my gut something I hadn't felt in over a year.
No.
No. No. No.
I would not freeze here.
I bit my tongue, lightly, and used the jolt of pain to get myself moving. Each step feeling like an age. The cracked concrete a valley to cross.
But I would make it. Today was the day after all.
My steps were light on the wood as I made it to the landing, my hand shaking as I knocked on the door, my face aching as I held it still.
I would be proper.
And yet.
Whe he opened the door, this tall man, the father of the woman I chase, his head and shoulders near equal to Brian's…
His eyes ignored me. They glanced around, looking for what caught his attention, and I realized I had let go of my power.
Fuck.
I reigned it in. I needed to be proper.
"Mr. Hebert—" My voice came out in a rush as I tried to explain, his eyes flashing to mine as he took in my clothing.
"—Aisha Laborn. How many times do I have to tell you? You won't get my blessing. Not till I die. She barely got away from you all back then!" His voice was stern. His hands in fists as he began a low shout.
I saw movement behind him, a young woman standing at the base of the stairs. Staring at me with wide eyes, she had taken off her hoodie. She was wearing a tight tee. The pattern was pink and black. I couldn't tear my eyes away as he spoke. "Tough luck, but no. No matter how or when you ask!"
It was unfortunate. That today of all days Mr. Hebert spoke like this.
I came to win.
And I would have her hand in marriage if it was the last thing I did.
"I'm gonna marry her anyway" My voice was distant in my ears, watching her form stiffen as she began walking closer. Her face was turning ever more stoic. Ever more perfect.
"What? No! I already told you!—" He tried to use words again, his hands gesticulating his anger as my eyes refused to move from her own.
"Yeah. I'm gonna marry her anyway. And there's is nothing you can do. Nothing you can say." I continued to respond with his anger, my tone growing as I felt the burn on my face.
As I felt the smile grow.
As I watched her slowly pace towards us with a small, ever so small, smile.
"I hate to do this, but today is the day she got back, and I can't live without her. Love me, hate me, I will be with her the whole of her life. From the altar here, or in another universe. I will take her hand in mine. So. Dad number two. You gonna be there? Or are we running away together?"
The drop of his jaw, the bark of laughter from her as she ran to my arms, and my own tears were answer enough for me.
She could decide it all anyway. I was done being proper.