True Fate (27 page)

Nia went to the bed and sat with her legs feeling
shaky, she couldn't wait to get to the bottom of all of this it was just too
much. Never having lied to her mom she was glad she wasn't far off aside from
the reason for her and her father's fall out.

"Margie?" she heard her father's voice
from the hall and stiffened.

Surely he won't out her on the lies she just
told. But she had to act quickly so she got up shakily and turned to her mom.

"I'm going to go talk to him.” Nia said
standing and walking across the room to the door. She braced herself and
summoned every ounce of courage she possessed and felt some that wasn't hers
but was much appreciated.

Nia stepped into the hall and was shocked by what
she saw. Her father, the strongest person she knew, with red rimmed eyes and
disheveled hair. He was in a t-shirt and shorts with mismatched flip flops.
She'd never seen him so lost looking it was odd because he was always put
together so well.

"Nia," he breathed barely audible.

"Dad, I need to talk to you. But not here.”
she said shakily.

'Going with dad to his office, Rae knows where it
is. If I need you I'll call you.’
she quickly sent
while her dad led her to his office.

He went to the couch and Nia closed the door and
followed. She took a deep breath and paced in front of him. He sat there with
his head hung, wringing his hands.

"Dad, I don't know how much you know, but
the fact you haven't told mom anything tells me you won't. I told her our fight
was about Aaron and me getting too close too fast and that he's going with me
on my trip. I also told her Adam was going with us. The number for the temp
service is stuck on the inside of the top file cabinet.” she said as fast as
she could. The next part would be harder. He just nodded not looking at her.

"I don't even know how much you know. I
don't know a whole lot myself, they won't or can't tell me they just said this
journey is important and I should go as soon as possible. I'm going to see Aunt
Amarie.", she said stopping in front of him and his eyes lifted to hers.

He sighed heavily and spoke softly, "Nia, I
didn't mean to hurt you,” He paused swallowing hard on the knot in his throat
as a tear escaped down his cheek.

“I was just trying to keep you safe and hidden,
but they found you anyway. I failed.” he said sounding defeated.

"Who dad? Is there anything you can tell me
at all?” she asked frustrated.

"I'm sorry Nia, I can't tell you, and no one
but Aunt Amarie can because she's the family's matriarch. I'm terrified that
you're dealing with this on your own, I'm actually thankful for Aaron. I was
just shocked when I saw the bond marks but then I saw the promise mark and I couldn't
believe it. My baby is promised, it's just a lot at once you know?” he said
finally looking into her eyes with a bewildered expression.

"I know all about too much at once, trust
me! I'm barely clinging to my sanity Dad and I've known all my life I was
different you know. There were odd things that had happened over the years,
things I dismissed as coincidences. But then on my eighteenth birthday Rhea
woke up and I was burning hot and shaking then she said my eyes glowed and I
spoke a creepy poem. Now everyone is talking about some crazy cryptic prophecy.
They are all cryptic for that matter and it's so frustrating!” Nia huffed out
and flopped on the couch beside her dad.

Her dad reached for her hand, "Baby girl I'm
sorry, I hope someday you can forgive me. I thought I could keep you from all
of this but I guess I was wrong. I should've told you a long time ago, prepared
you somehow. I'm so sorry honey.” Vince pleaded.

Nia couldn't help it she let the tears go that
were already welling up. She hugged her dad and he hugged her crying into her
hair, she was glad they shared this moment, he knew she loved him and she was
just hurt. And now she knew why he'd lied and she wasn't surprised that he
couldn't tell her anything. There seemed to be some curse on her in that area,
she thought.

They stayed that way for a little while until
Margie knocked lightly and opened the door. When she saw their tear stained
faces she rushed towards them and put a hand on each of their shoulders. They
got up and shared an awkward group hug that Nia melted into.

This coming week was going to be hard and the
information at the end of her journey was going to change her forever. She took
the opportunity to take in the comfort she got in their arms. "I love you
baby.” her mom whispered to her.

"I love you both.” Nia said drying her
tears. She got up and told them she was going to the bathroom when she really
needed a few minutes to calm down and gather her emotions.

Splashing water on her face she went back to her
room. Aaron and Rhea were in there talking to Lena and Amarie who had just gotten
there.

"Nia, I'm going to miss you." Amarie
said as she came and wrapped her in a hug.

"I'm going to miss you too Amie.” she
responded with a smile.

"We need to get you packed.” Rhea reminded.
Nia nodded and went into the closet with Rhea, Amarie and Lena while Aaron sat
at her desk and waited.

It took about a half hour for Nia to pack and
load up. "We'll be leaving at four or five a.m.", Nia informed her
family as they all stood on the porch saying their goodbyes.

Aaron opened her door for her and they were on
their way.

"You okay.” Aaron asked grabbing Nia's hand
and kissing it.

"Yeah I guess. Definitely better, I know he
had good intentions anyway at least that's what I'm telling myself to get
through this. I'm just ready to get all of it settled.” she said with a sigh.
She was still raw and nursing fresh wounds but she guessed they were on the
right track to forgiveness.

Going back to Aaron's Nia hugged Rhea before she
went home to get a little sleep. They had a long week ahead of them but Rhea
made her promise they'd have some fun along the way. Nia hoped they would too
and with minimal drama, but she knew that was going to be a long shot.

Nia woke up feeling rested as she clicked on her
phone to check the time, it was 3am. She slipped Aaron's arm off of her from
where he was holding her tight easing it slowly. It was almost second nature
and not at all awkward to sleep next to him though it was strange the level of
comfort she was experiencing but she wasn't going to fight it. She decided to
take her shower and get ready to go.

Rhea was going to be there in an hour and a half.
Five thirty is what they had all finally agreed on last night. She'd be glad to
get going and with things as settled as can be with her dad. She was ready to
enjoy the trip. They were going to be getting great weather for the trip
through Texas and she was glad. Cloudy, windy and cool her favorite! She
enjoyed the warm shower letting the water relax her tense muscles.

Aaron woke up and immediately noticed the absence
beside him. He wasn't sure how he'd gotten so used to having her there, but he
was, and now his bed felt empty. Getting up he walked half asleep and still
shirtless to the living room. The water was just shutting off and he could
smell berries and melons in the steam that had crept from under the bathroom
door. He knew this trip was going to be serious but he also knew Nia made was
adamant that she wanted to have some fun too. He would have to try and do his
best to help with that.

Having called Leo yesterday he told him he was
going away for a weekend with a hot girl. To which his friend laughed and said
“Hey if she’s hot stay gone more than a week.” Always a kidder, he wasn't upset
or even really curious. It would make being away easier for sure though he'd
call Becca today and give her some time off unless she wanted to work, he'd
give her the option.

The door to the bathroom creaked open and Nia
popped her head out.

"Oh, hey.” she said a bit surprised to see
him awake.

"Hey.", he said. She shyly stepped from
the bathroom wrapped in his robe.

"Um, I hope you don't mind, I forgot my
clothes.” she said quietly.

"Of course I don't mind.” he said smiling
and going closer than he probably should, knowing the only thing that stood
between him and this beautiful woman was his robe. But he wrapped his arms
around her and kissed her anyway and she melted into his kiss and he loved
that.

"Good morning beautiful.” he said pulling
away from her lips.

"Morning.", Nia said absentmindedly touching
a finger to her mouth.

She'd never get tired of her body's reaction to
him, Aaron gave a small laugh and walked into the bathroom shutting the door
behind him.

Going to the room Nia put on her jeans and chose
her long sleeved Smith's shirt with black lace sleeves. Then headed back out to
the living room when she found Aaron gathering clothes from the dryer.

"Do you mind if I wash a load?” she asked.

"It's cool with me.", he answered with
a lopsided grin.

Placing the clothes on his recliner he brought a
basket and a large duffle bag, setting them down in front.

"Putting them away and packing all at once?
Very productive.” Nia teased with a smile nodding her approval. She helped him
and when they were done he got in the shower. She took that time to put her makeup
on in Aaron's room and decided to leave her hair down. Comfortable but ready
for anything as she went to moving her clothes from the washer to the dryer.

Aaron got out of the shower and came out in only
his jeans. You would certainly hear no complaints from Nia about his shirtless
comfort. They watched the news and waited all packed up and ready to go
snuggled up in his recliner.

Rhea and Adam were the first to arrive, Rhea sat on
the floor next to them asking where Nia was going to want to stop first. They
were mapping out their game plan when Avery, Eric and Darragh got there.
Everyone went to load up while Nia and Aaron made sure that they weren't
forgetting anything there, then went out to join the others.

Darragh was standing just inside an open door
rearranging everyone’s bags in the turtle. The seating arrangement was the last
thing to sort out. Aaron wanted to drive first so Nia took shotgun. Rhea and
Adam were on the next row putting Eric and Avery and Darragh in the back and he
liked that he could quickly exit the back. It wasn't the best strategically but
they would switch and keep Nia in the center of the vehicle once they got
further north, closer to his kind. He wasn't sure how it was all going to play
out he just knew it was going to get messy. They were on their way and spirits
were high, they'd hopefully stay that way.

Aaron had been driving for a few hours when they
were unanimously hungry. They had stopped for a bathroom break and gas but they
needed to eat. Pulling up to a roadside diner they all got out of the vehicle.

“So what do you think Rae?” Nia asked going to
stand by her bestie as Eric approached Aaron.

"Hey are you ready to switch?” he asked.

"Yeah man thanks.” he said handing Eric the
keys, he tucked the keys in his pocket and went to where Avery was standing,
waiting for him.

They went in and sat at a back corner table when
Darragh's phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and got up quickly answering
it on his way to find privacy.

"Hello? Yes. Of course. Thank you Alana. I
appreciate it. Yes, goodbye.” he blew out a breath and went back to the table
with everyone looking at him expectantly.

"What?” he said simply as if none of that
just happened.

 
Eric
smacked him with a napkin and Nia pushed into his mind
. 'What was that
about?’
she asked causing him to gape at her.

He couldn't believe she could do that without his
permission,
'Lilith will meet us in dream tonight
.’ he answered trying
to shake her out of his mind.

Nia quickly relayed the message into Aaron and
Eric's bonds and Eric let Avery know through theirs. All the way around they
could communicate without speaking or tipping off Adam to their other
activities. The less he knew the better for him.