From A Dream To Reality (Sequel)

Picking Up the Pieces

Chapter 17

             After hours of talking and relaxing, it was time to wrap things up. Monique, Darnell and Chelsea all excused themselves. It was a weekday, after all. But they stayed awhile and showed so much support. The three of them being here today gave you that much more courage to face this obstacle with your family. Even though your three amigos dipped out, it wouldn't be the last of them. With Jacob's big party in Atlanta coming up, they'd definitely be attending with you. Seeing the three of them was so refreshing. So many memories were made and so many to come. The room only consisted of you, Daniel and your parents. Your dad brought out some Whiskey to soothe things even more. And that it did. You found yourself in Daniel's arms. He had one arm wrapped around you and in the other his drink. Bringing out alcohol was a bit questionable because it's known to intensify emotion. But that wasn't the case this time. Everyone was super calm and mellow. It was peaceful. During those hours of talking while Mo, Nell and Chels were here, Daniel already pitched the idea to your parents. Of course at first it seemed like much, but then they thought on it. And if you haven't caught on by now, the idea was moving them out to NYC. After witnessing your moms fiasco today, it was as clear as day that she missed you. Only thing with moving them out there was that it wouldn't give your parents (80% your mom lol) a chance to learn how to be away from you. But, maybe it could a temporary move... Besides, you wouldn't have to see them everyday like your grade school days... Just when you needed to spend time with them. It would be a lot more convenient if they lived closer. One thing was for sure and that was they needed some kind of vacation from their stressful lives. Also being that they needed to be around the love and support of Daniel, his family and most importantly you. So, the idea of them flying out seemed like a good one after all. Daniel sat up, placing his drink on the coffee table. "I'm gonna step outside and make a few phone calls. I'll be back with you guys in a bit. Everything is going to work out, I assure you." His soft lips stamped your forehead before he stood to his feet. Once the door shut, you sighed and sipped so more of your drink. After moments of silence, you gazed over at your parents. Whenever you first arrived back home, their faces depicted hopelessness. But now, their demeanor had seemed to change. You could see an increase of hope being exuded from them both and that's what made you feel even better. "We really appreciate all that that young man has done for you, for us," your mom said looking into your father's eyes, "I just have my own personal issues to work on with myself. He has done nothing wrong baby girl." "Thank you ma, really. Everything will be okay. I know it will. But you gotta trust him ma... Trust him, his family and his intentions." She nodded, while wiping her tears. "I know you and daddy been fighting a tough battle in silence, but now is the time to receive some help. You have to speak up sometimes. Ain't nobody gone judge y'all, everyone faces financial struggle." They both nodded, agreeing with every single word you spoke. You looked around this home, which was once yours. The missing furniture and antiques made things feel so incomplete. All you wanted was to see your parents back on their feet and striving. Good news about today was they completed the first step, which was speaking up about it. The rest was up to fate... You stood up and told your parents you'd be right back. "Okay baby..." You slowly headed upstairs to your bedroom. You thought the only time you'd be saying goodbye to this bedroom was when you moved to NYC but now this time around, it'd be permanent. The door to your room crept open slowly as you stepped inside. A smile soon inverted as reality hit you, hard. So many memories that'd you would be saying goodbye to, for good. Life was a hot mess right now. And if this family fiasco wasn't enough, imagine when you'd get back home to the Y.... An image of Prescott flashed through your head. It made you shiver a bit lol. You brushed two fingers across the dresser, wiping off dust. "I'll be glad when all this is over..."

Time went by as you sat inside your bedroom. The alone time was well needed. With such an emotional day, you needed to recoup and regroup lol. "I guess I'll head back down and see how everyone is doing. *Moments later* "There she is," you heard someone say. "Yes, the Queen is back dad!" He laughed, "Don't get it twisted, your mom is the only Queen I see right now." Daniel looked over and smiled as he watched your dad kiss your mom. "I can't argue with that," you said before taking a seat next to Dan. "You alright baby?" "Mhm," you nodded your head, "I'm better." "Okay, just making sure." After he made his phone calls, he came back and wondered where you were. Your parents let him know you went up, so he decided to give you some alone time. "I'm gonna see what we have in the kitchen. How about we put on some TV." "The cable isn't out Michelle?" "No, I paid it hun." You and Daniel watched as he channel surfed for a bit, he slowly grew frustrated. "Y'all can have it, ain't shit on tonight," he stood up, "I'm gone head to the kitchen with your mom." "Hahaha, okay." You looked over at Daniel, "Who'd you call?" He looked up at your face, "My parents and Perry. Matter of fact, Perry is outside," he saw his phone flashing. "Hey wassup P? Yeah just come knock, I'll let you in. Alright..." Daniel stood up and let your parents know that Uncle P had arrived. Your dad nodded, "Oh yeah, let me get a glass for him." Dan made his way over to the door. You smiled as you watched them greet each other. "Waassup shawts?" "Wus wit it P? Aye look what they got," he giggled pointing at the liquor. You had to shake your head on that one lol. Even though the two of them had a huge age gap, you'd never see the difference at times. Their bond was unique and as always Daniel stayed in his place. "Okay okay," he said rubbing his hands. Daniel shut the door behind him. "Hey! How y'all doing in there?! Y'all whipping up somethin' in there for me?" You parents laughed, forgetting how funny this guy was. "Oh yeah, we even got a lil sum on the table for you," you dad stepped into the room, handing him a glass and shaking his hand. "How you doing pretty lady?" "I'm good, haha." "Mhm," he nodded giving you these eyes, "You lookin' a lil tpsy shawts..." You just giggled because, well, it was true lol. He kissed your cheek. Then he went over to greet your mom in the kitchen. "P? You want it straight or with coke?" "Add the coke to mine Dig," he said from the kitchen. "Alright." He sat down and fixed his drink. "Did y'all find something [Yn]?" "Nah uh Dad." Perry came back into the room, taking a seat next to Daniel. "So how y'all been? Ain't heard from y'all in a minute?" "We been alright man." "Thank you Dig," he sipped his drink, "I be asking lil mama about y'all from time to time. Hopefully y'all will get the time y'all need together with this transition." Yup, Daniel filled him in on what's going on. He had to and your parents knew. They finally surrendered. Perry was already in town with Dan so after he got done handling his business, he wanted to come by and talk. "Right," your dad agreed. Your mom came into the room with two plates of finger foods. Tuna, crackers, cheeses and some chips. Just some finger foods until dinner. "Thank you!" "Thanks ma." "Of course everyone," she sat down, "Just a lil sum to hold us." "Its real good to see y'all." "Likewise Perry, how have you been?" He sipped his drink, then looked over at Daniel, "Running here and there with this dude, but I love it and him of course. I love what I do man. I been apart of their family for many years. Seen a lot of tough days, am I right or," Daniel nodded, "But through it all, its been a blessing working with him and of course his father. Look um, I don't know the degree to how serious this is, but I want y'all to know that you are family. Whenever [Yn] moved out to NYC with Dig, we all made sure we did what we could to keep her safe and satisfied with her life. So I know we will gladly do the same for you and your beautiful wife. I'd say I'm sorry for your struggles but I'm not. I'm not because these struggles are growin' y'all shawts. This experience will make you better people. My only sorry goes to you not saying nothing to us man." "Yeah, I agree with you. I feel like it was a lot of pride and a little intimidation brotha." "Look Mr. [YLN], don't let this money," he said touching Daniels shoulder, "deceive you. These people, this family, is real. They are genuine and extremely loving. And best believe I've seen them hit some tough places in life. But it's made them a stronger family. I can't lie to ya, I use to feel the same way. Working with Run DMC, I mean Legends at their craft, I felt a bit overwhelmed at times but I see their heart. They are people, behind all their money and success, they are still people man," he said shaking his head, "And I apologize if you've ever felt like intimidated by them. Whether we rich or poor man, our common denominator is problems man. We gotta see that.." "Absolutely," your mom said wiping her eyes. Perry was speaking the truth right now man. He was such a loving guy and all he wanted to do was comfort your parents. "That sign out there, I noticed it but guess what? It only means there is better out here for you both," he said looking at your parents. You could hardly eat, because this moment was so beautiful. His words meant everything to you and your parents right now. "I love and accept you both as family man.. And we gone get through this. Y'all gone get back on y'all feet and be better than ever man. Just wait and see," he said pointing his finger...

End of Chapter 17; Picking Up the Pieces

Hey there ladies, I just wanted to apologize for my huge gap in between Ch. 16 and here. And yes, this chapter is shorter. Sometimes I find myself a bit busy but I'm willing to put together a plan that will get chapters out faster and consistently. I love you all! Thank you for reading my story and my work. I gotta get back in the habit of writing. I put it down for so long but now its time to get this shit moving lol.