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Realigning Destiny
By TT

Sometimes chance intervenes in our lives and causes destiny to jump the tracks. When this happens, fate steps in and realigns destiny’s course to bring us to where we need to be. But, as with the course of true love, the road of realignment doesn’t always run smooth.

Part 41 - Fragrant

Stephanie watched as Charlie and Foxx took off running the moment they saw each other. She tried to call after them to make sure they didn’t slam the door, but she was too late. Glancing at her friend, Stephanie saw that Mandy was laughing as she prepared dinner. As she settled on a stool near the center island where Mandy was working, she sighed and said, “Boys.”

Mandy laughed out loud. “That they are, through and through,” she admitted, smiling broadly.

“And I wouldn’t change a thing,” Stephanie admitted, returning the smile. Inhaling the smells of cooking, Stephanie’s stomach growled. The fragrant scent had her mouth watering. “What are you making?” she asked.

Mandy narrowed her eyes at her friend, a smile twitching at the corner of her lips. “Old family secret,” she replied.

Stephanie opened her eyes wide, trying for puppy eyes. “But I’m a friend of the family, surely you can tell me,” she cajoled.

Mandy grinned. “I’m sure I could, but that’s not what you wanted to talk to me about, is it?”

With a sigh, Stephanie rested her elbows on the island and sighed. “No, it’s not,” she admitted. “But I’m not sure you’ll like what I have to say.”

Mandy stopped what she was doing and put down her knife. Reaching out, she rested her hand on Stephanie’s arm. “Steph, you’re my friend and I’ll be here for you just like you’ve been there for me. If this has to do with whatever you’ve been hiding from, with the shadows that haunt you, I’ll listen to however much you feel like telling me.”

Stephanie couldn’t help the soft smile that spread across her face at the encouragement. Her friends were so great. “Thanks,” she said softly. Taking a deep breath, she began her tale once more. She explained about her name, her job, Ranger, what had chased her away from Trenton, the traveling she had done and finally a little of what was going on now.

“Are you OK with all this?” Mandy asked, looking at her friend intently. “It’s a lot to take in. What does Charlie think?”

A soft laugh escaped Stephanie and she wondered why she had been worried. “Yeah, I’m OK with it. I want this taken care of and the two men who chased me away from Trenton behind bars.” In truth, she knew they would never make it that far, but she wasn’t about to let Mandy know that. “Charlie agrees that it’s time this ended. He seemed excited about having family in Trenton.”

“And Ranger,” Mandy inquired, getting to the heart of the matter.

Stephanie let a breath out slowly and ran her hand through her hair. “That’s a big question mark,” she admitted.

“You don’t want to be with him?” she asked, surprised.

“I do,” Stephanie assured. “I never feel as complete without him as I do with him, but I have Charlie to think about, not to mention that both he and I are different people now than we were then.”

Mandy stared at her friend for a few minutes, thinking about what she’d been told. “Has he indicated that he wants a relationship with you now?” When Stephanie nodded, she sighed and looked away, not knowing how Stephanie would receive her opinion. “The man looked for you constantly for four years. You’ve been his world that long and I’d bet even longer. If you’re complete with him, don’t you think the same is true for him? That he’s not complete without you? As for Charlie, if you already have his blessing, the only thing holding you back is fear. I’ve never known you to be a coward, to give in to your fear. Love and relationships are not easy, but they’ll work if you both want it to.”

Stephanie sat in her seat a little stunned by her friend’s comments. Her anger flared at the comment about being a coward, but, she stopped her initial retort and thought about what Mandy had actually said. Look at her friend with an impartial eye; Stephanie saw the truth of her statements in the warm glow that lit Mandy from within as well as the strength it gave her reflected in her eyes. Love was beyond scary. It was downright terrifying, but, obviously, Mandy had made it work. This was something she, Ranger and Charlie all wanted to try, so she couldn’t see a reason to object. The only thing she had was her fear that she and Ranger had changed too much for it to work now. “But is four-year-old love enough to make it work? What if we’ve changed too much?” she murmured, not realizing she said that out loud.

“Love changes and grows over time, just like people do,” Mandy agreed, picking up her knife and beginning her prep work again. “You may not know all the ins and outs of who your man is now,” she advised, “but it’s really unlikely the essentials of who he was have changed. That will at least provide a starting point.”

Stephanie sighed and nodded. “You’re right,” she agreed, letting go of the last of her anxiety. Standing, she informed, “I need to get back. Heaven only knows how many people will be staying with me over the next few days.”

“You and Charlie are welcome to stay here until that mess is over,” Mandy offered.

Pausing to think over the comment, Stephanie deferred the decision. “I think we need to be there tonight. I need to let Ranger know that Charlie and I talked. Besides, I have a feeling that a few people I knew from Trenton are going to be there. I’d rather meet them on my home turf than have them invade your house.”

Mandy laughed. “I think we can do without an invasion,” she agreed. “But if you need anything, just let me know.”

“Thank you,” Stephanie said, stepping around the island to pull her friend into a hug. It was an unusual move for her, but it just seemed right.

“Anytime,” Mandy assured. “Now, go get your boy and go see your man.”

Stephanie offered a brilliant smile to her friend at the mention of “her man”. A feeling of joy at the thought of Ranger being hers swept through her, adding a bounce to her step. “Yes, ma’am,” she replied, offering a mock salute before leaving to find Charlie.

Maybe things would work out in the end after all.

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