Destiny Begins
Time went on and things fell back into a routine with a few changes. Dom was now working more from home. Almost 2 years later Maria had grown into a fine young woman. It was almost her 16th birthday and she was excited about getting her drivers license. Shawn and Jody were still dating each other, and Michael well to Maria was still Michael. He drove her to school everyday and they still bickered about stupid things. What Maria did know was that she still loved him very much and was still at an impasse. Christmas was coming soon and he had promised to take her shopping at the mall.
Since her mom died her dad had went to no expense to give her everything she wanted. He made sure he gave her a phone so he could always reach her no matter where she was. He gave her a bigger allowance since now she was taking over the role of caring for the house. She learned to cook and do all the house hold chores in no time. No matter how much he objected she refused to let him do all the work alone.
Michael came in after dinner and poked her as she washed the dishes. Grabbing the dish towel he dried while she washed.
Thanks.
Well if we want to get to the mall we need to get going soon.
She laughed and flicked soapy water at him.
Dinner dishes done Maria ran upstairs to get her purse and fix her makeup. Michael followed and sat on the bed.
So what are we gonna get your mom and dad this year?
I know they need a new tv but I’m short on cash.
We will go halfsies like usual.
I don’t know it might be a lot more than we can pull off.
Maria finished her makeup and opened her closet. Off the top shelf she pulled out what looked like a small safe. It was a bank that she had since she was little. Opening it up she pulled out a roll of bills. Michaels eyes went wide.
Where did you get all of that?
Dad gives me so much money to spend during the week and if I need anything he never makes me pay for it out of my allowance I had my allowance left to spend and some. So I put it all away for Christmas. She tossed the roll of bills to him and asked him to count it.
Wow, with all this you could buy out half the mall easy.
Maria laughed and said, either that or make it one heck of a Christmas.
Michael gave her back the money and the two of them set out to the mall.
They walked thru the mall looking at all the decorations each thinking what they were going to get for the other. Michael saw a gold locket in the jewelry store and knew it was just perfect. Maria knew that Michael had his eye set on a leather jacket in the leather shop. She knew tonight that she had to get it before he did. They each bought gifts for Jody, and Shawn, Maria’s father, and set off to the electronics store. Once inside they spotted exactly what they wanted to get. The tv they looked at was huge. The price tag wasn’t that bad but Michael knew if he wanted to pay his share he could forget about his Christmas present to himself, bye bye leather jacket. They spoke to the salesman and arranged for their purchase. After it was paid for and delivery scheduled they went to get a drink. Shopping was thirsty work. Michael was trying to figure out a way to make an excuse to get away to go buy her gift. Maria was doing the same. Finally they both spoke at the same time.
I have to…
They both laughed.
Maria said, meet you back here in half an hour ok?
Gotcha.
Each sped off in a different direction in the mall to make their final purchases.
Michael stood at the arranged meeting place waiting for Maria. She was late like usual. After checking his watch for what seemed like the thousandth time he saw her with all her bags heading his way. One of them must have been really heavy for her since she struggled to manage all of the smaller bags in one hand and one larger bag in the other.
Michael reached out to help her and she handed him the smaller of the bags. For some reason she didn’t want him near that bigger bag and he had a feeling he knew what was in it. His present.
They piled all of Maria’s stuff in the backseat and Michaels things in the truck not to mix anything up. Once home Michael tried again to help her with the big bag as he reached for it she slapped the back of his hand.
Hands off buddy.
Hey just trying to help
No your not your trying to be nosy
Laughing he said, “Well you cant blame a guy for trying.”
She carried all her purchases inside and up to her room and neatly placed them in front of her closet. Downstairs Michael was sitting on the couch watching tv. She sat next to him and tried to steal the remote. They struggled over it and eventually Michael won. Maria feigned anger and stormed out of the room and into the kitchen. She sat at the table with a glass of milk and some cookies on a plate. Since she was doing all the cooking she learned how to bake quickly and took over her mothers tradition of baking several dozen cookies for Christmas and a gingerbread house. Michael came into the kitchen to see what she was up to. Whenever she was in the kitchen it came to mean something good had to be coming out. He saw her at the table with the cookies and smiled. As he walked over she grabbed the plate and pulled it away.
No way I’m not sharing.
Please
Nope you were mean and wouldn’t let me have the remote
Pretty pleaseee
Michael made a pouting face and Maria laughed and put the plate back in the middle of the table.
I would have gotten fat anyways if I ate all of them myself.
Dom came in from his office in the other room and saw Michael and Maria sitting at the table. He gave Maria a kiss on the cheek and with the other hand swiped a cookie off the plate. It was getting late so Maria picked up the plate and glass and put them in the sink. She looked at Michael and gave him a hug.
Thanks for taking me shopping.
Your welcome, I better get going I have to get up early tomorrow since someone likes to make us late to school and wake her up earlier.
Maria laughed and poked him in the ribs.
Goodnight Michael.
After school Maria went straight to her room she wanted to get everything wrapped before Michael came home from work. They were supposed to go to a Christmas party at Jody’s this weekend and she wanted to be ready.
Dom was in his office like usual. He had just got off the phone with Devon Miles. Wilton wanted him to spend Christmas in California. He left the office and went to find where Maria was. He went up to her room and knocked on the door.
One minute
She opened the door a crack and peered out.
Hi Daddy
Princess we need to talk.
Umm Dad can we talk later? I’m sort of in the middle of something
Sure sweetie
He went back down to his office. He knew she was wrapping gifts for friends and family. He prepared himself for her reaction to his news. He knew she would be upset. She spent the past 16 years next door for Christmas.
Michael came home from work and went next door. He wanted to see what Maria was up to. These days were usually filled with her baking something good. He wasn’t prepared for what he found.
Maria sat on her bed her bed surrounded by colorful boxes and a suitcase. Maria turned around as Michael walked in.
My father is making me go to California for Christmas.
What about our plans?
He doesn’t care. He said its not open for discussion.
When do you leave?
Tomorrow after school.
She turned to look at him and he could see the sadness in her eyes. She didn’t want to go but she had no choice in the matter her father made that clear.
I called Jody and told her what was going on. If you wouldn’t mind please bringing over these presents for her and Shawn I would appreciate it.
She placed 4 neatly wrapped packages into a large shopping bag and handed it to him.
What about giving our present to mom and dad?
Your going to have to do it for me.
But its from the both of us.
She could see that he was getting upset and didn’t want to see that happen. Michael always loved Christmas the most out of the holidays. She walked closer to him and touched his cheek.
Don’t let me not being here ruin your Christmas please. I will call you on Christmas when you give our present to mom and dad. We have a lot to do before tomorrow so if your up to it I can use your help.
Maria led Michael into the kitchen where the gingerbread house she made sat waiting to be decorated. Maria went into the cabinet and got all the decorations that they were going to use out and set them on the table. They sat at the table decorating the house in the beginning in total silence. Maria didn’t want to see him sad at Christmas so she decided to start some trouble. Picking up a gum drop and putting some icing on it as if she was going to put it on the house she stuck it on the tip of her nose. She figured she would decorate herself to make him laugh. At first he didn’t notice but when he looked up from what he was doing when she touched his arm he couldn’t help not laughing. There she was with a gum drop on her nose two peppermints on her cheeks, and an orange slice candy on her mouth. She smiled trying not to let anything fall off but pretty soon she was laughing too and the only piece of candy left stuck on her face was the gum drop on her nose. Michael leaned in closer and gently took it off her nose leaving a kiss in its place. Maria blushed looking down at the candy house in front of her.
Dom heard the laughter coming from the kitchen. He knew Michael must be here. He didn’t want to have to explain again on why she had to go to California. He went into the kitchen anyways to see what was going on. Maria looked up at him when he came in. She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of making a scene in front of Michael. She said all she had to say earlier. She begged, pleaded and outright threatened to lock herself in her room. None of it worked he yelled at her and she yelled back. Right now she hated him more than anything in the world and he knew it by the way she looked at him. Michael didn’t know what to say to him. Right now he was mad as hell. Why was he taking her away from him now? Sitting in his room on his dresser was a small box that was going in the pocket of the new jacket he bought her for Christmas and now he wouldn’t get to give it to her.
The next day Maria came home from school and wasn’t in the mood to be around anyone. She sat on the couch and stared at the Christmas tree that she and Michael put up just a few days before. They had spend two days decorating the house and now nobody was going to be there. Her suitcase sat near the door waiting for the car that was coming to take them to the airport. Earlier she had brought all the food that she made over to Michaels house. She had worked hard on trying to make almost the entire dinner herself and now she wouldn’t get to enjoy that either. The front door opened and in walked Michael.
Hey
Hi
Ready for your trip?
Yeah not like its my choice.
Hey don’t complain you don’t have to sit here and freeze in the snow with the rest of us.
Some Christmas I am going to have no snow, and with of all people Devin. He is so stuck up.
When is your flight?
The car should be here in a few minutes.
Dom carried his suitcase down from his room and placed it next to his daughters.
Hi Michael
Hi dad
All ready for Christmas?
Yeah Maria made sure we got everything thanks.
He knew that Michael was mad that she wouldn’t be there for Christmas. Part of him wanted to let her stay home and say the hell with it. He knew he could trust her especially if she was going to be next door. The worst part of it all was that the Christmas present that he got her was going to be delivered while she was in California. She had her eye on a black suv now for the past year. She would leave brochures from the dealership around the house with all the options she wanted circled. She had even went as far to get a breakdown of what it was going to cost. He had checked out the vehicle while she was at school before thanksgiving and ordered it just as she wanted.
A car pulling up broke his thoughts. He picked up the suitcases and looked at Maria.
Ready to go?
Honestly?
I know you don’t want to but we have to go now the car is here.
Michael walked her out behind Dom. He was going to miss her even though she was only going to be gone for 10 days. She had given him her key to the house so he could take care of the place while she was gone and made him promise to turn on the Christmas lights every night.
The driver loaded the bags into the car as Dom got in. Maria walked over to the car and looked at it. She thought for one second of just taking off running in the other direction but she knew it wouldn’t work it would just get her in trouble. She turned and gave Michael a hug and kiss on the cheek and got in the car.
Michael stood there and watched the car drive out of site. Maria looking out the window her hand pressed on the glass.
At the airport they had to wait an hour for their flight. Maria sat in one of the hard plastic blue chairs looking miserable. He could see that she was heart broken. He sat down next to her and tried to hug her. She sat there stiffly trying to ignore him.
Why do you want to stay here for Christmas?
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. This Christmas was supposed to be special. She was going to tell Michael how she felt no matter what happened.
She swallowed and said in an even tone. I want to stay because I love Michael daddy and I was going to tell him.
He looked at her with a soft smile on his face and remember what his wife said years earlier. No matter what don’t let anyone stand between the two of you. Dom wasn’t going to ignore what his wife said.
I have to make a call sweetie be right back.
Dom went to the closest phone booth and called Jenny. He explained that something came up and Maria would have to stay with them till he came back from California. He also asked her not to tell Michael. He wanted to surprise him it would be at least an hour before she got there after he arranged for a car to take her home. He got off the telephone and checked his watch. He had less that thirty minutes to arrange for his daughter to go home where she belonged. He went quickly over to the courtesy counter and spoke to the gentleman there for a few minutes. His daughter would be going home in style. He hired a limo to drive her home and it would be out front just after his plane took off.
He went back to where his daughter was sitting and looked at her.
Sweetie does it mean that much to you to stay home?
Yes it does daddy
Well then I guess you should go home then.
Maria was shocked. What made him change his mind she wanted to know. She knew better than to ask and risk him changing it back. She hugged him tightly.
Thank you daddy I love you so much.
He explained to her that he would have to take her bag with him since it was already loaded on the plane and how she was going to get home. She was so happy it was contagious. She walked him to the gate where the plane was boarding and hugged him goodbye. She watched him board the plane and then took off running for where he said the car would be waiting for her.
The car ride home seemed to take forever. She couldn’t get home fast enough. By the time she got there it was dark out and she was sure that everyone would be eating dinner. She wanted to surprise Michael so she pulled her hood up on her coat knowing he wouldn’t recognize her out here in the dark. She picked up a handful of snow, made a snowball and threw it against the dining room window. She knew the window could handle a few shot with a snow ball because of all the time they had snowball fights outside in the winter. She knew it would get his attention to see what was going on. When she was sure he was at the window she hit it again with a snowball.
Jenny looked at Michael and smiled. She knew what that meant. It meant her daughter was home and was teasing Michael to come outside.
Well go out and see what is going on.
Ok mom be right back.
Michael grabbed his jacket as he went out the door. He slowly walked over to that side of the house and was promptly clobbered with a snowball. He couldn’t see who did it because they were hiding in the shadow of the house but he had an idea. He kept walking meanwhile grabbing a handful of snow himself. As he prepared to throw one at his attacker he was pelted again. This time his attacker decided to try to make a run for it. Michael dropped his snowball and took off after them. A minute later he had his attacker tackled to the ground. He flipped them over and there was Maria laughing so hard pinned under neither him. He quickly stood up and pulled her up.
How did you get back here? Did you run away?
No he changed his mind. I can stay.
Michael put his arm around her shoulders and led her inside.
Hey mom look what I found playing in the snow.
Maria laughed again and took her coat off.
Jenny smiled and said, “ I know all about it Michael”
You didn’t tell me?
I was asked not to.
They sat around the table and finished dinner getting Maria a plate so she could join them. After Michael and Maria finished the dishes Maria took her house key from Michael and went next door. She needed to get some clothes since her suitcase went to California without her. She looked around her room and saw the big box that had Michaels Christmas present in it and smiled. She would finally tell him tomorrow. Michael was so happy he would be able to give her the special gift he got her and took special care in wrapping it. Before she came back he had it finished and under the tree. Maria carefully balanced the present and her bag. The last thing she wanted to do was drop it. She quietly slipped in the kitchen door and looked around to make sure the coast was clear. Jenny saw her come in and noticed the large package. She looked at Michael and asked him to go and get her something out of the upstairs closet. When Maria heard him go up the stairs she quickly made her way over to the Christmas tree and placed the present under it quietly thanking her mom. She ran back to the kitchen, closed the door loudly and walked in calmly. Michael came downstairs and Maria walked past him smiling she brought her bag upstairs and saw that Michael still had the bag of gifts for Jody and Shawn. Tonight they were going to exchange the gifts the they each bought for each other. Maria grabbed the bag and ran down the stairs.
Michael aren’t you supposed to go to Jody’s tonight?
Yeah was going to call her and tell her we were on the way over now.
No don’t tell her lets surprise her.
Ok lets go then.
Michael walked up to the door carrying the bags of gifts and Maria tried to hide behind him the best she could. She stood back to back with him trying to keep her feet behind his. Jody answered the door. When she went to hug Michael Maria popped out from behind him and scared the hell out of her. Jody screamed.
Oh My god what are you doing here?
My dad let me stay home finally. He sent me home from the airport.
They went inside and down to the family room where Jody set up a small tree and had some snacks out. There was Christmas music on the stereo and Shawn sat there looking like he had the biggest secret of all. They all sat down and listened to how Maria got home the only part she didn’t say was the part where she told her dad that she was in love with Michael.
They listened to music for awhile trying to sing along with them but ended up laughing too hard. They decided it was time to open up the gifts since they all wouldn’t be together tomorrow till late. Everyone gave out the gifts that they brought and all sat and looked at the ones in front of them. On the count of three they all tore into them. Jody got new cds from Michael and Maria. When she opened the little box that Shawn gave her she gasped. Inside it was a small ring. He got down in front of her on one knee.
Jody you know how I feel about you. We have been dating now for over 2 years. Will you marry me?
Jody had tears in her eyes. She nodded yes and hugged and kissed him.
Maria got up and went over to the table to get a drink. She was happy for Jody but dreamed that it was her being asked by Michael. She came back over and hugged her friends. She was so happy for Jody.
Michael glanced over at Maria on the drive home from Jody’s. She was quiet and was obviously thinking about something. He hoped that things would go right tomorrow and she would agree to going out with him. They pulled into the driveway and he opened the car door for her. Maria pulled herself away from her thoughts and smiled up at him thanking him. They walked inside and Maria decided to go to bed. She went upstairs and changed into her pjs. Michael went upstairs and grabbed some stuff to take a shower. Maria sat on her bed reading a book. It was obviously a romance by the cover. She peered over the top and shook her head at him as he grinned at her. He went downstairs to the bathroom and she turned off the lamp. Snuggling under the covers she smiled she just knew everything was going to work out. How could they not it was Christmas tomorrow.
Michael crept into the room thinking Maria was asleep. He had the towel wrapped around his neck and just his sweats on. It was warm enough to sleep without a shirt. Maria could make out in the dimly lit room that he had no shirt on. She smiled to herself. God he was hot. Michael finished drying his hair with the towel tossing it over the chair. He glanced over to where Maria was sleeping she was so beautiful. She looked like an angel sleeping there. He crawled into bed dreaming of what was to come.