Hello, everyone. I hope you read the previous chapter and enjoyed it. This story is a continuation of the Shadows of Resentment series.
In this chapter, we learn if they find a way to make their relationship work. Again, let me reiterate, I am no expert on anything military, so I used my imagination freely here. It is not my intention to offend any of the great people who have sacrificed and served in any branch of the military. So please remember this in a fictional piece of writing and not meant to be taken literally.
Right now, this will end this story. However, who knows, one day we may comeback for a visit. We'll see. I want to thank all of you that have read anything I've written and let you know how much it means to me.
I hope you enjoy this chapter and remember to vote and comment after you have read it. Thank you. IR2R,
Darius and Cynthia ended up stationed in different parts of the world for a couple of years. But they were determined to stay together. Many wondered how they did it. Well, Darius loved her and since they had other commitments, he knew they'd be apart for a while. But as far as he was concerned, LaCynthia Knicks was it for him.
They talked on the phone as often as they could. They talked through Skype. They talked all day on holidays. When they earned any kind of extended leave, they tried to meet up in some part of the world.
So over the next few years, they communicated electronically and maybe spent time with each other at least twice. Was it easy? No, and Darius was afraid she might grow tired of him and find a handsome doctor to love. Although he never admitted, Deidre's betrayal with Jason made him feel vulnerable. Darius often found himself thinking,
Cynthia's really smart and beautiful. Those guys there have so much in common with her. I'm just a mechanic. What if she meets someone else? Can I let her go if she does? I don't want to lose her.
Cynthia was beautiful, and true to form, men loved asking her out. However, she quickly cleared up any notions that she was available and remained steadfast and faithful to her man. Cynthia knew that Darius had self-doubt and feared she'd leave him for someone else, but she could never hurt him that way. He was her man, and that was that. Every time she talked to him, she reminded him of that fact.
They spent the first Christmas after the shooting together. They only had a few days and arranging it was complicated, but they needed to see each other.
Darius who had been stationed in Africa now for months, traveled to Europe, where Cynthia joined him. They relished being in each other's company. It was at this moment when Cynthia saw how vulnerable Darius really was.
After spending their first night making love, Darius and Cynthia awoke the next morning in each other's arms. Cynthia moved to go to the restroom, but Darius held her tighter. He didn't want her to go away from him.
"Baby, bathroom. I need to go." Cynthia whispered.
"Oh, sorry, baby. I just didn't want to let go for a minute." Darius apologized releasing her.
When Cynthia got up, Darius got up and waited his turn as well. She came out, and after he'd gone is and finished, they went out for breakfast.
"So, how is everything in your training? I mean," swallowing he continued, "are you learning everything you need?"
Cynthia looked at him and saw fear. "Darius, what do you really want to know? Subtlety is not your strong suit."
"Cynthia, you're beautiful and you'll be a doctor. There are some handsome men there and..." he dropped his head. He didn't like feeling fear like this but Deidre saw Jason everyday and he was right there with her and too blind to see she'd moved on. Cynthia was on the other side of the world, she could find someone else.
"Do you trust me, Darius? That's what it boils down to. You told me yourself that Deidre had checkout of the relationship long before Jason came into the picture. So be honest, that's not your real issue. Tell me the truth." Cynthia demanded.
Darius was stunned and realized this woman knew him. She understood. He could be honest and she wouldn't lead him on. "I'm a mechanic Cynthia, just a mechanic. You can have any man you want, someone so much better for you that can advance your career. Are you sure you want me?" He asked. His heart pounded as he waited for her response. If she said, umm, maybe, he didn't know. She meant the world to him and he needed to be reassured that she chose him.
Cynthia stared at the handsome man sitting across from her. She never knew he doubted himself this much.
Does he know who he is? How can he think I'd ever want someone else? Well, let me set my man straight.
"Darius, are there women where you are in Africa? I mean, where you work, there are women mechanics, specialist right?" Cynthia asked and waited for affirmation.
"Yea, but what does that have to do with anything?" Darius never saw another woman once he saw her.
"Well, baby. It flows both ways. You could meet another woman that shares your interest. You're away from me on the other side of the world. Do I need to be worried?" Cynthia asked crossing her arms. Struggling to hide her smirk as her big, buffed man was visibly appalled at her suggestion.
"Cynthia, I could never do that to you. I haven't even looked at another woman, let alone...." Darius stopped when he realized she was laughing. Trying his best to look ticked off, Darius feigned anger. "Hey, that's not funny."
"Yes it is. How could I possibly want anyone else? I have found perfection." She leaned across the table and kissed him. "Baby, you're it for me. Never doubt me again."
Darius smiled relieved. He didn't realize how badly he needed to hear those words from her.
"Baby, are you finished eating? We only have two more days, and we need to make some memories." Darius suggested, his eyes smoky with desire.
When they arrived back at their hotel, Darius took his time showing her woman how much her appreciated her. He kissed every inch of her. When he reached the scar on her shoulder, he kissed it longer than usual.
"Darius, what's wrong?" Cynthia asked when he stopped at her shoulder.
"I almost lost you. I never want to go through that again." He whispered.
"Oh Darius" Cynthia whispered as she held him close. Then she kissed him. Gently covering her body with his, she accepted him inside her and made slow, long sweet love to her man. The two of them only left the hotel to eat and spent every single moment of their time with each other.
Soon they had to report back to their respective bases. The hard part was, not knowing when they would see each other again. So Cynthia's flight was called first. Darius held her close and told her he loved her. He stood stoically and watched her leave and boarded her plane. Next his flight was called, and he soon returned to base.
Over the next few months they called each other often. Darius made sure to call and check on his girls and keep check on his parents. He'd actually asked Cynthia to check in weekly for him, because sometimes he couldn't get through. She didn't mind because she considered them hers as well.
Cynthia saved all of her leaves for an extended fall break. So for three full weeks, she could go anywhere she chose. Darius was stationed in a small country Kano in Nigeria. He serviced the vehicles that were used to carry necessary supplies to needy villages.
Cynthia planned to fly over and visit with him. Darius was anxiously waiting for her to arrive. He had not seen her physically in almost a year.
He was bursting. He hoped when he did get a chance to be with her that he didn't hurt her. She was scheduled to arrive on Wednesday. Darius petitioned his commander for the next several days off so that he could spend time with his lady.
The commander wanted to refuse because they had several vehicles that needed major repair and Granger was the best, but Granger had not taken a day off since reporting to Kano over a year ago. So he granted him the leave.
Darius stood in the airport waiting for Cynthia's plane to arrive. Soon it did. He wondered if she'd like the new him. He was stockier, had grown a slight beard. She'd been around good-looking, clean shaven doctors for months, would she find him lacking? Then he laughed at himself. They'd already talked about this and he knew he had nothing to worry about.
Soon her flight landed and the people unloaded. Darius stood looking out of the window feeling like a schoolboy waiting on a date with his dream girl. Then, he saw her. Her deep chocolate complexion contrasted against the burnt orange top she wore with a pair of brown trousers. She stood tall and her graceful movements reminded him of watching a graceful gazelle dart across the African plains.
She went to retrieved her luggage and within minutes, she saw her man across the crowded breezeway. Cynthia saw him and she forgot to breath. He was everything she dreamed of and she missed him horribly. Momentarily forgetting her luggage, she started running to him as he ran toward her. With seconds they were holding each other so tightly.
"Cynthia, you're here. Thank goodness, you're here." Darius whispered in awe.
"Oh Darius, I missed you." Cynthia sighed as she held him. Then she kissed him. Darius surrendered to her kiss as his desire for her surged.
"Wait, let's go." He whispered. She retrieved her bags and he carried them as he held on to her waist as he led her to the jeep his commanding officer allowed him to use.
Cynthia was tired the twelve hour flight took a lot out of her, and she couldn't wait to get to her hotel and take a hot shower.
Darius had already made reservation at a local hotel for them. He reserved the room for the entire week. As soon as they entered the room, Darius held and kissed his woman. He didn't want to let her go. They hadn't seen each other in two years and that was not acceptable to him.
Darius knew two things at this point. One was he refused to live his life without this amazing woman, and two, she had to become his wife. He didn't care when or where, but he had to marry this girl.
