After arriving back at Weston's, I went in and greeted his family. Alexis and Alisha looked just like their mother. They were beautiful eight-year-old twins. There I was, their Godmother, and I'd only interacted with them through pictures, the many gifts I sent through the years, and phone conversations here and there. There was nothing more beautiful than to see two mini Denise's in the flesh.
"Hello," I said when they looked up at me with identical expressions of sadness. "I'm your mommy's oldest and dearest friend," I said as I took a seat between them.
"I know who you are. You send us all those cool gifts for our birthdays and holidays," Alisha said showing off her missing front tooth.
"Yeah! We talk to you on the phone, too," Alexis piped in.
"Yes, you do," I said with a gentle smile. "Can you two do me a big favor?"
"What?" they asked in unison.
"Well, I really could use a couple of hugs right now. Do you think you two can give me one?"
I didn't have to ask twice. Both hugged me with their little arms as if their lives depended on it. It took everything in me to hold back the tears threatening to fall. As I sat there talking to the girls, the short hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Without turning around, I knew Drake had entered the room.
When they spotted him, Alisha and Alexis jumped to their feet and ran to bombard him with hugs and kisses. They each took his hands and led him over to the sofa where I was still seated. "Uncle Drake, do you know mommy's best friend?" asked Alexis.
"Yes, sweetheart, Alyssa and I go way back."
Before I could excuse myself, the girls decided to go look for their father.
"You mind if I sit here?" Drake asked pointing to the spot on the sofa beside me. Not giving me a chance to answer, he sat beside me brushing his leg against mine as he sat. His cologne assailed my nostrils and for the second time in an hour my heart was racing. It wasn't even hot in the house, yet I could feel a trickle of sweat ease down my spine. I was uncomfortable with the way my body reacted to him. "I hear you're still living in New York. Do you like it there?" he asked.
"Yes, I like it very much."
"Are you happy?" he asked looking deep into my eyes, as if he really needed to know.
"I think I'm happy. I have a couple of good friends. I make a living at something I love, and that's teaching kids. I have a boyfriend who loves me. I'm healthy... What more could I ask for?"