New Ground: 2012
It's October 2012, officially a year and a half since Matthew went into a coma. In the last few months since graduation, Destiny has had even more time to breath, relax and have time for Destiny. Evan's been sleeping through the night for a few months now and she hasn't had to get up for school so her life has been more balanced and she hasn't had to juggle so much. She's grown even more and she's even happier. She was growing into her grown woman body which went along with ever growing maturity.
Being a mother and frankly, all this time she's had without Matthew so that he didn't take most of her attention had took her confidence to a whole other level. She was always very confident but now it radiated through the air.
It was the first day of college, she and Dani were excited and they couldn't wait to walk in together but she just got a call from Dani saying she wouldn't be there. Leave it to Daniella Manning to have so much going on in her life that she misses the first day of college.
"Guess I'm on my own today." Destiny said before walking into Llanview University for her first day.
The campus was huge and Destiny quickly got lost. She walked into someone as she looked around. The day already wasn't going too smoothly.
"I'm so sorry!" Destiny exclaimed. She looked up and saw that it was James Ford.
"That's ok... Are you lost?" James asked.
"...Yeah. I'm totally confused."
"I got lost on my first day too. Thankfully, Starr was around to help me... What class are you looking for?"
"511."
"That's a hard class to find. It's kind of hiding. I'll show you where it is."
"Thanks..." This was a little awkward but she really couldn't find this class. The class was sitting back further than the rest. It was super easy to miss. Destiny thought it was sweet of James to show her though.
She found a seat in the front of her English class and was one of the first few there. She pulled out her book, pen and IPod so that she could listen to her music while she waited for the professor. A few minutes later she felt a tap on her arm so she took her ear buds out and looked to the guy sitting to the right of her. It was the guy she met at Ultra Violet months ago.
"Rashaan?" Destiny asked, hoping it was the right name.
"Yeah. Destiny, nice to meet you again."
"I never thought I'd see you again, especially here."
"Small world."
The class soon filled up and the professor started class.
After class, Rashaan stopped Destiny in the hallway.
"You walk fast." Rashaan said.
"Sorry. I want to get to the library to make copies of the notes for my best friend. She couldn't make it today. Then I have another class."
"Mind if I walk with you?"
"No. I don't mind." They continued to the library.
"Would you like to go out with me?"
Destiny smiled. She was caught off guard just a little bit.
"...Sure. Why not? I'm available on Wednesdays and every other weekend. Anything other day than that I'll have to let you know. I have a baby boy."
"I know. I don't mind."
"... You know?" Destiny stopped walking, wondering how he knew when this is the second time they've met and she hadn't mentioned it.
"Sorry. When we met at the club, my cousin was with me. He told me he saw you on Access Llanview after we danced and he showed me a video of it later on. I didn't know that until he showed me the video."
"Oh. I forgot it made public news when the newest Buchanan entered the world. I used to love that show. Now I won't even turn it on... Where's your phone?" Rashaan handed Destiny his phone so that she could put her number in it. "Call me."
She went to the library, made the copies for Dani and ran into James again, not literally this time.
"Thanks again for showing me to my class." Destiny said.
"No problem. I know we never talked much but I know you and Nate used to be friends and every since the situations occurred that I won't actually mention because we don't want to spread them around town you two haven't really been on good terms and I understand why. Since we're in the same school and you may need me again, who knows I may need you, maybe we could be friends."
"After Matthew did what he did and Nate did what he did?" James began walking her to her next class.
"We're not upset with Matthew about what he did, Nate and I both thought about it. The problem is that he let Nate take the blame."
"I get that. It was totally wrong. I don't even blame Nate for wanting to hit him. It's just that Nate's physically a lot bigger than Matthew. The fact that he was able to hit him so hard he fell to the floor tells you it wasn't a fair shot. Now there's a son without a father and parents without their son. If he had just handled it differently... well things would be different. I don't know, maybe this is Matthew's karma for what he did because this is definitely a punishment and not just for him. Anyway, what's done is done... so of course we can be friends."
-v-
Meanwhile at La Boulaie, the private investigator David hired to find Rick Powers' parents came over. He said he finally found out who are Rick's parents.
"Who are this guy's parents so I never have to see his face again?" David asked. The PI named Eric Walters laughed at the question. "What's so funny?"
"You're about to find out. I dug all the way into this guy's past and it turns out that Rick Powers isn't his given name. He was born Vito Lively." David became completely attentive. "I see I have your attention... His biological mother is Genesis Lively, his father is..."
"Me." David finished.
"Congratulations." Eric laughed hard. "Here's everything you need. My job here is done." Eric handed David all the info and left. David sat on the couch staring at the proof in front of his eyes. Rick Powers was his long lost son who he had given up over twenty-five years ago. David couldn't stand Rick which was kind of funny because they were actually alike in a lot of ways. He had two choices, he could lie to Rick about who his father really was like his Uncle Clint would do or he could accept and help him like his father Bo would do. David isn't exactly known for doing the right thing but he cares about Bo's opinion of him and admires Bo. All he ever wanted to do is make his father proud so he knew he had to tell Rick the truth. Maybe he could help him, maybe he'd try to do better.
-v-
Bo, Nora and Evan went to see Matthew in the hospital.
"Matthew, I wish you could see Evan. He's gotten so big and he's so beautiful. He's crawling now, he's starting to walk and he can say mama and a few other words now. He's so smart." Nora said.
"Yeah and Destiny started college today. She's growing up very well. She's going to come see you again on Friday. I'm sure you love hearing her voice." Bo replied.
"Evan, that's dada. Can you say dad?" Nora asked.
"Da-da." Evan finally uttered. They've tried to get him to say it every time they take him to see Matthew.
"He said it!" Nora exclaimed.
"That's awesome." Bo replied. "...Let's not tell Destiny, let her hear it for the first time when she brings him. It'll be more special for her."
"Ok... Did you hear that Matthew? Your son called you dada!" Nora said excitedly before she suddenly began to cry.
"Oh Red." Bo hugged Nora.
"What if he really can't hear us? What if he never gets to hold his son? What if we never get to hold our son again? He would be in college now. We get to see everyone else grow up around us and he doesn't get to live his life anymore."
"What are you saying? Do you want to pull the plug?"
"No! I'm afraid that he may never wake up but I can't give up. I have to believe there's still a chance."
-v-
After school, Destiny met Dani at the Buenas Dias.
"What's going on?" Destiny asked knowing that there was a lot going on with Dani and her family. She didn't know all the specifics but she knew Dani had to talk about it.
"My family is a mess. Every since Todd got out of jail for murder then wormed his way out of the attempted murder charge, he and my dad have been fighting about who owns what and who's kids get what which is stupid because Todd actually loves Sam and Bella but he's just being stubborn and evil because Victor is involved. I told him if Sam and Bella don't get a part of the inheritance then I don't want it. My dad was going to sue Todd for everything but my mom convinced him to just sue for half since everyone was actually involved in this nonsense. Starr had been angry with Todd for months but when my dad came back she let it go. I think Todd said something to her. Anyway, now everyone is taking a side. It sucks." Dani explained.
"I'm sorry your family is going through all this."
"To top it all off...Nate and I broke up."
"What? Why?"
"I found out he cheated on me weeks ago with me his ex-girlfriend, the one he lost his virginity to. I found this out after I gave my virginity to him."
"When?" Destiny was surprised.
"A few days ago. He said he was sorry. Can you believe that? After I had given him a second chance, he cheated on me again and this time he wasn't being manipulated or blackmailed."
"You did use protection, didn't you?"
"Of course we did, I'm not-" Dani stopped herself from finishing that sentence.
"You're not what? Stupid? It's ok. You can say it because it would be stupid... I'm sorry Nate hurt you again. I know how much you love him."
"I should have listened to you."
"Oh what do I know? Look at how I was with Matthew."
"It's different. You know that. If you and Matthew finally had the chance to be together like you almost were before he went into the coma and he cheated on you and embarrassed you in front of all of Llanview, I doubt you would have taken him back... There is some good news. My cousin Roseanne and my great-grandmother Maria came to live with us. It's great. I never met them before, only spoke to them on the phone. My mom really regrets not having much of a relationship with her family."
"How does Victor feel about that?"
"He doesn't care. They're the least of his worries. He's focusing on Bella, my mom, he just got primary custody of Sam and he's trying to get half of everything Todd has. Besides, a sweet old lady and her granddaughter are no threat to him. He's not so crazy about my uncle Tomas but that's because uncle Tomas isn't so crazy about him. Enough about me, how was the first day of college."
"Fine. I got lost. James helped me find my classroom. We decided to be friends."
"Really? I haven't seen him as much since he and Starr broke up the beginning of this year."
"Yeah and do you remember that guy I danced with at Ultra Violet a few months ago named Rashaan?"
"Yeah!" Dani exclaimed after thinking about it for a few seconds.
"He is in our English class and he asked me out. I said yes. Speaking of English class, I have the notes and the syllabi for the classes we have together and the syllabus for the class that we don't have together."
"Thanks Des! You're a life saver. I'm so happy you're going out with this guy. If I recall correctly he was gorgeous."
"Gorgeous, he is!"
They noticed David walk in. He acknowledged Rick who was already there but stopped at Destiny and Dani's table first to say hello, one because he loved Destiny and two because he was stalling. Finally he sat at the table with Rick.
"So who are my parents?" Rick asked. David handed him his original birth certificate. "Who the hell is Vito? Why did you give me this?"
"The reason you were having such a hard time finding your parents is because your name was changed after you were adopted."
"So my name was Vito, Vito Lively?"
"Yes."
"My mother was Genesis Lively and my father was David Truman?"
"Yes."
"Was your investigator able to locate them?"
"He found your father... Actually, you found your father."
"What do you mean? Who is he?"
"...Me. I'm David Truman."
"How?"
"It's the name I was born with. I changed it to Vickers. I found out just a few years ago that Bo Buchanan was my father."
"Wow. So I'm a Buchanan!"It hit Rick suddenly. There were nothing but dollar signs in his eyes.
"I know what you're thinking. Don't get all Buchanan money crazy though, I know it's hard to resist. We have to put family first." Rick laughed. "How did you end up parent-less, we made sure you were adopted into a good family?"
"You did a good job but they died in a house fire when I was twelve. I went from foster home to foster home after that. Why did you give me up?"
"We were young. Your mom was a preacher's daughter and she was very sweet but wild and rebellious. When she got pregnant it was an embarrassment to her family and they didn't think she was responsible enough to take care of a child. I was just as selfish as ever and my life wasn't all that great so we chose to put you up for adoption and choose the parents ourselves. We did care. We wanted the best for you. I just wasn't mature enough or selfless enough to try and raise you myself. I wouldn't have made a good father back then anyway but I'm sorry you ended up having such a hard life regardless of our efforts."
"Where's my mother now?"
"I haven't seen her since we gave you to your parents. Her parents wouldn't let me. I have no idea where she is."
"Well then, I guess you're stuck with me daddy."
-v-
On Friday, Destiny took Evan to see Matthew.
"Hey Matt! Still haven't decided to see the sunshine yet, huh? Hopefully, you'll see it soon."
"Da-da!" Evan called.
"Oh my gosh! You finally said it after all this time! That's right, that's your daddy! Matt, I tell him stories about you all the time. I know your parents and David do too. Dani tells him stories about you as well. Don't worry, they're all positive. He's going to know everything about you but it isn't the same as knowing you. We miss you Matthew."
It was Bo and Nora's weekend to have Evan so Destiny went out with Rashaan. The date went fairly well so they went out again the next Wednesday at The Palace. The dates went well but they weren't instantly clicking.
"Am I the first guy you've dated since your boyfriend went into a coma?" Rashaan asked.
"Yeah. I didn't have the time and I wasn't ready before but now I am. So what's your major?" Destiny replied.
"Business. I'm a professional dancer and I know that I won't be able to do it forever so one day I want to own my own dance company. You?"
"Law. I'm a talker, I'm good at debating and I believe in doing the right thing. I want to be a criminal lawyer but I want to be so good that I can handle any kind of case thrown at me."
"Ambitious."
"Always."
"I was hoping to see you earlier today."
"I went to Phila to see my son's father today."
"You still go to see him?"
"Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?"
"It's not like he can hear you."
"We don't know that for sure. Maybe he does hear, maybe our voices will wake him up one day. Besides, I can't just forget about him because he's there. I wouldn't want anyone to forget about me, would you?"
"I just don't see the point."
"You don't have to see the point. It is what it is. I'm over him romantically but I will always love him and if you can't understand that, we won't be getting very far."
"I don't know if I can be with a girl who's still in love with someone else."
"I love him, I'm not in love with him and I don't think I can be with someone who can't be understanding of the situation."
That pretty much ended Destiny and Rashaan.
"It wouldn't have worked out anyway." Destiny thought. "Oh well what's next?"
What's next was that Destiny began to do something she never really did, which was date, nothing serious, just date nice guys and have fun.
Speaking of new beginnings, Destiny's nineteenth birthday had arrived. She had a small gathering with her family, Téa, Dani, David and even her new good friend James. She thought about her seventeenth birthday which was a disaster. She found her parents were really her grandparents, her biological mother was dead and her dad who she thought was her brother was the one who killed her. For her eighteenth birthday she was pregnant, she had to give up some of her dreams and Matthew was in a coma. Birthdays were beginning to not be a joyous occasion for her. She wasn't even going to celebrate this year but everyone wanted to be able to give her a nice birthday so she went along with it and hoped for the best.
"Time for your gifts! Who's first?" Phylicia exclaimed.
"This is from pa and step-Nora." David handed Destiny a card so she opened it and read it aloud.
"Dearest Destiny, Hope your day is amazing. You are our family. We love you. Hope you enjoy this gift. Happy Birthday. -Mr. & Mrs. B." David handed her part two of the gift. She opened an envelope and pulled out pulled out an all expense paid trip to the Miami or two. "Oh my gosh!"
"Yeah, pretty sure you're going to take your bestie Dani so have fun and of course pa and step-Nora will babysit for you while you're way. They're going fly you two on the Buchanan jet. Don't you worry about a thing. Here's my gift." He handed her another envelope, she opened it and her mouth dropped wide open. "That is so that you can get and do whatever you want while you're on your trip."
"Thanks David!" She hugged him.
"Anything for my BFF." David said causing Destiny to smile harder.
She called Bo and Nora to thank them. She couldn't believe they had given her a trip to Miami. So far this birthday was looking pretty good.
Téa gave Destiny a pair of purple earrings. When it comes to Destiny, you can't go wrong with purple. Destiny loved the earrings, she always admired Téa's style. Really, her mother and Téa were the two women she looked up to the most.
Dani gave her a charm bracelet and each charm represented a person that Destiny loved and was closest too. It was the most sentimental gift so far. It was something Destiny would cherish forever.
James gave Destiny his gift. Her eyes widened when she saw it.
"I know you love Mariah Carey so when I found out she was having a private meet and greet with just a few fans I got the tickets for you." James said.
"Aww! Thanks so much! I love this! I love Mariah!"
"I noticed you both like purple and butterflies." James laughed.
"Yeah and diamonds." Destiny added. "This was so sweet."
"This is from my dad." Dani said, handing Destiny another envelope.
"Really?" Destiny was very surprised.
"He really likes you. He doesn't give too many people gifts." Téa said.
Victor gave Destiny a one thousand dollar check.
"When he does give a gift, it's usually in the form of a check." Téa said.
"Wow. Unbelievable." Destiny called Victor and he acted calm and cool as usual, he joked with her a bit but he made it obvious that she was definitely on the short list of people who he really loved. She was a special person because people who didn't easily take to people took to her. It was hard to deny her good heart, loyalty and no-nonsense attitude.
"There's one more gift. It's from mom, dad and me." Shaun said.
"Great! Where is it?"
"Close your eyes. We're going to take you to it." Richard said.
"It must be huge." Destiny said.
Shaun led Destiny outside with her eyes covered and everyone followed.
"Ok, open your eyes." Shaun said.
Destiny couldn't believe her eyes.
"Is this real?"
"Absolutely!" Phylicia exclaimed.
Destiny walked over to her new blue 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid.
"We knew you needed a car, especially with Little E so we came together and got it for you." Shaun said. Destiny began to cry happy tears.
"This is too good to be true. Thank you so much!" Shaun and their parents hugged her.
"Get in." Richard said. They handed her the keys, she got in and this was one of those rare times where Destiny was actually speechless.
A couple days later, Destiny went to see Matthew with Evan and told him how amazing her birthday was this year and how it would have been nice to share it with him but she had loads of stories to tell him this time. She truly hoped that talking to him really made a difference. She promised she never forget him or let Evan forget hm even though she was over him. She didn't tell him she was over him though, she really didn't know if he would care or not.
She and Dani soon took the trip to Miami. Destiny knew Bo and Nora's first motive for sending her on this trip was so that they could spend more time with Evan but she didn't mind. This was still an amazing trip.
When she got back to Llanview she was able to go to the private meet and greet with Mariah Carey and that was great too. Not everyone gets to meet one of their favorite singers and it was so sweet that James even thought about this gift.
She visited Matthew many times before, after and during the holiday season. Unfortunately, he missed Evan's first Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah which he celebrated with Bo and Nora. Fortunately for Matthew, whenever Matt finally wakes up he will be able to watch all the joyous occasions on video. It's not the same but it's better than nothing.
The next occasion was Evan's first birthday on New Years Eve. The Evans' and Buchanan's came together in celebration. Unfortunately, Evan didn't have his father but he did have so many family and friends who loved him so much.
And so a new year begins...
