Chapter 14: A Homecoming Fit for a Vellington – Part 2
It was getting so close for DéMarckus that he couldn't sleep anymore at about halfway through the flight to his hometown of Sacramento, California. As he slowly opened his eyes, he saw that Gon was still awake, Garrie sleeping peacefully next to the dinosaur, and looked down at Lucky Chloe to see that she was still sleeping with the most adorable smile on her face. Upon that sight, the Vellington couldn't look away from her for the remainder of the flight as he thought hard about everything he's been through with her. So many events made it perfectly clear that she was the one for him all this time:
She expressed sympathy for the death of his parents…
Showed utmost kindness all the way through…
Cried with him…
Soothed him…
Kissed him goodnight sometimes…
Had true sex that expressed so much love…
Even nearly took a bullet for him just yesterday…
With that that adding up together, it made sense for him: DéMarckus was following in his Father's footsteps. It was a repeat of how his parents were and it made him cry silent tears, not letting a single drop hit his precious otaku princess. Even the fact that he's allowing Garrie to accompany him to his parents' crash site after the welcoming ceremony was the surefire thing that he'll never, ever leave Chloe's side for anything. In fact, he wanted to make a compromise that was sure to hit Sheriff Harrison's heartstrings:
I want Lucky Chlo ta come wit us. I'm sho' Derrick can fit three people in da back of his cruiser. She deserves it fo' e'rythang she's done fo' me.
Thirty more minutes of a flight later…
"We're here!" Gon announced right after the pilot over the PA system said the same thing. Garrie was the first to wake up with a stretch before he looked over at DéMarckus and Lucky Chloe and the two short passengers smiled with utmost admiration as they saw that the Vellington shook his head with a million dollar smile. "Oh… you don't wanna wake her up yet?"
"Naw, ya'll." DéMarckus whispered as the plane just made a smooth landing. "I'm-a get da bags, but ya gotta drag 'em out ahead of us. I'll carry Chloe out. I've… got a surprise change of plans fo' her."
"Really?!" Garrie asked in a semi-whisper with shock. The package carrier nodded. "Huh! Is it what I think it is?"
"Dat depends, my boy." DéMarckus carefully got the bags down without waking Lucky Chloe and Garrie didn't waste a moment grabbing the handle on both bags before he followed the crowd of passengers out. Gon became a 'sled rex' as he strapped the handle of the duffle bag around his shell and followed the short man out. When they were gone, DéMarckus carefully picked up the still sleeping otaku within his strong, diesel arms and held her as close to his chest as he could before he slowly made his way onto the aisle and walked out of the plane.
Several minutes later, the group made it to the LAX terminal and many bystanders were in awe at the sight of DéMarckus carrying the snoozing Lucky Chloe with his arms, like a precious baby. Garrie and Gon saw those watching eyes and smiled with all the confidence in the world, having the childhood friend of the Vellington shed tears of joy silently as he led the way to the assigned limo that was already in sights of the entrance.
"They see him as a caring person already…" Garrie whispered. "…the most selfless person I know. Seeing him carrying Lucky Chloe does kinda give even new people who don't know him the instant message that he's not heartless. With that in mind, I just know what he's got planned for us when we get to the police station. It'll shock everyone, especially Chloe. It'll make his parents proud."
Twenty minutes later, in front of the Sacramento Police Station…
"Chloe… Chloe… Ya can wake up, baby girl. We here." DéMarckus softly said to his otaku girlfriend as she slowly opened her eyes and made the most harmonizing yawn he's ever heard from her since they met. She made an even more elegant stretch as she sat up in the back seat of the limo. Garrie and Gon watched the two from in front of them. She was nearly taken aback by where she was.
"Whoa… we're at the police station already?" Lucky Chloe tiredly asked as she rubbing the grogginess from her eyes. "How long was I out? Nya?"
"Long enough. Befo' we get in dere, I wanna take dis time ta tell ya a slight change of plans: I actually want ya ta come wit me and Garrie ta da crash site lata." Hearing this nearly made her slap herself to make sure she wasn't still dreaming, but the Vellington held that right fingerless gloved hand in peaceful protest as he continued. "I know dat sounds crazy, but da way ya said dat Garrie could go instead of you… dat's yo' version of 'sacrifice' right dere and dat was good 'nough fo' my ass. So, fo' dat, I'm gon' see if I can get Derrick ta allow ya ta come wit us afta da party. Dat previous plan was a way to sayin' dat ya love me ta da fullest, but yo' comin' anyway 'cause I love you mo'."
"…wow… I did it without knowing it, huh?" Lucky Chloe had to take a moment to absorb everything she just heard. She did indeed sacrifice her visit to the crash site for Garrie and had no idea until now. Now that she does know what sacrifice means, she was rewarded a trip to it anyway. "…love can do that do people, can it?"
"Heh, yeah. Fo' sho', but dat's all dat mattas ta me, baby." The Vellington paused as he gently held her baby soft face with both of his massive hands, making her feel special at the very instant they touched her cheeks. "Ya figured all of it out by yaself and, fo' dat, I'm proud of ya. You gon' make a big man cry." He then planted a small pecking kiss on her cotton candy pink lips and she blushed by the time his hands moved away from her face. "I ain't gon' do dat yet, tho'. We gotta celebrate my homecomin' first. Ya ready?"
"Born that way, DéMarckey. Nya! Let's go!" After that was said, the four of them finally exited the limo and headed inside the precinct to be greeted by practically every officer in the Sacramento Police Force with all the happiness they could hold as a whole.
A hour into the homecoming celebration later, everyone was enjoying California's best cuisine along with a special strawberry cake covered in vanilla icing that said 'Welcome Home, Vellington' on it. In one corner of the lunchroom, Derrick, DéMarckus, Garrie, and Lucky Chloe were chatting amongst each other privately: just chatting, laughing, joking, and having a casual good time… until DéMarckus finally decided to ask the humble sheriff the question:
"Ya know we've known each otha fo' a while now, right?" DéMarckus asked first. The Sheriff gave him a playful punch on his left arm with a proud smile. "I know we 'bout ta visit my parents' crash site soon, so I gotta ask ya: Can Lucky Chloe come wit us?"
"Now, you know I have a two person limit in my car, DéMarckus." Derrick started matter-of-factly. "I couldn't possibly-"
"I know ya can, yo! I love Lucky Chloe wit all my heart, man. She actually planned ta let just me and Gare go wit'cha, but afta dat, I just can't let her miss out on dis. She showed me what she thinks 'sacrifice' is and it ain't in her otaku dictionary. Dat's the reward she's gettin' fo' dat and I know… ya gotta agree wit me on dat shit."
"…hm." Derrick sure did take a moment to think about it. He did have room in the back seat for two people, but then, he just recently remembered that he can have someone sit up front with him as well. "She did, eh? You've never had to sacrifice anything, Chloe?"
"I did give up my life over to fame and fortune after one of videos went viral overnight." Lucky Chloe replied with honesty as she just finished up her slice of cake. "But, I didn't know that was sacrifice. See, he asked me if I could take a bullet for him and I told him I couldn't answer that because I didn't know how to. Nya."
"Well, now that you do know, can you answer it now? If you do, I'll definitely let you come along to see the crash site with us in a few minutes." That created a silence all over the lunchroom of the precinct, ready to hear the otaku's fateful answer. She looked up at DéMarckus and his glossy hazel green eyes that were full of hope and prayer for her. In return, she smiled with glossy eyes aqua blue eyes of her own as they held hands while facing each other with deep feelings of compassion flowing all over their veins for, what seemed like, forever. It made the crowd of the entire police force, Gon, and Garrie admire the scene for the next thirty seconds before Chloe finally embraced him with her slender arms underneath DéMarckus' diesel arms, laid her head upon his rock hard pecs, and just remained in that position for the next fifteen seconds, even after she felt his arms wrap around her torso for added comfort. Finally, after that silent, sweet moment, she provided her answer to the fated question with streams of joyful tears decorating her cheeks at the perfect moment:
"…I said I would do anything for you, DéMarckey… and that definitely includes taking a bullet for you. Sure, Garrie could, too… but he's a man. A girl like me probably would never resort to doing something like this, but for you… and only for you… I would risk my life for you. I love you, DéMarckus Vellington. Nya…" She trailed away and continued to cry with all the sanguinity in her heart. It remained silent all throughout the entire moment and the Vellington started to cuddle his chin against the top of her head as he saw his parents' ghostly figures at the lunchroom entrance. He smiled with utmost enthusiasm as he saw their smiles of pride and nodded once simultaneously before he saw his beloved Mother mouth out the words:
I have a sacred treasure I want Chloe to have when you visit the crash site.
That was enough for him to understand and he secretly gave them a thumbs-up before they disappeared back into Heaven. After ten more seconds of this awe-inspiring moment, Lucky Chloe finally released herself from the embrace and gave him a tender kiss on his right cheek as solid proof of her answer. The Vellington never bothered to touch that cheek as Derrick stepped up to them with a round of applause.
"Good answer, Chloe." He cheered as the rest of the crowd softly applauded in agreement, except Gon, of course. He just kept his heartwarming smile while standing on a table. "You truly did learn the meaning of the word 'sacrifice' and how much of a significant difference that action can make. With that being said, you can definitely come to the crash site with Garrie, DéMarckus, and I. My question is, will you take the time to mourn the death of this man's parents with us?"
"Of course, nya!" The otaku replied as he perked back up to her old self again, making her Vellington lover smile at her adorability once more. "I'm ready to go now!"
"Excellent! Everybody! Give Gon all of the information you can while we're away! I wanna save Xavier the trouble when we stop by his shop after our crash site visit."
"You got it, Chief!" One country female officer replied with a salute. "Why only him, though?!"
"He wants to hunt down Montego by his-self, ya'll." DéMarckus replied on the rex's behalf, since he saw that he was still speechless from that tender moment between the man and his otaku girlfriend. "He's got Alisa and da entire Tekken crew backin' him up on dis one. Whateva info ya give him, he'll report it to Alisa and she'll take care of da rest from dere… track his punk-ass down fo' us and trap him like a mothafuckin' rat."
"Ah! Of course! Gotcha, honeybun!"
"I won't bite him when we find him, though." Gon finally added. "I'm leaving that to you officers because you all are just awesome!"
"Awww, thank you, Gon." Derrick replied as he was heading out backwards with Lucky Chloe, DéMarckus, and Garrie following him… walking forward, of course.
Ten minutes into the car ride later…
"Now, DéMarckus, listen carefully to what I have to say about the makeshift memorial at the crash site:" Derrick started as he focused his eyes on the road as he drove. The Vellington sat next to him in the passenger seat while Lucky Chloe sat right behind him in the back seat alongside Garrie on the driver's side. "We've found something very valuable among the rubble after we cleaned up the wreckage and your parents' bodies… well, at least, it'll be valuable to you. There's specific instructions on the protective cage around it that says that only you alone should open it and hold on to it for approximately ten minutes before you give it to Lucky Chloe." Hearing her name made the otaku jump with wide eyes of absolute surprise as the conversation between the young package carrier and the sheriff continued.
"My parents knew dat I was gonna eventually find someone special, huh?" DéMarckus asked in a deep, regal tone of his deep rapper's voice.
"Well, not specifically Lucky Chloe herself, but yes. They knew that you would eventually find that special someone to call your soulmate by the time we finally started pinpointing Montego's location. In fact, those instructions is actually your Mother's will." Hearing this made the strong man well up with tears of everlasting joy, not even moving a single muscle to wipe them away. Same went for Garrie and Chloe. "That should make you cherish the artifact even more after giving it to Chloe, right?"
"…sho' 'nough, yo. Is my Dad part of da will, too?"
"Of course! Why wouldn't he be? It's just that your Mother legally prophesized it and your Father contributed to it in his own way. You'll see when you read the note or the will, I should call it. Are you all prepared for what you're about to see?"
"Yeah." DéMarckus didn't even look behind him upon saying that word as he gently laid a hand down overtop of Lucky Chloe's fingerless gloved hand, making her look at him with resplendent blue eyes of heaven. "We ready, man. We… are so ready." Right at that last word, Derrick pulled to a complete stop at the sidewalk near the traffic signal where that fateful accident occurred two years ago. There was indeed a memorial decorated with flowers, a carnation wreath, and within the wreath, a photo of Daxxean and Stephanie Vellington on their wedding day. DéMarckus didn't waste a moment stepping out of the cruiser and stood like a solider to admire it for a few seconds. Lucky Chloe stepped out of the car during that time and took his hand on her left side, ready to walk with him towards the memorial.
Ten seconds later, the two finally started making their way towards it and DéMarckus kneeled down towards a small metal cage that had the will attached to it and it had a blue metal box inside, lying dormant upon a purple velvet pillow. Chloe kneeled down with him, but never did anything else but just watch his every move with honor in her soul. The Vellington took the will and read it to himself with his tears of sorrow never even trying to slow down for a single moment.
It read as follows:
Dear DéMarckus Terrance Vellington,
If you're reading this, it probably means that your Father and I have passed away peacefully and we're always watching over you. This would be the perfect opportunity to let you know, first of all, the hardest truth a Vellington will ever have to take in for the rest of his life: Your Father and I… we've tried so hard to give you a sibling, but… it was my idea to cut ourselves off from making any more children and, for that, we hope you can forgive us for keeping this secret for so long. We would… just never gather the confidence to tell you, even if you were old enough to handle it. I hope you'll understand why we made this difficult decision not to give you a brother or sister. We knew you would be able to make it through on your own, no matter what your purpose in life was. We love you so much. To prove it to you long after we've made our journey onto Heaven, we've left behind something precious for you and your soulmate to keep for as long you live.
I've been wearing it since I was a little girl… seven-years-old to be exact. It never outgrew me and I never outgrew it. You've probably seen me wear it every single day… since the day you were born. Your Father has also left behind a similar gift that he thought was a great idea for you to hold on to yourself while your soulmate wears mine. Have you both wear them every day and there will not be one… single… second… that we leave you behind. In spirit, we will always be with you, DéMarckus. Being an only child has its advantages and this is one of them. That's all that matters with these precious treasures. Let's just say that, once you hold them within your hands, you'll start to feel our combined strength flow into your soul like water flowing down a river. You feel that and you'll have the strength to move on with your life as if we're still alive and you would call us every now and then, just to check on us.
Take care of yourself, DéMarckus… and may your soulmate become a Vellington as well.
Sincerely, your beloved Mother and best friend,
Stephanie Victoria Vellington
P.S.: Among those precious gifts is also whatever's left of your Father's sales after his Men's jewelry business dies with us. Spend it wisely.
No spoken words could describe how DéMarckus felt about this letter and/or will. His tears were never-ending now and he just felt blessed instantly. Lucky Chloe felt the same exact way as she read alongside him. Garrie and Derrick watched this from the hood of the police cruiser and they too started to shed tears of happiness, even though they couldn't quite see the letter from there. DéMarckus embraced the letter for the next ten seconds before he handed it over to Chloe, who took it carefully with love, gave it a kiss, and folded it up with utmost precision before placing it in her pants pocket underneath her skirt. After that was done, the tearful Vellington followed the will's directions. He opened the cage's front door, pulled out the box, and, with the key attached to it, unlocked the padlock before he opened it slowly to reveal the most gratifying gift he's ever gotten for any occasion:
"My… my Mama's favorite tanzanite jewel necklace… and my Dad's 24 carat gold chain…" DéMarckus whispered with overwhelming exultation as he carefully picked each one of them up in each hand… and just held on to them while admiring them with his tearful eyes. He just couldn't believe they were wearing them on their way to his high school graduation that day. They had been restored to their shiny luster and everything, as if they were never involved in the accident in the first place! As he admired the two necklaces, he remembered when he first saw his parents wear them:
For his Mother's necklace, it was when he was five years old. He was getting ready for his first day back at school with her and he just couldn't stop playing with the necklace as she was getting his adorable blue suit ready. It was just so beautiful to him and he never bothered to break it in anyway. All Stephanie could do was smile at him for it. She never thought a rough and tough boy like DéMarckus could be so fascinated by jewels and it was something she was due to never forget, even after she passed away.
As for his memory of his Father's gold chain, it was when he was thirteen and was ready to meet girls for the first time in a personal setting at lunch. Daxxean knew his son needed something to make him look appealing to the ladies at such a young age without even trying. So, just for one week, the humble Vellington father allowed DéMarckus to borrow his gold chain that he's been wearing since he was thirteen as well. He stated that it worked for him, but it didn't attract Stephanie until he was sixteen. Unfortunately, the effects of the gold chain did more harm than good when it came to attracting the black and beautiful girls for DéMarckus, but he still loved the chain because… well… it was his Father's and there's nothing more special about it than that.
After that ten minute trip down Memory Lane, DéMarckus opened his hazel green eyes and was back in reality before he carefully laid the purple jeweled necklace for a brief moment to put on his Father's chain and it instantly felt like he was thirteen again by the time he felt the cold touch on his chest. Seconds later, he slightly shivered as he did indeed feel a ghostly force flow through his lungs and bloodstream like a cool evening Summer breeze. It lasted for the longest two minutes of his life before he picked up his Mother's necklace, unfastened it from the back, and turned towards Lucky Chloe. She took it and placed it on by herself. At the clicking sound of a successful fastening, DéMarckus' tears streamlined down his bearded face, but this time, he volunteered to wipe them away with his bare hands to keep them from staining his Father's chain. Even with her famous Lucky Punk outfit on, the Vellington knew that she looked absolutely beautiful with his Mother's necklace around her neck along with the choker and the collar. Even though it had to be worn underneath the leather jacket, it was still the most appealing piece of jewelry the otaku's ever worn… and a warm embrace was the physical proof of that factor.
Five minutes later, back in the police car…
"How about that, huh?" Derrick asked they were now on their way towards Xavier's auto shop. "Both of parents' most prized necklaces plus 20,000 dollars in cold hard cash that was left over from your Father's business. How does that make you feel?"
"A much betta man dan when I just became one at eighteen." DéMarckus replied with honor as he held on to the two massive wads of cash within his lap. He couldn't look away from them as he continued. "If I would've known dat dis was all the money dat was left from my Dad, I could've taken my journey ta be da best pro football playa in da whole damn planet!"
"How ironic, eh? Did you really feel your parents' spirits flow through you as you placed on your Dad's chain?"
"Yeah, and holy shit, it felt good! Dey wit me now until Montego's ass is in jail where he should be."
"Amen to that. Speaking of that, better check up on Gon and the rest of the force." After that was said from the sheriff, he used his police scanner to contact a fellow officer. "This is Sheriff Harrison! Did you give Gon the information? Over!"
"Yes, sir!" A male country-accented officer replied on the speaker, immediately gaining all the attention from Garrie, Lucky Chloe, and DéMarckus. "We've given him all the information and, believe it or not, he may have gotten Montego's location without needing the aid from Xavier!"
"WHAT?! You're kidding!" Hearing this made DéMarckus hold on to Chloe's slender hand with all the hope his heavy heart could hold while they just remained silent with grins that went ear to ear. Garrie was the only one crying without a sound as this conversation continued. "Where is he?!"
"Well, that's the surprise right there, sir! He won't tell us. He's already locked himself in a secluded area to contact Alisa privately. I'm guessing that she'll contact the nearest police department at that location and we've got Montego trapped!"
"WAY TO GO, EVERYONE! This visit to Xavier's shop will be a breeze then. I hope he can come along for the ride once we arrived! Keep us posted on any progress! 10-4!"
"Roger that! 10-4!" After that was final, they both clicked off right when the car pulled up into the parking lot of Carson's Auto Shop. "Well, I guess you won't be needing me anymore after this, everyone. You've got Gon to do all the rest with the Alisa and whatever authorities they gather. Congratulations, DéMarckus!" The two men shook hands as Garrie didn't waste a moment getting out the car to stretch for a moment while Lucky Chloe stayed with them inside the vehicle. "Your everlasting hopes really paid off here at this rate."
"Dey sho' did, man." DéMarckus agreed as the handshake ended after fifteen seconds. "Once Gon's got Montego trapped like da rat dat he is, dey need to extradite his punk-ass back here to California so he can face me where all his bullshit happened."
"Oh, I'm sure that will happen. Well, take care of yourselves and let me know how it all turns out." At that last word, the overjoyed Vellington stepped out of the car and Chloe not too far after. "Goodbye and good luck." After that, the Sheriff drove right back to his precinct. When he was gone, Garrie, DéMarckus, and Lucky Chloe all stood together hand-in-hand, ready to face Xavier for the first time… in years… for Chloe.
It was officially down to the wire now:
Montego's been found…
Xavier's ready to join them…
And the Vellington was ready to face his one and only enemy…
With his parents hold him back from breaking his promise to his precious otaku.
To be continued…