What's Meant For You

She loved him when he let her in his home during the chicken epidemic at 10. She loved him at 16, when he swallowed his hatred and took her to homecoming. She loved him on the night of their graduation, when he spent all night worshiping her. She loved him when he left without a trace. She loved him when he didn't call, text, or email for five years.

And, fuck her, she loved him when he turned up out of nowhere, asking for her forgiveness.

Huey P. Freeman x Jazmine DuBois

Romance. Hurt/Comfort. Friendship. Family. Humor.

Rated M

Chapter Seven: The Beginning

SO FAR, 2019 HAD BEEN... BUSY.

Already halfway through January, they'd had a lot on their plate.

Sarah had been busy with work, as had Cindy and Riley. Riley, Huey, and Grandad were still busy tracking Tom. Regina and Grandad were working on moving in together. Riley and Cindy were considering finding a new home. Huey had found a house near Jazmine and was working on moving him and Alicia in. Huey and Jazmine had been going back and forth about the security measures. Jazmine was trying to find a school for Alicia to enroll in this coming fall while also trying to complete the journal she was given, finish furnishing her home, not freak out about Tom, spend time with Huey, and searching for a part-time job to keep her occupied.

Yeah... busy.

Jazmine was currently in her basement trying to decide how the space should be decorated. It was an open floor plan save for two large rooms. One, she knew, would be a dance studio. As for the rest, she had not the slightest idea.

Her phone buzzed in her hand, alerting her to a presence at her front door. She found the entire crew standing outside. Despite the hectic schedules, they all came together for dinner almost every night. Jazmine insisted that they come to her house this evening. She made two lasagnas, fried calamari,fried mushrooms, garlic bread, salad, and panna cotta with strawberries for dessert.

She headed up the stairs and gave herself a once over. She hadn't overdone it, seeing as it was at her house, but her hair was in a neat braid over her shoulder and she wore a black oversize sweater with gold threading and black jeans. Once she was content with her appearance, she greeted her guests.

The Freeman men greeted her simply, save for Huey, who placed a gentle kiss on her temple. Alicia demanded to be in her arms and she was swept into hugs by the women before making their way into the dining room.

"Everything looks amazing, honey," Sarah said as she took a seat.

"Thank you," Jazmine replied, beaming.

They said grace and fell into comfortable conversation. They decided that all worries - work, relationships, Tom - didn't exist here. Only small things and the love that existed between them.

"How is your school search coming?" Regina asked. The older woman giggled with Jazmine rolled her eyes.

"Huey and I are actually meeting with two schools nearby tomorrow," Jazmine said. "The people I spoke to each spoke very highly of their establishments. For the cost, they better be more than what they make it out to be."

Huey tossed her a barely there smirk. Again, she rolled her eyes but smiled. She hadn't minded helping him look into the schools in the area. She was excited to be a part of something so special.

"What about you guys?" Sarah asked, looking at Cindy and Riley. "Any luck on the home front?"

"I think we actually found something near here," Cindy said. "We have both house viewings tomorrow."

"Yeah, so we'll see how dat shit go," Riley said.

"The houses here are nice and we'll be closer to Alicia."

"And her school, fingers crossed," Jazmine said. "Are the options right in your hoping price range?"

"On the lower end, actually," Cin said. "Between Riley's strip mall property, our basketball scouting, and my piano lessons, we're fortunate enough to have an option over here."

"That's amazing," Jazmine said. "Hopefully you get something really close. It's been a while since we've danced together and I plan to have a studio set up in the basement."

Cindy's eyes widened. "Seriously? Soon?"

"After we find a school for the little one, that's my next focus," she said.

"What about your travel plans?" Sarah asked. "We're already halfway through January and you haven't talked about it too much."

"I think I might just head over to New York for a few days," Jazmine said, shrugging.

"No," Huey said, speaking for the first time all evening.

"Excuse me?" Jazmine asked.

"Ah shit," Cindy mumbled.

"You aren't going anywhere by yourself."

"Huey -"

"We talked about this already."

"Huey I don't think he'll -"

"We don't know what he's capable of."

"If you would let me fini-"

"There's nothing to finish. You aren't leaving the state alone. You almost didn't leave your house alone."

"Fine then!" she snapped. "Family vacation! I'll have the dates ready after we visit the schools tomorrow."

"Yay!" Alicia cried.

"Hell yeah!" Grandad cried. "Don't have us in no cheap shit now, pumpkin." Regina slapped his arm.

"We finna be coolin'," Riley said, excited.

The only two who seemed concerned were Cindy and Sarah, who looked between Huey and Jazmine as they glared at one another across the table.

"Do you have any idea how selfish that is to try and force people to disrupt their week so you can take a vacation that can wait?" Huey snapped.

They were alone in her home now. Sarah, knowing exactly what would follow, took Alicia for the night. She'd wanted to spend the day with her tomorrow anyway, so she was secretly happy to know the pair needed time tonight.

"The only person who seems to have a problem is you!" she screamed in response. They stood in the kitchen now, going back and forth, once again, about Huey's concerns.

"All you have to do is wait until we catch him, Jazmine!"

"And when will that be, Huey?" she asked, raising her hand and slapping it down in the island. "Tomorrow? Next week? Three years from now? He fucked up my life enough, and he still gets to take away the things that make me happy?"

"The fuck you talkin' 'bout?" She ignored the warmth that spread through her.

"I had to have the doors of my new house replaced, Huey!"

"You love those doors!"

"That's not the fucking point and you know it!"

He didn't respond but she could see the vein in his head throbbing as he glared down at her from across the island.

"I can't travel. I can't leave my house without telling you. I've turned down the three job offers because of their lack of security. There are three schools I would have loved for Alicia that I had to turn down because their security wasn't high enough. My life is being controlled by an asshole I haven't even passed in the grocery store in years! So please, Huey, tell me again how long I have to wait until I can have a normal life! How long, Huey?!"

He glared at her for a beat longer before taking a deep breath and tearing his gaze away. She suddenly felt like she could breathe again.

"What do you want me to say, Jazmine?" he asked calmly. "Yeah, go ahead. Do whatever. Pick whatever job. Whatever school. Travel alone? While there's some sick fuck who wants to hurt my family? For God knows what. Is that what you want me to say?" He looked at her again. "I'm sorry, but it's not about to fucking happen."

"I want you to work with me," she said, moving from around the table to stand in front of him. "I wanted to come back and regain some sense of normalcy. But you came back. With a daughter no less. And then Tom attacks my mother for no reason. Please believe that I am so happy to have you and Alicia here with me. You have to know that. But all of this is a lot. Then this journal, furnishing a house, finding her a school, furnishing your house, figuring out our relationship, looking for work... it's driving me crazy, Huey. And travelling was my peace. I'm loosing it here. I just... I need you to work with me. Not shoot me down at every turn."

His stance relaxed as he looked down at her. After what felt like eternity, he placed a large hand on her lower back and pulled her close. She rested her head on his chest and shut her eyes, relaxing. She hadn't enjoyed fighting so much. But she liked the hugs that usually followed.

"Five days," he said quietly. "You are to be with someone always. Don't complain when I check on the houses. I need to know where you are always. You stay in a room with me. I pay for half of the trip."

She looked up at him and a smile spread across her face before she stood on her toes and pulled him down to press her lips gently against his. It was him who pressed harder, pulling her closer.

Since their kiss on New Years, they'd only shared one a few times, usually following an argument, or occasionally before he left her house. She decided that she'd like to share them much more often. They felt good.

She pulled away just a bit, enough to whisper against his lips. "Huey Polonius Freeman... Are you using Tom as an excuse to share a bedroom with me?" she teased.

He kissed her again and lifted her to sit on her island, settling between her legs. He began trailing kisses along her jaw, something he hadn't done before. She rested her arms on his shoulders and shut her eyes, enjoying the feeling. He set her skin on fire. And the heat was beginning to pool between her thighs.

"I'll take any opportunity I can," he said against her skin, making her giggle. "Besides; I still have no idea what that tattoo looks like." His hand trailed up her side and he moved from her jaw back to her lips, kissing her slowly and gently. When he pulled away, she was smiling.

He stared at her for a moment before pulling away and helping her off of the island. "I should probably head home," he said. She frowned. "What?"

"Why? Alicia's with my mom. And, knowing her, she'll probably steal her tonight and tomorrow night."

"So where should I be, Ms. DuBois?"

"In the pajamas I washed for you, sitting on the couch in the living room, watching a movie with me."

He shook his head, a playfulness in his eyes, before giving her another quick peck and heading upstairs, where he knew his clothes would be. She watched after him, a smile on her face.

In the weeks following the new year, Jazmine had immersed herself in the journal her grandmother left for her. Though it hadn't explained any of the horrors she imagined Huey saw, it said a lot about who he was in her absence. It made it easier. Not that she didn't trust Huey. But it was different when her grandmother fought so hard for him, making sure she could do so even in her death.

So they'd been spending a bit of time together without anyone else - movie nights, lunch, and even morning coffee. He was respectful of her space always, but the longer he's here, the more she wants him closer. And while she wanted much more than a few sparse kisses, she still had a lot to know and understand before she could offer everything she had to give.

And he respected the time she needed. The understanding. Making it that much harder to be on her best behavior.

"You ready?" he asked as he came back down the stairs. Unlike Huey, Jazmine was quite familiar with the tattoos covering his skin. He only had two; Alicia's birthday in Roman numerals across his heart and a large, black cross on his back. She loved tracing her fingers along the slightly raised skin.

With this thought in mind, she wasted no time getting into a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt before joining him in the living room.

Jazmine remembered falling asleep with her feet resting on Huey's lap, but she didn't recall making her way into her bedroom at all. That's where she woke up when her alarm sounded.

She stretched, mentally thanking Huey for carrying her to her room, as there was no other possible way she made it up there last night.

Shutting her alarm off, she went to shower and changed. As it was very much still freezing in Maryland, she made sure to wear a black camisole and thick tights beneath her outfit. She chose a rich, crimson silk blouse with long sleeves and black slacks that hugged her beautiful frame but flared after her knees and covered her feet. Though you'd only catch a glance of her shoes when she walked or while she sat, she decided on crimson booties with a thick heel.

She tamed her hair into a neat tail at the nape of her neck and opted for very light makeup. Just as she was grabbing her long black jacket, her phone sounded. Huey was outside.

She finished grabbing all that she needed quickly before locking up and heading to greet him.

He looked, in her opinion, delicious in his blackout ensemble. Like hers, his jacket was jet black. He donned a black crew neck sweatshirt, black jeans, and black Timbs. Simple... But she wanted to eat him.

She settled instead for a kiss on his lips. He smelled so amazing.

"Morning," he mumbled against her before kissing her again. He could feel her smiling before she pulled away to settle into her seat.

"Good morning," she said. "Thank you for carrying me to bed last night."

"You would have been in pain this morning," he said as he pulled off. "What's the first appointment we have?"

"Moran Mercy Early Childhood Education," she said. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a brochure she'd stumbled across at the library. "This is said to be one of the top centers in this region, only a few points lower than Angels of Early Childhood Education."

"Can the names be more fucking pretentious?" Huey grumbled, making Jazmine giggle.

"Huey, please be nice. I have a feeling that you're not exactly going to care for the people you have to interact with but one of these places could be perfect for Alicia."

"Whatever."

Jazmine had to give it to him... She did. Though his eye was quite clearly twitching at the woman seated at the desk across from them, he remained cordial and often quiet. Which says a lot as the woman was beginning to piss Jazmine off.

She watched them with a condescending smile. They'd previewed the beautiful grounds, the educational centers, the extra-curricular activities, and even met some of the staff as well as viewed their backgrounds. It really was a fine establishment. However the aura that surrounded them was far from pleasant. And Jazmine imagined that should Alicia feel anything but comfortable or welcome, Huey might set this place on fire.

And she might be there with them.

She moved through the costs and expectations as if she imagined there was no way they'd be able to make the cut for this school. Jazmine was quickly loosing her patience, so she imagined that Huey was already far beyond the marker. So Jazmine decided she'd had enough.

"Thank you so much for your time, but we are running late for our appointment with Angels of Early Childhood Education," she said, plastering a kind smile on her face. The woman's smile fell and her pale blue eyes widened.

"You're seeing them as well?"

"Absolutely," Jazmine said. "It's the top school in our area. Alicia deserves the absolute best. However, this did seem to have very high ratings as well and was a tad bit closer to our home in Gray Hollow, so we thought we'd give it some consideration."

"Gray Hollow," she repeated quietly, imagining the homes in the subdivision Jazmine had named.

"Unfortunately we don't believe this would be a good fit for her," Jazmine said.

"Really?" she asked, her tone changing completely. "I can't imagine she wouldn't fit right in."

"I can," Jazmine said, standing. "Thank you so much for your time." She turned to Huey, who was watching her with calm, dark eyes. "Are you ready love?"

They'd just barely shut the car doors and Huey had Jazmine moaning helplessly into his mouth. He bit her lip before slipping his tongue inside, carefully exploring her taste. If he was addicted to anything, it would be this.

He moved his lips along her jaw and down her neck, nipping and sucking carefully, as to not leave any marks. His hand slid along her inner thigh and she arched into him, spreading her legs a bit wider.

"Huey," she breathed, letter her eyes flutter shut. He moved back to her mouth, kissing hard enough to make them swell and redden. He pulled away just far enough to speak.

"I don't deserve you," he said simply.

If they had more time, she would have pulled him into the backseat and showed him just how much she disagreed with that statement. Instead she kissed him again, soundly and lovingly.

"Don't be silly, Huey Freeman," she said.

With another quick peck, they both settled into their seats and headed for Angels.

This experience was much different. Jazmine knew instantly why this one had the better ratings. They offered a larger campus, higher security, more extensive background checks, a challenging but understandable curriculum, more activities, and the warmth and kindness that radiated from each individual was incredible. The headmaster of the school, Dion Holloway, came and greeted them personally, taking over for most of the tour, including the end. She reminded them so much of Regina.

Before long, they were settled in the admissions office, speaking more.

"Now we have a few options," Dion said. "We do have full admissions payments but we also have payment plans set up. You can continue to pay up until they leave this school to advance to the next level, but in order to get their 5th grade diploma and carry it over to their next school, tuition does need to be paid in full."

"Okay that sounds perfect," Jazmine said. "How far in advance can we pay?"

"You can pay for their entire education outright and you will have the current prices grandfathered in. If the tuition is lower, we'll refund you the difference. If it's higher, you won't be charged anything additional."

"That sounds amazing. Does the tuition cover everything?"

"Books will still need to be paid for as well as any field trips taken."

"Okay," Jazmine said. "Alicia has a mixed family. Are there events and activities that we can all be present for?"

"Absolutely," she said. "As long as each member is listed and we have an opportunity to meet them, know them, and confirm their identities, we have no problem with that. We generally always reserve two spots for parents and guardians for all activities but we make sure we leave some room for families and close family friends. I assume you two will be listed as the parents?"

"Yes," Huey answer. She shot him a smile.

"He's her father. I would probably be considered a guardian."

"That's perfectly fine," Dion said with a smile. "Does this mean you all are interested in signing Ms. Alicia up here?"

They shared a glance and Jazmine nodded, beaming. "He'll be paying for the first half of her education. I'll be paying for the second."

"I can't believe you got her into Angels!" Sarah cheered. Jazmine flashed her a quick smile before turning her attention to Alicia, who was in her lap trying to sneak kisses to her cheek.

"She starts in August," Huey said from his place beside Jazmine. His arm was behind her back, allowing his hand to rest on her hip. He gave her a tight squeeze, making her smile.

They heard the front door opening and found Riley and Cindy entering, both wearing bright smiles.

"We closed on a house!" Cindy said.

"Oh my God!" Sarah hopped up and enveloped her daughter in a hug. "Honey, that's so amazing!"

"We'll be close you guys now," Cindy said, looking at Huey, Jazmine, and Alicia.

Huey gave her one more squeeze before getting up and walking into the dining room with his brother. Their hushed tones suggested that security was the topic of conversation.

"How did the school hunt go?" Cindy asked as she stole a giggling Alicia.

"We got her into Angels."

"That's one of the best schools in the region! That's incredible."

"We are very excited. The little miss will be starting in fall. We have to take everyone down sometime soon and get everyone's names on file so you'll be authorized for pickups and events."

"Okay, we'll do that sometime soon."

"Probably after we get back. You all have a lot to accomplish in basically a week."

Cindy waved her off. "We aren't moving until about a week into February. I know Huey has some things he wants to do and it's much easier to wait. Anyway, what about this trip. I'm ready to live my best life in New York!"

"Hell yeah!" Riley called as the Freeman brothers walked back into the living room. Huey took his place beside her and Sarah grabbed her laptop for her daughter. Once they were all settled, they began searching.

"It's only a four hour drive."

"Three if I do it," Riley offered.

"Which you absolutely will not," Huey said, glaring. Jazmine rolled her eyes.

"We can always fly instead. I imagine that driving in New York is a nightmare," she said.

"That works too."

"Okay," she said, pulling up a site to search for flights. "Can someone call Grandad please? I want to see if Sunday the 27th through Thursday the 31st works."

Huey took out his phone to call.

'The hell you want, boy?'

"Does the 27th though the 31st work for the trip?" he asked, ignoring his grandfather's aggressive tone.

'Oooh, that's perfect!' His tone was much lighter now.

"Great," Huey said flatly before hanging up.

"Huey," Jazmine lightly fussed as she paid for their tickets. He paid her no mind though.

Once they were all set, she searched for hotels. It didn't take her long to settle on the Hyatt Centric. She reserved the last two king rooms with terraces for herself, Huey, Cindy, and Riley. She got Grandad and Regina a deluxe king room with a view and she got Sarah and Alicia a deluxe double king room with a view. Or at least she tried, as Huey quickly took the computer from her and paid.

"Huey, that was way more expensive than the flights," she said with a frown.

"Buy me lunch," he said simply as he handed it back. She rolled her eyes, knowing he wouldn't let her do such a thing.

"Time to go shopping!" Sarah said. "When do you all want to go? I imagine it's freezing there."

"I'm off tomorrow," Cindy offered.

"That works for me if it works for you," Jazmine said to her mother.

"Perfect!" Sarah said. She turned to Huey. "If it's okay with you, I can keep Alicia again tonight and she can just come with us in the morning."

"That's fine," he said. Jazmine felt his grip tighten on her again. She wasn't exactly sure what he had planned for the evening but she did know that she couldn't wait to get home.

Jazmine imagined that it was her pajamas that pushed him over the edge. She wore a thin, black silk slip that came down to her mid thigh. She pulled her hair into a messy bun atop her head, something she was very happy she did, as it gave Huey all the access he needed to her soft skin.

Her foot hadn't touched the last step before he swept her into his arms and carried her back into her bedroom. He tossed her onto the large, soft mattress before crawling between her spread legs and kissing her soundly.

Whatever thoughts she had before were replaced by him. He was everywhere. The taste, the feel, the sound, the sight, his scent. She was consumed by it. She slipped her hands beneath his beater and touched the hard surface of his abs and chest. She wanted to taste him.

She moved from his lips and began trailing her kisses along his neck and jaw, focusing on keeping her mind and body from trailing lower.

"You didn't have to stand up for Alicia," he said quietly. He rolled them over so that she straddled him. He adjusted her so that she sat directly over his length. He pushed her against him and raised his hips, rolling them against her. He loved the way her gasp sounded.

"You didn't have to come with me. You absolutely didn't have to pay for her schooling at all. Or sign as one of her guardians. But you did." He rolled his hips again and she fell forward, resting her hands on his chest and forcing her hips back. The friction felt good. He lined up against her perfectly.

"I wanted to," she breathed, rocking.

"Tell me why," he said, reaching up and placing a hand on her cheek. She kissed his palm.

"You were mine," she said after a moment. "You always have been." She continued to rock slowly against him. He rocked with her using control that was slowly slipping. "I fell in love with you when I was then, Huey. You are the only person I've ever loved." He gripped her hip harder and pulled her head down until they were only a breath away.

"I loved you when you made me smile. When you made me cry. When you taught me things. I loved you when you danced with me in your bedroom on prom night. And the night you consumed my body. I loved you when you left. While you were gone. And when you walked through my mother's door on Christmas. I love you. And the time we spent together, the time we spent apart, and the time I need now only make it harder to ignore."

She was on her back again, Huey's lips pressed roughly against hers as he rocked, slowly and deeply, his length fast against her throbbing clit. She sobbed into his mouth, pulling him closer.

He pulled away from her and slowly began to stop his movements. "Take the time you need," he told her. "But understand that you're mine." She rocked her hips against him once and nodded.

He stared at her for what felt like an eternity before pecking her lips and getting out of her bed.

She wanted to call after him and tell him he could stay beside her tonight but she knew as well as he did that he couldn't. Not yet. There were still pages of her journal to read, a video to watch, and a conversation to be had.

Once he shut her door, she sank back into her bed and brought her hand between her legs. The heat and cum that lingered there was driving her crazy. Clouding her mind.

So she moved her fingers against her clit, willing the ache away as her mind wondered to Huey. His fingers. His tongue. Him. Bringing her over the edge again and again and again.

Her eyes rolled back as she imagined herself bent over her bed for him, screaming his name as he filled her with cum. She bit into her lip as he hips jerked wildly, her orgasm washing over her. It took all she had not to call his name aloud.

She hissed as she pulled her hands away. The cleaned up quickly and got into bed, promising to have this conversation before this trip began. It didn't take long for her to slip into a deep, comfortable sleep.

Thank you guys so much for your patience. I'm so so sorry for the delay. It's been a very long few days but I'm back!

Please be sure to review. I hope you all are still enjoying everything. So much love for you all. I can't thank you enough for sticking with me.

See you again soon.

Q. I.