A Lie Unraveled by Constance Masters Page B

could do this. Please don’t let Lily-Grace hate me too, she thought.
    As they walked to towards the door, Destiny tried to take her daughter’s hand but she was shunned again. Sophia pulled her hand away from her mom’s and took Justin’s hand instead. Destiny had never felt more alone and then the door opened, before Justin had a chance to use his key.
    Justin’s mom came running out of the house and enveloped Destiny in the biggest hug. “Desi girl,” she said. “Why didn’t you tell me? I could just smack your butt.”
    “Mrs. Alexander, I’m so sorry,” she said, her eyes filling with tears.
    “Hey, none of that,” the older woman said. “This is a celebration. We’ll have time to talk about all this another day. You have to meet our Lily-Grace and I have to get my hands on my newest granddaughter.”
    Destiny turned to see Sophia meet her sister as an actual sibling for the first time and her breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t expected to see such a likeness. There were differences, of course, but the girls had the same shaped eyes, same shaped lips and eye brows. Their colorings were slightly different; Sophia’s hair was a shade or two lighter. She couldn’t wait to get to know this child to see how different or the same their personalities were.
    “Hi,” Sophia said.
    “Hi,” Lily-Grace said. “Do you want to see my room?”
    “Sure, I guess.”
    “I think we might save that for next time, honey,” Justin said. “If we’re going for ice cream, we better go. School day tomorrow.”
    “Okay, Daddy,” Lily-Grace said. “I’ll show you next time.”
    “Would you like to come with us, Mom?” Justin asked.
    “Not this time,” she said. “I think I might just watch my stories and turn in.”
    “Okay, Mom, you know you’re welcome.”
    “Go and check those girls are buckled in the car properly, precious cargo there, son. I just want to have a quick word with Desi.”
    “Don’t keep her long please.”
    “This won’t take long.” She waited for him to be out of ear shot. “First of all, Desi, I just want to tell you that I think you two are very lucky to have found each other again after all this time. Justin’s been lonely since his wife died.”
    “I know what you’re getting at Mrs. Alexander but I don’t know if he really even wants me. He wants his daughter.”
    “Of course he does, but he wants you just as much.”
    Destiny was a little taken back.
    “A mother knows. I also know that although he loved his wife and they were happy, I never witnessed the passion that he has with you. You drive him crazy with your antics, you always did, but you also put a sparkle in his eyes that I haven’t seen since you two broke up. It came back yesterday.”
    “Really? Do you really think that?”
    “I more than think that. I know it. One other thing, and then you better go. No more Mrs. Alexander, you’re not eighteen anymore. Call me Dotty, all my friends do.”
    Destiny gave the woman a huge hug. “Thank you Dotty,” she said.
     
     

Chapter Six
     
    “What flavor would you like, honey?” Destiny asked Lily-Grace. Justin had gone to the bathroom so she thought she would set the girls up with their ice cream cones.
    “Could I have a cookie dough, please?” Lily-Grace answered politely.
    “Of course you can, sweetie.” Destiny just loved the sweet way Lily-Grace spoke. She was always so respectful.
    “What about you, Soph, made up your mind yet?” Destiny tried with Sophia. She could tell her daughter still didn’t want to answer her but greed was getting the better of her. She knew she couldn’t hold out much longer. It was terrible to measure one child against the other but at the moment, Sophia was the exact opposite of Lily-Grace, she couldn’t be ruder if she tried.
    “I want chocolate, strawberry and butter pecan,” Sophia stated. Her eyes were narrowed, daring her mother to say no.
    Destiny was a little stuck, although rude, this was the first time