My Father My Almost

ALL GAPS

"I can't wait to have you back. It feels like forever."

Six weeks. It had been six long weeks since Xavier last saw his 'Liya. She'd gone to visit her family, claiming a sudden, deep bout of homesickness.

"I'll be at the train station to pick you up," he said into the phone, his voice warm with anticipation. "I have an itinerary for us. It's been too long."

"Yeah, no problem," she replied, a hesitant note in her voice. "But I'm not dressed for any occasion."

"Don't worry about that. Just bring your fine self. Everything will be taken care of."

Those weeks without her had given Xavier space to reflect, and the conclusion was undeniable: he was utterly, completely taken with Aliyah. Her absence forced him to confront how deeply he craved her presence to feel fulfilled. "How did this happen?" William, his co-founder and brother, asked over a game of pool, his tone a mix of amusement and disbelief.

"I really don't know, Will,” Xavier confessed , leaning on his cue. "There's something about her that just feels like home. Her ambition, her smile... When I'm around her, I feel driven to be better, inspired by her in ways I can't explain. I just don't understand it."

"And to think you guys met dancing at the Medusa." They both chuckled at the memory.

"Do what you need to do, X," Will said, his tone turning serious. "But make sure you clear out your closet of skeletons first."

My closet of skeletons? Xavier thought to himself. Don't really have one. Sure, some deals went south, and a string of crazy flings, but nothing had ever come back to haunt him. He'd been in the limelight for a couple of years—TV interviews, billboards, and public sponsorships. If there were any, it would have raised its head by now, right?

"Anyway," he muttered, pushing the thought aside. "I won't let that derail me. I can take care of it if it comes."

Xavier arrived at the Old West train station with a bouquet of yellow roses in his arms and an eager grin on his face. When Aliyah stepped through the train doors and ran into his arms, the scent of her long brown hair and the warmth of her petite build—oh, how he had missed this; these little moments felt like the most intimate thing in the world. He vowed then that she would never be gone for so long without him by her side.

"Yellow roses?" Aliyah said, pulling away with a grin and sniffing the flowers. "I love them."

"I know," he said proudly.

"I've missed you," she breathed. "So, where are we off to now?" she asked as they walked to Xavier’s car.

"Ahhh, don't worry your pretty face about it," he said, closing the passenger door with a confident smile. "Just trust me and enjoy the ride."

First, he took her to Gale's Mall, where he orchestrated a complete transformation. New clothes, the latest shoes—he even waited patiently while she had her hair redone. Aliyah felt like a queen. Everything she had ever wanted—love, safety, security, freedom, and a piece of adventure—all wrapped up in Xavier.

But a small, nagging voice whispered in her mind: Isn't this wrong? Is this the right thing? She silenced it fiercely. But I love him, and I know he loves me. And that should be enough. Love conquers all. All gaps. Age gap, experience gap, family gap, financial gap. All means all!

She had walked into the mall as a traveler and walked out as royalty. Her one-armed forest green satin gown dazzled, its silver jewels highlighting the silhouette he worshipped with his hands time and time again.

Waiting for his keys at the valet, they admired each other; they chuckled and played like children before melting back into lovers.

"Here are your keys, sir."

"Next up, ShinLee Beach Resort," Xavier announced, taking the keys and tipping the valet.

"The beach?" she said curiously. "Okay."

ShinLee was the most exotic and luxurious resort in the city. Xavier had booked the entire restaurant. He wanted no distractions, no third parties. Too often, fans, admirers, or colleagues would interrupt their dates for a chat, a picture, or an idea pitch. Tonight, he wanted none of it. This was his time with his ‘Liya.

They shared a five-star meal of indigenous dishes and talked about everything until the sun began to dip below the horizon.

"Ahhh, sunset," Xavier mused. "Where did the time go?"

He led Aliyah for a walk on the evening beach. As their feet hit the sand, she saw a trail of rose petals that led to a large neon sign that lit up the dusk: "Will You Marry Me?"

Her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh, X..."

Xavier got down on one knee and produced a custom-designed, heart-shaped diamond set on a rose gold band. The hope in his eyes was blinding.

Her mind raced. Can I? Should I? After all I’ve known now? Isn't this against everything?

Then she reminded herself of the mantra, drowning out the screaming truth: ALL is ALL. All Gaps.

"Yes," she heard herself say, her voice trembling with a mixture of ecstasy and terror. "Yes, I will…"