by Jazmyne
Chapter 8
Ace walked through the Patrick Henry Mall holding Serenity and Savanna’s hands tightly within his. Despite everything that was going on in his life, he had made a promise to his girls that he wasn’t going to break.
“Ooohhhh daddy, Aaliyah would like something out of the jewelry store,” Savanna squealed. Ace laughed as they made their way to the jewelry store.
“I need both of you to pick out something nice for Aaliyah,” Ace directed.
“Are you gonna buy her something from you too?” Serenity solicited.
“I am,” Ace answered looking at a diamond ring.
*
Aaliyah sat at her desk going over a few case files. She had been going over the same files since she had arrived at the office two hours ago. Her mind wasn’t into the task in front of her. It didn’t matter how many times she tried, her mind always went to Ace and how he climbed into bed with her and the girls as if nothing had occurred. She wanted so badly to ask him what had happened, but it really didn’t matter; she was just relieved he had made it back to her in one piece. She had called Ace an hour after she had gotten to the office to check on him and the girls. Aaliyah could tell the girls were excited about spending the day with their father. She could clearly hear their excitement in the background.
Unmistakably, they were spoiled, daddy’s girls. Curiosity was getting the best of her as she wondered what Ace and the twins had up their sleeves. Both girls were yelling and screaming that they had a surprise for her and couldn’t wait for her to see it. Getting back to the conversation she was having with Ace, she questioned him about it. His response was to laugh and say she would find out soon enough. Aaliyah sat back in her seat and smiled. She found it cute that they wanted to surprise her with something. Material things didn’t really mean much to Aaliyah. She was perceptive of the fact that just as quickly as things came they could be gone. To her, it was the thought that counted. Hence, she could afford whatever her heart desired.
Jennifer knocked on Aaliyah’s office door then peeked her head inside. “Hey, I wanted to see if you’d like to join me for lunch. If not, is there anything I can pick up for you on my way back?” Jennifer asked.
“I’m fine. Thanks for asking; enjoy yourself,” Aaliyah said as she waved bye.
“Are you sure?” Jennifer inquired. Aaliyah nodded her head.
“I’m sure. I have a lot to get caught up on,” she said pointing to her desk where there was a pile of file folders sitting in front of her and awaiting her attention.
“I’ll see you when I get back,” Jennifer stated as she closed the door behind her.
Aaliyah shook off any and all thoughts that didn’t pertain to her clients.
*
“Dr. Thomas, how is she doing?” Ace asked into the phone as he looked over a few diamond rings.
Dr. Thomas was an old school doctor who had lost his license years ago for falsifying prescriptions. He had done a few years in prison. What he had worked so hard for was taken away. Thanks to Ace and other local drug dealers in the area, he was able to continue doing what he loved–assisting people who were in need of help.
“Ace, she’s tough and will pull through. All she needs is plenty of rest, lots of fluids, and love,” Dr. Thomas answered.
“Thanks, I owe you,” Ace responded as he closed his eyes to say a silent prayer. He could breathe a little easier knowing Sunshine would recover. “Doctor, I have to go but I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Ace stated before disconnecting the call. Then, he called Keema.
“Hello?” Keema answered.
“Hey Keema, I need a favor. I’m trynna set something special up for Aaliyah. You know the whole dinner thing and whatnot. Can you help me out?” Ace requested.
“When do you need it done?” She asked.
“In the next few hours,” Ace answered. “I need a babysitter too,” he laughed.
“You know you can drop the babies off to me anytime. Let me see what I can pull off. I’ll call you back in a few,” she replied before disconnecting the call. Having done so before Ace had a chance to thank her.
“Ladies, have y’all found anything Aaliyah would like?” Ace inquired.
“Yes daddy, I want to get Aaliyah that bracelet,” Savanna said pointing out a diamond charm bracelet.
“And I wanna get her the heart chain. Isn’t it pretty daddy?” Serenity asked excitedly.
“Yes, they’re both beautiful,” Ace answered.
“Have you picked out anything for her?” They asked in unison.
“I have. Do you guys think she’s going to like that diamond ring?” Ace asked pointing at a 10 carat princess cut diamond ring.
“Ohh, daddy can I get one too! Please?” Savanna shrieked jumping up and down. Ace laughed.
“Baby, we’re shopping for Aaliyah, remember?” Ace reminded them. “Excuse me; can you please wrap those three items for me?” Ace asked the middle-aged clerk. She smiled and told him she would be back with him shortly.
Ace and the girls watched as the sales clerk gift wrapped all three items then placed them into their own small bags. Ace slid his bankcard across the counter. Once his items were paid for, he thanked the clerk, picked his babies up, and headed into the next store.
After shopping in a few more stores, Ace stopped at the food court to buy Serenity and Savanna something to eat.
“Daddy, Aaliyah is going to love everything we got for her,” Savanna said eagerly as she bit into her pizza. “When can we give it to her?” She inquired.
“We can stop at her office as soon as we leave the mall,” he replied.
“What are we waiting for?” Serenity asked.
“We’re waiting on you two to finish eating,” Ace responded.
“Daddy, we can eat in the car,” Savanna announced.
“No,” Ace said shaking his head.
Ace sat back in the chair and watched as Savanna and Serenity talked amongst one another. He adored the smiles on their faces. To him, they were priceless.
“Daddy, we’re all done. Can we go now?” Savanna asked as she wiped her hands on the napkin then took a sip of her drink.
Ace cleaned up their mess then helped them from the table. He grabbed their hands, the bags, and headed for the exit.
*
“Aaliyah Bailey speaking, how may I help you?” She answered her office phone.
“Ms. Bailey, I’m calling to retain you for my upcoming case. You’ve been highly recommended,” he said into the phone. Aaliyah smiled. That meant she was doing her job as an attorney.
“When can you come in so that we can chat and go over your case, as well as a few other things?” She inquired.
“I can come in as soon as tomorrow morning. Is that okay with you?” He asked.
“That will be fine. Sir, can I get your name?” Aaliyah asked. Here they had been having a conversation for a few minutes now and she still hadn’t gotten his name.
“John Wilson,” he replied. “I’ll see you in the morning,” he stated then disconnected the call. Aaliyah wrote his name down then got up to put away some files.
“Aaliyah!” Serenity and Savanna said bursting through her office door. She smiled as she turned around to find them running at full speed toward her. Bending down, she held her arms open as they ran into her embrace.
“We have a surprise for you,” Serenity declared.
“Do you, what is it?” Aaliyah asked.
“You have to close your eyes,” Savanna said as she ran to Ace who was standing at the door looking damn good in a button up, short sleeve, and a pair of denim jeans. Although he had so much going on in his life, he was still able to smile.
Ace handed Serenity and Savanna the small jewelry bags as well as the teddy bears they had picked out for Aaliyah. He excused himself when his phone started ringing.
“Here Aaliyah, open my gift first,” Savanna told her.
Aaliyah opened her eyes and stood to her feet, making her way over to the chairs sitting
in front of her desk. “You girls didn’t have to do this,” she said holding back tears.
She opened the first jewelry box and found a pretty diamond charm bracelet with the letter A dangling from it.
“Oh my gosh; this is so beautiful,” Aaliyah said as she admired her new arm candy.
“I knew you would like it,” Savanna smiled.
“Open my present now,” Serenity said.
Aaliyah opened her next gift and was floored when she found a diamond heart pendant.
“Why are you crying?” They asked at the same time, all the while each of them wiped away her tears.
“Because it was so nice of you girls to buy me these gifts,” Aaliyah smiled through the tears.
“We did it because you do so much for us; and you don’t ask for anything in return. It was our turn to do something nice for you,” Savanna spoke eloquently.
Aaliyah wiped the tears away as she continued to admire her gifts; it amazed her how the six year olds were so thoughtful as well as intellectual.
“Daddy got you something too,” Serenity smiled as she jumped up and down.
“I’ll give her my gift later,” Ace said stepping back into the room. “Aaliyah, will you join me for a late lunch?” Ace asked as he moved toward all three ladies.
What kind of question is that?” She asked. “Of course I will.”
“Are we invited, daddy?” Savanna asked.
“Nope, this one is just for Aaliyah and I,” Ace answered, taking a seat next to Aaliyah.
“Aww man,” the twins pouted.
“Next time, it will be a date for four,” Ace laughed. “Aaliyah, grab your things and let’s go,” Ace requested as he stood to his feet and looked down at his watch.
He had gotten off the phone with Keema. She had made them reservations for a sushi spot in Virginia Beach, which was about a thirty minute drive depending on traffic.
“Where are we going?” Aaliyah inquired.
“You’ll find out when we get there,” Ace responded as he waited for Aaliyah to gather her things.
*
Ace dropped the twins off to Keema then headed for the interstate.
“Amir, I wanted to change my clothes,” Aaliyah said when she noticed they were heading to Virginia Beach.
“What’s wrong with what you have on?” He asked, taking his eyes off the road for a moment to look at her. “You look good in anything you wear.” Aaliyah blushed and was delighted over the compliment. Be that as it may, she would have loved to freshen up just a bit.
“Thanks.”
Ace and Aaliyah rode in silence as the music played low in the background. Aaliyah wanted to press him about what had gone down the night before. However, she realized it wasn’t the time. When Ace was ready to talk about his dealings in the streets, he would.
As if he could read her mind. “I know you’re wondering what happened last night, but that’s something I don’t need or want you to worry about. Leave that to me,” Ace advised. “It took me a long time to learn how to separate the two. When I think you need to know something, I’ll let you know,” he concluded. “All I wanna worry about is spending time with you.” Aaliyah nodded her head, indicating she understood completely.
*
Ace pulled into the parking lot of Nara Sushi Japanese Restaurant. After getting out, he walked around the car and assisted Aaliyah. They walked into the restaurant hand-in-hand. Nara Sushi was one of the best spots in Virginia Beach; Ace hadn’t been there in years. He was excited when Keema called to inform him of the place she had selected. Back in the day, when Ace didn’t have a care in the world, they use to meet at Nara’s at least two or three times a week.
Amir and Aaliyah enjoyed each other’s company inside the quiet environment while enjoying various types of Sushi. Their conversation flowed effortlessly; they both smiled continuously.
Ace sat back and admired Aaliyah’s beauty, but she wasn’t just a pretty face.
“Why are you over there staring at me like that?” Aaliyah asked. “Do I have something on my face?” She joked. But at the same time, she was dead serious as she grabbed a napkin to wipe her face. “No, I’m just admiring how beautiful you are and that amazing smile you have,” he answered causing her to blush.
“Thanks,” she said as she looked away. Aaliyah could never stare into Ace’s eyes for too long. He always made her feel helpless and exposed.
“Amir, can I ask you something?” Aaliyah asked, finally turning back to look into his handsome face.
“You know you can ask me anything,” Ace replied.
“Growing up, what did you see yourself doing and being when you became an adult?”
“I always saw myself as a business man who owned his own Fortune 500 Company,” Ace answered.
“What stopped you?”
“Life. When I lost my father, I had to step up and be a man at a young age. All my dreams and hopes went out the window. I did everything to protect and care for my brother the best way I knew how.” Ace said with a faraway look in his eyes.
“You still have time to make your dreams come true. Amir, you’re a smart, handsome man. When you say you want to do something, you make it happen,” Aaliyah encouraged him.
“With everything going on in my life, I just hope to see my daughters graduate from high school,” Ace answered truthfully. “Let me ask you something,” Ace stated ready to divert the conversation away from him.
“I’m listening.”
“How did you get caught up in this lifestyle; and with J’vion?”
“I’ve been around this lifestyle my entire life. My father was heavy in the game. He’s the one who schooled me,” Aaliyah answered. “I met J’vion during my first year of college. I fell for him immediately. I mean, he wined and dined me, made me feel like I was worth more than life itself. And for that, I wanted nothing more than to hold him down and prove my love. But as time went on, I started to see his true colors, see him for who he really was. I didn’t wanna be a part of that way of life anymore.” She admitted, stopping to take a sip of her drink. “I felt as if I was losing myself and becoming someone I wasn’t for someone who didn’t really love me. As long as I was doing what he wanted, when he wanted, everything was cool. I made a promise to my father before he died that I would make him proud. I had always talked about wanting to become a lawyer. Thus, I went back to school and did what I said I would do,” she completed.
“What’s so different about me?” Ace questioned. “I mean you said you didn’t want any part of this lifestyle but you’re here with me.”
“Amir, when I met you, you weren’t in the game. You were a single father raising your daughters the best you knew how. You were forced back into the game to save your wife. I have the upmost respect for you for doing that,” Aaliyah told him. “Every day, I see you struggling with your situation. However, you take it in stride and make it work for you. There aren’t too many men like you left out here.
“Even after I told you Sunshine was alive, why did you stay?”
“Why leave now?” I’ve been holding you down since day one. Why run when the heat gets turned up?” Aaliyah asked. “I fell in love with you; and I absolutely adore Savanna and Serenity. I’ve never had a family. Therefore, I enjoy the time I get to spend with you and the twins. When I’m with you, I feel as if nothing else matters. It’s a breath of fresh air. When you wrap your arms around me, you make me feel as if nothing or no one can harm me. You make me feel secure and safe,” she professed.
*
After dinner, Ace rented a hotel on the beach. He wanted to spend some much needed time with Aaliyah. Things in his life were crazy. He was convinced things were going to get worse before they got better. That is, if things did get better. Ace still had to find a way to tell Aaliyah that he had found and saved Sunshine. He didn’t know why he was so anxious about telling her. She had been nothing but supportive throughout this entire ordeal.
Ace sat in the chair outside on the balcony, smoki
ng a blunt as he admired the diamond ring he had gotten Aaliyah. Ace couldn’t lie; his heart was in two places. One half was with Sunshine and the other half with Aaliyah. How could he think about choosing when both of them had held him down from the very beginning?
“Look at this view,” Aaliyah said standing in the doorway of the balcony. The sun was setting, providing the perfect hue of colors over the horizon. Aaliyah walked out wrapped in a bathrobe then wrapped her arms around Ace’s neck. “What are you out here thinking about?” She asked.
Aaliyah could see the stress Ace was encountering on his face. He did everything he could to hide it but he wasn’t successful. Aaliyah wished there was something she could do to take his stress away because she would.