by Skylar Ward
“Oh, no, there will be no co-parenting or parallel parenting of Yasmine. We will raise our daughter together.”
Dexter studied Ace for what seemed like ages. “Does Ms. Kwateng know about this—parenting decision of yours?”
“Not yet,” Ace admitted, “but I don’t foresee a major problem.”
“My advice is to get to know your daughter first. Spend some time with her. Let her get to know you, and trust you before you try to force her mother into whatever living arrangement you have concocted in your head.”
“She knows me,” Ace said.
“In my opinion, it is rather unusual that Ms. Kwateng never reached out to you. You would be well-advised to take it slow with her. Be nice, she might go along with this cockeyed idea of yours.”
If her body’s response is any indication of things to come, I expect us to live happily-ever-after. “Put a rush on the name change.”
Ace, my friend, “Ms. Kwateng is still the mother of your child. You need her consent.”
“Get the paperwork started.” Ace slid a sheet of paper across the desk. “This is my daughter’s full name.”
Dexter picked up the paper and examined it. Dexter laughed so hard, his glasses fell. He took the glasses and returned them to his face. “Tough cookie, huh?” he said. “I guess Ms. Kwateng wouldn’t give you Davenport.”
“You have no idea,” Ace murmured.
“You don’t seem any worse for wear,” Dexter said. “As a matter of fact, you haven’t appeared this happy in ages.”
Ace pinned Dexter with a deadly stare. “Enough about me. Let’s talk about updating my Will and Testament.”
Chapter 12
“D-A-V-E-N-P-O-R-T.” Efia pointed to the last letter on the sheet of paper, hoping to get Yasmine used to her upcoming name change. “This is how you spell your last name, sweetie. It is pronounced Davenport.”
“Do you like your new name?” Rosina asked, standing beside Yasmine’s chair.
Yasmine threw her hands in the air. “Yes, I like it, Grandma. I like it a lot.”
Surprised and relieved that Yasmine had accepted the idea of a name change without any fuss, Efia smiled.
“Where is my daddy, Mommy?”
Efia eyed Rosina before turning her attention back to Yasmine. “He had to go to Massachusetts to take care of some business. He will be back on Sunday.”
“I miss my daddy.”
Rosina ran her hand over Yasmine’s head. “I am sure your dad misses you, too. When he returns, you will have lots of time with him.”
The entrance door opened and Kofi Kwateng entered. Yasmine slid from the chair, and he scooped her into his arms.
“Grandpa! I have a new name!”
Mr. Kwateng lifted his eyes to Efia, and his face tightened.
Yasmine’s tiny arms went around Mr. Kwateng’s neck, and she patted his back. “You want to hear my new name?”
“Yes, pumpkin,” Mr. Kwateng said through clenched teeth.
“Yasmine Acelyn Kwateng-Daven … Mommy, what’s my name again?”
“Yasmine Acelyn Kwateng-Davenport, sweetie.”
Mr. Kwateng’s eyes lit up. “You kept her heritage.”
“Yes, Dad,” Efia said. “I know how important it is to you.”
Mr. Kwateng’s eyes appeared watery, and he kissed Efia’s cheek “Is Yasmine’s school closed today.”
“No, Dad. She was a bit emotional when she got up this morning. She wanted her father, so I kept her home. Since I am working tonight, and you and mum are off I thought it would be nice to spend the day over here.”
“You did the right thing,” Mr. Kwateng said. “It’s a lot for a child to go through.”
“Yasmine is resilient.” Rosina smiled. “I have a gut feeling everything is going to work out.”
“I have to take the car over to the gas station,” Mr. Kwateng said. “I need an oil change.”
Yasmine raised her head from her grandfather’s shoulder. “Mommy, can I go with Grandpa?”
“Yes, sweetie,” Efia said.
“Why don’t you move into the basement,” Mr. Kwateng said. “You won’t have to keep running back and forth. We chose this house because of the finished basement. It is more than enough space for you and Yasmine. And it has a private entrance.”
“Thank you, Dad, but I have to make it on my own,” Efia said kissing her father’s cheek.
She was proud of her parents for buying the tidy two-bedroom home with the spacious yard so Yasmine would have a safe space to play. Efia inwardly chuckled as she remembered how her father had decided he needed to get a car, in case there was an emergency with Yasmine. Efia’s thoughts wandered to Ace, she knew her father wasn’t fond of him, but she hoped her dad would put his anger aside for Yasmine’s sake.
“Bye, Mommy.”
“Huh?”
“Are you daydreaming, Mommy?”
“A little bit, sweetie. Where is your jacket?
Mr. Kwateng placed Yasmine on her feet, and she ran from the room, returning with her jacket.
Efia helped Yasmine into the short coat. “Have fun with your grandpa, okay?”
“Hurry back, Kofi,” Rosina said. “The Banku and Okra Stew is nearly done.”
“Mommy, I like Banku.”
“I know, sweetie,” Efia said. “You love your Ghanaian food.”
Efia and Rosina stood in the doorway as Mr. Kwateng backed out of the driveway with Yasmine.
“I don’t know how Yasmine chats so much at home and sits quietly in the car with Dad,” Efia said.
“Child, even a chatterbox likes a little downtime.”
“I guess so,” Efia said. “Do you remember how nervous Dad used to be during his driving lessons.”
Mr. Kwateng tooted his horn and drove off.
“I remember,” Rosina said, waving at her husband. “Now, he is an alert driver who doesn’t miss a beat.”
Chapter 13
When Ace’s Massachusetts’ driver, Dominic Esposito drove the limousine into the circular driveway of Steven and Bonnie’s home, Ace glanced at his watch, pleased that his day was going according to plan. His first appointment with Dexter Sawyer had gone well. Now, he hoped for the same with his parents.
“Thank you, Dominic. I think this will be it for the day.” Ace lifted his chin toward the colonial style home in the town of Wellesley. “You know my mother, I could be in there for twenty minutes or an hour.”
Dominic smiled.
“I will use one of my parent’s vehicles for my next appointment. After that, I will work from home. If anything changes, I will contact you.”
“Very well, sir,” Dominic said.
Ace covered the short distance to the steps of his childhood home and rang the bell. Shortly, the door opened, and a butler wearing formal attire poked his head out. “Mr. Davenport, I haven’t seen you in ages. How are you, sir?”
“I am great, Kingsley,” Ace replied. “How are you?”
“Every day I awake is a good day.” Kingsley stepped aside, allowing Ace to enter. “Your parents are in the sun room.”
“Thank you, Kingsley.”
Kingsley moved ahead of Ace.
“Don’t trouble yourself,” Ace said. “I think I can find the sun room.”
“Of course,” Kingsley said. “I will leave you to it.”
Ace studied Kingsley as he went off in the opposite direction, his once blond ponytail, now completely gray. Kingsley had been with his parents for as far back as he could remember, and he couldn’t recall ever seeing Kingsley upset.
After Kingsley had disappeared, Ace continued down the hallway. He entered the year-round octagon sun room, where a wall of picture windows offered unobstructed views of the wooded area. Ace loved the space. It was where he had often gone to solve his most challenging school assignments, and more often than not, it had worked. Ace stood in the doorway watching his parents. He admired the way they kept the spark lit in their marriage. In fact, he had always hoped t
o be as blessed as they. There might be hope, yet! Ace smiled, reflecting on the curve ball that the gods had recently thrown him.
Steven lifted his eyes from the New York Times and waved Ace over. “Son, this is a surprise. I thought you were still in New York. Are you all right?” Steven folded the paper, placing it beside his plate on the white wicker table.
Bonnie lifted her head from her crossword puzzle, sweeping Ace with a quick glance. She smiled. “Dear, you seem to be in such high spirits. Did you pop the question to Haley?”
Ace kissed his mother’s cheek. “No, Mother, I did not pop the question to Haley.”
“So why do you appear so …”
“Happy?” Ace asked.
“Yes,” Bonnie replied.
“Your mother is right, son, you are glowing. When did you get back from New York?”
“A few hours ago.”
“Have you eaten breakfast?” Bonnie asked
“I haven’t had time.”
“Pfft,” Bonnie said, rising from her seat. She went over to the wall and pressed a button on the intercom.
“Yes, ma’am,” a female’s voice replied.
“Anastasija, bring a place setting for my son.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Anastasija replied.
“Mother, I am not hungry,” Ace said, joining his father at the table.
“It’s settled,” Bonnie said. “You are not leaving here unless you eat something.”
Steven patted Ace’s arm. “Give it up, son, you know your mother is going to win this round.”
Ace smiled.
Bonnie retook her seat. “You are not engaged, so what is it?”
Ace reached for his wallet, removing the same photos he had shown his attorney. He smiled as he glanced at the three photos of Yasmine, wearing kitty face paint. He had fallen in love with the adorable photos after viewing them on Efia’s channel and printed them. He handed the photos to his father.
Steven examined the pictures. “Beautiful child, who is she?”
“Your granddaughter. Her name is Yasmine Acelyn. I recently found out about her.”
“What? Bonnie said with an air of incredulity. “Let me see those.” She examined the photos before lifting her gaze to Ace. “Is it safe to assume her mother is black?”
“Yes,” Ace said. “She was born in Ghana.”
“How did this happen?” Bonnie asked.
“Mother?”
Steven chuckled. “Now, dear, let us not have this conversation with our adult son.”
“You two are incorrigible,” Bonnie said. “You both know that is not what I meant.”
“Well what on earth did you mean, Mother?” Ace asked, feigning innocence.
“Don’t be simplistic, dear,” Bonnie said. “We haven’t seen you with anyone before Haley. This child is no less than five or so. Why are we now finding out about her? And why haven’t we met her mother? And when did you have time to do this?”
“One question at a time,” Ace said. “Her mother’s name is Efia Kwateng. I met her while I was at Calico Cays Resort.”
“The trip we forced you to take?” Bonnie asked.
Ace nodded.
Bonnie shook her head. “And now the mother has decided to contact you, after all these years, how strange?”
“It was a chance encounter,” Ace said.
“Isn’t that convenient?” Bonnie said. “Why would she keep this information hidden for so long? Surely, she knew you were wealthy, and her daughter would have been well-cared for.”
“She had her reasons, Mother,” Ace said forcefully. “And I am confident my daughter has received the best of care.”
“I guess you weren’t grieving as much as we thought,” Bonnie responded.
“Don’t be so harsh on Ace,” Steven said.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” a young woman with a polish accent said from the doorway.
Bonnie waved her over. “Come, Anastasija.”
Anastasija wheeled a food cart into the sun room. She removed a set of plates, glass, cloth napkin, cup, and saucer, placing them in front of Ace. Next, she added crepes, oatmeal, and Irish coffee.
“Thank you, Anastasija,” Ace said.
Red blotches rose on Anastasija’s neck and cheeks. “You are welcome.” Anastasija turned to Bonnie. “Will that be all, ma’am?”
“Yes,” Bonnie said. “Thank you.”
Anastasija peeked at Ace before exiting. When Ace sliced into the crepe, mushrooms and bacon oozed out. His stomach growled, and his eyes danced with mirth.
“Are you sure, you want me to have breakfast with you, mother.”
“Son, don’t tease your mother.”
“Are you sure you are the father?” Bonnie responded.
Ace coughed, chewed, and swallowed. “One hundred percent.”
“I didn’t know you were so inclined,” Bonnie said. “I have never seen you with a woman of color before. And I have seen you with loads of women before Jodi.”
“Don’t pigeonhole me, Mother. Efia is a lovely person. I connected with her on a level that went beyond her skin tone.”
“What about Haley?” Bonnie asked. “How will she deal with this news?”
“My daughter is my priority. I will speak with Haley later today.”
“Yes, of course.” Bonnie patted Ace’s arm. “Forgive me, son, but I will need some time to come to terms with this news.”
Ace knew his parents had every right to be stunned by the sudden news of their granddaughter’s existence. He didn’t fault his mother’s hesitation, but he knew which camp had his unwavering loyalty.
“Take all the time you need,” Ace said. “I would rather wait until you are comfortable with this information.” Ace wrapped his knuckles on the table. “I don’t want my daughter to sense any kind of indifference from either of you. And if you can’t be amicable, I would prefer we skip the meeting.”
Bonnie slapped her chest. “I am your mother.”
“And I am Yasmine Acelyn’s father. Therefore, I will do whatever it takes to protect her—that’s my job.”
“Your mother and I will be all right,” Steven said. “Whenever you deem it appropriate, we will be happy to meet our granddaughter.”
“What about Yasmine’s mother?” Bonnie said. “Efia is it?”
“What about her?” Ace asked.
“Are we going to meet her?”
“That is yet to be determined,” Ace said.
“I take it you two are not on good terms,” Bonnie said.
“I won’t discuss Efia with you, Mother.”
Bonnie sighed heavily. “If Piper came home and declared she had gotten married to an African man, it wouldn’t surprise me.” Bonnie shook her head. “I never saw this coming. I must tell you, son. I am still stunned.”
“As stunned as my engagement to Jodi?” Ace asked.
“More so,” Bonnie replied.
Ace took a sip of coffee. He picked up the cloth napkin from his lap, wiped his mouth, and placed it beside the plate.
“I am full of surprises, Mother, surely you should be used to it by now.” Ace kissed Bonnie’s cheek. “I will see myself out.” He made his way to the exit, stopping in the doorway. “I need to borrow one of your vehicles, Dad.”
“Help yourself,” Steven said. “You know where the keys are.”
“Thanks, Dad. By the way, after this weekend, I won’t be around for a while, I will be working out of New York City.”
<>
Ace grabbed the Mercedes Benz keys from a glass and wooden cabinet attached to the wall and made his way down the hallway, coming face-to-face with Leyland.
“Well, well,” Leyland said with a wide grin. “Who knew? Can’t say I blame you for taking a walk on the dark side of life.”
Ace’s fist connected to Leyland’s jaw, sending him sprawling to the floor. “You are a disgusting excuse for a human being.”
“What the hell is going on out here?” Steven asked, running into the hallway.
“What happened?” Bonnie asked, following Steven.
Ace stiffened as Steven and Bonnie pushed past him, helping Leyland to stand. Ace shook his head and strode off.
“Son, your mother asked you a question.”
“Ask your nephew,” Ace replied, advancing to the exit.
On the outside, Ace took a cleansing breath. He knew his relationship with Leyland was fast approaching the end, and for the first time, he was at peace with that realization. It was one thing for Leyland to hurl insults at him. However, he would not sit back and tolerate anyone subjecting Efia or his child to snubs. Not under my watch!
Chapter 14
Ace stepped off the elevator on the 3rd floor in Haley’s building. He made his way down the hall to her condo unit and rang the doorbell. Within seconds, Haley opened the door, her perfume engulfing him.
“Darling,” Haley said, offering Ace her red painted lips.
Ace leaned in kissing her cheek, instead. “How are you?”
“A lot better now that you are here,” Haley purred. “I miss you.”
“We need to talk.”
“Why so serious?” She waggled her eyebrows. “Why don’t we talk after?”
Ace followed Haley into the living room. He sat on Haley’s white sofa and unbuttoned his jacket. He lifted his eyes to Haley.
“I have some news that has changed the trajectory of our relationship,” he said.
“Oh?” Haley whispered.
Ace held Haley’s gaze. “I have been straightforward with you from the beginning. I am not going to sugar coat this.”
“We were happy before you left for New York City.” Haley inhaled and exhaled rapidly. “What happened in New York, Ace?”
“You don’t miss a beat, do you?”
Haley sauntered across the room to the chair facing Ace. “You were this close to asking me to be your wife,” she said, pinching her index finger and thumb together.
Ace dragged his hand down his face. He wasn’t going to debate Haley over her assumption.
“I have a four-year-old daughter.”