by Skylar Ward
“Somewhere along the way, the boundary between employer and employee moved.” Ace slapped his chest. “I take responsibility for that movement. However, today, Mrs. Edwards, you stepped way beyond your station.”
Mrs. Edwards raised red, wet eyes to Ace.
“You disrespected me, Mrs. Edwards and I cannot have that.”
Mrs. Edwards shook her head. “I would never do that, Mr. Davenport.”
“You failed to see there is no separation between my daughter, my fiancée, and me. We are a unit. You can’t harm one without affecting the other. And today, you damaged two-thirds of that unit. How do you think that makes me feel?”
“My apologies, Mr. Davenport. I didn’t …”
“Jodi loved you, and I know you loved her,” Ace said, shutting down Mrs. Edwards’s excuse. “Therefore, I will see to it you are financially comfortable.”
“What are you saying?” Mrs. Edwards asked.
“Whatever you cannot take with you today, I will have sent to you,” Ace replied. “My lawyer will be in touch in a few days with your final paycheck, and your retirement funds.”
“Are you dismissing me, Mr. Davenport?”
“Yes, Mrs. Edwards, I certainly am,” Ace said. “Something, I should have done years ago.”
Mrs. Edwards rose from the chair and tottered across the room. At the door, she paused, staring back at Ace. Ace met her eyes without wavering. After several minutes, she left closing the door.
<>
After Mrs. Edwards had exited, Ace called Maggie on her cell phone.
“Please make an appointment for one of the local charities to pick up the contents from the nursery and from the master bedroom.”
He ended the call and opened the drawer. He removed Jodi’s photo. He stared at the punctured image. He placed the photo back in the drawer, closing it on his past. Knowing where his present and future were, Ace lifted the phone on his desk and called Efia’s cellphone.
“Hi, Sweetheart!” He listened. “Yasmine misses you too, but she is asleep now.” He nodded and smiled. “Do you think it is okay to tell Yasmine about Emma Francis? Are you sure?” I love you, Efia and I can’t wait to hold you. Ace laughed. “I am holding you to that.”
He ended the call.
Chapter 7
Sunday morning, Ace opened the door, and Yasmine ran ahead. “OMG, Daddy is this my room?
“Take a look at the bed, princess,” Ace said.
“This is a baby’s bed.”
“That’s right. This was Emma Francis’s bed. She was your sister.”
Yasmine shook her head. “No, I don’t have a sister.”
“Come, sit with your daddy.” Ace led Yasmine over to the rocker. He lifted her onto his knees. “Daddy is going to tell you an important story about our family, do you want to hear it?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“You have to listen carefully, okay?”
“I will, Daddy.”
“A long time ago before I met your mommy, I met another woman. Her name was Jodi. We fell in love and got married. Then she became pregnant with your sister Emma Francis.”
“Like Mommy, with me in her tummy on YouTube?”
Ace laughed. “Yes, princess, just like your mommy.”
“Where is Emma Francis, Daddy?”
“Something went wrong when Emma Francis was born.” Ace took a deep breath. “Emma Francis and her mommy were too sick to live in this world, so they had to leave.”
“Did they go to heaven?” Yasmine asked.
Ace sniffed. “Yes, princess, they went to heaven.”
Yasmine pointed to the photo on the wall.
Ace placed Yasmine on her feet. He went over and removed the photo. He brought it over to Yasmine.
“This is Jodi and your daddy on our wedding day,” he said.
“Where is Emma Francis’ picture?”
Ace took the picture frame apart, removing a photo of Emma Francis, dressed in a white layette gown surrounded by white and pink flowers.
“Is she sleeping, Daddy?”
“Yes, princess,” Ace said. “This photo was taken the day we said our goodbyes so she could go off to heaven.”
“Oh, okay,” Yasmine said.
Ace gazed at Yasmine, amazed how calmly she was taking in the information. He placed the photos in the crib.
Efia was right, he thought, ‘Just keep it simple,’ she had said. “Come here, princess, I still have to tell you the rest of the story.”
Ace sat on the floor with Yasmine. “Daddy was sad for a long time, then something incredible happened for your daddy. Do you know what that something was?”
Yasmine shook her head.
“I found out that I was blessed with another daughter.”
“Me!”
“Yes, you.” Ace hugged Yasmine close to his heart. “I love you Yasmine Acelyn. I love you more than the air I breathe.” He sniffled and released Yasmine.
“Do you love Mommy, too, Daddy?”
“Yes, princess. I love your mother beyond words.”
“Yeah,” Yasmine said.
Ace stood, feeling like a building had been lifted from his chest. He reached into the crib, removing a small, monogrammed stuffed bear.
“Is this for me, Daddy?”
“No, princess.” Ace showed Yasmine, the bear. “See, the name says, Emma Francis. When we get to Grandma Bonnie’s home, I want you to give this to her, okay.” He handed the bear to Yasmine. “Take good care of it, until then.”
Yasmine hugged the bear to her chest and patted its back. “I will take care it for my sister, Daddy.”
“I know, princess.”
<>
Later in the day, Steven swept Yasmine into his arms, kissing her on the forehead. “What do you have here? Is this your favorite stuff animal?”
“This is Emma Francis’ bear,” Yasmine said. “She is my sister.”
“Yes, she is,” Steven said with a choked voice.
“Good afternoon, Yasmine,” Bonnie said, entering the room. She reached for her granddaughter. And Steven released Yasmine into Bonnie’s waiting arms.
“Good afternoon, Grandma Bonnie, this is for you.” Yasmine handed over the stuffed animal.
Bonnie’s lips quivered, and she took the bear. “Ace, are you sure about this?”
Ace stepped beside Bonnie. He kissed her cheek. “Yes, Mother. I want you to have it.”
“I will put it away,” Bonnie said.
“You don’t have to hide it, Mother. I want you to display it, proudly.”
Bonnie pressed her lips together and lifted her eyes skyward.
“We have to leave,” Ace said.
“We were expecting to spend some time with Yasmine,” Bonnie responded. “I thought you were leaving later tonight.”
“We are returning early,” Ace said. “I want to surprise Efia.”
“Have you picked a date for the betrothal party?” Bonnie asked.
“You have to speak to Efia, Mother. Whatever time she chooses will work for me.”
Chapter 8
Acutely aware of the changing dynamics of her life, Efia glanced at the email she had received from Bonnie, requesting the name of her favorite charities. Instead of betrothal gifts, they were asking guests to make charitable donations.
Betrothal? Efia made a face. That word will take some getting used to. Efia popped a piece of fruit into her mouth and typed: aspca.org, foodbanknyc.org, and Citymeals on Wheels. She hit SEND and checked the time.
It was 4:45 P.M.
Determined to leave work by five, she grabbed her bag from the desk drawer. I can’t believe how tired I am. She felt her forehead. Hopefully, I am not coming down with a bug.
The intercom on the phone buzzed.
Whatever emergency this is, Rohan will have to deal with it. She pushed the button. “Efia Kwateng speaking.”
“Efia, Ace Davenport is here to see you.”
“Ace is here!” When the shock wore off, Efia said,
“Thank you, Madison, I will be right up.”
Efia shut the computer down and hung her bag across her body before hurrying from the office. She scanned the lobby for Ace, spotting Yasmine leading the way with Ace trailing behind. She also noticed Viktor over by the welcome desk, speaking with Madison.
“Mommy!”
As Efia made her way to Yasmine, Viktor made her his way to Efia.
“Your daughter is here?” he asked.
“She is,” Efia replied, reaching for Yasmine.
“Are you surprised to see me, Mommy?”
“Yes, I am,” Efia said, kissing Yasmine’s cheek. “Say hello to Viktor, Yasmine. He is my boss.”
“Daddy is the boss, Mommy.”
Efia shook her head while Viktor laughed.
“There are different levels of bosses, sweetie. Your dad is the top boss, and Viktor is your mommy’s immediate manager.”
“Hello,” Yasmine said.
Viktor clasped Yasmine’s tiny hand. “After watching you on YouTube, this feels like déjà vu.”
When Viktor released Yasmine’s hand, and Efia put her down, Yasmine tapped Efia. “What’s déjà vu, Mommy?”
“It’s a feeling that you have experienced something before. Viktor feels like he met you before, sweetie.”
“Hi, sweetheart,” Ace said, joining the group.
“Mr. Da-ven-port” Viktor stammered.
“Relax, Nilsson,” Ace said. “I am here to get my fiancée.” Ace kissed Efia’s cheek. “Ready?”
The blood drained from Viktor’s face, and his eyes expanded. He opened his mouth. He closed his mouth.
“Bye, Viktor, I will see you tomorrow,” Efia said.
“Bye, Viktor,” Yasmine said.
Viktor waved.
As Efia, Ace, and Yasmine headed to the exit, Madison and a few female guests turned their attention to Ace. Ace turned neither left nor right. He kept his head straight ahead with one hand at the small of Efia’s back. When Madison realized that Efia had been watching her, she gave a bashful thumb up.
Efia didn’t blame the women because she too had fallen under Ace’s spell when they first met. She gazed at Ace’s face, admiring his confidence and his capacity to tune out the admirers. Efia’s lower region pulsed at the sight of his five o’clock shadow, the stubble, adding a touch of edginess to his sex appeal. God, he is beyond hot! I can’t wait to get him home! As if reading her thoughts, Ace winked, sending Efia’s heart into a nosedive.
<>
In the car, Yasmine recounted her weekend, leaving nothing out before snoozing. Livid that someone had yelled at her daughter, Efia fumed, “I wish I were there to give that woman a piece of my mind.”
Ace took Efia’s hand. “Mrs. Edwards is out of our lives, let us not dwell on her.”
“She is lucky it was you and not me.”
“No,” Ace said calmly. “She is lucky she is not a man.”
Yasmine’s head slid into an awkward position, Efia slipped her hand from Ace’s and tended to Yasmine.
“I asked Maggie to donate the contents of the nursery and master bedroom,” Ace said.
When Efia finished adjusting Yasmine in her seat, she cupped Ace’s jaw. “Are you okay?”
“Surprisingly, yes,” Ace replied. He reached into his pocket, removing Efia’s ring. “I have an appointment with the therapist for Thursday. Do you trust me enough to accept this ring now, or do I have to wait until then?”
Efia extended her hand.
Ace slid the ring on and pulled Efia’s finger between his lips. When he let her finger go, he whispered, “You and Yasmine have my unwavering love, you can be assured of that. You have been my rock since our time spent together at Calico Cays Resort. You lifted the darkness from my life and gave me hope. I should have sought help sooner, and I should have reached out to you. I hope you can forgive me.”
“We both made mistakes,” Efia said. “Let us be grateful we got a second chance.”
Ace kissed Efia softly on the lips. “Thank you.” He regarded Yasmine in her booster seat. “There are no words for her—for what she means to me.”
“I know,” Efia whispered and rubbed her stomach.
“Are you okay?”
“Just a bit of indigestion,” she replied.
Ace nodded.
“I hope you know my goal wasn’t to make you forget your family,” Efia whispered. “I wanted you to get the coping skills to deal with the times when you get an attack of guilt.”
“I know.” Ace kissed Efia’s cheek. “On another note, we need to purchase a new home in Massachusetts? One that you can put your stamp on. And the sooner, the better.”
“Won’t you have to sell your current home first?” Efia asked.
“No, Efia,” Ace chuckled. “I think we can afford it. We’ll put the current house on the market. Whenever it sells, it sells. I plan to donate Jodi’s paintings to several local charities. I will keep two of the paintings at my office.”
“It wouldn’t bother me if you kept them at the house.”
“Thank you, but I think the office is best.” Ace took Efia’s hand, kissing it. “Our home will be our haven. I don’t want anything to intrude on our sanctuary.”
“Thank you,” Efia said, running the back of her hand along Ace’s jawline.
“You need to set aside some time to interview the current staff.”
Efia lifted a brow.
“To decide which employees will remain in our employment, and to see if you need to hire additional staff.”
Efia ran her fingers along Ace’s thigh. “I might have more time, sooner than you think.”
“Oh?”
“I am ready to take you up on that offer.”
Ace reached over, clicking Efia’s seat belt. He yanked her into his lap. “What made you change your mind?”
Efia smiled, thinking how Sam had been able to voice what she had been unable to put into words.
“Sam visited me at work over the weekend.” Feeling Ace’s body stiffened, Efia forged ahead. “Something he said, made me see the big picture.”
“Well, what do you know!” Ace nibbled Efia’s ear. “I am indebted to Sam.”
Chapter 9
Around eight o’clock on the night of the betrothal party, Ace, dressed in a tuxedo with a black bow tie, made his way down the hallway where the ladies were being adorned by a makeup artist hired by Bonnie.
The door cracked opened, and Piper stuck her face out. “Hi, big brother.”
“Where are my girls?”
“Half of the duo is coming up,” Piper said before closing the door.
Ace smiled, acknowledging that his sister was a perpetual clown, but he loved her nonetheless. When the door reopened, Yasmine exited, wearing a blush pink, satin ankle-length dress with a deeper shade of pink sash around her waist.
“Hi, Daddy.”
Ace crouched giving Yasmine a kiss. He stood. “Turn around let me see your dress, princess.”
Yasmine twirled, and her outfit and drop curls followed her movement. “You like my dress, Daddy?”
“It’s pretty, princess, but you know what …”
Yasmine shook her head.
“You are prettier than this dress—than any dress.”
“Oh, Daddy, you are so silly.”
Ace held Yasmine, steadying her. “Where is your mother?”
“She is getting lots of makeup,” Yasmine whispered. “Mommy is pretty.”
The door opened, and Piper dressed in a form-fitting rose gold dress emerged.
“Allow me to present the queen, your highness,” Piper said, genuflecting.
Ace fixed his eyes on Efia. “Bye, Piper.”
“I get no respect around here.” Piper grasped Yasmine’s hand. “Come on, sweetheart, you are riding with me.”
“Bye, Mommy. Bye, Daddy.”
The makeup artist soon appeared wheeling a carry-on type bag behind him. “It was a pleasure working with you, Efia,” he said.
“Thanks, Filipe.”
Ace and Efia gazes remained transfixed on each other as Piper, Yasmine, and Filipe disappeared down the hallway.
“I told Filipe the lashes are too much,” Efia said, turning toward the door. “I’ll remove them.”
Ace reached for Efia’s arm, stopping her progression. “It’s perfect. Everything is perfect. You are beyond stunning.” He offered her his arm. “May I?”
Efia switched her Judith Leiber gold clutch to her left hand and accepted Ace’s offered arm. “Thank you. I love your tux.”
“Thank you,” Ace said. “Our parents are waiting.”
“Then let us not keep them waiting,” Efia responded.
“Have I told you, today, that I love you?”
Efia nodded. “But I never get tired of hearing it.”
“In that case, I love you!” Ace said.
<>
When Efia and Ace made their way into his parents’ home. Efia spied her father, Mr. Patterson and his friend conversing with Bonnie and Steven. The men dressed in black suits, while Bonnie wore a red gown, and Mr. Patterson’s friend a silver gown.
Efia breathed a sigh of relief as the group appeared comfortable in each other’s presence. When Steven said something and Mr. Kwateng laughed heartily, Efia went from a feeling of relief to shock. She stopped walking.
“What’s wrong?” Ace whispered.
“Dad seems happy.”
“Do you think some of that happiness will rub my way?”
“Let us hope,” Efia replied.
Rosina, dressed in a soft turquoise satin gown with silver embellishments, greeted Ace and Efia. “There you are,” she said. “I am glad you settled on the mermaid dress, it’s beautiful.” Rosina held Efia at arm’s length, examining the one-shoulder, fitted black gown.
“You look beautiful too Mom. I love your outfit.”
“Thank you, my child,” Rosina said.
“Dad looks handsome in his black suit,” Efia whispered.
“He does.” Rosina laughed. “He looks years younger.”
Piper, Yasmine, two women, several kids around Yasmine’s age, and a man dressed in a clown attire came into the center hall. Yasmine ran to Efia’s side.