17. Mrs. Knight
T he results didn’t surprise me. The moment I first laid eyes on Donshay, I saw the Knight blood in him. It was in the shape of his face, the tilt of his chin, and most of all, in his eyes—sharp and discerning, just like his father’s. Still, hearing the confirmation had settled something in my chest. The baby was family.
I sat at my desk, the soft coo of Donshay filling the room as I thought about everything that would come next. Damier had taken the news maturely, but I knew him well enough to sense the weight he was carrying. Being a father would be the start of a new chapter for him, and while I was proud of how far he’d come, I couldn’t help but worry. Was he ready for this? Truly ready?
The door opened, pulling me from my thoughts. Damier stepped inside, dressed in a crisp black dress shirt and tailored slacks, his presence commanding as always. His eyes immediately found the baby, who was nestled in Marsha’s arms.
“Ma,” he greeted, walking over to me and placing a kiss on my cheek.
“Good to see you, son,” I said, standing to hug him. “You’re looking sharp and refreshed.”
He smirked. “A week’s vacation in Turks will do it to you.”
Marsha stood, smiling warmly as she handed Donshay to Damier. The baby looked up at him with wide eyes, and for a moment, the room seemed to pause.
“He knows you,” I said softly, watching as Damier cradled the baby like he’d been doing it his whole life.
He didn’t say anything, just stared down at the tiny face in his arms. His expression softened in a way I rarely saw, and I felt a flicker of hope.
“He really does look like us,” he finally said, his voice low.
“He does,” I agreed, sitting back down.
“I’ve been thinking about something,” he said, glancing at me. “I want to change his name to Donta… Donta Knight. For Dream’s brother.”
The suggestion caught me off guard, but only for a moment. A smile spread across my face. “That’s thoughtful, Damier. I like it. It’s a good way to show her—and everyone else—that you’re serious about this.”
He nodded, bouncing the baby gently in his arms. “I’m going to make moves to have him in the house with me. I need to do this right. He’s my responsibility now.”
I leaned back in my chair, studying him. “You’ve grown a lot, son. I can see it in the way you’re carrying yourself. But remember, it’s not just about doing what’s right—it’s about being consistent. That baby will need you, and so will Dream.”
At the mention of Dream, he smirked, his expression shifting into something lighter. “Speaking of Dream…” He hesitated, but only for a moment. “We’re engaged.”
The words hit me with a mix of pride and relief. “Engaged?” I repeated, a smile breaking across my face.
He nodded, his eyes meeting mine. “I proposed in Turks. She said yes.”
For a moment, I just stared at him, taking it all in. “Well,” I said, standing and walking over to him, “it’s about damn time. Dream is a good woman. She’s grounded, and she’s bringing out the best in you. I couldn’t be happier for you two.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “You think she’s grounded now? Wait until I bring her around for more family dinners. You’ll see how much she keeps me in check.”
I laughed, resting a hand on his shoulder. “That’s what you need. A partner who balances you.”
I watched Damier carefully, noticing the way his shoulders relaxed when he talked about Dream. The news of their engagement had softened the edges of his usual demeanor, and I couldn’t help but feel proud of him.
“King mentioned the meeting with Felix. He’s been keeping me in the loop.”
Damier’s smile faded slightly, replaced with the sharp focus I knew all too well. “Yeah, about that. I don’t want you there, Ma.”
I raised an eyebrow, folding my hands on the desk. “Excuse me?”
“I mean it,” he said firmly. “I’ll handle Felix. I don’t want you dragged into it. You’ve already done enough, and I don’t want to risk anything going sideways while you’re there.”
I studied him for a moment, letting his words hang in the air. “And what makes you think I can’t handle myself, son?”
He smirked, leaning forward slightly. “I know you can. But you’re a granny now, Ma. It’s time for you to retire and leave the heavy lifting to me, King, and Hocus.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head at his audacity. “A granny, huh? That’s what we’re doing now?”
“Tell me I’m wrong,” he said, the grin on his face unmistakable.
I sighed, my laughter fading into something more reflective. “I’ve been thinking about it, you know. Retiring.”
He raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. “You? Really?”
“Yes, me,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I’ve been in this life for decades, Damier. And while I’ll always protect this family, I’ve been wondering what it would feel like to step back. To focus on being a grandmother instead of running the show.”
He nodded slowly, the weight of my words sinking in. “You’ve earned it, Ma. Nobody would question you if you did.”
I smiled, reaching across the desk to place a hand on his. “I’ll think about it. But, for now, I’ll let you and King handle Felix. Just make sure you don’t let that man think he has any leverage.”
“Don’t worry,” he said, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. “I’ve got it under control.”
I squeezed his hand, a small smile tugging at my lips. “I know you do.”
As he leaned back in his chair, still holding the baby, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace. My son was stepping into his own, taking control of his life and responsibilities in a way that gave me hope. And while the thought of retiring was still new to me, I knew one thing for sure—if anyone could carry the Knight legacy forward, it was Damier.