Chapter 12 Baye
Universal Studios
I had only been to Universal Studios one time, when I was twelve.
The nostalgic feeling I got when we walked through those gates gave me an excitement I hadn’t felt in a long time.
As soon as we got there, Carsyn wanted to ride the Simpson ride.
Since Chloe and Carlee were too small to get on, Alicia took them to the magic show they were doing across from the ride.
I could see the excitement on Carsyn’s face while we waited in line.
He was talking a mile a minute about what he wanted to do after this ride.
“Mr. B?”
“What’s up, lil G?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being here with us. My mom smiles a lot since you’ve been here. Can you please stay with us? My dad doesn’t want us no more, and I like having you around.”
My mind scrambled on what I could say to fix what was clearly broken. Alicia may have thought the kids weren’t feeling the absence of their father, but it was obvious that she was misinterpreting their silence.
I didn’t want to disappoint my guy, but staying with them would be a process that I was going to work toward making happen.
I looked down at Carsyn, who looked up at me with hopeful eyes.
“I’ll tell you what. You got me for as long as your moms need me, a’ight?”
He nodded. “A’ight . . . I see all my friends at school with their dads, and it kind of makes me sad. I don’t want to tell Mommy, because she always gets sad when I mention my dad. I don’t want her to be sad anymore, so I don’t say anything.”
“I know, but whatever you’re feeling, I’m sure she will always make it right for you.
Your mom may be sad, but she’ll be even sadder if she knows you’re hurt but holding it in.
Just like you’re comfortable with telling me how you feel, I want you to do the same with your moms, okay? She’s there to protect you.”
“Will you protect me too?”
I smiled at him. “Always. And should there ever come a time when I’m not there, you can always call me, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Now, can we get back to the fun? Sadness makes me itch,” I said, scratching my chest.
He laughed and nodded as we moved up in the line until it was finally our turn.
I was worried I wouldn’t be able to fit in the cart because of how tall I was, but we made it work, and Carsyn screamed his head off.
When he grabbed my hand, I knew he wanted to feel protected, and I was happy to oblige him.
From there, we did the Mario Go-Kart ride, Jurassic World ride, and toured Hollywood behind the set. Walking around this huge park, we had worked up an appetite and decided to eat at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., where her dad met us.
As soon as the kids saw him, Chloe and Carsyn rushed him.
“Grandpa!”
“My babies!” he exclaimed, scooping Chloe up, kissing her cheek, then bringing Carsyn in for a hug. He kissed the top of his head as Alicia slid out of the booth and went over to him. Carlee wasn’t paying anybody any mind as she sat on my lap, coloring one of the pictures the host had given them.
“Let’s say hi to your grandpa, baby girl,” I said to Carlee, standing and walking over to them. Her father looked at me after releasing Alicia.
I stuck my hand out for him to shake.
“Basil Cassidy.”
He reluctantly took my hand in a firm grip. “Noah Calvert. You must be this manny my daughter has been speaking about.”
“I am.”
“Mm. What are your intentions with my daughter?”
“Daddy, please, don’t. I already had to deal with your ex-wife embarrassing me. Please stall me out. Besides, Basil is engaged.”
“And your fiancée is okay with you taking care of another beautiful woman and her kids?”
I was humored, and I was sure it showed on my face. “It’s my job, sir.”
“Right. Lee-Lee, you don’t miss your grandpa?” he asked, reaching for her, but she turned away. “Wow, I see.”
“Let’s sit down so we can eat. We’re starving,” Alicia said, sliding back in the booth. Once we were all settled, Alicia smiled at her dad and took his hand. “How have you been, Daddy?”
“I’ve been good. The car wash/detailing shop has expanded to Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
My health is pretty good, although I almost had a diabetes scare.
And your grandmother is doing okay, even though she’s rocking my nerves with not taking her meds like she should.
But other than that, everything is good. ”
“What about Ms. Brandy?”
“No more Brandy.”
Alicia gasped. “Why? What happened?”
“Eh, I’m too old to be chasing behind a woman who doesn’t know what she wants. She wanted me to move to California with her, but my life is here. If we were married, I may have considered it, but she didn’t give me much hope to follow her.”
“Aww, I’m sorry, Daddy. I liked Ms. Brandy for you.”
“I liked Ms. Brandy too, Grandpa,” Chloe said.
“I know, cupcake, but Grandpa needs a break from finding grandmas for y’all.” Alicia and I laughed as his eyes came to me. “What’s your story, young man? Where’re you from, and what made you get into this business?”
I scratched my chin and looked him in the eyes.
“I’m from Detroit’s westside. I grew up on Eight Mile and Haggerty.
Pops owns a real estate company, and my moms was an accountant for Walmart, so I had a pretty good life.
My moms used to have a couple of friends that were single moms, and I saw how they struggled with their children.
Everything always looked good on the outside, but internally, I knew they were struggling.
“It also didn’t help that I was eavesdropping when they would be talking about hiring nannies because the load was too heavy.
” I chuckled. “Upon my discovery of this, I realized that they just needed a helping hand. When I graduated college, I only graduated with a degree in business. Didn’t know what I really wanted to do with it, but I knew I wanted to do something.
I worked at a daycare for four years, and from there, I knew what I wanted to do.
“Fast forward years later, I opened my company, Helping Hands Incorporated. Now, here I am, doing what I love.”
Mr. Noah nodded, looking over at his daughter, who was already staring at me.
I wanted to kiss those beautiful ass lips—both of them.
I knew the ones below had to be just as beautiful as the ones on her face.
It was wild that I sat here in front of her kids and father, thinking about sucking the juices out of her pussy, but I couldn’t help it.
My intrusive thoughts were taking over, and I knew I needed to get my shit together.
“Mm,” was his only response. “You like to fish?”
“Love to fish. Pops used to take me and my brother on the boat every weekend as young hoppers up until our teenage years.”
“I like that. Maybe we could go before y’all leave. It’s been a while since I went. My son hadn’t been to see me in over a year, so I haven’t had nobody to go with. Where is my son anyway? I thought you’d bring him.”
“Mommy said no. He’s been acting up in school, and he snuck a girl in the house.”
“I keep telling Nika to send his ass to me, but she just gotta be stubborn. Always gotta be in control.”
“You know how Mom is.”
“Yeah, controlling and spoiled as hell.” He chuckled. “So, what do you say, Basil?”
“If it’s okay with Ms. Alicia, I’d love to. I’m on her time.”
“I’m sure the girls can find them something to do while the boys have a little break.”
“You’ll teach me how to fish, Grandpa?” Carsyn asked.
“I wouldn’t be a grandpa if I didn’t teach my favorite boy!” he exclaimed, palming his head and shaking it.
The waitress finally came to take our orders, then we made light conversation until our food arrived.
After, we toured the rest of the park, played games, went shopping, and watched the live shows.
The feeling of nostalgia was still present as I watched the little ones enjoy their time here.
It was what they needed, and I was happy to witness their happiness.
It was nightfall by the time we made it back to the house. The kids were pooped as we helped them into their pajamas and into bed.
Alicia asked me if I wanted to watch a movie after our showers, and I didn’t hesitate to agree.
Any time I was able to spend alone with her was fine with me.
I hurriedly showered and put on some loungewear, then headed down to the living room, where Alicia sat, nursing a glass of wine and flipping through Tubi movies.
“Find something good yet?” I asked, rounding the couch and taking a seat.
“Not yet, but this one sounds interesting.” She put on the movie called The Maid Of Honor, then placed the remote on the table. We were silent for a moment before she looked over at me, smiling. “I don’t know if I want you to go fishing with my dad.”
“Why?”
“Because . . . I like having you here with me and the kids. It’s comforting.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Mm-hmm. I want to be selfish, but I also didn’t tell him you couldn’t, so now he’s looking forward to taking you and Carsyn away from me—us, I mean.”
“I could canc—”
“And have that man curse me out? I don’t think so.” She giggled.
Fucking sexy ass.
“Besides, he loves to fish, and I want him to be happy.” I could tell she may have had a few glasses since we’d been back from the park. Her eyes were slightly hooded, and she talked more than she’d ever talked since I’d been working for her.
I didn’t mind that at all. I was happy she was finally loosening up around me.
“Are you really engaged?”
“Never,” I replied honestly.
“Why did you fib?”
I smiled at her. “For you. I knew your moms was embarrassing you, so I wanted to throw you a bone.”
“Oh. That was sweet of you. Have you ever been in a relationship before?”
“I have.”
“What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?”