Chapter 14
Or a day of shopping and entertaining others, perhaps?
“How many dolls do you two think he needs?” Sasha’s story broke my heart, and I felt for him, just as the boys did. Samian looked at him with hearts in his eyes, and I knew right then my baby brother had found his forever. Now I wondered if they’d join us up north or stay in the city.
My vote was for up north.
“Twenty,” Trey said at the same time Tae hollered, “A hundred.” Sasha stood nearby giggling. In the end, they each bought him two with their own money, while Samian bought him a few doll accessories. Chuck and I had already decided to build Sasha a special doll house.
“Let’s get going, Angel, we have a wedding to star in.”
“Yup, but it can’t happen without us there,” the little shit teased, but acquiesced. I was so proud of Trey and Tae for the way they’d opened their hearts to Sasha. Though we hardly knew him, I could tell he’d been hurt. And to see the way Samian was with him warmed me to the core.
Not only had Momma and Grandma done a good job raising Chuck and Trey, but I now knew I hadn’t done such a bad job myself. Sometimes, we just needed a bit of reassurance.
We loaded up in the trucks, Tae, Trey, and Sasha in the back seat of mine and Samian in the passenger seat, while Chuck had Mom and Grandma. Both had a couple of errands to run and came along with us.
The boys chatted all the way home. Beyond adorable, I loved how happy they were.
“What costume did you get?” Trey asked Sasha.
Sasha ducked his head and whispered, “A princess.”
“You’re gonna be the prettiest princess at the wedding,” Tae replied.
“I can’t wait to see it. We have to take lots of pictures in our costumes,” Trey added. The boys didn’t even blink an eye.
“What if someone makes fun of me?” Oh, this poor boy tugged at all our hearts.
“Then they’ll have a lot of angry Daddies to answer to,” I said. “That’s not nice, and we don’t like bullies.”
“See, Sasha, I told you everything would be alright. You just had to have faith in your Daddy.”
“Sorry, Daddy, just those who were supposed to love me only loved the version they wanted me to be.”
“They don’t sound nice at all,” Trey said. “You should move up here with us.”
Sasha perked up. “I’d like that, a lot.”
Samian side-eyed me, and I knew a private conversation between the two of us was coming. “Why don’t you boys get ready at Chuck and Tae’s with Momma and Grandma while the Daddies finish up a few things.”
“’Kay, Daddy. We can get your new dollies dressed up for the wedding, too,” Trey said. As soon as we got home, Sasha and Tae took Sasha’s stuff into Chuck’s place while Trey ran inside to gather all his costume makings. “Kisses, Daddy.” He puckered up.
“I love you, Angel.”
“And I love you, Daddy. Meet you in two hours in front of all our family.”
“That you will.” I watched him run off and into Chuck’s cabin. I was a lucky motherfucker.
“It looks good on you,” Samian said. For a moment, I’d forgotten he stood nearby.
“What does?”
“Being in love.”
“The same could be said for you, but I have a feeling we’re about to have a heavy conversation?”
He sighed. “Yeah, yeah. Can we go inside?”
“After you. Want a beer?”
“A bit of liquid courage couldn’t hurt.” I pulled two from the fridge and handed him one. “So, Sasha. I don’t know what it is, but from the moment I met him, I’ve been Daddy-bear protective. Is that how it is for you and Chuck?”
“And then some. I fear for anyone who crosses our boys.”
“Whew.” He relaxed back. “I was walking through the quad and heard this tiny, hurt voice. I know eavesdropping is frowned upon, but he was so upset that I just couldn’t help myself.
I later found out he was on the phone with his parents.
He was begging them to let him come home.
He didn’t want to go to college and was absolutely terrified.
Needless to say, they told him, and I quote, if you don’t man up and do as you’re told, you’re out of the family. ”
“What the hell?”
“Exactly. He barely got the words out later when he told me what they’d said.
I just knew from the second he opened up to me that he was a Little and without a doubt, I was meant to be his Daddy.
Sasha hates college, but he loves to design and create doll clothes.
His parents literally got rid of all his toys and every piece of clothing he’d made.
His father said boys don’t play with dolls and they sure as hell don’t wear dresses.
I’m telling you, if I ever meet that man, well, let’s just hope one of us has bail money. ”
“Brother, we won’t let it come to that. Tell me how we can help.”
“See, this is how a family should be. Fuck, man, the way Tae and Trey are with him is everything. This is what Sasha needs, to see that he’s not a freak and should be allowed to be his true self.”
“That goes without saying.” But what was he holding back? “Spill it, Samian.”
He smiled and took a drink. “You know me too well, Brother. You know I’ve fast-tracked and doubled up on my classes.
I’m graduating early, and I’d like to know if Sasha and I can move up here?
He’s staying with me in my dorm right now, and I think the only reason we haven’t been called out for that is because he’s still taking classes.
But he’s not signing up for another semester. ”
“You know we’d love to have you here, but will you be happy? You worked your ass off to get your bachelor’s in accounting. Is that just gonna fall to the wayside or do you already have a job lined up?”
His eyes lit up and I knew what was coming before he said it. “I was hoping to join the family business.”
I lost it. I swear to whatever deity there may be my brother just did the absolute worst Godfather impression in history. “Yeah, I’d stick with the accounting degree and never step foot on stage.”
That gave us both a good laugh. “Do you and Chuck need an accountant and what would it take to get a cabin built for Sasha and me?”
I slid my phone out and made a call. “Hey, can you come over? Samian needs to talk to you.”
“Way to throw me under the bus, bro.”
“Nope, now it’s time for you to pitch that fancy degree to us and sell us on your skills.” Samian sucked down his beer when in walked Chuck a few minutes later with his costume in hand.
“Everything okay?” Poor Chuck, the gentle soul was always concerned with everyone else.
“Samian wants to interview for the job of Ashwood’s accountant.”
“Did we put up a job listing I was unaware of?”
“Nope, says he wants to join the family business.” Jeez, my impression was equally as horrible as Samian’s and bad enough to have Chuck rolling.
“Alright, Samian.” Chuck sat on the sofa with me, Samian in the chair across from us. “Sell yourself.”
ASU must’ve required the students take a course on how to interview, or knowing my brother, he took one on the side. Samian sold it like he was interviewing with a Fortune 100 company. Gotta admit, I knew he was a brainiac, but to hear him share his accolades was quite impressive.
“You know family comes first at Ashwood,” Chuck chimed in, just as he had when we interviewed the employees down in Phoenix. “And we’re a family owned and operated business.”
“I do, and I feel the same way, which is why I believe I’d be an asset to the Ashwood team.”
Damn, go baby bro!
“My business partner Oscar and I will need to discuss this. We’ll get back to you by the end of the week with our offer,” Chuck said, Samian and I both paused.
“Offer, sir?” Samian questioned. “Don’t you mean with your decision?”
“Nope, I mean offer. Oscar never would’ve called me over for this discussion had he not already believed it to be a good idea. Am I wrong, Oscar?”
“Nope.”
“But we need to crunch some numbers. Right now, it’s not full-time work, but I’d suggest networking with the locals this evening and maybe find some side work to set up too. When were you looking to move up here?” Chuck asked.
“Honestly, as soon as I graduate, but Sasha will be with me. Should we look to rent a place in town?”
“The hell you will,” Chuck said. “This is our family’s home, and this is where our family will be.”
Chuck had it going on. This was a fun battle to sit back and take in. I was game for it all the way around, but the show they were putting on was Oscar, he-he, worthy.
“Oscar and I will draw up plans for a place. I’m guessing two rooms? One for your bedroom and one for a playroom for Sasha?”
“Chuck.” Samian shook his head. “I’m at a loss for words. A job, a home, and you’re already including Sasha in the family.”
“That is how the Ashwood family rolls, dear brother-in-law.”
“Alright, you mushy fuckers, while this has been fun and all, we have a bigger event to get ready for. Welcome to the Ashwood family, Samian. Now, let’s get me married.”
After we hugged it out, everyone picked a room and got ready. Now, it was time to meet my husband-to-be at the altar.