Chapter 6 #4
“Do you know something? Have you been keeping it from me all this time?” she demanded.
It was official; Junior was out of her arms and on the ground.
He was active as hell. Having a child in my old age was a challenging experience, but I loved that boy, and I had wanted a son all my adult life.
He got down on all fours at his sister’s feet and then sat right down on his bottom to play with a balloon.
There was a sea of them floating around the yard.
“This ain’t the time or place for this, Harmonie.”
“Oh, I think it’s the perfect damn time to air everything out,” she sneered, eyes scanning the crowd as people poured in for the party.
My daughter abruptly brought herself to her feet, and before she could even straighten her fucking back, I seized her wrist and kept her in front of me. With one hard glare, it shook her, and she didn’t budge.
“Sit your ass down,” I told her, my teeth gritted together tightly.
“I’m going to get a drink. Calm down,” she insisted, yanking from my grip and turning toward the house.
While she was gone, my phone buzzed in my pocket, and I went to retrieve it.
Junior peered up at me with big, curious eyes, but he didn’t budge from where he was sitting as he starting swinging his arms happily.
Staring at the screen, I saw a text message had been delivered.
A slight grimace of confusion filled my face, and I went to check the message.
What came across the screen brought my blood pressure up, and my adrenaline overwhelmed me as murderous thoughts filled my head.
I had Ohan tailing Chaya just for shits and giggles and to appease my own suspicious mind.
When I followed her, everything seemed legit, but the images I scrolled through now were proof that she was on some pure fuck shit.
Nostrils flaring, blood warmed my veins coursing through me.
Chaya was entering a hotel with another man escorting her as if he were very familiar with her. Head low with a baseball cap concealing her, she didn’t look scared. My phone rang next, and Ohan was on my line.
“The fuck is this?” I didn’t have any patience.
“Just doing what you asked. How you want me to move on this?” Ohan queried.
Staring down into my son’s innocent face, I was conflicted.
With Halo, I snapped, and now, she was no longer here.
I didn’t want to make the same mistake twice.
Betrayal was not some shit I took lightly, and you got only one chance to have me looking like a fool.
Chaya’s time was up. Seeing the truth only assured me that I’d been right all this time, and she was on some sneaky link shit.
“Stay on her. I’m doing something else right now. If she leaves, let me know. I’ll call you when I’m done. And find out who this mothafucka is,” I instructed before hanging up.
“Dada.” Junior began crawling toward me, and I scooped him into my lap.
“What’s up, man? Daddy’s here, and I’m not going anywhere,” I insisted while he peered up into my face.
Not too much later, the party was in full swing. The guests were here, and we all gathered on the patio for the birthday girl to emerge. Harbor stood with Frequency at his side as Ivy slowly paraded through the back sliding doors and onto the terrace.
“Happy birthday!” the crowd cheered for her, and she beamed happily. Doing a curtsy in her black ruffled skirt, yellow bodysuit, and black customized jacket she posed then waved to her audience.
Two feed in braids crowned her head and draped down her back.
I noticed Harmonie in the background gripping a red plastic cup, but the envious stares she had on her own sister were alarming.
I didn’t know how I’d never caught it in the past. I was so busy making sure that Harmonie didn’t get into trouble that I was a lot more relaxed on Harbor, but my expectations were high.
It was the opposite for Harmonie, and I allowed her to get away with a lot.
She was, after all, twenty-five years old and still living at home with no real goals.
There was another woman in the background, and I was curious about her because she, too, seemed rather caught up in Frequency and Harbor.
Jealousy was heavy in the surrounding air.
Harbor stepped up to Ivy, placing her arms over her shoulders and drawing her closer while facing the crowd.
Frequency hung back, tilting his own plastic cup to his lips while his friend, Ledge, remained at his side doing the same.
“Thank you everyone for coming. As most of you know, this girl is very special to me,” Harbor announced proudly.
Ivy lifted her eyes, and they sparkled when she smiled at Harbor.
“Ivy and I didn’t start off on the good foot when we first met.
But the more I got to know her, the more I understood her.
She’s beautiful, loving, helpful, and smart as hell.
I feel very blessed to even know her, and I hope that I am able to watch her blossom into a woman that will make her mark on the world.
Happy birthday, ladybug.” She kissed the girl’s cheek, and Ivy wrapped her arms around her waist and embraced her tightly.
“Thanks, Harbor. I love you,” Ivy said, and I could tell that it shocked my daughter.
Her eyes widened, then glossed over, and she swiped away a tear that slipped down her cheek.
“I love you too, so much.” Harbor practically bubbled over.
The dark-skinned woman lingering in the background rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed by the show of affection that they were putting on display for everyone to see.
“Well, let’s party! Grab a bag on your way into the yard. It’s full of goodies and has a roll of tickets so that you can enjoy all the games and rides set up.”
“Yes!” Ivy raced out first, ahead of everyone, and most of her classmates followed behind while their parents or caretakers took seats at the surrounding tables.
My eyes connected with my daughter’s across the room, and after a few words with her friend, Chevy, she made her way over to me.
I bounced Junior in my lap as he played with my cell phone in his hand.
Harbor gave him the warmest smile when she came over, and his little face lit up, returning the gesture.
“He’s gotten so big since the last time I saw him,” she gushed, taking the seat that Harmonie gave up about thirty minutes ago.
“Yeah, becoming a real handful. Been a long time since I had one this young in the house,” I joked, making her snicker.
“Well, as a new mother of two, I get that. The twins aren’t even crawling yet, but they are giving me a run for my money.” She was practically glowing, yet there was a small hint of sadness behind her stare.
“Everything okay with you? I know with the news breaking and everything—”
“I’m fine. You know me. I bounce back like a cat,” she insisted.
“Yes, you do.” I nodded. “You seem happy here, Harbor. And if that’s the case, I am happy for you.
I’m sorry for everything else. For not believing you and for accusing you of purposely disappearing.
I’m not sure how you and Frequency got here, but it seems like its consenting.
I can tell he cares a lot about you. As your father, that’s all I ever wanted for you.
I made a lot of mistakes over the years. Some things I can’t take back.”
“No, you can’t. I don’t want to dwell on that either.
Not today, not here. I don’t know where Free and I stand right now, because I am not living here.
We’ve got a few things we have to work through because of the twins, and I am not sure what that all looks like right now.
It’s been a lot to take in. Today is about Ivy.
I planned all this, and I want her to enjoy herself.
You should take him out there and get on a few of the rides with him.
” She reached out and played with her brother’s fingers.
“Well, well, what’s this… having a bonding moment?” Harmonie’s voice taunted us as she stepped up behind Harbor.