Chapter 7 #2
Over breakfast Kiyan’s parents and I got to know each other more.
I’d learned from Mel that they were from Chicago, but they went a little deeper with their roots.
I shared a little about myself and my parents with them as well when they asked if me and Ava had family here.
Around this time of year, it was always a little rough for me because my parents loved Christmas but seeing them became scarce after I married Aldrick then I lost them both very close together.
After we were done eating, we headed out.
I saw why Kiyan’s mother liked to get to the tree farm early because it was already swarming with people by the time we made it.
Luckily, there were plenty of trees that were up to his and his parents standards.
When I saw the one that they’d chosen, I wondered how we’d get the massive tree back to his place.
I knew from the décor, and the height of his ceilings that he’d definitely need a pretty good-sized tree, but we’d rode in his G-Wagon and there was no way that he was getting that tree on top of his car.
“How in the world are you getting this back? It’s way too big to tie to the top of your car.
” I’d stayed back with him at the tree farm while his parents took Ava to see the reindeer.
I didn’t think she’d go at first, but she shocked me by latching onto his dad’s hand and tugging him away when she heard the mention of Santa.
“They have a delivery service,” he chuckled. “Regardless of the tree’s size it wasn’t going on top of my ride.”
“I didn’t even think of that.” I shook my head and palmed my face. “I would have been in here trying to tie mine to the top of my Camry.”
He tore his eyes away from the men that were tying up the tree. “Your husband didn’t go out and get a tree for your family?”
“Oh, no,” I shook my head. “He barely liked to celebrate any holidays, so going out to get a tree wasn’t happening.” I chuckled awkwardly. “And, like I said, I didn’t have a way to get a live one and bring it home, so Ava and I got a nice full fake tree that we could just put up every year.”
“You know the more I learn about your husband, the less and less I like him, and the less I understand how he ended up with a woman like you.”
“Aldrick hasn’t always been as horrible as he is now.”
“No?” he angled his head to the side. “Your eyes light up when I give you the simplest comment. When you hear how beautiful you are, you’re stumped like it’s the first time you’ve ever heard it, and you flinch at even a hint of kindness. None of that translates to a married woman.”
“I know, but I didn’t focus on that. My focus was just on my daughter and taking care of home.”
“But who was taking care of you?” he asked and it paused me.
I was always so busy with things around the house or making sure that Ava and Aldrick were good, I never really stopped to think about that. To me, I was good. I had my routine down pat, and I was too busy to think about myself.
“Who made sure that you weren’t breaking under all of that pressure?
” he continued. “I’ve never been married, but I’ve watched my father show up for my mother everyday my whole life.
She pours into him, and he turns around to pour into her in return.
It’s more than providing money and a roof.
He took care of her physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Daily, so that she could do her part in return.
That’s what marriage is, taking care of each other. You deserved that. You still do.”
“I—I don’t even know what to say to that,” I admitted.
I’d gone so long without any compassion from my husband that it had become a norm for me.
We had sex like any other couple, but it was almost mechanical—like we did it because it’s what we were supposed to do.
Date nights didn’t exist anymore because I didn’t want to leave Ava with anyone else, and he wasn’t willing to go out with her, so it faded into the background.
Reaching for my hand, he gave it a gentle squeeze and me a smile.
“You don’t have to say anything, love. I just wanted to remind you that you’re as special a woman as my mom is and you deserve the kind of love that she experiences every day.
” He gave me a firm nod. “They’re done with the tree, so we can go find Ava and my parents. ”
With my hand still in his, he led me through the farm toward the area where Santa and his reindeer were.
I expected to find a small fenced in area where there would be a man dressed up with a couple of deer, but instead there was a small barn that had been all dressed up for the holiday with North Pole across the top.
There was a small stand with a hot cocoa bar set up outside the door, so I got some for me, Ava, and Mrs. Latrina since Kiyan declined and said his father would too.
I did, however, get us all one of the gingerbread cookies that Mrs. Claus was giving out before we entered.
It was so cute on the inside. They had people dressed up like elves and a little assembly line set up to make it look like it was Santa’s workshop.
It was adorable. We moved further inside where we found families lined up so their child could tell Santa what they wanted and take pictures.
Ava was at the front of the line when we made it to them.
She was a bit skeptical when it was her turn to go up, so I went with her.
I was so grateful that the owner, who I learned was the one playing Santa, was being so patient with her.
She was so excited to see him and the reindeer, but clammed completely up when she made it up front, but with some encouragement from us all, she was able to tell him what was on her Christmas wish list and get an amazing picture.
I was also able to get her with Rudolph and the rest of the gang as well.
Once we wrapped things up there, we went into town to hit some of the stores since Kiyan insisted.
I was only going to get a few things to appease him, but his mother wasn’t going for it.
She made sure that we got plenty of clothes, shoes, and toys for Ava, and more than enough for me as well.
I felt bad on the inside, but they were very insistent.
I grabbed some wrapping paper to wrap the things I got for Ava even though she’d seen some of it.
I wanted her to get up and still be able to unwrap her stuff on Christmas day.
“I noticed that you didn’t put any of the gifts under the tree,” Mrs. Latrina said as she kneaded the dough that she prepared earlier.
We’d been back to Kiyan’s place for a few hours, so while Kiyan and his parents did the tree and Ava took a nap, I wrapped her stuff then stored them in the closet area in the room we were staying in.
By them time I was done, Kiyan was in his home office getting some work done, so I let him know I was going to help his mom with dinner since he’d told me she was in the kitchen preparing to cook.
I walked over to the sink to wash my hands before responding, “Yeah, I just put them in the closet upstairs.”
“May I ask why?”
“I—I don’t know,” I shrugged. “I’ve imposed enough. I didn’t feel right putting our stuff under you guys’ tree.”
“Did my son say that you were imposing?” She quizzed and I shook my head.
“The complete opposite actually,” I chuckled. “He insists that everything is fine, but I know he’s just being nice.”
“No, he’s being genuine,” she countered.
“If Kiyan was just being nice, he would have gotten you and your child a room for a few nights and let your figure out the rest of it, but instead he opened up the doors of his home for you—that’s because he wants you here, and we do too.
We don’t see you and Ava as a burden, Leila.
We recognize you as a mother who is doing everything she can to make the best out of a messed up situation, and two people that could use some joy in their life during this holiday season.
” She reached and gently touched my hand.
“As a woman and a mom, I understand one hundred percent how you’re feeling right now.
Trust me, I do, but I also want you to understand that not every man is that trash one that hurt you and your baby.
It’s easier said than done, but you don’t have to fight everything, baby.
When God delivers an unexpected blessing, thank Him. ”
Sniffling, I nodded and wiped the tears that had slipped from my eyes, softly saying, “Thank you.”
I felt bad because I didn’t want Kiyan, his family or God thinking that I wasn’t grateful because the Lord knew that I was.
Had it not been for Kiyan, Ava and I would have been in an awful situation that I had no idea how to get out of.
I just didn’t want him thinking that I felt like he had to do any of the things that he was doing because him allowing us a warm place to stay was more than enough.
“And for future reference, wrapped gifts go under the tree.” She winked.
Chuckling, I replied, “I don’t know how long we’ll be here…”
“You’re here for now,” she smiled, “and we’re in no rush for you to go, so go grab them and put them under the tree.”
Nodding, I went to do as I was told then came back to wash my hands again and help her with the meal.
She was making lasagna soup, so while she did the noodles, I worked on the sauce.
I learned that she was a lot like me, preferring to make everything from scratch.
It made everything taste better when it was done that way in my opinion.
“Sweetheart, if you don’t mind me asking, where do things stand with you and your husband?” Mrs. Latrina asked while we worked.
“I signed the divorce papers before I left.” I shrugged without turning to face her. “He’d already had the petition drawn up and his spiel on how he couldn’t do us any more prepared. I didn’t have it in me to fight him on it.”
She stepped up next to me and touched my shoulder gently to get my attention.
“For the moment, I hope,” she said and my brows dipped.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I hope you’re telling me that you didn’t have in it you to fight in that moment,” she clarified.
“I know that you’re not telling me that you’re going to allow him to walk away from you and his responsibilities with no consequences.
” When I didn’t reply, she gently took the spoon that I was stirring the sauce with from me and sat it down before turning me to face her.
“Leila, you are not settling with just walking away,” she said sternly.
“He doesn’t get to just throw you out of a home that you helped him build and it goes with no repercussions.
That’s not happening. You and that baby deserve so much more than that.
Get what you’re owed. Spousal support, child support, healthcare coverage—especially with Ava’s needs.
That’s his responsibility. Not a favor. Not a gift. Responsibility.”
“I know,” I sighed. “I’m just tired.” I shook my head, frustrated from even thinking about it. “I know he needs to pay, but I don’t have the means to make him,” I dropped my head. “He cut all of my cards off, cleaned my accounts out, turned my phone off. I’m at a loss, so I’ll just chuck it up.”
She scoffed. “I wish you would let me hear that again. You are not giving up and you are not making it easy for that bastard,” she snapped.
“He wants to walk away from his family and act like he doesn’t have responsibilities, then you make him pay.
You didn’t have help or the means before, but now you have a team of people behind you,” she nodded.
“Kiyan’s sister is a divorce attorney back at home, and although she doesn’t practice here, she has connections.
When she gets here, I’m going to have her make some calls.
We’re going to get you some help and get you what you deserve.
Okay?” she asked, and I nodded, no longer wanting to fight her on any help they were offering.
I’d told Aldrick I was going to make him pay before, and now I had a way to possibly make that happen.
“No more talk on giving up or not accepting help. You have people who care about you and Ava. We’ve got you. ”
I pulled her into a tight hug. I swear talking to her felt like I was talking to my own mother. Anytime I felt like I couldn’t make it or I should just give up, she was always there to motivate me to keep going.
“Thank you so much.”
“No thanks needed.” She smiled, holding onto my arms.
We switched up the subject and finished dinner and for the first time in days I felt good.
I didn’t know if it was because I was finally able to get all the things that I’d gone through with Aldrick off my chest or the hope I now had that me and my baby would be okay and get what we deserved, but I was refreshed and finally looking forward to what our future held.