24. Legacy
CHAPTER 24
LEGACY
S itting in Bless' living room, I tried to breathe, to soothe the ache in every beat of my heart. The soft hum of the computer was the only sound as Bless and I sat in front of it, waiting for Ebony to join the session. I glanced at Bless’ tears as she sat beside me patting her eyes that had grown red.
Just a few minutes ago, we got the DNA test results for Riley via email. She wasn't my biological child. I had known there was a possibility, but seeing it confirmed hit me like the bullet that Aesop had sent into my skull. Still, my heart told me something different. Riley was my daughter, and no piece of paper would change that.
"Hey, you okay?" I asked Bless.
She looked at me with eyes filled with sadness. " No . I'm... I'm hurt. But I know you're her father regardless of what that test says.”
Before I could respond, the screen lit up, and Ebony's face appeared. She greeted us with her usual calm demeanor, instantly making us feel a bit lighter.
"Good afternoon, Legacy, Bless. How are you two today?" Ebony asked as she noticed Bless’ shattered demeanor.
I sighed, running a hand over my face. "It's been a tough day, Ebony. We got the DNA results back this morning. Riley's not my biological daughter."
Ebony sighed long and hard. She stared at us for a second as if trying to find the right words to say. Then she nodded slowly with an empathetic expression. "I can imagine how difficult that must be for both of you. How are you feeling about this, Legacy?"
Sighing, I told her, "I won't lie. It hurts. But I love Riley. She's my daughter in every way that matters. DNA doesn't change that," I said, glancing at Bless. "And I know Bless feels the same way."
Bless nodded, tears welling up in her eyes again. "I do. I hate that this happened, but you are Riley's father, Legacy. You've been there for her since day one."
Ebony leaned in closer to the camera with caring eyes. "Legacy, it's perfectly natural to feel hurt and confused. And Bless, your emotions are valid too. This is a complicated situation, but your commitment to Riley is clear. She’s fortunate to have you both."
I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. "She’s my world."
“How do you plan to discuss this with her, if at all?" Ebony asked.
I took a deep breath, thinking it over. "As far as I am concerned, she never needs to know."
“I agree.” Bless took a long deep breath, trying to control her breathing.
Ebony nodded sharply. “It’s your decision. But you should consider how it would make her feel if she finds out that she has been lied to once she is older. Legacy, you felt betrayed that Bless kept such vital information from you. Riley will surely feel the same if she ever finds out that her parents have been lying to her about who her biological father. is.”
Bless sighed, pouting. Glancing over at me, she told me, “She’s right.”
“I guess,” I mumbled.
Ebony smiled softly. “She doesn’t need to know now, but once she is older, you might want to think about having that conversation.
Ebony gave us a moment to breathe, and then shifted the topic. "Let's talk about your relationship, Legacy and Bless. How are things between you two since you’ve rekindled?"
A grin tugged at my lips as I looked at Bless. The DNA test results hadn’t changed how appreciative I was to have my woman back. "Honestly, it's been great. I think we needed that time apart to grow and really appreciate each other."
Bless nodded as her eyes lit up. "I agree. I feel like we're reconnecting on a deeper level, like we're rediscovering why we fell in love in the first place."
Ebony smiled warmly. "That’s wonderful to hear. It’s important to acknowledge and celebrate these positive changes. However, maintaining a healthy relationship requires ongoing effort. What have you both found helpful in keeping this newfound connection strong?"
I glanced at Bless and then back at the screen. "Communication. We've been talking more, sharing our feelings and thoughts. It's like we're finally on the same page again, like we were before my addiction."
Bless added, "And honesty. We're being more honest with each other, even when it's hard."
Ebony nodded thoughtfully. "That's excellent. Communication and honesty are indeed the foundation of any strong relationship. I encourage you both to continue nurturing these aspects. Also, don’t forget to make time for each other even amidst the chaos of daily life and parenting."
"We will," I said. “This, our relationship and family, is very important to both of us. It always was. We just needed to get back to it."
Ebony continued, "Another important aspect is forgiveness. Legacy, Bless, you've both experienced hurt and betrayal by one another. Working through those emotions and truly forgiving each other is crucial. Have you discussed these feelings openly?"
Bless and I exchanged a glance. "We have," Bless said softly. "We both forgive each other, but sometimes we are triggered. We’re working on it, though."
"That’s good," Ebony affirmed. "Forgiveness is a process. It takes time, patience, and understanding. Be gentle with yourselves and each other. It’s okay to revisit these discussions as often as needed." Ebony smiled. "But you both will get there. You both have shown incredible resilience and commitment. Keep supporting each other, especially during the tough times.”
Entering my condo with Eden felt different now. Our sessions with Ebony had taught me the importance of spending one-on-one time with him, and I’d been doing just that for the last month. The threat of losing me seemed to have pushed aside all the resentment Eden had built up. But since I’d been shot, he’d become my homie again. In a way, getting shot had a silver lining.
“Dad?” I called out as we walked through the door. My voice echoed through the condo, which felt emptier now that I was practically living with Bless. My father had moved in, filling the space I’d left behind.
We hadn’t talked much about why he had moved in, but I could guess. Ma not showing up when I got shot had to have been the final straw.
Dad’s respect for my decision to go no-contact with Ma had made me respect him even more. He never brought her up and never pressured me to mend things. Instead, he was here to ensure that he didn’t miss out on anything with me and my kids.
Dad’s voice came from around the corner. “Hey, in the kitchen!”
Eden kicked off his shoes by the front door. “Can I get a snack, Dad?”
“Sure. Grab whatever you want,” I replied, following him to the kitchen. Dad was at the stove stirring something in a pot. I grinned when I recognized the aroma of his famous chili.
“Hey, Pops,” I said, giving him a hug. “That chili smells good as fuck.”
He smiled. “Figured I’d make us something hearty while we watch the game.” Then he asked Eden. “How was your day, E’?”
Eden rummaged through the fridge. “It was good. We went to the park.”
Dad nodded. “Okay, okay.”
Eden pulled a carton of juice from the fridge and sat it on the counter. “Can we watch a movie tonight, Dad?”
“Yeah,” I said, ruffling his hair. “After the game.”
“The chili will be ready in about an hour,” Dad said, turning back to the stove.
“Ah’ight. I’ll be in the living room. The game should be starting soon.”
My dad scoffed with a teasing smile. “I’m surprised you have time to watch the baseball game with your father between Bless and the business, I’m barely able to get a hold of you.”
I chuckled, allowing guilt to cover my eyes. I had been pouring myself into Bless and the kids. When I wasn’t, I was busy with expanding Legacy Protection Solutions with Vibe’s help.
When Vibe offered to help expand my security business, I couldn’t believe it. I hadn’t had another person believe and invest in me the way that my father had. Vibe’s endorsement had been a game-changer. He publicly vouched for our expertise, which attracted a wealthier, more influential clientele. People trusted Vibe, and if he said we were the best, that was enough for them. The flood of new business was overwhelming but in the best possible way.
We had secured exclusive contracts for major events Vibe was involved in, ensuring steady, high-paying gigs for my team. From concerts to music festivals, we were everywhere. The scale of these events meant I had to hire a lot more staff. I even offered many of my Houston team members new positions in Chicago, and a good number of them had taken the offer.
Together, Vibe and I had created a specialized security division tailored specifically for the entertainment industry. With his insights into event planning and my team's expertise, we offered a service that no one else could match.
The business was booming. We had gone from a local operation to a recognized name in security, all thanks to Vibe’s support. The expansion meant new jobs, new locations, and a level of success I hadn’t dared to dream of. It felt like everything was finally falling into place.
Eden and I made our way to the couch. As we sat there, he leaned against me. “I’m glad you’re okay, Dad,” he said softly.
I hugged him closer. “Me too, son. Me too.”