In Spite of the Bosset Life(30)

“Where you going?” asked Ace, watching me get out the tub.

“I miss my other baby... get some clothes on,” I said, sending a message to Akamai to let Unni know it was okay to bring our daughter up. I placed my cracked phone on the bathroom sink. I put some clothes on and picked out something for Majesty to wear to. I was trying to plot my next move. Rodney had been so nice to me and Ace had left me to deal with all this bullshit all alone. Deep down, I wanted to stay with my husband but come on now. Three f*cking years and I couldn’t get a phone call or nothing?

“Mook Mook,” said Ace, trying to get my attention. I was deep in thought. He was looking in the closet at all his things I had saved of his. The presents I bought him for the Christmases he missed, all the things Majesty made for him at school, and just stuff for him. I stayed in the bathroom playing with my hair and thinking. I had worn myself thin thinking about what Ace could’ve really been doing. I couldn’t front like I wasn’t thinking about this dude having a whole other family somewhere or some crazy shit like that. It was quite possible. Maybe I was just mad now but I gotta figure it out. For now, I’ll just play it coo. “Koì c’mere.” I ignored him. Ace was dressed and looking good as he stood in the bathroom door. I avoided all eye contact.

“What Ace,” I said, still not looking.

“You really had it bad, that’s all...” Ace knew all those gifts and presents meant a lot to me. I didn’t throw anything of his away. I kept it all just how he left it. Only thing was different was the stripping pole. It was put up.

“I did. You’re back now. Do you want to go through it?” Okay, I had it planned. I’d stay to get things back in motion but then I was leaving to collect myself and investigate where my husband had been. Ace’s career was his excuse for leaving. I had no evidence that the Cubans were after him. Ace did the wrong thing trying to wife me because I was smart.

“Dada, can I open dis? Dis for me,” said Majesty, holding a gift already. She had on nothing but a pull up. I felt bad that my smoochie would never have her Da Da and me together if I found out he was lying. I would try my best to give her enough love regardless.

“No bay-bee. You know whose dat is. You have to ask daddy can you open it.” Ace just listened and absorbed how we interacted. I could just see him light up with joy out the corner of my eye.

“Dada, can I open dis pleaz,” said Majesty, showing all her teeth.

“C’mon. Everyone can open something,” said Ace, scooping her up. I kissed my daughter then my husband. For the next hour, we opened Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, Father’s day gifts, and just stuff Majesty made for him. Ace was so happy and I felt complete. It was nice being a family but Ace didn’t know what a family really was. You don’t just leave your pregnant wife. On top of all of that, he left a video for me to watch like this f*cking Blue’s Clues. This is real life. I was filing missing reports and growing depressed over this nigga, going to counseling twice a week because of him. Ace was going to understand you love and you love whole heartedly when it comes to me and mines. “Daughter and mommy...thanks for all my gifts. I love ‘em all,” said Ace, holding Majesty. “You gotta put some clothes on. You my girl, not a boy.” I just smiled and watch him talk to Majesty.

“Thanks Ace for the gifts you brought me. I would’ve had Akamai record me opening them but that day was just one of those days. Plus, I was big as hell because I waited until I was almost due to finally see what you got me,” I said, watching Ace pick up all the paper. I always wanted to thank him and appreciate him for everything he did do. Even if it was three years ago, I wanted to thank him. Ace would always be my friend.

“Well, I understand. As long as you loved everything. You think you want to get big as hell for me again?” I did a double take at Ace like he was crazy. He must’ve lost it.

“Ace, do you need to see the tape again?”

“Hell no! But I still want you to have another baby. Boo, I wasn’t here to see you big and pregnant. I want to experience it with you. Please? It’s just nine months,” said Ace, rubbing my belly as if I was pregnant. When I was pregnant with Majesty, he would adore and love all over me. I thought back to when we were in Dubai and I told him we were having a baby. He f*cked me so good after that. I missed those days. I just got chills from just thinking about those orgasms.

“Ace, I swear you better be here. If you want a baybee, then I will give you a baybee but I need you right here. Last time, it was so hard and I almost gave up. I can’t do that again. You have to be here,” I said, meaning every word. I wasn’t going to tell my husband no to having another baby. Ace was my husband for goodness sake. Plus, I thought how much easier it would be if Ace was by my side the whole nine months. Who said I’d get pregnant right away anyway?

“I’m a retired man now. I’m here.”

“Ma Ma, you gotta bay-bee?” asked Majesty, jumping in my lap and doing the most. She always multitasked by ear hustling and doing her own thing. She was so smart and didn’t miss a thing.

“Mommy’s going to have a baby. Are you happy with that?” asked Ace, happy as ever. His day was getting better and better.

“Yayyy!” Majesty jumped up and down. Her ponytails flopped up and down.

“I have some papers for you. You can read them and catch up on the business. The furniture store is all we have now. I tried to save all of them but the Feds shut it down.” Ace quickly got on board. It was like he never left. Since I had been running the business for three years and took the roll as the accountant, I owned fifty percent off the top. Ace saw that part and seemed cool about it and didn’t mention it.