Thug Luv 2 (10 page)

Ace picked up his phone to call Boy, but thought against it. He needed a woman’s input on this one. Ace disconnected the call, headed out to see his daughters, and to talk to Aaliyah. He knew he had no business involving her. Nevertheless, he also realized she would give it to him raw and uncut, straight up with no chaser. At the moment, that’s what he needed.

*

Aaliyah sat in the lounge chair watching Savanna and Serenity run around the backyard. Unsure of when Ace would come and take them to reunite with their mother, she hoped and prayed she would forever be able to have a relationship with them. Aaliyah had grown to love them as if they were her own. She looked down at her promise ring that Ace had given her a month ago; she was certain she had nothing to worry about. One thing she had learned was when Ace said something, he meant it.

The doorbell rung, Aaliyah got up from her seat. She had ordered her and the girls some takeout. “Ladies, come inside and wash your hands so you can eat,” she called over her shoulder. Savanna and Serenity wasted no time as they followed Aaliyah inside and into the bathroom.

Aaliyah opened the door to find Ace paying and tipping the delivery man.

“What are you doing here?” She smiled as she leaned against the door.

“I came to see you and the girls. Plus, I need your input on a few things,” Ace stated as he kissed Aaliyah before walking into the house. Aaliyah closed and locked the door behind him.

“Let me get the girls settled first,” Aaliyah stated as they headed for the kitchen. The twins were so engrossed with whatever they were doing on their iPad minis that they didn’t notice Aaliyah or Ace enter the kitchen.

“What did I tell you ladies about bringing those things to the table?” Aaliyah chided as she reached into the cabinet for plates.

“Sorry Aaliyah,” Savanna moped as she got down from the table to take her iPad to Aaliyah. “Hi daddy,” she shrieked as she ran into his awaiting arms.

“I was wondering when you two were going to say hello to me,” Ace said laughing.

Serenity spoke to Ace but never took her eyes off of whatever it was she was watching.

Aaliyah fixed their plates, and placed them in front of them as she took the iPad from Serenity. “When you finish eating, you can get this back,” she stated waving it in the air.

“Amir, are you hungry?” Aaliyah asked.

“Nah baby girl, thanks,” Ace replied deep in thought.

“Amir, when was the last time you ate or got any sleep?” She asked. Ace ran his hands over his face. He couldn’t remember the last time he did either of the two. Eating wasn’t on his mind or agenda. On every occasion that he closed his eyes, he had the same reoccurring dream. Each time, the dream got worse and worse.

“Amir really, you can’t even tell me the last time you ate or slept?” Aaliyah asked pissed off as she fixed him a plate.

“I’m fine,” Ace lied as he ran his hands over his face once again.

Aaliyah handed him his food and grabbed her soup and crackers. “Ladies, when you finish eating, come get me. Daddy and I are going into the living room so we can talk,” Aaliyah told them.

*

“Is that all you’re going to eat?” Ace asked, looking from his plate to Aaliyah’s bowl of soup.

“Yes, now sit down and eat,” she answered. “What is it you want to talk to me about?” She questioned, looking up into Ace’s handsome face. Aaliyah left out the fact that she couldn’t keep anything down. She assumed she had caught a bug or something; she didn’t tell him because she didn’t want him worrying about it.

“First off, how was your day?” Ace asked.

“Pretty damn good. I met with a new client today. Other than that, everything was business as usual,” Aaliyah replied.

“Sunshine told me I had to choose the streets or her,” Ace blurted out.

“What’s wrong with that?”

“What’s wrong is, if I don’t kill them, they’ll kill me,” Ace replied slightly annoyed. “Then she had the audacity to tell me I was on an ego trip;” he said, pissed off. Aaliyah giggled. Wondering what was so funny, Ace looked at her.

“Amir, I understand both sides. What y’all need to do is come to some type of compromise and work from there. You also have to understand where she’s coming from. She’s been kidnapped and beaten for three years. She has lost out on so much already and doesn’t want to have to deal with that again,” Aaliyah advised. “Also, she needs to comprehend that you didn’t start any of this. In order for you guys to even attempt to be happy, they must go. Both of you need to talk to one another. Emotions are high right now,” she concluded, looking at Ace.

Ace sighed as he sat his plate down then leaned back in his seat. He closed his eyes as he tried to collect his thoughts and get everything in order. He completely understood where Sunshine was coming from but did she comprehend that in order for the bullshit going on in his life to stop, he would have to put an end to it all together. They had to go.

Ace wanted to know where in the hell his life took a turn for the worst. Since he could remember, he always looked out for anyone he called his friend. No matter what was needed of him, if he had it, so did everyone else. Nowadays, he couldn’t separate friend from foe. Ace consistently kept his grass cut low to keep the snakes out. However, he recognized there were always a few snakes that could hide in plain sight. They attacked you when your back was turned or when you were already wounded and couldn’t fight them off.

“What are you over there thinking about?” Aaliyah asked.

“I feel as though it’s me against the world,” Ace answered. “These days, I can’t tell the difference between my friends or my enemies. A few years back, I could spot an opponent a mile away. Now, they appear to be my friends.”

“Amir baby, you know that isn’t true,” Aaliyah stated.

“Daddy, you have us for friends,” Savanna interjected, standing in the doorway.

“Yes, you don’t need anyone else,” Serenity added. “Daddy, you also have Uncle Boy, Uncle Boog, and Uncle Jay,” she added. Ace smiled faintly. He couldn’t wait until he was able to spend damn near the entire day with his girls like he use to. He knew he was missing out on a multitude of memorable moments.

“I just wanna spend some much needed time with you three ladies. Is that okay?” Ace asked looking around the room.

“You know that’s okay with us, but what I prefer is for you to get some much needed sleep,” Aaliyah suggested.

“Yes daddy, get some sleep. You can always spend time with us,” Savanna said.

“Daddy, you need your beauty rest,” Serenity added, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

“I’ll be right back. Come on girls,” Aaliyah said as she got up. Serenity and Savanna ran after her.

“Where are you guys going?” Ace asked over his shoulder.

“Eat the rest of your food,” Aaliyah called out.

*

“What are we doing?” Savanna asked.

“Daddy needs to relax. So we’re going to run him a nice bubble bath, light some candles, and let him relax,” Aaliyah answered as she ran the bath water.

Serenity giggled, “Daddy’s going to be sitting in a tub of bubbles.”

“Should I get him one of my rubber ducky’s?” Savanna asked causing Aaliyah to laugh.

“While I light these candles, I need you girls to make sure daddy ate all his food then bring him up here,” Aaliyah informed them. Savanna and Serenity happily obliged as they skipped out of the bathroom and downstairs.

*

Serenity and Savanna skipped into the living room to find Ace’s plate empty and him lying across the sofa.

“Daddy!” They sung as they jumped on him. Ace smiled as he slowly opened his eyes.

“Can I ask you something?” Serenity questioned.

“Baby girl, you know you can ask me anything,” Ace replied as he sat up.

“Why don’t you smile like you use to?” She inquired.

“Damn.” Ace thought. Truth be told, the only thing he had to smile about these days were his daughters and Aaliyah. But how was he going to explain to his babies the reasons behind him no longer smiling?

“We can talk later; come on, daddy,” Savanna said as she tried to pull Ace off the sofa. “This will help you smile again,” she said as they pulled him toward the stairs. Ace picked both girls up and carried them up the stairs while they laughed and giggled.

When Ace walked into the room, he found the lights low with soft music playing in the background.

“What’s all this?” He asked putting the twins down.

“Amir, you look out for everyone else and ask for nothing in return. Perhaps, you should allow someone do something for you,” Aaliyah answered.

“Thank you,” Ace said smiling.

“It’s working already. Look, daddy’s smiling,” Serenity acknowledged.

“I need you to get in the tub and relax while I get them ready for bed,” Aaliyah said pointing in the direction of the bathroom.

“Aww man, do we have to go to bed already?” Savanna questioned with her bottom lip poked out.

“Yes, daddy needs to relax. Let’s go to the bedroom ladies,” Aaliyah said as she pointed out the room.

“Goodnight daddy,” they sung on their way out.

“Goodnight, I love you,” Ace called after them as he entered the bathroom.

Ace went into the bathroom to find the lights out, candles lit, and a rolled blunt sitting on the sink awaiting him. He smiled slightly. Here Aaliyah was doing all the small things that most niggas took for granted. Ace quickly stripped out of his clothes, grabbed the blunt, and eased into the steaming hot water. He lit the blunt, leaned back, and closed his eyes to enjoy the peace and quiet–something he hadn’t done in a very long time.

*

Aaliyah bathed the girls then put them in bed before she took her own shower. While Ace was relaxing, she decided to clean the kitchen and living room before she called it a night. As she was drying and putting the last few dishes away, Ace wrapped his strong arms around her.

Aaliyah smiled, “What are you doing out of the tub already?”

“Girl, I’ve been in there for over an hour. I’ve taken a much needed nap and everything,” he replied. Ace turned Aaliyah around to face him. “I wanna thank you for everything.” He said kissing her lips. Ace pulled the short nightgown Aaliyah was wearing over her head then dropped it to the floor by their feet.

“The girls,” Aaliyah reminded him as she was being lifted into the air.