Chapter 19
Tricks and Treats
I
t was all Eddison's idea. He brought it up to Kiara when he came by her house that evening.
“It's a couple of weeks until Halloween,” he said. “Can you believe a year has passed already?”
“I know, right.”
“So what if you get all the kids together? Take them to a studio and sit for a holiday photo?”
“All the kids?”
“Myles, Hayley, Jazzy, and Eminence.”
“Hmm, interesting. They sound like a hip-hop group.”
“Kiara, I'm being serious. Don't you agree with me that it's about time?”
She folded her arms across her chest. “I'm trying to work with Nicole on these things but I still feel skeptical. I'm cool with Hayley. But I'm not one hundred percent sold on Emmy.”
“With all due respect, Kiara, everything simply can't always be how you and only you wants things to be. These kids are siblings and they need to know one another. Because, like it or not, their parents won't live forever.”
“Eddison,” she shrieked. She didn't like how that sounded. She never wanted to think about bad stuff like death and not being on earth anymore with her children. It was too much to handle. “I thought you were on Team Kiara. I thought you'd want to do anything to make me happy.”
“I am on your team and you know that. You're wearing my ring and we are committed to each other. But I am simply suggesting that we start doing little things that encourage all of them to be around one another. Because how would you feel if you knew you had siblings out there, but someone was preventing you from getting to know your sister or your brother?”
Kiara had never thought about his question. For all she knew, she wasn't an only child. But she'd never been told otherwise. It would have been great to have a piece of her mother, Pamela, somewhere in the world. Maybe bonding with a sibling would make her feel more complete. And if that's what she would have wanted as a grown-up, how much more did the kids deserve such a chance?
“Hmm, so you think that I should coordinate a photo shoot with the children?”
“I feel it's the right thing to do.”
“I know Myles would be game. He even talks about Hayley all the time. And he loves Jazz to death. But it's Emmy that I'm worried about.”
“How can a four-month-old worry you?”
She laughed out loud. It did sound ridiculous.
“Use your power. You can group these baby moms together and make some moves. Score major points. And be the happy mediator. Everyone will love you for it.”
“Even Nicole, who's added me to her To Do list?”
“Even Nicole.”
Kiara thought about it and texted Kiara and Nicole. “Bring the kids,” Kiara said. “Come on over to my place.”
“What's this about?” Nicole texted back.
“You'll see.”
Nicole showed up first. Eddison opened the door. Feelings of envy burned at her soul when he warmly invited her into that big beautiful house.
Some people are born to have everything they want,
she thought as she walked past Eddison into Kiara's home. It was lavishly decorated with fresh flowers arranged all around the dining room. The family room was filled with gift-wrapped presents. And there was a table filled with catered refreshments.
“I'm shocked,” Nicole said. “And I'm really curious now. What is this about?” She noticed a new pretty ring on Kiara's hand and thought it was just a nice piece of jewelry.
Kiara laughed. “Eddison has an idea and I wanted to run it by you. I'll let you know what it is as soon as Alexis arrives, okay?”
Nicole shrugged. “Fine by me.”
“May I see the baby?” Kiara asked.
Nicole handed over Emmy to Kiara. A beautiful purple bow was wrapped around Emmy's hair. She wore a cute little sweater and onesie.
“She is so freaking adorable,” Kiara admitted in a small voice. At first, holding the nineteen-week-old girl felt strange. But as the seconds went by, and the more the baby stared into her eyes, the more Kiara knew she had the strength to be good to this innocent soul. When Emmy smiled, Kiara grinned back at her.
Suddenly Myles entered the room.
“Hi, Mom,” he said.
Both Kiara and Nicole said hello to Myles and they all burst out laughing.
Rashad had told Kiara what happened at the zoo. She was shocked and thankful but still a little skeptical about Nicole's motives. This is why she made sure to get hidden cameras installed in Nicole's home. And it all had to do with Jazzy, not Rashad. Since he was going to be with the woman, she wanted to make sure that her child was safe in Nicole's presence. She had honestly forgotten about the cameras, but made a mental note to check any footage.
Myles proceeded to pour Nicole a glass of punch. A little later, Alexis arrived with Hayley. Everyone settled on couches and chairs in the living room.
As Kiara gazed around the room, it was almost surreal: all her husband's babies in her house. Eddison noticed the dazed look on her face. He spoke up.
“What Kiara wants to say is, first of all, thanks for coming by. She wants you to feel at home. And she has an idea for all the kids to get dressed up for a photo shoot. It would be next weekend and they'd have to wear some type of Halloween outfit.”
“That's a cool idea,” Alexis said. “Count me in.”
“Ladies,” Kiara began. “Now I'll admit I haven't been the best woman in handling certain situations in the past. But I'm at the point where I want all that to change. These kids are adorable. I mean, look at them. Myles, so smart and helpful. Hayley, so innocent and comical. Little Jazzy, the best little baby in the world.” She stopped talking.
“What about Emmy?” Nicole demanded.
“And Emmy, the little princess herself.” Kiara laughed. “We couldn't leave her out. So with that being said, I think it would be a wonderful idea for the kids to get together and take the photo and then have a little party afterwards. How's that sound?”
“Since Alexis already gave you her approval, I guess that leaves me.” Nicole stood up and walked around the room looking at Kiara's lovely furnishings. She thought about her own house, which was cool but nothing on this scale. She knew that Kiara got a nice settlement including a couple of vacant lots that were worth at least seventy thousand dollars.
“Why do you get everything you want?” Nicole asked. She knew it was an odd question. But she couldn't help herself. Everyone just stared at her. “You had the man. I somewhat have him.”
“Nicole, that has nothing to do with saying yes to a photo,” Alexis said. “Stop making everything about you and cooperate so these kids can have fun. Can you do that?”
“No, I can't. I'm struggling, okay?”
“What do you mean you're struggling?” Kiara asked.
“He doesn't just give me loads of cash. If it has to do with the baby we're all good. If it has to do with buying things for the house like food and paying a bill, he's all for it. But I can't remember the last time he's bought anything nice just for me. And I got student loans to pay. I still drive around in that raggedy Mustang that's on its last legs.”
Nicole wanted to say how she'd been dipping into her GoFundMe money since Ajalon came into town. She still had a good eight thousand left, but she wasn't foolish enough to give her ex every dime she had. So she lied to him and told him that she was almost broke. And she was running out of options.
“Tell me something,” Nicole said to Kiara. “Are y'all really hooking back up or not?”
“Girl, you sound like a fool,” Alexis said. “Don't you see that ring on her finger? It isn't from Rashad.”
“Oh, no. I'm sorry. I had no idea what it was or who bought it. I mean no harm, y'all. I just want to know if I'm wasting my time with him.”
“Oh, my goodness, we came here to talk about Halloween,” Alexis said. “Make a decision so you can get out of here and we can have some fun and not have to listen to your side mama setbacks.”
“Hold up,” Kiara said. “Clear the room. Me and Nicole only.”
The room cleared out and Kiara asked Nicole to have a seat. “Look, Nicole. I don't know what type of woman you think I am, but I am too old to be playing relationship games. Rashad and I are done. I'm sure you've already searched online records to see the final decree. So my guess is that if he isn't giving you a lot of money or even proposing to you right now, don't worry about it. Maybe the way you get him is the way you gotta keep him. As a woman it hurts me to see other chicks thinking that latching onto a certain man is the only key to her happiness. It doesn't work like that.” Kiara pointed to herself. “Once I got that man out of my system, I began to learn what it's like to live. I focused on motherhood. I did all I could to make sure the kids were happy and safe and secure. I thought less about having a relationship. And when I stopped stressing is when I received total fulfillment. Eddison is just a bonus and trust me, I am not rushing to marry him. He gave me a promise ring and yes, we are committed. All I know is that you seem very focused on the wrong things. That type of mentality can drive a good man away. And I'm at the point where I couldn't care less about you and your drama over your man. Now for the last time, I don't want him. Can you get that through your head?”
Nicole looked distraught. “Then what's up with him? Why doesn't he come straight home to me like he used to? Is it because I had a baby?”
“Anytime a side chick becomes the main chick, her position is up for grabs again. But that's just my assumption.”
“I-I don't know what to say.”
“Whatever you're going through with Rashad, I'm sorry. I really am. But think about your child, please. Don't punish the kid because you don't understand the man.”
“All right,” Nicole said in a humbled voice. “Emmy can participate in the photo.”
* * *
Rashad hung up from Kiara. And Nicole was there to listen to their entire conversation.
“Well?” he asked.
She giggled. “Thank you for including me in the conversation.”
“Nicole, I swear I'm not intentionally trying to leave you out of anything that has to do with Kiara and my kids. I just forget. You gotta believe me.”
He got on one knee and placed his arms around her waist.
“You believe me?”
“Oh, Rashad. You're acting silly.”
“Not as silly as you've been acting. You're the type of woman that overanalyzes shit to death. It ain't even about that half the time.”
She patted him on the head. “Now I really feel silly.”
“And you should. Stop worrying.”
“My mother would say the same thing. She said that when I was eleven years old I asked her to give me some antidepressant pills.”
“You lying.”
“I swear to God. Funny thing is I don't even remember anything like that.”
“Good. That would be a terrible memory for a kid.” He paused. “Damn, I should have really asked you about your family's mental history before I even allowed you to give me head.”
“Arg,” she screamed. “That is so unfair. But I love your silly butt anyway.”
They made love that night for the first time in a week. She had to get used to his hands on her body again. And once he explored every sensitive crevice, it was on and popping. Things felt good and right. And that's all she wanted. For things to get back to good and grow even better.
* * *
One week later, Myles led his sisters into the photography studio. He was wearing a gold Iron Man costume with an arc reactor that lit up.
“Good job, Myles.” Alexis clapped when she saw him emerge from Nicole's beat-up Mustang. It was Rashad's time to keep Myles and Nicole agreed to oversee his costume and bring him to the studio. She struggled to get out of the car and was trying to unbuckle her daughter from her car seat.
Alexis went over to the car.
“Need some help?”
“No. I got this.”
“You need help, girl, and you know it.” Alexis assisted Nicole in unstrapping Emmy. She held the baby while Nicole grabbed her day bag.
“Once you get real, you'll let all that foolishness go,” Alexis continued. “It's okay to ask for help.”
The women had been getting along fairly well, but Alexis noticed that whenever Nicole displayed insecurity the daggers came out. Alexis paid the woman no mind but she wasn't about to let her run over her.
“Nicole, please stop. You bleed just like any other person out here. Oh, forget it. It's going to take you going to hell and back before you understand what life is really about.”
“I hope you're wrong about that.”
They went and quietly waited in the lobby until they saw Kiara arrive.
“Sorry I'm late. Thanks, Nicole, for picking up Myles for me.”
The ladies met their photographer, Robbie, and he instructed them on what he wanted to do.
“We'll get several shots. First I want the two youngest to sit in this pumpkin patch.”
Both Nicole and Kiara agreed to arrange the girls so that they were huddled together. Even Nicole had to admit that the shot would be something special.
“I wish my mom was here to see this,” Kiara said.
“Where is she?” Nicole snapped. “She abandoned you when you were born?”
Alexis was at Nicole's side in an instant. She shoved her hands against Nicole's chest and pushed her until she hit a wall.