Dersha Fiction: Skylines Chapter 9
Thank you all for your constant love and support! I’m happy you all are enjoying Skylines. It’s nearing the end and I must say I have loved every single moment of this journey. Thanks again! (click here) to read previous chapters.
Chapter Inspiration Song: Donell Jones-Where You Are
Harper bit her bottom lip as she concentrated on decorating her special cupcake. This one cupcake meant the world to her and it had to be perfect. Her tiny hands shook while she attempted to make a flower with the icing.
“Perfect,” she whispered to herself, her lips forming into a joyful grin. “Mommy! I’m all done.”
Ahsha ran into the kitchen to find Harper covered in red frosting. The small child was standing next to her creation like it was a sculpture in a museum. She looked adorable. “Oh, look at you. Daddy will love this, it’s beautiful. He will love it.”
“I drawed him a flower,” Harper beamed, her chubby cheeks full.
“Drew,” Ahsha corrected, kissing Harper’s cheek.
Jackson was making his way into the kitchen with a gift bag in hand. The young boy had been saving his money to buy a video game he had been wanting. Instead, he spent the money on the perfect Father’s Day gift. Derek loved collecting miniature cars. When he wasn’t too busy, he would even buy the kind that you could build on your own. It was a hobby he began as a child. Jackson purchased a car of his own and spent an entire week putting it together. Like his sister, he was very proud of his creation and excited to give it to his father.
The family had been spending a lot more time together in the past month. The kids were still in the dark about the divorce being off, but Ahsha intended to tell them very soon. They were waiting on the right time to deliver the good news. Ahsha couldn’t imagine a better day than Father’s Day.
Their plan was to have dinner at Ahsha’s for the special day. Jackson and Harper had been on cloud 9 all week. It brought their parents great joy to see them both so happy. Ahsha noticed the change in their behavior, especially in Jackson. His temper wasn’t as bad and he was more social.
“I think your father will love this car. Especially since you painted it black and red,” Ahsha gushed, giving Jackson a high five.
“What did you get daddy,” Jackson asked. Harper stopped in her tracks and climbed on the stool next to her brother.
“Yeah,” Harper added, resting her chin on her hands.
The moment was picture perfect. Both children were sitting at the kitchen island with big smiles on their faces. Priceless.
Ahsha put her hands on her hips. “None of your business,” she smiled.
“That’s not fair. We told you what we were giving him,” Jackson groaned. Harper nodded beside him.
Ahsha had two special gifts for Derek. Their kids were always full of curiosity and they wouldn’t let up until she shared her secrets. “Nope. You’ll have to wait until he gets here,” the mother teased, sticking out her tongue.
A few hours later, Derek joined them for Father’s Day dinner that Ahsha had prepared. The family gathered around the dining room table as Ahsha placed Derek’s gifts beside his chair. “Happy Father’s Day,” Ahsha buzzed, squeezing Derek’s shoulder. Jackson and Harper watched their parents closely, hoping to see a more loving interaction. Their parents were laughing internally.
“Thanks,” Derek replied, squeezing Ahsha’s hand in return. Keeping their interactions simple was nearly impossible. After a month, they had called off their divorce and grown closer. Things were beginning to fall back into place for them. They chose to keep their rekindled flame a secret until they were both ready to go public as a couple again. First, they wanted to break the news to their kids before the media got a hold of the story. Luckily, they had been able to avoid the cameras while they worked on their issues. Now that they were sure they no longer wanted the divorce, they were ready to go out into the world as Mr. and Mrs. Roman once again.
“Daddy, are you coming to my recital this time,” Harper asked sweetly. She could barely wrap her small hand around the fork as she swirled her spaghetti noodles around her plate.
Derek smiled at his daughter. “Of course I’ll be there, baby. Right in the front where you can see me.”
The joy that Harper displayed was enough to light up a room. Her father coming to her recital was all she ever wanted.
“And when you’re back to playing sports, I’ll be at all your games. You can count on that,” Derek promised his son who was feeling left out. He was still on punishment for his fight at the end of the school year. By the Fall, he would be back to playing sports if his first report card was good.
“Okay,” Jackson cheesed, digging into his spaghetti. Having his father at his games would be special.
“You’ll do a much better job coaching him than I did,” Ahsha chuckled. “I’ll stick to dance.” Derek rubbed her leg under the table earning a side eye. Their connection was so strong that they could barely keep their hands to themselves for a few minutes.
The family continued eating in silence until it was time for Derek to open his gifts. Ahsha thought it was the perfect time to tell their children the good news. “Want to tell them now,” she whispered into Derek’s ear.
Taking a deep breath, Derek nodded and then grabbed her hand. “I think they’re ready. Plus, I’m tired of hiding,” he smiled, his thumb massaging her knuckles.
Jackson and Harper were busy having a thumb war and didn’t even notice their parents holding hands across the table. Derek cleared his throat causing them to jump. “Your mom and I have some news to share.”
“I’m getting a kitty,” Harper asked, clasping her hands together as her eyebrows rose. A kitten would be the last thing Ahsha would allow in her home. Due to her allergies, Ahsha didn’t allow furry pets in her space. Harper would have to be happy with a fish.
“Um, no,” came Ahsha’s quick reply. “It’s about me and daddy.” Turning her attention to Derek, Ahsha let him finish off the good news.
“We have decided to call off the divorce,” Derek added with great joy.
The children sat quietly, their faces still set in confused smiles. Maybe Derek needed to use simpler terms with them or they were in shock.
“Did you hear that? Mommy and daddy aren’t breaking up,” Ahsha repeated, caressing Derek’s hand.
“For real,” Jackson questioned, leery on if his ears were working. His parents getting back together had only been a figment of his imagination for the longest.
“Yes, for real,” Derek answered.
“So we will live with you again, daddy,” Harper asked, her face animated with happiness. The young girl wanted her family back to normal just like her brother. They talked about it a lot. Harper missed waking up to chocolate pancakes. Sure, her mother attempted to make them in New York, but they weren’t like her daddy’s. Jackson missed his mother and father taking him out for ice cream after his ball games. The special moments he shared with his father seemed like long lost memories now. He looked forward to building new ones but with his parents not getting along, he assumed he could only wish.
“One day. Mommy will stay here for a little bit before that happens,” Ahsha explained to her youngest child.
“That means I will get a baby sister or brother,” Harper added, turning her attention back to her food.
Derek almost choked on his water while Ahsha sat in shock. Harper hadn’t even asked the famous “where do babies come from” question, yet she was asking for another sibling. “How about we get that kitten,” Derek replied, glancing at his wife.
“No, I want a baby instead. Can I have one, pleaaaase,” Harper begged, her small voice rising. “How do you get one?”
Jackson looked back and forth between his parents and Harper. “No, Harper. Babies smell and cry too much. I’d rather had a dog…a big dog.”
“How do you get a baby, mommy? Where did you buy me,” Harper asked, her head tilting to the side. “How much did I cost?”
Both parents were stumped. Neither one of them had thought about how they would explain where babies came from to Harper. Jackson had already gotten the talk a few years ago. Harper wasn’t old enough to understand yet.
“You were priceless, sweetheart. A priceless gift from God,” Derek explained.
Harper thought about his answer for a second and hunched her shoulders. “Maybe God can send another one for me to play with.”
“Maybe,” her father answered, as he smirked at Ahsha.
Once they finished dinner, the kids forced their father to watch movies with them. After arguing over which movie they would watch first, they settled on watching Anastasia. Harper could watch that movie over and over again without getting sick of it. Ahsha had introduced her to old VHS tapes that she found while thrifting. Harper was obsessed with old animated films. Jackson being the little gentleman Ahsha taught him to be, let his sister watch her favorite movie.
Ahsha cleaned up their mess, letting the kids have some alone time with their father. By the time she finished the dishes and returned to the living room, all three of them were fast asleep. Jackson was laying across the couch, while Harper was curled up on her father’s lap. Not wanting to disturb the picture perfect moment, Ahsha tip toed over to the television and turned off the movie.
The NBA draft was a few days later. Jackson could barely sleep the night before and got up early the next morning. Draft parties were set up around the city of Los Angeles, the biggest one being held at the Devils Arena. Devils fans were lining up to get inside the largest draft party in the city.
Ahsha hadn’t been in the arena since she caught her husband kissing on another woman. Being in the arena was a constant reminder of her failed marriage which kept her away. Now that she was working things out with her husband, stepping foot into the arena wouldn’t be that bad.
“Well don’t you look handsome,” Ahsha purred as she walked into Derek’s master bedroom. The ex-baller was dressed in black from head to toe. Ahsha loved when Derek wore an all-black ensemble. It gave him a dangerous edge. His cologne only turned her on more.
“Hmm, do I? You look beautiful,” he answered back, his hand gripping Ahsha’s waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
The feel of Ahsha’s body against his instantly caused him to stiffen. “We have a few minutes,” Derek hummed against Ahsha’s lips.
She couldn’t control the smile that spread across her face as Derek pecked her lips.
“What are you smiling about,” her husband asked, not able to hide his own smile.
Ahsha leaned into his body. “I don’t know, I’m just…I’m happy.” And she was. For the first time in a long time, Ahsha was truly happy. If she could scream it from the rooftop, she would. The couple stayed in each other’s embrace as they continued expressing their love for each other.
“That’s good to hear,” Derek crooned, pecking her lips again. “We better stop before one of the kids come in here. You know they don’t know how to knock.”
Moments later, they were walking into the Los Angeles Devils arena as The Romans. Ahsha and Derek hand in hand with their two babies by their sides. Cameras flashed as the family walked through the lobby. Reporters were already shoving microphones and recorders in their faces. Are you two back together? Is the divorce off? Questions were flying from every direction. Derek and Ahsha pulled their kids closer as they followed behind security.
“Looks like we made quite the entrance,” Derek chuckled, leading his family to the stage in the center of the court. Fans cheered loudly as the Devil’s first family entered the court.
“Good Evening Devil’s Nation,” Derek spoke into the microphone causing the crowd to erupt in applause. “Thank you for joining us this evening for the 2016 NBA Draft party. This year’s draft class is a very special one and I hope we can pick up a few players to help us get back to the championship. As you can see, my lovely family has joined me for tonight’s festivities. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my beautiful wife and lovely children. So it feels great to have them with my tonight. I hope you all have a good time! I’ll be back up here later tonight after our first round pick is announced. Thank you!” The family waved to the crowd and joined the rest of the coaches on the sidelines.
While Ahsha and the children mingled with the Devils employees and dancers, Derek went to his office to have a moment to himself. This was the biggest night of the season and who they picked in the first round meant a lot to the fans and to the Devils team. The Devils hadn’t been to a championship in years and the organization was itching to have another trophy and banner in the arena. Picking the right players to get them to the big game was important and Derek was hoping he made the right choices.
Sitting at his desk, Derek leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. Trying to calm his nerves was hard without alcohol. A soft knock at his door interrupted his attempt at relaxation.
“Decided to escape the crowd,” Ahsha asked from the doorway. This was the first time she had stepped foot into Derek’s office since the Abigail debacle. “The kids are having fun with their uncle T-Wall,” she laughed.
“Hey baby, come in,” Derek muttered, patting his lap. “I just needed a little quiet time. This draft has me bugging.” Derek knew Ahsha was leery on walking into his office. Hell, he couldn’t even forget that night though they were in a better space now. His wife made her way over to his desk and sat on his lap.
“I’m sure you’ll do great,” Ahsha said, kissing Derek’s head. “You’re being too hard on yourself.”
Having Ahsha there made him relax. Maybe she was right. For the past few months, Derek had been working diligently on the draft. From visiting colleges, attending college games, interviewing possible draftees and creating profiles to follow for the season. A lot of work went into finding the perfect players to fit the team.
“I want to pick the right one,” Derek pressed. “I’ve been stressed out of my mind.” Ahsha massaged his thigh in an attempt to calm his nerves. Looking at his watch, Derek said, “It’s about time. I better get to the war room so we can make this pick.”
Ahsha hopped off his lap as they stood to their feet. Derek still seemed uptight. Wrapping her arms around Derek’s waist, Ahsha said, “I’m so proud of you.”
The sincere words touched Derek’s heart. Coming from his wife, that meant the world to him.
“Whatever happens tonight, you are an amazing man. I couldn’t ask for a better husband and father,” Ahsha expressed, her eyes locking in on Derek’s. “You got this.”
They were both so overcome with emotion. Weeks ago they could barely speak to each other without arguing. Here they were standing in Derek’s office, as Mr. and Mrs. Roman. As if they were never separated and living on different coasts. The love and support that Ahsha gave him could not be given by anyone else. Ahsha was his rock and together they were one powerful team.
“I love you,” he spoke. The look in his eyes was that of complete adoration.
“And I love you,” Ahsha responded, lacing her fingers with Derek’s. “In a few weeks we’ll be catching rays in Jamaica and you won’t have to worry about the draft. Just me and you.” One of Derek’s Father’s Day gifts from Ahsha was a trip to Jamaica. They needed time to themselves and honestly they needed a break from their hectic lives in California.
“Yeah, I can’t wait,” Derek chuckled. Neither could she. The couple kissed one more time before walking out of the office hand in hand.
They were one hell of a team.
The rest of the night went smoothly and fans seemed excited about the first round pick. Media outlets were already rolling stories out about the new player along with headlines regarding Derek Roman being reunited with his wife and former Devil Girl.
Being back in the arena felt good for Ahsha. She caught up with the new Devil Girls’ director and the dancers were excited to see her. There were still a few veteran dancers left from the squad she coached. Everyone treated her like she had never left.
Harper and Jackson were attached to their father’s sides as he maneuvered around the arena. Having a father as influential as Derek Roman made them both proud. Ahsha watched as Harper ran over to her followed by her father and brother. “I got to dance with the Devil Girls! They taught me how to do this.” Harper placed her hands on her hips and shook them from side to side. “I’m going to be a Devil Girl like you when I get bigger.”
Ahsha could only laugh at Derek’s reaction to that. “Um, how about you stick to ballet, baby girl,” her father suggested with a frown. Derek would not let his daughter anywhere near the toxic world of the Los Angeles Devils.
“Listen to your daddy,” Ahsha laughed, winking at her daughter.
“I’m going to go introduce the kids to Mr. Franks. He hasn’t seen them since they were babies. Then we can head out,” Derek said, kissing Ahsha’s cheek before leading the kids away.
Ahsha made her way to the Devil’s Playground to get something to drink. Terrence was sitting at the bar laughing with the bartender who was refilling his glass.
“Oh hey, just like old times,” Terrence said as Ahsha sat next to him. “Where’s D?”
“With the kids introducing them to Mr. Franks. He’ll be awhile. You know Mr. Franks can talk for hours on end,” she replied. “I’m surprised you didn’t bring Jelena.”
“Naw, she said she was working late tonight or something. It’s good to see you and Derek back together. Those cameras were on ya’ll the entire night,” Terrence added, tipping his glass in Ahsha’s direction. “I thought I had to play cupid again.”
Ahsha shook her head. “We’re both stubborn. I think you know that by now.”
“Trust me, I know. But I’m glad to have you back, sis. The kids too,” he admitted.
Things were not only falling back into place but they were also getting better. Rekindling romance with the love of her life had her floating. There was also something else that had her giddy. Ahsha called the bartender over to place an order.
“Can I get a Sprite, please,” she said with a sweet smile.
Terrence’s head whipped around as his mouth fell open. Talk about déjà vu.
Thank you for reading! I hope you all enjoyed!
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