The Ties That Bind Us: (The Ties Duet Part One) by Danda K. (chromebook ebook reader TXT) 📕

how far you’ve come, Nyx. These things will just take time, but it’ll come to you.” I run my fingers through the loose strands of hair around her face and tuck them behind her ear. “For now, just continue being my beautiful, caring, and selfless girlfriend...Because that person makes me so fucking happy.”

I stretch out beside her, pulling her down so I can hold her close. “Plus, Christmas is next week. There’s no crying on Christmas.”

She stays quiet, her head shaking slightly, and I take this opportunity to let her get some sleep. Hopefully, she’ll wake up tomorrow in better spirits.

◆◆◆

It’s Christmas Eve, and I’m getting Emersyn tonight, so I get to be with her all of Christmas day. Apparently, Gelissa has a Christmas party to attend, so she didn’t put up much of an argument. Nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to that girl.

Who wouldn’t want to be with their kid on Christmas? Gelissa, that’s who.

To think Cameron honestly believes that woman has a selfless bone in her body is beyond my comprehension.

Emersyn won’t be here until around four, so Cam and I are spending the day wrapping presents. I bought Emersyn a custom made Christmas stocking with her name printed on it. I even got a little My First Christmas ornament. I mean, it obviously isn’t her first Christmas, but it is her first with me.

We invited our friends over for dinner, but only Sayeed, Sam, and Morgan can make it.

I’m okay with that, though, because I don’t want to overwhelm Emersyn with a bunch of new people.

She already loves Sayeed and Sam. Sayeed adores her as well. Every time he sees her, he puts a little money and a lollipop in her pocket. He calls her Poti, and just like I did with Beta, I Googled to find out Poti means granddaughter. Sayeed has been the only father I’ve ever had, so it meant a lot to find out he also thinks of me as a son.

Gelissa ends up dropping Emersyn off at five. God forbid she’s ever on time. Emersyn’s admiring all the gifts by the tree when Morgan walks in carrying two large presents, I’m assuming for Emersyn and Sam.

He greets everyone, and Cameron waves through the kitchen pass through, busy cooking.

Sam runs over to Morgan. “Is that present for me?”

Morgan hands it to him. “My man! You know it.” Morgan hands me a large box with Emersyn’s name on the tag. “This is for your little lady.”

I pretend to search around his body. “The fuck, man? What about me?”

He gestures to himself. “You got me as a best friend. That’s all the gift you need, you dick.”

After we clean up dinner, we’re all in the living room when Sayeed approaches me and hands me a small box holding something leather. “That’s a new wallet to go with your raise, Beta.” He hands Cameron a shiny red gift bag. “And for you, Cameron.” She smiles politely from next to me on the couch but doesn’t open it.

“Thanks so much, you didn’t have to.”

He tsks at her, shaking his head. “It’s no problem.”

I stand up and hug Sayeed as Cameron rises and says, “I’m gonna make coffee and get dessert ready.”

I stare at the black leather wallet, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. I haven’t told Sayeed I’m looking for another job because I didn’t want him feeling obligated to pay me more, so the fact he does this on his own means a lot.

He makes a lot of money owning several stores in Brooklyn but stays humble. He doesn’t buy fancy things, just insists he’d rather save his money for his son’s future.

It’s around ten at night when we start cleaning up the house. Sayeed and Sam left earlier so Sam could get to bed. Morgan is pretending to help us, but he’s doing more talking than actual cleaning.

“So guys, what’s it like to be parents?” he elbows me in the side as I grab another plate off the table. “Big Daddy, Jaxon.”

I can’t help but notice Cam stays silent. In fact, I notice she ignores most of Morgan’s questions, especially when they’re about us.

“I love it. I mean, it’s definitely an adjustment, and it’s not easy, but having a kid changes your life, man. Plus, she’s pretty awesome, obviously.” I gesture to myself because I helped make her.

“That’s great, man.” He looks over to Cameron, and she just smiles curtly before heading back to the bedroom.

“She good?” he nods his head towards the empty hallway.

“Yeah, man. She’s good. Probably just tired.”

But I know the truth. She’s been off since the night I placed Emersyn in her arms. I don’t even want to touch that right now.

I really hope she doesn’t close up on me again because I can’t do this shit without her. I know she’s struggling right now, but I just wish she’d finally agree to get some professional help.

Someone she can see who can help her deal with what she’s been through.

It has to be on her, though.

Morgan heads out fifteen minutes later, and I go to check on Emersyn to make sure she’s still asleep. Magnet has been sleeping in here on the nights she sleeps over, and I’ve officially accepted the fact that I’m no longer his favorite.

After I tuck her in, I head into the bathroom to take a quick shower. I let the hot water just run down my body for a bit because, honestly, I’m stressed the fuck out.

I hate to show it to Cameron, but I’m worried about her. I can’t help but feel like I’m gonna lose her. I haven’t felt dread like this in a while, like she’d flee at any chance she got. I know one day she’ll get through this, and things will be different.

She’ll have a future that’s bright and filled with happiness.

I just hope it’s with me. 

Because, for some reason, I feel like my girl is drifting away slowly. And I’m afraid the tighter I hold her, the faster she’ll slip through my fingertips.

When I get