Inevitable

Happy birthday.

"Donovan now that you've met her this is it. You have to stay consistent she's 3 but very smart and aware of things. She knows you're her father now so she's gonna ask about you and expect to see you"
We were sitting at the picnic table while Casey ran around with some other kids.
"I got it you don't have to worry about that I expect to see her too. She apart of me and actually seeing her .... it's like I can't look at her now and disappoint her."
"I'm serious don't pretend to wanna be in her life."
He looked at me shockingly.
"Ava.... I understand. I wanna get to know my daughter and be there for her.....I'm sorry that I made you think I'm this person who would show you false feelings towards their daughter. I want what's best for us all."
He reached and grasped my hand and I pulled away slowly.
"Don't do that ....don't give her the wrong idea about us."
"It's the way it should be"
"That's enough." I stood. " Donovan don't make me regret this please!"
"Casey come say bye!" She came running to hug Donovan.
"Bye Da"
"Ok baby I'll see you later." He looked up at me with pleading eyes. He put Casey down and we were about to walk away.
"Ava I'm trying.... I meant what I said."

It had been months since Casey met her dad and it was going great. She looked forward to seeing him when it was their time together. Casey's 4th birthday was in a few days. Since she really enjoyed gymnastics and loved jumping around we decided to have it at Fun World. It was a place for kids with several different types of bounce houses, Casey will be in heaven.

Even though Donovan has been around he and Bubba haven't officially met. This meeting would definitely be uncomfortable. They are the most important men in Casey's life so it would be ideal if they were at least cordial.

"So how do you feel about the birthday party?" I asked Bubba as we were cuddled up in bed.
"I feel like she'll have fun."
"No about Donovan being there." I could see his jaw clench.
"He's her father he's supposed to be there." I wrapped my arms around him.
"I just want things to go smoothly tomorrow."
"It'll be cool Bug."

At the party Casey and her friends were in pure bliss. There were so many flips and splits and also parents running around trying to make sure no one hurt themselves. The most important thing was that Casey had been smiling since she got here.

After singing Happy Birthday everybody was seated eating chocolate cake which was Casey's favorite. Casey was sitting on her dad's lap stuffing her face with cake. The party really turned out well. Casey was ecstatic and Bubba and Donovan seemed to be coexisting in an orderly fashion.

Then in walks Imani.

Why is she popping up on me now? That man is not your husband any more and the only reason he's here is because it's his daughter's birthday. She stood by the entrance and made eye contact with me thankfully no one else saw her. I walked over to her to see why she was here.

"Hello Imani,  I don't remember sending you an invite ."
"Must've got lost in the mail....anyway I actually came to warn you." I raised my brow at her.
"Warn me for what ...sis I don't want your ex so you can stop wasting your breath."
"Please I don't want him either sis.....look he's been talking crazy lately about "putting his family together".
Just as I was about to ask what she meant Donovan and Bubba stormed pass us out of the door. They both looked upset so I hurried after them.
By time I got outside Bubba had rushed Donovan. Donovan pushed him back and they started exchanging punches. I was in complete shock. I tried yelling for them to stop thankfully one of the dads from inside got them apart so that I could try to talk Bubba down.

"Ahmad baby calm down please I don't want anyone to call the police."  I said holding his face in my hands. He gently pulled them away walking off to the car.

I went inside and let everybody know we would be ending the party a little early. I grabbed Casey and quickly gathered her things to leave. Donovan walked in.
"Ava I'm sor"
"Tell your daddy bye"
"Bye da!" He picked her up and kissed her.
"Bye baby.... I'm sorry Ava." I grabbed Casey and left.
During the ride home Bubba kept a good attitude but I knew it was for Casey. He asked Casey if she had fun and what presents she liked. He wasn't saying anything to me or looking at me. What went on between he and Donovan?

That night I woke up feeling that he hadn't come to bed yet. He still hadn't spoken to me since the party. I got up and walked into the living room. He was watching tv.
"Why were you and Donovan fighting?" He continued to look forward at the tv.
"He was being disrespectful so he had to get dealt with." That was obvious because Ahmad isn't an overly aggressive person, he doesn't get angry easily.
"What he say?" I could tell he didn't wanna tell me but he did.

The next day

Bubba told me that Donovan had thanked him for being in Casey's life. He then proceeded to ask him to step aside so he could properly take care of "his family". I totally regret him being in Casey's life at this point. How can he be so delusional? It's like he's making things harder on purpose.

So after I dropped Casey off at school I drove directly to Willtech. 
"Why the fuck would you say something like that to Ahmad?" I yelled at him in the lobby area. He rushed over and grabbed me by my arm pulling me into his office.
"Ava you can't do that I'm working!"
"I don't care what you embarrassed? If so good why would you ask him to leave me? He's not a replacement for you I love him!"
" ok and I love you so now what?!"he said walking up to me. I pushed him away.
"No you don't you don't know how to love anyone properly! Isn't it obvious?! You "love" what you think you could have had with me because you didn't have it with Imani. It's a fantasy Donovan wake up!" He looked at me how he did the first day we met. He towards me as I backed into the wall. He stared down at me.

"Play with me Ava .....fantasize with me." He whispered into my ear and licked my neck and started kissing. I was in a complete daze before I came to realization. I mushed his head away from me and fixed my shirt.

"I don't think you should"
"Ava I shouldn't have did that but please don't separate me from Casey."
"I wouldn't do that I was gonna say we should stay far away from each other so from now on you pick Casey up from school or gymnastics."

I hurried out of his office. I couldn't believe I let him take me back to my naive ways. This was Ahmad's biggest fear. How can I face him after this.