Chapter 30

The next few months were incredibly busy and insane. The gym was doing better than ever, and I finally finished the paperwork for Tai. We had been doing well together and she had adjusted to her new life well. Every now and then she would ask about Tessa, and I promised that we would see her soon.

In speaking with the attorney about the trust he asked me if I wanted to act against the man who had killed her family. The thought had never dawned on me but if Tai could benefit financially even further why not, I would not live forever. I told the attorney to investigate it and get back to me. I also mentioned that I wanted to get Tai some good tutoring from someone to help her catch up. He told me that he knew a Vietnamese lady who was an excellent teacher and specialized in teaching Asian students. He told me he would have her call me.

Lexie had gotten her body back to where she was when we were together. She was also working again but she was restricted to the desk until Cody’s trial was over. Which was in about two months or so. She was still working out every morning with me and then going to the office. Tessa had returned Tai’s clothes and toys after spending an hour or so with her at my home. She made no mention of us in any way, so I knew that the chance of us ever getting back together was over.

I enrolled Tai with Ms. Tran on a full-time basis. I could bring her at seven in the morning and picked her up at two thirty in the afternoon. Ms. Tran taught her all the basic curriculum as well as her native language, Vietnamese. As Tai learned new words and phrases, she would teach them to me so we could attempt to communicate in another language. Ms. Tran charged nine hundred dollars a month, but it became obvious she was worth every penny. I was getting a check from the government every month for twenty-six hundred and fifty dollars. So, it was money for Tai anyway and I wanted her to have the best. Since she wanted me to teach her to fight and I decided to take her to see Doctor Hall who treated me when I was fighting. Even though he was not a pediatrician he was the best orthopedic sports doctor in town.

Tai and I arrived at his office a few minutes before her appointment. I had a complete case file which was huge on Tai injuries and her subsequent treatment at the hospital including x-rays which Tessa had brought home when we were together. The nurse came out and called us and we followed her to the back. We were put in a room and told Doctor Hall would be with us shortly.

Several minutes later Dr. Hall and one of his nurses came in to see Tai. I introduced Tai to Dr. Hall, and he spoke with her for a bit. I handed him her file and he began to look at the x-rays and read the case file.

“Tai how are you feeling now?” he asked.

“I feel fine doctor, thank you.” she stated.

“And you’re living with this big guy here, right?”. He asked.

“Yes sir, I live with Chwis.” she replied.

“Chris, tells me you want to learn to fight.” Dr. Hall

“Yes sir.” she answered.

“Well, I’m going to look at you and do some x-rays to see how well you have healed up. But looking at you everything looks good.” he stated.

I explained to him that Tessa Williamson was her pediatric doctor and the extent of her injuries. He sent Tai to radiology for some quick x-rays so he could see how she was healing. After about an hour he came back with the results.

“Everything looks good Chris. Tai’s wrist has completely healed and looks normal. I checked the legs and everything is fine for the time being. If things continued to progress the way they have she may be able to have some of the plates and screws removed in a year or so. So, what questions do you have for me, Chris?” he asked.

“She wants me to teach her how to fight. Her father promised to teach her karate. I want to train her in Jiu Jitsu and Muy Thai. But I want to know what her limitations are as of now.” I questioned.

“Honestly Chris, I don’t see where any type of training would hurt her now. Start off slow and monitor her closely. If she complains about pain, then take her to Dr. Williamson and I will consult with her if need be. But she should be fine.” he answered.

On the way home, we stopped at the largest martial arts store in town and bought a Jiu Jitsu Girls Gi’s uniform. We found one in pink with a white belt that was close to her size. The lady took her measurements and promised to alter it and have it ready for the following week. We also bought her the smallest pair of sparring gloves they had. They were a little big if I tightened the wrist strap tight so they would stay on.

The following week Ms. Tai Lynn Nguyen made her debut on the mat. We started from square one showing her different stances and how to move out of those stances. To her credit, Tai was patient and learned very quickly. She would do exactly what you told her every time. At four years of age, she was a model student. On the third day after working on stances again, I decided to let her put her gloves on and do a few hand strikes. We had just started when Tessa came upstairs to work out. She walked across to where we were and knelt down as Tai ran to her and hugged her tightly.

“Chris is teaching you to fight?” Tessa asked, surprised.

“Yep, my daddy promised to teach me but he’s in heaven, so Chwis is teaching me.” she answered.

“I love your pink suit.” Tessa remarked.

“Chwis let me pick it out.” Tai replied.

Amber came up just about that time to get Tai and take her to the locker room to shower. That was the one thing about having a young girl to take care of that made me uncomfortable. At the gym, Amber took care of her needs. At home, I would fill the bathtub up and let her take a bath by herself. I would leave the door ajar but never go in with her if possible. Tai followed Amber down the stairs and Tessa turned to face me.

“How are you doing?” Tessa asked.

“Not bad, Tessa. The days pass by quickly with all the responsibilities with Tai now. She is doing fabulously with Ms. Tran. She has already learned so much. And now she reads me a story each night before bed.” I answered, causing Tessa to laugh.

“It seems like you are doing a great job with her.” Tessa remarked.

“She’s fun to be around. So brutally honest too. If she doesn’t like something she will tell you.” I stated.

“Anything you need help with?” Tessa asked.

“No, not really. But I’m sure she would like to spend time with you.” I answered.

“I’m pulling doubles right now but as soon as I have time off, I will spend the day with her.” Tessa replied.

“Sounds good. Have a great workout.” I responded, walking away.

In the next few months, I put Tai through a range of training that included throwing, takedowns, leg sweeps, trapping, pins, joint locks, holds, and chokeholds. Tai was small and having to work with my physical frame was extremely hard for her. I also was teaching her how to strike with her hands and feet which was not used much in Jiu Jitsu. I went back to the Krav Maga origins with the striking.

The one advantage Tai had was she was extremely quick on the mat for a small child. But it was hard to see her progression because she didn’t have the strength to lock any of my joints and choke me out. But we trained hard every day after I picked her up from Ms. Tran.

Ms. Tran was a stickler for manners and grace. It was obvious from the first few weeks with Ms. Tran how polite Tai had become. Everyone she met and spoke with was ma’am or sir. I was the only person she didn’t address as Ms. or Mr., I was simply Chwis. Everything you did for Tai was rewarded with a thank you. She was becoming quite a young lady.

The lawyer called me a few weeks later and informed me that the man that had killed Tai’s parents and grandmother was trying to cut a deal with the district attorney. But because of previous DWI’s the attorney was not very agreeable to make a deal. The man owned multiple car dealerships in this town and in several other towns. He was well known for his hijinks in and around town. My lawyer had drawn up a civil suit asking for twenty-five million dollars in damages for Tai. Of course, he would challenge, and this would definitely go to court.

We were in the midst of summer when my final hope of any relationship with Tessa faded. I had heard she was engaged to Jason Patrick, and I did see her with an engagement ring on recently although she never mentioned it to me. We were at the end of June and Tai was preparing for the new school year that would start in several months.

Ms. Tran had helped me enrolled her in the Montessori School for Excellence nearby. In addition, Ms. Tran would continue to work with her for two hours after school in the evening to make sure she stayed on tracked. The tuition for school was twelve hundred a month plus uniforms and Ms. Tran was charging me five hundred a month for the after-school work. But it didn’t matter because Tai’s future was at stake, and I did receive enough money from the government to cover her educational costs.

I had dropped Tai off at school and had just arrived at the gym to workout with Lexie. Lexie Thomas had regained her form and her body had taken that powerful shape again. Lexie’s body fat was tremendously low and she was trying to eat as healthy as possible. Most of our conversation always revolved around Tai and how she was doing. Cody’s trial was about to start and Lexie mentioned that I was on the list of witnesses that might be called. I found it strange that Cody’s attorney would think I would help his case out and help him incriminate Lexie. But maybe he figured that I despised Lexie for the way she treated me and would be willing to get back at her.

“Hey Chris, my parents are having the Fourth of July thing again this year. Why don’t you and Tai come. I know Pops and Maw Maw would get a kick out of seeing you and Tai. So would my mom and dad. Tai could go swimming in the pool as well.” Lexie asked.

“Oh, I um ... I guess we could pass by for a while. I would love to see Pops and Maw Maw again. Sure, not a problem.” I answered.

We left the house around twelve thirty on the Fourth of July and drove over to Lexie’s parents’ home. It was odd walking up the sidewalk to a home that I had been to some many times before. I rang the doorbell and several seconds later Jennifer Thomas opened the door.

“Oh, my goodness, Chris. Come give me a hug baby.” she stated, hugging me tightly.

“Jennifer, I’m sure you remember Tai from the banquet.” I replied.

“Yes, I do. Welcome to my home Tai. It is so nice to see you again.” Jennifer said.

“Thank you, ma’am.” Tai remarked, causing Jennifer to raise her eyebrows and smile.

“I’ll explain later.” I said, winking at Jennifer.

We followed Jennifer through the hall and to the family room where I had spent so many hours. There were several familiar people which I introduced Tai to. We then stepped in the sun room where Lexie’s dad, Jim and Lexie were preparing food.

“Nice to see you again Chris.” Jim Thomas said, shaking my hand.

“Same her, sir. This is Tai Lynn my uh ... new roommate.” I laughed.

“Nice to see you again, Miss Tai. Can I get you anything?” Jim asked.

“No sir, but thank you.” she replied, causing the same reaction from Jim.

“I’ll explain later.” I told Jim.

I walked across the room and took a table close to the back windowed wall so Tai could see the pool. I took Tai’s IPAD out so she could read a few pages in her assigned book until everybody arrived. I got up and walked over to Jennifer and Jim Thomas who were working over the grill.

“Chris, you are doing a remarkable job with her. My god a young child that poised and polite.” Jennifer stated.

“Well thank you but Ms. Tran has a lot to do with that. She is her tutor and has been working with Tai for almost a year. She insists on manners, studies and speaking Vietnamese. She is expensive but worth every penny.” I replied.

Just about that time, Lexie came through the back door pushing Maw Maw in a wheelchair with Pops close behind. God, it was so good to see them again. I walked over and bent down, and kissed Maw Maw’s cheek then hugged Pops.

“I had no idea you were coming, son.” Pops stated.

“Lexie invited me the other day. Come over here, I want to introduce you to someone.” I asked, walking over to Tai.

“Tai, this is Pops and Maw Maw. They are Ms. Lexie’s grandparents. Pops and Maw Maw, this is Tai Lynn Nguyen.” I said.

“Why aren’t you a beautiful young lady.” Maw Maw stated.

“Thank you, ma’am. It’s very nice to meet you.” Tai replied.

For the next thirty minutes or so, Pops and Maw Maw sat with Tai and I and talked. They were interested in Tai’s story of how she came to be with me, and Tai loved telling it. After finishing her story Tai looked at me.

“Chwis, I need to use the bathroom.” she stated.

“Sure Tai, go ask Ms. Lexie to take you and show you where it’s at.” I replied.

Tia got up slowly and walked across the room to where Lexie was standing and grabbed her hand. Lexie bent over and Tai explained what she needed, and they walked off.

“There is absolutely no doubt that you are raising that child. I have never in my life witnessed a child that polite at that age.” Pops mentioned.

“Thank you, but Ms. Tran has a lot to do with that. She is Tai’s tutor and has spent almost a year with her. Tai still goes to her after school. I have my first parent – teacher conference next month on what to expect during the upcoming school year.” I replied.

For the next hour or so everyone talked and then sat down to eat. Tai was definitely the hit of the party. After a while Tai asked if she could go swimming and I told her I would go get the suits from the car. I went out and got the bag from my car and went back inside. I handed Tai her suit and she changed quickly then waited for me.

We both went back outside and through the back door to the pool area. I took off my t-shirt and got in the pool. Tai slowly walked down the steps and sat down where I put her floaties on her arms. She then started to paddle around the shallow end of the pool as best she could. She would swim up to me and then push away in the other direction.

We had been in the pool for maybe fifteen minutes when Lexie appeared in a white bikini and a sheer cover up. Lexie removed the cover up displaying her rock-hard body which I had seen so many times before. She got into the pool and swam up to Tai and began to play with her.

After about an hour in the pool, Tai asked if she could get out and change. Lexie helped her out and took her to the bathroom and changed. Then Tai laid on the small sofa in the family room and fell asleep. I got out and changed as well, putting all the wet clothes in a bag. I then sat down with Jim, Jennifer, Lexie, Pops and Maw Maw at one table while Tai slept. At one point, Lexie’s situation with Cody popped up which I stayed completely out of.

“There’s no use talking about a situation that you created grandchild. You were told over and over he was trash. You had plenty of chances to leave him, but you always went back.” Pops stated.

“I know Grandpa ... I get it.” Lexie sighed.

“No, you never got it. That’s why you’re in this situation now.” he remarked.

About an hour later, I woke Tai up and we decided to leave. Just about that time, Jennifer brought up the fact that she had heard I had bought a new house. I told her about the transaction but not too much about the situation with Tessa although they knew what had happened. I was carrying Tai out to the car and when Lexie walked up behind me. I put Tai in her car seat and buckled her up and then closed the door.

“It was nice to have you here today. Made it seem like old times.” Lexie stated, softly rubbing my back.

“Yes, it was. Tai really enjoyed it, but I think the pool took it out of her.” I laughed.

“Call me sometime when you get a chance. I would love to see your new place.” Lexie asked.

“Come by tonight if you’re not doing anything. It’s Saturday night and I’m going in late tomorrow.” I replied.

“That would work ... text me your address later. “How about seven o’clock or so?” Lexie asked.

“Sounds good.” I replied walking around the car.

I texted Lexie my new address when I got home as Tai, and I picked a movie on television to watch. I explained to tai that Lexie was coming over later, and we could order pizza. She seemed excited about that and said she liked Ms. Lexie. Tai took her bath around six o’clock and put her pajamas on then started playing some games on her IPAD. The doorbell rang at about ten after seven letting me know Lexie had arrived. I opened the door to find Lexie dressed in a short jean skirt and a pink tank top with tennis shoes.

I invited her in and started showing her around. She was in awe of the home, especially the professional kitchen.

“You have everything a girl could want in this kitchen.” Lexie said, looking around.

As we went from room-to-room Lexie continued to compliment me on the house. We arrived at the home theatre room where Tai was in one of the reclining seats playing on her IPAD.

“Hi Ms. Lexie, how are you?” Tai asked.

“I’m good Tai, thank you.” Lexie responded.

“Chwis, can we order pizza now that Ms. Lexie is here?” Tai asked.

“Sure Tai, you want double pepperoni and sausage?” I asked.

“Yes, please.” Tai responded.

I ordered the pizza and we all ate while watching a movie that Tai picked out about a dog. She really enjoyed the movie but by nine o’clock she was getting very sleepy. She asked me if I would tuck her in bed. I picked her up and carried her to her bedroom and put her in bed. I pulled up her covers and tucked them tight around her then turned her nightlight. I leaned over and kissed her cheek like I did every night. I turned on the monitor in her room so if something happened during the night, I could hear her. I left her door open slightly and walked back to the theatre room.

“Chris, you are going to be an amazing dad. I can tell you adore that child, and you are doing such a great job with her.” Lexie stated.

“Thanks Lexie. Even though it’s only been less than a year I can’t imagine a life without her in it. She gives me a reason to wake up every day and try to make our lives better.” I answered.

“Well, I don’t know how yet but my life is going to change as well. As soon as I clear myself from Cody for the last time things will get better. I have known him for a long time, but I would never have guessed he would try to frame me and ruin my career.” Lexie said.

“People do horrible things to people they are supposed to be in love with. I think back when I was young how my mother and father treated each other. And how much my mother suffered when my dad died. I don’t think that type of love exists with our generation anymore. Relationships and marriages are disposable these days. First sign of trouble they call it quits.” I answered.

“Chris did Tai have anything to do with you and Tessa splitting up?” Lexie asked.

“No Lex, she didn’t. In fact, adopting Tai was originally Tessa’s idea. I only promised to help her as best I could. Tai and I went to the hospital to visit Tessa on Christmas Eve and we saw her making out with another doctor. Tai walked in on them. After the initial shock, we spoke, and she admitted that she was seeing him while we were together. Everything fell apart after that, but I couldn’t abandon Tai. So here I am.” I answered.

“How could Tessa walk away from that precious child?” Lexie asked.

“I think it has more to do with Jason Patrick than Tessa. He’s much too ego driven to raise a child that is not his. I can’t see them making it but I not a great person to be in a relationship with either, so who knows?’, I laughed.

“Chris don’t say that. You’re a great guy and any woman would die to be with you.” she repeated, taking my hand.

“Uh Lexie, I’m zero for five right now. That’s not a great average.” I replied.

Lexie got up from the sofa and faced me. She lifted her skirt slightly then sat down on my lap, her face just inches from mine. She had a look in her eyes that I’m not sure I had ever seen before. She leaned in slightly and gave me a very brief and soft kiss, then pulled away.