Chapter 21: stand by me
"I can set up a trust fund for her. I will make sure she is comfortable. She is going to be better off without me" Jason replied.
It was like he was trying to convince himself that the statement was truth. After all, it made perfect sense.
"I have noticed that your answer to everything is to just throw money at it until it disappears" Alyssa knew it was the truth.
"Most, if not all the time, throwing money usually works" Jason paused a second before he continued "I think they are three types of people in this world. One, people who are here to change the world by making a difference in other people's lives like Mother Theresa, you and Naya, two, people who throw as much money at problems to buy a pass for not actually doing anything to save the world...people like me and three, people who don't really care about saving the world, those kind of people are the happiest because they are contend and happy just living in the world"
"You, my dear friend might not realize this but you are in the first group of people, Jason. You are changing the world. But now you need to ask yourself whether you are interested in saving just one little girl. Look at her, she loves you and she chose you. Are you absolutely sure that you don't want her?" Alyssa decided that she won't push it further if his answer was no.
"Of course, I want her. But I have no business being the father of a little girl. I wouldn't even know how to start"
"I think the worst part of being a parent is the ability and willingness to run into a raging fire to save your child and let me let you in on a secret, you passed with flying colors"
Jason instinctively pulled Nolani closer to himself. He couldn't believe he was about to say what he was about to say.
"I don't think I am going to make a good father. What if I screw up? What if I am just genetically prone to be a douche? And my family is screwed up. Do I want to bring her into the Ekoh-Yagazie family drama, where she would either be manipulated or downright rejected?" Jason could see the confusion written all over Alyssa's face.
"Say what you want but I find it hard to believe that you would stand by and watch someone manipulate or hurt your baby girl. No offense, but you come off a little overprotective towards the people you care about. I noticed it when you and your lovely friend where guests at the blue parrot motel. Plus, you are super rich and I think Nolani would pick that over being an orphan in Malawi"
"So, you are basically saying I am the lesser evil, got it!" Jason winked at her playfully
"I am saying you are a good man and you will make a beautiful father to that little girl"
"Thanks, Dr. Alyssa"
Jason mentally calculated how long it would take to make the whole thing official. He wondered how the rules of adoption worked in Malawi whether it was even allowed for him to adopt from his own orphanage or not. He needed his phone to place a call across to his lawyers to get the whole paper work started. Where was his phone? Jason wanted to ask Alyssa but he was sure it would be rude; it wasn't like the good doctor is the keeper of his personal effects.
"Is this your clinic?" Jason asked instead.
"No, my clinic is closed…lack of funds for the basic amenities. I work here now; I plan to save enough money to reopen the clinic one day"
"I have a proposal for you, Dr. Alyssa. I will fund your clinic and in exchange you will become the orphanage's mob doctor"
"Mob doctor?" Alyssa looked amused.
"It sounded cool in my head"
"You need to work on your jokes, Mr. Rich man hero" Alyssa hesitated for a second or two before she spoke again "it sounds too good to be true unless you want something from me"
"Actually, I do want something from you. I want to start up a foundation for children and youth, it will be more like a center where kids and young adults can seek help if or when they feel neglected, a foundation that can stop parents from forcing their teenage daughters into marriages or stop their sons from getting basic education in favor of trading. It will be more like a children's right and welfare foundation aimed at providing resources and accommodations for abused and neglected children and sometimes, even their family. I want you to run it and the clinic" Jason wondered where the idea to start a child advocacy program came from. It was unlike him to care about what happens to the child next door, and then it dawned on him slowly when Alyssa asked him the same question.
"But why and don't get me wrong it a noble idea but I always have to know the why" Alyssa was serious.
"Now, that I am going to be father, I want a backup plan just in case I screw up."
*******
It had been days since Jason and Nolani were discharged from the hospital. Even though Elixir insisted on flying Jason out of the country for further treatment, Jason overruled it and convinced her it wasn't just a waste of money but a waste of time also. Time he plans on spending rebuilding the orphanage.
According to reports brought to him by Naya and veronica after he checked his family including Nolani into a hotel for faster recovery, It was just his room that collapsed and nobody could figure out whether the fire was an accident or not. Jason plans to find out the truth even if he has to hire an expert to get it for him.
He was particularly thankful that his mother had not brought up McKenna again after he had shut down the discussion of going back to Toronto to be with the woman he loves.
Now, Jason and Elixir were taking a strolling through the hotel's garden while Nolani stayed behind in her room with John. Jason would rather stay in his room but Elixir was convinced that exercise was a great way to induce faster recovery. Jason figured there was no need to argue with her since the faster she believes he was really okay, the faster she would stop hovering and fly back to Nigeria. So, here they were walking through the garden of a three stars hotel talking about nothing in particular.
"I have something to say and please keep an open mind"
"What is it, Son? You said earlier that you don't want to talk about Canada or the girl"