What Makes A Father (HQR Special Edition)

by Teresa Southwick

  “I get that. He wasn’t the only one shocked by it.”

  “I know, honey. Although it may sound like it, I’m not taking sides. The thing is, when he was married before, having a family was his focus. So many times he got his hopes up, only to be devastated by losing a child. And it was even harder for Christy, his ex.” Flo shook her head. “But with Sarah and Charlie, they were here and they were his. And that was a dream come true for him. I don’t know what he said to you, but I doubt he was thinking clearly when he said it.”

  “He said there was no reason to be married.”

  “Unless you’re in love.”

  When the baby stopped sucking on the bottle, Annie took it away to burp him. “It was a mistake. Gabriel was right. We moved too fast.”

  “Gabe’s experience doesn’t make him the best person to be giving out advice. I wouldn’t take his words to heart.” She smiled at the baby dozing contentedly on her shoulder. “I’m the one who told Mason not to let you get away and implied that your old boyfriend was hovering.”

  “Why would you do that?”

  “Because you’re perfect together.”

  “I don’t believe in perfect,” Annie said. “And when he proposed, we agreed that love had nothing to do with it.”

  Flo smiled. “But neither one of you stuck to that, did you?”

  “It doesn’t matter. I’m moving out of the house with the babies as soon as I can find a place to go.”

  Mason’s mother shook her head. “I can’t believe you’re really going to split up. Annie, you’re part of the family. So are the twins.”

  “They’re not. Now we know you’re not related to them by blood. They’re not your grandchildren.”

  “You’re wrong about that.” Flo’s voice was kind and gentle when she said the words. It was also firm. “Sarah and Charlie are my grandchildren and I love them with every fiber of my being. DNA is only science. It cannot tell us who we’re supposed to love. That’s the heart’s job.”

  “Flo, I can’t believe—”

  “Believe it,” she said. “And I believe with all my heart that Mason loves you with all of his. Don’t throw that away because he said something in haste after getting the biggest shock of his life. Fight for your family.”

  The woman’s words were the verbal equivalent of a snap-out-of-it slap. It worked. Annie got the message. Perfect didn’t just happen. You had to fight for it.

  * * *

  Mason left Patrick’s Place feeling both empowered and idiotic. The things he’d said to Annie... He needed to see her as soon as possible and headed to his mother’s house to pick up Sarah and Charlie. After parking at the curb, he jogged to the front door and knocked softly. Because of Annie, he was aware that when there were babies in the house, ringing the bell put a guy at the top of the most endangered species list.

  The door opened and his mom put a finger to her lips and then indicated he should follow her into the family room. “They’re asleep.”

  “I figured. The thing is, I have to get home and—”

  “Cool your jets.”

  “Mom, you don’t understand—”

  “Baloney. I understand plenty.” She gave him a look. “What in the world is wrong with you?”

  “That’s a broad question. You might want to narrow the scope a bit because there’s a lot wrong with me.”

  “You’re so smart in so many ways that it shocks me how you can be so dense about certain things.”

  “What are you talking about?” he asked.

  “I talked to Annie. How could you tell her you didn’t have to be married after all?” His mom pointed a warning finger at him. “And don’t even accuse her of talking behind your back.”

  “I wasn’t going to—”

  “Because I pried the information out of her. She’s an amazing young woman and you have handled everything so clumsily.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  “This is not a news flash. You really screwed up. I explained how emotionally drained you were after the divorce, but you need to talk to her and work this out.”

  “I get it—”

  “Because Charlie and Sarah are my grandbabies and I love them. Annie, too. She’s become like a daughter to your father and me—”

  When her mouth quivered and tears filled her eyes, Mason felt like toxic waste. What kind of a son was he, making his mother cry? “It’s okay—”

  “No, it’s not. But you’re going to sort everything out.” She blinked away the tears. “Because ultimately your welfare is on the line. Only you know what’s in your heart, but I can say in all honesty that I’ve never seen you as happy as you’ve been with Annie and your family.”

  “I know and—”

  “So you have to convince her not to move out. At least encourage her to give it some time, let emotions settle down before making a decision you’ll both regret.”

  “That’s my plan. I will—”

  “I mean it, Mason. You’ve always been an overachiever, so if there’s ever been a time to go with your strength, this is it—”

  “Mom, stop talking. I just came to get the kids. I’m going to talk to Annie when she gets home from work.”

  “She got off work early and stopped by to talk to me.”

  “She didn’t take the kids home?”

  “I suggested she leave them with me so you two can talk quietly and without interruption. And I’m suggesting the same thing to you. Besides, they’re sleeping. Everyone knows you never wake a sleeping baby.”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  She smiled. “And, Mason?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You better explain to Annie who your meeting was with at Patrick’s Place.”

  “How does she know about that?”

  His mother shrugged. “She asked where you were so I repeated what you told me, which was next to nothing. She went straight to wondering if it was a woman.”

  “Great. Like I needed another challenge. And no. I didn’t see a woman.”

  “Make sure she knows that.”

  He planned to. And it was going to be an uphill battle. She’d told Dwayne the Douche that he’d abandoned her once and she wouldn’t give him a chance to do it again. For the first time in his life, Mason wished he was a lawyer instead of a doctor. He needed the right words to heal the harm he’d done to her heart.

  The drive from his parents’ house wasn’t long but it felt like forever. People facing death often said their life flashed before their eyes. Mason had the reverse sensation—life without Annie stretched in front of him. The images were sad and grim, without brilliance or color.

  He pulled into the driveway beside her compact car and got out. After gathering his thoughts, he exited the SUV and walked to the front door. He opened it and walked inside. It was unnaturally quiet; a preview of his future if he’d irreparably damaged their relationship.

  He couldn’t stand the silence and called out, “Annie?”

  “In the kitchen.”

  There was too much square footage between them to accurately diagnose her tone. So he took a deep breath and put one foot in front of the other until he was beside the granite-topped island, face-to-face with her.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi.” Her expression was neutral and he didn’t know how to take that. If things were normal between them, he would ask about her day. But everything was wrong and what he said to her now would determine whether or not he could make them right again.

  He jumped straight into the deep end of the pool.

  “I didn’t meet a woman at Patrick’s Place.”

  “I believe you. But whatever it was must be pretty important if you had to leave the kids with your mom.”

  “It had everything to do with their future. And ours,” he said. “I talked to Tyler Sherman.”


  “Their biological father.” Her eyes went wide with shock. “Why? He made it clear that he didn’t want anything to do with them.”

  “That was before he knew the test results. I thought he had a right to know.”

  She mulled that over before asking, “And?”

  “The new information didn’t change his mind.” Mason told her everything the guy had said. “If needed, he’ll step up, but feels that day to day the kids are better off without him.”

  Her expression wasn’t neutral now. It was full of doubt. “Were you hoping he did want them now, because you’re not their biological father?”

  “No. God, no, Annie.” He was blowing this. Damn it. “I was trying to do what’s right. I would die for Charlie and Sarah. I am and will always be their father. I love them more than I can even put into words. And if he sincerely wanted to be a positive part of their lives, it’s my responsibility to look at the big picture and do my damnedest to figure out what’s best for them.”

  “So he doesn’t want a role in their lives?”

  Mason shook his head. “Not now. But he’s not hiding, either. If they have questions eventually, he’ll be around to answer them.”

  “Okay. He sounds like a good guy.”

  “He seems to be. Self-aware and practical. He cares about the twins, enough to put their welfare first. I respect that.”

  She took one step back. “Okay, if that’s all—”

  “That’s not even close to all.” He wanted so much to have her in his arms, but he was afraid to touch her yet. Afraid she would shrug off his touch and not really hear him. “I didn’t mean what I said, Annie. About being married. It was a knee-jerk reaction to that call from the lab. Nothing changed for me.”

  “Oh?” Her eyebrow lifted. “So we’re still friends who only like and respect each other?”

  “No.”

  “So we don’t like each other?”

  “That’s not what I meant.” This was not going at all the way he’d hoped. “More than anything I want to be married to you. I want a family with you, to raise Charlie and Sarah together with you. They’re my kids and it’s not in the DNA, it’s in the heart. I want to be the best husband and father I can possibly be. Because I love you, Annie.”

  “Really?”

  “With everything I’ve got. If you give me another chance, I’ll prove to you that I will never let you down again.”

  “Right.” She turned away then and walked down the hall toward the master bedroom.

  Mason stood there for several moments before reaction kicked in. It was not going to end like this. He wasn’t going to let it end at all. Whatever he had to do, however long it took, he was going to prove to her that he loved her and wasn’t going away. His military training kicked in and surrender wasn’t an option. Army strong.

  He marched after her into the room they’d shared awkwardly at first and then with all the passion and intimacy of a married couple. He was so focused on what to say that might persuade her to take a risk on him that it was several moments before he really saw the room.

  Rose petals had been tossed on the carpet and the bed. A bottle of champagne was icing in a bucket and two flutes were beside it on the dresser. Best of all—Annie was there smiling at him. She’d set a scene, just like he had, to work out the bumps in their marriage.

  “What’s this?” he asked.

  “My way of fighting for our family.”

  “It’s a good way.” He moved close and put his arms around her waist, nestling her against his body. “So, this—the flowers and champagne—is going to be our thing?”

  “Could be,” she said. “What do you think?”

  “Maybe we should invest in a rosebush.” He met her gaze and with all the intensity of the feelings inside him said, “I’m in love with you, Annie. More than I can tell you.”

  “I know.” She settled her hands on his chest. “Deep down I knew that when you proposed or I would never have said yes, no matter how much we pushed the friendship angle.”

  “How could you know when I didn’t?”

  “It was there in everything you did. Going to work. Feedings in the middle of the night. Walking the floor with a fussy baby.” She glanced at the petal-strewn bed. “Making the effort to show me how you felt even when you wouldn’t say the words. At night, reaching for me even in your sleep.”

  “I knew it, too.” He pulled her close and whispered against her hair. “Love is also being afraid I’d lost you when you fell down the stairs and broke your leg. I finally know what it means to be in love.”

  “I love you more.” She glanced at the bed again then up at him.

  “In case you were wondering,” he said, “I’m not the least bit tired.”

  She grinned. “Me, either.”

  Epilogue

  Christmas Day

  Mason parked the SUV in front of his parents’ house and smiled at Annie in the passenger seat. The outside looked like a Christmas store had thrown up on it. “So it’s the twins’ first Christmas.”

  Annie was staring at the house. Flo had invited the whole family to help decorate, but the scope of it all still amazed her. “Something tells me this has nothing to do with our children.”

  “You would be right about that. My mom goes all out for Christmas. She’s missed having little ones to fuss over and has probably set retail records this year.”

  A feeling of melancholy slipped into her heart. “Jess would have loved this.”

  Mason reached over and took her hand, wrapping it protectively in his. “And you still miss her.”

  “I always will.” She had Mason now and the twins. They were happy, healthy and beautiful. Marriage to him was the best thing that had ever happened to her. “I wish she was here.”

  “She is,” he said gently. “She will always be here because a part of her lives on in the twins. And she loved them more than anything.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because she gave them to you. She trusted you with what she cared about most. And you are honoring her memory by raising them to be the best they can be.”

  She loved the love shining in his eyes for her. “We are loving and caring for them.”

  “And each other.”

  “Ma—” That earsplitting screech came from the back seat.

  Annie winced. “The pitch of our son’s voice could shatter glass.”

  “Doesn’t that make you proud?” he asked. “He’s not a year old yet and is pulling himself up to a standing position. Before you know it, he’ll be walking. Have you seen how fast he can crawl?”

  “Seen it?” she scoffed. “I’ve had to chase him down. And Sarah is no slouch, either. This ‘getting around’ thing adds a whole new dimension to parenting.”

  “I know. Are you as tired as I am?”

  “You don’t look nearly as tired as I feel. How do men do that?” She studied him. “You complain about being old and tired but you, sir, are better-looking and hotter than ever.”

  There was a wicked gleam in his eyes. “So, I have a plan. My whole family is here for Christmas. We let them chase after Charlie and Sarah and save our energy. When we get home, I’ll have my way with you.”

  She grinned. “Not if I have my way with you first.”

  When there was a double outcry of frustration at being immobilized in the back seat, Annie sighed. “I suppose there’s no putting it off any longer. We have to set them free.”

  “Yeah. Here we go.”

  They exited the SUV and each opened a rear door. While Mason liberated their daughter, Annie released the restraints, lifted Charlie from the car seat and kissed his cheek. “Is that better, Charlie bear?”

  The little boy immediately wriggled and squirmed to be let down but she held on. His grandparents had seen him last night in his white shirt, red-
and-green-plaid bow tie and little jeans. Sarah had been wearing her red-velvet dress, white tights and black Mary Janes. Pictures had been taken for posterity. Today for the Christmas gathering they were wearing comfortable T-shirts underneath their sweaters.

  Annie looked up at Mason and grinned, preparing to hit him with her most recent Daddy observation. “Our daughter has you wrapped around her little finger.”

  “Does not,” he said.

  “Does, too.”

  They grinned at this now familiar debate then walked up to the front door. Of course Charlie wanted to ring the doorbell because one time he’d been allowed to and had never forgotten.

  Flo opened the door and instantly smiled at each baby. “Merry Christmas, my little sweethearts!”

  Her husband joined her and beamed at his grandchildren. “Who’s having their first Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa’s house?”

  The twins held out their arms to the older couple and, of course, they were swept into loving hugs and kisses. After the affectionate greeting, they all went into the family room, where everyone was gathered.

  The family room. A place where relatives were together. To celebrate peace on earth and goodwill toward men. Or just to hang out on a Sunday. Most people took it for granted, but not Annie. She would never get tired of this.

  “Did you see that?” Mason asked her.

  “What?”

  “They didn’t say a word to us. Just commandeered our children without acknowledging our presence.” He sighed. “It’s official.”

  “What’s that?”

  “We’re chopped liver.”

  Annie laughed then slid her hand into his as they mingled with his brothers, sister and parents. There was a gorgeous tree in the corner and wrapped presents were piled underneath it. Lighted garland draped the fireplace mantel, where stockings for every family member were filled to overflowing. It was perfect.

  The twins were in the center of the family room, where their grandparents were removing their sweaters. This was it. Annie looked at Mason and grinned. Everyone was watching as if the process were fascinating. When the outerwear was off, the room got so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The message on the front of their little T-shirts sank in.