by Austin Bates
“Oh, shut up. Madeline is going to be fine with this. She loves babies. I think actual children are the problem with her.”
Noah nodded. “God, I could use a drink.” He ran his hand over his flat belly.
Cullen eyed the extinguished cigarette in his ashtray. “Tell me about it. Okay, so just tell Madeline. You’ll probably have to move out because you know, Jade is one thing but that’s two kids in the picture.”
“I get it, Cullen.”
“I’m just trying to help. Have you spoken to Issac since he ended things?”
“Barely. If he just bails on us when we’re only dating, I’m terrified to find out what he does to his own child.”
Cullen fidgeted, twirling the cigarette in between his fingers. “You know better than anyone that having a baby changes people.”
“But this is Issac. Working for Walsh is probably the most challenging thing that he’s ever done. He’s had everything handed to him his entire life because his family comes from a little money.”
Cullen shrugged. “That sounds like a resource that your child could benefit from.”
“I’m not going to tell him about his child for the money. I can provide for another kid on my own, I just—I’m just not sure if I can do it without screwing up the kid.”
Cullen cackled. “Noah, any kid of yours is going to be screwed up. Look at Jade. She’s completely weird. And she’s also wonderful. It’s okay if you screw up, but you’ve gotta give it an honest try.”
Noah nodded. “You’re actually right. I’m still going to hold off on telling my mom or Jade until I’ve told Issac.”
Cullen rose to his feet. “Probably for the best. I need to go have a cigarette and I can’t do it around an expectant father, so I’m going to have to cut this short. I’ve got a life altering court case to go worry about.”
Noah stood up as well, and wrapped his arms around Cullen. “Thank you, Cullen.”
Cullen grunted and opened the door to his study. “Good luck.”
***
Madeline sat on the couch beside Noah and plucked the remote out of his hands.
“Hey!”
“I pay the mortgage, I choose what we watch.”
“I pay your mortgage!” Noah retorted as Madeline turned the channel to the local news. He frowned and sank deeper into the couch. He had forgotten how exhausting creating another human being was. When he had any energy, he spent it all throwing up. Otherwise, it was a constant battle to not only stay awake but to keep moving so that Madeline wouldn’t suspect anything.
“Isn’t that Issac?” Madeline asked, pointing towards the screen.
Noah focused and it was in fact Issac on the screen. He stood next to Gordon and his mother as he waved at a gaggle of reporters. I thought that he hated the spotlight. I just don’t understand why he’s right underneath his father when he will not even accept him for who he is.
Madeline turned to Noah. “Is this too much for you?”
Noah shook his head. “No, it’s fine. I still have to see him at work, remember?” When did he start speaking with his family again? Did something happen?
“His father looks like a prick,” Madeline observed.
Noah chuckled, and rested his head on Madeline’s shoulder. “From what I hear, he is.”
“Yeah?”
He followed them on the screen as the newscaster said, “The Fitzgeralds have stayed out of the spotlight until now. We believe that the Deputy Mayor is trying to round up some last minute votes for Mayor Barrett! Look at their handsome family. It will be hard to compete with that!”
The mayoral election was around the corner and Noah hadn’t given it much thought. He made small circles around his belly button. I’m going to start showing in a couple of months. I can’t imagine having my stomach stretch out like that again.
Madeline tapped him on the shoulder. “You’re lost in your thoughts. I think you need to get some food in you and get some rest. You might be coming down with something.”
That’s one way to put it.
Chapter 27
Noah closed the door to his office and strode down the hall of the second floor of the law firm, though he felt anything but confident. He walked up the staircase and opened the door to the third floor. Parker happened to be walking by and stopped, “Hey, Noah! You decided to come and visit us losers on the third floor?”
Noah chuckled. “No one is a loser. I was actually just looking for Issac. Is his desk still where it used to be?”
“Yeah, and would you believe that they just took the other desk out of Issac’s cubicle? He has a whole cubicle to himself! I’ve been here for over a year and I still have to smell Annette’s gross feet when she takes her heels off underneath her desk.”
I’ve missed the third floor. No one is this lively on the second and first floors. “I’ll have to see this new extra large cubicle. Hopefully, I won’t be disturbing him. Thanks, Parker!” Noah said and walked past a few rows of cubicles and turned left into Issac’s section. He leaned against the false wall and knocked.
Issac slowly lifted his head from the document on his laptop screen and faced Noah. “Noah? What are you doing up here?” He smiled, playing friendly enough as Noah came into the cubicle.
Noah shrugged. “I just thought that I’d come and say hello. We haven’t talked in a while, obviously, and I just wanted to see how you were doing.”
Issac mirrored his shrug. “Pretty good. I think that the judge on Cullen’s case is going to come on over to our side. We should all go out to dinner when the case is finished, for old time’s sake.”
“As wonderfully awkward as that sounds, I would actually love to go out to dinner with you tonight.”
Issac frowned. “Noah, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I thought we were moving past what we had. I’m still trying to figure things out.”
Noah leaned against Issac’s desk, noting the way that Issac turned his chair outward so that their knees were touching. “I’m happy for you that you have a chance to figure things out. I just want to take you out as a friend.”
Issac checked his watch and sighed. “Here, let’s go out for some lunch and we can talk.” He double checked for his wallet and swept his arm out in front of him in a you-first gesture.
They ended up choosing a restaurant that was relatively close to the office since Issac was convinced that Noah was going to make a move on him if they went anywhere else.
Noah thought as they sat across from each other in the deli. The smell of the salted meats made Noah’s stomach turn. Why did I agree to this?
Issac ordered a glass of water and turned to Noah expectantly. “So? What’s new?”
Noah shrugged. “Not much. Cullen seems happy with your dedication to his case.”
Issac tapped his fingers on the table. “Noah, was there something that you—?”
“Issac, I’m pregnant. There, it’s out. I said it. You can stop waiting for me to spit it out.”
Issac blinked. He took a long sip of water and kept sipping until he had finished the glass. “With my baby?” he finally asked.
“Of course it’s your baby. You were the only idiot that I slept with who decided not to pull out!”
Issac leaned forward. “You were sleeping with other people around that time?”
“No, you idiot. I just wanted to let you know that this pregnancy is happening. I need to get situated and I’m thinking about moving out of my mom’s house. I don’t want to crowd her any more than I already have.”
The waitress circled back to their table and Issac said, “You know, I’ve lost my appetite. We’re actually going to leave in a second.”
“We are?” Noah asked.
As the waitress was leaving, Issac said, “Well, I can’t eat with this kind of news. I need to process this.”
“Okay… can we at least talk about what we might want to do? Do you want to be involved?”
Issac paused and shook his head. “Of course, I’m sorry. I wan
t this baby. I want to help with the baby. I’ve just never done this before and—”
Noah reached across the table and caressed Issac’s hand. “It’s okay. I know that you’ve been trying to reconnect with your family.”
“How the hell do you know that?”
“You guys were on the news the other night. If you need time to deal with your family, I understand. I’m not exactly looking forward to telling Mom about the new baby. I need to get out of here anyway. If I stay in a deli much longer, I’m going to puke all over the floor.”
Issac stood up as Noah pushed his chair back to leave. “Thank you for letting me know, Noah. I’ll… talk to you later?”
Noah smiled and patted Issac on his upper arm. “Of course.”
Chapter 28
“The court has found that we rule in favor of the prosecution in the case of Cullen Weber versus Jameson Private Academy. Cullen will return to work as normal and has been awarded a settlement of $105,000 to be paid by the defendant, Jameson Private Academy. Court is adjourned.” The judge slammed his gavel down and the lawyer across the room mustered up the dirtiest glare that he could to direct towards Issac.
Issac turned toward Cullen; he was obviously in shock. His hands were glued to his knees and he stared forward. Issac slapped a hand in between Cullen’s shoulders. “Cullen, we won! Come on, aren’t you excited?”
Cullen rotated his head towards Issac and said, “I just can’t believe that they’re going to pay me $100,000. And I get to keep my job. I can’t believe that you pulled it off.”
I can’t believe it either! Issac thought but said, “Well, this case meant a lot to me. I’m glad that everything is finally worked out. What are you going to do to celebrate?”
Cullen stood up. He towered over Issac slightly and broke into a smile. “I’m going to take my fiancé out to dinner.”
“That’s great! Have all of the fun you can before you go back in a couple of weeks. Let me know if you need anything,” Issac said and collected his laptop and documents. Cullen hesitated to leave.
Issac turned his head, “You know, you don’t have to wait for me to leave. You’re the client, leave, go celebrate.”
“Well, it’s just that now that the case is over, I wanted to know what you planned to do about Noah.”
Issac frowned and slid the rest of his documents into his laptop case. “That’s kind of personal, isn’t it?”
“Well, that’s why I waited until after the case was over to ask,” Cullen countered. They walked out of the courtroom together and entered the crowded hallways of the courthouse. High heels clacked from courtroom to courtroom and a throng of people moved as one to return to the jury box after a recess.
“You’re something else, Cullen. I intend to raise my child. What else did you expect?”
“Well, I know that you and Noah aren’t together, and I kind of wanted to know how you guys planned to do that. Jade is so excited to have a younger sibling, but have you guys talked about whether or not you’re going to live together?”
Issac felt a tightness building in his muscles. “I don’t honestly know. I ended things to figure my own life out and I’m speaking with Noah again and things are three times as complicated. I just don’t know.”
Cullen had followed Issac out to his car in the courthouse parking lot. “I see. Well, if you need any advice, I’m here. I really appreciate your hard work.”
“No problem. See you around?” Issac asked.
“Definitely.” Cullen walked forward and into the crowd, disappearing into the mess of people while he searched for his car. Issac watched him go for a moment, and then climbed into his own car. He sighed in relief. I’m finally going to get Hugh off of my back.
Issac dialed Noah’s number, he picked up on the fifth ring, sounding breathless. “Hello?”
“Everything okay? I’m leaving the courthouse now.”
“How did everything turn out?” Noah asked.
Issac guided his car onto the highway. “We won. Cullen was granted a settlement of $105,000 and he can return to work in a couple of weeks.”
“That’s fantastic!” Noah exclaimed. “You did such a great job.”
“Thank. Now, why were you out of breath?”
“More morning sickness. Except that this time around it’s more like all day sickness.”
Issac cleared his throat. “You know, I’ve been thinking. I want to tell my family that we’re going to have a baby. Is there any way you could meet me at my parents’ house?”
“Today?”
“Yes, today.”
“Okay.”
“Thank you. I’ll text you the address.”
Issac drove over to his parent’s home, and Tristan was shoveling snow in the front yard. He got out of the car and Tristan waved.
“You’re shoveling the snow? I thought Dad had a guy for that?”
“Normally he does, but he’s sick and Dad is on this kick of making sure I have a good work ethic.” Issac rolled his eyes and as he pushed open the door, Charlene called to him from the living room.
“Issac! Issac, how did your case go? Did you lose?”
Issac sat down on the couch next to her and said, “No, we won. He’s getting a pretty big settlement and he can go back to work soon.”
“That’s wonderful!” Charlene said, she hopped off of the couch and said, “I’ll break open a bottle of your father’s best wine and—”
“Mom, that can wait. I have a guest coming over.”
Charlene scoffed. “That’s a bit presumptuous of you, don’t you think? Why didn’t you invite your guest over to your own place?”
The doorbell rang but Tristan pushed the front door open with Noah following him in.
“Issac, your friend is here!”
Issac got up and stood next to Noah. “Where is Dad?”
“Should be finishing up a shower.” As she finished her sentence, Gordon came down the staircase dressed more casually than anyone had ever seen him. He wore sweatpants, and where his normal dress shirt and tie went, there was a plain t-shirt. He blushed upon seeing Noah in the living room.
“Charlene, I didn’t know that we had a guest. I would have dressed nicely.”
Charlene threw her hands up. “I didn’t know that we were having a guest either!”
Issac asked his father, “Would you please sit down?”
Gordon looked between Issac and Noah, and then back to Noah as he sat down on the sofa next to Charlene. Tristan joined them.
Issac took a deep breath and looked at Noah. Noah grinned at him and Issac went on to say, “Everyone, I know that this family has seen my sexuality as a point of contention. However, I wanted to say… that I had been dating Noah for some time earlier this year. About a month after we weren’t together anymore, Noah told me that he’s expecting.”
Gordon turned an accusatory glare onto Noah. “How much cash are you looking for to make this all go away?”
“Dad, no. He’s not trying to squeeze money out of you. I wanted you guys to know that Noah is going to have my baby. He’s going to have your first grandchild, you two.” Issac placed a hand over Noah’s belly. “This is your niece or nephew, Tristan. If you guys want to be a part of your first grandchild’s life, then you need to drop your bigoted attitudes. I don’t care about elections or your feelings anymore. I just care about Noah… and my baby.” Issac reached over to Noah and grasped his hand. “I’m sorry that I got scared before, Noah. I thought that since you were the only good thing in my life, that I should give you up for something more permanent, like my family. However, there’s nothing more permanent than this.”
Gordon spoke first, “We’re going to need some time to get used to this, Issac.” His voice was softer, the usual brash tone he spoke in had been completely absolved.
Charlene offered a genuine smile to Noah, before leaning against Gordon. “We’re going to have a grandchild,” she whispered.
“Congratulations,” Tristan said; he embrace
d Issac and Noah.
Gordon got to his feet as the three of them separated. “Well, good luck, Son. We’re here for you.”
Issac grinned and turned to look at Noah. “I love you,” he said as he leaned in and kissed him on the lips in front of everyone.
Charlene placed a hand over heart and told Noah, “I’m here if you need anything.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Fitzgerald.” He turned to Issac. “Way to put me on the spot,” he teased.
“But I—”
Noah kissed Issac softly on the lips. “I love you too.”
Chapter 29
Issac nodded to Rhonda as he walked into Hugh’s office. Hugh sat behind the desk, finishing off a cup of bold coffee. Issac took a seat across from him, and Hugh set the cup down on the glass table between them.
“Goddamn it, you did it. A part of me didn’t think you could do it but you have proved me wrong,” Hugh said, and Issac looked down at his folded hands in his lap. “Oh, don’t be humble. That was a big win for us. So, my question for you is where do we go from here?”