“Stella, if you are going to be in the room then Diane can be. If it weren’t for her, I would have never known I was going to be a father.”
“That is such bullshit Michael and you know it.”
“I just want to make sure that someone is there when Nathan gets the news that he isn’t prepared for.” There she does again, demanding a fucking Oscar with her act of concern.
“It’s fine S, let’s just get this over with. I want to put all this shit behind us and move on.” Laney walks into the doctor’s office with the rest of us following behind her.
We file into the doctor’s office. Jesus, can there be any more people in here? I should have invited my mother along with our entire apartment building to witness this. Shortly after, Michael, Nathan and I are seated the doctor comes into the office. “Good afternoon, I’m Dr. Sams.” We all say our hellos. He looks up at Diane questionably. “I am familiar with everyone present except for you miss. How does this concern you?”
“Watch your wallet, doctor. She’s a class ‘A’ gold digger.” Nathan says next to me.
“I’m a friend, doctor. I hope you don’t mind. But this affects all of us in some capacity.”
“If the patients are fine with it, then it doesn’t matter to me.”
“Thank you.” She says. If I never hear her voice after today, it will be too soon.
“Alright, well first let me say, Mrs. Whitmore. I must commend you. I have read every single allegation that has been thrown at you, and you have taken every insinuation and insult with so much strength; so much class. Looking at you now, I see how much all this has been affecting you. You need to remember that there is a life in the balance here. It’s your job to protect that life and make sure you give it a fair chance. That being said, whoever started this mess should be ashamed of themselves.” He looks at Michael, “I’m not saying that you have been behind all of this unnecessary propaganda, but it is your job to protect Mrs. Whitmore as the possible mother of your child.”
Hearing those words makes my stomach drop. I begin to shake uncontrollably. I can hear Diane clear her throat directly behind me. I know she is jumping at the chance to say she was right, and I have been wrong. I’m sure Nathan is so close to her grasp that she can just about taste him. “Mr. Whitmore, from what I have seen in the news and what I have read, you have been nothing but supportive of your wife. Even when the possibility of the child not being yours is at the forefront of your mind, I’m sure. The chance that the child may not be yours hasn’t seem to hinder your ability to be a loving and supportive husband and step-father to Mrs. Whitmore’s daughters from her previous marriage.”
I watch the doctor take the results out of the manila envelope. “I hope these results allow everyone concerned to move on with their lives.” He looks down at the results. ‘With ninety-nine point nine percent accuracy the father to Mrs. Whitmore’s child is Mr. Nathaniel Joseph Whitmore.”
The air that I have been holding since Michael pushed the subject two weeks ago expels from my body. I let out a shuddered breath, and the tears come full force. I feel hands on my shoulders, and I know they belong to Stella. Nathan pulls me to his side and presses his lips to my temple. “I told you, baby; I told you.” His voice is soft, just loud enough for me to hear.
I look over to see Michael there. The look on his face isn’t one of defeat, but one of relief. He didn’t want this baby to be his, I bet he never did. “Laney.” His voice breaks through my thoughts. “I’m sorry about all this. They told me that you were lying to me. They pushed me to get to the bottom of it. I should have listened to you. I should have believed you.”
“I am assuming by ‘they,' you mean Diane and my father?” Nathan asks.
“Yeah.”
I didn’t have anything else to say to him. But to the bitch who has grown oddly quiet, I have more than enough to say to her. “Are you happy now?” I turn to Diane, wiping away the tears. “Will this help you get it through your fucked up head that Nathan is not yours? He was never yours, and he will never be yours. He. Is. Mine. He is my husband and the father of my child. In years, he will be the father of my children because I have no desire to stop fucking him. I have no desire to stop making love to him. I have no desire to stop having his children. You have never been anything to him, and you will never be anything to him. Now get the fuck away from me and my husband. If I so much as smell you around us, I will hunt you down and bury you so far in the Ozarks no one will ever be able to find you. The mountain lions will feast on your skinny ass. Now get the fuck out!”
I watch as Diane pulls at Michael’s shirt, and they both exit the office. I send Natalie a text informing her of the results. She knows what she’s supposed to do. Her jobs over the next hour or so, is to confirm with every news outlet that I am the father of the baby. Just so there aren’t any speculations, and hopefully this story will finally be laid to rest, so my wife will be able to enjoy the rest of her pregnancy. “Congrats you guys, I’m going to get going so I can head back to the office for a little while.”
“Thank you Stella.” Laney gives her a small smile.
“Girl, you do not ever have to thank me. I will do anything for you.” She gives her a kiss on the cheek and walks out.
“Thank you, doctor for your time. I do appreciate you taking on such a highly publicized situation.”
“I admire your relationship, Mr. Whitmore. My wife is sort of a gossip monger. I have to admit, when she first started talking to me about your marriage and the suddenness of it, I was not impressed. But after everything I’ve read, I knew that you two are meant to be. It didn’t matter the time that may have elapsed, or in your case that didn’t lapse. You two are soulmates. How you have handled everything; it’s inspiring. You have stood next to each other. You have never wavered from your convictions.”
“Thank you.” I hear Laney say.
“Well, as you know when doing the procedure Mrs. Whitmore underwent we are able to find out several different aspects beyond paternity. We can also determine the sex of the baby. I have your child’s gender if you would like to know.
I look at Laney. Do I want to know? Do I want to be surprised when she finally gives birth or do I want to know now? “What do you think, love?” I ask her.
“I’m not sure, what do you think? I figured I had another month or so to think about it. Do you want to know?”
“I think I do. But if you don’t want to then I’m fine with waiting.”
“No, let’s do it.”
We turn to Dr. Sams and both nod in approval.
“Congratulations, you’re having a boy.”
“A boy.” Laney turns to me and places her hands on the sides of my face. Her eyes are liquid chocolate as the tears pool in her eyes. “You’re going to have a son.”
“We are going to have a son.”
“A son. Anthony Nathaniel Whitmore.”
I nod at the sound of my son’s name, “Anthony Nathaniel Whitmore.”
“I love you, Nathan.”
“I love you, Laney Bear.”
Does time really mean anything? You can know someone all your life and that person can do one thing and completely knock you on your ass. By just one, action what you knew of that person can totally be thrown out the window. Do feelings need time to develop, is love something that builds over time or is it instant? So does time really matter? I know it didn’t; for me, at least.
Today marks the one year anniversary of Nathan, and I being married. A marriage out of stupid spontaneity turned out to be the best leap of faith I have ever taken. He is my sure thing, my rock, and I know he will always be by my side and will never let me fall. I love that man with those honey eyes more than life itself. I am who I am because of him, and he is who he is because of me. We are each other's better half, just ask anyone we know.
Anthony Nathaniel, or little Ant as the girls like to call him, came into this world on a stormy spring day. I barely arrived at the hospital before our son made his int
roduction into this world. Ever since he was born, he has been eager to take on life. He never misses a beat with his eyes always flitting about taking everything in. A spitting image of his father, he has his big sisters wrapped around his chubby little fingers.
We never heard from Diane or Michael after that day in the doctor’s office. The stress of everything that happened with the paternity took a toll on me and my body. I ended up in the hospital with cramps and bleeding. I wasn’t sure Anthony was going to survive, but with mandatory bedrest he pulled through. The holidays were tough since Nathan didn’t allow me to do much. He, Brad and Natalie took the girls out trick or treating. Their love of princesses has faded, and their love for all things superheroes is in full effect. Their Halloween costumes consisted of Amanda dressed in a black glittered tutu, sporting a black and yellow tank with the Batman symbol on her chest. Addie sported Robin, wearing a lime green tutu and red tank with an ‘R’ plastered on her chest. The girls were in love with their outfits, so who was I to complain?
“Are you just about ready?” Stella asks from the doorway of the guest bedroom at the estate. Today is our anniversary and to celebrate, Nathan has surprised me with a renewal ceremony of our vows. This time with those who are important to us present, and yes, my mother is here as well.
I look at myself in the full-length mirror. Nathan had a silver, champagne and pink dressed designed for me today. The top is a silver tank with a plunging neckline encrusted with crystals. The silver fades to champagne around my torso and then flows to pink throughout the skirt. He has paired it with pink and crystal-studded heels. The girls are sporting their flower girl dresses of lace and long tulle. Nathan has recruited both Natalie and Stells to be my bridesmaids, where Troy and Brad have been picked to be his groomsmen. Nathan and Brad have come a long way. “I’m ready.”
The ceremony is taken place at our home, the Whitmore Family Estate. That was our Christmas gift from Natalie. With Nathan getting the girls each their own horse for the holidays, our ever growing family and the fact that construction of Nathan’s House is almost complete next door, it was her wish that we move the family there. This way the kids have the room to run, play and to just be kids. She was happy to take Nathan up on his offer for her to move into the penthouse. I have allowed Brad to move into my house. This way the girls can still have their home.
The backyard is decorated beautifully with hues of soft pinks, dusty rose, and champagne. This is the perfect ceremony that I have always wanted. Everything was just perfect. I hear the wedding march as the doors open and the first thing I notice are those eyes that get me. Every. Single. Time.
She is beauty personified. My wife, the mother of my children, my partner, my forever. I watch her float down the aisle as the song strums its traditional beat. For one year she has made my life better, she has made me better. I am now the man I never thought I would be, but always wanted. Without even knowing, I am who I want to be. I am a husband, a father. I am a changer of diapers and the giver of midnight bottles. I am the kisser of scraped knees. Most importantly, I am the rock to the most amazing woman I have ever crossed paths with.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining Laney and Nathan as they renew the vows they took a year ago. It was their unconditional love that had brought them here today, and it will be their unconditional love that will allow them to continue through life. It will be their love that will get them through the trials and tribulations life will throw in their wake. They will come out together as one because that is how strong their love is. Laney, is there anything you would like to say to Nathan?”
The emotions that are flowing over her face are evident, love, compassion, desire. She loves me unconditionally and I, her. She takes my hands as she clears her throat, “Well, I have a little confession to make. You see, a year ago I woke up in the bed of my forever. At the time, I didn’t know it, at the time I was scared. I was scared of making the same mistakes that I had in the past. Some say ‘third time’s a charm’ while others say ‘three strikes, and you’re out.' I didn’t want to be out. I blamed my decisions on the alcohol; I blamed my lack of responsibility in the events of our marriage to the lack of memory. But I knew. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I married you because I was meant to, not because I was three sheets to the wind.” She lets a soft giggle pass over her lips. “If I am honest with you and me both, I may not have been as intoxicated as I may have previously let on. I may have more memories of that night that I have revealed to you, or anyone else for that fact. I have never once been ashamed of my actions, of the choices that I’ve made when it has come to you. If I had to walk my life all over again? If I had to suffer the pain and the loss in my life again? I would. I would do it all again if I knew my forever was you.”
“Nathan, would you like to say anything to Laney?”
I can’t hold back. The tears slowly roll down my cheeks. I haven’t cried since my mother passed. I haven’t allowed my emotions to overtake me, to control me, but when it comes to Laney, to this beautiful fiery woman standing in front of me I know I can let the control go. I know she will always have my back, she will always be my support. Taking a deep breath, I flick my eyes to Vivian as she holds my sleeping son in her lap. “Laney, my Laney Bear. I don’t believe in fate, but I do believe people come into our lives for a purpose. I believe you, and the kids are my purpose. You say that I am the backbone of this family, but sweet girl, you are my strength. Your presence allows me to be who I need to be, for you, for the kids, for me. I found myself the moment I set eyes on you. Without you, I would be lost. I have never been a stranger of lust. I have had enough of it in my lifetime.” She cocks her eyebrow at me. “But I have never had love, and baby, I would take your love over lust any day. You are love, you are passion, you are desire and you are strength, and you, sweet girl, are mine. You are my wife, you are my life, and without you I am unable to breathe. I love you.”
“It is that love that will give you the strength to accomplish anything you set your minds and hearts to. It is that love that makes it an honor to once again, pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Whitmore. Nathan, you may kiss your wife.”
“You mean my life. This woman will always be more to me than just my wife. This woman is my life.”
Acknowledgements
This is a surreal moment for me, my first of many acknowledgments. I never knew writing short stories when I was a child in my Mead College ruled journal would lead me to this. It’s at this time that I get to thank all those who have helped me along the way.
First I would like to thank my dad, Sam Frisina. He has always been my rock. He is someone I’ve always been able to count on as a child, a teen, and now as an adult. I couldn't have asked for a better father. I take pride when people tell me that he’s a special guy. That he’s one of the best, because I know that he’s mine, my dad.
I need to thank my husband and my kids. They have experienced countless nights of me tapping away at my computer and zoning out for a while, but I must say, I still always made dinner! Thank you, Tommie, for always supporting my dreams and my goals. I have been able to become a college graduate and now an author under your watch. I couldn’t have done any of it without you.
Traci Nelson, my bestie, and my sister in every way it counts: You’re the one who has always had my back, and I love you for it. No words will ever convey what having you in my life means to me. Knowing you has made my life so much fuller. Most of my best memories have you in them. You are an inspiration to me and one hell of a non-aunt to my kids. I know throughout life, you will always be there holding me up. Thank you for that.
Amanda Bluestein, my Panda, my book sister, my Redheaded BFF, I need to thank you for everything. I need to thank you for trusting in my friendship, for listening to me and my ideas, for being there for me every step of the way. It’s because of you telling me to write that I wrote. It’s because of your encouragement, your enthusiasm, and your need to read more that I continued. This book wouldn’
t have happened without you. Jennifer Lessard, I bet you never thought signing up for an ARC would make you a full-fledged beta reader. You've helped so much with this book. You became an intricate part and I am so thankful for your time and your input. I look forward to working with you on my future books! Thank you again.
Shantaye Brown, you are the one who really set this all in motion. It’s because you took the time to answer my questions, that I was able to fulfill my dreams. You pointed me in the right direction when I had no idea which way to turn. You offered your help when I needed it. It’s authors like you that allow others to live their dreams.
To Robin; my editor: Words in Play will forever have a client in me. I will never forget the night when we messaged back and forth and in the end you told me I got myself an editor. It was at that moment, I cried. It was then when I freaked myself out because I knew I was going to accomplished what I’ve always wanted. You have encouraged me through this entire process. You have talked me off the ledge more times than I can count. You have been so patient with all my mistakes and more than anything, you have understood me, and what I wanted to create. Thank you, Robin!
I wanted to take a moment and acknowledge some ladies who have been an inspiration to me. Rachel Van Dyken, you rock! Your books are outstanding. I have become a huge fan. You’re such an inspiration to aspiring authors. I strive to be just half the author you are. Your love for your fans shows with every post you send out in social media. Thank you!
Colleen Hoover, Jamie McGuire, and Abbi Glines, you three are who started my passion for reading. I just couldn't get enough for your books. Watching you on social media is inspiring. You ladies are awesome. You three have created some of the best book boyfriends of all times. You all are amazing ladies, and one of the reasons why I chose to write. Keep inspiring and God please, keep writing!
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