The Body Checker

by Fox, Cathryn

  “We should get her in for a checkup. We need to find out who her doctor is, and see if she’s all up to date with her immunizations.”

  I nod. Another conversation with Shari that I’m not looking forward too. “Don’t you have to be at work?”

  “I took the next couple of days off. I thought you might need me here if Shari comes around like that again.”

  “I need to call my dad.”

  “Good idea.”

  I grab my phone from my back pocket and pull up Dad’s contact. I’m guessing he’d be at his office already so I call that number. It rings twice, and his receptionist picks up. I tell her who I am, and she transfers me through right away.

  Quinn turns the television down and takes Daisy into the kitchen to give me privacy. Dad answers, and I explain everything to him.

  He goes quiet for a long time.

  “You still there?” I finally ask.

  “It’s not a good situation for you, son, especially with you being on the road, and the courts do favor the mother.”

  I rest my elbows on my knees and exhale. “What can I do? I can’t let her get full custody.”

  “There is one thing that could help you.”

  “What? Anything?”

  “If you can prove you’re a family man and have Daisy’s best interests at heart.”

  “How am I supposed to do that?”

  “By getting married?”

  I briefly pinch my eyes shut, trying to decipher what he’s saying. “I told you, I can’t marry her. I don’t love her, and after the stunt she just pulled, I’m not even sure I want her around my daughter.”

  Just then, Quinn steps into the room, and her eyes are wide. I shake my head at her, at a loss.

  “Son, I’m not suggesting you marry her. I was suggesting you marry someone else.”

  “Marry someone else?” I ask. “Like who?” Quinn walks across the room, and Daisy grabs her hair and giggles. Quinn winces and very carefully removes Daisy’s hand from her hair as they head upstairs.

  “What about Quinn?”

  Before I can stop myself, I blurt out, “You think I should marry Quinn?”

  Quinn stops halfway up the stairs and slowly turns around. As if her legs are about to give out on her, she sinks down, sits on the step. Our eyes meet, and lock.

  “It’s like this. It doesn’t have to be a real marriage, just one for show. You two go way back. She’s a nice girl, works at a daycare. How much better could it be?”

  “I can’t ask Quinn to do something like that. She has a life of her own. She’s done enough for us as it is.”

  “Then make her an offer she can’t refuse. If you can prove to the courts you’re a stable family man, with someone to care for Daisy when you’re on the road, they’re more likely to rule in your favor. You might not get full custody, but you should get shared.”

  I shake my head, hardly able to believe what my Dad is suggesting. It might look good to the courts, but no way in hell would a girl, not interested in a family of her own, agree to marry a man with a child.

  “Just think about it, son. You could have a quick ceremony at city hall, and once things are settled, you could get an annulment.”

  “Do you think that’s the right thing for Daisy, though?” I ask. “What about when I’m on the road, who’s going to take care of her?”

  “Your mother and I have discussed that, and she will.”

  My head rears back, surprised. “Daisy’s not Mom’s responsibility, she’s mine.”

  “Then she’ll care for her until you find yourself a real wife, someone who will love and care for Daisy as much as you.”

  “I have to go,” I say, and slide my finger across the screen to end the call.

  I look up again, and my eyes land on Quinn. As I take her in, see the way she cares for Daisy, I realize I’ve already found that woman. If only she felt the same way about me. Her brother would rip off my left nut, but I’m pretty sure I can live without one.

  I open my mouth to speak, but she holds her hand up to cut me off. Not that I blame her. I think the idea of a fake marriage is insane, too. Especially when it’s a real one I want.

  “I’ll do it,” she says.

  14

  Quinn

  What the hell am I doing?

  Standing before a Justice of the Peace in city hall, I hold the flowers in my hand and glance at the handsome man beside me. Goddammit, he looks so incredible in his suit, my entire body vibrates with need.

  Zander, his best man, stands beside him, and my best friend Tina is to my left. I feel crappy for keeping her out of the loop for so long, but I’d been so caught up in Jonah and Daisy, I had very little time for anything else. I plan to make that up to her though, once things settle down and our lives are in order.

  From behind us, Daisy coos and both Jonah and I turn at the same time, so attuned to all her little sounds. She’s smiling and pulling on his mother’s hair, but she doesn’t seem to mind. She’s going to make a wonderful grandmother, and for that I’m grateful.

  Dad is sitting in his wheelchair, and guilt niggles at me. He’s the only one not privy to the ruse, and I’d prefer to keep it that way. He’d love to see his daughter married before his cancer took him, and I’m happy I can do this for him. He coughs, and I turn back to the man about to marry us.

  I’m marrying Jonah Long.

  We exchange vows, and when Jonah puts his grandmother’s ring on my finger, I’m still in awe that his mother insisted. Why would she want me to wear it? Shouldn’t it be saved for someone special, someone Jonah loves? Then again, I guess when this ruse is over, she’ll be getting it back.

  After the exchange of rings, we’re told to kiss, and Jonah takes me into his arms. He brushes his knuckle along my cheek, a caress so soft and tender, I have to remind myself this marriage isn’t real. His smile is slow as he leans into me, and when his lips touch mine, my heart pounds in my chest. His lips linger, and his hand tighten around my back to pull me close.

  Zander clears his throat, and Jonah breaks the kiss.

  I catch Zander’s eye—and he grins at me.

  My pulse jumps. Why do I get the feeling that he knows what we’re doing behind closed doors? But if he does, why isn’t he saying something?

  The ceremony is over quickly, and once all the proper papers are signed, we leave city hall. Jonah takes Daisy from his mother, and I glance around, half-expecting Shari to pounce. But she’s nowhere to be found. In fact, for the last couple of weeks, since Jonah took her home drunk that night, she’s been gone. Rumor had it she was on a drinking binge, off partying with friends. At least Zander was able to get the information on Daisy’s doctor, and after this ceremony, that’s where we’ll be taking her.

  No reception.

  No honeymoon.

  No nothing.

  It’s not a real marriage.

  Outside, the sunshine beats down on us as everyone makes their ways to their cars. I give Dad a kiss before Zander helps him into the passenger seat of Zander’s car. I look for Jonah, find him talking to his parents. Tina steps up to me, but she has a worried look on her face.

  “You okay?”

  “I’m good.”

  She nudges me. “Hey, it’s your wedding day, you should be smiling.”

  I force a smile. “I am. See?”

  “I was afraid of this.”

  I shade the sun from my eyes. “Afraid of what?”

  “You like him. You really like him.”

  I’m about to protest, but this is my best friend and she can see right through me. “Yeah, I know.”

  “And you love that little girl.”

  Jonah bounces Daisy in his arms and she laughs out loud. An invisible band squeezes my heart. “I do. But it’s not like that for him, Tina. I’m just doing him a favor. He wants me with him for Daisy.”

  Oh, how I wish he wanted me for him, too.

  “Maybe you’re wrong. Did you ever think of that?”

  My gaz
e flies to hers. “What makes you say that?”

  Her eyes go wide. “Ah, did you not see the way he kissed you?”

  I shrug, too afraid to believe we could have more. Too afraid of getting hurt. What if we did give this family thing a go, and he decided hockey was more important? My God, why did I ever agree to this?

  Because I promised Daisy I’d do whatever I had to in order to protect her.

  But when I really thing about it, my actions won’t be any different than my own mother’s. Daisy will grow accustomed to me and in the end, when Jonah secures custody, I’ll be out of the picture, abandoning her, the way my mother abandoned me.

  “…Quinn.”

  “What?”

  Jonah laughs. “You were a million miles away. What were you thinking about?”

  “Daisy,” I say quickly, honestly.

  Tina puts her hand on my arm. “I’ll leave you two newlyweds alone now. Shoot me a text and let me know how Daisy makes out with the doctor.” She gives me a hug and heads to her car.

  Jonah smiles at me and Daisy stretches her arms out. I take her from him, and she blows wet bubbles on my face. We both laugh, but then the smile falls from Jonah’s face. He puts his hand on my hip, looks me over, takes in the white dress I bought off the rack at a local dress shop.

  “You look beautiful,” he says.

  “This old thing?” I tease, but truthfully I agonized over the right dress to wear, wanting to look nice for Jonah. Here I never thought I’d get married, let alone wear a wedding dress and step into a ready-made family.

  “Thank you, Quinn. For everything.”

  “Anything for Daisy,” I say.

  Anything for you.

  But I keep that to myself.

  He nods, and his hand drops from my side. “I guess we should get home and get changed before her appointment.”

  I follow him to his car and slide into the front seat as he buckles Daisy in. She’s happy and grabbing at her toys, and that warms my heart. Jonah settles himself into the driver’s seat and pulls into traffic. I still find it amusing how slow he drives with Daisy in the car. We get home and I go upstairs to change out of my ‘wedding dress’ as he prepares her bottle. I pull on a light sundress, and take the baby from Jonah to give him time to change. He comes down looking like sin in a pair of cargo shorts and a T-shirt that showcases his beautiful muscles.

  “I’ll get the bag ready,” he says, and I follow him as I burb the baby.

  “Why are you putting so much into her diaper bag?”

  “I like to be prepared?”

  “For what, a zombie apocalypse?”

  He laughs. “Who knows how long it will take at the doctor’s office?”

  I roll my eyes at him. “I’m guessing we won’t be there overnight, Jonah.” Daisy gives me a big burp, and I take her upstairs to put her in something more comfortable than the frilly dress I had a great time picking out for her.

  Once we’re all ready, we head outside, and I scan the street, always expecting Shari to pounce and try to get her daughter back. Once we’re settled into the car, Jonah drives like he’s at a snail convention as we head downtown. Good thing we left a lot of time.

  We pull into the parking lot, and he gets his little girl from the back. He’s so much more at ease holding her now. I reach into the backseat and grab her diaper bag, which weighs a ton. The elevator takes us to the tenth floor, and I read the list of names on panels to figure out where we’re headed.

  Once inside the office, I register Daisy and Jonah sits. I lower myself into the chair next to him and smile at the pregnant woman trying to get a glimpse of Daisy.

  “How old is she?” she asks.

  “Close to five months,” Jonah says, even though we’re not quite sure about that.

  “She looks like you,” the woman says, and when I glance up, it’s me she’s looking at, not Jonah.

  “I’ve been told,” I say.

  The receptionist calls us in, and I grab the bag and follow Jonah. We step into the examination room, and the doctor smiles—but it falls off as she checks her chart. “Is this appointment for Daisy?”

  “I’m her father,” Jonah says. “I’ve been taking care of her.”

  “Oh.” The doctor’s gaze goes from Jonah, to me, back to Jonah.

  “This is Quinn, she’s been helping me out,” he explains.

  “Is everything okay with Daisy?” The doctor leans forward to check on the baby.

  “I haven’t had much contact with her mother, so we just want to make sure everything is up to date.”

  She opens the file, and frowns. “Jonah, you’re not listed as the father. No one is.” She hesitates. Papers flip as she goes through her file again. She bites on her bottom lip. “It looks here like she’s just about ready for her four-month shot.”

  Jonah’s gaze shoots to me.

  “How old is she?” I ask.

  “Uh…” the doctor says. “You don’t know?”

  “Her mother dropped her at my door weeks ago, telling me that I was her father and she’s four months old. I figured she was closer to five months now,” Jonah says.

  “Well, let’s see…she’s just about four months old,” she says. “But I really shouldn’t be saying more, since you’re not listed as the father.”

  Jonah frowns, and he looks down, like he’s trying to figure something out. “Was she late being born?”

  “Ah, I think you should talk to the mother,” the doctor suggests.

  Jonah and I nod, wanting answers, but not pushing because she’s willing to give her a checkup and her four-month shot. He hands Daisy over, and I put my hand on his tense shoulder. I’m sure his thoughts are running along the same line as mine, and he’s just as enraged that Shari neglected to tell him she needed her needles. He closes his hand over mine and squeezes. Thank God Daisy is with her father and not her mother. Who knows if she’d get the care she needs.

  The doctor takes her weight and measures her, giving her a thorough check over, and then Jonah holds her as she prepares the needle. Daisy is happy on his lap, but his chest is rising and falling erratically, like this is killing him.

  “Hi, Daisy,” the doctor says, talking to her as she puts the needle in. Daisy bursts out crying, and Jonah swallows, hard.

  “It’s okay, little one,” he whispers, and when the doctor is finished, I hug both Jonah and Daisy tight.

  “Thanks,” I say, and gather up her supplies. The doctor hands us a brochure, and I put it in my pocket. By the time we reach the car, Daisy has calmed down.

  “Poor girl,” I whisper, and I rub her back as Jonah unlocks the car.

  Once Daisy is buckled in, Jonah slides into the driver’s seat and exhales. I put my hand on his leg. “I think that might have been harder for Daddy.”

  He shakes his head and grunts. “I hope that’s the last of her shots.”

  “Afraid not,” I say as he starts the car.

  “Why do you think Shari didn’t tell me her real age?”

  Worry goes through me, but I don’t want to say too much. It’s possible she could have been in the womb longer, late being born, but how long do they let babies go these days? But what if she hadn’t been late in coming? What if…? My pulse thrums.

  “Quinn…do you think…” His words fall off, like he can’t bring himself to say them or believe them.

  My mind races. Daisy has to be his child, right? Why would Shari just drop her off like that if she wasn’t his? “She was probably late coming into this world,” I say, knowing we’re going to have to talk to Shari and get some answers.

  He nods, and instead of going back to his place, he takes a turn and heads in the opposite direction. I frown and glance around. “Where are you going?”

  His mood changes, and he gives me a mischievous grin. “You’ll see.”

  15

  Jonah

  Quinn’s face holds a measure of panic when she glances at me. “We should go straight home. Daisy needs rest after her shot.
”

  “Where we’re going, she’s going to get plenty of rest.”

  “Where are we going?” she asks, a little more demanding.

  I cast her a quick glance, and her arms are folded, her lips pinched tight. “Don’t like surprises, Quinn?”

  “You know I don’t.”

  “You’re right. I do. You certainly didn’t like it when I surprised you and your friend with those concert tickets to your favorite band when you were sixteen.”

  Her face softens, and she turns from me. “That’s different.”

  “A surprise is a surprise.”

  “The big surprise was that I had to go with you and Zander. What fun was that for a sixteen-year-old?”

  “You think I was going to let two sixteen-year-olds go to a concert in the city by themselves?”

  “I can take care of myself,” she says, trying to look pissed off, but I see the way her lips are twitching.

  “I know, and I can take care of you, too.”

  Her body relaxes. “Yeah, you sure can.” A moment of silence, and then, “Did I ever thank you for those tickets, Jonah? I could be so bitchy back then.”

  “Back then?”

  “Hey,” she says and whacks me.

  We finally pull up in front of my parents’ house, and Quinn frowns. “Why are we here?”

  Instead of answering, I exit the car and gather up Daisy. Mom and Dad come running from the house.

  “There’s my little girl,” Mom says, and scoops Daisy from my hands. She gives me a kiss on the cheek as Quinn steps from the car.

  “Jonah?” she asks. “What’s going on?”

  “What’s going on, is Mom and Dad are going to watch Daisy. It is, after all, our wedding night.”

  She glances at the ring on her finger, then alarm moves across her face. “We can’t leave Daisy. What if she cries or fusses? She just had her shot.”

  Mom laughs. “This isn’t my first rodeo, child. Now go.” She waves us away. “It’s your wedding night.”

  Quinn shakes her head, and her short blonde hair wisps over her chin. “I…well…you’ll call if she fusses?”

  Mom nods as I grab the big diaper bag from the backseat and hand it to Dad. “Sure.”