Sweet and Sassy Baby Love

by Alicia Street

  “This is Em and Sadie,” Matt said, standing there holding Sadie’s left hand as Em held the right. “Em and I were together before I got married and Sadie is my daughter.”

  You could hear a pin drop.

  So Matt continued on with the introductions, saying, “This is my mother, Sheila Rocklyn, my dad, Matt Sr.… And he went through all who were there, each saying a nice hello to Em and Sadie.

  All except his father, who said, “Have you gotten a DNA paternity test?”

  After a quick double take with an appalled look at his father, his mother rushed forward, saying, “Sadie has Matt’s amber eyes, and everything else about her looks exactly like my Kendra did at that age.”

  Matt aimed a grateful smile at his mother. “I thought the same thing, Mom. She even marches instead of walking, just like Kendra does.”

  “I do not,” his sister protested.

  “Yes, you do,” Tucker chimed in.

  When Sheila Rocklyn bent forward to talk to Sadie, the little girl turned her head and hid her face on Matt’s leg. His heart swelled, both for her shy, sweet little self and also because the fact that she turned to him meant she saw him as her protector as much as Em.

  Matt reached down and lifted her in his arms, and she tucked her face in his neck. “It’s all right, Sadie. This lady is your grandmom and she just wants to say hello to you.”

  Sadie turned her head slightly so one eye peeked out at his mom while her forehead still rested on Matt’s shoulder. Yeah, he was a goner for this kid.

  “I’m sorry,” Em said. “She’s a little shy.”

  “That’s quite all right,” Sheila said. “I’ll give her some time to get comfortable. Would you like a glass of wine?”

  After that, Matt was thrilled at how smoothly the afternoon went, even though his dad remained a gloomy powder keg. Sadie loved the two family collies. His mom showed her how to throw their toys in the air so they would jump off the ground to catch them, which made Sadie squeal with delight. Tucker had met Em years before and came through for Matt with efforts to make her feel at home. So did Kendra and Shannon; the two cousins had been tight friends with each other since childhood. Kendra’s husband, Orlando, shared a knowing smile with Matt. He’d had his own rocky beginning with their dad—and Matt being the obedient, loyal son had foolishly taken his father’s side at the time. Grant never engaged much, but at one point he silently gave Matt the nod and a thumbs up.

  Later, as Matt drove them back home, Sadie fell asleep in her car seat, so Em’s voice was low when she said, “Would you like to see a DNA test?”

  Matt frowned. “Here I was thinking the visit went so well and all you come away with is my father’s mean comment?”

  “His request was not that unreasonable. It would clear up any possible questions.”

  “It won’t be enough to shut my dad up.”

  “Well, I’ve got news for you. I didn’t want to get into it in front of all those people, but I do have DNA results if your dad wants them.”

  Another surprise. “Are you saying you weren’t sure who—”

  “No! I wasn’t seeing anyone but you when Sadie was conceived. But when we started settling legal matters around Sadie’s paternity and child support, your cousin Rainy suggested I get the test done as protection. I wonder if she had your father in mind.”

  Matt reached out and touched her hand. “Don’t worry, Em. I won’t let him come between us again.”

  She nodded, but the look in her eyes told Matt she didn’t believe him.

  Chapter Ten

  The next day Em was spending a peaceful Sunday afternoon at home. Her dad was in his recliner watching a baseball game, and Sadie was on the floor next to her playing with building blocks, while Em sat with her laptop, working on a commissioned brochure for a cheese shop. She got up to stretch for a minute and heard a car pull into their driveway. Wondering if it was Matt, she stepped over to the window and peeked out. She saw that it was Matt, all right, but the wrong one.

  Matt Rocklyn Sr. got out of his SUV and marched toward her door, the look on his face anything but friendly.

  “Dad, please take Sadie upstairs.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “Matt’s father is here and I do not want Sadie or you involved in this conversation because I’m sure it will not be pleasant.”

  “I am not going to go hide away and let him bully you.”

  “You are not hiding. He doesn’t even know you’re here. I can handle him, but I need you to watch Sadie for me.”

  The doorbell rang. Her father did not move.

  “Please, Dad. Take her and go. And don’t interfere. Please.”

  Jack scooped up Sadie and he jogged up the stairs.

  The doorbell rang again and Em straightened the big jersey she was wearing over her leggings and took off her big fluffy slippers. Better to be barefoot than to look goofy when she needed to be taken seriously.

  She took a breath and pulled the door open. “Hello, Mr. Rocklyn.”

  “We need to talk.” His tone and lack of greeting made her suspicions clear—he was here to try and make her break up with Matt.

  She gestured for him to come inside and he walked in. “Why don’t we sit in the living room. Would you like something to drink?”

  “No, thank you,” he said. “This is a business call.”

  When he did not take a seat but instead stood in the middle of the room, his larger than life presence dwarfing her, Em remained standing too. And she remained silent. Let him guess what she was thinking. She was not going to allow him to intimidate her.

  “I have an offer to make you. A generous one.”

  “That I will get if I break up with Matt.”

  “Yes.”

  Her hackles rose. “How dare you come to my home and insult me like this.”

  He held up his hands. “Hear me out. You are already taking Matt’s help. Why not take it in a way that won’t hurt him? My son seems hell bent on playing hero for you by sinking a ridiculous amount of money into a building he will never use, then renting it out to you for a song.”

  What could she say to that, except, “I never asked Matt to do that. I will tell him we do not want him to buy the building. My father and I will find a new space on our own. I do not want your money. And I will not make some secret backroom bargain with you. Matt and I will decide if we want to break up or not. ”

  He smirked. “You think you have him wrapped around your finger, but don’t be so sure it will last. He could find a better piece of tail any day. I’m offering you some security.”

  Em was so shocked and livid she stood there speechless.

  Mr. Rocklyn gestured to the space around them with his arm. “I see you live modestly here. I could buy out the bait and tackle business, your dad could retire, and I would give you an additional sum for the child—pending a DNA paternity test.”

  “Which has already been done and it confirmed Matt as the father,” she said through gritted teeth.

  HIs eyebrows lifted. “Okay, so you were clever enough to let him get you pregnant, but that does not mean he should be involved with you. And as to marriage, you can forget it. Matt would never go that far with a woman like you.”

  Was it true? Did Matt think she wasn’t good enough to marry? “You don’t know anything about me.”

  “I can see you know how to work a man. Just like your mother.”

  “My mother?”

  When Em’s cool broke at the mention of her mother, Matt Sr. grinned, obviously knowing he hit home. “Yeah, I knew her, and she was a cheap little tramp just like you.”

  Her whole body tense with anger, Em struggled to keep her tone cool and flat as she pointed to the door. “I want you to leave now, Mr. Rocklyn.”

  “I will leave when I’m good and ready. I know you’re out to take my son for all he is worth, but I am not going to let that happen. A slut like you doesn’t belong in my family. Matt’s had his fun with you and now it’s done. But
I am willing to make it easy for you to—”

  Matt Sr. paused and looked up at the sound of feet on the stairs.

  Em turned to see her father jogging down, carrying a sleepy-eyed Sadie.

  “Here you go, Em.” He casually passed Sadie over to Em who automatically grasped her child in her arms. Then in one motion, Jack pivoted to his left and released a stunning right hand straight onto the chin of Mr. Rocklyn, sending him crashing to the floor where he lay stretched out.

  “Oh my God! Daddy, how could you! He’s out cold!” Em set Sadie down in a chair and knelt next to the fallen patriarch of the Rocklyn clan.

  “That’s what he gets for talking that way to my daughter,” Jack said. “These rich guys make me sick. Acting like he is the boss of the world. He can take my store and shove it!”

  Sadie started to cry and Jack scooped her up. “It’s okay, little darlin’, it’s okay,” he said, shushing her and rubbing her back.

  “I cannot believe you did this,” Em said to her father, touching the fallen man’s forehead, being careful not to move him. “What if he is seriously hurt?”

  Jack shrugged. “Ah, it was just a little tap. He’ll come around.”

  Suddenly Matt Sr. lifted himself halfway up, resting back on his elbows, and shook his groggy head. His gaze went to Jack. “Nice shot, Cliffords. But preemptive. Never had a chance.”

  “I’m calling nine-one-one,” Em said, grabbing her phone off the coffee table.

  “Why are you doing that?” Matt Sr. asked.

  “We need an EMT and an ambulance for you.”

  “Put that down,” he said, pawing away at her phone. “All I need is a beer and a rematch.”

  Jack smiled. “See, I told you he would be fine. I went easy on him. Coulda hit him a lot harder.”

  Em rolled her eyes. “Men are such children. Dad, please go take a walk with Sadie outside somewhere. The park, the ball field, playground, anywhere. And try not to punch anyone.”

  Her father shifted the little girl in his arms and grumbled a few words.

  “Put that phone down,” Matt Sr. said. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Sorry, but you were just kayoed. So if you won’t let me call an ambulance, I’m going to take you over there myself.” She turned to her father. “You are on Sadie duty till I get back.”

  Jack nodded. “You need help getting him to the car?”

  “What am I some feeble old lady?” Matt Sr. growled, using the sofa to help himself to stand. “I can walk on my own damn feet.”

  Em stepped close and tried to support his arm.

  “Get away. I can drive myself home.”

  “You are going to the ER for a brain scan. Head injuries can be tricky.”

  “It’s not a real injury.”

  “Ever hear of a hematoma?”

  Matt Sr. bickered with her all the way to her car, which luckily was not blocked in by his. She drove as fast as she could to ELI hospital Emergency Room and they took him in fairly quickly.

  In the waiting room she shot off a text to Matt telling him where his father was. She said only that he had gotten hurt but did not go into any of the circumstances. It was just too crazy. And hard to explain. And upsetting.

  Even though Em was somewhat relieved the two fathers had fallen into wisecrack bantering instead of getting ugly, this incident was not going to just go away. For one thing, if Matt Sr. was injured he might press assault charges. But there was even more going on underneath it all—too much to be denied.

  Was she bad for Matt, as his father said? If his son was investing a lot money in a losing project because of her, maybe she was.

  Aside from that, it was clear Matt Sr. would never believe Em was good enough to be a part of his family. It hurt Em so badly to be judged by the actions of her mother, a woman whose cruel behavior had left deep wounds on both Em and her father. But how did Mr. Rocklyn even know about her mother? She had left town and divorced her father over two decades ago. Em had thought only old biddies like Ms. Wendell still talked about her.

  Em’s thoughts were interrupted when she saw Matt and his mother rushing into the hospital. They raced to the desk, spoke to someone there, and were directed immediately to the treatment area to see Matt Sr.

  They did not see Em in the ER lobby, sitting in the plastic waiting room chair, head in her hands. She had no idea what she would to say to them if they did. The whole thing had gotten out of hand.

  And right now she was not sure if she should wait or just leave. She was not immediate family. At this point it was clear she would never be any kind of family to them at all.

  “Em.”

  She lifted her head up at the sound of Matt’s voice, and what she saw was not good. He looked really angry.

  Okay. She could see the writing on the wall. She was about to lose Matt for the second time. The bottom was about to fall out of the dream she had foolishly allowed herself to believe in.

  Matt strode toward her and she stood to face him. “My father told me Jack punched him, knocked him out cold,” he said. “How could you let that happen?”

  “It happened so fast I didn’t see it coming until it was too late.”

  “I didn’t think your father was a belligerent man. He always seemed so low key, but I guess I was wrong.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means he could show a little appreciation for everything I’m trying to do for you and him. And maybe show a little respect for my father.”

  Oh, that hurt. “I don’t want you to do anything for us. Don’t buy that building. We’ll figure things out on our own.”

  “Yeah, I’m beginning to think that’s a good solution.”

  “How is your father?”

  “The scan showed he is okay. Not even a concussion. He said he won’t press charges, but I think it would be a good idea for your father to apologize. He owes him that much.”

  “No, there will be no apology.” Now it was Em’s turn to get angry. “Do you even know why it happened? Did your father tell you what he said to me? Or why he came to my house?”

  “He said he wanted to talk about the building and the amount of rent he wanted from now on. Apparently you father thought he was charging too much.”

  “And you believe that? Then I guess we’re done. I can see you will choose your dad over me every time—even when he is lying.”

  No way would she let him see her cry. Em turned to leave, but Matt ran after her.

  “Please, Em. I can’t lose you because of this. If this is my dad’s fault, if he is lying to me, I’ll find out and make it right. I told you I would choose you over my family if it came down to it, and I meant it. But maybe you also have something to learn here. Maybe you need to fight for what you want instead of believing the worst and giving in to it. You never put up a fight for what we had years ago. You just stayed silent and ran away. Don’t do that again.”

  Just then Matt’s mother, Sheila Rocklyn, appeared and clutched Em’s arm. “You are coming with me. You too, Matt. Come on.”

  Em had no choice but to walk along with Sheila as she led them back to the cubical where Matt Sr. was sitting on a gurney in a hospital gown. He gave her an odd look, his expression one she guessed did not cross his face very often—uncertainty. Maybe even some kind of contrition.

  Sheila pointed at two plastic chairs along the wall. “Sit down. Both of you.”

  Matt did as she asked, but he crossed his arms over his chest, looking royally pissed. Well, Em was too. She had no idea what Matt’s mother was up to, but whatever it was, Em promised herself she would keep her dignity and not crawl to these people just because they had more money than her family. Or because she was in love with Matt.

  Sheila directed a stern gaze at her husband. “You are going to tell your son why you will not be pressing charges on Em’s father.”

  He nodded, looking resigned. “Because I would have done the same if anyone said the things to my daughter that I said about Em. He was d
efending her honor as any good father would do.”

  Matt’s eyebrows knit and he glanced at Em, but she looked away. “I thought it was about the shop’s rent, Dad?”

  “No, Matt,” Sheila said, “your father went to Em’s house and offered her money—which she refused—to get her to end your relationship. In the process he called her some names no woman wants to be called, implying she was a slut who is manipulating you.”

  Matt turned to Em “I’m so sorry. I thought…”

  Em just gave him a cold stare.

  Sheila cut in. “You believed what your father told you.”

  Matt turned to his father. “Why are you so against Em and me being together?”

  Matt Sr. looked away and stared at the wall.

  “Is it all because I’m supposed to be a pawn for your business? Nicole was as unhappy as I was in that marriage that never should have happened.”

  “There is more to it than that, Matthew,” his mother said. “Years ago when you were only about twelve, your father and I went through some difficulties in our marriage. As so many couples do. We have weathered them and come out stronger, but there was a time when we were fighting on a daily basis. We weren’t even sure we could remain together. During that time, your father had other women, and one in particular took him around the bend. She was a married woman and her name was Judy Fuller Cliffords.”

  Em’s jaw dropped at hearing her mother’s name. So she was still ruining her life even long after she had abandoned her husband and daughter.

  Matt looked stunned, but then he recovered, saying, “Dad, you are blaming Em for something her heartless mother did? Em is nothing, nothing like her mother. That woman hurt Em very badly and now you’re going to hurt Em again because—”

  Sheila cut him off. “Because that woman took your father for a ride the way she did with a lot of men.” She turned to Matt Sr. “But I will not allow you to insult or harm this dear girl your son has fallen in love with. I just hope she will forgive you for the mess you’ve made and not hold it against your son the way you have been holding her mother’s faults against her.”

  Matt Sr. looked at Em and nodded. “Yeah, she’s right. How about we start over fresh?”