“Why did you place pictures of me by the crib?”
“I wanted him to know his father.”
“He could’ve known his father in person had you just told me I was going to be one.”
“Alex, we both know you’re not the type of man to settle down. I wasn’t going to trap you into instant fatherhood because we had a one night stand in a dark elevator. I would’ve eventually told you about Jacob but I didn’t feel it was the right time.” She still stood by her decision.
“We’ll marry in three days. My father’s making all the arrangements. I spoke to your father on the way over here and he agrees with me. I won’t miss out on my son’s life.” He spoke the words matter-of-factly. He said them as if the deal was done and she had no say in it.
“I won’t marry you Alex. My son won’t be raised in a home with parents trapped into getting married. I’ve seen far too many lives destroyed by making decisions like that. If you really want to be part of Jacob’s life then we’ll set up visitation arrangements.”
Alex simply smiled at her. He’d made a decision and as far he was concerned there was no need to discuss the matter.
“Do you really want to have our son labeled a bastard?”
She was seething with rage. “How dare you?” she spat at him. “You won’t try and use my son to get what you want,” she finished.
“Jessica, we will marry. My son will have my name. I have the full support of both of our families. We would both lose all of their respect if we did anything other than marry. I want my son in my life full-time. I don’t want to be a weekend father. You owe me for keeping him from me and your parents fully agree that we should wed right away. You’re dishonoring both of our families by not doing the right thing,” he finished. His voice was far more frightening to her because he wasn’t getting angry or threatening. He was talking as if he was simply stating facts.
Jessica sat their seething for a few moments, glaring at him. She finally got up and left the room. She walked into her office to make a phone call to her father.
John answered on the second ring, “hello.”
“Dad, what did you and Alex talk about?” she asked, not even bothering with any pleasantries.
“How are you doing?” he asked, ignoring her question completely.
“Dad, I asked you a question,” she said, in no mood to play games.
“We talked about your upcoming nuptials. When he found out he was a father he told me he wanted to do the right thing. He wanted to marry you and be a full-time father to his son. I support him Jessica. I know you had your reasons for not telling him but you don’t keep a father away from his child. You did him wrong by not telling him,” he said to her, with disapproval in his voice.
Jessica hung her head, not liking to disappoint her father but not ready to give up the fight. “Dad, I had my reasons. I won’t get married because everyone’s telling me what I should do,” she said, begging him to understand.
“Jessica, Alex wants to marry you and do the right thing for your child. He’s a good man. Are you willing to bring shame on Joseph by having people think his son would get you pregnant and then walk away?” he asked, knowing by her silence she was conceding defeat. She loved her family and had a lot of respect for Joseph and Katherine. She would never want to bring shame on their family.
They talked for a few more minutes and then Jessica hung up the phone slowly, feeling as if her world had been upended. She took her time walking back out to the living room. When she entered she felt a tear slip down her face when she saw Alex sleeping on the couch with Jacob held securely in his arms.
She picked the baby up, which jerked Alex awake. “I’ve got him…” he started to say.
“He’s ready for bed,” she quietly stated, then turned and walked toward the nursery. She felt Alex right behind her as she gently tucked her son underneath his blanket. She said nothing else as she walked to the kitchen with him following closely behind.
She prepared two cups of coffee and then sat down at the table. They both sat silently for a few moments, sipping from the steaming mugs.
“Jessica, we didn’t get off to a great start but I hope by now you understand what needs to be done,” Alex said in what he hopped was his most reasonable tone.
She held her head high and he knew he’d won the battle. She had defiance in her eyes, with a hint of defeat. He was overwhelmed with gratitude. He didn’t want to be away from his son for any length of time.
“Okay Alex, it looks like you’ve won this round. I’ll go ahead with this farce of a marriage but I’m telling you it’s not a real one. I’ll let you protect your family name and when the time is appropriate I’ll file for divorce,” she said with a strength that impressed him.
“There will be no divorce,” he stated. “We’ll make it work out because I don’t want to be away from my son. I never planned on marrying anyway so it’s not like I’m missing out on something else by being with you,” he added.
His words made her wince. He was basically telling her he could stand to be married to her because marriage meant nothing to him. She didn’t feel the same way. She’d always wanted to get married but had given up because all the men she’d dated had been willing to marry her only to access her money.
She knew Alex in no way needed her money. However, he still needed her for something other than herself. She guessed she was bound to end up in a loveless union. It would tear her apart but as a mother sacrifices were expected of you.
There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her son. Her only regret was their union wouldn’t be real and she wouldn’t be giving Jacob any siblings. She’d been an only child and had always wanted to have many kids when she was in her own relationship. She loved her son so much and the thought of never having that feeling of carrying a child inside of her again, of looking at her newborn for the first time, was almost enough to bring her to her knees with the pain coursing through body.
“Alex, I’m exhausted. Can you come back tomorrow and we will figure out all the details. Jacob is still waking up a couple of times each night and I wasn’t able to take a nap this afternoon.”
“I’ll sleep in the spare room. I want to be here when Jacob wakes up,” he said, once again with that voice of authority.