“It’s a plan. John, if Alex is the father please don’t say anything tonight. Let me tell my son. I know he’ll do the right thing and I don’t want Jessica to think you or I forced him into it,” Joseph asked of his longtime friend.
“I can respect that and honor your wishes. I have no doubts Alex will take responsibility for any child of his,” John said with sincerity. “Joseph, I’m really sorry if he’s the father and she didn’t say anything. I’m sure she believed she was doing the right thing,” John finished sadly.
“I’ve known Jessica since she was a little girl John and I know that she would’ve had valid reasons for keeping this to herself. She most likely thought she was doing Alex a favor, since he hasn’t exactly portrayed himself as the stay-at-home with babies’ kind of guy,” Joseph admitted. “But I know if he’s a father, he’ll make a good one. I have to admit I’m really hoping the baby is his son because that means I have my first grandson,” he said with a smile.
They finished their lunch and went their separate ways, both anticipating the evening ahead. They’d receive answers to questions too long unanswered.
Joseph made sure to arrive before Jessica. When she walked into the dining room and saw Katherine and him sitting there, her face gave her away. She only took about two seconds to compose her features again and then greet his wife and him but in that unguarded moment, John and Joseph both had their answer.
Joseph and Katherine both admired the baby, taking turns holding him. Katherine didn’t know what was going on but she was drawn to the boy. She was reluctant to release Jacob at the end of the evening.
Jessica had a few tears in her eyes as she collected her son and left the house. She’d made a joke about post pardon blues. Joseph figured she was feeling some guilt about keeping the baby away. He knew if they all stood back and waited she’d come around on her own. She was simply too kind a person to keep her child away from grandparents that would love him.
Neither Joseph nor John were patient though and they weren’t going to wait for her to come around. Alex was going to find out he was a father as soon as Joseph summoned him home.
Joseph had been hopeful last year Alex and Jessica would have an instant connection. He’d been disappointed when his son came home and didn’t say one word about her.
He’d then gotten his hopes up once more as he’d watched his son moping about and not in a hurry to travel off to faraway places. But after a month Alex started disappearing again and seemed to return to normal.
After lunch with John, Joseph knew why his son had been so down and out. Alex still had that void look about him but that was about to change. Alex walked in the door, not looking pleased that Joseph had asked him to rush home.
“You better sit down Alex. I have some news that’s about to change your life,” Joseph informed him. He wanted to get right to the point and didn’t try to ease into things by making small talk.
“Just spit it out dad. I had a twenty-hour flight and didn’t get any sleep. I want a hot meal and to fall face first into bed,” Alex spoke wearily.
“You’re a father,” Joseph stated without adding anything else.
Alex stared at his dad, waiting for the punch line. They stayed there; eyes locked together, neither speaking for a full minute.
“Do you care to elaborate?” Alex finally asked.
“I met your child a couple days ago. You have a three month old son,” was the only elaboration he gave.
“That’s impossible…” he began, when he suddenly stopped. Joseph could see the wheels turning in his head.
Alex started thinking back to his night in the elevator with Jessica. He’d only had unprotected sex one time in his life. He began doing math in his head and the time-line fit.
Alex’s legs could no longer support him. He sank into the chair that was mercifully behind him. “Why…why wouldn’t she tell me?” he managed to squeeze out of his constricted throat.
“I don’t know the why or how’s. All I know is I met your son and I knew. Would you like to see a picture?”
“Please.”
Joseph passed the pictures John had given him, without saying another word. Alex stared down at them and when he finally looked back up there were tears in his eyes. “He really is mine. I’m a father.” He placed his head in his hands and let it all sink in.
It didn’t take Alex long to go from shock to anger. How dare Jessica keep his son from him? He hadn’t mistreated her in any way and she had no right to keep something this big from him. She would explain herself and he wouldn’t miss out on any more of his son’s life. He couldn’t believe he’d be holding him in just a few minutes. The miles stretched on, as he weaved through traffic on the way to her apartment.
She was living in a secure complex. It didn’t take him long to get clearance to head up to her door though. When you were as well known as his family, you knew just about everyone. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself. He then knocked on her door and waited as the seconds ticked by, seeming more like hours. Finally she was standing in front of him, her eyes wide with shock and fear.
“Where’s my son?” Alex had already missed out on too much time and he wasn’t going to mince words.
There was no hello, it’s been so long. How are you? He wasn’t beating around the bush. He was tired and angry. He couldn’t believe she would dare to keep his child from him. Sure, he hadn’t bothered to call her but he had reasons for that.
She’d affected him unlike any other woman before her and he hadn’t trusted himself around her. Even with anger coursing through him she was the most beautiful sight he’d ever witnessed. Her hair was longer and thrown into a messy bun with several pieces cascading down her face and neck. She didn’t have a single trace of make-up on and there were smudges under her eyes from lack of sleep. She also had a glow about her that was beautiful.
Jessica was petrified. How had he found out? She’d been terrified the other night when she saw Joseph and Katherine but they hadn’t seemed to know the baby was their grandson. She couldn’t figure out how Alex knew.
He looked more incredible than ever. He seemed tired and his dark hair was mussed. It looked as if he’d run his hands through it a dozen times. His face had a sexy five o’ clock shadow, making him seem more touchable. His scent was invading her and she realized she’d missed him far more than she should. She thought about him often. Of course, how could she now when she looked at her son daily? He looked so much like his father, especially in the eyes.