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“I’d want them to have your strength and your loving heart, and I would kill for the baby to have your hazel eyes,” I said in a hushed voice. I knelt down and hugged Addie by the waist. I closed my eyes, hoping to God she was right. “You're wrong you know,” I said as I held her.
“About what?”
“About everything,” I murmured into her belly. There would be no way I'd love her less, if anything, I'd love my Addie more.Being A FatherI was sitting in my office, still reeling from our news. I leaned back on to my office chair, my head falling back as I looked up to the ceiling. Pregnant. It was still pretty early, not even three months. The doctor said Addie had to take it easy but remain active. It would be beneficial for the baby if she ran as she did before. The moment the doctor said that, I wanted to stuff my shoe in his mouth. Motherfucker. As if I would be okay with Addie running on the pier pregnant, but sure enough, my Addie smiled and was happy as she agreed. I remember my leg shook nervously as the doctor kept talking about the various appointments she had to take. Watching, Addie reached over and put her hand over my knee to still me. “It’s going to be okay,” were her whispered words to me. That was this morning after we left her doctor’s office. It’s going to be okay. I kept repeating her soft words to myself.
My day was done, but I didn’t want to go home just yet. I couldn’t face Addie and claim to be her man if I couldn’t deal with all this on my own. I parked my car in front of Darren’s bar. Being friends doesn’t only mean the good times; it means the bad ones too. Jace’s stupid comment had stuck with me. Fuck it. I stepped out of my car and headed inside.
“Long time no see,” Pete, Darren’s bouncer said to me.
“Yeah, long time,” I muttered back as I continued inside. I walked through the crowd and saw Darren nursing his drink. Sitting next to him, Darren looked to the side, and once he saw me, he waved down Jace, who looked somewhat surprised to see me.
“Get the gentleman his usual,” he told Jace.
“Sure thing, boss.”
“So what brings you here?” Darren said as he lifted his lowball glass and sipped his whiskey.
“A drink with a friend,” I muttered.
“I hear things finally worked out with you two. Addie seems happy,” Darren said, looking start ahead to his bar.
“We both are,” I corrected.
“That’s nice,” Darren murmured.
“She’s pregnant,” I choked out. Fuck, I didn’t realize how much I missed and needed my friend.
“You can’t be serious.” Darren turned his head his eyes wide, looking at me in disbelief.
“I'm going to be a father. Addie is carrying my kid,” I said nervously.
“Fuck me,” Darren whispered.
“Yeah, I know, right?” I murmured.
“She loves you, man. You’re going to be fine,” Darren said reassuringly, but I could tell it was tearing him up inside.
“You would have been better for her,” I admitted.
“That’s not entirely true. I would have been healthier, but not better. She sought you out, man; even when she claimed to hate you. She always wanted you,” Darren said bitterly.
“I love her,” I stated.
“I know,” Darren noted. “I'm glad you came, and I'm happy you told me about Addie. But I'm going to need time. I get it now. I finally do.” Darren swirled around his drink and took the last swig.
“I never wanted it to happen this way. You’re my friend, my best friend, but Addie…”
“Addie was always yours. I just wanted a chance to have something that significant,” Darren said candidly. “I fucking hated you understood her in way I couldn’t. I wanted to give her the independence I thought she wanted. I wanted to help out of the rut she lingered in the past ten years,” he said ruefully.
“It’s not like I didn’t feel threatened by you. I still do. I’m a bastard and Addie is more then I deserve,” I said as I reached out my hand and placed it on his shoulder. Darren smiled and nodded. I finished my drink and threw a twenty on the bar.
“A friend of mine never pays at my bar,” Darren said as he picked up the twenty.
“I know. It’s his tip.” I pointed to Jace and smiled. I headed through the crowd again.
“Hey, Daimon,” I heard Darren call out.
“Yeah what?”
“You’ll be a great dad,” Darren said pointedly. I smiled and left.
****
“Mr. Evans! I'm glad you’re here,” Phil said to me in a panic as he opened my door.
“What? What is it?” I spat out afraid something happened to Addie.
“Mrs. Evans said it would be okay, but I didn’t get a good feeling about it. Your father is here.” Phil said flatly.
