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Her words filter off, and the silence hangs in the air between us. I want ta speak, but I wait fer her to continue. She needs ta give me somethin’. I can’t be left in the dark anymore.
“After Aine was born, my parents found out she wasn’t his.”
She blinks as the tears stream down her cheeks. I pull her into my arms and hold her fer a wee while. Seein’ a woman cry makes me uncomfortable. It doesn’t matter what she’s done. She doesn’t deserve ta be sad about havin’ a beautiful daughter.
“It’s okay, I’ll help ye as much as I can. but ye have ta tell me everythin’.” Even as I say the words, I know it’s not goin’ta help, because Orla will do things her own way. She’s made her mind up, I know that much. I step back and look down at her. “Orla—”
“I owe some people money,” she interrupts me. “If I can pay them what I owe, things will work out. Please, just let me do this on my own. It’s my fault I’ve gotten myself into a mess, and I need ta get myself out of it. I can do it.”
I want ta argue with her, tell her she should accept my help, but I know it won’t do anythin’ to sway her. There’s conviction in her eyes as she swipes at the tears on her cheeks.
“I’ll watch Aine until ye come back,” I tell her.
The idea of havin’ time with my daughter has me both anxious and excited. I want ta learn all there is ta know about her—what brings her joy, what makes her sad, what makes her laugh. Things any father should know about his child.
“Thank you,” Orla’s tone is filled with relief when she speaks. “You don’t know how much this means ta me. I’m thankful, truly.”
There’s a heavy weight in my gut. It’s a reminder that I don’t know what Orla is walkin’ into, and it has me on edge. I don’t like the unknown. I’d rather learn all there is ta know about a situation before bargin’ in. A handful of the brothers like ta shoot first and ask questions later, but I’m different. I want a reason fer why things are about ta happen.
“I don’t like it, Orla,” I tell her honestly. “My gut is tellin’ me ta go with ye, ta make sure ye’re safe. Your daughter needs ye ta come back.”
I wince when I realise what I’ve just said. Your daughter. Not ours. But I don’t know Aine yet. Not properly. Even though I’m convinced Orla’s not lyin’ about me bein’ the da, the wee girl still feels like a stranger ta me.
“I’ll come back,” she promises.
But over the years, I’ve learnt promises can’t always be kept. We may try our hardest ta keep them, but life happens. Shite comes across our paths more often than not. We can’t stop it, and we can’t change it. I want ta tell her so, but instead, I nod.
When we head back inside, we find Callia on the carpet, buildin’ a wee puzzle with Aine. They’re gigglin’ about somethin’, and I can’t help but smile. Knowin’ my girl gets along with my daughter is one good thing ta come out of this situation. Callia didn’t expect ta become a ma just yet, and I didn’t expect ta have ta be a father figure, but life throws ye right in the shite at times.
“Aine,” Orla calls to our daughter who’s grinnin’ from ear to ear.
Her eyes match mine. They’re the same colour brown with a glint of gold right at the centre. Then there are those dimples that deepen when she’s happy. I’ve only just met her, but I’m already learnin’ things about her. She’s a part of me. I can feel it right down ta my core.
Callia sidles up beside me and snakes her arm around my waist.
“She’s a sweet child,” she says in a soft whisper as we leave Orla and Aine ta talk.
Aine’s still so young, I’m not sure she’ll fully understand the extent of what’s goin’ta happen.
“We’re goin’ta have ta play house fer a wee while, Callia.” It’s not ideal as we’re only just startin’ this relationship. “I’m sorry.”
Callia looks up at me. “Why would ye apologise?”
“I don’t know. It’s not exactly the perfect situation. There’s always pressure when a relationship’s new, but includin’ a child in the mix is goin’ta put so much more stress on us.”
Callia steps in front of me, her back to them. “Listen ta me, Rebel. I didn’t plan on havin’ a child immediately, but I’ve always wanted a family. Maybe this is a good thing, and we can see if this will work. Nothin’ in life is easy,” she tells me. “But we’ll take each day as it comes. It’s not a burden on me in any way. I have ye, and that’s all that matters ta me. Aine is a welcome surprise.”
