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“I doubt that.” I chuckled.
“Seriously? Are we doing this, again.” She giggled, collecting her long hair in her hands and putting it in a loose braid.
“I’m just saying, I have and will always love you more.” I kissed my son’s head. “The same goes for him.”
“You’re incorrigible, but I love your stubbornness.”
The corner of my mouth quirked up. “Is it weird I can’t stop staring at him?”
“No, baby. It’s totally normal. I’d be worried if you didn’t want to look at him.”
“I see what you’re saying.” I rocked gently in the chair and watched him sleep. “What if I said I didn’t want to know the results of the paternity test?”
“Well, I want to know them.”
“Why? Would it make a difference? It wouldn’t to me. He’s my son, Shelby. And if that fucker is his bio dad, I will never tell.” As it was, my name was on the birth certificate, and that was all that mattered to me.
When Shelby didn’t reply, I continued to rock my son. I could feel her eyes on me, but I wouldn’t look at her. My mind was made up. I didn’t want to know the results.
Six o’clock had arrived, and we had visitors again.
Shelby ate up the attention. Her eyes sparkled brighter than the northern star as she smiled and chatted. She stole my breath each time our gazes connected.
I was beside her on the bed to make room for our family and friends, and our son was asleep in her arms. We were about to announce his name to everyone.
“I just want to say that I love all of you very much. No, we both love you all very much.”
I nodded in agreement.
“We’d like to introduce you to our son, Ryan Miles Norris. Miles after my dad, obviously.” She kissed the baby’s head. “We’re going home in the morning and I’m beyond thrilled that this hearty eater is doing as well as he is. He’s six pounds and four ounces at thirty-four weeks.”
“I told her he would’ve been ten pounds at full term,” I laughed heartedly.
“Cade is probably right.” Shelby laughed. “Ryan was branded on my heart the minute they placed him on my chest. He’s the most precious gift I’ve ever received—next to this guy.” She looked up at me adoringly.
I leaned in and kissed her forehead, then the baby’s.
She pulled a white envelope out from under her blanket and the earth stopped turning when she passed it to me. Fear spread through my body like a deadly virus.
What was Shelby thinking? She had to know I wouldn’t want to do this in front of an audience.
“Not now,” I whispered at the shell of her ear.
“What is it?” Olivia asked.
“The results of the paternity test.” Shelby squeezed my hand, and I sensed she wouldn’t do this if it was not the results we’d hoped for. She wouldn’t humiliate me in front of a room full of our family and friends.
My mother gasped from beside me. “Maybe now isn’t the right time to read them.” She placed her hand on my shoulder.
“Yes, Shelby. Save it for later when you all have privacy,” Debra said.
“Mom, it’ll be fine.” Shelby stared into my eyes. So much love and adoration shone in them, and I knew then it would indeed be fine.”
I took the paper out and quickly scanned it. My body trembled and my vision blurred with emotion. I could breatheas relief overpowered me. I turned my attention tomyson, sleeping peacefully and oblivious to my inner turmoil.
And I broke, unable to control his emotions, and let it all go.
Shelby leaned against me and kissed my neck. “Congratulations…daddy.”
THE END
