“Any time.”
“What is her name again? The girl?” his mother asked.
“Emily.”
“And she’s ten?” As if the seal had been broken, their mother launched into a torrid of questions. “Do you have a picture? I’ll bet she looks like you. Is she just the sweetest thing?”
“Ma, easy there.” Kenzie sighed. “She has the McLaughlin green eyes that we all got from Da. But other than that she’s the spitting image of Sarah.”
“I’ve no pictures yet, but I’m sure I can get some from Sarah.” The words felt so odd on Ian’s tongue.
They were talking about his daughter. He had a kid. The whole notion was still a complete mind-fuck.
“She’s absolutely adorable and loads of fun,” Kenzie added. “I’m already smitten with my niece and I’ve only known about her for a few hours.” Her face lit up and she squealed suddenly, bouncing in her seat. “Oh wow, it’s sinking in. I’m an aunt!”
Colin heaved a sigh. “Are you all right there, Kenzie? Did you hurt something?”
“No, I didn’t hurt something,” she said tartly. “Forgive me, but the novelty hasn’t worn off that I have a niece. And it likely won’t wear off for several months. So you all might want to brace yourselves for more of these little episodes.”
“I like that word. Episode. Reminds me of tantrum,” Aleck teased. “You were good at those as a child too.”
Kenzie made a face and tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I tell you, it’ll be good to have another female in the mix. It’s not easy with the lot of you boys.” She glanced at the computer. “No offense, Ma, but you being in Scotland again certainly tips the scales.”
Their mother laughed. “None taken, darling. And we really do miss you all.”
Ian had been following the exchange with some amusement, and growing wonder. The entire family seemed to have accepted Emily being his daughter far easier than he had.
“So what are you going to do now?” their father asked.
“I don’t know what to do,” Ian finally admitted. “Where to go from here.”
“You could hire a lawyer and fight for custody,” Aleck suggested lightly.
Yes, and he’d considered it. He could already imagine the shock and fear on Sarah’s face if he went forward with that plan of action. She’d likely try to castrate him on the spot.
But would she fight him if he wanted partial custody? Would a lawyer even be necessary?
“Well, what do you want? Do you want to take on the responsibility of being a father?” Colin glanced at him. “You’ve never seemed all that fond of kids before.”
“No. I don’t suppose I was. I didn’t hate them, but I never went out of my way to cuddle a baby either.” He gave a faint smile. “And yet, now it seems I have a child.”
“Just crazy.” Kenzie sighed. “I never thought you’d be the first one of us to become a parent.”
Aleck pulled out his chair across the table and sat down. “The first ten years you were denied the chance to help raise Emily. But you have every right to fight for the chance to do so from here on out.”
“Sarah didn’t seem to want me in Emily’s life up to this point,” he pointed out flatly. “I can’t imagine she’ll be thrilled to have me start playing the role of dad now.”
“But you are her Da,” his father protested, his voice rising. “It’s not right that you weren’t told.”
There were murmurs of agreement around the table.
“Are you going to answer the question?” Aleck prodded. “Do you want to be part of her life?”
Ian tightened his grip around his glass and stared at his whisky.
Maybe he’d never been the father type, or imagined himself with kids, but now that he knew there was a child out there with his blood…well, it completely changed everything.
Emily was a physical presence in his life now. She was warm and vibrant, a bit random and shockingly blunt. He could see reflections of himself in her. She was a part of him.
Just thinking about missing the first ten years of her life wrapped a fist around his heart and squeezed.
He didn’t want to send her away and pretend he’d never found out. He couldn’t. There was no way in hell he would ever make that choice. What he wanted was the chance to know her better.
“Aye.” He finally gave a small nod. “I want to be a part of her life.”
Pride flickered in their father’s eyes. “Then you make it clear to Sarah that you want to be involved.”
There was another chorus of ayes around the table, and words of support.