She’d taken his comment the wrong way. He’d have been offended if he’d had the time. “I’m talking about why he’s here in the hospital.” The child didn’t show any outward signs of an operation except for the hospital gown.
She winced. “Yes, of course.” Then she took a breath. “They put tiny tubes inside his ears to drain them. He was getting repeated ear infections and the antibiotics weren’t working anymore. Without the tubes, he could suffer hearing loss, and that could affect his speech and development.”
As serious as that sounded, Tate felt the tension ease out of him. Thank God it wasn’t anything critical.
And then he remembered her lies, and the tension was back. “You didn’t think to tell me about it?” he said, keeping his voice low, aware of others in the room.
“Why would I?”
“Because he’s mine, dammit.”
Her arms tightened around her son. “No, he isn’t.”
“Don’t lie, Gemma. He has my eyes.”
Fear came and went on her face. “No, he’s got blond hair like me. He looks like me. He doesn’t look like you at all. And he’s only ten months old.” Nathan did look like her—except for the eyes. “He’s mine. And he’s a year old. I know it, and so do you.”
“Tate, please,” she choked out. “I don’t think this is the right time or place to discuss this.”
“Gemma…” He had to know this minute. He had to be sure.#p#分页标题#e#
She shuddered, then expelled a deep breath. “Yes, he’s yours.”
Hearing the words out loud was like a wave breaking over Tate. For a moment he couldn’t breathe, couldn’t get his bearings. And then he looked at his son. He wanted to hold him in his arms and feel the moment, but as much as he wanted to hug Nathan tight, Tate figured things had to be taken slowly. A child had the right to personal space.
Gemma looked dismayed. “Wh-what are you going to do now?”
He had to concentrate, and that was hard when he was so damn angry with her. “We’ll have a paternity test done first. As proof.”
Her eyes widened. “So you’re not really sure?”
“I’m sure, but I want there to be absolutely no doubt about this. Besides, it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been fooled by you, would it?”
He would never forget finding her kissing his best friend. And then having Drake awkwardly confess she’d been coming on to him from the start. The incident had made Tate want to kill both of them. Much to his credit, Drake had been honorable enough not to let her seduce him. It was the measure of the man that he could withstand such a beautiful woman. Sure, out in the corridor Tate had asked her if the infant was Drake’s, but the question had been more about covering all bases than believing his friend had slept with her. Drake wouldn’t do that. He always kept his word.
Unlike Gemma.
“I’ve all but admitted he’s your son, Tate. There’s no need for a paternity test.”
“Your word isn’t good enough, I’m afraid.” His jaw felt so tight he thought it would snap. “We’ll talk about everything later.”
She straightened. “No, it’ll have to wait. I’m taking Nathan home as soon as the doctor releases him.”
“We’ll be going to my home.”
She gasped. “There’s no need for that.”
“Isn’t there?”
She swallowed. “He’s already unsettled from being here. I want to get him back in familiar surroundings. He needs the comfort of his own home right now.”
Only for his son’s sake did Tate relent. “Then I’m coming with you and staying the night, but tomorrow we’ll be going to my place.”
“What!”
“Don’t worry. I’ll sleep on your sofa. We need to talk, and I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
“Can’t we leave it until tomorrow? It’s only just lunch-time. I’m sure you want to return to your office and get some work done today.”
“No.”
That’s all he was going to say. He’d already missed the first year of his son’s life, he wasn’t missing a minute more. Having his child without telling him was unforgivable. What if something had gone wrong with the operation? What if he’d never gotten to stand here with his own flesh and blood? What if Nathan had needed him? Tate’s chest constricted with the oddest pain.
Right then the nurse appeared beside them. “Didn’t I tell you your baby boy would be fine?” she teased Gemma.