The Buchanan's Baby(7)

"Are you okay?" CeCe asked. "You look like you're about to be sick."

Shannon cast CeCe a wan look. "Probably because I feel like I’m going to barf. Did you know that man who just left?" she asked. At CeCe’s shake of her head, Shannon muttered, "I'm pretty sure he's the devil. And I think that devil wants my child."

"Why would he want Aubrey?" CeCe asked, frowning.

"Unfortunately because he's her father."

CeCe's mouth formed a silent ‘oh’ and Shannon dropped into her chair. Who hated her so much that they would reveal Aubrey secret paternity? “I should’ve known this day would come. From what I know about the Buchanans…they don’t give up anything that belongs to them without a fight.”

“He doesn’t seem that bad,” CeCe ventured cautiously, earning a black look from Shannon. “I’m just saying, he seems clean-cut and he’s really good-looking. How bad could he be? Maybe give him a chance.”

“Absolutely not. The devil was the prettiest angel in heaven, remember?”

CeCe sighed and shook her head as if Shannon were being dramatic and maybe she was but Shannon wasn’t about to latch loose of her child without drawing blood first. “Well, if you can’t work it out amicably, I guess you’re going to need an attorney. If you want I can do the team assessments while you find a good one.”

God, CeCe was right. She needed a damn good attorney if she was going to stand a chance against Nolan. She looked to CeCe. “Do you think you can handle the assessments on your own?” she asked, taking Aubrey back.

“Of course. I did get a degree in this stuff,” her intern reminded her with a smile and Shannon nodded with relief.

“You’re right. Thank you, CeCe! Just leave your notes and I’ll go over them tonight.”

And with that, Shannon hurried from the office, intent on finding the best attorney her money could buy.





“How can you tell?” Vince asked over the phone, confused. “Don’t all babies, sort of, look alike?”

“She looks like me with strawberry blond curls,” Nolan said, wiping away the sweat that kept beading his brow. Perhaps he was having a heart attack. “What does it feel like when you’re about to have a coronary? Or a stroke? I might be having both.”

“Calm down. First things first: get a paternity test. Your mind could be playing tricks on you. Chances are this kid isn’t even yours.”

“No. I know she is. I can feel it in my bones.” Nolan cradled his head in his free hand. “I don’t know the first thing about being a father. What if I suck at it? Our own father was a dick. Maybe it’s genetic and I don’t have a chance.”

“Stop. Don’t compare that man with yourself,” Vince said, surprising Nolan with his stern tone. “Our father was a dick. End of story. His actions don’t have to have anything to do with you. But you know, it doesn’t sound as if she’s eager to have you be in the kid’s life. Maybe you ought to just walk away.”

“Walk away?” he repeated, uncomprehending. “What are you talking about? She’s my kid. I’m not walking away from her.”

“I’m just saying, you said yourself that it seems as if the woman is taking good care of the baby…and the mom doesn’t really want you around…maybe it would be best if you bailed.”

“No,” he said, shaking his head. He wasn’t sure of many things right now but he knew for a fact he wasn’t walking away from a child he’d inadvertently created. Then a thought occurred to him and he groaned. “I don’t even know her name,” he said, feeling like a shit. “I’m already a bad father; I didn’t even think to ask her name!”

“Jesus, Nolan, stop whining like a pussy and get yourself together. If you really want the kid to be in your life, then do something about it and make it happen. You’re a fucking Buchanan for crying out loud. Sic the lawyers on her and take the kid from her. It’s simple. Do you really think she can afford the legal fire power she’s going to need to protect her rights once you put the Buchanan fortune behind an attorney?” Vince took Nolan’s silence as agreement and continued with a slightly gruff tone, adding, “Honestly, I think you’re crazy for chasing this down. You have an easy out and you’re not taking it. What kind of life are you prepared to offer this kid? Suddenly, you’re going to be a stay-at-home dad? I don’t see that happening.”

“What are you saying?” Nolan asked.

“Nothing. I’m just saying…think about it, man. This shit is big life stuff. No playing around.”