Sydney. Fuck, how was I going to tell her about this?
“I’m quite certain,” she said with a sneer on her face. “Don’t you want to be in your baby’s life?”
“With all due respect, he’s not my baby.” I could feel it deep in my bones that he wasn’t mine.
“You owe me one month of child support. But I could forget about that if you wanted to be involved with us.”
What was this chick saying? That she wanted us to be a couple and a happy little family? No fucking way that was happening. Plus, she obviously was trying to get money from me. I think this story ran a little deeper than she was letting on. “We’ll need to get a DNA test to figure out if that is the case. If I’m the father, I’ll gladly pay you child support and petition for my rights as the baby’s father. I hope you know I’m not the enemy. I’m a good guy. I take responsibility for what is mine. But honestly, I’m telling you, he’s not mine.”
She started to cry. “You don’t’ want us?”
What the fuck was up with the waterworks? “I’m sorry, but I’m already in a relationship with a woman that I love beyond words. He’s a cute kid and all, but I know he’s not mine.”
“We can have a paternity test done to prove he is,” she pleaded.
“That’s what I suggested earlier, so yeah, not a problem at all. But I don’t want to see you showing up here at my shop thinking we’re one little happy family.”
She turned the waterworks on even more. “You mean you don’t want to get to know your son?”
Looking at the kid again, there was clearly no resemblance. “Sorry, I don’t. And I know he’s not my son. If for some strange reason the tests come back that he’s my child, I will gladly do what I need to for him.”
The baby started fussing some more when his pacifier came out of his mouth. She quickly replaced it. “Okay, well, I’ll have the paternity test set up with my doctor, and I’ll let you know where to go and when. Can I at least get your number?”
Fuck that shit. I wasn’t giving her my number, so she could call me at all hours of the night. “You can reach me here at the shop, but actually, I’ll set up the test with my doctor. Call me tomorrow, and I’ll tell you when and where.” I gave her the number here and then went to the door and opened it. “I’ve got to get back to my client. So you can see yourself out.”
“You don’t have to be so rude.” She picked up the baby carrier and walked out the door.
Fuck, what was I going to tell Sydney? This wasn’t going to go over well at all.
I picked up my phone and began sending her a text.
Me: How are my beautiful girls?
Sydney: How do you know our baby is beautiful?
Me: Because I know she’s going to look just like her momma.
Sydney: Well, her momma has cankles, is big, and is very tired. I feel like I have constant dark circles under my eyes.
Me: Well, you’re beautiful to me. Maybe you should cut back your hours at the salon? I can take care of you. I’m making really good money right now and it would do me the greatest honor to be able to financially provide for you and our baby.
Sydney: We’ll see.
Me: Yeah, we’ll definitely see.
If I had my say about it, my girl would be at home resting more often. I didn’t want her to have to work so hard.
Sydney: Well, I have to get back to work. My next client is here.
Me: Okay, baby, what time will you be home tonight?
Sydney: My last client is at seven. Got to go.
Me: Love you.
Sydney: Love you, too.
Tonight was going to be difficult. I would have to tell Sydney about the little visit that just occurred. I hoped she took the news well, but my gut told me that wasn’t going to happen.
Sydney
As I opened the garage door into the kitchen, the dogs ran at me full force and were excited to see me. They tangled around my feet and almost tripped me. There was no doubt they’d been waiting for one of us to get home.
With Bee working the graveyard shift and Damien typically getting home around nine or so, there was no doubt they’d been waiting for me to get home. I leaned down, picked up Zeus, and then started scratching Zoey behind the ear. She was such a good girl, and I couldn’t be happier to have her.
“You two want to go outside?” Zoey immediately ran to the sliding glass door. I set down Zeus and he followed her.
They got along great, which was a blessing. They were both very attentive to me. When I was sitting down Zoey, would hop up next to me, and put her head on my belly. I could tell she was already protective of the baby. She was an excellent dog, and I felt secure with my safety knowing she was around.