“I’m sorry I’m late,” Dad slurred. He was wearing the same suit he had on last night. It was wrinkled and messy. I couldn’t even imagine what he had gone through last night.“Call Joel,” I whispered to Lee. “Dad, um, let’s go to the guest room.”“No, sweetie! I want to make a toast!” He grabbed a glass of champagne.“That’s okay, Daddy, we don’t have to.”“Come on! It’s not everyday your daughter is knocked up by two men!”I looked around. Everyone looked highly uncomfortable. “Um, Scott, we’re not doing toasts just yet,” Grayson said delicately. “Maybe we can wait.”“I have to say this now,” Dad gestured for him to be quiet. “So we know why we’re here. My beautiful and smart daughter got knocked up by two very rich men! Lucky girl huh? I always knew Scarlett was destined for great things. She was always the smartest in her classes.”“That was great Dad,” I forced a laugh. “Maybe we can-”“Not done yet Scarlight,” He grinned drunkenly. “I’m so proud of my girl. She was a drug addict
Joel finally caught up to my dad.There was a brawl that ended with Dad getting arrested. Grayson and Lee bailed him out. He then had to come stay with us considering Sophia was done with him. She was filing for divorce. She said she couldn’t subject Gerald to this kind of behavior.She was doing what my mother should have.Dad sat across from me at the table. He was very much nursing a hangover. Joel sat next to him, nervously playing with his sponsor card. “Why did you do it?” I asked finally.“I just wanted to celebrate,” Dad whispered. “It was supposed to be one drink and then…it just got out of control.”“Scott…we all have shortcomings sometimes-”“I have a hangover, Joel, I am not in the mood for your daily affirmations bullshit.” Dad grumbled. “Hey, he doesn’t have to be here right now,” I snapped. “He could have left you in that bar, but instead he tried to help you!”Dad didn’t say anything.“As I was saying, this doesn’t mean that your sober journey is over, Scott. You jus
There I was bloated, cranky, and sitting at a table with the exes of the father of my children. And I couldn’t drink.Peachy.“This is so funny!” Lisa giggled. “Like what are the odds?”“I’d say the same odds as me getting pregnant by two men at the same time,” I answered. “So crazy to think about,” Rebecca stated. “Just a year ago Lee and I were doing naughty things on a balcony and now he’s going to be a father!”“A balcony?” I asked Lee.“It was a weird time for me.” He answered. “I mean it was after you dumped us both.”“Oh for sure,” Rebecca agreed. “I was definitely a rebound, but I sure didn’t mind being used.”She bit her lip and smiled at Lee. This was just insane. “I just can’t believe the man I thought I’d marry is now having a baby,” Lisa shook her head. “Oh remember Gray, we would sit under the stars and plan out our whole lives.”“Yep,” Grayson cleared his throat. “I do recall.”“Oh remember last year when we were together? Spring Break…after that night I sure thought
Somehow I had to make Lee’s birthday this year even better than the one last year.But last year I had the wonderful element of surprise. This year I feel like I’m expected to throw a party, since I’m having his baby. I wanted him to feel just as loved and important as he did last year. I sat in front of my computer at work hopelessly. There was nothing much to do and I wanted to start planning Lee’s party, but I had no clue where to start. “Scarlett, are you okay?” Rex asked. “Um, sorry, pregnancy brain, yeah I’m okay.”“You don’t have any work to be done, why don’t you head out early. You look completely out of it.”“Thank you, sir. I’m sorry.”“Don’t be. I cannot even imagine what’s going on with you right now. How are the babies? Growing well?”I nodded. “They are. My doctor said they’re really healthy and everything is going wonderfully. It’s amazing.”“I’m so glad, Scarlett,” He smiled genuinely. “Well, call your ride and get outta here.”“Thank you.”It was the middle of the
“So, how did the first day with EJ go?” I asked Lee.“Really great, actually. That kid is really smart,” Lee admitted. “He’s really eager to learn too.”“Yeah, he’s eager about everything,” I chuckled. “Dad thinks he’s the second coming of Christ or something, though. ‘Oh if only Brantley was this eager when he was your age’. ‘You sure you don’t come from a business family, you’re so brilliant’. I swear he wishes EJ was his son instead of me.”“Are you…jealous of EJ?” I asked. “Not jealous but…he’s clearly in love with you and my dad is fawning all over him, it’s a little annoying. But I can’t even be mad at him because he’s a nice guy.” Lee frowned. “In love with me?” I asked as though this was new information to me.“Come on, who wants to hang out with a pregnant woman that much?” “I’m a very interesting pregnant woman.”“Of course, but you’re deeply involved with two guys on top of that. There is literally no room for him in your romantic life. He has to know that.”“What are w
I always knew something was missing. My whole life I felt slightly out of place and odd. I wasn’t that similar to my family, especially my parents. We didn’t have the same eyes or nose and I didn’t have any of the traits I should have. However I always pushed it aside.I thought Scarlett was what was missing. She made me feel completely whole and secure. She saw me in a way no one else did. She fell in love with me when I thought she wouldn’t. But it’s more than that.I’m fucking adopted. I was shaking as I sat down across my parents with Scarlett. She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “Tell me everything, “ I said quietly. “Grayson just before we do, you have to understand-”“Mom, just tell me!” I snapped. “If you don’t I’m going to walk out and I’ll never come back.”I didn’t exactly mean it, only because I wanted answers. Dad sighed. “We found out pretty early on that your mom probably couldn’t have children. No reason for it, she was just…we still tried so much. We did everyth
Scarlett and Lee stared at me without saying anything.“Bad idea?” I asked. “No, babe, just…are you ready for that Gray?” Scarlett asked. “I mean you just found out about this.”“I’m on limited time, Scar. Our baby is going to be here in a few months, I can’t…I can’t be a father like this. Not a good one.”“I guess I understand that,” She murmured. “But Grayson, what if they’re not who you want them to be?”“Then I’ll deal with that. I just have to at least know who they are.”“Then I support you, like I said.” Scarlett forced a smile. “I just…I don’t want you to rush this, Grayson, it’s very delicate.”“Our daughter will also be delicate and I want to handle her the right way.” I said firmly. “I think that’s admirable,” Lee offered.“Um, thanks. I’ve had a really long day,” I muttered. “And I gotta talk to my parents in the morning. I think I’ll go to bed.”“Me too,” Scarlett said. “I’m quite exhausted.”We all headed upstairs to our room. I waited until I was sure Lee wouldn’t com
Grayson had been weird. Of course I totally understood. I still couldn't really wrap my mind around the fact that he was adopted, so I imagine he couldn’t either. How had his entire life leading up to now been kind of a lie?Sure it could be worse. This lie allowed him to have a very luxurious life and get pretty much everything he ever wanted, but still to think you’re one person for your whole life and find out you’re not is pretty jarring.I’d say Grayson was still handling it pretty well. He slept in my bed every night because he didn’t want to feel lonely. I knew it bothered Lee, but he wouldn’t say it out loud. Life once again felt complicated and we still had a decent amount of time before the babies arrived.“Girl, have you ever led a simple life?” Skyler asked. “No…no I have not.” I sighed. “This is insane! Poor Grayson.”“I know and to make matters worse these babies are always kicking like they’re mad at me,” I rubbed my stomach. “I wish I knew who was kicking when. Som