Chapter11
It had been three days since he had gone back to California, but his heart and his mind was in New York. Mere hours just went by, and he would ask how Emilia was, and it irked him that she responded late, even though he knew she had work.
He was itching to go back, surprised that he not only missed the little baby, but that he also wanted to see more of Caryn. Their entire conversation had been devoid of innuendos, and he didn’t even feel horny at all, until today. The thought of Caryn and those hot summer nights that they had spent together replayed in his mind, and he forced himself to work, disliking how he ended the call, but money didn’t grow on trees, and people needed watching over. His was a company that was people oriented, despite the nature of his business.
David rested his eyes for a moment, placing his protective eyeglasses down on the table. He thought about calling his mother, just to hear a few words of comfort, but he didn’t have to pick his phone. His secretary rang, telling him his mother was just outside. The woman had sixth sense, for all he knew.
In came Dr. Jane Pierce, with two cups of coffee cradled inside a recycled coffee holder. “There’s my eldest,” she said with a grin.
“Ma,” he breathed out, placing his glasses back on.
“I see I came just in time,” she quipped.
“Tell me about it,” he sighed.
Jane senses something was amiss. She quickly sat across him.
“Ma, why are you here?” he said.
“The charity I was telling you about, the orphanage, remember?”
“Right,” he said, closing his eyes, “I’d nearly forgotten that was tomorrow.”
“You actually forgot, didn’t you?” Jane said, raising a brow. “I guess you aren’t going?”
“I’ll just send someone. I have stuff to do.”
“Like what? You already told me you flew to New York last week. I thought you blocked tomorrow just for the event?”
He took a deep breath, knowing there was no way out of this but to be honest. “Ma, I- I have something to tell you. I- I have a kid.” “Oh my god.”
“With someone I met a year ago,”
“Oh my god.”
“She’s turning 4 months now. So,”
“Oh my god.”
“Will you let me finish?” he said, irritably. “Yeah, so I’m apparently a father now.”
“And you only found out when?”
“When I went to New York, last week.”
“With whom?”
“Someone,” he said, not wanting to elaborate.
“I’ve never met her.”
“You might soon enough.”
“Where is the baby?” Jane demanded.
“In New York, with the mother.” “Why aren’t they here? Don’t I have the right to meet my grandchild?”
“It’s a long story, ma.”
It took over an hour of talking, and Jane got the gist of it. He didn’t want to talk about how their relationship had progressed, but he hinted he had wanted to date Caryn, and Caryn suddenly left, for reasons unknown. He told his mother about how Emilia looked, even showed her a photo he had taken, right before Caryn and Emilia left his hotel room.
“Well then, why in the hell are you still here?” she asked him.
“I transferred funds, and she doesn’t want me anywhere near her.”
“David, how sure are you it’s yours to begin with?” his mother suddenly asked with a tinge of concern.
“I know she’s mine,” he said firmly. “Emilia is mine, only I didn’t get the chance to be registered as the father.”
“Because this Caryn didn’t want to?” Jane interrupted him. “What’s her full name?”
“That’s enough for now,” David said, tired from the interaction.
“Emilia’s an adorable baby in the picture, what more in person?” Jane said with a sigh. “I hope I get to meet her soon.”
“So do I. Again.”
“I take it that it wasn’t such an amicable separation or reunion.”
“Of course not. She didn’t even want me spending money for Emilia.”
“What do you plan to do about it?”
“Be persistent, I guess,” he sighed.
“Like you’ve always been,” his mother remarked.
*
David had just gotten out of his office when he saw someone seated in the lobby, staring out into nothingness. He was surprised, as he had only seen her last week. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days, but she still maintained that poise, still wore the kind of outfit that made her look every inch successful.
“Amanda,” he breathed out.
“David,” she said, standing up.
“How long have you been waiting here?” he said, assuming she did.
“Not too long,” she replied. “Are you busy?”
“I’m actually heading out for dinner with my family,” he told her.
“Do you have a few minutes to spare?”
David thought about it for a moment. He certainly didn’t want a repeat of that coffee shop conversation. It had been unpleasant for him, and he had better things to think about at the moment, like formally telling his family that he was a now a father.
“There’s a boardroom over there,” he said, motioning for the right, where rows of empty rooms were. He waved at the security guard, and the guard nodded back at him.
“You could’ve gone here during office hours,” he told her.
“I know that, but you know they’re not going to let me in, right?” Amanda told him with a sigh. “Your loyal team’s hated me since---”--“I know,” he quickly said, as they got into an empty room. “What would you like to discuss?”
“For starters, can you stop treating this like a business meeting?”
“We have nothing to discuss actually, so might as well treat this as one,” he replied, offering her a seat across him.
She took a seat, and took a deep breath. “I hear you’ve sued Charles.”“Yes,” he said harshly. “It was high time I did. What about it?”
“You know Charles and I are no longer together.”
“Then good for you,” he said.
“I have no one left to--”
“You have family,” David said, “Oh wait- did you abandon them the moment you did the same to me, too?” David gave a short, mirthful laugh, the moment he saw that flicker in her eyes. “I have a feeling you did. You always had it in you, didn’t you?”
“I’m a person, too, David, I have feelings and needs.” “Well, I’m not your shrink,” David snapped at her. “I don’t need to hear about your problems, when you gave me problems that almost made me lose everything I worked hard for.”
“I loved you, David,” Amanda began, trying to placate him.
“There’s a reason why that’s past tense, Amanda.”
“Don’t you feel any love left for me at all?”
He stopped, breathing in slowly, trying to come into terms with what was happening, with what she was implying. Whatever had happened in the past, Amanda had hurt him good, and there were moments that work could not compensate for the pain anymore. Now, here she was, ready to hurt him again, ready to screw him over. He wouldn’t allow it.
“Whatever I felt for you once, you threw it all away. You can’t expect me to just catch you because no one else will now,” he breathed out, disliking the fact that he felt sympathetic for her. He had been there, and he had begged for her love.
Tears began to well up in her eyes, and not his this time.
“David,” she said, between sobs, “I realized many things, after we broke up, and I realized many more after we met last week. I couldn’t stop myself. Deep down, I knew I loved you. It was a poor moment of decision making, I was a terrible person to you and --”
“You were terrible, terrible and cruel,” David affirmed, “but just because you’re asking for another chance now with matching tears, doesn’t mean you can have it. We don’t get what we want all the time.”
“Don’t you feel at least anything for me anymore?” she asked him, her hand reaching out for his.
He didn’t do anything to move her hand away as it rested above his. He stared at it, contemplating how it had come to this. He had his heart set out on Emilia. Caryn was another story. Could he still win Caryn over? It wasn’t like he had won it in the first place, but he had his own family now, no matter how broken or confusing the situation was.
“Get Charles back, you two are perfect for each other,” he told her.
“I don’t want to. I tried.” “But you didn’t try when it came to us,” he reminded her. “Charles was someone who made you feel more secure, because he took the credit, even if I worked hard for that. You of all people knew that.”
“I did, and I regret every moment of it,” she told him. “I regret every moment I didn’t love you as much as I should have. You’re kind, you’re loyal, you’re--” “I’m not any of those things you assume me to be,” he said, “I have to leave. I already gave you fifteen minutes of my time, time I can’t get back.” He stood up, his back turned against her. “I’ll have security escort you out if you’re still here by seven.”
“What happened to you, David? You weren’t like this before, you always listened to me.” “Life happened, Amanda, and I intend to move forward. Good night.”
*
“So, your mother tells me you’ve got something to tell us,” his father, Warner told him as he cut up his steak dinner.
David looked at Jane, who nodded, supporting. The rest of his siblings stopped their friendly banter.
“He has a girlfriend?” Daphne said, taking a sip of her wine.
“He’s getting married,” Charlotte guessed. “And we haven’t even met the unlucky lady.” “Charlotte,” Jane tutted about, “that’s not such a nice thing to say.”
“Just saying,” Charlotte replied, “he’s never introduced anyone to us, all except that little biatch.” “Charlotte!”
Charlotte and Daphne laughed, and even his younger brother, Cody chuckled.
“I don’t find that funny at all,” Jane sighed, but then she nodded once more at David. “Alright, David, your siblings won’t stop their nonsense if you don’t tell them.”
“I have a kid.”
“You’re pregnant? I mean you got someone pregnant?” Daphne gasped. “For real?”
“For real,” David confirmed. “She’s 4 months old now.”
“You mean we’ve got a niece and you never told us? Until now?” Charlotte looked suspicious. “It isn’t hers, is it?” she asked, dreading that she might have a niece care of Amanda.
“No, no, god no,” David said.
“Well, what have you done about it, champ?” Warren asked him.
“I- I met up with her,” David replied.
“Are you sure it’s even yours?” Daphne asked him, putting down her fork and knife.
“Of course, I’m sure “David, she’s right, what if she’s just in it for the money? She knows who you are, right?” Jane asked him, troubled.
“She knew, she was sent to write about me,” David said.
“Ah, the plot thickens,” Cody told his brother. “This sounds like a potential problem.”
“What do you know? You’re only seventeen,” David said, annoyed.
“I know when a problem becomes an even bigger problem,” Cody responded. “And you, older brother, are in deep shit- crap,” he finished, seeing his mother’s lips purse.
“Cody is right, David, and so is mom.”
“What? You’re suggesting a DNA test?” David began. “I contemplated that, but I figured what for? Trust is---“
“Isn’t there. If this is the product of some fling--” Charlotte got cut-off.
David shook his head. “She wasn’t a fling. We were getting serious about it but,” He stopped and shook his head. “It doesn’t matter now. What matters is the baby.”
“Does she have a name?” Daphne asked.
“I need pictures,” Charlotte demanded.
They passed around his phone, all waiting impatiently to look at that single photo he had of the baby.
“She looks like you,” Daphne murmured.
“Just because it looks like him, doesn’t mean it is,” Charlotte said. “I say you continue with the DNA test, just to make sure.”
“And while he isn’t sure, does David just give away his money?” Daphne said with a frown.
“Money’s not an issue,” Warren finally said, “It’s more of what happens if the baby isn’t yours? It’s bound to affect you in more ways than one.”
“I know Emilia’s mine.”
“Who is she?” Charlotte asked, “Who is the mother?”
David shook his head. “I’ll tell you soon enough.”
“This needs quick action, David,” Charlotte told him, her legal instincts kicking in. “She could be suing you soon, for all we know.”
“She isn’t like that,” David said.
“We have to meet her, David,” Jane told him softly.
David took a deep breath. “I’ll set up an appointment.”
Daphne rolled her eyes. “This isn’t a business meeting, dear brother.”
*
Two days later, Caryn nervously held onto the handkerchief in her palm. Emilia was asleep in her stroller, content after finishing her milk. She was seated in the corner of an upscale café, waiting for the inevitable. This had only crossed her mind briefly, that he just might introduce her to his family. It was finally happening now, wasn’t it?
She had taken a leave of absence from work for half a day, just to accommodate this. They had all flown to New York just to see Emilia, and it was only right that she let them meet their newest relation. She felt too nervous to order. How was this going to turn out? What if David was far nicer than his family?
She couldn’t give any judgements, until she had met them all. David had met up with her the previous day, intent on getting the paternity test for peace of mind, and she was more than glad to have that test, just so all doubts would shut up.
“Caryn,” a voice called out. She spun around and saw David walk in, wearing a navy colored suit without a tie.
Then he was followed by the rest of his family. There was a large man with a thick beard wearing a suit as well, followed by a beautiful woman with regal bearing, whom she assumed to be his mother, and then these must’ve been his siblings, three younger ones, two ladies and what looked like a freshman in college, or maybe a senior in high school.
She stood up, standing in place, not knowing what else to do. David introduced them one by one.
“You must be Caryn,” Mrs. Pierce said, “Pleasure to meet you.”
Caryn shook her hand, knowing all eyes were on her. “Nice to meet all of you,” she finally said, as the nervousness wracked through her. Everyone was dressed impeccably, as if they were going to some fancy tea party. She eyed David, who was staring at the stroller where Emilia lay.
“I’d like to hold her,” Jane announced.
Caryn stepped back and took Emilia out. As soon as she did, there was a cacophony of sounds from his family.
“Is this her? She’s so cute!”
“David, she has your eyes.”
“How old is she again?”
“Let me hold her.”
“Ma, shouldn’t it be my turn?”
“David, what took you so long?” his father joked.
Caryn watched them in rapture. She had never seen a family so excited to meet a baby. Her mother had told her once, in all honesty, that her grandmother had wanted nothing to do with her, and yet, here they were, welcoming Emilia with open arms. She felt strangely happy that her childhood had been redeemed through her daughter. Where she had been unwanted, Emilia was more than welcome. Couldn’t all families be like this?
She realized David was a lucky man, to have been adopted by them, a loving, well rounded couple, with siblings whose dynamics matched David’s. Caryn felt a bittersweet emotion well up in her as they all insisted on carrying Emilia, taking photos with her, making her baby laugh…
Caryn watched as David stared at his family, with a smile on his lips. He was quiet, observing the whole thing as well. He saw Caryn stare at him and he smiled at her and nodded. Fifteen minutes later, as soon as they were settled down, and everyone took a seat (although Emilia was still in Jane’s arms), Caryn found herself being gently interrogated.
Where do you work? What do you do? How long have you been with that company? When was Emilia’s birthday? Where are you staying now?
Caryn patiently answered everything, and she dreaded answering who her parents were, but they didn’t ask about her past, much to her surprise. She had agreed wholeheartedly for the DNA test that was about to happen. Results out in less than a month, she was told.
David’s family wasn’t condescending, but they were kind, far kinder than most of the rich people she had met. They were warm, a warm bunch during a cold New York Winter. She had thought she would be ostracized, but they did the opposite. They made her feel welcome, even if they barely knew anything about her.
Emilia gurgled as she sat Charlotte’s arms. Caryn grabbed the bottle from the baby bag and gave this to Charlotte, who happily fed Emilia.
“So, what are your plans?” Warren suddenly asked, breaking apart the small talk.
Caryn looked at David. “We- we have no concrete plans…”
“Come now, David?” Warren looked at his son.
“Financial support for starters,” David quickly said. “I plan to fly in New York once a week.”
“Shouldn’t you move closer to us?” Daphne said, cocking her head sideways.
“I- I have work and--”
“We can help you find work in California,” Jane chimed in. “That is, if you’d like our help with the whole moving and adjustment and all,” she added, looking at Emilia holding onto the baby bottle.
There was no mention of the DNA test. It was as if they were all banking on it to be the truth, just so they could call Emilia theirs.
“We’ll see how things go,” she replied quietly. Despite the happiness she had felt looking at them with Emilia in their midst, she felt a pang of regret. What if this was only going to be temporary? What if abandonment was in the cards? It all seemed too good to be true, and her instincts momentarily told her to pack her bag and stroller, along with Emilia, to run.
Their conversation ended an hour later, with Jane hugging her. She saw they didn’t want to let go of Emilia, but they had to. David told them he would be out in a few, as he needed to talk to her first. She sat down again as soon as his family left.
David held onto Emilia’s foot that was dangling beyond the stroller. She had slid out of her belt, and it made him chuckle.
“I hope they didn’t make you feel awkward,” he began.
She shook her head. “Your family’s nice. You’re so lucky to have them.”
“I know,” he said with a sigh. “I’d like the same level of warmth for Emilia as she grows up.”
“I can’t move to California just to be close to you,” Caryn breathed out. “My career is here, no matter how small it is.”
“I’m not forcing you to, but closer to us, to me- Emilia will be-“
“I’m content with the idea of you seeing her, although not every week. That takes up too much time and-“
“And emotion?” David interrupted her. “Isn’t that why you told me I was the father? This is my time to invest emotionally, to bond with her.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want my name in that birth certificate, I want parental rights.”
“I’m already giving you what I can,” Caryn said, through gritted teeth. “And your name on that certificate is out of the question. She’s carrying my name-“
“I’m already providing you with-“
“Funds?” she snapped at him. “I knew there was some ugly exchange to this. What is $50,000 worth? My career? My pride?”
“It’s for Emilia,” he said, “you’re just secondary.”
That stung her more than she expected. Of course, she was secondary, the baby came first, but to hear that from him… she was nothing more to him than some baby carrier now.
It seemed like he knew what she was thinking about, though. “It’s not like that, that’s not what I meant. Listen, I’m as new to this as you are.”
“You weren’t there, when I went through morning sickness, when I was scared stupid, what to do, how to become a better parent than most, where to get a decent job that didn’t fall into stereotyping, where to live, how to live--”
“That’s why I’m here. I’m here now…” his voice trailed off. “Give it few days of thinking, yeah? Then you can call me anytime, anytime, alright?”
He looked tired, as stressed out as she was. About what? His family was fine- at least they seemed like they were, unless she didn’t see the subtlest display of contempt…
She found she couldn’t say anything. She couldn’t even nod. Here she was, pushing away someone who wanted to be with her daughter. Here she was, pushing away someone, who made old feelings resurface, old feelings that had been supposedly snuffed out the moment she stepped out of the island.
Caryn watched as David held Emilia in his arms, allowing her little hands to roam about his face, and she smiled as she giggled, and for a moment, she thought she was going to come running towards them, to join their tender moment…
There was a terse nod from him, after he put her back in her stroller.
“I’ll be expecting a call from you,” he told her. “Take care.”
And she watched him as he left, watched him as he walked away from the room. Caryn sank back into the chair, exhausted with the emotions running inside her. She almost felt faint. Emilia cried a little, and Caryn took a deep breath and picked her baby up.