Page 25 of All or Notching

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Page 25 of All or Notching

“Are you the father?” I watched as a range of emotions flittered across his father’s face. The poor man had just found out he would be a grandfather. He had had no idea. He’d missed out on the build-up. Had he not been at the hospital today, would he have missed out on the birth, on the days, weeks, and months that followed?

Tristan simply nodded his head. And then he walked out of the room.

I could have used a small pair of scissors to cut through the tension left in the wake of that exist.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Downing.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. Anger at Tristan and grief for his father pushed aside my feelings about being in a hospital.

“Laurel, please.”

“Laurel. Congratulations.”

“Same to you. You’re going to be a grandfather.”

His eyes lit up, but the sadness still pervaded. “I wish I had known.”

“To be fair, I haven’t exactly been jumping from the rooftops. My sisters know of course, and the people I work with, but for the most part I’ve been sticking close to home. Me and Tristan.”

“He’s living with you?”

“For a couple of months now. I was having some issues, and my doctor thought I should have somebody nearby. Tristan moved in.”

The old man laughed. The first sign of that smile he first displayed reappeared. “That sounds like my son. It’s all or nothing for him.”

“Can I leave now?”

“Of course. As I said, those were Braxton Hicks. But that also means your time is coming soon. Your body is practicing. Next time will probably be the real thing.

You should go home and get some rest.”

“What about Tristan?”

“I’ll go after him. You let your friend here take you home. That baby will be here soon. Believe me, you want to relax while you can. You’ll have lots of restless and sleepless nights for the next eighteen or so years.” He chuckles, probably at the look of abject horror on my face. “I’ll find Tristan and talk with him.”

Although I’m mad at him, I’m more worried about him. He left without even looking at me. Was it something his father said or was it me? Does he not want the baby or me anymore?

CHAPTER 10

Tristan

“Tristan?”

I look to see my dad following me to the hospital courtyard. For an early spring day, it’s actually quite warm. There are still small piles of snow on the ground, and coats are still required. Patients and staff alike enjoy taking advantage of the beautiful weather. I stroll past a few nurses I know, keeping my pace brisk so they don’t stop me.

“Tristan, please wait.”

Damn it. I slow down, coming to a stop near an empty bench. I drop down and rest my elbows on my knees, my head in my hands.

My father may be retiring, but he’s an active, fit man, so it doesn’t take him long to catch up and join me. He’s not even out of breath when he sits. “Why did you run out like that?”

Shrugging, I search for words. How can I tell my father that I want it all? I want a wife, kids, pets, and a backyard with a swing. How do I give up everything I’ve worked so hard for? He couldn’t do it? What makes me think I can?

“You didn’t tell me about Lauren. Did you tell your sister?”

“No. And I’m sorry. I’ve just been busy.” That sounds like stupid excuse even to my own ears. I can tell by the hurt tone in his my father’s voice he’s disappointed. The look on his face inside when he realized he would be a grandfather and didn’t have a clue gutted me.

“Are you sure the baby is yours?”


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