I instantly cup his cheeks in my hands, locking eyes with him. “Oh, honey. No, no, no. I’m not mad at all, not at all.”
“Promise?” The concern in his eyes breaks my heart.
“Yes, baby, I promise.” I give him a kiss before releasing his precious little face. “Now, I know you found the old photos in my closet, and I know what you and Josh talked about. And Josh told you the truth. Alec is your dad, Jack.” I rub my thumb over his tiny fingers. “I know this is probably all confusing. Your dad and I were young when I got pregnant with you. It was scary and hard because I didn’t know how to be a mom. And then your dad moved away, and he never knew about you … until now.”
“But why didn’t you tell him?” Jack interrupts me.
“It’s a long story, bud. But he’s here now, and he wants to be a part of your life.” I look at Alec, hoping that he feels that way.
His face says it all. His nose is flaring as he attempts to hold back the tears I can see are trying to fall.
Alec gets off the couch and kneels in front of Jack, taking his other hand. “I’m sorry, Jack. I wish I could’ve been here for you your whole life. I wish I could’ve seen you take your first steps, celebrated every birthday, watched you open your first Christmas present, dropped you off on your first day of school.” His voice breaks. “I wish I’d never left your mom. I wish I’d never left you.”
A lump grows in my throat at his words, making me fall for him all over again. “But you’re here now.”
“Does that mean I can call you Dad? I’ve always wanted one of those.” Jack’s smile is beginning to form.
Alec looks to me, his head cocked to the side in a silent plea.
How can I possibly say no after that speech?
I nod.
He turns his attention back to Jack as the first tear rolls down his cheek. “I would love that.”
Jack’s smile expands, looking too big for his face. I haven’t seen him smile like that since before Mom was sick.
Jack stands up, placing his hands on Alec’s shoulders. “Okay, Dad.” He says it almost in a joking voice.
I know the two will be best friends. Jack is so much like his father that I sometimes wonder what he got from me.
Feeling a weight lift off my chest from this conversation being over, I stand up. “How about I go get dinner started, and you guys hang out here?”
Jack hops off the couch and runs to his toy bin. “Okay, Mom!”
I am heading into the kitchen when Alec whistles. I turn around, and he raises his palm to his mouth and blows me a kiss. I dramatically jump in the air, catching it and smacking it to my lips. He chuckles and then turns to Jack, and I turn around, leaving my son to play with hisdadfor the first time.
I finish making the sauce when my phone chimes. Picking it up, I see it’s an email from The Crooked Spine.
Laura,
We are so excited to have you start with us. Mrs. Lang has shown us some of your work, and we are thoroughly impressed.
Next time you are in her class, fill out the paperwork. She has it.
Have a great evening.
Darius Corwin
Owner of The Crooked Spine
I can barely contain my smile as I close the email. Mrs. Lang is my hero for getting me this job. It’s exactly what I want to do. I want to manage the marketing and social media of a company.
Not a lot in my life has ever gone to plan. I definitely didn’t plan on getting pregnant. I didn’t imagine raising my son alone. I never thought I would almost lose my mom when she had her stroke. I never expected to see Alec again.
Don’t get me wrong. Jack is my light. He is the love of my life and all I will ever need.
But it definitely hasn’t been easy.
