Page 11 of The Family Man

Yes, I’m nervous, I have never been responsible for another human in my life. I hardly even look at Mishka some days. I don’t want to be the parent that screws up their kids’ heads. However, was I going to confess that information to my brother? I’ll takeFuck Nofor two hundred, Alex.

“I’m fine. I just needed to get laid.” I observe my coffee maker, slightly amazed that it can make froth over my coffee. I should do whipped cream on it. Whipped cream on coffee is good.

“Are you even listening to me?” Daire whispers as he stands behind me. I didn’t even see when he moved. I was not listening.

“Yes, God. My head is pounding like a jackhammer took up residence in it. But I hear you.” Once my coffee maker shoots the last bit of coffee into my cup. I reach for it and take a sip.

After the taste of dark roasted bean and a hint of vanilla hits my tongue. All is right with the world again.

“You always do this shit when you are nervous or something is new,” Daire says as he takes a cup and places it under the coffee maker.

Now I am interested. “What do I do?” I can feel my brows frowning.

“You self-sabotage,” he says so calmly I want to slap him.

“What the fuck? No. I needed to cum, I did, and now I am better.” That right there was the truth. My schedule has been nuts for the past three months.

“No, you have new business projects, a new set of twins coming into your life. Your life is going great Zac. But—” He looks at me like I am about to give him the answer. This is not Family Feud, dummy, so I say nothing.

If I were to answer, I would say, ‘But I am waiting for the other shoe to drop and take it all away from me.’ I keep that tidbit to myself.

Emptying my cup, I open my pantry and take out the two balloons I bought for them yesterday. They're tied to gift bags stuffed with toys and books.

I place the packages on the living room table, and we wait.

I’m sweating. Suppose my own children don’t like me? Suppose I fail them? Suppose I can’t provide for them? The latter is a dumb question I can more than provide for them and three generations after. My family has old money and I also have a few successful businesses. Which includes restaurants, cafes, and catering services.

My palms are sweating. My hands never sweat, what the hell is going on?

Then I hear it. The knock.

My legs are heavy and anchored to the floor, I can’t fucking move.

Thank goodness Daire is here because otherwise I may have just stood by the door.

He looks at me, shakes his head and walks to it.

Shaking my shoulders like I am about to have the world’s biggest fight, I jump in one spot, trying to get my nerves to pipe the hell down.

“Hi. Daire, right? I am Camella. Jessica’s baby sister.” I hear a warm voice.

“Welcome, come on in.” Daire steps back and opens the door wider.

I don’t see the woman, no I see two pairs of intelligent eyes, one pair blue, the other hazel-green.

I have seen those hazel-green orbs before, they are mine. My daughter has my eyes, well fuck me. It feels nice to know that.

The woman steps into the house with two small bodies clinging tightly to her jeans.

The first thing I saw was the shock of pink hair that Camella has. I like it, it’s soft and the healthy curls drop down to her back. Her eyes are a startling blue, and noticeably my children love her.

Stretch your hand out and smile dummy.My brain curses me. I stretch, my hand out and shakes hers

“I am Zac.” There, that was not so bad, I could do this.

“Hi, Zac, Camella. This princess to the side of me is Poppy, and this handsome fellow is Nikhil.”

I drop my hands, pull my pants up and stoop to get a better look at my kids.

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