Page 176 of Small Town Firsts

“She…she was pregnant.” Natalie gasps, her lips forming a perfect “O.” She lifts her right hand to her heart, looking stricken. “Only it wasn’t mine. She cheated on me. Said I wasn’t attentive enough, but figured I was a more…suitable…father figure than the actual father. She lied so convincingly and I followed her blindly.

“We weren’t really in the right place to start a family, but Natalie, I was ready and willing to step up and do whatever it took. All she ever did was take and take and take, but like an idiot, I always gave willingly. She needed money to see the doctor, I handed it over, no questions asked—not even when she came home with a new designer bag or shoes. It never once crossed my mind that insurance would have covered most of her appointments. I just wanted her to be happy

“I was so fucking blinded back then. It took me catching her with him to figure it out, and I swore then and there that I would never be so stupid again. And now?—”

Natalie sniffles next to me. “And now, here I am cryingbaby daddylike the boy who cried wolf. But Alden, from the bottom of my heart, I’m not lying to you.” She stares down at her lap, looking so, so sad. “The…the results will be here in about five days. You’ll see.”

A mix of emotions are clouding my mind, so much so that I’m not sure I know up from down. “I’m gonna head out.” I stand and head to the kitchen to grab my bag. “I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions tonight.”

“I deserve it, so…”

I sigh. Again. For what feels like the billionth time tonight. “Natalie, I’m sorr?—”

“Please don’t apologize. Knowing about you and Mia really helps me to see why you feel the way you do. And I don’t blameyou for being suspicious. But, she is yours Alden, through and through.”

Deep down, I know Tatum’s mine. Which is why I ask, “When can I see her again?”

Natalie sucks in a shuddering breath. “Maybe we can all go to the park Sunday?” Hope tinges her tone—most likely hope that I’ll agree to another group activity.

I glance up at the popcorn ceiling, then back at her. “Sure, Nat. See you around.”

CHAPTER 27

ALDEN

Spendingtime with Tatum last night was all that I imagined it to be and more. The amount of stress and anxiety I felt leading up to it is almost laughable now. That kid is every single good thing in this life all rolled into one. She is so honest and pure—it gets me feeling fuzzy to know she’s mine.

Even after everything with Natalie—and telling her about Mia—I’m still on cloud nine.

What brings me down a little is the thought of calling my parents and breaking the news. But, I know I have to.

The phone rings twice and my mom picks up. “Alden, sweetie. How are you? Is everything okay?”

I guess her Spidey senses must be tingling.

“Good. Uh. Mostly. Is Dad around?”

I hear shuffling and then, “Yes, dear. We have you on speaker.”

“Son. What’s going on?”

“I…I have.” My words break off. Damn, this is harder than I thought. “I have a daughter.”

I met with nothing but dead silence, and then the sound of my mother wailing—if they are tears of sorrow or joy is yet to be determined. “My baby has a baby. Oh, Lord. Oh, Lord, I knewthis day would come.” My mom continues on with her emotional rambling.

“Her name’s Tatum. She’s three. And she’s…absolutely amazing.”

My dad steps in as the voice of reason. “Gonna need more information here, son. Such as,howdo you have a toddler and with who? Are you sure she’s yours?”

This conversation is going about as well as I thought it would. “Mom, Dad. Listen. N-Natalie Reynolds is her mother and—” I pause. I may not be scientifically sure, but my heart is absolutely certain. “Yes, I’m sure.”

At that, my mom truly goes off the deep end, but I can’t really say I blame her. “Natalie? Little Natalie? Nate’s sister?”

“Yes. That Natalie.”

I hear my dad mumbling, and I know what’s coming next. “You said the girl’s three. That puts you at what, twenty, when she was…conceived? Son, correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s statutory.”

Yep. Called it. I go on to explain the ins and outs of mine and Nat’s incredibly delicate situation. Our conversation is long and, rightfully so, my parents have a lot of questions. I answer them all to the best of my ability, and when we end the call, it’s with the promise of a video chat date soon so that they can meet their granddaughter.

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