Page 27 of Coming for His Second Chance
Starshine
Until one tear drops on the paper, I didn’t realize tears are running down my face, so I wipe them away. Before I even get a chance to make a game plan, my phone rings.
I have an instant of hope it's her, before I see it's the doctor's office. They are calling to let me know the test results are back, and I need to come into the office to pick them up.
I send a text to Kaitlyn's dad, telling him I'm going to get them, and then heading right to his house. He says he’ll meet me there. It's a blur on the drive to pick up the folder with the DNA test results. Once back in my truck, I open it to find a big negative result. I never touched her, so that child isn't mine, and I had no doubts about it.
When I get to her dad's house, he's already there and must have been waiting by the door, because I don't even get to knock,before he’s opening the door for me to come in. There’s no emotion on his face, as I'm just as sure there’s none on mine.
Like yesterday, Linda, Helen, and Zion are on the couch in the living room, and for the first time, Linda has the decency to look nervous.
I toss the envelope on the coffee table and look at her.
"Negative, just like we both knew it would be," I say, glaring at her, and she doesn't say a word.
"This is your last warning. You fucked with Kaitlyn all those years ago, lying about us sleeping together and sent her running from me. Now, you tried to do it again. Stay away from me and her, or I’ll have my lawyer bury you in legal fees with anything we can get to stick, including social workers up your ass about your brat of a kid." I growl, before turning to walk out of the door.
Kaitlyn's dad stops me, before turning to Linda and Helen. "I'm heading back to work, and I think you need to pack up and leave. I’ve turned a blind eye for so long, and I never realized how much it was hurting my daughter. But that’smydaughter, and she is always first. I have already canceled your credit cards, and you’ll be hearing from my lawyer by the end of the week."
With that, he turns and walks out the door with me and stops, when we get to my truck.
"I wish she had told me what Linda did, before she left town." He looks shocked.
"We had a short amount of time together, but I can tell you, Linda bullied her at school and at home from day one. All Kaitlyn ever wanted was to make you happy, so she kept it to herself."
"I was so blinded by the thought of her needing a mother figure that I thought something was better than nothing. But judging by the texts I had earlier, that’s what caused me to lose her."
"You know, Helen was never a mother to her. You were more than enough and will always be more than enough. I can't live without her, and I don't want to try. Since I refuse to believe we lost her, I'm going to do everything in my power to get her back. Are you willing to as well?"
"She's my daughter, of course, I am. Now, go get her back."
I smile. "Soon. When I make my move, it's going to be a good one, and I have a few things to get in order first. There’s not going to be a reason for her to walk away again." I turn towards the house. "You need help with that, then you let me know."
He nods, and we shake hands, going our separate ways. I go back to the office, but work is the last thing on my mind. I have a ton of phone calls to make to get the ball rolling, because I refuse to lose any more time with her than I have, too.
Chapter 11
Kaitlyn
Today, is my first day back at work, since my vacation. I spent a few days crying in bed, watching sappy romance movies, and eating massive amounts of ice cream and chocolate. Today, is also the first day I've pulled myself out of bed and showered.
"I thought you would come back with a tan and a smile," Levi says.
He's one of my newer patients and pretty upbeat, considering the fact that he lost a leg overseas and is here to get fitted for a prosthetic and learn to walk again.
The staff and patients here have always been on both friendly and personal terms. We are with these guys for months, and when they finally get better, they seem to stay a part of the team.
The lead security guy here, Easton, was one of my first patients, and I still see him every day, and I'm good friends with his wife, Paisley. I consider them family. A few of my other patients come back to volunteer their time, and it's always great to see them.
"Well, if you do your exercises without complaint, I’ll tell you about my trip, which would make a good drama. Hint, it even includes the evil stepmother, but no fairy godmother."
With that, Levi laughs, "You’re on. Now, get to talking."
I spill the whole story of my trip, as I put him through his morning exercises and routine. I've already told it all to Lexi, Paisley, Brooke, and Mandy, when they came over for movie night at my place a few nights ago. But repeating it this time, isn't any easier. I guess, it's just too soon.
"So, have you heard from him, since you’ve been home?" Levi asks, when I'm finished telling the story.
"Not a word. He texted me on the way home to tell me that the DNA test came back negative, and that was the last I heard from him."
