Page 16 of The Biggest Secret
My heart begins to race. “Oh God, did you tell her? Farrah, I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to Ad?—”
She places her hand on my arm. “Calm down, I didn’t say a word. But there’s talk you’re back in town already. People saw you at the game. This is going to happen faster than you may want it to.”
Just then the door swings open and it’s Adley coming back from her run. Behind her is Britt and then, Francesca.
I guess we’re doing this now.
Adley looks at me, wide eyed. “Hey sis, so uh, I just ran into Brittand Chess. They said they were on their way here.” She glances at Farrah then back to me. “This is quite the party at nine in the morning.”
I’m sweating and my heart is still racing. I didn’t prepare enough for this meeting yet. I knew this would happen. I knew the confrontation would be extremely awkward. I just thought maybe I’d have another day, or at least a few hours, to get my words right.
Adley heads straight for Dom, helping him with his sippy cup, and I come face to face with my baby daddy’s sister.
“Hey, CJ,” Francesca says tentatively and steps towards me with her arms out. “It’s good to see you.”
I hug her, I had forgotten how wonderful a person Chess always was. Warm and caring, never judgmental. I was grateful for her friendship, Britt’s and Farrah’s too. When I first moved here to be with Adam after college, they accepted me right away, and I never felt like I was trying to fit in with them. I just did. I missed them a whole heck of a lot these past two years.
Every awkward bit we may be feeling now is all my fault.
“Hi Chess. It’s good to see you, too.” I give her another squeeze then move on to Britt, and my emotions begin to take over, I clear my throat. “Farrah was just telling me you spoke with Bobby, Britt. If he can get us out of here quickly, I’d be very appreciative.” I half laugh trying to ease the tension in the room.
They haven’t spotted Dom yet, and I don’t know how since we’re in a small room.
“Momma?” Dom calls me.
I spoke too soon. I whip my head around and walk straight for him. “What’s the matter, honey?”
“I full,” he says, while I quickly wipe some egg off his tee shirt and then wipe his face down with the napkin. “Ok baby, you did good.” I lift him from the chair and swing around to find all eyes on me.
His head is buried in my neck but he’s peeking out at the crowd of women watching him. It’s now or never.
“Chess? Britt? I want you to meet Dominic.” I swallow the hard lump in my throat. “My son.” He lifts his head to meet them face on and Chess gasps, dropping the water bottle she was holding.
“Oh my God.”
“Holy shit,” Britt says. They’re flicking their eyes back and forth between Dominic and myself, confusion written all over their face. Adley has moved closer to me, and Farrah stays put, not offering any words, but being a solid foundation in the room.
“Holy shit,” Britt says again, grabbing Francesca’s hand. “He’s got your brother’s face!”
My eyes haven’t left Chess, and now hers connect with mine, tears leaking from the corners.
“Chelsea?” She steps forward again. “Is… this…” her words hang in the air.
Righting my spine, I clear my throat. “Yes, this is your nephew.” It’s easier to speak those words to her, rather than claim Adam as Daddy right now. It also feels a little less of a betrayal to Adam, since I’m telling his sister before him.
“Oh my God,” she says again, her voice clogged with emotion. She reaches out her arms. “Can I hold him?”
I’m rocking Dom side to side on my hip. “You okay, baby?” I speak softly to him. “This is my good friend Francesca. She’s your… aunt, like Addy,” I say, fighting that lump growing larger and clogging my throat again.
“Fessa?” he asks, and I smile. They both look at each other for a moment and then, with his chubby little hands and arms he leans from my hip and into Francesca’s arms. She catches him, pulling him to her and he wraps his arms around her neck, and hers around his back. Her eyes are shut tight, and tears are falling from them.
It’s like he already knows she’s family.
I look around and realize we are all crying. Is this how it will be when I tell Adam? Will he be happy like everyone else? Or will he shut me out again? This time, it would be a hundred times worse if he shuts out Dominic, too.
She walks to the couch with him, and we all follow. “Ok, girl, you need to tell us everything.”
I blow out a breath, and my heart squeezes inside my chest at the sight of Dom and his aunt. She doesn’t yell, she doesn’t accuse, she simply asks for me to tell my side.
