Page 133 of Family Bonds: Alana & Brennan
“He needs someone by his side,” Sadie said.
She wasn’t going anywhere and she wanted him to know that.
Saying the words wouldn’t always be enough.
She’d show him any way she could.
“I know I’ve got you both,” he said, pulling her close and under his arm. “I never thought today would turn out this way. I can’t understand her motive in any of this.”
“It’s not for you to guess what is in her mind,” Alana said.
“She obviously wasn’t sharing with Jake,” Sadie said. “Just like she didn’t with you half the time.”
“And not to be the killjoy here, but we still don’t know what is going on. She could take another job and want to be a single mother alone, regardless of who the father is. There are women out there who make a living collecting child support.”
“The most she could even consider getting from me is shared custody,” he said. “And trust me, I’ll empty everything I’ve got on legal bills before it comes to that. So she’s not making any money off of me if that was her plan.”
“For now, put it from your mind. I know it’s hard,” Sadie said. “But you lit a fire between Rene and Jake without meaning too. She’s got to figure things out before she can get an attorney by the sounds of it. If Jake isn’t the father, she doesn’t even have a place to live.”
“I want to put it from my mind. But I’m struggling. Becca is going to have a half sibling out there.”
“And you always wanted a sibling,” Sadie said softly. “Let it play out for now. Go home and chill out. Have a glass of wine and a nice dinner. Becca wants to stay here. I promised her a movie.”
“But she’ll want to go with me since I’m here,” he said.
“Becca,” Sadie yelled. “Did you want to go home with Daddy or stay with Grandma?”
Becca came running in. “Grandma! She promised we’d make pizza and watch cartoons. Go, Daddy. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Alana kept the laugh from escaping.
Poor Brennan looked dumbfounded over the demands from his daughter.
“She doesn’t want me?” he asked, one lip curled up with an eyebrow. Poor guy looked lost.
“Hey,” Alana said, grabbing his hand. “Look at it like she wants us to have the night together. Isn’t that better?”
He turned to look at her grin, gave her one in return. “You’re right. I need to take it down a few notches. It’s been a crappy day.”
“Go home and work out those emotions,” Sadie said, winking. “Becca and I are fine here.”
“Becca, give me a kiss,” he called out.
The little girl came running back, gave her father a kiss and one for Alana, then disappeared into the living room again.
“Let’s go home too,” she said. “We can stop and pick up food on the way and then we won’t have any work to do.”
They got to his SUV and climbed in. “Maybe I have some other work in my mind.”
“I’d like that,” she said. “I think we both need the outlet.”
He reached for her hand. “I’m sorry if today was a lot of drama for you. You didn’t sign up for this.”
“Stop,” she said. “I’m stronger than that. There isn’t anything wrong with drama. We have to find our way and this is part of it.”
“It is,” he said. “I know that. I understand it too. I’m thankful at how understanding you are. That’s just one more reason I love you.”
“I love you too. How about we grab subs and throw them in the fridge and work off these emotions like your mother said?”
