Chapter 88: Chapter 2

NATE

A few days have passed since Connie and her husband’s funeral. It’s been tough. I remember Connie fondly from when we first met my dad.

I requested to have her phone moved to my office, to be placed on the shelf. It might seem odd to some, but that phone means the world to me. My dad doesn’t know, but I’ve kept the first business card he gave my mom.

It’s tucked away in my drawer, a daily reminder of our humble beginnings and the progress we’ve made.

Mason, now nineteen, is heading out tonight to the bar we own. Do I approve? Not really, but at least he’s not going alone. Will I stop him? No, because I was doing the same thing at his age.

He knows how to be responsible; we always have enemies on the lookout for any sign of weakness. Plus, he’ll have his friends with him, providing extra sets of eyes.

When he turned eighteen, he approached me and his mom for a talk. Mandy and I exchanged glances, thinking, ~shit, he got someone pregnant~. We braced ourselves for the news, but what he said was something I never expected to hear, let alone respond to.

“Are you my real dad?”

I was speechless as Mandy started to speak. I raised my hand to stop her, then turned to Mason, knowing I had to be honest.

“Mason, no, I’m not. When I rescued your mom, she was already pregnant. But it didn’t matter to me. She was my goddess, and I was ready to accept her and the baby.”

“Mason, your biological father wasn’t a good man. We never wanted to hurt you. How did you find out?” Mandy asked.

“Well, I’m nineteen now, but you two got together a couple of months after I would’ve been conceived. So, I started wondering. Not that it matters, Nate is still my dad regardless.”

We both nodded as he stood up, hugged us, and left the room. Mandy stared at her lap, guilt evident on her face.

“At least he didn’t get someone pregnant!” I blurted out.

Mason popped his head back in, laughing. I was taken aback; I didn’t think he was still within earshot.

“It’s okay, Dad. I haven’t been with a girl yet. I’m saving myself for my goddess!”

My face turned beet red as Mandy covered hers with her hands. She probably didn’t want to hear that, but I’m sure she was relieved deep down. So was I!

I’m definitely not ready to be a grandpa yet. I wouldn’t mind if he doesn’t find his goddess for a few more years, to be honest.

I am working on paperwork when Mason and Jeremy come in, announcing they are headed to the bar. They sit down, and I give them the usual dad talk. Don’t get drunk, don’t get a girl pregnant, don’t be stupid.

“We know, Dad. We’ve always been responsible.”

“I know, but your mom makes me do this every time. If she only knew the kind of stuff I did at your age, she’d think you going out for a drink is child’s play!”

“What the hell does that mean?”

I look up in surprise as Mandy bursts into the room. Damn these paper-thin walls.

“Um, we’re going to finish up our work, then head out later,” Mason quickly says, as he and Jeremy hurry out of the office.

“Nathaniel Caden Maxwell, what do you mean by ‘when you were his age’?”

I quickly stand up and wrap my arms around her waist.

“Mandy, when I was his age, I used to go out for a few drinks. Then we’d go back to the house with my friends and get drunk and do stupid stuff.”

“That better be all!”

“Well, I’m a Maxwell, so given our line of work, things were always crazy. But I promise, even though I did stupid stuff, it wasn’t that bad!”

She nods and walks away, clearly not believing a word I said. I can’t blame her. Being a Maxwell doesn’t exactly equate to sainthood.

As she leaves my office, I know I have to do something to get back in her good graces. I quickly call the jeweler, asking him to bring in some necklaces. I need to find something to keep me out of the doghouse. I love our couches, but not for sleeping on!

JACE

Sometimes, life throws you curveballs that leave you utterly bewildered. Take Cami, for instance. After our fourth child, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I mean, that girl was like a ticking fertility bomb.

It felt like all I had to do was glance her way, and boom—another baby on the way. So, I got the procedure done, went for two follow-ups, and was given the green light. It’s been years since then, and everything’s been smooth sailing.

Well, until now, with my visibly irate wife storming into my office. I’m racking my brain, trying to figure out what I could’ve possibly forgotten. Our anniversary? No. Her birthday? Nope.

Damn, what could it be? She’s tapping her foot impatiently now, and I know I’m in deep trouble. Might as well face the music.

“What’s up, Cami?” I ask, bracing myself.

She flings something at me. It hits me and falls to the floor. I look at her, wide-eyed, silently pleading for this not to be what I think it is.

I did everything right, even double-checked! They assured me I was, in their words, “shooting blanks.”

I bend down to pick up the object—it’s a pregnancy test. I flip it over, and there it is, staring back at me. “Pregnant.” I rest my head on the desk, unable to process this.

How the hell did she get pregnant after I got snipped? I glance at the test again, praying for the result to change. Please, let it change.

I lift my head and look at her, my eyes begging for forgiveness. “Cami, I swear, I double-checked. They said we were safe. I wouldn’t have risked it if there was even a slight chance. I know how hard the last few pregnancies were on you. That’s why I did it,” I plead.

“Jace, I can’t do this again. I don’t know what to do,” she says, her voice trembling.

I quickly rise from my chair and kneel in front of her. I can’t believe I’m about to suggest this, but I’m out of options. “Cami, if you don’t want to go through with this pregnancy, I understand. It’s your decision,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Jace, you know I couldn’t do that. I could never forgive myself. Maybe others can make that choice, but not me. We’ll just have to figure this out. Maybe you should consider a more…permanent solution,” she suggests.

I gulp, my eyes wide with shock, and she bursts into laughter. It’s so loud that I’m sure the entire floor can hear it. And sure enough, they do.

My office starts filling up with curious faces. I stand up, leaning against my desk, as Cami turns to address the crowd.

“Guess what, everyone? Jace and I are expecting…again!” she announces.

“Jace, I thought you got fixed!” Jocelyn exclaims.

“I did, Jocelyn! I even double-checked! They said I was good to go! But apparently, something went wrong!” I retort.

“No kidding, Jace!” she replies, rolling her eyes.

As everyone starts to disperse, probably to console Cami, Nate approaches me, a smirk on his face.

“What’s so funny, Nate?” I ask, annoyed.

“Hey, I’m in the doghouse too! I’ve got a jeweler coming over. You might want to get something for Cami while he’s here,” he suggests.

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” I concede.

“Probably? Dude, Cami was sick as a dog during her last two pregnancies. And the labor? It was endless. Now she has to go through all that again. You better figure something out. You two are a lethal combination. I bet your procedure worked at first, then everything just…reconnected,” he theorizes.

“What?! Can that actually happen?! No way!” I exclaim, horrified.

I rush to the phone and dial the doctor’s number. After a frustratingly long hold, a doctor finally picks up. I explain the situation, then listen intently to his response.

I hang up, staring at Nate in disbelief.

What the actual fuck! This is some next-level shit! I slump back into my chair, still in shock. I can’t believe this is happening!