Chapter 30

‘Hey, Caleb, it’s Dad. I really wish you’d pick up. I know you’re upset, and you have every right to be, but we need to talk this through, son. Family is everything, and I don’t want us to lose what we have. Please call me back. I love you.’

I end the call and set my phone down, palming my face in exhaustion. The voicemail feels like one of many that have gone into the void.

Just as I’m rubbing the bridge of my nose, trying to chase away the headache building behind my eyes, there’s a soft knock at the door.

‘Come in,’ I call out, hoping to sound more composed than I feel.

Allie peeks her head in, her expression cautious. ‘Hey, got a minute?’

‘Yeah, of course. What’s up?’ I try to sound focused, pushing my personal turmoil aside.

She hesitates, clearly picking up on my mood before getting to the point.

‘It’s about the menu for next week’s VIP event. I was thinking about tweaking the seafood dish we talked about—adding a saffron infusion to the sauce. I thought it might elevate the dish a bit.’

‘That sounds good,’ I respond, genuinely pleased with her initiative. Saffron could add a nice touch. Run a test batch, and let’s see how it meshes with the other flavors.’

She nods, scribbling a note on her pad, but her next question isn’t about food. ‘How are things with Caleb?’ she ventures, her tone gentle. ‘Any word from him?’

I sigh, leaning back in my chair. ‘Actually, while I was here last night, he came by the house. Cleared out his clothes and personal stuff. Left everything else, though.’ My voice trails off, the reality of the situation settling in. ‘Haven’t heard a word from him since.’

Allie’s face falls; there’s empathy in her eyes. ‘I’m sorry. This is all just … a lot.’

‘Yeah, it is.’ I rub the back of my neck. ‘But we’ll get through it. We always do.’

She steps closer, her presence comforting. ‘If there’s anything I can do to help—’

I cut her off with a slight shake of my head. ‘Just keep being you. That’s more than enough.’ I manage a small smile, appreciative of her support.

Allie leans against the doorframe, concern etched on her face. ‘If it would make things easier, I could step back a bit and give you and Caleb some space,’ she suggests, her voice tinged with unease.

I stand up quickly, closing the distance between us with determined strides. ‘No, that’s not happening,’ I assert firmly, locking eyes with her. ‘You and the baby are part of this family now. I’m here for every step, just like I was with Caleb.’

Her eyes flicker, then she nods slowly. ‘Okay, if you’re sure. I just want to help in any way that I can.’

‘I know you do,’ I say, my tone softening as I place a reassuring hand on her shoulder. ‘And I appreciate it, really. Speaking of help, got everything ready for your doctor’s visit tomorrow? Do you need me to do anything?’

She gives a small smile. ‘I’m all set, thanks. I’ll need to come in late.’

‘Don’t worry about it,’ I tell her, already pulling out my phone to adjust our schedules. ‘I’ll handle it. I’m coming with you.’

Her eyes light up with gratitude. ‘Really?”

‘Absolutely,’ I confirm without a hint of hesitation. ‘I want to be there for you and our kid.’

She steps closer, her arms wrapping around me in a warm embrace that I return firmly. ‘Thank you, Patrick. That means the world to me.’

Allie pauses at the door, then dashes back with a mischievous grin to plant a quick kiss on my lips.

I reach for my phone, hitting redial for Caleb. It goes straight to voicemail again. I rub the bridge of my nose just like before, the gravity of the situation settling in.

I leave another message. ‘Caleb, it’s Dad. Look, we need to talk, son. Please call me back.’

Hanging up, I stare at the black screen. Did I push too hard? Did I make the wrong call by not being upfront about Allie and me?

The questions gnaw at me, and I stash the phone away, a heavy sigh escaping me. I’m afraid I’ve really fucked things up with Caleb this time.

Sitting in the cramped doctor’s office, surrounded by the nervous energy of young couples, I’m feeling strangely out of place. Allie is beside me, scribbling away on forms as I swallow down my internal turmoil.

‘Are you okay?’ she asks, peering up from the clipboard.

I chuckle. ‘Feels odd to be away from the kitchen during rush hour,’ I admit, trying to deflect my real concerns.

She gives me a sympathetic smile, her hand finding mine. ‘You can head back if you want. I’ll be okay here.’

‘Not a chance,’ I reply, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. My gaze drifts around the waiting room full of young, eager faces. Here I am, a man with a grown son, surrounded by couples who are likely welcoming their first child, not gearing up for a surprise encore performance in fatherhood.

Allie’s voice cuts through my thoughts, her tone light but curious. ‘When’s your birthday again?’

‘April 17, 1978,’ I reply, watching her closely. Her eyes widen a touch, and the realization of our age difference settles in.

I can see the gears turning in her head, the sudden awareness of what it means to be having a baby with someone significantly older.

‘How do you feel about that?’ I ask, my voice softening.

She pauses, her expression thoughtful. Then, a warm smile spreads across her face. ‘I’m actually really happy to be doing this with someone who’s been through it before,’ she admits, her sincerity shining through. ‘You’ve got the experience and the maturity. That’s more than I could ask for.’

Relief washes over me as I squeeze her hand in return.

Once we’re called to the examining room, I follow Allie, my heart thumping in my chest. I’ve been through this before, decades ago, but it feels different now, more daunting.

As we settle in, the doctor arrives, brisk and professional. Allie takes her place on the exam table while I hover close by, feeling every inch the out-of-place father-to-be.

‘How are we today?’ the doctor asks, all smiles.

‘Good, a bit nervous,’ Allie admits.

The doctor sets up for the ultrasound. ‘It’s perfectly normal to feel a bit anxious,’ she reassures us as she preps Allie.

The doctor positions the ultrasound wand, and the room is filled with the surreal sound of a rapid heartbeat—our baby’s heartbeat.

‘I love you,’ I whisper, turning to Allie, overwhelmed by the moment.

Her eyes glisten with emotion as she whispers back, ‘I love you, too,’ and we share a kiss, sealing our bond right there in the dim light of the ultrasound room.

The doctor smiles, perhaps used to such displays of affection but respectful of our moment. ‘Everything looks great. Strong heartbeat, healthy development,’ she announces, turning the screen toward us to point out the tiny, pulsating heart.

As we look at the screen, a protective surge overcomes me, and I feel a fierce commitment to our little family.

I notice a flicker on the doctor’s face and feel immediate concern.

“What is it? You said everything looks good.”

Allie glances nervously between me and the doctor, squeezing my hand.

The doctor shakes her head and smiles. “Nothing is wrong. I just saw a little something extra. Here, I’ll show you.”

She moves the wand over Allie’s belly, and I suddenly see what she’s talking about. There isn’t just one flicker on the screen, but two.

“What is it?” Allie asks impatiently.

“You’re having twins.”

The room seems to spin for a moment as reality sets in. Two heartbeats, two lives, our family instantly doubling. My overwhelming feelings of shock and joy mingle as I squeeze Allie’s hand tighter, both of us staring at the screen in total awe.

As we stroll through Brooklyn, the crisp air nipping at our faces, I can’t help but roll out plans for the future, my words spilling out with the rush of my thoughts. ‘I’d really like for you to move in with me as soon as you’re ready,’ I say, glancing her way. ‘We’ll figure out how to announce it to the staff and set everything in motion.’

She nods along, but her gaze is distant. As we walk, I delve deeper into logistics, discussing timelines and adjustments until I notice her silence.

I pause mid-stride, facing her. ‘I’m sorry,’ I admit, rubbing the back of my neck. ‘I get carried away with planning. It’s just how I deal with things.’

She offers me a small smile, her eyes meeting mine with a warmth that eases my concern slightly. ‘I do want to live with you, Patrick and I’m okay with being open about our relationship,’ she says. ‘But twins, motherhood … It’s a lot to process all at once.’

I reach out and take her hands in mine. ‘I love you, Allie,’ I tell her earnestly. ‘And I promise you, I will do everything in my power to make sure you and our babies have everything you need.’

Her eyes light up with the words, and she steps closer, her arms looping around my neck. ‘Thank you,’ she whispers just before our lips meet in a perfect moment of love.