Perfectly Unexpected - Finished

Chapter Eighteen - Apology

Being back in office after burying my father was a strange experience. I threw myself into my work. At 32 weeks pregnant, I was trying hard to not only catch up from the time I had missed, but also get ahead for my maternity leave. I could likely come in office here or there during, but I wanted to focus on my daughter as much as possible during that time.

“Hi, I've got the two cases you put on my desk this morning.” I said to Sam as I walked in his office. We still didn't speak much, but he had softened toward me a little bit since his wife left.

“Thank you, Kassie. Could I speak to you for a moment?” Sam asked, looking up at me nervously. He tapped a pen against his desk.

“Sure.” I said. I closed his door and sat down in the chair facing him.

“I didn't think you'd agree to have dinner with me, so I know this isn't really the best setting. I wanted to apologize for how I acted. I should never have pushed you to get an abortion. I should have taken responsibility and been here for you and the baby. I hate that I have missed every appointment, every ultrasound. I was there for every part of Shannon's pregnancy with Ellie. Even now, Greg goes with her to every baby appointment and he barely knows her. I was totally being a piece of s**t, I regret it, and it has been hard for me to sit back and watch my baby grow inside you and not be a part of it. I'll never be able to tell you how sorry I am.”

I wasn't sure how to respond. Yes, I'm sure it was hard on him. It was hard on ME. I didn't really care about his feelings at this point, he put me through hell. I didn't want to say it was okay – it wasn't. Nothing he had done was okay.

“Thank you for your apology.” I said coldly.

“I know it's a stretch, but I was hoping you'd give me a chance to redeem myself and be in her life. I know it will take a while to earn your trust back and to prove to you that I want to do this, but I don't want to walk around with a daughter in the world who doesn't know me.” Daniel said.

“I'd feel more comfortable talking about this with Daniel.” I said.

“It isn't Daniel's decision.” Sam argued.

“It is his decision. He HAS been the one here for me, and her, from day one.” I said.

Daniel was the one who had made sure I was eating, held my hand or my hair when I was sick, taken me to appointments and cooed at pictures of her with me. Daniel was the one who had felt her kicking in my belly, who watched her roll across my stomach. He deserved all of the credit for her. Sam simply made her.

“I have rights, you know. I could take you to court, get a paternity test. They could make you let me see her. They could give me full custody.” Sam said. “Don't do this the hard way.”

Rage filled me. My face got hot, my chest burned. “Try me. I dare you.” I growled. “You cannot take her from me. You wanted her gone.” I stood up to leave.

“Wait, Kassie.” Sam called. I stopped. “I was out of line, I apologize. At least agree to let me be there when you give birth.”

“I'll consider it.” I said.

I walked out of his office and immediately went to the accounting room. I found Daniel and Jasmine hunched over his computer, looking over a file. This was normally how I found them, and I used to be there with them when I worked in accounting.

“Sam wants to be there when the baby's born.” I said after slamming the door. My heart was racing and my head was spinning.

“What?” They asked at the same time.

“Now? After everything?” Jasmine said, her voice going up a few octaves.

“Yeah, now? He's really going to spring this on you now, at 32 weeks pregnant?” Daniel said. He straightened up from his bent position.

“He threatened to take me to court.” I said quietly.

“That bastard.” Daniel shouted.

“What exactly did he say?” Jasmine asked.

“He tried to apologize, basically said he regretted everything. He said this has been really hard on him – like I give a f**k, really – and said he was in the wrong. He said he wants to redeem himself and be in her life. I said I had to discuss it with Daniel, he said it's not Daniel's choice, I said it was. He said he could take me to court, get full custody. I told him to try me. He apologized and asked if he could at least be there when she's born.” I said. 

“The f*****g audacity.” Jasmine said. “You're not going to say yes, are you?”

My eyes met Daniel. He wanted to know, as well.

“I'd like us to discuss it. It's her biological father.” I said.

“I agree. We will discuss it.” Daniel said.