Love Against the Odds

Chapter Eighteen

Nate

Day 4 and Rayne is still sleeping. She is starting to move her arms and legs as she seems uncomfortable, the nurses say this is a good sign.  I continue to talk to her about how much I love her, about our future and about her art career.  She is squeezing my hand a lot today. I only hold her right hand as her left wrist is broken and has a removable cast on it. I have tickled her feet and I think she tried to kick me away. The nurse comes in to tell me there is a visitor. I am apprehensive after my mother’s visit but I allow it. In walks Jim, Rayne’s father.  I glared as I had not seem him alone since my mother’s made her grand announcement. 

“How is my little girl today?” He asked.

I could not hold my tongue any longer “She wouldn’t be here if my mother hadn’t barged into Rayne’s apartment and announced I was her brother!  Rayne was running down the stairs hysterical trying to get to you.” 

Jim stood there silent, like I had just kicked him in the gut. “I had no idea she told you kids.” 

“Well she did, what do you have to say about this whole ordeal?” I snapped back

“I am ashamed Nate, I am not going to lie to you. Nothing in this world would make me do something to hurt Rayne, knowing something stupid I did years ago could cause her pain makes me feel sick. She loves you Nate! This I am positive of.”  Jim said “If it turns out the two of you are siblings I don’t know what I will do.” 

“I know what I will do, I am going to continue to love Rayne, nobody will tear us apart.” Nate replied.

“I am happy to hear that Nate! Even if it turns out the 2 of you are half siblings it is not like you grew up together. None of this is your fault, it is mine. Mine and Eileen’s indiscretion should not cause heartache for you and Rayne.” Jim said with a lot of sadness showing in his face. “Nate your father loves you and Eileen very much, but I know you don’t need me to tell you this.  He went through a rough time that turned out to be depression. Once his medication was regulated he was back to being a loving husband to your mom. She thought he no longer loved her and that is when she turned to me. My excuse was I was a selfish bastard and wanted a fling. I have always felt that Shelly knew I was cheating on her but she never told me so. I am actually shocked I didn’t drive her into the arms of another man!”

“Why are you telling me all of this sir?” I asked as I felt it was a little more than I should know. 

“Because I my past mistakes have caused you pain and I feel like I should confess my sins.” Jim continued “When Shelly told me she was expecting Rayne I was so happy! From that day forward I vowed to be the best husband and father I could possibly be. I basically grew up and decided to a grown up and stop acting like a greedy child. Now I can only pray Rayne and Shelly can forgive me as I am sure this will be known by all soon.” 

“I am not sure anyone else needs to know all of this sir.” I said “I have already arranged for a DNA test for Rayne and I as soon as she is awake and can consent to using her blood for a test. Nobody else needs to know. If the test shows we are related we will look into adoption or a sperm donor when we are ready for children. Nobody will question that if we tell them we have fertility issues.” 

“You are a fine man Nate.” Jim said with a smile “You certainly have my blessing to spend your life with my little girl!” 

“I am so happy to see the two of you getting along” I heard a soft voice say, it was Rayne! I ran to her side as fast as I could and so did her dad.  

I leaned down and kissed her forehead “I am so happy to hear your voice baby!” She gave me a weak smile. It was obvious she was still very weak and groggy. 

“What do I need to sign to use my blood?” Rayne said and gave me a grin.

“How much did you hear?” I asked 

“Enough.” She smiled again “I don’t want to wait any longer to put this nightmare behind us! Oh hi Dad.” 

Jim was teared up when he heard Rayne say dad. Both of us have always been closer to our dads than our moms. The thought of Nathan not being my dad makes me a little sick as he has always been a loving father, the kind of father I want to be to my children. I really don’t want to know who my biological father may be, but for our future Rayne and I need to know if we are closely related. The results make me very nervous but we need to know! Our future family depends on this knowledge.