Mystic Falls: Beginnings

14

I heard my brother walking upstairs and I moved out of the way so he could come down the stairs. Once he was down, he began to cry when he looked at my dad.

"It's mine, isn't it?" he said.

"It's not Drew's and the child shows a family match."

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"Sorry, that's all you have to say. You were going to let your brother take the fall. What kind of brother are you?" My father moved closer to him and then said, "wait, what kind of father are you pawning your kid on another man?"

"Not a good one, apparently. Now what?" He asked as he wiped the tears away.

"Since your still a minor, if both parties agree to it, then you both can get married. If not, then you and Mia will need to go to court to determine parenting time and child support," Fred said.

"I think Mia's parents and us need to have a talk with the both of you in the next couple of days. Till then your grounded. Hand over your phone," my father said.

Marcus pulled his phone out of his pocket and handed it to dad and walked up the stairs slowly. His shoulders were slumped and yet I didn't feel sorry for him in that moment. I actually felt anger.

"Do either of you have family here that could potentially be the father?" Fred asked.

" We were both only children and our parents are gone," my mother said.

"So you won't be needing a paternity test for him?" Fred asked.

"No, they both admitted to be intimate with each other." My father said.

"Let me know what you decide to do and I can help anyway I can."

"Thanks Fred. Send me the bill," my dad said.

I was about to say something but my dad gave me a look and I shut my mouth.

After Fred left and my parents went into the living room to talk, I went to my room and called Mia's grandfather. The phone rang three times before he answered.

"Hello."

"It's Drew. Can we talk?"

"I'm not selling any bulls at this time, Drew."

"I'm not looking for a bull. I'm looking for Sheryl."

"She's not here."

"Well, I heard she is and whatever you guys think is going on is not the truth."

"The wedding invite says other wise. You should be worrying about your fiancee and not my other grandchild," he said with an angry tone and hung up.

I decided to call the house and talk to her grandmother. The phone rang twice before it was answered and as luck would have it, it was her grandma.

"Hello," she said in a cheerful voice.

"It's Drew and before you hang up I know Sheryl is there and everyone has the wrong idea," I quickly said.

"Okay. So explain and make it quick."

"Mia and I were not intimate together and the baby is not mine. She set me up and slept with my brother and the baby is his. I has a fetal paternity test done. Mia wanted to marry and the only way I could get her to agree to a paternity test was if she could plan a wedding. I'm in love with Sheryl and I want her back."

"If my son hadn't called about an hour ago and told me what was going on, I would not have believed you. As for my granddaughter, she has been through enough."

"I know, but I want to set things straight with her. I'm in love with her."

"And she is in love with you. The damage that Mia and your brother have done has been severe and she won't return to the ranch anytime soon."

"I know that. What do you suppose I do?"

"I have an idea, but let me run it by my husband. I will call you tomorrow."

"Thank you."

"You had better make her happy."

"I will."

She never responded and hung up.

The next day, I kept checking my phone waiting for her call and instead of her calling, it was her husband. I was in the middle of fixing a fence but I picked up anyway.

"Hello," I said as I picked up some fencing.

"I'm sorry I hung up yesterday."

"It's okay. I would have done the same. You're just trying to protect your granddaughter."

"That I am. My wife and I talked and I thought about what she suggested. Mia loves it here and she is a great at helping around the ranch. Her father was supposed to take over the ranch but he met her mom and moved away. Never looked back or visited. Maybe it was hard for him but he died with the love of his life. Do you plan to marry my granddaughter Drew?" He asked.

"I would love to and if she would have me I'd marry her now."

"That's what I like to hear. If you can convince my granddaughter to marry you I would like to leave the ranch to both of you."

"You would?"

"I would. I know you are supposed to take over your family's ranch but your brother can do that."

"That he could. I would be honored."

"Now when are you coming down here to sort this mess up?"

"This weekend," I said as I smiled.

"Good. I'll see you this weekend," and he hung up.

That night after dinner, I asked my father to meet me in his office before Marcus and Mia sat down to talk about the baby.

"What's up Drew?" My father said as he shut the door.

"I know the family is going through a lot and I'm about to add more to it."

"Okay. Spit it out. Mia and her parents will be here soon."

"I want to marry Sheryl and if she accepts my proposal, then I'm leaving the ranch. Her grandfather has offered for us to run his ranch in mystic falls."

"You and your brother are supposed to run this place together. That was the plan."

"I know dad but after all the drama that has taken place, Sheryl won't come back here. I know that and so does her grandparents, but I will always be here for the family."

"I never thought I would see you leave this place, but I saw the love you had for her and the love she had for you. I want you to be happy son."

"Thanks dad."

I stood up and hugged him.