Stay- Book One The Full Circle

A Better Man

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Chapter 33
Adult content readers advised

A Better Man

Trent

I couldn't have five minutes to myself when I got home. The bar needed to be opened for lunch. I had deliveries and customers come in, staff that needed attention and a business that kept me busy for hours longer than planned. By the time we were fully staffed we were in full lunch rush and I didn't have time to run over to talk to Maggie about this morning.

By three we were slow enough for me to go up to the third floor and I found Maggie sitting there with Zoe having shakes. Zoe ran right to me and wrapped her arms around my waist in greeting. I can't help but feel Jeremy wouldn't appreciate just how precious this little girl.

"Daddy! I got an A today on my spelling test. Maggie said I deserved a nila shake!"

"Awesome opossum kiddo! You save me any?" I asked carrying her back over to the booth and set her down before leaning over to kiss Maggie. "Hey baby. I'm sorry it's been busy all morning."

"I know. Cole talked to me a while ago. What happened this morning?" Maggie saw the expression on my face and knew what happened was harder than I thought it would be.

Her hand stayed in mine when I took a seat next to her so I could watch Zoe color her picture. I felt Maggie snuggle against my side and curl my arm to keep her close. I kiss her temple to give myself another minute to put my thoughts together.

"We got the results, babe. We know the truth." I whisper to Maggie to keep this from Zoe a little longer. Maggie looked up concerned knowing just how much I love our little girl. "She's Jeremy's."

"What?!" Maggie's eyes get big and round the sheen of tears begin to come into them. "He..." lowering her voice knowing the ramifications for Zoe, she whispers this time. "He wants to keep her?"

Shaking my head, I kiss her head as much to settle myself as to calm her. "He said he'll sign over his rights. I don't know if it's the right thing to do though. Someday Zoe might want to know who her biological father is, how do we keep that from her? She deserves the right to know."

Rubbing my face I can feel the beginning of a headache coming on. Maggie must have recognized the sign too. She reached into her bag and got me two acetaminophen to take. Taking the medicine I watch our little girl and wonder what choice is the right one for her.

"What did Emerly say? She's probably dealt with this kind of thing before." Maggie uses common sense to guide her. Emerly's job as a caseworker, the industry she works in would give us some kind of guidance but I don't think Emerly expected Jeremy to just keep his word on this.

Not that Jeremy is in the habit of going back on his word. Actually, it's very rare that Jeremy will give his word on anything unless he is absolutely certain he's going to keep it. Jeremy can be a dick. He has no problem lying if it serves his purpose but not when push comes to shove. When the chips are down Jeremy stands up, he keeps his word.

"She's talking to him." I can't say if she's made any progress on that since I've had my hands full here.

"Okay, but this doesn't have to be bad, right? Zoe could have two dads and if you work together, you can work this out." Maggie is trying to remain upbeat about this. I know that's what I'm trying to do too. I know Jeremy though, I know how he is.

"Maggie, it's not that simple. Jeremy doesn't like to share. He'll feel like he's got to compete for her and I won't do that. If he signs the papers, then he'll leave. He won't be able to see us as a family and not see what he could have had. It'll break him. He'll leave and will isolate himself more than he already does." He's a jerk but he's like a brother. If I lose him it'll be like losing a limb.