Falling In Love

IV. A Xytex Talk

Chapter Four...A Xytex Talk

Backstage at SmackDown, the energy was electric, a blend of excitement and nerves pulsing through the dimly lit corridors.

I sat with Tatiana, her voice a calming presence amidst the chaos, as she recounted the whirlwind of events that led to her relationship with Joe. I listened intently, my mind drifting occasionally to my own situation, a scenario I never anticipated finding myself in.

Tatiana's story unfolded with an unexpected twist: Joe had delivered her daughter, Ocean, in the parking lot of a mall. It sounded absurd, but the backstory was even more unbelievable. Joe, a complete stranger at the time, had drunkenly donated sperm during a bet at his bachelor party back in 2014.

"We both went place called Xytex," she said, her eyes twinkling with a mix of nostalgia and disbelief.

I felt my heart drop. "I used Xytex," I blurted out, the words escaping before I could process their weight.

Tatiana's eyes widened. "Are you for real?" she asked, incredulity etched across her face.

"Yeah, but the sperm I used had never been used before," I explained, the implications of my casual admission crashing down around us.

What were the odds?

"Charm, I think you need a DNA test because Joshua or Jonathan may be Amias's father," Tatiana suggested, her tone shifting from casual to serious.

I sighed, the air thick with the realization of how intertwined our lives had suddenly become. The idea of my son possibly being around the father I never knew felt surreal, almost like a plot twist in a sitcom. "I didn't expect this to happen at my new job," I said, rubbing my temples.

Tatiana left shortly after, her words hanging in the air like a heavy fog. I turned my attention to Joshua, who was busy playing with Amias, my son's laughter a bright spot in the otherwise intense moment.

"So, Xytex," I said, breaking the silence as they approached me.

Joshua looked up, sheepish and somewhat guilty, as if he'd been caught in a secret.

"You know I used Xytex?" I continued, gauging his reaction.

"No way," he replied, his disbelief palpable.

"Yup, and now Tatiana thinks you or your twin could be Amias's dad," I said, feeling the weight of the words settle in the space between us.

Joshua glanced down at Amias, who was blissfully unaware of the conversation unfolding. "Do you think that too?" he asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and concern.

I bit my lip, weighing my response. "I don't know," I admitted, uncertainty swirling in my stomach.

The implications of what I had just shared were dizzying. On one hand, I was thrilled that Amias might have a connection to someone who could potentially be his father.

On the other, I felt a rush of anxiety at the thought of navigating this new reality. My relationship with Joshua had begun purely as a professional connection, but now there was a layer of complexity that I hadn't anticipated.

Joshua shifted on his feet, clearly processing the information. The playful vibe that usually surrounded him when he was with Amias faded into a more serious demeanor. "How do you feel about that?" he asked, meeting my gaze with those deep, searching eyes.

I took a deep breath, trying to articulate the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. "It's... overwhelming. I never thought I'd be in this position. Amias is my world, and I just want to do what's best for him," I said, feeling the weight of my words.

He nodded, a look of understanding crossing his face. "I get that. It's a lot to take in."

We stood in silence for a moment, the sounds of the bustling backstage atmosphere fading into the background. I watched as Amias played, his little giggles cutting through the tension. It was a stark reminder of what was truly important: my son's happiness.

"I think it's kind of amazing," Joshua finally said, breaking the silence. "Like, there's a chance for something more here, something unexpected."

I looked at him, surprised by his perspective. "More?"

"Yeah, like... a chance for Amias to have a relationship with his dad, whoever that may be. And maybe that could be me," he said, his tone hopeful yet cautious.

The thought settled in my mind, heavy yet strangely comforting. Amias having a father figure, someone to guide him, to show him the ropes of life, was something I had always wished for him.

But the idea of Joshua—who I had only known in a work capacity until recently—taking on that role felt both thrilling and daunting.

"I guess that would be a good thing," I replied slowly. "But there's so much to consider. What if it complicates things?"

Joshua's expression turned serious. "We can navigate that together. I mean, I wouldn't want to overstep or assume anything. But if there's a possibility... it might be worth exploring, right?"

His words resonated within me. The thought of exploring this possibility with Joshua, a person I was beginning to trust, was enticing. The connection we had developed over our time working together felt like a solid foundation, but it was still uncharted territory.

"I'll think about it," I said finally, wanting to buy myself some time to process everything.

Amias, blissfully unaware of the gravity of our conversation, climbed into my lap, pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts. I wrapped my arms around him, feeling the warmth and comfort he brought into my life.

"Hey buddy, are you ready to go home soon?" I asked, brushing his hair back from his forehead.

He nodded, his eyes bright with joy. "Can we get ice cream?"

I chuckled, my heart softening at his innocent request. "Sure, we can do that."

Joshua smiled, watching the exchange with a gentle gaze. "You're a great mom, Charm. I can see how much you care for him."

"Thanks," I said, feeling a warmth spread through me. "It's all I know how to do."

As the moments passed, I could sense a shift in the atmosphere, a flicker of possibility lingering in the air.

The idea of a DNA test still loomed over me, a potential path that could lead us to the answers we needed. But the implications of those answers could shift everything for Amias, for me, and for Joshua.

As we prepared to leave the arena, I stole a glance at Joshua. "If it turns out you are Amias's father..."

"I'll be there for you both," he interrupted gently. "Whatever that means, I'm in."

His sincerity struck a chord within me. As I held Amias close, I could feel the world shifting beneath our feet, the future unfolding in ways I hadn't anticipated.

I took a deep breath, ready to step into this new chapter, whatever it may hold.