New York Surprises (Tayvin - AU)

Part 11

ADAM POV

As soon as Taylor had left the café I sat down and thought about what had happened in the last 20 minutes.

I am a father. To TWO kids. At just 25! How am I going to be a good father with the bad examples of parenting I had a child? They have an incredible mother, but completely lost out in the father department. I was already getting terrified about the prospect of Friday night at her apartment. How would they react to me? I know I've met them before but that was just in passing.... And I know Taylor said she wouldn't tell them I'm their dad yet, but if they hate me now then there is less of a chance of her telling them.

What had I gotten myself into?

I decided to text the first person I could think of, my best friend and fellow chef Charlie. We work together at the restaurant, having both been sent over from London.

'Charlie, can you come in early today. I need some advice. It's big. Adam' I texted him quickly, gathering my things to leave the café.

'Hey man! Yeah, sure thing! I'll be at the restaurant by 4.30.' He replied. The restaurant opened for dinner at 7 meaning we had to be in the kitchens by 5 to get set up and discuss the specials for the night, so we would have an hour to talk.

Somehow the fact that I knew I would be able to talk to Charlie about it all set my mind at rest. He knew who Taylor was, so I wouldn't have to go into too much detail about the past, knew she had been at the restaurant on Saturday, and will hopefully be able to give me advice on the whole situation.

I decided to go to the gym to clear my head a bit before going into work. I was angry at my parents for the fact that I had to leave home, I was disappointed with myself because I hadn't tried harder to find Taylor, and I was worried about being a father.... All at the same time.

When I got to the restaurant just after 4.20 Charlie was already waiting for me, sitting at one of the tables near the back, with his feet propped on the chair across from him. I sat down so I was facing him.

"Hey mate! So what's up?" Charlie asked, leaning back slightly on his chair.

Where was I to begin.... I needed to try and stay calm and not completely breakdown.

"I saw Taylor today." I told him.

"Yeah, I know.... You told me yesterday and the day before and the day before...." Charlie replied, teasing me. Sue me, I was excited! "So what did your pretty lady say to make you so freaked out? D'ya get her pregnant or something?" Charlie started laughing at his own question.

"Well... not far off..." I started to say quietly.

"Shit! She's pregnant? Wait that's too quick.... Hmmmm.... You guys had sex? On the first date? I mean... yeah... didn't think that would be your thing..." Charlie said.

In the 4 years that we had known each other I had never had a girlfriend or even a one-night-stand. For a while Charlie thought I was gay, but when we got to know each other he realised it was because my heart was already taken whether I would admit it or not.

"No, we just talked, get your mind out of the gutter.... But basically.... You know those two kids that were with her on Saturday?" I asked him, getting a quick nod in response, "They're my kids, Charlie. I have 5-year-old twins that I never knew about. I should've tried harder to contact her.... I feel like a failure."

"Wow... that's a lot to take in. But you are not a failure, at all, mate. You had to get out of home for your own safety. And you've made something of yourself over the last 6 years. You should be proud of yourself. So is that why you are so freaked out?" Charlie asked, moving his chair around the round table to sit closer to me.

"That and the fact that Taylor invited me to their apartment on Friday night for dinner and a movie.... And I'm worried they won't like me.... She doesn't want to tell them I'm their Dad at first, partly I think for her own protection because she seems to have a major fear that I'm going to up and leave, but if they hate me maybe she'll never tell them." I said, rubbing my hands up and down my face.

"How could they hate you? Literally every kid that comes into this place loves you.... well they don't know you, but it's because of you that the restaurant is family friendly. It's like you knew deep down you were a father without knowing." Charlie told me. "They are super cute, by the way.... And Taylor is pretty hot!"

I glared at him slightly, and he put up his hands in surrender.

"So, you ready to be a dad?" Charlie asked

"I guess so.... Can you cover for me on Friday? I'll owe you." I replied him smiling, realising I needed to be off that night.

"Yeah, sure.... Can you cover for me on Sunday Lunch this week? I'm taking my girl out for brunch." Charlie asked.

"Yup! Okay.... This should be okay.... Thanks man." I told Charlie, getting up to go to the kitchen.