Don't Leave Me (A Bajan Canadian Fan Fiction) (Watty Awards 2013)

Chapter Nine: What Am I Doing?

Chapter 9

I wait in silence on the couch. Jerome and Quentin just left for home. Rebecca was asleep on the couch facing opposite of me with Reegan sleeping under her arm. Mat was in the kitchen making lunch. Reegan stirs slowly in her sleep.

"Daddy?" she whimpers. I get up from my seat and pick up Reegan.

"He's making some food, Reegs," I say. She nods and puts her head on my shoulder. I go and sit back down on the couch opposite of Rebecca. Reegan starts to suck her thumb. I pull it out of her mouth.

"That wrecks your teeth, Reegan, don't do that," I say sternly. She sticks her lip out. Small tears start to drip down her cheeks.

"Don't cry, Reegan. I don't want you to get braces when you get older that's why," I say. She sticks her lip back in and wipes her tears away.

"Otay, Uncle Mitchy," she says, hugging my neck. I smile and hug her softly. Mat comes in with five plates of chicken nuggets, ketchup and fries. Rob comes back from the bathroom and grabs his plate, eating a chicken nugget off his plate. Reegan turns towards the food and smiles.

"FOOD!" she yells. Rebecca screams and jolts up. Reegan's eyes widen.

"Holy cow, child! You scream loud!" Mat says, picking Reegan up and setting her on his lap. She laughs as Rebecca holds her chest, breathing heavily.

"Oh my God," she whispers. I laugh and grab my plate, bringing her one as well and sit next to her.

"Eat food," I say. She smiles and takes her plate. Reegan sticks her finger in ketchup and draws on Mat's face.

"Reegan Celestine Nooch, don't," he says. Reegan frowns and sticks out her lip again.

"No don't cry, Reegs," Mat says. Reegan looks down at her hands. Mat brings her into a hug.

"I'm sorry," he said, kissing her cheek. Reegan squirms out of Mat's hug and grabs a nugget, eating it with a death glare at Mat. Mat looks at me with the evil look as well.

"I didn't do anything!" I say, holding my hands up. He shakes his head, picks up Reegan, gets up and sets her back on the ground. He holds the bridge of his nose walking out of the room. Reegan stares at me.

"Where did daddy go?" she asks. I shrug and get up, giving my plate to Rebecca. I walk to the bathroom, where Mat sat on the toilet seat, his face in his hands.

"Mat-"

"What am I doing wrong Mitch? I'm trying to be a good dad but it's hard. If Sadie were here she would have helped me, right?" he asks, looking at me. I lean against the door frame.

"She got pregnant at 14, Mat. She was 18 when she died. Her parents aren't mad at you. Sadie certainly wasn't. Reegan wanted a father and you know that Mat. It surprises me you would do "it" when you were only 15 Mat. I want you to be a dad. If you need me to take Reegs for a few days and you go home and chill for a while I'm willing to do that," I say. Mat gets up and pats my shoulder.

"Thank you Mitch," he says, walking out of the bathroom. I follow him back to the living room. Reegan looks up from her plate. She smiles.

"Hi Daddy," she says. Mat smiles back at her.

"Hey," he says, squatting down to eye level, "What do you think about staying with Uncle Mitch and Aunt Becca for a few days?" Reegan's eyes widen, as does her smile. She nods and hugs his neck.

"I'll stay for a few days, Daddy. I'll be good I promise," she says. Mat laughs and kisses her forehead.

"Uncle Rob is going home tonight after you sleep so he'll be gone when you wake up, but Uncle Mitch and Aunt Becca will be here when you wake up," he says. Reegan nods and kisses Mat's cheek.

"I love you Daddy," she says. She kisses his cheek again and runs to Rebecca. Mat stands as a tear falls from his cheek. He pats my shoulder and motions for me to follow him. We walk outside.

"She said she loved me. I must be doing something right," he says, tears falling down his face as he smiled.

"You're doing fine, biggums. Go home and chill out for a while. I'll give her back in 5 days," I say. Mat nods and walks to his car. He looks behind him and waves back to me. I wave back.

He gets in his car and leaves my property. Reegan waves out the window. Mat waves back as he drives past.