Karaline
I thought life had already handed me everything I could handle when my sweet baby girls sperm donor told my seventeen year old self that he wanted nothing to do with us, and signed his rights away. But boy was I wrong. Here I am, 6 years l...
Once I'm back inside the building complex that houses our office, I lean against the nearest wall and begin to freak the fuck out. Don't get me wrong, when I found out Karaline was pregnant with my baby, and she didn't let some other prick put his grubby hands on her perfect body, I was overjoyed. I still am. But I think most of that happiness stems from my own selfishness. I was never good at sharing. Especially if it was something that was mine. And Karaline? Yeah...She's definitely MINE. The thought of another man touching her makes me see red. It brings out the most primal, possessive part of me. Begging me to claim her and make her mine, so nobody else can. The other part of me though? Yeah, that part is scared shitless.
I'm going to be a dad. Add to that the fact that I'm going to have a daughter. Aside from the training that comes along with my job, I have zero knowledge of how to actually raise a baby. I didn't grow up with a steady father figure in my life. The dad that I did have I don't remember much about. My mother died during childbirth so my dad raised me on his own until I was six. Then one day I got pulled out of class to go to the principal's office. That was the first time I met a social worker in a long line of them. Apparently, my father was depositing his check on his lunch break when the bank he was in was robbed. Out of the twelve hostages that were there that day, my dad was the only one that didn't make it back out. The only other family I had was my moms' dad and he was in no shape to take me, so I ended up in the system. The closest thing I had to a male role model was Owens dad and that was only on the weekends when I got to spend the night at their house.
Walking back inside, I stop when I get to the office Dr. Kingston and I are temporarily sharing. Both he and Cole are there waiting for me when I come in. Looking at them both, I notice they have matching smirks on their faces. "Well I'll be. I'd say that's one hell of a surprise. Wouldn't you Cole?" "Sure would Tom. What are you gonna do kid?" Not wanting to get into it with either of them right now, I just scratch my head and give them the best answer I have. "well, right now I'm going to finish up this shift then I'm going to meet the mother of my child and her daughter and get to know them."
Just as I'm walking out of work my phone dings with a text. I get excited thinking it will be Karaline, but I'm disappointed when I pull it out and look at the screen only to see it lit up with Owens name. Owen: you off work yet? You wanna meet up before or just meet at the bar? Fuck! I completely forgot I was meeting up with Owen tonight for drinks. I contemplate texting him back, but decide it will be easier to have this conversation over the phone. Pulling up his contact, I take a death breath to prepare myself for the shit he's going to give me, then I hit the call button. After four rings the fucker finally answers. "Hey man, what's up? Did you get my text?" "Um yeah, listen...about that. That's actually the reason I called you instead of texting you back. Something came up and I won't be able to make it tonight." "Something came up? What could possibly be more important than us goin' out and havin' some drinks, meetin' up with a couple of sexy ladies, and you finally getting over that chick that bailed on you last time?" "Fuck man. For real? Not everything is about sex to me. And if you must know, this is about that chick, whose name is Karaline by the way. I ran into her today and we're going to dinner tonight." "Wait...you ran into her? Where at? I thought you went back to work after we had lunch earlier?" Ah fuck. Here it goes. This fucker is going to give me so much shit for this. I just know it. Guess it's time to bite the bullet. I clear my throat and get on with it. "Well if you must know every single aspect of my life, I'll tell you. I ran into her and her little girl at my work. She came in to see Dr. Kingston, and to say we were both shocked to see each other when I walked into the room would probably be an understatement." "That's great man. Why don't you see if she can get a babysitter and she can come out with us tonight. Tell her to bring that redhead with her that she was with last time. That chick was smokin' hot." Shaking my head I give a small nervous chuckle and an exasperated sigh. "Chill out casanova. Your plan won't work for two reasons. The first being, we already agreed to take Danni, which is her daughter, out to pizza for dinner. And the second is because even if we didn't already make those plans, Karaline wouldn't be able to go out. She's pregnant" I'm about to finish telling him that it's my baby she's pregnant with but he cuts me off. "Then why the fuck are you even waisting your time with her? What about the dad? I'm guessing he isn't in the picture if she agreed to have dinner with you. I know if I had a girl that was pregnant there's no way in hell I'd let her go to dinner with another man. Especially if it's a man she had a one night stand with. So what are you gonna do man? You plannin' on playin' daddy?" "Shut the fuck up Owen. If you would've let me finish what I was saying before you so rudely cut me off, you would know that I'm not playin' anything man. Karaline is sixteen weeks pregnant. This baby is mine. I'm gonna have a daughter."
I'm met with silence. It's so quiet that I finally look up and realize that I never made it to my car. I managed to lean against the building as I walked outside. Standing up straight, I put my phone between my ear and shoulder and dig my car keys out of my pocket. Once I let myself into my truck, I notice Owen still hasn't said anything. "Owen, you still there man?" "Uh yeah. Wow. I honestly think this is the first time I've ever been speechless. What are you gonna do Ky?" "I honestly have no idea. You know first hand how I grew up. I don't exactly have an example to follow. All I know is that I'm gonna be here for them. For all of them. Karaline's been delt enough with Danni's dad. I wont be like that." "Yeah I hear ya. You know if you need me I'm here for you. I'll catch up with you later though so you can get ready for your hot date. Good luck, daddy." "Fuck you, asshole. At least my dick won't fall off from getting stuck in everything that has a hole." "Touche my man. Touche. Later fucker."
After ending the call, I pull up Karaline's contact and hit call. "Hello?" "Hey baby. I was just calling to make sure you girls still want to have dinner with me." "Of course. we're ready whenever you are. Danni's excited to have her favorite pizza." "Good. I'm glad. I'm gonna head home and get a quick shower, then I'll be on my way. Send me your address and I'll be there within the hour." "Okay. We'll see you in a little bit." "Bye baby." "Bye Ky." I end the call and put my phone in the cup holder then put my seatbelt on. Looking in the review, I back out and head home. Even though I only saw them a few hours ago, I'm ready to see my girls.
When I get home I grab my phone from the cup holder and look at the text from Karaline. Karaline: 1142 Oakview Drive. See you soon <3
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