Love Boat (Tom, Ben, Zac and Joel story)

Who is the daddy ?

2 weeks later
*Zoe*
"Breathe Zac.. you can't do anything to change the outcome.. it is what it is". I am holding his hand as we wait for the answer. Is he going to be a father.. or is Ben ? Or is it someone else.

We are in a clinic in Sicily were Ben had managed to get an appointment and they could give us an answer after only a couple of hours.

"I know.. honestly I don't even know what I hope for right now". He say breathing in deeply and fiddling with his fingers.

"I know Zac.. I know". I take his hands, stopping the fiddling. "You want kids.. so you like the idea of being a father.. but you don't want a kid with.. her".

There is a huff from Mariana. "I am right here you know.. I can hear you bitch".

"You were meant to.. skank". I snap back.

"Darling, ignore her". Zac say softly, rubbing his thumb softly over the back of my hand. "We don't want any cat fights".

I sigh and sit down, watching Ben who are pacing the floor. He looks very focussed, like he is going through something minutiously in his head.

He has made it very clear, that if the baby is his, he will do anything in his power to get full custody and have Mariana sign off her parental rights. I also know him and Camille had a rather big fight about it, she believe the kid should be allowed contact with both biological parents if in any way possible.

I have to say I agree with her. Even if I despise Mariana, I would swallow my dislike and work together with her if the kid is Zac's.

Finally the doctor comes into to the room, he gives everyone a friendly smile and say in a bit broken english. "Okay, we have the results ready.. do you want to get in private or just here.. together ?"

Zac and Ben look at each other and Ben nods so Zac say. "Here is fine".

"Okay, then". He flips through his papers. "Zachary Levi Pugh ?" Zac nods and step a bit closer. "You are 99% not the father".

"Ohh". Zac say.. looking like he don't really know how to react. "I guess that's good then".

I slip my arms around his waist, pulling myself into him. To be honest I am very much relieved. "It's okay to be sad about it Zac.. I know that you really want kids".

Ben breathes in, casting a glance at Mariana before asking the doctor. "Does that mean that I am the father ?"

"Let me just check..". He flips through the papers again. "Ahh here.. Benedict Cumberbatch ?" Ben nods and he continues. "The test say that you are 99,5% the father.. so yes, that mean you are the father".

"Thank you doctor". Ben say, turning to Mariana. "I will pay for any doctor appointments, vitamins and so on. But believe me, I am going to take you to court and I am going to get custody of that baby".

Mariana shakes her head. "You can't do that.. you might be rich and famous, but that doesn't make you a better person or a better parent".

"Believe me I can and I will". Ben turns and walk briskly out the room, Camille shaking her head slightly, before following him.

"I guess you are happy that you are of the hook". Mariana walks past Zac.

He breathes out. "Actually.. not really.. I would love to have kids.. granted not really with you.. but I had kind of gotten used to the idea".

"Oh". She looks about to say something else, but then she just turn and leaves too.

"Let's go for a stroll around town". I say, lacing my fingers with Zac's.

He smile at me and open the door with his free hand, letting me walk out first. "That sound like a marvelous idea".

*Camille*
"That wasn't really fair.. threatening her like that with taking the kid". I say softly, as I have to halfway run to keep up with him.

"That wasn't a threat.. it was a promise". He mumbles.

I sigh. Honestly this Ben is not the man I fell in love with. I don't like this side of him. "Think about the kid Ben, that is his or hers mother".

"Oh I am thinking about the kid.. can you imagine having a mother like that". His voice is slightly higher now. "And I can't possibly work together with her".

"Grow up Ben.. I know it's not easy, but it's not like you have to become friends with her.. you just need to be able to communicate about the kid". I close my eyes shortly.

He roll his eyes. "That is the problem, communicating, having any kind of contact with her.. nope not going to happen".

"Funnily you had no problem fucking her.. and not wearing protection". Yup I might be pushing it, but his attitude kind annoying me.

He ships around, glaring at me. "So because I have sex with a woman one time, I need to be prepared to raise a kid with her ?"

"Well you should always consider that it could happen.. if you are not ready to raise a kid with the woman, don't get your dick out.. it's that easy". I place my hands at my hips.

He looks about to say something really nasty.. then he shakes his head. "I think I need some fresh air.. alone.. see you later".

And then he ships around and stalk off, leaving me there, staring after him. I feel like fighting is what we does most these days. And I am starting to wonder how we are ever going to make this work at home.. him in London, me in LA.. both of us travelling with work so much.

I sigh and walk back towards the harbour and the ship, I suddenly just feel tired and walking through the city no longer seems interesting.