Troublemaker

Shawn

I got a call last night that I definitely wasn't expecting. Shawn called asking to see Gracie. I'm still iffy about him coming over considering he's only seen her once and she's only two weeks old but I did say yes. He's going to come over later today to see her. I refuse to let him be a once in a while dad. I'd rather be a deadbeat. Neither are what I really want for Gracie but at least if he's not around she doesn't have to worry about whether he'll be there or not. I'm planning on sitting him down and having a serious talk with him. As I'm getting Gracie dressed the doorbell rings. Luckily Demi gets the door.

"Amanda Shawn's here" she calls up

"I'll be down in a second" I call back

I finish getting Gracie dressed and go downstairs. Shawn smiles once he notices Gracie in my arms. I hand her to him and sit on the couch.

"We need to talk about this" I say

"About what?" He asks

"You thinking you can come see Gracie whenever you want" I state

"What is there to talk about?" He snaps "she's my kid"

"That may be but I'm not letting you be a once in a while dad so pick one, be around all the time or none at all" I argue

"You act like I don't even care about her" he yells

"Obviously you don't if this the second time you've seen her in almost two weeks" I yell

"You know what fuck this" Shawn says

He gets up, putting Gracie on the chair and leaves. I feel bad for Gracie but I know she'll be okay without him. Now I really just have to figure out how to get child support from him.

"What happened down here?" Demi asks as she comes in the room

"He got pissed because I called him out" I tell her

"Bitches be fickle as fuck" Demi mumbles

I laugh at her and shake my head "you're so weird"

"But I embrace it" Demi states

"But seriously what do I do?" I ask "file for full custody and child support?"

"Definitely" Demi says

"Alright I'll call when Gracie's taking her nap" I say

"If you have any questions come to me" Demi says

"Will do" I say

Gracie starts to cry so I pick her up and bounce her. Someone knocks on the door so I go get it.

"What do you want now?" I ask after opening the door

"Amanda look I'm sorry for screaming at you" Shawn sighs

"So what are you choosing?" I ask

"I want to be in Gracie's life but I don't think we can be together" Shawn explains "so how would that even work?"

"Co parenting" I say " until I trust you to take her to your house by yourself you can come over or I'll go to your house"

"I guess it's worth a shot" Shawn says

"You'll be a great dad someday Shawn so if that's what you're worried about, stop" I admit

"You think?" Shawn asks

"I know it shawn I've seen you with other kids, I honestly think you're just scared of the responsibility and you aren't alone you have help" I say

"You're probably right" Shawn sighs

"Would you like a second chance at seeing Gracie?" I ask

"Please" Shawn says

"Come on in then" I say

Shawn comes in and takes Gracie. She starts crying, leaving Shawn looking frustrated.

"It's not you" I say "she needs to eat"

"Oh um I guess you need her back then" he says

"I have a premade bottle in the fridge go get it and put it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds" I tell him

"Oh okay" he says

He goes in the kitchen with Gracie to warm up the bottle. A minute later he's back with the bottle and Gracie. Shawn sits down and puts the bottle in Gracie's mouth. I'm not sure how she feels about Shawn yet. After finishing the bottle I take Gracie to show Shawn how to burp her.

"She'll fall asleep soon after this" I say

"Oh" Shawn says "when can I come by again?"

"Um well tomorrow I start working and the day after I start school so if you want to come over text me and if I'm not home you'll have to text whoever's watching her" I tell him

"Alright" he says

Shawn heads out and I lay Gracie down. I'm going to hold off on fighting for custody now. Maybe he'll step up and be a dad.