I Hate Clichès

Stolen Fatherhood and Peaches

Bewildered, I stare at the man who claims to be my father. As far as I knew I was conceived via sperm donor. Growing up I always knew and was told I didn't have a father. While  other girls had father-daughter moments, I had Steph-and-Natalia moments.

I know my moms would never lie to me, so there had to be some reasonable explanation; he was lying.

"I'm sorry, sir but I'm afraid that's impossible. I have no dad." I try to sound cool and collected buy my voice comes out the opposite.

He shakes his head in disappointment and smiles sadly at me. "They really did it. I can't believe they would lie to you. Please, Natty. Try to remember me; when you were smaller I dressed up like Santa every Christmas and you would be my little..."

"Santa's helper." I whisper quickly in realization.

No, no, no. It can't be true. That memory was of my uncle, not my dad.

"That wasn't your uncle, that was me." He smiles, taking a step forward.

I curse myself quietly as I realize I said that out loud. Trying to put myself together and not be a hot mess, I think of the logical.

"Alright, if your my real father; What was my first word and why are you here now?"

He chuckles and takes an envelope from his pocket. "Your first word was fish. And I'm here now because of this."

He hands me over the envelope and I open it with apprehension. Tearing open the folds, I pull out the letter inside. I read it over, once, twice, three times just to make Sure I'm not dreaming and bite my lip in anger.

"This is a restraining order, why is this a restraining order?" I can't believe this; a man, a complete stranger, comes up to me and tells me he's my father, knowing things no one else knows and now this...... so much for a being an typical teenage girl with boy problems, add absentee dad to the mix.

He sighed and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Claire, well I, um- she cheated on me when we were together... with Stephanie and I was upset and confused... so I did the same. I cheated on your mom with my boyfriend, Natty." My eyes widen and I almost pinch myself to see if I'm having some sort of twisted dream. "She was upset with me, but as was I! So, to get back at me she took the one thing that made me more happy than anyone in the world," He pauses and pushes a strand of hair behind my ear.

Don't say it, please don't say it.

"You, my daughter. She went to court, claiming that I was abusive and was having an affair. The affair part I couldn't deny, but the abusive part... Well, with Stephanie in her side she won the restraining order. I wasn't allowed to see you for 14 years, every seven years they renewed it. And I was never allowed to see you, but now thanks to my lawyer, who also happens to be my boyfriend, I got it lifted." I see tears in his eyes and pull him in for a hug.

"I'm so sorry, but I still don't know if I can trust you. I mean, we only just met-"

"And that's why I'm here, now that I can see you I want to make a relationship with my daughter; if you will only give me the chance."

I smile, tearing up myself. "Yes, a thousand times yes."
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The drive back home is silent. When we finally pull up to my driveway and turn to look at the man-I mean my dad.

"What's your name?" I ask.

"I'm Nathan. But if it's not too much to ask, could you call me dad?" His eyes plead, fingers shaking an  I can tell he's nervous.

I nod, smiling slightly. "Yes, dad. Let's go then!"

"What?" He says, baffled.

"They lied to me for 16 years! They can't get away with it, and I want to hear the truth from there side, please dad." The anger is back.

He nods, frowning slightly. "Alright, but if they kill me I blame you."

We get out of the car and I open the door to the house. I turn around see my dad looking around, unsure. Grabbing his big hand, I squeeze it reassuringly. Together we make our way to the living room, my heart beating with pure adrenaline.

"Moms?" I call.

They both turn around, smiles diminishing and turning into shocked and surprised looks.

Steph stands up first, taking her handcuff out of her pocket. "Natalia, Back away this a very bad man-"

"The only bad person here is you! Both of you!" I snap, face Turing red.

"Natty, please-" My mom tries, but I cut her off.

Suddenly everything inside me explodes all at once and the truth really sinks in, hitting me with its cold fist. "No, you can't call me that; my dad calls me that. And if you really want to explain what happened, tell me in a week; because I'm staying with him, until I calm down." I turn to my dad. "Is that okay, I don't want to intrude-"

"Nonsense, of course you can! Just, go pack your things Natty." He smiles. 

I take thus chance and run up the stairs, shutting the door and locking it. I take out my suitcase and start throwing all of my clothes in there, not leaving a single arrival of clothing in my closet and drawers. Since my suitcase is huge, I take my decorations from the walls and fit in some of my library.

Once I'm done, I walk down the stairs to a scene that makes me gasp.

My mom stands, hands on her stomach with alert eyes. Her blue eyes meet my brown one with fear.

"Peaches! Peaches! Oh, shit, peaches!" She screams.

When we first found out she was pregnant we developed a code to use when she was in labour, deciding that saying oh, the baby's coming was overdone. 

Feeling everything strike me at once, I do the most clichè thing I cab think of;

                          I faint.