Shambles

Chapter 9: Gabe

I've been sitting in my office all day. I had my calendar cleared, freeing up my whole day. She hasn't called so I'm not sure if she's coming. I had the investigator my father uses for the company to find as much information about Ember Price as possible. The first thing he found out was her full name.

I didn't have much to give him, but the only place I knew she actually worked. He did find out that she is twenty-two and has two children Sebastian Gabriel Price and Penelope Price. I couldn't believe she used my name for his middle name.

Talking to my private lawyer I did find out my options. Due to the fact of who my family is the judge would automatically give me custody if I petition. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do that but I did consider it. If I would have never bumped into her I would not have known that I may have children. He did advise that I need to first get a paternity test done and have my name added to their birth certificates for legal reasons.

I don't even think I need one. My son looks just like me. Like I had him by myself. I'm so fucking angry at Ember. How could she do this?

I hear my intercom on the phone beep.

"Mr. Stephens, you have visitors."

I stand quickly and walk over to my door. I let my secretary know as soon as they got her to call the woman to do the paternity test.

When I open the door I see Ember with the kids and another woman.

"Come in," I tell them.

The woman doesn't look professional, but she could be a lawyer. Bash walks in first. "Hey dad," he says like we've known each other our whole life.

I look at Penelope walking behind Bash with a cute dress on. Ember and the woman follow behind. Once everyone is in I close the door. Walking over to my desk, and I sit down. I watch as Penelope walks around looking at everything.

"Ok, I brought them, what do you want?"

Looking up at Ember I can see she's nervous. She has no clue that I just wanted to see them again. Bash comes over and stands beside me. "If you're our dad why haven't we ever seen you?"

"I didn't know about you," I tell him.

"Oh. Well, I'm glad I got a dad. I always wanted one," he says picking up a pen. When I look up at Ember I can see her eyes watering.

"Ok look. I'm Nakita Price, Ember's mom and we need to know what you want with us," She says rolling her neck.

"Well, first I think we should establish paternity and then maybe set up visitation and child support."

"How much are you talking about for child support? It takes a lot of money to take care of two kids, and Ember doesn't work." Her mom says.

"Well, I got with a lawyer-"

"Lawyer?" Ember interrupts me. "Are you trying to take them?" she asks.

"No. I was just needing to know my options as a father. Here are some numbers we came up with for back child support, monthly payments, and visitation."

Nakita takes the paper from me and smiles brightly. "I think that would do just fine," she says passing the paper over to Ember.

"You want them every other weekend and some holidays?" She looks up at me. "What does your wife have to say about this. Is she fine with you bringing my kids around y'all family?"

Rubbing my hand over my face I glance over at the kids. They are playing with my globe in my office. "I haven't told my wife. I was hoping we could establish paternity first, but we don't have children."