SURPRISE SURPRISE

8

A few days went by and Zak was working on some stuff when his mother walked in. "Mom what are you doing here is something wrong with Lori?". "She's fine Zak but we were shopping and she's been asking me questions about her mother". Zak sat down. "I knew this day would come how do I explain to her that I don't even know who her mother is or that she just left her on my doorstep with a note that said TAKE HER I DON'T WANT HER" Zak stated.

"I know that it will hurt her emotionally but you have to tell her" his mother said. That night Zak tried to figure out how to tell Lori about her mother which tied Zak's stomach into knots. Zak sighed and went downstairs. "So what do you want for dinner dad grandmom left some chicken pot pie?". "Your grandmother told me you've been asking about your mother" Zak inquired.

"Yea I thought I'd ask her. Do you know anything about her?". "Why don't we sit down". They sat down as Zak took a breath. "Lori when you came into my life you were left on my doorstep". "Why did she do that?"Lori inquired. "I don't know sweetie"Zak stated. "Did she ever come back for me and explain why she left me on your doorstep?". Zak took something out of his pocket. "I've held onto this why I don't know". Zak gave it to her.

As she read it tears fell down her face. "My mom didn't want me" she replied. "I tried to find her but she didn't want to be found Lori" Zak stated. Lori put her hands over her face as she cried. Zak hugged his daughter as she cried. "Dad why did I live with grand mom when I was young. You didn't want me either" she asked.

"No when you were left on my doorstep Ghost Adventures was starting up I was confused and in shock that I called the only person who could help me which is your grandmother. I wanted to raise you but I was going to be gone for months at a time I couldn't raise you like that so your grandmothser and I came to the understanding that she would help me raise you until I felt I could balance being a father and a paranormal investigator" Zak explained.

"I remember you would call me before you did a lockdown so I could hear your voice every night" she stated. "I have to tell you when I would leave your grandmother's house after tucking you in I'd drive home with this ache inside of me that when I got home I'd shut the door fall down to the floor and started crying. Your grandmother told me that's the love I have for you"he replied. "Did you ever regret raising me dad?".

"No the day I held you in my arms I felt the same kind of love that your grand mother and grand father gave to me when I was born" as Zak wiped the tears from his daughter's face. "Dad do you think I could go on one of your lockdowns?"she asked. "I think you're old enough to but you're just going to observe that's it". "I promise dad" and gave him a hug.