Chapter 9 HE ISN'T MY DADDY

(Seraphina Parker)

It was my alarm, blaring from the phone enclosed in my palm, loud as always.

I intentionally set it that way at the time, just in case I ever drifted off. It was time to pick April up from school.

Elian jerked, startled. One hand flew to his chest while the other tightened around his glass, half of its contents already spilled on the floor from the jump.

"What was that?" he asked, eyes wide, gaze fixed on the phone I was holding, his pulse obviously on the rise.

It was true the alarm went off suddenly, my heart almost popped out of my mouth, but seeing Elian's unexpected extreme reaction, I couldn't hold back the laughter that pulled at my cheeks.

I burst out laughing, quickly silencing the source of the sound.

"I'm sorry, Elian. I didn't mean to scare you that badly", I said, amidst bouts of laughter.

He exhaled loudly and adjusted his suit, trying to collect himself.

"Oh my God, Seraphina. That was such a moment killer", he replied playfully in a slightly raised voice.

I felt sorry for scaring him like that but I kept on laughing. It was way too funny seeing him freak out over an alarm.

"An alarm, huh? What for?" he asked, raising an eyebrow and taking some steps closer to where I was now standing.

"Oh! It's April. It's time to pick him up from school," I said quickly, already scanning the room in a frenzied manner , torn between whether to go like I was, in the designer dress or change into something simpler. I didn't want to keep April waiting.

As soon as those words left my mouth, something clicked on in my head and I took a quick glance at Elian, uncertain how he'd react. The first time I mentioned April, he hadn't exactly responded warmly.

But now, he simply nodded, his expression slipping from what it formerly was.

"April, of course. He shouldn't be kept waiting", he continued.

His voice was softer. Concerned. Or maybe I just wanted to believe it was.

I swallowed.

"I should get going", I muttered, fidgeting. I was restless, half-ready to bolt out the door.

"Give me the address", came his voice, gently placing a hand on my shoulder. "You can meet us there after you've changed".

"What?" I blinked, startled, not believing what I had just heard. "You want to go pick up April?"

He nodded, calm and certain. "Yunno, changing might take a while. I'll go ahead and get him".

My heart thumped uncontrollably in my chest as a wave of happiness, cold, satisfying, thrilling, swept through my body.

I heard right. He just acknowledged April as his son.

My eyes itched, swollen from the tears that had gathered in them. "You... you don't have a problem with our son?", my voice was shaky, but with excitement.

He paused. His eyes held mine. Then, he spoke.

"The first time... I was shocked. Mostly because I couldn't believe I had a son...outside wedlock...for seven whole years"

He rubbed his eyes like he was fighting back tears.

I couldn't help mine. They slipped quietly, out of my control, down my cheeks as he continued.

"What I felt was guilt. Real, sinking guilt. I still feel it now", he exhaled shakily.

"I owe April so much. And I owe you even more for stepping up when I wasn't there"

I stood there, as I listened to Elian, like a statue, still and stunned.

I had braced myself for the worst, expecting him to reject our son or deny him. Instead, I got this, an unexpected warmth. A fulfilled happiness.

Relief crashed into me, and then, I walked slowly towards him, into his arms. Smoothly, he welcomed me into them, holding me close.

Firm.

Warm.

"That's why I brought you here", he whispered into my ear. "I'm sorry for being absent all this time"

I shut my eyes.

I deserve to be happy, I told myself again.

"I love you", I whispered back.

"I love you too", he replied, quiet but sure.

My heart swelled. I hadn't felt this at peace in a long while. I stepped back from the hug, wiping my drenched cheeks.

"We need to get April", I spoke, locking my eyes in his.

He smiled. Brightly. Almost too brightly.

His hazel eyes sparkled, as if he hadn't just been on the verge of tears.

It threw me off a little. Elian Montrose, he was unpredictable, that was for sure.

"Text me the address. We'll wait at the closest ice cream place", he said, searching himself for his car keys.

"Sure", I replied, texting it to him immediately as he rushed out the door, nearly bumping into a rack of clothes.

...

Changing didn't take long. But waiting for the boutique staff to package the dress ready-to-go took so much time.

I had grabbed the bag that held the dress off the counter and hurriedly walked out of the building to my car.

While I was at the wheel, Elian had called to say it was difficult getting April to go farther from the park behind the school walls with him.

At the park, I walked slowly, scanning the numerous park benches until I spotted them.

They were seated comfortably, April perched beside Elian like they'd known each other for years. Shade stretched over them.

The atmosphere between them warm, quiet.

With my heart overflowing with joy, I walked slowly towards them, my eyes glued on them that I almost tripped over a ball one of the kids kicked toward me.

"April! Mummy's here!" I called out, smiling.

April jumped up with a squeal and ran to meet me and then into my open arms.

"I missed you, Mommy!" he screamed happily, hugging me tightly.

"I missed you more, Cookie," I replied, stooping to his level, kissing his forehead and stroking his ear like I always did.

He squirmed with joy, but then twisted his neck to look at Elian... and froze.

Just for a second.

Then, he quietly wriggled out of my grip and returned to Elian. He settled beside him again, laughing at something Elian had whispered into his ears and playing with his fingers.

I walked toward them, still a little stunned at how well April had taken to him.

Elian waved as I approached.

"I can see you're having so much fun with your daddy", I teased April, smiling.

Elian glanced at me and quickly mouthed, "Isn't it too early?"

Before I could respond, April looked up at me with a frown.

His brows furrowed. He blinked, once, twice. Then suddenly, he stood.

"He can't be my daddy!" he shouted, voice rising with confusion. "He isn't my daddy!"