Sophie
We spent the day having a blast. There was a small shopping center that looked vintage, but so homie. Logan and I took advantage to walk with Nathan since I wasn't allowed to go anywhere near the kitchen today because of my birthday.
We sat at the table with a huge dinner set before us. Everyone gathered around, and we enjoyed each other's company, celebrating my birthday.
*******
Steven (Thanksgiving afternoon)
I was called in to check out the Bonnet's home. Apparently, it's been nonstop yelling in that home for the past few days, and I'm getting worried that something might be happening. I know there's a big possibility that Roxie's daughter could be mine, and if she is, I want to keep her safe. I want her to know that I want to be in her life, to be a good dad to her, and protect her.
I drove down to their home, and immediately began hearing Roxanne yelling from the top of her lungs.
I took a deep sigh and got out of my patrol car, adjusted my belt and prayed that she didn't go off on me too.
"She's your daughter, Roxanne. You can't just take off for over two weeks without notice. I've helped you enough looking after her all this time. This isn't fair for her. She needs you." I hear her mom talking in a loud, but calm voice that tells me she's worried about her granddaughter.
"Ugg, for god's sake, it's not like anything happened to her. Besides, I sent you money, she's well taken care of. You needed money anyway...and besides, it was your idea that she stayed with you, not mine." Roxanne yelled back. It pained me to hear her talk like that about her daughter. She was so small, so innocent... so fragile.
"That's because you were so young. I wanted you to be able to finish college and have a good career. I know dad and I didn't exactly give you the life you wanted, but we are trying."
"Trying? Trying? Trying is giving me back the life we had back in Georgia. Giving me back my house, the luxuries, my car, my friends. Even when I was a damn nerd...a loser... at least I had the luxuries and the money. If dad hadn't been so stupid to lose it all,"
I heard a hard slap, and a woman begin to cry. I hadn't exactly dug into Roxie's life before she came to live here. I only know that she had a brother that passed away while serving our country.
"Don't you dare. Your dad is a good man. He was betrayed by his partner, and you know that."
"Bull shit. If he would have been more careful, he wouldn't have fallen for Roman's traps. Dad and that Davila guy were dumb enough to fall for his lies."
"Maybe you're right. But at least dad is not in jail. I feel so bad for the Davila family. They have no idea how dangerous and wrong Roman can be. Dad was lucky enough to walk out by paying the hefty fee. I'm sorry that we couldn't keep the life style you were used to, but we have each other, and that's the most important thing, Rox. Why can't you be grateful for that?"
"Ask yourself if my brother is grateful? Where is he now, mother? Where have all of dad's bad decisions taken us?"
"This isn't fair, Roxie. You can't blame dad for everything that's happened. You made your own mistakes along the way, but having Kaitlyn is not a mistake. We love her, and she has been nothing but a blessing. Why can't you just let yourself love her, and let go of all the resentment you have inside?" This was all new to me. I never would have thought that her family had been wealthy before, nonetheless that her dad and the Davila family, whoever they are, had suffered great misfortune by the hands of this Roman dude. I sighed, tilting my head and resting my back against the wall, next to the door. I contemplated whether I should interrupt. This was obviously a family argument but not a disturbance that could harm anyone.
"I never wanted her. If I had her, it was because you obligated me to have her. You worry so much about her, you can have her. I want nothing to do with her or her damn father. Believe me, we are all better off this way. I wouldn't know what to do with the kid anyway." She answered her mom.
I can't believe I'm hearing all this. Roxanne is a beautiful woman. She seems so composed and mature when she's in front of everyone, but she hides her true colors behind that pretty face. She's worked, and down right cold hearted.
I just hope Logan comes back soon. I need to know the results of that paternity test we took. If Roxanne finds out, she'd probably kill me. But this was a way for me to make sure and know the truth once and for all.
If I am Kaitlyn's father, Roxanne better believe I'm filing for custody. Hell, I'd be stupid to not do a damn thing about my kid, knowing she wants nothing to do with her or me.
"Fuck it." I whispered out as I turned and knocked on the door. It took about five seconds before the door opened.
A small frail woman opened the door. She had the same intense blue eyes as her granddaughter, messy blonde hair, and a calm face that made you feel you were welcomed into her home.
"Officer, good afternoon. How can I help you, sir?" She responded politely. Though she was much older than me, she answered with much respect as she sees me in front of her doo, wearing my uniform. "Good afternoon, ma'am. I was called here about a disturbance. A woman said there was yelling and was afraid that a child was being mistreated." Her eyes went wide in shock. Though... it was true. My daughter's happiness was at stake here.
"Officer, I can assure you that my granddaughter is perfectly safe. It's just a little disagreement with my daughter, but nothing else."
"With all due respect ma'am, I'd like to see for myself." She stepped back giving me permission to enter, but Roxanne came and stood in the way.
"Nice try, Steven, but you need to leave now. First of all, you don't have a warrant to enter, and second of all... you have nothing to do with my daughter. So leave." She was obviously not happy to see me. I sighed, and was ready to turn. She was right, I can't just come meddle in without a a good reason.
"Wait...wait, you're Steven?" The woman asked, holding her hand out.
"No, he's not." Rox answered, but I nodded, pursing my lips. "Yes, ma'am. That's my name." Then I felt a sharp slap on my right cheek, making me close my eyes.
"How dare you show up here pretending you don't know who we are? You coward. My granddaughter hasn't done anything to you. She's innocent to the mistakes you and my daughter did in the past, but that doesn't mean she's not worth it. It's bad enough that Roxanne doesn't want her. How can you walk around, acting as if Katie doesn't exist? You two should be ashamed of yourself." I was taken aback by her words.
"Mom, enough."
"No. I've wanted to say this to him ever since I found out he had gotten you pregnant. The least he could of done was given her his last name." She began to cry, and tears rolled down my eyes as well.
"I get it, you both were young, and maybe things were just meant to be this way for her. You two obviously have a lot to mature, but my granddaughter deserved to know who her father is." Her voice breaks, tearing up before me, and all I can do is look at her dumbfounded as her revelation leaves me startled.
There.....that's the answer to what I've been looking for all along. She's my daughter, she's mine.
"Ma'am, I can assure you that if I'd known, she wouldn't just have my last name." I said calmly as I looked at the ground in shame.
I looked up at her and sighed as I look passed her, and see a tiny frame staring back from the end of the hallway.
"She would have my last name, my heart; she would be living under my roof, and have all the things she wants and deserves. Believe me, I would have done everything in my power to be in her life." I said, making her little face fall with tears in her eyes.
I wanted to run to her and hug her. To let her know that I do want her and need her just as much as I know she needs me. "Mark my words, Rox. I will be a part of her life, and there is nothing you can do about it. Ma'am, if I may say... I will work my hardest to gain her trust, your trust, and be the father she deserves." I didn't know what else to say to her.
I was ashamed, confused, and happy all at once. I turned on my heels and walked towards the car. I could hear Roxanne yelling, but I blocked her out, happy to finally know the truth.
Was I an idiot for being a man-whore and not realizing I had made a tiny angel with Rox? You bet... but I was going to right all my wrongs and prove to her that I was worthy of my daddy title.
I sat in my car, placed my seatbelt back on and drove away with a huge smile and tears in my eyes. "So this is what Logan meant that it was the best day of his life?" I chuckled and nodded as I turned the street.
This was a good way to spend my thanksgiving, after all.
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