The clicking of a keyboard could be heard in the background as the woman retrieved the information. “I’m going to put you on hold, Mr. Morgan. It seems that the results are in, but when they indicated that someone would call you to read them, they were apparently basing it on Pacific Time. But I do show here in the system that the test has been completed. I just need to see if we have authorized personnel available to give you those results.”
He whispered under his breath, “Jesus Christ.”
These people on the West Coast had no idea how much was riding on this. If they did, they’d surely hurry the hell up.
Genevieve exhaled and looked over at me. “This is very nerve-wracking.”
I didn’t know why she was making an attempt to talk to me. In any case, I was too worked up to respond. I turned my attention toward Graham. The relaxed demeanor from earlier was like a distant memory. He looked so worried. I think a part of him wanted Chloe to be his while another part was terrified for the opposite scenario, one where a little girl he had imagined as his own was left fatherless.
My insides felt like they were twisting, and I wondered if this was what happened when you truly loved someone, that you could physically feel that person’s fear. His fear was mine. His pain was mine. His life had now merged with my own. I hadn’t told him I loved him, but as I sat there feeling like my entire future depended on the next few minutes, I came to the conclusion that this had to be the real thing.
I loved Graham J. Morgan. Mr. Big Prick. Stuck-up Suit. Celibate in Manhattan. Fifty Shades of Morgan. I loved them all. I loved that he appreciated all of my idiosyncrasies. I loved that he protected me. I loved that he made me feel for the first time in my life like I was the most important person to someone—to him. The thing was, depending on these results, I would no longer be the most important thing. His daughter would and should always come first. That was the way it was supposed to be. That was what Frank Venedetta never understood.
A man’s voice came on the speaker. “Mr. Morgan? Thank you for holding, This is Brad. I’m one of the lab managers. I apologize for the delay. I have your results.”
Graham swallowed hard. “Alright…”
“There is, at least, a 99.9 percent probability that you are a match. These results are conclusive to prove paternity.”
He took his palm to his mouth and let out a long, slow breath into his hand.
The man continued, “We’ll be FedExing your hard copy lab results today. You should receive them tomorrow. Again, I apologize for the delay.”
Genevieve covered her face and started to cry.
“Thank you,” Graham simply said. He hung up the phone and looked straight into my eyes.
Trying to stay composed, I just kept nodding my head over and over in an attempt to convince him and myself that things were going to be alright.
“It’s okay,” I silently mouthed.
Deep down, I was far from sure of that. I knew I loved him. That was all I knew anymore. I just hoped that would be enough.
CHAPTER 20
GRAHAM
GENEVIEVE’S THREE-STORY BROWNSTONE was only about a mile from my condo on the Upper West Side.
I stood in front of the brick structure and lingered for a bit before entering. Once I officially met Chloe, there would be no going back.
I was a father now. It still felt like a foreign concept.
Genevieve and I had agreed that this first meeting would be a casual dinner. She would introduce me as a family friend. We would play it by ear, and when the time was right, it would be explained to Chloe that she actually has two fathers, one in heaven and one on Earth. Over time, when Chloe was comfortable with the idea, we would develop a fair custody arrangement. Genevieve was lucky that she’d decided to make this easy for me. Otherwise she would have had one hell of a fight on her hands.
I had badly wanted Soraya here with me tonight, but it made more sense for me to get to know my daughter one on one first before introducing any more new people into her life. Chloe had just lost the only father she’d ever known. She was still extremely fragile.
A wreath made up of branches and berries hung on the red door. Ringing the bell, I took a deep breath in before the door opened.
Genevieve smiled and nudged her head. “Come in, Graham.”
Everything inside was either stark white, silver or gray. The décor was a lot like my own place, sleek and modern. It reminded me of just how much my taste had changed. I was much more into things of the colorful variety lately. Bright, bold colors.
The scent of aromatic spices filled the air, prompting me to ask, “What is that I smell?”
“Remember that homemade pad thai I used to make you? It was always your favorite. That’s what you smell. I made it for dinner tonight.”
I had to bite my tongue to keep myself from reminding her that I didn’t remember much that happened before catching her blowing Liam. This was not the night for my typical jabs, though.
“Thank you. That was thoughtful.”
“I just want you to feel comfortable here.”
The only thing making me uncomfortable was Genevieve trying to play happy homemaker.
“Where is she?”