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NOAH

Knowing Charlotte’s in Longwood without me, talking to that shit bag probably at this very moment, makes me want to vomit. To top it off, Bexley let us go early so we can rest up for the first regular season game tomorrow, and given my extra time, I’m once again in the driveway of Mom’s house to deliver unexpected news. She’s been begging for an ultrasound photo, and I know the second she gets one there will be questions.

Questions I don’t have the energy to answer.

It’s not my baby, technically , and it feels weird to make some big “I’m not the father” announcement when they still both feel like mine.

But if Charlotte is brave enough to tell her parents tonight, so can I.

Ten minutes later, Mom, Tony, and I are situated on the living room couch, drinking espresso.

After downing the caffeine boost, I finally pull out my wallet and retrieve the little image from Charlotte’s last appointment. “I’ve got an ultrasound photo for you.” But I’m unfortunately not the father.

“Why didn’t you start with that?” Mom gasps, setting her cup on the living room table with a clink, and she snatches the paper. “ Oh, che meraviglia! ”? 1 She runs her fingers over it, then pauses. “Noah Gabriel ?”

Her tone heightens my anxiety. “ Mamma ?”

“I thought Charlotte’s three months pregnant now?” she says, gaze glued to the tiny paper.

“She’s further along than we expected,” I say, tone trembling.

Her eyes find mine. “ Quindi, non è tua figlia ?”? 2

“ No, ” I say, voice cracking. “Non è mia figlia .”? 3

“What’s going on?” Tony asks, unable to translate.

“Noah’s not the father.” Her eyes hold mine. “This changes things, no?”

“No.” I shake my head. “It changes nothing.”

“If you’re not the biological father,” Tony says, releasing a heavy breath, “it does change things.”

“Why?” I snap.

“Because legally this baby is not yours.”

I stand, anger rolling through me.

“Tony,” Mom says gently.

“He needs to hear this,” Tony tells her.

“They’re still my family,” I say, chest panging.

“Not in the eyes of the law,” he reminds me.

“Fuck the law!” My tone is laced with frustration.

“Noah,” Mom says sharply. “Do I need to get the Legos?”

“No, I’m sorry, I just… I don’t care if they’re not ‘legally’ my family. Family is made up of more than signed papers and blood relations.” My eyes meet Tony’s. “You taught me that.”

“Of course I know that,” Tony says, his eyes full of concern. “But legally, you have no ties to her or this baby. She can leave anytime she wants, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.”

A needle has pierced the happy bubble I’ve been living in. I’m plummeting towards earth. No contingency plan. No audible.

“You’re wrong,” I say, walking towards the kitchen for my keys. “Charlotte wouldn’t do that.” Would she? I’ve been telling her I’m not going anywhere. I never even considered the fact she could. That she might want to. Maybe that’s why she hasn’t tried to be physical lately either. Or why she insisted on seeing Jonathan alone.

I shake away the thought the second it enters my brain. She wouldn’t do that.

“I’ve been practicing family law for twenty years,” Tony reminds me. “I’ve seen tons of cases like this one. You won’t win.”

“I don’t need to win anything.” Panic sets in. “I just want Charlotte. And I want this baby.”

“I know your heart is in the right place, but I don’t wanna see you blind-sided.” He grips my shoulder and looks into my eyes. “I’m trying to prepare you for if sh?—”

“I don’t need you to ‘prepare me,’” I spout, the words venom on my tongue, and shake him off. “I need you to be there for me. For us.”

“We’re always here for you,” he says with a defeated sigh.

I blink back tears at the thought of this life being taken away from me and straighten my shoulders, locking eyes with him. “You can tell me I’m crazy, because I know this happened fast. And I know they aren’t my blood. But Charlotte and this baby, they’re my family. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they’re safe and cared for.”

“I know you will, but I ju?—”

“Whatever it takes.”

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it out, hoping to finally hear from Charlotte.

ELIJAH ANDERSON

Just dropped Char off

Me

How’d it go?

ELIJAH ANDERSON

I think i broke his nose

“I have to go,” I tell them. “See you at the game tomorrow.”

And I’m out the door before they can say another word.

1 ? IT: Oh, che meraviglia! - EN: Oh, how gorgeous!

2 ? IT: Quindi, non è tua figlia ? - EN: Is this not your baby?

3 ? IT: No. Non è mia figlia . - EN: No. It’s not my baby.