(Ashlyn)“This is exactly the break we needed. He’ll see how much he loves you now and wants to be a family with you.” Judy paces her reception room floor in her mansion as she speaks. “Of course, Ashlyn, the baby is Jayden’s?” Her eyes bore into mine.I swallow my nerves down. “Of course.” I feel my palms damp with sweat.Judy gets up closer to me now. “You’re sure?”I feel the heat in my face. “I’m sure.” I lied.She walks off again. “Good. Winona says her kid isn’t Jayden’s. Phillip is named legally as the father. So, she has no claim to any of the Brennan fortune and assets. So, if this baby is Jayden’s, then we have nothing to worry about.”I breathe out. The chances that this baby isn’t Jayden’s is low. I’d had sex with one other man at a time I was distraught and felt rejected. Finding out about Jayden being with Winona after he was drugged made me crazy. Things just happened and it felt good to have someone really want me, even if it was just sex.The constant battle with Jay
(Winona)“Will she be okay, Doctor?”He nods. “She will but we need matching blood stock as soon as we can get it. We don’t have any on hand and it could be lifesaving for her during coming operations. If her body continues to reject blood, it will be life or death for Abby.”“I see.” I grip my hands together.“So, Phillip can have his blood tested, do you have any other blood relatives to Abby you can call on? It’s no guarantee but it’s the best hope we have right now. We’ve put out a general call for people to get tested for this genetic marker.”I shake my head. I’d sent Phillip to work, telling him I was okay with handling this on my own. I just really needed to think. “Phillip is not her biological father and my blood isn’t a match.”I breathe out slowly, realizing how I have to tell Jayden after denying this since I’ve been back. None of this was supposed to happen.“I see. Your parents maybe? Siblings?”“No, I’m an only child, both my parents are dead. Anne is my foster mother.
(Winona)“A few hours isn’t going to hurt. I don’t want you taking this on all by yourself. Let me come with you,” Anne says, concern flooding her voice.“I’m okay. I need to do it by myself.” “Look, just wait for me. I’ll see you in an hour. At least you can shower before you go anywhere. We can talk some more about it. I mean we might find a match elsewhere. Maybe it’s wise to wait a little.”I sigh. “Maybe but this is Abby’s life. She’s so ill.”“But she is stable right now, yes?”“She is. Once this infection is cleared up, she’ll need the blood for her follow up operation next week.”“Okay then, so you have a little time to breathe on this. There’s enough pressure on you now. Give it all a few days.” Anne’s logic is hard to fault.“Thanks Anne. You’re probably right. I love you.”“Love you too. You’ll feel better after a shower. I’ll cook dinner.”I disconnect the call and walk back into Abby’s room. She looks peaceful. Hopefully she can sip a little water or juice later when the
(Winona)“Phillip! I never expected you back today.”“Clearly.” “This isn’t what it looks like,” I explained.“Isn’t it?” Jayden pipes up. “Shush. You’re only making things worse,” I reprimand Jayden.“Not sure they could get much worse than finding my partner kissing her ex-husband.” Phillip shakes his head.“Trust me. It could.” Jayden challenges him.They glare at each other like they are arguing over their prize marble.“Both of you stop it.”“You stop it.” They both say back to me at the same time.I hear the door and footsteps. Who now?Anne sticks her head through the living room doorway and surveys the situation. “I’ll set the table for three.”“I’m not staying for dinner,” Jayden says.“Me neither,” Phillip says.“Nonsense. We’re all adults here. It’s time you all sat down and were honest with each other.” Anne lectures us. “One day that child will be old enough to understand all this, so you all better have your shit sorted by then.” Then she heads with her bags towards t
(Winona)The next day, I finally got the chance to catch up with Lisa. Apart from text messages to fill her in on Abby, I hadn’t seen her since the night I took her home after her confession over the drugs scandal.“Wow, this suite is amazing. Can I go see Abby?”“Sure. She’s been awake and able to have clear fluids since the infection started clearing up.”“I’m so happy. Does that mean she’s out of the woods?”I shake my head. “Far from it I’m afraid. Another operation next week. Jayden will be giving a blood sample today, possibly Judy as well although I really hope I don’t have to rely on her to do the right thing.”We walk to Abby’s room and she gives a tiny smile. “Aunt Lisa, yay!”“Hey there, poppet. You feeling better?”Abby nods, “I got jelly for dinner.” “Oh my goodness. That’s amazing.” Lisa sanitizes her hands and gives Abby a high five. “Winning!”The nurse smiles. “I’ll head off for dinner. Buzz if you need anything before I’m back.”“Thank you so much.”“There’s enough
(Jayden)The blood test is done and I’m going to see Ashlyn. Mother can wait. Hopefully I can be the one to help out Abby. My mind is even more confused than ever. Remembering is not all it’s cracked up to be.I’ve gone from never wanting kids to being a father twice over in the space of twenty-four hours. As memories filter back through, I know what I’m walking away from. But if I truly love Winona and my daughter Abby, I will choose to let them have a happy, content and peaceful life.But they said she has my eyes and I’d love to see that. I did think it would be better if I never officially met her, but I think if I can just see her once, that will be enough. Then I can get on with my life. Without Winona.The powerful CEO inside me wants to strike out and take what I want most in the world. But I can’t. I’ve made my decision. I will honor what Ashlyn and I had. I will honor Winona’s wishes. I will honor my children the best I can under the circumstances.From the last time we had
(Winona)“Dr. Green. Thanks for stopping by. A call would have sufficed.” I say as I shake the hand that my daughter’s life depends on.“No, I prefer to discuss this in person.”“Is everything okay with Abby?”“For now, yes. She’s showing strong recovery signs. Her operation is scheduled for Monday morning.” “That soon?” It’s Friday now.“She’s strong enough. But Jayden Brennan was not a match. We won;t proceed Monday if I don’t have a blood stock for her.”My heart sinks at that news. “No other prospects for donation?” I ask hopefully.“Not as yet, no. I do believe you have one other blood relative you can ask. Judy Brennan?”“Yes.” I hesitate because I don’t want my daughter’s life in her hands.“Winona, I can’t operate that soon unless we have the blood. The risk of reinfection and rejection is too high. Abby might not get through recovery.”“But if she doesn’t have the operation on Monday?”“The deterioration in the walls of her heart will continue. We have bought her some time.
(Winona)As I walk back into the Brennan Wing at the hospital to get back to Abby, I dial Jayden. The sterile smell of antiseptic and the low hum of medical equipment surround me, reminding me that it isn’t some holiday home. It makes my heart feel heavier with each step.“Hi, Winona. Is Abby okay?” Jayden’s voice comes through the line, tinged with concern.“Yes, I’m not sure if you know or not, but Doctor Green came to see us this morning. Your blood isn’t a match to Abby’s.” I hate saying those words out loud. It feels like defeat, like another door closing in our desperate search for a solution.“Damn. Winona, I’m sorry.” His apology sounds sincere, but it does little to ease the knot of anxiety tightening in my chest.“Well, we can’t blame you for your blood. Anyway, I went to see your mother.” My voice wavers slightly as I recall the tense meeting with Judy, her steely eyes searching mine for any sign of deception.“Alone?” He sounds surprised, maybe even a bit impressed.“Yes