The Possible Grandparents

I thought telling my parents was going to be bad enough.

Now I was sitting at brunch with the Wrenfords and the Windsors and I couldn’t even have any mimosas. 

“So, I hear you guys have been having me followed,” I declared. 

“It was just for your own good, Scarlett.” Belinda Wrenford assured me. “You know we worry about you. We wanted to make sure that you’re not relapsing.”

“Well I definitely won’t be doing that in the next eight months!”

No one laughed. 

Whatever that was funny as hell.

“So when will we find out who the father of these children are?” Hal Windsor asked.

“In a few days, and then this whole mess will be over. I will be with the father of my children.” I said firmly. 

“How have you been Scarlett?” Ninette Windsor questioned. “Are you keeping up with your prenatals and getting enough rest?”

“I’m really trying, just with whole situation and work-”

“Well you’re going to be quitting your job right?” Alistair Wrenford asked. 

“Um not at all. How am I supposed to pay for things? Babies are expensive, you know?”

“Sweetie, not to be crass, but look at who your prospective fathers are. You will never have to pay for a thing again. Especially if that’s my grandchild.” Belinda laughed.

“Same goes for us,” Hal said quickly. “You will have a more than comfortable life.”

“That’s really sweet and everything, but I want to work. You both know that! Remember you wanted to give me jobs!” I exclaimed. 

“Speaking of, if they are Grayson’s, obviously you must come work for us.” Alistair announced. 

“We will also have a job for you,” Hal countered. 

I couldn’t believe they were competing over me again. I might be carrying the future of their companies in my stomach and I was sure that was exciting for them. The only thing better than me was a literal child that they could teach how to take over a company that hopefully had my brains and their last names. 

“I think we should hold off on the money and the job offers until we know exactly who these babies are, okay?” I asked. “We don’t need a repeat of me fainting and getting into car accidents.”

I glanced at the boys waiting for them to say something to their parents. They both were knocking back mimosas while I was being offered jobs. 

“I think I just need some air,” I got up and walked to the garden. “I’m so sorry, peanuts. Your family is going to be insane no matter what. Your mom’s a drug addict, your grandfather is an alcoholic. Your other grandparents are going to be nutty rich people.”

I sat down, rubbing my stomach. “But you’re going to be so loved.”

“Mind if I sit with you Scarlett?” Belinda asked.  I motioned for her to sit. “You know, Grayson always wanted a future with you. And he’s ready for kids now. He’s stable in his career, he’s already had his fun. He’s ready for marriage too.”

“I know, Belinda. And he’ll be a great father, I’m sure. But you have to realize I have no control over this. I don’t get to choose who the father is.”

“You could.”

“What?” I asked. 

“I’m saying that no one else has to see those results, Scarlett. If the father isn’t who you want it to be, no one will know if you say the wrong name.”

“Um, I think it’ll be pretty obvious when the kids come out.” I pointed out. 

“Maybe it won’t. You know in your heart that Grayson is the right choice for a father. He can take care of you and these children. I mean women have all kinds of different reactions after childbirth. What if you find yourself relapsing?”

“I wouldn’t do that,”

“But if you did, who would you trust to help you through that? Grayson or Lee?” She asked gently. 

“I won’t lie about who the father is.”

“That’s your choice. I’m just hoping they’re Grayson’s so he can finally have the family he’s always hoped for and someone to pass the company on to.” She patted my back and got up. 

I looked down at my stomach. 

“See what I mean peanuts? Nutty rich people.”

***

I was happily working on my campaign at work when Rex Adams poked his head in the conference room. 

“Scarlett, could I see you in my office?” He asked.

“Of course,” I followed him out. 

I was shocked to see Hal Windsor waiting for me. 

“Um, Hal….hi.”

“I’m sorry to disturb you during the workday, I just really needed to speak to you about an important matter.”

“I’ll leave you to it. It’s time for my coffee break anyways. Scarlett, do you want one of those juices?”

“Yes, sir, that would be lovely. Thank you.” I smiled. “What can I help you with Hal?”

“I just wanted to check on you. I worry about your current doctor and that hospital in general. You should have the best care.”

“Oh, I love Dr. Conner. He’s the best OB that our insurance has.”

“That’s what I’m saying, Scarlett, I can get you a better doctor and hospital. The best OB in the country, you’d never have to use the waiting room, the labs are spectacular.”

“But why?” I asked. 

“I just don’t know if I trust this particular hospital. I would feel better if you were at the one I go to. You know, I know the doctors there. We could get your paternity results done and much quicker.”

“The paternity results are coming any day.”

“Well what if they’re wrong?” Hal asked. “I would rather have my people handle it.”

“So you can fix the results to say the babies are Lee’s?” I asked. 

Hal looked rather impressed with me. “You really are brilliant, you know?”

“Yeah, I do. I’m not doing that.”

“Scarlett, just think…you love my son. You told me you wanted a future with him. You fought with me about how amazing he is.”

“He is amazing, but if these babies aren’t his…to lie about it wouldn’t be fair to anyone. Me, Grayson, Lee, my kids! I know I’ve made a mess for myself and I know it’s even a little unfair to choose whoever the father is, but it’s what’s best for my babies.”

“Brantley is best for your babies. And you know he would be with you even if they’re not his.”

“I know, but I don’t want to raise my kids in chaos. Remember how it was this year? The fighting, the competition, the media! I am not putting my kids through that. They deserve an easy life. Just a mom and a dad who love each other.” I stated. 

“You and Lee love each other,” Hal declared. 

“We do. So do Grayson and I. Hal I’m not gonna play games when it comes to my kids okay? So thank you for the offer, but I will stick with my OB and my hospital and the results that are already on their way. If the children are Lee’s, I will consider your doctors. But only after I've received the results.”

“Fine, that is fair.”

“Thank you now…please I have to get back to work.”

“Of course, Scarlett,” 

Mr. Adams entered the room as Hal stood up. They shook hands and Hal left. 

“The Wrenfords and the Windsors are insane,” He commented as he handed me my juice.

“Yeah, they are.” I sighed. 

“You know if you don’t want to deal with them anymore, my son is available and he’s great with kids.”

**

It was now the moment of truth. 

In my hand I had two envelopes. The results of the paternity test. I was about to find out who I was spending the rest of my life with. Who I was going to raise these babies with and marry and love forever. 

I was both terrified and relieved. There would be no more questions after this. No back and forth, no juggling. It was the simple, easy answer I’d been looking for. I just hoped the guy who wasn’t the father would still support me and be in my life. 

No matter what, I didn't want to lose either of them. 

We sat in my living room anxiously. I gave the proper envelopes to Grayson and Lee. Both looked too afraid to open them. 

“Um, before we do this and things change completely forever, I just want you both to know I love you so much, okay? Both of you, equally. Whoever the father is, I will be ecstatic. And whoever it’s not, I will still love you for the rest of my life and I hope that you’ll still be my friend.” I stated.

“Of course,” Lee nodded.

“Yeah, Scar, no matter what you’re not getting rid of us.” Grayson smiled. 

“Okay, um…then let’s do it.”

With shaking hands, both boys opened their envelopes. I watched them read the papers. I couldn’t tell who was feeling what.

“Oh my god,” Grayson whispered. 

“I can’t believe it,” Lee breathed.

“Someone please say something else.” I urged.

“I’m the father, Scarlett.” Grayson smiled.

“What?” Lee asked. “No, I’m the father.”

What the fuck?

“No, it says my probability of paternity is ninety-nine percent.” Grayson stated. 

“Mine says the same thing!” Lee exclaimed. 

“God, Lee your dad might have been right, they did fuck up the results. They probably just sent the wrong papers, let me call Dr. Conner, okay?” 

I sighed as I pulled my phone out. Was anything ever going to be easy for me?

“This is Dr. Conner,”

“Hi, this is Scarlett Watson.”

“I was just about to call you…um, did you happen to see the paternity test results?”

“Yes, and they’re completely messed up!” I declared. “Both Grayson and Lee got ninety-nine percent probability!”

“Yes…and there’s a reason for that.” He assured me. 

“And that is?”

“Scarlett, your twins have different fathers. The results are correct. Both Grayson and Lee are the father.”