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It’s taking all my strength not to come unglued. I want to pummel Michael for causing my wife all this distress. If this has any toll on my child, I will not be responsible for my actions. The frailness that is now Laney’s body is just one example of the damage all these lies are causing her. I try to get her to eat, but it’s an absolute task to get anything into her these days. The girls are so sad; they want to play, and right now their mommy doesn’t want to. I’ve tried everything that I can come up with to try to get their minds off what they’re sensing in the house. It’s no longer a happy home. You can feel the sadness and stress when you walk in. It seems like for the past two weeks this entire household has been in mourning. I hear Natalie come into the house. “I’ll be right back.” Laney nods to me, and I go to greet my sister.

“How’s she doing?” She puts her purse down on the couch.

“Not any better. I just want this day to be over with.”

“It will be. Don’t worry about it.”

“You remember what I want you to do, right?”

“Yes, Nate, I’m quite smart, you know. Have I ever let you down?”

“No, you haven’t. Thank you for this.”

“Don’t even mention it.”

We walk into the medical building and just as I thought, there’s swarms of paparazzi and other news sources standing outside the offices. I’d arranged for guards to be lined up, so they weren’t able to touch Laney in any capacity. Stella said she would meet us in the office as she insisted on being there for moral support. Once we enter the building, the noise from outside quiets. “I’ve got you.” I squeeze Laney’s hand.

We enter the doctor’s office, and I immediately see Michael sitting with none other than Diane. Fuck me. Of course, she was involved in this. I’m surprised my father isn’t sitting next to them, like one big happy family. “Of course you’re here. You didn’t get enough the last time we were in the same room together. You think that starting all this shit is going to get you anything? You are out of your ever-loving mind, you crazy bitch.”

“I did this for you, Nathan, and one day you’ll thank me. One day when you get over whatever infatuation you have with her, I’ll be there waiting. I’m more than willing to give you the child that you’re so blatantly fighting for. I will give you your child.”

“I am fighting for my child. My child with Laney.”

“You really need to stop thinking like that because it’s only going to hurt more once you’re faced with the reality that she’s not carrying your child.” Diane says.

Michael sits there silent, not saying a word. He isn’t looking too confident now. He actually looks like he would rather be anywhere else but here. Hmm, interesting. “Michael, are you ready for this? If by some chance, we’re wrong, are you ready to be a father, a good and decent father to this innocent child?” He nods. “Are you ready to love this baby and be there no matter what? For the dirty diapers, the spitting up, the sleepless nights? Is that how you see your life? Twenty-five aren’t you? Man, your life is just beginning isn’t it? Now you may be saddled down with a kid.” I see the uncertainty flash through his eyes.

“He will do what he needs to do. He wants to be active in his child’s life. He wants to be the father he’s meant to be.” Diane answers for him.

I look over to Laney, and she doesn’t make eye contact with me. I rub her arm trying to give her reassurance, but she isn’t acknowledging me. The door opens and Stella walks out into the waiting area.

“The doctor is ready.” She scans the room and sees Diane sitting next to Michael. Diane thinks she’s won. She has a look of triumph plastered prominently on her Botox face. She pats Michael’s leg, and they both get up. “I don’t fucking think so, bitch.” Stella gets in her face. “This is a private matter and there’s no way you’re going to be involved in it.”

Michael speaks up, “Stella, if you’re going to be in the room then Diane can be. If it weren’t for her, I would have never known I was going to be a father.”

“That is such bullshit, Michael and you know it.” Stella says angrily.

“I just want to make sure that someone is there for Nathan when he gets the news he isn’t prepared for.” Diane states. There she goes again, demanding a fucking Oscar with her act of concern.

“It’s fine, Stella, let’s get this over with. I want to put all this shit behind us and move on.” Laney walks into the doctor’s office with the rest of us following behind her.