Suddenly a Dad (Single Mom Second Chance Romance)

Dale

Chapter 1

It was a nice summer day, warm and sunny but with a hint of hotter days ahead. The city streets were shaded by trees, their canopies bursting with bright green leaves. It was after work and David walked the streets at a leisurely pace, taking in the changes in a town that he used to know like the back of his hand. He had gone away to attend college then got a position at a prestigious consulting firm in Santa Fe. A new job brought him back to Westbridge, the place where he grew up.

Since being back, David had discovered that his favorite deli had closed. Of course it did. It had been years since he had been there. As he was taking an aimless stroll before going home, he was hoping to find a new favorite deli. In the meantime, he was enjoying the familiar sights and all the changes since he had been gone.

Plenty of other people were out, taking advantage of the nice weather. Among them David spotted a familiar face. It was Lee Newman, an old friend. They waved to each other then converged on the sidewalk and stopped to talk. They went to middle school and high school together, but went to different colleges so David hadn't seen him in a long time. There was plenty of news to share about old friends and what each of them had been up to.

David told him about the job he left and this new one that brought him back to his home town. He was just thinking that they might go and eat somewhere, talk properly over some food. That's when Lee blindsided him with his next question.

And how is your kid? I'm sorry. I forgot her name. Lee said.

What? I don't have a kid, David told him with a laugh, but Lee stayed serious.

But I met her, he said then a startled look came over his face. Oh. Right. Sorry. I... I just got mixed up, Lee stammered and forced a smile.

From his expression, David could tell that it wasn't just a mix-up. Lee was happy to see him before, but now he looked nervous and ready to run.

Lee? David prompted him.

No, I umm... Lee motioned as if he had to go.

What's going on? David insisted, his voice low and serious.

Lee sighed and his shoulders slumped. He finally realized that he couldn't backpedal his way out of this. He resigned himself to answering, but all he said was one name. Julie Sayers.

What about her? David asked. Julie was his high school girlfriend. He hadn't seen her for years.

It was her kid I saw. She and Julie were coming out of the movie theater on Bunting Road. We only talked for a few minutes. The little girl held up four fingers and told me she was four years old. I guess she would be five by now. She had blue eyes and curly, dark blond hair. I just... Lee didn't need to say the obvious. He just pointed at David.

David had blue eyes and curly light brown hair, which he kept trimmed so it wouldn't look ridiculous. Most people didn't even know his hair was curly, but Lee had known him since middle school. On the other hand, Julie had straight, dark brown hair and brown eyes. David pictured her big eyes, her silky hair, the shy smile on her face. She came back to him so vividly at that moment.

He could see her smile widen just for him. Her expressive, dark eyes would reveal so much. Then she would blush and tilt her head down, trying to hide her face behind her long hair—the hair David loved to smell and to feel brushing his skin.

It was strange to think of her having a daughter, but even stranger to consider the possibility that he was the father. The thought was too overwhelming. He looked at Lee as if he might ask him something, but he didn't know where to start. With David standing there speechless, Lee was now just in a hurry to get out of there. After what he just heard, David was too stunned to stop him.

Left alone standing on the sidewalk, David stared all around. It was just a chance meeting on the street, some chitchat and a little catching up, no big deal. Then with a few words, Lee had turned his world upside down.

There was a five year old kid with the same color eyes as his and curly hair. Julie's daughter. It could be a coincidence, or maybe Lee was playing a prank on him, though he wasn't much of a joker.

Or it could be what Julie wanted to tell him after they broke up, when she came by his dorm room and saw him with Cynthia. That was just over five years ago. At the time, David thought that she might have come by just to say hi and arrived at the wrong time.

It was David's second year in college, Julie's first. They had only broken up that summer, only a few months before. A light knock on his dorm room door interrupted him as he was making out with Cynthia on his bed, nothing too heavy though. He wasn't going to answer the door but then he heard Julie's voice.

Can we talk? she said.

When he opened the door to Julie, she didn't see anything too shocking, just Cynthia sitting on his bed with her long legs crossed. Despite the breakup, it was obvious that Julie didn't like seeing him with another girl. She made that clear with a wounded look and an abrupt exit. David remembered how her long hair trailed behind her as she ran off. He didn't realize it then, but that was the last time he would see her.

When she ran out of his room without a word, David wanted to follow her, but he stopped himself. He was afraid he might make things worse and embarrass her. They were broken up after all.

Now he wondered what he would have learned if he had gone after her. He never got a chance to speak to her again. Right after that, she transferred to a local college, right outside of Westbridge. David heard about it from her roommate and wondered why she would transfer when the term had barely started. Her roommate didn't know. And Julie didn't even say goodbye or answer any of his calls, texts or emails. He figured she just wanted a clean break.

David finished college out of state, and his parents moved away from Westbridge. Until now he had no reason to come back here. In all that time, he never got any news about Julie until just now.

Maybe there was nothing for him to know. Was he just reading too much into it? What Lee just told him and Julie leaving so suddenly all those years ago, it could all be a coincidence. Or maybe Julie had some big news for him that day when she came to his dorm room and said she needed to talk. David shook his head. It was no good to speculate. He needed to know for sure.

Returning to his new apartment, David felt disoriented. He stared at the place, which didn't feel like a home yet and probably wouldn't for a while. There were too many blank walls. He had it mostly furnished and organized but plenty of boxes were still left to unpack after the move.

Vaguely he remembered that he had gone in search of food earlier. His stomach growled, but he was too preoccupied to eat. He didn't know what to believe about Julie's daughter. One moment it all seemed so clear, and the next moment he was convinced that he was jumping to conclusions.

Before he could do anything else, he had to find out the truth. Looking through his contacts, he called a few old friends until one of them gave him Julie's number and confirmed that she still lived here. He didn't ask any of them if they knew anything about Julie's kid. He didn't need secondhand information. He was going straight to the source. After all Julie wouldn't lie to him, would she?

Though he had the number, David had to take a few deep breaths. This was such a huge thing. He couldn't rush in, but at the same time he couldn't wait a second longer than that. He had to call right away. While he paced up and down his living room, David told himself to settled down as he dialed.

There was a pause and the sound of the phone ringing. Then after more than five years, he heard Julie's lovely voice again.

Hello. This is Julie.

Like an idiot, David just stood there, mute with the phone to his ear. Julie's face flashed through his mind and he felt like the room around him was spinning. While he tried to get a hold of himself, Julie almost hung up on him. David broke the silence at the last second.

Hi, Julie. It's David, he said.

David? she said, clearly surprised to hear from him.

For his part, he was surprised at his reaction to hearing just a few words from her. The sound of her voice made him feel kind of giddy. The way she said his name warmed him up inside.

David, she said again like she couldn't quite believe it was him.

Yeah. I moved back to Westbridge. Do you think we could meet somewhere to talk? Tomorrow. Any time you like, he said. He was willing to leave work or whatever it took. He couldn't wait. He had to know as soon as possible, but he couldn't ask her over the phone. Though he was tempted to ask to meet her right now, that would seem crazy if it turned out that Lee was wrong.

Now she was the one who took a moment and said nothing for a while. His jaw clenched, and David held his breath and waited for her answer.

Ok. Tomorrow at lunch? she said after a while in a hushed voice. She sounded hesitant, not unfriendly but cautious. They agreed on a meeting place—a coffee shop that wasn't too far from his office. David thanked her and another silence followed. Finally she said, See you tomorrow. Her voice was so soft and low, he barely heard her. If she was that nervous about a meeting over coffee, what did that mean?

After they hung up, David thought about the brief phone call. The long pause before she agreed might mean that she wasn't eager to see him. At the end, she sounded kind of resigned, like she had no choice.

What they needed to talk about was serious, but David found that his mind strayed to wondering what it would be like to see Julie again. Once upon a time, she had stolen his heart at first sight. But if what Lee told him was true, would she still be the same girl he knew?

Chapter 2

Though he had arrived at Mo & Jo coffee shop first, David didn't have the patience to wait inside. He had been wound up since yesterday and hardly got any sleep. Now he paced in front of the coffee shop's big window. Trying to get his nerves under control, he constantly glanced up the street, searching for Julie.

Finally he saw her. His heart sped up at the sight of her. His mind rushed back in time, and for a second he felt free to walk up to her and swing her up into his arms. Of course he wasn't free to do any such thing. More than five years had passed and too much had happened.

As she came toward him, he stopped dead and waited as the past and the present resolved themselves and he could see her clearly. What he saw was beautiful. Julies face was a little flushed. Her dark, inquisitive eyes shone from her pretty face. The sky was cloudy, the wind was a bit chilly so she wore a short, blue jacket over a white top and a chocolate brown skirt. Her hair was down and it moved beautifully as she walked.

David took in the sight of her like he could drink her in with his eyes. This was exactly the way she had taken his breath away when he first saw her back in high school. That time she was coming down the corridor, rushing to get to class before the bell. When she caught him staring at her, she had given him a questioning look before she quickly turned away. It would be a while before they talked for the first time. She had seemed so shy, David didn't know how to approach her.

She seemed more confident to him now, but David still didn't know how he would start the conversation they needed to have. She was approaching so he better figure it out fast. Unlike David, Julie didn't stop in her tracks when she saw him, but she did slow down. She finally came to a stop right in front of him.

David remembered how she came up exactly to his chin but a little higher in heals, like now. After they greeted each other, she waited like the next move was his. But all he could do was stare at her stupidly.

I thought we were having coffee, she said to him mildly. She gave him a quick smile, but there was a more serious look behind it.

After they went in and sat down, he asked her about that apprehensive look he saw in her eyes. Why do you look so worried? he asked her. He tried to keep any accusation out of his voice. After all, he didn't know anything yet.

I'm wondering why you called and wanted to meet, she said simply, but she seemed even more nervous now. Her delicate hands were restless on the table until she clenched them into fists to hold them still.

David fought the urge to reach across the table and wrap her hands with is own. They ordered their coffees and then he told her. I heard that you had a kid, a daughter. I'd like to know more about her, David said then steeled himself for what she might say.

From her stricken expression, it was obvious that this was what she feared. Their coffees arrived but the cups were left untouched, steaming between them. For a while neither one of them said anything.

David waited and Julie stared down at her coffee cup without having a single sip. She frowned, bit her lower lip and blinked like she was fighting back tears. David hated that she looked so upset, but he couldn't let her off the hook about this.

We have a daughter, she said finally, her voice low and thready, like she was giving him terrible news. She raised her eyes to him apprehensively and just waited.

Though he had expected this news since the day before, David was thrown. This was real. It was a shock but Julie had just confirmed it. David was a father.

How could you not tell me this? he asked as anger broke through all the other emotions he was feeling.

I'm sorry, Julie said. I'm really sorry.

David could see real sorrow on her face. He ran his hand through his hair and leaned back, still stunned. That didn't last. He leaned forward. While he tried to make his brain form some coherent thoughts, his tongue stumbled over several questions at once. Why...? When can I...? What's her...? Sorry. What's her name?

Julie blinked at him then told him in a shaky voice. Her name is Mandy. Amanda. But right now she looks more like a Mandy than an Amanda.

Mandy. That's nice, David said as the name of his kid made his heart race. Mandy. He had a daughter named Mandy.

That was my mother's middle name, Julie explained. Mom's name was Lilly Amanda. Mandy is actually named Amanda Lilly. Julie had tears in her eyes as she spoke about her late mother. David had never met her. She had died when Julie was little.

That's a pretty name, David said. It's really pretty. Good choice.

Julie seemed happy that he liked it, but she still looked scared. She finally gave him a small smile. It warmed his heart just the way her smiles always did, but he couldn't let go of his anger all the same.

Does she know about me? David asked. He was a little afraid to know the truth about that. He couldn't imagine what she might have been told.

I only told her that her dad was nice. And handsome, Julie added then looked down shyly. She asked if you were 'a handsome guy' and I had to say yes.

He was relieved that Julie talked about him with her, but Mandy should have been able to see him for herself. What about why I wasn't around? David asked and clenched his fists, trying to keep his anger under control. He could have been around if he had only known he had a child.

I said you lived far away. I know you were in Santa Fe for a while, she said apologetically.

David pushed down his anger. The past couldn't be changed. I moved back just a few weeks ago. I got a really good job offer. It's nice to be back, he said, but he was thinking that he wouldn't know about his daughter if he hadn't come back. Were you ever going to tell me about my daughter?

Julie took a big, shaky breath. David could tell she had no plans to tell him. Maybe once Mandy was old enough to start demanding answers.

Then he thought of something that only now occurred to him. He had noticed there was no ring on Julie's finger, but that wasn't definite proof. Mandy doesn't have a stepfather, does she? he asked and dreaded the answer. The thought that some other man might have taken his place in his daughter's life, while he didn't even know about her, made his blood boil.

No, Julie said and drew back from his grim expression and looked down.

David must have been looking at her harshly, but now he was mostly relieved. Good. No, I mean... I mean good. I don't want any competition, David admitted.

Competition? Julie said, raising her eyes to him questioningly.

For Mandy's heart. I'm going to be her one and only dad, David said.

Julie smiled then she frowned. I do have a fiancé. Bruce is in London right now. His company sent him to oversee the relocation of some projects. He had to go suddenly and we got engaged right before he left.

Oh, Ok. David tried not to show that he was disappointed to hear that. You don't wear an engagement ring, he noticed. He had already noted a lack of any rings on her hand, and now he knew for a fact that wasn't proof that she was a free woman.

Yeah, Julie said and looked down at her hands too. The expression on her face was unreadable. It wasn't what David expected. Julie should have been beaming with happiness, but maybe she was subdued because her fiancé was overseas. Bruce wanted to give me the engagement ring that belonged to his great-grandmother, but it's in a safety deposit box in Connecticut. We got engaged right before he left for his trip, kind of suddenly, so he didn't have time to go and get it.

I see, David said. This seemed like an uncomfortable topic for both of them so he decided to move on to the next step, except he wasn't sure what that should be. So, how do we do this? What do we do next? he asked Julie.

She looked at him uncertainly and her eyes grew so serious they looked downright sad. We don't have to do anything. You have your life and I have mine.

Instantly David got angry. Mandy doesn't have a father. Are you really going to tell me to go away when I'm here and I want to be a father to her? David asked sternly and watched her eyes go wide.

Of course not, but you have to be sure it's what you want, she said earnestly. Looking at her solemn expression, David realized she didn't really mean that they should go their separate ways. She was just giving him a way out. Don't feel like you have to...

I want to meet her. I wish she was here right now, David said emphatically. He had this scary ache inside him, like something was wrong with his heart. Maybe a piece was missing and her name was Mandy. Now that I know I have a daughter, I have to meet her, he said his voice rough with emotion.

Julie was blinking back tears, and David didn't know what she would say. She wouldn't try to keep him from his daughter, would she?

I've been a father without knowing it. I want to be a real father now, David said to confirm to her that he knew what he wanted.

Just like that. You don't need to think about it? she asked, still not giving him an answer.

What's to think about? he said bluntly. It's a done deal. I'm a dad. So when can I meet my daughter?

Chapter 3

Before their meeting at the coffee shop, Julie was a mess. She tried to prepare herself for whatever might happen, good or bad, but that was no use. The one thing she could never prepare herself for was David himself.

Then he was right in front of her, waiting for her. He was as amazingly handsome as ever. Julie had sort of forgotten what it was like to be with David, how tall and very attractive he was. Looking into his blue eyes—the same eyes that Mandy shared—Julie felt a little lost. It was overwhelming. Always so earnest and direct, David had that way of looking into her eyes with an irresistible intensity.

But she couldn't get carried away by all the emotions he stirred up in her. Once they were face to face after all this time, he was demanding answers and she had no choice but to tell him about Mandy. The rest was up to him. If he wanted to blame her or hate her, she would have to accept that and deal with it. She wouldn't be able to blame him though, only hope for his forgiveness.

On seeing him, an old hope resurfaced despite Julie's caution. It was a hope she had nurtured since the day she found out that she was pregnant, a tiny hope that David might be glad to hear the news. Because this was David, it wasn't so farfetched to have a little hope.

After all these years, it was strange and frightening to share the big news with him. But he had smiled and his eyes had brightened when she told him their daughter's name. She was so overjoyed that he was happy about Mandy and that he wanted to be a part of his daughter's life.

David couldn't wait to see her with his own eyes. I'd like to meet her as soon as possible.

Seeing him so eager to meet their daughter, Julie had to hold back the tears that welled up in her eyes. When she hesitated, he misunderstood and thought she was reluctant to share Mandy with him. I think I waited long enough, he said, his voice deep and forceful, making it clear that he wouldn't be denied.

Julie couldn't make him wait too much longer. She took a deep breath and said, How would you like to come over to the house for dinner on Saturday?

I get dinner too? David said with a smile, but he looked a little apprehensive as well. I can take us all out to dinner somewhere, he offered.

I would rather make dinner. I need something to distract me. I'll be a nervous wreck, Julie admitted.

Why would you be nervous? You've already met everyone who's going to be there. He gave her a teasing smile then he got more serious and asked, What can I do? Can I bring anything to go with dinner?

At first she was going to say no, but then she thought of something. Yes, bring something gummy, bears, worms, anything.

Sour or regular?

Either one. If it's gummy, Mandy will love it.

Mandy? Oh, I thought the gummies were for you, he said deadpan.

Funny, she told him as they stood up to go. He always used to tease her about her sweet tooth. It took her back to the old days.

When he had been her boyfriend, even that kind of thing made her love him. David had been warm and bright like sunshine. He had a big laugh and he was always ready to make fun of her then kiss her if she got mad. She hadn't been able to resist him.

What are you doing? she would ask with a frown, pretending she didn't know even though he held her in his arms ready to kiss her.

Making you like me again, David would say, then he would lean in slowly and kiss her softly. He liked to tease her with the softest kisses, so that she would be the one who kissed him back harder and made their kiss deeper.

In those days, it seemed to her that every second she wanted and loved him more. That's why it had been so painful for her when he got restless.

Leaving the coffee shop, she and David parted, and Julie went back to work like a sleepwalker. Seeing David again had left her in such a confused state. She hoped she would be able to do her job somehow.

This was how she felt when she got his call and heard his voice for the first time after more than five years. Julie had been gripped by an incredible mixture of emotions. She had to get over the shock first as time stopped. Just hearing his voice took her back to being that young girl, hopeful and so in love. It all came back to her in a rush—all the love and the pain.

When David asked to see her, sounding serious, she remembered the unsaid words, and her Mandy, her baby and secretly David's too. She could hardly breathe as she agreed to meet him.

She had nearly collapsed afterward. For a while she was simply too stunned to think. It took her a long time to get herself together and even longer to sort out her feelings about that phone call and what it meant.

Despite her fear, she had looked forward to seeing David again. And he hadn't disappointed her. He was everything she remembered except now he was a dad too.

Somehow she survived seeing him again and didn't fall apart, but Julie was nervous about their next meeting at the house too. Now