A pint of ice cream and a good movie always does the trick.
Ana isn’t submitting to any sort of DNA test—yet. Because Riker’s not the father. And if he weren’t, it still won’t stop Ana from using every last second of her pregnancy to stay in the headlines about what type of father Riker would be. If he missed one doctor’s visit or failed to provide for her financially, all the work he and I did over the last few weeks would be completely unraveled.
As though it wasn’t hanging by a thread in the first place.
But I can’t stay engaged to him. People would question why I would be in a relationship with a deadbeat. Wouldn’t be any different than the scores of women who stayed every day.
And I know he’d make a great dad. The way he speaks to my daughter, how he spoils her.
“Mom!” Nia leaps over the small ottoman and crashes onto the floor.
“Nia! What are you doing?”
She makes a grunting sound as she inhales deeply. “Change…change the channel,” she states between gasps of air. With both hands, she shoves the hair out of her face and frantically sucks in air.
“I’m watching a movie, honey. Why—”
Her hands clench into fists by her sides. “Just do it!”
“Which channel?”
“Any news one.”
“What?” I point the remote to the television. Riker’s staring back.
“Jane? Can you please come down?”
My head snaps to the door expecting him to be right there, but it’s closed. Confused, my eyes dart back to the TV. I recognize the building Riker is standing in front of. It’s mine. I set Ben and Jerry down and lean toward the TV. “He’s here?”
“Duh,” Nia states with a roll of her eyes. “That’s why I wanted you to change the channel!”
My ears perk at the distant sound of a helicopter. “Is that a—”
“Yup!” Nia grins. “It has a big number on the side. I saw it fly over. That’s when I checked my iPad. Thought they were chasing a bad guy.”
“Please, Jane. I know I should’ve called.” Riker grins sheepishly while his cheeks redden. Off-screen there’s laughter.
My vision takes in the microphones attached to the podium Riker is standing behind. All the major networks are outside my building, waiting to hear Riker’s announcement.
“Okay, look baby,” Riker begins, “I know I messed up. But I wanted to set the record straight in front of the whole world because you deserve it. You deserve the best of everything. Including me.”
I wet my lips tasting ice cream.
“I was in a relationship with Ana. It ended months ago. She’s saying we were together a couple of months ago in California. Truth is, I was supposed to be in LA then—for a business meeting.” His lips spaz while he attempts to smile. “I never made it there. I was…” His Adam’s apple bobs and he dips his head for a second. After clearing his throat, he looks into the camera. “I was in New York on the runway. Drunk.”
My jaw drops with the heavy sound of his voice. It’s tough for him to admit.
“I was going to fly out there, but I got hammered earlier that day and couldn’t fly. I was on a commercial flight—”
More chuckles.
“I know, I know. My private jet was in the shop, okay?”
Nia laughs and I sputter a bit.
“I owned the airline and forced them to give me a seat. But the pilots did the right thing and didn’t take off.” He smiles. “Always hire good people.” His eyes grow intense, and mine are locked to the screen. “I wasn’t good that night, and I’m not proud of it. What the papers said about me was true. I was a real jerk. There were people on that flight trying to get to honeymoons, new jobs, their military assignments. I sincerely apologize for my actions and…lack of decorum.”
Riker blinks as cameras flash. I see a faint shade of red around the rims of his eyes.
“But it proves I wasn’t in LA when she claims. A lot of pissed off people can vouch for me.”
Nia claps her hands. “This is good, right mommy?”
My cheeks hurt I’m grinning so big.
“I never left New York, Jane.”
He never left. He wasn’t with Ana.
“Mommy?”
“Yes, Nia,” I finally answer. “This is very good.”
My gaze flitters to her. “Wait, what do you know about…?”
She shrugs. “Just what the gossip sites say. That Riker’s got a baby momma, and you two aren’t getting married.” Her eyes circle and het brows shoot up. “It’s not true, right? That’s what he’s saying?”
“Yeah, baby. That’s what he’s saying.”
Riker adjusts his tie. His chin lifts an inch. “That was the old me, Jane. The old Riker spent more time in VIP rooms than his own home. I used to get drunk, miss concerts, get thrown in jail.” His smile is just for me and I return it, even though he can’t see me.
“Jane Gordon, I am in love with you.”
I hear both Nia and myself gasp, followed by Nia’s giggles. I consider rewinding the live TV, but I don’t want to get behind.
“I’m a better man because of you. I want to be a better man for you. Please tell me I haven’t messed this whole thing up. Please tell me I haven’t lost you.”
Nia puts a hand on her forehead and dips back, sighing dramatically. “That was so romantic, mommy!”
It was. He literally sacrificed himself on the global altar of dignity.
And evened the score.
“Jane, you’re the only woman I want to be with. The only woman I want to have children with. I love your daughter Nia, and I love you. I want to marry you.”
“He loves you, mommy!”
I can hear, but I could no longer see as moisture blurs my vision. I blink rapidly, warm tears flowing down my cheeks. “He loves you too, Nia.”
“Of course
