State of Time: Beginnings Series Book 6 Read online

  “Well, I suppose you can,” Andrea said.

  “Let me see.” Henry opened up some of the blanket and looked down at the baby.. His eyes moved to Ellen, to the baby then to Ellen again.

  “Henry?” Ellen looked up at him.

  Henry scratched his head. “I don’t think he was done. That’s it.”

  “Henry,” Ellen spoke in almost a whisper.

  Dean dried his hands. “I hate to do this to you guys, but I’d like to take a look at the baby before Frank comes in and steals him.” He reached for the bundle from Andrea.

  Andrea backed up. “We’ll just wait.”

  Dean chuckled. “I don’t understand what . . .”

  “Time’s up!” Frank flew into the room. “El!” He ran over to her immediately throwing his arms around her. “I was so worried about you. So worried” He kissed her over and over. “I thought I was losing you. I would have died if that happened.”

  “I’m fine Frank.” Ellen ran her hand down his face. “But . . . right now there’s . . . Henry?” She saw him leaving. “Stay here.”

  “Yeah, Henry.” Frank looked at him then he sat down with Ellen. “Check out Henry El. He’s all frazzled.” Frank made fun of Henry’s nervousness. “Besides Henry, you were the one being all fuckin persistent about being here. Stay here and see the baby.”

  “I uh… “ Henry stuck his hands in his pockets again. “I saw the baby Frank. You see the baby.”

  “Stay, Henry. Stay to see me announced as official biological father of my baby.”

  “My baby,” Dean corrected.

  Frank looked at Andrea. “Is it?”

  “Let me just say . . .” Andrea smiled when she saw Joe walk in the room and Henry staring to leave. “Henry stay put. Joe . . .”

  “Is that my grandson?” Joe said proudly.

  “Yes. Would you like to see him before I let the fighting fathers?” Andrea asked.

  “Love to,” Joe said with a clap of his hand. He snickered as he reached to the blanket’s edge. “What’s up with . . .” He lifted the cover. “Oh, Jesus Christ.” He covered the baby back up.

  “All right. Enough.” Dean yelled out. “Can we get this over with? I want to do the blood test and see my baby.”

  “My baby,” Frank said.

  Andrea stepped in toward the two men. “First, no blood test is needed. The paternity of this child’s father is evident the moment you lay eyes on him. So there will be no arguments. None. You hear me?”

  Frank looked at Dean. “He has to look like me.” He reached for the baby. “Can I?”

  “Sure.” Andrea handed Frank the bundle.

  Dean edged in closer.

  Frank grinned and nodded when peaks of black hair poked out. “Oh, yeah. Check out his mane. Prepare to cry little man.” Frank adjusted the baby so small in his arms. “Man is he tiny. Weighs nothing.” Frank so proudly spoke, his eyes gleaming as he cradled the baby. “Shit, Andrea, you got him all covered with this blanket. Gonna suffocate my kid and all.” He lifted the blanket. “There now you can breathe . . .” There was what Frank believed to be a choking sound that came from Dean and it made for an eerie backdrop as it mixed with the sounds of Joe’s moans and Andrea’s giggles.

  Andrea nodded as she stuck her head in between Dean and Frank who just stared at the baby. “Hmm.” She smiled. “He certainly does look just like his father. Wouldn’t you two boys agree?”

  Lifting his eyes and head suddenly, Frank looked at a cringing Ellen. Quickly his eyes went back down to the baby, then to Ellen, to Joe, and finally to Dean. Reddened face and biting his bottom lip, Frank heard the slam of the operating room door. “Where?” His head turned about the room. “Where is he?” Huffing, he handed the baby to Dean. “Hold this kid.” He bolted to the door. “I’m gonna fuckin kill him.” Charging out and flinging the double doors so hard that they slammed back and forth loudly against the wall, Frank raced with speed down the corridor of the clinic. “HENRY!”

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  Next Book: Inner Struggle 1

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