Chapter 13
A/N: This chapter has a surprising lack of Janet/Eddie. I just wanted to continue with the other storylines I had going on and it kind of got away from me.
The day after Nick had found out that Sam was his son was no clearer than the first. All he knew was that the sooner he talked to Hannah the better. She had called and was on her way over. He knew she probably suspected he results but he still wanted to tell her face to face. As if on cue, the doorbell rang and he went to let Hannah in. Once seated on the couch, Nick just got to it. "Sam's my son. The test was pretty conclusive.
Hannah paused. She had always thought that Sam was Nick's but here it was, finally out in the open. She had so many things running through her head, but she said the first thing that came to her. "Nick, I'm so sorry. I know not telling you was wrong."
"Hey, listen, we all do things we regret. I can't fault you for doing everything in your power to protect Sam. Truth is, I don't know what kind of father I would have made and 18."
Hannah smiled. "You would have made a wonderful father; you still will."
Nick smiled back. "Thanks. That means a lot. So when do you think we should tell Sam?"
"Um, in a couple of days. We can do it after he gets home from school. I know that I've made you wait ten years for this but there are a few people I need to tell first. And no, Ray's not one of them." Hannah paused, knowing that a certain subject needed to be broached. "Listen, I know you said no to Ray adopting Sam-"
Nick stopped her, thinking she was going to try to talk him out of it. "No, no way." Nick stopped, trying to get his anger under control. "I just found out I have a son, and I am not going to just hand him over to someone else!"
Hannah put up her hand to stop him. "I was going to say that I know you said no to Ray adopting Sam and I think it's a good idea. Sam is going to have a lot to deal with and he doesn't need two people fighting over custody of him."
Nick sat back, surprised that he didn't have to put up much of a fight. "Oh, thanks. I just really want to make this right with him. He's a good kid and I want to be a good dad."
"You will be. Listen, I'll call you tomorrow and we'll talk about when we're going to tell him. I have to get going. I really am sorry Nick."
Nick nodded. He wanted so much to stay angry at her but couldn't. The way he saw it, he was coming out all right. He was gaining a son, and Gavin was about to lose one. He respected Hannah's wishes and agreed. Hannah then left, leaving Nick to face the full impact of fatherhood. It sure was turning out to be one hell of a day.
Hannah walked up to Phil and Eddie's house, dreading the conversation about to take place. She was secretly thrilled that Nick turned out to be Sam's dad, but she knew Phil would be disappointed anyway. Ringing the doorbell anyway, Hannah waited patiently. Pizza Girl opened the door and Hannah smiled tightly. "Hey. Can I Phil talk?"
"Sure, he's in the living room. Nick got his results huh?" Hannah let out a deep breath. She was relieved that Phil had told his girlfriend. He needed someone he could confide in. "Yeah. I just got back from talking to him." Hannah started to walk in when Phil showed up at the door.
"Hannah, hi. So what's the verdict?"
Hannah could tell he wanted the news quick so she just blurted out, "You're not the dad, Phil. I'm sorry."
Phil's face remained stoic, an awesome feat for someone who usually showed all his emotions all the time. Without another word, he turned around and headed up the stairs.
Pizza Girl turned to Hannah and apologized. "He's not mad at you, I don't think. He'll be ok. Thanks for coming by and telling him in person. It means a lot."
Hannah nodded and then headed back to her car. One person to tell down, so many more to go.
Inside the house, Pizza Girl climbed the stairs to see Phil sitting in the chair by his bedroom window staring out. Knowing he wasn't ok, she said, "Hey, tell me what's going on in that head of yours."
"I don't know. I guess it's for the best. I'm not ready to be a dad. It's just, he's such a great kid and for a brief time, it was possible he was mine. I feel like I lost something even though it was never mine. I feel like I lost something even though it was never mine to begin with."
Pizza Girl knelt down in front of him and took his hand in hers. "It's ok to feel that way. I know you were already thinking about what it would be like to be his dad and now it won't happen with him. But it will happen someday with someone else. You will make a great dad."
Phil scoffed. "Yeah, who would want to have a creepy shut-in's kids?"
Pizza Girl smiled. "Me." Phil's head shot around to stare at her. "And not just any creepy shut-in; I only have eyes for one."
"You-you want to have kids with me?" Phil couldn't believe it. How had be ever gotten so lucky as to find someone like her."
Pizza Girl laughed. "Well not this moment, but yeah, someday. "I love you Phil and when I think about my future I see you. Sometimes I think about what are kids would be like, but nothing concrete."
Panic rose in Phil but for an entirely different reason than most guys would have at finding out their girlfriend wanted kids. "I can't have kids. I can't live the house! I would not be good at all!"
Pizza Girl stood up and took Phil's face between her hands. "Phil, I am no where near ready to have a kid. And this agoraphobia; I don't believe it will last forever. Everyday you wok on it a little bit more and I know that when you put your mind to something, you do it. Don't worry, when I'm ready to have a kid, you'll be the first to know."
Phil smiled, relieved. He wanted to be with this woman forever and to know that she would stand by him through anything made him love her all the more. Now, he just had to figure out how to tell Nick about Hannah. He had seen what secrets did to their group and he wasn't gonna lie another day.
Janet woke up the next day to the sound of angry voices trying to be quiet. She didn't want to eavesdrop but when she heard her name she got up and walked into the hall. She could tell Ray was angry about something and Hannah was trying to calm him down.
"Look Hannah, I like Janet, I do, but how long is she gonna stay?"
"Excuse me, but it was your best friend that did this and while I don't believe you knew what he was going to do, you knew he was angry and that he would do something to hurt someone."
"Yeah but I thought he would hurt Latekka. Speaking of which, I don't want him in this house."
"You are unbelievable! You're saying that you would have been fine with Matt doing more damage to Eddie?" Not waiting for a response, she steamrolled on. "And this is my house too! Janet can stay as long as she wants and Eddie can come and go as she pleases."
Janet had heard enough and quickly went back to the guest room. She loved Hannah dearly but her relationship with Ray was strained enough and she didn't want to make it worse. She sat down on the bed, tears starting to well up in her eyes. She wasn't sure what to do. She knew that she couldn't stay here much longer but she also really didn't want to stay at her place alone. She picked up her cell phone and called the only person that she wanted to talk to. She waited for a few seconds and then the other end picked up.
"Hello?" Eddie's voice on the line did nothing to soothe her; instead it made her cry harder.
"Eddie? I'm really sorry to bother you, but I didn't know what else to do."
At Best Friend Windows, Eddie sat up straight in his chair, panic running through his body. Nothing failed to make him worry more than Janet crying. He would do anything to make her feel better but first he had to know what was wrong. "Janet, what's wrong? Did something happen?"
He could hardly hear her through her tears but he could make out a few words, "Ray and Hannah…doesn't want me to stay… have no where to go."
Anger flooded through Eddie. He wasn't sure of the whole story, but he had a feeling that Ray had something to do with it. All he could think of was getting to her. "Janet, baby, I'll be right there, ok? Don't go anywhere." After getting her agreement, he grabbed his coat and headed out the door. If he found out that Ray had done anything to hurt his Janet, he would kill him.
TBC…