Chapter 27

Charlie was pacing back and forth in Bass's room. It had been four days since she discovered the truth and now that Bass was better, it was time for her to tell him. Her heart was pounding; she didn't know how he would react.

A million thoughts rushed through her head. She didn't even hear him come in, almost jumping out of her skin when she saw him standing by the door.

"Hey," she said, nervously.

"You okay?" Bass asked, walked towards her. "You're shaking. What is it? What's wrong?" He pulled her close, holding her to his chest as he spoke.

Charlie took a deep breath and sat on the bed. "There's something I have to tell you."

"Okay. What is it?" he asked, sitting beside her on the bed.

"The day Dr. Paterson took care of your wounds after the fight with Conner, I walked her down the stairs and we started talking. She said something about having to rush home to do something with her daughter. And I-I never really thought.. I mean, never imagined," Charlie said, struggling with the tears.

"What?" Bass looked at her, confused.

"It was only when she said her name that it hit me. I mean, what are the odds?" She kept going. "Then she took out a picture. She looked so proud—proud of her little girl".

"Charlie what are you saying?" Bass asked.

"Her little girl is your little girl, Bass" Charlie finally broke and the tears burst through the gates.

And then it hit him. The note he found in the box Shawna gave him; the names that were written on it. Jake and Rose Paterson.

How could I have been so stupid? he asked himself. Dr. Rose Paterson and Jake the bar owner. It was them all along. He was just too… Oh, he didn't know what he was now. Bass put his arms around Charlie and held her close. "It's okay. It's gonna be okay."

Charlie looked up at Bass "What are you going to do now?"

"Honestly? I don't know. I mean—I can't just walk over there and say 'Hey, I'm your dad.'"

"Bass, these people are her family— her parents." Charlie knew she had to say it.

"I know. But I'm not going to let more time go by without getting to know my daughter; without her knowing the truth." Bass got up from the bed and walked towards the window.

He moved the curtain and let the sunlight flood the room. He looked at the horizon. There were several houses in the distance. He was wondering if one of them was where she lived. He always dreamed of a house for himself and one day him and Charlie. Who knows? Maybe one day a little Charlie or Sebastian? The thought made him smile.

"What are you thinking about?" Charlie asked.

Bass turned from the window and walked over to the bed. He took Charlie's hands and stood her in front of him. "I let Conner go," he said.

"What? How could you just let him go after everything he did? After what he did to me?" Charlie asked furiously and let go of Bass's hands.

"What did you want me to do? Kill him? He's my son Charlie!" Bass said defensively.

"No, of course not! But- you can't just let him go Bass. He needs to pay for what he did."

"And he will. Trust me, Charlotte. Connor will pay for everything he did."

"I don't understand." Charlie was confused.

"The only thing Connor ever cared about was power and sadly, I found that out the hard way." Bass kept going. "Even after New Vegas and what happened in the cage, it was the only thing he wanted.

"So, after I found out what he was planning and that a former member of the militia was involved I decided to use it against him. I ended up recruiting him and from now on anytime Connor even thinks of getting the Republic back or tries to rise into power, I'll immediately know about it and will terminate his plans. If he ever hurts anyone, he will pay for it. I'll make sure of it."

Charlie took a step closer. She was still mad but she knew Bass made the right choice for now. "What about your daughter?" What are you going to do?"

Bass rubbed the back of his neck. He felt as if the world crumbled and came together at the same time in the same day. He was heartbroken about Conner but he was happy to finally know the truth about his daughter. All that was left now was to meet her. But does Charlie want to? Will she accept her in their life? Where do we go from here?