Lester's POV
Saturday night was a night from hell. I haven't seen nor talked to Sydney since New Year's Day, six years ago. Now, she's married to that dickhead Dickie Orr. I don't buy her story of why she's being called Lisa. Sydney doesn't sound Italian or Hungarian, Lisa does, so she fits Dickie's image better. I saw pictures of their daughter, and I felt as though I was looking at one of my sisters. It left me wondering if that little girl is my daughter. If she is, I want in on her life. It wasn't right for Sydney to just leave me out, to not inform me that I had a daughter. If she wants to stay with Dickie, that's fine, but I want to at least be "Uncle Lester." I doubt that Dickie knows, though. I can't see him raising a child that doesn't belong to him. Then again, he is manipulative enough to use that knowledge as a bargaining chip.
I'm in my office, trying to decide if I should run a background search on Sydney when Stephanie comes storming in, slamming my door closed behind her. I glance up, seeing her hands on her hips, her glare in place, and steam rising from her head. Shit. I'm in trouble.
"When did you fuck Sydney and walk out the door? When did you toss her aside? I thought she meant more to you than a one-fucKing-night stand. You could barely look at her, and I saw hurt, pain, and humiliation flash through her eyes when she looked at you. I saw your eyes on her daughter. What did you do, hermano?" By the end of her rant, she had calmed down a bit and collapsed into a chair. I know I should come clean with Steph.
I sigh. "Do you remember when I accompanied Abuela back to Miami that first Christmas that you and Carlos were married, after that mission from hell?"
"Yes."
"Well, Tank, Bobby, and I bumped into Sydney at a party in Miami. She was newly single, and we started to hang out. We danced all night long, and one thing led to another. Before I knew it, I was in her hotel room, and we were making love. I don't remember how many rounds we went, all I know is that I used up my supply of condoms. She told me she was on the pill, and that it was fine. Then, in the morning, when I woke up and realized what I did, I couldn't face her. I left her a letter telling her goodbye that I wasn't the man for her. That even though I loved her, I couldn't be her mate. I walked out of the hotel room and never looked back. The timing of the birth of her daughter, Layla, matches with our night together. There is an excellent possibility that Layla is my daughter."
"So, what are you going to do about it? You know, there's a chance that Sydney doesn't know that Layla is yours. She may believe that Layla is Dickie's daughter. Are you going to break up and destroy her marriage?"
"No, I won't do that. I just need to know. Look, Stephanie, I was an ass. I fucked countless women. I don't even know how many, all over the world. I always covered up, started carrying more condoms with me on a night on the prowl. I was, and still am, searching for my perfect woman. I don't think she exists. Sydney was the closest I ever came. I regret that night. Not seeing Sydney, not making love to Sydney, but the way I left. I wish I was more courageous and honest with myself to have tried for a real relationship with Sydney. We might have burnt out, but we could have been good. Instead, I was too fucKing scared, too fucKing honorable. After what I saw you go through when Ranger was missing, I didn't want to do that to someone, I didn't want to do that to Sydney. She wouldn't understand the way you did. I fucked up."
"Yes, you did. Look, don't do anything. Let me hang with Sydney. She called yesterday to set up a playdate with Julie and Layla. Layla is going to the school Julie will be attending. I'll see what I can find out. She's likely to tell me more than you. You're right, Les, you are a fucking coward. I only hope you didn't throw away your one chance at happiness."
I watch as Stephanie gets up, walks out of my office, leaving my door closed in her wake. I decided to open my computer and run a search on Richard Orr Jr. and Sydney Lisa Orr. I type their names in the search engine and wait for the computer to spit data back out at me. Do I want a six-year-old daughter? Do I want to be an instant father? I think of Ranger and Julie; I know that I love Julie as if she were my daughter. She has me wrapped around her finger just as she has her father. I would do anything for that little girl. Now, I think of my contract. If I re-sign, if I take another chance, I could risk never knowing my daughter, of her, never knowing me. I feared that lifestyle six years ago, but now, it doesn't scare me so much. I want a family. I want what Ranger has with Steph. I guess I need to face this head-on, to see what happens.
My computer dings and I see the results in front of me. As I read Dickie's file, I know, without a doubt, that Layla is mine. Now, does Sydney know?
A/N: I know this is short, but it moves the story along. For those who celebrate, Happy Passover. For those celebrating on Sunday, Happy Easter. May everyone have a wonderful day with your family, those in your home and those you will engage with virtually. Stay healthy!
