Fitz parked at the playground and Karen ran to the treehouse. Sabastian was still crying. Fitz wanted to cry. He was so angry with Olivia. He held Sebastian and scrolled his contacts for a number he hadn't called in more than a decade. He didn't know if Angela's sister still had the same number. He had to call and give his condolences. Now he was wondering if Olivia was really any better than Angela.
"Hello?"
"Tamara?"
"Yes."
"It's Fitzgerald Grant. I'm sorry for your loss. I want you to know Angela was always very special to me."
"Thank you. I thought you were calling about Isabelle."
"Who?"
"Dale spoke with Olivia."
"Who?"
"Isabelle is nine. There's a chance that you or some other guy is her dad. His name is Jake. He's dead."
"Jake Ballard?"
"Yes."
"Wow. I can't be Isabelle's dad. We didn't have sex when I met Olivia. Didn't Angela have a miscarriage?"
"The doctor in the emergency room didn't confirm the miscarriage. Angela said the hospital was really busy. The nurse gave her pain medicine and that was it. Her doctor let her know she was still pregnant a few weeks after she left DC. She probably lost one twin. You know she moved back to the East Coast for her job a few years after you became an astronaut. She didn't want to bother you or ruin Olivia's career."
"Isabelle can't be mine."
"I never thought I would have this conversation with you. It's awkward. I really don't want to be the person who let's you know this."
"What?"
"Angela stole your sperm when you were sleeping. She told me all the details. You made pancakes the next morning."
"What?"
"It's a very low possibility that Isabelle could be yours, but she looks so much like you. I'm waiting for the paternity test results. Olivia met Dale at a hotel today. I'm waiting for him to call me."
"A hotel? Do you have a picture of Isabelle?"
"Yes, I'm sending it now."
"Wow, she looks like Sabastian. That's the girl who was on my porch. I didn't get a clear view of her face before she walked to the taxi."
"Are you angry?"
"Not with Angela. Thank you for answering my questions. I'll keep in contact with you."
"Fitz, Olivia offered him two million dollars to go away with Isabelle. You should know that."
"What?"
"She was standing outside with Karen when he stepped out of the taxi with Isabelle. Olivia told Dale and Isabelle to stay away from her house and slammed the door. Isabelle cried and Dale said they would try again. Olivia called later and offered him two million dollars to not ruin her marriage."
"Do you know his hotel information?"
"Yes, I can text it."
"Thank you."
Fitz hung up the phone. He had Dale's contact information, but he would rather not call. It was already awkward. Fitz called Karen back to the car. He was expecting her to complain about leaving the park, but she was content.
"I'm hungry."
"Your mom will get some food."
"You're taking us home? Where are you going?"
"I'll be home soon."
When Fitz walked in the house, Karen ran to the kitchen. Olivia was looking out the window. She didn't turn around. Fitz put Sabastian in his bassinet. He was still sleeping. Olivia was preparing herself for an argument. She was going to tell him that she was meeting with her manager and agent about an upcoming movie, and that she couldn't give him any details yet. He didn't speak to Olivia. She turned around when Karen dropped a gallon of milk on the floor.
"Uh oh."
Fitz was already walking to the car. Olivia looked at the puddle of milk and Karen was waiting for her to react. Nothing more than a stoic stare at the floor. The indifference scared Karen. She had never seen Olivia with such a blank look on her face.
"Mom are you okay?"
"I'll get a mop."
Her voice didn't have any emotion. Karen walked around the spilled milk to the pantry. She grabbed a box of fruit snacks and poured the box on the counter. She expected Olivia to complain. She didn't look twice when Karen stuffed her mouth and opened another pack.
At the hotel, Fitz stood in the hallway waiting to be invited into the hotel room. Dale was surprised to see him. Isabelle ran to him and smiled.
"You're the astronaut!"
Fitz lowered himself until he was eye level with Isabelle. He didn't have any doubts when he saw her eyes that were the same as his and Sabastian. She had a huge smile. Fitz let her walk into his arms and lifted her off the floor. She didn't really look like Karen. Isabelle reminded him of Amelia. Well, there was a slight doubt. Was the resemblance due to them being mixed or were they genetically related? Was this Jake's kid? They had the same skin color. A shade lighter than Olivia. Besides that, he didn't really see any resemblance to Amelia.
"Did you bring two million dollars, so I can go to Chuck E Cheese?"
"Wow, that's a lot of money."
"Olivia didn't say you were coming to see Isabelle?"
"She doesn't know I'm here."
"What do you want? Does this mean she's not paying?"
"She's not giving you money."
"Isabelle, do you want to come home with me?"
"I want to go to Chucke E Cheese. Dale, can I go with him?"
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"I'm her dad."
"We don't know that yet. I can't let you go with this man. I'm your temporary guardian."
"How long were you with Angela?"
"Long enough to care about Isabelle's well being."
"Really, or are you trying to think of another way to get money from my wife?"
"The money is for Isabelle."
Fitz was not arguing with him. Dale followed him outside and Fitz started his car.
"You can't take her. That's not the deal I have with Olivia!"
"No deal." Fitz said, leaving the parking lot.
