Chapter 29

Robbie wanted to sit beside me on the plane. Carlos was in the seat across the aisle. We nearly missed the flight because of all the security checks we had to pass through. I was thankful we had temporary custody documents. Judge Abernathy also gave us a signed document granting us permission to take Robbie out of state. We were reminded to contact local authorities when we arrived.

I watched Robbie hoping to see which man she resembled more. His nose looked like Tank, but I couldn't place the other features. During our only mission together, I caught her a compromising position with Tank several times. She couldn't take birth control pills or the injection because of an allergy.

We spent a few days at Rangeman until we established a routine for Robbie. He was used to attending nursery school while his mom worked. I found a facility near Julie's school for him to attend. His paediatric check up proved he was in good health and has no allergies. He didn't like having his blood taken, but he was very brave. I requested a sample for DNA testing. Tank asked Bobby to draw a sample for testing. He wanted to know if this beautiful little boy was his son.

My birthday was a few days ago. I received cards and gifts in the mail from various friends and family. Bobby told me I wasn't pregnant after all. 'Happy birthday to me,' I thought. Today felt like a day of change. A letter from Kiera arrived the same day Bobby received the paternity test results. Neither Tank nor Bobby was a match. I was almost positive it would be one of them. The letter from Kiera was very informative.

'Fannie,

If you're reading this letter, it means I'm gone. I wasn't sure if you would accept guardianship of my son, but I was praying you would. You would be an amazing mother to my precious little boy. His father doesn't know about him and I doubt he'd be interested in raising him. He doesn't want children or a wife or any other type of responsibility. His life doesn't lend to relationships. During our joint mission, I had a brief affair with both Bobby and Tank. Neither man is his father, despite my son's name. He was named after my grandfather, not his daddy.

Knowing you as well as I do, you would have ordered a paternity test to see which man fathered my child. It would be a complete waste of your time. Robbie's father and I hooked up several months after our mission. You are a very intelligent woman and I know how much you love a good puzzle. I'm leaving you with a very interesting puzzle to solve. Here are some clues...

1.Take a very close look at him. I mean every square inch of him.

2.His eye shape is identical to his father.

3.You know this man extremely well.

It is NOT your husband... so don't go there! Carlos has always been 100% dedicated and faithful to you.

Robbie may look like me, but whenever I look at him, all I can see is his father. I loved that man more than I thought was possible. It's a shame he didn't want more than a few passion filled nights. If Robbie's dad wants to raise him, please give him that opportunity, otherwise I hope you and Carlos will adopt him.

Love my baby as if he was your own.

I love you Fannie,

Kiera.'

I never thought it could be my husband, but it did make me think. Carlos read the DNA results and the letter. "I think I know," he stated. A few men came to mind, but it was difficult to place who it could be. Junior, Vince, Manny and Zip have the olive tone similar to Robbie's shade. I'll need Bobbie to help me narrow the field.

During bath time, I discovered a birthmark below Robbie's left butt cheek. "Carlos, can you come here for a minute?" I called.

"I'll be right back Julie," he told our daughter before walking into the bathroom. He raised an eyebrow when I pointed to Robbie's back side. His blank face slammed down before I could read his expression. "Finish putting the children to bed."

I heard him tell Julie he had an errand to run. "Can you finish reading to me momma?"

Robbie parroted, "Read to me momma?"

"Of course my babies," I replied. They fell asleep before I finished the book. I carefully lifted Robbie and carried him to his room next to Julie.

Carlos returned home several hours later. "He submitted a sample for testing," he growled. He didn't say who he was talking about, but I knew for sure it's one of our Rangeman employees.

We had our first visit with the social worker from child services. She's a kind woman with grey hair and hazel eyes. "Everything is in order. Although I'm concerned he's already calling you Momma and Papa. It could be very confusing for him," she reluctantly told us. She didn't say 'when he has to leave you'. The only way Robbie would ever leave us is if his father assumes custody. We're still waiting for the results of the paternity tests.

"I know, but he hears our daughter call us Momma and Papa. When we corrected him, would get upset and retreat into himself. We figured it was better to call us by the names he was comfortable using so he feels like he belongs," I explained.

She approached Robbie to talk to him, "Hi Robbie. Do you know who these people are?"

"Yup. Aunt Stephie and Uncle Carlos, my momma and papa. Right Julie?" he said with a huge smile.

Her face lit up as she smiled. "He isn't the least bit confused." I could tell she was happy with his answer. "You two are excellent guardians for Robbie. I'll be visiting again in a few months. At that time, I would like to meet the men you work with."

"Thank you for coming out here today Katie. It's a pleasure to meet you," I said with a handshake.

Carlos nodded, "Katie."

"I'll see you in a few months Robbie," she said as we escorted her to the door.

"Bye," Robbie and Julie called after her. We were planning to adopt Robbie, but we had to ensure his biological father would grant us permission.

Worst case scenario, his father would sign over rights for us to adopt Robbie. Best case scenario, he would assume custody and raise his own son.

A few weeks later, the paternity test results arrived. The results were labeled 1, 2, 3. When I questioned why there wasn't a fourth one, I was told, "Zip and Snake are partners. They don't swing that way. Junior never had sex with Kiera." Ah... that explains why Zip never stared at my ass in the gym.

Sample two matched Robbie's DNA. I decided to handle breaking the news to the men. Carlos, Bobby and I called a meeting with Vince, Lester and Manny. "Men, do you understand why I called you into this meeting?"

"Yes ma'am," they replied.

"All three of you had a relationship with Kiera Jenkins?" I questioned.

"Yes ma'am," was the reply.

"Here are the results. I hope you know which sample is yours?" I asked to a round of nods.

Manny looked completely relaxed. "He isn't mine," he started. "Robbie was born too late for me to be a possibility."

"Which one is your sample?" I asked.

"Three," he replied.

In my best impersonation of Maury Povich, I said, "Manny, you are NOT the father."

"Told you," he said with sass.

"Now Lester and Vince. I'm going to read off the result of the biological match before I tell you the sample number. Are you ready?"

They both swallowed before answering, "Yes."

"The father is a 99.99% match to Robbie. With the blood type alone, there is only 1 in 10000 chance it could be a different man." Both men have the same blood type and were squirming in their seats. I decided to just put one of them out of his misery. "Robbie's DNA matched to sample two."

Lester's face went completely pale. "Congrats Santos, you have a son," Vince said as he reached for his results.

"Vince, Manny... dismissed," Carlos snapped. He sat across the table from Lester and waited for him to talk.

"What should I do? I'm not ready to be a dad," he lowered his face into his shaky hands.

"He's an amazing boy Les," I said while prying his hand from his face. "Carlos and I can raise him if you don't want to, but Robbie deserves to know his father."

"Can I have some time to think?" he asked.

"Of course, but don't take too long. The longer we let this go on without a decision, the harder it would be on Robbie," I kindly said. Carlos and I left Lester to come to terms with being a father. "I hope he makes the right decision," I whispered to Carlos.

"He will," he said confidently. Robbie adores Lester and often said he wished Uncle Lester was his daddy. If only the little boy knew how right he was. I'm not sure why I didn't see it sooner.

The following day, I found Lester in our apartment after work. He was sitting on the floor playing with Robbie and the toy cars. "How would you like having me as your papa?" I heard Lester ask.

Robbie was shaking with excitement. "You wanna be my papa?"

"Do you want me to be your papa?" Les asked. It was strange to see him so unsure of himself. Robbie absolutely adores him.

"Yes!" Robbie shouted. "Julie. I have my papa." He ran into the dining room to grab Julie. "Uncle Les is my papa."

I started laughing. "I guess you have your answer Les. Robbie is excited to have you as his Papa." I sat beside him on the floor. "Are you sure about this? Raising a child is a huge responsibility."

"I'm sure. It's best for Robbie. He still has you and Ranger as his aunt and uncle, although technically Ranger is his cousin. I'm filing a petition for custody tomorrow," he informed me.

"Okay. I want to discuss options. Carlos and I are trying to have another baby," I told him our news.

"Any luck yet?" he asked.

"Not yet, but hopefully soon." My hormones seem to be off lately.

"We're looking for a larger home. We would like you and Robbie to live with us," Carlos told him.

"Are you sure?" he looked at me for an answer.

"Positive. It's what Robbie needs as he transitions into his new life with you as his dad."

"The other half of the sixth floor is being renovated into an apartment for you," Carlos announced.

"We can watch Robbie when you're working the night shift, or he can stay with Mama and Papa," I added.

"He's my responsibility. I'll make the arrangements." He gave me a tight hug. "Thank you for loving my little boy."

"Let me know if you need anything," I whispered.

Lester stayed for dinner and helped with the bedtime routine. Robbie was excited to have his own papa read to him. Starting tomorrow, we'll be living at Rangeman so Lester could be closer to his son. We discussed all options surrounding custody of Robbie. Carlos and I will remain Robbie's guardians in case anything happens to Lester. His parents are alternate guardians. Robbie's trust fund would be heavily invested. He'll be a multimillionaire by the time he's twenty-five.

A few months passed before Lester was scheduled to appear in family court. It happened to be the same day as my appointment with my OB/Gyn for testing. I called the clinic and rescheduled for the following day. Les has been staying at the house with us. Robbie loved having a large family. He especially loved spending time with all his uncles at Rangeman. The judge granted Lester custody effective immediately. Lester petitioned a name change to Santos which was immediately granted. Roberto Evan Santos was legally Lester's son. His trust fund was updated and given to Lester to manage. I was listed as an executor to ensure the funds were handled appropriately. We decided to celebrate the courts ruling. The men laughed as Robbie ran around the control room yelling, "I a Santos."

The following day, I went to my appointment with the OB/Gyn. After performing an ultrasound, she found some fibroids in my uterus. They could be the reason for my recent hormone fluctuations. It just means it would be more difficult to get pregnant. My cycle was already interrupted. If I notice anything unusual, she wants me to return.

Christmas is only eleven days away and I need to get my shopping done. Jeanne Ellen was watching Julie. Carlos had to answer an emergency call. He called Manny to drop off a car for me to use. Mama was watching Robbie for Les so I had to go shopping alone. Training had me constantly watching my six. I purchased some toys for Julie and Robbie. As I was packing them into the back of the SUV, I felt something hit the back of my neck. An electrical shock ran through me, causing my body to freeze.

"Got you Cupcake," I heard before I blacked out.