"Mr. Callaway. You don't necessarily have to take custody of Anna. She has an Uncle that is going for custody of her. The hearing is in a week, custody will be decided then. The Uncle, William Bentsen, didn't know of Anna's existence either. He wants full custody. It's up to you if you want to come to Austin." Mr. Jenson said.
Mark was in shock and didn't know what to say. He certainly was not in a position to raise a child. He looked at Nikki to see if she was upset, but she looked calm.
"Do you have a picture of her?" Nikki asked.
"Yes I do." Mr. Jenson said and pulled out a photo and handed it to Nikki.
Nikki gasped. "She looks just like you Mark, she's so beautiful." Nikki said handing it to Mark.
Mark looked at the picture, Nikki was right. There was no doubt this was his child. She had long auburn hair and deep green eye. She was very cute.
"I'm in no position to raise a child. It's probably best if her uncle takes her. I will provide financial support of course." Mark said.
Nikki looked at Mark like he was crazy, but she didn't say anything. She would talk to him after Mr. Jenson left.
"Well here's the court date and the information, if you change your mind." Mr. Jenson said handing Mark a folder.
Glen seen the look on Nikki's face and knew there was going to be a problem. Mr. Jenson got up and shook Mark's hand.
"Thank you." Mark said.
Mr. Jenson left and Nikki attacked.
"How can you just turn you're child over to someone you don't know?" Nikki asked.
"Nikki, I travel, this is no life for a child." Mark said.
Nikki picked up the envelope and pulled the papers out. She read the court report.
"It says here she was neglected by her mother and abused. Mark she needs you, how can you just dump her?" Nikki asked.
"Nikki, drop it this is my decision. This does not have anything to do with you." Mark said.
Nikki looked hurt. She didn't say anything. She went and started packing her stuff.
"What the hell are you doing?" Mark yelled.
"I can't stay with a man who would abandon his child. You could do anything in the world and I would probably overlook it, but not this." Nikki said.
"You're kidding me right? You're just walking out because of this?" Mark asked in an unbelieving voice.
Nikki didn't answer; she just packed her stuff up and walked out the door.
"Man you made a big mistake. You know what she's been through in her life. She's not going to overlook you dumping your kid." Glen said.
"Oh so you think I'm a bastard too?" Mark said getting angry.
"Yea pretty much." Glen said walking out the door.
"Well to hell with both of you." Mark said.
But in his head he wondered what he would do without Nikki.
Nikki got her a room and unpacked her stuff. She was miserable without Mark, but she could not stand aside and let him abandon his child. There was knocking at the door. She went and opened it. It was John.
"Hey." Nikki said.
"Glen told me what happened; I wanted to see if you were okay?" John asked.
"No I'm not." Nikki said.
"Can I come in?" John asked.
Nikki stood back to let him in.
John came in and sat down.
"Want to talk about it?" John asked.
Nikki sighed; she guessed if any body would understand John would.
Nikki sat down across from him.
"I can't understand him just walking away from his child." Nikki said.
"I can't either, but maybe he just needs some time to let it sink in." John said.
Nikki looked at the man across from her. She realized he had fought for her not just walked away. She found herself staring at him.
"What?" John asked.
"I look like you." Nikki said.
John smiled. "Yea ya do, but you're a hell of lot prettier than I am." John said.
Nikki grinned.
"How about we have dinner tonight?" John asked.
"Okay." Nikki said.
She was surprised by her own attitude. She wanted to spend time with him. She wanted to get to know him again.
"Great." John said smiling.
"Don't give up on Mark, he's a good guy." John said.
"I hope so." Nikki said.