Lea stared at her reflection in the mirror. This was one of the biggest moments in her. She reverently brushed her hands down the skirt. The satin shone brightly. She had decided to wear cream instead of white.
As her sister and best friend, Sadie, pinned her veil into place, she drew in a shaky breath. This was it. This was the dress she wanted to get married in. She envisioned the church doors opening. Stepping into the sanctuary and seeing Dean's eyes light up.
Her sister stepped back and grabbed the glasses of champagne the clerk had brought in earlier.
The sales clerk softly knocked on the door. She brought in a few pairs of heels. Lea immediately spotted the ones she wanted.
They looked like Cinderella's glass slippers. They even had intricate designs etched into the glass. Closely resembling the embroidered pattern on the bodice of her gown.
Lea undressed slowly. Placing the dress inside the garment bag. All the accessories packed up.
With the wedding date so close, only a month away from tomorrow, she was rushing around finalizing everything.
She had a long day of errands to complete. Including finding the perfect reception hall. She had no clue where to look.
She had thought about some of the hotels around Tampa. But most were already booked or the fee was ridiculous. Even though, they were well off, not rich but definetly not poor, Lea refused to be frivolous with her their money.
As she changed back into her clothes, her phone began to ring. "Hey baby. What's going on? Is Alexa okay?"
Dean's answer knocked her for a loop.
"Test results are back. They need us to come in today."
Taking a deep breath, Lea finished the call, paid for her dress and accessories, and rushed to meet up with Dean.
Everything had been going so great lately. She should've known something bad was about to happen.
Once they arrived at the lawyer's office, they sat inside the vehicle. Dean looked like he had aged 20 years since she kissed him goodbye this morning.
Lea felt her stomach muscles clinch. She couldn't think. She felt like she was standing still while everything around her was moving at warp speed.
Dean grabbed her hand. Squeezing it. She wasn't sure if it was for reassurance or if he was looking to draw strength from her.
"No matter what those papers say, you are, Alexandrina's father. That will never change."
"It'll change everything. Drew wants her to have his name. He'll want all his parental rights. I'll just be her step-father at best."
"My step-father was the best man I ever knew. He was the father I had always wanted. I mourned his death as much as I mourned my grandmother's death."
With one last kiss, they exited their car and walked into the building. They met Drew in the lobby. He looked as nervous as Dean.
Lea felt sorry for Drew. If he wasn't the father then he would only see Alexa on the rarest of occasions. At best, he may become an honorary uncle.
The receptionist ushered them into a small room. Certainly not where you would normally meet your lawyer for a consultation.
After a brief wait, accompanied by an awkward silence, the lawyer finally entered the room. His briefcase was packed so full it was a miracle it didn't bust at the seam.
" I apologize for the wait. The judge wants this paternity suit handled as quickly as possible. So after the results are announced, we'll need to settle a few legal matters."
Lea was confused. As far as she knew, no one had filed a paternity suit.
"Who filed the paternity suit? We all agreed to settle this matter ourselves."
The lawyer nodded his head.
"Unfortunately, in the state of Florida, hospitals are required to report all paternity tests. This ensures that all biological fathers are given a chance to be informed of their legal and parental rights."
The lawyer unfastened his briefcase and pulled out several folders. All green except one. It was red.
Lea knew that was the folder with the test results. The lawyer arranged the files, pulled out a legal pad, a few pencils, and pens.
Growing impatient, Drew began to clench and unclench his fists. He wanted to strangle the little twerp with his own bloody tie.
Lea shook her head no at Drew. Trying to calm him down discreetly.
Finally the lawyer pulled out a digital recorder and placed it on the table. Slipping on a pair of glasses, he began to speak.
Stating the date, time, names of all in attendance, and the reason for the meeting.
Finally he opened the red folder. He paused as he read the results to himself first. After what seemed like an eternity, he announced the results.
"In the matter of paternity of one, Alexandrina Leigh Scott, the office of Wyndcort Lab have determined that the biological father is Andrew McIntyre."
Lea felt her heart stop. She must have misunderstood. Certainly he meant to say Dean Ambrose.
Drew breathed out a sigh of relief. He had tried to accept the fact that he might lose everything today. Now he felt like a man reborn.
Across the table, Dean looked stunned and heartbroken. His little girl, his baby, wasn't his.
Without a second thought, Dean stormed out of the room. He couldn't be here right now. He couldn't listen to that smug Scottish bastard gloat. Couldn't witness his daughter's name be legally changed to Alexandrina Leigh McIntyre.
Lea felt torn. She wanted, needed, to follow Dean. Yet, she also needed to sort out all of Drew's parental rights. It wasn't fair to him to make him wait any longer.
Drew could see Lea's struggle and requested a break. The impact of the news had taken a toll on him too. He needed to find a quiet corner and absorb the news fully. Decide on how active he wanted to be in Alexa's life. How often he could see her with his hectic schedule.
With a grateful smile at Drew, Lea ran out of the office. Rushing out of the doors. Searching for Dean in the thickening crowd.
She dialed Dean's phone. Praying he would answer. She walked towards his car. Still not seeing Dean. She began to worry.
She couldn't lose him. Couldn't watch him fall apart. Not when they had been so happy just one hour ago.
She dialed his number once more. When his voicemail came on, she pleaded for him to call her. She just needed to hear his voice. Know that he was safe. Know where he was going. Get inside of his head.
Left with no choice, she walked back into the office building. Stepping
into the restroom to repair her makeup.
A couple hours later all the legalties were finalized. Every document signed in triplicate. Drew now had the right to visit his daughter whenever he could manage it. He insisted that he pay half of the hospital bill and half of anything Alexa needed.
Lea called Monique. She was watching Alexa for the day. Hopefully, she could check in with Roman. She had a feeling Dean would have called him.
Once inside their home, Lea made a beeline for Alexa. She needed to hold that familiar weight, breathe in the unique scent, and know that everything would be okay. She wouldn't allow things to fall apart.
As she related the day's, events, Monique sat quietly. Offering comfort and support afterwards. She told Lea that Dean and Roman had left earlier. No word on when they'd be back.