"What about putting the Dean at the back table with my uncle Morty?" Annie said as she placed his name on the magnetic seating arrangement.
"Or, we can just not have him come to the wedding. Problem solved."
"Jeff, we already sent out the invitations. We can't exactly uninvite him. And besides, he has to come. He was the first one to know we were engaged."
"That's because he was eavesdropping outside our door the night I proposed to you. Which only happened because he followed us to Denver and moved into this apartment building. That makes two times he's moved into the same building as me." Jeff groaned as finally relented. "Fine, he can sit with your Uncle Morty and my cousin Becky. But if he shows up in a wedding dress and tries to marry me, I want you to know I predicted it."
Annie both laughed and cringed at that mental image as she continued looking at the ever changing dinner table settings. Though wedding planning was more stressful then she would have initially guessed, she knew it would be all worth it once the big day came. In three months she would walk down the aisle and become Mrs. Annie Edison-Winger. That alone was worth all this hassle.
She was snapped out of her concentration when the door buzzer suddenly rang. Jeff got up and went over to the buzzer. "Yes?"
"Hello, is this Jeff Winger?"
"Speaking."
"My name is Chilton Glass. I'm a lawyer who represented someone you knew, a Ms. Megan Milton. I'm afraid we have to talk."
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Annie sat next to Jeff in grim shock as she listened to the lawyer talk. It was all a lot to process. Jeff had once told her about Megan a long time ago. How she was the first woman he ever loved and how he even thought about marrying her before she left him without a word. When Annie heard the story she felt terrible that Jeff had been hurt so badly. But in the deepest most secret part of her heart, she was a bit relieved that he didn't end up with her. Not just because she wouldn't be spending her life with Jeff. If Jeff had married Megan then he never would have dropped out of college and he never would have lied about his degree. Then he never would have gone to Greendale, would never have formed the study group, and she would never have met all of their friends. And she didn't even want to think about where her life would have gone without the six most important people in her life. So as shameful as it was, she was glad Jeff had not ended up with her.
But even so, she would never have wished for this to happen.
She looked over at Jeff, who looked like he was in shock. He was pale and his leg kept bobbing up and down. She took hold of his hand and laced her fingers with his as Jeff took several deep breaths. "How… what happened?"
"It appeared Ms. Milton had an undiagnosed blood disorder," Chilton said gravely. "She didn't suffer for long. It was only a week from when she first became sick to when she passed. Luckily for her she had the foresight to draw up a will two years ago. This way her final wishes have been able to be honored."
Jeff closed his eyes as Annie squeezed his hand in comfort. She swallowed down a lump in her own throat as she loved over at Chilton. "What about services? Her funeral?"
"I'm afraid it's already been taken care of. Her ashes were scattered on a trail in Ridgway state park. It's my understanding that her parents are erecting a headstone in the family plot for people to visit." He paused as he blinked tears out of his own eyes. "My apologies. This is hard for me to. I was associated with Mr. and Mrs. Miller for years, so I knew Megan for most of her life. And while I was her lawyer I foremost considered her a friend." He sighed deeply before looking over at Jeff. "I'm afraid telling you of Megan's passing is only part of the reason I am here. When Megan passed she left behind a daughter."
"And you're telling me this why?" Jeff said dully as he kept his eyes closed.
"A sixteen year old daughter, Mr. Winger," Chilton said knowingly.
Jeff's eyes widened as he registered what he was being told. "Wait, are you saying...?"
"Yes Mr. Winger. You are that girl's father."
Jeff was vaguely aware of Annie squeezing his hand, but ignored it as all his attention was on what he just heard. "I don't understand how this could happen without me knowing about it. "
"She became pregnant with Alexis not long before graduating college. She didn't want you to know because she felt it might hold you back, and she wanted you to have a life without being tied down in fatherhood. Which is why she left without saying anything, and why she never reached out to you. She also never told Alexis who her father was until after she became sick. Until then she had lied to her daughter and said she didn't know herself. I never felt this was wise, but ultimately it was her decision." Chilton paused as he pulled some documents out of his briefcase before continuing. "I understand this is difficult to hear considering everything, but according to Megan's will you've been appointed to raise Alexis. At least until she turns eighteen."
Annie narrowed her eyes, finding fault in what they were hearing. "Wait? This woman goes to all this trouble to make sure neither Jeff nor his daughter knows the other exists. And then without warning she decided Jeff should be the one to raise her if anything happens? What about Megan's parents or other family members?"
Chilton looked at Annie gravely as he took in her words. "Yes, you are right. She had intended to keep her secret, and this was far from her first choice if something should happen. Originally she had arranged for her sister Katelyn to care for Alexis if anything should happen to her. Unfortunately Katelyn died eight months ago in a car accident, and Megan was unable to update her will accordingly. After Katelyn Sara Bradstone, an old family friend, was meant to take the girl in. But sadly Ms. Bradstone has developed early onset Parkinson's, and feels she is unable to look after the girl while she is dealing with her illness. And I hate to say this, but Megan's parents never approved of their daughter raising a child out of wedlock, and made it clear they are unwilling to take her in. And even if they had decided to take her in, Alexis has made very clear she wants nothing to do with her grandparents after how they turned their backs on her mother." Chilton paused as he let out a soft chuckle. "Though she phrased her feelings a bit more colorfully then I'm telling it."
Though Jeff was in shock he couldn't help letting out a groan of disgust at hearing that. He had been well aware of how stringent and cold Megan's parents were. Hearing that they basically abandoned their daughter sadly didn't surprise him at all. A part of him wondered if it was fate that both of the women he had fallen in love with had parents that abandoned them. Jeff also couldn't help feeling proud of how his daughter stood up and remained loyal to her mother.
"As I was saying," Chilton said, snapping Jeff out of his thoughts. "Her will stipulated that you were to be called on to raise Alexis only if no one else could. And unfortunately, that scenario has occurred. Though no one would blame you if you decide you don't want this responsibility."
"What happens to Alexis then?" Annie asked.
"Normally a family would be sought out to adopt her. But given her age I doubt that is a possibility. Most likely Alexis will be placed in foster care if a guardian isn't found. Then once she turns eighteen, she'll be on her own." Chilton took the documents and placed them in his briefcase before standing up. "I understand this is an enormous decision for you two to make. Alexis had been staying at my home since Megan became sick. I see no reason she can't stay one more night." He reached into the inside pocket of his suit and placed a business card on the coffee table. "Take the day to discuss things and call me tomorrow with your decision. I wish we had met under better circumstances. Have a good day." With that he walked out of the apartment, leaving Jeff and Annie by themselves.
The silence grew unbearable as they sat next to each other. Jeff stared off into space, trying to make sense of the multitude of emotions overwhelming him. Annie looked over at her fiancée, honestly not sure what was the right thing to say. "Jeff-."
"I have to go." He abruptly got up, barely noticing Annie looking at him as he grabbed his jacket and keys. "I'll be back. I just need some time by myself." Without another word he walked out, leaving Annie by herself.
Jeff got in his car and drove out onto the street, trying to keep the vehicle steady as his hands shook. He barely made it a few feet before he pulled over in front of their building. He just managed to put the car in park before he started sobbing. There had only been a few times in his life he had really cried, and this time he held nothing back as the reality of things set in. Megan was dead. She was gone and he would never see her again. Even though he didn't love her anymore, and he hadn't seen her in over sixteen years, she had still been an important part of his life. He would never have the chance to tell her how much he had truly cared for her, or how long it took for him to get over her. He would never completely have closure. He would never hear from her why she did what she did.
His cries became angrier and more desperate as he thought about the daughter he never knew he had, and how she had kept this from him all this time. His sobs morphed into screams as he yelled in rage, gripping the steering wheel as he shook himself. As he poured his grief and frustration out Jeff was completely unaware of Annie looking down at him through the apartment window. Tears ran down her cheeks as she watched Jeff in his car.
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Annie looked up as the front door opened and Jeff walked in. "Hey."
"Hi," he said hoarsely. He sat down on the couch before turning towards Annie. "I'm taking her in. I know it's sudden and I haven't asked you about it, but she's my daughter. I wasn't there for her for sixteen years. I'm not abandoning her now."
Annie nodded her head in understanding, having known since Chilton left that this was what he would decide. "I understand. The two of you should get to know each other." She reached over and smoothed a bit of wayward hair that had fallen in his face. "Let's get the spare room fixed up so it's ready for her tomorrow."
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Jeff nervously looked at the door as the seconds on the kitchen clock ticked away. It was almost 3pm, and Alexis and Chilton would be here any minute. He rubbed his eyes in exhaustion, having barely gotten any sleep last night. He was about to meet his daughter. It was a concept he still couldn't believe.
While he still wanted her here, he couldn't help wondering about how this would go. What would she be like? He didn't know much about dealing with girls. Women, sure. But girls, in particular teenage girls? They were a completely different ballgame. How was he supposed to be a father to her after all this time?
It wasn't that he was adversed to having children. He and Annie had discussed it and they knew someday they would like to have children together. He even found himself growing fond of the idea of having kids. But raising a child from infancy, and having to suddenly raise one as a teenager were two completely different things. He'd already missed out on so many steps and milestones.
But even though the circumstances were completely bizarre, he knew he had to do this. He was not going to be his father and abandon his own flesh and blood. No matter how she came into his life, she was his daughter and he was going to be there for her.
He looked up at Annie, almost chuckling as she paced back and forth. "You'd think you were about to meet your own long lost daughter."
"I'm just nervous."
"Well calm down. I'm the one who should be terrified here."
Just then they heard a knock at the door. Jeff got up and went over to the front door, Annie right behind him. He took several deep breaths to try and calm his nerves before he felt Annie's hand touch his shoulder. He smiled at that simple calming act before opening the door.
"Hello again," Chilton said. He stepped out of the way, revealing a teenage girl standing behind him. As soon as Jeff saw Alexis he almost gasped in shock. She looked just like Megan. She was the same height as her mother (a couple inches shy of six feet tall), had the same facial features, same slender figure, same fair complexion, the same vibrant red hair.
There were a few differences. Her nose was a little longer than her mother's button nose (though not anywhere close to Jeff's nose length). She had a splash of freckles on her neck her mother hadn't possessed. And instead of green eyes Alexis had the same shade of blue eyes her father possessed. But even with those distinctions, if she and Megan had stood side by side it would have been clear they were mother and daughter.
"Jeff, Annie," Chilton said. "I'd like you to meet Alexis."
"Lexi," she said quietly while keeping her eyes downward.
"I apologize. I keep forgetting that's what you prefer to go by these days." He patted her on the shoulder before placing a few suitcases in the apartment. "Most of her stuff has been put in storage. There's a few more boxes that I left with the doorman." Chilton opened his briefcase and pulled out a manila folder, which he handed to Jeff. "There's some documents in there that you'll need to sign, including the form that puts your name on Alexis's birth certificate and officially gives you parental rights. You can bring them over to my office or mail them to me when you get the chance." He closed his briefcase as he nodded in finality. "Well, I really must be going. Good luck with everything. Lexi, if you need anything don't hesitate to call."
"Sure," she said dully. She continued to look at the ground as the door closed, leaving the three of them alone together.
Jeff looked at his daughter, not sure what to do. It seemed too soon to hug her. And a handshake didn't seem appropriate. Instead he simply stepped forward as he looked at his daughter. "Hello Lexi. I should probably introduce myself. My name is Jeff. And…I'm your father, but I'm guessing you probably already know that." He waited for her to respond, but she didn't say anything. After a few moments Jeff beckoned Annie to step forward. "This is my fiancée, Annie."
"It's nice to meet you," Annie said.
Lexi looked up at the two of them, her eyes filled with dull sadness. "I'm tired. I'd like to lie down."
"Of course. Let me show you your room," Jeff said. Lexi gripped the straps of her backpack as she followed Jeff and Annie down the hall to the bedroom at the end of the hallway. "Here you go," Jeff said uncertainly. "It was our guest room, but it's yours now. You can do whatever you want to make it yours."
"We got new sheets yesterday," Annie said as Lexi put her backpack down and fell face first on top of the bed. "And, there are towels on the dresser, and I put a few books of mine on the nightstand if you want something to read." She looked at Lexi, seeing that her eyes were closed but that she wasn't asleep. "If you need anything we'll be here." With that Annie took Jeff's hand and led him out of the bedroom before closing the door.
"Well that went well," Jeff said sarcastically.
"Jeff, she's been through a lot. She's lost her mother and just met her father."
"I know. I just…" He trailed off as he sighed deeply.
Annie ran her hand over his cheek as she looked into Jeff's eyes. "Give her time. This is going to be an adjustment for all three of us. Let's give her some space and go from there."