Justin placed the girl in her baby chair and gave her a bottle. The baby sucked on the bottle, playing with his fingers. He brought the fork to his moth with the other. The doorbell rang and Molly run to answer.
"Someone to you" she said.
"Emm, hold her bottle, just watch her if she's not chocking" He gave his sister the bottle. Molly was still a child herself and Justin never left her with the baby alone, but she was very careful around a baby. He watched her as he walked to the door.
"Brian" He exclaimed as he saw the man at the door.
"Justin"
It took a couple of seconds to calm down the fast beating heart and gather some thoughts.
"What are you doing here"
"I come to see my daughter" The sudden unexplainable fear run through Justin's chest. He wanted to play dumb, say there was no daughter of his in here but he couldn't, he just stood there unable to response. Brian watched him, an angry frown forming on his face.
"Why didn't you tell me" He said in a controlled voice.
"Why should I"
"I have a right to know"
Justin didn't respond.
"I want to see her" Brian said, making a step forward. Instinctively Justin blocked the entrance. Brian was surprised by this behavior. He looked at a teenager in front of him. The small body stepping in his way without a flinch. There was an obvious fear in his stand, but a fear that earned Brian's respect. " You won't let me see her?" He asked much calmer now.
Justin was hesitant. There was something in Brian current composure, something that looked almost as sadness that made Justin cave, and made a space for Brian to enter.
He led the way to the kitchen and took the bottle from Molly. He placed it on the counter and took the baby out of her chair turning to face Brian. The way the older man looked at her, brought Justin back to that first night and the moment Brian saw his son for the very first time. He moved closer to them, looking the baby in the face. The small girl smiled her dazzling smile. Brian's mouth form an unconscious smile. He was totally lost in her, in her beautiful features, her deep blue eyes her dark locks.
Justin watched them both. His heart was pounding so fast that he heard nothing more than his pulse. He outstretched his hands and Brian took the baby cradling it to his chest and not breaking eye contact with her.
"What's her name?" Brian asked
"Layla"
"Layla"
They heard the front door open than and Jenifer walked in.
"I've got …"
"Mom,… this is Brian"
"Hello Mrs. Taylor" Brian said. He felt a little uneasy, meeting the mother of his underage lover.
She appraised him for a second, put the bags on the counter and answered
"Hello Brain"
The uncomfortable silenced fell on the room. Justin sit down and brought his knees to his chest. After unpacking the grocery's Jenifer took the rest of the bags "I got everything and I bought an extra pack of dippers, I'm going to unpack it upstairs"
"Thanks" Justin said
Brian watched as she left with 2 huge bags in her hands, before turning his gaze to Layla sleeping in his arms.
"So, is she ok? Ten fingers, ten toes, no diabetes ?"
"No, she is perfect"
Brian glanced up at Justin briefly
"You?"
"Amm, Yes, I'm ok too"
"Can I help with anything?"
"Help?"
"Financially"
"I don't want your money." Justin said at once. He stood up and took the sleeping baby from Brian. "I should put her to bed." He left the kitchen leaving Brian alone. When he got back Brian tried again
"Listen, the baby costs, I don't want your parents to pay for my…"
"I said I don't want your money. I have a job."
"What about your school? How you want to work, study and take care of the baby?"
Justin felt angry and bitter for Brian pretended care. "You don't get to ask that questions. You don't get to ask any questions. You should leave now"
Brian looked at him, unsure what to say, feeling oddly rejected.
"I want to see her"
Justin thought for a second "I'm going to be at the park, Saturday, around 10"
Brian nodded and left.
"Maybe you should take him up on his offer" Jenifer said, after Justin repeated the conversation he had with Brian to her.
"What, take his money? I don't need his pity. I don't need anything from him." Justin said angrily
"It wouldn't be pity. It's his child too, why should you be the only one supporting her. Justin you are so young and you work so hard." The sad look crept up her face " If he would help with the baby, you could go to college"
Justin snorted "Mom, we can barely cut the edges with me working. How do you imagine me paying for tuition. You know that your asshole of ex-husband won't help."
"I have some savings, maybe not enough for the whole college but for few term…"
"No, mom. What if something happens. What if we need that money?"
Jennifer sat at the table silent looking at her barely 18 year old child, wondering how did it happen that life become so tough for him.
Brian didn't tell anyone about meeting his daughter. Not that he planned to keep it a secret or was ashamed of her. He just didn't know what the dill was, so he decided to wait until he talked to Justin next Saturday. The boy seemed to be reluctant to let him near the baby. He also made it pretty clear that he wasn't welcome at the house setting the meeting in the park. So until everything get cleared he decided not to discuss it with anyone. But he didn't get his wish fulfilled as the very next day he visited Taylor household, Debbie, Lindsay and Melanie cornered him at the diner. They gave him the advices he didn't ask for and reprimand he didn't want to hear. Michael saved him however.
"Lay off him, how could he have known? And we did tried to find the kid,…kids. Justin knows where Brian is and he didn't even told him. Besides we don't even know if the baby is Brian's anyway"
Indeed, Brian thought to himself. His overgrown ego wouldn't even permit the possibility of the baby not being his. That is until now.