The Equalizer Chapter 7

"So Robyn, who is this?" Miles asked with his eyes looking over Robyn and then Marcus.

"Oh. Miles this is Marcus. Marcus this is Miles."

It became apparent that Robyn had let Marcus know about Miles, but Miles was kept in the dark about there being any other man in Robyn's life.

"Well Rob. How have you been? I'm surprised to see you out and about at this time of day."

"I've been well Miles. You know I thought some fresh air might do me some good."

"I'm glad to see you doing well. I was hoping to hear from you soon," Miles said assessing the situation.

"I've been meaning to get back to you but I've just been busy with work. And then Dee's been getting ready for college and I've been helping her with that.

"I know. You and I have gone to visit some schools with her. I am the father of your daughter by the way.

"Yeah. Well just been busy," Robyn said awkwardly.

"Well I'll let you get on with your day and look forward to hearing from you soon," Miles said with a wave goodbye before fading into the distance.

"That was really….awkward" Marcus said looking at Robyn.

"I've been keeping him in the dark and now he knows it."

Suddenly Marcus got a ring. "It's the NYPD they think that an upcoming block party maybe the perfect target for an attack from the neo nazis."

"We got to get back to the lab," Robyn said.

In the lab Harry was looking at the neighborhood surveillance. The NYPD has every inch of the neighborhood covered but I think it's risky to still have the block party. Personally, I think they should just rely on their inside man."

"Having the block party may be the perfect rouse to catch them in the act. If they have actors at a staged Block party it might be enough to cause the neo nazis to show their hand," Marcus said.

Robyn let out a little grunt and then grabbed her belly. "I think I just felt them move."

"Baby? You ok?"

"Yeah it just passed."

"I think we should get you home," Marcus nodded.

"Ok. May I have a ginger ale from the bar before I leave?" she asked Mel.

With her ginger ale in hand Robyn rode with Marcus. Over the radio came "It's too late to turn back now" .

"You know I don't think I've ever ridden in your car before, it's a sweet ride," Robyn said.

"I hear that your pop's car is a sweet ride."

"Oh, I don't drive that car. She's too precious to risk anything else happening to her after especially Dee got it rear-ended."

"Oh, I'm sorry about that. You know I know my way around a car, and I know a guy who would give you a great deal."

"Thanks Marcus I would appreciate that."

"Any excuse to see you again beautiful."

Robyn leaned over the driver's seat and kissed him.

When they got home Aunt Vi was already getting started on cooking dinner and Dee was working on her homework.

Robyn led Marcus to the garage where her father's car laid damaged.

"You can see where the problem is," Robyn said.

"Yeah the taillights are out and the bumper is completely busted in."

" Yep."

"You're going to need a new bumper and new taillights. Let me give you my guy's card," Marcus handed her a business card.

Just then there was a ring at the door. Robyn and Marcus left the garage to see who it was. It was none other than Miles with some papers in hand.

"Hello Miles what a surprise," Aunt Vi said before giving him a hug.

"Miles, Hello. What are you doing here," Robyn felt her heart palpitate.

"I came over to help Dee with some of her college application essays."

"Oh you did?"

"Hey Dad," Dee entered the living room and gave him a big hug.

"Hey sweetie I have your revised college essays."

"Thank you Daddy. Hey mom? Auntie? Can Daddy stay for dinner."

Robyn didn't want to say no to her daughter spending time with her dad. But, she wanted Marcus to stay for dinner and not Miles. She said words she instantly regretted, " Why don't we have both Miles and Marcus over for dinner ?"

Immediately she thought to herself, "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Why did you invite them both?" At dinner Robyn sat between her aunt and daughter but across from the two men vying for her love and affection.

"So Auntie how has your painting been going ? " Miles asked.

Robyn watched him closely afraid that he would back her into a corner somehow by asking her why she was too busy to talk with him."

"It's been going well Miles. I look forward to having students soon. Teaching is so rewarding especially when you see your students grow in their craft."

"Oh I can imagine it's a proud moment when you see them spread their wings, like I will with this one," Miles nodded to Dee.

"Yes soon we will be empty nesters just until Dee graduates then moves back in," Aunt Vi said with some consolation.

Internally Robyn thought, "Auntie what are you doing talking about empty nesters it will get us on the discussion of children and I can't have Miles knowing about this yet."

"Rob it kinda makes you wish that we had more than just one child doesn't it?" Miles said directly to Robyn.

Robyn sat frozen. Why was he hinting at having more children? Did her pregnant glow give her away?

"Robyn? Don't you wish we had more children?"

"I'm thankful that God gave us Dee," Robyn said as though she came out of a trance.

"Me too but I miss those days of carrying her in my arms and putting her to bed. She was so cute when she was little and now she's blossomed into a compelling and beautiful young woman."

"Here! Here!" Aunt Vi said.

Robyn lifted a glass of red wine and said to "Delilah a beautiful young woman who makes her parents proud."

The rest of the table echoed, "To Delilah"

" I propose we make another toast to another amazing woman who balances so much but still shows up for her friends and her family. To Robyn for being there," Marcus said.

"To Robyn," everyone echoed.

Robyn was ever so thankful when dinner ended.

Miles went up to Dee's room with her to help her with her essays.

Robyn went on the porch with Marcus once again.

"I wish this test would hurry up. I can sense Miles growing impatient with me," Robyn whispered in case Dee's window was opened.

"Me too baby. He's getting a little aggressive don't you think?"

"Oh, you should see him when he's competitive tonight was nothing."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Maybe we can look on the app for the test and see if the results are in a little early. You know sometimes that happens."

"It's only been today."

"I knew we should have taken the instant test though it was like three hundred dollars more yikes!"

"Awe what the heck let's see if the results are in," Robyn said.

Robyn pulled up the health portal app on her phone. She took a breath and then pulled up the tab for the paternity test. She looked under the words "Results" and the words "a match" were under them.

Marcus looked over her phone and saw the results. Immediately he hugged Robyn tight. But then he remembered her belly and loosened his embrace for fear of crushing his unborn children yes they were his children the test proved it.

"We have so much to discuss," Marcus said happily.

"Yes we do," Robyn smiled as Marcus held her belly.

"I got to get up early for work tomorrow but I'll call you when I get home," Marcus planted a long lingering kiss on Robyn then he hopped into his car and drove off.

Robyn stood on the porch smiling to herself.

Not to long after that Miles made his way down from Dee's room and confronted Robyn. "Hey, can we talk outside?" he asked.

Robyn's heart sank as she was dreading what they would discuss and worst of all she had to tell Miles the truth.

"Hey Rob I can't help but feel like you're avoiding me. First you tell me you can't talk until next week. Then I find you out and about with that guy, what's his name? Marcus. I mean I thought after the other night we had a real connection. What's going on Rob?"

"Miles I have something to tell you. I've been seeing Marcus while I've been seeing you. Now I'm pregnant with twins and it's by Marcus." Robyn fell silent waiting for Mile's response.

His first words were "You dropped a bomb on me." I opened my heart back up to you and you drop a bomb on me."

"I'm sorry Miles. I really am."

"No you're not. You're sorry you have this situation. How do I know that the babies aren't mine?"

"We took a test Miles, you're a doctor. The results confirmed that Marcus was a match."

"I want o take my own paternity test."

"Miles."

"No I'm serious."

I want to take a paternity test. You heard me at dinner saying I want a second chance at being a parent. Our Dee will be off to college soon and I want little ones to fill the house."

"Miles what we had was good but we couldn't work. It didn't work."

"See I am not afraid of working hard to make something work I'm not willing to give up on us."

"Miles…I-"

"I want to take the test."

"Ok. We'll take the test and then what?"

"We do life together it doesn't matter to me if the babies are mine or not. I could raise them we already have one daughter and that's wonderful. I always wanted more children."

"I know," Robyn said solemnly.

"Our Careers got in the way last time."

"My work-family life balance is still tricky."

"Your career always came first." Miles said accusingly.

"Miles I think you need to go home and lay down then we can look at this situation with fresh eyes."

"I'll go but believe you me that you'll be hearing from me again."

Miles stormed off to his car then drive away.

Robyn went inside.

"Let me guess you told Miles, and he didn't take it too well."

"You guessed right auntie. Marcus is the father of the babies and Miles just can't handle it."

"Don't worry or stress yourself out. You have the babies to think about. Everything will work itself out and this too shall pass."

As she got ready for bed Robyn called Marcus.

"Hello beautiful," he said with a flirtatious tone.

"I told Miles, and he didn't take it too well."

"Well crap," Marcus said.

This was not over.

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