Daddy's Christmas Date

by Piper Sullivan

  “Mr. Hayes, your manager is here to see you,” my secretary announced.

  “Send him in.”

  “Gary, this is a pleasant surprise, didn’t expect to see you here,” I said and sat down, “surely you could have caught up with me at practice tomorrow.”

  “Unfortunately this cannot wait Caleb. There are stories flying around left right and centre and it’s not helping your image.”

  “What stories?”

  “Well some reckon the girl is leading you on and that she’s just a gold digger after your money,” he said and shifted uncomfortably.

  “And who may I ask would be spreading these rumours?”

  “Everyone, we’ve had reporters peeping around at the club and asking questions. They want to know if you did a paternity test to prove that the child is yours.”

  “Is that so?”

  Grant stood up and walked over to the window, “I know it’s not my place, but maybe you should insist on a paternity test. Some women will go to any length to get what they want.”

  Not Rae, I thought as I collected the papers and placed them into a manila folder, but if that is what the public wants I don’t see why it will be a bad thing. I knew for a fact Braden was my son, and I was more than certain that Rae was no gold digger.

  “I’ll arrange a paternity test, but then I want you to handle the journalists,” I said and as I looked up I saw Rae standing at the door, her face as white a sheet.

  “Rae,” I said and stood up, but the look on her face told me to stay put.

  “A paternity test, so that’s what you plan to do?” she bit out coldly, “Don’t bother Caleb, I’ll be gone before you get home.” And without a word she spun around and walked away.

  “For god sakes,” I cursed and ran off after her, “Rae, wait!”

  She spun around and shoved her finger against my chest, “No! I’m done Caleb. Braden is much better and we do not need you or your money. I can do this on my own, I don’t need you.”

  I dragged my hands through my hair and sighed frustratingly. Going after her now would simply provoke her, I had to give her some time to calm down and then talk to her. So, I watched her leave and I cursed under my breath.

  “She’s up to something, Caleb, otherwise she would have agreed to a paternity test. What has she got to hide?”

  I strode towards Grant and grabbed him by his shirt, I was fuming, I had enough of managers trying to rule my every decision and journalists hounding me down, “She is not hiding anything!” I said angrily before shoving him away from me, “Braden is my son, and I don’t give a shit what everyone else believes. You do what you’re supposed to do and handle it, it’s what you get paid for.”

  Grant stumbled back and then fixed his shirt and headed for the door, “This will leave a mark on your career.”

  “Then maybe you should start looking a replacement.”

  I looked at the time and although I desperately wanted to get home to Rae to sort this mess out, I had to attend the general board meeting first. I cursed under my breath and then marched to the boardroom.

  Chapter 18

  Raedene

  A week later I sat in my own apartment back home in Lafayette, and every day there was a few more missed calls from Caleb, which I refused to answer. The fact that he even suggested a paternity test was enough for me to make up my mind. To find out that he had the slightest doubt about Braden hurt more than anything and I simply refused to stay under the same roof as him.

  I paged aimlessly through a magazine trying to keep my mind off Caleb, but in all honestly reading a local sports magazine wasn’t the best therapy either. On every second page, there was mention of the famous Caleb Hayes, or the Denver Stampede and although I didn’t exactly read the articles his name jumped out at me like a bad memory.

  “Mommy,” Braden called out as he came running into the room, “look what I made.”

  My heart stopped and I dropped the magazine. Did he just call me mommy? I was beside myself, he has never referred to me as his mom, but I knew I couldn’t exactly make a fuss about it, so I forced my own excitement aside and looked at him, “Let’s see what you have there.”

  It was a picture with a house and a family; this time instead of his other family, he had drawn three people and I knew exactly who the third person was. A lump formed in my throat and I fought back the tears. What on earth was I going to do?

  “Wow, this is beautiful, is that Uncle Caleb?” I asked and cleared my throat.

  “Yep, he’s my new daddy, I want to visit him.”

  I let out a controlled breath and hugged my little boy. Decision made, I had to move to Denver so that Braden could see Caleb whenever he wanted, but that would mean I would have to agree to a paternity test. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea, but I don’t think I would be able to put my heart on the line again. I was sure that I could live in the same town as Caleb without melting into a puddle of goo every time he looked at me.

  “I’m sure he would like that,” I said and then lifted him unto my lap, “Caleb is playing Rugby now, do you want to watch the game with me?”

  “He’s on the TV?”

  “Yes he is,” I said and flicked to the sports channel.

  We sat and watched the game and at half time I made us a quick snack. Initially the sport did not interest me, but seeing the players on the field and how excited Braden got each time he saw Caleb had me hooked. Half time was over and the players all jogged back onto the field and the game got underway. The Denver Stampede was leading 18 – 6, but the players looked exhausted from their efforts. Each bone crunching tackle had me on edge; I’ve never been one for such barbaric sports, and watching players being carried off on stretchers or with cuts in their faces made me nervous.

  Ten minutes into half time, Caleb was sprinting to the try line, one of the opposition players came storming him from the side and when he collided with Caleb, he was catapulted into the air and came down head first and that’s where he stayed. I looked at Braden and was grateful that he was busy playing with his Legos instead of watching the game. I glanced back at the screen; the referee had blown the whistle and raised his arms above his head with his wrists crossed. Within seconds, paramedics came rushing unto the field with a spine board and I held my breath for a second and when the live broadcast was interrupted, I knew something went horribly wrong.

  Hours later I sat next to Caleb where he lay in traction. He had suffered a compression fracture on his C5-C6 vertebrae which caused pressure on his spinal cord, leaving him paralysed. And although the doctor reassured me that it was only temporary, I couldn’t help but worry.

  In his sedated state, I took his hand in mine, “I know you can’t hear me, but I’m going to say this anyway. You have to get better, Braden needs you and-and I need you.”

  Realisation swept over me as I rubbed my thumb over the back of his hand. I still loved him after all these years and coming so close to losing him after just finding him scared me more than anything. Outside reporters gathered to get a scoop of the story but Samson was determined to not allow anyone in, which I was thankful for.

  “Rae…”

  Caleb was waking up and even though he couldn’t move, a smile tugged at his lips.

  “Caleb, you stupid fool,” I said and shifted closer to him, “You scared the hell out of me. How are you feeling?”

  “Right now I’m not feeling much at all,” he said and I could see the laughter in his eyes. Unbelievable! Even at this point he could make silly jokes.

  “It’s not funny, you could have broken your neck,” I said and squeezed his hand.

  “It will be convenient though, you would have to look after me for life then,” he said in his croaky voice.

  His response caught me off guard and I could only smile, “I’m serious Caleb, what would I have told Braden?”

  The door to the room opened unexpectedly and I turned to see who entered expecting Samson, but instead it was two men I haven’t seen before.
>
  “Mr. Hayes, I’m from the Daily Tribune…” one of them started and I instantly got my back up and glared at them.

  “Have you no consideration, you can see he’s not well, get out of here this instant!” I ground out and went to stand between Caleb and the parasites.

  “Are you Miss Callaway, the mother of his child?”

  God, he was relentless. I was about to attack him physically when Caleb spoke up.

  “It’s okay Rae, I can handle this,” he said.

  I hesitated and then stepped aside.

  Caleb looked at me and then at the reporter, “For the record, Miss Rae Callaway is the mother of my child, and no, I’m not going to fight for custody. I plan on marrying her,” he said and then glanced my way.

  I was too overwhelmed to say anything; my mouth fell open and closed a few times.

  “That is if she will have me,” he continued while the reporter’s camera man clicked away taking photos.

  I glanced at Caleb and caught him watching me. What just happened? He just stated to the reporter that he wanted to marry me. I was sure it was his concussion speaking, so I moved closer and leaned down to whisper, “You don’t have to pretend for the press, they can make their own conclusions, I don’t really care, I just want you to get better.”

  “I’m not pretending, it’s the truth, I am in love with you.”

  Shocked I sat down not trusting my own legs, even the reporter and camera man stood silently watching. I knew I had to say something but words failed me, so instead I leaned over and pressed my lips against his.

  “Is that a yes or a maybe?” he asked against my lips.

  “It’s a maybe, first get better so that you can get on your knees to propose,” I whispered and then kissed him, the other people in the room forgotten.

  Epilogue

  Two months later Braden and I went with Samson to meet Caleb at his physiotherapist. He had been working hard to get back on his feet, and was finally able to take more than twenty steps before having to rest. When I entered the rehabilitation centre it was decorated with gold balloons and white roses all over the place. At the far end, I spotted Damien and his fiancée standing among the staff along with a bunch of really big bulky men who I could only assume were Celeb’s rugby mates. Caleb stood near the parallel walking bar in a suit. I glanced around the room and slowly approached him with Braden holding my hand.

  Caleb looked at me and smiled and with the help of his physiotherapist he went down on one knee and held out a little velvet box.

  “Rae Callaway, I’m on my knees finally, so will you do me the honour of being my partner in crime?” he said with a grin. Around us everyone stood holding their breaths and waiting in anticipation, some of the women were dabbing tears from their eyes and I was pretty close to tears myself.

  I looked down at Braden and then asked him, “So do you want Caleb to be your real dad?”

  Braden didn’t even wait; he launched at Caleb and hugged him tightly. I smiled and went down on my knees then leaned in and kissed him, “I would want nothing more,” I said softly and Caleb slid the ring unto my trembling finger.

  Finally, my life was starting to get direction, my son finally accepted me as his only mother, while I had the love of my life right by my side, nothing could be more prefect that this.

  THE END

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  Cowboy’s Baby

  Chapter 1

  Conner James hunted around the room for his jacket, jeans in one hand and an arm through one sleeve. He was trying his best not to wake the sleeping blonde, who was still tangled between the bedsheets after yet another night of mindless sex while looking for his clothes. He had to get on the road. His father had finally cut off all funds to his bank account, after only a month of being away, leaving him with barely enough money for gas. After nearly turning over the entire room, he found his jacket, put it on, grabbed his keys and sneaked out the door.

  Mounting his bike, he sped away with only one destination in mind. He wasn’t really looking forward to going back home, but he didn’t exactly have a choice. At least the trip home will give him some time to collect himself and plaster on the mask of indifference.

  A few hours later, which was still too short in Conner’s opinion, he saw the familiar blue and white ranch house in the distance. And he ignored the tight fist that dug into his gut, knowing what waited for him once he walks through that front door. He drove up the driveway to the side of the house and parked his bike under the large oak tree that he used to play under when he was a kid. He took off his helmet, ruffled his hair, and rolled his shoulders as he made his way to the front door. He paused and listened; the house was as quiet as a vestry during a funeral. He gripped the door handle and turned it slowly until he heard the first click, then waited. With no sign of life, he slowly opened the door, peeked in and then as quietly as possible, approached the staircase

  He thought he would actually be able to at least take a shower before his scolding, but those hopes were dashed when his father’s voice drifted from the library, “Conner, can I speak to you.”

  Conner cringed inwardly with his foot on the first step. Here we go, he thought. It wasn’t a request and Conner resigned himself to his fate. When he walked into the library, he saw his father sitting behind the large cherry wood desk and his mother sitting in her chair by the window. Both of them had their eyes pinned on him and neither looked too thrilled to see him.

  His dad opened his mouth to speak, but it was his mom who spoke.

  “Where have you been?” she mother asked, her bright blue eyes flashing in anger and disappointment at her youngest son.

  “Mary,” his father cautioned, “Remember your blood pressure.”

  Mary waved her husband off, “I’m not worried about that right now, I’m worried about what our son is getting up to.”

  She was the one with the quick temper, ready to blow her gasket at the slightest provocation. Frank tended to be more reserved and it was a rare sight to see him angry. But when he did lose his temper, there was hell to pay.

  Conner sighed, “I went out for a ride, that’s all.”

  “A ride?” Mary shrieked, “You were gone for a month, who knows how long you would have stayed away had your father not stopped your funds.”

  “Ma, I would have come back. I always come back,” Conner said, flashing a smile at his mother.

  That always calmed her down, but not this time. She just glared at him as if he was something the cat dragged in. Clearly, childhood charm wears off eventually when all parents grow immune to excuses and fibbed apologies.

  “You’re not going to charm your way out of this Conner Scott. Something has to change about your behavior. You… you just have no direction at all!”

  Conner pinched the bridge of his nose, dragged his hand down over his mouth and his throat and then slumped on the two-seater sofa against the far wall. This was going to be a long day; he might as well get comfortable.

  His mother stood up and walked to stand beside his dad, “This has to stop, I am tired of wringing my hands with worry because you’re out gallivanting and doing god knows what!” she ground out, waving her hands frustratingly in the air, “Half the time, we have no idea whether you’re dead or alive. Things are simply going to have to change around here.”

  Conner raised his eyebrow at that, “What do you mean change? Like what, ground me, cut my funds?”

  “No, it’s time you started thinking about finding a wife.”

  At the same time, both Connor and his dad whipped their heads up and looked at Mary in complete shock.

  “A wife?” Frank asked in shock.

  “What the hell Ma? What good would that do?” Conner snapped.

  Mary just tucked her silver-st
reaked, chin-length hair behind her ear and looked from one to the other, raising a brow. Both men knew that look.

  “For one thing, it will keep you home and not out in the world where I have to worry about you,” she said determinedly.

  “Ma, I told you that you don’t have to worry. I know what I’m doing and I always come back home.”

  Mary narrowed her eyes at him, “It’s not about coming home. Do you honestly think I want you to grow old here?” she rounded the desk and came to stand in front of him, “I want you out of the house, eventually,” she added, “but it’s a constant worry that you’ll end up in some ditch somewhere while we’re completely oblivious to your whereabouts.”

  "Jeez Ma, you're seriously overreacting."

  Frank finally cleared his throat, “Your mother has a point son, you’re twenty-seven years old, and it’s time you slowed down and started thinking seriously about your future.”

  “And a wife is your solution?”

  “That’s right,” Mary nodded.

  Conner looked between the two like they had lost their minds, “I’m not ready to get married, and even if I were, I’m not seeing anybody right now, so you can kiss that idea goodbye.”

  Mary smirked and Conner dreaded what she was about to say.

  “Well, then I don’t see a problem at all. I already have someone picked out. In fact, she will be arriving tomorrow.”

  “Mary…” Frank started.

  “No Frank, it’s time our boy settles down,” she said flatly, “If he is not willing to make the change, I’m more than happy to enforce it.”

  “Let’s just calm down,” Frank insisted, but Mary would have none of it. And when her bottom lip started trembling and she mimicked Puss-in-the-Boots, Conner knew he was done for.

  "I will not calm down Frank, Caroline Leroy will be arriving tomorrow," she turned to Conner, "And if you are thinking of running away, think again."