Chapter 5Fuck, so what happens next?
Chapter Five
FUCK, SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Emmanuel had no idea what had gotten up Coach’s ass, but the practice was gruelling. He’d returned home and had his shower. Normally he would get some studying in, but he felt drained. He needed to grab some Z’s. Hell Emmanuel was even debating skipping his first class. Shit. Everything hurt. It looked like the sky was on the side of him staying home. All of a sudden, a heavy downpour started.
Screw it, I’ll grab the notes from the TA.
Just as he went to turn away from the window, he made out a figure walking in the direction of the bus stop. That sucks, no one should get stuck out there in the down pour.
It took him a moment to recognise the colourful boots. Sure enough, it was his neighbour, Ivy. She often wore rainbow-coloured rubber cowboy boots. Where the hell had she found those atrocities? The better question was why didn’t she leave them where she found them? They were ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous as her.
She had taken an instant dislike to him. It had caught him off guard. He wasn’t used to people disliking him. If he sensed someone glaring at him, he didn’t have to turn around to know it was her. Emmanuel probably could have taken the high road and tried to smooth things out with her, but she got under his skin. So, he returned the favour.
A bus came out of nowhere and whizzed by Ivy just as she was a few steps from the bus stop. The bus driver didn’t even slow down. Frantically… she stood waving her hands, but the vehicle was long gone. That was some bullshit! It was raining hard, and the driver was going way over the speed limit. She slipped into the bus shelter.
It shouldn’t be too long before another one came along, he thought.
Emmanuel lay down on his couch, but his mind was outside. He checked after fifteen minutes, and she was still there. The agenda given to him by the school had important numbers in it. He found the bus company’s number and listened as it announced the arrival of the buses. Shit! The bus that blew past her must have been early, and the next wasn’t for another fifty minutes. Ivy wasn’t standing in the rain. She would be fine. He cursed as he grabbed his keys and bag.
“Ivy, jump in. I’ll give you a ride to campus,” Emmanuel called from the driver’s side as he pulled up to the bus stop. She began to shake her head.
“It’s all right,” she called back, waving him off.
Stubborn, why was she so stubborn? He left the comfort of his apartment so she wouldn’t be stuck at the bus shelter. Was she seriously willing to wait outside instead of getting into a nice warm vehicle?
“For fucks sake. It’s raining. Can we not do this? Get in.”
Reluctantly she left the haven of the shelter and got in. No umbrella. For some unknown reason, it made him upset she didn’t have one.
“Where’s your umbrella?” His voice was gruff, pinched with annoyance.
Ivy didn’t answer right away, she took her time buckling up.
“It wasn’t supposed to rain until tonight, but this jacket has a hood.”
Her answer did little to calm his irritation. She should be more careful.
“Hm.” Clearing his throat. “You’re heading to campus, right?”
“Yes,” her answer was curt.
He didn’t allow her snappy response to stop him from engaging with her. “Why are you out so early?”
“I like to study on campus before my classes begin. Why are you out so early?”
“This isn’t early. I’ve already been to practice. I was heading out to grab some breakfast before my first class when I saw you standing out there.” He couldn’t bring himself to admit that he left his apartment with the sole intention of making sure she didn’t have to wait in the bus shelter. Now that Ivy was in his vehicle, he decided to take her to breakfast, hoping they could reconcile their differences.
Finally, it seemed that she had found her manners. “Thank you for stopping.”
“Well, the breakfast place is on the way to campus, want to grab something to eat before we head over?”
Out of the corner of his eye, Ivy nibbled the nail of her thumb. “No thanks. That’s nice and everything but I have to get to class.”
“You don’t have class for over two hours.”
Gasp. She drew in a large breath. Comically she shrieked, “how do you know that?”
“I know a lot of things.” Emmanuel paused for effect. He enjoyed messing with her. “Our first classes are beside each other at the same time.”
“Oh.” She fiddled with the large bag that she had placed on her lap.
“So, want to grab breakfast?” he asked casually but the more he thought about it, the more he wanted her to say yes.
“We don’t like each other,” Ivy muttered awkwardly.
Now that wasn’t true. He told her as much. “Really? No, you don’t like me for some reason. Listen, I’m starving. I’d have to drive past Patsy’s to drop you off on campus. Just come in and eat with me.”
“Sure, but I’m buying breakfast.”
Emmanuel hadn’t bothered to tell her there was no way in hell that was happening. It wasn’t a date or anything. Far from it, but he was a Scott. He would not eat with a woman, and allow her to pick up the tab.
Breakfast wasn’t so bad. It turned out that when Ivy wasn’t being the captain of the noise police and pain in his ass… Emmanuel enjoyed her company. Obviously, she was smart, but also funny. Okay, it was mostly sarcastic. But he liked it.
It turned out to be the first of many breakfasts. Emmanuel found himself looking out for her. Along the way, he made sure that he got her to and from campus. There was something about Ivy that ignited his protective streak.
“ E mmanuel,” His executive/personal assistant Maggie, called as she tapped lightly on his door.
“Yes,” he answered as she entered his office. The office was large, spacious, and overlooked the city. It was a perfect representation of the man. Emmanuel was a minimalist at heart, and everything had its place. The most stunning thing about his office was the floor-to- ceiling glass windows that displayed the city’s skyline.
“Heading out for the night?” Emmanuel asked as Maggie walked over to his desk. She didn’t take a seat like she normally would, it was an indication Maggie was ready to go. He was surprised her purse wasn’t in her hand. It had been a long day. They had pushed through a lot of work. Ivy had been away for three days, and Emmanuel had no intention of coming into the office tomorrow. So, they had worked throughout the day barely stopping for lunch, to ensure they had all their bases covered for the long weekend.
“Yes, I’m finally all done. A document was delivered earlier, I had it sent to Frank. Oh, Ivy’s flight has just landed, but I’m sure you already know that.”
Maggie had been with him for fourteen years. She knew him well. “Yes, I saw the notification that the jet landed.”
It might have come across as slightly obsessive but until she was safely landed, he wasn’t fully at ease.
“Before you ask, Roy is at the airport waiting.” She was already turning away, heading to the door.
“Excellent. Enjoy your weekend, Maggie.”
“Will do,” she called as she closed the door behind her.
He wouldn’t be far behind her. His computer was just powering off as Frank walked into his office. Of course, he didn’t knock. They were back to normal terms. Thankfully they had put the incident with the paternity test behind them. It had been tense between them for a couple of days, but the men talked it out. Ultimately Emmanuel appreciated Frank looking out for Ivy and her best interest.
“Good, I caught you before you left,” Frank announced. He walked in and took the chair in front of his desk. Well, at least he had his bag with him. Hopefully, that was a sign it wouldn’t take too long.
“I thought you already left for the day,” Emmanuel sighed. He really wanted to get the hell out of the office.
“I did, but I forgot something. I came across the document Maggie left for me, and I took a look.” He tapped the bag in the chair next to him.
Emmanuel’s voice was playful as he asked, “I’m guessing you don’t feel it can hold until Monday.”
“I think it’s better you know now.” Frank was tense. The way he sat with his shoulders rigid was a signal that something was off.
“That I know what?”
“The federal court has officially declared that you are the paternal parent of Jasmine Journee’s son. The paternity test was…”
Whoosh… all of the sound seemed to be sucked out of the room. Frank was still talking he could see his mouth moving.
The paternity test and the pending results weren't forgotten about, but it wasn’t Emmanuel’s focus. He had a company to run, as well as a wife and children to care for.
The boys didn’t live at home, but Oliver had games, and Benjamin had track meets. He tried to be there for it all. Of course, they weren’t empty nesters. His Princess Sage lived at home. She had a hectic schedule, full of extracurricular activities. It wasn’t enough for her to be on the debate team, science, and math clubs. Sage was the president of those groups, while being the co-captain of the spirit team. All of that was accomplished while maintaining her GPA. In her words, “I’m building a road map that will get me into my pick of a school I want to attend.”
So, no Emmanuel hadn’t forgotten about the test. Somewhere in the background of his mind, he was waiting for confirmation that he wasn’t that child’s father. That the paternity test was a huge mistake. Seven weeks later, Frank was sitting across from him telling him this nightmare was just beginning.
Frank’s news rocked him. How was this shit possible? The court had declared him the father of the Journee woman’s child.
“The court’s decision is based on the results of the paternity test.” Frank cleared his throat as he continued. “In the case of Baby Boy Journee, it is found that there is a 99.998 probability that Emmanuel Campbell Scott is the paternal parent.”
“I have never met this woman, much more had a baby with her. I don’t know how this is happening.”
He huffed out in frustration. Frank probably thought he was right to have jumped to conclusions when they found out about the paternity test. Emmanuel told him as much.
“Like I told you, I am taking Ivy’s lead on this, but it doesn’t look good man.” The two men had had long discussions to get them to that point. Emmanuel supposed it was the best he could hope for.
“I hate to be the bearer of worse news, but here are some things to consider. This paternity suit is a matter of public record.”
Christ, why hadn’t he thought of that, himself?
“Can’t we do something so it’s kept private until we can prove that I’m not this child’s father?”
“We could file a motion?—”
“Okay, let’s do that.” Emmanuel interrupted.
“That may draw undue attention to the situation. Personally, I wouldn’t go poking the hornet’s nest. I would tell the kids, your parents, and it’s probably in your best interest to tell the board yourself.”
“Fuck, so what happens next?”
“Things are going to move quickly from here. They have already petitioned the courts for your financials to establish a child support order. I suggest you get yourself a family law attorney. A really good one.”
“Can you find me, someone? There must be a way to get another test.”
“Yeah, I think I might have someone in mind. But it is unlikely the court is going to grant you another test. Now the burden is on you to prove why they should.”
Then how the hell was he going to clear his name? Frank had left him with a lot to think about.
This wasn’t the homecoming Emmanuel was looking forward to having with Ivy. They were meeting at Fusion for dinner, he was standing curbside as Roy pulled up. He opened the door and drew her out of the back seat. Everything around them faded. They stood on the sidewalk just looking at each other. Ivy looked well-rested. She must have caught some sleep on the flight home. She wore a fitted warm burgundy V-neck sweater, and a pair of formfitting navy-blue pants. The wind played with her curls. It was unseasonably warm for this time of year. Winter was just weeks away, but it didn’t look like it was going to make an appearance.
“Are you going to just keep staring or are you going to kiss me?” Ivy asked breaking the spell.
He smiled at her, and she saucily returned it. Emmanuel closed the small gap between them and cupped her face in his hands. He gave her a soft peck.
“Now like you mean?—”
Her words were swallowed as he captured her mouth in a positively indecent kiss, right there on the bustling sidewalk. God, he missed her. Her taste.
Someone’s catcall broke them from their cocoon. Emmanuel pulled back from the magic of their kiss. Then took her hand and guided her into the restaurant.
“It is good to be home,” she mused.
“Not as good, as it is to have you home.” He squeezed her hand, then brought it to his lips.
They had a reservation, so the couple didn’t have to wait to be seated. The table they were given was nice and quiet. Semi-private away from prying eyes. In an alcove near the private dining room. Neither felt like their regular fare, so they opted for the chef’s special.
Emmanuel asked about Ivy’s trip, he wanted to wait until they were truly alone to tell her about the results of the paternity test.
She was mid-sentence when she suddenly stopped. “Hey, you seem a million miles away. What’s the matter?” She placed her delicate hand on top of his, he turned his over and took possession of her hand.
There was no point in trying to deny something was bothering him. Ivy was far too perceptive for that. Besides, it wasn’t his desire to keep anything from her. “Can we talk about it later? When we get out of here.”
“We could… but I have plans for when we get home. I’d much prefer we discuss whatever it is now, and then we can enjoy our reunion.”
“The results for the paternity test came in today.” Emmanuel was unsuccessful in keeping the unease out of his tone. Ivy remained quiet, and the only indication that she had heard him was the raising of her perfectly arched eyebrow, urging him to continue.
His hand squeezed around hers, the need to physically hold on to her was strong. “The test results indicate that I’m the father.”
Her eyes fluttered close for a moment. When she opened them, her gaze blazed with that iron-willed determination that he admired.
“Well, something went wrong along the way.”
The realisation that he was holding his breath came when he released a ragged, short breath. Without him having to plead his case, Ivy instinctively believed him. If he was the kind of man that was prone to tears, they would have bathed his cheeks in relief. Her belief in him strengthened his resolve. He leaned forward and brought their joint hands to his lips.
“Don’t worry we will get to the bottom of this.” Her words were so certain. Reassuring… he wanted to dismiss his own concerns. Emmanuel had to make her aware of the worst of it.
“This isn’t good, Doc. We are going to have to tell the family, and I’m going to have to tell the board.”
“Can’t we play for time until we can get to the bottom of this?” Her russet-coloured eyes widened. He could tell Ivy was opposed to the idea of sharing the news.
“I wish we could, but the results and the court’s declaration is now a matter of public record. I don’t want our children to be blind-sided.”
“No, of course not. Shit. This is so frustrating, but I have no idea where to direct it. Ugh.”
Emmanuel shared her frustration. He couldn’t begin to understand what or why this was happening. At least he had Ivy by his side.
Their meal arrived then. Despite Ivy’s support he found himself distracted.
“Manny, I am sure you barely ate lunch, please eat.”
Of course, she was correct. He’d worked himself to the bone today so he could enjoy tonight. Now he was letting the news ruin their evening. His woman… their favourite restaurant.
“Listen, we will get the family together, and tell them what’s going on. Then we will get to the bottom of all this mess. In the meantime, let’s enjoy this evening. The chicken is really good.” Cutting a piece, she offered it to him. He took a bite, she was right. The flavours of herbs and wine danced on his tongue.
Although he enjoyed the bite, he still couldn’t get it out of his head. Yes, he was grateful that Ivy was standing by him. But what if she hadn’t believed him? Why was this happening? Was this all because someone was trying to come between them?
Ivy’s sigh and her cutlery being placed down on her plate drew his attention. She sat there staring at him. “Hey, I promise we will figure this out. It’s not going to happen tonight, not right now. So, let’s enjoy it. We can get through anything when we put our heads together. Okay?”
Slowly, he nodded. Ivy was correct, they would figure out what the hell was going on, but the night would not be lost because he wouldn’t or couldn’t get out of his head. His wife was back home with him, he would enjoy their amazing meal. Then they would go back to their home and make love to her.