Fallon couldn’t take any more. She turned quickly, going back down the stairs as a sob ripped through her. Aiden was gonna hate her. How was she supposed to explain the reasoning for why she kept father and son from each other?

Aiden, your father cheated on me, and well I was too scared to tell him. Sorry honey, but hey! He says he ain’t going anywhere now!

No, that wouldn’t work. What the hell was she gonna say?

Fallon fell into the closest chair beside her in a huff, hating the position she had put herself in. If she had just been braver then, not scared of what Lucas would say or do, then she wouldn’t be having these issues. She wouldn’t be scared shitless that her child’s father might steal her child from her or that her son might hate her when she told him.

Fallon glanced down at the stack of paperwork Lucas had brought over. She knew that once she filled those papers out everything would be real. Lucas would have rights, and he would use them. Even though she told him that she didn’t believe him, she knew in her heart that he was telling the truth. She knew that Lucas was fiercely protective like his mother; he would do anything for someone he loved. When he said that he already loved Aiden, she believed him. Just like Lucas, Aiden had the most addicting personality. He was so sweet, and silly, he was the most popular kid in class because everyone just loved him. He was personable, just like his daddy. The only thing that was bothering Fallon was the ‘what if’? What if he found someone that he wanted to have a family with and left Aiden behind. She believed that he wanted Aiden now, but what about in the future?

Fallon got up from the table, getting a pen out of her junk drawer before sitting down. She opened the first page and read over how the forms were for establishing paternity. She had filled out the first couple of pages before Audrey came into the kitchen.

“Well since y’all are both alive, I’m guessing it didn’t go that bad.”

Fallon shrugged her shoulders. “He was very understanding, which makes me think he’s up to something. The guy I knew would have lost his damn mind and probably try to tear me apart.”

Audrey smiled while getting an apple out the fruit bowl. “Maybe he’s not that guy anymore.”

“So he says. We’ll see.”

“I think he is a good guy Fallon. You know, I know men.”

Fallon laughed, “Now I know that’s not true. If it was, you wouldn’t be giving Levi Moss googly eyes. That guy is dirty, stay away.”

Audrey giggled as her cheeks brightened. “Hey, if I wanna get laid, what’s the problem?”

“No problem at all, just know that Levi is a dog. Don’t start anything with him.”

Audrey nodded, a small smile on her face. “I won’t.”

Fallon looked back at the papers and saw that she needed her tax information. She got up, going to the filing cabinet in the back room before going back to the table to finish the paperwork.

“What’s all that?”

“Establishing paternity paperwork,” Fallon said sadly. “Lucas’ lawyer drew them up, I guess.”

“Okay, what do they mean?”

“Basically a bunch of paperwork giving Lucas rights to Aiden. Then we gotta do some blood work, and then I guess I’ll get child support, even though I don’t want it.”

“Don’t be proud Fallon, it isn’t cute,” Audrey said with a grin. Fallon stuck her tongue out at her as she went on. “Is there back child support?”

Fallon made a face. “Lord, I don’t know. I guess I need to get my lawyer involved which sucks ‘cause it’s Uncle Phillip. Oh, Audrey, how am I gonna tell Mom and Dad?”

“I don’t know, that’s gonna suck butt. Eeek!!” Audrey exclaimed. “It don’t matter what they say though. The main thing you need to worry about is Aiden.”

“I know, how am I gonna tell him?” Fallon asked as tears welled up in her eyes.

“I don’t know. This is all so surreal,” Audrey said, not looking up at Fallon. “Aiden already likes him. He wants you to marry him.”

Fallon smiled sadly. “I know. I heard him.”

“It's crazy ‘cause, it’s kinda like he knows that Lucas means something.”

“I know. Damn kid is so intuitive.”

“He sure is. When are y’all gonna tell him?”

“At the end of the week,” Fallon answered. “I’m scared though.”

“Why?”

“Because what if he hates me?” Fallon asked sadly.

“Fallon Ryane Parker! That boy loves you something fierce! Don’t you ever think he would not love you!”

Fallon looked down, embarrassed. “Fine, what if we tell him and then Lucas runs in a month. I can’t pick up my baby’s broken heart, ‘cause we both know he’ll fall for Lucas. It scares me so bad.”

“You gotta have faith in this guy. If he didn’t want to be a father then he would’ve ran at the beginning, not come around with paperwork or want to spend time with Aiden.”

“Yeah, but he did it to me.”

“Fallon,” she said, and when Fallon wouldn’t look up, she said, “Sissy, you gotta let that go. Y’all were just dating — this is his son.”

“I thought he loved me.”

“People make mistakes. I’m not saying forgive him, but at least let him know his kid. It’s gonna be okay Fallon, really and if he does decide to be an idiot, we’ll kill him.”