“What?” I looked at him.
“Our daughter was born a month or so before Severin. I told Jamie about what happened and that you were pregnant shortly after she was born. She was upset about it and we’ve been working on our marriage ever since….but when I heard that you had given birth to Severin Jamie was the one who convinced me to go to the hospital to see him. She and I both went, I didn’t bother you because I figured you didn’t want to see me but I saw Audii in the waiting room and he let Jamie and I both hold Severin.”
I couldn’t believe what he was saying “Audii never told me that….”
“He said it would be our secret. He told me that even if it wasn’t his place to decide whether or not I should see Severin he believed that I had the right to hold him at least once….” I noticed tears in his eyes. “I love Severin Belinda. I’ve loved him ever since I held him that night at the hospital and all I’ve wanted is to be a part of his life. I realize that I made a mistake, and I was stupid for not being there for you…and I don’t want to not be there for him. He is my son whether you like it or not and I don’t want to miss out on his life anymore than I already have.”
He wiped his eyes. “But…it’s your decision. If you don’t want me in his life then I’ll leave. I’ll give you child support or whatever else you want but other than that you won’t see me.”
I felt terrible. Here was a man that turned me away when I needed him…a man that I believed never cared about the child whom he helped create. A man who despite all he had done I truly did care for, mainly because he had given me a son who was one of my greatest joys in life. What kind of person- mother would I be if I denied him the right to be in his sons life. I could easily tell that he really did care about Severin….just by the words he spoke and the look on his face. So I decided to make a decision that I hoped I wouldn’t regret…
“I don’t want Severin growing up not knowing you Norman. I never wanted that for him.” I looked into his eyes.
“So I feel it’s best to let you be apart of his life.”
He looked up at me and a smile made its way to his lips. “Really?” he said. I nodded. “Oh….thank you. I- I don’t know what to say” he hugged me.
“You’re welcome” I smiled “Now come on it’s time to blow out his candles”
Severin’s birthday was coming up and we decided to throw him a party. Everything was going swell until an unexpected visitor showed up.
“What are you doing here Norman!” I yelled at him.
“I just wanted to see Severin, that’s all”
“Why should I let you see him? You’ve never cared before” I felt terrible for saying it, but it was the truth he never cared.
“I care Belinda…” his expression saddened.
I threw up my hands. “You never cared when I was pregnant with him. You were too worried about your reputation!”
“……I was stupid.” He said “I realize that. Hell I realized that after you told me you were pregnant.”
“Then why weren’t you there for me!” tears started to swell up in my eyes. I was trying not to draw attention but the guests were staring at us anyway.
“I panicked Belinda.” he looked to the ground and sighed. “Before you told me I had just found out that Jamie was pregnant. I didn’t want to loose her or my family.”
“Then why now? Why do you want to come and be a father to Severin now. Wouldn’t that mean telling Jamie and loosing your family?”
“Do you realize what you put me through?” I said. “If it weren’t for Audii I don’t know how I would have managed it.”
“I know-“
“No. You don’t know.” I cut him off. “I don’t see why your wasting my time with this….we should just keep things as they are, where Severin knows nothing about you and Jamie and your family know nothing about him.” I started to walk away but he grabbed my shoulder.
“Belinda…Jamie has know about Severin since he was born…”
