Page 8 of Grumpy Orc Daddy

As we return to the hard plastic chairs of the waiting room, the anticipation seems almost unbearable. Rayna fiddles with a loose thread on Lily's shirt while avoiding my stare fixed on them.

Watching Rayna now softly reassuring Lily, makes me realize how much a child needs stability and affection to thrive. The thought of leaving Lily to my solitary fate fills me with nameless dread.

Her delighted giggles and grabby hands seemed to hint at unspoiled joy still left to experience in her young life. But how long until life's storms roll in without an anchor?

The nurse emerges, a somber expression on her face. "I apologize, but we're experiencing delays at the lab. It will take at least 48 hours to process the results."

Rayna slumps back into her chair in dismay. My heart sinks. Two more days of torturous waiting and uncertainty. There has to be something I can do.

“Excuse me. Is there anything I can do to expedite the process? I’m willing to pay whatever it is.” Glancing at Rayna, I catch her rolling her eyes like she can’t believe that just came out of my mouth. I’ve learned sometimes you have to use your position for advancement.

“I’m sorry,” says the nurse. “But my hands are tied. You can try the next town over, but they dispatch all our samples to the same lab. So you’ll have the same issue there.”

An awkward silence settles over us as Rayna gathers Lily’s things to leave.

When we get in the car, Rayna stares straight ahead, lips pursed tight.

“Is there a problem?” I probe. She’s been irritable since before we walked out of the clinic. Lily babbles happily in the backseat, oblivious to the tension.

“A problem? Sure, there’s a problem, Janta,” she says as her voice rises. “The problem being there’s a damn good possibility you’re her father, and you don’t know the first thing about being any kind of parent. You just flashed your money just to get your way.” Her knuckles turn white on the steering wheel.

I feel my defenses rear their ugly head. “So what? My position and my money get me what I want any other time. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to speed up the process if I could,” I say, sounding like a pompous jackass.

She laughs and looks right at me. “A fancy title and all the money in the world can’t make someone a decent father. And that’s what Lily would need from you. Not a silver spoon.”

I take the fact she steels her shoulders straight and brings her eyes back to the road as a sign that she’s said all she is going to say. For the sake of both parties involved, I’ll just keep my mouth shut.

As we arrive outside my house. Rayna presses the unlock button like she can’t wait for me to get out of the car. I open the door to exit the car, then bend down to wave at Lily, who seems to be content in her car seat..

Finally Rayna speaks, her voice uncharacteristically small. “I’ll call you as soon as I hear anything. One way or another, we’ll know in two days.”

I nod slowly, unable to meet her eye. Gratitude, anger, regret - so many emotions swirl confusingly within. Outside circumstances have thrown us together in this uncertainty, but the fate of our bond remains obscured. For now, all I can do is wait.

Waiting is fucking agonizing. I try to stay busy with work, which usually isn’t a problem, but I’ve lost all focus. All I can think of is Rayna's call that will change everything.

Finally, on the second interminable day, my phone rings with an unknown number. I sense who it is before I even answer.

“Hello?” I say into the phone.

“Hey, Janta?” Rayna asks, seemingly unsure.

“Speaking,” I curtly reply.

“Um, okay. Well, it’s Rayna. I’m sure you probably guessed that by now, but I have the results,” she says.

My heart stops.

“Okay…” I pause, my heart in my throat. “And?” I don’t have time for pleasantries, and my anxiety is eating me alive.

“It’s positive. You’re Lily’s father.”

A feeling of panic and relief come over me at the same time. It’s hard to explain. It’s like I feel like my life has turned on its axis, but it also has oddly just begun.

I struggle to put into words my thoughts. So I just stand there, phone in hand, breathing heavily through the speaker.

“Janta, are you okay?” she whispers through the phone.

“Yeah, fine. Fine,” I respond gruffly, feeling everything but fine.

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