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“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.”

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