Page 306 of The Baby Twist
“Shush, Charlie. Go on, you two. We’ll be right behind you.”
“What the hell are you doing?” Charlie whispered.
“Having a little fun.” I grinned.
Ashley and Ashton ran up to Troy. The look on his face was priceless, and I wished I had my phone out.
“Marley?” His eyes widened as I approached him. “What the hell?”
“Language in front of your children.” I smiled. “I’m happy you’re back in New York. Now, we can go to court for all the back child support you owe for the last five years.”
“These are not my kids!”
“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!” Ashton jumped up and down.
“Stop that!” Troy stood up. “Listen, Marley. I’m broke. I have nothing to give you. You look very familiar to me.” He looked at Charlie.
“Chicago airport,” Charlie said. “About six years ago.”
“That’s right. You were the guy sitting next to her in the airport and the plane.”
“Listen, Troy. The twins are mine, not yours. Marley was just playing around with you. And I will admit that what you did by lying to her and telling her you were single to get her to sleep with you was wrong. Not to mention the crap you pulled with your ex.”
“They’re not mine?” Troy asked.
“Do you not understand English?” I cocked my head.
“Wow, Marley. Who the hell tells a man they’re the father when he’s not? That’s just pure evil.” He shook his head, walked away, and then turned around. “You are one evil woman.”
“You’re no fun,” I pouted, glancing at Charlie.
“Let it go, babe. Let it go.” He hooked his arm around me and kissed the side of my head.
“Daddy, Mommy’s not evil,” Ashley said.
“She can be when she wants to be, sweetheart.”
“You are going to pay for that, Stone.” I smacked his chest.
“Promise?”
Twelve Years Later
Marley
When they graduated, Charlie and I took the twins to Paris for the summer. They were planning on backpacking through Europe together, and I was all for it since I’d done it when I was their age, but Charlie wouldn’t let them. He had planned this trip well in advance, which allowed me not to schedule any major events while we were gone. While we were sitting on the patio of the beautiful home he rented us for the summer, sippingwine and eating cheese and crackers, Ashley walked out holding a boy's hand. I immediately placed my hand on Charlie’s arm to keep him calm.
“Mom. Dad. I’d like you to meet Luca. Luca, these are my parents, Charlie and Marley.”
“It’s so nice to meet you. Ashley has told me so much about the two of you.”
“How old are you?” Charlie asked.
“Dad!”
“I’m seventeen, sir. Can I just say that I’m a huge fan of your video games?”
“Are you now?”
