Page 34 of Sapphire Queen
Chapter 24
Seeing the stranger was like looking into the eyes of the child, Heath had come to love. Only a larger, more adult version. His stomach rolled with uncertainty as his heart fluttered with pain. There was no doubt the man before him was related to Alex… but his father? Heath wasn’t so sure.
“Who are you?” Heath demanded.
The stranger leaped from the couch and stood. His hands were wound tightly together as he shifted nervously in front of Heath.
“My name is Nicholas Brigham… and I believe you have my son.”
“I don’t believe you.” Heath folded his arms across his chest, “Alex’s parents were killed in the explosion. Their bodies were pulled from the rubble and positively identified with dental records. So, I’ll ask again – Who. Are. You.”
The man, Nicholas, sighed, “Look. I can’t lie to you. My name is Nicholas Brigham, and I am Alex’s biological dad. The man you pulled from the rubble was my brother, Adam.”
“And how does that make you his father?”
“My brother was involved in an accident when he was a child. It left him sterile. When he and his wife started a family, I donated to the cause.” Nicholas waved his hand over his genitals as if to emphasize his words.
“Let me get this straight… you donated sperm to your now-dead brother so he could father a child?”
“Yes.”
“Nicholas was it…” Heath motioned to the couch as he sat down, “that doesn’t mean you’re the father. You understand that, right? And where have you been? Alex has been with us for weeks now. Not to mention, social services could not locate any family.”
“After… his wife got pregnant, I started regretting my decision. Seeing her carrying my child made me somewhat crazy. My brother and I had a falling out, and I left. I haven’t spoken to him in over two years, sir.”
“And now what? You want to take Alex and raise him as your own?”
“Yes… no,” he ran his hand through his hair, “I don’t know. I only know that he is my flesh and blood. When I learned my brother died, I struggled with what to do.”
“I’ll tell you what to do… leave. Alex is happy here. The Queen loves that little boy, and taking him away from her would be catastrophic.”
“Can I see him? I deserve to meet him. I’m all he has left of the family. Social Services informed me I need to submit to paternity tests, but when they come back valid, he is rightfully mine.”
“Even if it breaks his heart, you’d take him from us?”
“I don’t want this to be difficult. I’m sorry I wasn’t there when his parents died. I must live with the fact I didn’t make amends with my brother, and now he’s gone. Taking care of his… no, my son, is the only way I can make things right.”
Heath stood, nearly knocking over the table, “You need to leave.”
Nicholas stood, “Can’t we do this civilly? Please… we can work something out.”
“No. We can’t. Alex belongs here, and you will not disrupt the happiness we’ve found. Now – get out.”
Nicholas started toward the door, “I’m sorry about this. But I won’t walk away without fighting. He’s mine, and you know the tests will show that.”
Heath clenched his jaw as Commander Brady had one officer escort him out.
“What are we going to do, Heath?” Commander Brady closed the door, “Sarifena needs to be made aware of what’s going on. He’s not just going to disappear.”
“Fuck!” the table toppled over as his foot connected with the wooden edge, “This will break her…”
Heath collapsed to his knees, his heart ached, and his blood boiled with rage. Commander Brady pressed his hand to Heath’s shoulder, “Sir,” he took a breath, “I know this is difficult. But we will get through this, I promise you I will do everything I can to stop him from taking Alex away from you. Sarifena isn’t the only one who will be hurt by this.”
Heath’s eyes misted with tears. The commander was right – his heart was already fracturing with the mere thought of losing him.
“You're right.” Heath wiped at his face and stood, “Have someone bring a car around. I need to go to the Ruby Kingdom. This isn’t something you tell someone over the phone. In the meantime, dig up everything you can on Nicholas Brigham. And find out how in the fuck social services messed this up so bad.”
