Page 86 of Freeing Ruby

“Yes. I can’t stand the suspense. Tell me what it says.”

Leaning over her, I open the e-mail and scan the contents. “The results say it’s 99% likely that Edward McCall is your biological father. So, yes.”

She shoots out of her chair and throws herself into my arms. “Oh, thank God. I wanted him to be my father. I have to call him!”

Ruby grabs her phone and calls Edward. “The paternity results are in. They say it’s 99% likely that you’re my biological father.” She listens for a moment, then says, “Yes! So am I.”

I can hear that Edward’s talking, but I can’t make out the words. I just watch the smile on Ruby’s face grow bigger and bigger, and eventually her eyes tear up.

“I’d like that,” she says. “How about six?” Then she looks at me and mouths, “He’s coming tonight for dinner so we can celebrate.”

* * *

When Edward arrives that evening, Ruby greets him at the door. “Hi, Dad,” she says, grinning at him.

He throws his arms around her and hugs her tightly. “Hello, daughter.”

They both tear up.

Dinner is low key. Ruby and I make pasta and marinara sauce, and we serve it with garlic bread and salad. The three of us eat at the little table in the kitchen. Edward regales Ruby with stories about his most fond memories when she was little. These stories, some of which she’d never heard before, and all of them including her mother, put a smile on her face.

As I sit back and watch the two of them connecting in a way they never have before, I see Ruby blossoming before my eyes. She finally has a parent who loves her, who will gladly give her the affection and validation she didn’t get from Allen.

No one mentions Allen or Darren. We’re all looking forward to the future.

Chapter 32

Ruby

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Miguel says.

I open my eyes to a light-filled room. The curtains are open, the sun is shining, and the sky is a clear blue. I consult the wall clock and groan. “It’s only eight.”

“How’d you sleep?”

“I slept well, thank you.”

That morning, we have breakfast on the balcony, watching the view across Lake Shore Drive. It’s a beautiful day out, and lots of people are taking advantage of the weather and enjoying their time on the water. Boats are flying across the horizon, left to right, right to left. The beach is filled with people.

Miguel reaches for my hand. “What are you thinking about?”

I turn to him. “Just how much I loved visiting the lake with my mom. We’d make a whole day of it. She’d sit on her beach chair and read a book while I built sandcastles and played in the surf. I miss that. I miss being by the water, all the noises, all the excitement.”

“Why don’t we go?” he asks.

My heart stutters. “Go to the beach?” He makes it sound so easy.

“Sure. It’s only two blocks away. Let’s go.”

* * *

“Are you ready?” Miguel asks me.

I nod. No.

He unlocks our door and opens it, then reaches for my hand. He links our fingers together and leads me out of our apartment. I stand frozen while he closes our door and locks it.

“It’s okay,” he says as he puts an arm around me.

---