Page 167 of Messy Strokes (Wrecked Roommates)

“I know,” I whisper. “Doesn’t mean I’m not freaking out, though. Maybe this was a mistake––”

“Donny made a good point when he called a few weeks ago. If we want to make sure Marty stays out of Penny’s future, we have to be sure he doesn’t have any right to her. And in order to do so, we need an official answer about Penny’s sperm donor.”

“I know, but…it doesn’t make this any less scary.”

“Once we have the results, we’ll be able to create a plan and move forward. Whether it’s Marty signing over his rights with a little…proddingfrom Donny so I can officially adopt her, or the problem goes away on its own when the lab tells us Penny has my genes. You have nothing to be afraid of.”

I give him a jerky nod, nearly choking on the lump in my throat. But I can’t help it. I’m terrified. Despite how amazing he’s been since the day he showed up at the hospital. Despite how forgiving he’s been about my past. Despite…everything. I’m scared. Truly. Utterly. Scared.

Milo’s touch is gentle as he lifts my chin and forces me to look at him. “Stop it, babe.”

“I can’t help it––”

“Remember what I told you,” he orders. “It doesn’t matter what the lab tells us today. She’s mine. And it’s time we make it official. Without any doubts. Yeah?”

“Yeah.” My lower lip trembles, but I release a slow breath and squeeze Penny against my chest. Milo tugs both of us against him into a giant family bear hug.

He drops another pair of kisses to the crowns of our heads, easing a bit of my anxiety, and reminds me, “She’s mine, Mads. You both are.”

My cell vibrates against the coffee table in front of me and makes me flinch in Milo’s grasp. He reaches for it.

“Who is it?” I ask.

With a shrug, he hands me my phone, and I take in the unknown jumble of numbers flashing across the screen.

“I think it’s them,” I breathe out.

“Answer it.”

I look up at him, my eyes glazed in fear. “You should do it––”

“No, Mads.Youshould. After everything you’ve been through, you deserve closure.”

“I’m scared––”

“Don’t be. I’ve got you. And no matter what the results are, we’ll get through this. You. Me. And my baby girl.” He grabs Penny from my arms and sits her on his knee, bouncing her gently up and down while she kicks her feet, blows slobbery bubbles, and sucks on her tight little fist. Without a care in the world. Without any fear of what the future might hold. Because her daddy’s got her. And he’s already proven he isn’t going anywhere. No matter what.

Trying to wrangle in my emotions, I blink back my tears and sniffle, sliding my thumb across the screen to answer the call and put it on speaker.

“Hello?” My voice cracks.

“Hello. Is this Madelyn Walker?”

“Yes.”

“Hi. This is Tiffany Jane Maloney with Lab Inc. I have the results of your paternity test.”

“Yes. Hi.”

“Hello,” she returns. “We’ll be mailing the official documentation which can be used in court if necessary, but there was a note in your file requesting a phone call along with an email in regards to the DNA result for a Miss”––she pauses––“Penny Anders?”

“Yes,” I choke out. The name acts like a dull spoon seconds from scooping out my heart and leaving me hollow.

“Would you like me to still give you the results over the phone?” the woman prods.

I stay silent and press my fingers to my lips. Milo puts one of his hands on my knee and squeezes softly while balancing Penny with his other.

“She’s mine,” he mouths to me.

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