One Night of Love
Chapter six — was all they knew
After the family event two months ago, no more was said about Hartford’s paternity. Momma played it cool when she came over to visit. But every time someone would say something about the color of Hartford’s eyes when we were out at the local park, she would give me that look, the one only a daughter would understand.
There were two construction work trucks in the driveway when I returned from mine and Hartford’s play date that we do every Wednesday at the local Babies and Tots Club. He gets to interact with other children his age, and I get to talk and learn from other mothers.
Daniel’s Ferrari was outside the garage, so I knew he was there and most likely had something to do with the handymen who were walking around.
“Daniel,” I called out when I got into the house but got no response.
I heard soft talking above me as I walked up the stairs and knew I must be going in the right direction to find him.
“What’s going on?”
I stepped into the section of the house on the east side that we rarely used. It had four bedrooms and five baths, along with a kitchen and living room that were never in use.
As I said, this was way too much house for anyone to enjoy.
“I’m turning this section of the house into Hartford’s quarters.”
Daniel didn’t even look up from the paper he was reading to acknowledge mine and Hartford’s presence.
“He’s only a baby. I don’t think he needs his own living quarters right now.”
I didn’t want my baby to be on the opposite side of the house from me. If that’s how he wanted to play, well then, I would take up sleeping in Hartford’s room.
“It will take a while to create, Roberta. I hired the contractors that built this house and their new designers, it should take about a year or so, by then, he’ll be well on his way to needing his own space.”
Was he kidding? Hartford wouldn’t even be two years old at that time.
Wait… wait… wait a minute. Daniel said he hired the company that built this house.
No.
No.
No. This couldn’t be happening. Arian said his company, the crew he oversaw had constructed most of the homes in this neighborhood.
Then I heard the voice and laughed—the one I would recognize anywhere. It was coming closer, and there was nowhere I could run. I clung to Hartford as I knew I was about to come face-to-face with the man who may have helped to create him.
I heard a woman’s voice and a soft giggle. Maybe Arian had found someone.
Was he in a relationship? Did he get married? Why was I feeling jealous?
There was no need for that type of behavior. I was the one who left. I’m the one who’s married. I have no right to have any emotion whatsoever if he’s involved with someone else.
“Bobby Jo?”
I glanced to my right, and there he was. The man I’d never thought I’d see again. He looked as handsome as the morning I’d left him alone in bed. The woman beside him was the same lady in the pictures with the young children that adorned his hallway, his twin, Olivia. She looked almost identical to Arian in person, both were almost too perfect in every way.
Daniel stepped up beside me—not in a loving manner, but close enough to state that I was his.
“It’s Roberta now. Do you two know one another?”
“We… uh… we were acquaintances in college.”
Arian’s eyebrows shot up with my response, but he didn’t refute the statement.
“Um, yeah, me and Bobby,” he said, paused, and shook his head. “Me and Roberta,” Arian emphasized my changed name. “We used to frequent the same clubs.”
Daniel still appeared skeptical, his eyes never straying from what could be a potential threat.
“Well, Roberta has changed from those days.” He waved his hand to the room and the expansive estate that lay beyond. “She’s living the good life now.”
That was a slight kick to the side of Arian. This was a little gesture and an indication that Daniel thought, and in his mind, he knew he was better than them.
“Ah, how old is the baby? A boy, right?" Olivia attempted to break the pissing match going on between the two ego-ridden males. She strolled over my way to get a better look at Hartford, who was resting his head on my shoulder.
“Um, yes. This is Hartford. He’s six months old.”
Forgetting all about Arian seeing him, I turned Hartford around so that Olivia could see my perfect little bundle of joy.
Olivia smiled and winked at me.
“Oh, we know what you two were doing during the rainy season.”
With the mention of rain and how old Hartford was, I could see the wheels turning in Arian’s head. His eyes locked with mine, and I quickly looked away. Demanding myself not to let the tears fall. I knew once both of them saw Hartford, there would be questions and speculations.
“Hey, little guy.”
Olivia tickled Hartford’s cheek. As soon as he lifted his head to look at her, I saw the look of confusion wash over her beautiful face. Her own green eyes became darker as she stared at the baby, whose colored eyes matched hers and Arian’s.
At this point in his life and appearance, Hartford was becoming a spitting image of his daddy, and it wasn’t the dark hair and eyes of Daniel.
Olivia softly touched Hartford’s cheek once more.
“I… uh… I have to grab the designs out of the van.”
She stepped away and moved closer to Arian. I saw the look that she gave him.
Demanding.
Questioning.
She wanted to know how some random baby that she just met looked exactly like him.
It was then that I noticed that Daniel had moved further away from me. His eyes shifted back and forth between Arian and me. I saw every emotion flash over his face as he went through his emotional turmoil. Daniel’s jaw clenched tightly.
“Can you excuse us for a moment?” His tone wasn’t asking Arian if he would leave, it was challenging and fierce.
Arian went to speak, but I shook my head once. My eyes pleaded for him to go. He didn’t say or do anything. He quietly walked out, leaving Daniel and me alone.
I was shaking, but I had to pull myself together. I couldn’t let Hartford see his mommy fall apart.
“I…I…”
Daniel held up his hand for me not to continue. “
After everything that I’ve done for you, everything that I gave you, the mess of a home that I took you away from, your life was perfect. Do you know how many women would kill to be in your shoes?” His voice boomed and echoed through the room.
“It was one time. I’m sorry.”
I wasn’t sorry. That one moment created the most precious soul in the world. Hartford was my life. He was the reason I woke up happy and went to sleep with a smile on my face.
Daniel snickered.
“You’re sorry.” He shook his head. “Bobby Jo,” he said my name with disgust. “Being sorry isn’t going to help you out in this situation.”
“One time, Daniel. One time when I needed someone. What about all your other women?”
I wiped away the tears that refused to stay hidden.
“My times never ended with a child being born.” He made it oh so clear my actions were ten times worse than anything he’d ever done. “I want you and that bastard child out of my home before the sun sets. I want his name and the father changed on the birth certificate immediately.”
He stormed out of the room slamming the door closed behind him.
To be continued…
