But Why Daddy?

Chapter 10

By: Lizzie

©Lizzie 2002-2004

The nurse smiled and continued to unhook everything. She handed the clipboard with Paula’s information to her and Paula quickly looked over them before signing the release forms.

+*+

            Three hours had gone by and Josh hadn’t said a word. Everyone was sitting in the living room at Lance and Liz’s house. Liz was in the kitchen getting some food for Adriana while everyone else sat and chatted. Lance had called Joey, Justin and Chris so they were over and would soon want something to eat.

            Chris opened his mouth to talk and JC cut him off, “I don’t want to talk about it, so can we just drop it?”

            Joey and Lance looked at each other and sighed, “Ok man, you don’t have to talk about it but that doesn’t mean we can’t talk in general.”

            “I know, but I just don’t want to talk about Paula and how she’s a lying bitch…”

“That may be carrying your daughter.” Cynthia interjected. Josh shot her a look, “Don’t even give me that look, I’ll be up and out of here faster than you think if you pull anymore crap with me.”

Josh sighed again, “Look, Cyn, you know I don’t mean to snap and be a general ass with you, but I don’t know how else to act.”

“I understand that.” Cynthia said, “But you have to understand where we’re coming from.”

Liz walked in and sat in a chair next to Lance, “You know we want the best for you, but we can’t help you when you get into your moods.”

“No offense to you babe,” Lance began, “But you’re worse than Liz when it’s that time of the month for her.”

Liz rolled her eyes, “You’re on thin ice Lance.” Liz looked at Josh, “Do you want this baby?”

Josh looked Liz directly in the eyes, “I want to keep this baby. Whether she’s mine biologically or not, I want to keep her.”

“Let me talk to Randy then.” she said, “He’s my cousin, I’m older than him and I’ll be damned if I sit by and let him tear my family apart.”

Josh shook his head, “But he is your family.”

“You didn’t hear me did you?” Liz said, “He’s not tearing my family apart. If he doesn’t give up custody of the baby, I will drag his ass into so many courts; he won’t get the chance to see the baby.”

Josh looked at Liz, “You’d do that…for me?”

“Josh, you’re family. We may not be biologically related and have come together under the weirdest of circumstances, but you, Lance, Adrianna, Cynthia and the other guys are all the family that I have and I’ll be damned if I let someone mess with that.”

Josh smiled, “Thanks.”

“No problem.” Liz said with a smile, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to draw up some papers and take them to the hospital for Randy.” Liz stood up and walked back to her office.

Josh gave Lance a weird look, “Its best if you don’t question.” Lance said, “This is what she does best.”

“But why is she doing it?”

Lance shrugged his shoulders, “I don’t know, but when Liz has her mind made up to do something, she’s in it to the end.”

+*+

            Paula slowly sat up in bed and reached for her clothes. Randy stood by and watched her, “Be pissed at me all you want, but at least hand me my clothes.”

            Randy walked to her clothes and handed them to her, “If you think that I’m going to not put up a fight when it comes to my child, you’re wrong.”

            “You’re a bit too late for that.” Paula said as she pulled her shirt on over her head and stood up, “I’ve already signed over all rights to Josh. She will be his daughter.”

            “Not if I have anything to do with it.” Randy said. He got close to her, “Don’t underestimate me and my will to have a family. I’ll have a family with or without you.”

            Paula pushed Randy out of her face, “Liz won’t let you. Not only is she furious with me, but she’s furious with you.”

            “Liz won’t do anything.” Randy said, “She my cousin.”

            Paula snorted, “You keep believing that.”

            Just as Paula was getting ready to leave, Liz burst into the room, “Nice to see you’re up and moving.”

            “Just getting ready to leave.” Paula said.

            “I hope you’re going back to Josh’s.” Liz said looking Paula over, “I’d hate to have to call the police because you kidnapped Josh’s daughter.”

            “We aren’t completely sure she’s his daughter.” Randy interjected

            “That ma be so, but according to the papers that both Josh and Paula signed in the presence of their lawyers, that baby,” Liz pointed to Paula’s stomach, “is Josh’s child and if you so much as harm a hair on Paula or do something that would harm the baby, you’ll never see the light of day.”

            “Is that a threat?” Randy asked

            “It’s a promise.” Liz said, “And to make sure you know I mean business, I’ve taken the liberty of drafting this legally binding document relinquishing all rights you may or may not have over Josh’s unborn child.” she pulled a manila envelope and handed it to Randy.

            “And if I don’t sign?” he asked taking it

            “Be prepared to spend a lot of time in court.” Liz said. She looked at Paula, “I can take you to Josh’s if you’re ready.”

            Paula looked at Randy and then to Liz, “I’m ready.”

            Liz picked up Paula’s jacket and handed it to her, “I’ll be expecting to have those papers in my hands in exactly forty-eight hours.” Liz and Paula walked out of the hospital room.

Go to Chapter 11