Chapter 21

"-Nadia. Why did you wait so long to tell me?
-First of all, I had moved on the other side of the country. Second of all, I didn't know how you would react. I mean, I'm older than you. I was 18 when I became pregnant. You were 14. When Jordan was born, you were 15. What was I suppose to do? Take you by the hand and force you to marry me? No, I did the only thing I could. Kept my mouth shut and moved with my father.
-What made you change your mind?
-Like I said, you had the right to know.. I mean, I thought about this long and hard. If I was at your place, I would've want to know I had a son. Now, I'm not asking anything, I just wanted you to meet him, and him meet you.
-May I? Lucky said, pointing the baby -Oh I don't know Lucky, he is pretty harrd with strangers.
-Listen. You come in here unannounced, blow me away, and now you won't let me hold him? You'll be there, if he cries, take him back"

Nadia looked unsure, but let him hold the baby. Jordan looked at his mother backing up, and he started pouting, but Lucky caught his attention by talking to him. Jordan took his lower lip and started to pull, and Lucky laughed. He sat the baby on his lap, him facing his mother, and Jordan was still trying to turn around to pull his lip. Lucky gave him his hard plastic cup, and Jordan took it to his mouth right away, cooing and smiling at his mother.

"-I think he likes me! Said Lucky, all smiles
-Well, who wouldn't?
-Beats me! Answered Lucky, laughing, annd Jordan laughed too. How old is he?
-10 months. He was born on July 26th. He says ma-ma, da-da, and minute. As soon as Nadia said the words Jordan repeated them, making them laugh
-Is he walking yet?
-With help, he makes one or two steps. But he crawls. And he touches everything. He has no respect for authority whatsoever!
-A true Spencer!"

They laughed, and Jordan did too, drooling on Lucky's arms. The baby was leaning forward, trying to pull on his laces, and Lucky was battling him to sit straight. The nurse came in with Lucky's dinner soon after, and Nadia took Jordan away from him, so he could eat. She said she had to leave anyway, but the baby was crying and pushing on her to go back to Lucky. He kept showing Lucky his arms, saying "da-da" again and again.

"-Oh give him to me already! You like to torture the poor kid don't you? Said Lucky, laughing
-If I give him to you, you won't be ablee to eat.
-Try me! I'm 16 and so far, nothing hass kept me from eating!"

Nadia laughed and gave the baby back, and Jordan cooed of pleasure. Lucky was eating some hamburger steak with fries, and he shared his dinner with Jordan, eating some fries while the baby was eating one.

.-The baby suits you. Said Nadia
-He is a sweetheart. Don't kill me to aask you this but, do you need anything? Does he need anything?
-Oh no, we're fine, don't worry about uss. Really. Dad helps me a lot with money, and mom helps me raise him.
-What about a father figure?
-He has my dad's. Lucky, I know where yyou are going with this and you don't have to worry, we are fine. I didn't come here to make you feel guilty.
-Oh I know. But I worry you know? I meean, I've known him for what, an hour? And I already feel responsible towards my son."

It seemed like the time stopped. Even Jordan stopped masticating after Lucky said the word. For the first time since Nadia walked in with the baby, Lucky had acknowledge out loud he was the baby's father. And, to be honest with himself, it felt good. He really loved the kid, like he never thought he could love anyone, in this short amount of time, too. Jordan put his head on Lucky's chest, and gave the rest of the fry he was holding to him. Lucky kissed his head, and sighed. He knew what he had to do, what he had to say, but it was killing him inside, because he knew what it would do to Elizabeth. And to him.

"-Nadia, I want to be his father. Say you'll let me.
-Lucky, I'm going back to California witth my dad in two days.
-NO! You can't walk in here, tell me I have a son, then take him away from me!
-What am I suppose to do? Stay here, puut him in daycare while I work for you to pick him up once every two week-ends?
-Marry me and I'll take care of you. Buut please, don't walk away"

They were both stunned by his proposal. The words escaped his mouth before he was able to hold them back. But, the more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea. Not to be married to Nadia, but to be able to see his son grow. The thoughts of having children never occurred to him, not soon anyway, but now that it did, Lucky was loving it.

"-Lucky, listen. You are overwhelmed by this, not that I blame you. But please, think about it. I mean, I don't want you to give up your life, your girlfriend, because of Jordan and I
-Nadia. I don't need to think about it.. Jordan is now the most important person is my life. My first priority, and if, to keep him close, I have to marry you and give up everything, including Elizabeth, as much as it hurts, I'll do it.
-I'll go back to my hotel room. Think aabout it, and I'll come back tomorrow. If you still feel the same, we'll talk OK?"

Nadia took the kid from his arms, after Lucky gave him a hug and a kiss, and Jordan started to cry again. Lucky waved at him, and he saw him leave. Lucky laid back on his bed and sighed. How the hell was he supposed to explain that to Elizabeth? After everything they've been through to be together? Thoughts were passing through in his mind, faster than a speeding bullet. If Nadia accepted his proposal, he would have to find a way to support his wife and child. Some way for him to continue school, and get a good career.

Lucky thought about Elizabeth. He didn't want to leave her. He loved her, more than life itself, but he also loved his son, his own flesh and blood, whom, two hours ago, didn't even know existed. He didn't want to marry Nadia, he didn't want to live his life, or even some of it, in a loveless marriage. There had to be a way he could have both. His son, and Elizabeth. He just had to find it. Even if it meant stay up all night to have a solution before Nadia came back with Jordan.

Lucky closed his eyes for a second and he opened them back when he heard the nurse walking to take his dinner tray and was stunned to see that it was already morning. She wasn't taking his plate, she was bringing him breakfast.

"-Doris, can I ask you a question? He asked, desperate.
-You can, that doesn't mean I'll answer<
-Fair enough. Ok, here is my problem. I have a child I just found out about. I want to get to know him, but he lives on the other side of the continent. I love my girl, I don't want to leave her in the dust, but I can't find anything to keep my child near except marrying his mother. Any suggestion?
-What does the mother want?
-She says she doesn't want to move here,, get Jordan raised by some daycare worker while she works for me to see him in the week-end. I'm still in school, how can I support her and Jordan?
-Well, is she your age?
-No, she is 20
-It's about time she gets a job. You arre off for the school year right? She can get a job and YOU take the kid during the day. It will buy you time to figure something out before school starts again.
-That could work! Thanks Doris, you're the best!
-I'll send you my bill! She said, walkiing out, laughing"

Lucky couldn't wait for Nadia to come back. He had to tell her about this brilliant plan, providing she wanted to work. Knowing her though, she would love it because she wasn't a girl to stay inside. Finally, he heard some noise in front of his room and Nadia peeked in, asking if he was decent for her to come in.

"-I don't have anything you haven't seen before! Said Lucky, laughing"

Jordan cried to be with him as soon as he saw him, and Lucky reached for his son. Nadia sat down, and Lucky explain her his plan. She wasn't entirely convinced it would work, but Lucky played on her wanting Jordan to get to know his father. Besides, she took classes in interior decorating, it had to serve her sometimes. Nadia got up and kissed Lucky on the cheek, while Jordan pulled on a flock of hair.

"-JORDAN! Let go! NO! I said NO! Screamed Nadia
-Jordan enough! Said Lucky in a deep vooice, and the kid left the hair alone
-God! How did you do that? He never liistens to me!
-I told you, he's a Spencer and we don'tt respond well to orders. I just happen to speak his language
-I can see that. I guess you will be riiding more in line with your father around right Jordan?
-DA-DA!
-What's his full name? Asked Lucky
-Jordan Lucas Spencer. Do you mind? -Of course not! He is my son after all!!"

Neither Nadia nor Lucky saw Elizabeth close the door, unable to find the courage to walk in, as the last sentence hit her ears.