Cameron smirks. “I can see that.”
“So, we are here today for DNA Paternity testing, yes?” the man asks.
“Yes,” Cameron immediately answers.
“We will need some hair and saliva sample from both of you, and then we will run it through the computer.”
“How long will it take for the results?” Cameron asks.
“We will have the results in a few hours and they will be emailed to you both tonight.”
Cameron frowns and I roll my lips as my eyes find him. He looks like he’s about to vomit.
The doctor hands Cameron a swab. “If you can just brush it around the inside of your mouth, please.”
Cameron nods and takes the swab from him.
“Here, Owen, watch what Cameron does. You’re next,” I tell him.
Owen concentrates as Cameron brushes it around the inside of his mouth and hands it to the technician.
The man smiles and passes me the swab. Owen laughs suddenly aware that everyone is watching him and he is the centre of attention.
“Owen, open your mouth, please,” Cameron says.
My eyes flick to Cameron. Don’t tell my son what to do.
Cut it out, I correct myself. This is hard.
Owen opens his mouth and chuckles loudly and I hold back tears. If only he knew the significance of this test and how it’s going to change everything for him.
“Ahh.” He giggles.
My nerves get the better of me. “Don’t be silly, Owen. I need you to do this, please.”
He lets me swipe the swab around his mouth and I hand it over, watching as the man bags it in a plastic bag.
“Now a snip of hair from you both.”
Cameron rolls his lips as he watches the floor. I watch as the technician snips a piece of hair and then pulls out a few strands and places it in the bag. He then moves on and does the same to Owen as he fiddles with his truck.
Cameron inhales deeply as he watches the man. “How accurate is this testing?” he asks.
“If it’s over a 95% match it is classed as a positive match. If it is over a 80%match it is a family match, but not necessarily a positive match to this member of that family and further testing will be required.”
I nod as nerves begin to flutter deep inside my stomach.
“Is there a chance that this is another family member’s child?” the man asks.
“No,” Cameron snaps, annoyed at the insinuation, and I shake my head immediately.
“It’s a positive match,” I whisper and Cameron frowns as he watches Owen.
“Alright then. It’s all finished. You’ll receive an email in approximately three hours from now.”
Cameron stands immediately and I clutch Owen tight in my arms as I look up at him. He glances down. “Goodbye, Owen,” he pushes out.
“Bye.” Owen smiles happily.
He nods my way and leaves the room in a rush. My eyes tear up. He can’t even look at me, so I glance back at the technician. He smiles sympathetically, knowing exactly what’s going on here. “These situations are never easy.”
I nod and kiss Owen’s forehead. “No,” I murmur sadly.
“Time makes a difference.”
I nod again and stand, placing Owen down on the floor. “Thank you for coming in late for this.” I smile.
He shakes my hand and smiles kindly. “Best of luck.”
Cameron
Joshua fills my glass with Scotch and ice, and then goes on to fill Adrian’s and his own. We’re sitting around my desk in my office. I don’t care for them to be here, but Murph made Joshua come in from Willowvale to wait for the results.
“It’s negative. I know it’s negative,” I murmur, almost to myself.
“It’s positive,” Adrian replies. “She wouldn’t have lied about this.”
Joshua looks at Adrian, deadpan. “At what point did you miss part of this conversation, idiot? Cam knew nothing about this.”
“Not telling is not the same as lying,” Adrian says calmly.
“Bull-fucking-shit,” I snap.
“Agreed,” Joshua adds. “I’m with Cam.”
I refresh my email again. Still nothing. “What’s taking so long?” I snap. “It’s been four hours.”
The email pings and I close my eyes. This is it. My nerves hit an all-time high.
I open the email.
Subject: Results
From: Testing
To: Cameron Stanton
DNA Match results. 99. 9% match.
POSITIVE match result.
Owen Jack Tucker is the biological child of Cameron Stanton.
I close my eyes in physical pain.
The room falls silent as we all process the information.
Tears threaten to fall and the lump in my throat hurts. This isn’t how I wanted to become a father. I’m supposed to fall in love, have a wedding and a wife that I love and go through trying to conceive and then the pregnancy… the birth. I’m supposed to know my own child.
Suddenly, what I’ve missed out on becomes unbearable
I stand without saying anything and head to my bedroom, closing the door behind me.
I need to be alone.
Ashley
I walk into Club Exotic just before my shift at ten. This is the longest day in history. I’ve checked my phone every ten minutes since the results came through last night. Cameron hasn’t called. I didn’t see him at all today because he was in his office with appointments. I don’t know what I’m expecting, but it was more than this.
Does he even accept the test results?
This is the last place on Earth I want to be.
“Vivienne,” my friend the bouncer calls. “Where have you been? They told me you left?”
I smile, grateful to see a familiar, friendly face. “Hey.” I roll my eyes. “I wish I left, but I need the damn money.” I sigh.
He frowns. “You okay? You seem on edge.”
I slam my handbag down on the bar. “I’ve had the worst week of my life.”
“What happened?”
“I found the father of my kid and told him he was his, and he’s now my boss and he hates me… and I’m totally, totally fucked,” I blurt out in a rush.
His face falls. “Hell. That’s hectic.”
“I know, right?” I smirk.
“You want me to make you a drink?”
I glance over to the bar. It’s a long shift and I do need to unwind. “Yes, please. Actually, make it a double.”
He smiles brightly. “Coming right up, babe.”
“I’m going to put my stuff out the back. Do you know where I am tonight?”
“I think on the door for a bit and then maybe dancing.”
“What?” I snap as I screw up my face. “I don’t dance, she knows this.” I pick my bag up and throw it over my shoulder. “I swear to God, I do not need this shit job.” I growl.
He laughs. “How about I make you a triple?”
I nod. “How about it.” I walk toward the backroom. “And keep them coming.”
An hour later, I’m greeting men at the door and I’m on my fourth drink. These things are like rocket fuel and I need to stop soon if I plan to drive in eight hours.
“Hello, welcome to Club Exotic.” I smile as the men all start to file in. It’s a busy night and I can hardly keep up with the large groups of men arriving.
The sexy music starts and another girl comes to the doors to greet along with me.
“Why is it so busy?” I call over the music.
“God, I don’t know. Everyone’s horny tonight,” he replies dryly.
My little friend arrives with another two drinks for us and I shake my head. “No more. I’m seriously getting drunk here.”
“But your relaxed, right?” He laughs loudly.
I giggle. “Yes, I do have to admit that I’m relaxed for the first time in a long time.”
He winks. “My job here is done.”
He disappears down to the Escape girls, and Stephanie walks over to us. “Vivienne, I’m going to need you picking up glasses.”
“Sure.” I smile. My favorite job.
“You’re going to have to wear a dancing uniform, though.”
“What?” I ask.
She shrugs. “We don’t have enough staff on to cover all these men. If they see more of us around, they’re less likely to throw a tantrum.”
I glance around at the other girls in their sheer tops and their little hotpants.
“I’m going to get the girls behind the bar to change as well. It just makes it look better if they think there are a lot of dancers on,” she adds.
“I’m not changing.”
“You can go and tell Eliza in the office then because she’s the one who told me to tell you.”
I blow out a breath and roll my eyes. “Fine!” I snap. I swear to God, I’m looking for another job tomorrow.
I storm out the back and change into a skimpy pair of hot pants and remove my leather top, throwing on an organza short top in its place.
I turn and check myself out in the mirror and smirk. I do look better in this uniform, to be honest. My bouncer friend comes out with another two drinks and my eyes nearly pop from their sockets.
“You’re going to have to drive me home.” I laugh.