Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9

till she was four months along, on purpose." Jase had said as much at the time, to Lisa's face no less. She'd hated Jase for it. Not that it had seemed to matter to Tag.
    Sean was quiet for a moment before responding. "I don't know if she did or not, but I'm not sure that knowing any earlier would have changed what I did, you know? I wanted to be a father. Problem was, she wanted me to fall in love with her. I don't think she really thought beyond the point of me committing to be with her. I did it for Cody's sake, not for hers and I think when she realized that, she resented both of us. She hated being pregnant, and she never really bonded with Cody when he was born."
    "And you?"
    Sean took a deep breath before he began. "I...we were just going through the motions. I did everything I could to be there for her, to be what she needed, but," he stared straight ahead, "I didn't love her. I didn't really even want her." He turned on the couch, and sat with his knees pulled up to his chest facing Jase. He didn't look Jase in the eye. "But you knew all that, which is why you fought me so hard on getting engaged to her."
    Jase sat, staring back at his friend, amazed. Tag had just rendered him speechless. Tag was so smart. He had no idea that Tag had figured all of that out.
    Sean reached out and patted Jase on the knee, Tag's hand was warm and rough, leaving trails of heat on Jase's leg. As he set his hand back on his knee, Sean spoke again "I understood man, I knew where you were coming from, and where she was coming from, but from the moment I found out about Cody, that was it for me."
    "You told me you wanted to be with her." Jase's words came out as an accusation. At the time, Jase had tried to talk Sean out of it. He couldn't explain why, but when he thought about it, it had just felt wrong. He knew if Sean committed himself to a relationship with Lisa, Sean would be unhappy, and he had been disappointed when Sean hadn't listed to him.
    Sean sighed. "I did. For Cody. I wanted it to work. I wanted us to be a real couple, but it was pretty clear early on that we were never....it was never going to be that. I was willing to stick it out. We'd even...well, before Lisa left for New York, we'd been talking about setting a date."
    So glad that's not happening. Before today, Jase had figured it was only a matter of time before Lisa and Sean tied the knot. He was surprised by how relieved he felt. Jase struggled to keep his face impassive as he prompted Tag to continue, "So before, you said when she called all drunk and yelling, and that you hung up. Did she actually call you back?"
    "Yeah, she did. It was after midnight when she called back. We hashed out everything. Ultimately, she's decided that she wants me to have sole custody of Cody. She doesn't even want to see him. My name is on Cody's birth certificate, and I don't know if I told you this, but I did have them do a DNA test, and he's my kid, so I don't think her parents or anyone could contest my rights to full custody, I hope."
    "Wow."
    "So I have to get a lawyer, and until everything is settled, I suppose it's possible that she could change her mind or ask for joint custody, but I don't think she will. I think she wants to chalk this whole thing up as one big mistake, and pretend it never happened." He groaned, and put his head in his hands, "and I am really not looking forward to telling our parents," he mumbled into his hands.
    Jase was pretty sure that Tag was right about Lisa, but still. "Just be careful Tag. Make sure you get everything worked out with custody so there are no problems later. He's your son, and you're a good father. I'm sure they'll support you." Tag and Lisa's parents were not going to be fun, especially in their roles as possessive grandparents, but Tag could worry about them later.
    Jase polished off his beer and turned to Tag. "Want a refill?" he asked. Tag nodded and handed Jase his empty bottle.
    "I should grab these too" Sean said as he sat up to gather the empty bowls sitting on the coffee table, but Jase was already grabbing them and balancing them in his other hand.
    "Back in a sec!"
    ****
    Sean sat back on the couch and watched Jase sweep out of the room. He smiled. It was just like old times. Even in the dorms, Jase had taken care of everyone, tending to the drunks, making sure everyone got fed, and lending an ear and shoulder to cry on for anyone who needed it. It had earned him the nickname Papa Bear from some of the theater majors.