A Baby by Christmas. Linda Warren

Ben?”

      Jake ran both hands over his face and knew he had to talk to someone or he’d explode. “I saw him, Beau, and he was the most beautiful sight.”

      “Then he’s not hooked up to machines or anything?”

      “No, he seems like a normal three-year-old except he’s small and thin.” Jake glanced off to the blue ceramic cookie jar of his mother’s. She’d left it behind just like she’d left him. As a kid, he remembered dragging a chair up to the counter and stealing a cookie. Would Ben ever be able to do that? He cleared his head of such thoughts.

      “He was sitting on a sofa playing with Lego blocks,” he continued. “He had a difficult time making the pieces fit but he tried and tried, and his eyes lit up when he did. Even though he didn’t speak, he kept watching me. They don’t know how much he understands. I think he understood that I’m his father, though.”

      “Did you tell him you were?”

      “Ms. Woods did,” Jake explained. “I asked that he be told.”

      “Good for you.” Beau paused. “Can Ben walk?”

      “They said he can, but he stumbles and falls, especially since Mrs. Carr’s death.”

      Beau leaned forward. “Why did CPS contact you now?”

      “Mrs. Carr was dying and asked them to find Ben’s father. I told you that.”

      “Yes, I know, but why didn’t they contact you when Sherry basically abandoned Ben? Your name was on his birth certificate. Isn’t that what you said?”

      Jake got to his feet and paced back and forth. “Yes…yes it was. God, I’ve been so consumed with the fact that I have a son that I never thought of that. Why did they wait so long to find me?”

      “That’s a good question and one that bears answering.”

      “I will definitely talk to Mrs. Turner tomorrow.” Jake went on to tell Beau how he felt that the caseworkers wanted the Fosters to have Ben. “Mrs. Turner said it would be detrimental to Ben’s health to uproot him.”

      “How do you feel about that?”

      “I feel like they’re not giving me a chance,” he answered. “Ben and I need to spend time together—to form a bond. I was adamant about seeing him again tomorrow and they’re supposed to let me know.” He looked at Beau.

      “Can they keep me from him?”

      “No,” Beau replied. “I’ll give Mrs. Turner a call tomorrow and make her aware of a few facts.”

      Jake held up a hand. “No, don’t do that just yet. Let’s see if they try to keep me away from Ben. A judge will make a decision on who gets custody of him, and right now it’s looking like it’ll be the Fosters. I have time to convince them otherwise.”

      “And Elise?”

      Jake’s head jerked up. “What about Elise?”

      “She still filing for divorce?”

      Jake stiffened. “Yes.”

      “Damn,” Beau said. “This would be a lot simpler if you were together.”

      “Well, we’re not,” Jake said shortly. “And I don’t understand why everyone thinks that because I’m a man I can’t properly care for my own son.”

      “Because women give birth and they’re the nurturers,” Beau informed him. “Every judge, whether male or female, recognizes that.”

      “I can take care of him. I know I can.” Tears stung his eyes. He hadn’t cried in so long, he thought he’d almost forgotten how. But he wouldn’t cry for Ben. He’d fight for his son…without Elise.

      Beau moved restlessly at Jake’s disquiet, then asked, “How did you and Elise get together? It was a known fact around the club that no one was to come on to her because she was still in love with Derek Weber. The few men who tried still have frostbite. Then I hear my brother’s actually married her. What was it? Opposites attracting?”

      “Sex, Beau, that’s what it was,” Jake replied before he could help himself. “I enjoy it and so does she.”

      Beau frowned. “You’re being crude.”

      “And you’re being intrusive and nosing into matters that don’t concern you,” Jake shot back.

      Beau held up both hands. “Okay, I get the message.”

      “I’m sorry,” Jake apologized, realizing he was being curt for no reason. “I’m not discussing my marriage. That’s between Elise and me.”

      Beau watched him for a second. “Is there any chance she’ll come around?”

      “No.” That one word sent a chill to his heart.

      After a pause, Beau said, “This is a bit ironic and the similarity might escape you, but your attitude toward Caleb is about the same as Elise’s to Ben.”