“She didn’t hate you,” I said, frowning. “You two weren’t right for each other.”
Drake sighed, and I knew he was nervous. I took his hand and led him to the door where I had left Sophie already asleep in her car seat, pacifier in her mouth, her white angora mouse hat so cute she looked like a Gerber baby.
Drake slipped on his coat and boots. He held my coat out for me, pausing to embrace me from behind, kissing my neck.
“Thank you,” he whispered in my ear. I smiled and turned into his arms for a brief embrace.
Then, Drake picked up Sophie’s car seat and Liam’s freshly wrapped Iron Man action figure, and we left the apartment.
When we arrived at Maureen’s mother’s apartment, I could hear Nat King Cole singing Christmas tunes from under the door.
“This is it,” Drake said, inhaling deeply. He looked a bit nervous.
I leaned up and kissed him, trying to allay his fears. “You’ll do fine. Smile.”
He smiled and squeezed my hand, but I could feel his nerves in his grip, which was tighter than needed. I knocked at the door and immediately, the volume of the music dropped and I heard footsteps that announced Maureen was coming to the door. When the door opened, I was surprised to see Brenda instead of Maureen.
“Drake!” she said and held open her arms. Drake embraced her, but I could tell from the expression on his face that he was surprised by the warm welcome.
Then, she turned to me. “You must be Kate,” she said with a smile. “So glad you took the initiative and contacted me. This is going to turn out to be a great Christmas after all. Liam was pretty upset to not have Chris here, but with Drake coming, he may feel happier.”
“Does he know?” Drake asked softly, handing her the present.
Brenda nodded. “Come in,” she said and reached out to take the present. “You two take off your coats and boots and come on inside.” She pointed to the closet. “Hang your coats there and come into the living room.”
Drake helped me with my coat and then slipped out of his own. I saw him smooth his freshly washed hair, a nervous expression on his face.
“How do I look?” he asked once more when I stood up from removing my boots.
“You look mahvelous, dahling. Mahvelous.” I grinned and finally, Drake smiled in return.
“You’re too young to know that reference,” he said and squeezed me, pulling me briefly into his arms.
“I have a father who loved Saturday Night Live,” I said. “We watched re-runs and so I know them almost as well as him.”
Drake picked up Sophie’s car seat and together, the three of us went into the living room. Inside, Liam sat on the floor, surrounded by a model train set.
I took Sophie out of her car seat and held her, while Drake went further into the living room. I’d dressed Sophie in a black velvet and lace dress that made her look like a little porcelain doll.
“Where’s Maureen?” Drake asked, glancing around.
“She had a previous engagement,” Brenda said and raised her eyebrows. She pointed to the sofa. “Kate, please come in and sit down. Drake, I’d like to introduce you to Liam.” She turned to Liam and gestured at him to stand. “Liam, this is Dr. Drake Morgan. Your mother told you about him earlier.”
Liam stood and wiped his hands when Drake extended his for a shake.
“Hello,” Liam said.
I stood with Sophie in my arms, a choke in my throat to see them together – father and son. So much alike. Both had jet black hair, fair skin and very blue eyes rimmed by thick, dark lashes.
“You’re my bio-logical father,” Liam said simply, as if it were nothing too monumental.
Drake leaned down and shook Liam’s hand.
“That I am,” Drake replied, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re my biological son. Pleased to meet you.”
“Here’s a present from Drake and Kate, Liam,” Brenda said, handing Liam the wrapped toy. “Why don’t you open it?”
Liam sat down and quickly ripped the wrapping off.