“And Zack is just as nice as he is handsome,” Annie enthuses.
I didn’t need or want to know that, either. I lift my shoulders. “I suppose.”
“Wow, that’s a less than ringing endorsement,” Lauren says.
“Did I read things wrong?” Annie’s brows crease.
“No, no, you’re right,” I say. “He’s terrific. He saved Margaret’s life, he drove me to the hospital, then he stayed all day to make sure she’s okay.”
“I sense a ‘but’ coming,” Lauren says.
“Yeah,” I say. “I have a big but.”
“Not compared to me, you don’t,” Lauren says, sitting forward and slapping her curvy backside.
Everyone laughs.
“Sorry. I couldn’t resist.” Lauren grins. “You were saying, Quinn, that he’s terrific, but...”
“He’s supposed to be ananonymousdonor—not a standing-on-the-doorstep, sitting-beside-me-at-the-hospital, asking-to-meet-Lily donor! Brooke didn’t want him to play a role in Lily’s life, and I don’t want him in my baby’s life, either. And quite frankly, I don’t get why Margaret ever wanted to contact him.”
“Brooke always said Margaret thought every child should have two parents,” Sarah comments.
“Yes, and that worries me.” I draw a breath and voice the fear that’s made my blood run cold ever since I learned who he was. “I’m afraid Margaret wants him to be Lily’s guardian instead of me.”
“Oh, I can’t imagine that!” Annie says. “She adores you, and so does Lily. And you’ve known Lily all her life. You were in the delivery room when she was born!”
“Yes, but Margaret totally believes that blood trumps friendship.” I repeat what Margaret said that morning—that I wasn’t really family because I wasn’t a blood relative.
Lauren’s eyes grew huge. “She said that?”
I nod. “She tried to soften the comment after she made it, but she also said that blood is thicker than water and she wanted to get Lily’s father in the picture.”
“‘In the picture’ could mean anything,” Annie points out. “Didn’t Brooke’s parents die in an accident when she was young? And then Brooke’s death was completely unexpected. Miss Margaret probably wants to line up another guardian for Lily in case, God forbid, something happens to you.”
Lauren nods. “And you can’t forget that when she said you weren’t family, she was, what—a few minutes away from having a heart attack? She probably had reduced blood flow to her brain.”
“I hope you’re right,” I say. “I’m afraid she thinks I won’t be a good guardian to Lily because I don’t come from a good family.”
“Oh, Quinn—I’m sure that’s not the case!” Annie exclaims.
I’m not sure of anything. Miss Margaret knows that my father left us and that my mother is a self-absorbed narcissist.
“All I know is that Zack’s sudden appearance terrifies me,” I say. “I don’t want him meddling in Lily’s life, and I don’t want him thinking he has any claim on her or my baby.”
“But how can he?” Lauren asks. “Didn’t he sign away all his rights when he signed the donor agreement?”
“Yes, but then Margaret went on that registry looking for him,” I say. “Who know what that does to the original agreement? Especially now that Brooke is dead.”
“Miss Margaret doesn’t know you’re pregnant,” Annie says. “If she did, she’d probably consider you a blood relative, too, because your child will be Lily’s half sister.”
“She’s in no shape to comprehend that right now, so please don’t tell her,” I say. “I don’t want her telling Zack he’s the father of my baby, too.” I fold my arms protectively over it. “I don’t want to have to deal with custody arrangements and who gets who on holidays. I had so-called ‘homes’ with both parents”—I make air quotes around the word—“and it felt like I didn’t have a real home anywhere.”
Sarah has been quiet through the conversation. “That’s because your parents mismanaged things,” she now says softly. “Not every child in a shared custody situation has a bad experience. A lot of them thrive.”
“But I don’twantto share custody,” I say. “I want Zack to stay out of my life.”
“The original donor agreement will probably hold firm,” Annie says.
