I shouldn’t have expected any support. This was Kendra we were talking about, the woman who saw motherhood as the heaviest of burdens.
Still, I would defend my decision. “It’s been on my mind for a while now. I’m getting to the age where the science might take it out of my hands. I could adopt?—”
“Oh, God, no. A stranger you’re not even related to?”
“I wouldn’t mind that. There are so many children that need a home. But I think my single status might make adoption difficult, so trying for one of my own seemed like the best option.”
She made a tutting noise. “So that business with the father …”
“Jason and I are going to co-parent.” My mother wouldn’t be fooled by a little handholding.
“Meaning he’ll provide financial support. But basically, you’ll be alone.” Being alone was my mother’s greatest fear.
“Not entirely. I have friends and family to help out.” I was anxious to get off the topic. She would never understand an unconventional approach to parenthood. She could barely wrap her head around a conventional one.
“But darling, he’s going to find someone. A wife. A girlfriend. Someone younger. Just like your father did.”
Never mind that Mom and Dad were long divorced before he fell in love with Violet. But the point was taken. My mother didn’t hold out much hope that I would find a partner for myself, never mind have a shot with a guy like Jason Isner.
“And I’ll be happy for him.”
Chapter Forty
Jason Isner in Baby Daddy Shocker!
While everyone was celebrating Theo Kershaw’s retirement at the Empty Net in downtown Riverbrook, the legendary defenseman’s sendoff was upstaged by a surprising announcement: Theo’s brother, Chicago Rebels D-man Jason Isner, will be a father soon. And the lucky lady? Only Francesca “Franky” St. James, daughter of veteran Rebels center Bren St. James! A source, who preferred to remain anonymous, told us that Franky—a professor of biology at Lakeshore University and a world-renowned expert in snails and slugs—chose Jason as her sperm donor after a rigorous selection process. But never fear, ladies! Jason, also known as the Green-Eyed Monster, is still on the market. The couple are not in a romantic relationship and have agreed to co-parent their child.
* * *
“People expected she would keep the donor anonymous,” the source said, “but Jason wants to be a part of the child’s life, so she had to agree to his terms or no dice.” Here in the Hot Goss bullpen, we’re surprised that Jason would go this route, given his many fans and the numerous options available to him. One insider commented that Jason’s generosity is well known, so that might explain his actions. Of course, he’s going to help when a damsel in baby fever distress needs a prime genetic sample, and as we’ve witnessed with other recent relationships in the Rebels universe, they are notorious for “keeping it in the family.”
* * *
From all of us here at Hot Goss, congrats to the parents-to-be!
* * *
- @HotGoss
Jason
* * *
On the journey home, she was quiet, and I suspected that none of the congratulations and well wishes from her friends and family could overcome the long shadow cast by her mother. I followed her inside her apartment, though she didn’t ask. I wanted to make sure she was okay. The kitties wanted to know, too.
Bunsen came rushing out the moment his mama stepped inside and around her suitcase, left in the hallway before she headed to the party. No sign of Beaker but I expected he’d make an appearance sooner than later.
After a few vigorous pets, she headed into the kitchen where she picked up the kettle and filled it with water.
“Would you like tea?”
“Sure.” I could have offered to make it, but she needed something to occupy her hands.
She grabbed a couple of mugs off the tree and placed teabags in them. “I have to drink herbal because I’ll be up all night. You didn’t have to see me home. That was kind, but I could have taken an Uber.”
Rosie was spending the night with her dads, so we were alone. Franky was always alone, or at least that was how she saw it. The way her brain worked set her apart from other people, and she took that difference to heart. Nowhere was this more obvious than when she spoke to her mom.
“I wasn’t going to put you in some stranger’s car.” A flash of orange streaked by, heading for the pantry. “There’s my guy. Hey, Beakster.”
