Honey sniffed back a tear. All this emotion was draining and exhilarating. She was witnessing the birth of a family. A family she wanted to be a part of. A family and a man she could call her own, after years of being alone.
“No need for forgiveness,” Ira said, his voice sounding thick.
Robert picked up the envelope, staring at it like it contained a bomb. “Here goes nothing.”
“Here goes everything,” Ira muttered under his breath. Honey doubted anyone else heard him.
Envelope in one hand, Robert slit the edge with a jackknife he pulled from his pocket. Without hesitation, he pulled the paper from inside and glanced at it. “Hmph.” He snorted.
“What?” Ira blurted.
“The analysis says there is a 96.4% chance you are my son. I knew it. Never a moment of doubt in my mind.”
The statement sounded more like a relieved observation to Honey. Perhaps there had been a sliver of doubt in the family patriarch’s mind.
Robert stood and rounded the table to embrace Ira. “Welcome to the family, son. Welcome to the family.”
Tears streamed down Honey’s face at the sight. The relief flooding the room was palpable.
“This demands a celebration!” Sue jumped up and grabbed the cake from the counter.
“What are we celebrating?” Justice asked, stepping in from outside, Ken right behind him.
“The paternity test is positive. You have a brother.”
Justice seemed happy enough; but Ken’s expression was neutral. But then, she’d never known him to be overly emotional, except about his ex-wife. He shook hands with Ira and welcomed him to the family.
After a moment, Honey leaned over and whispered in Ira’s ear. “They’ll come around in time. There’s bound to be an adjustment period.” She slipped her arm around his waist and leaned her head on his shoulder. She felt, rather than saw, his nod. He would get through this day, and the adjustment period. She fully intended to hold his hand, every step of the way.
