CHAPTER TEN

Tatiana was at my apartment in 30 minutes bearing gifts for Mikael, Ice cream, pizza, a bottle of

wine, and energy for the both of us. We went straight up to my room and after plugging Mikael's ears and playing his power rangers movie, we sat on my bedroom floor and I told her afresh what happened.

"The nerve of that fucking bastard!!!

"Shh, Mikael."

"Don't worry, he can't hear us. What are you going to do?"

"I don't know. One part of me is telling me to let him be part of Mikael's life, I mean he deserves a father, and there's the other part that wants me to tell him to go fuck himself."

"I like that other part. He doesn't get to come back like nothing happened like he didn't do you dirty."

"Yes, but Mikael. We both know it's just a matter of time before he starts asking of his father, I see the way he looks at kids with their parents Tat. He's a really sweet and I know it's just a matter of time before he starts to pour down the rain of questions."

"So, what do you want to do?"

"Reach some sort of agreement with Ian, because I know now that he has seen Mikael he will be back. I don't know in what capacity?"

"You're scared he'll want to take the child from you?"

"Not exactly…maybe, but I would rather we agree on my terms than have a court decide for us. That, and I don't want Mikael having to go through that process."

Tatiana was silent for a while before she pulled me into a hug and we just sat there, giving me time to think of the safest way out of a very sticky situation.

"Will you help me?"

"With what?"

"To tell Mikael…about his father?"

"You know you can always count on me, Arizona. Anytime, anywhere, any day."

Tatiana stood from the floor and sat on the bed forcefully, causing Mikael to bounce a little and then giggle, she dragged him into his lap and placed a sloppy kiss on his cheek.

"Guess what, Sweetie?"

"What!?"

"I have a secret I want to share with you."

"Really, what is it?"

"I know something…something interesting…someone interesting."

"Who is it?"

"Your father." By now, Tatiana had Mikael's full attention. He had put away the tablet and had his eyes open so wide, I thought they would pop out of his sockets.

"Well, we wanted it to be a surprise but you've been such a good boy all these years, we decided that you needed a huge reward."

"Oh, I cannot wait to meet him." Mikael jumped down from my bed and stood in front of me, bouncing on his heels, and went off on me with questions.

"How does he look like?"

"Is he tall?"

"Is he strong?"

"Does he like power rangers?"

"How old is he?"

"Do I look like him?"

"Is he rich because I want him to buy me lots of nice stuff?"

"Is he going to be staying with us?"

"When am I going to see him?"

"If you calm down for three seconds, I'm sure you'll get answers to all your questions. Okay?" Mikael nodded and sat down cross-legged in front of me, eagerly awaiting information, information that I didn't have at the moment.

"Uhm, I'm going to call him…I'm not sure when, and then arrange a meeting between you both. Is that okay with you, little man?"

"Perfect!!!"

Mikael and Tatiana exchanged positions again, he returned to his tablet and Tatiana returned to sitting beside me on the floor.

"Are you sure this is what you want to do?"

"Yes. It's better this way, he is going to have to know about his father anyway. I would rather it be from me than for him to grow up hating me for keeping him away from his dad."

"Okay then. I have a bit of news."

"You're pregnant?"

"No! Why would you think that? Am I getting fat?"

"No, no. You're perfect, don't mind me, I was just goofing around. What is the news?"

"Dimitri's parents are flying to America in a week, they want to be there when he opens up his new club."

"That's great news, you get to bond with your soon-to-be in-laws."

"But that's just it. I'm nervous."

"Why would you be? You've known those people all your life."

"I've known them as family friends, not as potential relatives. I don't know if they approve of me, I know they agreed to the union…I mean it will be good for businesses of both families…"

"Tatiana…you're perfect. You're going to be alright."

"Of course, you're going to say that, you're supposed to say that. You're my friend, I think I would be offended if you didn't say that."

"I'm not saying it because you are my friend, it's because you're an amazing person and anybody would be lucky to have you as a wife and a daughter."

"You're so sweet, Arizona. I need to be on my way, Dimitri will be waiting for me at home right now."

I stood up with her and walked her to the door and after a quick hug, I sent her on her way.