A Family Affair - First Born (11 page)

Ellen removed her sunglasses, but kept her hat on.

“We’re pregnant, doc,” Kane said, almost proudly before she could say anything.

“Congratulations,” said the doctor, looking at the two of them.

Ellen shot Kane a frustrated glance. It would be better if he let her do the talking. His attitude and tone suggested them to be a couple, and she didn’t want the doctor thinking that. It didn’t seem to matter how many times she told him that she loved Tom, he continued to believe their relationship would one day become permanent.

Kane had been wearing a dopey expression of hope all morning. He actually seemed to think the paternity of the child would change the status of their relationship by itself. The truth was - it would change nothing. Ellen loved Tom, and she was quickly growing to despise Kane. His new relationship with Tom certainly complicated the situation, but nothing more.

“Do you know how far along you are?” the doctor asked Ellen.

Ellen took a deep breath. “I’m about six weeks I think.”

“We’ll need a blood test to confirm everything, and to check your vitamin levels too. Have you chosen an obstetrician yet, and worked out where you will deliver?”

“Um, no,” admitted Ellen. “Not yet.”

“We need to talk about a scan as well.” The doctor started making some notes on his note pad.

Ellen didn’t know how to say it, so decided to blurt the words out quickly. “Um, the reason we are here is because I’m not sure who the father is.”

“I see.” The doctor sat up in his chair giving Ellen his full attention.

“The baby could belong to either of two men.”             

“Go on. Is Kane here because he is one of the two men?”

“Yes. And I...” Ellen paused and started again. “I mean we... need to know whose baby it is.”

“Well, the paternity of a child can be easily determined once the child is born. It requires taking a cheek swab from both of the men involved, and the child too of course.”

“We would prefer to know now, if possible,” Ellen said.

The doctor stared blankly at Ellen for a few seconds. “I see. One moment.” He turned to his computer screen, and started to type some words into a medical search engine on his desktop. “Ah, yes.” He read some material and then turned around to face Ellen and Kane. “There is a test which can be performed while the baby is in utero, however, this is not a test that I, or any other doctor would recommend for you at this stage of the pregnancy. There are a number of risks associated with it. Paternity tests are much easier and safer if we wait until the child is born.”

Ellen frowned, upset about the situation she found herself in. How could she have let this happen? She knew the doctor was thinking that she was a bad person. But if the child was Kane’s, then she needed to tell Tom prior to the wedding. He needed the opportunity to leave their relationship. She gathered her courage and looked at the doctor directly. “It is critical that we establish paternity now.”

“I see, and you understand that my recommendation to wait until the baby is born is for the health of the unborn child?”

Ellen was silent. It was hard to say anything when he put it like that.

“We understand that there are risks, doc,” said Kane speaking up. “But we wish to proceed with the test.”

Ellen’s annoyance with Kane subsided momentarily, as she registered his gesture of support.

“Very well. I will provide you with a referral for this test, but I would encourage you to think more about the options available, including waiting until the child is born.”

Ellen dropped her eyes, not able to maintain eye contact after what they had asked for.

The doctor started to type some information into his computer, and soon printed out a referral to a clinic in the city. Ellen knew the address.

“You will need to make an appointment, and ideally the other potential father of the child should attend as well.”

Ellen shook her head at the doctor.

He seemed to understand her reluctance. “I see. If the second sample cannot be provided, the clinic will only be able to compare the child’s DNA with Kane’s. They may or may not be able to establish paternity conclusively.”

Ellen knew that if Kane wasn’t the father, then Tom was. There were no other options. “I understand, doctor.”

“There is some useful information for you to read about the test on the website.” He circled a web address on the referral. “I would recommend reading more about this procedure before making the appointment. The clinic will also explain the risks to you on the day, and require you to sign a consent form. Now, is there anything else I can help you with today?”

“No.”

Kane shook his head also.

“I recommend you find an obstetrician this week, as you will need a scan shortly to check that everything is going well. Here is another brochure for you.” The doctor handed Ellen a brochure titled
Mother’s Health during Pregnancy
. “It explains the vitamins you should be taking, and which foods to avoid eating during pregnancy. And here is a pathology request form. Please have a blood test taken as soon as possible so we can identify any issues that require follow-up.”

“Thank you, doctor,” said Ellen. “I do have another question.”

“Yes.”

“How long until the paternity results are known?” There wasn’t much time. The wedding was only two weeks away.

“You should make another appointment to see me one week after your appointment with the clinic. That should be enough time. We can discuss the results then.”

“Thank you, Dr...” Ellen said, looking down at her slip of paper. “Dr Walsh. Thank you very much for helping us with this matter.” Now that she had the referral in her hand, Ellen was feeling genuinely appreciative of the man’s assistance. It had been a difficult conversation, but it was now over.

“Thanks, doc,” added Kane, more casually. It was apparent that he hadn’t felt any discomfort by this conversation.

They left the medical rooms quickly, not saying a word.

Ellen turned to face him when they reached the car park. “I’ll give the clinic a call this afternoon, Kane. Are there any days or times you can’t be available?”

“I’ll be there. Just call me when you have made the appointment.”

“We need to do this as soon as possible. Tomorrow or the next day I think.”

Kane nodded. “I’ll do whatever you need me to do, you know that.”

“Thanks,” said Ellen, not wanting to admit to herself that he was actually being quite good about the whole situation. She nodded to him, and then they moved away separately.

Both Ellen and Kane were individually so distracted by their conversation that neither of them noticed the black sedan parked nearby. Someone was watching their every move.

Hayden entered Dr Douglas Walsh’s waiting room, and took a seat. The receptionist didn’t look up or wave him over, so he sat quietly, watching the movements of other patients from the corner of his eye. When a nearby office door opened, Hayden saw the man he’d come to see. Douglas walked one of his patients to the receptionist’s desk, and handed a small slip of paper to her. He waved goodbye to this patient and returned to his office.

This was Hayden’s chance. Once Douglas’ back was turned, Hayden quickly and quietly stole past the reception desk and followed him into his consulting room.

“Hayden,” Douglas, said, turning around in shock.

Hayden closed the door, and walked slowly into the room. “Douglas.”

“I’m surprised to see you here.”

“Are you?”

“I’ve been meaning to call you. What’s it been?”

Hayden shook his head, and chuckled silently. Of course, Douglas would never call him voluntarily. They never did. “Two years I believe.”

“We should play golf again one day.”

Golf was one of those activities that Hayden played in order to blend in with others. Usually men of his age and financial standing liked to play golf, so that is why he played. However it never really interested him, and he certainly had no intention of wasting his time with Douglas in such a way.

Douglas looked down at one of the papers on his desk. “Did you have an appointment, Hayden?”

“No,” he said flatly. It was a ridiculous thing to say! The man must be nervous. “Do I need an appointment to see you?”

“Of course not,” Douglas said, stammering. “I was just wondering if...”

“You seem to be doing well, Douglas,” Hayden said, cutting him off. He walked around the room, studying the various certificates which hung on the wall. For an educated man, Douglas had made many stupid decisions in his life.

“I haven’t gambled since that day,” Douglas said earnestly. “Katherine left me of course, as soon as she found out about the mortgage I took out on the house, but I can’t blame her, can I? I’m renting a small one bedroom unit near the practice.” He was rambling slightly.

“I’m working all the time, saving money, and sending it to her for the children. I’m doing my best to be a good father.” Douglas paused, looking at Hayden with concern. “Are you here to discuss the money I owe you? I’m surprised you left it this long.”

Hayden suddenly saw the situation from Douglas’s perspective. He had probably been expecting and dreading this visit for some time. Little did he know, Hayden didn’t expect to see the money again. If this meeting went the way he hoped, the money would have been well-invested.

Douglas kept rambling. “You never mentioned the terms of the loan, Hayden. Of course, I want to pay you back, and I can start making repayments right away, if you like. The gambling is over, I promise you that. I’ve turned over a new leaf. Whenever I feel tempted, I just remember being in that car boot.” Douglas shuddered.

Hayden had heard enough. “That’s not why I’m here, Douglas.”

“Oh, I see.” He looked confused, as if he was trying to think of another possible reason for the visit. “Well, it must be important. Please take a seat.” Douglas tried to steady his nerves.

Hayden sat down in one of the patients’ chairs in front of Douglas’s desk. He was about to start talking when an intercom sounded.

“Should I bring your next patient in, Dr Walsh?” It was his receptionist.

“No,” Douglas responded quickly. “I just need a few minutes to myself.”

“Is everything okay?” she asked.

“Yes.” Douglas looked at Hayden, as if he was hoping that his words were true. “Sorry about that, Hayden. What can I do for you?”

“I came here to check that you still remember what I did for you two years ago?”

“Of course. I’ll be eternally grateful. You saved my life. I owe you everything.”

“Good. Well, the tables have been turned. It is I, who needs something from you now.”

Douglas looked surprised, but also curious. “Go on.”

“I need to talk to you about the paternity of Ellen Jackson’s unborn child.”

Douglas’s face contorted in confusion. “How did you...? You know I can’t talk to you about another patient.”

“I know why they were here. Kane Jarrad is not going to be the father to that child.”

Douglas shook his head. “We can’t be sure who the father is until the test is performed.”

“There is no need to perform the test.”

Douglas looked confused. “I’ve already given them the referral to the clinic, and I think Ellen was in a hurry to have the test performed.”

“Fine. Let Ellen have the test. What I’m interested in, is what you are going to tell them afterwards.”

Douglas finally seemed to understand. “Why do you care who the father is?”

“Why is not important.”

“Are you the other father?”

“No, don’t be ridiculous.”

“What you are asking of me is immoral and unethical. I could lose my licence.”

“You wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for me. If you do this, we’ll be even. You won’t have to pay back a cent.”

“What happens if the result goes the way you want? It’s a fifty-fifty chance, after all.”

“Those odds are too high for me. I want to be sure of the outcome.”

Douglas’s eyes widened with the realisation of what was being offered to him, but then he shook his head again. “I don’t know, Hayden. I just wouldn’t be comfortable doing that. I’ll happily pay the money back, instead. It might take a few years, but I will pay back every dollar, with interest as well.”

Hayden was surprised that someone like Douglas hadn’t jumped immediately at the offer which was on the table. Perhaps Douglas would respond more favourably if he understood the consequences of the situation more fully. Hayden opened his jacket and removed the small hand gun he was carrying. It put it on the table, and leant over the desk until his face was only inches away from Douglas’s. They were looking each other directly. “I don’t want your money, Douglas. I want you to do what I’m fucking asking you to do.”

Douglas leant back in his chair, clearly intimidated by the gun and by Hayden’s sudden change in personality. He started shaking slightly.