Perfect Bastard (Mason Creek)

I gave her a noncommittal nod before she walked away. I texted Aiden to let him know I’d arrived, but didn’t expect to hear from him anytime soon. Who knew how long it took to have a baby? I didn’t think it was quick.

As I waited, I emailed the manager of my father’s facility requesting a meeting to discuss what happened. I was searching up drywall installers when an ad popped up and gave me an idea. I made a quick call to my assistant.

“Jean,” I said when he answered.

“Nate. How is Montana?” he asked enthusiastically.

That was one thing I liked about the man. Nothing could bring him down. “It’s good. I have a favor to ask.” It wasn’t really a favor, considering I paid him well to do my bidding.

“Always of service,” he said.

“My best friend and his wife just had a baby, or they are about to.” I thought about the room they’d set up for the baby with its light green walls.

“Yeah… I’m not sure where you are going with this. Did you knock someone up?”

“No. But I want to do something for them. I just saw an ad with murals painted on walls. Can you find someone who could do that for a kid’s room in the next day or two?” I hoped to surprise the pair.

“Normally no. I would have to do a deep dive, especially since I don’t know Montana. But as it happens, a painter I follow just posted pics about a vacation in none other than Montana. She’s in high demand and normally does portraits. But who knows? Plus, it will give me a reason to reach out.”

“What’s his or her name?”

“Haven.”

“Heaven?” I asked.

“No, Haven, but she is heavenly. She’s married to a priest, too.”

That caught me by surprise. “How is that possible? I didn’t think priests could marry.”

“He’s no longer a priest. At least I don’t think so. Besides, he’s gorgeous, and I couldn’t blame either of them for falling for each other.”

I had to stop him from waxing on. “Just see if you can make it happen. If not, find someone else. I really want to surprise them.”

“Sure thing. Anything else?”

“No.”

“Oh, to report, your profile has been radio silence for the most part. A few stories repeating the old news, but nothing of import.”

“Good. Call me when you have something,” I said.

“Will do,” he sing-songed before ending the call.

As I hung up, Aiden came rushing in with a shine in his eyes. I stood, and we embraced. Speaking softly, he repeated, “I’m a dad,” a couple of times as his voice broke.

“Congrats.”

We pulled apart, and his grin was contagious. “They are the most perfect babies in the world.”

“They?” I asked, not sure I’d heard him correctly.

“Twins,” he began and explained something about a sonogram and one of them hiding. There was something about how they would have found out next week. He lost me with some details, but it didn’t matter. He was a father. Emma was a mother. It was a beautiful thing.

“Do you need anything?” I offered.

He ran a hand over his head. “I don’t know. I think my mom was going to get another car seat.”

“Have you eaten?” I asked.

He shook his head. “I’m not sure I could eat.”

“Coffee?”

His eyes brightened. “Yes. A cup would do.”

“I’ll get it and text you. Oh, and what are their names?”

The grin he wore went to greater heights. “Libby and Linus?”

“Cute, though, why Linus?”

“It’s Emma’s favorite character on Charlie Brown. Plus, my boy is true to his name. His little fist balls around the blanket when he can.”

I clapped his shoulder. “Get back to your family. I’ll get the coffee for you.” I gave him the flowers and bear and told him to give Emma my congrats.

Much later, after his parents and sister arrived, we got a view of the twins who were behind glass in a little viewing area. I had to admit, I got a little choked up. I left after that.

The next morning, before I met with the plumber about the ranch renovation, I got a call from the manager of the senior living facility.

“Mr. Bowmen, I’m terribly sorry about the mix-up yesterday. As you well know, this isn’t a prison. The residents are free to move about the community. The nurse who contacted your brother was new and didn’t follow procedure to have security see where your father had gone before calling and worrying your family.”

“Will you tell me where he went?”

“We don’t treat our clients as prisoners and your father has rights to his privacy, as he’s not in our full-time care residence.”

“Will you tell me if he left the building?”

“No, he did not. We do have security that makes note of any resident who leaves for the safety of our clients.”

“This won’t happen again?” I warned.