Woman stood at the door. My heart halted at her sight. “JULIETTE?” I muttered, disbelieving my eyes.
With tears in her eyes, she nodded. “Hello, Arnie. Long time.”
A little figure emerged behind Juliette before I could answer.
Little girl. With eager eyes, she gazed up at me. She chirped “DADDY?”
It felt like being on a stormy boat.
Grabbing the doorframe stabilized myself. What did she say? Juliette stepped aside to let me in.
Come inside, Arnie. We can discuss much.”
My head spun as I slumped onto the ancient couch. Juliette sat across from me, crying.
“Arnie, remember that lake house weekend? Six years ago?”
Memories returned as I nodded. Last weekend together before—
“Before we broke up,” she said.
“What I didn’t know then was… I was pregnant.”
Head snapped up. “What? But how?
Why didn’t you say? Juliette cried. I tried, Arnie.
God, I tried. But you’d left town and changed your number. Like you’d vanished.”
“I had a right to know,” I muttered, tears tearing.
“I know. I was afraid and young. Years passed before I had the confidence to look for you.
It seemed too late.”
The tiny girl, Juliette called Heidi, sat calmly in a corner, staring at me. My girl. I thought about the word—foreign, terrible, and magnificent.
“When did you move here?” I faced Juliette. A couple months ago. My employment changed.
“When I saw you through the window that first day…” she said, looking away. I told Heidi you were her dad. I hoped fate gave us another chance.
Then I saw you with someone—
Sandy, she’s my wife. Long quietness. Then I stood up abruptly, confused.
“I must go. I need to think.”
Curled Heidi’s face. “Daddy?
You leaving? The word pierced my heart. Her dread in her eyes broke my heart as I knelt before her.
I’ll return, sweetheart. I swear. Just some time, okay?
She nodded sincerely, and I felt a rush of affection that nearly knocked me over. Juliette called after me leaving the apartment. “Arnie?
I’m sorry. For everything.”
I couldn’t reply. Walk home was blurry.
Sandy waited anxiously at the door. “Arnie? What happened?
It looks like you saw a ghost.”
I slumped into her arms, tears finally flowing. Between sobs, I told her everything. About Juliette, Heidi, and my unborn daughter.
Sandy held me tightly as she listened in quiet. I finished, and she pulled back, looking at me. “What are you going to do?” she whispered.
I shook my head, confused. “No idea. Sandy is my daughter.
A tiny child waving and reaching for me. How do I leave that? I’m as surprised as you, Arnie.
But we must be careful. Juliette’s words aren’t always reliable.”
“You mean what?”
We should test our DNA first. “Just to be sure,” Sandy squeezed my shoulders.
I returned to Juliette’s door the next day. When she opened it, I shouted, “Juliette, I think we need a DNA test.”
Her face hardened instantaneously. “What?
You believe I’m lying? Now you question me after finding out you have a child? Arnie, you’re incredible.”
“I just want to be certain before I commit to anything,” I said, but she slammed the door.
I went home dejected and told my mother. After listening intently, she requested Juliette’s address. I don’t know what my mom told her, but Juliette called the next day.
“Hi Juliette. Your mother gave me your number. I understand after thinking about it.
We can test DNA.”
Relief made me sigh. “Thanks, Juliette. I appreciate.”
Sandy wasn’t happy when I informed her.
“I love you, Arnie. I do, God help. I’ll support you.
But I’m terrified. She cried as I brought her closer, my eyes full of sorrow. I hope this doesn’t change anything between us.
The next few weeks were an emotional rollercoaster of anxiety, hope, and fear. When the DNA test results arrived, I trembled opening the envelope. “99.99% probability of paternity.” popped out in the distorted text.
My heart raced. Heidi was my daughter. A small part of me, still reeling from this life-changing news, voiced misgivings.
Maybe there was a mistake. I couldn’t imagine accepting this new reality only to have it taken away. Retaking the test and waiting again was terrible.
The second test was positive. Calling Sandy brought tears to my eyes. “It’s true,” I cried on her shoulders.
“She’s mine. My girl.”
Silence, then “Oh, Arnie, I’m here.” For you both.”
Heidi called me “Daddy!” and ran into my arms when Sandy and I visited Juliette’s apartment. I held Sandy and gazed at her eyes, scared of what I might see.
Despite her tears, she smiled and stroked Heidi’s hair. “She’s beautiful,” Sandy muttered. Juliette looked at us with excitement and grief.
“I never meant to complicate your lives,” she remarked. “I wanted Heidi to know her father.”
Understanding filled me as I nodded. Glad you did.
I’m delighted I know her.”
Heidi held onto my leg as we left. “You’ll return, Daddy?”
I knelt, staring into those familiar eyes. I will, dear.
I won’t leave. I assure you.”
Sandy interlaced my fingers on the way home. “We’re parents now?”
Her hand was squeezed.
It seems so. Is this okay? She paused, then nodded.
We’ve been trying to have babies for two years without success. I didn’t expect this. I guess I’m okay.”
Sandy and I hugged at our front door.
“I adore you. Thank you for being excellent throughout.”
I adore you too. And Arnie?
I expect you to be a great dad.”
Heidi waved from across the street that night as I stood at our window. This time, I felt love, not dread or bewilderment. My emotions ran wild as I waved back.
This may not have been my plan to become a dad. It may not have been my path. However, as I waved at my kid, I realized it was my destiny.
