"Hurt and angry? You were hurt and angry? What the fuck did you think I was going to feel like when I found out. If I ever was going to find out! Were you ever going to tell me? How much more of their lives were you going to take from me? I already missed so much. What else were you going to deprive me of? Graduations? Weddings? Grandchildren? You have deprived my father of his grandchildren."
"We can talk about this, but just not right now."
"Then when? You've had six and a half years to talk to me. Jesus Christ, Persephone!"
"Bodhi. Please. I need to get the boys home."
"Then I'm coming with you. I want to spend some time with them."
"Not today. We can talk about you possibly coming to see them, but I can't do this. Not right now. I am just as caught off guard as you are."
"Possibly coming to see them? These are my kids, too."
"I know these are your boys. I look at them every day, and I see your face. Bodhi is just like you. While Patrick is such a beautiful mix of the two of us."
"Well, thanks for telling me, but I want to find out for myself." He sounded annoyed. "Am I at least listed on the birth certificate?"
She mumbled something.
"I'm sorry I couldn't hear you."
"No. I said it lists the father as unknown."
His eyes opened wide. "Unknown? You just erased me? I have no rights to my children. How could you have done this? Did you hate me that much? You were that mad at me?"
"What was I supposed to think of you? You went back to England, and in two months, two months, you were on the front page of newspapers and magazines and YouTube and Instagram with your new life and your new wife. It tore my heart into a million fucking pieces when Holden told me you were marrying her. I died a little that day. I was six months pregnant. And I hated you."
"You don't know the situation."
"Fuck the situation. I would never have let my sons anywhere near that sociopath. Part of me wanted to tell you, but there was just no fucking way. And by the time you got divorced, it was years later. You were starting your job with the Black Bears, and I didn't want you to have the burden."
"A burden? You think I would have thought of my children as a burden."
"That's not how I meant it. Not that your children would be a burden, but the situation would have been. You did not need two babies waking you at night or two toddlers running under your feet, and then, as I said, you married Janessa. I would have petitioned for full custody before I left you and Janessa with my children.
"See, that's where you're wrong, Perri. Those are our children, and tomorrow, I'll make an appointment at a lab. We're going to do DNA testing to prove paternity, and I'm going to have my name put on the birth certificate.
"You can't do that."
"The hell I can't."
"Bodhi, you don't understand."
"I understand you kept my kids from me. I understand that I wasn't there when you needed me the most. I understand these boys look exactly like me; you even gave them my haircut. You made them look exactly like me. I don't understand why I can't get my name put on the birth certificate.
"Because you're used to the life that you live. You're used to people sticking microphones in your face. You're used to getting your pictures taken. You're used to having people talk about you, whether good or bad. You've learned to let the bad roll right off your back. If you come out now and tell people that you have two 5-year-old sons, what do you think is going to happen? I don't want my kids thrust into the spotlight. The boys don't need that, and for the past few years, I didn't need you, and I still don't."
Her words paralyzed him. He was shocked and disturbed. He couldn't believe she just said that. She doesn't need him, so she doesn't think the boys need him. He thought about it, and what she had said, and it is true if it came out, it was going to cause a shitstorm. He could handle it, but he doesn't want to put her or the boys through it, but he cannot be without his children.
"Periwinkle, I get where you're coming from, and I understand that you don't want the boys' privacy invaded. But the truth is they are my sons, and if I have to, I will get a lawyer. Whether you want it or not, I will have my sons.
She started to choke up. "Are you telling me that you would take my sons away from me
"No. I'm telling you that I would have my sons in my life whether you want it or not. As far as the press and fans are concerned, that is just something that will have to be dealt with if it happens."
"What about me? The boys will know what's happening and probably just be called daddy's little men. I'm the one that's going to have the most backlash. You realize that, don't you? I'm the one who's going to have a story printed about how I kept your kids away from you. I'm the villain of the story. I don't want people calling me a gold digger or calling me a bitch, or a liar. I don't want all your Bodhi's Babes giving me death threats and telling me how ugly or fat or stupid I am. I don't need that."
"Then maybe you shouldn't have kept them away from me. Then we wouldn't have had anything to worry about now, would we?"
She started to cry and shake. He knew he was being mean, but how he felt right now, what she had done was just cruel.
Jake saw that she had started to cry. He saw her body begin to tremble. He ran over to her, feeling the need to protect her.
"You know, Bodhi, I think this conversation is over for today," he said.
"This conversation is far from over," Bodhi said.
"Fine, but this conversation does not need to happen right now. The boys are going to see their mother upset, and they're going to start asking questions. When they find out that you are their dad, do you want them to remember that you made their mom cry the first time they saw you?"
Bodhi knew he had a point. He didn't want that. He didn't want his boys to be scared of him or think that he did not love their mom. He didn't understand why Jake was being her spokesperson.
Jake put his arm around Persephone's waist and pulled her close. "How about I drive you and the boys home? I don't think you should be driving right now; you're too upset." He glared at Bodhi.
She nodded her head slowly. "I think that would be a good idea. But what about your car?"
"I'll have Holden and Joanna bring it to their house, and then I can just get it from there." He kissed her on the side of her head.
This caused Bodhi to cringe. His jaw clenched. He looked at the SUV's dark-tinted windows. He couldn't see the boys, but he knew they were watching.
He nodded his head. "Okay. Alright. But I'm sorry, Periwinkle, I'm getting the test done."
"You don't need to go through all of that. All you need to do is fill out a paternity affidavit form at the Bureau of Vital Statistics," Perri said.
"Great. Then that's what I'll do."
"Bodhi. Let's slow it down. Just go home, let this all sink in, and then you and Persephone can decide what to do."
He glared at Jake. "Why are you talking for her? Why does this conversation include you at all?"
"I don't know, Bodhi; maybe it's because you drove her to tears. Maybe because I have been---"
"Jacob, please. Don't," she said.
"Please don't what, Jake?" Bodhi asked.
"Persephone, why don't you get in the car? Make sure the boys are alright."
She looked at Bodhi and then nodded. She walked around to the passenger side and got in.
Jake walked away, leaving Bodhi standing there.
"Hey Holden. Can you and Jo take my car back to your place? I'm driving Persephone and the kids home."
He looked over his shoulder as Bodhi approached.
"She's distraught. I don't want her to drive."
"Yeah. Of course. Take care of her. Try to convince her not to hate me," Holden said.
"She just needs some time. She needs to process this. She needs time to figure out what she wants to do. She was ambushed."
"Which, once again, I get no say in," Bodhi interjected into the conversation.
"Bodhi, look, I get this is a huge life-altering situation, but you can't come charging at her like a bull in a China shop," Jake said.
"What? I did not---"
Jake motioned towards the BMW.
"Oh. Yeah. That." Bodhi looked embarrassed.
"Get your car fixed tomorrow. Then we can work on your relationship with the boys."
He looked at Jake. "I still don't understand why I am talking to you."
Jake and Holden exchanged a look.
"What? What am I missing?" Bodhi asked.
"Jake helped with the boys in the past. He's.... invested."
"What do you mean? Invested."
Jake said nothing.
"Holden? What am I missing?"
"We were together," Jake said.
"What do you mean? Together."
"We were together for two years. From the time the boys turned two to right before they had their fourth birthday."
"What? You and Persephone dated?" Bodhi asked.
"We more than dated. We lived together for the bulk of the time. I helped her with Patrick and Bodhi."
"So, you raised my son's? She said she didn't need me. But she needed you... for two years."
"I have not only been raising my boys since they were born, but I have also delivered Patrick. I caught your son in my hands. I cut the cord like any good father would do."
Then why aren't you two still together? Did you cheat on her? Did you break her heart? Typical Jake Thorsell."
The comment made Jake angry. "No. I didn't. That seems to be your specialty."
"You will never be their father no matter how long you were together."
"You mean the two years? I know those kids aren't mine, but do you know what I do know? I know that in those two years, I made love to her a hundred times more than you ever did."
Bodhi took a swing, smashing into Jake's jaw. A tooth flew out and hit the asphalt.
Jake was trying his best not to pass out. He was dizzy, and his vision blurred. He was bending over with his hands on his knees, spitting blood onto the pavement.
"Just stay the fuck away from her, and we won't have a problem," Bodhi warned.
Spitting more blood out, Jake went low and grabbed Bodhi by the thighs. Bodhi was now down on one knee. Jake pushed up with his left leg, picked him up, and threw him down. Bodhi was now on his back, the wind knocked out of him, gasping to fill his lungs.
"I am going to let you get up. I am not done kicking your fucking ass."
He gave Bodhi time to scramble to his feet. He charged Jake, who gave him a hook kick, striking him in his chest, throwing Bodhi back, and leaving a boot print on his shirt. He was slammed up against the BMW. Bodhi kipped up off the car, charging Jake. He pressed his forearm up against Jake's neck, grabbed the back of it, and spun him around till they were shoulder blade to shoulder blade. Bodhi squeezed his gigantic bicep, cutting off Jake's airway.
Perri jumped out of the car and ran to them.
"Holden! Do something! Stop them."
"Just let them fight it out. It's like putting two male cats in a room."
"What the fuck is wrong with you!" She threw he hands up.
"Tell me why I shouldn't just fucking kill you right now!" Bodhi yelled.
Jake threw his head back, hitting Bodhi's nose head. He released him.
Jake fell to one knee, now facing him. He was a candy apple red. "Because your boys are watching you. They are watching you beat up their Uncle Jake. She's not yours anymore, Bodizafa."
"She's not yours either. And my sons are sure as shit, not yours." He pulled his fist back.
She tried to get the attention of the two of them.
"Guys, stop. Please. Stop! This won't solve..." her butt hit the ground before she even knew what happened.
"MOM!" The boys had gotten out of the car and watched Jake and Bodhi bashing each other. They watched in horror as Bodhi's elbow accidentally struck their mom, sending her to the ground. The lot went silent. Only the sound of four little shoes running across the blacktop could be heard.
The boys loomed over her. "Mom. Are you okay? What happened? Are you hurt?" Patrick asked with concern.
Jake and Bodhi were frozen. Holden ran over and helped her off the ground.
"I'm okay. Mommy's butt is going to hurt for a while but I'm alright."
"Her butt hurts, so don't be an extra pain in it, Bodhi," Patrick said.
"Wow, you are so funny. You should sell tickets."
"I'm going to get everyone back into the car. You two kiss and make up," she said. "Hold on, Jacob." She stripped her sweatshirt off. You're bleeding." She held the sweatshirt up to his face.
Bodhi realized it was the one he had given her all those years ago. He really messed up. She still wears his clothes, she names the boys after him, their haircuts, and she did what she could to keep his memory around. He watched her. She was now in a small white tank top that hugged her curves. Accentuated her breasts. She looked better than she ever had before. She was toned and healthy. Her body was in perfect proportion. He wanted to take her in his arms and hold her. He tried to apologize for his behavior. He had hurt her again. This time, it was going to leave a bruise.
Bodhi took off his Black Bears sweatshirt and handed it to his dad. "Here Mister. You're bleeding, too." He pointed to his forehead. "Uncle Jake really kicked your butt."
Slowly, he took the shirt from him. He saw a Puka shell necklace around the little boy's neck. Tears sprung up in his eyes. She gave him the necklace. He smelled the shirt. It was the smell of his sons. Where they lived, what soap they used, and what detergent Perri used when she washed their clothes. He wished he could have a candle made of the scent.
He handed it back. "Thanks, kid. But I'll be okay."
"It was an accident," Patrick said. "I've done it to him before. Mom didn't get mad at me when I did it. I'm sure she won't get mad at you."
"Not about that. But you two were acting like buttheads."
"Bodhi." Patrick folded his arms.
"Would you prefer I said dickheads, Patrick?"
Bodhi laughed. Yeah. These were his kids. There was no denying it.
"Where did you get that necklace? It's cool."
"Oh, this old thing?" he said, touching it. My mom lets us wear it. We take turns. This is my day. Tomorrow is his day."
"Someone special gave it to her. Bodhi broke it twice," Patrick said disapprovingly at his brother.
"Not on purpose! It got caught on something."
"Yeah, you shouldn't have been while doing something."
"We fixed it. We put a new string and clip on it."
"Clasp. It's a clasp," Patrick said.
"Tomato... tomato. I don't think it's important to the story."
"Are you sure you boys are only going to be six?" Bodhi said, cocking his head to the side.
"According to our birth certificates. Mom says that's the receipt the hospital gave her when we were born. Just in case she wanted to return us," Bodhi said.
"He's defective. He should have returned, but she didn't want to break up the set."
"BOYS! CAR! NOW! PLEASE!" Jake yelled from the passenger side of the SUV, where he was talking to Perri.
"Well, gotta go. I would say it was nice to meet you. At least up until the part you made mom's butt hit the pavement," Bodhi said.
"Dude. Like he doesn't feel bad enough already." Patrick defended Bodhi.
They started over to the car, gently shoving each other back and forth.
He watched them climb in and pull out of the parking lot. They looked like a little family. That should be HIS little family. He felt like the asshole now.
Holden walked with him over to his car.
"I have the number of an auto body shop. Harden. Good guys. They do excellent work. I'll text it to you. Go home. Call me later if you want to talk."
"I love you, Holden, but this was really fucked up. Doing this to us in front of the entire family."
"I was hoping to do it around everyone in public to keep it from escalating. Apparently, it did not."
"They're beautiful, Holden. I see so much of Persephone in their mannerisms and their expressions. Patrick is so levelheaded, and Bodhi... he's me."
"They're brilliant. Something else that they got from Persephone." Holden said with a smile. "She's kept you in their lives. They just didn't know it. I came over this morning, and she was in your Newcastle jersey. She sleeps in it. She told me that she has been missing you. It would be best to tell her what happened before you claim to those boys. She deserves the truth. And it might make it easier when you start talking about the boys and the future."
"Thanks, man."
He got into his car and drove away.
So, what do you think? Jake is back. Bodhi is back.
Please push the buttons you know which ones were