Chapter 66: Son-Shine

Ricardo's POV

"My what?" I questioned in confusion looking at the small boy.

"Your son," my mother repeated.

"It can't be." It felt like an echo of a gunshot had went off in my ears. Stunned, baffled and caught completely by surprise, I continued looking at the little boy. Penelope took his right hand and approached me.

"It's true. His name is Ricci and he's your son," she stated.

"His son, Penelope, are you serious right now! Are you serious?! And why is my brother now being introduced?" Rockett asked with a raised tone of voice.

"We can discuss in private," I responded being mindful that we still in the company's lobby.

"We wouldn't invade your privacy," Miss. Prime said. She and Adonna remained behind and they appeared to be mending a new bond.

We filed back into my office.

~

"With all due respect, Penelope, I'm going to have to issue a DNA test for myself and little Ricci," I informed.

"We're related. Ninety-nine percent. I'm his grandmother. I had my own DNA testing done," Mother inputted.

"You knew about this?" I questioned her.

"I did."

"How long have you known?"

"I don't see how that's.."

"How long have you known about him!?" I repeated.

"Since the day he was born," Mother answered.

"How old is he?" I asked to Penelope.

"Go ahead and tell your dad your age, sweetie," Penelope directed to little Ricci.

"I'm seven," he answered.

"Seven years old," I digested as I mentally calculated. "You got pregnant right after college?"

"It was during but I didn't find out until we graduated and then parted our ways," Penelope answered.

"Wow. Unbelievable," Rockett chimed in. She shook her head at Penelope then at Mother, "Ricardo, I'll take my leave now. I have another meeting to attend. Get that test because I wouldn't take Mother's words for it and I hope you don't too," she finished. We hugged briefly before she walked out the office door.

I turned to Adani who had been  observing and listening but silent this whole time.

"Hey.. I.. I don't even know what to say to you right now," I spoke to her. She looked at me then at my potential son.

"He looks just like you," she voiced.

"He does, doesn't he? How does it feel to know that you're not going to be the first woman to give him a child?" Mom spat at her.

"THAT'S ENOUGH OUT OF YOU!" I yelled at my mother.

"Ricardo, I.."

"Get. Out!" I commanded and pointed to the door.

"Fine!" She snatched her belongings and stormed out of the office in a huff.

~
"Penelope, I'll need to know if he's my son or not as soon as possible," I said and turned to her.

"Ricardo, he's your son."

"I'm supposed to just take your words for it?"

"Look at him, Ricardo. Even Adani sees it. How can you deny he's not yours?"

"I'm not denying. I just want confirmation. I didn't knew he existed until a few minutes ago. Surely you can understand that."

"Fine. That's fine by me."

I nodded and made a phone call. Penelope, little Ricci, Adani and I left.

"I'll get a ride with my mom. I don't want to intrude," Adani said stopping short at my car.

"You wouldn't be. You're my...," I said then paused my sentence before speaking again, "Adani, I don't want us to fall apart right now."

She exhaled with frustration, nodded then turned on her heel towards her mom's car.

______

The samples were issued and I was awaiting the results which would be provided after the holidays.

I was at home, having some eggnog, although it didn't feel like a home without Adani here.

My phone vibrated in my pants pocket. I was hoping it was her.

"Merry Christmas!" Derick exclaimed as I answered.

"Merry Christmas, man. How are you?" I asked.

"I'm at your gate."

"Okay. Give me a sec to buzz you in."

~
Derick showed up with a gift in hand and a fallen expression.

"What's up?" I asked him.

"Elle," he answered shortly referring to his fianceé.

"What's wrong?" I questioned.

"We broke up."

"Ouch."

"Nah. It was long overdue to the point where we were just forcing it and I can't anymore, plus, she nags me too damn much. Always bickering and in my ears all the time. We're not compatible and that's that," he explained.

"Still, I'm sorry to hear that. It sucks not having someone on Christmas," I sympathized.

"Yeah. That's why I came here because you can relate."

"Touché."

I poured him some eggnog and we sat down at a table like the two lonely bachelors we were right now.

"I miss Adani," I said, having another glass of eggnog.

"Man, why you let her go?"

"I thought the distance would have made her miss me, you know. But I have a feeling she's adjusting and becoming comfortable with my absence. And on top of all of that, Penelope introduced me to a child who can be my son."

"What if he is your kid, then what?"

"Make up for the years I didn't know he existed. Be the best father I can be."

"How's Adani going to feel about that?"

"I don't have a clue. She was nonchalant about the whole situation. To be honest, I'm afraid that if Ricci is my son, I'll lose her."

"Don't think like that, man. Adani is a great woman. I may have been haste by judging her but I can tell she makes you happy."

"I love her. I'm trying my all to keep it together," I said.

My phone rung again.

"Hello," I answered at the unrecognized number.

"Hi, Ricardo. It's Ricci. Mom said I should call you and wish you a Merry Christmas."

"Thanks, buddy. Merry Christmas to you to."

"Would it be okay to come and spend some time with you today?"

"Uhh.. sure," I answered.

"Awesome. Mom would drop me off. I'll see you soon."

"Okay. Can't wait to see you."

We hung up and a smile appeared on my face.

At midday, Penelope arrived with Ricci who was very rather excited to see me. He ran straight towards me and wrapped me around my legs.

"I'll be back for him.. let's say 6:00 pm?" Penelope said.

"Would it be okay if I can have him until the morning?" I asked her.

"Oh. Yeah. Of course," she answered.

"Bye mommy," Ricci said then waved at her.

"Be a good boy for your dad. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" she said back. She dropped to his level and planted a kiss on his forehead before taking her leave.

~
Once inside, I showed little Ricci around the mansion. He favorite room was the Theater room  and his eyes lit up at the large screen when I played The Lion King.

"Mom said I'm like Simba and she's like Sarabi," Ricci said.

"Then I guess that makes me like Mufasa."

"Nope. Mom said you're more like Scar," Ricci replied.

"Scar?"

"Yeah."

I chuckled as the animated movie rolled on.

When the movie came to an end, we sat in the dinning room and had lunch. Beth had prepared the most delicious dishes the night before. All I had to do was heat it up and ate.

"Can I ask you a question?" Ricci said after he was done eating.

"Sure. Anything," I answered.

"Would it be okay to call you 'dad' even though you haven't get the DNA test back?" he asked.

"Sure but let have a 'big boys' discussion," I started.

"Okay," he beamed.

"DNA testing are issued to find out if someone is related to someone else. It can be negative or it can be positive. Do you understand so far?" I stopped to ask.

"I do."

"Excellent. So once it shows that I'm your father, you can call me 'dad' until the day I die."

"What if you're not my father?" he asked with a sad look on his face.

"Then I'm still going to be there for you like a dad should be there for his kid. You can come by or I'll come and get you, we'll look at your favorite movies, we'll have fun by the pool, we'll go to the amazement parks. All those cool stuff."

"Yay," he rejoiced.

~

The day went on. Derick left and little Ricci fell asleep in my lap. I carried him upstairs into one of the guest bedrooms at the top floor, right next to mine, and laid him down to rest.

~

Getting back into the main living-room, I found Adani there. Waiting. With a smile on her face.

"Merry Christmas," she said.

"You're here. You came back," I said with happiness. I picked her up as a bride and kissed her deeply. Her lips parted, granting her access to the tongue I missed.

"Let's go upstairs," she whispered.

"Your wish is my command."

We headed to the elevator, our hands going over and roaming each other's bodies until we exited and walked towards the bedroom.

The door to the guest room opened. Ricci stepped out of it and Adani immediately spotted him.