Isaac watched “She’s amazing, Tay,” he told his brother. “I can’t believe you’re actually a father,” Taylor said. “That’s so trippy!” “Tell me about it,” Isaac said. “So what does this mean for you and Taryn?” Taylor asked. “I don’t know,” Isaac said. “I mean, I look at her, and I know that I still love her and that she still loves me. The second I saw her it was like no time had passed at all. But I just don’t know if I could trust her anymore. If she did this once, there’s no saying she wouldn’t take off on me again. And now there’s a baby involved. Plus there’s Iris to think about. Man, Tay, has she grown. You’d barely recognize her.” “She could cut you out even if you’re not in a relationship,” Taylor pointed out. Isaac reached into the playpen and moved a blanket he thought was precariously close to Clara’s face. “I know,” he said. “I’m thinking about calling a lawyer.” “What?” “A lawyer,” Isaac repeated. “Clara is a Hanson. I want to get paternity established and get my name on the birth certificate. I want her last name changed. I want visitation schedules in writing. I want to have some recourse if Taryn tries to bolt again.” Taylor let out a low whistle. “That’s serious, Ike.” “I know,” Isaac said. “But this is my daughter, man. I can’t fool around. And I just plain don’t trust Taryn right now. I can’t let her take the girls away from me again.” “She doesn’t have to let you see Iris,” Taylor said. “No, but I don’t think she’d try to keep me from her if I was seeing Clara anyway,” Isaac said. “Where did she come up with a name like Clara?” Taylor asked. “We haven’t talked about that,” Isaac said. “But write it down and look at it. It’s kind of a mix of Clarke and Taryn. And her middle name is Jane. I’d bet anything that’s for Grandma.” Taylor smiled. “That’s cool,” he said. “So how long are you staying there?” “Today and tomorrow for sure. I’ll probably get a flight out on Thursday morning.” Isaac sighed. “I guess I should talk to Mom and Dad. I’m going to need them to help me get a lawyer when I get home.” “Are you ready to tell them about this new addition to the family?” Taylor asked. “I may just wait until I get home,” Isaac said. “This isn’t exactly the type of thing you want to spring on the rents over the phone.” “That’s probably a good idea,” Taylor agreed. “Can I at least tell Zac? I can’t keep this all to myself. I have a niece, man. I want to share that with someone.” Isaac chuckled. “Okay, you can tell Zac,” he said. “But only Zac. I mean it. And you tell him that if he opens his big mouth, I’m kickin’ his hind end. Okay?” Taylor laughed. “So what are your big plans for the rest of the day?” Isaac looked at the wall clock. “Well, my daughter should be waking up from her nap in about a half hour. Then we feast on strained peas and pureed plums. After that, I’m picking Iris up from school, and I plan on treating them both to ice cream.” Taylor giggled. “You’re getting downright domesticated already, Mr. Mom.” Isaac smiled broadly. “I could get used to it, bro,” he said. “I’m telling you, it’s not bad.” Clara stirred in her playpen. Isaac looked over the side in time to be the first thing she saw when her big brown eyes fluttered open. “Good morning, baby brown eyes,” Isaac cooed. Clara smiled widely. “Oh God,” Taylor groaned. “Puh-lease tell me you’re not descending into baby talk.” Isaac cradled the receiver on his shoulder and lifted Clara from the playpen, laying her against his shoulder and patting her back gently. “Hey, give me a break,” he said. “Let’s just wait until you have your own kids. Then we’ll see if it doesn’t turn you into a blithering idiot, too.”
Clara as she took her morning nap in her playpen. He was talking to Taylor on the telephone.
