Long Time Running - By Hannah Foster Page 0,63

was Jack's birthday at the end of the week and as she thought back on those moments just after he entered the world, where he squirmed on her chest, she knew she could not let another moment pass. The time had come for her to stop closing herself off. It was time to take a leap of faith.

Picking up the phone, she dialed her sister's number.

"Sarah? It's Nat. I ...it's time for me to meet Jack."

#

"You okay?" Andrew asked as Sarah emerged from her office. "You seem pale."

"I'm fine" she said hastily, tripping on the edge of the rug and falling towards him. Catching her, he righted her on her feet but did not let go, gently wrapping his arms around her waist.

"You don't look fine."

"Nat wants to meet Jack," she whispered as she averted his eyes.

Exhaling deeply, he pulled her to him. In a testament to how shaken up she was, she did not try to pull away. "This is the next step. You know that," he reminded softly.

Sarah nodded silently in agreement as she allowed Andrew's warmth and strength to envelop her. She found him addicting which was a large part of the reason she fought him at every turn. Now she didn't have the energy.

"I know...and I am happy for both of them. It's just..." she trailed off.

"Hard?" he finished for her.

"What's going on?" Eric interrupted, not commenting on the sight before him.

The sound of his voice had Sarah pushing back from Andrew and both stepped back as though the other was white hot.

Eric smiled to himself as he watched the awkward exchange and cocked an eyebrow at his best friend.

"Jack ready?" Andrew deflected.

"Hey Jack!" he called down the hall, "let's get a move on buddy or we're going to miss the first pitch!"

"So, what's going on?" Eric repeated.

"Nat wants to meet Jack, tomorrow," Sarah said quietly, sinking into the couch.

"That's good" Eric replied, looking at her evenly.

"I don't know if he's ready," she answered.

"I am ready" Jack replied, stunning the three adults. "I wanna meet my Mom - for real this time."

"Those are some pretty big ears you have on you little man," Andrew drawled.

Reaching up and touching his ears, Jack rolled his eyes at his friend. "My ears aren't big."

Having gathered herself, Sarah held her hand out to her nephew. "Jack, I want you to meet your mother too but I want to make sure the timing is right for both of you."

Taking her hand, he climbed on to the couch and sat down beside her. "I don't wanna wait any longer, Aunt Sarah. It's my birthday in four days and you always say I can have whatever I want and I want to meet her. I want her to wish me happy birthday. Please Aunt Sarah? I don't wanna wait."

Eric's eyes misted over and he walked clumsily to the chair in the far corner and sat down. Just when he believed he could not love his son more, his heart expanded.

"I know Jack," Sarah told him, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "I keep forgetting what a big boy you are now."

Jack looked up at her hesitantly. "I also want my dad to wish me happy birthday," he blurted.

A stunned silence fell over the room. Sarah and Eric exchanged panicked looks.

"Little man?" Andrew asked as the only one capable of speech. "Do you know who your father is?"

He nodded. "I think so," he said softly. "I think....I think my father is Eric." Turning to look at him, he was confused by the tears streaming down Eric's face. "Are you my Dad?"

Chapter 22

"Are you my Dad?" Jack asked, looking nervously at Eric.

Eric's throat seemed to close over the answer he desperately wanted to shout. He had waiting so long to tell Jack the truth but the moment he could - the moment it counted - his fears and insecurities seemed to rise again. His eyes darted nervously to Sarah, whose eyes begged him to tread carefully, and Andrew, whose eyes begged him to tell the truth, until he finally looked at Jack's rich green eyes. His mother's eyes.

Eric couldn't have lied if he wanted to. His eyes were filled past the brim and he knew the answer was written on his face. It felt as though the universe was holding its breath as it waited for him to say out loud what he had screamed with love and pride in his heart.

"Yes," he rasped. Clearing his throat, he tried again. "Yes Jack.