Chapter 14 - THE BABY BRENDAN COULD NOT CLAIM
Cassidy went into labor at 3:18 on a rainy Tuesday morning.
Brendan was in Boston.
Elise contacted him after Cassidy was admitted because that was the plan they had agreed to.
He drove to Manhattan but remained in the family waiting area.
He did not enter the delivery room.
He did not call Diane.
He waited.
Cassidy noticed that later.
Their son, Samuel Charles Hale-Morrison, was born shortly after noon.
Healthy.
Loud.
Seven pounds, one ounce.
Cassidy held him against her chest and cried harder than she expected.
Not because she had survived some dramatic medical crisis.
Because for months people had discussed the baby like he was an asset.
A Morrison.
A bargaining point.
Future inheritance.
Proof of family connection.
In Cassidy’s arms he was none of those things.
He was warm and furious and hungry.
Three hours later Cassidy allowed Brendan into the room.
He stopped beside the bassinet.
His face crumpled.
“Can I hold him?”
Cassidy studied him.
“Sit first.”
Brendan sat.
A nurse showed him how to position his arms.
Cassidy watched before handing Samuel over.
Brendan cried silently.
“Hi, buddy.”
Cassidy looked away.
There were versions of Brendan she had loved deeply.
They were still real.
So were the others.
That contradiction was harder than hatred.
“I told Mom she couldn’t come.”
Cassidy looked back.
“I didn’t ask you to.”
“I know.”
“Why?”
Brendan adjusted Samuel carefully.
“Because she asked me to convince you.”
Cassidy waited.
“And I realized that if I did, I’d be doing the same thing again.”
He looked down at his son.
“Making you responsible for what she wants.”
Cassidy felt tears rise.
Brendan continued:
“I don’t know if I’m becoming better or just finally running out of people to blame.”
“That’s probably part of becoming better.”
He looked at her.
It was the gentlest thing she had said to him in months.
She did not regret it.
Their parenting agreement remained temporary.
Brendan would have scheduled time with Samuel once Cassidy recovered, initially with a family-support professional helping both parents establish routine because of the conflict surrounding the pregnancy.
No instant perfect co-parenting.
No automatic forgiveness.
No one was losing parental rights because of one terrible dinner.
They would have to build whatever came next in boring pieces.
Feeding times.
Diapers.
Pediatric appointments.
Showing up when promised.
Brendan handed Samuel back.
Before leaving he stopped at the door.
“Cassidy?”
“Yeah?”
“I really thought you needed me.”
Cassidy looked down at their sleeping son.
“I did.”
May you like
Brendan looked surprised.
“Just not for money.”
