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"Absolutely not!"
"Travis, please be reasonable. It's only a few days and it's for your sake as well as mine." Darcy's heard the desperation in her voice, but he refused to listen. He'd been behaving like this since he'd arrived at the house shortly after the phone call from Laura.
"I've waited long enough. Brooke is going to learn the truth about me this weekend, whether you like it or not."
Darcy ran a hand through her hair in exasperation. Why can't he wait a few more days so we can get advice on how to take the next step?
"And exactly how are you going to tell her?" She waited quietly for his answer.
"What do you mean?"
"Are you going to say straight out, 'Hi, Brooke, I'm not really Darcy's friend, I'm your father'? Will you tell her as soon as she comes in the door? What happens if you tell her and she doesn't want to know?" She folded her arms and tilted her head to one side as she waited for his reply.
"Of course I won't tell her like that. I'll wait for the right moment and then tell her quietly. Without any hysterics."
"When is the right moment to tell a child a stranger is her father?" For once, the sarcasm came from her instead of him.
"You won't stop me, Darcy. You're still trying to put off the inevitable. It's time Brooke knew the truth."
"All I'm asking is for you to wait until we can talk to our solicitors about what comes next legally. Be honest, Travis, you haven't really thought this through. What happens after you tell Brooke? Will you tell her you're going to drag her away from me to live in America? How will you explain a court case to fight for custody?" Darcy's patience snapped, and she marched down the hallway to the back garden. Maybe fresh air would cool her down and soothe the headache which had arrived with a savage intensity.
"Darcy." Travis followed her into the garden. "Would you really fight me for custody?"
"I will if you don't stop and listen. You've never considered any of this from my point of view, have you? You haven't taken into consideration that I've looked after Brooke since she was born. I'm the one who got up in middle of the night to feed her. I changed her nappies, I cuddled and looked after her when she was sick or frightened. True, I also had the joy of watching her first step, her first day at school. Her face light up with happiness at pleasant surprises. Now you come along and want to become an instant father and take her away from me." Darcy turned away to hide the tears which threatened to overcome her.
"Aren't you being rather selfish?"
"Me? Selfish?" Darcy spun round, tears forgotten as disbelief took its place.
"Yes, selfish. You're putting yourself before Brooke's interests. Don't you think she has a right to know me?" The light of battle shone from Travis' eyes as he stood in front of her, arms folded.
"You can't see it, can you?" Darcy was exhausted with the effort of trying to make Travis understand. "It's you who's being selfish. I want what's best for Brooke and—"
"And you don't think that's what I want? I hoped by now you would have a better opinion of me, Darcy."
"Let me finish, will you? What's best for Brooke is not necessarily what we think is best for her. She may only be eight years old, but she's quite capable of making up her own mind. We need to know all the answers before she asks the questions." Darcy flopped down on the garden bench and looked at the ground.
"You would let an eight-year-old make a decision regarding her future? Do you honestly think that's the action of a responsible adult?" Travis paced up and down in front of the bench.
"Not decide, but at least allow her to have input into any final outcome. It is her life we're talking about. Travis, will you please stop pacing up and down like a caged animal? You're making me sick." Darcy shook her head, trying to dislodge the headache and nausea made worse by the tension of the conversation.
"Okay, what do you suggest?" Travis sat down heavily at her side.
"At last! I think we should have a meeting with Mr. Case and Laura and find out what's required legally. Then we can both say what we'd like to happen and try and work out a compromise and plan of action." She glanced at Travis to see his reaction to her suggestion and found he was leaning forward, hands clasped between his knees and a deep frown on his face. "Travis! Are you listening to me?"
"I'm listening." He stopped frowning and looked at her. "What do you want to happen, Darcy?"
"First and foremost, I want Brooke to be happy, and if that means she accepts you as her father and goes to live with you, so be it. But her wishes are paramount in this matter, not what you or I think is best for her, or what we'd like to happen." Darcy rubbed her temples, but the headache refused to go away, in fact, it was getting worse.
"Very well. I don't approve of these delays, but I agree to do it your way. We'll see the lawyers on Monday and decide what we're going to do after that. I never thought it would be this difficult to get my own child to live with me. This should have been quite a simple matter, but it's turned into an absolute nightmare."
"Did you honestly think you'd be able to waltz in and take over?" Darcy stared at him in astonishment. "What did you think had happened to Brooke during the last eight years? You sound as if you thought she was just sitting around waiting for you to come and collect her."
"I'm not really sure what I thought. I suppose I assumed her aunt would be pleased to get rid of the burden of looking after her. That was, of course, before I met you." He frowned as he looked at her. "Darcy, are you okay? You're pale."
"I'm tired and I've got a headache."
"I'm not making it any better arguing with you, am I? Why don't you lie down? I'll look after Brooke when she comes back from Minnie's."
Darcy looked at him suspiciously. Was this some sort of trick? Travis sensed her distrust and hastened to calm her fears.
"Don't worry, I promise I won't say anything. I'll be a good boy and wait until Monday. Now scoot. Get some rest."
Wearily Darcy dragged herself to her room and stripped off her jeans before crawling into bed. Although she slept, bad dreams plagued her rest. Nightmares of Travis callously telling Brooke of his real identity. The scene played over and over again with varying endings. In one scene, Brooke ran screaming to bury her face in Darcy's shoulder. Another had Brooke turning away from her aunt in disgust and leaving with Travis. The third ending was the most unsettling with Brooke turning her back on both Darcy and Travis, saying she'd have nothing more to do with people who lied to her.
"Darcy! Wake up, Darcy!"
Struggling up from the depths of sleep, she opened her eyes to find Travis looking at her, a worried expression on his face.
"You were screaming," Travis told her.
"Screaming?" The nightmare rapidly receded as Darcy tried to sort fact from fiction.
"Yes, screaming," Travis said. "You seemed to be having a bad dream and I got worried and decided to wake you up. How are you feeling now?"
"A bit disorientated." Darcy shook her head to clear her thoughts, but stopped when the headache protested with a deep throb. "Where's Brooke?"
"She called from Minnie's to ask permission to stay there for the rest of the day. As you weren't feeling well, I thought it best to agree." Travis still looked worried. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I still have a bit of a headache, but fresh air will get rid of that." Darcy pushed back the covers and tried to stand. Her bare legs decided not to obey her and she wobbled as she rose from the bed.
"Here, let me help you." Travis caught her by the shoulders to stop her from falling, and his stare bored deeply into her eyes with an intensity she hadn't seen before. His hands slid down her arms and pulled her close to him.
"I'm fine, really I am." Darcy struggled to free herself, but she had no strength and had to grab at him for support.
"Darcy." His voice softly caressed her name, as his arms moved gently round her body, pulling her closer to his chest.
She looked up at him and realized he was going to kiss her. Once more she struggled to free herself, but his mouth slowly descended until his lips brushed against hers, which had parted in surprised expectation.
The kiss started gently, but Darcy's emotions took over and she let go of her inhibitions and responded with a fervour which surprised her. Travis pulled her closer, his lips pressing hard on hers until her body melted towards his. One of his hands moved to rub the back of her neck and caress her hair, and his mouth travelled over her face kissing her eyelids, her nose, her cheek, then moved across to her mouth once more.
Sanity struggled to return when her body wanted to give in completely. Her mind disagreed. How can I think of giving myself to the man who intends to take Brooke away from me? And what about the fiancée waiting for him in America? Is he thinking of this woman while he's kissing me like this? With the last of her strength, Darcy pulled herself from his arms.
"I think you should wait for me in the kitchen. We need to finish the conversation we started earlier."
Travis looked dazed, but he silently left the room and Darcy sank down on the bed. How could I have let him touch me like that? Staggering to the en suite, she doused her face with cold water and put on her jeans. Now she felt more able to cope with the situation and she strode determinedly from the bedroom.
"What did you mean, we haven't finished our conversation?" Travis enquired as Darcy plugged in the kettle. "I agreed to wait until we consulted the lawyers."
"Travis, we really need to talk about what we would both like for Brooke's future. I know I said we should do this on Monday, but perhaps we should talk about it now. I get the idea you want to remove Brooke from this house and country as fast as you possibly can. You talk about me being selfish, but you seem to think you should be able to take custody of her immediately, and whip her off to the States because you want her to live with you and you have to get back to your business over there." Darcy poured hot water over the instant coffee and pushed a cup across the table to Travis.
"Do you honestly think I'm like that?"
"Let's say it's the impression you give, and how am I to know any different when we've never discussed the matter? You probably have an equally bad opinion of what I want, don't you?" She looked expectantly at him, waiting for him to quickly deny, or confirm her words.
To her surprise, he stared down at his cup for several moments before looking up to reply.
"I had no idea you thought me so hard hearted. Whatever gave you the idea I would rip her away from you like that?"
"Oh come on, Travis. Isn't that what you said in Mr. Case's office a few weeks ago? Don't you remember both our solicitors warned you it might take up to six months before you can take Brooke out of the country?"
"That was before I got to know you, and realized how close you are to Brooke. There's no way I would suddenly drag her away from you. I had hoped to come to some sort of agreement regarding custody of her."
"You mean you'd let me keep custody?" Darcy's hopes staggered upwards. Would he really let Brooke stay with me?
"I'm sorry, Darcy, I can't do that. She's my daughter and naturally, I want her with me. But there must be a way we can compromise without Brooke being hurt." He looked questioningly at Darcy, as if he expected her to come up with an instant solution.
"I don't see how that's possible." Darcy ran a hand through her hair. "You live in the States and I live in New Zealand. It's not as if she can pop in to either home when she felt like it."
"To go back to your original question regarding how I see your position. I'll be honest, Darcy. At first I didn't think you were a suitable person to have charge of Brooke. That was a misunderstanding and I hope you've forgiven me. I know now you want to do what's best for Brooke, but at the same time, you're hoping this won't mean you have to lose her. I would like us to keep a close relationship. You are her aunt after all's said and done. However, that would mean one of us would have to move to another country." He waited for Darcy to comment, but she shook her head.
"That's impossible as far as I'm concerned. I have to earn my living and I can't see your government giving me a green card just because I want to be closer to my niece. Besides, I'm not sure I want to leave New Zealand. This is my home and I like it here."
"So we're at an impasse. I want Brooke to come and live with me in San Diego, while you want her to stay here with you in Timaru. Both of us want what's best for Brooke, but the Pacific Ocean seems to be getting in the way." His shoulders slumped and he sighed. "There's no solution, is there?"
"I suppose it's not possible for you to come and live in New Zealand?" Darcy waited hopefully for his reply.
"For short periods only. Most of my contracts are in America."
"We'll just have to wait and see what Mr. Case and Laura have to say regarding the legal issues," Darcy said, and Travis nodded wordlessly.
*****
WHEN DARCY ENTERED Laura Godwin's office on Monday, she blinked in surprise as she saw Travis and Herbert Case were also present.
"Don't look so startled, Darcy," Laura said. "It had to be either my office or Mr. Case's and Mr. Denton suggested they come here."
Darcy smiled her thanks at Travis, but he seemed preoccupied and unaware of her presence.
"Let's get started." Laura indicated everyone should be seated. "First I think it needs to be stated for the record that Darcy Farrell accepts Travis Denton is Brooke Kelly Farrell's natural father. Darcy?"
"Yes, I accept the results of the test as being correct."
"Mr. Case, perhaps you would like to state the legal side of your client's case."
"Gladly, Miss Godwin. Mr. Denton naturally would like to be granted custody of his daughter. As mentioned at an earlier meeting, this is usually a gradual process which can take up to six months. However, Mr. Denton's business interests are suffering while he is in this country and he would like to return to America as soon as possible. Hopefully with full custody of his daughter. One moment, Miss Godwin." Herbert Case lifted his hand to stem Laura's objection. "If you would let me finish. Mr. Denton is aware a sudden removal of the child to his custody and consequent move to America would be disruptive to both Brooke and Miss Farrell's lives and feelings.
"He therefore suggests custody be transferred to him, and invites Miss Farrell and Brooke to accompany him to his home in San Diego. This would enable him to attend to his business interests without abandoning the child. It may also help to make the break easier for Miss Farrell if she saw the environment her niece would be living in. Mr. Denton would, of course, pay all costs."
Darcy sat riveted to her chair, unable to move for shock. The thoughts tumbled over themselves in her brain, but she felt unable to put them into words, even though she heard Laura asking for her opinion on Travis' suggestion.
"Darcy, are you all right?"
Travis stood beside her, holding a glass of water and urging her to drink.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to come as such a shock to you."
"Shock!" Darcy found her voice and pushed the glass away from her. "I think that's an understatement. You say your business is suffering because of your prolonged absence and you want to take Brooke and myself to your home for how long?"
"As long as you feel is necessary," Travis replied.
"But before we leave the country, you wish to be granted custody. Have I got that right?" Her eyes widened as she looked at him.
"Yes, but that's mainly because I need to get American citizenship for her, and to do that, I need to prove she's my daughter and have papers to show I am legally responsible for her."
"So you expect me to hand over custody, leave my own business to fend for itself, and trek over to San Diego because you aren't willing to spend any longer in this country?" Darcy's eyes flashed daggers as she glared at Travis.
"I thought it would be best for Brooke and would help both of you adjust to the situation." Travis looked genuinely puzzled that his suggestion hadn't found favour with Darcy.
"I need to talk to Laura about this before I agree to anything." Darcy glanced across at her solicitor, who nodded in a noncommittal way. "Would you gentlemen excuse us please?"
"Perhaps it would be best to continue this meeting tomorrow morning at ten o'clock?" Herbert Case asked apologetically. "I have several other appointments today and this is obviously going to take longer than I anticipated."
"I think you're probably right." Laura escorted them to her office door. Travis lingered at the door for a moment and he seemed about to speak to Darcy, but a glare from her changed his mind and he followed Mr. Case.
"See, Laura. He's not interested in Brooke, or how this custody thing affects me. He's worried about his business, but doesn't give a hoot about mine. I can't go to America for an indefinite period. I'd have nothing to come back to. Oh God, what a mess. Why did that man ever have to turn up? Brooke and I were doing fine before he came along, now everything's all upside down."
"Calm down, Darcy. We have to find a way round this. First of all, your business aside, do you think his idea is a good one as far as Brooke is concerned?" Laura waited patiently while Darcy gave the question serious thought.
"I suppose it does make sense, but he hasn't taken Brooke's feelings into consideration. Before any custody change, I'd have to be sure she felt happy about it."
"Then I'd suggest Mr. Denton returns to America, sorts out his business problems then comes back here, taking no longer than two weeks. During this time, the legal proceedings concerning custody can begin but not be finalized. There are several things which need to be done before any change in custody of a minor can go to the Family Court. The time to tell Brooke will be when he returns. If she takes it well and accepts Travis as her father, then you take a month long break and do as Travis suggests. The two weeks he's in the States should give you enough time to find a substitute for a month. Do you think it's possible for you to work to that plan?"
"Sounds like the lesser of two evils to me, but I suppose I'll have to accept it. As long as there's no exchange of custody before Brooke knows." Darcy was silent for a moment. "Another thing. Both you and Mr. Case must make Travis understand he is not to tell Brooke he's her father before he comes back from America. And I must be present when he tells her."
"That shouldn't be too much of a problem. We should get him to agree in writing so I'll draw up a draft and have it sent round to Mr. Case's office this afternoon. I'll see you tomorrow in his offices. Oh, another thing..." Darcy hesitated, her hand on the door. "Don't discuss any of this with Travis. If he asks, tell him that you feel it's best if you both wait until tomorrow morning so feelings don't get carried away."
"Fine. I'll see you tomorrow."
Darcy headed home, unhappiness making the sunny world around her seem grey. Within a few weeks, six at most, she would be on her own. No Brooke! No Travis! Just an empty house and her own company. She knew her friends would rally round, but nothing could replace the happy laughter, the tears and the companionship of her niece. There would also be no substitute for the man who had stormed into her life and stolen her heart.
*****
WHAT DID I DO WRONG? Travis was unable to understand Darcy's antagonism. He thought he had come up with a solution to suit both of them, but Darcy obviously didn't agree. He'd lost several weeks business for Brooke's sake, and although he didn't begrudge the time, he found it difficult to see why Darcy wasn’t able to do the same.
He wasn't looking forward to the meeting tomorrow. Darcy seemed unwilling to compromise and he had to return to America. There were projects which needed his personal attention or he would lose some contracts. Why can't Darcy understand this will be for Brooke's benefit as well as mine? If he kept his clients happy, then more work would come in and Brooke would have a secure home.
How could they work out a compromise so they could both enjoy Brooke's company? An idea began to form, but he would need to return to the U.S. to see if it was feasible. This meant he couldn't share his thoughts with Darcy until he knew one way or the other if it was possible.
He reluctantly admitted another reason he wanted Darcy to come to San Diego was for her to see where he lived. Somehow the woman had got into his every waking moment and he realized life without her would be very lonely. For the first time, he understood how she would feel when Brooke had come to live with him.
*****
NEXT MORNING, DARCY met Laura at Mr. Case's office and they were quickly shown to the inner sanctum. Travis stood in his usual position, leaning against the filing cabinets.
"Have you had any further thoughts regarding Mr. Denton's proposal?" Herbert Case asked.
"My client has considered the suggestion in great depth, however we feel Mr. Denton is being unfair to Miss Farrell. After all, he is the one suing for custody and it is up to him to make concessions. However," Laura glared at Travis as he straightened up. "We have a compromise to offer."
While Laura outlined their suggestion in a concise manner, Darcy watched for Travis' reaction. At first he shook his head silently, as if in disagreement, but then his expression changed to one of thoughtfulness.
"Let me get this straight." Travis looked at Laura when she'd finished speaking. "You want me to go back to the States and sort out my business problems taking no more than two weeks, during which time you'll allow custody proceedings to begin. When I return, we tell Brooke the truth and see what her reaction is. Is that correct?"
"Yes, Mr. Denton."
"Then if all goes well, Darcy and Brooke will accompany me to my home in San Diego and Darcy will stay for six weeks to help my daughter get used to me and her new environment."
"Correct."
"Why can't Darcy come now? Why must we go through this ridiculous charade?" Travis looked impatiently at Darcy.
"Travis, what would happen if you left your business without anybody to run it?" Darcy asked.
"I have left my business like that, although I admit I keep in contact by phone and Internet."
"Well my business is very hands on, with a turnaround of about twenty-four hours. If I upped and left without getting somebody to run it for any length of time, I wouldn't have a business to come back to. I need the time to sort out my affairs. I can't take off to America without warning."
"And you won't put Brooke's needs before your own?" Travis shook his head. "Now you're the one who's being selfish."
"I don't call losing custody of a child I have always considered my own, and having my business crash around me at the same time being selfish!" Darcy's voice rose as her anger increased. "You storm into our lives, totally disrupt everything, then want to spirit Brooke away to America leaving me with nothing. No niece, no business. All I'm asking you for is time to adjust and make arrangements for my clients and you don't seem willing to allow me that small request."
"Let's calm down, please," Laura interrupted. "Mr. Denton, are you willing to proceed in this manner, or do you have an alternative suggestion?"
"I agree on two conditions. One, the custody proceedings start immediately without any countersuit from Darcy. Two, I tell Brooke I'm her father as soon as I return from the States." He looked at Darcy, obviously expecting her to object. "Mr. Case showed me the agreement you sent round regarding me not telling Brooke earlier. I will sign this if you agree to my conditions."
"I agree as long as I'm present when you tell Brooke." Darcy's anger had disappeared as quickly as it had arisen, and she smiled sweetly at him, intending to take the sting out of her words. Too late, she realized the smile would only irritate Travis.
"Why?"
"I think I need to be there for her sake. I know how Brooke reacts to surprises. The first thing she'll do is turn to me and ask if it's true."
"You mean she'll think I'm lying?" Travis looked at her in astonishment.
"No, of course not. It will be a natural reaction to turn to the person she's always believed to be her only relative, and ask for confirmation. I know Brooke better than you and believe me, that's exactly what she'll do. After that — who knows what will happen?"
"Very well, I agree to you being present when I tell her. Mr. Case, I depend on you to ensure custody proceedings start immediately. I'll see how soon I can get a flight to San Diego, and I'll contact you as soon as I get back." He looked at Darcy as if he expected her to object, but she merely looked stunned at the speed things were moving.