This chapter is dedicated to RadioSpirit - thanks for your support :)

4 – The Day I Became Patrice Forrester

My wish would come true only a few months after Marcus had started dating my mom. They told me the happy news that they would get married at the same time they announced I would become a big sister. The latter scared me, uncertain if I wanted to share my new dad with a sibling. Back then, I didn't realize that the baby was not only the reason for the rushed nuptials, but also a constant point of contention between them.

I felt guilty about my jealousy and began to withdraw, afraid Marcus and my mom could sense my reluctance and get angry at me. Surprisingly, Marcus was the one who noticed the change in me first, my own mother more concerned with her pregnancy than with me.

"Is everything okay with you, Patrice?" he asked one morning during breakfast when we were staying over at his condo. My mom was still asleep.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I was unable to hold his gaze, my cheeks burning from the lie.

"I can tell something is bothering you." He propped his head up on the back of his hands. "Come on. Spill it, kid."

I studied him as he regarded me with a smile. There was no way I could fool him. "I'm scared that when the baby is born, you don't need me anymore." Tears welled in my eyes as the last words spilled from my mouth.

The smile vanished as both of his hands tucked around mine. "That'll never happen, Patrice. I love you just like I'll do my own child."

I dropped my gaze, wanting to believe him.

"As a matter of fact, your mom and I already discussed this. How would you like it if I adopted you?"

I blinked at him through my tears. "What does that mean?"

"It means that legally, you're just like your new sister or brother. You'll even have the same last name."

My forehead wrinkled. "You can do that?"

"Yes, Patrice." His smile was back. "It'll take a few months if your real daddy doesn't agree, but I promise you, I'll get it done."

It sounded like a brilliant idea and my sullen mood was lifted.

The wedding was only a few weeks later. I had always pictured my mom getting married in a white dress in a big church and was stunned when she only wore a plain linen dress that didn't hide her baby bump. Instead of a church, we went to the courthouse.

"Why aren't we in a church?" I asked Marcus when my mom took one of her many bathroom breaks.

"Big weddings cost money and both your mom and I decided we'd rather buy a new house when the baby is born." He straightened the collar of my new pink dress. "Besides, I'm an atheist. It wouldn't be appropriate."

"What's an atheist?"

"Someone who doesn't believe in religions."

"You don't believe in God?" I had heard anyone so openly denouncing the father in heaven. My mom had always said that God was an important part of our lives.

"No, Patrice, I don't." He chuckled when my jaw dropped. "Don't look so shocked. A lot of people only run to church for show, but deep down, they know it's just a bunch of bull. I mean, look at this place"—his hands swooped around the courtroom where we were waiting—"Why would God allow all this violence and misery? Shouldn't he take care of us and make sure people follow his laws and don't hurt each other."

His words made a lot of sense at the time—I had often asked how people got so easily away with sinning without being punished. There should be at least some type of consequence for breaking the ten commandments, like the way Marcus put people in jail.

My mom rejoined us and to my delight, my grandparents and my Uncle Duane also arrived a few minutes later. He was in his uniform and looked really handsome. Marcus and he seemed to know each other well, they joked just like old friends. It was the first time I really got a sense of family.

The ceremony started. In a daze, I watched my mom and Marcus holding hands, confirming the vows a man read to them with an "I do." A few tears of joy trickled down my mom's cheeks, but Marcus looked almost sullen. I remember thinking he must not be feeling well since he didn't appear happy at all.

After the ceremony, he pulled me aside to introduce me to the man who had read the vows.

"Your Honor, this is the girl I was telling you about who I want to adopt. Her name's Patrice." His hands, resting on my shoulders, squeezed me gently. "Patrice, this is Judge Oaks. He'll help us."

The man extended his hand. "It's nice to meet you, Patrice."

"Very nice to meet you, too, sir." I shook his hand firmly.

A smile curled his lips. "You're a very well-mannered young lady. Refreshing when I compare you to the young riff raff that usually passes through my courtroom."

My cheeks tingled. I wondered if he would still say the same if he knew about the shoplifting.

"Well, file the paperwork, Marcus, and I'll make sure it gets priority on the docket. I heard the real father is a piece of work. Let me know if he gives you any grief."

"Don't worry, I got that covered, Your Honor. Guy's a crackhead and on probation. I'm friends with his probation officer and if he doesn't sign on the dotted line, it'll take one call. . ."

He didn't finish his sentence, but from the look on the judge's face, he knew exactly what Marcus meant.

"How did your wife ever get caught up with him?"

Marcus shrugged. "He used to live next door to her. You know how easy it is to mix with the wrong crowd in certain neighborhoods."

"I suppose." Judge Oak's eyes lingered on my mom for a moment before we had his full attention again. "Well, you guys enjoy your celebration. I'll see you in a few days, Marcus."

Marcus pulled me away and we rejoined my mom and the other guests. We were off to a restaurant in the suburbs. On the way there, Marcus pointed at a small house in a very quiet street.

"That's where we gonna live, kiddo."

My eyes went wide as I squealed. The house was absolutely beautiful with a little front yard and I caught a glance at an even bigger one out back. The grass was cut and no paint peeled off the walls or the fence. The neighborhood was free of litter and all the cars were newer models and not on their last leg like the ones I was used to.

"Will I have my own room?" I asked.

"Of course." He laughed. "You can even pick out the wall color and decorate it the way you want. We'll get you some new furniture"—he stroked my arm—"You'll see, it's gonna be great."

I couldn't wait. All this was a dream come true—I felt like Cinderella. For the first time, I was even looking forward to the baby. I could push him or her around in the backyard with the buggy, and maybe, Marcus would even get a swing set for us. I always wanted to have a swing set that didn't squeak and hop when I swung too high.

The rest of the day went by in a flash. I stuffed myself with chicken nuggets at the restaurant. Afterward, Marcus insisted to take me to the park although my mom had wanted to take a stroll on the beach.

"It's boring for a child to just stare onto the lake." He winked at me. "Patrice deserves to enjoy herself just as much on our wedding day. She's part of the family."

My mom pouted, but he didn't budge. She had that glint in her eyes that really bothered me—like we were competing for his affection. When his arm wrapped around my mom's shoulders, my hand automatically buried itself in his when he offered it.

"Don't pout, Chantal. It doesn't suit you and makes you look like a spoiled brat. After all, you got what you wanted, so you should be happy."

Back then, I had no clue what he meant. The words "you tricked me into this marriage" wouldn't flow out of his mouth until months later, but it was certainly something that hung over their union like a thunder cloud from the very start. A happily ever after was never in the cards for them.

~~~~

By the time we moved into the new house, my mom was the size of a barrel. Her nerves were on edge; she pretty much snapped at me any chance she got. I was too loud when she wanted to sleep, too obnoxious when I hungry after not being fed all day, and too lazy when I wanted to sleep late on Sunday mornings instead of going to church.

Marcus was our constant buffer, mostly siding with me while criticizing my mom non-stop. "It's not Patrice's fault that you're not feeling well. If you wouldn't eat so damn much, you wouldn't be so fat and have more energy. Even the doctor said you're gaining too much weight." His eyes were blazing. "Pull yourself together, Chantal. Your constant whining goes on everyone's nerves."

After his lectures, he often took me to a restaurant for dinner or played with me in the park. At bedtime, he would read to me before tucking me in, working late in his home office for the rest of the night. Sometimes, I wasn't even sure he slept at all. In those months, he was my main caretaker, my mom mostly spending her days in front of the television or in her bed with a bag of chips.

One morning over breakfast, he announced with a big smile that we had to go back to court. "Today's the day, Patrice. Judge Oaks will rule on the adoption petition this morning."

My heartbeat accelerated—I was beyond excited. "Did my daddy agree?"

The smile faded briefly as a shadow crossed his face. "Not yet, but don't worry about a thing."

We loaded my mom into the car and took off. My heart was pounding in my throat the whole way to the courthouse—what if something went wrong? I wanted to become Patrice Forrester so badly and was scared that things with Marcus would change if the adoption didn't go through.

My real dad was already waiting and sneered at my mom when he saw her. "Got yourself a sugar daddy who puts up with your shit?"

"Don't talk to my wife, asshole," Marcus hissed through his teeth. The glare he gave my dad sent a shiver down my spine. I was actually afraid of him in that moment.

My dad didn't have a lawyer, but Marcus had hired one of his friends he introduced to me as Tivon Goldstein. They huddled over some paperwork, whispering to each other while shooting nasty glares in the direction of my dad. My mom didn't pay any attention to anyone as she leaned back on a bench, panting, with her belly sticking up. Her hand fanned air into her face. It was stifling in the courtroom and the thin summer dress was sticking to her skin like cling wrap.

I pricked my ears to pick up some of the adult conversation.

"He wants five grand, Marcus," Tivon muttered. "I got the check right here. All I need is your approval and we can wrap this matter up."

"I don't want to pay that asshole a dime. He's just a worthless piece of shit. Isn't there any other way?"

Tivon shook his head. "At the moment, he behaves like a damn choir boy. We can't get him on a probation violation and you can't allege abuse either since he has never spent any time with Patrice."

"Fuck." Marcus looked like he was about to kill someone.

"You're a lawyer, Marcus. It'll take months, if not years, to get this pushed through the system, if you are successful at all. There are no grounds to terminate his parental rights and you know it."

"Yeah, I suppose." Marcus's fist hit the table with a low thump.

My head slumped between my shoulders. Both men stared at me for a moment and I already feared I had gotten caught, but then they returned to their conversation.

Marcus nodded. "Okay, get it done."

Tivon rose and spoke to my dad before they both left the courtroom.

Marcus came over to me and smiled. "All good, Patrice. Your daddy agreed after all, so this will only be a formality."

And he was right. After we all gathered in front of Judge Oaks, some papers were exchanged before he signed the official court order just as my dad was leaving the courtroom with the biggest grin on his face.

"Congratulations, Patrice." Judge Oaks beamed at me. "All your adoption papers have been signed."

I bit my lip. "Does that mean I'm now Patrice Forrester?"

He nodded. "That's exactly what it means."

I was so thrilled that the smile didn't leave my face for the entire day. As usual, my mom wasn't feeling well and insisted on us to drop her home. Marcus and I still celebrated; he took me to my favorite pizza restaurant. Yet, the whole time, he seemed preoccupied and even left me alone while I ate my ice cream to make a phone call.

"I have an errand to run but should be home soon," he said when he let me out by our front door.

It was the first time he didn't keep his word. By the time he returned, it was already dark and I had fallen asleep on the couch.

He woke me with a kiss on my hair. "Sorry it gotten so late, pumpkin."

I blinked at him through heavy eyelids, my mind barely registering the deshelled condition he was in. His shirt was torn and there was blood on his lips.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes." He stroked a few strands of hair out of my eyes that had gotten stuck to my cheek.

I noticed that there was also dried blood on his knuckles.

"Let me take you to bed, alright?"

My arms wrapped around his neck as he lifted me up. When we passed through the hallway, my eyes grazed a check on the reception table next to his car keys. It had my daddy's name on it.

Back then, I didn't make the connection, not even when my mom told me the next day that my daddy had died in a mugging. His killers were never found; he was just a poor thug from the Southside of Chicago and no one gave a damn. Solving a street crime like this was not on anyone's priority list, something Marcus, who had grown up in that part of town, knew too well. There wasn't even a formal funeral since no one claimed my daddy's body. It was like his presence on earth was erased after the only evidence of his existence had been claimed by another man.

Secrets about Marcus and Chantal's marriage were revealed that might shed some light on his behavior in the main story (not to make an excuse). Chantal got pregnant which was the only reason he married her and from the start, he favored Patrice, spoiling her to the fullest, while already cutting into his wife as a form of punishment. He also never shied away from getting what he wanted, as long as the risk of consequences were minimal. 

In the next chapter, he will start to show his true colors as violence will move into the house with the arrival of the new baby. I hope you're enjoying this story so far; your thoughts are always appreciated and don't forget to vote if this chapter deserved it. Thanks for reading and see you next week :)

ALSO, CHECK OUT THE FIRST CHAPTER OF ROAD TO REDEMPTION WHICH WAS JUST POSTED TODAY!!