A/N  It has been 6 weeks from when Patrick found out about the baby to Hannah's birthday.  It seems longer because you've been reading it for more than 6 weeks. There are a lot of chapters. Blame it on writing during COVID shutdown.

Patrick stood in line for two coffees, but Kristi wasn't meeting him. In the summer, tables at The Landing were in short supply. The quiet atmosphere of the winter was replaced with the slamming of the screen door and lines into the parking lot.

When he set Kristi's cup on her kitchen counter, she grabbed it and took a sip. If her smile had a soundtrack, it would be mmm. Patrick hadn't even sat down when she asked, "So how's your love life?"

He smiled. Tessa and the girls had stayed over twice, and she had agreed to spend two weeks together. He had spent time the evening before with her, and they were coming over later. Patrick dragged Kevin out of bed early. They surfed for two hours before he showered to meet Kristi.

"Spill. You're much too happy."

"I'm planning to stay with her when the kids are in California."

"Really. So you two are going to play house with two little girls. What's this a dry run?"

He shrugged. He wanted to be under one roof when the baby came. He still hadn't worked it out, but it would probably mean turning the bonus room into a room for the girls. He wasn't sure about the baby, but it could stay with him and Tessa in his room for a few months. The logical option was to put Hannah and Gabby together since Hannah would only be home for summers and school breaks. There was a lot to think about, and it would be tricky if Dr. Deb didn't come through.

"That's your plan, isn't it? How soon? When Hannah leaves? Do you think you'll marry her?"

That was the question. He knew he cared for Tessa, but it was hard to determine if it was love. He made a promise to Erica, but to replace her fully in his heart would be a big step. Wouldn't he have to love Tessa to marry her?

"I don't know. Maybe. It may be the right thing to do."

"Right thing. What are you talking about?"

He shouldn't have said that, but it was true. His child should be legitimate. He looked at Kristi. He had shared his sorrow and worries with her. She had proven her loyalty and trustworthiness a thousand times. Tessa's sisters knew.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, searching for the words and bracing himself for her reaction. "You can't even tell Dan. Swear to me."

"I swear, but I don't like where this is going."

He nodded. "She's pregnant. No, it wasn't planned, but I'm happy. I really am."

"Seriously, and you're worried about Hannah!"

"Yeah, because I know the truth. Condoms break."

Kristi giggled. "I'm sorry, but I can't decide what I think. It is kind of funny, but what about Hannah? Can I be there when you tell her?"

He sighed. "I think I'll need to tell her with the counselor. I'm meeting with her next week to discuss it."

"But you have to tell Gabby and Kevin."

"I know it will spread the minute I tell the kids. I figure it will go faster than when word got out we were dating."

"They may be too embarrassed to say anything. Now they know for sure you've been having sex. And I thought you were crazy to get tied down because her two are young."

He shook his head. "I have another eighteen years of parenting. I keep thinking about all the time I missed when mine were babies. It's a second chance to do it right. Tessa missed a lot too." Kristi looked at him and waited for him to say more. He didn't want to betray Tessa. "She worked full time with Maya. She won't talk about after Chloe, but I don't think she was in a good place."

"How could she be? It was tragic, but now a new life. When is she due?"

"January."

He sat and watched as she did the math in her head. "January! How long have you known?"

"Since May."

"So when you introduced the kids, you already knew?"

He nodded. "That's why it is so important for Hannah to accept Tessa. I was never choosing between her and my daughter. I'm choosing between two of my children. If I let Hannah have her way, I wouldn't be with Tessa, forcing her to raise my child alone."

"OMG! It's like a soap opera. I stopped watching General Hospital years ago, but your life is just as entertaining."

"I'm glad you're having fun, but this is real. We have an ultrasound in two weeks and we'll even know what we're having."

"I can see you doting on her and with a newborn. Men and babies are sexy. Peter with Abbie was something." Kristi smiled. "There is something in the water on your street. First Alex, then Tim Bassett, and now you. No one is shooting blanks over there."

"I've been thinking that I may need to shoot blanks."

Kristi laughed. "Not a bad idea considering you can't seem to keep it in your pants."

"Stop! I'm not that bad." The truth was, he wanted Tessa all the time. He had never been as sexually in sync with a woman as they were.

"You're blushing. I'm in shock!"

"You can't tell anyone. Not Dan, not Megan. Since dating me, Tessa has been forced to be less private, but she has the flight response. When things get overwhelming, she shuts me out."

"Like when Hannah shot off her big mouth."

"Yes, and another time too. People will think of me as the stud and her as something else."

"Like the one who trapped you."

He nodded. "But it isn't true. I was responsible for the condoms, not her."

"What d'you buy knockoffs from China?"

"Something like that. It doesn't matter. Neither of us want our child entering the world as a mistake. Maybe I should marry her before."

"You know if Tessa needs a friend, Megan would be a good one."

He looked at Kristi to see what she had up her sleeve. "Why so you two would have permission to talk about us?"

"No, not at all. I just think Megan is a good friend to have."

"I should go. I have to run to town before Tessa comes with the girls."

"Are you going to tell her I know?"

"Maybe. Probably. Don't say anything either way."

"Okay. Your secret is safe with me, Daddy."

He smiled, but that name wasn't very special. He had heard it the day before when Hannah had wanted to stay out past curfew because she was going to the drive-in.

It surprised him to find Hannah in front of the TV when he came home with the groceries. She always ran around with her friends and was never home. Gabby was eating lunch and jumped up to help him.

"Han, sweetie, do you want to come help?"

She slowly made her way over from the sofa. "What's for dinner?"

He stopped and looked at her. She hardly ever had dinner with them when Tessa was around. "I'm just grilling burgers. Is Ryder coming?"

"Nah, he's working."

Patrick nodded. At least the kid was finally being useful. "You know that Tessa and the girls will be here?"

She stared at him for a moment. "Yeah, well, I live here. So."

"You do and never feel like you can't be here when they are."

"It's just sickening the way she's all over you."

He smiled. Tessa was never all over him except in private. "Hannah, you're the one who keeps coming into my room when you know she's here."

"You should lock your door."

Without thinking he said, "Believe me I do."

"Gross, Dad."

"Well, keep that in mind. If the door is locked, you'll have to come back later."

The locked door used to be a sign for Erica of his mood. She would hear the click and either smile or give an excuse. Tessa has never had an excuse, but it wasn't fair to compare. They were still dating, even if they were both parenting.

"Dad! Are you thinking about her?"

"Sweetie, I think about her all the time."

"What about mom?"

He smiled. "I was just thinking about mom too. She is always right here."

He patted his chest. He couldn't keep comparing the two. They were like red and white wine — similar but different.

Hannah frowned. "I'm going back to my movie."

Once she left the kitchen, Gabby turned to him. "Did she really go in your room?" He nodded. "I wouldn't go in your room when you weren't alone, if I was puking."

"Gabs. I would hope that you would come to me if you were sick. Are you okay with them being here more?"

"It's still weird, but it's not awful. I'm getting used to it. I'm working later. So I'll miss the burgers."

"We'll miss you." He kissed her forehead. "Thanks for helping with the groceries." He sighed; it was time to put the towels in the dryer.

Patrick scanned the table. Was it his family? Chloe talk to Kevin about the sand dollar she found. Patrick suspected Megan found it when she took the girls for a walk down the beach. She left him and Tessa with Kristi who aside from making a few faces at him behaved. One was when Tessa said she wasn't wearing a swimsuit.

Maya told Tessa about a TV show Ivy had said to watch.

"That's so old, I watched it." Every face turned to Hannah, except Chloe, who was oblivious to the family dynamic. Maya looked the most stunned. Hannah said, "What? It's just an old Disney show. She could watch it. Unless you don't allow TV." Her last remark was for Tessa.

Tessa shook her head. "I let them."

Patrick knew he was taking a leap. "Are you going out?" She shook her head. "No, Ryder."

"He's working."

He furrowed his brow. "I thought you said he was working earlier."

"No tonight, but I didn't feel like driving to Portland when he had to work later."

"What does he do exactly?"

"He cleans the art studios."

It sounded like he was a janitor. At least it was honest work.

"Maybe if you're just hanging out at home, you could watch Disney while Tessa and I check out the new coffeehouse."

Tessa looked at him. "Patrick, no! She wouldn't want to."

Hannah asked, "What coffeehouse?"

"Rick's having entertainment. Tonight's the first night."

Hannah asked, "What entertainment?"

"Lana Drake... Harris and Gabby's friend's father."

"Do they sing or what?" Kevin asked.

Patrick shrugged. "I guess they must. That's why I wanted to go see."

"Gabby said you paid her." Hannah looked at him.

"I'll pay you." If he thought it would work, he'd pay her to like Tessa.

Tessa squeezed his knee. "Girls would you watch TV with Hannah while Doc and I go out."

"Do we get to stay up late?"

Patrick said, "You should just stay over."

Tessa shook her head. "You work tomorrow and we didn't bring anything."

"I have extra toothbrushes."

Tessa laughed. Chloe said, "Can we?"

Tessa said, "You don't have your duck."

"We're big girls, right, Maya?"

Maya looked nervous. "Who would put us to bed?"

Hannah sighed. "I will for ten bucks an hour, twenty-dollar minimum."

Patrick said, "Maya, are you okay with it?"

Kevin said, "Sophie could babysit."

Patrick said, "Sophie may be home with her sister. You could too."

"I said I'd do it. Don't give my cash to Kev."

Kevin said, "I'll hang out because I'm a nice guy. Okay, Maya?" She nodded. "But I think we should walk up for ice cream and I get to pick the movie."

Patrick said, "Age appropriate."

"I know, Dad."

Tessa cornered him before they left. He was in his bedroom putting on socks.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

He nodded. "She would never hurt them. She may be rude to you, which she was tonight, but she would never hurt a child. She's not a natural like Gabby, but she likes kids. I want to go on a date with you, Ms. Simon."

He kissed her so there was no doubt how he wanted the date to end.