Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

OCTOBER

SIX MONTHS PREGNANT

The DNA test results were a shock. Finding out that I had nine sisters was surreal, to say the least. As I stared at the contact information for January, one of my newfound siblings, I can’t help but wonder what this meant for my life. For my mom?

It was strange to learn that we were all named after months, a detail that seemed insignificant compared to the revelation that our father was none other than Armstrong Delacroix, the President of the United States. My mind reeled as I tried to process this information. How could I be a daughter of the leader of the free world? Just the thought makes me break out in hives.

Despite my nerves, I managed to gather the courage and call January. Her voice on the other end of the line was surprisingly warm and welcoming, and we quickly fell into conversation as if we had known each other for years. She told me about her life, and I shared mine, both of us realizing how similar our experiences had been despite growing up in different parts of the country.

As our call ended, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and trepidation about what this newfound family would mean for my future. The thought of having nine more sisters and a powerful father was overwhelming. But at the same time, I couldn't wait to get to know them and see where this journey would take me.

Over the next few days, The news continued to hit me like a punch to the gut, leaving me reeling and unsure of what to do next. Eli has been so supportive, but there are only so many times I can freak out before he has enough of my bullshit. I had thought I could handle anything life threw my way, but this...this was something else entirely.

As I sit on our couch, the weight of this revelation settles heavily on my shoulders, and I can’t help but feel like a fraud. How could I possibly belong to such an influential family? I am just a girl from a small town with no connections, and any wealth that I have is thanks to Eli. When I told my mother, she burst into hysterical laughter at first, but she sobered up when she realized I was serious. We talked about it at length, and I don’t think I’m being crazy here. This is a big deal.

But as much as I try to push it away, the truth remains: I am now a part of this world, whether I want to be or not, and that is the question: Do I want to be a part of that world?

I don’t even know where to begin unpacking this new reality. It is like trying to unravel a tangled ball of yarn. Whenever I think I have a handle on it, another knot appears, and I unravel instead.

I hope that with time, I can find my footing and figure out how to navigate this new and intimidating landscape. Until then, I could only take it one day at a time and pray that I didn't mess it all up.

Eli's hand on my shoulder is a warm, grounding touch, reminding me that I am not alone. The warmth of his hand through my thin shirt, his fingers gently rubbing circles along my back, grounding me in the moment.

“Baby, you’re making yourself sick about over this. He seems like a decent man on TV. Hell, that’s why we voted for him.” He’s right. The 2020 election was the first time I voted. I cast my ballot for my own father without even knowing he was my father. That has to mean something, right?

“You’re right, babe. Of course, you’re right.”

I reach out and take Eli's hand, his strong, thick fingers intertwining with mine. His is a reassuring touch that grounds me in the present. Before I know it, his lips are on mine, and our moans and sighs echo in our bedroom. When did we get naked? Did we leave the living room? It doesn’t matter because everything with him is amazing. The sounds are intertwined with our heavy breathing and whispered words of pleasure. The sound of skin on skin and the creaking bed fills my ears as he makes me come over and over.

He always knows just what I need. Thank God for Eli.