9. Evie

I"d liketo find some material I can download for my class today at ten. Teaching the kids to play the piano was the best idea I have had in a long time. I was going stir-crazy sitting around the house. These children were adorable, and all of them were eager to learn. I started brewing a pot of coffee—it was four in the morning, and I desperately needed my caffeine fix.

"Come on, Tater. It"s time to go outside for a potty break." I opened the front door and almost tripped over a box on the porch—right in front of the door.

"Hey, Evie, what's this," Rebel asked as he walked up and looked over my shoulder. My hand flew to my mouth; the prettiest baby was sleeping inside the box. "Whose baby is this?" Rebel murmured as he gently lifted the sleeping baby girl.

"Here's a letter," I noted, picking it up; I carried the box inside, following behind Rebel. He lay the baby on the sofa and stepped back as he opened the letter. His face turned pale, and he sank into the recliner.

"What does it say?" I asked.

He glanced at me, and then his eyes rested on the baby. "It says this baby is Dash Bellmont's baby. Her mother died, and I'm too old to raise her. What the fuck?" He whispered.

Rebel walked down the hallway. I stayed to watch the baby. She opened her beautiful gray eyes and smiled, instantly melting my heart. I picked her up just as Rebel, Allison, and Ghost entered the room.

"Look who woke up," I whispered, careful not to startle her. "Does the letter say what her name is?"

"Her name is Hannah Mae Bellmont, and her mother was Patty Green," Rebel whispered, his voice soft. He reached over and gently took her from me. "Hey, Sweetheart, are you my sweet baby girl?"

"Do you remember who her mom is?" Ghost asked, making funny faces at Hannah. She giggled and playfully slapped Ghost. "She looks perfect," Rebel said.

"Yes, I remember Patty. I stayed with her longer than I should have. But she didn't want us to break up. She knew when we got together, it wasn't serious."

"Do you mind if I check her out?" Allison asked.

"Can you examine her while I'm holding her? I don't want her to get scared by being passed around," Rebel said. "Can you say, Daddy?"

"Let's prove she's yours before you have her start calling you daddy," Ghost interjected. Rebel turned the baby around so Ghost could see her better.

"Oh, look at that, she has Gramp's eyes. I wonder why you were never told about Hannah."

"How old do you think she is?" I asked. Rebel glanced at me. She has to be at least ten or twelve months old. I'll see Patty's grandmother. She raised Patty after her parents ran off and left her there."

"I broke up with Patty, and she was upset. She knew our relationship wasn't headed anywhere serious right from the start. I was clear about that, but she hoped I'd change my mind. She should have told me about Hannah. I could have been helping all along. It's so sad to think that she died. I met Patty at the Oster club where she worked."