Page 58 of Wrath's Nightingale
“Which one of you is Wrath?
I step forward. “I am.”
He indicates the table in the room. “Let’s sit.”
I move Millie to the table before taking a seat. Gambit sits on her other side.
“My name is Calvin Henry and I'm a social worker. Sir, we’re going to need your legal name and identification. We’ll also run a DNA test to make sure you're the father.”
“I’m on the birth certificate.”
“The father’s name is listed as Wrath Voodoo Kings.”
“I am Wrath with the Voodoo Kings,” I point to Gambit. “That’s Gambit, he's president of the Voodoo Kings.”
“Fine, but I still need to get your information and run DNA. It's standard procedure.”
I pull out my license. “My name is Wade Jackson.”
He starts pulling out a bunch of papers.
“Mr. Jackson, I understand you were unaware of the children?”
“That’s correct. My involvement with their mother was a one-night stand. She knew how to find me, but I never heard from her.”
“The twins, a boy and girl, are as yet unnamed. They also suffer from NAS, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. I’m afraid it comes with a lot of complications. I’ve already found a foster family with experience. They can take the twins immediately.”
“No,” I say.
“Excuse me?”
“I’m keeping my children. Thank you for finding someone to care for them, but they’re coming home with me.”
“They need special care. I don’t think you understand.”
Millie spoke up. “I’m a nurse and his wife. I’ve done a few rotations in NICU. I’m familiar with NAS.”
Wrath threads his fingers through mine and gives my hand a gentle squeeze.
“I’m financially able to pay for any expenses they need, and my wife will care for the twins, as will I. I have excellent healthcare benefits as well.”
I take out my wallet and show him the insurance card.
“I can have the twins added immediately. They’ll pay for them retroactively under the circumstances.”
“How are you going to take care of twins with that cast?” Henry asks Millie.
“I have a village.”
“Suit yourself,” he says with a sigh. “Your name’s on the birth certificate, Mr. Jackson. Or it will be. Once the hospital adds your legal name, you can take the twins home. You can check in with the nurse’s station to see them. I’ll inform the administration.”
“How long will the test take?”
“A few days. A week maybe.”
I growl. With that, the social worker leaves.
“Let’s go get that DNA test taken,” Gambit says. “As soon as we have that, I’ll call Bug. With his contacts, we’ll have that test back in hours, not days.”