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had turned into weeks and weeks turned into months.  Initially, it wasn’t his intention to end the relationship the way it happened but he also realized it was for the best.  He didn’t know what decision Vicky had made until she called him to tell him that she was in labor. 

Ryan remembered it like it was yesterday.  Vicky had called Ryan while they were at Alicia’s parent’s home having dinner.   Alicia was sitting right next to him.  They had similar cell phones.  When it rang she answered his phone possibly by mistake ...or not.   He could only imagine how the conversation went down.  Alicia looked at him suspiciously and said into the phone “Hello…. THIS is Ryan’s wife.  Can I help you?”  Vicky must have said something to the effect of “sorry wrong number.”  
    Later, when Alicia questioned him about it he told her he didn’t know whose number it had been.  At the time Vicky didn’t have a cell phone and he hadn’t taken on another lover.  He had his suspicions but he didn’t recognize the number so he wasn’t sure who the woman was on the other end of the phone.  However, when Ryan was alone he called the number back and Vicky answered. 
    His conscience rarely appeared but it chose that particular moment to show up.  Ryan confessed everything to Vicky.  She deserved at least that much.  She remained quiet the entire time.  No matter how much he thought about starting over fresh and creating a life with Vicky and his child, he just couldn’t destroy all he worked so hard to gain.  Ryan still needed Alicia’s parent’s money and connections.  He had made up in his mind that he would give Vicky some cash and be done with it. 
    Ryan remembered asking, “Do you and the baby need anything?”  Regardless of her answer he knew he would deposit some money into an account for them.  That was all he could do.
    Vicky calmly said no before she hung up the phone.
    Ryan had been so nervous his world was about to crash down around him that he hadn’t even realized until after they hung up that he didn’t even know if his child was a boy or a girl.  That was the last time they’d spoken.
    Ryan had had affairs in the past but Vicky had been dangerous.  She was a keeper.  Hurting her was his one big regret.  Maybe if things had been different. 
    Anyway that was all water under the bridge now.  After his affair with Vicky, Ryan learned his lesson.  Now, he made sure he took every precaution not to get his mistresses pregnant.   
    “Ryan, will you take the test?”
    Vicky’s voice brought him back to the present.  If anyone found out that he had a baby outside of his marriage that would be a disaster.  He was now one of Minnesota’s state senators and possibly the next governor.  There was no way Alicia would accept Vicky’s child.  .  Alicia would definitely not handle the fact he’d had an affair with a black woman and fathered a child with her as well.  Her ego wouldn’t be able to process that one. Knowing Alicia and her family, he knew they might overlook an affair.  Both he and Alicia had overlooked each other’s many indiscretions in the past.  But, appearances were everything to them.  This might prevent him from ever becoming governor.  If Alicia thought there was no hope of moving into the governor’s mansion there is no doubt she would divorce him and the pre-nup he’d signed was pretty iron-clad.
    Ryan had to make a choice. He couldn’t destroy everything he’d worked so hard for because of this mistake.
    Jason quietly walked back into Vicky’s room.  She was on the phone.  He felt the tension in the air and could see the controlled rage on her face. Then, he understood.
    “Ryan, are you still there?  Will you take the test?”
    “I don’t need to take the test Vicky.  I know my blood type.  I just don’t know how I can help you.  Look, I’ve got another call coming through and I’ve got to take it. Good luck.” Ryan hung up