Double Trouble by Erosa Knowles Page A

boys with her.”
    “She said she’d try but wouldn’t force them to come. They aren’t identical…it’s…it’s possible that we each fathered one,” Donald said. “I read a case in the paper about a woman who had twins from different fathers. The long fancy name for it is heteropaternal superfecundation.” He chuckled. “When I read that article I remember feeling sorry for the kids, wondered how a family worked through that and the legal challenges. Now it’s possible I’m in the same boat, hoping it’s true.”
    Blaine had thought of that, and had prayed that would be the fallout. For Donald to have two sons and him none…it might break him. “Yeah, I’ve heard of that happening, something about two eggs, each being fertilized within a few days of each other.”
    “How would we know for sure? Should we talk to her about getting some type of testing for paternity?”
    He gazed at Donald for a moment longer. “I don’t know if I want to take it that far. There is no question in my mind that Adam is an O’Connor and belongs to one of us. I am sure Abe is as well. That is good for me. Either one can be mine.”
    For a moment neither spoke. Blaine knew his brother was carefully processing what he said and didn’t speak.
    A few seconds later Donald nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Blaine’s. “I agree. In fact, tomorrow when we meet with Lindy, we should allow her to handle the parentage issue, put the ball in her court. That way it doesn’t look as though we are choosing one son over the other or that it matters to us either way. The most important thing is that we are acknowledged as their father—”
    “She already did that.”
    Donald nodded. “I know, I was talking about Adam and Abe. I need them to acknowledge our paternity and some rights.”
    “Rights?”
    “Yeah, I want to be involved in their lives. I may not have known about them before but now that I do, I want to spend time with them both.”
    Understanding, Blaine nodded. “I agree. But that is not on Lindy. She already said we had to work out our own relationships with the boys, she’s not getting involved. Supposedly they are having a big discussion about us tonight.”
    “Yeah, I heard when she said that, she didn’t look too happy.”
    Blaine leaned back in the chair and looked up at the ceiling. “Would you be if you had to explain dating two brothers at the same time and getting pregnant from them? Plus, she really doesn’t know who the father is, just that it’s one or both of us. That’s not going to go over well with two randy teenagers she’s probably been teaching who knows what about sex and responsibility.”
    Donald nodded. “Ouch. I see your point. My memories of that time never take into account how different our relationship was compared to others. I wanted Lindy…and never considered not being with her. Sharing… sharing her with you, bothered me, but not to the point I would let her go. Plus it was you. I would’ve hurt any other dude sniffing around her.”
    Blaine knew exactly where his twin was coming from. “I loved her too, man. She broke my heart when she disappeared. Seeing her again…it’s bringing back a lot of memories.” He paused and swallowed. “And stirred up those feelings again. Not the same intensity…more like a warmth settling on my shoulders, easing me.” He shook his head in frustration. “I can’t really explain it…but I know I’m still attracted to her, I still want to be with her. You?”
    “Yeah. Hit me in the gut and twisted me in knots when she walked past us at that library. This one woman always had that effect on me. Time’s supposed to heal everything, make things better, but this burning in my chest…it’s the same damn thing as before, when I was a damn teenager.” The sound of Donald’s fist hitting wood filled the room.
    Blaine nodded in understanding. They were back at stage one. Back at the point they had been all those years ago. “She said