I Think I've Had Enough

Chapter 2: I thought of you and where you'd gone & the world spin madly on

Patrick's face fell. "I'm sorry," he shook his head vigorously, "Are you saying I'm the biological father?"

"Yes, Mr. Dempsey. I thought you would have known about her... I...I didn't realize that it was such a secret."

Patrick suddenly felt defensive and nervous. He had seen this happen to other actors. People show up pretending to have their kid, wanting money or fame. "There must be some mistake. I've been married for almost twenty years. I've never..." Patrick froze in mid-sentence. His head spinning out of control.

"I'm not judging. People make mistakes, I am well aware of that. If you would like to see the birth certificate I have it." She didn't wait for him to respond. Elizabeth pulled a manila envelope out of her bag. She handed him a sheet of paper.

He ran his hand through his hair. He didn't look down at the paper in his hand for a moment. He was trying to recall the last time he spoke to her. The time they... he glanced down at the paper. He could see nothing on the document other than her name. Ellen Pompeo. He was sure the image would never leave his head. He suddenly felt sick. How had she just walked away. Did she ever plan on telling him? Patrick's eyes filled with tears. He blinked them away quickly. He tried to speak, "I-," his voice cracked. He cleared his throat, "I didn't know. I would have never..." He didn't quite know what to say.

"I'm sorry to pile all of this on you at once. I don't have any other options." Elizabeth spoke softly. "I was legally her guardian but I got deployed to Saudi Arabia. So I gave up my right. You are legally her temporary guardian." Elizabeth handed him the entire folder. "Everything you need to know is in here. The papers to finalize your permanent guardianship are in here. You can take them to your lawyer to have them looked over. The number of the adoption agency they worked through is also in there. If you or her biological mother are not willing to take on this kind of responsibility that is where I would prefer she be given away." Elizabeth looked up and waited to catch his eye. "Listen," she breathed, "I know this is overwhelming. If I could stay I would but," she took another breath, "I can't."

"Don't you think she should stay with someone she knows? Another family member or..."

Elizabeth sighed, "Mr. Dempsey, there is no one. I barely know her. My sister and I have been distant for the last few years. The last time I saw Emilee until yesterday was five years ago."

Patrick ran his hand through his hair again. "Does she know... who I am I mean?

"Yes I explained it to her as best I could," Elizabeth nodded. "Her clothes and favorite toys are in the car." Elizabeth glanced to her watch. "I should really get going."

Patrick suddenly felt angry and overwhelmed, "So you just show up here, tell me I have a kid and then leave an hour later?"

Elizabeth gave a sincere apologetic look. "I don't know what else to do."

Patrick watched from the doorway as Elizabeth kissed Emilee's forehead and hugged her tightly. Elizabeth stood quickly and headed for the car. She returned after a moment with a large suit case and a duffle bag. In her hands she held a pink teddy bear. "This is Cubby." Elizabeth smiled trying desperately to keep her tears inside. She cleared her throat, "She says she doesn't need her and she's a big girl but don't let her fool you. She's been babied all of her life." Elizabeth sighed, "I know this isn't fair but please..." her voice trailed off for a second. "Please take care of her."

Then, in the blink of an eye she was gone. Patrick stood in the foyer of his house holding a pink teddy bear. His life had been completely turned upside down in a matter of minutes. The house was silent except for the sound of cartoons playing in the distance. He wasn't sure how to talk to her. He wasn't sure what to say or how to comfort her. She was just as confused as he was, if not more.

Patrick paced hesitantly into the living room where Emilee was watching TV. He could tell that she was sad. Tears were building in her eyes. She didn't look at him. "You know most of the time they get sent home earlier than they tell them in the beginning. I bet Elizabeth will be home sooner than she thinks." Patrick tried to comfort Emilee. Two tears slipped out of her eyes and down her face. He gently whipped them away. She looked up at him. He stared into her eyes for a moment. There it was again, the familiar sparkle. She was the spitting image of Ellen.