A little while later...
Parker was resting, the baby curled against her chest. The room was quiet now — just the soft hum of machines and the occasional shuffle from a nurse.
I leaned down.
"I'll be right back." I murmured.
She nodded, eyes barely open.
I stepped out of the room and caught the doctor near the nurses' station. Mid-convo with someone, but I gave him a look and he followed me without a word.
We stopped a few doors down, near a window looking out over the city.
"I need to talk to you." I said, keeping my voice low. "Follow me."
He nodded. "Of course."
"I'd like to do a DNA test." I said, straight to the point. "Before I officially recognize the child."
His eyes flicked up, not judging — just listening.
"Oh." he replied.
"I'd prefer it be done discreetly." I added.
He paused, then nodded again.
"Of course, Mr. Lincoln. I can arrange that for you, no problem. We'll be discreet. Completely confidential."
Shoulders loosening just a bit.
"Appreciate it."
He hesitated for a second, then smiled slightly.
"By the way, my kids are huge fans. If there's any chance I could get an autograph… maybe a picture too?"
I cracked a small grin.
"Yeah, of course."
Right after the selfie and the autograph, the doc got to work. Moved quiet like he'd done this before.
A little while later, he found me outside the room. Folder in hand.
He handed it to me. I opened it, eyes scanning fast. No doubt. The child was mine.
"Thank you." I said.
"You're welcome."He replied. "Honestly… I get it. Most people don't talk about this part, but I understand why you wanted it done, especially with your status."
I nodded.
He continued, "Women don't get it because… well, they can't. They can't accidentally raise someone else's kid without knowing. They carry the child. It's theirs. No guessing."
I exhaled. "Exactly. You bring it up, though… and suddenly you're the bad guy."
He smirked. "Yeah. Seen that too many times."
I shook his hand again. "Appreciate you, doc."
He nodded once. "Anytime, Mr. Lincoln."
Then I walked back down that hall. Nothing on my face. Calm.
He was mine.
Back in the room, everything felt calmer.
The lights were low, soft. Just the hum of the monitors and Parker's slow breathing as she held the baby close. I pulled a chair next to her bed, sat down quiet.
She turned her head slightly, eyes meeting mine."So… what should we name him?" She asked, voice still a little tired.
I leaned forward, elbows on my knees."You didn't think about names?"
She shook her head.
I nodded slowly."Honestly? I didn't even let myself plan that far ahead. I didn't know if it'd be a girl or a boy..."
We sat for a moment, watching the little bundle in her arms shift softly, peaceful.
"Alright." I said, rubbing my chin. "What about… Dean?"
She blinked. Looked down at the baby. Then back up at me."Dean?"
"Yeah. Simple."
A pause. Then she smiled, real and genuine. "I actually like that."
"Dean McKenna-Lincoln?" She said, testing it out.
I raised a brow. "You want him to have your name?"
She hesitated, then shrugged a little. "I don't know… Dean Lincoln sounds good too. I'm not sure."
I leaned back, watching her. "I mean, I get it. If it's important to you. But if you're cool with Dean Lincoln, that's what it'll be."
She gave me a small nod. "Dean Lincoln… yeah. Let's go with that."
Later...
I handled everything.
I went to get all the paperwork done, name, date of birth, everything official. Dean Lincoln. Born March 3rd, 2016. I signed what I had to sign, made it real on paper.
By the following day, we were back at my place in Orlando. The hospital staff gave us the green light, both Parker and the baby were doing well. Parker was tired, sure, but she was strong. Dean was calm, sleepy most of the time, and already had that tiny grip that wrapped around your finger.
Over the week, family started coming through.
My mom showed up first, tearing up the moment she saw Dean, holding him like it was the most precious thing she'd ever laid eyes on.
"My grandson..." She whispered, holding back tears. My dad stood nearby, not as emotional, but you could see it in his face, pride, joy, a whole new spark.
Parker's folks flew in a couple days later. Her mom fussed over her, checking how she was recovering, while her dad gave me a firm handshake, then just watched Dean sleep in his little bassinet like he couldn't believe it either.
I started easing back into the gym not long after. Had to. The season wasn't going to pause just because I was a dad now.
And yeah… life was shifting.
I mean, he's barely a week old, mostly eats, sleeps, and cries when he feels like it. But still, it's something you feel. The responsibility. The weight of it, in a good way.
The only thing left hanging in the air between me and Parker was the custody talk.
She's still in Orlando, for now. But eventually, she might go back to L.A. And if we're not together, we'll have to figure that out, who gets what time, what's fair, what makes sense for Dean.
We haven't pressed the subject yet. Not seriously. It's like we're both waiting to see how things play out. We both want to do right. That much is clear.
So for now, it's quiet. The days are full. And I'm figuring out what fatherhood looks like, one moment at a time.
I've been in the gym. Getting reps. Getting rhythm, missed two games.
Coach and the staff gave me the time I needed. Tomorrow night, March 9th, I'm suiting up.
We're playing the Lakers at home.
After the Lakers, we got the Kings.
Back-to-back games.