For Two Years, I Hid from My Parents That I Have a Son – Yesterday, They Accidentally Found Out After a period of time in which they were absent from my life, my parents left me feeling deeply upset. They revealed something I was unaware I needed to know, and even while it widened the gulf more than it narrowed it in the end, it made everyone concerned closer.My tale is an example of how life can deal us blows we don’t understand. I was reconnected with some very special people one day, and they brought with them very painful news. My relationship with them and my small son was forever changed by what they told me. Continue reading to learn more.It was one of those Saturday afternoons that cried out for leisure. When the doorbell rang, I was at home with my two-year-old son, Ethan, taking advantage of the infrequent calm moments. A beat skipped in my heart. Not that I was expecting anyone.My parents were standing there when I opened the door, looking a little surprised and perplexed. We didn’t see one other at all for two years. We had infrequent chats, but they were very heated.“Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?” In an attempt to hide my nervousness, I inquired during my folks’ unexpected visit. With her eyes widening upon seeing Ethan in my arms, my mother replied, “We were in the neighborhood and thought we’d drop by.”When my dad saw me carrying my son, you should have seen the look on his face. He became a color I had never seen him before: pallid. Looking at Ethan, my mother exclaimed, “Who’s this?”“This is Ethan, my son and your grandchild,” I said, shaking my head. “This is not your child!” my father said in the first sentence, his voice rising. I immediately notice it!” I was struck by his remarks like a truck. I was taken aback.
“He is, of course! What topic are you discussing?” I fired back, experiencing a surge of defensiveness. My mother snapped, “We need to sit down and talk,” in a more subdued but stern voice. Ethan clung to my side as we made our way to the kitchen. Tension was palpable in the air as they sat around the kitchen table.“I was 19 when I found out Kate was pregnant,” I said, taking a big breath before speaking. I went on, “It would’ve been fine, but you both made it clear how much you were totally against her.”“I knew you’d never accept our relationship, and I loved her very much, so I didn’t tell you about the pregnancy.” My father mumbled beneath his breath, “What?”“I chose to stay with Kate instead of following your advice. That explains why I’ve strayed from you throughout the years.” I said, sighing, “I became a single father at the age of 19.”“You ought to have informed us,” my father remarked, his expression filled with annoyance. “We could have helped.” I said, “I was scared.” “I was at a loss for what to do when Kate left us two months after Ethan was born. I was left to solve the puzzle on my own.” “Scared?” my father repeated, his tone tinged with skepticism. “What are you afraid of? That we would reject you? Even though we weren’t fond of Kate, we would have stood behind you.”“You say that now,” I shot back, sour. “However, it was evident that you had no desire to interact with her. Neither did I want to lose you.” My dad’s expression tightened once more, and he repeated to me the most excruciating thing. “But I’m telling you, this child is not yours.” I took offense at what he was repeating, and I could feel my fury building inside of me. “You can’t really say that? My son is Ethan. He was reared by me when he was a newborn.”“We’re certain of it,” my father emphasized. “Observe him. He is nothing like you at all!” I countered, “Resemblance isn’t everything.” “I’ve supported him each and every day. When he’s sick, I’ve nursed him, changed his diapers, and stayed up with him. Thus, I become his father.” My dad snarled back, “Biology matters.” “We have a right to know if he’s our grandson!” I jerked to my feet, my chair scuffing the floor. My mother attempted to intervene when she saw how poorly things were going for our reunion. “Eric, calm down! You still have us as parents! Please use caution when speaking with us and pick your words carefully.”It was unbelievable to me that these individuals, who had not made an effort to be in my life for the previous two years, were suddenly attempting to dictate to me in MY home! “Enough already! Leave my home now! It’s unbelievable that you would say such things.” Reluctantly, they departed. Despite my mother’s best efforts, the argument was well underway. My father wanted to have the final say even as they withdrew! “We’ll disprove your claims! He responded, “You’ll see,” and then I slammed the door.The noise startled baby Ethan, and it took me a while to get him to go asleep. With all that I’d gone through with my son, I couldn’t believe my parents had the audacity to split us up. However, I was unaware of what I would discover the following day! My parents startled me once more the following morning when they appeared, their demeanor solemn. Mom got to talk first. “Please do not exclude us. We would like to discuss our actions from yesterday.“What did you do?” Angry, I asked. My mother begged, “Please let us in so we can talk.” A part of me thought this was a terrible mistake, and I was still wounded from the argument we had yesterday and our long-overdue face-to-face reunion with my parents. But I had to listen to them before I could drive them away. But I had a feeling that anything they said would only make me feel angrier. I gestured for them to come in. Fortunately, Ethan was sound sleeping this time. “What do you want to say?”“We are sorry, but we took a hair sample from Ethan and compared it with yours.” I was staring at them, confused. “You did what?!” My dad said, “We performed an express DNA test.” “And as it happens, we were correct. You are not Ethan’s biological father.”I had the impression that the earth was giving way beneath me. “No, that isn’t possible. Something has to be wrong.” I was given the test results by my dad. There was no denying the evidence. I didn’t own Ethan. Looking into the room where my tiny baby slept soundly destroyed my heart. My mother spoke in a soft yet forceful tone. “We know this is hard, but you need to think about what’s best for everyone.”“You’re suggesting I give him up?” I questioned, my voice trembling with feeling. Dad gave a nod. “Social services can find a good home for him.” I sat there with a flurry of ideas and feelings racing through my head. “No,” I eventually answered in a firm voice. “I am going to get my own test done to confirm the news first.” After that chat, I was not good company due to the shock I was feeling. I asked my folks to go, telling them I would give them a call with the results. I failed to disclose that I also had to make up my mind about them conducting a paternity test behind my back.When the DNA test came back a few days later. I informed my father over the phone. They approached, and we opened the envelope jointly. I’d made up my mind to forget about them, to think they had my best interests at heart. Since they weren’t evil people, I accepted their offer of support during Kate’s pregnancy. The results validated what my parents had informed me when I saw them. “I refuse to let him go. Regardless of what these documents say, he’s my son. I’ve loved and raised him. He is my son. They gave me a pitying and disbelieving gaze. “However, what about the future? rearing a child that you do not own…”“It doesn’t really matter,” I cut in. “My son is Ethan.” I’ll never let go of him.” My father said, “You don’t understand.” This could make a lot of things in your life more difficult. What will happen as he becomes older and begins to ask inquiries?” “I’ll tell him the truth when the time comes,” I replied. “He ought to be aware. However, that does not alter the fact that I am his father.” My mother extended her arm to touch my arm. She stated, “We just want what’s best for you, for Ethan,” which confirmed my suspicions. Perhaps there is an alternative.” “There’s no other way,” I firmly stated. “I’m holding onto him. I make this decision.” Despite my parents’ best efforts to persuade me, I stood by my decision. Seeing they couldn’t make me change my mind, they left. Over the next few days, I struggled to accept the reality. How on earth could this have occurred? What made Kate leave? Why did she allow me to think that Ethan was mine? One thing, though, was evident amidst all the turmoil and suffering: my love for Ethan. Over time, I came to terms with the fact that our connection wasn’t defined by our biology. In every meaningful sense, I was Ethan’s father. We carried on with our lives, strengthening our relationship every day. I told Ethan the truth years later, when he was old enough to comprehend. Though it was a challenging talk, it strengthened our bond. He was aware that, in spite of everything, I had made the decision out of love to be his father.My parents and I had a tense relationship for a while before they finally came to terms with my choice. They understood that love is what defines a family after witnessing the closeness between Ethan and me. Furthermore, they couldn’t bear to lose me and their grandchild for an additional few years. In retrospect, I wouldn’t make any changes. Although the road was difficult, I learned the genuine meaning of fatherhood from it. I had a lot of problems, but Ethan and I overcame them together. And it was all that counted in the end.