I'm not

Ryder tries to get a word in, but it just doesn't work. Thirteen was too excited and believed whole-heartedly that this was her father. Ryder's eyes drift to Trent, who wasn't making a move, and a slow anger burned deep down. This whole thing never would have gotten this far had Trent just told the truth.

Once Thirteen's announcement hits the air, eyes turn to the direction of the little group. Many knew that Trent was her father, but some had not been told yet, so the confusion was doubled.

Stunned, Eric doesn't know what to do as Thirteen leans down to hug him. The only thing he could feel was his heart being ripped in two. This was his niece and he knew it - and he hadn't been allowed to say so. Trent was standing not five feet away with his lips sealed against a truth he'd hidden all his life. And this poor girl thought she'd discovered a dream.

Gritting his teeth, Eric closes his eyes and slips his arms around Thirteen warmly. How could he give her such a shock as telling her she was wrong? She would heart broken and probably horribly embarrassed. If Eric could, he'd take her as his own right now just so he wouldn't have to break the truth to her.

Ryder opens his mouth to speak, but no words seem to be good enough. He looks to Rosetta helplessly, then Trent, then back down to Eric. Gently, he sets his hands down on Thirteen's shoulders. "Thirteen," he prompts quietly. "Come here, babe..."

Eric looks up at him and knows that the hard truth needed to be told. As gently as he could, he pries Thirteen away far enough he can see her face and he lifts his palm to wipe away some of her tears. So much life sparkled in her eyes.... so much hope... so much excitement at finding the one man she'd sought after. Eric's heart ached like nothing else.

Swallowing hard, he looks to his silent brother. "Well? You gonna just stand there, or are you going to help me out, brother?"

Trent takes a step backward, heat rising to his face. He could feel eyes on him from all directions. One could hear a pin drop. His mouth opens and closes again, the words stuck somewhere in his throat. His eyes drift to the floor.

Eric looks back to Thirteen, trying to shove aside the anger towards his brother so she didn't think he was mad at her too. "Thirteen... hon..." Though painful, he gets to his feet, sliding his arm around her shoulders and bending his neck to be close to her. If his brother didn't have the guts enough to admit he was her father, then he'd step up to the plate himself. Someone had to - it might as well be him.

"I need you to be really brave for me," he encourages. "'Cause sometimes in life... we don't always get what we want... and sometimes what we believe winds up not being quite what we thought it was. But lemme tell you something... It doesn't matter whose blood you have running through your veins. It's your heart that makes you you, and you can't ever let go of it."

Stepping back a little, he turns Thirteen to look her straight on, a hand on each of her shoulders. "I'm sorry... but I'm-."

"Stop," Trent interrupts. "Can you not-"

"What? Mind my own business?" Eric frowns at him. "Like that's easy at this point. You have robbed your family the joy of another member. You have stolen a relationship from the rest of us because you've been too scared or prideful to admit what you should have years ago. It's over, Trent."

He turns back to Thirteen. Emotions rise in his eyes as he looks into hers. This was his family... his niece. "I'm not your father, Thirteen." He shifts her to face Trent, and points to him. "He is."