“Good morning, Emma.”
“Good morning, Mr. Thomas.” I stood up to shake his hand and greet him.
“Sit, sit. You are looking well.”
“Thank you, sir.”
I sat back at my desk and waited to hear what he was going to say. It reminded me of going to the principal in high school, knowing I was caught but didn't know what I was caught doing.
“My wife ran into your parents at the golf benefit last weekend. Your mother was beaming, bragging about her first grandchild.”
“We are all excited.” I said, a little frustrated that I didn't get the chance to tell my boss myself but knew they had good intentions.
“It was good timing, considering what your father is going through. Will hopefully keep his spirits up.”
His leg was crossed over his other, moving up and down just enough that I could see his nervousness, or frustration. One or the other.
“We hope that his treatments go well.”
“I hope so as well,” he said. “The reason I wanted to talk with you is I wanted to know if you thought we should bring in some help for your workload. You are a one-woman machine and I don't want you to feel overstressed or burdened. Plus, I am sure at the very least you will want a maternity leave.”
I sat up straight in the chair and rested my hands on my desk. “Thank you for the concern, but I am not at that point yet. But I most definitely will have to cut back my hours. My father has been lecturing me regarding that anyway.”
“Fathers are that way. We realize once are kids are grown up that we missed a great deal of the important things. I just wanted you to know I was aware and that if you needed anything I am here to help. We want you here for the long haul, Emma. We know how valuable you are to our office.”
“I really appreciate the support, sir. I was a little worried about…”
“That is why we like you, Emma. You think ahead, and you run a tight ship. You get things done. I am here to reassure you that we will figure out what we need to do to work with you and your baby.”
“Thank you. That really is nice to hear.”
Mr. Thomas stood up and I did as well. He walked out my office, closing my office door quietly.
I really hoped he felt that way and he was going to stick to his words.
I had earned the respect from my boss, and I prayed he realized that as well. There would be no more long hours, late nights, and missing sleep because of my career.
My focus would be one-hundred-percent on my baby.
27
EMMA
Walking into Breigh and Wyatt’s house was always a welcoming feeling. It was my home in a lot of ways. If I had a problem, I would come here to pick Breigh’s brain on what I should do, or sometimes just to talk and have her listen. Wyatt was pretty good about taking it all with a grain of salt and recognizing the importance of our friendship. I didn't think that was always the case.
Today, I woke with an uneasy feeling, wondering if I was pushing Cash away. I truly wanted to cave and give him another chance and jump right in, but then I held my belly and knew if he hurt me this time, it wouldn’t be singular. It would be a part of me that I would protect from anything.
At thirty-five weeks pregnant, I was getting antsy. I was propped up on their couch watching Wyatt push Olivia on her swing set in their backyard.
I smiled. “I really feel Rhonda here sometimes.” Wyatt had inherited the house from his aunt, Rhonda, and they moved in deciding this home was where they wanted to raise their family.
‘Yeah, me too.” Breigh came around the corner from the kitchen bringing me a lemonade. I had been drinking it like crazy the last couple weeks. I didn't hold anything in long anyway, ran right through me, and my best friend found it humorous.
“Just wait ‘til when you pee when you sneeze or cough. Good times.” She smiled at me with a grin that couldn't wait for me to experience the wonderful effects of carrying a child and birth.
“Do you ever get tired of watching them together?” I point out to father and daughter playing outside on the swing set.
“Never. I always found Wyatt gorgeous but when he is in his father role, I melt. I guess because I never had that.”
“I did have it, and I still love it.”
She sat next to me, angling her body so she was facing me. “Ready to talk?”
“That obvious, huh?”
“I know you. Isn't that why you are here, though?”
“I just came to see my best friend and her family.”
“Not buying it… Cash?”
“I love him and I’m not waiting any longer to tell him. I am getting close to delivering and I am ready for him to be a part of it. I am just scared.”
“Emma, he is almost done with the academy, he is working at the bank, he is either with us or working out. He has changed. I can vouch for that. I also have it under good authority he is preparing to be a father, even looked at a few houses, and been reading so he doesn’t let you down.”
“What if we are wrong though? What if…”
“What if you aren’t?” She smiled and I saw Grammy in her eyes.
“You look just like your grandmother right now.”
She smiled again, accepting the compliment.
“I would never in a million years have thought I would be pulling for Cash, or telling you to take the risk… but I see the change and I don't think he is going back. Sometimes God has this grand plan and knows exactly what is in the cards, and with Cash and you, I believe that is the case.”
“I know love is a risk,
