I felt conflicted but I padded past Nate’s desk and hovered over her as she pointed. "Look at the baby squirrels there. Aren't they adorable?"
I watched for a moment as the mother squirrel nudged the baby back into the trunk of the tree then climbed in after it.
It was a touching moment that had me instinctively reaching for my belly as I backed away.
It was so unconscious, I didn't notice I was doing it until she smiled at me.
"Do you feel it moving?" she asked, and I felt my eyebrows rise slowly.
"Uh, what?" I asked, shock paralyzing me.
"The baby… Nate told me you're expecting. Is it moving? Can I feel?"
Mortified, I lifted my hand from my stomach and pressed it to my cheek. "He told you?" A million thoughts flashed through my mind but only one that mattered.
I'd come here with the intention of telling Nate I was going to quit.
I had no clue what that would do to him emotionally, but now I had his mother to deal with too.
I didn't want more lectures or name calling.
"Oh, dear," she said, standing up. She walked over to me and took both of my hands. "You must think… Oh, Ember."
She shook her head and smiled at me.
"I think it’s wonderful that you two are so close. A little strange, the age difference, but you don’t choose who your heart falls in love with, now do you?"
"I guess… No, you don't."
"Well, I'm so happy for you. And I’m thrilled to finally be able to brag to my friends about a grandbaby." She grinned wider and her eyes sparkled. "And I'm so happy for Nathan. He deservessuch a wonderful woman, and that baby deserves a family like the one he can provide for…"
"I…" I felt dumbfounded and stunned. I stood there in utter shock as I took in her words.
She was being supportive of me, not lashing out the way his father had.
My mouth opened and shut without any more words, but before I could process what was happening, Nate walked in, carrying a folder in hand.
"Ember, I thought you were sick…" he said, and I turned toward him feeling very sheepish.
The stress… the baby… my morning sickness.
Every bit of it vanished as I looked him in the eye and he approached me.
His lips brushed over my forehead right in front of his mother, and he didn't shy away one bit.
It made warmth spread through my chest and loosen what was left of the tension there, and I realized I couldn't just quit.
I loved this man more than life itself and there was no way I'd leave him with a crappy assistant after me.
I wanted to be here with him, not stuck at home or in some dead-end job across town.
Even if it meant stress.
I'd have to adjust things, maybe tell him what the clinic doc said, but I couldn’t do that to either of us.
"Morning sickness," I blurted out and stepped back so he could address his mother.
But he didn't turn away from me.
