“Listen, if you hear from Brad or Soph tonight, let them know I’ll get in touch about Isaac and the clinic when we’re back tomorrow.And call me when you hear from Dr.Roberts.I’m sure it’s just a formality.”
Aurelie caught a sideways glance from Jace, but he stayed silent.
“Sure.And go; we’re good here.”Aurelie placed a hand on Paige’s shoulder, which trembled beneath her palm.“She’s going to befine.Now, go.You’re wasting time with me when a perfectly fine man is waiting in the car for you.”
Paige leaned in for what Aurelie thought was a hug, until she stopped at Aurelie’s ear.
“I’m nervous.We haven’t, you know, since Maddie was born.”
Aurelie smiled warmly.Her neighbor in Turks had had the same reservations after giving birth to their first, and by the time Aurelie left for the States, she was about to give birth to their fourth.
“Did you pack something lacy?Something that will make you feel sexy?”Paige nodded.“Okay, well, did you pack something to prevent Maddie from becoming a big sister before you’re ready?”Paige looked up, her face crimson again, and shook her head.“Do you have any?”
Paige nodded, and Aurelie nudged her toward the bedroom.She came out with a small, silk satchel, smiling.
“Good,” Aurelie said.“Now, the most important part.Have a drink and relax.You love this man, and he loves you.It’ll come back to you both.”
Paige laughed and hugged Aurelie.
“Thank you.For everything.”
Aurelie nodded and shoved her friend outside, waving them off before shutting the door behind her.
“I hope she relaxes enough to have fun tonight.”
“A few drinks in and she’ll forget about all this drama.But, Aurelie, why did you lie to her?”Jace said.
Aurelie’s heart thumped against her chest like a drum.Her gaze fell to the floor.
“What do you mean?”
“You told her you’d let her know what happened with your boss when you found out, and it sounds to me like you already have the answer.”Just like that, all the lust she felt for the man took a backseat to something else…
Fear.
“I don’t know how this is any of your business.You don’t even know me, Jace.Stop pretending like you do,” she snapped.
He sighed and put a hand to his forehead, rubbing his temple.
“I care about you.All of you,” he said, his voice measured and calm, the opposite of how Aurelie felt in that moment.“You can’t go back, Aurelie.It’s insane to even think about it.”
“It’s not like I planned it, Jace.I don’t have a choice.Your government is the one that won’t renew the work visa.I have two choices: reapply or get married.Obviously, I’m going with the first option, but it can take a while, and in the meantime, I wait to see if I’m deported.”
“Can they do that?Just decide you can’t live in the place you’re working and serving your community and building alife?”
“Of course, don’t you read the news?People are being forced from their homes every day.”She shut her eyes.It was a shit situation, and just the idea of leaving Paige, of saying goodbye to sweet Maddie, not knowing how big the child would get before she saw her again, shattered Aurelie’s heart and came close to breaking her spirit.
As if thinking of her infant niece roused her from her short nap, Maddie’s cry for attention sounded from the back room.It began as a small shudder of a sound at first, but as she walked down the hall, it picked up in pitch and intensity.Just before she scooped the baby into her arms, it reached a fever pitch.
“There, there,” Aurelie cooed, rocking Maddie against her chest.“Let’s change your diaper and then we’ll get a bottle warmed up.”
She headed back to the living room, but stopped short.Jace was moving around the kitchen in a fury.Even Maddie quieted as if she sensed that something was wrong.
He paced back and forth.“How long will it take?The visa application?”
She shrugged.“The agent said it could take up to four months to be approved.”
“And the clinic?”
