Noah

After a night spent loving Jyn, I’ve got a smile on my face when I enter the Griffin building the next morning. Life really can’t get much better than this.

“Hi Noah,” Chloe says when I walk towards Ryan’s office.

“Hey, Chloe.”

“I didn’t tell you congratulations yesterday, and I’m not sure if I should say it now.”

“You can say it.”

“Oh, good, because I am so excited about the baby. Any baby, really, but when it’s friends, it’s even better.”

“We can have another baby, Chlo,” Ryan says, coming out of his office with a smirk on his face.

“Bite your tongue. Two is more than enough to handle.”

“Your call.”

“Thank you for acknowledging that.”

“Always.” He kisses her, before gesturing to his office. “Come on in, Noah.”

I follow him, closing the door behind me. “I can’t wait to get started.”

“You did a great job in Europe, and I’m really happy to have you here. I meant what I said about time off if you need it, though. We’re very generous with our family time.”

“Thanks, but other than a little time once the baby’s born, I don’t expect to miss any work.”

He lets out a hearty laugh. “None of us ever expect it, but kids are unpredictable. It’s not a mark against you if you need the time.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Okay, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk business. You know Matt hired us for a new building, and I’d like you to take lead on it. He prides himself of giving his employees the best experience possible, and with all his expansions, he needs something new.”

“Just for him?”

“For Reina as well, although I’ll be working on her spaces.”

“I know about the Society, and what they do, so I’m happy to help.”

“You’ll have your hands full with the main building, but thanks for the offer.”

I’m a little disappointed, because I would love to design some secret spy spaces, but designing Matt’s domain will be fun too. And prestigious.

“I’ll get to work right away.”

“Great, let me show you your office. There are some women and men from the secretarial pool ready to be interviewed for your assistant, if you’re up for it this week.”

“Sure. Thanks again for all this, Matt.”

“Thank me by doing the damn good job I know you’re capable with.”

“I will.”

He takes me down the hall to a large office. It’s not nearly as big as his, but it has windows overlooking the city, and more space than I know what to do with. Chloe comes in a little later to go over the designs for the space, because she does know what to do. She asked for my input on what I’d like, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with. For now, the plain desk, comfortable chair, and view are more than enough.

I’m in the middle of drafting later in the day, when someone knocks on my door. “Come in.”

“Hi. I’m here about the position.”

The words are said in a very suggestive manner, making me look up. Before me is a beautiful blonde. She’s dressed conservatively, but there’s no denying her body is sexy as hell. Her smile is inviting, and if I wasn’t in love with the mother of my child, I might be tempted.

“I didn’t think the appointments started until Thursday morning.”

“They don’t, but if you like me, why talk to anyone else?”

“I like to have all information before making a decision, so I’ll see you Thursday.”

“Are you serious?”

“I am.”

“Your loss.”

I shake my head as she storms out. Seems I can’t escape the women who want me for something. Then again, I’m happily with a woman I don’t ever want to escape from, and she only wants me for me.

It’s hours later before I decide I’m ready to stop. I save my work, turn off my light, and head down to my car. Today was a good day, and I can’t wait to talk to Jyn about it.

Only, she’s not home when I get there. I call her, but she doesn’t answer. And that’s when I remember—I was supposed to meet her at C&C an hour ago, for the sonogram. I’m screwed—and not in a good way—because I don't think she'll consider losing track of time a good excuse.

I rush back to my car, and call C&C, asking for the Society's doctor. He picks up almost immediately, and I hit him with that lame excuse, because it's all I have. “I am so sorry, Kenny. I got caught up in my work, and lost track of time.”

“I’m not the person you need to apologize to,” he says in that formal African accent of his, making me feel even worse.

“Is she still there?”

“Jyn is back at work. I believe she has a late shift today.”

Yeah, she mentioned that to me this morning, but I appear to be forgetting everything I'm told. I chose work today, and now I’m realizing how hard this is all going to be. She’s worth it, but I’m not sure she feels the same about me right now.

I head to her office as soon as I get through security, knocking on her door before I enter. “I’m sorry.”

She looks up, and I see the hurt in her eyes. “If you don’t really want to be a part of everything, you just need to tell me. It was embarrassing to be down there, waiting like some desperate woman, for her missing baby daddy.”

“I do want to be a part of everything, but work is important to me, too. This is my big chance.”

“I know how important this is to you, but our baby has to come first.”

“I’m trying.”

“You’re going to have to do more than try, Noah. I’m sorry, but that’s the way it is. We’re talking about a child, who will be depending on us for everything.”

“I missed a sonogram for God’s sake, Jyn. It’s not like I missed the birth.”

Her face hardens, as I realize I’ve said the wrong thing. “I have a lot of work to do, so please close the door on your way out.”

“We’re not going to go downstairs for the sonogram?”

“No. It doesn't work that way. If you want to re-schedule, you can see what times Kenny has available, and I’ll check my schedule.”

Wow. “I’m sleeping in my own apartment tonight.”

“That’s probably for the best.”

I don’t slam her door, but I really want to. Yeah, I messed up, but she’s not even giving me an inch. Not one fucking inch to work with, and it sucks.

* * *

Jyn

I haven’t talked to Noah in two days. I know I was a little harsh with him, but this baby became my everything once I found out about it. To hear him say he forgot about the sonogram, because work is so important to him, was like a slap in my face. My baby deserves parents who put him or her first, and I won’t settle for less from Noah.

There’s a knock at my apartment door, and I open it to find Darcy standing on the other side. “Hi, Jyn. Can I talk to you for a minute?”

I want to say no, but I know that would just be postponing the inevitable. “Yes. Come in.”

“I first want to apologize for acting a little crazy at your shower. I was really shocked, and a little hurt, but I shouldn’t have behaved so badly.”

“The shower turned out to not really be a shower, since everyone left, but thanks.”

“I’m sorry about that,” she says, and I can tell she means it. “Noah told me about missing the sonogram, and how you’re not talking to him.”

“I’m not going to apologize for being angry at him.”

“Oh, I don’t expect you to. I’d probably knee Brayden in the balls if he missed something like that.”

“Yet you’re here to stick up for Noah.”

“No.”

“No?”

“There was a time when I did everything I could to protect my brother, but he’s an adult now, and responsible for the choices he makes. I’m here to make sure I can be part of the baby’s life, even if things are rocky with Noah, and to see if you need help with anything.”

“No matter what, you’ll be my baby’s aunt. I wouldn’t keep you from the baby. Before I even knew Noah was your brother, I was prepared to accept everyone’s help and support. So, please don't ever worry about that.”

“Good. Thank you.”

“I don’t really need help with anything right now, although I guess I should open my shower presents soon.”

“You haven’t opened them?”

“No. I felt like I should do it with Noah, but now, I just don’t know.”

“I said I wasn’t here for him, but I won’t discourage you from giving him another chance.”

“I want to, but I can’t say I will. I need to think about whether I can let my baby be second to a job. I just don't think it's fair for a kid to grow up like that.”

“I understand. Please call if you need anything.”

“I will.”

We hug, and she leaves me to my thoughts, and decisions. I honestly don’t know what to do. I want my baby to know Noah, because everyone deserves to know their father, but at the same time, I don’t want Noah to hurt our child.

I pick up the phone, and call the only person who’s ever been able to give me the answers I need. “Hi, Aunt Mari,” I tell her when she picks up the phone.

“How are you, sweet girl?”

“Big as a whale, and needing to come for a visit.”

“Is it safe?”

“To fly? No. But, I was thinking of bringing you here, if you’re up for it.”

“Vegas? Of course. I was planning to come out once you have the baby, but I don’t see why I couldn’t do a weekend trip ahead of time.”

“I know you’re busy.”

“Never too busy for you.”

“I’ll arrange for your tickets, and you can stay in one of the guest apartments here.”

“I’m only agreeing to let you get my tickets because I know Matthew Corrigan pays you so well.”

“He does,” I agree.

“Do you want to tell me why you need me? I’m coming either way, but maybe I should be prepared.”

She missed my shower, because of storms where I’m from, and I haven’t told her anything about what happened, but I really need to her to know what's going on.

“The baby’s father is in town.”

“Noah’s there?”

“Yes, and it turns out we’re connected in some interesting ways. I’ll tell you more when you get here.”

“Am I going to have to punch him in the nuts?”

“Maybe.”

“I’ll bring my steel toe boots.”

“I can’t wait to see you.”

“Just hang in there until I arrive.”

“I will. Thanks.”

“No thanks necessary. I love you, Jyn.”

“I love you too, Aunt Mari.”

I hang up the phone feeling better than I have in the last couple of days. Although my parents are alive, I was mostly raised by Mari. I love them all, and understand why my parents couldn’t always be there, but she’s who I always turn to first, and I need her right now.

I stare over at the pile of gifts once more, but decide they still need to wait to be opened. My heart keeps telling me to give Noah a chance to make things right, but my head isn’t on board. Classic struggle.