Noah

I wake up with my arm over Jyn’s belly, which is currently moving. I come awake immediately, and watch in wonder as the baby kicks my fingers. I move my hand, and a little foot moves along with me.

“Pretty cool, huh?”

“So cool.”

“She’s been quiet every other time you were here, so I’m glad she finally decided to play with her daddy today.”

“Do you think she knows it’s me?”

“Honestly, no, but you can start reading to her, and talking to her. I’ve heard babies recognize their parents’ voices when they come out. It could be a myth, but I’m choosing to believe it.”

“I’m going to believe it too.”

I lean over Jyn, and start talking. I don’t have a book to read right now, but I try to sing. Jyn starts laughing so hard, I slap her ass, startling us both.

“You slapped me!”

“You were making fun of me.”

“Because you were about to make my ears bleed.”

“I was trying to be sweet.”

“It was sweet,” she admits.

“Sorry I slapped you.”

“I’m not sure I’m upset about it, but not much I can do about it right now.”

“I can be kinky once the baby’s born.”

“I might just hold you to that.”

“I wish I could stay here with you all day, but I have to work.”

“Me too.”

“I have a meeting with Matt, so if you want to ride in together, we can.”

“I’ll have to get home tonight.”

“I can pick you up, and take you to dinner.”

“My aunt is flying in tonight, but can I get a rain check?”

“I could take you both out,” I offer.

“You could, except I called and asked her to come because you made me sad.”

Well, shit. “Okay, so you can tell her you’re happy now, and I’ll take you out tomorrow.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks for helping me be happy again.”

“Just ‘helping’?”

“You’re not responsible for my happiness, Noah. You have an effect on it, but it’s not all up to you.”

“I’m going to do my best to keep you happy, anyway.”

“Please do.”

Since we’re driving separately, I park in guest parking at C&C, and pick up my day badge from the security desk. The elevator takes me to Matt’s floor, and his assistant tells me I can go on in.

“Hi Matt, it’s good to see you.”

“I’m not sure I feel the same way.”

“Oh.”

“Jyn is a good friend, and I don’t like seeing her hurt.”

“I don’t want to hurt her.”

“Yet, you did.”

“Yes.”

“If this project is too big for you, let me know. I can have Ryan pass it on to someone else.”

“Is that a threat?” I ask, getting pissed off.

“No. It’s a warning to not miss another appointment with Jyn.”

“My personal life has nothing to do with my work.”

“You’re right, but at the same time, you’re also wrong. The people who work in my inner circle are like family to me, and I’ll protect them at all costs.”

“Jyn doesn’t need protection from me.”

“Good. Keep it that way.”

I barely hold in my anger for the rest of the meeting. I can tell he knows I’m pissed, and I’m pretty sure he’s enjoying it. No matter how I’m feeling, I let my work speak for itself. He may be having fun messing with me, but he’s also impressed by what I’ve come up with so far. I make notes about what else he wants, and then I head out.

The meeting went longer than I expected, so I text Jyn to see if she’s having a break soon. She tells me she’s just about to go on one, and says she’ll meet me in the cafeteria. My badge wouldn’t have gotten me to that floor originally, but she must have given me clearance, because I’m taken directly there once I step on the elevator.

“Hi, stranger,” she says, greeting me with a kiss once I step into the hall.

“Hi, beautiful.”

“How did your meeting go?”

I take her hand as we walk inside, deciding to keep Matt’s macho act to myself. “It was good. Matt gave me a list of things to work on, but he likes my initial design.”

“Of course he does, because you’re brilliant.”

I used to show her my drawings when we’d meet up, and it makes me proud to know she remembers them. “You’re not so bad yourself. Security badass for one of the best companies in the world.”

“So, what we’re saying is our kid’s lucky to have us.”

“And we’re lucky to have each other.”

We grab fruit and drinks, taking a seat in a half booth by a set of windows, looking out over Las Vegas. “I want all the details about the new building.”

“I’m sure Matt will fill you in.”

She tilts her head at me. “I want to hear it from you. If you’re allowed to tell me.”

“I didn’t ask, but since he’s so protective of you, I don’t think he’ll care.”

“What do you mean about him being protective? Did he say something to you about me?”

Dammit. I didn’t mean to let it slip. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Meaning it does matter. What did he say?”

“I can handle Matt.”

“You shouldn’t have to worry about anything other than giving him an amazing building.”

“He liked my plans.”

“And?”

“He told me not to hurt you, and said he’d pull me off the project if I couldn’t handle things.”

“I’m sorry,” she says, holding her face in her hands.

I reach out, moving her hands, and tipping her chin up. “I’m glad you have friends who watch out for you.”

“You’re not going to hurt me.”

“I’m going to do my best not to.”

“I know.”

She leans over, and kisses me sweetly. It’s going to be okay. I can do this. I can do it all. I have to.

* * *

Jyn

I avoided Matt most of the day, because I know he’s just looking out for me. I don’t like anyone seeing me as weak, but with him, I know it’s not the case. He’s one of the best men I’ve ever met, and I know his heart’s in the right place. Doesn’t mean I didn’t want to punch him, so staying away was the safest option for today.

I had a car service pick Mari up from the airport, so I go straight home. I’m not surprised to see Heather, Sandy, and Jamie with her when I get to her guest apartment. Once they were my childhood friends, but now they serve a greater purpose. One I’ve tried hard to leave behind.

“Look at you!” Mari exclaims, pulling me into her arms.

“Some days I really don’t want to.”

“Nonsense! You look beautiful.”

The girls nod in agreement, and I smile back at my aunt. “You look fabulous as always.”

Her hair is now grey, but her figure is still trim and proper. Even in her jeans and button-down shirt, she looks like she can command a room. It’s a gift she shares with my mother, and her mother before her, yet somehow it skipped me.

“Enough of the niceties; tell us about the young man who’s giving you trouble.”

“He’s not. I mean, we’re getting along now. I shouldn’t have called you.”

“You can call me whenever you need me, and I’ll come.”

“I came here to be independent.”

“No one can deny you have re-invented yourself here. You’ve proven you can thrive on your own. Asking for help is not a weakness.”

“Some would see it as that. My mother would see it that way.”

“She would,” Mari agrees.

“Any advice for when I finally see her?”

“Telling her before the baby is born would be a good idea.”

I look to my old friends, and none of them look surprised. “You trust them.”

“Implicitly.”

“Good. What do you think?” I ask them.

Heather is the first to answer. “You need a stiff drink, but since you can’t have one now, I’ll have one waiting for you when you can.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“We need to meet this Noah,” Jamie tells me.

“You will. He wants to go to dinner tomorrow.”

“With all of us?” Jamie asks.

“He doesn’t know you’re all here, but I’ll introduce you as old friends travelling with my aunt.”

“Which they are,” Mari agrees. “You will not have to lie.”

“I’m thankful for that.”

“Can we see the Corrigan & Co. building?” Heather asks.

“Yes. I’ll give you a tour tomorrow.”

“At lunchtime?”

“Ah, so now I know your true motives,” I tell her with a laugh.

“Is that a yes?” Sandy asks.

“Yes.”

It’s great to have my aunt, and my friends here with me. It’s been over a year since I’ve seen them, and even longer since I’ve been “home”. This is my home now, even if it’s not supposed to be this way. Nowhere in any plans was I supposed to be an unwed mother either, but I’ve never been one to follow the plans for me, so why should I start now?