Chloe

Evan is the only person I’ve told about the baby.

I’ve never been pregnant but I know that the risk of a miscarriage is highest in the first trimester. I don’t want to get too attached to the idea that I’m going to be a mom. It might not happen.

I’m still coming to terms with the news that I’m pregnant. I tried for so many years and with each disappointment I fell deeper into a pit of depression.

“Ms. Newell, we’d be thrilled if you’d join in on this discussion.” The mediator looks to where I’m sitting next to my client. “I’ve asked your client the same question four times and since you seem oblivious to her voice, I thought I’d attempt to reach you.”

I look at the woman sitting next to me. Margo Chance hired me to represent her after she lost her job at a retail store. She spent much of the past twenty years selling shoes to Manhattan’s elite and when the owner decided to expand to an online presence, her job as a sales clerk was cut.

Fortunately for her, she signed an employment contract that guaranteed a sizable pension upon retirement. It’s my job to negotiate the terms of her severance and secure as much of that pension as I can for her.

“What was the question?”

The mediator shuffles the papers in front of her around on the table in a lame attempt to intimidate me. This isn’t the first time that I’ve dealt with her and I know all of her tricks.

“Ms. Chance is prepared to take a smaller severance in exchange for her full pension.” I don’t wait for the mediator to pull the question out of the blue. “Anything else is unacceptable to us and the terms of her employment contract back up our position.”

The mediator looks to the lawyer representing the store when he starts to speak. “Chloe, we’re not changing our stance on this. She’ll get six weeks of pay and we’ll graciously allow her the benefit of twenty-five percent of her pension.”

“And you wonder why I was ignoring you, Norman,” I volley back to my not so esteemed colleague. “She’s been a loyal employee for decades. Her sales kept the business afloat through a string of lean years. Give her what she deserves. You don’t want her to fill in her retirement income with a job at your competitor, do you? There’s nothing in her contract about trade secrets. You can quote me on that.”

He slams the file folder in front of him closed. “Fine. We’ll sign off on what she wants, but it comes with the stipulation that she retires as of today.”

Since she’s nearing seventy-years-old and is eyeing a condo on Florida’s sunny coast, it fits right into her schedule. “Agreed, Norman.”

With that the meeting is adjourned and I’m free to head back to my office to think about the fact that I may be holding my baby a little over seven months from now.

***

I spot Evan instantly when I walk into the near empty restaurant. It’s almost eight p.m. and I was already at home in my sweatpants and a T-shirt preparing notes for my court date tomorrow.

He said he needed to talk to me and since he had an opening in his schedule, I put on a bra under my T-shirt, traded my sweatpants for jeans and took the subway to this place.

“I’m glad you came.” He stands as I approach him.

I’ve never seen him in scrubs before. They’re light blue and even though he’s wearing a black hoodie over the top, it’s obvious that he left work and came directly here.

His arms circle me in a tender embrace as his lips skim my forehead. “You look good. I can tell you’re more rested than you were the last time we saw each other.”

I am. I still wake up in a panic at least a few times each night but I’m coming to terms with the fact that I’m going to be a mom.

“You look good too,” I offer, not just because it’s polite but it’s true.

He’s gorgeous and now that I know that I’m having his baby I can’t help but hope that it will have his blue eyes and smile.

“Is everything okay?” I ask as I take a seat.

When he called his voice was low and his tone serious. He didn’t go into details about why he wanted to see me but I instinctively knew that it wasn’t for a hook-up. Judging by the serious expression on his face, I’m right.

“How are you feeling?”

I shrug off my sweater and sigh. “Good. I still have mild nausea in the morning but the dizzy spells have passed. I’m more tired than I usually am but Dr. Reynolds says that’s to be expected.”

“Sadie?”

I lock eyes with him. He knows my doctor. She works out of an office on the Upper East Side but does see patients at one of the hospitals too.

“Your doctor is Sadie Reynolds?”

I nod. “She’s been my primary care physician for a few years. She’s the best.”

“She is.” He smiles broadly. “I’m glad you’re in such good hands.”

I let out a sigh. “She told me at my appointment yesterday that I’ll need to see an obstetrician soon. She’s putting together a list of recommendations for me but she said some may not be available.”

“Rita Bergstein is the best in the city.” He waves the server who is approaching us away. “I can make the arrangements for you to see her.”

It’s a kind gesture and would take a load of worry off my shoulders. “I’d like that.”

“I’ll make the call first thing tomorrow morning.”

The persistent server approaches again. “Can I get you anything?”

I glance at the almost empty plate of pasta in front of Evan. It’s obvious that he had a meal before I arrived. I took this as a dinner invitation even though I ate a salad and a piece of salmon at Gabi’s place earlier.

“I’ll have a cup of herbal tea,” I say quietly.

Evan doesn’t respond so the server takes off in the direction of the kitchen.

“I don’t know how to bring this up.” He nervously taps his foot against the tiled floor. “I know it’s early and we haven’t discussed in detail how this arrangement will work.”

“This arrangement?” I question with a raised brow.

“I want to be there for you and the baby, Chloe.” He blows out an exasperated breath. “I’ll help you with any medical costs and I’ll make sure that the baby is taken care of.”

I’m grateful for that. I earn a good living but I didn’t realize how much stuff I’ll need to welcome my newborn home. I started adding it all up yesterday and I had to close the calculator app on my phone because of anxiety.

“I appreciate that.” I swallow hard. “But it’s so early. We don’t have to get into all of that yet. I haven’t even gotten through the first trimester yet.”

“My lawyer says it’s never too early to get a plan in place.”

“You have a lawyer?”

He nods. “He’s technically a friend. He practices family law so I thought I’d check in with him. I don’t know the first thing about two people who just met having a baby together.”

His words sting. We may not know each other very well, but I’ve started to feel a strong connection with him. I thought the feeling was mutual but apparently I misread that.

“Look, Chloe.” He moves to touch my hand but pulls back before he makes contact. “Forgive me for this but it’s a subject we need to address. Griffin, my lawyer, brought it up and it’s been gnawing at me.”

I look up as the server approaches and places the tea on the table in front of me. “Thank you.”

Evan waits until he’s out of earshot before he drops a bombshell in my lap. “Once you are eight weeks along, I’m going to need you to take a paternity test. I can’t get invested in this if the baby isn’t mine.”