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She turned and began walking again. There were so many decisions to make. She felt pressured. Why couldn’t he give her a chance to come to terms with the life-changing event. Give her time to think everything through and make some decisions for the best of all?
Passing a coffee shop, Trace reached out and took her arm gently.
“Let’s get something to drink. It’s colder than I thought and your face is rosy from the cold. We’ll discuss the ramifications and see if we can come to an agreement.”
Did he really wish to be there when the baby was born? She hadn’t thought about the actual birth.
What kind of father would Trace prove to be? Patient and tolerant? It sounded like he wanted a hands-on kind of parenting. Would he attend school plays and sports events? She’d see him all the time.
She found a table to one side while Trace went to get their beverages. Watching him, Cath remembered how much fun they had last summer. How unhappy she’d been when he stopped calling.
She wished nothing had changed—and yet everything had changed. He wouldn’t be with her today if she wasn’t pregnant. Not much of a recommendation for deepening a relationship.
Trace stood in the short line and glanced over his shoulder at Cath. Her eyes met his before she quickly looked away. He wished he could read her mind. He’d talked with his attorney twice to get his input and further suggestions.
He’d spoken the truth when he said he wanted this baby. After the initial shock he had to admit he was excited about another child. He’d missed so much of Zach’s life. Would he be able to change things with this child? Spend enough time with him or her as a live-out father? Really be a part of the baby’s life?
Not if Cath took off for Brussels.
That was the first hurdle to overcome. He had to get her to change her mind. To remain in San Francisco until after the baby was born. What could he say to convince her?
And in the meantime what would they do with the European Division? He could ask Thomas to postpone his retirement or he could hire somebody on an interim basis. Or flat out give the job to somebody else.
Cath would kill him if he did that. But he’d do it in a heartbeat if it meant keeping her here.
If he hadn’t taken on the CEO position at Signals, Inc. they’d probably still be seeing each other. How would he have taken the news of her pregnancy? Probably just as badly in light of her pending move.
He paid for their beverages and walked to the table she chose, placing the mugs on the table and sitting opposite her.
Cath took her cup and sipped.
“Caffeine free,” he said, raising his cup in toast.
“Thank you.”
“How do you feel?” he asked.
“I feel much better this week than last.”
Trace studied her as she talked. She may say she was better, but she still looked pale. What of that myth that women glowed in pregnancy?
He couldn’t believe he’d gotten her pregnant.
He’d never thought to marry again after Cynthia’s perfidy. Never expected to have another child. A baby was a hostage to the future. So many things could go wrong. How did parents risk it time and time again?
Now that there was nothing to be done, he was resigned to the situation. Resigned and excited. He had to convince Cath to stay.
“So let’s work out an agreement that suits both, sign a contract and get going,” he said.
She shook her head. “It’s not that easy.”
“Sure it is. We just do it.”
She sighed softly and sipped her coffee, glancing around the coffee shop at the other couples talking, laughing.
Tears welled in her eyes and for a moment Trace felt a punch of panic. She wasn’t going to cry was she?
“Trace, I’ve worked so hard for this chance at the position in Europe. Yet all I ever thought about when my sister was rejoicing in her pregnancies, or my brother’s wife was pregnant, was how much I wished I could have a baby. I don’t know what to do. I want this baby, but what if I can’t do my job because I’m needed for the baby? Or what if I can’t deliver? My doctor says he doesn’t want to frighten me, but with appointments every week and cautionary suggestions, how can I help but be afraid I won’t deliver a healthy infant?”
