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Martie gave me a hug before I left the bathroom after making me promise I’d tell her what the doctor had to say. An hour later, my pregnancy was confirmed, and I was out the door with a bunch of instructions and information on how to best care for myself and my unborn baby.
James was the first person I saw when I got back to the office. “What did the doctor say?”
I was headed to the Terry department when he bombarded me in the elevator.
“Do we have to discuss this right here, right now?”
He glanced around, unconcerned. “No. Come with me.”
He took my hand just as Terry came around the corner.
His eyes fell to our joined hands. “I was looking for you, Gwen. How did it go at the doctor?”
Both men stared at me, and I didn't know how to answer. I did the only thing I could think of, pressed my hand to my head, and feigned another wave of sickness.
“He told me to go home and rest for a few days and I should be fine, but I wanted to come talk to you first.”
Before I blinked, James sat me down in the chair beside the elevator, and Terry was working to call a car to take me home. Nothing more was said, but by the time I got home, Margaret was waiting for me. Obviously, James had given her instructions to monitor me.
“Let me help you to your room, miss.” She smiled and took my arm to help me like I was unstable.
I said nothing but let her do her boss' bidding and sunk into the bed once she readied it.
She stood at the door, looking at me, a question in her eyes. I had to know. “Is there something you wanted, Margaret?”
“When are you planning on telling James?”
I did not know what to say, and with no one else to confide in, I had to tell someone, but who did I trust? The desire to tell Martie was hard to resist, but I knew she was an insane gossip and telling her could mean the end of my secrecy.
A few tears fell from my cheeks before I checked them and composed myself. “I didn't want to tell him yet because I’m scared, and I’m not sure how I feel about being a mother. I don’t want to force him into anything. Even if he is the father, it’s a huge thing. Besides, we were nothing to each other, and I don’t want him to think I’m tricking him or want something from him. I feel so confused.”
Her eyes softened as I looked at her. She smiled. “He won’t think any of that, and I understand, it’s a lot to think about, but you shouldn’t do it alone. James has broad shoulders and taking care of someone else — his son or daughter — will be a tremendous gift for him in his life, even if he doesn't see it at the beginning.”
The reality of what I’d just done, how my secret wasn't safe anymore if this woman didn't keep it, was frightening. “Please, I beg you not to say—”
She held up her hand and walked over to me, pressed her hand down on mine, and gave a squeeze. “You don’t have to worry about me saying anything. Your secret is safe with me, but you should tell James soon. He needs to know from you.”
Relief washed over me as she smiled down at me, and then took her leave with a soft click of the lock. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
Two hours later, James was standing at my bedside when I woke, as if I sensed he was there. He sat down beside me, still dressed, with a worried look on his face. “Are you okay? What did the doctor say?”
“He said I will be fine. I need extra rest and to eat well, drink, not too much stress, the usual, and take some vitamins. I’ll be okay and feeling better.” I was lying, but not entirely, as those words had rolled off the doctor’s lips, but in relation to my pregnancy.
I promised myself soon that I would tell James the whole truth.
He took my hand in his, kissed it, and smiled. “Good, because I have some news for you. Before Terry stole you from me, we were working together on all those changes you suggested, but now I’m doing it all alone and it’s not going too well.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
James
ThereliefIfeltseeing Gwen was okay after the fear I’d felt at the office before, which was crazy. I’d had a sick feeling all afternoon over it, worried something serious was wrong with her. Now that I knew she was okay, it would be easier to get through all the challenges we were facing bringing this new accessory line to life next year.
“Terry keeps shooting the ideas I give him down. We talked about everything, and I even let him know they’re your ideas, considering he enjoys having you work as his assistant. Still, he refused it this morning. I had a model of the first handbag made for next year's line, ethically sourced and in one of the colors you suggested. He shot it down, so as soon as you feel well enough to get back to work, I want you to talk to him. We have little time.”
Gwen nodded her head, smiled a little, and agreed. “Of course. Hopefully, in a few days, I will be back in the office, and we can discuss it together, all three of us.”
“I don’t know if it’s going to make a difference, but it has me wondering what he’s on about suddenly since he’s never questioned anything my brother or I have suggested.”
