AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Smiling, I think of the people I’d love to see again. Hopefully, my pregnancy won’t be noticed before I’m done with the assignment. I realize that, although I’ve always longed for a family, I don’t know much about babies. Like any new mother, I’m sure I’ll learn on the job.
My reverie is interrupted when my phone starts ringing. I quickly reach for it, not wanting to wake up Maddie, who fell asleep on the sofa. We were watching Paw Patrol when I noticed she’d dozed off. As she was sleeping peacefully, I didn’t want to wake her up by carrying her to her room. So, I made her comfortable while keeping an eye on her.
“Hello, Gigi.”
I stifle a groan when I hear Pierre’s voice. I wonder why I haven’t blocked his number the way I did Miles’s.
“Hello, Pierre.”
“Gigi, it’s so good to hear your voice again. I miss you so much.”
I roll my eyes and say in a low tone, “Please, don’t start again, Pierre.”
“Haven’t you punished me enough? I’ve apologized countless times. What must I do to make you forgive me and come back to Paris? Just tell me, and I’ll do it.”
“Wait. Do you really think I’m only trying to punish you by rejecting your proposal?”
“What else do you want me to think, Gigi? I’ve admitted my mistake, I’ve apologized, and I’ve asked you to marry me. I know there’s no one in your life right now, so I can only assume that you want me to suffer before agreeing. Believe me, I’ve suffered enough. I can’t sleep and losing you has affected my work greatly. Please forgive me and come back to Paris, so we can be together again and be happy.”
Given his self-centeredness, I’m almost tempted to tell him about Miles and the baby. But I don’t think it would be fair to Miles to tell another man before him. Besides, even though I’m speaking in a low tone, I don’t know how deeply Maddie is sleeping. She told me that her friendship with Ashlyn has blossomed in school. Who knows? She might just blurt it out to her, who could, in turn, tell her father. It wouldn’t take him long to figure out that the baby is his.
“Giselle?”
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Pierre. I’ve made it abundantly clear to you that I don’t want to be in a relationship again. I’ve forgiven you, and we can be friends, but not lovers.”
Silence descends between us for a while.
“Fine. If you won’t come back to Paris because of me, then come back to the Louvre as a conservator. It’s what you always wanted. I spoke to the head of the conservator team, and she was impressed. She offered you the job. You can start as soon as you return to Paris.”
I tip my head to the side as I consider his words. It’s too late for Pierre and me to be together again, but the thought of returning to Paris to start a dream job and having my parents and sister help me during my pregnancy is tempting. As Jo said, I’d have such a support system that it wouldn’t matter that Miles would be far away.
“Gigi?”
I’m jolted out of my reverie at the sound of his voice. “I . . . er . . . I’m sorry. Why don’t we talk about this when I come to Paris next week?”
“You’re coming to Paris?”
“Yes.”
“That’s great!”
“It’s not what you think, Pierre. The Met assigned me to help the Louvre with the Mayan exhibit.”
“Oh.” He sounds disappointed.
“Most likely, I’ll be there through mid to late January, depending on when the Louvre’s management wants to host the exhibit.”
“Wow! That’s great. It means you’ll be around for Christmas and the New Year. We’ll spend those days together just like last year.”
I try to interrupt, but it’s a waste of time as Pierre starts making preparations for a Christmas celebration in two weeks. I let him carry on because there’s no point telling him that there’s no way I’ll leave my family to spend the day with him.
I breathe a sigh of relief when he runs out of steam, and I quickly say goodbye and end the call. I think about my options, especially as I have a baby on the way. Although Gabriel promised to be there for me, if I stay in New York, I’ll keep bumping into Miles. There’s no hope of having a relationship with him, but I’ll have to tell him about the pregnancy. But when? I can’t deny that I enjoyed spending time with Ashlyn. She’s such a brilliant and cheerful child, and I love her passion for ballet. She reminds me of myself at that age.
I have a few weeks until I’m done with the Mayan exhibit at the Louvre and have to decide whether to stay in New York or in Paris. Even though my family will be supportive, I’ll still have to provide for my baby. He or she is my responsibility.
A knock on the door has me groaning because I don’t want to wake up Maddie. When the knock sounds again, I frown deeply and slowly pull aside my blanket, drop my legs from the stool, and carefully rise, trying to let the queasiness settle. I take in deep breaths and let them out slowly before making my way to the door.
Who could it be? Gabriel is expected home any minute now, but he has his own keys. I look into the peephole and sharply gasp.
