I look at the pile of emails in my inbox all waiting to be read and answered. I swear the invention of email just created more work. Not that I know what life was like before it but I suggest it would be more relaxing. People would only plague me with their questions and queries if they thought it important enough to warrant a letter or phone call. I really did enjoy my job well most parts of it anyway. Staring at a computer screen all day wasn't something that I enjoyed. I take a sip of my tea and settle myself in for a long day in front of the computer. I click on the first email in my box letting out a loud moan as I notice it's at least five pages long. If all of them are this huge it's going to take me longer than I thought. I slowly read through the information in front of me making it through two paragraphs before I feel the need for another sip of tea. Just as I am about to return my cup to its place on my desk a movement in my stomach startles me. I'd been having odd feelings which I assumed was the baby for a while now but this one was different. I place my mug on my desk and lay my hand on my stomach waiting for the movement again. Sure enough a few seconds later there is another strong movement that I feel it not only on my insides but also against my palm. A huge smile spreads across my face unable to control my delight at feeling my baby making itself known. I stand up from my desk excitedly. I grab my keys and handbag intent on getting home as quickly as possible to allow Emily to delight in this new development with me.
Just as I'm closing the door to my office ready to sneak home and back without detection I'm busted by my boss.
"Naomi just the woman I was looking for" he says smiling at me.
"Simon" I return turning to look at him fairly certain that guilt is written all over my face.
"Naomi don't look so worried I just wanted to let you know that the board wish to meet with you tomorrow concerning your decision about the New Zealand project" He explains.
"Ok thanks Simon, I actually look concerned because I was about to sneak home for a bit. The baby just kicked for the first time and I have a feeling my wife would kill me if I didn't give her a chance to experience the sensation first hand" I confess hoping it hasn't ruined my chances of escaping for half an hour.
"The first kick eh, I remember that fondly with my son. I also remember your Emily barging in here pregnant with Kelly insistent that she had to see you 'this instant' despite the fact you where in an important international meeting." He says laughing a little at the memory. "That wife of your really is a firecracker and I wouldn't want to get you in trouble with her" he says giving me hope that he'll let me slip away.
"Yeah your right about that she's one of a kind my girl" I acknowledge.
"Well that meetings at 9am tomorrow. Feel free to bring your family I know whatever your decision is it must have been one involving all of you." He says.
I like Simon I really do and at this moment he reminds me why. He's a genuinely nice guy. He's always been incredibly accepting of my sexuality and my life despite the fact that his age and upbringing would presume the opposite. He's a very adaptive and accepting man who has moved with the time and truly cares about his employees. "Thanks Simon" I say smiling "Now if it's not too much trouble I might just sneak home for half and hour and fill my wife in on our latest developments."
"Nonsense Naomi, there's nothing pressing here. Like I said there is a meeting tomorrow 9am don't be late as far as I'm concerned your work is done for the day." He says winking at me and moving to walk away.
"But I've only been here an hour" I reply a little confused "and I have an inbox full of emails to read and reply."
"Like I said no pressing matters Naomi. I know what it's like all those silly email requests. If any of them had any real pressing issues they'd pick up a phone and call. Go home stay there for the afternoon see you tomorrow." He says walking away to finalise his request. He knows I'll argue with him but gives me no option to without his presence.
I guess I can't complain about that, more time with my family is always a bonus. I hurry to my car, praying that baby will perform for his Mumma, as I climb in and strap the seatbelt across my producing stomach. I've gotten use to assuming this baby is a boy despite the fact that our appointment to find out that fact isn't until tomorrow. Kelly had been very sure of the fact that her baby brother Bradley was growing inside me and her conviction had caused my own.
"Em's, Kelly" I yell when I open the front door. "Emily quick come here" I shout louder as I feel the baby move inside me again.
"What's happened is everything ok?" she says uncertainty in her voice as she rushes to the front door. I can understand why she might be worried I'm home from work after only been gone for an hour and I'm shouting through the house like a mad woman. I don't answer her question instead I take her hand and place it on my stomach where I just felt the movement. I hold it there a minute waiting patiently hoping it will happen again. She looks at me puzzled for a moment before a wide smile spreads across her face and she pulls me into a kiss, hand still firmly pressed on my stomach. She then pulls away from my lips leaving me wanting more. She kneels down in front of me pulling my shirt away and placing a warm kiss against my bare stomach.
"Hello baby how's my little man today?" she asks quietly against my skin. I'm about to respond to her question in cute baby voice to make her laugh when our son responds in his own way, kicking gently.
"There's my clever little man" Emily says followed by a kiss "Mumma loves you little man" she continues smiling against my skin.
"Mummy" Kelly says interrupting our moment.
"Hey Kelly" I say smiling down at her as she runs into the doorway with us.
"Why you home?" she asks looking at me and Emily before laying her head against my stomach like her mother trying to figure out exactly what's going on.
"Ahh what that?" She asks pointing to my stomach as the baby moves and taps against her head.
"That's your baby brother Kelly" Emily fills in for her "Mummy came home so we could feel him moving."
I watch her as she looks at my stomach for a minute eyes crinkled and mouth pursed in thought.
"Wow" she says smiling "Come see my painting Mummy" she finishes obviously not as phased about the development as Emily or I.
I help Emily to her feet again and we follow Kelly to the dinning room table. Emily's laid out an old table cloth and brought out all the paints. There are at least ten different colours spread out across the table.
"See Mummy we paint Kiwi" she says pointing to her painting. I look at the colourful splodge on Kelly's page and the proud smile she's wearing at her effort.
"It's beautiful darling" I say causing her smile to grow wider.
"What about mine?" Emily asks gesturing to her purple and yellow kiwi. I have a sneaking suspicion Kelly might have chosen the colours for her.
"Your one is beautiful too darling" I say again kissing Emily on the forehead as she settles in beside me resting her hand on my stomach apparently eager to feel our baby move again.
"I really like the colours you used Ems they look lovely together" I compliment further feeling a tug on my shirt as Kelly tries to get my attention.
"Yes Baby?" I question looking down at her.
"I choose them for Mumma" she states screwing up her eyes and mouth in the most adorable gesture.
"Aww is that right my little Munchkin, well I think you made a very good choice." I state picking her up off the floor to join in on what I guess could be called a group hug.
"So maybe you two can fill me in on why exactly your morning has been spent painting kiwi" I say moving into the lounge and taking a seat on the sofa with Kelly. Relaxing as I feel Emily sit down beside us and wrap her arms around us both.
"Do you have time to talk now babe don't you have to go back to work?" Emily asks brushing some hair from Kelly's forehead and placing a kiss on it just because she can. I smile at the gesture thinking to the future and the new addition that will be with us soon enough.
"Nope" I reply "Simon told me to take the rest of the day off. I'm home to hang with my girls."
"Yay" Kelly shouts excited by the prospect of a lazy family afternoon that we indulge in far too often.
"Awesome" Emily affirms and though her voice doesn't hold the excitement that Kelly's does her eyes show me she's pleased about the prospect.
"I'm glad your both pleased, now who's going to tell me about what you've been up to this morning?" I ask looking at them expectantly.
"Well we've been doing some research about New Zealand haven't we Kelly?" Emily says causing Kelly to nod her head enthusiastically.
"That sound interesting" I state looking at Emily with suspicion "But why would we need to be doing research about New Zealand?" I ask. I think I can see where this is going but it confuses me somewhat. Emily and I hadn't really discussed the offer since I had presented it to her last week. In my own mind I had come to the conclusion that it was the wrong time for us. I'd already thought up a number of ways to politely turn down the generous offer.
"Well I've been looking into New Zealand a little recently" Emily says looking at me guiltily.
"Is that right and what exactly has your research discovered?" I ask feeling myself getting a little excited that Emily seems to be considering accepting our offer.
"Well it has a population of about 4 million, there are loads of sheep, Kia Ora is a greeting in the Maori language, they are the natives of New Zealand, and most importantly the Campbell-Fitch's are going to be spending two months there" she finishes looking at me for a reaction.
"Really" I ask both surprised and excited by Emily's announcement.
"Really" asks Kelly mimicking my question.
"Yes" Emily confirms bright smile taking over her face as she looks at us. "I've done a lot of thinking Nai and I think it's the right thing for us. I've talked to my work and they understand. Of course they can't keep my job open for me but I think we'll be ok for money." She states causing me to laugh and nod in agreement. "After my chat with Katie I had a few snippets of memory just titbits of my daily work life and it's really not my dream job. I've also been doing some research about how safe it is for you to be flying. You'll be pleased to know that it should be fine for you to fly at the start of your 7th month but we should make sure we check up on the airline policy before booking our tickets." She explains over whelming me somewhat. Apparently while I'd come to terms with the fact that we would be remaining here for the foreseeable future Ems had been carefully planning our departure. I look at her in amazement unsure of what to say. My face must be unusual as she is looking at me worried.
"Naomi, Naoms, please say something your scaring me" she says leaning closer trying receive some response from me.
"We're going to New Zealand" I half ask half say looking at her for confirmation.
"We're going to New Zealand" she confirms nodding "well if you want to of course" she adds leaning her head on my shoulder and looking up at me through her eye lashes.
"We're going to New Zealand" I confirm a smile spreading across my face as I do a very similar one gracing Emily's mouth.
"Yay" Kelly squeals from my lap. The baby then kicks several times indicating that he too wants a share in the family excitement.
Well there we go sorry it took a little longer than usual. Hope you are all pleased with the family decision. Thanks once again for all the feedback it really does make my day. :)