Chapter 32

"Aww...Vincie you're so cute. Yes you are." The baby gurgled happily
in its little crib.

"Stephanie, he is the cutest baby I've ever seen in my life." Corinne
said, smiling as baby Vince grabbed her finger.

"Isn't he? He's got the McMahon chin, and my eyes. I've never had
blonde hair in my life so I guess he gets the hair from Kyle."

"He's so adorable."

"Yes, so enough about how adorable and perfect my baby is. How're
things with you and Jeff?"

"Oh, everything's fine. He was a little upset about my having to move
out of his house for a few months, but I think he's getting over it
now." Corinne answered.

"Upset? Why?" Stephanie asked concernedly.

"Oh well, I don't really know. But I mean I had to...you know?"

"Yeah. It's just a little weird for him to be upset over it. I mean he
knew about you taking over for me right?"

"Yeah, I guess he just didn't realize that I wouldn't be able to
travel with him. But I mean as it is, with Shane being in London, work
is just really piling up. I've spent a few nights at the office until
11 this week trying to catch up with everything."

"Oh yeah...sorry about that. I guess I just didn't realize how much
work I could miss with all of my doctor appointments and stuff."

"Oh it's fine. But Steph, you know I would have been happy to take
some of that work on the road with me...well it doesn't matter. I'm
getting pretty well caught up now."

"That's good. I'll have to tell daddy that."

"Steph, I have to talk to you about something." Corinne said,
following Stephanie as she walked out of the nursery and into the
master's bedroom.

"What is it?"

"You know, I really care about Jeff...and he I know really cares about
me too. But I mean this whole thing with his being upset about work is
kind of worrying me."

"Why?"

"I don't know...I mean I'm not sure if I can handle a relationship and
work. And I don't know if he can either, it's like we talk every
night, but even then I'm so tired sometimes that I just don't feel
like talking anymore. He just gets so upset sometimes. I feel like I'm
cheating on him with work you know?"

"Oh Corinne...you shouldn't feel that way. And if Jeff is making you
feel that way, well then I guess you just have to figure out what's
more important. Jeff or..."

"Don't say that...please don't ever say that. I don't want to have to
choose between my job and Jeff." Corinne said anxiously.

"I'm sorry, but you know sooner or later you might not have a choice."

"What do you mean?"

"Umm...well look I wasn't supposed to say anything but uh...my Dad
wants to give you a promotion." Stephanie said hesitantly.

"Really? Are you serious?" Corinne asked excitedly. "That's
awesome...wow. I don't know what to say."

"Umm...well see the thing is...he wants you to take over the London
office."

Corinne's mouth dropped open as she stared at Stephanie.

"What?" Corinne asked in shock. The initial happiness that she had
felt drained away, leaving behind a sudden overwhelming sense of...fear.

"Uh...the London office?" Stephanie repeated, her face etched with
worry.

"But that would mean that I..."

"Would have to move to London..." Stephanie finished for her.

Corinne sat down on the bed in astonishment.

"So...what do you think?"

"Um...when do I have to decide by?"

"Well you see...that's what he wanted to meet with you about tomorrow.
Shane hopes to be back here in three weeks."

"Three weeks? So basically I have to decide whether or not I want the
position..." Corinne paused and stared at Stephanie in utter
bewilderment.

"You have about a week...you're obviously the first choice if you
don't want the position...we'll have to start looking for another
person."

"I see...umm...wow...look at the time." She started gathering her
coat and her bag in rigid motions. Jeff's image came to her mind and
for now...all she could think about was finding him and needing him.

"Going to go watch Jeff at home? You're welcome to watch here besides
it's only 6 o'clock...you have 3 hours before the show." Stephanie
stood back as she tried to read the expression on Corinne's face. She
had known that the offer would be a shock to her, but something about
Corinne's ragged reaction worried her.

"Um...no. I'm going to go see Jeff..." Corinne said putting on her
coat.

"Go see Jeff you mean? Wait? What?" Stephanie shook her head. "Hang
on a sec...come on Cor, talk to me..what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry...I just, I can't talk about this right now. I need to talk
to him..." She said as she ran her fingers through her hair.

"Oh god...I'm sorry to upset you. I shouldn't have told you."
Stephanie bit her lip worriedly.

"No! I'm...happy you told me now." Corinne said and gave her a brief
hug. "But I have to go Steph, I have to find a flight." She said as
she ran out of the door.