Chapter 4: Marissa
October 16, 2009, Friday
5:45 AM
Tribeca, New York
Shane's morning alarm went off earlier than usual as he has breakfast with his sister before they both NEED to be in the office by 9. With eyes still closed an arm draped over his stomach, Shane reached over to turn the offending gadget off. He stayed still for another minute or two, before finally opening his eyes to start his day. To his surprise, when he looked down, he saw his most favorite pair of eyes looking back at him. His most favorite set of lips was warmly smiling at him. This was his favorite way of waking up and he's lucky enough to be experiencing it for thirteen years now.
"Good morning", his wife greeted with voice still raspy.
"'Morning.", he replied back, own voice raspy, too, followed with a peck on the lips. "I'm sorry I woke you."
She smiled at him. "Nah, I've been awake for a while."
He furrowed his brows as a sign of concern. "Is something wrong? Is it the baby?" Automatically, both of his hands were on her tummy.
"It's this baby.", she replied matter-of-factly, patting his chest.
He took that hand on his chest, squeezed it and raised it to his lips. "You don't have to worry about me. I'm fine.", he assured her. However, his wife didn't quite believe him. How can he be fine? He barely spoke about it yesterday. But she trusts that things will eventually work out after the initial shock wears out when things become official later this afternoon. She said a silent prayer that this will not smear the close relationship between father and son, and said son with the rest of his family. Regardless, she'll be there for him to offer support and whatever else he'll need after.
"Coffee?", she offered, knowing that while breakfast was already planned between the man and his sister, he still can't function without an initial cup of coffee to start his day.
He nodded and expressed his request then thanks with a smile. That same smile told her everything will be alright with him.
The couple parted with Marissa getting out of bed to get that coffee started while Shane stretched once before getting up to head to the shower. When he got there, he smiled seeing his favorite set of corporate attire already hanged by the door, wondering when his wife had the time to prepare that in the middle of the night. He definitely hit the jackpot when he asked her to be his girlfriend more than twenty years ago and she said yes.
Their two kids were still asleep by the time Shane had to leave. The boys didn't have any idea what was about to go down later that day. The couple decided it's best to explain everything when it's all said and done. Shane wasn't sure how they'd react, having been fans of the business since they were born. He didn't know how to tell them it wasn't Pop's fault that he can no longer work for the guy they've looked up to all of their lives. Quitting the family business after working there for more than twenty five years was something that he just had to do for himself.
Neither did he know what to tell his only sister. He only hoped she'd understand.