A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"Shhh. Go to sleep baby boy." I look down into Oliver's bassinet for a few minutes, and then I ease out of the room and into the hallway where I see Christian coming up the stairs. "Hi.", I whisper
"Hi yourself." He looks past me and towards the bedroom. "I'm guessing Oliver's sleeping."
"Finally. Let's go downstairs so we can talk." I place my hand on his elbow and walk with him downstairs and into the living room. Christian remains standing in uncertainty. "I have something I'd like to discuss with you." He doesn't ask me to elaborate as he sits down on the sofa. Willing myself to speak, I sit down in the chair beside him. "It's about me going back to work."
"I thought we agreed to start looking for a nanny so you can prepare to go back." I rub my hands over the legs of my jeans in anxiety. "Ana, you've changed your mind?"
"Yes. I've changed my mind about the nanny and going back to work. I've been doing a lot of thinking, and I've come to the conclusion the reason why I was so hesitant about hiring a nanny is because I don't want to return to work. When I say that, I don't mean I want to extend my leave. I mean I want to quit my job."
"But you love the magazine. You've expressed that many times."
"I do love working at the magazine, but I've found something I love more, being a stay at home mom. I laid in bed most of last night with this on my mind, and this morning, I came to the conclusion that I'd like to stay home. I realize it'll change things both here and at the magazine." Christian's mouth curls into a smile. "Thoughts?"
"I think it's a wonderful idea and one that I've sort of suspected. When you mentioned extending your leave, I heard conflict in your voice. I wondered if you might be having doubts about going back to work at work. True it'll change things. They'll have to find a permanent replacement for you at the magazine, but it's not something that's not impossible."
"But are you ok with me not working and bringing home a paycheck?", I ask.
"Of course I'm ok with it. We're equals in this marriage and always will be even if you're not working. In case you haven't noticed, I make a decent amount of money.", he smirks, getting a throw pillow tossed at him in return. "I don't want you to feel like you're not as equal as me because you are. You're my partner."
"That's it then. I'm quitting my job."
"How do you feel saying it?"
"Oddly...relieved. I feel as if this weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I've got an idea about who my replacement could be. Kate. She's been doing well in the position since I've been gone. She might not want to accept it, but I think she'd be a good choice for the job."
"From what I've heard from the upper level execs, she's been keeping everyone on their toes and getting the work churned out."
"And she'd stay on that same path. I know she wouldn't start slacking."
"While I may be the owner, I still need to bring up the idea to the execs. They're the ones who deal with the magazine on a day to day basis. They might want to go through an interview process with others."
"Still, I'm going to mention it to Kate tomorrow night when we go to dinner." After taking my advice, Kate told Elliot how much it meant for her to have him go to the symphony with her on Saturday. Elliot, truly understanding the importance, happily agreed to go. Since he's going with her, Kate suggested that she and I along with Mia still go out tomorrow night. "Are you sure you're ok with watching Oliver?"
"I'm sure. The two of us are going to have our own guys night while you go out and have fun with Kate and Mia. Don't worry."
"What were Christian and Oliver doing before you left?", Mia asks before taking a sip of her strawberry daiquiri. Following much discussion, we decided on having dinner at the Purple Cafe and Wine Bar.
"Christian had just finished changing Oliver's diaper and was going to put him in his swing. Mia, what's been going on with you? How are you and Nicholas?" I take a bite of my lobster macaroni and cheese and grin at her. She cuts her eyes over to Kate who's acting oblivious.
"Ana, by any chance did you hear about an incident with me and Nicholas?" I wipe my mouth and wince with a nod. "It's true. I made out with my boyfriend at his work. Neither of you can say you haven't done the same with your guys."
"Actually, Elliot and I did more than making out at his work.", Kate says.
"I don't want details.", Mia groans. "All I wanted was a yes or a no. When I kiss Nicholas, it's like I lose all track of time. He makes me feel special and adored."
"He'd better. You're a catch who deserves to be treated with respect and adoration.", I tell her.
"Has the L word been used?", Kate asks while the waitress refills my water.
"Not yet, and that's fine. We're always expressing how much we care about each other which is good enough for us. I've never told a guy that I love him so it's a big deal. I also don't want to pressure Nicholas into saying it when he's not ready. We're going at our own pace."
"Mia, there's nothing wrong with that.", I smile.
"Moving on to you, Ana. When are you going back to work?"
"Soon, right?", Kate says with her eyes planted on me. I fold my napkin and unfold it. "I've seen you avoid an issue enough to know that's exactly what you're doing now. My question is why are you avoiding it?"
"I'm not avoiding the question.", I murmur as I shovel my food around on my plate.
"Um...you kind of are.", Mia laughs. "What's going on?"
"I've decided to not go back to work. I'm going to stay home with Oliver."
"You mean for a while longer?"
"No. I mean for good." I turn to Kate who's sitting with puzzled eyes. "When I first started at the magazine, I was eager to write about what was going on in and around Seattle. There would be times where I would be having a terrible day personal wise, but I could count on the magazine to be the distraction I needed. The moment I gave birth to Oliver something shifted in me. I've loved being at home with him. That love is far more greater than the joy I had at the magazine. I told Christian the other day that I wanted to extend my leave, claiming I was worried about a nanny taking my place and how I didn't want to miss anything. The actual reason is I don't want to go back to work. Christian is ok with my decision."
"So that's it? You're just going to not come back?", Kate sighs. "I've got to admit I didn't see this coming, but you should do what feels right."
"Quitting is what feels right. Christian said they might take applications and do interviews for my position, but it's possible they might already have my replacement." I smile and wave my hand towards her.
"Me? I'm flattered, but I can't do your job."
"Haven't you already been doing her job?", Mia says. "Kate, I think this would be a wonderful thing for you."
"I'm in complete agreement.", I add. "Kate's been doing an incredible job during my leave. She was worried at first, but she's stepped up to the plate and is striving. I have faith she'll continue to do well."
"It means a lot that you believe in me so much. It's that confidence that makes me think I might be able to do the job full time. If they want me to stay on, I'll say yes. If they want me to go against others for the job, I'll do that as well."
"I think this deserves a toast.", Mia says, bring ing her glass up. "To new journeys."
"To new journeys.", Kate and I say while clinking our glasses together.
"I just got home and already feel like crying." I stand in the doorway of the bedroom and watch as a bare chested Christian holds Oliver in the rocking chair.
"Aww. We don't want Mommy to cry, do we?", he coos to the baby. I step out of my heels and sit down on the end of the bed. "Did you have a nice evening?"
"I had a very nice evening. Dinner was great. I tried lobster macaroni and cheese for the first time, and I loved it. We spent the evening going over what's been happening with each of us."
"Did you tell them about quitting the magazine?"
"Yep. They weren't sure what to make of it at first, but they came to understand why. I also told Kate that I feel she'd be great as my replacement. She said she'd be willing to take the job. How was your night?"
"It was decent. Oliver and I watched some baseball, and then we talked about the market. He's got some interesting theories on the stocks."
"Sounds like a good time.", I giggle. "Did you miss me?"
"We missed you so much. Every little sound would make Oliver look around the room in hopes it was his mom."
"Well, I'm home now." I stand and move next to Christian as both of us look down at Oliver who's drifting to sleep.
"It's moments like this that mean the world to me."