A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"You're legitimately going to quit working?" My mom repeats her question for the third time, and for the third time I nod.
"Yes. I realize it might come as a surprise to many, but it's what I want. It's what feels right.", I murmur while looking over at Oliver's sleeping form in his swing. Christian's got a dinner meeting with a client so I invited my mom over for dinner.
"Ana, I'm not going to berate you. You're a grown woman who knows what's best, and I trust your decisions."
"Thanks. Who knows, when Oliver gets older, I might go back to work. For now, I'm going to be where I want to be. Have you seen much of Dad lately?"
"I see how you're turning this around and on to me.", she grins while propping her hand on the chair arm. "Your dad and I see each other frequently, yet we don't spend each waking moment together. He's still getting settled into his new place and has even made some friends."
"I'm glad to hear that.", I say.
"It's two of the guys who live on his street. They introduced themselves at the neighborhood block party and then invited your dad to go play golf. Even though your dad isn't the best golf player, he went and had a great time. I think they're going fishing this weekend."
"I knew it was only a matter of time until he started making new friends and getting adjusted to life in Seattle." Tiny cries start coming from Oliver who's awake. I stand and take him out of his swing, swaying gently with him until he calms down. "It's ok."
"You're so good with him. I remember when you used to play with your dolls. You always made sure they were secure in the little bed you had made from a box."
"The one I decorated with pink marker.", I sigh. "I had an old blanket that I used to cover the dolls up."
"You loved those dolls and took such good care of them. I could see even then how nurturing you were. I only wish I had that same quality when I was raising you."
"Mom, I've told you over and over what happened between us in the past is in the past. You've apologized more times than I can count, and we're moving forward."
"I know. I just have moments of regret.", she shrugs as Christian opens the front door.
"Hi.", he says with his eyes on primarily on Oliver and I. He places his briefcase on the floor and strides over to where I'm standing. "Hi there sweet boy." I don't ask Christian before I hand the baby over to him. "You read my mind."
"I'm not sure how your work day went, but I know a certain baby who has a way of making everything ok." Christian kisses my cheek and takes a seat in one of the chairs.
"It was definitely a long day that ended up turning into a crazy night with my business dinner. I was contacted recently by Ronald Parnell. He operates a fiber optics corporation and would like for us to do some work together."
"But dinner didn't go the way you thought?", my mom asks.
"Ronald Parnell has a partner in his business, his wife Tanya. The two of them are going through a separation but have committed to keeping their business relationship intact. I had no idea about the separation when I agreed to the dinner. Anyway, dinner started out good. We began eating and going over ideas. Things took a turn when Ronald got a phone call. After he excused himself, Tanya started mumbling words that I couldn't make out. Ronald returned to the table and went back to talking business, but Tanya had other things on her mind. She started shouting that he was being disrespectful by taking a call from his girlfriend during the middle of a work dinner. It soon became a big fiasco."
"Dang.", I sigh. "Would I be correct in assuming you're not going to do business with them?"
"There's no way I'm doing business with them. The worst part of it is I left before finishing my dinner. Of course, I had basically lost my appetite during their fight."
"Mom and I ordered pizza and had a lot left over if you'd like some."
"Maybe later. I just want to sit here and hold Oliver for a while."
"It's getting late, and I should head home.", my mom says as she stands. "Ana, thank you for dinner. I had a wonderful evening. Christian, I hope tomorrow is better for you. As for my sweet Oliver, Grandma loves you." She leans down and kisses Oliver's forehead.
"I had a wonderful time as well.", I tell her.
"I realize I only took one day off from work, but this one day feels so good.", Olivia says as she and I walk through the Farmer's Market. She called this morning and she'd like for us to hang out so Oliver and I are spending the day with her.
"You've been going nonstop between working at the magazine and being at the hospital with Sawyer's dad. I'm sure his dad is relieved to be at home."
"He's so glad to be back in his own bed. His chemo starts next week, and even though he's not looking forward to it, he knows it's going to be for the best. Luke and his mom are in happier spirits as well." We walk over to a tent of apples which Olivia starts sorting through.
"Hospitals aren't fun."
"You can say that again."
"Hospitals aren't fun.", I giggle while adjusting the cover over Oliver's stroller. Per my request, Kate hasn't told Olivia that I'm quitting, however, I've decided today is the day I'm going to give her the news. "Olivia, I've got something to tell you. I'm not going back to work." I expect her to appear shocked, but she doesn't. Instead, she smiles.
"I knew it.", she says, placing two apples in her basket.
"You knew? I asked Kate not to say anything until I talked to you."
"Kate didn't tell me. I've been sensing it whenever I'm around you. There's nothing wrong with it."
"It's going to be weird not working at the magazine. I learned so much there especially from you. You helped me become a better writer and then guided me when I took over your position. The friendships I made are what I'm grateful for the most. Not being at the magazine doesn't mean I won't continue to be friends with everyone, including you."
"When I started at the magazine, I was determined to be nothing but serious. That changed when I started getting to know everyone. So...with you leaving, does this mean Kate's going to take over your job permanently?"
"I told her that I feel she'd be good for the spot. Christian hasn't found out whether the senior staff wants to do interviews or simply keep Kate in the office." We move from the tent and continue looking at the other displays.
"I've seen Kate in action during your leave, and she certainly has been doing a wonderful job. Hopefully she'll be appointed your replacement." Once we come to a display where a man is handing out samples of strawberries, I see Olivia's face turn pale.
"Do you want to go over and sit down on that bench over there?", I ask while pointing to a bench not far from us.
"Uh yeah.", Olivia stammers as we go to the bench. "I think sitting down would be good."
"If you're not feeling well, we can leave."
"I'm feeling ok. I just started feeling a little icky, but I'm feeling better now." While I'm looking at Olivia, I get a familiar feeling. Her appearance is almost a carbon copy of mine when I was suffering from nausea during my pregnancy.
"Olivia, are you pregnant?" She turns her head away from me. When she turns back around, her eyes are watery. "You are."
"I hadn't been feeling well for a couple of weeks, but I thought it was simply stress. My period was late, and again, I thought it was due to stress. Last week, I finally woke up and realized that maybe it was more than stress. I took a test which was positive. I took yet another test. Positive."
"What did Sawyer say?"
"Nothing.", she mutters while glancing at Oliver. "He hasn't said anything because he doesn't know yet. I'm going to tell him when I figure out how."
"Question, how do you feel about the baby?"
"I'm happy. It wasn't planned, but I can't wait to be a mom. Luke's told me that he wants kids. Still, things have been so stressful lately. He's dealing with his dad's illness, and I'm worried a baby will only add to the stress."
"Even though the baby wasn't planned, it doesn't mean Sawyer's not going to be excited. He loves you, and your baby will be an extension of that love."
"You're right. I'm going to tell him tonight. Thanks Ana.", she says.
"You're welcome. For the record, you're going to be amazing parents."