Page 41 of Solid Ground

“It’s hard when your baby grows up.” She smiles. “But you’ll be a good mother, and I’m here whenever you need me, even if you have to call me at some ridiculous hour.”

“Thanks, Mum.”

“I’ll go and check on him. Take care of yourself and please let me know if there’s anything I can do. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

With the call disconnected, I sit and gather my thoughts. That could have gone better, but it could also have gone a lot worse. Dad’s cautious—I know that. He’s taken care of me more than once when my young heart’s been broken.

But Declan and I aren’t together.

This is different.

Isn’t it?

ELEVEN

DECLAN

Zoe closesher eyes and leans back in her chair, patting her still flat stomach with her hand. “You can cook that for me anytime.”

“I will.”

She opens her eyes and smiles. “Thank you, Declan. I don’t know if I’ll ever want you to move out again at this rate.”

“Just as well I have no plans to.” I shoot her a wink. That’s becoming a habit. But she makes me want to flirt with her when I’d thought I was so dead inside.

“I wasn’t sure what your plans would be … after the baby’s born.”

“We’ll work it out when we have to.” I reach for her hand and give it a squeeze. “There’s no rush. I’m here for the duration, and I’ll cook this every night if it’s what you feel like.”

“I’m getting very spoiled.”

I run my thumb over the back of her hand. “As youshould be.” Tell me more about your day. You said you can just ride out your contract?”

She pulls her arm away and blows out a long breath. “Well, I told them I was pregnant. And they told me that they don’t really need me.”

“So, you’re not working anymore?” I ask.

She nods slowly. “I’ve been doing a lot more than my contract requires, and it’s meant that the integration has happened faster. This year was going to be a lot of sitting around and maybe offering support, but it looks like that’s not even really needed. I’ll still be logging in and sitting in on project meetings, but my role was always going to be downgraded this year.”

“Our timing was pretty good, then.”

Her mouth falls open. “I’m not sure if I’d say that.”

“Just in terms of your contract. And my retirement. It’s all working out well.”

I’m not even sure what I’m saying. But I do know that Zoe’s pregnancy is already helping keep me grounded. I’m not remotely tempted to drink, and if I spend tonight in front of the television instead of out on the town, it wouldn’t be a hardship.

My only doubt is around whether I could keep that up or not.

Will this always be enough? Or will I go back to wanting more?

I can’t think that way.

“I guess you could say we’re going okay.” She shrugs. “I always thought I’d be settled down before I had babies, but I also thought it’d be before I hit thirty.”

“Thirty isn’t old to have a baby.”

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