Page 18 of Matrimonial Merger

“No. I just… I care about you. And I care about company interests. The board would like to see you take a more visible role. I know that’s not your bag. You aren’t the schmoozer?—”

“That is firmly you and Chloe.”

“I know. And we’re good at it, but this isn’t our story to tell. And I’m not about to claim credit for your ideas to turn retailaround in just a bit over a quarter. I worry about Dad coming back from the dead to curse me.”

I snickered. “Okay. Fine. I will tell Anna I’ll do the damn thing.”

Davey smiled and stood again. “You’re going to be glad you said yes. Promise.”

A knock at the door made us both turn. Cal stood in the doorway. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to barge in but you were on the way, Daph.”

“You can’t quit us, can you?” Davey joked.

“We have an appointment,” I said. “He’s just trying to force me to take the car rather than walk. I am fine, Cal.”

“You’re definitely not. She was just dry heaving into the trash five minutes ago!” Davey outed me. “What is that?”

Davey pointed to the can in Cal’s hand. Cal raised it and answered, “Pomegranate seltzer.”

“A bit early for that, bud, isn’t it?” Davey joked.

“Davey, it’s for me,” I grumbled. “It settles my stomach. It’s just flavored water, not White Claw.”

“Oh,” Davey said, facepalming. “Apologies. Well, good luck with whatever this is. Wedding stuff?”

“We’re getting a scan,” I answered. “And having a follow-up. For the baby. No wedding stuff.”

“Don’t mention it,” Cal whispered. “It only makes things worse.”

Davey patted Cal on the shoulder and left, calling back, “Good luck!”

I locked my computer and grabbed my purse. “I’m ready.”

And nervous.

He gave me a quick kiss on the forehead before opening the door. “It will all be fine, baby. Promise.”

“I love you.”

Cal

The heartbeat rang out clear as a bell—strong and fast. I felt everything at once—excitement, nerves, pride. Daphne cried. I fought tears, maintaining composure by a hair—and ONLY a hair. Any worries dissipated like a puff of smoke in the wind as I held the second ultrasound in my hands. I thought parenthood would always evade me, but here I was looking at visual proof it was happening.

I listened in disbelief as the doctor outlined our next appointment—another scan to measure something and the genetic testing that would tell us if things were progressing and the baby was fine.

“Do we want to know the sex?” Daphne asked me.

“I don’t really care,” I said, watching her face drop. “But if you do… it’s your body, Daphne. I am alright either way.”

Her smile bounced back. “I want to know.”

“Then, let’s find out,” I agreed.

She beamed. God, I loved that smile. Thatbeautifulsmile. Even when she felt like garbage and had a million worries across an ocean, she had the best smile.

We were headed back out of the office when Daphne looked at me. “What are you staring like me for that?”

“Can I not just stare at you?” I laughed.

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