Going over to the bed, she picked up NJ and held him close to her. She wasn’t so sure about leaving her baby. She wanted to call Nick and tell him she couldn’t go, that something had come up. “Mommy’s going to miss you. Yes I am.” Summer whispered as she kissed the soft curls on the top of her son’s head.
The doorbell rang interrupting her tender moment with NJ. Summer glanced over at the clock on the nightstand, one o’clock on the dot.
Laying the baby in the playpen she went to answer the door. A megawatt smile lit up her face.
“Joan! What are you doing here? It’s so good to see you. How have you been?” Summer rushed all this out as she affectionately hugged the older woman. She hadn’t seen Joan since she brought NJ home from the hospital.
Joan laughed as she returned the younger woman’s hug.
“I’ve been good sweetie. How ‘bout you and that precious little baby boy?”
“We’re good. Come on in,” pointing to a corner in the living room, “he’s over there in the playpen.” Taking Joan by the hand she led her over to the infant.
“Oh, sweetie, he’s getting so big and just as handsome as ever. I swear he looks more like Nick every time I see him.”
“Thanks, Joan.” Summer stood there smiling at her son, adoring everything about him and agreeing with Joan that NJ was the exact replica of his father.
“Well, you better get going, Missy. You know how Nick hates to be kept waiting.”
Summer’s smile radiated with relief. “I’m so happy you’re keeping my little man.”
“Yep, now grab your coat and purse and go! I know how to take care of a baby!” Joan playfully admonished Summer. “Hurry up chile! There’s a car waiting outside for you.”
“Okay, Okay, I’m getting my stuff.”
As Summer grab her things she informed Joan there was milk in the fridge for the baby’s two o’clock feeding as she ran out the door, down the steps into the black Lincoln Town Car waiting at the curb.
♥♥♥
Nick watched as the maitre d escorted Summer to the table. A hint of jealousy coursed through him as he observed a few drifting eyes. He held his composure, refusing to reveal an emotion that was foreign to him. Standing, he took a few steps forward closing the gap between Summer and himself. Reaching out he possessively splayed his hands on her waist pulling her closer giving her a quick peck on the lips. His eyes scanned her from head to toe. “Baby, you look sexy, too sexy. You see all eyes are on you?”
Summer looked around the posh restaurant as Nick helped her into her chair. Just as she sat a middle-aged man smiled at her. Politely she returned the smile.
“Is that what that little kiss was all about?” she asked as she lifted an arched brow.
“Damn straight.”
“Come on Nick half these men are old enough to be my father.”
“And?”
“Possessive, aren’t we?” she asked teasingly, a smile dancing around her lips.
The expression faded as Nick stared at her through dark, piercing eyes before responding. “Beautiful, I don’t know any other way to be with you. Especially when you look the way you do right now.”
“Oh.”
Over lunch, the couple enjoyed each other’s company immensely. For the first time in months, Nick was able to free an entire afternoon to do whatever he wanted that didn’t pertain to work. Spending time with Summer was where he wanted to be, where he needed to be. With every passing day the gravitational pull to be near her grew stronger and stronger.
As they talked, he noticed every little nuance about her. From the way she tilted her head when she was interested in something he said. To the way she nibbled her bottom lip when she was deep in thought. To how she threw her head back and laughed when he said something amusing. He also picked up on the fact she missed their little boy each time she glanced at the gold Bulova watch on her slim wrist. She attempted to camouflage the gesture by twirling the stem of her water glass.
He covered her hand to still the twirling. “You miss him don’t you?”
Giving up a weak smile she responded, “It’s that noticeable?”
Nick nodded. “Yes.”
“I love him so much. I can’t imagine being without him.”
“What are you going to do when it’s time for you to go back to work?” Nick was curious to know as he held both her hands in his.
Summer shrugged a slim shoulder. “I don’t know.” She answered truthfully with sadness in her voice.
The six-week maternity leave was officially over three weeks ago. Summer was living off her savings because the Family Leave Act she’d taken didn’t provide any sort of income. The only thing the Act did was secure her job for the next twelve weeks. Summer was a saver; she would be able to stay home with NJ until he was at least two years old without having to dip into her 401B plan. It certainly didn’t hurt she had inherited a trust fund from her paternal grandfather when she was twelve years old. It wasn’t enough to make her rich; however, it would allow her to pay the bills for a few years without having to work. Besides, if things got really bad she could always go to her parents for help without a problem.