Precious Lace(23)

I wrapped my hair in a towel and threw on my bathrobe before padding barefoot to the kitchen for orange juice. Then I remembered I’d have to pick up some prenatal vitamins today and schedule a doctor appointment. I didn't know who to go to, but I’d find out and I’d manage. The thought crossed my mind that perhaps Carter's parents could recommend someone, but clearly that wasn't an option since I didn't even know if Carter would be in our lives at this point. I sipped my orange juice in the kitchen and gazed out the window lost in thought.

"Good morning, ma'am." An older woman stepped into the kitchen.

"Hi, I’m Eva." I gave her a small smile.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Morgan. I'm Joan, the housekeeper. Mr. Morgan told me you'd be down shortly." A warm smile brightened her face.

"Nice to meet you, Joan. Do you know where Mr. Morgan is?" I asked casually.

"I believe he went for a swim." She bustled in the kitchen wiping counters.

"Thanks." I set my glass in the sink before leaving the kitchen.

I didn't know if I should look for Carter; I didn't know if he wanted to see me, but then again I didn't know that I shouldn't either. And at the very least I was going to stick up for us, our little monkey and me, and I only hoped that Carter would too. I climbed the stairs to the fourth floor and exited onto the terrace and then climbed the small stairwell onto the roof. I turned the corner and saw the infinity pool open up before me to the Public Garden and the Boston skyline beyond. Steam rose off the heated pool and mingled with the cool November air.

The beautiful man that was my husband and the father of my child cut through the water with quick and confident strokes. His long arms sliced the water and his back muscles rippled with the movement. His broad shoulders glistened in the morning light and my eyes trailed down to his slim waist and the fitted black swim trunks he wore. His muscled legs kicked smoothly and soundlessly. He took my breath away.

I stood and watched him silently and rubbed my tummy though the thick bathrobe. A small smile played across my lips that I'd managed to land such a beautiful man, but my mind reminded me that he might be on the verge of throwing me from his life. I desperately hoped that Carter could break down the walls he always managed to build up to let our little monkey and me in. I decided not to ruin the beautiful moment and turned to make my way back down the stairs to the master suite.

I dried my hair and dressed to run some errands. By the time I went downstairs I saw that Carter's briefcase was gone so I knew he'd left for work. Joan confirmed it. My heart broke a little more at the thought that he hadn't said a word to me before leaving.

When I returned from the pharmacy with prenatal vitamins Joan was in the living room dusting Carter's beautiful paintings. I'd done some research before I'd left this morning on Boston obstetricians but the options were overwhelming.

"Joan?" I wandered up behind her.

"Yes, Mrs. Morgan?"

"Please, call me Eva." I gave her a warm smile. "I was wondering… Do you know of any obstetricians? There are so many to choose from, and I don't know anyone to give me a recommendation…" I trailed off.

"Oh, Mrs. Morgan are you and Mr. Morgan expecting a baby?" A bright smile covered her face.

"Um…" Could I tell her? Would Carter want her to know? Did it even matter what he wanted at this point? "Yes, I'm having a baby." I wasn't sure if Carter would be a part of our little monkey's life, but I certainly would be.

"That's wonderful news, Mrs. Morgan—Eva. Dr. Burke is who my daughter saw for both of her pregnancies. Her office is right on Harrison Street. She loved her."

"Great. Thank you, Joan." I smiled and headed for the master suite to make an appointment with Dr. Burke.



I sat perched in the middle of the bed later that afternoon researching an up and coming designer for an article when a text flitted across my screen from Carter.

- Can you meet me at my office? I stared at the screen for a few moments.

- When?

- Is right now okay?

- Yes. I typed back and heaved myself off the bed.

I pulled on my Tory Burch riding boots—my first splurge once I'd landed the job at Trend29. Paired with an oversized sweater I knew I fell somewhere between frumpy and royal-family-on-Welsh-holiday casual, but I was too tired to think about impressing anyone. I'd had a chance to flip through a pregnancy book I’d picked up at the pharmacy and learned that exhaustion was common in the first trimester. Daily naps would now be a happy addition to my schedule.

I stepped out of the townhouse and inhaled the crisp fall air. It was cool, and the smell of the decaying leaves made my born-and-raised-upstate heart swell. I decided to walk the ten minutes to The Hancock.