In My Office, Now.

by June, Victoria

  I nodded automatically, my brain still trying to wrap itself around the possibility Mrs. Kendall had brought to my attention. A baby? Children? With Ethan? Little Ethan Anderson's running about? Lord help me, I'd never have a moment's peace.

  My mind raced frantically. When was my last period? Two months ago? Three? I couldn't remember, I realized in a panic. We'd been so busy with setting up the firm, working with new clients, organizing the move for Mrs. Kendall's house. If I'd thought about any missed periods in amongst all that I couldn't remember.

  My hand settled on my abdomen. Nothing felt different. Everything felt different. I closed my eyes against the dizziness and tried to keep breathing. A baby. I was going to have Ethan's baby. I hadn't been to the doctor, hadn't taken any tests, but I knew it as surely as I knew I loved him. I loved them both.

  I smiled and opened my eyes to watch Ethan approach. He removed his hardhat and ran a hand through his hair.

  "What did I do to deserve a smile like that?" he teased as he perched on the truck's tailgate beside me.

  I laughed to myself but didn't answer. I wasn't sure it was the time or place.

  "I was starting to think the old Battle-axe would never leave," Ethan drawled with faked contempt. "I want you all to myself for a little while - I've got something for you."

  I watched wordlessly as Ethan reached into his pocket with one hand and took my left hand with the other.

  "It's not fancy, and I know I've made you wait more than long enough for it. If you don't like it, we can buy you something different." I looked down at our clasped hands just as Ethan slipped a ring on my finger. It was a delicate diamond, nestled in a circle of amethysts. It was beautiful.

  "It was my Mother's. I wanted to have it cleaned and resized, which is why this took so long," he looked up at me from under his fringe of dark lashes. He was so handsome it took my breath away. The look in his blue-grey eyes was intense, yet warm. "It's been worn by five generations of Anderson women, but for some reason I never gave it to either of my exes. I guess I was keeping it for someone better, even if I didn't know it at the time. But like I said, if you don't like it, I'll buy you something else, something more modern perhaps, something bigger..."

  I shook my head, unable to force words past the lump in my throat. On my finger the small diamond glinted perfectly in the sun, surrounded by its purple sisters. "I- it's beautiful," I whispered when I could. "It's perfect."

  Ethan leaned down to kiss me. "Good. I thought you'd like it. I wanted to wait for today, for the move. It seemed symbolic, in a way. Now what the hell is going on? What were you and the Battle-Axe discussing with such intent?"

  I could feel my heart rate soar as I teetered on the edge of indecision. But Ethan looked so honest and so earnest that I couldn't lie. "Mrs. Kendall thinks the reason why I haven't been feeling well lately is that I'm, well... I'm pregnant."

  All expression fell away from Ethan's face for a moment, causing my heart to clench painfully. He turned towards me more fully and cupped my cheek, searching my face with his remarkable eyes. "Are you serious?"

  I nodded. I could feel my chin wobble a little as the tears threatened to come. "Yes," I whispered. "I'm certain of it. I don't know how I'm so sure, but I am."

  "A baby," Ethan breathed out huskily. "My baby."

  I nodded again, letting a tear or two escape. I'd never cried in front of Ethan, but I didn't seem capable of stopping it from happening. Around my finger Ethan's mother's ring felt cold and alien.

  "A baby," Ethan echoed. His voice was almost as blank as his expression. The silence stretched between us for what felt like an eternity. My insides fluttered and I couldn't help but wonder if it was nerves or something else.

  He stood up abruptly, pulling me to my feet with him. "We're going to have a baby?"

  I said nothing in response. Again, no words would come and besides, what could I say? When comprehension dawned on Ethan's face it was like the sun emerging from behind a cloud. His smile split his face and he picked me up, whirling me around until I was dizzy. His cry of joy could be heard down at the work site; heads turned. Mrs. Kendall's satisfied laughter travelled to us on the wind.

  I couldn't stop crying, the tears coursed unchecked down my cheeks. Around me Ethan's arms were solid yet gentle as he leaned down to kiss me again.

  "Thank you," he said. I couldn't read his expression or his tone.

  I froze in Ethan's embrace. "For what? I didn't plan this, if that's what you're implying." I could feel my defense spring up and a little tickle of temper rise in the back of my throat. Ethan smiled down at me with reassurance.

  "I know. Not for that, although that's well... amazing. I don't know. Thank you for not giving up on me. And for not hating me anymore."

  "I never hated you," I said, my voice catching in my chest. On my finger Ethan's ring sparkled. "Not even for a moment."

  "Thank God," Ethan whispered. His kiss began sweetly but ended with his usual fierce passion which made me cling weakly to him.

  At the work site below us the monster flat-bed truck roared to life, interrupting our interlude. We turned our heads towards the sound and together we watched as the old house began to inch slowly towards its new foundation.