“That’d be great.” Mitch took the platter from his sister. The family had been at the house since 10:00 a.m., and now it was a little past five.
“So how are negotiations going?” his father asked.
“They aren’t,” Mitch told him. “The contract expires in two weeks, so we’re down to the wire.”
He’d seen Kristi daily since their date, although they hadn’t had a real date since. In that past two weeks, they’d been working fifteen-hour days. He’d taken her to dinner, usually after she’d gone back to her office and done all her e-mail. Trying to maintain her grip on Brett and the negotiations was taking its toll. She was tired. Everyone on the team was.
“I’m glad I’m not in your shoes,” his father said, spooning some more green beans onto his plate.
At that moment, Mitch’s cell phone vibrated. He pulled the phone from his pocket and read the number. His mouth dried. “Excuse me.”
Going into the kitchen, Mitch answered the call. As soon as he said hello, he could hear Kristi’s sobbing. “Hey. What’s wrong?”
“Something’s wrong with the baby.”
“I’m on my way.”
Sensing movement, Mitch turned around. Maria had followed him into the kitchen. She held up an empty baby bottle. “Jane’s out of formula. So you’re leaving?”
He slipped his phone into this jeans pocket. “It’s an emergency.”
“Whose? Wait. Don’t tell me. This is déjà vu. You’re leaving a family dinner to help Kristi Jensen.”
Mitch could still hear Kristi’s tears. “She’s in trouble.”
Maria followed him into the utility room, where Mitch grabbed his car keys from the Peg-Board his father had long ago installed to keep things from getting lost.
“You aren’t her PA anymore, Mitch. You can’t keep racing to her rescue every time she calls you. How are you ever going to find a girlfriend?”
Mitch turned the door handle and tossed the cryptic words back over his shoulder. “She is my girlfriend.”
Chapter Ten
Kristi paced her condo, hugging her stomach. She hadn’t planned on calling Mitch. But her parents were out of town in Palm Springs for the holiday, and Alison had Easter bunny activities planned with her kids.
She’d called the physician’s exchange. “Dr. Krasnoff is at the hospital delivering a baby,” the nurse had said. “I’ll be alerting her you’re on your way in.”
Consumed with fear, the moment she’d disconnected Kristi had dialed Mitch. As he had many times during a work-related crisis, he would make things better. He arrived within twenty minutes.
“Hey, I’m here. It’s going to be okay.”
“I’m spotting. The book says this might be bad. Very bad.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. “Let’s get you to the doctor. Did you call her?”
Kristi hiccupped. “She’s at St. John’s delivering a baby. I’m supposed to meet her there.”
“Then that’s where we’re going.”
St. John’s was five minutes away, and the exchange had alerted the E.R. of her arrival. Kristi was quickly moved to the maternity ward, where a nurse helped her into a gown and took her vitals.
“Dr. Krasnoff is finishing up and will be in shortly.” The nurse patted Kristi’s shoulder. “It won’t be long at all.”
Mitch reached for Kristi’s hand. “You and the baby are going to be fine.”
Kristi turned her face toward his. “My mother had three miscarriages before she had me. I can’t lose this baby.”
“You won’t.” Mitch tightened his grip. “Right now you just need to concentrate on relaxing.”
Kristi exhaled some stress. Mitch always calmed her down. “I’m glad you’re here.”
At that moment the doctor entered. “Hi, Kristi. Sorry it took me a minute. I had to change scrubs.” Dr. Krasnoff sanitized her hands again. “What’s going on?”
Her lip quivered. “I’m spotting.”
“Okay, before we panic, let’s take a look.”
The nurse stepped into the room. “Bring me the ultrasound machine,” Dr. Krasnoff told her. The nurse nodded and left, and Dr. Krasnoff glanced at Mitch, but directed her words to Kristi. “And this is?”
“Mitch. He’s…” She faltered. She couldn’t tell Mitch he was the father now, not under these circumstances.
“I’m her boyfriend,” Mitch completed. “I plan to be her labor coach.”
“Kristi, is it fine if he stays?”
“Yes. I want him here.”
Dr. Krasnoff nodded at Mitch. “Stand up near her shoulders so I have room to do the exam. Okay, Kristi, you know the drill.”
The nurse arrived with the ultrasound and helped get Kristi’s feet in the stirrups. She also covered her with a warm blanket. Dr. Krasnoff examined Kristi’s cervix, and then she covered Kristi’s lower half and had her lie flat with only her stomach exposed. Then Dr. Krasnoff fired up the ultrasound machine, squirted the gel and began to press the wand on Kristi’s stomach. “Let’s see what baby’s doing.”
The black screen came alive with white curves and lines. “There’s the baby and that’s a good heartbeat.” Dr. Krasnoff moved the wand more as the baby became clearly visible. “Now let’s check your placenta. Did you have any pain or cramping with this spotting?”
“No.” Kristi watched the image on the screen. She’d glimpsed eyes, a mouth and a hand as Dr. Krasnoff searched. “Why?”
“Cramping could mean placental abruption. That’s when the placenta separates from the uterine wall. Ah, there it is.”
Kristi didn’t have any idea what Dr. Krasnoff was searching for, but a few seconds later she lifted the wand and the nurse turned off the machine. “Am I okay?”
Dr. Krasnoff wiped the gel off Kristi’s stomach. “I don’t see anything of concern. What were you doing when you started spotting?”
“I’d been moving furniture out of the second bedroom so that I can turn it into a nursery.”
Dr. Krasnoff nodded. “That could cause spotting, especially if you were pushing with your stomach or your backside. Were you straining or exerting yourself?”
“Maybe.” Kristi tried to remember.
“Well, to be on the safe side, here’s what you’re going to do. You don’t need bed rest, but you do have to make a few changes. You can work, but no exercise, no strenuous movement of any kind, especially furniture moving, and no sex. Sorry, boyfriend.”
“It’s okay,” Mitch said. He’d been holding Kristi’s hand, and he gave it a squeeze.
“I want to recheck you every two weeks from here on out. However, if you spot again, you call me immediately like you did today. I’d much rather check and find nothing than be sorry, especially with your family history. Hopefully this will be a onetime deal.”
“I hope so, too.” Relief flooded Kristi and happy tears gathered in her eyes. Until she’d faced the idea of losing her child, she hadn’t realized how important her baby had become. She already loved her child. Today she’d discovered she had maternal instincts, and they’d kicked in full force.
“You can get dressed and go home as soon as the nurse gives you your discharge papers.” Dr. Krasnoff paused in the doorway. “Remember what I said. Leave the heavy stuff to someone else. Don’t lift or move anything heavier than a gallon of milk.”
“I won’t.” Now that the enormity of the moment had passed, the adrenaline letdown caused Kristi to feel like a big idiot. “I can’t believe I caused this. I shouldn’t have tried to do the nursery.”
“You didn’t know. My sister built an entire entertainment center, two bookshelves and a microwave cart while carrying Jane. She called her actions nesting.”
“That’s it, all right. But it was stupid of me.”
Mitch helped her off the hospital bed. “Not stupid. Stubborn. You’re not alone, though. You have me to help. You heard the doctor. If there are things that you need done I want you to call me.”
The nurse
reiterated all Dr. Krasnoff’s instructions before releasing Kristi. She tucked the papers into her purse, and Mitch drove her home and walked her inside. He glanced around. “You’re not celebrating Easter?” he asked.
“I had a few milk-chocolate eggs at lunch.”
He frowned. “Where was that?” “My kitchen.”
His brow creased. “I thought you were spending Easter with your parents.”
“They’re in Palm Springs. I decided not to go.”
“You should have told me. You shouldn’t be alone on a holiday. Are you up to going somewhere?”
Kristi glanced down. She wore a pretty floral top and some black stretchy pants that Alison had given her. “I guess. Why?”
“Are you hungry?”
In response, her stomach growled. She gave a light, embarrassed laugh. “You know, lately I’m always starving.”
“Then join me for dinner. It’s Easter and you shouldn’t be alone. My mom’s cooking.”
The offer was sweet and gave her that warm, fuzzy feeling. However…“That’s tempting, but I shouldn’t intrude.”
He grabbed her hands. “They want to meet you. I told them I’m dating you, when I rushed out.”
His family knew about her? This ruse was going too far. “I’m tired. I’ll be fine here.”
“Scared?” He drew her into an embrace.
“Today’s been pretty emotional.”
“You’ll be okay.” His lips were close and tempting, within kissing range. She was highly aware of him, especially when he gave her a cajoling grin. “Come to my house. Take a break and forget for a while. My mom made lamb. I can’t even describe how good it is.”
Her mouth watered. Unless she wanted fast food, most restaurants had closed after they’d served brunch.
“Give me a few minutes.”
After Kristi freshened up, Mitch drove them into the city and parked in front of a sprawling ranch-style house on an oversize lot. She felt a bit nervous when she saw all the cars.
“I don’t know if I can do this.”
“Of course you can.”
Kristi’s stomach growled again, letting her know what her body wanted. “It’s okay I’m here?”
“Absolutely. My mom’s philosophy is the more the merrier. Half the neighborhood came by around noon for brunch. Now that it’s after dinner, it’s just the immediate family.”
Mitch helped her out of the car. Kristi saw a few faces at the living-room window, but they quickly disappeared.
When they reached the porch, an older version of Mitch opened the front door. Mr. Robbins had a kind face. Kristi returned his smile as she stepped inside. Mitch was behind her, and he dropped a hand on her shoulder as his mother and a woman carrying a baby entered the room. His mother looked warm and friendly, but the woman with the child studied Kristi with a wariness she didn’t attempt to hide.
“Mom, Dad, Maria, I want to introduce you to Kristi Jensen.”
“Hi.” Overcome with rare shyness, Kristi clammed up. It was one thing to pretend for her father, but this was Mitch’s family. Even if she did have some growing feelings for Mitch, she probably shouldn’t have come.
But it was too late—Mitch’s petite mother encircled Kristi in a bear hug. “Welcome. I’m Sue Ellen. Maria told us you weren’t feeling well and that’s why Mitch ran out. I’m glad you’re better.”
Mitch took control. “We came from the hospital. The doctor checked her out and she’s fine. Mom, is there anything left to eat? Kristi and I are starving.”
“You poor dears. Of course we have plenty. Enough food to feed a small army. This way.”
Kristi glanced back, but Mitch waved her onward and she followed his mother into the dining room. Most of the plates had been cleared away, but some loose silverware remained.
“You sit here.” Sue Ellen pulled out the chair at the end of the table. “What can I get you? Water? Soda? Tea?”
“Water would be great if it’s not too much trouble.”
“None at all. It’s nice to meet you after hearing about you for years.”
Mitch was in the living room with Maria, and as he finished the conversation, he lifted the baby from his sister’s arms and brought her with him.
“So who do you have here?” Kristi asked as Mitch sat beside her.
“This is my niece and goddaughter, Jane.” Mitch lifted Jane’s hand and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Can you say hi to Kristi?” He waved Jane’s hand. “Hi, Kristi.”
Jane assessed Kristi with wide brown eyes, her mouth hidden behind a big butterfly-shaped pacifier.
“How old is she?”
“Seven months. She’s pulling herself up and crawling everywhere. Maria and I both walked at ten months, and I think she’s planning on taking after our side of the family.”
“Maria’s her mom, the one you were talking to.”
“Yes. Her husband, Paul, is in the basement, probably playing pool. It’s our family vice and he’s undefeated.”
Jane reached for the knife. “Nope. Not that one,” Mitch told her, giving her a spoon instead. She pulled out the pacifier, dropped it on the table and mouthed the spoon.
“She loves spoons.” Mitch bounced Jane on his knee and she giggled. “She’s the first grandchild and spoiled rotten.”
“Here, I’ll take her.” Sue Ellen entered with two plates of food. She set them down and reached for the baby. “Mitch, get Kristi some clean silverware so you two can eat.”
“You have a nice family,” Kristi said, studying her plate. Everything smelled delicious. She had lamb, couscous, green beans, glazed carrots and two rolls.
“Thanks.” Mitch handed Kristi some flatware. Once seated, he lifted his fork. “Eat. If you play pool, maybe later you can try to defeat Paul.”
“Not if he’s as good as you say. But I can give it a shot. I used to play a little, and I don’t think Dr. Krasnoff banned me. Is bending over okay?”
“I didn’t see it on the list of things to avoid. As long as an activity is not strenuous and you aren’t trying to touch your toes, you should be okay.”
“I’d like to play.”
Mitch’s laugh was full and rich, and as always, it created a sense of warmth inside her. “Then you’ll fit in. Around here, that’s all it takes.”
He wasn’t kidding, Kristi discovered later. Once they were done eating, she and Mitch descended into the finished basement, where they found the rest of his family.
“My dad did all the work,” Mitch said as Kristi surveyed the rec room. The carpet was Berber, and neon beer signs and autographed sports memorabilia decorated the painted drywall. A working wet bar stood near the billiard table, and at the other end of the basement was a plasma TV and a sectional sofa.
Mitch introduced her to everyone, but as she’d met over ten people in less than thirty seconds, she was still connecting names with faces when Mitch placed a pool cue in her hand and told her they were playing Lauri and Cristos in the next round.
“The two getting married,” Kristi remembered as she watched Lauri rack the balls. Like Mitch, Lauri had dark hair and eyes, same as her Greek fiancé.
Mitch moved to the end of the table, bent over and sent the cue ball flying. “We’re stripes,” he announced as one of the balls fell into a side pocket. He sank one more before missing and sending play over to the other team.
“You’re not too bad,” Kristi said as Mitch returned to her side.
“Those shots were luck,” he claimed and they waited while Cristos scratched. “Better luck next time,” Mitch told his future brother-in-law. Mitch pointed to the felt. “You’re up.”
“Okay.” Kristi moved to the edge of the table and started assessing her shots. She’d learned the game from her dad, who had a room in their house devoted to a professional-grade table.
“Mitch, you did teach her how to play, didn’t you?” Lauri teased. “And Kristi, even if you lose, you have to come to our engagement party. Has Mitch asked you yet?”
“No,” Kristi said.
“Mitch, ask her,” Lauri insisted.
“Let her shoot first,” Mitch replied.
Kristi chalked the end of her cue. She eyed her shot, drew back and connected. The cue ball shot forward, hitting a solid with a resounding thwack. The solid and the cue ball then veered course, sending two striped balls falling into opposite corner pockets. Lauri and Cristos groaned.
“You’ve been hustled,” Nick called out. Taller and broader than Mitch, he took a longneck beer out of the basement refrigerator and popped the top.
Mitch high-fived Kristi’s outstretched hand. “Keep that up,” he encouraged.
“I’ll try.” Kristi walked around the table, working out the angles and trajectories. She picked her shot, and sent the white ball down the entire length of the table. It connected with the edge of a stripe, sending the ball into a corner pocket. “Mitch, you are hustling us,” Lauri protested after Kristi sank yet another shot.
“One of us had to bring someone home who could beat Paul,” Mitch said, giving Kristi another high five.
“Hey, I couldn’t even play before I met your sister,” Cristos protested.
“And we love you anyway,” Amy teased. Her sister Melanie nodded.
“I don’t have a good shot, so it’ll be your turn.” Kristi sent the cue ball to a corner.
Lauri walked around the table and pouted. “You didn’t leave me one, either.”
“That was the point,” Mitch said. He was sitting on a bar stool, and he drew Kristi between his legs and against his chest as they watched Lauri figure out what she wanted to do. “You lied. You are good at this,” he whispered in her ear.
Leaning on him was nice. “Maybe a little, but I don’t like to brag,” Kristi told him.
“Then I might have to keep you around. You’re the best partner I’ve had.”
“I’ll be too fat to play soon.”
He brushed her hair off her neck. “Never.”
Lauri made one shot, but not the next. Kristi stepped out of Mitch’s way and during his turn he went on to clear the table.
“Yes!” Kristi shouted as the eight ball fell, and they shared a celebratory hug.
“The table is under our control,” Mitch called to the onlookers. “Who’s next?”
Baby in the Boardroom Page 9