Chapter 46

FORTY-SIX

Claudia

The next couple of weeks are insane.

Anders and I decide to elope.

Not because we’re worried about propriety or anything like that—we just want to. We love each other and are excited about our little growing family, and most of all, he wants me with him in Fort Lauderdale.

We still plan to have a big wedding, but we’re not sure how long it’ll take me to recover after the baby comes so it might not be until next summer.

I’ve also got to deal with some things at work.

I’ve been working remotely from Florida, but I fly back to Philly the week my probationary period ends. Everyone has been great about letting me work from home, and I’m excited about the future, but I’m going to have to make some adjustments once I get further along in my pregnancy.

I told Randy I was coming in today, but I hadn’t expected flowers and hugs and well wishes from everyone. Once I’ve spoken to Brad and Dana and Roger, Randy and Glen call me into the conference room. I’d told them we had to talk, but if I’m honest, I don’t know exactly what to say.

I’m too new for any ultimatums, but I also have to put my health—and that of my baby’s—first.

Anders and I are getting so excited about our little bundle of joy.

Neither of us wanted a baby at this stage of our lives, but now that it’s here, we’re excited. We’re house hunting and starting to make plans for the summer. His parents are going to fly in, and my parents will come down as well, so we’re going to need multiple guest rooms.

There’s a lot to do, and although I’m starting to feel better, I still tire out a lot more quickly so I’m not sure what that means for the big project I’m supposed to start after the new year.

“Claudia, it’s good to see you,” Randy says as I sit down. “Everything is going well with the pregnancy, I presume?”

I nod. “Yes. So far, so good.”

“I’m glad.” He glances at Glen. “So, we wanted to talk to you about a few things, but you said you wanted to talk to us. Would you like to go first?”

I hesitate. “Sure. Thank you.”

I really hope I’m not killing my career before it even starts, but I have to prioritize.

“The baby is due in July,” I say. “And Anders and I are house hunting. In Fort Lauderdale. I love my job and this company, and I don’t want to go anywhere, but some things happening are out of my control. Yes, we can afford help and plan to hire as much as we need, but it’s about more than childcare. My health and recovery after the baby comes. Bonding with the baby, especially since Anders has to start hockey season in September. My life will be somewhat complicated, and as much as I want to be here, I also have to be realistic. I don’t know that I’m the best person for the Cathedral Air account.”

Randy and Glen exchange glances.

“Actually, we think you’re the perfect person,” Glen says. “You have a work ethic that generally matches ours. We understand that will change some when the baby comes, and we’re fully prepared to give you as much maternity leave as possible. Twelve weeks is our standard, and if you need a little more, you can take it. All we ask is that you’re honest about your intentions to come back.”

“I have zero interest in quitting,” I admit. “I can’t imagine doing nothing but changing diapers and breastfeeding for the next year. However, I do want to spend time with my husband and baby. And I’m sure the hormonal changes will be challenging.”

We all chuckle.

“We want to work with you, Claudia. You’re head and shoulders beyond what the other new hires are doing, and you have an aptitude for coding and the nuances of our software that no one else, beyond Glen and I, come close to. We need you here and are willing to do whatever is necessary to keep you.”

“Then you’re okay with me working from Florida? Obviously, I can fly out to L.A. for this project as long as I stay healthy, but probably not once I hit the seven-month mark. That’ll be around May.”

“Barring unforeseen circumstances, by May, the project should be at a point where you can do everything remotely. And you and Glen will work closely together so that he can pick up where you leave off if you deliver early or something else happens that keeps you from finishing.”

“Great.” I pause. “There’s just one other thing.”

Randy cocks his head. “Yes?”

“Seth Crandall.”

Glen snorts.

“Do I even want to know?” I ask, looking from one to the other.

“He complained about you.” Randy looks more amused than anything else.

“He complained about me ?” I demand, arching my brows. “Seriously? I haven’t even been here!”

“Well, technically he complained about Anders. Something about him attacking him in a jealous rage at the hospital.”

“That’s not what—” I start to protest.

“We didn’t believe him,” Glen says, shaking his head. “He’s a fantastic sales guy—already brought in a few million in new accounts—but he’s an asshole. We know the type. Sometimes you have to accept the bad with the good, but we made it clear that if we have to choose, we’d choose you.”

My heart swells with relief and gratitude.

“That, uh, that means a lot to me,” I say. “Seth and I dated in college, and it was… pretty ugly. He keeps trying to say we were kids, and it was no big deal, but it was a huge deal. I had a medical emergency and all he cared about was sex. In my opinion, he’s not a good guy, so what I was going to say is, I have no problem working with him, but I don’t want to have day-to-day contact with him or share accounts with him if we can help it.”

“You may have to be on conference calls that include him, depending on the client, but there will be no one-on-one interaction. And if he steps out of line, just let us know. Sales guys are a dime a dozen.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate this.”

“We really appreciate you.”

“Uh, the girls have a little surprise for you, so go hang out with your friends. We sent Seth to Colorado this week, knowing you’d be in the office. You don’t have to worry about him.”

“You guys are the best,” I say, my eyes filling with tears. “And don’t mind me—I seem to be doing a lot of crying lately. Hormones.”

“My wife is pregnant too,” Glen says. “I’m used to it.”

I excuse myself to the ladies’ room but not because I have to use the facilities. I just want a quick moment of privacy to call Anders since he wanted me to update him as soon as possible.

“Hey, baby.” He answers on the first ring. “How’d it go?”

“It’s wonderful!” I quickly fill him in.

“That’s great. I’m excited for you.”

“Me too. It’s such a relief. Especially the Seth thing.”

“Yeah. I swear to God, if he so much as looks at you cross-eyed, I’m going to flatten him.”

I chuckle.

I love this overprotective side of him.

“Yeah, yeah.”

“I also have a surprise for you.”

“Oh?” I lean against the counter.

“Remember that house we loved but someone had already put in an offer?”

“Yes?”

“The deal fell through. I put a down payment on it this morning.”

“Oh my gosh!” I squeal with delight. “Anders! Our house!”

“I know, baby. In the same neighborhood as Johan and Sloane, so it’ll be nice.”

“And all that space.” The house is over six thousand square feet, with six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and an outdoor area perfect for entertaining. I’ve never done any, but I’m excited to start.

“Do we have a closing date?”

“Since we’re paying cash, it’ll be the first week of January. I know that’s really soon, and I have to leave on a road trip right after but?—”

“We’re hiring movers and I’m ordering all new stuff anyway, so it won’t be a big deal. And the girls will all help.”

The girls.

Hana.

Sloane.

Eden.

I’ve already got a friends’ group, and Hana starts with the company the first week of January. Her visa was just approved last week, and she’s going to spend the holidays with her family in Bratislava and then come to Lauderdale for New Year’s. She’ll have to be in Philly for her probationary period, but my parents have graciously invited her to live with them during that time, so she has a while to come up with a plan for where she wants to be based.

Since her job is sales, she’ll be on the road ninety percent of the time, and she’s hinting that she wants to come down to Lauderdale as well. She wants to be closer to her brother and the new baby, which will be here soon, and of course, me.

“I have to run, baby,” Anders says, interrupting my thoughts. “Practice is about to start.”

“Go. I love you.”

“I love you too. Hurry home to me.”

“Always.”