Chapter 35

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

KATE

Jon has added Kate, JJ, Felicity, Luna, Jessie, and Zach to the group chat.

You are joking, I think to myself as I stir creamer into my decaf coffee, which incidentally tastes like shit. At this point, I'm not even sure why I continue to have it.

"Did you just get this?" Felicity stands at the entryway to the kitchenette, her cell in hand.

"Yep," I say, leaning back against the counter and resting my mug on my twenty-four-week pregnant stomach.

She looks down at her phone again and rolls her eyes. "He just changed the name of the group to Operation Kate and Jensen's Emergency Wedding."

I fight back a smirk.

"Do you want me to message him and ask to rein it in? He's getting carried away again, just like he did with getting Zach and Luna together."

"I think it makes him happy," I shrug nonchalantly.

"It drives me insane. Apparently, he dropped one of his wedding planning folders off at yours the other week?"

"He did." Dumping the rest of the coffee down the sink, I turn to her. "But honestly, the venue is booked. I have my dress, we have the rings, and the officiant is happy to marry us on Christmas Eve. I don't see why we need to overcomplicate it. We just want a simple wedding."

"Now there's a sentence I never thought I'd hear come from your mouth, let alone the groom-to-be Jensen."

"Girl, I'm standing here twenty-four weeks pregnant with twins. I'm being told that they want to deliver the twins at thirty-six weeks, and I'm about to meet with Nina Higgins about handing over my entire caseload to her in eight weeks. And I'm not in the least bit phased. All I can think is that the shade of sage green I finally convinced JJ to use had better be drying lighter than what it looked like when I left this morning."

Okay, maybe I am panicking a bit about what my job will look like when I return to work.

She snorts a hard laugh. "Jesus, in a matter of weeks, you'll be Mrs. Jones. I keep thinking I've died and stepped over to some parallel universe or something."

I fill my glass with water from the cooler and turn back to her. "The only thing I'm nervous about is meeting his parents. Sure, I've met them briefly at games but never to talk to and never as the mother of their son's children and now fiancée."

Hollie is amazing. We hit it right off from the moment she walked into our apartment until I dropped her at the airport the next day. The wedding dress and bridesmaid colors were all picked out and in hand.

"I don't think you need to worry about that babe."

"No?"

She shakes her head. "Not everyone is like your parents."

"East called me last night and said they wouldn't even acknowledge the wedding or my existence at this point."

The scowl that crosses my friend's face is enough to sink a thousand ships. "They really are disgusting."

I nod, but I can't find the words to describe how truly awful they can be.

"Do you think you'll ever see or speak to them again?"

A lump forms in my throat. Despite the people they are, they're still my parents and, ultimately, grandparents to our children. "I don't know," I say in a shaky voice. "I think it's doubtful, and I don't want to expose anyone, let alone my own blood, to their mean-hearted ways."

Slowly, she nods. I know she doesn't have any words to console me because, honestly, saying anything other than acknowledging this shit situation would be a lie.

Her cell buzzes in her hand again. "Jon's concerned that you haven't arranged a cake."

I pick up my phone and start scrolling through the messages when I land on the one Felicity is talking about.

Jon

Let's discuss cake options. I vote for some kind of buttercream, but avoid lemon. I think that was my only mistake at our wedding. Otherwise the organization and choices were perfection.

JJ

Jon Morgan—humble as ever. Princess, do you want a cake? Personally, I'm happy to take my dessert later on.

My cheeks flush. I know exactly what dessert he has in mind.

Jessie

Annnd I've just puked in my mouth.

Jon

I'm reaching suppliers in Alberta right now. You cannot get married without a cake.

Me

Let him organize the cake if it makes him happy.

Felicity

For the love of God, Jon. Haven't you got a practice to get to? Maybe another season in the NHL wouldn't be a bad thing. Keep you busy and out of trouble.

Zach

I'd be so down for bossing him around as his captain. Payback.

Jon

Hockey was fun and all. But I've found my calling.

I look up at where she's still standing in the entryway, and we both laugh.

I wave a hand in front of me. "Let him have his cake and eat it too." Checking the time, I realize I've only got ten minutes before I meet with Mark and Nina.

"Since the boys are on an away series, I invited Luna around to ours for a movie night. I actually came in here to ask you if you want to join. Jon's at a late-night practice and, knowing him, won't be back much before midnight."

Walking toward her, I plant a kiss on her cheek. "Yeah, that sounds perfect. Just don't drink wine in front of me, and I'll be good."

"So these are currently your open cases?" Nina pulls the folders towards her and begins flipping through the pages.

"Yes, that's right," I reply confidently.

"I assume the Plaintiff has filed a complaint in all these?"

I sit up straighter. Is she trying to look for holes in my work or simply understand the cases better? "Yes, that's right." I repeat.

Nina nods but doesn't look up at me as she takes another folder and flips through the paperwork. A lot of my files are paperless, but she insisted that she wanted them in front of her so she could make notes on each one.

Mark Preston folds his hands together on the table and offers me a warm smile. "Are you still aiming for a six-month maternity period, Kate?"

"I am, yes."

"My sister-in-law had twins," Nina pipes up, never once taking her eyes from the file. "She's a professional too. Initially, she anticipated a six-month leave, but that soon turned into twelve." She closes the files and looks at me for the first time in several minutes. "Then she returned part-time." Her tone is icy and judgmental.

I feel one of the babies kick and I inwardly smile.

That's right, Bubba, sock it to her.

"I'm pleased she got the time off she needed. It sounds like your sister-in-law made all the right decisions for herself as both a mom and a professional."

I don't miss the slight narrowing of her eyes. I'm sure Mark missed it, but this woman clearly has an agenda, and I fear I'm the potential victim. Who the hell does she think she is judging others?

Mark clears his throat. "We also need to discuss what your return to work will look like, Kate, including updating all the correspondence since I assume you will be taking Jensen's surname."

I fight back a smirk, imagining his response if I kept my maiden name for work purposes… tempting .

"Yes, Kate Jones." It's the first time I've said it out loud. Again, I wait for my panicked response, but there's nothing—only warmth.

"We will also need to discuss client generation for you on your return," Mark adds.

"Well, we have many referrals, and as long as new clients are aware of my return date, I can start taking on inquiries."

Mark shifts in his chair and then looks across at Nina. "Do you have any more questions for Kate?"

She taps her pen on the table. "Has the judge for each of these cases issued schedule orders?"

"For some, yes." I lean across and point at the tabs. "Each file labeled green is at this stage. You will then find a detailed breakdown of the timelines and dates on each page."

I can tell my response is both satisfying and annoying to her at the same time.

That's right. I know my shit too.

"Okay, no more questions." She gathers the folders up. "I'll let you know when I do."

I'm sure you will, Nina.

"No problem." I smile sweetly up at her as she turns to leave the meeting room.

But the moment I look back at Mark, my smile disappears.

The door closes behind Nina, and it's at that moment my stomach drops. I know whatever is going to leave his mouth next is not good.

"I wanted to talk to you about the referrals, Kate. Yesterday, we heard that Monroe likewise, we are of them and their exemplary practice."

Bile rises in my throat; this might be the second time I puke at work. I don't know how much to tell him. The temptation to reveal that they might be kick-ass lawyers but asshole parents is strong, but I know that will only end badly for me too.

"I don't know what's happened, Mark. I wasn't aware of an issue until you raised it."

He flattens his lips together. "It's just come out of left field, and to be honest, David and I are left confused and, well, reeling."

My eyes sting with tears, and I blink hard to push them away. "I can have a word with my parents if you like?"

I know that's what he's getting at, even if he doesn't say it out loud.

A relieved smile spreads across his face. "Would you?"

"Yeah. Of course."

Standing to leave, he pushes his chair back. "Is the plan to deliver at thirty-six weeks?"

I nod. "Yes, I'm moving to check-ups every two weeks after Christmas, but I'll be in the office as much as possible."

Mark smiles at me, although I can tell he's stressed. "You've been one of our finest lawyers, Kate, and I'm sure we can expect many great things from you in the future. Just…" he scratches the back of his head. "Just let me know the outcome with Henry and Violet, would you?"

"Thank you. Yes, I will."

He steps out, and I begin gathering my things, tears running down my cheeks. My biggest fear has always been that my last name means more to David and Mark than what I can bring in my own right. I wonder if that's why he asked if I'd be changing it. I wonder if that's why he thinks my parents are pissed.

I wonder how much of what I've achieved in my life has really been them in the background pulling the strings.