My mother's eyebrows arch—the same gesture I use when I'm skeptical. It's unsettling to see my mannerisms reflected back at me.
"A partnership," she repeats. "Is that what you're calling it now?"
"What would you call it?" I challenge, crossing my arms. "Because I'm getting tired of defending my relationship to everyone, including you. You’re supposed to be on my side."
"I'm not attacking your relationship, Wren. And I’m always on your side. But I'm concerned about how quickly you've thrown away everything I taught you about independence."
"I haven't thrown away anything," I say, frustration building. "I'm still running Cascade. I'm still making my own decisions. I'm still the same person I was before?—"
"Are you?" She leans against the wall, folding her arms across her chest. "Because the daughter I raised wouldn't move in with a man after knowing him for mere months. Wouldn't let herself become emotionally dependent on someone who could leave at any moment."
Her words strike a nerve because they touch on my deepest fears. But then I think about Kasen's face when he looks at me, the way he holds my hand during ultrasounds, how he regularly goes out at all hours for my cravings without a single complaint.
"You're right," I say slowly. "I'm not the same person. I'm pregnant. I'm married. I'm letting someone take care of me for the first time in my life, and you know what?" I stand, gathering my things again. "It doesn't make me weak. It makes me brave."
My mother blinks, clearly not expecting that response.
"I spent years building walls because of what you taught me," I continue, slinging my bag over my shoulder. "Proving I didn't need anyone, fighting for respect in this industry. And yes, maybe I've let those walls down faster than either of us expected. But Kasen earned that trust, Mom. Every day, in a hundred small ways."
"And when he disappoints you?" she asks quietly. "When the novelty wears off, and he realizes he's tied to a woman with a screaming infant and stretch marks?"
The vulnerability in her voice stops me. For the first time, I hear the old wounds beneath her words. Her own disappointments, her own fears.
"Then I'll deal with it," I say, softer now. "But I can't live my life waiting for people to leave. And I can't base my choices on your past experiences with men who weren't worth your time."
She's quiet for a long moment. "I just want you to be happy, sweetheart. And safe."
"I am." I really,reallyam. "You’ll see at dinner Sunday. You’ll get to meet him the right way, not in his office where you're trying to intimidate him. Let him show you who he really is."
My mother sighs, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. "Okay. But if he serves beer with dinner, I'm putting my foot down."
I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in weeks. "Deal."
My mother hugs me and leaves while I say goodbye to Kieran and finally leave. Yeah, I’m definitely not getting the crispiest square. To be honest, I’m surprised Kasen isn’t blowing up my phone with how late I am.
I'm almost to the parking garage when a sharp pain doubles me over.Shit shit shit.This is different from the mild Braxton Hicks I've been having this last week. It’s stronger, more focused in my lower abdomen. I lean against the elevator wall, breathing through it.
When it passes, I check my phone again.And there it is.Three missed calls from Kasen. Before I can call him back, another wave of pain hits, harder this time, and my heart starts to really race.
I dial his number with shaking hands. He answers on the first ring.
"Baby or not baby?" No hello, no preamble, just straight to identifying why I’m even later than I said I’d be.
"I don't know," I manage, gritting my teeth while I try to catch my breath. "Something's... wrong, I think. It,” I gasp, “hurts.”
"Where are you?"
"Still at the office. In the parking garage elevator." Well, sort of. I waddle toward my car as we talk.
"Stay right there. I'm calling Reed, and I'll be there in five minutes."
The call ends, and another cramp hits. This one makes me cry out. When my phone rings again, it's Reed.
"Wren, Kasen just called. Tell me what's happening."
"Contractions, I think," I gasp. "Stronger than the Braxton Hicks. They really hurt."
"How long has this been going on?"
