In silence, Emily led her past the empty kitchen, down a dimly lit hallway, and paused in front of her office. Emily pushed the door open, and Charlotte had to duck her head to pass. Inside, there was a warm breeze pouring in from the open window, shelves and shelves of books against one wall, and a small tile-floored bathroom off to the side.
Papers were strewn all over Emily’s work desk, and her laptop was barely visible in the mess. Charlotte picked up the stack of papers on one of the chairs and set them down on the floor. Then, she sat down and linked her fingers together. Emily went to the small fridge in her office and took out two bottles of club soda. She placed one in front of Charlotte and went around her desk to sit down.
As soon as she did, she gave Charlotte a gentle look.
Charlotte unscrewed the lid and took a sip. “You know, don’t you?”
“Mother’s intuition,” Emily replied in between sips of her own drink. “So, you finally went through with it, huh?”
Charlotte stopped with the glass to her lips. “I did, and it worked. The due date should be in late spring/early summer.”
Emily blew out a breath and leaned back against her chair. “And how do you feel about all of this?”
Charlotte took a long sip and swallowed. “I feel good. It feels like the right decision.”
A furrow appeared between Emily’s brows. “I didn’t think you were actually going to go through with it.”
Charlotte inhaled and held her breath.
Was this the part where her mom stopped being supportive?
Had Savannah gotten through to her?
Emily sat up straighter and cleared her throat. “I’m not going to deny that the whole thing is a little weird, but if it’s what you really want…”
“It is,” Charlotte replied in a small voice. “And I really hope you can find a way to make your peace with it and be happy.”
Because Charlotte needed to feel like it wasn’t all slipping through her fingers.
She needed at least one family member to know and approve anyway.
Please let it be Mom. Please
Emily set down her drink and linked her fingers together. “Sweetheart, of course, I’m happy for you and Addison and Mason too. They deserve to be happy. I think you’re doing a great thing for them, and if you say you’ve thought about it…I believe you.”
“I did…I have,” Charlotte added hastily. “I’m not just doing it for them, Mom. I’m doing it for me too. It feels good to be useful, to do something unexpected.”
And she stood by her decision, no matter what.
Having the next few months to prepare herself further helped. As did the way her mom was smiling at her.
When Emily reached across the table to take Charlotte’s hand, her shoulders sagged, and she bowed her head. The two of them continued to sit in silence while Charlotte tried to compose herself.
But she wasn’t even sure how she was going to.
With the exception of Savannah and the extended family, who were still in the dark, everyone had been supportive and understanding.
Charlotte could only hope it was a matter of time before her sister came around.
Emily released Charlotte’s hands after a long pause and pushed her chair back. “So, how does it work? Do you get to be a part of the baby’s life?”
“Addison and Mason did offer,” Charlotte replied, pausing to take another sip of her cool and refreshing drink. “But I don’tthink I’ll take them up on that offer. I don’t want things to get too weird.”
Emily’s expression softened as she reached into her mini-fridge and pulled out a container full of cupcakes. “Maybe you’ll change your mind.”
“I doubt that. Besides, I don’t think I’m ready to be a mom, and I doubt nine months is going to change that.”
Emily pried the container open and handed Charlotte one of the banana oat muffins. “Try this. It’s a new recipe I’m experimenting with.”
