Baby in the Boardroom

by Michele Dunaway

“Yeah, he can be difficult.”

  “The understatement of the year. You know we always have a family dinner on Sunday night. My mom called me earlier and they’ve invited some friends to join us. They’re bringing their son Brock.”

  Alison cringed and gave a low whistle. “They aren’t wasting any time, are they? Let the matchmaking begin.”

  “Yippee. I’m sure if I don’t hit it off with Brock they’ll find someone else.”

  For a minute, the only sound was crunching as they contemplated the situation over popcorn.

  “So the sex was really good, huh?” Alison asked.

  Kristi nodded. “The best. I have absolutely no regrets.”

  Seven weeks later

  “YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING me.” Kristi’s mouth dropped open and she gaped at her doctor. “You’re going to have to repeat that. I’m sure I misunderstood.”

  “I said you’re pregnant.”

  Okay, she had heard him correctly the first time. Dr. Joftus, the internist who she’d been seeing since she was twenty years old, stood there awkwardly. “Not stomach flu. Not indigestion. Pregnant.”

  Kristi shook her head. “Not possible. I’m on the pill. I made an appointment because I kept throwing up.”

  Dr. Joftus looked sympathetic. “The tests we ran clearly show you’re pregnant. I suggest you make an appointment with your ob-gyn so he can do an ultrasound or blood work. There’s no question with those.”

  “I will.” Kristi left his office. When she’d made the appointment with Dr. Joftus, she’d figured she’d leave with some medicine for her constant upset stomach, not a nine-month diagnosis of unwed motherhood.

  It was the beginning of February, and she’d entered the twilight zone.

  Worse, her ob-gyn, who managed to work her in later that same afternoon, confirmed Dr. Joftus’s diagnosis. The ultrasound was proof positive.

  “See that little grain of rice?” Dr. Krasnoff pointed to an image on the screen. “That’s your baby.”

  Any excitement over her impending motherhood bypassed Kristi as she watched the tiny sliver on the screen. Instead of joy, panic set in.

  She’d turned thirty-six a week ago and she’d been a bit under the weather. Never would she have expected this. But there in black-and-white was proof.

  “I still don’t understand how this is possible. I was on the pill.”

  “There’s always the chance that birth control will fail. Only abstinence is a hundred percent effective. May be you didn’t take a pill or two at the exact time of day. You are on a very low dose, so it’s important to be consistent. Were you taking any antibiotics?”

  She’d had a sinus infection a week before the Christmas party and Dr. Joftus had given her a prescription. “I was. But I’ve never had an issue before.”

  “They can make the pill less effective, and it only takes one sperm to fertilize. Should we talk options?”

  Kristi chewed her bottom lip. “There are no options.”

  Dr. Krasnoff removed the wand from Kristi’s belly and waited.

  Kristi jutted her chin forward. “I’m keeping it. I never would consider doing anything else, even if I’m going at it alone. Hello, single motherhood.”

  Dr. Krasnoff wiped off the gel. “I take it the father isn’t involved.”

  Therein lay the problem. “I haven’t seen him. Not since the fateful night.”

  Mitch had started his new job on Monday, and on Tuesday, Kristi’s new PA, Molly, had taken over his old desk.

  Considering she’d said “no strings,” she’d been grateful for how large Jensen was, and that Mitch had kept his word not to contact her. She’d had no reason to contact him. While she might long for another night with Mitch, one had been her limit. She hadn’t expected this complication.

  “Your next appointment is in a month unless there are problems,” Dr. Krasnoff said as she handed Kristi a prescription for prenatal vitamins. “Make the appointment on your way out and I’ll see you then.”

  The rest of the day followed in a daze, until Kristi found herself at Alison’s later that night. She’d debated canceling their dinner plans, but hadn’t had the heart or a good enough excuse to call off the date they’d had planned for several weeks.

  “And here I was afraid you were going to back out on me again,” Alison joked as she opened the door to her Glendale bungalow.

  “I’ve been under the weather,” Kristi said, stepping inside and taking off her coat.

  “It’ll get better. According to the groundhog yesterday, winter’s over.” Two girls, one five and one seven, skidded to a stop in the foyer.

  “Hey, Aunt Kristi,” they chorused, before taking off once more after the cat, who’d stopped long enough for the girls to catch up.

  “They plan on brushing Fluffy,” Alison said. “The cat has to make a game of it first. He’s an old softie.”

  “Exercise for all of them,” Kristi remarked as she followed Alison into the kitchen. A pot of stew bubbled on the stove.

  “Wine?” Alison asked.

  “No. Water’s fine.”

  Alison’s eyebrow rose. “Since when do you turn down a glass of wine? Are you that ill?”

  “I don’t feel like drinking tonight.” Kristi dropped her coat over the back of a chair and plopped down. She stretched out her feet as Alison handed her a glass of ice water.

  “You aren’t contagious, are you?”

  Kristi shook her head and swallowed the hysterical laughter that threatened to bubble forth. Pregnancy was an emotional roller coaster. No wonder she’d been so moody lately. “No, I saw the doctor. It’s nothing you or the girls can catch.”

  As Alison turned to uncork the wine, the youngest, Carly, bounded into the kitchen. “Mom, Kelsey won’t let me brush Fluffy.”

  Alison wiped her hands on her apron, walked to the door and yelled, “Kelsey, let Carly have a turn. Don’t make me come in there.”

  “Is that effective?” Kristi asked as Alison returned.

  Alison poured herself a glass of merlot. “I have no clue. There are days I question everything and think I’m the world’s worst mother.” She raised her glass. “Sure you don’t want any of this? It’s pretty good stuff.”

  “I’m sure,” Kristi replied.

  “Well, more for me.”

  Alison sipped her wine and Kristi’s mouth watered. Since she hadn’t planned on being pregnant, she hadn’t even considered there were things she wouldn’t be able to eat, drink or do. The amount of upcoming changes was quickly becoming overwhelming.

  “So, how was that last guy you went out with?” Alison asked.

  “Fine.” Kristi hadn’t thought about James since their date a week ago. He’d been a blind date arranged by her dad.

  Alison folded her arms and waited.

  Kristi sighed, knowing she really couldn’t hide anything from her friend. “Okay, he was boring. We went to the symphony with my parents. He’s a nice guy, but dull as dishwater.”

  “He’s not Mitch,” Alison filled in.

  “No one’s Mitch,” Kristi admitted.

  “At least you had one great night with Mitch.”

  “Which is what I wanted. Nothing more,” Kristi replied quickly, wishing she had more than water in her glass. She didn’t need to think of Mitch, or his role in helping her get to this blessed state. Despite her condition, the sparks had been far too nice to regret.

  Alison moved to the stove, opened the lid on the stockpot and stirred. “This is ready.” She went to the door and called for the girls.

  “What can I do to help?” Kristi asked.

  “Nothing, you’re company. Sit there and relax.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Kristi replied, taking a sip of water. Her stomach growled and she hoped that was a positive sign. She hadn’t been able to keep down much food.

  Soon all four had said grace and Alison spooned out stew while Kelsey passed around bread and salad.

  Kristi’s nose wrinkled. The lettuce was covered with ranch
dressing, making the salad appear white and slimy. Kristi’s taste buds soured.

  Normally she loved salad with ranch. She returned the bowl to the center of the table without taking any.

  “No salad, either?” Alison asked, her eyebrows knitting together.

  “No. I’m not very hungry tonight.” Kristi lifted her fork and sampled the stew on her plate. “This is delicious, though.”

  “Thanks. It’s my specialty. The secret is using one of those sauce packets you find in the soup aisle.”

  “I’ll have to remember to try that.”

  “Yeah. Like you ever turn on the stove,” Alison snorted. “Can you even boil water?”

  Kristi speared a piece of meat. “Yes. You put it in the microwave for five minutes.”

  “I can make spaghetti,” Kelsey announced.

  “Yes, you can,” Alison acknowledged.

  “That’s great,” Kristi said. She’d had dinner at Alison’s often, even when the girls were babies. She’d been the third person to hold Kelsey. By September she’d have her own child. The thought boggled her mind.

  Just like Alison had to put the girls first, Kristi now had to think of her baby. She unconsciously dropped a hand into her lap and touched her belly. She’d had only a few hours to let the news that she was pregnant sink in.

  “Guess what, Aunt Kristi? I helped make dessert. It’s brownies,” Carly boasted, and Kristi shook herself and focused.

  She’d been zoning out a lot more lately. Years ago when Alison had been pregnant, she’d been so flighty that she’d sworn babies ate brain cells. Did that happen this early? Kristi resolved to get one of those what-to-expect books.

  “Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” Alison had stopped eating and was staring at Kristi oddly.

  “I’m fine.” Her stomach grumbled, although this time not in a good way.

  “You sure? You’re turning a little green and I haven’t poisoned anyone with bad cooking in years.”

  Kristi’s stomach rumbled, and she pressed her napkin to her lips.

  “Are you sick, Aunt Kristi?” Carly asked.

  Kristi stood. “No, sweetie. I’m going to use the bathroom, that’s all.”

  “That way,” Kelsey directed helpfully, although Kristi knew exactly where the commode was.

  Five minutes later, she heard a knock on the door. The handle rattled as Alison checked if the door was locked. “You aren’t okay, so what’s up? I’m coming in.”

  “I’m fine,” Kristi tried, but Alison entered anyway.

  Alison crossed her arms, as she saw Kristi sitting on the floor. “I hate it when you try to lie to me. And I’m pretty sure the bite of stew you ate didn’t do this to you.”

  “No, it wasn’t that.”

  “I didn’t think so. Let me guess. If you saw the doctor today and you’re not contagious, then you have only one other excuse. I know all the signs. I’ve been there myself. Twice. You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”

  “Is it that obvious?”

  “I’ve got five older sisters. There’s no symptom I haven’t either had myself or seen one of them get. The first trimester is the hardest.”

  “This hasn’t been fun,” Kristi agreed. “I thought I had stomach flu. I didn’t even realize the truth.”

  Believing her stomach to be empty and settled, Kristi rose to her feet and washed her hands. Alison tossed her a towel. “So whose is it? And does he know?”

  “You mean, you have to ask?”

  “Well, you did rebound to Mitch the day Bill dumped you.”

  “It’s not Bill’s. I had a period after we last slept together.”

  Alison clasped her hands together. “Thank God. You don’t need to be tied to that loser for the rest of your life.”

  “I don’t want to be tied to Mitch, either.”

  “Are you going to tell him?”

  “I found out today. I haven’t even had time to think about this. I’m still rather stunned.” She tossed the cup into the trash can and followed Alison into the kitchen. The girls had finished eating, so they had the table to themselves.

  “What if Mitch doesn’t want to be a dad?” Alison asked. “I don’t think you should tell him. He’ll feel guilty and insist on doing the right thing.”

  “Mitch wouldn’t push me into marriage,” Kristi defended.

  Alison fingered her wineglass. “Yeah, but can you risk it? You’re going to have enough problems on your hands dealing with your father. If he finds out the baby is Mitch’s, he’ll fire Mitch in a second. And can you picture your dad’s face? Mitch is an employee. He is not what your country-club parents want for a son-in-law. They aren’t going to be happy anyway knowing you’re knocked up.”

  Kristi contemplated that. “What a mess.”

  “You know I’m here for you.” Alison said.

  Kristi nodded. Alison was someone she could count on. “I do and thanks. Although, don’t tell anyone. I need time to figure out what I’m going to do.”

  Alison feigned indignation. “Who do you think I am? I’m not a gossip girl.”

  Kristi frowned as she suddenly thought of some thing. “It’s going to be bad when my pregnancy becomes gossip at the country club. I can survive that. I’m not sure about my parents.”

  Alison patted her hand. “Your parents are tough. Your dad runs one of the most successful businesses in the city. The gossip won’t last long—they’re too afraid of him.”

  “Everyone will ask who the father is.”

  “Say you don’t know. Your parents have thrown so many guys at you they have to think you slept with some of them.”

  Kristi shuddered. “These are my parents. And if I say I don’t know, I’ll look like a tramp. I can’t tell them it is Mitch’s. As you said, my dad would fire him. I promised him no strings, and a baby is one big string.”

  “So don’t tell him or your parents. Make things easy and protect yourself from any entanglements. Tell people you went to a sperm bank or something.”

  “We’ll see,” Kristi said. “We’ll see.”

  Chapter Five

  Two weeks later Kristi shut the door behind her mother’s latest blind-date fix-up and turned the dead bolt of her parents’ front door. She’d survived the latest dinner party and matchmaking attempt.

  Not that Bryan wasn’t a great guy. He certainly fit all the social requirements—he was charming, well connected and had a high-profile career as an up-and-coming criminal attorney. He had sharp blue eyes and dressed impeccably, and he was pretty good-looking.

  But there had been no sparks. Nada. Zilch. Zip. It had all been rather depressing.

  “So, Bryan’s sweet, isn’t he?” her mother said, coming into the foyer with a glass of brandy.

  “We need to talk,” Kristi said as she followed her mother into the library where her dad sat in a wingback chair, brandy also in hand.

  Never one to mince words, her father asked, “So, what did you think of Bryan?”

  “He’s nice,” Kristi hedged. She took a seat next to the fire.

  “He liked you,” her mom said.

  Kristi exhaled. She hated to disappoint her parents, but knew she couldn’t put off her announcement any longer. Time for the moment of truth. “It’s not going to work.”

  Her mother’s forehead creased. “Why ever not? He’s a wonderful young man. He’s your age.”

  “He’s been concentrating on climbing the corporate ladder, so he hasn’t dated much. He made full partner this year. He’s got lots of potential,” her dad added.

  Kristi folded her hands in her lap. She took a deep breath. “I don’t want to be fixed up anymore.”

  Both her parents frowned, distressed. “We thought you wanted our help.”

  “You’re not getting any younger,” her dad added. “How will you ever find a husband?”

  Kristi winced and gritted her teeth. “I’m well aware of my age.”

  Her father scowled. “So what’s the problem?”

  “Don’t you
want to get married?” Her mother’s soft-spoken question revealed she was heartbroken by the idea.

  “Yes, I do, but I have other things on my mind. It’s not a good time, anyway.”

  She could see her dad bite back another age-related comment.

  Emma leaned forward. “I know Bill broke your heart, but you can’t let one bad apple spoil the bunch. It’s been months.”

  “I am moving forward. I’ve decided, though, that I don’t want to put my life on hold. I’ve decided to have a baby.”

  Her father sputtered his brandy. “You’re not married.”

  She’d debated for days how to best approach telling them. “Dad, women don’t need to be married in order to have children.”

  “They do in my house.”

  “I don’t live here. I’ve been on my own for fifteen years.”

  “Well,” her dad harrumphed.

  “I’m sure you’ve thought about this, but really, a child needs two parents.” Her mother tried to soothe the growing tension.

  “It’s a little late to worry about that,” Kristi said.

  “Meaning?” Her father didn’t miss a thing.

  “Congratulations. Mom, Dad, you’re going to be grandparents.”

  If she’d been expecting squeals of delight, she’d have been disappointed. Instead, her mother and father froze and stared, mouths agape. Her father recovered first. “You don’t look pregnant.”

  “I am. I’ve already seen the doctor. I’m due in September.”

  This caught her father off guard. “How did this happen?”

  “The usual way,” Kristi replied, wincing at their exchange of distressed looks.

  Her mother smiled weakly. “Well, Larry, we’ve always wanted to be grandparents.”

  “Not this way,” her father growled.

  “It’s not like I’m sixteen and in high school. There’s no social stigma.”

  “Of course there is. You aren’t married.”

  “Yes, but as you pointed out, I’m not getting any younger. Why shouldn’t a woman of my financial means have a baby? I can well afford it. Celebrities do it all the time.”

  “You aren’t one of those flighty actresses. You’re a Jensen, damn it,” her dad retorted.

  Her mother wrung her hands. “Please. Let’s not argue tonight. It’s not what we wanted, but it’s happening whether we like it or not. A little bundle of joy. I’ll be a grandmother.”