Baby in the Boardroom

by Michele Dunaway

  She’d known her fear was irrational, but her boyfriend history had had Kristi holding her breath and praying Mitch wouldn’t wake up one morning and say he’d made a mistake.

  AFTER THEIR RETURN from their honeymoon, they’d settled into married life. Now, two weeks before her due date, Mitch had become an essential part of Kristi’s world and she couldn’t imagine herself without him.

  They’d decided to live in her condo, since her place was bigger and closer to work. Mitch had been getting his house ready to go on the market. He’d catered to her late-night cravings, including many a midnight run to Dierberg’s for apple pie and whipped cream.

  He’d even painted the nursery. The only thing missing was the furniture. They planned to go shopping next week, after they saw what Kristi got at today’s baby shower.

  She unwrapped the next present, a silver piggy bank from one of her mother’s friends. Emma’s entire social set was in attendance, and the event was so large they’d held it at the country club.

  “Thank you. This is wonderful.” Kristi passed the gift to Alison, who recorded the item and giver before passing the piggy bank around for everyone’s inspection.

  “You’re all so kind,” Kristi said when she’d unwrapped everything. She was a bit overwhelmed by the generosity her family and friends had shown. She had almost everything she needed for the baby, including car seats, swings, strollers, savings bonds and clothes.

  “There’s one more gift,” Sue Ellen said. Mitch’s mother got to her feet. As if that was some sort of signal, a banquet attendant rounded a corner and entered the room, pushing a crib.

  Kristi put her hand over her mouth. The wood was a dark cherry and the little mattress was made up with the comforter set she’d told Mitch she’d almost bought a few weeks ago. She could hear the murmurs of approval from the crowd.

  “I was just telling Mitch we needed to get a crib and he told me not to worry. We plan to use a Moses basket for the first month, but…” Kristi stopped babbling.

  The crib was perfect, the exact shade she’d told Mitch she wanted when they’d visited a baby furniture store. The attendant rolled the crib closer.

  Sue Ellen’s excitement bubbled out. “There’s also a changer, but we didn’t bring that. This is from our family to yours. It’s become a tradition. When Maria was pregnant, Mike and Mitch made her crib. Mitch made this one for you all by himself. Mike and I bought the bunting. It’s the one you liked, right?”

  “Yes.” Kristi had gotten to her feet and Alison put a steadying hand on the small of her back. She’d seen random pieces in Mitch’s shop, but hadn’t realized what he was building. And lately, when he’d been gone…

  “I thought he was spending all those hours getting his house ready to sell.”

  Sue Ellen gave her a hug. “He couldn’t move his wood shop until this was done.”

  “It’s beautiful,” someone said.

  Sue Ellen beamed with pride. “It’s solid cherry, hand-sanded and stained. Mitch cut every piece himself.”

  Kristi’s guests had risen to their feet and were surrounding the crib. “That must have taken him forever,” someone said.

  “He started in April, after Easter. He worked on it mainly on the weekends and at night.”

  Kristi looked at Alison. Alison mouthed one word. “April.”

  He’d begun a crib, risking her rejection and the demise of their relationship. He’d done nothing but give.

  Even after she’d told him about the baby. How had she gotten so lucky?

  “Are you going to touch it?” Sue Ellen asked. “Let me show you how it works.”

  The crowd parted so Kristi could see. “Did Mitch make the changer, too?” she asked.

  “No. My husband did that. Mitch can’t have all the fun.”

  Kristi ran her fingers over the railing, feeling the perfection of the smooth varnish. Not one bump marred the finish. “He did a beautiful job. He gave me a wooden bird once, but I never expected he could do this.”

  “Mitch is good at surprises. Oh, cake’s here. Come on, everyone. Cake.” Sue Ellen clapped her hands and soon the guests began to disperse back toward the tables where they’d eaten lunch.

  “That’s quite a gift,” her mother said. Next to her, Alison nodded.

  “Did you know?” Kristi asked.

  Her mom nodded. “I saw it earlier. Sue Ellen had to show someone, she was so excited. I’d better go help her.”

  Despite their different social backgrounds, Sue Ellen had won Emma over and the two had become fast friends. They’d even planned the shower together.

  “If I didn’t love you, I think I’d hate you,” Alison said once everyone had moved out of earshot. She set her hand on the crib. “If you ever want to trade places, you just let me know.”

  “What, you’d take this basketball in my stomach?” she joked.

  “No, your husband. Kristi, this crib is incredible.”

  Kristi hadn’t yet lost the giddy feeling. “Isn’t it? I wake up every morning and realize how lucky I am. He’s so wonderful. This…” Kristi patted the crib, the joy she felt robbing her of words.

  Alison shook her head and reached out to touch Kristi’s hand. “Admit it, you love him.”

  “I…” Kristi’s eyes widened and she gripped the side of the crib for support. “I do, don’t I?”

  Alison’s smile was gentle and knowing. “I’d say you have for a while, but you didn’t realize it.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah. Can you believe it? You have finally fallen head over heels with a man who loves you back.”

  “Kristi, time for a picture.” Her mother waved at her to approach the custom-made cake shaped like a baby rattle.

  “Coming.”

  “Duty calls,” Alison said as she followed Kristi. “And don’t worry. You’re fine. No tears. You can do it. Smile.”

  “Thanks.” Kristi’s knees wobbled a little, but she found her footing. She’d talk to Mitch once her shower ended. Confess everything. Tell him how she felt. Tell him that she loved him….

  “SO HOW DO YOU THINK the ladies are doing?” Larry asked as he lined up his putt on the eighteenth hole.

  Mitch checked his watch. While the girls-only baby shower had been going on, he and Larry had hit the links. “They’re probably about finished. The shower’s supposed to end around three.”

  “Never did understand the point of oohing and aahing over a bunch of baby stuff, but I guess that’s because we’re men.” Larry sank the putt, retrieved his ball and marked down his score. “You’re up.”

  Mitch didn’t have as good a shot. He had to chip onto the green, and ended the hole two over par.

  “Not too shabby,” Larry said as he totaled Mitch’s score. “You’re definitely improving. I only beat you by ten.”

  “I’ve been practicing.”

  “That’s what I like to hear. Let’s go have a celebratory drink. I’m ready for one.” Larry patted Mitch on the shoulder as they headed toward the clubhouse, leaving storing the clubs and returning the cart to the caddies they’d hired.

  They entered the bar, chose seats in a booth and ordered. “I’m sure they’ll find us in here when they’re ready. That crib you made was pretty nice.” Larry accepted the ice-cold beer the waiter brought.

  Mitch had shown Larry the crib before they’d gone out on the links. “Thanks.”

  “So what are you going to do for a wood shop?” Larry took a long swallow before setting his beverage aside.

  Mitch took a drink of his own beer. “I’m not certain. I’m putting everything in one of those storage units once I sell the house.”

  Larry reached for the bowl of peanuts. “That’s be cause the condo’s too small. You and Kristi need a house.”

  “The condo’s bigger than my place.”

  “Yes, but a man has to have his own space, and houses are much better investments.” Larry tossed a few nuts into his mouth.

  “It’s too much too soon. Wedding, bab
y and a move? Perhaps we’ll think about moving early next year. We’ve already had enough changes for now.”

  “It took Kristi forever to buy that condo. I can’t tell you how picky she is.”

  “I know.” Mitch lifted his beer. Larry loved to give tons of unsolicited advice and Mitch was slowly learning to handle his father-in-law. “Which is why I don’t want to rush. Getting it right is important. I would like to move only once more.”

  “That’s understandable. I’ve been in the same house almost thirty-five years. Speaking of moves, I have news. You’ll be moving into your new office next week. A room with a view.”

  “What?” Mitch put the glass down.

  Larry grinned, delighted he’d surprised Mitch. “Yes. You’re being promoted. Congratulations.”

  Mitch found himself temporarily speechless. While he’d returned to the Communications Department, his job title ranked him third. Larry hadn’t followed through. Until now. “I wasn’t expecting this.” Then again, he’d never really told Larry not to do it. He’d said he’d think about it, and then life had gotten in the way. Larry had taken silence for assent. Mitch winced.

  “This has nothing to do with you being my son-in-law. We’ve all been impressed with the work you’ve done. It’s only fitting you be named a vice president. You’ve earned this spot.”

  Larry appeared to be unaware of Mitch’s discomfort. “Don’t look so surprised. I promised you that title months ago. I’m a man of my word.”

  “We’ve discussed this. I told you—”

  Larry interrupted Mitch with a dismissive wave. “No need to be all self-righteous. We’re men here. I’ve created a new position. It’s vice president of Special Projects.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “The Special Projects team will mainly be dealing with our corporate sponsorships. Those onetime things we underwrite—benefit dinners, plays, charity events…”

  Mitch heard a noise behind his head, but the booth was high and designed to be private. The waiter brought drink refills.

  “I thought of moving Brett back over when I split the Communications Department, but really, there’s no need. Kristi will remain VP of corporate communications. Your new title officially moves you onto equal footing with her and gives you half of her department. While she is on maternity leave, you will do her job. If she doesn’t return, you will be vice president of corporate communications, as I promised. The entire division will be yours and the positions will be merged.”

  Mitch heard a strangled sound, and he rose slightly, peering around the corner of the booth. Kristi stood there, her face ashen. “Crap. Kristi.”

  She backed up a step, horrified by what she’d over heard. Larry stuck his head around and saw his daughter. “Kristi. Is your shower over? How was it?”

  She looked at her father and then at Mitch. She’d started shaking her head. Her lips opened as she tried to form words, and then they quivered as tears ran down her cheeks. “You married me for my job. He gave you my job.”

  Mitch was on his feet. He knew what she’d overheard was damning, and that she’d never heard his side—it was all a big misunderstanding. “It’s not like that. Let me explain. Damn it, Larry, I knew this was a bad idea.”

  “It’s not personal. It’s business.”

  But Mitch didn’t care. Kristi had put her fingers to her forehead, whirled around and walked swiftly toward the door. “Kristi.”

  She didn’t stop. “Kristi, wait!”

  Mitch was aware that behind him Larry was now on his feet, and that everyone in the bar was watching the scene unfold. He didn’t care. He chased after his wife.

  KRISTI COULDN’T BELIEVE what her father had done. Worse, Mitch had been a welcome party to it. So much for his loving her. All this time Mitch had been playing both sides. He’d struck a deal with her father, and then he’d made an agreement with her. He’d doubled down, hedged his bets, and won on all counts.

  Special Projects? That position would disappear quickly, the moment she decided to stay at home like a good mother should. Her father was pushing her out of the company.

  If Mitch really loved her…How could she believe that lie anymore? And if he did, well, this wasn’t love.

  She’d driven herself to the baby shower—as Mitch had arrived earlier with her father so they could play a round of golf. Well, Mitch could find his own way home.

  Oh, why did relationships never work out for her? The moment she’d realized she loved Mitch, the rug had been yanked out from under her. She’d been leaving the bathroom when she’d decided to check the bar. The good news was that she had her purse with her. She fumbled for her car keys.

  She heard Mitch calling her name, and quickened her pace. She did not want to talk to him. Not now. Maybe not ever.

  Where were those keys? She rummaged through her bag. Her car was close, and if she hurried, she could leave and go somewhere to think and—

  Kristi’s foot caught the yellow parking curb, and she tripped and stumbled forward, her entire body thrown off balance as she lost her shoe.

  She dropped her purse, and instinctively put her arms down to protect herself. She heard more than felt the sickening crack as her wrist snapped. Then she landed on her stomach and screamed at the sudden, ripping pain before she rolled to her side. Her head hit the pavement and all went mercifully black.

  Chapter Fifteen

  To Mitch, Kristi’s fall happened in unstoppable slow motion. But the moment she lay still, everything went into rapid fast-forward. Someone called 911. The baby shower guests arrived on the scene, and some began crying. Larry comforted Emma. Alison ordered everyone to stay back.

  “It’s going to be okay, sweetheart. The ambulance is on its way,” Mitch told Kristi. She lay on the ground, her head in his lap. Her eyelids fluttered and she moaned.

  His sister Kathryn, a nurse, leaned low. “She’s coming around.”

  The ambulance roared into the parking lot, sirens wailing. Within minutes, they had Kristi loaded onto a gurney and whisked away. Mitch had never been in an ambulance before. He sat on the side bench seat as the paramedics monitored Kristi’s and the baby’s heartbeats. She’d regained consciousness, but she refused to look at him. Instead, tears ran down her cheeks, making Mitch feel like an insensitive, helpless cad.

  The E.R. doctors at the hospital could see she’d broken her wrist, but their biggest concern was that she had vaginal bleeding.

  The baby took priority, and she was relocated to the maternity ward. A tall, dark-haired doctor around Mitch’s age entered.

  “Hi, Kristi. I’m Dr. Spencer Anderson. I’m one of Dr. Krasnoff’s associates. She’s out of town this weekend, so I’ll be working with you today.”

  Mitch stepped out of the way. Dr. Anderson checked a few monitors, and moved to place a hand on Kristi’s shoulder. “It appears that I’m the one who’s going to be delivering your baby.” He turned to the nurses. “Prep for C-section and get her to O.R. Stat.”

  Kristi’s eyes widened. “What’s wrong?”

  “Your fall created some trauma. Given your history with spotting, we’re going to play this safe.” He addressed Mitch. “If you’re staying, have the nurses get you some sterile scrubs and a mask. I’ll meet you in the O.R.”

  With that, Dr. Anderson left the room, and several people flooded in. A few minutes later, Kristi had been whisked to the O.R. and was being prepped for surgery.

  “I’m sorry,” Mitch told her. She turned her head away from him.

  “It’s too soon,” she whispered.

  Dr. Anderson overheard her when he entered the room. “You’re almost full term. Two weeks shy. Let’s bring him or her into the world before we speculate that something’s wrong.”

  They’d covered Kristi with protective drapes and sheets, and set up a sterilized barrier so that she couldn’t view the operation. Standing, Mitch had a clear picture of everything, and he winced as the doctor began his incision.

  “Tell me,” Kri
sti demanded.

  “It’s like you see in the movies,” Mitch offered, not wanting to go into detail.

  “Don’t faint on me,” Dr. Anderson called to Mitch before giving the assisting nurse another instruction.

  Then he was reaching inside and lifting up a small body. “You’ve got a boy,” he announced as he passed him to a waiting nurse. Mitch heard suction noises and then a small cry.

  Beside him, he heard Kristi’s relieved sigh, and felt her warm tears as they ran down the side of her face and onto the pillow where he’d placed his hand.

  “How is he?” he asked.

  “Ten fingers, ten toes,” the nurse replied, but Mitch knew that said nothing. The nurses working on his and Kristi’s son had their backs to him, and he couldn’t tell what they were doing.

  “I’m stitching you up now, Kristi,” Dr. Anderson said. “I promise you won’t even see this scar. It’ll be under your bikini line.”

  Kristi heard the door open and she turned her head. “Where’s my baby?”

  “We’re taking him to the NICU,” the nurse announced.

  “Why?” Mitch asked.

  “Precaution,” she answered before the door closed.

  Mitch saw Kristi’s body tremble. “I want to hold him,” she cried.

  “That wrist isn’t fixed,” Dr. Anderson reminded her. He was still stitching her closed. “Let’s get you all bandaged and checked out and then you’ll be able to meet your son.”

  “I’m fine.” That was Kristi’s answer for every crisis, Mitch knew.

  But even though Dr. Anderson was young, he was experienced. “You won’t do your son any good if you can’t hold him. I believe you’re going to be sporting a cast.”

  “I don’t think I like you,” Kristi said.

  Her declaration had the doctor laughing. “Yeah, I’ve heard my bedside manner pales next to Claudia’s. Now, you’re almost done here. However, I have to warn you, you’re going to require assistance sitting up for a few days as your stomach muscles heal.”