Page 52 of Baby Bombshell for the Boss

“As soon as we can get my things moved back in.”

Elliot beamed — he would have someone move her things right away. He would send someone over to the building to take care of it this afternoon. “You won’t need your own bedroom anymore,” he said. “I mean, you’re welcome to keep it if you’d like to. But you don’t have to. I’d like you to move into mine, if you’re willing.”

“More than willing,” she said. “I’d love that. And you’ve still got the nursery? Did you turn it back into an office?”

“I didn’t,” he said. “I guess a part of me always hoped. I knew that I could take that space and make it part-office, so that I’d be able to work there while you and the baby were downstairs. I probably would have wanted to have the crib in my room when he stayed with me anyway. But I could never stand the idea of remaking it. It would have felt like giving up on the future I really wanted, even though I couldn’t admit it to myself.”

“I’m glad you didn’t,” Ivy said. “You know, I never bothered to really create a nursery in the new place either.”

“You didn’t?”

“I had all the baby things in the second bedroom. I was ready. But I couldn’t bring myself to decorate, even though I so enjoyed making that first nursery. I guess I felt the same way you did — it just would have been too much like giving up on our future. I couldn’t do it.”

He let out a soft chuckle. “Neither one of us ever really gave up, did we?”

“Maybe on some level we always knew we’d find our way back to each other,” Ivy suggested. “I like that idea.”

“I like it too.”

Ivy held out her arms for baby Jake. “I think I’ve waited as long as I can to hold him,” she said with a grin.

Elliot handed the baby to her. “I hope you know how miraculous you are,” he said. “I’m in awe of what you did. Bringing our son into the world. And I’m so grateful to you. I can’t believe all this is happening, but I really couldn’t be any happier.”

“Come sit with us,” she suggested, scooting to one side to make room for him.

He sat down beside her, wrapping his arm around her so that she could lean into him. He kissed Jake on the forehead. “He’s starting to fall asleep.”

“I guess he wanted to stay awake and listen while we decided his future,” Ivy said with a smile. “Can’t really blame him for that.”

“I’d have wanted the same thing in his place,” Elliot agreed. “Don’t worry about it, Jake. We’ve got this all worked out. Everything’s going to be great starting now.”

Ivy turned to face him, a warm smile on her face, and it occurred to Elliot that he was allowed to kiss her now. As soon as that thought had come to him, he had to act. He didn’t think he could wait another minute.

He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, wrapping an arm around her to pull her close, and it felt like coming home. She kissed him back, deeply, a kiss that was filled with love, and Elliot knew at last that their future was set. From now on, it looked as if everything was going to be better than he could have dreamed.

EPILOGUE

A YEAR LATER: IVY

“I’m thinking about taking a contract,” Ivy said.

Elliot loosened his tie and swung Jake up into his arms. He’d taken off running to meet his father at the door, as he always did when Elliot came home from work. He’d started walking a couple months ago and hadn’t slowed down since, and he continued to surprise his parents every day. Ivy couldn’t have been any prouder.

“You’re ready to go back to work?” Elliot asked Ivy.

“I think so,” she said. “I’ve been off for quite a while, and it’s probably time for me to get back on the horse. Don’t you think?”

Elliot shrugged. “Whatever you want is okay with me,” he said. “You know I’ve always said that. If you want to go to work, you can, and if you’d like to stay home and parent full-time, that’s all right too. We can make the arrangements for anything you want, as long as it makes you happy, Ivy.”

She nodded. “I know,” she said. “And you know how much I appreciate that. It’s been amazing, having this time off to devote to Jake. I can’t say enough about how much I appreciate it. But I’ve gotten so many contract offers. I’ve been turning them down for ages, and I think I’m ready to say yes to this one. I want to get back to work.”

“If that’s what you want, I think you should do it,” Elliot said. “When does the contract begin?”

“We’re still in negotiations. If I say I can start at the beginning of next month, do you think that gives enough time to find a part-time nanny?”

“Oh, easily. I’m sure we can do it. I’ll make some calls, all right? I’m sure you’re going to want to interview whoever it is, so we’ll set up a time we can both meet with a few people, and we’ll choose whoever you like best.”

“Okay,” Ivy said. “Thank you for doing that.”

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