Page 100 of A Moment In Time

Booker laughed. “It’s a girl thing.” He drank some water. “I hope you know I didn’t run home and tell Clementine about you and Sydney.”

“She said as much.”

“She just always seems to know.”

Gage laughed. “You guys are pretty tuned in to each other.”

“Yeah. It’s kind of scary, actually.”

“I bet. Even if you had been able to keep it to yourself, it would’ve gotten out. And now, everyone knows.”

“I don’t know how Clementine and I kept our relationship quiet for as long as we did.”

“You had more of a reason to do so.”

“Yeah. Job security.”

“It all worked out in the end.”

Sydney was washing her hands when Clementine came out of the stall and shook her head. “I swear, I can’t go more than thirty minutes without going to the bathroom.”

“It’ll all be worth it in the end. Just look how precious Raphael is. I’m sure Elaina has forgotten all about being pregnant.”

“He is beautiful, isn’t he?”

“You still don’t know what you’re having?”

“No.”

“What do you want? And don’t say it doesn’t matter. Even though you will love it either way, you must have a secret preference.”

Clementine smiled. “I’d like a girl. There are still too many boys in this new generation. Four boys to two girls. We need to even things out this time around.”

“What does Booker want?”

“He won’t say. But I’m pretty sure he’d like to have a boy. He had such a crap father and I think he’d like the chance to do it right. But that works with either sex. A boy is just more familiar to him.”

Sydney put her hands on Clementine’s stomach. “I’ll make a prediction.” She closed her eyes. “This baby is…a girl.”

“Are you really a baby predictor?”

Sydney laughed. “I could be. You never know.”

“Okay. I’m going to make a prediction of my own.” She took Sydney’s hands. “You and my brother will be married by this time next year.”

“Oh wow. You know, I’m just happy he’s finally owning up to his feelings. I’m in no rush to get married. We can just live together forever. I’d be fine with that.”

“No. Don’t let him get away with that. If he loves you, then he needs to put a ring on it. I agree with not rushing him. But don’t let him get away with it forever.”

“I’m just taking it one slow day at a time.”

“Is he taking baby steps?”

“Oh yeah. Which is fine. It’s just a little sporadic. But when he’s on. He’s on.”

Clementine held up a hand. “Okay. That’s all I need to know. As long as you’re happy and he’s happy. I can’t ask for more than that.”

“I am happy. And I believe he’s happy and totally onboard.”

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