Page 62 of Leo

“I hardly eat what I bake and that is something I should not be telling a customer.”

“Probably not.” The doctor admitted with a laugh. “Your stress level is also high. I would recommend you stay away from anything that give you an inordinate amount of worries.”

“I am in a stressful business.” What she left unsaid was the fact that the man who had planted the seed inside her was on the verge of leaving and she had no idea what to do about it. “I have expansions going on and am introducing a lot of new recipes.”

“Try to stay as calm and as serene as possible. We do not want you ending up with high blood pressure.” She scribbled again. “I would like to see you back here by the ending of December. I know the Christmas season is your busiest but hire more people and try to stay off your feet as much as possible. Do your exercises, but do not overdo them.”

“Thanks.” Rising, she collected the prescription as well as the sheet of paper with the nutrition list and headed out to where Michael was waiting for her.

“Ready?”

She nodded.

He waited until they were out in the parking lot before he spoke.

“How did it go?”

“I am healthy and so is the fetus.” She got in and strapped in, stretching her legs out. She was tired and miserable, conditions not conducive to pregnancy. “I am four and a half weeks pregnant.” A smile touched her lips. “Which means it happened the first time we made love.” Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes.

“I am beginning to accept my condition.” She turned her head to look at him. “Somehow, since Leo left, I have this feeling of anticipation and wonder. I have a life growing inside me and that is a miracle. I bought several books online about pregnancy and what to expect.”

He navigated the noon traffic and stopped at the light. All around there was the excitement of the upcoming holiday season. Billboards touting Sale! Sale! Sale! And pretty lights in every store window.

“Are you going to call him?”

“No. I thought about it last night into this morning, but I do not know what to say to him, how to make it right. And I am afraid that he is going to tell me to leave.” She was fighting the tears.She was either crying or on the verge of sleeping and right now, she wanted to do both. She was so damned tired.

“You should go home and get some rest.”

She shook her head. “The place is too big and too lonely.”

He drove into the parking lot of her store and stopped. “Tell you what. Let’s get dressed up and go to a club tonight.”

“It’s the middle of the damn week and you know how I hate clubs.”

“Which makes me wonder about you. Come on darling, just for one night. Dress up in one of those fancy pieces that Leo bought you, slap some makeup on that lovely face of yours and then let’s go dancing. In a few months, you will be as big as a house and unattractive…,” he grinned at her dirty look.

“Perhaps not unattractive per se because you are a dream boat. But ungainly and heavy on your feet. Before that time comes, then let’s go crazy.”

“Okay, fine. If it will get you off my case.”

Leaning over, he kissed her on the cheek. “It will work out, I promise you.”

*****

Leo stayed longer and that was deliberate. His business in Paris was done within three days, but he lingered. And had dinner with Sophia.

She made him laugh and forget his troubles at home with her uncomplicated presence and flirtatious mannerisms. They had dinner at the hotel, and she tried to persuade him to invite her up to his suite. He declined gracefully of course and realized he was not even tempted.

Sophia Dubois was a classically beautiful French woman with thick waist length dark hair, almond eyes, and a rich caramel complexion. She was also passionate and easy to get along with. She had been an excellent lover, but like most Europeans, did not believe in monogamy.

He liked her but had never given a thought to anything permanent between them.

“She must be a looker, this woman who is standing between us.”

“She is.” He admitted, taking a sip of his wine.

“Then why is she not with you?”

---