Page 12 of Miracles and Marriage
She finished her tea and went to bed. Tomorrow would provide new opportunities.
Saturday Zoe spent thoroughly cleaning her apartment. Not that it was messy, mostly dusty and needing some freshening. She wasn’t home enough to clutter up things. Once done, she changed into clean jeans and a pink top and headed for her sister’s. They had planning to do.
Chloe and Gabe had a luxury apartment near Dupont Circle, a neighborhood in Washington for young professionals, with outdoor cafés and a wide variety of ethnic restaurants. The shops were upscale and unique, a pleasure to browse through. Parking was a problem, so Zoe took a cab. Just as she arrived, it began to rain. So much for planning a quick walk and coffee at one of the cafés, she thought.
When Zoe reached her sister’s apartment, Chloe was waiting. She threw open the door and reached out to hug her.
“Come in. Gabe’s away for a few days, so it’s just us. Isn’t the weather a bummer. I thought we could take a walk and talk.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
They grinned at each other. They’d shared that bond all their lives.
“I can order in. A caramel macchiato for you, right?” Chloe asked.
“And you’ll have the double cap,” Zoe said, taking off her jacket. “Where is Gabe off to this time?”
“Brussels. There’s some big NATO event going and they’re using super computers and he’s needed to make sure they run with no glitches.”
“And you didn’t want to go?” Zoe asked.
“Not this time. I have a big deal about to close. I want to be here for that.”
Chloe was in real estate, selling homes in an area of Washington that catered to embassy personnel and members of Congress.
“Let me order the coffees and then you and I need to discuss this situation. I can’t believe we didn’t know this would become a crisis. Surely something else can be done to help you,” Chloe said.
Zoe filled her in on all the doctor had to say.
“There’s no guarantee I can even get pregnant. But if I want a chance at a baby of my own, I need to at least try,” she ended.
“Did the doctor give you a time limit?” Chloe asked.
“No, but each month the pain gets worse. It must be getting worse, this month is the first time I’ve missed work.”
“Maybe you didn’t tell me the full extent of everything.”
Zoe shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I guess it’s a matter of how long I can hold out. Dr. Wright wanted to schedule the op at my last visit.”
“Hold on a little longer. Let me tell you about this friend of mine in the office. He’s about our age and never been married. So no ex-wife to bore you with.”
“Do you think he’s interested in marriage and kids?”
“With the right woman, of course.”
Zoe didn’t take her sister’s assertion to heart. But what did she have to lose? If he turned out to be the man of her heart, she’d be forever grateful.
“So tell me more about him,” Zoe said.
Cal threw his pencil on the desk and rose, pacing around the office. He couldn’t concentrate. The normal appeal of the job was missing. Saturdays usually allowed him to catch up. He was too distracted to concentrate. This was going on too long. He wasn’t sleeping well and knew he had to get beyond the grief he held for a baby he’d never known.
He went to the window. The rain slanted down, blurring his view. It looked cold. As cold as he felt every time he thought about Suzanne and her unconscionable act.
Comparing her with Zoe came naturally these days. One woman casually and callously ended a baby’s life before it even had a chance. The other was doing all she could to be able to have a baby that she’d cherish all its life. Why hadn’t fate denied Suzanne a pregnancy and granted an easy time for his analyst?
Talking with Zoe at the shore had reaffirmed his faith in women. She wanted a baby desperately. He’d heard all his life how his mother had so longed for a child she’d risked her own life, and lost. Those were the kind of women that kept the species going. He wished he could do something for Zoe. He was in the business of providing solutions, why couldn’t he find one for her?
He turned and looked at the stack of folders on his desk. Maps lined one wall, on sliding bars to move in and out of the forefront. He’d built up a good security business over the last twelve years. The need continued unabated and the company was growing to meet demand.
