Page 61 of Miracles and Marriage
“I mentioned considering a baby and he about exploded,” she said.
“I did not. Merely that our lifestyle isn’t suitable for children. I’m gone half the month on average and you work all kinds of hours.”
“I need to show clients the homes when best for them,” Chloe said defensively.
“I’m not complaining, love, just saying.”
Zoe moved into the lounge area and sat on one of the modern chairs. She enjoyed visiting her sister’s flat because the furnishings were so different from her own more traditional pieces. Despite a minimalistic look, the place was welcoming and comfortable.
“So you think I’m crazy to try for a baby?” she asked Gabe.
“Not at all. Your hours are regular, you know where you’ll be and when. Routine is best for a baby. Not for us, though.”
Zoe looked at her sister. She could see the annoyance behind the smile she gave. The two of them were too close for her to be fooled. Chloe was upset her husband didn’t agree with her.
“So,” Zoe said, hoping some topic would pop into mind to get away from this one. Otherwise, she was leaving.
“Where did you just come back from, Gabe?”
“Brussels. Is that where Cal is?”
“Why, is something going down over there?” she countered.
She didn’t want to admit she herself didn’t even know where her boss was.
“This and that,” he replied. “I’ll start the grill.”
He walked out onto their terrace. It was too cold to sit outside without getting bundled up, but Gabe liked grilling in all weather, and he was only outside a short time to check the meat.
“What’s that all about?” Zoe asked when the door closed behind him.
“Nothing specific. We’ve been arguing more lately. We agreed no children when we married, but I mentioned your quest and said we might consider reevaluating our originalposition and he about exploded. Don’t worry, it’ll blow over. And you don’t know you can’t get pregnant. Give yourself a chance. You just started. Some people take months once they are ready to conceive.”
“And some never do.”
She had to keep that thought in the forefront. There were no guarantees.
“Especially if the prospective father’s in Europe and I have no idea when he’s coming back.”
“Don’t you think of Cal as your husband?” Chloe asked.
She brought a tray of cold drinks from the open bar. Setting them on the glass coffee table, she sat on the sofa.
Zoe looked at her. She forgot the story she’d told her sister.
“We’ve been working together for so long, I think of him more like a colleague.”
Pathetically weak. Would her sister buy it?
Zoe sipped one of the cold cola beverages and changed the subject.
“Did you hear Sean is dating a vet?”
“Military or animal?” Chloe asked.
“Veterinarian. Large animal vet, from what Bridget told me when she called last night.”
Bridget was a younger sister who had been to dinner at their parents’ home Wednesday and gathered all the gossip about brothers and sisters—especially brothers.
