Page 47 of The CEO's Baby

His parents, Darlene and Edward Williams, were arriving from Seattle around ten. His dad hadn’t wanted to be met at the airport. He was renting a car and would drive to the hotel on Union Square. They were to meet at noon at the restaurant in the hotel.

His mother had been thrilled when he told them his news. His dad more cautious. He’d cross-examined Trace on the legal steps he’d taken to ensure he’d be a part of this child’s life.

What surprised Trace most was how excited he was for this child. He wouldn’t lose touch with this baby as he had with Zach. He had parental rights this time around. But the doubts wouldn’t go away completely.

Legally he had made arrangements to be a part of the baby’s life. He acknowledged it was his. They had agreed to an informal shared arrangement. But if Cath moved to Brussels, he would be relegated to a couple-of-times-a-year dad. He hated the thought.

Could he force her to remain in San Francisco? Give the position to someone else?

It would be unfair to Cath after the loyal years of service she’d given Signals, Inc. But this was more important. He was considering the future with his son or daughter. And against that, Cath’s job came a distant second.

Cath lay in bed, gazing up at the ceiling. Today she was meeting her baby’s other set of grandparents. Trace reported they’d been as astonished to learn the news as her family had been. She hoped they’d become happy about it once the shock passed.

It was after ten. She should get up. Instead she felt listless and lethargic. She turned her head slightly and gazed out the window. The sky was gray, overcast. She stared at the high-rise buildings nearby. She had too much to do to lie in bed. Yet she wanted some time to herself. With the demands of work, and now having to deal with Trace’s parents, she didn’t feel she had a moment to herself.

When did the time come to dream, to wonder? What would the baby be like? Would it be a boy or a girl? She tried to picture a tiny infant cuddled against her breast. She needed a rocking chair. She loved rocking Becky’s babies.

She should think of nursery furnishings, color schemes, names. Until Trace had insisted on inserting himself into the equation, she had been starting with ideas of being on her own and taking the posting in Brussels.

Now everything was different. If she remained in San Francisco, she would need a new apartment—one with room for a baby. She’d start planning child care when her family leave period drew to an end. She longed to spend every moment with this child she could after it was born.

She felt a sharp twinge in her stomach and her eyes widened. She held her breath. Her heart pounded. Endless seconds ticked by. Slowly she relaxed when nothing further happened. She rubbed her tummy gently. Should she call the doctor on one twinge? He’d told her what to expect. But she’d been hoping nothing would happen. Was one random pain worth reporting?

“Hang in there, little one,” she said. “You still have a long way to go before you can live on your own.”

If nothing else happened, she’d wait until Tuesday to discuss with Dr. Orsinger. But one more and she would be on the phone instantly.

Cath thought about the bare bone facts Trace had given her about his parents. His father was a judge in Portland. His mother sat on several charity committees and did extensive volunteer work but did not hold a job outside the home. Trace was an only child.

Cath wondered what she’d talk about to Trace’s parents. She’d find out soon enough. Reluctantly she rose and prepared to face the day.

She caught a cab to the hotel where she was meeting the Williams. She wished she’d come up with some excuse to avoid meeting them. But at some point she’d have to. They were the baby’s grandparents and she couldn’t deny her baby a chance to know all its relatives. She hoped whatever her relationship became with Trace’s parents, that they’d love this baby.

Trace stood near the large glass doors that led into the hotel lobby. One of the more exclusive ones in downtown, it had several excellent restaurants.

He came outside to meet her as she got out of the cab.

“Are they here?” she asked.

“Waiting in the restaurant. Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

“You doing okay?”

She debated telling him about the twinge earlier, but it proved to be so minor it wasn’t worth the telling.

“Just peachy,” she said, wishing she didn’t feel nervous.

Trying to think of them as clients, she drew on her years of experience dealing with strangers to get her through the meal.

Cath recognized Trace’s father the instant she saw him. His son favored him. Edward Williams’s hair was graying, but he was trim and fit and carried an air of authority that she was used to seeing on Trace.

Introductions were made and Cath and Trace joined them at the table.

“Our son told us about the pregnancy,” Edward said without any preamble. He looked at her with a piercing glare. “We plan to make sure we have ample contact with this grandchild.”

“Edward,” his wife said gently, resting her hand on his arm.

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