Page 46 of The CEO's Baby

Trace called that night.

“How did it go?” he asked.

“I told them on Thursday. By the time I left, it was old news. They’re happy for a new addition to the family. They all want to meet you.”

“I told my parents yesterday. They’re concerned and are flying down next weekend.”

Cath leaned back on her sofa, surprised at the news. She thought she’d have more time to prepare for meeting Trace’s parents.

What would they be like?

“So I told them we’d meet them on Saturday. That work for you?”

“Yes.”

What choice did she have? The longer she delayed, the harder it would be.

“What did you do for Thanksgiving?” Cath asked to take her mind off the impending visit.

“Worked most of the time. Got a lot done at the office with the phones quiet.”

“There’s more to life than work,” she said, wondering if she should have included him in her own weekend plans.

How sad to spend a major holiday alone, working.

“That’s not how I expect to spend my holidays once the baby’s here,” he said.

She remembered the agreement they had, alternating holidays with the child. She already regretted agreeing to the arrangement. How could she celebrate any holiday without her baby?

Sometimes in the night she thought about how cold it all seemed. She had long ago gotten over Jason. But she still remembered the excitement of being in love. Of wanting to be with that special person. Would she ever find that again?

And if she did, would that man mind raising another man’s child?

How would Trace react to her marrying someone? It’d probably bring back the past in vivid emotions. Only she was not like Cynthia had been. She’d never keep his child from him.

The simplest thing would be to marry Trace.

But she refused to let herself fall in love with him. He’d been clear he wasn’t going to risk marriage again, despite his halfhearted proposal. She enjoyed being with him, but she held part of herself aloof. If anything happened to their baby, he’d be free of any commitment.

That would leave Brussels. She had to keep that in mind. But that dream was fading. Mostly she thought about her baby and the joy of being a mother.

When the conversation wound down, she prepared to say goodbye.

“I’ll pick you up around eleven on Saturday. I thought lunch would be easier to deal with than dinner. Don’t be intimidated by my father.”

Cath frowned.

“Is he intimidating?”

“He’s a judge and can be extremely intimidating. Works well in court. Just keep in mind that you and I are in charge of our future, not my father.”

“Great, sounds like a wonderful time will be had by all. My family wants to meet the daddy of my baby. They’ll be coming to San Francisco before Christmas. Once they make plans, will you join us? Maybe we’ll do lunch as well.”

“Of course. It’ll be okay, Cath.”

Easy for him to say.

The next Saturday Trace stood at his bedroom window for a long time after getting dressed, gazing out at the Bay, whitecaps frothing the surface. Obviously windy—a storm was expected in later that night. But the morning promised only blustery weather. He supposed he should be glad it wasn’t raining yet. However, he didn’t feel much of anything.

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