The three of us make a great parenting team, and I can’t help but look lovingly at the two billionaires I’ve chosen to spend my life with.
“I hope we didn’t interrupt a meeting,” Tom’s voice draws me from my musings. I smile at my gorgeous boyfriend, always grateful for his calm demeanor.
“No, not at all. I just wrapped up a conference call, and this one,” I gesture toward the giggling little girl, “just woke up from her morning nap.” I hold my hands out for my daughter, and Gabriel gently shifts her into my arms. She coos and giggles, as the three of us laugh and crowd around the love of our lives.
After all, we decided to call the little girl Emerald for two reasons. First, because her eyes are a stark shade of green and we were immediately smitten with their color. And second, because of the role the emerald necklace played in our lives. It was the first gift the Costas brothers bought me out of love, they stated. The didn’t buy it because I was their pet, or because they owned me. They bought it because they loved me, and wanted me to have something all my own.
I nuzzle my baby, laughing a bit in fond memory. Tom told me that after I ran off, they searched the mansion high and low, scouring the halls for my form. Finally, in my bedroom, they came upon the silly necklace sitting all alone on my dresser. They realized then, that something so beautiful should never be left behind, and decided to pursue me, come hell or high water.
I squeeze my daughter tightly, almost scared to imagine a life without Gabriel, Tom and my baby. Emerald coos against my kisses, which just makes me want to hug her tighter.
“Okay, Daddy’s turn,” Tom says as he reaches for his little daughter. I hand him the tot and go to my desk to straighten out some papers.
“So you guys know I’m obviously happy to have you come over whenever you want, but why are you here so early? I don’t have to be in court until – ” I glance at my watch “– two o’clock.”
“We thought we’d take you out to lunch first, before the trial.” Gabriel smiles at me gently. I can tell he doesn’t want to upset me, but none of us are able to avoid talking about the upcoming trial, especially since I’m an important witness.
I touch the emerald necklace at my throat – I rarely take it off these days – and wonder if I’ll be able to handle lunch given what’s going to happen in the courtroom.
“That would be wonderful, but I’m not going to lie. I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to eat. The proceedings are going to be so intense and emotional.”
Tom stops bobbling Emerald to look at me. “They will be, but we’re here for you, sweetheart. We have your back.” Gabriel nods, affirming Tom’s statement.
But it’s not just the trial. It’s the fact that I’m going to have to see Jensen Draper, my old boss again. He makes me nauseous and my stomach roils in anticipation.
But at least he’ll be in handcuffs this time, I realize ruefully. That’s better than nothing.
After all, it turns out that June and I weren’t the only women with stories about Jensen’s horrific behavior. A few months after June left Draper Peabody, our former boss was arrested for trying to seduce an underage intern. And not too long afterward, it became public knowledge that he’d pressured many women at the firm to please him or else. It’s been rewarding to watch jerks like Jensen finally be taken down, and both June and I are set up to testify over the coming weeks.
I tap my fingers against the edge of my desk, thinking about my decision to join the lawsuit against Jensen Draper.
“Are you still reviewing what you’re going to say?” Tom asks me gently, ever alert to my moods.
I smile weakly at my lover, unsure how to express my feelings.
“I am,” I answer, and then look down. “I worry what everyone is going to say about us too. You know they’ll ask questions about my background, and I can’t hide our relationship. Plus, you know how the press loves gossip. After Sarah and Victoria announced their lesbian relationship, the papers went wild. They couldn’t believe the gem that had landed in their lap: the two ex-wives of the billionaire Costas brothers are actually lesbian lovers and sharing an apartment.”
Tom chuckles a bit.
“But you know how that turned out,” he says with amusement.
I smile ruefully.
“Yes, I heard. Sarah and Victoria are pregnant now, and they’re expecting a baby.”
Gabe nods.
“That’s right, and we’re happy for them. Didn’t Sarah invite you to their baby shower?”
I shake my head.
“No, because that would be too weird, but I’m glad they’ve found peace and happiness with one another.”