Epilogue
Six months later...
Katie floated into the office with Chase pushing the baby carriage beside her. He’d sent out a memo for an emergency board meeting that morning. The two of them had come up with a great plan over breakfast to bring peace to their lives and unite the family. She wore the same designer look-at-me outfit she’d had on at her first board meeting. It felt incredible to be able to wear it again after working so hard to take off the baby fat.
Alice, Marty, and the new secretary immediately surrounded them the moment they stepped off the elevator. The women gushed over the baby, Bella Grayson. Bella was Bianca’s middle name. Katie and Chase had thought it was fitting since Bianca helped save their marriage.
“Everyone is waiting for you,” Alice said before making funny noises for the baby’s benefit, cooing and clicking her tongue. “Aren’t you a sweet baby girl?”
Holding hands, Katie and Chase went into the conference room.
Evelyn greeted them at the door with an accusing glare. “Where is my little sweetheart? Didn’t you bring her?”
“Of course,” Katie said. “She’s staying in the other room with the ladies until we’re done. They want to spoil her with attention, but you can have grandma-time after the meeting.”
With a wide smile, Chase suggested, “You can take her for the whole evening if you want, and give us some grown-up playtime.”
Katie playfully punched her less-than-subtle husband in the arm.
Once everyone took their seats, Chase spoke. “I’m going to be cutting back at work.”
Evelyn gasped. “Cutting back? You haven’t been here in weeks. How could you possibly cut back more?”
“I meant from the hours I used to keep,” Chase said. “I will not be working like a possessed madman.”
Evelyn made a face at him. “Whoever heard of a man taking paternity leave? All of our male employees will want to do that now.”
“Maybe they should,” Katie said.
Evelyn threw her hands into the air. “You still haven’t replaced Reginald, and Billy hasn’t been here except for board meetings. It’s like the Graysons don’t work at Grayson Towers anymore. I hate to say it, but if it wasn’t for Poppy, nothing would have gotten done in several weeks.”
Poppy smirked.
“Katie and I have a plan,” Chase said.
Poppy muttered under her breath. “I’ll bet you do.”
“Katie, will do the honors?” he asked.
Caught off guard, she hesitated. “O-kay.” She stood on legs that felt weak, swallowing hard as all eyes turned in her direction. Public speaking was not one of her strong suits. Her mouth went dry, and her throat threatened to close. “This is how it’s going to be.”
Did that sound too heavy-handed?
Evelyn gazed at her with interest; Poppy glared invisible daggers at her; Billy looked like he was daydreaming about something else and wasn’t even listening.
“Chase and I talked in-depth about our future and the future of this company,” Katie said. “First of all, we appreciate your understanding while we spent bonding time with Bella.”
“What about the company?” Evelyn asked.
Poppy nudged Billy with her elbow and mumbled, “This is your chance. Step in.”
Katie spoke directly to Poppy and tackled the situation with the ambitious girl before it could get out of hand. “Billy will never be CEO of this company. Sorry, Billy, but I think we all agree that you couldn’t handle the job even if you wanted it, which I suspect you don’t.”
Poppy jumped to her feet. “That isn’t true! You don’t know my husband, so stop trying to talk for him.”
“I will when you will,” Katie said.
Poppy yelled, “If you don’t shut up—”