"Everything is good. The baby is going to befine."
"I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am to hear that." He leaned in for another kiss. "I'm going to go and have ashower."
"Did you want anything toeat?"
"No. I ate dinner late. How abouttea?"
I nodded as he headed to the bathroom. Parker was still in the shower when I brought the tea into the living room. I lay down on the oversized couch and pulled the blanket over me then turned on the TV. Once I had found a movie to watch, I relaxed back into the cushions and shut all the lights off. It wasn't long before I driftedoff.
I jumped a little when I felt the couch sink down, and I opened myeyes.
"It’s just you." I smiled and looked into Parker’s eyes. He lay down besideme.
"Yep, it’s just me. Come here," he whispered as he placed his arm around me and pulled me into him, pulling the blanket up aroundme.
I rested my head on his chest, breathing in his cologne. It truly felt like home in hisarms.
I woke up and lookedat the clock. It was already nine. I crawled out of bed and headed to the kitchen to make some tea. Parker had already left for the day and would be home in time to head over to help Elliott and Jen when theyarrived.
I grabbed my phone and checked my email. The only one that caught my eye was from Brad Keller. I still hadn't let him know about my decision, and he wasasking.
I took my tea into the living room and sat down on the couch. Parker and I had talked, and we both decided that work could wait until after the baby was born. Being pregnant, he didn't want me to travel back and forth. I took another sip of my tea and dialed Brad’snumber.
"Bradspeaking."
"Hi, Brad, it’sTatum."
"Tatum, how are you feeling? We are very concerned aboutyou."
"I'm doing better, thanks for asking. I got your email this morning, and I wanted to call youback.”
"Well, I am glad that you did. Listen, there is no rush. I know that you are on medical leave, but I wanted to know how long it will be before we can expect youback?"
"Thank you. I am happy that you are so understanding. But considering all that has happened, I have decided that I will not be returning. I wanted to thank you, though, for theopportunity."
"Is it the travel that you are concerned about? We have been thinking about that. We really want you to stay with us. That is why I went to the president and talked to him about you. He is willing to make your position remote. You will be able to work from home and will only be required to come to the office a few times ayear."
I went quiet. This was not how I planned this to go. "I thank you for that, but I am going to have to decline. I will be sending in my formal resignation to you once I get to my laptop." I swallowed hard. As much as I loved working, I knew this was the right thing todo.
"I am sorry to hear that, Tatum. I want to wish you all thebest."
"Thank you, Brad. I wish you all the best as well." I hung up the phone and sat back against the couch. I didn't feel bad about quitting. I was actually relieved and happy to know I was going to finally start my life with Parker and our son ordaughter.
I had spent the rest of the day doing laundry and looking online for some things for the baby's room. We had decided to turn the bedroom across from ours into the nursery, and I wanted to take my time picking things out. I looked up at the clock. Elliott and Jen should arrive anyminute.
I was about to start dinner when my phone pinged with a message. I looked down at the phone and saw a message fromJen.
JEN:"ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES AWAY! SEE YOUSOON!"
I smiled at the message and typed out a quick response as Parker walked through thedoor.
"Hey,beautiful."
"Hey. How was yourday?"
"All right. Listen, how about you come and sit down. I havenews."
The look on his face told me something was wrong. "What isit?"