We all cheer. This has been a long time coming.
“Finally!” Mom raises her voice to be heard above the noise. I glance across to check if Lachlan is okay, but he’s covering his ears. I smile inwardly at him, proud of how far he’s come.
Hang on a minute. He’s suddenly found an office manager? He never said he was advertisingorinterviewing. “How did you find this office manager, and are you sure they’re qualified?”
I can see the cogs turning in Max’s head, and I know my brother well enough to figure out he’s hired some random person. “Sheisqualified, right? You didn’t just hire anyone off the street?” He leans his elbow on the table and rubs his thumbnail across his bottom lip in thought. His action tells me that’s exactly what he did. “Oh, my gawd! You did. Are you an idiot?” I roll my eyes at him and Emma snickers.
“I’m not an idiot, Sarah,” he snaps. “She’s highly competent or I wouldn’t have hired her,” he adds more calmly, then proceeds to tell us how Molly came to be employed and I have to admit, she does sound competent. Perhaps I’m worrying for nothing. We all tend to be a little overprotective of each other.
Discussion ensues regarding Molly’s knowledge of the city since she’s new here as well as where she’s staying. I get the sense that Max hadn’t really given it much thought before now, but his concern for his new employee is obvious. This could be interesting.
“How are things going at your office, Sarah? Any news on Eric’s retirement?” Emma asks.
I blow out a heavy sigh and slump in my chair. “Something happened and delayed Adam’s move to the west coast. I’m not sure when things will change.”
Emma gives me a sympathetic smile. “Well, on the positive side of things, it means you get to work with Eric longer.” My mood improves at the thought.
“That’s true, and it’s something I’m cherishing.” I tuck my hair behind my ear. “I love working with Eric, and you guys know how I feel about change.”
“Eric’s grandson might be a lot like him. You never know, it might be a seamless transition,” Max adds.
I nod and place my silverware down. It’s now or never. This is the perfect opportunity to talk with my family about my plans. I swallow the lump in my throat. “I have something I wanted to talk with you guys about.”
Everyone gives me one hundred percent of their attention and my stomach rolls. Maybe I shouldn’t have eaten. “What is it, Love?” Mom asks when I hesitate.
I blow out a breath, my nerves getting the better of me. “Please don’t judge me. I’ve thought long and hard about this, and it’s the right decision for me. I’m hoping you’ll all be supportive.”
Creases form between Dad’s eyebrows. “Of course we’ll support you.”
Well, that’s a good start.“Great.” I blow out a long breath. Here goes. “I’ve decided I want to have a baby.” The silence in the room is loud as I glance around the table. “I’m not getting any younger, and it’s impossible to meet someone decent. Someone I’d want to raise a family with.” I glance at Emma and the sympathy on her face tells me she understands what I’m saying.
Mom’s hand rises to fidget with her necklace. “Oh. Well … uh … that’s unexpected news. How will you make this happen?” I’m going to take this as a positive sign. She’s asking for more details, not telling me I shouldn’t do it.
“There are agencies that help women like myself. I complete a whole heap of paperwork, give them a whole wad of money, and they give me sperm from a baby daddy of my choosing.” A simplified explanation, but sometimes simple is the best approach.
“My sister, Anna, did that.” Theo looks at Kenny with eyes full of love and adoration for his niece-slash-daughter. “That’s how we ended up with Kenny.”
That’s right. I remember Emma telling me about it. Maybe that was the conversation that triggered my urgency to have a baby; knowing there was a way I could do it on my own. If things don’t work out with the clinic I’m interviewing with this week, then maybe it would be a good idea to have a backup. Just in case.
“Do you know which agency she used?” I ask.
Theo thinks for a moment. “I don’t, sorry. Dad might know, though. I’ll ask him and let you know.”
I smile gratefully at him. “Thanks.”
“This isn’t the way we expected you to be having a baby, but we’ll support you in any way we can.” Dad reaches across, patting my hand with love and support. Some of the tension I’ve been holding in my body releases, and I relax a little.
Everyone offers their support to me in any way they can as I find a baby daddy, through my pregnancy, and then into motherhood. I’m not sure why I was so worried. I should have known they would support me in any way they could. They always want the best for me.
We clean up from lunch, then I place the chocolate birthday cake I made for Emma on the table. We sing “Happy Birthday” in our usual, terribly off-key fashion and enjoy the delicious cake. I’m so thankful I got the chance to bake yet another birthday cake for my sister and that she’s healthy after her brush with cancer.
Once things are quiet and the kids are playing with Archie in the backyard, Emma, Mom, and I have a few moments on our own. Emma slides her fingers through my hair and whispers, “You know I’ll help you in any way I can once you have the baby.” I smile and wrap my arms around her.
“Thanks, Sis. You’re the best.”
We separate and Em’s eyes widen. “I still have the crib from the boys and some other stuff. Would you like it?”
Excitement fills me. “Absolutely. Thank you so much. I’ll take whatever you have.”