Are You The One?

Chapter 8

Cliff asked Brit to move in with him but she didn’t want to rush things. She did promise him that she would spend a few nights over at his place, and she kept her word.

Over the next few months Cliff and Brittany got closer as her belly grew larger. Cliff was more present and involved than Brittany could have guessed. He took off from work whenever she had a doctor’s appointment, he read everything he could about pregnancy and babies and asked the doctor numerous questions.

When Brit was feeling better and the morning sickness had subsided Cliff and Brit flew back home to Virginia to meet her parents. She didn’t know why she was nervous. They adored him and soon even her father was thrilled that they would be having a grandchild. Brit sat back and observed the scene. It was crazy how at ease Cliff was here in the modest home she grew up in, the same way he was in a boardroom brokering million dollar deals. She did beg him however not to disclose exactly how wealthy he was to her family. He laughed at her perceived reverse-snobbism. She just didn’t want her parents to think that’s why she chose to keep the baby.

After settling back home after their trip there was one final daunting task. The following weekend they met Cliff’s father, George Sr. Brit was an emotional wreck the entire drive to his estate. She made Cliff pull over twice. She need not have worried however. George Sr. while a force to be reckoned with in his business dealings was an absolute softie in his personal life.

Brit whistled when she saw the estate.

“Your father lives here?” she asked.

“When he’s home. This is where Holly and I grew up,” Cliff explained.

“Really. Which wing was yours?” Brit teased.

“Ha-ha,” Cliff said sarcastically.

She wasn’t sure what she was expecting but it wasn’t George Sr. He was gorgeous. An older version of Cliff, with about ten extra pounds, more gray than dark haired and the same irresistible smile.

“Cliff this must be the Brittany that you told me about,” he said taking her hand.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” Brit said.

“Dad we have exciting news,” Cliff gushed.

“I figured as much. You’ve never brought a woman home before. I’ve met most of them by accident.”

George Sr. turned to Brit with a smile.

“I’ve been waiting for Cliff to settle down with a good woman. He really hit the jackpot, beautiful, smart, funny. I’ve heard good things from my friends at the AP. So when is the big day?”

“Oh no. We’re not getting married,” Brittany said clearly flustered.

“No dad. Brit and I are pregnant,” Cliff explained.

Brit need not have worried. George Sr. was delighted. He couldn’t wait to be a grandfather and sadly said Cliff’s mother would have been overjoyed as well.

The hard part, telling their families about the pregnancy out of the way, Brit and Cliff focused on the life they had created. They discussed everything about the baby’s future from childcare to formula choices. They spent hours imagining who the baby would look like, wondering if it would be a boy or a girl.

Tara and Eric were thriving in their relationship which was great because the best friends were finally happy at the same time.  Tara had quit her job at the gallery and was now Eric’s personal assistant. That meant that she and Brit got to spend more time together. Brit was glad that she had her best friend through this experience, even with Cliff she sometimes felt so alone. Tara even spent the night a few times just like old times.

Brit recalled the Friday they had made the decision to keep the baby. Tara had shown up to Cliff’s with ice cream, vodka, nachos and chick flicks. She had called Tara and ask that she meet her for lunch. She wanted to tell her about their decision. She was shocked by Brit’s choice at first but once she got used to the idea she was happy for her friend. Tara kept picking out unusual names for the baby to the point Brit threatened her that she would no longer be the godmother.

One night while the foursome had dinner Tara brought the subject up again.

“What about Aurora?” Tara asked.

“Like borealis?” Cliff asked with a chuckle.

“Absolutely not,” Brit said shaking her head.

“What about Dylan?” Eric asked.

“Dylan I like,” Cliff agreed.

“I like Dylan too. And it works for a boy or a girl,” Brit said.

“Have we just picked our name?” Cliff asked happily.

When Brit wasn’t at work or with Tara she spent all her free time with Cliff. He even went with her shopping, purchasing two of everything, for Brit’s place and his. He called and checked on her several times a day, ensuring that she had everything she needed. No request was too big. Food and gifts were constantly being delivered to both her office and her apartment to the point she told him that it was beginning to embarrass her.

Another plus side was that she was instrumental in mending the relationship between Cliff and his sister. She even grew closer to Holly who she corresponded with by email regularly and ran an article about the plight of war torn countries with her help.

One night as they were laying in each other’s arms Cliff reached over to the nightstand and pulled out a small velvet box.

“What’s that?” Brit asked nervously.

“Brit I was thinking. We should do this the right way. I spoke to my father and he gave me my mother’s engagement ring. I wanted you to have it,” Cliff said.

Brit didn’t say anything for a few minutes, trying to gather her thoughts. 

“It’s beautiful,” Brit said admiring the ring.

“No, I meant about getting married.”

“Oh,” Brit replied.

“Oh?” Cliff echoed with a frown

“Cliff we just started seeing one another. I mean I’m four months pregnant. We still have five months to go to get to know one another. I don’t want you to rush into this because you feel obligated.”

“I didn’t,” Cliff began to explain.

“Let’s not rush things Cliff. Please,” Brit begged.

“Okay,” he said softly and put the box back in the drawer.

The one dark cloud was the dynamic of her and Cliff’s relationship. Although he wanted to try and be a couple and to be fair he did propose, Brit ashamedly resented that most of their conversations revolved around the baby. It was just the way he asked. It wasn’t a proposal more of this baby is coming and let’s be responsible. She wondered if the baby wasn’t a part of the picture if they would even be together.