Through Thick And Thin

“I’m so sorry,” Amelia said on a soft voice. “I know exactly what those cravings are like. It is terrible that you have to live with that.”

“Well, it is worth it,” Leo said smiling. “Though sometimes I hate myself for inviting her to stay with us. But it was either that or incur an extra cost for her rent.”

“Yeah and there is also the surrogacy fee, I presume,” she pointed out.

“Right. Emilio and I are in the hole for almost forty grand,” Leo said.

“Forty grand?” Amelia said a little louder than she had intended to be.

“And that is just the fee. There is upkeep too.”

“What?” she asked surprised.

“Well, she needs to move around so we got her a car and because she doesn’t work we need to make sure she is comfortable. That means that all her clothes and other expenses are on us too,” Leo said nodding.

“Maybe I should have been your surrogate,” Amelia said with a smile.

“What? Dalton Wear doesn’t pay you enough?” Leo was smiling.

“Well, I could always use an extra forty grand,” she said as she started for the door again. “It’s like a year-long all expenses trip. You sleep in, shop and get a free car.” She turned around and looked at him. “Anyone could use that.”

“Take the designs down to the tailors, Amelia,” Leo said, still smiling.

She walked out and headed straight down for the tailoring station where she left the designs. She then made her way to the office and got her purse and keys before she made her way to the parking lot. She had exactly ten minutes before she met her sister at the mall. She didn’t drive as fast as she would have wanted to but she did not want to get a ticket anyway. She was still a good ten minutes away from the mall when Amanda called her.

“I am at the food court. Where are you?” Amanda asked when Amelia picked up.

“Almost there. Order me some sweet potato fries and some crispy chicken. I’ll be there before you sit down,” Amelia said.

“Alright,” Amanda said before she hang up.

When she finally got to the mall, I was not after the ten minutes she had promised. After she parked, she changed into comfortable sandals before she climbed out of the car. She made her way into the mall’s food court. She spotted her sister seated at a corner booth and made her way towards her.

“I’m so sorry,” Amelia started as she sat down. “But when you hear why I am late, you will be so happy to be related to me.”

Amanda pushed her order towards her.

“Got your fries and chicken,” she said.

“You are a sweetie,” Amelia started as she began eating. “So, how are you? How is work?”

“Great. Can’t complain,” Amelia said as she took a sip of her soda. “I am actually set to take my annual leave next month but I think I will push it forward.”

Amelia looked up at her and shook her head. She knew that more than anyone Amanda loved her time off and as if that was not enough, she and Mark had been planning a vacation to Hawaii for the longest time. She looked at her sister and shrugged in confusion.

“Why would you do that? You and Mark have been planning the trip to Hawaii,” she said and Amanda nodded.

“I have been. And we still have plans to go but if I take it, it means that I won’t be around when you have that little fellow you have in there,” Amanda said in a soft voice.

“I still have a little over four months to go,” Amelia said matter of factly. “You know that, right?” Amanda nodded.

“Yes, but the next time I have an entire month off is going to be way after you give birth and I really want to be there for the birth,” she said.

“So how are you going to make this happen?” Amelia asked.

“Simple. I am going to delay the action. Take my leave a week or two before you give birth. That way Mark and I can take a few days off in Hawaii and still be here for the birth,” Amanda said like it was no big deal.

“You realize that I will need you more after the baby is born, right?” Amelia asked.

“I’ve got that worked out too,” Amanda said just as Amelia’s phone began ringing.

“Just a second, it’s Chad. It might be about the job interview,” Amelia said as she answered the phone. “Hey baby.”

“Hey, sweetie. How’s your day going?” Chad asked.

“Good. I’m having lunch with Amanda and then we’ll get some few maternity clothes,” Amelia said.

“Okay, I just got home and I was thinking that maybe I should make you dinner. What are you in the mood for?”

Amelia looked up at Amanda and smiled.

“What?” Amanda whispered.

Amelia placed a hand over her phone’s mouthpiece.

“He wants to make dinner,” she said in a low voice.

“Well, babe. What do you feel like? Chicken, fish, steak?” Chad pressed.

“I think steak would be great,” Amelia said. “Are we celebrating or something of the sort?” she asked hopefully.

“Actually, yes,” Chad said and Amelia almost jumped up. “You are talking to the new researcher at the infectious diseases lab of Harper Medical. Twice the salary of what I was getting before.”

“You are kidding me!” Amelia cried out excitedly. “Oh my God! Chad! I’m so proud of you baby.” She was now brushing off tears of happiness.

“What? What happened?” Amanda asked excitedly.

“Chad got a job at Harper Medical,” Amelia said in a soft voice.

“Oh wow! We should celebrate!” Amanda said and Amelia nodded.

“Amanda says we should celebrate.”

“Well, maybe tomorrow evening. Tonight, I just want to be alone with my woman.”

“Sure. I will let her know,” Amelia said. She was still a little too excited. It was all too obvious since it was written all over her face. “I’ve got to go. I will see you in a couple of hours.”

“Alright. Don’t eat too much. I plan on firing up the grill to make you that ribeye you love so much.”

“If ever there was a time that I was simply a hundred per cent in love with you, it is this moment right now.”

“I love you more,” he said before she hung up.

Amelia looked up at Amanda and brushed off yet another tear.

“He got the job,” she said in a whisper and Amanda reached for her hand to give it a slight squeeze. “And they are giving him double what he was getting before.”

“You made it little sister,” Amanda said in a soft voice. “You and Chad stuck it out and you made it.”

Amelia took a long deep breath.

“Our relationship was being tested wasn’t it?” she asked and Amanda nodded.

“And you both came out strong,” she said in a soft voice.