Through Thick And Thin

“So, now we are officially late for work. We better call it in.” He draped an arm around her shoulders and she shook her head.

“Today is my last day before I take my leave. So I don’t really have to call it in,” she said with a smile. “You are the one in deep sh*t.”

“Considering I just started there a few weeks ago, I should be more careful,” he said as he pulled himself to his feet. He kissed the top of her head and walked out of the living room.

“Never mind, I’ll get the dirty laundry on the floor,” Amelia said in a sarcastic tone loud enough for him to hear her.

“I’m sorry baby! I’ve got nothing but love for you,” Chad called out from the bedroom making her smile.

*****

It was almost ten in the morning when Amelia finally got to the office. She was in a pink wrap around maternity dress and a pair of black strapped sandals. Over time, she had come to favor wrap around dresses since they were easier to put on and get out of rather than the more conventional dresses which needed someone to be with her while dressing and undressing. Her straightened hair was held back in a low loose bun leaving a few strands loose to frame her face.

“Hey,” Leo said when he saw her. “I didn’t think I was going to be seeing you today.”

“Well, it is my last day before I take my maternity leave,” she said as he opened the door for her. “Thank you,” she said smiling.

“I know it is your last day but lately I have noticed you acting a little more exhausted and I really don’t want to burden you,” he said as she put her handbag on the desk.

“Really? Why does everyone act as if I just stepped out of chemo?” she asked as she sat down.

“You are almost full term and I have been around pregnant women. I am not speaking out of turn here, Amelia,” he said as he took a seat in one of the chairs in front of her desk.

“Well, my leave has come at the most inopportune time so I had to be here for my last day at work.” She looked at her desk and sighed. The sketches she had left on the desk were still there. “I need to know how the maternity clothes are coming. I mean I only have a few more weeks if you are going to have a photo op or anything,” she added as she looked at her boss. She suddenly clapped a hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry, Mr. Dalton, Nowadays I seem to forget who I work for.”

“Don’t worry, I get it,” Leo said with a smile. “Our surrogate has been snapping at Emilio and I like we are always on her bad side.” “Why didn’t you mention it before?”

“Well, you were handling two different projects.

“Well, at least I have one assured child for play dates,” he said as he looked at her.

“Oh I am counting on that,” she said with a smile.

“Thanks. Now in the interest of getting you out of here as soon as possible, we should get you down to the tailors and see what has been going on with new designs,” Leo said standing up. “And hopefully we can get that photo op today before you go home.”

“Wait, really?” Amelia asked excitedly as she got up.

“Yes, really. Alfonso is quite free today and he has been dying to be the one to photograph the new line anyway,” Leo said with a smile.

“Today might just be the best day of my life,” she said as the two of them walked out of her office, a little slower than she would have hoped.