Corporate Babies - Leah

Chapter 4

And as luck would have it, I was running late the morning of that huge meeting with that interested potential new client, dammit Murphy. Well, it's not completely his fault, at 5 months pregnant and already looking bigger than most other full-term moms, I wasn't agile on my feet as I once was but to be fair, I did have two in here. I had to wear a navy-blue dress that usually loose but looked tight on me now, making my pregnancy obvious to even the oblivious of men but to my relief my bump made the outfit pretty good. For shoes obviously blue ballet flats, I'm not an idiot, a light blue jacket to reduce the size of the milk jugs I'm carting around these days. Olivia had to put my long red hair up and add a bit of makeup because it's just impossible to get the right look, hey on the bright side at least my hair was healthy and shiny, thinks to these little peas in a pod. I grab my fruit salad and hot chocolate in a flask on my way out, thank you Olivia. Olivia also packed my other work stuff the night before. I waddle my way to my white Mazda 323 then wiggle my way into the driver's seat while pushing my items into the passenger seat next to me - it's a struggle, thank goodness this is my last work obligation.

I finally arrive at my client's office building and groan, not instantly finding a park right outside the building, I physically can't walk that far so I half want to call and cancel, but just like the sun coming out from behind the clouds a parking space becomes available - I could almost hear the angels sing. Sliding into the space I grab my suitcase that holds my laptop, notes and my purse practically wiggle out from behind my Mazda steering wheel, I'm just thankful that I can slide out of the car but it's a bitch climbing back in. I lock up and run in, I used to that sequence so much quicker, I shake my head and head towards the lifts, I notice that interior is very modern with white tiles and glass walls, I notice where the bathrooms are situated, in my condition that's always a great idea. The guards stop me, my heart drops but after they explain that I need a visitors badge and to sign in, my panic deflates like a balloon.

After picture taking and signing forms, I finally arrive on the right floor and I'm hoping at the right door, I followed the guard's direction exactly, I hope. I knock, wait two seconds and walk in, just to almost trip when I see who is waiting for me, in my condition that could be disastrous but a fate I almost wish for just to get away, the next hour is going to be unpleasant.

I don't tolerate any late arrivals in any aspect of my life but especially in my workplace, we haven't been waiting long but it's still unacceptable, this room is hot, and we are all getting hungry, as it's close to lunch break. I'm preparing what I am going to tell this woman if she ever arrives such as that we won't be needing her services after all, there's a knock on the door and I'm gearing myself up to be an ass to this woman whose late and as the door opens a fat woman enters - this isn't going to end well, I think to myself but as I open my mouth to start my reprimand, I realize who she is, my closes shut again from the shock and if that's not enough to make me pause, I realize that she's pregnant.

I didn't think pregnant women were attractive before, but she is just as beautiful as the last time I saw her maybe even more so. Her dark red hair with those auburn streaks has haunted me every night for over five months now and those Lavender eyes, perfect lips and her now swollen body give me such hard on that I have to reposition myself at the conference table. "Miss Mackenzie" I double check to make sure that it does indeed state Miss, I don't know why this gives me a sense of relief "we don't tolerate lateness in this company" I decide to give her chance but my HR and head of marketing turn to look at me with surprise, I didn't kick her out instantly like they know I was gearing up to do. "Sssorry I'm late, I had a wardrobe malfunction and this two..." she says calmly but with a hint of nervousness as she puts her swollen midsection "decided to grow overnight again and I couldn't find anything that fits" I notice her ashen face and her swaying a little "Sit down Miss Mackenzie, you look like you're about to fall over" I say in a harsher tone then I intended and I intercom my PA to get her some water. "We weren't advised that you were expecting, Miss Mackenzie." She looks down as if she's embarrassed, I hope she is, it may reflect the level of emotion that I am currently experiencing "Is this going to impact the standard of work ethic that we are expecting from you?" I ask at the same time as my HR asks, "How long until you go into labor?" after drinking some water she sits up, lifts her chin and gets a look of determination, definitely gearing to give us her best speech. "Mr. Calisto, I am due in 4 months but I have already gotten my ducks into a row and in 4 months I plan to get everything in order and to put procedures in place but I have already taken your concerns into consideration and I have hired someone to do the hard lifting when these two come join us, I in the meantime will be observing and assisting where I can" she stands up "I will now do my presentation, I have added my plans while I'm on semi-maternity leave into my presentation, so you will get a better idea what to expect" she waddles to the light switch and lowers the lights and returns to the front then starts the presentation.

While she goes through her presentation my mind starts to do the math and if I'm not mistaken the charity party where we met was 5 months ago, my heart starts to beat fast and I can feel the cold sweat starting, then what she said hits me, twins! She's pregnant with potentially my baby and not just one but two! I start to hyperventilate, glad that she's holding everyone's attention. I drink some water and try to calm my breathing. I need to speak to her and find out the truth, but the presentation isn't done and as much as I want to, I can't blurt out my questions in front of everyone. My thoughts then take a dark turn and I start wondering if she purposely seduced me so I can either marry her, pay her off or award her with the contract, with that in mind the meeting ends and after my colleges tell her we will keep in touch, they leave. She starts packing her things away, I get up and slowly walk towards knowing I need to make sure she doesn't escape.

"Miss Mackenzie! no I think I'll go with Leah as we clearly have been very personal" I intentionally glance down at her stomach, I'm about to carry on when she stops me "Let's not beat around the bush, yes I'm pregnant, yes there are two and yes they are yours" the full admission surprises me, I thought she would play hard to get and then finally admitting it then dissolving into tears - ok then next agenda on this list, I open my mouth but she once again stops me in my tracks "No, I don't need anything from you and yes, I tried to find you so I could tell you, I have the phone bill and emails to prove it, now excuse me I need to go" I'm actually shocked and almost miss it when she's almost to the door, my brain kicks into high gear and I stride to stop her. "Wait! Please join me for lunch so we can discuss this, no pressure, I just want to get some details" she's like a wounded animal that you approach with caution, she turns back "Okay" I take a breath of relief but apparently she's not done "but just so we can discuss things then go our merry way, deal?" I nod and lead her out the door but unfortunately for her this is going to be our first and definitely not the last shared meal between us, she can count on it.