Capturing Ella

(Releasing Joe) Chapter 66 - Joe

Three weeks later

'Are you sure you want to do this today?' I asked Ella, sitting opposite her in the main Atrium at Maui. We both had got fizzy drinks from the vending stand and had been sitting down quietly taking as other Savant's walked around us, doing their work at Maui. Neither of us had any reason to be at Maui as we were both on "medical leave" for another three days but we realised we had yet to tell the big Boss about Ella's pregnancy. After the 20 week anomaly scan came back completely clear, and the midwife confirmed that Ella was having indeed a baby girl and was starting to drop at a slow pace but would be in the correct position by 35 weeks, ready for a normal labour. We had already started ordering baby stuff like the cot and babygrows and so on, but came to realise we had yet to tell Maui – because we're terrible people. So we had to do it sooner rather than later, even if Ella's now 24 weeks pregnant and you're meant to tell at four weeks. Oops! But better late than never, am I right?

'We kind of have too,' Ella said, downing the rest of her Pepsi, throwing the can into the recycling bin as she brushed the hair out of her face. 'We should have done it sooner,'

'It'll be fine. Jake and I hacked into the living arrangement documents – they have some cute houses ready for people to move into. It'll all be over and done with within a few weeks, then we can get baby ready,' I gently told her and she smiled, nodding at me. 'Come on,'

I got up, taking her hand in mine as I binned my can of fizzy, and we both walked up the six flights of stairs to the upper levels of the office where Susan's office was – completely desolated from the entirety of the Maui but with brilliant views of every place in Maui. We noticed the sideways looks we were getting as we ran up the stairs together, and more at our hands that were linked. We would be getting a few more looks if Ella wore her slightly tighter vest top as the bump was more visible but she had elected for the baggy hoody she normally wears to work – plain black with a large pocket at the front over her abdomen where her phone remained. A few minutes later we rocked up outside Susan's office and we looked at each other.

'Do you fancy doing most of the talking?' Ella asked me and I noticed she was shaking slightly. Bless her. I nodded as I knocked on the door.

'Come in,' We heard Susan say and she sounded slightly annoyed. Oh crap. I pushed opened the door and she did look annoyed momentarily but her face lit up when she saw Ella and I holding hands together. Practically dragging Ella into the room, Susan gestured to the two seats in front of us.

'Ella, Joe, how have you both been?' Susan asked closing down her computer so we knew it meant business. Or she just wanted a talk.

'We've been good,' I said.

'How was Colorado, Ella, are your parents doing okay? Your brothers and the girls?' Susan directed towards her and I visibly saw Ella relax.

'They're all good,'

'And you two are...' Susan gestured between us two and I took Ella's hand, raising her left hand for her so Susan could see the ring.

'Good.' Ella said for the third time.

Engaged,' I said proudly, smiling at Ella.

'Oh you two! Congratulations – when did this happen? It isn't on files!' Susan exclaimed, gesturing towards Ella's hand so she could look at the ring properly. 'Oh it's so beautiful,'

'Thanks,' Ella said shyly, 'It happened a few weeks ago – just over six weeks I think. With everything happening we just forgot to tell you.' Ella said sweetly.

'Oh congratulations you two, you deserve this. You really do.' Susan said, opening her laptop up to update the system on us two. We saw as she put it together and some things popped up such as our entitlement to higher pay and a joint living arrangement.