Fated (A Chris Evans Series)

Paranoid

Every single meeting Denise attended turned out to be a huge success; with each meeting came a better offer. After much consideration, Denise chose Sony Pictures. Their head of production, Emilia Morse was the only person who showed interest in her before she got herself an agent and she was grateful. If this first job launched her career, she wanted to be able to thank Emilia by saying "Sony Pictures is the reason I'm where I am today." Sony Pictures also offered Chris a job; the job to direct Denise's script. While it would've been a dream come true for them to work together, he declined. It wasn't a straight 'no', Chris and Denise spent more time discussing that than they'd discussed which company she should've signed with.

They talked amongst themselves, then asked for the opinions of Sebastian and Luca, as well as their parents and siblings. Because with Denise working and Jack on his way, it was going to be difficult if they were both needed on a set. At least now, if Denise had to be at work then Chris could stay at home. He didn't choose to go on a career hiatus to be with his arriving newborn only to dive right back in with the first offer he'd been given, even if it was an amazing one. So he chose to decline with great faith that he'd work together with his wife on another project when Jack was much older, one that would hopefully win them an Oscar or two.

With all the meetings Chris and Denise have had to attend, all the big decisions they have had to make in the last couple of weeks- today was going to be a vacation for them. Today, their day had been claimed by the soon-to-be husband and wife: Sebastian Stan and Luca Safford. They'd flown in from New York to complete a few wedding tasks as Denise couldn't fly over. Denise felt terrible for inconveniencing the bride and groom, but they'd assured her they already had plans to fly over. Sebastian had a shoot and Luca had gotten a few things from Los Angeles for the wedding as well as her baby. There was a stroller they wanted and the only one left was in a shop in Los Angeles which Sebastian and Denise were going to pick up while Chris took Luca to the bridal shop 'All Things White' to pick up the heels she'd ordered without changing the pickup location from Los Angeles to New York.

They'd decided to swap partners for the day because Denise, too, wanted to go to the baby store for what felt like the first time since she found out she was pregnant; Chris also had an errand to run in Beverly Hills. They all figured it would've been easier that way and after, they could just meet up for dinner at the steakhouse the four of them loved going to when they were all in Los Angeles at the same time.

Sebastian went to speak to the retailer as soon as he and Denise arrived at the store while she wandered over to the boys clothing section. Denise ran her hand along the rack, fingers getting a sense of the soft cotton material of all the onesies she'd passed. Everything was so cute, yet she couldn't bring a smile to her face. All she could think about was how busy she'd been and how busy she was going to be. She feared she'd have no time for any baby related things, like baby classes and first outings. Was she going to be there to see Jack's first smile, or hear his first laugh? Was she going to be able to rock him to sleep, or was she going to arrive home too tired to even bother? Would Jack realized she was his mom if all he saw were Chris and Dodger? These were some of the thoughts she'd been having since she started dedicating her time to being a screen writer and her best friend's 'Maid of Honor'. It also didn't help that she hadn't been sleeping or eating properly the last few days. She tried for the baby's sake, but she couldn't; her back ached and her stomach just wouldn't hold food down.

"That is adorable," Sebastian's voice briefly pulled Denise away from her angst. "Can you imagine, Denise?" He reached over her shoulder for the Winnie the Pooh and Tigger onesies sitting side by side on the rack. "Our boys wearing these, that would make such a cute photo."

"Mm hm." Denise nodded with a forced smile. She'd much rather have her husband around while she was on the verge of breaking down, but she was still glad she had Sebastian. She'd rather have him with her than be on her own.