A Life More Complete(85)
She smiles kindly and asks whether we have any more questions. I shake my head and Tyler agrees. She shakes our hands again and leaves the room. I breathe a sigh of relief as she leaves. It’s been at least two weeks since I went all drunken sorority girl with Melinda, so I can breathe easier. Hearing her words I vow to never drink again. I know I’m being slightly unreasonable and probably a bit of a liar, but right now it seems completely logical.
Tyler doesn’t mention my little divulgence as we walk to the parking lot and I take it as a sign that he is trying. Normally he would have called me out on something like this. But today, he takes my hand, places three small kisses along my fingers and opens my car door for me. As he closes the car door, he whispers, “December ninth.” Just hearing it makes my whole body tingle.
The weeks pass by and Tyler is attentive and loving more so than I can ever remember. When we first began dating in high school he was so incredible and the same goes for now. He is going out of his way to make me happy. Rubbing my feet at the end of the day, bringing home whatever it is that I happen to be craving in the moment. Driving across town to Arby’s or stopping at Rite Aid to pick up a package of Hostess Ding Dongs, it didn’t matter my request, he fulfills it. He begins answering his phone on the first ring anytime I call and texting me back with such frequency that I almost ask if it is his assistant replying. But like all good things, it will come to an end. Pessimistic or just thinking clearly, I’m not sure?
Sometime around the first week in May, Tyler makes an honest woman out of me. It should’ve been a sign that I had absolutely no recognition of the exact date but that detail seems to slip my mind. No big elaborate wedding, no white dress, or fancy reception, just your run of the mill courthouse style wedding in West Hollywood. We get married in the park across the street with my sisters in attendance and Tyler’s law firm partner Ryan. Sign the paper work, smile for a few quick pictures and make it official.
---Chapter 26---
I’m beginning to show and I know I have to come clean to Ellie. I’d taken a few days off of work after getting married and I figured when I returned I could impart her with the news that not only had I gotten married but that I’m also pregnant.
I email Ellie as soon as I arrive at the office that morning requesting a meeting with her. When my Outlook calendar pops up with a scheduled appointment for noon, nervousness takes over. Since the debacle with Trini my relationship with Ellie turned a corner. She might have been perceived as the office hard ass and all around jerk of a boss, but I know a slightly different model. I know the person who reserves her kindness for when no one is around and there was actually one day recently that she pulled me into her office for what seemed like a confession, but derailed around the time she got to the juicy part. I feel bad for her knowing that what little friendships she does maintain still seem like acquaintances. Everyone in the office noticed the shift in Ellie’s mood not to mention her sudden affection for me. Little did she know that everyone in the office, including me, is dying to get his or her hands on any gossip surrounding Ellie’s private life. It’s something she guards so closely that not even I am privy to that information. Truth be told, Ellie terrifies me and I’m always worried she’s going to randomly fire me.
I race over to Melinda’s office in hopes that she can help me formulate some type of explanation that seems valid. Considering I’ve hidden the fact that I’m pregnant and now married, I might come across as a bit insincere.
“Mel, what am I going to tell her?” Throwing myself onto the corner of her desk. “I was hoping to put it off a little longer, but I think people are starting to suspect.” She swivels her desk chair to face me. Flipping her long blonde hair over her shoulder, she laughs.
“Starting to suspect? I’ve been fielding questions for weeks. It’s kinda hard to hide a pregnancy when you weigh hundred ten pounds soaking wet. Every pound you gain shows. I keep telling people you love Mexican food and donuts.”
“Well, at least that’s true. Now seriously, what should I say?”
“Just tell her Tyler knocked you up. What’s she gonna do, fire you? One, that’s against the law and two, if she did, it would be the greatest day of your life. Collect unemployment. Doesn’t sound too bad to me.”
“Jeez, could you be more helpful?” I ask sarcastically. “I’m afraid to tell her. She’s gonna be so pissed. You know how much she hates kids. Remember when Rebecca from H.R. was pregnant? Ellie avoided her like it was disease. And when we threw her that baby shower Ellie refused to buy something off the registry because she said that asking for gifts was in poor taste.”