it out."
#
Nathalie had no sooner slipped in the door than she came face to face with her sister. It was proving difficult to tell if Sarah was giving her a look of disapproval or concern. Neither option was going to make the forthcoming conversation with her any easier.
"I guess you had a good date," she observed dryly.
Nathalie smiled sheepishly. "It was a great night. He...he loves me."
Sarah arched her eyebrow. "I wasn't aware there was any doubt about that."
"Maybe not to others but I wasn't very sure of it at all."
Nathalie's eyes were shining brightly and Sarah was finally seeing something she had not seen in years - her sister was happy. Not content, not satisfied but truly happy. And for that she was incredibly grateful. Hugging her tightly, she kissed her cheek.
"I'm happy for you Nat. You have worked really hard to get here."
"So listen," she began carefully, taking her sister's hand and leading her to the couch. "One of the conversations Eric and I had last night was about the three of us living together - as a family."
Sarah stiffened. She knew this was coming, she knew it was inevitable but knowing something rarely softened the blow. "Oh?"
She nodded, trying to contain her excitement. "We...we have a lot to catch up on and we need to work at being a family. I think - I think the best way to do that is for us all to be together."
"So you're taking Jack. When?" She hated how strident she sounded.
"Sar, I'm not taking him away from you. But it's time for him to be with his Mom and Dad. I don't mean right this instant," she added hastily. "You and I can pick the time."
"How generous," she drawled.
Letting go of her hand, Nathalie sat up straight. "Sarah, I'm really trying to be sensitive here and be considerate of what this means for you but he is my son. And he belongs with his father and me. I love you Sarah and I love everything you have done for Jack but it's time."
"I know" she said flatly. "After all the whole reason I kept him was because I was sure you were coming back and look at that, here you are."
Tilting her head to the side, she studied her carefully. "I can't decide if you're pissed that Jack and I are going to move out or you're pissed that I wound up here in New York."
"I'm not pissed," she protested.
"Want to try that again?"
"I'm not!" she insisted. "God Nathalie, is it okay with you if I just take a moment to catch my breath without you automatically making it about you?"
"By all means. And so if you're not pissed than you'll be okay if we move in with Eric next week, right?"
"Do what you want" she bit out, "you always do."
"Sarah."
"Is it not true Nathalie? You wanted to have a baby so you did. You wanted to give him up, so you did. You wanted him back, so you have him."
Sucking in a deep breath before slowly blowing out her cheeks, Nathalie finally spoke.
"Sarah it isn't as straightforward as that and you know it. Look, I know this feels like you are losing Jack but you aren't. You are so important to him - to his life - that you could never lose him. He loves you so much and he trusts you with everything he has. You aren't losing him, he's just going to have a different address."
Her eyes pricked with tears unshed and her hand trembled slightly as she brushed out the imaginary wrinkles on her jeans. "I know" she said softly. "And I'm sorry I'm being such a cow."
"Sarah, I know this is hard and I want to make it easier for you but I need you to tell me how because right now I don't know what you need."
She shook her head. "There is no making it easier. I'd like to be with you when you and Eric tell Jack. In the meantime, I'll arrange for some boxes for his toys and things." Getting to her feet she headed out of the room and to the safety of her office before the tears she was trying so desperately to hold back tumbled down her cheeks.
Chapter 29
"Dad!" Jack cried running down the hallway and jumping into Eric's arms.
Scooping him up, Eric hugged him tightly. "Hey buddy, how are you?"
"Awesome." he told him. "We went to the zoo today and I got to touch a monkey!"
"I've already told