A Clandestine Corporate Affair - By Michelle Celmer Page 0,44
would she even think that she needed a way to trap him? He said he loved her, that he didn’t care if she got pregnant again. Everything was perfect.
And if it was so perfect, why this feeling of unease? And if she loved him, why hadn’t she said so?
Nathan woke to the aroma of fresh coffee.
It was barely 8:00 a.m., but Ana’s side of the bed was empty. He rolled onto his back and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Last night on the couch had been pretty incredible. He used to believe that she was too passionate to be good for him, that she would make him lose control. What he hadn’t understood, but what was becoming clear now, was that she was exactly what he needed. The passion he felt for her was like a vent for all the pent-up negative energy. She kept him centered.
She was the one who would save him, the one he could depend on to keep him in line. She would teach him to be a good father. To Max, and maybe to another baby. Right now, the possibilities seemed endless. And all he knew for sure was that he needed to move forward.
He rolled out of bed wondering if Max was up yet. He couldn’t wait to see his face as he opened all of his gifts.
He tugged on his pajama bottoms and a sweatshirt, then went looking for Ana. The Christmas tree lights were on, and holiday music was playing softly in the living room. She was in the kitchen, wearing pink flannel pajamas, an apron tied around her waist, washing dishes by hand. The turkey was already stuffed and resting in a pan on the stove.
When she saw him she smiled. “Merry Christmas.”
“Good morning. I smell coffee.”
She gestured to the coffeemaker with her elbow. “I just made a fresh pot.”
He walked behind her, looping his arms around her waist, and kissed her cheek. “How long have you been up?”
“Since six. I wanted to get the turkey ready to go in the oven before Max woke up.”
He watched over her shoulder. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“You could pour us some coffee while I finish these dishes. I heard Max stirring, so he should be up any minute now.”
As if on cue, they heard a screech from the baby monitor.
“On second thought,” Ana said, “why don’t you get him and I’ll pour the coffee?”
When he got to Max’s room, he was standing in his crib, clutching the railing. He squealed happily when he saw Nathan.
“Merry Christmas, Max. Are you ready to open presents?” He lifted him out of his crib, quickly changed his diaper—which even he had to admit he was getting pretty good at—and carried him out to the living room. Ana was waiting with their coffee and milk for Max. Nathan sat on the couch, and Max curled up in his lap to drink his bottle.
Just as they got settled Ana’s cell phone started to ring. She rolled her eyes and said, “Ugh. It’s my dad.”
“You don’t have to answer it,” Nathan said.
“No. I refuse to play that game with him.” She snatched it up off the table and flipped it open. “Hello, Dad.”
She listened for several seconds, then said, “I’ve been calling all week. When I didn’t hear back I assumed you weren’t having dinner this year and I made other plans.” Another pause, then she said, “No, I will not change my plans. I have a stuffed turkey waiting to go in the oven.”
Nathan could hear her father in full rant clear through the phone.
“I regret that the food will go to waste. If you had called me back and let me know—” More yelling from his end. “No I am not trying to be difficult. I just can’t—” She lifted the phone away from her ear, snapped it shut and shook her head. “He hung up on me. Apparently dinner was at three.”
“Are you okay?” he asked.
She shrugged and tossed her phone onto the table. “It’s his loss. He needs us more than we need him.”
She was right. They were a family now. Her father had become the odd man out. And Nathan couldn’t help feeling a twisted sense of satisfaction over that. Professionally, Ana’s father was at the top of his game, respected and feared. Personally, he was a miserable excuse for a human being.
“So,” Ana said, smiling at Nathan and Max, “Who wants to open presents?”
Twelve
Ana sat curled up on the couch