Chapter 5
Chapter Five
A few weeks later
S till sporting a golden glow that was partly due to her holiday in Marbella, her recent marriage to Jon, the short but wonderful honeymoon on a very exclusive and beautiful island in the Indian ocean that had been secretly booked by Jon as their holiday before he’d proposed and found out about the baby, and the eventual end of morning sickness giving way to her pregnancy bloom, Steph bounded across the legal department where she found Charlie in Steve Cannon’s office.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, resting against the door jamb confused.
“And good morning to you too, Mrs Brooker,” replied Charlie making Steph giggle at his use of her married name.
“That is so weird to hear, Mrs Brooker,” she mused as she stepped into the office and sat opposite Charlie.
“Well you’d better get used to it because I think everyone will be going out of their way to speak to Mrs Brooker in a way they wouldn’t have when you were simply Miss Pryor,” said Charlie, his tone rather serious. “Especially as you have been away for several weeks.”
“I know. It feels a bit weird being back here after so much time off,” agreed Steph.
“Jon was never going to wait to get married but your pregnancy sent him into overdrive, then add morning, noon and night sickness, you were gonna be confined to bed one way or another!” laughed Charlie.
“Yeah well it was being confined to bed so much that got me in this position,” said Steph, pointing down to the tiny swell of her abdomen and then added, “Although I don’t think there was actually a bed involved.”
“And this is the point where you can stop talking and get on with being Mrs Brooker somewhere else.”
“You didn’t tell me what you’re doing here.”
“No I didn’t, did I? Ask your husband,” replied Charlie making her giggle again as the words registered.
“That is still weird too. Is Linds okay?” Steph asked getting to her feet to leave.
“Yeah she’s fine and has had none of that sickness, I think you’ve had her share too.”
“Great, lucky me.”
“Did she tell you her first appointment for ante-natal has come for next week? She is very excited, we both are. I think it will seem more real when we get to see him.” Charlie grinned making Steph grin too.
“Him? You’ve decided on a son then? Tell Linds I’ll call her later and we can discuss ante-natal nerves, mine is next Thursday. Which reminds me, it came after Jon left this morning so I ought to tell my husband.” Another giggle followed, leaving Charlie behind still not knowing why he was in Steve’s office.
Charlie had been right when he’d said that everyone would want to speak to Mrs Brooker, it was only actually Sonia Hansen who she shared a lift with who acted normally and called her Steph as she congratulated her on her marriage and pregnancy.
Reaching Jon’s office she found Andrea heading towards the coffee machine.
“Mrs Brooker, good morning.” She smiled. “He’s free if you want to go in and I’ll bring you both some coffee.”
“Let me,” Steph offered taking the cup from Andrea and getting Jon’s coffee and a bottle of water for herself as tea and coffee still triggered nausea.
Standing at Jon’s door she knocked on it firmly and entered after hearing the voice that she knew so well, the voice that made her feel like no other ever did call, “Come in.”
Opening the door she smiled at the sight of him sitting behind his desk concentrating on the papers in front of him before looking up. “Thank you Andre–” Seeing Steph standing with his coffee he smiled. “Hey darling, are you my P.A. now?”
“Not quite, but I thought I might just make the effort and do my wifely duties.” She held up his coffee.
“Is that the extent of your wifely duties?” he asked with a grin.
“Hardly.” Steph rounded the desk where she climbed onto Jon’s lap, straddling him.
He offered her a smile as he adjusted his position to ensure her comfort. “Hello, baby,” said Jon gently as he stroked a hand across Steph’s belly. “I can’t wait until you’re really fat and I can feel our baby moving.”
“If you were anyone else I’d think you were a bit pathetic saying things like that, but as you’re my husband and my baby daddy I find it kind of sweet.”
“I do like the sound of that, your husband and your baby daddy. Any vomiting this morning?” Jon asked placing a hand on each of Steph’s hips.
“No, I think it may have passed which Jess assures me is normal for around twelve weeks and Charlie informs me that Lindsay has had no sickness at all. Speaking of Charlie, why is he in Steve’s seat in legal?”
“Ah, long story darling, but I’ll tell you later if you really want to hear it.”
“I had my first ante-natal appointment come through, next Thursday at quarter past nine with a full bladder for the scan,” she said, smiling.
“So we finally get to meet our baby?” Jon grinned, joy radiating from him as he pulled her face towards his where he kissed her gently until she deepened it with the introduction of her tongue to his mouth.
Pulling back, Jon smiled, “And this is how you ended up getting knocked up across a desk, darling!”
With a laugh, Steph replied, “Well this is not my fault. I think it’s hormonal that I am constantly thinking of sex, wanting sex.”
“What was your excuse before being pregnant?” teased Jon until Steph hit his chest gently.
“Well, I have been a little off my game with all that sickness, but I really, really need it,” she moaned as she loosened the grey tie Jon was wearing. “Please, after all this is your fault.”
“Darling, I am absolutely thrilled to be at fault here, but I think you’ll find that taking ridiculous cold remedies allowed me to do this to you.”
“I suppose.” Steph pouted. “Are you busy?” she asked suddenly.
“I’ve got a meeting with Grant from H.R. at half eleven but nothing before that.”
“Then . . .” Steph got to her feet and reached beneath her arm to unzip her slightly too snug fitting brown shift dress. Once unzipped she began pushing it to the floor.
Jon sat back in his chair watching her undress and smiled at the image of her before him. Standing there in just a set of white lace underwear comprising a bra that was struggling to contain her breasts that were filling out and now overflowing due to pregnancy. Then there was the matching lace back Brazilian brief that clung to the two perfect globes of her behind as they always had, but the front was now situated just below the tiny bump that to a stranger would look like nothing significant but together with Steph that bump was the most significant thing in his life.
“This is definitely how you got into this predicament.” He quirked a brow. “Darling, if your hormones continue at this rate I am going to have to schedule you an appointment every day.”
Stalking across to where she was standing, Jon smiled as Steph reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck as she asked, “Just one appointment? I think I may need one in the morning and one in the afternoon, that might just tide me over til we get home,” Steph said as she lifted one leg and wrapped it around Jon’s thigh as his mouth covered hers before backing her against his desk.
After freshening up in Jon’s bathroom, Steph was just pulling her hair up into a ponytail when he appeared behind her in the mirror. As his arms snaked around her waist he said, “I love how your body’s changing, Steph, although I loved it before too. I can’t actually imagine not loving it.”
“At least I can blame my horniness on hormones.” She smiled. “How’s Penny?” She knew he’d travelled into work via a visit to Penny, his ex-wife. Those words sounded weird in her head, but she ignored the sensation to focus on his response knowing that the other woman had been unwell with a chest infection for a couple of weeks.
“She seems a little better.” His smile faded into an expression of combined relief at Penny’s improvement and gratitude at his wife’s concern, knowing they were in a slightly unusual situation. “Where did you book your ante-natal?” he asked, changing the subject.
“Ah, well,” stammered Steph.
“Oh, Mrs Brooker, if you are not about to utter the words St Marys or The Portland I suggest you say nothing until you are able to do so.” Jon frowned.
“Jon.”
“No, darling, we have discussed this and I have no intention of my baby being born at the local NHS hospital and not because I am a snob or like to flash my cash, but for all the reasons I have already explained; the NHS is oversubscribed and understaffed meaning that there is a greater chance of error. The press and nursing authorities have flagged up several concerns regarding the lack of midwives in the service. And do not get me started on the statistics to support the claim that anyone entering hospital at night, weekends or public holidays has a higher chance of complications due to the lower ratio of qualified staff on duty. So, while we have the money to pay for a private hospital delivery with qualified staff on hand at all times, you will not be cared for, and our baby will not be delivered on the NHS, we will allow them to deal with one patient less and concentrate on those that don’t have the choice. Now phone your GP or whoever you need to call and arrange for your care to be transferred to St Marys or The Portland, your choice.”
“God you are a pain in the arse as a husband and father-to-be, so much more of a pain than you were as a boyfriend,” Steph told him with a half-smile.
“I am barely even warmed up. Imagine how I’ll be when this baby is actually here?” he asked making her shake her head. “Call them now, Steph.”
“I’ll do it later.” She offered him a small smile as she slipped her shoes on.
“It wasn’t a question!” he snapped, handing her his phone.
A couple of hours after leaving Jon’s office, Steph was sitting in her own office and smiled as she welcomed Lucy in warmly.
“This is a nice surprise,” said Steph as she ushered the other woman into her office and instinctively reached out to rub across her much more obvious and pronounced bump. “You look well, both of you. Can I ask you where you’re having the baby?” Steph thought that as Cameron was a doctor for the NHS he may choose to use the facilities he worked for.
Laughing as she took a seat on the sofa at the end of the room Lucy said, “Let me guess, Jonny has gone into crazy father-to-be and done his, ‘only the best for my wife and child’ routine”
Steph nodded. “And then some.”
“Cameron and I have chosen The Portland. We can afford it and they have a very good reputation. Cam was worried in case there were any complications over a weekend or holiday and he knows that all NHS teams are smaller at weekends and I have no problem with ensuring my baby is brought into this world by fully qualified staff without delay, even if we pay for the privilege.”
“You sound like Jon.”
“You want your baby’s delivery to be potentially compromised by overworked professionals?” she asked with a frown.
“No, of course not. You lot make me sound like I am completely crackers. I’m waiting for a call from The Portland myself. Jon made me call my GP to be transferred over to them, although I got to choose between The Portland and St Marys.” Steph smiled as she sat next to Lucy thinking how curious it was that she had once hated this woman when she thought she was the Mrs Brooker that she herself now was.
“Jon just wants you to have the best, both of you, and although I know Penny and he were a different situation than the two of you he just wants to keep you safe, you and his baby.”
Steph nodded and suddenly felt a little inconsiderate and thoughtless for managing to ‘forget’ about the baby Jon had lost. Although she knew he wasn’t comparing her pregnancy to Penny’s, it had to be hard not to want to protect, to overprotect his unborn baby.
“I was wondering if you were free for lunch and maybe we could go and look at very overpriced baby clothes,” suggested Lucy. “I don’t have any friends who are having babies, they’re either childless, some by choice and some unable to or their families are complete.”
“I have had most of my work redistributed while I was off so can take my lunch now.” Steph got to her feet and grabbed her bag before heading out to where Rosie sat.
“Rosie I am going to lunch with Mrs Brooker.” She laughed. “If Mr Brooker calls, let him know and if there’s a call from the hospital can you take a message and a number, oh and please find me some cancelled appointments to reschedule or something to do before I go crazy. In fact, ring down and arrange a meeting with Dave Madeley, Martin and even Sophie Marley as I am meant to be mentoring her.”
“Of course, have fun,” called Rosie brightly.
“Oh, and Rosie, I will text you when I’m on my way back armed with overpriced hot chocolate with cream on top and cakes.”
“Then have fun but also hurry back,” she replied making them all laugh.
Returning to her office a couple of hours later with the promised hot chocolate and cake, Steph found that she had meetings scheduled for the next few days and a message from The Portland. Returning the hospital’s call first she was surprised when they offered her an appointment the following day after taking some additional details but supposed that was one of the perks of going private.
She smiled as she said down the phone, “That should be fine, but if it’s not convenient for my husband I’ll call you back.”
As she hung up she laughed at how odd it sounded and felt to be married to anyone but especially to Jon, to be Mrs Brooker with a baby on the way. She dialled down to Andrea to check if tomorrow’s appointment was convenient for Jon but as he was unavailable she asked Andrea to check his schedule.
“Mr Brooker has nothing scheduled tomorrow until after eleven, Mrs Brooker,” she told Steph who wondered why the other woman had become more formal in her addressing of her again.
“Andrea I thought we were on first name terms now.”
“Sorry it doesn’t seem right with you being Mr Brooker’s wife.” She sounded uncomfortable.
“Whatever you prefer but I have no problem with you calling me Steph. Will you ask him to call me when he’s free please?”
“Of course, Mrs Brooker.”
Hanging up again and still with no work to do, Steph began scanning some business pages on-line and as one in particular caught her eye she hit the print button and headed down to Jon’s office to wait until he was free.
Sitting in Jon’s reception area, Steph began to read the information she’d printed off over and over and almost didn’t notice how distracted Andrea seemed as she received a visitor who was being accompanied by security from downstairs.
“This is highly irregular,” complained the security man. “Mr Brooker is very specific that he doesn’t see people without appointments and he certainly doesn’t like unauthorised visitors wandering round the building,” he complained.
“I’ll accept responsibility for it and if there’s any fallout then I will be the one that gets it,” reassured Andrea.
“Mmm, if you say so,” said the thirty something security man reluctantly leaving.
“Jeez, he is a pain in the ass, what do you call them, jobsworth?” The woman who had been escorted up asked in an American accent.
Watching her carefully, Steph wondered why this woman had arrived unannounced and why Andrea had allowed her entry because security was right, Jon hated people turning up without appointments and he would be unhappy at this unauthorised visitor having access to the building, especially on this floor, yet here she was. So who was she? An American with long blonde hair and very long legs that were currently tightly wrapped in expensive jeans, cowboy boots and a big, heavy winter coat. Glancing down at her own hands, Steph smiled at the diamond engagement ring that now rested against a plain, narrow platinum band, the band that had a wider matching partner ring that sat on Jon’s wedding ring finger.
“Am I going to have to wait long for Jon? He will see me, we both know that,” the American told Andrea who sighed loudly shocking Steph with her lack of professionalism and general rudeness.
“You come here with no warning, no appointment, nothing and you think you can just stroll in? Mr Brooker is very busy, but when he is free I will advise him that you’re here and see if he will schedule an appointment with you and if not, I’ll get you escorted out!” she snapped.
Steph looked back down at the papers in her hand. “He is very busy,” she said, feeling the need to say something.
“I know that, honey,” she said dismissively and then softened. “Do you have an appointment? Maybe we could trade?” she asked making Steph laugh.
“I don’t have an appointment but I work here so he’ll see me.” Steph was unsure why she hadn’t just said because he is my husband.
“Be a doll then and let me squeeze in to see the boss before you.”
“That’s not my call,” replied Steph looking back down at her own hands in her lap and then across at the other woman’s hands that were thinner and bigger than Steph’s and where her rings were tasteful and understated, while the other woman’s single ring was a garish looking sapphire engagement ring. Loud and vulgar, wasn’t that what Jon had said about Vicky’s engagement ring, Vicky the former girlfriend who had only seen pound signs in Jon? Well dollar signs would probably be a more accurate description as she was American and their business ventures were in America. Business ventures that he had severed, that he no longer had any input or connection to, so why was this woman here, to see her husband?
“Andrea, will you tell him that I’ve gone back to my office, but ask him to call me or pop in?” Steph just wanted to leave now that she’d figured who this woman was.
Just as she turned to leave, Jon’s door opened revealing several people before Jon himself appeared.