Chapter Four - Michaela
Chapter Four
MICHAELA
“WHEN ARE YOU GOING to do it?” I stab a piece of chicken and lettuce before meeting Alex’s wide eyes. Alexander Davis — cousin and (hopefully) soon-to-be partner at Abbott/Lowell Law Firm. Somehow, he managed to get the afternoon off, which meant I’d have something to get me out of the house and away from more of my mother’s prying. Besides, it’s been at least six months since I’ve seen him. When Alex told me he was moving to Charlotte not long after graduation from law school, I was shocked. He had two job offers at amazing firms in Boston, but he chose to move back home (almost) and take a job at Abbott/Lowell, instead. He said the opportunity was better, but I think he wanted to be closer to Uncle Jimmy, not to mention he’d get to stay close to his brother. He and Nick have always been close, and the time they had spent together in Boston was good for both of them.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Alex, it’s been what, four years? You worship the ground she walks on.”
He sighs and reaches into his jacket pocket to pull out his phone. A quick search pulls up what he’s looking for before he hands it to me. On the screen, an image of a beautiful ring — a simple silver band with small diamonds and a large princess cut in the center. “I’m gonna ask her on our trip to France next month.”
“This is beautiful! Did you pick this out yourself?”
“Nick helped, I pick it up from the jeweler next week.”
“He was home long enough?”
Alex laughs. “He’s been home a little more recently and trying to travel with Nin; I think he’s worried about her. You know how she gets — works too much, doesn’t give herself a break. Gets a little…testy.” The way he says it, I know what he’s implying. “I hear you guys had a little run-in while she was in New York.”
“Your brother has a big mouth.”
“That’s the pot calling the kettle black.” Alex chuckles and I stick my tongue out at him. “I was hanging out with Nick when she got home and told him about it.”
“It wasn’t that bad.”
“No? I didn’t know telling your boss she can’t run an office was the best way to work towards a good Christmas bonus.”
I roll my eyes. “You don’t expect me to let her walk all over me, do you?”
“Michaela, you cannot be serious. You expect me to believe that Nina Villa is being the unreasonable one?”
“She can be.”
“She can be, but not about this. You told me not long ago you’ve been getting in late and struggling with adjusting to some of the changes since moving. She’s given you a lot of slack, but it’s been two years; it’s time to grow up. Take responsibility for your mistakes.”
Grow up? I’ve done more growing up in the past two months than he knows.
“It’s not that bad. I’m just stressed and it doesn’t help when she comes in and she’s so on edge. I guess I can’t blame her for having so many doctor appointments and being away from Nick so much.”
“Back up — doctor appointments?”
Shit.
How did I let that slip? The look on Alex’s face tells me there is no going back, I have to tell him the truth. Because if I don’t, he won’t stop until he gets it, even if that means going directly to Nina.
“What do you mean?” He pushes.
“Okay, what I’m about to tell you… You cannot tell Nick.”
“Is something wrong?” The fear swims behind his eyes and I realize he’s worried this will be another Aunt Evie situation.
“Alex. Swear you won’t tell him. Relatively speaking, no. She’s healthy as a horse, but she’s gonna kill me if he finds out. I’m not even supposed to know!”
“If something is wrong, he deserves to know. That’s his wife and if she’s dealing with something, she needs to—”
I roll my eyes, “She’s not dying.”
“Then, what’s wrong?”
“Promise you won’t tell Nick.”
“I can’t do that, Michaela.”
“Then, I can’t tell you.”
After a moment, he sighs, “Fine, I won’t tell, Nick.”
"Alex..."
"I promise!"
A deep sigh before I lean in a little closer. “Nina can’t get pregnant. She’s been going to specialists. She tried one in Charlotte, one out in Boston… Now, New York.”
“That’s why she’s been there so much — not the office?”
“The office, too. I’m kind of under the microscope, remember?”
“Maybe you shouldn't be late all the time.” He laughs when I throw a balled-up straw wrapper at him. “When is she going to tell him?”
“I don’t know, she’s supposed to go back soon, but it’s not looking good. As long as I’ve known Nina, she’s always wanted kids, I can't imagine—"
“This is gonna crush him, but it’s not like he’s gonna leave her.”
I push scraps of lettuce around my plate. “Nina knows how much he wants a family, and she may not be able to give that to him. Whether we want to believe it or not, this could change things for them.”
“Michaela, you can’t be serious.”
“I’m just saying. This is a big deal, it changes things.”
“I don’t think you’re giving my brother enough credit. Sure, he’s going to be pissed she didn’t tell him, but not because she can’t get pregnant, because he wasn’t there for her.”
I’ve tried to reason with Nina, telling her the same thing, but she’s made up her mind.
“Look, I’ll talk to her,” Alex says.
“No! She’ll know I told you. Alex, you can’t say anything. Listen, I’m already on thin ice with her. If she knows I told you, that’s it. I’m done.”
“She isn’t going to fire you because you told me.”
“Have you met Nina?”
“Yes, and I know she can separate when it comes to business. If she is going to fire you it’s for not doing your job.”
“Shut the fuck up, Alex.”
“Am I wrong?” He ducks when I throw one of the croutons at him. “That’s not a no.”