5. Destiny
5
DESTINY
I stand in front of the mirror, adjusting my blazer for the hundredth time. My reflection stares back at me, a mix of determination and anxiety etched across my face.
The sound of Avery's soft coos drifts from the nursery, tugging at my heartstrings.
"You've got this, Destiny," I mutter to myself, smoothing down my unruly curls. "It's just a meeting. You've done this a million times before."
But it's not just a meeting. It's my first time leaving Avery since she was born. The thought makes my stomach churn.
The doorbell rings, jolting me from my thoughts. I hurry to answer it, my heels clicking against the hardwood floor.
"Hey, girl!" My assistant and friend, Jasmine, breezes in, her arms laden with folders and a laptop bag. "Ready for your grand return?"
I force a smile. "As ready as I'll ever be."
She sets her things down and gives me a once-over. "Damn, motherhood looks good on you. That outfit is fire."
"Thanks," I say, glancing down at my tailored suit. "I figured I should look the part if I'm going to convince everyone I haven't lost my edge."
"Please," Jasmine scoffs. "You could show up in sweatpants and still run circles around those guys."
A cry erupts from the nursery, and I instinctively take a step towards it.
She puts a hand on my arm. "I've got this. You finish getting ready."
I hesitate, torn between my baby and my career. "Are you sure? I mean, I could probably reschedule-"
"Nuh-uh," she cuts me off. "This meeting is crucial, and you know it. Your next line won't design itself."
She's right, of course. I've been putting this off for too long, letting my team handle everything while I focused on Avery. But now it's time to step up.
I take a deep breath. "Okay. You're right. I'll just go check on her one more time."
"One more time," Jasmine agrees, following me to the nursery.
Avery's big brown eyes light up when she sees me, and my heart melts. I scoop her up, inhaling her sweet baby scent.
"Mommy has to go to work now, cupcake," I whisper, kissing her forehead. "But I'll be back before you know it."
Jasmine gently takes Avery from me. "We'll be fine. Just go knock 'em dead."
"Okay, so her bottles are in the fridge. Make sure to warm them up, but not too hot. Test it on your wrist first."
She nods, her expression a mix of amusement and understanding. "Got it. Warm, not scalding."
"And her diapers are-"
"Under the changing table," Jasmine finishes. "I've been here before, Des."
I press on, undeterred. "Right, but remember she likes the lavender lotion after her bath. Oh, and her favorite stuffed elephant is-"
"On the rocking chair," Jasmine says, gently hugging Avery. "I've got this, mama bear. You focus on slaying that meeting."
I bite my lip, watching as Avery settles contentedly against Jasmine's shoulder. "I'll only be gone for two hours. Three, tops."
"And we'll be right here when you get back," Jasmine assures me. She gives me a playful shove towards the door. "Now go, before you talk yourself out of it."
I hesitate, my hand on the doorknob. "You'll call if anything happens, right? Even if it seems small?"
She rolls her eyes, but her smile is kind. "I promise to call if she so much as sneezes funny. Now seriously, get out of here before I have to physically remove you."
I laugh, the sound surprising me. It feels good, like releasing a breath I didn't know I was holding. "Alright, alright. I'm going."
As I step out into the hallway, I hear Jasmine's voice, soft and soothing, talking to Avery. "Your mama's gonna take over the world, little one. Just you wait and see."
I close the door behind me, my chest tight with a mix of pride and longing. It's only two hours, I remind myself. I can do this.
About half an hour later, I sit at the head of the conference table, my eyes darting between the PowerPoint presentation and my phone. The buzz of conversation around me fades into white noise as I check my messages for the hundredth time.
"Destiny?"
I snap to attention, meeting the expectant gaze of my lead designer, Tara. "Sorry, what was that?"
She furrows her brow. "I was asking about the fabric choices for the fall line. Are we still going with the eco-friendly options?"
"Right, yes," I nod, forcing myself to focus. "Sustainability is key this season. Let's push forward with the organic cotton and recycled polyester blends."
My phone vibrates against the table, and I snatch it up, my heart racing. It's Barrett. I stand abruptly, chair scraping against the floor.
"Excuse me, I need to take this. It's urgent," I mutter, already heading for the door.
Once in the hallway, I answer breathlessly. "Barrett, what's going on?"
His voice is calm, but I detect an undercurrent of tension. "Adam's lawyer is pushing hard for a court date, Destiny. They're getting beyond impatient. There’s no way to put it off any longer."
My stomach drops. "How long do we have, do you think?"
"Not long," Barrett sighs, and I can almost see him adjust his glasses. "Look, I've been stalling as much as I can, but I can't keep this up. You know what you need to do."
I lean against the wall, closing my eyes. "I know, I know."
"Destiny," his tone softens, "If Adam finds out about Avery from anyone but you, it's going to be a mess. How long do you think something like that can remain a secret anyway?"
I run a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling up. "You think I don't know that? I lie awake every night thinking about it."
"Then do something about it," Barrett urges. "Set up a meeting with Adam. Today."
My chest tightens at the thought. "I can't just-"
"You can, and you have to," he cuts me off. "There is no more time."
The truth of his words hits me like a punch to the gut. "You're right," I whisper, defeat coloring my voice. "I'll... I'll call him today."
"Good," he says, relief evident in his tone. "Let me know how it goes."
I end the call, my mind racing.
How did I let things get this far? The thought of facing Adam, of telling him about our daughter, sends a wave of nausea through me.
But Barrett's right. I've run out of time and excuses.
I slip my phone back into my pocket, my hand trembling slightly. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself before re-entering the conference room.
"Everything okay, Destiny?" Amy, one of my favorite designers, asks as I slide back into my seat.
I force a smile. "Yeah, just some legal stuff. Where were we?"
Tara clears her throat. "We were discussing the color palette for the fall line. I was thinking rich jewel tones..."
Her voice fades into the background as my mind races. How am I going to tell Adam? The scenarios play out in my head, each one worse than the last.
Scenario one: I show up at his office unannounced. "Hey, Adam. Remember that night before I moved out? Surprise! We have a kid now."
No, too casual. Too flippant. Disrespectful, even.
Scenario two: I call him, my voice shaking. "Adam, we need to talk. It's about... it's about our daughter."
Too dramatic. He'd probably think someone died. And he hates theatrics.
Scenario three: I send him a text with a picture of Avery. "Meet your daughter. Sorry for the year-long delay."
Definitely not. That's just asking for a lawsuit.
"Destiny, what do you think?"
I snap back to reality, realizing everyone's staring at me. "I'm sorry, what was the question?"
Tara sighs, clearly frustrated. "The emerald green. Do you think it's too bold for the fall collection?"
I glance at the fabric swatch in front of me, trying to focus. "No, I think it's perfect. It'll stand out on the runway."
As the meeting continues, I make a silent vow to myself. No more excuses. No more delays.
I'll tell Adam about Avery within the month, come hell or high water.
The rest of the meeting passes in a blur. I nod and smile at the right moments, remaining professional, but my mind is elsewhere, plotting and planning.
By the time we wrap up, I've made my decision. I'll invite Adam for coffee, or get him over to my place with some other excuse. Neutral ground. Public enough to keep things civil, private enough for a conversation this important.
I'll tell him everything, face to face. It’s the least I can do now.
As everyone files out of the conference room, Amy hangs back. "You sure you're okay? You seemed pretty distracted."
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "I've got a lot on my mind. But I'm handling it."
She raises an eyebrow. "Handling it like you handle your inbox? Because let me tell you, that's not-"
"I've got it under control," I cut her off, more sharply than I intended. "Sorry, I just... I need to sort out a difficult situation."
She nods, concern etched on her face. "Alright. But if you need anything..."
"I know where to find you," I finish with a small smile. "Thanks, Amy."
When I finally pull into my driveway and see Jasmine through the window rocking Avery gently in her arms, I'm reminded of why this is so important.
Avery deserves to know her father, and Adam deserves to know his daughter.