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The therapist’s exercises were helping, Emma realized. A month ago, this conversation would have devolved into argument, with positions hardening on both sides.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “For hearing me.”
“Always,” Alek promised. “Even when it’s hard.”
The baby shower venue–a private room at Boston’s most exclusive hotel–glittered with tasteful decorations in blue and gold. Emma smoothed her dress nervously as she and Alek approached the entrance.
“We can still leave,” Alek murmured, his hand warm at the small of her back.
“No,” Emma straightened her shoulders. “We’re doing this.”
Inside, the party was already underway. Immactely dressed guests clustered in conversation groups, champagne flutes in hand. At the center of it all stood Veronica, somehow making advanced pregnancy look like a fashion statement in a designer dress that showcased her bump perfectly.
Jack spotted them first, excusing himself from a conversation to approach. His expression revealed surprise that they’d actually attended.
“Emma, Alek,” he greeted them, handshake firm. “Thank you foring.”
“Congrattions,” Emma replied, proud of how steady her voice remained. “The party looks
lovely.”
“All Veronica’s doing,” Jack admitted. “She has connections I never dreamed of.”
Veronica joined them, air–kissing Emma’s cheeks. “Emma! You look fabulous.” Her gaze held no malice, only genuine wee. “And Aleksander, so good of you both toe.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Alek said smoothly, though Emma felt the tension in his posture.
“Please, enjoy yourselves,” Veronica waved toward the catering stations. “We have a champagne fountain that’s absolutely divine.”
As the hosts moved <i>to </i>greet other guests, Emma and Alek navigated to a quiet corner.
“That was painless,” Emma observed, epting champagne from a passing server.
“So far,” Alek replied, scanning the room. “Though I notice we’re the only des representatives invited.”
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Emma nodded, having noticed the same thing. The guest list seemed to consist of Seattle teammates, modeling industry connections, and bizarrely, Emma and Alek.
“It does seem pointed,” she acknowledged.
They mingled politely, exchanging pleasantries with people neither knew well. Emma maintained her professional smile, though each pastel–wrapped gift and cooed exmation over tiny clothes sent a pang through her chest.
“I need air,” she whispered to Alek after an hour. “Just a minute.”
He nodded, understanding in his eyes. “I’ll be right here.”
Emma slipped onto a quiet balcony overlooking the Boston cityscape. Spring had fully arrived, trees budding green below. She breathed deeply, collecting herself.
“Too much baby talk in there?”
Emma turned to find Veronica stepping onto the balcony, closing the door behind her.
“Just needed some fresh air,” Emma said diplomatically.
Veronica moved beside her at the railing, one hand cradling her belly unconsciously. Up close, Emma noticed strain beneath her perfect makeup.
“Jack told me about your loss,” Veronica said abruptly. “I wanted to say I’m sorry.”
Surprise rendered Emma momentarily speechless. “Thank you,” she managed finally. <fnd295> Checktest chapters at Find?Novel</fnd295>
“I don’t know if he told you,” Veronica continued, gazing out at the city, “but we hadplications too. Early in the pregnancy.”
“He didn’t mention it.”
“centa previa,” Veronica exined. “I was hospitalized for weeks. Terrifying.” Her hand moved protectively over her bump. “That’s why I wanted to speak with you privately.”
“Oh?” Emma turned to study the supermodel’s face.
“I’m using a surrogate for our next child,” Veronica said matter–of–factly. “Doctor’s rmendation. <i>Too </i>risky to carry again myself.”
Understanding dawned. “Jack told you about our situation.”
“He worries about you,” Veronica said simply. “Despite everything.”
“That’s… surprisingly considerate.” Emma wasn’t sure whether to be touched or disturbed by
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Jack’s continued interest in her welfare.
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“I thought you might want to know that surrogacy doesn’t mean giving up,” Veronica continued. “It’s just another path to the same destination.”
Before Emma could respond, the balcony door opened again. Jack appeared, expression brightening at the sight of them together.
“There you are,” he said. “They’re about to bring out the cake.”
“We’re having a moment, darling,” Veronica replied, with fond exasperation. “Girl talk.”
Jack raised his hands in surrender. “Say no more. But don’t me me when the chocte fountain runs dry.”
After he departed, Veronica turned back to Emma. “He’s trying, you know. To be a better man
than he was with you.”
“I hope he seeds,” Emma said sincerely. “You both deserve that.”
Veronica touched her arm lightly. “So do you and Aleksander. Happiness doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s to be real.”
With that cryptic statement, she glided back inside, leaving Emma to contemte the unexpected conversation.
Later, as they drove home, Emma recounted the exchange to Alek.
“Do you think she was suggesting surrogacy directly?” he asked, careful to keep his tone
neutral.
“I think she was sharing her experience,” Emma replied. “Not pushing an agenda.”
Alek nodded thoughtfully. “Jack seemed different today. More… mature.”
“Impending fatherhood changes people,” Emma observed, then added quietly: “I saw how you watched him. When he was showing off the nursery photos.”
Alek’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Was I that obvious?”
“Only to me,” Emma assured him. “You had that look–the one that says you’re imagining something that should have been yours.”
“Ours,” Alek corrected softly. “I was imagining our nursery. The one we started nning the night before…”
He didn’t finish the sentence. He didn’t need to.
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“We’ll have that,” Emma said with sudden certainty. “Maybe not the way we originally thought,
but we will.”
Alek nced at her, surprise evident in his expression. “That sounds like openness to alternatives.”
“It’s not surrender,” Emma rified. “Just… consideration of all options<i>. </i><i>On </i>equal footing.”
“That’s all I’ve been asking for,” Alek said quietly. “Equal consideration, not dismissal.”
Emma reached across the console to take his hand. “We’re getting better at this. The talking
part.”
“The listening part too,” Alek agreed, squeezing her fingers.
As they pulled into their driveway, Emma realized something surprising–attending the baby shower had strengthened rather than weakened them. Facing the situation together, supporting each other through difort, had reinforced their connection.
Like a sessful penalty shot, they’d turned potential difficulty into unexpected opportunity. Not scoring immediately, perhaps, but advancing the game in their favor.
It wasn’t resolution, but it was progress. For now, that was enough.
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