05

« I just wanted to apologize to you for yesterday, » he finally forced his way out with concern by masking his face.

Eliza’s eyes looked at him again in surprise, wondering what he was apologizing for.

She squeezes her face and grumbles : « I’m sorry. I’m not sure I understand why ? »

« I mean for yesterday… the e-mail, » he sighed with concern.

She flashed another awkward smile, « I can assure you that there is nothing to worry about, Mr. Daniels. »

Troy looked even more nervous, « Oh… oh okay. I guess I still have to apologize for this conversation too. »

She listened to his awkward laugh and pressed her lips together, shaking her head slightly to reassure him.

« Okay, I’ll see me out, » he said in a cracked tone that was accompanied by a cheerful and joyful gesture.

« All right ? »she narrowed her eyes in confusion.

He took a few hurried steps towards the door, but before he could turn the knob, he turned nervously and cleared his throat before declaring : « I also wanted to tell you that you look great. »

She tilted her head forward and gave him an even more dazed look.

Instantly, he matched her expression, « Aw, shoot ! That’s not what I meant ! I mean, no matter what you look like, I was just–« 

« I get it, » she cut in–big brown eyes still wide with bewilderment.

Troy took a deep breath, before exhaling quickly, « Okay, have a nice evening, Mrs. Kelly ! »

Once he jumped out of her space, she frowned and turned stiffly back to her computer screen. Her eyes darted as her fingers unconsciously connected her. But just as she was in, she opened her email and scrolled through the subject line in all caps :

Congratulations !!!

Miss Kelly,

I know this may be a little random-maybe a little unprofessional-but I hope the maternity hospital has treated you kindly so far.

I was told that being a new mom is not easy, but you’re already back at work in the office ! That’s it then !

I’m sorry I couldn’t say it in person. I wanted to thank you as soon as I heard the news, but I was stuck in meetings all day and you were already gone by the time I stopped by your office. Anyway, I just wanted to wish you congratulations, good luck and lots of sleep with the new baby.

Sincerely,,

Troy Daniels

Chief Financial Officer

Bluestar Technologies

Eliza sank back in her chair and crossed her hands over her stomach. It took her a while to do this, but she stepped forward and answered.

Pulling the equipment into the park, Eliza sat in silence in the underground parking lot of her building. Once again, she mentally prepared herself to go to the top floor and fulfill all Emmy’s requests.

She pushed her head back into the headrest and closed her eyes. There was no more energy in her from being on her feet from one meeting to another and frequent trips to the bathroom. Coming home to a relaxing environment was something she coveted, but now it was crowded with two people who needed her non-stop.

« Miss Kelly, » Emmy exclaimed with an affectionate smile.

« Hi, Emmy, » Eliza moaned, taking off her heels again.

Emmy looked down at Eliza’s red feet and shook her head, « I don’t know how you do it. I’m telling you, a pair of flats will be the gospel for these toes. What makes you think that you need to return to pre-pregnancy life as soon as possible ? »

« That’s what I intend to do, » Eliza grumbled, as she slowly made her way to the large living room.

She looked around before turning back to Emmy. Before Eliza could ask her what she had in mind, Emmy smiled, « I just put her down for another nap. But don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll want to say hello to you in fifteen to twenty minutes. »

Eliza ran her hand over the side of her face, still unprepared to deal with the frequent feedings and moans of a four-day-old baby girl.

« There’s some food I made for you after you wash up, Miss Kelly, » Emmy hummed with her hands behind her back and hopping to the kitchen.

Exhausted, Eliza sat down in the brand new rocking chair with heavy bags already under her eyes. Her hands were gripped tightly to the handles-uncomfortable while Emmy approached her with the screaming child.

« Come on. Try again, » cooed Emmy to the hungry child, although she had spoken to her mother.

Eliza uncomfortably took the baby in her arms again and tried to adapt as quickly as possible to what the baby wanted.

« Who told you that breastfeeding was easy, Mrs. Kelly ? »Emmy giggled, watching Eliza cringe at the discomfort.

Eliza moaned, « How long am I supposed to do this for ? »

« Every few hours, » Emmy declared boldly.

Her eyes were shocked, « I can’t do this with–« 

Emmy was not going to listen : « Your baby is hungry every few hours, Mrs. Kelly. She’s going to be. She’s not even a week old. »

« Isn’t the pump enough ? »Eliza asked incredulously.

« Fortunately, when you’re gone, she only wants to feed herself a few times. I think she knows when you’re home though, » chuckled Emmy as she pulled her hair out of a puffy bun and ran her fingers through it.

Eliza didn’t know what else to say, as she watched the joyful look on Emmy’s face. The caretaker with her for the last three weeks was forty-two years old but didn’t look like it on a day over thirty. Every time she smiled, Eliza could barely detect a single wrinkle in the rich chocolate tone of Emmy’s skin. She had two children herself and fifteen years of childcare on her resume, so Eliza had to trust what she said.

« Miss Kelly, are you afraid of being a mother ? »the young woman questioned.

Eliza looked down at the child in her arms, still afraid of holding a weightless person who supposedly needed her 24 hours on 24, 7 days on 7.

« It’s okay to admit it, » Emmy sighed before sitting down on the couch across from Eliza.

« I don’t know what to do. I have no idea what I’m doing, » Eliza moaned. « I never planned this… never. »

She looked up at the ceiling and wanted to scream. Sudden tears were streaming down her face again, and she could not understand why she was so abruptly emotional.

Emmy rushed over to Eliza and grabbed a tissue to wipe her face, « These tears are supposed to come. You’re not supposed to know what to do when you have your first baby, Eliza. »

While she was crying, Emmy used more paper tissues to dry the new mother’s face.

« You know… when you hired me. You only hired me to help you until the delivery, » Emmy reminded him.

Her mouth was parched, but she tried, « I know, but–«