Cat

I woke to an empty bed. Alex was gone, again. It was the weekend but something must have come up with his father's company. Since the week of my doctor's visit, his life has become more and more chaotic. I sit up and find a note on his pillow.

Sorry I couldn't be here to have breakfast with you. There was an emergency, I have to take care of. I'll call you later. Have fun at the shower.

Love you,

Alex

It's been a month since Liam and Alex called a cease fire. I still feel uneasy. Even though they've been very cooperative with one another. They are there for every follow up visit and if for some reason one of them can't make it, they text the other what happened. I should be happy about this, shouldn't I?

I know it's an old habit of mine to worry when the other shoe will drop. I don't trust the now. I never did. So many times, in my life things changed in an instant. Like Dillion being sent to jail, or finding out I'm was pregnant, Liam and I breaking up, or Alex coming into my life. I try and shake off the feeling.

I am doing well. The baby is doing great. It is getting ever closer to Peanut's arrival. Then I remembered, the shower. That's right! Today is my baby shower at my mom's. This is my second shower as the first was thrown by Olivia and my sorority.

At least I'm pretty sure it's today because Brittany asked me out to brunch. Although she has been dating Dillion for a while now this is the first time, she has asked to hang out with me. Which makes me suspicious. Followed by the fact that she told me she may need to drop by my mom's house to pick up something for Dillion, really sealed the deal. So, of course, I agreed.

It's not too unrealistic that Dillion may need something from the house, since he's moved out to his own place. I wondered, if him and Brittany are thinking of moving in together. They really do make a cute couple. It's obvious whenever I see them together that she is totally infatuated with him.

I get ready and start to feel the excitement building. Soon I will have everything I need for the baby's arrival. That simple thought lifts a weight from my shoulders, but there's still a nagging thought that won't let me go. I twist the ring on my finger. It should have been a bridal shower. I'm doing things all out of order.

I get a text from Alex.

-Missing you like crazy. Have fun today. Love you!

I smile. No, peanut comes first, we have plenty of time for what comes after.

I text back...

-Miss you too. Wish you were here. Can't wait to show you everything. Love you!

He must be in a meeting or I know he would have called. The shareholders were angry that he made them wait. They've been pressuring him about what his plans are for the company. I know he has no attachment to it, but at the same time, I see him struggling. He feels responsible for those people his father left in his care.

Tina's image flashes in my mind. I try to squash the feelings of jealousy it invokes. I trust Alex, I do. I have no reason, not to trust Tina. She never shown any signs of making a play for him, at least not when I'm around. Whenever I see them together, she's always polite and professional.

However, she is glued to Alex's side. I get that she's his assistant but must she be with him every second of the day. My good mood is dampening. I feel the baby kick and want to laugh.

"You're right. I shouldn't think such thoughts. Especially when I have no reason to distrust Alex."

There a knock on the door. Brittany is right on time. I greet her at the door.

"Hey, there!"

She looks cute in her soft sweater and jeans. I must have stared at her too long. She tugs at the bottom of her shirt. "What? Do I look weird or something?"

I laugh. "Of course not. You look cute. I guess I've gotten used to Dr. Brittany, dressed like that you look..."

"Normal." She fills in.

I grin. "I was going to say relaxed, perhaps younger, definitely less stressed."

"Ah. It's been a while since I had a day off. I plan to thoroughly enjoy today."

"I'm surprised if you have the day off, you want to spend it with me. I figured such days would be reserved for Dillion."

At the mere mention of his name, Brittany lights up. "He's working at the shelter today. I'll see him later though."

I invited her in. I unfortunately was nowhere near ready. "I won't take long." I reassure Brittany and tell her to make herself at home.

In about 20 minutes, I was ready to rejoin her. I would have been quicker but the baby belly slows me down a little especially when putting on socks and shoes. Brittany face is contorted in confusion as she stares at a photograph on the bookshelf.

"All ready," I announce and she nearly jumps out of her skin and appears almost embarrassed.

"I didn't mean to... the picture... it's just... I didn't know."

"Know what?"

"That Alex is... I mean that... well... that he's gay. No. I guess that's incorrect, should I say bi-sexual... or is poly-amorous?" Her hands cover her inflamed cheeks. "I don't what I'm talking about. I'm sorry. I'm only making this worse, aren't I?"

I laugh and I'm somewhat relieved to know I wasn't the only person who would jump to such a conclusion based on a photograph. Taking pity on Brittany, I explained.

"That's not Alex. It's his twin brother Aidan."

"Oh...OH!" She looks at the picture with fresh eyes. It's is easy to tell them apart upon a second glance or perhaps I've just gotten to know Alex so well that I wonder how I could ever confuse him with his twin in the first place.

"He passed away 4 years ago."

"So young. How terrible."

"It was very hard on Alex to lose him."

"I can't even imagine." She shakes off the idea with a physical shake of her head. "Look at me bringing down the mood. It must be a great comfort to Alex to have you in his life. To have a family again. It sounds like he's been through a lot."

And he's still dealing with everything. "I don't know what I would do without him."

"So, you're all set, you said?"

"Yep." And with that one word we were on our way.

The place Brittany chose the lunch was amazing.

"I practically live on take out, at the hospital. This place is my go-to when I have to pull an all-nighter. They have amazing coffee."

I could smell it in the air when we walked into the little café. We grabbed a seat and after a few recommendations from Brittany, I had placed my order.

"Am I allowed to ask?" I probe.

"Ask anything you want." Brittany takes a sip of her coffee.

"How are things going with my brother?"

Brittany smiles over the rim of her cup. "He's amazing. I can't get over how lucky I am. I know he would say he's the lucky one..."

"And he'd be right," I interject.

Her smile widens and she shakes her head at me. "It's really not true. I only wish..."

Brittany paused and her smile dimmed.

"What?"

"It's nothing."

I knew it was anything but, however I really didn't know Brittany well enough to press. "Well, thank you for bringing me out today. With Alex working, it's good to get out and have a bit of fun."

"How are things going with his dad's company? Do you think he'll run it?"

"I don't know. I know he doesn't want to let the employees down. Many of them have been so loyal to his father for years. If he sells it, he'd have no way to guarantee them a job."

"That is tough. However, if it's not what he wanted in his life, he should find someone to run it for him. He wouldn't want to be trapped, in a life and job he hates."

I have had similar thoughts. Alex and I are similar in that we want to shoulder everyone else's burdens but at what cost? What price does he need to pay? I wish I knew.

"Sorry, I've obviously brought up something that makes you uncomfortable."

"It's okay. I'm worried about that too, but whatever his choice, I'll help him adjust."

"He's lucky to know he can count on you."

I wondered does he know? Since we met Alex has always been the one looking out for me, taking care of me. Does he know he can count on me too? I hope so.

Brittany gets a call. If my guess is right, it's my mom telling her it's time to bring me to the house.

"It's the hospital. I have to take this. I'll be right back."

"Of course."

A few minutes later Brittany returns.

"Everything, okay."

"A minor emergency. Thank goodness they can take care of it without me. You ready to head over to your mom's?"

I thought so.... "Yep, all set."

We settle up the bill and head for my house. We get there and Brittany tells me she needs to get something from the trunk so I should just go and let myself in.

I do so and I open up the door and...

Nothing. The place is empty. Brittany comes in behind me and with a tote in her hand. "That's odd, she says. I would have thought your mom would be here since I told her I was bringing you. Normally, they tell me to use the key under the mat and let myself in when I do this."

"Huh? I wonder where she is." I yell for my mom, but there is no answer.

"I'll just be a sec," and Brittany heads upstairs to Dillion's old room.

I guess I was wrong about today. Oh well, at least I got to spend some time with Brittany and maybe next time Alex can come with me.

I wander into the kitchen and to get a glass of juice from the refrigerator.

"Hey Honey!"

I fumble the juice but thankfully it doesn't spill. "Where did you come from?" I ask her.

"I was in the yard. Just planting some flowers." It's then I notice the gloves and shovel in her hand.

"Here you give me that." She takes my glass in her hands and she ushers me towards the back door that leads to the yard. "Come join me outside. It's beautiful out there."

She opens the door and pushes me through it.

"SURPRISE!"

Everyone is there in the backyard. Including Alex holding a sign that says, "Welcome, Baby! Congratulations! We love you!"