“I guess you’ve heard the news,” Laird said to Emma who just stood there, beaming at him.
He had just come home after running some errands. Emma was at his and Martina’s flat. The two women had gone shopping and to the spa afterwards. They had lunch when they came back, spent a couple of hours talking and then, Martina had gone to take a nap.
“Yes!” she said in low voice, not wanting to wake her friend, before she reached up and hugged Laird warmly and enthusiastically. “Congratulations!”
“Thank you,” Laird smiled when she released him.
“When I saw Martina this morning, she was positively glowing.”
“I didn’t think it was possible for her to look more beautiful but I was wrong.”
“Aww. What a sweet thing to say about your wife.”
“It’s true.”
“So, are you going to find out what you’re having or are you going to wait?”
“We’ve decided that we will wait.”
“That’s what Bradley and I did too, although, I was dying to know the sex of the child both times. You and Martina will just have to buy the baby’s things in gender neutral colors. Oh, I can’t wait to shop.”
“You know that you and Bradley are the godparents, right?”
“We are?”
“Of course!”
Emma’s eyes danced and her face was flushed with delight. “I can’t wait to tell Bradley that. He’ll be quite pleased.”
“Well, I’m Trevor’s godfather, aren’t I?” Trevor was Bradley’s and Emma’s twelve year old son.
“I bet your father must be thrilled.”
“Yes, he is.”
“I suppose Antonia knows.”
Laird’s expression changed. “I suppose she does.”
“I don’t suppose she’s thrilled about it.”
“It doesn’t matter to me if she is or not,” Laird replied shortly.
Sensing that he didn’t want to talk about his adopted sister, Emma changed the subject. “So, this means that you and Martina will have to start looking for a bigger place.”
“Yes. We’re thinking of buying a house in the countryside with a commute that’s less than an hour from London.”
“Any particular areas you’re considering?”
“Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey and Cambridge.”
“Those are all very nice areas. I’m sure you’ll find right house in the right area. Make sure there’s a lot of outside space for the child to run about in.”
Laird smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure that there’s lots of space for the child and me to run about in.”
“You’re beside yourself with excitement, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am.”
“I think you and Martina will be ideal parents.”
“With God’s help, support from my father, her parents, Bradley and you, we’ll be fine.”
“Yes. As the child’s godparents, we will be more than happy to pitch in. If there are times when you’re too busy to go to the prenatal classes with Martina, I will go with her. And, anytime the two of you need adult time with each other, Bradley and I would more than happy to babysit.”
“Thanks, Emma. I will hold you to that.”
“I wish I could stay longer but I have a few errands to run before I go home. Tell Martina that I will call her tomorrow.”
“I will.”
She grabbed her coat out of the closet and pulled it on. “Don’t forget that we’re having dinner at that new Greek restaurant on Saturday.”
“When it comes to eating out, Martina and I will not forget.”
She laughed, hugged him tightly. “‘Bye, Luv.”
“‘Bye.” He held the door open for her and watched as she walked briskly down the corridor. When she turned, he waved and then, stepped inside the flat, closing the door quietly. He removed his jacket and after checking on Martina who was still sleeping, he went into the kitchen to fix himself something to eat.
Source: Time Out
Notes to Women 