A Baby To Save Their Marriage

She had no idea what he was talking about.

‘But we could arrange an amniocentesis at fifteen weeks. Along with other detailed scans.’

‘That has risks, doesn’t it?’

‘There is a small risk of miscarriage associated with amniocentesis.’

‘Then, no. In fact, no to other tests. I don’t want any. It won’t change my mind about anything.’

There was a few seconds’ silence. From the other side of the room Caleb caught her eye momentarily. A few years ago he’d been her rock—her everything. But as she was hearing this news today she’d never felt so alone.

‘Mrs Connor, I’ll support you in any decision. You would be offered a detailed scan routinely at twenty weeks. I’d really like you to still attend. If your child is affected by Down’s syndrome there is a chance of cardiac defects. It’s something we could pick up on the scan and plan for prior to your delivery. It’s really in the best interests of your child.’

She tried to be rational. She took a deep breath and paused a few seconds to think. She could remember having the detailed scan with Tristan. That was when they’d found out they were having a little boy. They’d been so excited as soon as they’d left the scan room they’d headed to the nearest baby shop to look for baby-boy clothes.

She squeezed her eyes closed for a few seconds. Now, she felt as if she couldn’t even rely on Caleb to make time in his diary for their baby scan. In her head she could already see herself attending alone.

The background noise that had muted before became crystal clear.

Caleb was still on the phone. ‘I can do that tonight. No problem. Just give me a bit of time.’ He glanced over towards Addison and jerked when he saw her watching him. ‘There’s something I need to sort out at home.’

Anger sparked through her. Was he talking about her? Had he forgotten they were supposed to be leaving for the airport in less than an hour?

Her stomach turned over. Oh, no. He wouldn’t dare? Would he?

She turned her attention back to the phone. ‘Of course I’ll attend. I leave today and will be gone for a month. Can I make an appointment to see you when I come back?’

‘Of course, Mrs Connor. My secretary will arrange that and get both appointments to you shortly. In the meantime, if you need to contact me, please feel free.’

Addison put down the phone and turned to face Caleb.

He took a step towards her. ‘Addison—honey...’

When was the last time he’d called her that? Was it when he’d missed Tristan singing Christmas carols at nursery? Or was it when he’d promised to bath Tristan and put him to bed but got delayed at work once again? Tristan had finally fallen asleep clutching the book he’d wanted Caleb to read to him.

She held up her hand. ‘Get packed, Caleb. Taxi will be here in forty minutes.’

He held up his phone. ‘Things have gone crazy at work. This merger is just huge. It’s taking up every hour of every day. Timing is crucial. I just can’t go away right now. As for four weeks? It’s just far too long. There’s no way I can make that work. I have to be here.’

All the pent-up rage, frustration and disappointment that had been bubbling under the surface for the last three years erupted to the surface.

‘Everything takes up every hour of the day for you, Caleb—or haven’t you noticed? You don’t even seem to realise you have a family any more. You’re never here and when you are here, you might as well not be.’

He flinched. But she wasn’t sorry. She’d had too many let-downs over the last year and too many dinners for one to care any more.

He shook his head. ‘That’s not fair, Addison.’

‘That’s not fair? That’s not fair?’ She couldn’t help it. She was shouting now. ‘Let me tell you what’s not fair. Your son, spending the whole time at nursery with his eyes fixed on the door when he was singing his Christmas carols and waiting for you to appear. I know you said there was an emergency at work—something that couldn’t wait—but try explaining that to a four-year-old.’ She pointed to herself. ‘It’s not you that has to see his face, Caleb. It’s me.’

She could see the pure frustration on his face. He dropped his case and ran his fingers through his still-damp hair. He could barely meet her gaze. And that just made her worse.

‘Please stop.’

She was shaking now. This had been building for a while. They’d needed to sit down and talk for a long time. But they just hadn’t got around to it—probably because Caleb was never there.

It was a miracle she was pregnant at all. But twelve weeks ago had been the last time they’d made love after Caleb had fallen into bed late one night. She’d had the faintest glimmer of hope that maybe he’d start noticing her again, maybe he’d start talking. It had been their anniversary and she’d thought that he’d forgotten. For their first few anniversaries they’d always made a fuss of each other and gone away to a hotel overnight. He’d finally come home clutching a beautiful bunch of flowers, a hastily written card and a thin gold bracelet that came from a jeweller’s based inside a popular London hotel—it was probably the only place that was open late at night. The effort had brought tears to her eyes and ignited a spark of passion that had been missing between them for a while. She’d hoped that it would be a turning point for them both. But the next day had been no different from all the others.

‘This deal is crucial. I’ve been working on it for months. The next couple of weeks will be the most vital. I need to be here.’

‘You need to be with your family.’

He held up his hands. ‘Maybe I could come out in a few weeks, once things have quietened down, and spend some time with you and Tristan then?’

‘But things never quieten down. You and I both know that, Caleb.’ She straightened her shoulders. She’d had enough. She’d been pushed as far as she could go and tolerated as much as she could.

This was the point of no return.

‘In thirty minutes’ time, Tristan and I are leaving for the airport. If you’re not on that plane with us, when we come back in a month, we won’t be coming back here.’

‘What?’ His eyes widened.

‘I’m done, Caleb. I’m done with Tristan and I playing second best to everything else in your life. Let me make this easy for you. Make a decision. You have thirty minutes.’

* * *

Caleb Connor’s life seemed to be falling apart around him. He’d never seen his beautiful wife look so angry. But there was more than that: she looked cold—something he’d never associated with Addison.

He’d come home, hoping to placate her and send her and Tristan on the holiday she’d insisted on booking. She’d seemed so unhappy recently and he knew it was partly his fault.

She was right. He was never here. Work just seemed to have taken over his whole life. He’d won an award a few years ago as Business Person of the Year and since then everything had skyrocketed.

And things just kept slipping. The nursery carol service, putting Tristan to bed, and he was sure he’d missed a few things he was supposed to be doing with Addison. But she’d never said anything. He’d just got the frosty reception when he’d come home at night. Most times he hadn’t even noticed the frosty reception because he’d been so late Addison had already been sleeping.

It was a mistake. And he knew it. But right now was a vital time. He, and his partner, were building their business. Making sure they had a good foundation and reputation on which to base other business. This was a temporary situation. He’d never expected Addison to react like this. He’d never seen her act like this before.

But that wasn’t all. She looked pale. She looked worried. And that was before she told him she and Tristan might not come back.

‘Addison, be reasonable.’

Her voice chilled him. ‘I’ve spent the last three years being reasonable and making excuses for you never being around. I’m done. I’m done doing that. I manage to get a work-life balance and so should you. If your family isn’t your priority, then you don’t deserve a family.’

The words stung. But the truth was he couldn’t be completely surprised. Things had been strained for so long. What had happened to the relaxed, happy people they both used to be? Last year they’d finally employed a nanny when Addison had felt her work commitments had increased. Lara had been a blessing. But Addison still made time for Tristan. She never missed any of his doctor’s appointments or nursery performances.

Not like him.

A wave of guilt washed over him.

‘Maybe we could wait, maybe we could go somewhere later in the year?’