As I hope for the weekend was pure bliss and so were the weeks after. Darren and I were taking things slow and not overthinking any of this. For the past two Fridays, we would go to couples therapy and then I would spend the weekend with him. Our relationship has been thriving because of it.

"Hey, boss lady." Caroline walks into my office, holding a box.

"Please don't tell me, what I think it is." I wiggle in my chair happily, clearing off my desk.

"It is." She places the box down. "I don't know why you offered to look over last year's finance reports—hard copy style. You do know it's digital as well."

I love to go through the finances from the previous year. It helps me stay on top of things. I like to know where the money is going and make sure no one is doing things they aren't supposed to. I've heard from others in the finance industry the horror stories their companies had gone through with identity and fraudulent disbursements.

"Yeah, but I feel like this way is better." I dig in the box pulling out folders.

"Are you trying to catch a criminal? If so there isnt any here. If anything the people here are guilty of gossiping and sleeping with each other. But you never can be too careful so have at it." She walks back to the door and stops short. "And if you find a discrepancy—let me know. You know I love a good tea time." She laughs walking out.

Of course, she would like to know. Caroline will never turn down some tea.

All day I stayed in my office going on paper after paper. Not finding anything, so Caroline was right. I should have known that a company of this caliber wouldn't fool around in something so shady. Yet you never can be too careful.

"Knock knock." Emile walks in carrying two cups of tea. "How's it going, bossy lady?"

"Just finished." She hands me my cup. "Where are we on the Mendel merger?"

I listen as Emile talks to me about our newest merger. A few weeks ago, Emile wanted to talk to me woman to woman about Darren. I wasn't thrilled when she wanted to talk because one, Darren didn't belong to anyone, but himself. And two it wasn't her nor anyone's business what goes on between us. Our conversation went smoothly though. She wanted to apologize and I told her it was no need to apologize because Darren and I weren't together. But she insisted.

"Can you partner with Caroline to see when Darren has free time to discuss the merger?" I take a sip of my tea. "Thank you."

"No problem, bossy lady." She walks out and I bury myself back in work.

Time has been flying today and I couldn't be more thankful. I'm packing up when my cell phone rings.

"Hey, Cassie," I answer.

"Hey, are you busy?" She asks excitedly.

"No, just getting my stuff together. What's up?"

"You know how the wedding was supposed to be for the spring of next year?"

"Yeah..." I drag.

"It's actually going to be a winter wedding this year!" she squeals in excitement.

"Wow, Cass this is a bit unexpected. What happened?"

"I'm pregnant!"

"You're pregnant? Omg Cass that's so freaking exciting! Congrats babe." I stand still. I'm happy for my best friend yet sad at the same time. "When are you due?"

"June! I'm going to have a summer baby. Thank the heavens because I would hate to spend the whole summer pregnant. I think I would be soo annoyed with everything and everyone." She sighs.

"It wouldn't be that bad," I tell her.

"It would." She pauses. "I'm surprised you didn't call me all cranky on Monday."

"Monday? Why? What happened?" I glance at the calendar on my desk. I didn't have any appointments on Monday. I try to think about what I was supposed to be four days ago. Nothing is coming to mind.

"Alsie, your kidding."

"No, what are you going on about now?" I put the phone on speaker and click on the calendar app on my phone. "I don't see anything on my work calendar nor phone. What are you going on about? Spit it out, you're annoying."

Darren knocks on my office door and I gesture for him to come inside. One thing I do appreciate is Darren always leaving work on time, with me. It is one of his commitments and one of my favorites.

"Hello, Cass?" I call out because she is silent.

"Alsie are you pregnant again?"

"What no!" I look over at Darren who is now staring at my stomach.

"You have to be. You didn't get your period. Are you and Darren using protection or are you stressed out?"

"Hey, Cass let me call you back." I hang up not waiting for her response. Darren is still staring at my stomach and I turn slightly making him look me in the face. "I'm not pregnant. I'm sure I'm not pregnant." I don't know who I'm trying to convince at this point. Me or him, maybe both.

"Are you sure?" he closes the office door, walking towards me. "Another accidental pregnancy isn't so bad." He smiles at me and I'm mentally freaking out. I can't be pregnant. It's too soon. Oh shit. I go to my health app and now I'm doubting everything.

"Darren..." I look at him.

"You didn't catch your period this month?"

"Catch? It's not a sickness." I huff. "But no, apparently not."

His face lights up and he pulls me into a hug. "If you are I'm going to be the happiest guy in the world."

"You don't think it's too soon?" I mumble into his chest.

"Hell no. Creating a new life with you once again is a dream come true." He kisses the top of my head. Stepping back he looks at me still smiling. "We should go get a pregnancy test."

I let out a deep breath. "I'm scared." I'm ho9neslty scared. All I can think about are what-ifs.

"Don't be. I'm going to be right here by your side. Every step of the way." He takes my hand into his. "I love you Alsie and I will do any and everything in my power to keep you and our child safe."

"WE don't even know if we're pregnant." I can hear my heart beating in my ears. "I'm sure I'm just stressed so it's late."

"DO you not want—"

"I do. I'm just—Vanessa. What if—"

"I can't say for sure you will have the perfect pregnancy, but I can say that I will do everything to make sure you do. Now come on. Let's go get a test before we head home." I love this man so much.

"Do you think Dr. Romano could see us today? I know our appointment is next week, but I think I need therapy after we take the test." My heart is beating so flipping fast.

"Sure, I'll call him. Come on."

Darren is pacing back and forth in the bathroom as I sit on the counter, swinging my feet. I still can't believe I let Darren talk me into taking the pregnancy test at the therapist's office. To say this is awkward would be an understatement. However, I did say I wanted to talk to Dr. Romano after we got the results. So, it's been two minutes and Darren asked me seven times if it was ready. I swear he is more nervous than I was the first time. I glance at the stick beside me and quickly look away.

"Do you want me to look first? Or do this together?" He is trying to keep his excitement at bay, but it's spilling over the top. "Maybe you should look at it first." Stops pacing.

"No it's okay you can look first," I tell him.

He snatches the pregnancy test quickly. He counts down from ten and looks at it. I watch his facial expression and there is nothing. So we aren't pregnant. I move my hand from my stomach and hop off the counter. Darren slips the pregnancy test into his back pocket. What the hell?

"Are we?" I ask.

"Let's talk to Dr. Romano first."