The Baby

fifteen

grayson astor

"The only week Mr. Lee is available is June twelfth to eighteenth," my new assistant read off her iPad. I shut my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose with my thumb and index finger. Since my deal with a prior investor and landowner fell through, I was forced to find another. This land was a lot more promising and it seemed a lot better than the other one—from what I've seen in pictures.

"That's in two and a half weeks," I told her and she nodded with wary eyes, almost afraid of my next words. "What happened to the dates I gave you?" I gave her specific dates and she was now telling me they're all useless.

"After the eighteenth he's fully booked for the next six months," she told me the worst news she could. I needed all these plans finalized in the next four months. There's no way I can wait six months just to see this land in person.

"I can't do that week." That's the week Kalani is expected to be having the baby. As much as my presence isn't necessary for her to deliver the baby, me being there is important to her.

"Should I inform him?" She asked and I really hated the position I was being put it in.

Having to choose between the career I've worked my entire life for, or this baby and woman I'm trying to learn to love. Not flying to Shanghai is not an option for me. But I know Kalani will never forgive me if I'm not there. That's not something that would've bothered me a few months ago, but it bothers me now. I don't want to hurt her.

"Tell him I'll be there," I sighed. Kalani will understand. I'll explain it to her and she'll have no option but to understand it. She knows how important establishing Astor Incorporation in China is to me. "I need you to order Kalani a car. Preferably a SUV," I said before handing her over my credit card.

Kalani informed me she has a license, but just doesn't have a car. She's never expressed the need for a car, but when the baby comes, it'll make me feel much better if she's not walking everywhere. And I'm also hoping informing her she has a custom car on the way will help settle the blow that I won't be here the week she delivers the baby.

I stayed at the office later than I normally would. Most of it wasn't spent working, but instead dreading the conversation I'll have to have with Kalani. I already know the look she'll give me and I know it'll cause me physical pain. But I was growing exhausted and wanted to pay her a visit before I go home.

So I drove to her apartment building, stopping at the store on the way there. I grabbed skittles off the shelf and searched the store for flowers. They aren't peonies, but they'll have to do.

I truly couldn't believe I was standing here in a grocery store worried if the mother of my child and fiancé would be okay with roses as opposed to peonies. When I imagined having a kid, I imagined it being done by someone I couldn't care less about. I planned she would be apart of my contractual agreement. I planned I would have little to no involvement in her pregnancy and I would be signing away all rights to the child. But I couldn't imagine doing any of those things with Kalani.

"Mr. Astor," the receptionist at Kalani's apartment building smiled at me. I'm here often enough for her to remember my name.

"I need a key," I told her as per usual.

"We've been over this. I can get in a lot of trouble for giving you the key to a resident's apartment. You need to speak with Miss. Depradine and tell her to give you the second key fob because she has two."

"Astor," I corrected her and she looked at me confused.

"What?"

"She's my wife. At least she will be soon enough. You should start referring to her as Mrs. Astor," I set the flowers on the counter while I went into my wallet for cash. I slid her the hundred dollar bill that always makes her eyes light up. "Put my name on the list," I instructed after she handed me a key fob I'll have to return on my way back down.