Unexpected

Chapter 15

Our baby was growing so fast, and it was so strange how one felt the need to record and enjoy every single minute of every day. My phone couldn't hold all the photos of Julie bathing, Julie laughing, Julie sleeping, Julie looking at literally nothing, and still being super cute about it! Jordan was going through daddy fever as well; he had tattooed my name and Julie's over his heart – it was so sweet!

As I was on maternity leave and Christmas was merely a week away, I decided to prepare the best Christmas day ever, at ours. Julie's first Christmas would be amazing, and nothing would ruin it! To be fair, the grandparents were behaving, forming a sort of friendship that Jordan was uncomfortable with – he actually had the talk with my dad. I tried to hold my laughter as he asked my terrified dad what his intentions were with Jordan's mother. In the end, whatever relationship they had, they were both having a blast. Angela took my dad dancing every other night, dad took her out for dinner, they came to ours frequently, and I think Benjamin Conrad had finally found some peace.

His retirement was just around the corner, and I knew not long after my maternity leave was over, he would be stepping down as the MD, and passing the torch to his one and only daughter. As terrifying as that was, I couldn't wait.

"Why don't we get you a cute little elf costume for Christmas?" I giggled with my baby, browsing through the aisles and aisles of Christmas decorations, trees, clothing, toys... everything and anything one could think of, really "Daddy can be Santa Claus! What does Aunt Eva think about it?"

My best friend was grinning down at her phone, completely ignoring the both of us. I rolled my eyes and patted her shoulder.

"Sorry, what?"

"Could you please let Mike breathe for a second and pay attention to your goddaughter?"

"I'll have you know he texted me!" Eva tossed her nose high, but she was blushing down her neck "Elf costume? Aw, that's so adorable!"

"Am I going overboard with this?" I frowned, pointing at my cart filled with everything Christmas; it looked like Santa Claus vomited all over us.

"Yes." Eva chuckled "But it's your daughter's first Christmas, you are definitely allowed!"

We finished our shopping and once we were in my brand new silver Tesla X – I had definitely gone overboard with the car, but I wanted safety and stylish – I probed my best friend about her new relationship.

"How's everything with Mike going?"

"Well... good, I think." She frowned "He does travel a lot which makes it hard to schedule anything. But, he's so carefree and honest and... you know, a genuine person!"

"Have you considered accompanying him on one of his trips?" I tilted a brow, turning into my double garage.

"Well, yes, if he asks me too. It's quite early anyway." She shrugged "It's been a few weeks anyway, I don't want to smother him with my presence so early in the relationship."

"Well, some men are different" I shrugged, coming out of the car to pick my baby from the back.

"Yes, but we can't all be lucky enough to have a guy completely gaga for us in five minutes, like you." She winked, helping me take my shopping out of the car "How's daddy, anyway?"

"Good. Stressed. Angela and my dad are away in the Keys this weekend" I chuckled.

"How's Overprotective, brand new dad Jordan dealing with that?" My friend laughed as we entered my house.

"As expected." I smiled, sitting a sleeping Julie over the living room table "We're going to meet him later today to take him out for dinner, aren't you, sweetie? Somewhere close and quiet – she hasn't been out yet."