“I’m sorry. I’m a bad mother and wife.” I began to cry.
“Aw, baby. You’re not a bad mother or wife. Don’t ever say that again. You’re overwhelmed. Henry thinks that maybe you’re going through post-partum depression.”
I pushed back and looked at him in anger. “I’m not depressed, Connor.”
“I didn’t say you were depressed.”
“Yes, you did! You just said you think I have post-partum depression. Do you hear the word depression, Connor? Depressed, depression; same thing, you idiot.”
Connor rolled his eyes and walked away. I followed behind him down the stairs. When I reached the living room, Mason was sitting on the couch talking to Julia and she was cooing. Connor and I looked at each other.
“Hey, she’s happy.” I smiled as I sat down next to them.
“Of course she is. She’s with her Uncle Mason.” He smiled.
Connor sat down next me and kissed me on the head. “A kiss from an idiot,” he whispered.
“I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you later.” I smiled as I kissed the tip of his nose.
Mason looked at us and smiled. “It’s so good to see both of you again.”
“It’s good to see you too. What are you doing in New York, and why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” I asked.
“Landon got a job with a top modeling agency, and they wanted him to move here. So, here we are!”
“Where is Landon?” Connor asked.
“He had a meeting with his agent, so I decided that I’d take my chances and see if you were home.”
“Where are you and Landon living?” I asked as I reached over and took Julia from him.
“I was hoping you’d ask that!” he exclaimed. “We’ve rented a loft over on the next block.”
“That’s wonderful. That means we can see you whenever we want.” I smiled.
“We can take this little princess shopping, and we can hang out at Starbucks! He smiled as he touched Julia’s hand. God, Elle, I’m so excited!”
Connor looked at his watch. “Lou’s going to be at my office in thirty minutes. We better get going. I’ll grab the diaper bag,” Connor said.
I nodded my head and got up from the couch. “Mason, we have a meeting with Connor’s lawyer, so we have to get going. Why don’t we get together for dinner tonight?”
“That sounds great. I’ll ask Landon if we have plans. You’re not taking Julia with you, are you?” he asked.
“Yes, we are, why?”
“Leave her here with me. Please, Ellery, let me watch her,” he begged.
Connor walked up behind me. “I can’t find the diaper bag.”
“It’s over there,” Mason said as he pointed by the door.
“Ellery, hand Julia over to Mason so we can leave,” Connor said.
A wide smile spread across Mason’s face. “Give me the little princess, Ellery.”
I suddenly became nervous. I didn’t want to leave her again, but then the thought of her screaming her head off during the meeting frightened me. I kissed her on the head and handed her over to Mason, who was standing there with his arms out.
“Don’t worry, Momma; she’ll be safe with me,” Mason said.
I smiled and followed Connor to the elevator. I stopped, turned around, and looked at Mason.
“How did you get Julia to stop fussing?” I asked.
“The gas drops in the diaper bag, Elle.”
“Ah, so that’s what that little white bottle was for,” I said as I stepped in and the doors closed.
***
Denny was on the other side of town, so Connor drove the Range Rover to the office. Before we reached the building, he called his secretary, Valerie, to send someone down to park it. He pulled up to the curb, walked around, and opened my door. He grabbed my hand as we walked into the building and took the elevator up to the top floor where Connor’s office was. As we stepped off the elevator, I could see the women looking up from behind their cubicles at my husband. I could see the look and hunger in their eyes when he walked by. I proudly held my head up and smiled as I said, “Good afternoon, ladies.” Connor looked over at me and smiled.
When we reached his office, Lou and another gentleman were already sitting down and waiting. Phil came in behind us.
“Lou, thanks for meeting me,” Connor said as he shook his hand.
“Connor, I want you to meet Ben. He just joined the firm.”
As Connor shook Ben’s hand, Lou leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.
“It’s good to see you, Ellery.” He smiled.
I took a seat in between Lou and Ben as Connor walked around and sat behind his desk. Lou folded his hands.
“I’m not going to lie to you, Connor. This could get very ugly. I’ve decided we’re going after her personally for the Chicago fire. I know you didn’t want to do it, but if she wants to claim that she was temporarily insane because of the mental stress you put her through, then we’ll fight back. I’ve already alerted the district attorney’s office that we’re proceeding with this.”