Page 165 of This Woman Forever
“I’ll have him call you, Mr. Ward.”
“Thanks.” I hang up and find Elizabeth’s number. It’s time to face the in-laws. Break the news. I grin.
“Jesse?” she answers, sounding anxious. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, perfect. I’m taking Ava away tomorrow.”
“Ooh, lovely. Where?”
“Paradise,” I say quietly, smiling fondly.
“And where is Paradise?”
“Costa del Sol. But it’s a surprise. Anyway, we fly tomorrow from Bristol. I was thinking of bringing her down to see you before we go.”
“That would be wonderful!”
“Great. We’re leaving soon, so should be with you late afternoon.” I look down at my Rolex.
“We’ll go out for dinner! Joseph, Ava and Jesse are visiting!”
I can’t bloody wait to tell them we’re expecting. “I’ll let you know if we hit any traffic,” I say, my phone beeping to tell me another call is coming in. “Gotta go.” I switch the call. “Peterson.”
“Mr. Ward. Sally mentioned a car accident. Is Ava okay?”
“A little shaken up.”
“Any injuries?”
I squint, thinking. “A few cuts and bruises. She won’t be in work today. In fact, she needs some time off.”
“How much time?”
I don’t like this. Bargaining for my pregnant wife’s recovery time and well-being. “I’m taking her out of town.” Out of the country, actually. “To get away from the chaos of London to recover.”
“Oh, well. Okay. She’ll be back on Monday?”
“Tuesday.” I quickly hang up, calling Peterson a few choice names. I’m done with him. With his company. I need to somehow convince Ava she does not need the pressure of a boss. Not when she has a husband. She can’t be trailing round houses and developments while she’s expecting, especially not with twins. She’ll grow faster. Be more uncomfortable. Every side effect of pregnancy will be doubled. Yet I can’t tell her to quit. That would be a mistake. But I’ve bought myself some time with this mini break, and I’m praying we can find a compromise to this problem called a career. I quickly drop a text to Cathy letting her know we’re out of town for a few days, and then message Kate, just in case Sam’s forgotten to mention it. The phone on the wall rings, and I answer to Casey.
“I have delivery for you, Mr. Ward. Looks like wallpaper.”
“Store it. I have decorators coming tomorrow. Cathy will be here to let them in.”
“Yes, sir.”
I hang up and text Cathy again, letting her know about the decorators coming, then stand and wonder... who else do I need to tell we’re going away?
A distant, consistent thud comes from upstairs and, curious, I make my way to the stairs, finding Ava wrestling her suitcase down them. What the hell?
“Hey.” Is she out of her fucking mind? She startles, and my heart nearly falls out of my chest when she wobbles. Shit, no. I fly up the stairs like a rocket. “What the fuck are you doing, woman?” I bark, incensed, steadying her.
“For fuck’s sake, Jesse,” she yells, and I flinch. “Fucking hell.” Double flinch. “That was your fucking fault,” she snaps.
I start twitching like I’ve been hit with high voltage. “Will you watch your fucking mouth?” I shout, ensuring her stability before I wrench the suitcase up. “Wait there.” I stomp down the stairs, infuriated. “Absolutely zero sense,” I mumble. “Fucking ridiculous. And she thinks working is an option? No. She can’t be trusted to be sensible.” I dump the case and make my way back up, picking her up. “You’ll break your fucking neck, you stupid woman.”
“I was carrying a case.” She scowls at me. “It was you who made me jump.”
“You shouldn’t be carrying anything, except my babies.”