Unsuitable

“Are you saying you’re still considering me for the role? I’ll need leave.”

“That makes it tricky, but it’s a five year partnership, team needs will change over time. We can work it out.”

“Chris, it’s likely I’m having twins.”

He rocketed forward, his knee colliding with the coffee table. “Holy shit.” He straightened the magazine stack he’d upset. “I beg your pardon. I mean how exciting.”

She laughed. “No, you were right the first time.”

“Audrey, that’s amazing.”

“My timing is appalling. This is unexpected. I’m so sorry to let you down.”

“You’re not resigning are you?”

“No, but if it’s twins, it’s going to be difficult physically and—” She cut herself off, she didn’t know what came after and.

“If you’re game I am.”

Her turn to sit forward. “What are you saying?”

“Before you got sick you reamed me out for discriminating against you.” She felt her face colour. “You were right. I’ve been working with HR to overhaul our approach to talent management. I would’ve kept on doing things the old way had you not stuck your voodoo pins in me. I need you, Audrey, whether you have one kid or ten, and I want you to work with us to ensure we get to keep you whatever it takes.”

“You’re serious.”

“Does that mean you’ll say yes?” He tapped a package on the table. It would be the project briefing.

“I might need to be on bed rest.”

He shrugged. “So you need to be on bed rest. We’ll work out how to manage when you can’t be at work and how to support you best when you can. I want this to happen. My sciatica can’t take the rusty pins any longer and the shareholders have no tolerance for second best.”

Audrey had no recollection of getting to her office. But she had a coffee mug in her hand so she’d detoured by the kitchen. She floated through the rest of the day, tired, elated, amazed.

When the lab called to offer her a cancellation appointment for her ultrasound she took it. She took a slight early mark too, going home from there instead of back to the office. Heck, it was Friday and she had a lot to think about, and she was too distracted to do any work anyway.

She also had a houseful of unexpected guests.

Cameron met her in the hallway and gave her an amused shrug. “We have visitors.”

All four of Reece’s sisters. The twins were in the lounge room playing with Mia. Audrey watched them a moment. Both blonde and blue eyed but otherwise they were different, Gin was waif-like, delicate, and Neev was robust and sporty. Would her twins be like that, alike but distinct individuals? She could hardly bear the wait to find out.

Etta and Flip were in the kitchen, she could hear their voices.

“They wanted to wait for you,” said Cameron. “Apparently it’s important. I’m not sure if we should be afraid.”

Audrey was instantly chilled. She moved through to the kitchen and focused on Etta. “Is everything okay with Reece?”

Flip answered. “Oh, yeah. He’ll be back tomorrow.” Her nonchalance almost made Audrey giggle. S

he sat down hard at the kitchen table and ditched her shoes.

“I’ll, ah,” Cameron pointed over her shoulder. She stepped out of the room backwards.

It occurred to Audrey they’d come to ask about babysitting. Cameron had given them fruit to eat. She didn’t suppose they drank tea. “Can I get you girls anything?”

“We only need a few minutes,” said Etta. “Sorry for bouncing on you like this.”

“It’s important,” said Flip.