The Baby Clause 2.0 (The Contract 1.75)

“Let’s try and help Daddy out, okay? No more spewing or diaper filling until after the meeting. How about that?”

She gurgled up at me, her fat cheeks pink from teething. I had rubbed her gums with the stuff Katy used, so I hoped it would help. She pulled on her bottle, and slowly her eyes began to drift back shut. Jenna came in, and I lifted my head, eyes wide to warn her to be quiet. She grinned at me and whispered as she came closer.

“I got Samantha coming to work in here while we’re in the meeting. She’ll come get you if needed.”

I frowned. “Can’t Amy do it?” Gracie knew Amy, at least, if she woke up. I didn’t want her frightened.

“She has all your files, and you need her.”

She was right, but still, I worried.

“We’re right down the hall.”

I stood and carried Gracie to her playpen, settling her inside, and draping a blanket over her.

“Okay.”

“Are you, ah, gonna change your shirt?”

I glanced at my shoulder with a grimace. “I don’t have another one. I’ll go rinse it out. I’ll meet you there in ten minutes.”

“He’s already here.”

I sucked in a breath, trying to be patient. I was reaching my limit for the day. “Five, then.” I’d have to forgo trying to dry it.

“Okay.”I paused in my presentation to take a sip of water. So far, things were going well. Mr. Cunningham had been onboard with most of the campaign, asking for clarification or wanting small changes. Graham had been jotting down notes, and Amy made some for me. He was a tough nut to crack, never smiling or seemingly overly impressed, but at least he hadn’t disliked what I had done. He had been the same in all our preliminary meetings, so I was prepared for his stoic reaction.

As we moved to the next part of the campaign, I saw Jenna glance down at her phone, then at me. She averted her eyes, offered a quiet apology, and slipped out of the boardroom, pushing the door shut behind her. But that was all it took.

The boardroom at the Gavin Group was soundproofed, so you weren’t disturbed during a meeting. But when the door opened, I heard it. The wailing of a child in the building.

My child.

I met Graham’s eyes. He had heard her, as well. His gaze was calm, and I glanced down at my notes, faltering for a moment. A rare occurrence for me.

Obviously, Jenna had gone to help Samantha out. She would sooth Gracie, and I would be done here in about thirty minutes, and I would take over. I knew I had to finish this. She’d be fine, I assured myself. Business came first. I cleared my throat. “As I was saying,” I began.

Except I swore I could hear her, even with the door closed. The piercing cry I hated the most—the one that spoke of desperate need. It didn’t happen very often, but when it did, I couldn’t ignore it. Not when I was at home, and most certainly not now.

“I apologize, Mr. Cunningham. I need five minutes,” I blurted, setting down the papers. “Please have a coffee or stretch your legs, I’ll be right back.”

I was out of the boardroom like a shot, not even looking to see what reaction my abrupt departure caused. In the hallway, Gracie’s cries were even more heartbreaking, and I rushed to my office. Jenna was holding her, attempting to calm my screaming child, but her face told me I had made the right decision. I reached for Gracie at the same time her chubby arms stretched toward me. I gathered her close, murmuring low words of comfort. She, in turn, heaved a long stuttering breath, then upchucked all over my suit.

“Fuck!”

I met Jenna’s amused gaze.

“Better you than me.” She wrinkled her nose and took a step back. “I don’t suppose you have a clean suit here, either.”

I shook my head. “I’ll figure something out. Your father is gonna be pissed about this. Cover for me. I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

She grinned. “He’ll be fine. I’m sure he can tell you stories from my childhood. I remember visiting once and throwing up on his desk while he was on a conference call. He started gagging, and my mother had to drag me out, screaming. I recall her trying not to laugh.”

I chuckled. “Thanks for sharing.”

She winked, then left with a wave.

I carried Gracie into my bathroom, shrugged off my jacket, and laid it on the counter for her. It was ruined anyway. I stripped her down, wiping her body off with a warm cloth. I changed her diaper, and tugged a fresh onesie on her, the whole time talking to her in a quiet voice. I cheated and slipped in the soother again after rubbing more gel on her gums. Her big eyes followed my every movement, but at least she’d stopped crying. I glanced in the mirror with a small grimace. You could see the stain on my shoulder, but luckily, the suit jacket had protected my tie. I had no choice but to go back into the meeting without it.