Baby Comes First Read Online Free

It
was August already. The past four months had slipped by
quickly.
    She had never worked so hard in her life, but
it had not been as difficult as she feared. Luke Jamison could be
an ogre, but his bark was much worse than his bite. The secret was
to work quickly and accurately and to anticipate his needs. That
way, he had little to complain about.
    She’d also been fortunate that he’d had two
trials, which kept him out of the office much of the time, and when
he was in the office, he had numerous meetings with junior
attorneys and paralegals. Sometimes Hannah went days without seeing
him, communicating only through text and email.
    She was still uncomfortable, knowing that she
was carrying his biological baby, but as the weeks passed without
incident, she began to hope that she’d be able to work until the
baby was born without any problems.
    She checked his schedule on her computer
screen. A Ms. Gardner had an appointment at noon. Hannah had spoken
with her on the phone, the week before. Ms. Gardner was one of Mr.
Jamison’s pro-bono clients. Although he specialized in contract
law, he had also developed expertise in helping single mothers
obtain support payments from delinquent fathers.
    Once, when she realized that the women he
helped were not paying for his legal services, she had tried to
compliment him on his community service. He’d brushed her off with
a terse, “All attorneys are encouraged to do pro bono work. It’s
good public relations for the firm.”
    She couldn’t decide if he was embarrassed by
the compliment or merely trying to keep their communication on an
impersonal, businesslike level. She didn’t mind his brusque manner,
because it allowed her to keep her distance as well.
    Ms. Gardner arrived ten minutes early. Hannah
was surprised by her age: she was less than twenty and already
looked worn out by life. Her hair was limp, and she had gray
circles under her eyes. Hannah hoped single parenthood would not
prove to be as difficult for her.
    Ms. Gardner carried a fussy baby on her hip.
Hannah smiled with sympathy as the young woman covered her mouth to
hide a yawn. “Sleepless night?” Hannah guessed.
    She nodded. “Teething.” She wearily sank into
a high backed upholstered chair. “I’m dead on my feet.”
    Hannah said, “Mr. Jamison will be with you in
a few minutes. While you wait, would you like something to drink?”
The law firm kept a refrigerator full of soft drinks and fruit
juices for clients.
    The baby squirmed and let out a lusty cry.
Ms. Gardner shook her head. “What I really need is to find the
ladies’ room.”
    “I’m afraid none of the restrooms have
changing tables, but you –”
    “Not for her, for me.” She struggled to lift
her crying baby and the diaper bag.
    “Down the hall. Fourth door on the left.”
Hannah hesitated. “Would you like me to hold your daughter for a
few minutes?”
    Ms. Gardner’s face lit with gratitude. “Would
you?”
    Hannah walked around her desk and held out
her arms. “I’d be happy to. It will be good practice.”
    The young mother noticed her rounded stomach
and asked, “When are you due?”
    “Around Thanksgiving.” Hannah took the
blonde, curly headed baby and smiled down at the chubby
tear-stained face. “Hi sweetheart,” she murmured, and the little
girl stared at her in surprise. She smiled back; she must be at
least five months old. Hannah turned to the mother. “She’s
beautiful. What’s her name?”
    “Sophie.”
    Hannah said, “Don’t worry. I’ll take good
care of her.”
    “And I’ll be just a minute,” Ms. Gardner
promised. “Thank you again.” She hurried down the hall.
    The baby noticed that her mother was gone and
burst into tears again. “Shhh,” Hannah crooned, jostling the child
up and down. “Your mama will be back soon.”
    Mr. Jamison burst from his office. “How’s a
man supposed to think with all that noi--” he demanded, then
stopped mid-sentence as he saw Hannah holding the