It’s Only Temporary by Iona Rose

Bianca

Iwasn’t surprised when I heard my sister’s key in the door half an hour earlier than we had agreed. I grinned as she followed her usual routine of making coffee before coming to the studio.

She walked through the door a few minutes later. I grinned and grabbed my crutches to stand up.

“Don’t stand!” she said and placed the coffees on the table and bent down to hug and kiss me.

I took that opportunity to touch her belly. “Hi there, I’m your Auntie Bianca.”

“Can you believe that I’m going to be a mom and you’re going to be an auntie?” she said as she sank into a chair. She looked around the studio. “God I’ve missed this place. I can’t wait to come back.”

I laughed. It was just like Eva to think about work instead of enjoying her short unplanned vacation.

“How do you feel about the baby now?” I asked her.

I couldn’t imagine having a real live child growing in my belly. I’d never considered children in my future, not seriously anyway. But since meeting Connor, the thought of children had started hovering at the back of my mind. I’d even voiced to him in an unguarded moment that if I did have children, I’d want to be there for them.

I loved that I worked from home.

“I’m getting there. It’s growing on me though sometimes it’s terrifying. So many what ifs. What if Brian and I don’t make it as a couple? I’d hate to raise a child the way you and I were raised.”

I knew that fear all too well. “No child should grow up like that.”

We were both quiet as we were transported to the past. I hated listening to my mother bitch about my father and his new wife. She would rant almost all day, pacing the living room as if she had lost her mind. She would spew threats that scared the daylights out of me saying she was going to take us away to another continent. Then my father would never see us again.

Of course she didn’t mean it, but to a child, it was a real threat and I got constant nightmares about it.

“I think you’ll be a wonderful mom who’ll do anything to protect her child,” I said.

Eva’s hands dropped to her belly. “I will. I’ll protect her with my life.” Tears filled her eyes. She waved her hands in front of her face like a fan. “Don’t pay any attention to me. Every little thing makes me want to cry.”

I laughed. “Better you than me.”

“How is it going with Connor?” she said.

“Very well actually. We made it official last night.”

Eva’s eyes almost popped out of her head. “Why is all this happening when I can’t celebrate with a glass of bubbly?”

I was glad to see that pregnancy hadn’t made her lose her sense of drama. I rolled my eyes. “I’m pretty sure that I’m not the first person to change their relationship status.”

“But the rest are not my sisters,” Eva retorted.

“Yeah. So, I have a boyfriend. Not a fake one this time.”

Eva took my hand. “I’m so happy for you. I have a good feeling about Connor.”

“Thanks. He’s a good person.”

“So tell me about this Jenna, what is she like?” Eva asked, switching topics without a warning.

I described Jenna’s energy and sweet personality, including her reaction to finding out that her fiancé had once been my boyfriend.

“So many good things are happening while I’m away. I can’t wait to meet this woman.”

I glanced at the time. “Speaking of which, we should go. I’ll call for an Uber.”

Eva carried our coffee mugs to the kitchen while I tapped on my phone app to get an Uber. When I was done, I hobbled into my room to grab my handbag. Eva took it from me when we met in the living room. That was another thing I’d discovered about crutches.

It’s almost impossible to walk with them and carry a handbag at the same time. You could though, but you risked hitting someone with it as you walked and swung it to and fro.

The Uber was already waiting downstairs when we got down. It felt like a treat going out and feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin.

We both kept our eyes glued to the window as the uber drove to the store address. Traffic was light and soon we were on Madison Avenue. Shortly after, the Uber stopped in front of a gorgeous bridal store. The name of the store was written in white over a black background.

Jenna’s Designs.

I turned to look at Eva.

“Oh my God,” she said and we turned to look at the store again. It looked expensive and classy. I couldn’t believe she wanted our pieces in there with her bridal wear.

After paying, we got out of the Uber and made our way to the front door. The first thing that struck me when we entered was the sheer space of it and the beauty of the bridal gowns displayed around the store on mannequins.

I spotted Jenna immediately speaking with a party of five women. She waved at me and raised a finger to mean that she would be with us in a minute. Eva and I walked around the store ahhing over the gowns.

“You would look really lovely in this kind of a gown,” Eva said stopping to admire an off the shoulder satin gown.

It was gorgeous. “I’d have to be getting married to wear it.” Sure, Connor and I had agreed to be exclusive but that didn’t mean that we’d be walking down the aisle any time in the foreseeable future. I was enjoying things as they were and I hoped we’d stay that way for a long time.

“When you decide to be in a relationship with a guy, marriage is the next level,” she said. “Otherwise what is the purpose of it?”

“Companionship,” I said.

“You sound middle aged,” she said.

Footsteps sounded behind us followed by Jenna’s unmistakable voice. Unlike the previous day, when she had been dressed in casual pants and a top, she was dressed in a black power suit and heels that made me cringe at how high they were.

“Welcome to Jenna’s Designs,” she said, her manner warm and welcoming.

I introduced her to Eva and she made the usual comments people made when they met us.

“I can’t get over how alike you are,” she said. “If it wasn’t for Bianca’s cast, I’m pretty sure I couldn’t tell you apart.”

She gave us a tour of the store and excitedly showed us where she planned on setting up our jewelry, which was at the very center of the room.

“They’ll be like the centerpieces of the room,” she said, clasping her hands together.

I was glad that she was just as excited as we were. After the tour, we went into her office and brainstormed the details, after which we agreed on the way forward to make our new partnership a reality.

“I feel so adult,” Eva said as we walked out of the store later.

I laughed. “The baby in your belly is what should make you feel like an adult. I know what you mean though. This is so next level. Who knew our little online business would one day have a physical address?”

We stood outside chatting for a few minutes and then said goodbye and entered different Ubers. I was on a high on the drive back home. The possibilities for Biva designs were endless and I was super excited for us.

I fished out my phone and saw a message from Connor.

Connor: Hey sweetheart, how did the meeting go.

Me: It went great. The store is perfect!!! I’m on my way back home.

Connor: Can I take you out to dinner?

My instinctive reaction was to suggest dinner at home. Going anywhere with crutches scared the shit out of me. I reminded myself that I was in an uber by myself and I had managed all right. I could even have gone to see Jenna’s store alone.

Me: I’d love to.

Connor and I had agreed that he’d pick me up at half past six. I changed clothes three times before I settled on a flowing burgundy dress that was semi casual and went all the way to my feet. That way, my cast would be hidden from view. I held my hair up and wore one of our designs, a silver necklace with matching earrings.

A knock came on the door and puzzled I grabbed my purse and went to open it. I flung it open and grinned at the sight of Connor standing at the door holding a bunch of beautiful red roses.

“What happened to your key?” I said, staring at him from head to toe. He looked entirely edible in a pristine white shirt, unbuttoned at the top and a black jacket.

“It’s not very romantic to pick up your woman for a date and open the door yourself,” he said, a smile playing at the corners of his very kissable mouth.

I giggled and took the flowers from him. “These are beautiful. Thank you.”

“Not as beautiful as you are,” he said.

It was corny but I liked it. Pleasure flushed through me and I stood there blushing like a school girl.

“I’ll take them in for you,” Connor said and as he took the flowers, he leaned forward to kiss me lightly on the mouth.

I hobbled after him and showed him where the vase was. He filled it with water and arranged the flowers inside. Five minutes later, we were ready to leave.

“The Whispering Grill is not too far from here,” Connor said as he helped me into the Uber.

He was right. Barely minutes after the car started moving and we were already there. I’d never been but it seemed to be a popular spot and it was almost full. Luckily, Connor had called to reserve a table.

We got a nice spot, in a quiet corner with a candle lit table.

“I haven’t gone out on a date in years,” I said as I settled down.

“That’s not true. We went out to dinner every evening in Colorado,” Connor said.

I rolled my eyes. “Not a date. I was your fake fiancée, remember?”

Connor covered my hand with his large one and sparks flew between us. “And now you’re my girlfriend.”

I laughed at the awe in his voice. Connor made me feel ten feet tall and all woman. I pulled my hand away when the server brought us the menu.

“I want to eat everything,” I said eyeing the menu.

“I think they have a platter where there’s a bit of everything. Do you want us to share that?” Connor said.

My heart skipped a beat and I wasn’t sure if it was from the food or from the way Connor was staring at me. As if he wanted me to be his dinner. “I’d love that.”

“So tell me how it went,” Connor said when the server left.

I described the store for him and took him through the agreement we had reached. I wanted to pinch myself to be sure that I hadn’t dreamed the whole thing up.

I’d forgotten how nice it was to share your happiness with someone else and to share your sorrows with the same person. Connor was an attentive listener and he asked thoughtful intelligent questions that got me thinking as well.

The platter of food was better than my imagination. I felt like a kid in a candy store as I tried everything on it.

“I love how enthusiastic you are about everything,” Connor said when we were halfway through. “You make life fun.”

I met his gaze. “You do the same for me.”