“I see.” Layton sat up in his chair. “You left home at a very young age. You thought you knew everything there was to know about life.” He gave her an understanding smile. “That expression, ‘If I only knew then what I know now,’ has probably been said hundreds of thousands of times throughout the ages.”

“You’re right about that.” Tori felt as if someone understood her. “I was only eighteen when I left. Had a baby when I was nineteen. Then the next nineteen years flew past me. I was busy raising a son, working, and taking care of the house. There hardly seemed to be time to think about anything except what was coming next. Soccer. Baseball. Camp. Baking cupcakes for the PTA.”

“And now you have a very big something to think about.” Layton nodded. “I want you to know we will help you in any way we can.”

“I appreciate that very much. You have been so kind to me. You plucked me out of a grueling job at the restaurant and gave me an opportunity to learn and grow. You encouraged me to take an online course to become a certified paralegal. I could never thank you enough for what you’ve done for me.”

“And you have never disappointed me, Tori.” Layton thought for a minute, calculating when she would be due.

“I want to continue working here, Mr. Layton.” Tori had a pleading expression on her face.

“Well of course you will continue to work here. And we’ll make sure there are accommodations for the baby after he or she arrives. We have the break room you can use. Set up a crib, playpen. Babies don’t do much in the beginning. Eat, sleep, poop.” He chuckled, trying to ease Tori’s angst.

“Once the child is old enough for day care, we can work on that together. As you know, the local day care is one of our clients,” Layton offered. “Tori, I do not want to lose the best paralegal I’ve ever had. But don’t tell Dorothy.” He smiled again.

Tori got up from where she was sitting. “Thank you, Mr. Layton. You cannot imagine how relieved I am.” Tears streamed down her face. This time she didn’t care. It was worth getting the mascara smeared under her eyes.

“Tori, I think of you like family. Anything I can do, just let me know. I won’t mention it to Robert until you’re ready for everyone else to know.”

Layton got up from his chair and walked to where Tori was standing. She threw her arms around him like he was a giant teddy bear. “You have no idea how grateful I am.”

“You can do something for me.” He held her at arm’s length. “After all these years, will you please call me George?”

Tori burst into a big smile. “I don’t know if I can, Mr. Layton.”