I arrived at work, and took as much time as possible to walk into the building, and up to my office. On the way to my office, though, it was inevitable that I pass by Amanda's office. I knew as soon as I passed, she'd bombard me with questions, and I was right.

"Hey, girl! Ow, ow, aren't you looking sexy today! How'd it go yesterday?! You never called me!"

"I'm sorry. I was exhausted."

"From what?"

"Just being sick, I guess. You were wrong about the pregnancy..." I watched her face fall at my words, and I could feel the sadness welling up in me. I had to get away from her quick, otherwise, I'd be having another breakdown.

"What? No... I'm sorry, Bradley. I didn't mean to get your hopes up! You can try in the future, though!" That did it. I broke down in tears, and fell to my knees on the floor. Amanda immediately ran to me, and put her arms around me. "Oh honey, what's going on? Is there something you aren't telling me? Was it something I said?"

"I can't have kids. Ever."

"No... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." I cut her off.

"No. It's not your fault. I got my hopes up. I took the two tests, and when they both came back negative, I just had to be sure they weren't lying. I went to the doctor, and she told me the news. I was heartbroken, I still am. I just can't believe that I will never be able to create a family with Matt. He deserves someone that can give him the gift of children. He'd be such a great father..."

"Hey... Don't do this to yourself. You can't do this to yourself. This is not your fault! I am damn sure Matt still loves you, regardless, with all his heart, and he always will. The way he looks at you... Man, I wish I had that with someone. In time, it will feel better, Bradley, I promise. I lost my husband three years ago... It was heartbreaking. I thought I'd never make it through. There were so many days where I just wanted to be gone from this world. But, you know what, I got through it. And I know you'll get through this." I wiped the tears from my face, and looked at her.

"You were married?"

"Yes. We were married right after my nineteenth birthday. My parents never approved, but I loved him with all my heart, and I knew he was the one, the only one, for me. We eloped. We were so happy. Then, just two years after we were married, he got terribly sick. Cancer ended up taking him from me. I was pregnant at the time. I couldn't bring up my child without a father. I was twenty-one at the time, and still young and dumb. I knew I couldn't raise a child by myself. So I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Anna, and I gave her away. I gave her to a family that wanted another daughter, a family where I knew she'd have a father figure and an older sister to look after her." She was sobbing at this point, and I wrapped her in a hug.

"I'm so sorry. I never knew..."

"Not many people do." We pulled away from the hug, and I looked at her.

"Well today just sucks." We both laughed a little at my attempt to somewhat lighten the situation.

"Let's go to New York!"

"What? We can't just up and leave to New York! We have the institute here that needs us!"

"But there is an upcoming conference in New York in two weeks. I want to take you with me!"

"Really?!"

"Yes! Please come with me?!"

"Okay okay! I'll go with you!" I hugged her.

"Yay!" She jumped up, and pulled me up with her.

"I'm really sorry I dragged you down in a slump with me..."

"Oh, stop! You're a really good friend of mine, and I'll always be here for you!" We both went our separate ways to our offices, after agreeing to take the rest of the day off. I went to my office, and grabbed some things, before meeting Amanda downstairs.

Notes

http://www.polyvore.com/coral_navy_blue/set?id=99526544 Bradley's work wear

Enjoy, everyone! Let me know what your thoughts are!