Maddy felt her stomach heave, she flew off the bed and ran to the bathroom. Philip felt her move and got into the chair as quickly as he could. He wheeled into the bathroom and rubbed her back.
He waited until she stopped.
"Feeling any better? Do you need anything honey?" "Crackers and ginger ale." She groaned out.
"I will get Andre to grab some for you. Are you heading to work today?" "If I feel better sure, if not I will stay home and do some light work."
"I will stay home as well."
Maddy wiped her mouth with the damp washcloth Philip gave to her. "Okay, thank you."
Andre went to a wholesale place and bought a case of ginger ale and four different types of crackers. She Googled what kind of crackers pregnant women prefer.
"Thanks Andre, I feel like I'm turning you into my personal assistant." Maddy said softly as she saw the things Andre put on the counter.
"Maddy, whatever you need, I will get for you. You have turned my boss and best friend into someone different and the world is better for it. He smiles more, he relaxes more, and you are now carrying his child. No matter what you need, call me." Maddy felt like crying. She went over to Andre and hugged her. Andre laughed softly.
"So I was a horrible person before I met Maddison?" Philip said from the kitchen door.
Andre snorted, smiled at Maddy and left.
"Great, just great." Philip grumbled with a smile.
Maddy took a bottle of Ginger ale and poured into a glass with a few blocks of ice. She immediately felt better. She took a few crackers and nibbled on them.
"I love you Maddy." Philip said as he looked at her lovingly. "I love you too Philip."
"Marry me." Philip pulled a small box from the pocket in his chair and held it out to her.
Maddy's hands flew to her face.
"I know it's soon but you are pregnant with my baby and I want him or her to be born into a family. I want to spend the rest of my life loving and caring for you. I want another child when you are ready. I want you to be my business partner. I have already changed my will in case anything happens to me, everything is yours. I know my money isn't a focal point for you, but you are the one I owe my happiness to, and I could never repay you for everything you have given me."
Maddison walked forward, took the box and opened it. Her eyes widened and she looked at Philip.
"How did you know?" "Your brother told me."
Years ago, Maddy had lost a piece of jewelry her mom had given to her and for years she searched for anything looking remotely like it. Her brother had given Philip a photo of it and Philip had a ring made like it, just for her.
"Yes Philip, I will marry you."
Philip beamed and he pulled her onto his lap. He took the ring from the box and placed it on her finger. Kissing her lips softly, Philip wheeled both of them into the bedroom.
"Wait, sorry honey, I was only thinking of my own desire. We can do this later." Philip said when he remembered she was feeling sick all morning. "Sorry." Maddy said.
"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. "You make me so happy Philip."
"I can say the same for you honey. Come on, get some rest, I will try to do some work from here today. What would you like for lunch?"
"Chicken sauce and garlic bread, my stomach should be able to handle that." Philip picked up his cell and called Andre.
"What do you need Sir?" Andre's voice came over the speaker phone. "Chicken sauce and garlic bread for lunch please."
"And for dinner?" Andre asked. "Maddy?" Philip asked.
"Ummm Andre, can you get me some fresh fruit, a large salad, some peppermint ice cream, a pack of bagels, cream cheese and 6 packs of Hollandia yogurt."
Andre laughed. "Is that all?"
Maddy and Philip laughed.
"She's pregnant Andre, her mind may change before you get hang up." "Not a problem sir. Let me get going."
Andre went out and bought the stuff Maddy asked for. She went about her duties for the day and then later she stood in the line at the salad bar to place the
order for Maddy. She specifically asked for everything except pineapple as Maddy was allergic to it. Her cell rang and she answered while giving her order.
About five minutes into her call, the server called her number. Maddy looked at the transparent container and frowned. "Miss, I said everything except Pineapple, my boss is allergic."
"Sorry for you but I can't take it back, you will have to purchase another one." Andre frowned as the voice on the other end barked.
"Put me on speaker!" Andre did as she was told.
"It is company policy to offer compensation when you make a mistake. You cannot afford to play with people's food. I heard when the order was placed and you are in the wrong. Either replace the order or I will shut the whole place down and you will never find another job on this island!"
Andre shuddered. The fact that Philip was willing to close one of his own restaurants for this, told her so much about him. He was protecting the mother of his child. If Maddy ate Pineapple, she got a full body rash and had to take antibiotics but with the baby, there was no way Andre would risk it. "Who are you to tell me what to do?"
The call ended abruptly. "Oh oh." Andre said and waited.
Just then the telephone on the wall rang and the supervisor picked it up and frowned and looked at the server and shook her head.
"Valerie, what did you do?" Jane the supervisor asked as she hung up the phone. "This customer placed an order, and I told her I can't take it back, she would have to buy another one and this ogre yelled at me from over the phone about company policy! Over a twenty-dollar salad!" Valerie shrieked.
"Over a twenty-dollar salad, this place may now close. We are all fired if we don't fire you! Get out!" Jane gritted.
"WHAT? I didn't do anything wrong; SHE placed the wrong order!" Pointing stupidly at Andre.
"Valerie, the owner of this restaurant is her boss, and the order is for his pregnant fiancée who is allergic to Pineapple. The boss was on the phone when the order was placed. Now, again, get out."
Valerie gasped. She offended the wrong people and now she would be out of a job. The tears flowed down her cheeks, and she began to beg.
"I can't lose this job; it took me months to find it!"
"Should have thought about that before you became arrogant and disrespected the wrong person." Valerie hung her head, grabbed her bag and left. "I'm sorry Miss, let me get that salad for you."
The other customers had nothing to say, which was surprising but if you think about it, Andre was calm and clearly knew how to handle the situation. She didn't need defending because she was backed by someone powerful.
Andre took the salad and headed back to the Kilian home.
"Thanks Andre." Maddy yawned. "Maddy, get some sleep you look dog tired." Andre said.
"I know, gosh, being pregnant sure is tiresome." "That's why you need to rest. Is Philip in his office?"
"Yep, I'm gonna get me a snack and head back to bed, tell him where I am." "Okay." Andre looked at Maddy as she headed to the kitchen, and she longed to be in that position one day.
"Sir. Maddy has gone to bed."
"Thanks Andre, I won't need you today, take the day off." "Sir?"
"Call Vicent and tell him bring the team." "Okay, did I do something wrong?"
"No, but you need time off. So, every week, pick two days you need and do not come to work."
Andre was silently shocked.
"I don't understand Philip, why are you doing this?"
"Andre, when have you ever taken a vacation? I have been selfish with your time. Don't question me on this further and don't think you can get away with not taking time off. Get going."
"Thanks sir."