Designed by Love

I checked my correspondence from my teams. The Hong Kong group were circling around an idea that I had toyed with for the offices. A color scheme of red-orange, plum, slate blue and umber brown. Brass would be the metal of choice. The offices would showcase the dark colors with illuminated panels that could be covered with silk paintings.

The Tokyo group was fairing a little bit better. They were looking at dark navy blue, red orange and grey. They didn't mention it, but the obvious choice in artwork would be wood block prints and calligraphy. Also some set in alcoves could showcase pottery. Black would feel more appropriate than a metal color.

So, the commonality in the east would be the red-orange color. We could use it for pops of color in each locale.

I closed my eyes wondering if I could work from this place tomorrow. I can't get just a few hours of sleep and function.

"You know, you're really pretty. I mean, just beautiful."

"I think you are really pretty too."

"No, no, no....that's not right. I'm handsoooome."

"You are indeed."

"Iris, I'm really sorry about the other day at my mom's studio."

"Jack, we already talked about it. All is forgiven."

"Really? 'Cause, I want to marry you. And you won't want to if you are mad at me."

"I'm not mad at you. We talked it through."

"Iris.....You had better let me get some sleep. I have to go to work tomorrow."

"Okay Jack. But if you are not feeling better in the morning, you are staying home."

"You must love me. Otherwise, you would let me go to work."

"Yes, Jack. I love you."

"Stop trying to turn me on, woman. I have to go to sleep."

I covered him up and turned out the lights. In the morning, he was still sleeping. I slipped out of the bedroom to call his office to let him know that he was sick and would not be in. And since I was taking care of him, I would not be in either. I e-mailed a few people who were expecting to hear from me and said that I was ill and would be home in bed.

I left a note on the door. "Haddie and Michael, Jack is still sick. Hope you are both well. If so, can you leave some soup on the doorstep. If not, please go home and get well."

I went back to bed and fell asleep for several hours.

When I woke, Jack was still sleeping. I felt his forehead and he was burning up. I didn't like that this was dragging on. So, I called Nora.

"Hi Nora. It's Iris. I'm calling for some information. Monday night I was sick. I was better in the morning, but Jack was ill and actually fell, trying to get to work. He's been sleeping a lot. This morning when I woke, he was still sleeping and running a fever. Do you know who his doctor is?"

"It's his sister Marie since he hardly ever gets ill."

"Can I have her office number? I'd, at least, like to talk to her on the phone."

Nora gave me the number and asked if we needed anything and if she could come take care of us. I had found soup on the doorstep, so I told her to stay at home. I didn't want her to get sick.

When I spoke to Jack's sister's receptionist, she took the message and said that she would have Dr. Powell call me as soon as possible. Marie was very sweet. She listened to our story and what Jack's symptoms were. She told me to force fluids, keep him warm, get him to eat if I could and to let him sleep as much as possible. She said that she would call at the end of the day to see how we were doing.

In Haddie's care package was cock-a-leekie soup, bread, butter and orange juice. I woke Jack at noon to bring him food and juice.

"How do you feel?"

"Like I've been hit by a truck."

"I called Marie. She said to drink lots of fluids, eat if you can, stay warm and sleep as much as you can. She said she would call at the end of her work day."

"How'd you get her number?"

"I spoke with your mom. She wanted to help take care of us, but I told her that we didn't want her getting sick too."

"Here, take this ibuprofen, it will help you feel better."

"Did I wake you in the middle of the night?"

"Yes, but it's okay."

"Sorry. I normally wouldn't be that thoughtless."

"I know that. It's alright."

At the end of the day, Marie called and Jack was awake to talk with her. At the end of the call, she told him to hand the phone to me.

"Hi Iris, it's Marie. Sounds like he's been hit pretty hard by the flu that is making its rounds. Keep him home tomorrow. I'll call at the end of the day tomorrow. If you need me before then, just call."

"Thank you so much, Marie."

"How are you feeling?"

"I seem to be over it."

"Good, glad to hear it. You both should take it easy until you are fully recovered. I don't envy you. Jack is not the best patient."

I laughed. "It hasn't been too bad."

"Mom is in love with you, by the way. Can't wait to meet you for myself."

"Aww. Your parents are both so sweet."

"Yes, we lucked out in that department. Listen, I won't keep you. Thanks for looking after my brother."

"It's my pleasure. Thank you for all the advice."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Jack of course grumbled when I told him he had a 'snow day' the next day.

"You will have to go through me and I don't think you have the strength."

"Oh, tough talk from the woman who was using me for my body heat the other night."

"Oh, you mean like you did last night?"

"Okay, it's a draw."

"I was going to ask you if I could work at home anyway. Since I know we will be leaving soon, I want to be here rather than in the office."

"You're going to miss Scotland, huh?"

"Of course. Its beauty speaks to me."

"Ah....I found my soul mate."

I kissed him on the forehead and told him to go back to sleep.

"Only if you get in bed with me."

"Okay, give me a few minutes to get ready."

The next morning, Jack promised that he was feeling better. I told him he could work remotely for a few hours at a time. I set up the zoom call with the graphic designer. We all agreed on the second design. "We will need that in a ping file, a jpeg, a tiff, a BMP and whatever original program file you have. Thank you."

I set myself up on the breakfast room table as I talked with my NYC team. They were excited to get the approval for their color scheme. The two members who were in charge of office layouts had been very thorough about making the space the most efficient and versatile it could be. The two people in charge of office furniture had some great samples to show Jack. "Team, that was some great work. Mr. Powell was been ill, so I'm not sure when we will see you in NYC, but keep up the good work and be prepared to propose your final three designs to me on Tuesday. FYI, that date is not set in stone because of the illness"

I had similar conference calls with the other location teams. After two hours, I told Jack he needed to walk away from the computer to rest. He grumpily agreed. We had allowed Michael and Haddie back into the house so there was a cheerier atmosphere around us. Later, in the afternoon, Nora and Edward came to visit. Nora looked us both over and thought we were both through the worst part of the flu. We sat on the back deck with refreshments and watched the dramatic clouds roll by casting their shadows over the mountains and the lake. Pockets of sunlight highlighted small areas here and there.

The following week we sadly flew back to New York City. It was like leaving a part of my heart behind. The designs were firmed up and approved, so my specialty of commissioning artwork from local artists began. The teams were then reassigned to other projects with other project managers. I took them out to a celebratory dinner at the end of their work for me. We all agreed that the offices would be stunning.

I visited some artists who were in New York City who had unique perspectives to share within their art. But ultimately, the art had to look refined and reflect NYC. I had already found my Scottish art while I was there. That left Hong Kong, Tokyo and Zurich. Jack didn't need to visit those sites, but I did. So he flew me to Hong Kong first were I spent almost a full week scouting out artists in the city. I had to negotiate for the best prices and the attitude toward selling to a British firm was not favorable.

Jack called me while I was staying in Hong Kong.

"Hi Gorgeous. How goes Hong Kong?"

"It's been tough negotiating for a British firm."

"Do the best you can. I understand the circumstances are not ideal."

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm totally well so, stop worrying. Are you still well?

"Um. I'm not sure. It was probably just something I ate on the plane or from a street vendor. But I was vomiting a couple of times yesterday."

"Get to a doctor if this continues. Charge the company card."

"I miss you. Sleeping alone is far lonelier now."

"Same here. I can't wait to see you in Zurich."

"Me too. Oh, no. I must go. I love you."

"I love you too. Be safe and go to the doctor if that keeps happening. Talk to you soon."

"Bye"

"Bye, love."

My time spent in Tokyo was loud and colorful. I commissioned a silk weaver, a wood block print artist, and was going into the surrounding mountainous area to a pottery town to hopefully sign a master potter.

I vomited again this morning, so I called a doctor's office. They were able to take me this afternoon. I was concerned that I had become sick with my travels.

"Ms. Anderson, we know why you have been getting sick."

"Yes?" I said anxiously.

"You are pregnant. From what you told us, you are seven weeks along. We, of course, would like you to follow up with your doctor at home. In the meantime, it is never too early to start taking prenatal vitamins."

"As soon as I got back to my room, I called Jack."

"I'm sorry Ms. Anderson, but Mr. Powell is in a meeting."

"Trust me, he wants to talk to me. It's urgent."

"Iris? Are you alright? Tell me. What is it?"

"Jack? Sit down. I have still been getting sick. So, I went to a doctor this afternoon."

"Are you alright?"

"I'm pregnant," I said joyfully.

"Are you serious? Really?" Jack said with such hope in his voice.

"Yes. We think I am about seven weeks along. Are you happy about it?"

"God, yes. I can't believe it. Wow. So, we are going to have a baby. Wow."

"Okay, Jack. Just breathe."

"I can't wait to see you, to hold you. We need to celebrate. When can you get to Zurich?"

"I really need to go to see this pottery master tomorrow. Once I get him to sign, I will be on the first plane out of here."

"Okay. I will clear my schedule and leave tonight."

"I'll call you as soon as I have a flight....no, I'll text you. I've already interrupted your work once today."

"What work? I will gladly talk to you at any time."

"Okay. Get some work done."

"Iris, I love you."

"I love you."

The master potter was in the hills surrounding Tokyo. The weather looked inclement, but I was sure I'd be at the airport before a drop of rain fell. The scenery around Tokyo was beautiful. I had an interpreter, Sam, with me, to make communication possible.

Mr. Takata lived in a white house alongside a mountain. His wife, Haruko, came out to the car to greet us. She took us into his studio where he was working. He broke from his work to come over and shake hands. He offered us a seat and said something to his wife. I told the interpreter to tell him that as a representative of Powell Investment Advisors, I would like to commission him for several pieces of his work for our new offices. He said he was flattered and that he would like to get an idea of the types of works we would be interested in.

He showed me several works. He liked to use raku firing on his pieces. Raku firing produced a myriad of colors, smoky tones and metallic flashes. Each pot was just a masterpiece. I walked through his inventory with him. And suddenly, there were sirens going off. Mr. Takata hurried us out of the studio and into his house. He told us to each stand in a different door frame. The interpreter said the sirens were warning of an earthquake.

There was a great shaking of the house and we all held onto the door frames. Afterward, we returned to the studio. We continued to look at his inventory. I chose six different shapes that were particularly pleasing. We sat down and his wife brought a pot of tea. We were told that all contracts are usually officially made with the sharing of tea. Afterward he signed the paperwork.

We were preparing to leave when Mr. Takata told us we must stay. Sam told me he was saying we needed to stay with them because a tsunami often followed an earthquake on the island. I was afraid. He calmed me by saying that we would be fine. Since we were up on the mountain, we were safe. But the lowlands could experience flooding.

I tried to call Jack, but I had no signal. Takata told Sam that they didn't get a signal on the mountain. I looked uneasy and Haruko said, "You will be ok. Let me see your cup."

I gave her my teacup which was empty. She looked at the remaining tea leaves from every angle. "You are with child."

I looked at her in amazement. "How did you know?"

"I read tea leaves." She looked some more in the cup. "It will be a boy."

"Really?"

The interpreter said Mr. Takata claimed his wife was most accurate.

Between not being able to call Jack to let him know I was alright and the prediction of having a boy I was a little emotional. I teared up. Haruka told me to follow her. She led me to a bed.

"You should rest. Worry is bad for the baby."

I nodded and said, "Thank you."

"My husband has a ham radio. He will try to get word out that you are alright."

I hugged her, "Oh, thank you!! He knows I am pregnant. He will be so worried."

"We will take good care of you. You will be home soon. Who should he try to get word to?"

"Jack Powell. Here is his phone number," I said as I showed her the number on my phone. She took it to

her husband who wrote it down.

I guess the worry had zapped my energy because I fell asleep in the middle of the afternoon. When I woke, I smelled food and my stomach grumbled.

Haruko had made fried rice with chicken.

"This is delicious. Thank you."

"You are most welcome."

"Were you able to reach anyone on the radio?"

Sam said they hadn't, but that they would keep trying.

We had tea after dinner.

"Haruko, how did you come to speak English?"

"My step-father is British. He taught us all. I don't get a chance to speak it much."

"Well you speak it very well."

Sam came out onto the porch.

"We got through to emergency services. Everyone is being asked to stay put for the time being. The authorities want to keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles."

"Were you able to get word out to Jack?"

"No. All resources are being put toward the victims."

"But Mr. Takata is still trying to reach one of his friends." Sam left us on the porch.

"You are friends with your boss?"

"I am friends with Jack Powell, yes. Actually, he hired my firm to design his new offices. He is the father of this baby."

"He won't marry you?"

"Oh, he will. We just haven't had a chance to yet. I just found out I was pregnant yesterday."

"Do you have children?"

"Yes, our son is at the university in Tokyo. And our daughter is married and living in Kyoto with her husband."

"Oh, lovely."

"I'll be right back."

When Haruko returned she had a bowl of cantaloupe slices. They were sweet and very refreshing.

As it was getting dark, Mr. Takata finally got word to his friend about me and Sam. The friend promised to call Jack.

"Oh, Mr. Takata, thank you."

"Call me Ban," Sam interpreted.

"Thank you Ban."

"Now, everyone should go to bed. We go to bed with the sun."

Haruko showed the interpreter to a cot where he could sleep and I was given the same bed as before.

In the morning, we had yogurt and peaches.

When Ban returned to the ham radio, he found that the road at the bottom of the mountain wasn't opened yet. He also connected with his friend who had contacted Jack. He was told to relay to me that he loved me and that I should fly to Zurich as soon as I could. After that, Ban and Haruko went to work in the studio. The interpreter was reading a book he had in the car and I had found a magazine in the living room that I started to look at.

At noon, Ban and Haruko returned to the house. Ban went to the radio and found out that the road had been opened. We said our goodbyes and Sam drove me back to my hotel. Once in my room, I called the airline to book the first flight out to Zurich. I had time to take a shower and then I packed and called Jack.

"Iris?"

"Hi, yes. I'm alright. Mr. Takata put me and the interpreter up for the night since the road was closed. There was no signal up on the mountain where he and his wife live. I was so relieved that they got word to you."

"Me too. I couldn't fly in to get you. No flights were allowed in but those with first aid supplies and volunteers. I wanted to though."

"It's okay. I'm fine. I am booked on a flight to Zurich that leaves in three hours so I can't talk long."

"Oh, God, baby. I was so worried about you."

"I knew you would be, but I am alright. Are you in Zurich?"

"Yes, I can't wait to see you. I checked. The flight is fourteen hours long. So, get some snacks and something to read in the airport."

"I will. Jack, I love you."

"I love you too. Be safe. I'll be at the airport waiting for you."

"Alright, my love. Bye."

"Bye."

When I got to the baggage retrieval, there stood Jack. He looked like he hadn't slept. I ran into his arms. He held me while I cried.

"I'm sorry. I'm fine. I don't know why I'm crying." When I looked into his face, he was too. The driver had collected my bags and said he would bring the car around. I would like to get to the hotel room and take a shower. Is that alright?"

"You, love, can do whatever you like. Then we should get you a meal."

"I'm not hungry."

"Woman, don't argue with me. Okay?"

"Okay," I said and then kissed him.

When I came out of the bathroom, there was a tray of food from room service. "Oh, thank you. I really didn't feel like going out."

"No problem."

"Jack, I was afraid to ask about the victims of the tsunami. How many are there?"

"Are you sure you want to know?"

"I think so. I feel ashamed that I didn't feel I could handle it until now."

"Of course, they're not entirely sure. There are a hundred and five known deaths and some fifty people missing."

I couldn't imagine. I didn't want to imagine. But my mind was figuring what a crowd of one hundred people looked like.

Jack pulled me down to sit in his lap while he held me. I cried.

After a while, Jack started to rock me and tried to quiet me. "Settle down, Iris. I need you to think about something else for a while. Alright? Tell me about the potter and his wife."

I described the house and the pottery and how they slept with the sun. How Haruko had cooked for me and the interpreter. And how Ban had kept trying to get word out on the radio that we were alright. I told him about the raku pottery. I told him how we had sealed the deal with a pot of tea.

"Haruko read my tea leaves. She said I was pregnant. I hadn't told anyone but you about the pregnancy. She also said the baby is a boy."

"Really? Wow. I don't care one way or the other. But it does seem to make it feel more real. I need you to try to eat something. Please?"

"Okay. I'll try."

I had some toast and some omelette. I waited a minute and sure enough ended up running to the bathroom to vomit. Jack came in and held my hair back.

"No Jack, I'm okay. Go in the other room."

"No."

"Please, Jack. Go."

When I went into the room, Jack had a ginger ale for me.

"Thanks." I took it and sat on the bed.