“Do you feel trapped? Is that why you said that to your sisters?”
“No. I think from that first time I saw you at Bella’s, I knew I was screwed. It’s why I kept coming back. It’s why I brought you into the case. I couldn’tnotbe around you. I’ve been falling for you for a year, Claire. I can’t wait to have Teeny with you.” I hold off telling her that I love her, even if she did hear me tell my sisters. I’m still not confident she’s ready to hear that.
Her head nods against mine. The wetness of her tears runs along my hand, but I don’t move. I need to make sure she really hears me.
“I think I’m falling in love with you,” she whispers.
“Thank God because I’m so in love with you.” I breathe a sigh of relief before pressing a kiss to her lips.
Once we separate, she shifts to get comfortable again. “Change and come cuddle. There’s something I want to talk to you about,” Claire demands, making me smile.
My clothes come off quickly, and then I lie down facing her. My arm goes around her middle, and I press the heel of my palm into her back again.
“God yes.” She groans.
I’m not sure how pregnancy looks for other women, but Claire has had a rough go. I’m trying my hardest to make it better, but there’s only so much I can do.
“So, what are we talking about?”
“What to name Teeny.”
“Ah. We’re figuring out a boy and girl name?”
“It would probably be smart.”
“Charlie or Charlette.” The silence that greets me after I say what I’ve been thinking since I found out Claire was pregnant makes me worried.
“Charlie Morrison either way,” she whispers.
“Feels right.” Her brother is the one who brought us together anyway. She would never have been near one of my cases if it weren’t for him.
She buries her head into my chest and cries. I know it’s cathartic for her, but it’s still damn hard to just let it happen.
“Thank you,” she finally tells me after her tears have run their course.
“Never thank me for keeping the memory of Charlie alive. He’s as important as my sisters are.”
I so desperately want to ask her to move in with me, but I think that’s enough overwhelming emotion for the night.
Maybe next week.
For tonight, I’ll hold the woman I love and continue to plan for our future.
Chapter 33
Claire
Thirty-six weeks pregnant, and I’m so beyond over this shit.
Nothing fits. Everything hurts, and my hips feels like they’re just going to crack at any moment.
The only good thing is the progress with the blog. So far, Masie and I have gotten great reactions from the community. I did a ton of research into it before I launched it, and now we’re onto tracking actual artifacts through history.
I’m researching artifact number three, and it’s been the most complicated yet.
Michelangelo’s Mask of a Faun has led me to many dead ends. It’s his early work. Many believe it solidified his title of master sculpture. But damn, I can’t find any leads past German solders taking it to Italy in 1944.
Masie and I have talked about there being more to it. There has to be a trail, and I’m committed to finding it.
