“You will be calling me again. To answer your question: I don’t know. Hormones are a wild thing, so it’s probably a combination. The best thing you can do is get her anything she needs, wants, or craves and just be there for her. Let her lead.”
“Let her lead,” I mutter.
“Oh, and Adam?”
“What?”
“I’m so freaking excited for you. I just want to scream right now, but Evelin is taking a nap, and I’m not waking that girl up for anything. Now go take care of your lady.” She hangs up without fanfare, and I realize that’s why I called her and not any of my other sisters. Everyone would have lost their minds, but Daisy not only has experience with pregnancy but will focus on my problem.
A throat clears behind me, making me turn to face Claire. She’s cleaned up her face, but there’s no hiding the redness from her tears.
“What can I do?” I ask, hoping there’s a way to help.
“Some water maybe?” Her voice sounds like she swallowed rocks.
I immediately jump up, head to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water, and crack the seal. She drinks almost half in one go.
“Thank you.” Her hesitant tone makes me realize I’m just watching her like a creeper. “Do you want to sit? I can tell you about why I just cried hysterically for God knows how long.”
“You don’t need to tell me anything.”
“I would like to.” Claire’s hand grabs mine and leads me to my couch. “Your apartment is cute.”
“It’s all for show. My sisters decorated when I got it, but I’ve barely used this place.”
“Ah, I was wondering if it was an old girlfriend. No offence.” She smirks as she pulls down and puts her legs on top of my thighs.
I like it, how comfortable she is with me right now. My hands instantly go to her feet, running her insoles, as she sinks deeper into the couch.
“No girlfriend. Not for a very long time.”
She hums, content.
“So, therapy really sucks.” She says it like she’s telling me her favorite food, and I can’t help but bark out a laugh.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t laugh.”
“No, please laugh. I was expecting it to be tough, but damn. It was … hard. I spilled most of the last two years of my life to the poor guy, and then he zeroed in on Charlie. It was enlightening, honestly.”
“How so?” I want her to understand that I’m here for her through it all, no matter what happens between us.
“I haven’t really grieved my brother, and although I knew that, adding this baby into the mix makes it that much more complicated to do so. Craig—my therapist—gave me homework. I have to write a list of all the things I miss about Charlie.”
“I can help if you want.” My thumb digs into a particularly tough spot on her foot, and she groans.
“I think I’d like that. Fair warning, though: the tears will be never ending. These damn hormones just won’t quit. I can’t stop crying.” Her finger runs along the bottom of her eyes, demonstrating just how on the edge she is at all times.
“I can handle tears. I mean, I hate seeing you cry with a fiery burning passion, but I knowwhyyou’re crying, and that makes it easier.”
“I was also told I’m making a lot of assumptions about how you feel about all the life changes we are currently experiencing.”
“The baby?” I ask.
“Yep. I just assume it hasn’t really hit you yet, but Craig said I should ask you about it directly and not assume anything. I have to admit his approach has merit.” She smiles up at me, and I know I want to be the kind of man she can rely on.
“I think it’s mostly hit me. The ultrasound was … powerful. They look like a full-blown person, not just a blob like I was expecting.”
“It’s crazy, right?” Her hand rubs a spot on her right side like the baby just kicked.
