But he was comfortable enough to fall asleep on Henry. That was
amazing in Claire's eyes.
Her dad came up behind
her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "I've never seen a man who
doesn't have time for kids handle one with such love, ” Frank whispered in her ear.
Claire smiled and
covered one of her dad's hands with her own.
"I'm gonna head
home tonight, sweetheart, is that okay? ” Frank said.
"Sure dad, we'll
be fine, ” Claire assured
him.
Frank gave her a kiss
on the cheek before going into the living room to say goodbye to Henry. They
shook hands then Frank leaned down and gave Ethan a kiss on the top of his
head. Ethan didn't budge. He was definitely out for the night.
~~~~~
Henry was in awe of
the little boy in his arms. He never thought he'd be in this position, holding
a little kid while they slept. He never pictured himself having kids. He wasn't
exactly kid friendly. His job required too much of his time. He wasn't going to
bring kids into the world then not be there for them. And even if he wanted
kids, he didn't have a woman. He was thirty-four, and had resigned himself to
being a bachelor forever. He wasn't cut out for the whole family life.
Or at least, he didn't
think he was. Holding this precious little boy in his arms was making him want
to rethink things. Maybe there was a way where he could have it both ways: work
and family. Tons of people did it. He was sure that if he really wanted to, he
could do both. And with the right woman by his side, he'd be good.
"You want me to take
him? ” Claire asked,
bringing him out of his thoughts.
Henry looked up at
her. She was standing in front of him. "Ah, no, just tell me where to put
him, ” he said standing up,
with Ethan cradled in his arms.
Ethan snuggled into
Henry's chest and let out a contented sigh.
"Does he do this
often? ” Henry asked Claire.
But he knew the answer just by the heartwarming look on her face.
Claire shook her head.
"Never, ” she
whispered.
Henry's heart swelled
to the point of almost bursting with happiness. Claire led him down the hallway
and into the softly lit bedroom, that was most definitely Ethan's room. Henry
went over to the little bed that looked like a racecar and gently placed Ethan
down, then pulled the covers up over him. Ethan snuggled into his pillow and
hugged his sock monkey tighter.
Henry stood there
while Claire bent over and kissed Ethan on his mop of blonde curls. It was
weird for Henry because for a moment he actually felt like they were a family;
the three of them putting Ethan to bed together seemed right somehow. But that
was just crazy thinking because it would never happen. Claire was his personal
assistant, making her completely off limits.
They quietly left the
room, Claire shutting the door slightly behind her. They headed back out into
the living room where Henry went to the closet and grabbed his suit jacket. He
needed to get out of there before he did something stupid, like kiss her.
"Thank you for
everything tonight Henry, ” Claire said softly, her blue eyes watching him.
"You're welcome,
Claire, ” Henry replied.
He started for the
door, Claire followed. He turned to say goodbye and was met with Claire,
flinging her arms around his neck again. "I know you probably hate it, but
I don't care, ” Claire
murmured.
"I don't hate it, ” Henry murmured back, wrapped
his arms around her.
Henry sighed. She
smelled so good, and her body felt so amazing pressed up against his. Henry
hated that she felt so right in his arms. He wanted her. Wanted to kiss her and
touch her body. Henry pulled out of her embrace and grabbed the doorknob.
"You'll be
alright by yourself? ” Henry
asked, resisting the urge to tuck her silky looking hair behind her ear.
Claire smiled sweetly.
"Yes, I will be