" You're wasting time, get out of here", Henry said, no hint as to if he was pissed that she touched him or not.
Claire backed up a couple steps before turning and rushed for the door. Before she got out of his office, he called to her, " Call me later with an update!"
Claire glanced back and nodded, " I will", she said then left, practically running out of the office to catch the bus to St. Christopher's.
Henry paced in his living room later that night. He had changed out of his suit and into sweatpants and a t-shirt. He grabbed Chinese on his way home. He'd eaten then watched the news. That had been three hours ago. Claire had yet to call and Henry found himself worrying over a little boy he's never met. He was also worried about Claire. She had been frantic earlier. Obviously not having dealt with a seriously sick child before. He was worried that she was alone and trying to cope with this by herself. She was a single mother, but did that mean she had no family either? He hoped not. He hoped she had someone else there with her.
Henry had no problems with his meeting today, even if it would have been easier with Claire there, he was still able to take care of everything on his own. He didn't get to the top without doing the actual work. He wondered how long Claire would need to be out of the office for. Henry knew kids healed fast. But how fast?
This was the one thing he was worried about when he found out Claire was a single mother. If something happened to her kid, she HAD to be there. There was no other parent to do it. And she was the mother. Really, either way, she would be there. Mother's were like that. He knew his mother was. She could be a bit overbearing at times. God forbid he ever got sick, she'd come to stay with him and nurse him back to health.
Henry stared at his phone. Should he call Claire? He didn't want to disturb her, but he was dying to know what was happening. And he knew he shouldn't care, because she was only an employee. Ha! Yeah right. He needed to stop kidding himself. They had actually become somewhat of friends and he was starting to care about her. She had blown past his expectations and had become invaluable to him and the company.
Fuck it, he was going to call her. Henry hit the pound sign then the number 1 on his phone to call Claire. Yeah, she was number one on his speed dial. He called her a lot, what of it? It was always business related.
The phone rang three times before she picked up. Her voice was hushed as she said, " Hello?"
Henry cursed himself, she must have been sleeping or something, " Claire, it's Henry", he murmured.
" Henry, crap, hold on", she said, still hushed.
He heard some rustling around, then footsteps then the snick of a door closing.
" Hey Henry, sorry, I had to go out in the hall", Claire said, her voice sounding weary.
" How's Ethan?", Henry asked, raking a hand through his hair as he had been doing all night.
" He's okay, they did emergency surgery to take his appendix out, it hadn't ruptured yet, so that was a relief", Claire sighed.
Henry closed his eyes as his own relief washed over him. " That's great"
" I'm sorry I didn't call", Claire said softly.
" Claire, come on, you're mind is only thinking of your son right now, I understand", Henry said gently.
" Thank you Henry, you've been really great about this", Claire said.
Henry wished he could see her face to know what she was thinking. She had gotten better about concealing her emotions, but he could still read her with ease. " I'm not completely heartless", Henry rasped, knowing that she most likely expected him to be an asshole about the whole thing earlier today.
" I never thought you were Henry", Claire whispered.
Henry let that sink in for a moment. So Claire didn't think he was a heartless asshole. Well that was good. He was afraid he had been too hard on her. She had hugged him earlier, even if she was scared shitless afterward. She obviously hadn't known how he would take it. If Henry was going to be honest with himself, he enjoyed it immensely.
" How much time off do you need?", Henry asked into the silence on the other side.
" Oh, um, if you need me in tomorrow, my father can watch...", Claire started but Henry cut her off.
" Fuck Claire, you do think I'm heartless!", Henry snapped.
" No, I don't..."
" Dammit, just tell me how long you need off for!", Henry ground out. He was angry. Angry at himself for making Claire think that she had to be in work while her son was in the hospital.
If she were anyone else, he'd be insisting that they come to work tomorrow. But he couldn't do that to her. He didn't know why. Claire was special and he wanted her to trust him. He wanted her to know that she was valued. That she could take care of her son and not worry about her job security.
" They said Ethan will be able to go home tomorrow and should be back on his feet by the weekend", Claire whispered.
" Alright, take the rest of the week off then, with pay of course", Henry said, trying to keep his cool.
Claire gasped on the other end, making Henry's heart clench painfully. What an ass he's been. " Henry, are you sure? It's only Monday, I could definitely be in on Wednesday..."
" No Claire, take care of your son, I'll give you a call in a couple of days", Henry said then hung up before she could answer.
Henry clenched his phone, resisting the urge to smash it against the wall. Claire was sweet and kind and caring. She deserved to be with her son while he was recovering from surgery. She deserved to be treated better, by him. She was great at her job, great at being a mother - from what he's gathered so far - and she deserved to be treated better.
Thursday rolled around and Ethan was doing really well. He took his medicine without complaint. He was even playing around a little bit with his toys. For the most part though, he was sitting on the couch watching Yo Gabba Gabba with his PopPop. Claire's father hadn't left since Ethan came home from the hospital. He spent the past couple nights on the couch. Claire was grateful for the company.
It was around 5:30pm, when there was a knock her on apartment door. Her dad looked at her, his eyebrows raised in question. Claire shrugged, got up from the couch and went to the door. She looked out the peephole and got the shock of her life. Never in a million years had she expected this person to be at her door. She yanked it open.
" Henry? What are you doing here?", Claire asked in confusion.
Henry actually blushed. He cleared his throat and held up the grocery bag in one hand, " I brought dinner", he said, then held up his other hand, which was a gift bag, " And a little get-well present for Ethan"
Claire's hand came up to press against her heart as she fought off tears. She moved aside to let Henry in. He stepped into the apartment but stopped just to the right of the door. Claire closed it then took the grocery bag from Henry. He looked tense and uneasy. Like he wasn't sure if he was going to be welcome or not.
Claire turned to her father, who had stood, " Dad, this is my boss, Henry Beck, Henry this is my father, Frank Russell", she said in introduction.
Claire moved towards the kitchen but watched as the two men shook hands and said hello. Henry gave her father a tight smile while her father gave Henry a more relaxed one. Claire put the bag on the island that separated the kitchen from the living room. Henry's gaze landed on her son, where he sat on the couch staring at Henry.
Henry's smile softened and his eyes warmed. Claire rolled her lips in. She wasn't completely sure why seeing Henry soften because of her son made her want to cry, but it did. He was already amazing her by being here and bringing dinner. But now he was looking at her son with something close to affection in his eyes and it was doing crazy things to her heart.
" Ethan, say hi to mommy's boss Henry", Claire called from where she unpacked the bag that was filled with sandwiches and soups from the deli down the street that they liked.
" Hi Henwee", Ethan chirped, making the r in Henry's name sound like a w.
Henry chuckled, " Hi Ethan"
" Why don't you come in and take a load off, Henry",
Frank said, moving back to the couch to sit down next to Ethan again.
Claire went back over to Henry as he unbuttoned his suit jacket. He must have left work early and came straight over. " Here, give me your jacket", Claire murmured and went around behind him, helping him shrug out of his jacket.
Claire took it and hung it up in the coat closet. Henry muttered a " thanks" as he went to work on his tie, pulling it down just enough to unbutton the top button of his shirt. Henry glanced at her before moving into the living room and sitting down on the love seat, putting him adjacent to Ethan.
" How you feeling buddy?", Henry asked, his voice gentle.
Ethan scrambled up to stand on the couch and lifted his shirt to show Henry his stitches, " I got boo boo"
Henry frowned, " Aw, that's not so bad, you're tough right?"
Ethan smiled and nodded before plopping back down on the couch. Henry smiled. Claire couldn't help but notice how his eyes crinkled at the corners. She's never seen him smile so genuinely before. Apparently Henry had a soft spot. Claire never would have guessed.
" I brought you a little present", Henry said, holding up the gift bag.
" Me?!", Ethan asked excitedly.
Henry nodded and handed him the bag. Ethan grabbed the back and looked inside. He shoved both hands inside and pulled out a one of those old fashion looking sock monkey. Ethan stared at it in awe for a minute before clutching it to his chest and hugging it.
" You like it?", Henry asked. Claire could here the hint of nervousness in his voice. She found it cute as hell too.
Ethan nodded furiously, " Uh huh!"
Henry smiled and Claire thought her knees were going to give out. She never thought he could be more gorgeous then he already was, but then he smiled like that and somehow became breathtakingly gorgeous.
" Ethan, what do you say to Henry?", Claire prompted the little boy clutching his new best friend.
" Tank you Henwee", Ethan said sweetly to Henry.
Henry nodded, " Your welcome little man", he murmured quietly and patted Ethan's leg.
Claire was seeing a whole new side to Henry. She never thought he could be so sweet and caring. And so thoughtful. At work he was all about work, getting the job done, no fooling around. He was stern and wanted shit his way. They worked well together because Claire did everything he asked without question. He was the boss. She liked that side of him. He was commanding, it was kinda sexy.
Now there was this whole other side. This soft side. With smiling. Who was this Henry? Claire found that she desperately wanted to find out. Did he secretly wish he had a wife and kids? Normally she would answer no, but seeing how he was reacting to Ethan, she might have to change her answer to yes.
Claire brought the sandwiches and soups to the table, then went back to grab bowls, plates and silverware. Henry was relaxing on the love-seat watching Yo Gabba Gabba in curiosity. He glanced at Ethan a couple times then looked at Frank.
" Kids find this amusing?", Henry asked, dumbfounded.
Frank laughed, " They do, I take it you don't have kids?"
Henry shook his head and turned back to the tv. " I don't have the time for kids", he muttered.
Frank raised an eyebrow then glanced at Claire. Claire shook her head, silently telling her father to let it go. He did, thank God. Claire didn't want them arguing. Claire understood what Henry meant. He was a very busy man and didn't have the time to give kids the attention they needed. But he was here, making time to see Ethan. Claire thought that if he really wanted kids, he'd find the time to be with them. Maybe it wasn't a matter of kids per say, but finding the right woman too.
" You guys wanna come and eat?", Claire announced as she put the bowls and stuff on the table.
The table was a square four seater. Ethan sat on a booster to Claire right. Henry claimed the seat to her left. So her father sat across from her. Claire put some chicken rice soup in a bowl for Ethan before grabbing a half of an American hoagie for herself. Henry had a corned-beef special. Claire smiled and shook her head. Henry caught her.
He rolled his eyes, " What Claire?"
Claire snickered, " Corned-beef again?"
Henry narrowed his eyes at her, " I like corned-beef, leave me alone"
Claire laughed as he took a big bite of his sandwich while glaring at her. Ethan giggled as he watched the two of them.
" What's so funny?", Henry asked Ethan around a mouthful of food, making him giggle some more.
" Ew Henry, that's gross", Claire groaned.
Then Henry stopped her heart by winking at her. He freaking winked at her! Who the hell is this guy?! Claire gaped at him, trying to figure out who this person was. Henry rolled his green eyes at her.
" What now?", he asked after swallowing his food.
" Who are you and what have you done with Henry Beck?", Claire demanded.
Henry gave her a bored look, but that couldn't hide the slight blush on his cheeks. " Whatever"
After they all finished eating, Frank and Claire cleaned up the left overs and dishes. Henry had offered to help but Claire shooed him away. He went and sat on the couch with Ethan. Claire watched as Ethan got off the couch, went running into his room then came back a couple seconds later with a book. He climbed back onto the couch and held out the book to Henry.
" You weed me Henwee?", Ethan asked, his big blue eyes impossible to say no to.
Henry smiled softly and took the book, " Sure", he said, then got a surprise when Ethan crawled onto his lap. Henry didn't seem to mind, he just waited for Ethan to settle in before opening the book, Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham.
By the time Henry finished reading, Ethan was out cold, curled against Henry's chest, clutching his sock monkey. Claire's heart was doing flip flops in her chest as she watched Henry wrap his big arms around Ethan to hold him. Ethan has never taken so quickly to any man. Not that Claire brought any around, but whenever they met someone new, Ethan was usually ducking behind her leg, not wanting anything to do with them. 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 34 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 that 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 wi
th 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 race car 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. Him and Claire 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.
Henry (The Beck Brothers) Page 3
