AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CELESTE
It’s so strange to see Janie lying comatose in a hospital bed. I’ve only ever met Henry’s sister once, when she stopped by the office to drop something off for him, but our one interaction has stayed with me this whole time. She was so friendly that time I met her. And kind. She noticed the photo of my old dog that I kept on my desk and asked me about him, genuinely laughing when I told her about what a goofy dog he’d been.
I really wish I’d gotten to know Janie better.
I swallow back the emotion that’s building in my throat as I stand in the hospital room watching Henry sit by his sister’s side. He’s cradling Aria, holding her so that she can see her mother, and it’s such a heartbreaking sight that I can only take it for so long. If I watch them any longer, I’m going to burst into tears.
Quietly, I slip out of the hospital room. Despite my best efforts to contain them, tears spill over onto my cheeks as I step out into the hallway, blurring my vision as I try to find the closestrestroom. A sympathetic nurse points me in the right direction, and I thank her in a choked voice as I rush away.
In the restroom, I let go, crying audibly for a few minutes until the worst of it is past. Then I grab some paper towels and clean myself up. My nose and my eyes are still a little red, but it is what it is.
When I get back to Janie’s hospital room, Henry is coming out, his large frame emerging slowly out the door. He looks around with a concerned expression, and then his eyes land on me.
“You okay?” he asks as I approach.
I nod. “How is she? Has there been any change?”
“No. Nothing.”
“I’m sorry, Henry.”
Aria fusses in his arms, and I can tell that she’s going to start crying at any moment. Without thinking, I reach for her, taking her into my arms so I can rock her and try to comfort her as best as I can.
“Oh,” I say, suddenly realizing what I just did. “I’m sorry. I should have asked.”
“No, you’re good,” says Henry. “She’s happier with you.”
His words make my heart hurt. I shouldn’t be the one cradling her right now. She should be in Henry’s arms. Or, even better, in her mother’s arms. Not mine.
As we’re pulling out of the hospital parking lot, Henry asks if I feel like eating out, and I tell him that I’m up for whatever he’s in the mood for. He drives us to a cozy family restaurant. Our server brings over a high chair for us to set Aria’s car seat on, and Aria looks around with curious eyes.
“I think she likes it here,” I say, smiling as I watch her.
“What do you think, Aria?” Henry says. “You want a hamburger?”
Aria wriggles with excitement, and Henry and I both laugh.
“When do babies start eating solid food, anyway?” Henry asks, leaning back against his seat.
“At about six months old,” I say. “They aren’t eating hamburgers at that age, though.”
He laughs. “I know. C’mon, Celeste. Give me more credit than that.”
The way he’s smiling at me makes me blush a little. “I just wanted to make sure you knew.”
Our server comes by to take our orders and whisk away our menus. After she’s gone, Henry asks, “How did you get into nannying, anyway?”
I smile. “I’ve always loved kids. Also, growing up, my sister was a lot younger than me and our parents both worked a lot, so I kind of helped raise her, in a way.”
“Gotcha. But you didn’t work as a nanny until this last year?”
“Correct.”
“I’m glad you found a career you enjoy.”
I nod, feeling slightly awkward as I ask, “How’s Natalie been?”
“She’s fine. She’s good at the job. She’s not you, but…you know.”
