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" Smells good and I'm actually hungry, which I take as a good sign", Henry murmured close to her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
" Yeah, that's a good thing", Claire managed to get out in a normal tone.
Henry moved towards her right and opened the cabinet to grab plates. He also grabbed silverware and glasses. Then he went to the fridge and took out the orange juice. He put that on the table before going to the coffee maker and getting it started. It all seemed so normal. It was unrehearsed, yet they moved around the kitchen together like it was something they did everyday. Claire found herself longing for this to be an everyday thing with Henry. Dammit.
At the park, Claire pretty much just sat on the bench while Henry and Ethan played. Again Claire was baffled by this whole other side to Henry. He was laughing and running and chasing and just having an all out good time with Ethan. He pushed Ethan on the swing for a little while. Then they played on the jungle gym. He even slid down the slide with Ethan. Claire just sat and watched and smiled and laughed along with them. She's never seen Ethan so happy. And it took everything she had not to tear up.
After about two hours of playing, Henry walked over to Claire with Ethan in his arms. Ethan was laying his head on Henry's shoulder. The kid had to be pooped. And it was getting close to his nap time.
Claire stood, " Ready to go?", she asked with a soft smile.
" Yeah, I think he's done", Henry smiled back, gazing at her with something close to love in his eyes making Claire's heart pound.
Claire nodded and they headed back to Henry's car, which Claire had put Ethan's car seat in. Claire didn't have a car, but she had a car seat for whenever she needed it. Ethan had wanted to bring Henry his picture this morning, so Claire put the car seat in Henry's car this morning. She was glad she did.
Henry put Ethan in the car seat but let Claire strap him in, since he didn't know how to use it. Henry did watch over her shoulder though. Almost as soon as they pulled out of the parking lot, Ethan was out. Claire smiled and shook her head. She couldn't remember the last time Ethan had gotten so worn out that he passed out like that.
" So, am I taking you home?", Henry asked quietly.
" Yeah, that way he can finish his nap in his bed", Claire replied.
Henry nodded, looking a little disappointed.
" Did you have fun?", Claire asked him, a knowing smirk on her face.
Henry smiled brightly, those elusive dimples making an appearance, " Yeah, I did"
" Good", Claire said warmly.
" Ethan's a great kid", Henry murmured, watching the road as he shifted gears.
" Thank you", Claire said, then had to clear the emotion from her throat, " He really has become quite fond of you, he's constantly talking about you, he even named his sock monkey Mr. Henry Monkey", she giggled.
Henry laughed and shook his head before glancing in the rear view to check on Ethan, as he had done about twenty times already. " I haven't been around a lot of kids, so I'm kinda surprised that we get along so well"
" Sometimes you can't help who you become friends with", Claire said, biting back a smile as she watched Henry.
Henry glanced at her, eyebrow raised, " Oh, so Ethan and I are friends?", he asked curiously, amusement glinting in his green eyes.
" According to him, you're his new best friend", Claire confirmed with a nod.
Henry smiled softly, " Yeah okay, he's got me there"
Claire chuckled. The rest of the ride was silent, but a comfortable silence. Henry's smile seemed permanent. Claire has never seen his smile so much in one day, let alone have a smile stay on his face for extended periods of time. Claire had a feeling that a little someone just stole Henry's heart right out from under her. Claire couldn't help but smile at the thought. Henry was a good role model and Claire would make sure that he remained in Ethan's life, no matter what.
Chapter 7
" Honey, do you remember my buddy Jack Landon's son Zack?", Claire's father, Frank, asked her.
Claire glanced over her shoulder at him. She was in her kitchen cooking them dinner. " Uh, yeah, I think so, why?", she asked, playing dumb. Of course she remembered Zack. She could never forget a man that gorgeous. She hadn't seen him in 10 years but there was no way he could have gotten ugly, it just wasn't possible.
" Well I just saw Zack yesterday for the first time in years, he's doing really well for himself. He's a doctor now. And he asked about you", Frank said, watching her.
