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Lilith comes back with Mom and Dad, each holding one of the twins. She closes the door behind them, and I motion for everyone to sit somewhere. Mom stays standing, she knows what’s coming.
“Should I go or…” Levi asks.
“Stay. You’re as much family as anyone.” I answer. God knows that Con could use him right now. “I was diagnosed earlier this year with Multiple Sclerosis,” I blurt out. The room goes completely silent for a minute.
“Claire,” Dad stands up, handing the baby he was holding off to Lilith. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
I glance at Con before answering. “I think I wanted to come to terms with it on my own. I wanted one successful run at being a principal dancer.”
“You’ve known for months and you didn’t tell me?” Con asks with hurt coloring his voice. “I would have helped you. I would have been there for you.”
“You can’t help me.” I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his waist. “You can’t fix this for me. I knew that would be what you would want to do. I needed time to make my peace. MS is treatable but incurable, eventually it’ll probably be terminal. It’s scary, but the reality is that I have maybe twenty years left.”
“Are you experiencing symptoms?” Lilith asks.
“Yeah, I’ve had a few flares. For me, my symptoms are neurological. I go into these brain fog-like states and don’t remember where I am or what I’m doing. I haven’t had many physical symptoms yet.”
“I thought MS was just physical,” Con says.
“It depends on the person.” I shrug. “My ability to dance hasn’t changed, but I am forgetting choreography. That leads me to how Griff and I got involved.”
Con’s nostril flare. “I don’t want to talk about him.”
“Well, tough shit. He’s gotten me through the past few months and helped me in ways I can’t even begin to describe to you.”
Con and I engage in a glare off. We have a silent back and forth conversation. He finally acquiesces and motions for me to continue.
“I went to him to ask for a catch and kill. There is someone harassing me at the studio. He said yes but made me tell him why I needed it. When I told him, I made him swear to keep it between us until I was ready to tell you. He asked me to keep him in the loop, and we started seeing each other regularly. One thing led to another and, you know.”
“Who’s harassing you?” Con and Levi ask at the same time, both puffing up ready to fight.
“I don’t know, but this,” I point at both of them, “is what I wanted to avoid. I don’t need you interfering. I can handle this on my own.”
“You went to him for help though,” Con says with an attitude.
“This isn’t about you, Con, stop acting like an asshole.” Lilith says.
“What doctor are you seeing?” Dad asks. “We should find the best specialist in the country for you.”
“Or the world. Fly them in from wherever,” Con says and looks at Dad, who nods in agreement.
“She’s already got the best, and he’s right in the city,” Mom says.
Both of their heads snap in her direction.
“I found an insurance statement and confronted her last weekend. She came clean but asked me not to say anything until she was ready.”
“The fuck, Claire?” Con asks accusingly. “You told her? The lying cheater? The person more interested in banging a maid half her age than keeping her family together?”
“Connor,” Dad warns.
“Dude,” Levi says, rubbing his brow.
“You know what? Yeah, I did confide in her. She’s made mistakes, but she doesn’t try to take over my life or smother me. You two,” I look back and forth between Con and Dad, “do. Please hear me when I tell you I need you to let me live and take care of myself on my own. For as long as I can.”
Con and Dad have a silent conversation where I know they’re agreeing to talk about this privately. I roll my eyes and finish packing. Lilith comes over to me and pulls me to her in a hug.
“We’ll be here, whenever and however you need us. I’ll do my best to keep Con in line for you.” She hugs me tight.
“Thank you. I appreciate that.” I squeeze her back.
“Do you want to ride home with us?”
I look at the girls, and I’m still too sad about my infertility. I’m too raw right now. I look at Mom and Dad, “Are you guys going to the city or back to Founder’s Ridge?”
“We were going to go back to Founder’s Ridge, but we can change our plans.”
“You know what?” Levi says. “Ives went back to the city with Griff. I’d love some company for the ride if you don’t mind.”
“Sure,” I give him a grateful smile.
