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“You too.” Charli hung up and walked to the kitchen where Claire was sliding the casserole into the oven.
“Everything okay?” Claire motioned to the cell as Charli slipped it into her pocket.
Charli nodded. “Yeah. Finn had a security system installed, and I’m still getting used to how it works.”
“And how is my grandson?” Claire pressed a gentle hand to her belly.
“Running out of room.” Charli forced a chuckle.
“Oh, I know it seems that way.” Claire laughed.
“I can’t believe I have at least eleven more weeks of this. I’m not even going to be able to walk.” Charli waddled around to the stove and grabbed the kettle before filling it with water from the sink. “Tea?”
Claire nodded, opening the cupboard and pulling out two mugs. “It will all be worth it. There’s nothing like the day your child enters the world. It’s a birthday for you as well. The mother in you will be born.”
“I hope so,” Charli said, flicking on the gas.
Claire pulled her into a hug. Charli relaxed against her surrogate mother, inhaling Claire’s mango and cocoa butter scent. “You will be an amazing mother.” Claire squeezed her tighter. They stayed like that for a few more seconds before her mother-in-law released her.
“Thank you for saying that. I’m sorry I couldn’t . . . that Finn and I . . .”
“Oh, hush. You forget I birthed that boy. He came into this world two weeks late—stubborn from the very beginning. I know what it is like to be married to a Reed. I have faith Finnegan will come around and pull his head out of his ass.” Claire chuckled, adding a chamomile tea bag into each cup.
Charli sighed, a smile tipping the edge of her mouth. “I just wonder if there was something I could have done better.”
Claire shut the stove off and poured the hot water into the two waiting mugs. Charli spooned honey into hers and stirred before carrying it over to the table.
Claire followed, blowing on the steamy cup in front of her before setting it down. “Marriage isn’t easy. It’s full of its ups and downs. Some more than others.” Claire smiled. “What no one talks about is the forks in the road. Sometimes life happens, and for whatever reason someone’s needs are not being met. You can love each other with every precious cell in your body and still it won’t be enough.”
Charli’s chest squeezed. Tears burned the back of her eyes. Was Claire telling her this was well and truly over?
“It’s like if you are injured. You’re bleeding, losing blood, and getting weaker. In marriage, you’re connected to the other person. When they win, you win. When you lose, they lose. If you don’t speak up and let them know you need medical attention, that you need to fix this wound, you will bleed out—become dead weight—thereby losing yourself and taking your partner down with you.” Claire took a sip of her tea before continuing. “You told Finn he was bleeding, and he didn’t want to acknowledge it. You did all you could. It’s up to him to ask for the help he needs and take action to get it. Without help, he’s dragging you down. And, honey, that’s not a healthy marriage.”
Charli wiped the tears that had escaped off her cheeks. “Aren’t you supposed to be on his side?” She chuckled.
Claire gave her a sympathetic smile. “I may be that boy’s mama, but you’re my daughter too. We love you as our own. We want you both to work this out. But more than anything, we want you both happy.”
“Thank you so much for being there for me.”
Claire pulled her in for another hug, patting her back soothingly. “Zeke and I have been where you two are.”
Charli blinked, stunned. “You have?”
Claire nodded. “Finn was only two when I packed him up and went to stay with my mother. It was the longest six months of my life.”
“I had no idea.”
“We’ve never spoken about it. It’s not a subject he’s proud of. But I was done being ignored and having my opinions disregarded. He needed to make a choice. If he wanted me in his life, I wanted an equal partner in decision-making.” Claire sipped her tea.
“That look you give him, when you guys disagree over the big things,” Charli said, realization dawning.
Claire laughed. “I save it for the important stuff. Zeke feels better making most of the decisions. I learned it’s his way of feeling like he’s showing me love by protecting me. And after I understood that, it made me more appreciative. It doesn’t work for everyone. But every marriage is different. Every partner has different needs.”
“Wow. You’re a pretty amazing woman, Claire.”
“I know.” She fluffed her small afro with a playful gleam in her eyes.
Charli drank some of her tea. “How is he?”
