Chapter 48
(Phoebe's POV)
I am waiting in the living room. I have been pacing the floor waiting for nathan and Claire to get here. It must have been bad for Claire to walk out of the house. I hate that she was walking downtown by herself.
I make tea and have a cup ready for her. I also get the guest room ready in case she wants to stay. I have a feeling she will. I check On Henry to make sure he is still asleep and he is.
The baby kicks and I smile down at my belly. "Hi little one," I say and rub my belly.
The door opens and snaps me out of my thoughts. I rush over and see a distraught Claire and a very exhausted but worried Nathan.
"Hi," Claire says and I wrap my arms around her. She hugs me tightly and starts to cry. Nathan mouths "Susan" to me and I nod. That is he aunt.
"Claire, come sit," I say and sit next to her on the couch. I hand her a cup of tea and sit next to her.
"Thank you," she sniffles and sips her tea.
"What happened?" I ask. She sets her tea down and takes a deep breath.
"I told you guys how Susan's boyfriend was moving in right?" My stomach drops. This can't be good.
"Yes," I say. She takes another deep breath and tears start to fall. She wipes them away and apologizes.
"Claire, do not apologize," Nathan says and I nod. Nathan gets up and passes Claire a box of tissues.
"Thanks," she says and dabs her eyes.
"Well Susan is out of town and it is just me and Jim at the house," she says.
"Well they met at church and they are both super religious, which is great. I appreciate that and admire it," she says and we nod. I am not sure where she is going with this.
"Well I felt uncomfortable with it just being me and Jim at the house," she says and that is understandable. Frankly Susan should have thought about that.
"That is understandable," I say and she nods.
"I had William over. I really didn't want to be alone with Jim and I felt more comfortable with William there. We were hanging out in my room, and when Jim came home he freaked out," she says and starts to cry. I rub her shoulder. I am still a little confused. I believe what she means is he walked in on them doing something.
"Claire, what do you mean he freaked out?" Nathan asks with clenched fists.
"He said William isn't allowed in my room and that I was grounded. He made William leave and said I had to stay in my room. He called me a slut. And I I started having so much anxiety about being there alone with him. He took my keys and said he would deal with me later after he called Susan," she says and she really starts to cry.
I take her in my arms and hold her tightly to me. I look to Nathan and he shakes his head. Susan should have never left her alone with him.
"I don't wanna go back there," she cries.
"You don't have to," Nathan says and walks over to us. He sits on the edge of the couch. He runs her back as I hold her.
"I'm sorry I always run to you guys, I know you have so much going on and I," she cries even more.
"Hey, look at me," Nathan says. Claire sits up and looks at Nathan. She truly is a stunning girl.
"You never have to apologize for feeling what you do. You never have to apologize for coming to us. We love you Claire. We will always love you. We want you to feel like you can come to us anytime," Nathan says and I nod. This sets Claire off crying more. Nathan stands and pulls her up. He wraps his arms around her and holds her. It is a sweet sight.
I get Claire a water and a blanket. We sit back down and I let Claire and Nathan have the couch. "Does Jim know you left?" I ask. The last thing we need is him filing a missing person report.
"No," she says And I nod.
"I'll text Susan," Claire says.
"Copy me on that text okay, sweetheart," I say and she nods. If Susan wants to talk I should make myself available.
"Is it okay, if I sleep here?" She asks timidly. "I know you guys have Henry and Phoebe, you are pregnant," Claire says and I smile.
"Of course, bear," Nathan says.
"We want you here," I say and she nods. She takes another sip of her tea.
"I'll walk you to your room, bear," nathan says. "Pheebs you go get some sleep," Nathan says and kisses me then the bump.
"Thank you, Pheebs," Claire says and hugs me tightly. I kiss her head and head back to our room.
I lay in bed and wait. I cannot believe that Jim did that. I look down at my phone and see Claire's text to Susan. If Susan doesn't remove him from the house, Claire won't be able to stay there.
When Nathan comes back, he lays in bed and wraps his arm around me. "Poor girl," I say and he nods.
"She's exhausted, did Susan respond to her text?" He asks. I reach over and check my phone.
"Not yet," I say and Nathan nods.
"Hopefully she kicks him out," Nathan says and I nod.
"I know, she's welcome to stay here for awhile," I say and nathan agrees, rubbing my arm.
"Get some sleep baby," Nathan says and kisses my head.
"Love you," I say and turn on my side. Nathan wraps his arm around me and we fall asleep.
The next morning we are woken up by Henry on the monitor. I am exhausted. I sit up and rub my eyes. I decide to let Nathan sleep in so I sneak out of bed. I head upstairs to get Henry.
When I open his door Henry is bouncing on the bed holding his paw patrol dog. Crazy boy. "Good morning," I smile.
"Hi," he says and giggles. He runs over and hugs my legs. This is what make the early mornings worth it. I hold his hand and we walk downstairs. I start a pot of coffee and make Henry toast and eggs.
The baby is kicking up a storm today. They have been wiggling since I got up. I smile down at the little flutters.
"Bee bee," I hear.
"Yes bud," I say.
"Nate pway?" Henry says.
"Nathan is sleeping, he will play when he wakes up," I say and Henry nods.
"Bee jump jump today?" Henry asks. Jump jump is the indoor trampoline park we took him to. I'll have to talk to Nathan. We were supposed to go visit a daycare facility.
"We'll see, come eat," I say and pass him his plate. I sip my coffee and watch him devour his food. He is such a good eater.
"Tank you," he says and I smile, kissing his head.
I hear footsteps and Claire comes in. She is in a sweatshirt and leggings. I smile at her and say good morning.
"Morning, hi Henry," Claire says. Henry gets a large grin.
"Cwaire, you sweep here?" He asks.
"I did sleep here," she smiles.
"You pway wif me?" Henry asks. I smile and tell him we're going to talk first.
"How you feeling?" I ask her.
"I'm okay," she says and I nod rubbing her arm.
"Did you get some sleep?" I ask her.
"Yes I slept well," she says. She's fidgeting and I can tell she's nervous about something.
"What's going on?" I ask.
"I just don't want to go back there today," Claire says and I nod.
"You are welcome to stay here as long as you want," I say and she smiles.
"Thanks Pheebs," she says.
"Nothing he said was true about you," I say and hug her. She smiles tightly and hugs me back.
Nathan walks out and looks effortlessly beautiful. He has his grey sweats and black shirt on. I smile as he leans down and kisses me. "You didn't have to let me sleep," he says and I smile.
"You haven't been sleeping well," I say.
"And you are pregnant," he says and rubs my growing belly. I smile up at him.
"Natin, we go jump jump," Henry says and runs over pulling on Nathan's pant leg.
"We were supposed to go visit that facility, I guess we could go tomorrow," Nathan says to me.
"It's up to you, I am fine with whatever," I say.
"Tomorrow we can buddy," Nathan sasys and smiles picking him up. I laugh as Henry throws his arms around Nathan and kisses his head.
"Hi bear," Nathan says and Claire smiles.
"Do you want to go with us today? We are going to visit a daycare facility and then take crazy man to a trampoline park," I say and Claire smiles.
"I was going to go to William's today. We didn't get a chance to talk after last night, is that okay?" she asks.
"Of course it is," I say.
We both get ready, and I take Henry and put him in his car seat. I let Claire take my car to William's house. "You okay?" Nathan asks and rubs my leg. I nod and smile at him.
"More than okay," I say.
We get to the daycare and walk in. I am holding Henry on my hip. The facility is super nice and clean. "Hi you must be the Moore's," a young woman greets us.
"Yes, I am Phoebe and this is my husband Nathan, and our little guy Henry," I say and she smiles waving at Henry. He gets bashful and hides his face in my shoulder. We all laugh.
"I am Sarah, I am the owner here. I am so thrilled to have you guys here, want to take a tour?" she asks and we say yes.
She guides us through the facility. She takes us to the room Henry would be in. She explains how they pride themselves on having a 2 child to 1 teacher ratio. It makes me feel good that I know Henry would be proitized and watched.
The kitchen is so cute and has artwork from the kids hanging around it. They have a water playroom, a playground, and an explore room. Henry is mezmorized by the whole experience. He keeps pointing and saying "Woah"
I smile at Nathan who looks like he likes the place. "If you want to sign him up I will send you home with these, we just need a couple of papers signed. We do hope you'll consider," she says. I thank her and take the folder of paperwork.
We say our goodbyes and head to the car. "Henry did you like it there?" I ask him.
"Pway in dere," he says and I smile at Nathan. He loves being around other kids. I know he'll end up being there next week.
"That was a great facility," I say.
"I agree, I would feel good about sending him there," Nathan says and I smile.
"I think we should try it, if it doesn't work we always have Stella," I say and he nods.
"We should really-" I am cut off by my phone ringing. I look down and see an unknown number. I decline it and continue talking.
"We should really- for pete's sake," my phone rings again.
"Eat steak," Henry says, trying to repeat what I said. I laugh and see the same number is calling me. Weird. I decide to pick it up in case something is wrong.
"Hello," I say.
"Hello, is this Phoebe?" I hear a mans voice. What the heck?
"Who is this?" I ask.
"Jim Royster, Susan's fiance," I frown. This can't be good. I didn't know they were engaged either. I could have sword Susan said boyfriend.
"Can I help you?" I ask curtly.
"Where is Claire?" He asks. Oh hell no.
"Why do you need to know?" I ask.
"Because she ran out like a brat last night. I have tried calling her. Susan says I need to apologize and bring her home, so that is what I am doing," he says and I sigh. Nathan mouths what.
"She was not being a brat. I would appreciate it if you watched how you spoke about her. She will come home when she is ready," I say.
"Listen Fiona, Phoebe, whatever the hell your name is, I don't have time for this," Nathan says speaker and I put it on speaker.
"Again, she will come home when she is ready," I say.
"I heard you the first time, lady and I do not care. You will tell me where she is," this guy is a low life.
"No I will not," I say.
"Listen bitch-" that is when Nathan rips the phone out of my hand.
"Who the hell do you think you are calling my wife and speaking to her that way. You will not be seeing or speaking to Claire. If you come near her I will beat the shit out of you," Nathan yells. I pull into the parking garage and park the car.
"You sound like a real tough guy, listen if I have to find the brat myself I will. Tell your whore wife she is no help," he says.
"I will fucking-" Jim hangs up the phone before Nathan can finish. All of the sudden there is a whimper from the backseat.
"Oh buddy, don't cry," I say. Nathan's yelling scared Henry.
"Nate loud," he says and starts crying. I climb back and unbuckle him. I get out of the car and hold him to my chest. Nathan is in the car and I watch as he takes a couple of deep breaths. He gets out and hurries around to us.
"Oh Henry," he says and Henry whimpers and clings to my chest.
"Hey," I say and look at Nathan. He is so angry I can tell.
"It's okay," I say.
"It's not, we need to get Sawyer to Claire and get her back here," I say.
"I already have Drew with her," I say and Nathan nods.
"I am texting him what happened, and having him take her here" Nathan says and gets his phone out.
"Okay," I say as we ride the elevator up to our place.
I set Henry down and he runs to the coach begging for Ipad time. I allow it because the situation we are in. Usually it is only used as a reward. He loves playing the train game.
"They are on their way," Nathan says and I nod.
"Come here," Nathan says and opens his arms. I walk into his chest and he hugs me tightly. I feel safest here.
"That guy was an ass," I say and look up at him.
"That is putting it lightly, my Bee," he says and kisses my forehead. I frown and nod.
"I could kill him," Nathan says.
"I know he was a dick," I say and Nathan nods.
"Is it a bad time to say you look really sexy when you're worked up," I say. Nathan looks down at me and laughs.
"Is that what I am? Worked up," He says and I smile.
"Yep," I say and he smiles.
"Oh Phoebe, what you do to me," he says.
Soon the elevator opens, Claire and William rush out of it. Drew follows and heads back to the security quarters. "He's going to find me," Claire says and looks so frightened.
"Babe, no he is not," William says and wraps an arm around her. I smile at his affection. Reminds me of Nathan and I at that age.
"He's right Claire, we have security here. You are not leaving with him and he will not follow you," I say.
"I can't keep doing this, I need space," Claire says and darts passed us. I frown as she goes out onto the balcony. It is the middle of January she is going to freeze. William goes to follow her but stops.
We all know Nathan is the one she finds the most security in. Nathan knows it too. He nods at both of us and heads outside.
(Nathan's POV)
I shrug off my jacket and put it on Claire. She thanks me quietly and keeps her gaze on the skyline of Seattle. I see tears run down her face as she takes a deep breath.
"I'm sorry," she says and I frown.
"For what?" I ask her.
"I keep doing this to you and Phoebe. Where I go chaos follows," she says and it breaks my heart to hear.
"Claire, Phoebe and I love you so much. There is nothing in the world that could make us stop loving you. This is out of your control and we want to be here to protect you." I say trying to reassure her.
"I am so grateful for that, I am more than you ever know," she says. I wait for her to continue. "But you have a baby on the way, and a toddler inside. It is not fair to be putting you guys in this situation because of something I did," she says. I shake my head.
"Claire, you are our child as much as Henry and the baby on the way. That means that we are going to love you and protect you whether you like it or not," I say and she puts her head in her hands crying.
"I am so overwhelmed, it never stops," she says and my heart breaks on the spot.
"Hey talk to me," I say and she shakes her head.
"It can never be normal, I just want a month of peace," she says and I reach out for her. She hugs me tightly and I hold her.
"It will get better, Bear. I promise," I say and make shushing noises trying to calm her. She is exhausted and emotional. Rightfully so.
"Listen to me," I say and cup her face in my hands.
"Phoebe and I are always here. You do not need to hide your emotions or what is going on from us. We want to be here for you. We love you so much, Claire. It is going to get better," I say and she nods crying again.
I hold her to my chest until she calms down. The door opens and I see WIlliam. She looks at him and then at me.
"Can we have a minute?" Claire asks.
"OF course," I say.
"Hey Nathan?" CLaire says and I turn towards her.
"Thank you," she says and I smile at her.
I go back inside to Phoebe who runs and throws herself into my arms. "I love you, Nathan Moore," she says and I kiss her head.