Chapter 19
The pregnancy was different this time.
Claire was older. The doctors monitored her closely. She was high-risk, not just because of her age and history, but because of the stress her body had been through.
But she was also stronger.
She had Ethan. She had the boys. She had support.
She didn't have to go through this alone.
Ethan was there for every appointment. Every ultrasound. Every moment of morning sickness and fatigue and excitement.
They didn't tell the boys right away. They waited until Claire was starting to show.
Then one evening, they sat them down in the living room.
“Boys,” Ethan said. “Mommy and Daddy have something to tell you.”
James looked up from his book, curious.
William stopped trying to climb the couch.
Michael continued trying to climb the couch.
“There's a baby growing in Mommy's tummy,” Claire said.
James frowned. “How did it get there?”
Ethan and Claire exchanged a look.
“Uh... it's a long story,” Ethan said. “The important thing is, you're going to have a little brother or sister.”
William's face lit up. “Baby?”
“Baby,” Claire confirmed.
Michael finally stopped climbing. He looked at Claire's belly. Then he walked over and poked it.
“Baby?” he said.
“Baby,” Claire said, catching his hand before he could poke too hard.
The boys accepted the news in their own ways.
James became very protective. He would sit beside Claire and rest his hand on her belly, as if guarding the baby. He would shush people when they got too loud near her.
William would kiss Claire's belly every morning and every night. He would sing to the baby. Off-key, but with great enthusiasm.
Michael would poke it. Occasionally. But he also started bringing Claire his favorite toys, as if offering them to the baby.
It was sweet.
Chaotic.
But sweet.
As Claire's pregnancy progressed, Ethan found himself thinking more and more about his own parents.
About Margaret.
About Hale.
About the father who had raised him and loved him as his own.
He wanted to be better than all of them.
He wanted to be the kind of father his children would look up to. The kind of father who would never betray them. Who would always protect them. Who would love them unconditionally.
One night, as he sat beside Claire's sleeping form, his hand resting on her belly, he made a promise.
To this new baby.
To James, William, and Michael.
To Claire.
I will never let anything hurt you. I will never leave you. I will love you with everything I have, for as long as I live.
May you like
The baby kicked against his hand.
As if in agreement.
