Claire tapped her foot on the tile of the hospital floor. Her hands were literally shaking. Nothing like getting sober the moment you receive news that your mother has collapsed. She thought she was doing well. How could she have been so ignorant like this. There she was, getting it on with Ryan whilst her mother was like this. What if she had...
Claire closed her eyes to block that thought. Right now wasn't the time. She had to be strong for the boy whose head was resting on her lap.
"Mom?" Marcus rubbed his eyes and sat up straight in his chair.
"Hey baby, did I wake you?" She kissed the top of his head before ruffling his hair. "I'm proud of you. What you did today was really brave. I can't imagine what would've happened if..."
Marcus cut her off. "Hey mom, don't think like that okay. Grandma will be fine. How is she?"
She sighed and replied, "I don't know yet. She's still in surgery." Her mother had been in surgery for the last four hours andshe was really anxious.
"You should get some rest. You've work."
"I'm not going to work. I'll ask Ryan," soon as I find an excuse.
"Um, or you can ask him now." Claire's eyebrows raised in confusion.
"Wh-" she followed Marcus's gaze and stared at what he was probably staring at.
Ryan.
In the flesh, with only a couple of meters between them. He had put on the same shirt from earlier except the sleeves were now rolled upto his arms.
How in fuck's world did he manage to look this sexy.
His hair was still messy from their little activity earlier.
Then he started walking. Just casual steps but each step felt like the ground shook in Claire's head.
"Hi."
"Hi."
A moment passed without them talking. She could see him eyeing Marcus and her back and forth. Claire fished a five dollar bill from her purse and gave it to him.
Probably knowing that she wanted him to leave, Marcus rolled her eyes as he took the money. "Really, mom?" he stuffed the money into his back pocket, greeted Ryan and made his way to the venting machine.
Ryan occupied Marcus's seat. Her head was beginning to pound now. This was it.
Ryan was going to break the contract now. Her mother was in the hospital again. Where would she get the money if this happens again?
"Is he your son?" she heard him ask.
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
She half turned to look at him. "Would you have married me if you knew?" silence, "exactly. I needed the money."
"So you used me?"
She scoffed. "Look who's talking. Why are you here, anyways?"
He raked his hand in his hair. She found it very sexy. Your mom is fighting for her life and you're still horny!
"Well, I was worried."
Disbelief plastered on her face. "About me?"
"Well, yeah. I mean, we were in the middle of something and then the next thing receive a phone call and then you just took your purse and car keys and boom! So yes, I was worried."
Claire massaged her temples. "Thanks."
"Sure. So how's she?" The tears she had been holding for Marcus's sake broke free when Ryan asked that question.
"She's in a critical condition. She has been in that room for the last four hours." She heard him scoot closer to her. She let him place her head on his chest before patting her back.
"I'm sorry, baby. I'm sorry." He continued to draw circles on her back, whispering encouraging words to her. He let her cry her heart out on his chest.
Claire was feeling better after a while. She detached herself from Ryan's embrace and wiped her face. "Thanks." He shrugged and was about to say something when the emergency room door opened.
"Doctor?" She didn't like the look on the doctor's face. Needing something to hold on to, she squeezed Ryan's hand who had come to stand besides her.
"She's out of danger, Miss Smith. But she requires a lot of attention now. Her heart is still a little weak but after a few weeks rest, she will be good as new."
Claire thanked the doctor before hugging Ryan. She just wanted someone to hold her, to let her know everything was going yo be okay and Ryan's hug was doing just that.
"Why don't they come live with us?"
She was sure she hadn't heard right. "What?"
"Your mother and your son. They should come and live with us." he said casually.
"Why?"
"Why not?" he returned, "Plus you heard the doctor, she needs care. Martha can take care of her."
"And that won't bother you?" sge raised an eyebrow.
"If it did, I wouldn't have suggested it," he said as a matter-of-factly.
"Why are you doing this?"
"We're married, remember. Our contract doesn't come to an end for the next four months." Oh.So that's why he was keeping her around. What did you think, stupid? "We've enough space."
Claire thought about it for while. It would be nice to have her family close by and to be able to see them everyday. So with a final decision, she looked at him and said, "Okay. You'll have to meet my mother first.
***
Ryan wouldn't say he hated children. He just never thought of having them at any point in his life. He had seen how his father made him feel like he had to be perfect for him to be loved. He didn't want that for any children. Plus there were plenty other specimen to carry on the Gordon name.
He stared at the boy who was resting on Claire's lap. She was raking her hand through his hair. The sight made Ryan's heart soften. He still remembered how his own mother used to do the same thing. He smiled at that thought.
"Where's his father?" He saw her flinch and she hung her head low.
"I don't know." she said lowly. He knew better not to pry on the matter even though he wanted to know the whole thing. He sat on the other side of her.
"He has your eyes." she smiled at that.
"Thanks." A woman entered the foyer and ran towards Claire.
"Hi, sweetie. I came here as soon as I could." she hugged her and place a kiss on Marcus's forehead. "Why didn't you call me sooner?" she sounded a little hurt.
"Everything happened so fast. I'm sorry, Ava. But Ryan has been, uh, quite helpful." Ava turned her head to face him and her eyes went round in... shock?
She eyed him then Marcus then Claire. It was clear that she knew about him. "Hi, Ryan." he extanded his hand which she shook.
"Um, Ava."
"Nice to meet you, Ava." She just nodded and everyone fell into the awkward silence. Thank God for the doctor who had returned before Ryan made a stupid comment like, "How was the waiter, Ava?"
"We've moved Ms Smith to room 501," the doctor announced, "She's still unconscious so you may see her tomorrow."
He turned to leave but Claire stopped him. "Wait. She's supposed to be in room 200."
"Oh, your husband upgraded her room." The doctor went away. Claire carefully placed Marcus on the chair before standing in front of Ryan. She jabbed her finger into his chest.
"Why did you do that? I didn't ask you to do that!" He had expected her to say that. Well, not the exact words but something along those lines.
"Would you've let me if I told you?" she didn't answer his question. "I wanted to do this. You can always change it if you don't like it."
He saw her took deep breaths before finally looking at him. "I'm sorry. It's just that..." sigh. "I'm sorry."
Ryan put her head on his chest and hugged her. "I know, baby, I know." He kissed her hair and he felt her relax into him as she put her hands around his back and nuzzled into his chest. It felt right. She felt right.
"Ahem!" Claire detached herself from him and... Was she blushing. "I'll take you home."
"Actually, we're going with Ryan." Claire told her. If Ava's eyes could pop out, they would have by now. He could imagine the conversation between the two already.
"Okay then. Seems like everything is under control." Ava took her purse and Claire attempted-miserably- to lift Marcus before Ryan scooped him up.
"You're just embarrassing yourself, sweetheart." He said to her as he settled Marcus comfortably on his shoulder. She gave him a clap on his bicep but there was a playful smile on her face.
They said their goodbyes in the parking lot and Ava went her separate ways. Ryan settled Marcus on Claire's lap, making sure he brushed the tips of his fingers on her exposed thighs. Now isn't the time, you horny bastard!"
He closed her door and went around to his seat and turned on the ignition.
Thirty minutes later, they were at home. He lifted Marcus to Claire's room. He had wanted to take him to a guest bedroom but she had said that it was best if she stayed close to him, being a new house and all.
"I'll see you in the morning." Ryan said, standing at her door.
"Thanks." She tiptoed and placed a kiss on his lips but he held her and tilted her head to gain more access. Now wasn't the time. Even if his body was already hot for her. Even if her moans were driving him crazy.
He broke the kiss and rested his forehead on hers. "You feel it too, don't you?" He knew she felt it but he wanted to hear her say it.
They were breathing each others breaths. "Everyday." she answered him.
He summoned every ounce of power in his body and took a step away. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight." she remained standing there, just looking at him with those beautiful eyes clouded with desire.
"If you continue looking at me like that, I can't guarantee I'll be able to control myself." She gulped at his words.
"Then don't." The door closed in front of him. He laughed. His wife was going to be the death of him. He turned and walked into his room but not before silently swearing to deliver on her words one of these days.