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“I’m fine.” I softly smiled.
“I’m really sorry, Claire.” He stood from his chair.
“Don’t be.” I walked over and hugged him. “You didn’t know. It’s not your fault.”
“Well, at least you’re on the beach with us now,” he said, breaking our embrace and smiling. “And you’re exactly where you belong. I have to get back to the hospital.” He kissed my forehead. “I’ll talk to Nick.”
“Don’t Christian. It’s over and for the best.”
As he left my office, his lips gave way to a sympathetic smile. Sitting behind my desk, I laid my forehead down and sighed.
“Claire, are you okay?” Tessa asked.
“I will be,” I mumbled. “I just need a few minutes.”
“Okay. Let me know if you need anything.”
I held my first staff meeting, went over the company’s projections, and put together a plan for a new shopping center proposal Shaun gave me. I left the office around seven p.m. and headed to Shaun and Jenni’s.
When I walked through the door, the twins were screaming. Shaun and Jenni held them, walked around, and tried their best to soothe them.
“Welcome to our crazy fucking life!” Jenni shouted over the twin’s screams.
I set my purse and briefcase down, walked over to Jenni, and took my niece from her.
“What’s wrong, sweet girl?”
Stella took one look at me and screamed louder.
“What’s wrong with them?” I asked.
“Ear infections.” Shaun shook his head as he tried to soothe Sawyer.
“They’re overtired and won’t go to sleep,” Jenni placed her hand on her forehead.
“I have an idea. Show me to their room,” I said. “Jenni, grab Shaun’s guitar.”
Jenni led me up the stairs and showed me where the nursery was. Laying Stella down in her crib, she screamed. Shaun laid Sawyer down in his, and he cried louder than his sister. Jenni handed me Shaun’s guitar. I stood in the middle of the room while I strummed the chords and sang the song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. It took a minute, but the twins finally stopped crying. As I sang to them, their little eyes began to shut. By the time I finished the last verse, they were sound asleep.
The three of us quietly walked out of the nursery and went downstairs.
“You are a Godsend,” Shaun said, hooking his arm around my neck and kissing the side of my head. You have a fantastic voice. I can’t believe my sister is a celebrity.” He grinned.
“I’m not a celebrity.” I laughed.
“You are to me.” Jenni smiled. “Wine?” She held up the bottle.
“Definitely.”
“We’re happy you’re staying with us,” Jenni said as she poured the wine. “But this thing between you and Nick needs to be resolved.”
“Jenni—” Shaun began to speak.
“Quiet, Shaun.” She put her hand up.
“I’ve been where he is,” she said, handing me a glass of wine. “It practically destroyed me when I found out who Shaun really was.”
I glanced at Shaun, and he looked down.
