“Mr. Baldwin, I will only stay as long as Claire allows.”
Claire exhaled at Tony’s manners. She knew he was speaking as the social Anthony, not from his soul. Nevertheless, his charisma prevailed and Harry approached Claire. When he bent to kiss her, she pleaded with her eyes. Instead of continuing his descent, he squeezed her hand. The sad realization in his eyes broke her heart. He said, “I’m right on the other side of that door.”
“Thank you,” she feigned a smile, “for everything.”
After a prolonged stare at Claire and again at Tony, Harry exited the room. As he did, Claire heard the protests of her family. She didn’t care.
She looked up to the man looming above her, gloom emanating from every pore. His expression should terrify her; it was probably the reason Harry didn’t want to leave, but she wasn’t afraid. Tears of relief flowed as she reached for him and said, “I’m so glad you’re here.”
He took her hand, “The last time I saw you like this...”
“I’m all right.”
“If that son-of-a-bitch weren’t dead, I’d kill him myself.”
By the sound of Tony’s voice, Claire didn’t doubt the accuracy. “Tony, we are both okay.”
His eyes opened wide and his shoulders relaxed, “I haven’t been able to get any specific information. I just assumed...”
“The doctor was just here. She said our baby is fine.”
Moisture filled his eyes as he pulled away and paced near the end of her bed. Finally he spoke, “Claire, just like your accident, this is my fault, too.” She shook her head but he continued. “I don’t know how Chester found you or knew of our connection. I don’t even know how he knew me. I knew him when I was Anton.” He moved closer and started to reach for her chin, but stopped. “And now look what he’s done.”
Claire squeezed his large hand and lifted it to her face, “Thank you for coming. I feel so much better having you here.”
As her face inclined to his touch, Tony’s forehead fell to her chest and he sighed with relief. “I knew my presence wouldn’t be welcome. I’ve been waiting on another floor for word of your waking.”
That’s why he wasn’t here -- Claire thought as her lips turned upward and said, “Yes, I heard your welcoming committee.”
He looked into her eyes and his voice hardened, “When you’re well enough to travel, you’re coming home where you’ll be safe and where Catherine can take care of you.”
She narrowed her eyes, “That didn’t sound like a question.”
His eyes narrowed in response, “It shouldn’t. I would hate to mislead you; it wasn’t.”
Claire exhaled, “Chester is dead, no more danger.”
He leaned toward her, “Are you seriously going to argue about this, covered in bruises and carrying my baby?”
He was close; she raised her chin and kissed his pursed lips. “Not right now,” she smiled. “Let me get some rest and get a little stronger and then I will.” She watched his eyes soften as a smile caused his cheeks to rise.
“Good,” he kissed her again. “I look forward to it.” He squeezed her hand. “We don’t know if Patrick Chester was working alone. Until we find out and find your laptop, this isn’t negotiable.”
Claire debated protesting. While Tony’s expression warned otherwise, that wasn’t what stopped her. She wasn’t sure she wanted to argue. What if there was someone else? “I need some sleep for this headache to go away, and then I’ll respond with the appropriate cheekiness for you.”
His eyes continued to lighten, “Even looking like you do, I think you’re sexy as hell.” He gently kissed her forehead, “Do you think now is a good time to tell your entourage our news?”
Claire looked down. “No, they know.” Tony’s eyebrows went up. “The doctor told Harry before I woke. He told everyone else.”
Dark clouds returned to his gaze, “Why would the doctor tell him?”
“She assumed he was the father.”
His words slowed as his posture straightened, “And does he assume that as well?”
Claire thought she might be ill. She was single. She and Tony weren’t married, engaged, or anything else. At least they weren’t when she and Harry...So why did she feel so guilty. Shyly she replied, “Yes.”
If she’d slapped him, he couldn’t have stood faster. For a split second Claire feared he was heading for the door. She worried more for Harry than for herself. However, Tony stopped his progress and paced around the small hospital room, keeping his eyes fixed on his shoes moving rapidly upon the glossy linoleum. Claire didn’t speak; Tony needed to work this out himself. Instead, she laid her head upon the pillow and closed her eyes.
His voice brought her back, “You’re sure I’m the father?”
Claire opened her eyes, her voice steady, “Yes, you were at the condominium two weeks before Harry and me... Well, at the ultrasound the doctor said the heartbeat isn’t detectable until six weeks. If he were the father, I would have barely been five weeks along. At that time, I was seven.” She reached for his hand. After a moment of hesitation he stepped to her. She continued, “Tony, I didn’t know we were together until you confirmed it at the gala. I remember it, but I truly thought it was a dream.”
He sighed and sat again on her bedside. “You were very tired, but you were talking. You mentioned something about a dream. I may be guilty of taking advantage of a tired woman, but nothing else.”
“How did you get back in the condo? I remember closing and locking the door.”
“You closed it, but you didn’t lock it. Or, it didn’t lock. I came back to say something, and I heard something fall. It sounded like it broke. I listened but didn’t hear anything else. So, I decided to check on you. The door opened.” He confessed, “I didn’t knock. You were on the couch. I carried you to your bedroom. I can say with honorable intentions, but that wouldn’t be entirely true. Claire, I asked you multiple times. You never said no.”
She sighed, “I remember wanting you. I’d spent half the night dreaming about you, until I gave up and stayed awake. That’s why I was so tired.”
His smile lit her world. “You dreamt about me?”
“Yes, it was after our dinner. I hadn’t seen you since ... the jail in Iowa.”
He softly kissed her lips, and his eyes sparkled, “You dreamt about me?”
She smirked, “Yes, you egotistical narcissist. I did.”
“I’ve dreamt about you, too. I think it may have something to do with seeing your beautiful face above my fireplace every night before I fall asleep.”
The door opened, and they turned to see the nurse return. “I’m sorry, sir, Ms. Nichols needs her rest. I’m closing her door to visitors for a while.”
Tony stood with Claire’s hand still in his. “What about...?” he asked.
“I’ll tell them. I was about to tell Harry when you showed up.”
Tony turned to the nurse, “How long is a while?”
She looked to Claire. Suddenly, Claire realized the nurse was probably sent to save her. Claire replied, “I want Mr. Rawlings here whenever possible.”