Chapter 19 #3
She moved out of bed so he could slide out. He scooped Bella up with practiced ease.
But as usual, getting Bella back to sleep proved to be a shared battle.
She squirmed and grunted in Wade’s arms, then in Claire’s, wailing no matter what they tried.
They took turns bouncing her on their shoulder, Wade singing all sorts of lullabies.
Claire’s exhaustion mounted with each passing hour.
“Should we give her food or a bottle of water?” Wade handed the squirming baby back to Claire.
She sighed and bounced Bella against her shoulder. “The book says no night feedings if we want to train her to sleep through the night. We’re supposed to teach her that nighttime is for sleeping, not eating.”
Wade ran a hand through his hair, clearly out of ideas. Finally, at nearly two, he snapped his fingers. “Eric and Joy used to drive my niece around the block when she wouldn’t settle. They said the motion always worked.”
Claire blinked, unsure if she had the energy to attempt it. But with Bella’s cries piercing the quiet, they had no choice left. “Let’s try it.”
In the driveway, he secured Bella in her car seat in Claire’s Subaru. “I’m sure you don’t want to drive, but Steve dropped me off.”
Too exhausted, she yawned and handed over the keys. “If you don’t mind driving, I’ll watch her from the mirror.”
Bella fussed but not as loud.
“I can’t believe you still have this car.” He backed out of the driveway.
“You got it new.” And it came with memories. “My first kiss, although unconventional, had this car involved.”
“Wow, I’m driving my wife in a car where she kissed another guy.”
“Turns out that guy is my fake husband right now.”
“You mean to say that was your first kiss?”
“I always thought a first kiss should be special… but…” It had been special, but she’d initiated it.
“And was it special?” He glanced at her as they waited at a red light.
“Did you kiss me out of sympathy?”
“I wanted to kiss you.” But that didn’t explain why he’d gone and told Albert about it, apologizing.
As they drove along the quiet streets, Bella’s cries rose, and Claire turned on the lullaby CD. She could see Bella’s scrunched face in the mirror. Between the music and the wailing, Claire’s temples throbbed.
“I’m not sure if this plan will work.” She rubbed her temples as the repetitive music grated on her nerves.
“Give it time.”
And so they looped around the block. Again. And again. Claire’s stomach churned from the repetitive motion and endless nursery rhymes. After what felt like hours, Bella’s cries faded into soft, even breaths.
Claire checked the mirror. Bella’s eyes were closed, her tiny chest rising and falling steadily.
“She’s out.” Claire rocked her head back against the seat. It hurt, and her stomach churned. It had better just be the lack of sleep and the looping drive.
He didn’t turn back. Instead, he drove toward the mountains, taking them on a mini road trip through the surrounding area to ensure Bella stayed asleep. The quiet streets and dark horizon were oddly peaceful, though Claire’s nausea only worsened.
When they returned home, he carried Bella inside, and Claire followed with unsteady steps, her body screaming for rest. He took Bella to bed, and Claire moved to the kitchen to fix Dad’s breakfast. It was five ten already.
Her stomach lurched again as she contemplated making eggs and sausage.
Maybe another day when she was better. Braving her discomfort, she pulled out milk for the cereal.
She’d also slice the grapefruit Dad requested yesterday.
After washing her hands, she grabbed the knife. No time for a cutting board. Grapefruit in hand, she sliced too quickly. The blade slipped. Sharp, searing pain shot through her palm.
“Ah!” She gasped at the blood pooling from the wound. Her stomach churned. Dizziness hit hard. Somehow, she managed to sprint, blood dripping in her wake, to the bathroom before collapsing by the toilet.
The room spun violently. She gripped the edge of the toilet bowl, sweat slicking her forehead. Her stomach twisted again, and she heaved, her injured hand throbbing with every pulse.
“Claire! Claire!” Wade’s footsteps pounded closer, and then he was there, kneeling beside her.
“What happened?” He took her injured hand.
“I—I cut myself.” Her breath hitched as another wave of nausea overtook her. She heaved again.
“Your hand is bleeding badly, and you’re burning up. Too hot this time.”
“I’m fine.” She rarely got sick. This should pass. “You have a plane to catch.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” He fingered her hair back from her face as she retched again.
“Priorities.” She croaked the word out between breaths, tears stinging her eyes. “You have other—”
“You are my priority.” He rubbed soothing circles on her back until she finished throwing up. Then he gave her water to rinse her mouth and saw her safely to the sofa. He headed to the bedroom and returned with a blanket to cover her before wiping her hand with tissues to soak up blood.
She’d never felt this dizzy. She doubted her words made sense when she remembered what she’d been doing prior. “Dad’s breakfast.”
“I’ll take care of it. Just hang on. I’m calling a doctor.”