The table was a square four seater. Ethan sat on a booster to Claire right. Henry claimed the seat to her left. So her father sat across from her. Claire put some chicken rice soup in a bowl for Ethan before grabbing a half of an American hoagie for herself. Henry had a corned-beef special. Claire smiled and shook her head. Henry caught her.
He rolled his eyes, " What Claire?"
Claire snickered, " Corned-beef again?"
Henry narrowed his eyes at her, " I like corned-beef, leave me alone"
Claire laughed as he took a big bite of his sandwich while glaring at her. Ethan giggled as he watched the two of them.
" What's so funny?", Henry asked Ethan around a mouthful of food, making him giggle some more.
" Ew Henry, that's gross", Claire groaned.
Then Henry stopped her heart by winking at her. He freaking winked at her! Who the hell is this guy?! Claire gaped at him, trying to figure out who this person was. Henry rolled his green eyes at her.
" What now?", he asked after swallowing his food.
" Who are you and what have you done with Henry Beck?", Claire demanded.
Henry gave her a bored look, but that couldn't hide the slight blush on his cheeks. " Whatever"
After they all finished eating, Frank and Claire cleaned up the left overs and dishes. Henry had offered to help but Claire shooed him away. He went and sat on the couch with Ethan. Claire watched as Ethan got off the couch, went running into his room then came back a couple seconds later with a book. He climbed back onto the couch and held out the book to Henry.
" You weed me Henwee?", Ethan asked, his big blue eyes impossible to say no to.
Henry smiled softly and took the book, " Sure", he said, then got a surprise when Ethan crawled onto his lap. Henry didn't seem to mind, he just waited for Ethan to settle in before opening the book, Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham.
By the time Henry finished reading, Ethan was out cold, curled against Henry's chest, clutching his sock monkey. Claire's heart was doing flip flops in her chest as she watched Henry wrap his big arms around Ethan to hold him. Ethan has never taken so quickly to any man. Not that Claire brought any around, but whenever they met someone new, Ethan was usually ducking behind her leg, not wanting anything to do with them. But he was comfortable enough to fall asleep on Henry. That was amazing in Claire's eyes.
Her dad came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. " I've never seen a man who doesn't have time for kids handle one with such love", Frank whispered in her ear.
Claire smiled and covered one of her dad's hands with her own.
" I'm gonna head home tonight sweetheart, is that okay?", Frank said.
" Sure dad, we'll be fine", Claire assured him.
Frank gave her a kiss on the cheek before going into the living room to say goodbye to Henry. They shook hands then Frank leaned down and gave Ethan a kiss on the top of his head. Ethan didn't budge. He was definitely out for the night.
Henry was in awe of the little boy in his arms. He never thought he'd be in this position, holding a little kid while they slept. He never pictured himself having kids. He wasn't exactly kid friendly. His job required too much of his time. He wasn't going to bring kids into the world then not be there for them. And even if he wanted kids, he didn't have a woman. He was 34 and had resigned himself to being a bachelor forever. He wasn't cut out for the whole family life.
Or at least, he didn't think he was. Holding this precious little boy in his arms was making him want to rethink things. Maybe there was a way where he could have it both ways. Work and family. Tons of people did it. He was sure that if he really wanted to that he could do both. And with the right woman by his side, he'd be good.
" You want me to take him?", Claire asked, bringing him out of his thoughts.
Henry looked up at her. She was standing in front of him. " Ah, no, just tell me where to put him", he said, standing up with Ethan cradled in his arms.
Ethan snuggled into Henry's chest and let out a contented sigh.
" Does he do this often?", Henry asked Claire. But he knew the answer just by the heartwarming look on her face.
Claire shook her head, " Never", she whispered.
Henry's heart swelled to the point of almost bursting with happiness. Claire led him down the hallway and into the softly lit bedroom that was most definitely Ethan's room. Henry went over to the little bed that looked like a race car and gently placed Ethan down then pulled the covers up over him. Ethan snuggled into his pillow and hugged his sock monkey tighter.