" Yeah, pack him a bag of toys, snacks, and whatever else he needs and bring him with you, he'll be fine, he can stay with me whenever you have to run around", Henry said, shrugging to himself.
Claire remained silent on the other end.
" Claire?", Henry asked after a minute, not sure if she was still there.
" Henry, has anyone ever told you that you're the best boss ever?", Claire said, her voice telling him that she was smiling.
" You would be the first, Darlin'", he laughed.
" Well you are. I'll be in shortly", Claire said.
" Okay, bye", Henry replied then hung up.
About 20 minutes later his office door opened and Ethan came running in with a little back pack on his back. His mop of blonde curls bouncing all over the place. He giggled as he ran for Henry, dropping his pack on the floor before trying to climb onto Henry's lap.
Henry lifted him up and sat the little boy on his knee, " My man Ethan", Henry chuckled and held out his hand for a high five. Ethan gave him a good slap.
Henry looked up to watch as Claire walked in. She carried a cooler bag and what looked like a sleeping bag in another tote bag. She looked stunning in black dress pants and a short sleeved baby blue frilly blouse that had a high collar. Her hair was half up and loosely curled. Her makeup was minimal, which he liked. She didn't need it at all.
" I got snacks and juice boxes and I brought his sleeping bag for when he gets tired, he can just lay on the floor and take a nap", Claire said, out of breath as she plopped down in one of the chairs in front of his desk.
" You look nice", Henry said softly, unable to stop running his eyes over her. He couldn't help but think about the image of her in the bra and panties splayed out on her bed.
Claire blushed and smiled, " Thank you"
Henry gave her a nod then looked at Ethan, " What do you think buddy? Doesn't mommy look nice?"
Ethan nodded, " Mommy pretty"
Claire beamed, " Thank you sweetie"
Henry ruffled his hair. The kid was too cute.
" Ethan, do you want to stay with Henry so mommy can go do a few things?", Claire asked Ethan.
" Yeah!", Ethan cried excitedly and nodded.
Claire smiled, " Okay!", she said and stood up.
She came around the desk and dropped a kiss on Ethan's forehead. Then she shocked Henry by pressing her lips to his cheek and whispering "Thank you" in his ear before she turned and headed out the door. Henry watched her go, falling just a little harder.
Claire passed by Henry's open office door on her way to the file room about an hour later. She glanced in and had to back pedal to make sure she was seeing correctly. She stood to the side of the door and peeked in, not wanting to disturb the two boys.
Henry had brought one of the chairs that were in front of his desk around so that it sat next to him. Ethan occupied that chair. On the desk between them was a coloring book. Each had their head bowed in concentration as the colored. Claire couldn't help but smile. Henry was so good with Ethan. He probably had no idea either.
" Is Henry coloring?", came Asher's dry comment from behind her.
Claire glanced over her shoulder at him, " Yeah", she giggled.
" What the hell are you doing to him? He's going all soft and shit", Asher muttered, scrubbing a hand over his mouth to hide his smile.
" I think my son brings out his soft side more then I do", Claire said quietly.
" Well that's obvious", Asher snorted, motioning at the two of them.
Claire hummed her agreement and continued to watch as Asher walked away. Her feelings for Henry were spiraling out of control. She's never felt like this about anyone, not even Ethan's father, Teddy. She thought she had been in love with him. But this didn't even come close. This was so much more. She felt it with everything she had. Henry was the one and would be the only one for the rest of her life.
" Hey Henry, how's his diaper?", Claire called into the room.
Henry's head shot up, " Huh?", he asked.
" Does he need a diaper change?", She asked.
Henry glanced at Ethan, " Ahhh", he said, his eyes widening, clearing having no idea what to do.
" Just give his butt a squeeze", Claire said, biting her lip to stop the laugh that threatened.
Henry did as he was told.
" Does it feel mushy?", Claire asked.
" Yes?", Henry replied, still looking unsure.
Claire moved into the office and went over to Ethan and felt his diaper. " Oh yeah, he definitely needs a change. Come on Ethan"