Weekends Required (Danvers #1)(62)

Her mother also told her that when Jason had visited her the first time he had just missed Claire. After that Louise always called him when she was leaving so he could visit without upsetting her. He came each evening and read to her or just talked. Last night he had brought the computer and taught her how to use it. It was obvious from her mother’s expression that she really liked him.

Claire knew in her heart that her mother would have never been so comfortable around a man who reminded her in the least bit of her husband. Everything that Jason had done for her, although way overboard, had been to help her because he cared. He hadn’t been trying to control her or make decisions because he didn’t feel like she was competent. He simply wanted to help people. He visited her mother each night because he had a big heart, not to gain something from her. Claire looked over at her mother, a smile forming on her face. Her mother said one word, “Go.”

Chapter Twenty Seven

Claire didn’t know when or if Jason would be home, but she was determined to sleep in her car if she had to. She didn’t want to talk to him over the phone or at the office; she wanted to see him in person. She needed to see if she could salvage something after the way she’d hurt him. Yes, he shared in the blame, and if they were to have a future together, he would have to learn to step back and let her handle her life. She’d been sitting in his driveway for almost three hours. It was midnight, and she was yawning and trying to stay awake when approaching headlights flooded her car.

She was parked to the side, and Jason didn’t even notice her until he was pulling into the garage. His car slammed to a halt as he stared at her car. He turned off the ignition to his Mercedes, leaving it half outside the garage and rushed over to her door. He opened it and asked urgently, “Claire, what’s wrong? Did something happen to your mother?”

In the dim light of the car, Claire could make out the tight grooves around his mouth. His beautiful blue eyes seemed so much duller than the last time they’d been together. She reached up and ran her finger down the side of his face, feeling the familiar angles, committing it to memory once again. Jason caught her hand and shook it slightly as if afraid she was in shock. “Baby, what’s going on? Talk to me!”

As if a dam has broken, tears poured from her eyes as she said, “Everything is ok, I needed to see you.”

Suddenly, Claire could see his face take on a guarded expression. “Claire, just go home. I can’t do this again.”

As he started to straighten and pull away from the car, Claire grabbed his hand and said, “I love you Jason.”

Jason pulled back from her, shaking his head. “You’re killing me, please just go home.”

Jason walked away from her towards the door in his garage leaving his car still half out of the garage. Quickly getting out of her car, Claire caught up with him as he was unlocking the door. “Jason,” She began, “I know you have been going to see my mother every evening; I know she told you about my father.” Claire waited for his reaction as his shoulders stiffened. As he turned slowly around, Claire was taken aback by the desperate sadness and longing she saw on his face.

“Claire, I’m sorry; I know now that I did everything wrong with you. By loving you so much I turned into everything you’d ever feared. I wanted to take all your pain away, and instead I only gave you more. I drove you away, and I know you will never trust me again, you will always think I’m like him.”

Claire put her finger to his lips to stop the flow and wrapped herself around him. He stood in her embrace, still and resistant. She gently laid her lips against his and whispered, “I love you; you’re everything I ever wanted and was afraid I would never find.”

Beautiful blue eyes searched hers and he couldn’t miss the love pouring from them. Then crushing her in his embrace, he pressed his lips against hers as they shared a tender kiss full of love and promise. Some minutes later, Jason pulled back, his breathing rapid. “Claire, I love you so much and I’m sorry for everything. Please put me out of my misery and marry me because I can’t make it without you. I promise to try to control the urge to solve all your problems. I love you desperately so please be gentle with me if I stumble occasionally.”

Looking up at the man that she loved so much, Claire said, “I would love to marry you but do you think we could go inside now before I rip your clothes off right here?” Never had Claire been pulled through a door in such record time.

One Year Later

Claire was smiling as she walked into her husband’s arms. After a quick kiss, anxious blue eyes searched her face. Claire had been sick on and off for the last few weeks and unable to kick the stomach bug making its rounds. Finally, Jason insisted on her going to the doctor. Despite his protests, she went alone assuring him that he didn’t need to leave work to go with her. Claire knew how hard Jason worked to overcome his constant need to take care of her, and she realized it had been sheer torture for him not to accompany her today.

“Baby, what did the doctor say?”

With her best serious expression, Claire said, “Well, he said that I should be fine… in about eight more months, that is.” Seeing the look of confusion and fear in his eyes, Claire took his hand and gently lowered it to her stomach.

The confusion started to clear, and his eyes lit up with joy. Swinging her up in his arms, he said, “A baby?”

“Yep, Mr. Danvers, all that overtime you have been putting in lately um… in the bedroom has really paid off.”