Fast Lane | ✔️

18

Ch18

Claire rolled over in bed and reached out for Miller, but her hand was met by an empty space. She sat up and glanced at the clock on her bedside table. 10:15 am. Of course Miller would have gotten up by now, it was so late! She fell back into the soft pillows and sighed.

What a night! One minute she was feeling fine, the next minute she could barely stand. A severe bout of dizziness overcame her and she suddenly collapsed. And just when Miller was starting to relax! Claire felt horrible worrying both him and Brooks, knowing they each had enough on their minds, but it couldn't be helped. She'd been feeling increasingly exhausted. No one ever said pregnancy would be easy, but she had not expected this!

Miller had been so sweet. After she convinced him not to rush her to the hospital, he stayed by her side all night, tending to her every need. She'd managed to convince him she was coming down with something, and he seemed to believe her, but she felt so guilty lying. If there was one thing she knew for sure, she could not put off telling him about the baby any longer. The time had come for her to finally fess up, despite everything he had on his plate. There was no way she could mask the pregnancy any longer, especially now that her symptoms were making themselves known. She would just have to convince him that everything would work out; that the baby was an unexpected gift, and things would be fine. Miller would make a wonderful father; she had no doubt about that. And once he got over the initial shock, he would be thrilled, just as she was. After she was able to explain why she had held off telling him right away, he would appreciate and understand her reasoning, she knew he would. He had to. After all, she'd kept it from him for his own good. She'd wanted Miller in high spirits when she announced they were expecting, so he could concentrate on the little family they were creating. Sadly, that was a luxury she could no longer afford.

Claire slowly sat up on the side of the bed, careful not to stand if dizziness overwhelmed her. She'd read online that many mothers-to-be experienced a lightheaded sensation during their first trimester, and that it was nothing to worry about. Her first doctor's appointment was coming up and she could not wait to get in, just to confirm everything was okay. She'd heard horror stories of many pregnancies ending abruptly that early on and she wanted to make sure their baby was healthy and growing the way he or she was supposed to be. Carefully, she stood up and reached for her robe, bringing it around her shoulders. She slid on her slippers and made her way down the hall and into the front room.

"Claire," Brooks greeted her and stood up quickly from the comfortable leather chair he sat in. "How are you feeling?" He made his way toward her and guided her into a chair.

She couldn't help but smile. "I'm fine, Brooks, really. I feel much better this morning."

"You gave us quite a scare, you know," he said, sitting in a chair across from her. "I've never seen Miller so worried before."

"I'm sorry," she said with a regretful smile. "I didn't mean to worry you two. Where is Miller? I'd like to speak with him," she asked, looking around. Now that she'd made up her mind to be truthful, she didn't want to put it off any longer.

"He had to go out for a little while. He made me promise to stay here and look after you."

Claire's eyebrows hitched together in confusion. What did Miller have to do that was so important? He'd been so attentive to her the night before, it surprised her he hadn't waited until she woke up to see how she was feeling. "Oh, Brooks! You don't have to do that, I'm fine. Miller should have never made me your responsibility."

"Oh, no. There's no way I'm leaving you. Not after last night," he explained. "You looked horrible, Claire-no offense. You turned pale as a ghost. I've never seen anything like it."