Reason

Chapter 3:

It was a boy. Brodie William Drake. I held him in my arms, rocking him back and forth with tears in my eyes. He wore a blue knitted hat and was sleeping but I still believed he was the most beautiful baby boy I ever laid eyes on.

"You can go and see your brother now." I heard Ellie say to Claire. I was lucky enough to have Ellie help me to her car so we could go to the hospital. She rushed me there and called Tony who left his work just like he said would. He stood by me, rubbing my shoulders which felt incredible.

Claire ran in around the big hospital bed and to Tony. He picked her up and set her next to me on the bed.

"He is really small." Claire said, smiling. She patted the blanket that Brodie was in and smoothed through its creases.

"Of course he is, silly." Tony replied, smiling. Claire looked back at Tony and giggled.

"Bro-die." Claire said. I nodded my head and gave Claire a kiss.

"Where you good for grandma and grandpa Drake?" I asked, admiring her little green dress and her tennis shoes.

"Yes, mommy! I got a baby doll!" Claire announced, leaning towards Brodie. Tony let her kiss the top of Brodie's head and a soft coo came from Brodie. Claire's green eyes lit up and looked at me.

"He knows who is big sister is." I replied, smiling. Tony put Claire down and held out his hands for Brodie. I gently handed Brodie to Tony. I patted the white sheets next to me and had Tony help Claire up.

"Are you going to be a big helper for mommy?" I asked, smoothing out Claire's curls. I tried moving towards Claire but my stomach hurt too much and I winced. Claire moved closer to me. She laid her head on me and I put my arm around her.

"Yes, mama." Claire answered. She started to grab her toes and pull her shoes off.

"That's my girl." I said, rubbing her arm. She looked up at me and batted her long eyelashes.

I noticed then how much people were going to like her when she got older. It scared me because I never could expect the kind of guy that she would bring home. I wanted everything for Claire since I didn't get everything. And I didn't want her going through the same experiences I went through. She deserved better. I brought her into the world for her to have a chance while some people bring their children into the world and don't give them any chances. It happened in my past and I was not going to put her through that; she was too sweet and I was not like my parents.

"I named my doll Tay. She likes you a lot." Claire said, smiling.

"Where is she?" I asked, laying my head back. I took a deep breath, conscious of the deep pain in my lower half.

"Grandpa and grandma are babysitting her." Claire said, humming to herself. I nodded my head and watched as Tony walked into the hospital room again. He was carefully rocking Brodie back and forth and looking at me intently. I gave him a smile.

"Looks like it's time for grandma and grandpa to take ms. Claire home." Tony said, glancing at a sound asleep Claire. I looked sideways at Claire who had her head on my side.

Tony set Brodie into the clear crib and walked over. He gently grabbed Claire and kissed me on the way up. He waved as he walked out of the room.

I squirmed in the bed and closed my eyes. An image of Ian appeared before my eyes. I started to sweat as his twisted smile implanted itself in my brain. My body chilled as his words repeated inside me. I know your secret. I know your secret.

How did he even have a clue what I did all those years ago? The choice I choose in the past cannot have followed me here. What did Ian want from me? I didn't have feelings for him anymore and I never told him the real reason why I left. So how could he know what I did?