Keeping Claire

Chapter Thirty Three

Chapter Thirty Three

Claire’s POV-

                That night was filled with movies, laughter, and tons of coffee. Sam, Cody, I stayed up until three in the morning watching movies and sharing stories. It had been a long time since I had laughed that much, maybe never. Once Sam left, I started to busy myself with cleaning up, but Cody wouldn’t allow that. He sat me down on the couch and quickly cleaned up the remainders of our little party.

                I watched him while I absentmindedly rubbed my wrists. They weren’t going to heal if they kept getting ripped open. It was then that I realized that whole body was hurting again. Cody sat down next to me and pulled me into his lap. It was smooth and painless for me, too, which was very attractive. His expression was blank, he was in his own little world. He played with a strand of my hair while he thought. I leaned my head on his chest and listened to the steady beat of his heart. When I looked back up, he looked perplexed about something. This had me worried. “What are you thinking about?” I asked him.

                He looked at me, his face instantly softening. “These past few weeks.”

                I nodded, chewing internally on his answer. Was he having second thoughts? Regrets? Worries?

                He shook his head back and forth, knowing what I was thinking about. “I just really love you.” He said, kissing my forehead, then my nose, then lightly pecking me on the lips.

                I nodded. “I love you too.”

                He smiled.

                “Hey Cody. I really want a shower. I feel nasty.” I had always hated that feeling. Showers were my ‘me time’. Plus being stuck on a hospital for a whole day doesn’t really help.

                “Before that, I want to talk.” He said.

                I nodded nervously. A talk could mean lots of things. Fortunately, he didn’t give me time to think about it. “How are you, like, as far as your mental state goes?” He asked.

                I was confused, and he could tell. “I mean, I don’t need to get you any help, do I?” It was an innocent question, but it made me uncomfortable. It was sweet, really sweet, that he would do that for me. However, I was fine now. It would take time, but I’m in the process of healing.

                “No. These past couple of days have really changed me, for the better. Especially when you told me that you love me. I’m not afraid of my own mind anymore. I mean, I’m not completely better, but I’m in the process.” I ended by pecking him on the lips.

                He smiled. “Good. Now let’s go get you a shower.”

                He helped me up. We were about to walk to the bedroom, but then I suddenly remembered something. “Cody, what about your parents. I can’t travel and thanksgiving is tomorrow.” I didn’t want to be the reason that he didn’t spend time with his parents.

                “You’re so thoughtful,” He said kissing me on the forehead. “I called them yesterday and explained everything. They understand and we can go down and see them for Christmas.”

                I tensed up instantly. What if they thought I wasn’t good enough for him or that I have too much baggage.

                He squeezed my hand. “Seriously, they understand.”