It's Been Five Years

Eight

 The room becomes a blur as I feel hot tears rolling down my cheeks. I hardly notice when Henry pulls me to his chest and rubs my back gently.

" They all hate me! My entire family hates me!"

I choke out in between sobs. Henry whispers something about how it'll all be okay, but I can't make myself believe him. A minute of me crying into Henry's chest goes by before I feel a soft tug at the bottom of my skirt. I look down and meet the eyes of a curious Clara.

" Why is everyone sad, mommy?"

Clara asks and I find myself not knowing what to say. Henry lets go of me and kneels down in front of Clara. He opens his arms to her and she flings herself into his embrace. He hugs her tightly and gives her a swift kiss on the head.

" Don't worry about that sweetie. Everything is okay."

Henry coos and a wave over relife crashes over me. He's already so good with her. Henry picks Clara up and props her up on his hip.

" Do you want to go pack-up some of your stuff and I'll get Clara's? I'm sure we'll be able to come back and get the rest another day."

Henry says and I nod my head slowly.

" Most of our stuff is already packed. The movers are supposed to come in two days. I'll just go get a couple boxes with clothes and cosmetics. You stay down here with Clara."

I say and hesitantly begin ascending the staircase.

Once I gathered a couple boxes of clothes and cosmetics, Henry helped me load them into his Range Rover. I sold my car a few days ago. I won't need it when I go to New York, plus the extra money doesn't hurt. We drove all four hours to his and Angelina's house in almost complete silence. Clara was asleep soundly in the back, Henry was concentrated on the dimly lit road, and I was still shaken up about the confrontation with Angelina and my parents.

" We're here."

Henry announces as we finally pull into the front driveway. I got Clara out of the back while Henry carried in the two boxes full of mine and Clara's clothes. Once we're inside, I go into the guest bedroom and tuck Clara in. Once I make sure she's settled in, I go to look for Henry. I walk into the kitchen and find him solemnly sitting at the kitchen table.

" Thank you, for letting us stay the night."

I say and he gives me a tight lipped smile.

" Of course. Anything for you and Clara."

He says and I shift uncomfortably. Why are things so awkward between us all of a sudden?

" I'm sorry I messed up things with you and Angelina. I came in and blew up your world."

I whisper and Henry looks at me with concerned eyes.

" You didn't. Don't put that on yourself. I meant what I said before. I love you and I want to be there for you and Clara."

I feel a bit relieved, but there is still this awkwardness between us that I can't put my finger on.

" Are we together then?"

I ask and he stiffens. A brief moment of awkward silence goes by before he opens his mouth to speak. 

" I-I do want to be with you, but I feel like it would be wrong. I mean, I don't know what I was thinking. Drop Angelina and get with you, her little sister? That's just so wrong."

He says and my heart sinks. Is he seriously having second thoughts right now?

" Well, yeah, us being together might be morally wrong, but so was you being married to my sister! It makes more sense for you to be with me! I'm the mother of your child."