Page 32 of Second Chance At Love

“A little judicious editing of the story will happen, plus we will make it safer,” agreed Max as he popped a square into his mouth. “Eat your brownie.”

Henry did as he was told, slowly eating the brownie while holding onto Adam. He listened to the conversations around him. Cora was given a few gifts for the house and baby. Nothing overwhelming, but much needed items which the group had put some thought into.

This was something he had missed out on, reflected Henry. Just being with family. For so long he had been away, isolatinghimself, much like Gerrit was doing. It was something Henry was coming to regret. It was good to be surrounded by people who loved and supported him.

At some point, Max took Adam as Henry’s eyes got heavy. He offered to have Henry carried to his room, but Henry declined. He was exactly where he wanted to be. Henry leaned back and let sleep overtake him.

Cora found herself humming as she cleaned up a few odds and ends after the party. Yes, the ladies had helped and made sure everything was clean and items were returned to where they belonged. However, Cora still needed to wipe down surfaces and straighten things.

It was a habit left over from when Nate was alive. She was learning not to be as OCD perfect but it was hard after years of making sure things were just right for her husband.

Nate was gone, she reminded herself. She would wipe down surfaces to make sure Henry and Adam didn’t get sick but she wasn’t going to straighten towels or make sure rugs were parallel to surfaces, or all the little things she used to do so Nate wouldn’t get angry with her.

Cora could have a comfortable home now, without fear of someone criticizing. It was wonderful.

Throwing the last cleaning wipe in the garbage, Cora had a quick look at Adam who was sleeping peacefully on the baby monitor. He had been fed and changed a little over an hour ago. Cora grabbed two cans of nutrient shake and took the monitor with her. Nick and Oliver were already upstairs tucked into bed.

Going to Henry’s room, she checked to see if he was awake. He was sitting up in bed, looking at something on his laptop with a frown.

“I thought you were letting Addison and Ben take over,” mildly remonstrated Cora as she set down the can of nutrient shake on his bedside table. Going around the bed, she put the monitor on her side and had a seat, leaning back against the pillows.

“Just an email to Temple. I want to know what he can find out about Gerrit’s plea deal for me,” Henry said as he tapped a couple of keys then sent it. Closing the laptop, he set it to the side. “Ready to find out if Tex is lying yet?”

“We might have to watch two a night to get caught up again,” mentioned Cora as she grabbed the television remotes, setting up the prerecorded programThe Gorgeous and the Botoxedso they could watch an episode.

“As long as you take notes and let me know what happens if I fall asleep again,” agreed Henry as he settled back against the pillows and automatically took the can of nutrient shake from the side table.

Cora was grateful she never had to nag him about drinking the shake. Henry was an easy houseguest and convalescent. “Why do you think Gerrit made the plea deal so the others wouldn’t go to prison?”

“I’m not sure I would like to hope it’s because he was trying to be a better person. All of the others have families. Perhaps that factored in his decision,” mused Henry. “I hope he didn’t do it for the wrong reasons like hurt and anger over the way he feels he has been treated by the family. I really want to know what he all pled guilty to. Maybe there is some way to undo some of it.”

“You’re still trying to protect him,” observed Cora.

“I’m the oldest. It’s sort of my job to help my siblings when they find themselves in trouble. I’m not always the greatest at it though,” murmured Henry.

“I think it’s the trying that counts,” softly said Cora. She set the television to play the recording and watched as her favorite characters got on with the drama of their lives. Halfway through the first episode, Henry was already asleep. Cora paused, pulling a throw blanket over him before continuing.

By the second episode she was tired as well. Pausing it, she moved to get more comfortable, promising herself it was just for a few minutes then she would get up to check on Adam before heading to her own bed.

It was Adam’s faint cry through the baby monitor that woke her. Blinking, Cora realized she was curled against Henry, her head on his chest as they both slept, one hand flung over his waist. Blushing, she slowly extracted herself so she wouldn’t wake him. Shutting off the television and grabbing the monitor, Cora headed for her own room. Picking up Adam and giving him a quick kiss on his forehead, Cora checked her watch.

It was three in the morning. She had slept with Henry for at least five hours. Sitting in the rocking chair, Cora fed her son as she silently berated herself. What if Oliver or Nick had come searching for her? What would they think, finding her asleep with their uncle? Sure, they were both fully clothed and nothing had happened. The whole thing had been entirely innocent.

Cora felt a little guilty. She was barely a widow of just over three months. Cuddling with Henry was addictive. He provided safety, friendship, and someone adult to have conversations with. She probably should stop their nightly ritual of watching television together, but Cora enjoyed it, even if Henry ended up falling asleep each time.

Maybe she was enjoying it too much and getting too comfortable. Cora bit her lip. She didn’t know what she was going to do. Her head and her heart were at odds with each other.

Chapter Eleven

Henry had fallen asleep again before the end of the episode. He could recall having a nice dream where Cora was cuddled up to him, just sleeping. It had been particularly sweet.

Using the walker and careful of the oxygen line, Henry went about his morning rituals. Noah and Michael planned on dropping in this morning to visit. It seemed like since he had moved into Cora’s home, everyone in the family was taking turns to come by and chat about something or other. Henry supposed it was their way of including both of them in the family.

He hoped they would continue to do it if he passed away. Cora was going to need the help and support.

Today he had a plan. It might backfire, but Henry thought Cora wouldn’t mind. Henry had dropped a few hints and she had seemed amenable. Probably he should just come out and ask, but there was a risk Cora might say no. It would also be good for Nick and Oliver. Plus, Henry was kind of looking forward to seeing everyone’s faces when he delivered the surprise.

There was the possibility Cora might just get annoyed. However, not enough to kick him out. She wouldn’t do that. Ultimately, she would accept the surprise as well.