Chapter 17 - Before the First Cry
At thirty-four weeks, Claire’s doctor ordered her to stop climbing ladders.
“I’m not climbing ladders,” Claire protested.
Rachel gave her a hard look. “You were on a scaffold yesterday.”
“It had rails.”
“So does a prison.”
Adrian arrived with a list of architects who could oversee the final inspections. Claire tore it in half.
“I’m not being replaced.”
“You’re not being replaced.”
“That list says otherwise.”
“That list says the building can continue while you follow medical advice.”
“My body is not a scheduling problem.”
“I know.”
She regretted the sharpness immediately. Adrian did not argue.
“I’m afraid,” he said.
Claire went still. “Of what?”
“Of losing you because I’m trying too hard to stay.”
The anger drained from her.
“You’re not going to lose me because you care.”
“I might lose you if I turn care into pressure.”
“Then ask me what I need.”
He nodded. “What do you need?”
“A deputy architect. Not someone you choose. Someone I choose.”
“Done.”
“A written schedule that lets me work from home when I’m tired.”
“Done.”
“And you need to stop looking at every doctor’s appointment like it’s a board meeting.”
“I can try.”
“You are allowed to be scared without fixing everything.”
He took her hand. “I’m scared the baby will be born before we’re ready.”
“No one is ready.”
“You seem ready.”
“I’m pretending professionally.”
That evening, Claire chose Maya Chen, a brilliant project architect she had mentored early in her career, as her deputy. Maya accepted on the condition that Claire stop answering emails after ten at night.
“You’re all conspiring against me,” Claire said.
“We’re conspiring for the building,” Maya replied.
The baby shower was held at Willow House, surrounded by unfinished walls and crates of tile. Rachel brought a cake shaped like a blueprint. Lila brought a stack of books about infants and apologized for every one of them.
“You don’t have to keep apologizing,” Claire told her.
“I’m trying to find the correct number.”
“Try zero for today.”
Lila nodded and arranged the books near the window.
Ethan did not attend. He sent a small wooden mobile carved with clouds. Claire almost returned it, then decided the baby could judge the gift independently of the giver.
Adrian gave her a wrapped package. Inside was a scale model of Willow House’s central courtyard, complete with tiny trees.
“You made this?” she asked.
“With assistance.”
“The trees are wrong.”
“I knew you’d say that.”
She studied the model. “It’s beautiful.”
“I wanted you to have something that showed the house as finished.”
“It isn’t finished.”
“Not yet.”
At thirty-six weeks, Claire woke in the night with a sudden rush of pain.
She called Rachel. Rachel called Adrian. Adrian arrived while Claire was putting on her shoes.
“Hospital,” he said.
“I know.”
“I’m not trying to control you.”
“You’re standing between me and the front door.”
He moved instantly.
In the car, Claire gripped his hand through another contraction.
“If you say breathe, I’ll bite you.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
“What were you going to say?”
“You’re doing well.”
“That’s worse.”
He pressed his lips together.
She laughed despite the pain.
At the hospital, the doctor said it was false labor. Claire was sent home with stricter instructions and a warning that the baby could arrive at any time.
Before dawn, she and Adrian returned to the townhouse and sat on the kitchen floor.
“I’m terrified,” she said.
“Me too.”
“Good.”
“Good?”
“It means I’m not alone in being ridiculous.”
May you like
He kissed her forehead.
This time, she leaned into him without fear.
