him a soft kiss on the lips.
"I love you, too Nerd Boy. Will you stay next to me while I call Mathias? Ya know… Hold my hand? Because I'm so nervous and I am really having problems wrapping my head around all of this."
He pulled me into his arms and whispered into my ear. "Of course baby... I plan to never leave your side." I grabbed onto him and held onto him for dear life to draw strength from him. Why have I been so stupid for so long when my own knight in shining armor that I never believed in has been here with me all along and living with me in my house this past year? I heard Olivia cough and she interrupted our little moment.
"If you don't mind you two, Cash and I are going to leave you two alone so that you can make that phone call. If you need anything at all Claud, I'm here for you okay? Let me know what you decide to do. I really need to get home to the babies."
I broke away from Caleb and leaned down and hugged my best friend who has always been there for me and especially when I haven't always been honest with her in telling her everything about my life.
"Thank you O. I love you so much and I hope you've forgiven me for my big secret. I should have told you from the beginning and I realize that now and I'm so sorry for hiding it from you."
"Well... I forgive you but if you EVER keep something from me ever again I swear I will kick your ass! We're sisters remember? Maybe not by blood but definitely by heart. Oh and I love you, too! Haha." Thank God for her giggle because I was feeling like a shit as a friend.
"Duly noted and I'll let you know how the conversation goes with Mathias." I looked over at Cash. "I'll let you know if I need to take you up on your offer of the jet, okay? Thank you Cash… for everything. You really came through for me and I appreciate it." He came over and gave me a big bear hug.
"Claudia? When are you going to figure out that you're family? Family takes care of family. You're the only sister I'm ever going to have so stop acting like you're a pain because you always will be, haha. Isn't that how little sisters are supposed to be? Oh and you're welcome."
I laughed at him because that's how our relationship is. We tease each other constantly and I wouldn't want it any other way. He pulled Caleb into a hug and my heart melted because they have come so far in their relationship this past year.
"Brother, take care of her and keep me updated on how everything goes." He patted him on the back and they pulled apart.
"Will do, Brother. Thank you for the help and I'll be around soon to see the kids. Give them lots of hugs from me and tell Gideon that I got him the newest baseball game on the Xbox and I plan on beating him down when I give it to him."
"Oh I don't know about that because he's getting better." He reached for Olivia's hand. "Come on sweetheart. I can imagine Tank is giving your mom a fit by now for some dinner."
"Oh Cash... Quit calling him that! He's never going to know what his name is! It's Hank!"
They both left the house and Caleb and I looked at each other and busted up laughing at their argument that we could still hear from inside the house. It felt good to laugh after the last couple of days and especially after remembering the phone call that I have to make. I feel myself panicking again and Caleb frowned at me and I gave him a fake smile in return.
"I'm just so nervous about making this call. I don't even know what to say to the guy. What if he does want me to head down there immediately? What if Grayson didn't ask about me at all and this guy is just... just... I don't know."
"Claud, calm down okay. You're asking way too many what ifs right now. I'm going to go make us some more coffee and breakfast because I know that you haven't really eaten since breakfast yesterday and after you've calmed down some then you can make your phone call. By then your head should be a little clearer. Just try to relax and lay over here on the couch. Let me take care of