Chapter 13 - THE HOME WITH FOUR CRIBS
A year after the train incident, Gabriel asked me to move in.
I said no.
He looked surprised.
"Why?"
I smiled.
"Because I want to finish nursing school first."
He nodded.
"Okay."
I stared.
"That's it?"
He laughed.
"What did you expect?"
"An argument."
He shook his head.
"Not anymore."
I continued living in my apartment.
Wren attended a small childcare program.
I worked part-time.
Studied.
And spent weekends with Gabriel and the triplets.
The children grew close.
Leo adored Wren.
Oliver followed her everywhere.
Rose laughed whenever Wren danced.
One afternoon, Gabriel found us in the nursery.
Four toddlers were sitting in a circle.
Wren held a wooden spoon.
Leo had a stuffed rabbit.
Oliver was chewing on a soft block.
Rose was laughing.
Gabriel stopped.
"What is happening?"
I smiled.
"A very important meeting."
He raised an eyebrow.
"About?"
"Whether the rabbit gets a turn with the spoon."
He laughed.
Later, we sat together on the sofa.
Gabriel looked at me.
"Claire."
"Yes?"
"Would you ever want another child?"
I stared.
"Gabriel, we already have four."
He laughed.
"I know."
I smiled.
"Let's survive toddlerhood first."
He nodded solemnly.
"Wise."
That evening, he helped me pack my nursing textbooks.
He looked at the pages.
"You're going to be a wonderful nurse."
I smiled.
"I hope so."
He shook his head.
"I know so."
I looked at him.
"Why?"
He smiled.
"Because you notice what other people miss."
The words took me back to the train.
The crying.
The frightened babies.
The red light in my purse.
The photograph of Wren.
I swallowed.
"That day almost destroyed us."
Gabriel nodded.
"I know."
I looked toward the nursery.
"But it didn't."
He took my hand.
"No."
We sat quietly.
May you like
Four children slept upstairs.
And for the first time, the future felt peaceful.
