"Hi John!" Claire responded to John warmly as he pulled her into a hug.
"I heard from Emma that you needed to stay with us for a while. So, I came as quickly as I could, are you ready to go?"
"Yes, I just need to get my suitcases from inside." Claire responded.
"Let me grab those for you." John said as he walked into the apartment. "Just these two here?"
"Yes, only those two bags."
John grabbed both large suitcases with ease and they left the apartment. The ride towards Emma and John's house was mildly awkward. John tried his best to make small talk, but he wasn't sure how to broach the subject.
"So, uh, how you been? I mean- well, other than…hm sorry. Is there anything you need when we get back to the house?" John sputtered.
"Um, I'm not sure yet. I'll check in with Emma first."
"Emma can't really do much right now, so she might not be that active. Just wanted to give you a heads up."
"Oh? What's wrong with Emma? Did something happen?"
"No, she's fine, she just- uh… She's just….. not feeling well right now." John said strangely.
"She's not feeling well? She didn't mention that earlier today." Claire said while side eyeing John. "I hope she's ok when we get back." She continued, trying to suppress her suspicions.
She knew that John meant well, and she also knew that he was a terrible liar. 'Something is up. I'll just have to ask Emma when I see her.'
The rest of the ride continued smoothly, in silence. John didn't want to make a fool of himself by saying something he shouldn't and Claire didn't want John to feel pressured to speak.
The car slowly pulled up to a cute Tudor styled home in a quiet suburb outside the city. There was a neat garden in the front with rose bushes in full bloom. John parked the car in the driveway, and grabbed Claire's bags from the trunk.
"Wow, I love what you've done with the garden! These roses look amazing" Claire gasped as she got out of the car.
"Thank You! I was finally able to get those rose bushes to bloom this year. Maybe next year I can add some foxgloves and lavender." John said grinning widely. "I think you'll like what we've done with the place. We've got a lot of new furniture since the last time you visited." John continued while opening the door.
The two of them walked into the house and John shouted out, "Emma, we're back."
"Hey, Em!" Claire joined John in shouting.
"Hi you two! I'm upstairs in the bedroom. John, can you put Claire's things in the guestroom? I'll be down in a minute." Emma chimed back.
Though the exterior of the house maintained a traditional appearance, Emma and John had recently renovated the interior of the house to have a modern but classic image.
As Claire walked into the house, a staircase was directly in front of her and to her right, a cozy living room spread out before her. A cute baby blue couch with colorful fluffed pillows lived in the center of the room. Beneath it was plush intricately designed rug. Two patterned armchairs sat directly across from the couch, and between them was a traditional fireplace. In the center of the seating was a rusting wooden coffee table, covered in a variety of books and trinkets.
Further into the house, behind the living room was the dining room and kitchen. The two rooms had been opened up to create a larger sense of space. Off to the side of the kitchen was a sunroom full of plants, and it had a door to the back yard.
"Please, have a seat. I'm going to take your bags upstairs to the guest room." John said as he gestured towards the couch. "Emma should be down soon, please make yourself comfortable."
"Thank you so much, John. Let Emma know I said thanks too."
"Will do." John smiled, and carried the luggage up the stairs, whistling while he walked.
After taking a seat, Claire could hear muffled voices as he reached the top of the stairs. It seemed that it would take a few minutes before Emma would be ready to join her. Fully taking John's advice, Claire allowed herself to sink deep into the sumptuous couch cushions.
Taking this moment to allow her taut nerves to relax, Claire closed her eyes and leaned her head back. 'This couch is so much more comfortable than that old one we had in the apartment. I have no idea why Derek was so attached to that thing.' Claire thought as she let her mind wander. 'I really shouldn't be thinking of him anymore. I don't want to ruin this mood.'
Pushing her thoughts of Derek away, Claire was able to reach a deep state of comfort. The environment felt cozy and warm. Shortly after relaxing fully, Claire fell into a deep sleep.
A few minutes later, Emma came bumbling down the stairs.
"Hey Cl- oh she's sleeping." Emma whispered. She then turned back, and gestured to John, placing her finger to her lips.
"Shhhh. Claire fell asleep." She mouthed to John. Emma carefully walked back up the stairs and said in a low voice, "I think we should let her nap. She's had a really rough day. Do you think you could head out to Roger's and pick us up something to eat? Claire loves Roger's. I'm sure she'll be happy to see it here already when she wakes up."
"Ooh good idea, Emma! She's definitely love that!" John said excitedly.
"Shhh. Quietly."
"Right. Sorry. I'll head out now then." John then tiptoed past Emma to leave the house. Emma turned to watch him go, chuckling lightly as his large body wobbled sillily down the stairs. The harder he tried to move quietly, the sillier his movements became. Eventually he made it to the door and opened it slowly. As he left, he gave Emma a small wave and sent her a kiss.
Emma returned the wave to John and went back down the stairs. She grabbed a soft fluffy blanket from a basket beside the couch and placed it gently on Claire. She then softly sat on the other end of the couch, joining Claire in taking a nap.