Page 112 of Noah

I gave Noah a quick nod. "We both have full-time jobs and partners we need to consider. Charlie and his wife are expecting another baby. Mom doesn't want us to fuss over her."

"So, what comes next?"

"Charlie has looked into some government places. Assisted living. She'd have her own one-bedroom apartment with a kitchenette. Lunch and dinner are provided in a dining room. And there's the option to have someone come in and clean the place and do her laundry weekly."

"Sounds like a good solution. Is there a nurse on staff?"

"Yes, there's an RN and care workers to help with personal care and medications and stuff like that. She'd have someone on hand 24/7."

"How does your mom feel about it?"

"She says she's ready. Ultimately, it's her decision."

Noah stroked my cheek. "I'm sorry you're having to go through this."

"It's what's best." If I kept telling myself that maybe I would start to believe it. Mom had been my rock my entire life; always there in my corner. Now, she needed us boys to care for her.

"Maybe she'll make some friends in the dining room."

The corner of my mouth lifted a little. I appreciated that Noah was trying to make me feel better about the decision my brother had made and I'd agreed to. He was her power of attorney. I didn't actually have a say. I was grateful Charlie had asked for my input.

"Maybe," I replied.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"She's on a waiting list. When a unit comes open, we'll need your muscle to move stuff."

"I can do that."

Noah pressed his lips to mine. A wave of calm coursed through me, slowing down the rampant thoughts ripping up my mind. Mainly, the logistics of going through an entire lifetime's accumulation of Mom's belongings. I couldn't stop my brain from always planning ahead.

"We'll work on her place together," Noah said, tapping into my thoughts. The man knew me so well. Moments like this made me fall in love with him over and over again.

The house was as majestic as I knew it would be. Corporate lawyers made a lot more money than Crown Counsel. Noah's parents lived in the north end of Oak Bay in the house he had grown up in. It was hard to imagine him here. My Noah was rough and wild compared to the uptight neighbourhood driveway we were currently parked in as I calmed myself.

"All right." I threw open the door, clambered out, and grabbed my crutch from the backseat of my car. We'd switched from using Noah's compact car, opting for the space and height offered by my SUV to accommodate my mobility issues. Of course, Noah drove.

As we made our way up the driveway, a sleek Jaguar pulled up beside us. Noah had decided to park at the bottom of the driveway so we wouldn't get boxed in by his siblings in case we needed a quick getaway. That necessity didn't make me feel any better about this dinner.

Of course, the opulent house was trimmed out with hundreds of lights. After jumping out of her expensive car, Frances and Henry joined us at the door. No one knocked or rang the bell.

"Getting my hugs in now," Frances said and wrapped her arms around me. I hugged her back. It felt good. She felt like family already. "I'm glad you're feeling better. Merry Christmas, Brody."

"You, too." I exchanged Frances' hug for a handshake and pleasantries with Henry.

Noah exhaled. "Are we waiting for Sean?"

"He's ten minutes out," Frances replied. "And it's cold out here."

Noah placed his hand on the doorknob. "Okay. Ready?" I clung to Noah's coat sleeve. It felt as if we were preparing to walk into battle. Was this level of apprehension normal for them?

Noah swung open the door. "We're here!"

Celine Waters hustled into the foyer, dressed in a red-sequined gown, a martini glass perched in one hand. "No need to shout, Noah."

"Wasn't sure where you'd be." Noah slipped off my coat and hung it in a closet with the rest. He turned back to his mom. "Season's greetings, Mother."

I wrinkled my nose as she gave Noah one of those fake kisses on the cheek. Noah had told me about the conversation he'd had with his parents weeks ago. At his apartment, where they'd told him they loved him and spoke to him in a way that might indicate they were indeed human.

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